Hey y'all! I know it's been forever, but college has taken a little getting used to. So, anyway, onto this thing. This is the pilot chapter for a new story I was thinking about, called "Checkpoint Reached!" Now, I'm sure most of you can guess what it'll be about off of the title, but hopefully this will give you a feel for how the story will go. Please, let me know what y'all think.

A Peculiar Beginning

Honestly, the day started just about the same as every other day.

I woke up, my roommate was still passed out in his bunk, and I barely had enough time to make it to class. So, I went about my daily routine of scrambling to get dressed, skipping breakfast, and snagging a RedBull from the fridge on my way out.

Another eight hours or so and classes were done for the day. For once, I actually had something to do, other than more homework. My biology partner, Erica, needed a ride to the mall.

"Hey, ready to go?" Erica's voice was always a welcome sound at my college. One of the few friends I made early on, she always seemed to be perpetually happy.

"Sure am. Hopefully the storm will wait till we're back. I hate going on I-4 when it rains." I smiled despite my harsh voice. Erica had learned pretty quick that I just seemed like an angry guy, but for the most part I was laidback. Either way, I-4 does suck during a storm.

Moving on, the drive there wasn't bad, and Erica managed to get her shopping done pretty quick. Naturally, we decided that stopping to grab a bite to eat wouldn't hurt.

Boy, were we wrong. Or, at least I was.

All was well, we had good food, and there was an amicable atmosphere between us. The only thing was a guy sitting in a corner booth that I couldn't stop looking at.

Something was off. Couldn't say what, but the dude was shifty. Glancing around the café, checking his watch, and he always had a hand on his backpack.

I couldn't help it. I'm a paranoid and pessimistic guy by nature, and this guy was tripping too many flags. I tried to motion for Erica to start leaving as subtly as I could, but I was too slow.

"Everyone down! Everyone put your hands behind your heads and get on the ground!" The questionable figure was no longer very 'questionable' with an assault weapon in his hands. Now, he was lethal.

Now, before I continue the tale, let me bring a few things to your mind. Firstly, most people would tell you to stay calm and not provoke the attacker. That would work if you weren't human. The man was threatening my life and the life of someone I cared about. Sitting idly by wasn't an option.

Secondly, this wasn't the type of guy you reasoned with. He wasn't here to intimidate. He wasn't here for money. He was here to make a point. Our corpses would've made a compelling argument.

I, however, took offense at this notion.

As he turned to secure the patrons behind him, I went for it. I'm not a big guy, per se, but cross country and sparring with my roommates meant I packed a punch. I launched a fist across his jaw, the man's rifle flying away from him. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to look for other weapons.

Being shot is an interesting feeling. The first thing your brain does is shut off any response it might have, so you just kinda stand there. Then it hurts.

A lot.

But it's what happened next that I've never quite understood. Through the pain, there was only one thought that survived. One thought that kept me going, just long enough. And no, it wasn't "Do it for her" or anything like that.

End him.

So, I did. I rushed forward, grabbing the small pistol he had just shot me with and forced it under his chin. No cliché tag lines on this one kiddos, I just kept pulling the trigger till I heard a click.

So, there you go, bad guy down and I'm a hero! A dead one, but hey, who am I to complain.

Now, it might sound like I'm being glib, but I'm actually completely serious. The man had shot me just below my solar plexus, tearing through the largest vein in the human body. I was dead in less than a minute. You might think that this is the end to a rather depressing, boring, and kind of confusing story.

Nope. That'd be too easy.

You Died!

Would You Like to Try Again?

Yes.

No.

So, I did what I think everyone would have. I smashed the Yes button as hard as I could. Well, I would've. To be honest, it just kinda glowed when I looked at it and I took that as confirmation.

Small problem: I didn't look at the fine print, not that there was any.

"Congratulations! It's a boy!"

So, yeah… That's how that happened.

Just to clarify, I'm still working on Lux Noctis. This is to replace What Remains, seeing as how no one really seems to care much about that one. A New Beginning still has the same rules as before, Lux Noctis will be updated whenever I get around to it, and this'll hopefully be updated every other week. Let me know what y'all think about the new perspective, the writing style, and the story over all. I promise chapters will be much longer than a few hundred words, this was just to get the concept out.

My utmost thanks to all of you who didn't give up on me,

Arebus.