Author's Notes:
In 2004, I first played the game of 'Deus Ex'. What fascinated me the most was the small books found throughout the game. There were four chapters of a book called 'Jacob's Shadow'. After I finished the game, I tried to find the book, but to no avail. I found out later that one of the programmers had written the book himself. So I figured, someone would eventually write a fanfiction, finishing where the programmer left off. As no one has done it yet, I've taken up the task! If of course, said programmer does not approve, I'll immediately take it down. But here is the (rather rough) first chapter of my version of 'Jacob's Shadow'.
Jacob's Shadow
Chapter 1
Jacob was dead. And Jewish.
Well, not really dead, but without a doubt, Jewish. He could taste the latkes, the fat when the speared them with the fork. Sometimes applesauce and sour cream if he had behaved. But now wasn't the time for latkes or grandmothers.
Jacob felt deader than he normally did. Each day he felt as though he was dying, piece-by-piece, but that was normal, human, so it didn't bother him too much. Being a video store clerk at the age of forty wasn't something that would make anyone feel alive during the day, but what can you do? Besides, Jacob had the money from the war left over, and the video store job was a side project, to keep his mind off things. There was also favours to his friends at the Crow, or whatever they were calling it this week.
As he walked down the street, he rummaged in his pocket. He felt something hard and smooth and pulled it out. A black chess piece, a pawn. He didn't remember putting it there. Besides, normally he played white, he was more comfortable that way. He'd check when he got home, see if the piece was missing from the old set his teacher had given him. Miss Merriweather, had given him the set when he had gotten an 8/10 on his spelling test. Jacob was never good at school, but had studied on this bus that one time. He didn't want to be the only kid in the third grade who couldn't spell Mississippi. So at the end day, she had asked Jacob to stay after class and had presented him with the cardboard box.
"It's a reward, for doing so well," she said. "I hope you try as hard on next week's quiz."
He got a 4/10.
Jacob heard a car honking and screeching to a halt. He had walked while the light was green, and a car had nearly slammed into him. Jacob tended to do that often when lost in thought. The driver was yelling at him, but no matter. He continued on his walk home until he heard the scream.
