Car Accident

In the slums of West Arona, crime rates are sky-high, drug syringes litter the streets, and prostitutes loiter around street corners. The sky was a murky grey polluted from the nearby factories. Without law enforcement, the slums were a perfect hideout for criminals of all the degrees.

But it wasn't just criminals who lived here. It was also the poorest. Under the increased taxes, more and more people were forced into poverty after losing their homes and their jobs. Without support from the government, the slums became the poor's only asylum where taxes were non-existent, and so was a good life.

In a small one floor apartment vandalized by graffiti was an eviction notice posted on the door to room 124. Inside, beer cans and cigarette buds covered the rotting wood floor like a layer of dust in an abandoned mansion. With his slender hands hiding his face, a young man rested his elbows on the table, thinking about the past.

His name is Alex Jian. Alex used to be a car salesman with a six-figure salary, working 40 hour work weeks, until it all came crashing down like a row of dominos.

...

One month ago while Alex was working, he received a call from the hospital. His parents were in a car accident. His father died in the crash, leaving his mother who lost both her legs.

"LET ME SEE MY MOTHER!" Alex with tears rolling down his eyes tried pushing past the doctors to no use.

"She is going to recover." The head doctor stared down at his notes.

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Alex pulled the head doctor by his collar.

"Your father died instantly after impact from a head-on collision while your mother lost both her legs and may have amnesia. Your mother will be able to recover, but you will need to stay by her side during this time." The doctor said emotionlessly.

Alex took a few days off work to care for his mother tirelessly, but she could not remember who he was no matter how many times he told her. Every day he would spend tens of hours with her trying to get her to remember the past.

When he went back to work the next day, Alex was called to the boss's office for a briefing after missing a week of work. The boss was an evil con-man who enjoyed punishing his employees for even the smallest things.

"Alex Jian, do you know why you are in here today." The boss pretended not to know.

"Yes, I have missed work past my vacation period." Alex stood up from his chair and bowed down. "My mother is in the hospital, please forgive me."

"I can't do that, you see. What if everyone left work to go to the hospital? Who would work?" The boss said now grinning with enjoyment clearly displayed across his face.

"I really need to stay with my mother. Is there anything I can do?" Alex continued to bow with hope in his heart.

"Since you're so sincere, I'll allow it…" Alex was ecstatic. "Under one condition. You can choose to quit your job or you can pay 10 grand for each day you leave work.

"But boss, I've only started working half a year ago, I don't have much saved."

The boss slammed the table furiously. "This is the only chance I can give you, be grateful before I fire you!"

Alex transferred 50 grand to the boss leaving only a few thousand left in his account. 'I can make back the money, but not my mother.'

…

On the morning before his return to work, Alex walked slowly into the hospital with a bouquet of flowers, and a container filled with chicken soup which his mother made for him when he was younger. When he entered his mother's room, she was sitting up, looking out the window.

"Mother, are you okay?" Alex was worried because she was usually still sleeping at this time.

"Thank you for your help… um, what is your name again?" Her eyes reflected her gratefulness.

"I'm Alex, Alex Jian, your son." He held her hand in his.

"I would like to hear another story."

"Okay, I'll tell you all the stories you want to hear." Alex decided to skip another day of work because it was Monday, the day with the least amount of customers.

The next day, Alex found himself in the office of his boss again.

"Where were you yesterday?" The boss was smiling.

"Sorry boss, it won't happen again," Alex said while bowing.

"Yes, it won't… because you're fired. Get out." The boss turned around as if nothing transpired.

"Please boss, give me another chance."

"No, shoo before I call security."

Alex left for the hospital. The only thing that mattered in his life was his mother, the person who took care of him for nearly two decades. From the time he was born to his graduation, she was always there for him, every step of his life.

He even sold his house to pay for the hospital fees, leaving him literally bare.

But when he entered the hospital on that eventful day, she was dead. His mother had committed suicide. She left a note by her side.

"I'm sorry, Alex. I enjoyed our time together, but I don't want to be a burden in your life anymore. Love Emilia Jian"

Alex broke. He was left with nothing. No family, no job, no house. Only a few hundred dollars left in his bank account. He drenched his coat with tears as he kneeled on the ground.

…

Thinking about his past, Alex, now with a beard, lifeless eyes, and a messy outfit sat pointlessly on his beat-down linen sofa. A headache pounded his brain from all the alcohol he had consumed the night before.

A knocking came from his door, further intensifying his headache.

"YOU HAVE ONE WEEK TO PAY RENT OR GET OUT!" The landlady yelled through the door.

Alex turned his head up to the old box tv when it started flashing bright lights.

"NEW VIRTUAL REALITY! BUY NOW BEFORE STOCKS RUN OUT! YOU CAN MAKE REAL MONEY FROM PLAYING!"

'Virtual reality might be worthwhile for a change.' Alex knew this was his last chance at a new life.