Author's note: You can skip this chapter should you choose to. I am going off the new chapter 1 instead of this one. It doesn't really matter which one you choose to read, just that The new one really fills in some gaps that I left when I originally started.
Andre Nicks has never been the type to have any passion. His entire life has almost been something of a blur to him. At three, he watched his dad work with power tools. At five his favorite toys were legos ,while his big project was to build robots. His parents thought he was a smart child so they put him in private schooling. He succeeded at everything he did, and even tried his hand at sports. By fourteen he was recognized as gifted but he never felt that way. He noticed he was faster than the average person, but he never felt superior.
He wasn't top of his class by any means but he was very well rounded and above average especially when it came to the sciences.
He had one fatal flaw though, he questioned himself a lot. A lack of confidence in himself along with the high expectations set for him made him question society and his role in it. This led him to question the nature of humanity constantly. On one hand, he had enough dates and interactions with people to realize people can be cruel. On the other hand he recognized that some people have done some amazing things with their lives that he could only stare in awe.
He wanted to understand this raw passion and drive in people to do these spectacular things.
He developed a habit. He would consume all of the works of people around him. He played video games and read books a plenty. He loved to read fiction because it was where he could glean the most out of someone's creative mind.
At some point he was hooked. His life style was perfected and career streamlined all so he could consume more fiction. His head was almost eternally in the clouds. His creativity ran miles ahead of his body at times. This hobby became an escape.
He eventually dreamed of using magic and bettering those around him with a power that seemed scientific yet intrinsic to one person. He wanted to be a Superman of sorts.
This culminating in college where he became a bioengineer and later a pharmacist. Developing drugs and treatments, he wanted to help those around him to feel better about himself, but he could never quite get rid of that empty feeling inside.
Volume 1: Start of a Great Friendship
8AM Venice
{Beep Beep Beep}
Andre, half groggy from a long nights rest, reached for his phone to shut off the alarm. Half asleep he quickly scrolled through his messages and saw a new message from Babe.
-Hey handsome, I left early to work and didn't want to wake you cause I know today's the big day and you needed your rest. I'll meet you at the conference hall later. love Angie-
"So today's the day, that's right." Squinting he got up and opened the blinds to his hotel room to the beautiful site of the city of canals.
"Nothing like fresh sun and coffee when away from home." looking over the time on his phone he quickly rushed to get ready and tidy up his notes on today's activities.
"In about 2 hours I have to present my findings on a possible new treatment to cancer; and after several hours of conferences, I have a date with Angie in the piazza de San Marco. No stress ha!"
Looking over to the view his widow provided him Andre Nodded to himself, "At least the city is gorgeous, along with enough history to keep me entertained after today. I've been wanting to come here since I read about it".
Walking out his hotel room with suitcase in hand he walked toward the Academy. Andre is a fairly tall 5'11 Latin man. Brown eyes wavy hair cut to about eight inches. He gives off a very relaxing aura. Gold rimmed glasses that frame his face and jaw along with a lean but not too muscular build compliment his career in medical sciences. Andre to this day keeps a regular schedule of nutrition to maintain his long nights of entertainment and work. His glasses hiding the only indication of his lack of sleep. His father was a marine biologist and per that circumstance, for most of his life Andre would always spend his weekends sailing. Due to that Andre has tan skin with an almost golden hue. Ironically enough it was his self studies into marine bacteria and preventative tumor biology in whales that have lead to the treatment method he's about to present.
Walking to a small bridge connecting buildings he suddenly felt a small bump on the same side of his body he was holding his suitcase.
"Hey! GIVE THAT BACK!"
A hooded woman had stolen his suit case and was running away from him
Andre began to chase as fast as he could. His life's work was in that case.
He chased her around several corners until he ended in an alley of sort with no recollection of where he was. The woman was just ahead of him.
Andre in a strict but polite tone, "I have you cornered so please hand me my suitcase".
The woman turned to him and Andre couldn't help think to himself that she had the most mesmerizing eyes he had ever seen. Purple with a hint of red around the iris. If that wasn't strange her eyes were slits. It was quite shocking to say the least.
"What is so important in this suitcase that you would chase me while your shoes which were clearly not meant for running are in tatters."
Andre looked down and finally realized the state of his black loafers. Ripped with holes and in some spots blood. He didn't expect to be running this amount in light loafers only meant for indoor events.
The woman snapped him out of his reverie with another question "So what is in it, money, secrets or, blackmail?"
Andre normally would have given a simple response that it was work documents, but for some reason while staring at those enchanting eyes, he was compelled to tell her how he truly felt about that briefcase. Saying with a somber tone "There's proof in that suitcase".
She smiled, "Proof of what?"
"Proof my life isn't a waste. Proof of my existence. Proof that I have passion and that I can do something amazing. That suitcase has my life's work and is my whole life."
She responded grinning from ear to ear, "How about I give you the choice of a lifetime since we're dealing with your life?"
Though he was not gullible, her mesmerizing eyes and her voice told him something interesting was afoot so he didn't move but kept staring at her.
What is she talking about he wanted to ask but the cat caught his tongue.
She removed her hood and scarf to reveal the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Cream skin dirty blonde hair that glowed with a honey color and as if the goddess of fertility had just revealed herself. He realized her body proportions were perfect. Her bust a perfect size to not incriminate her and make her look too unlady like but large enough to accentuate her figure. Her small waist, strong Legs, and full Bottom all show off her feminine charm.
While holding up the suitcase, "Would you like to make a deal with me. In return for giving up your current life and the glory this suitcase can provide you, I will grant you a new life that will allow you to explore, to test to discover. To learn things others have not and to find the answers to you most confounding question?!"
...
silent and frowning Andre began thinking to himself, "this situation is not plausible, it's unreasonable; It makes no sense how this woman looks like this. Her words bring me fear. Giving up my life?"
But somehow, her outstretched hand call to me.
After having closed his eyes in contemplation he suddenly started smiling for the first time in this conversation.
It's a chance. What if she's speaking the truth. Even though I don't know what this opportunity means exactly maybe I can seize it. My life has been unfulfilled. Even if I published my research, what would I gain from it, Money, power, recognition? Those are nice and all, but that's not why I pursued my research in the first place. I wanted to make people happy and be an inspiration so that people would be kinder to each other. Would my research really cause that? Am I happy with this life?
The answer is no for both questions. Is there a way to fix humanity?
I don't know but I'm willing to find out.
Plus it's not like my research will never get out, Angie will see to that. What do I have to lose?
The only thing I would regret would be Angie, but I'm not a good guy for her anyway and I would drag her down with my slight misanthropy. At least as my co-researcher she would have the opportunity to make my research hers. She can ride on my laurels for what I've put her through. I have no regrets.
Andre looked at her and with a spirit he didn't know he had said, "MAM! I don't know who you are, God or the devil, but something tells me you are my chance. I'm dissatisfied with my life so give me a new one!"
The woman bowed and with a sarcastic smile "As you wish."
Then suddenly everything went dark around the lady. the entire alley went dark.