Pain seared through Jack's body, a relentless reminder of his paralysis. Every breath was a laborious effort, every movement a distant dream. He lay still, trapped within the floating cage, his limbs rendered useless by broken bones. 'Did I break my spine?' Jack thought, piecing together fragments of his memory.
Amidst the agony, Jack felt a soothing sensation. He realized the source—water entering his mouth. Instinctively, he drank, and to his surprise, it brought relief. He felt his bones mend as he greedily consumed the healing waters of the pond.
While the pond's magic provided respite, it wasn't enough to restore his mobility. Hunger gnawed at his insides, a constant reminder of his vulnerable state. His thoughts turned to the five stages of grief, mirroring his emotional journey alongside his physical torment. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance—each stage left its mark on his spirit, amplifying the gravity of his situation.
"Seriously, I can't believe this is happening," Jack muttered, his voice strained. "It's like a twisted nightmare I can't wake up from."
Anger smoldered within him, fueled by the unfairness of his predicament. "What the hell did I do to deserve this? Why am I stuck in this floating prison?"
Bargaining with unseen forces seemed futile, but Jack couldn't help but entertain the idea. "Look, if there's anyone or anything out there listening, just give me a chance to get out of here. I swear I'll be a better person. I'll appreciate the smallest moments, even if it means eating broccoli."
Depression washed over him, threatening to engulf his spirit. "What's the point, man? How can I ever escape this torment? It's like being buried alive in my own body."
Yet, even in the depths of despair, a flicker of acceptance emerged. "Okay, if this is my reality now, then I gotta find a way to make peace with it. I won't let it break me. I'll find a way to bounce back, like one of those inflatable clowns."
Amidst his internal struggle, Jack's mind turned to his past life. Jack Miguelito, a 24-year-old dreamer from the Philippines who had ventured to the States in search of a brighter future. He had been preparing for university exams, his aspirations propelling him forward. But now, those dreams felt distant and unreachable.
Memory fragments floated through his mind, like elusive puzzle pieces. He recalled a haunting book he had purchased, a twisted rendition of "Alice in Wonderland." Its unsettling imagery had fascinated him, drawing him into a realm of darkness and curiosity.
"What if that damn book had something to do with all of this?" Jack pondered aloud, his voice echoing in the stillness. "Maybe it wasn't just a coincidence. Maybe it somehow led me to this messed-up world."
His investigation into the depths of his memory was abruptly interrupted by a sound—a wild breathing that sent shivers down his paralyzed spine. Jack's gaze turned upward, and dread settled within him as he discovered a massive maw hanging over his cage.