Chapter 1: I'm sorry have we met?

He was flying. He often flew in his dreams but this time felt different. A sense of urgency compelled him forward. Something was chasing him. He had no idea what but while the foremost thought in his mind was to run another piece of himself screamed for him to turn around and fight. He felt his arm move of its own accord so that the base of his thumb rested against his lip. He knew this was going to hurt but once again that other part of him reminded him that it would only be for a moment. And besides, he was doing this to protect someone he loved.

Have you ever been in a very well-lit room during a thunderstorm when the powers goes out? Does it ever feel like the darkness made almost a crashing noise as it suddenly enveloped you? Eren screamed as he was suddenly plunged into the heavy wave of blackness. He woke to find himself on the floor of his room. The soft cream carpet cradled his cheek and his legs were hopelessly tangled in the sheets. It took him a few moments to get his breathing under control enough to sit up and flick the light on. Even as the warm glow of his floor lamp lit the 10x10 space he called a room he still found it difficult to control the sudden waves of nausea that threatened to overtake him.

Eren knew he was safe. Still, there was this nagging feeling every time he woke up like this. It felt like something was missing, like something important was gone. And yet, even after 19 years of feeling this gut wrenching feeling of loneliness and loss he had yet to pinpoint the source of his pain. For a long time he thought that it was the loss of his mother that had prompted him to experience this, however upon further thought he realized that that couldn't possibly be right because he distinctly remembered her comforting him from nightmares like this even when she'd been alive.

He straightened his bed and looked at his clock to realize that his alarm was due to go off in only a matter of moments. He chose to get dressed in favor of two extra minutes of uneasy rest. As he slid the closet door back the image of a different door came to mind. This one was white and plain much like his walls and relatively flimsy, but the door of his mind's eye was commanding and absolute, much like the character of the man he knew resided behind it. But wait. How did he know the person behind a door he had never before laid eyes on?

Shaking his head to relieve the tension that was building over his brow he reached in and grabbed his favorite long-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of levis out of the back. The weather called for clear skies and crisp temperatures today so he also snatched his big, hunter green pull-over off of the hook next to his bedroom door. When he was thoroughly satisfied with the state of his messy, sleep tossed hair style he walked out into the kitchen to grab a granola bar and some water before heading off to work.

Eren decided that today was a good day to walk to work. No use in wasting gas when the weather is so decidedly obliging. As he turned to the bathroom, to wash his face and brush his teeth, he turned on the T.V. and spiked the volume so he could hear the local news over the running water.

"And now we move to Janice for more information on the strange and sudden earthquake that shook the downtown area not 20 minutes ago." said the baritone of a locally famous anchorman.

The reply came promptly from a pretty, young reporter in a soft purple sheath dress. "Yes, good morning Michael. Local authorities are still trying to understand what exactly happened here this morning. Witnesses claim to have seen an incredibly bright flash of golden lightning followed by an earth shaking tremor that while not technically classified as an earthquake still caused minor damage to a nearby antique shop. Officials are stating that there is nothing to worry about and thankfully, while it did come as a rude awakening this morning for many, no one was injured. Back to you Michael for news from the capitol."

Eren turned off the T.V. and headed out of the door. In hindsight he realized that that was probably what had woken him up this morning so violently. He chuckled lightly to himself and practically skipped off to work allowing the cool morning air and the light warmth of the sun to lift his spirits. He couldn't have been calmer as he rounded the corner of his building to cut through the alley and shave two blocks off of his journey.

Just as he was passing a big green dumpster he stopped and crouched down reaching into his pocket for the special treat he'd brought with him. He clicked his tongue lightly and called out, "Here Snowball. Come here. I brought tuna today." At that a soft gray head popped out from under the dumpster and was followed by a lithe body. "Oh, good you're here. I was worried I'd have to find you. Here you go pretty girl." He smiled gently as the cat ate his offering and purred warmly. "Good girl, eat up everything. You need to be strong for the kittens." The cat raised its head at that and turned to run back under the dumpster.

Moments later she returned scooting two small bundles in front of her. One was jet black and the other snow white. Eren reached out and petted them both. He'd named them Lucky and Star after a favorite show of his. Star always gnawed on him but he reasoned that she was just hungry so he took some tuna on his finger and held it up for the little white furball to lap at. Eren chuckled and patted each of the cats one last time before continuing on to work.

Just as he was passing a branch alley a strong arm reached out of the shadows and yanked him back hard. Eren had always been good with self defense so he immediately went to brake his attacker's arm. That didn't work out so well since his attacker was considerably shorter than he'd anticipated. He suddenly found his back against the brick wall of a building and a swift blow to his knees had them buckling in moments. He struggled but didn't scream because he hadn't assessed whether or not his opponent was carrying a weapon that could silence him.

"Oi brat, quit moving and let me get a look at you."

Eren froze. He felt like someone had just poured ice in his brain followed by gasoline and a match. He slowly turned and there in front of him was a strange man in some weird-ass cosplay and a deep green cloak. Part of him was screaming for him to fight, but a tinier part was wondering why the smell combination of soap, leather cleaner and stone was so achingly familiar to him.