This is Fan Fiction based on the Max Payne Computer game series. It is based on a fictional (yet looks to follow the original) time line of events set years before the first Max Payne game, in particular the years before Max enrols into the NYPD academy.
Chapter 6 - "The Wake Up Call"
A swinging baseball bat, then a dull thud.
That's the last thing that I remember.
Still darkness, but I can hear ball park organ music playing somewhere in the distance.
Baseball...
My Grandpa used to take me the odd ball game back when I was growing up. I later found out that he took me when my old man had hit the booze during the day a little harder than normal and I needed to be somewhere safe. I remember Grandpa's stories and in particular how he loved to tell me about ancient gods and myths.
"Wake up Max. Get up son..."
"Grandpa! Is that you?"
"Don't give up son..."
"But I don't know what to do!"
"Do what needs to be done Max..."
I hear a phone ringing, then there is a click and an answering machine kicks in, "Hi Max, it's Jen...".
Oh Jen, what has that bastard done to you?
"Wake up Max."
"What can I do Jen?"
"Do what needs to be done Max..."
"But my hands...my hands are tied."
"Get up Max!"
The darkness starts to subside, and the music and voices are fading away.
OK, OK! I'm getting up...
As I struggled to open my eyes I realised that I wasn't in a good place at all. The air was damp and cold, and my hands were tied behind my back with some kind of cord or rope. I could taste blood in my mouth and my head was pounding, Jesus I could really do with some painkillers! The overpowering smell of stale beer suggested that I was in probably the cellar at Flanaghan's. Jesus fucking Christ! My head is killing me! I could go for some decent painkillers right about now.
As my senses started to settle and my blurred vision began to sharpen, the stark realisation that I had been unconscious for an unknown amount of time was the least of my worries. I was alone, but in the distance I could just make out a deep voice which seemed to be having a one-way conversation, which I second guessed was a phone call. Just as my mind was processing the basics, the conversation stopped and then I heard heavy footsteps that got louder with each step.
"Oh sleeping beauty is awake is she? Mitch snarled sarcastically. "Well, don't you drift off again princess as once I call the Major I bet he will want you to be wide awake so that he can come and sort you out himself!"
"The Major?" I murmured.
Mitch just laughed.
The Major. I seriously doubted that this guy would turn out to be a respectable ex-army vet that was popping round to ensure I got safely on my merry way, and reminded me to never come back to such an establishment again any time soon. More than likely it was some gang leader that wanted to find out why my unknown face turned up on his turf uninvited. Realising that this was not going to be a pleasant experience, I convinced myself that I had to think of something – and fast.
"Hey man," Mitch turned and glared at me "I gotta take a piss!"
"Nice try punk. You ain't going anywhere!"
"C'mon man, I ain't going to get far in this state am I?" It seemed that I got Mitch's attention as he didn't reply at first, but then Mitch got hold of me by the collar of my jacket and stood me up.
"You try anything and you will pay for it!" Mitch pulled out a small object from the back pocket of his jeans, and when he pressed a button on it – a small blade instantly appeared. He then cut the cord around my hands, which gave me a sensation of freedom that I had never really appreciated before in my life. Mitch retracted the blade, returned it to his back pocket, and then put a firm hand on my right shoulder and pushed me forward, "Down the hall!"
I don't know if it was the contact on my shoulder or the sheer fear of another beating, but at that moment I suddenly became very aware of my heart beat. It wasn't beating at a fast or inconsistent pace – I could just really feel it and it seemed to be getting slower. Then, time itself seemed to reduce to a crawl. Everything slowed down except my thoughts. This is your chance Max - do something now! I dropped my right shoulder and span around behind Mitch. I could see the switchblade handle protruding from his pocket, and in one smooth movement I grabbed it, released the blade and sank it into the side of his neck. With everything still moving eerily slowly, blood gushed from the fresh wound and as he let out a scream - Mitch reached for the blade handle in a vain attempt to pull it out but it was too late and as he fell unceremoniously to the ground his eyes were already rolling back into his head. As soon as his limp body hit the floor my senses came back to normal and I was moving as well as thinking in real time again. I stood over Mitch's lifeless body and tried to take it all in.
Holy shit, you killed him Max!
I needed a smoke now more than ever. For all I didn't think it could – the situation just got a helluva lot more serious.