It was frightening. I had got up that morning to go to work like any other day. I wasn’t looking forward to work and I remember praying for something to happen so I wouldn't have to go. Yeah. I probably shouldn’t have done that. The one time my prayers were answered. I had just got my coffee, the usual spot and my usual drink. My routine was pretty regular, anyone could figure it out. It never occurred to me that someone might be following me. But they were. I stopped at an ATM to grab some cash, stepped to the corner to cross the street and was met by a car. Two men grabbed me and dragged me in, I didn’t see their faces. They drove for bit, tying me up and blindfolding me as they drove. The car stopped after a while and they put me in the cold dark trunk. I was terrified. What was happening? And what did they want? I laid in the trunk trying to pay attention to the surroundings, that's what the shows always tell you on TV. Listen and be aware if you’re ever taken. Easier said than done! All I could hear was the car I was in and the occasional sound of cars and trucks passing us as they drove. The longer we drove the less I heard. We were heading somewhere far from the city. This must be it. This wasn’t going to end well for me. I prayed and thought about my family and friends, the people that I would probably never see again. What I would say if I could say goodbye. Funny how we take things for granted isn’t it? Man. Suddenly the car slowed down, I slid as we made a hard right turn. Where are we going? Then a hard stop. There were sharp movements of the car as the occupants exited and the sounds of muffled voices...then the trunk opened. I was pulled out and stood steady on the ground and with a quick swoop, the blindfold was removed. I stood at the top of a forest path, surrounded by my friends. “Happy birthday!” They screamed and my brother appeared from the path. 

“Welcome to my baby brother.” He said with a smile. “My gift to you is a journey of discovery. Come walk with us and let's explore your dreams. It's time to wake up.” I looked at the path, it was wonderful and mysterious and yet I didn’t understand my brother nor my friends. Explore? My brother said again. “Wake up brother.” I closed my eyes and took a deep breath then opened my eyes. 

I was lying in a hospital bed, my family and friends around me...my mother was crying. Well, she always cries. I didn’t understand, the machines were beeping, I had tubes and wires attached to me. I looked around and there was my brother standing right next to me with tears in his eyes.  

“Thank God.” He whispered in my ear. “You woke up.” 

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