An Unexpected Journey
Prologue - A day (un)like any other


It was an average October evening with nothing out of the norm and nothing extraordinary. Just another monday evening.

I was walking home from work, tired and looking forward to having some quality time with my couch and my favorite drama. I was trying to predict the main character's next move but I hadn't been able to watch it for the past two weeks so I couldn't quite remember the last episode. I knew it was a bit strange for a young American woman to be so obsessed with Korean dramas but my best friend had gotten me into them a long time ago and I had since then been increasingly interested in Korean culture altogether. My job as a graphic designer was great and all but it was time consuming and needed all of my focus for long periods of time. My latest client had given me a task that was both enjoyable and a pain in my backside. I love designing and all but it really isn't as simple as people seem to think and definitely not as easy as any non-designer would have expected. It takes several days to come up with a solid concept and at least a week to get a prototype done. If the client doesn't like where it's going, then it's back to the drawing board. It had taken me more than a month to finish the last project (a simple logo redesign) but it was worth it and my client's satisfaction gave me a good moral boost.

Anyway, I was casually making my way home from the office, looking every bit the Californian that I was in a business suit and sandals. There was no way I was walking home in heels if I could avoid it. I didn't drive that day because the clear sky and perfect temperature just begged me to bask in the sun's glory. It had rained for a week and I love the smell of fresh rain and bright sunshine. So, as the office was a mere 20 minute walk from my apartment complex, I left my car at home. I regretted this when it was finally time to go back home, though. The sun was beginning to set, and though the sky was painted in beautiful shades of reds, blues, and purples, I was beginning to feel a bit paranoid. I didn't exactly live in the safest of neighborhoods.

Everything was going fine until the sun had gone below the horizon and the sky was darkening. As I passed a dark alleyway, I heard voices and quickened my pace. I crossed my fingers and hoped that nobody had taken an interest in me, I wasn't too confident that I could take on more than two drunk men at a time. Unfortunately for me, the group of men in the alley had spotted me and decided I was an easy target. I was still in my nicer clothes and I must have given them the idea that I was wealthy enough to rob. It wasn't too wrong but it wasn't exactly right. I mean, I did make good money when I finished projects but I didn't exactly work for a well-known or large design company. Prices were always rising and good jobs were getting scarce and money was getting tight. When I heard the sound of footsteps behind me, my heart jumped to my throat.

I heard them call out to me, their words slurred and tones vulgar, but I pretended not to hear them. I didn't notice they had caught up to me and gone around the building until I turned the corner and found myself surrounded. Cursing under my breath, I counted five men and knew I didn't have much of a chance. They seemed to understand this as well but they didn't expect me to fight back or that I had some martial arts training for just such an occasion.

Now, don't get me wrong, I was nowhere near a seasoned fighter so the most I could do was defend and get the hell out of there as soon as I found an opening. Which is exactly what I was going to do. As one of them tried to come up behind me to immobilize me, I elbowed him in the gut and kicked him hard enough to knock him off his feet (not a large feat since he was pretty tipsy to begin with). While the rest were processing what had just happened, I quickly sprinted through the opening he provided me and ran without looking back to see if they followed. Their angry shouts only gave me a reason to push myself into running faster as I weaved through the streets and ended up in the park.

I was too tired to keep running so I looked for a good hiding place. I would have tried running into a store to call the police or get help but everything was closed right now, so I didn't even attempt it. Perhaps that was another mistake but I guess I'll never know. I spotted my favorite tree, a large oak, and an idea formed in my mind. The tree was rather old and quite tall and some of the branches were big enough to hold my weight and to hide amongst. Mentally thanking my personal trainer at the gym, I climbed up the tree and lied down on one of it's larger branches just as my pursuers came into my field of vision. Slowing my breath and remaining as still as I possibly could, I watched as they scattered and searched all throughout the park. It felt like forever but they eventually seemed to give up on me and, one by one, left the area. I remained up in the tree for another 15-20 minutes to make sure they were really gone before attempting to climb down.

And that's when it happened. My sandals weren't exactly made for cross-country and one of the straps snapped which caused me to lose my footing and I came tumbling down. I tried to twist my body to land on my hands and knees but I only managed to make it halfway before... I was swallowed in darkness... The last thing I knew before I blacked-out was a comforting warmth enveloping me.


Hello again! Yes, I've edited this just a bit and I will be continuing this series! Yay! I had to stop writing once college decided to soak up all of my time and attention. Good news is: I have graduated college and am officially FREE! Anyway, review if you have any suggestions for future characters because I like collaborating with people to keep my mind fresh and my creative juices flowing! (I'm such a pervert for thinking that sounded dirty :X )

If you want to help me out and bounce ideas with me (with this or any other story, even one of your own), go ahead and leave a review or message me! Um, don't try emailing me because I never check my old emails anymore... ehehehe... If you want, I'll give you my newer (and more frequently checked) email addresses if you ask!

~ Xero ~