I woke with a start to face a man. I was in a chair. I didn't know why I was in a chair but I was in a chair. These and a million other thoughts raced through my head and I took a minute to calm myself.
Once I had slowed my beating heart I took a moment to sweep my eyes across my surroundings. I was indeed sitting in a wooden chair in some sort of field, though every detail of my surroundings was obscured by a veil of mist.
Finally, my gaze arrived to directly in front of me and to the man sitting there. He was on a chair similar to mine, and like everything else, was blurred by the mist. I couldn't be sure, but for some unknown reason, I thoht he was smiling.
"Are you finished?" he asked me in a voice that made no sound but somehow spoke directly in my mind.
His tone was almost patronising, as if he knew some big secret I did not. It was one I had heard many times before from members of the nobility and middle class throughout my life and one that always served as the quickest way to draw out my anger.
I opened my mouth to fire out a hundred different harsh comments and witty retorts only to be met with absolute silence. Although it of course could not be heard by anybody, inside my head I screamed What the hell is going on!
"No need to be alarmed."
Hearing this, I returned my gaze to the man infront of me and proceeded to simply glare. Although I could not see it, I was sure he was smiling.
"You have not lost your voice. You are simply unable to speak because this is not a conversation. Nod if you understand."
Reluctantly, I nodded.
"Good. Now, how do I explain this? Ah yes, think about it like this. Right now, you have inherited something. It's something rare and valuable but you can never sell it. But it will determine your future from this point forth."
Is this idiot high! I thought, but of course all I could do was stare at him with a look of utter bewilderment on my face. Seeing this, the stranger let out a laugh that resonated through my entire body.
"Telling you anymore simply wouldn't be fair. And it looks like our time's nearly up."
He sighed, not with sadness, but as if he had just allowed himself to relax in a long time.
" I am going to enjoy watching how you walk your path. I hope you have fun, Wolfgang Burns."
At that moment, the entire world around us began to spin. The mist swirled itself into a tornado of white and quickly began to swallow the man. At that moment, I felt a warmth in my throat and I knew my voice had returned.
"How d'you know my name you condescending bastard!" I managed to blurt out, my confusion blocking out all rational lines of question.
The man opened his mouth and said something, but I couldn't make quite make out his words. Before I could say any more, the mist consumed him and my vision went blank.