Chapter 1: Freedom at last

Mike opened his eyes, the familiar sight of his cell wall met him. Today was special. Today he'd be released.

He quickly jumped up, got on his hands and started doing his daily workout ranging from handstand pushups to high jumps. At this point it was a habit no less important than brushing his teeth.

After the workout, he went into his stretching routine, while his cellmate slowly got up from his bunk and started preparing their coffee. Its bitter smell woke a few up in the neighboring cells.

"Today is the day Mike"

"Have some fun for the lot of us Mike"

"I told you Mike, you just do the first day and the last, the rest means nothing, see how quickly it passed?"

Mike smiled while sipping on his coffee, his time inside wasn't so bad, the home was tougher really. He made friends quickly and he was not one to get pushed around.

As he walked onto the yard, looking around he found the old man he'd chat with usually. Soon enough the gang leaders approached, huddling around the bench.

Mike played the role of a neutral coordinator in prison, a connection between the gangs, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, handling negotiations, trades and conflicts. Now that he was leaving, the role had to be passed on.

In the end, a bit of a troublemaker was put forward, nicknamed Choky, a man who thrived on his mastery of language. Even though he had been there for a couple of years, he had built himself a reputation with nothing but his wit. The only downside being his tendency to gossip.

Something, that could not stand.

As Choky was called over, he approached with nervousness, but relaxed when Mike was the one to ask him to take a walk.

They walked a while in the yard, until they were a good distance from the crowd. Mike stopped at the fence and measured up Choky, who spoke with a smile.

"Diplomat Mike, right? To what do I owe the honor?"

Mike frowned and spoke tersely.

"Keep the nicknames to yourself."

Choky wiped his smile off his face. Diplomat wasn't known to be short-fused.

A hint of fear crept up Choky's back. The burning sun somehow felt hotter, his prison clothes more uncomfortable than usual, even his bad knee started acting up in a moment.

"Just making conversation, small talk and all"

Mike took a few steps towards him, getting uncomfortably close.

"Listen here… what is your name again?"

Gulp.

"Chandler, but you can call me Choky."

Mike leaned his head and glared.

"Chandler… word is; you like to talk."

Choky didn't budge, he took some time to answer.

"That I do, but my word is not so cheap to make insults behind backs. Perhaps a misunderstanding is afoot, I'm sure I can resolve it"

"How can you resolve talking about someone's sister that way." Said Mike, but all Choky could hear where the steps behind him. Turning and fighting was pointless, if not here, they'd do it later.

"This ain't right, I should have the opportunity to defend myself, who accused me of such a thing"

Mike showed no reaction. Then Choky felt something in his back, he winced, but pain did not arrive. Instead, came a voice.

"Stab, Stab, Stab, and you are dead"

Looking back, he found a man smiling at him, hands shown empty with open palms. Then the man walked away, laughing like a child. As he turned to Mike, he found him smiling, his glare gone.

"Some jokes you got there"

Mike backed up and leaned on the fence.

"Listen here Choky, from now on you are the Diplomat, it comes with benefits and refusal ain't an option. I would suggest keeping your tongue shorter than usual, a man known for gossip can be accused of… well, gossip. Being the Diplomat comes with its dangers. Your word will have weight though, so there is an upside"

Choky was the one frowning now. Clearly he found himself with a position that he didn't particularly want. However, Mike was right, he'd have to live with it.

"You are getting out, aren't you?"

"Of course, retirement isn't exactly an option. Two more things, the old man I was sitting with, he knows this place better than anybody, he commands respect, seek his advice. Also, keep your background to yourself, the less people know, the better, Diplomat isn't a person, it's an idea, keep it that way, you'll live longer."

Choky nodded, and started walking back, as the guards sounded for a return.

Few hours later, one of the guards came and in minutes Mike found himself at the exit of the prison.

As he stepped out and the door closed behind him, he felt lonely, hopeless and lost. It would do no good to wallow in it, so he thought back to his family.

'What did mom use to tell me? Ah, I had to become an adventurer like Indiana Jones; she loved those movies way too much. I think dad told me to strive for greatness. and Jacob... he had the best dream ever... huh?'

He noticed a small child in front of him with lifeless eyes. The child spoke with an ethereal voice.

"Greetings"

Mike chuckled and looked around for the kid's parents.

"Hi, some voice you got there, you lost or something?"

The child smiled.

"Would you like an adventure filled with trials and dangers?"

Mike stared at the boy, then chuckled and responded.

"An adventure? Very exciting… I'll humor you, I guess. Yes, I would love that."

The boy responded with a nod and then something strange happened. As the child snapped his fingers, everything went dark. Mike felt like he was in an empty void, he both existed and did not. Utter confusion settled over him. Then it changed again, an ocean of feeling washed over him, his whole life flashed before his eyes which soon opened.