[Chapter 1] ?: Land Already

"Ahhh!" I shout, stupidly flailing my arms as I fall face first into a clear blue lake. If the fall hadn't woken me up, making contact with the surface of the icy black water sure would have. I close my mouth just in time as I dive straight in, breaking the calm surface with my less than graceful descent. The cold water surrounds me, prickling me like I'm being stabbed over and over with a bunch of icicles. My face burns from impact.

God dammit.

I flounder about, desperately trying to turn myself around and face up, but I was falling pretty fast and have successfully plunged at least fifty feet deep. Getting back to the top is not going to be easy. I hold my breath and angle myself upward, kicking viciously with my legs to propel me to the surface. Jesus do I have strong lungs – I somehow manage to make it without drowning. I must be athletic or something.

Still, getting to the surface was only half the battle. I'm in the middle of a lake and who knows how long I'll be able to keep myself afloat before I can't take it anymore. I look around, but seeing nothing but more water, I start to have a bit of a mental breakdown.

I am going to drown. I am going to die the lamest death ever. And what's more… I don't even know who I am.

I don't know how I got here. I don't know my own name. I don't know why… the pocket of my jacket is so heavy. My curiosity winning, I reach into my coat pocket and pull out… a cue ball. Well this is stupid. Carelessly (or idiotically) I drop it into the deep. There's no need for excess weight, especially from an item so meaningless. Still, I find it hard to keep afloat.

This could also be because I'm wearing a suit. I just noticed it now, but I mean… I guess I wanted to be classy while I fell to my death? Feeling strongly urged to try and stay alive, I remove my coat and let it drift away as well. Then I kick off my shoes and yes my pants. They were really heavy okay! Jeez!

There was one thing I hadn't thought of before I removed all that unnecessary weight – it's really fucking cold. But I mean… I was already wet so I don't know what my coat would have done… so never mind I guess. Haha… yeah.

I scan the horizon once more, but still there's nothing out there – just me in my wet gray undershirt and boxer shorts floundering about like an idiot. I am often called an idiot. I do not know why I thought that just now.

Anyways! I've got to figure out where I am before I drow-

"Augh!" I yelp as a wave overtakes me and I go under once more, earning myself a mouthful of salty water. I splutter as I rise to the top and shake droplets from my hair.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long day.