-Chapter 0: Prologue

I feel like at this point I've lost faith in my own race.

People are always angry and bitter, half the time you can't bother a person for the time of day without them biting at your neck. "Why do you need the time? Can't you see I'm busy?"

You don't look busy to me. All you ever do is keep your face buried in an I-pod or any overly expensive cell phone your family could afford. God forbid you focus on school for once. It's a miracle half the people even made it to High School.

Enough about that, a little about me, just so you don't feel clueless about me.

My names Joe, I am 17, and I go to a high school full of pretentious middle class teens, who for some reason wish they were underprivileged people, screwing up their lives with drug use and expensive clothes, all the while complaining about how they never have enough money to throw around

I have blonde hair, blue eyes, and I'm a bookworm, I spend a lot of time reading, learning... Proving people wrong. I didn't have to prove anything to myself, I only had to better myself and PROVE myself to everyone.

"So much negativity."

For a long while, I'd wondered why things always had to be negative. I was technically an only child, I had plenty of time to myself, seeing as my family was separated.

I guess I was lonely.

"Why is he so lonely?"

There it was again, a soft soothing voice.

I thought I was crazy, hearing so many voices, but I just thought this sounded so real. I really didn't know what to think, everyday was a blur together. School, home, sleep, repeat.

*In a Separate Universe*

"Can we help him yet?" the younger voice asked.

"Yes sister, tonight we will give him the choice." This voice came from a more mature speaker.

The same speaker that Joe had been hearing.

*Back in Reality*

As always, the same routine, school ,home, sleep, repeat.

At least I thought it was, this delicate balance of mine got interrupted somewhere between school and believing I was still sane. Seeing a glowing orb in your bedroom leads to mixed thought wouldn't you say? I mean, I was going to sleep, I open the door and BANG this thing is here. My delicate schedule out the window.

"Hello there Joe."

"Are you talking?" I stammered.

"But of course, what else would you expect" The voice replied.

"I…uh…" I was at a complete loss for words, but wouldn't everyone be?

"Of course, I wouldn't expect you to not be surprised… listen to me carefully, I have an offer for you."

"How about you offer me an explanation." I could put up a face, but I really (to my dismay) had no leverage here at all. I had no way of knowing what was going to happen.

"In due time, you will get your answer, for now, only a question… would you like a second chance?"

"A second chance at what?"

"At life… A new beginning."

"I'm very happy how life is now thank you…" I lied, but I needed to now more.

"I know that isn't true Joe, your species is a cesspool of anger" it replied.

She sounded angry… did I say she? It's an orb…

"How do you know so much? I can't figure it out." I replied.

"I know many things, but have you remembered my question?"

Of course I did, a second chance at life… What would I do, I have a family…friends…

"A boring daily routine" I thought

"What will happen to me? And everything else?"

"I like that you care, nothing will change. This world will stay in limbo, and if you want your other life back, you may have it."

This offer was almost too generous to refuse… a free ticket to a new life.

Nothing to lose.

"I will"

"I thought you might… hold on your saddle."

"Saddle?"

"err pants…what interesting things."

And in the most glorious flash of light, the life I once knew was over.