-Severus Snape-
I bolted upright, tearing my eyes open to find myself in the middle of the field that I had left myself before my encounter with Dumbledore. Frantically, I turned out my pockets for my wand, but couldn't find it. I noticed it lying in the grass a few feet away.

Hastily, I snatched my wand up, which was not broken, thank God. Only then did I realize that my left wrist was working fine, and not dislocated at all.

"Hey, you!"

I spun around, obviously confusing a mere muggle man by the crazy look on my face. I let him approach me, with a shaggy canine companion following him closely.

"What do you want?" I asked sharply as the man made his way around a bush to where I stood, gripping my wand defensively.

"I've been watching you," the man said gruffly. "You just kind of appeared out of nowhere, you know?"

"What did you see!?" I cried, lunging for him.

"Don't be hasty!" the man replied quickly, jumping back, eyes widened. "I'm just concerned for you. You looked pretty nervous for a guy who just decided to take a nap on my property."

"Take a nap..." I repeated, exasperated. "Yes, that's right. So you saw me come up and take a nap?"

"Naw, I didn't see you come up. Seemed to come out of nowhere. But you threw something," the man said. He eyed my hands. "That thing there, that stick." He gestured towards my wand.

I was the confused one now.

"You saw me throw this?" I asked, holding up my wand.

"Yes."

"And then I took a nap."

"You don't remember?"

"Of course I remember, fool!" I growled. "I think I would know if I took a nap!"

I took a couple deep breaths to calm myself.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly. "I'm frustrated right now. Please, tell me; did you see any other man?"

"When?" the man with the dog asked. The dog stared at me.

"Just now! Ever! Any time that I was laying here!" I said impatiently.

"Naw, nope," the man confirmed. "Me and Pip only saw you, didn't we, boy?" he reached down and scratched his shaggy dog between the ears.

"How long did you watch me?" I asked, eyeing the dog in disgust.

"As long as you were there," the man said, staring thoughtfully at the clouds.

"Why?" I wondered aloud.

"Well, you were only there for about fifteen minutes!" the guy answered.

"You saw me throw this down," I said slowly, holding up my wand. "Then I took a nap."

"Yep," the man said cheerily.

"And there was nobody else," I said.

"Nope. Nobody else for miles. Closest town is thirty miles away. I like the quiet of the country, and because there're no neighbors. That's why it's odd that you're here. Nobody EVER come here," the man said.

I was fully confused now. If I had thrown down my wand fifteen minutes ago, then that meant that I had escaped Voldemort fifteen minutes ago... Impossible! That's not enough time for Dumbledore to take me someplace, talk to me, then drop me off here again! Especially without this muggle knowing it!

Then it hit me; maybe I had NEVER talked to Dumbledore! Maybe it was all just a dream! Just a damn dream that I had out of guilt or something!

The more I kept thinking about it this way, the more it made sense, and the more I knew it had all just been my imagination. Perfect.

"You sure you're okay?" the muggle asked suspiciously. His dog continued to stare at me.

I laughed. "Yes," I said with much relief, though I couldn't get the coldness out of my voice.

"Good," the man barked, pulling his dog out of my reach as if I would try to pet it. "Now if you don't mind, I'll get back to my work now. And I don't want to see you in my field again!"

I didn't answer, but apparated away, imagining the man's expression after my quick leave.

I knew where I was going; to the old apartment I had abandoned so long ago. The only one I saved when raiding my hometown. I had killed the managers like I had planned, and destroyed everything else. But my apartment had the few things I wouldn't throw away. Spell books. Cloaks. Things I had collected over time.

Appearing in the middle of my room, I was surprised to find it exactly how I had left it. Messy, things strewn about. There were muddy footprints trailing throughout my rooms, but they weren't mine. Probably those of an Auror who had come too late to save the witches and wizards of the complex.

Stripping off the filthy Death Eater cape I still wore, I threw it in the fireplace. With a simple spell, I sent a jet of flames to the neglected logs. The cape instantly caught fire, and I laughed at the end of the beginning. In the beginning I had been unwise. I had been a follower. Now I was ready to start my individual legion of terror. I was ready to become a force of my very own!

"Burn, you miserable little fucker! Burn! Burn!" I shouted, almost dancing with joy.

I skipped to my old closet, throwing open the doors to find my favorite cloaks of the old days. I would no longer hide my face while causing havoc! I am not afraid!

I threw on my new garments and laughed again in spite of myself. I couldn't wait until I was well rested! Yes. I must clean myself up, and sleep. Then I will embark on my first adventure! Oh, the danger! Voldemort on my heels for revenge! The Ministry tracking me! So many risks, so much fun! I was thrilled just thinking about it!

The thrill of the chase. The thrill of suicidal adventure!

And oh, how much I would love this!
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter comin' soon! :D :D :D