Chapter 1/4

It had been one year to the day since David Dunn had exchanged that fateful hand-shake with Elijah Price as he sat so coldly in his wheelchair, the hand-shake that had revealed Elijah's evil machinations in searching for the very man whose hand he touched: that of David Dunn's.

David had known the inevitable, that even though he and his wife had supposedly worked things out, it was only temporary. He did end up moving to New York. He felt alone, but there was no longer that "sadness" that had plagued him so before. For he now knew his purpose in life. Even though he didn't see or talk to his son as often as he'd hoped, he was still filled with a sense of peace that his life had taken this final turn, for the better.

Last year, David had been the only survivor of a train derailing in Philadelphia. This was the event that had led him to Elijah, who at first, seemed as though he really wanted to help David. Elijah ran an art gallery and was very into the mythology of superheroes and villains. He lived it. He was a comic junkie. It was his life. He'd spent most of his childhood and adolescent days staying closed inside his house, for he had a rare bone condition. His bones broke quite easily, even from minor things like stress fractures. In fact, when Elijah was born, he'd exited his mother's womb with broken arms and legs. Somehow, miraculously he'd managed to survive into adulthood. But, he was always searching for the one who was opposite him, the one who was Unbreakable, the one who could give him a purpose in life.

Unbeknownst to David, Elijah had staged many accidents and tragedies, always in anticipation of what the news would say... "sole survivor." That was how he would find his Unbreakable checkmate. It was not until David had shaken hands with him in the end, that the images of Elijah's past actions had entered his mind and haunted him. David had walked away in tears that day, feeling somehow responsible for what Elijah had done to all those innocent people.

Elijah had spent some time in a mental institution upon being found guilty of genocide, but because of his weakened medical state, he was given time off for early behavior and clemency. "Most times, the hero and the villain are friends, like us," Elijah had spoken that day. "Now that we know who you are, I know who I am. I'm not a mistake, David." The words still echoed in the Unbreakable one's mind. "I should have known a long time ago by the kids; they called me Mister Glass."

Mr. Glass and Mr. Unbreakable. Friends, ironically. Arch enemies, without a doubt. As he ventured to begin his new job as head of security at Giants Stadium, David knew he would inevitably see Elijah again, and have to be reminded that he was now in fact a "superhero."

David's life had been somewhat of a mystery to him for many, many years. He'd never felt he had a purpose. He'd never been injured, never been sick. How could this be? Why hadn't he put the puzzle pieces together before this? The only thing he had in common with Elijah Price was that they both reacted the same way to water. It was David's weakness. All superheroes had one. It was the design of the mythology.

David met one of the venders on the street outside the stadium. He was wearing his usual dark-colored rain smock. There were clouds about today. He didn't want to take any chances. He bought a cup of coffee and entered the stadium proper. He entered the locker rooms and suited up for work. He took a swig of java. He sighed. The coffee was too hot against his tongue, but it didn't hurt. It didn't burn. It never did. This was David's life. He wondered if anything had ever truly hurt him, physically or otherwise? He wondered just how long would he live, since his bones never aged, his organs never failed. Would he have to kill himself to meet a final rest... drowning by water?

David left the locker rooms, coffee in hand. He prepared to start the day and met the first eager spectators at the gates.