Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It had seemed that he had been in darkness for a very long time. Never opening his eyes, but yet knowing so much. Never able to express his thoughts or feelings.

What am I? That question never seemed to escape his thoughts. His mind racing, ready to break free. Yet he felt contained, not able to move, stuck in one position.

Would he ever be able to open his eyes, and let the world reveal its self to him. He wanted it now, this was his time!

“Clear!” Yelled a voice, everything was so bright. His ears were ringing, he saw people running back and forth. Then a man blasted a quick shock through his chest. “You have to breathe!” He orders him.

How do I breathe, what’s going on?

“NOW!” His eyes became wider, but he opened his mouth and sucked in all the oxygen that he could hold. It hurt; he felt as if his chest was going to explode. His body was rapidly changing from hot to cold. Sweat tricked down his face and traced around the corner of his mouth. A man in a blue over coat stood over him. He took another breath, this time there was no pain, its was blissful yet somewhat exhilarating.

“Welcome to life, Project A.C.E.” He opened his mouth to reply, but his lips trembled and closed shut. “I know this all new to you, but it will be ok. You are safe here.”

Safe… That word kept repeating its self in his head.

“From now on, you’ll go by the name of Ace.”

“A-Ace…” He repeated.

“Yes, and you can call me Dr. Osamu.” Ace nodded his head in reply.

“Please stand up Ace.” The doctor said holding out his hand. Ace stared up at him blankly. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Just take my hand.”

Ace looked down at his unclothed body, then back at the doctor, and nodded. He placed his hand in the doctors. “Now take it nice and easy.” Ace slowly lifted his left leg and swung it gently over, forcing his body to sit in an upright position. “Very good, now try and stand.”

“A-alright.” He said slowly. Gently he slid off the observation table.

“Careful Ace.” But before he could get full control of his legs, his right knee jolted back. “Ace!”

“No I got it.” He panted and pulled him self up with the table as his support. “I can do this.” He said under his breath. Ace let go of the table, after getting back his balance. Then it happened, he was standing all on his own.

“You did it! I’m so proud of you Ace.” The doctor smiled.

“Proud of me…” Ace stared up at him, and let the corners of his mouth gently lift upward.

“Now come with me so we can get you some cloths.” Ace nodded and followed the doctor into a bright green room, with several white doors. “We have already picked out a suitable outfit for you.” Dr. Osamu pulled out a little remote, and pressed the red button. Ace turned his head towards the white doors, the door on the far left swung open. “Please go ahead, your outfit is inside.” Ace took slow paced steps, as if just inching his way across the room.

When he finally made it to the opened door, he found a pair of black slacks, a white long-sleeved shirt, a black vest and tie, and a pair of black shinned shoes. Ace smiled at his new cloths. They were picked out, just for me, He thought to himself, and then turned towards the doctor. “Thank you Dr. Osamu.”

“Please there is no need for you to show me gratitude. I am just glad to finally have you here with us, Ace.” The doctor smiled. Ace stared at him with just a bit of confusion. “Now, let’s get you dressed.”

“Dressed?” Ace tilted his head a bit.

“Yes meaning we are going to show you how to put on your cloths.” Dr. Osamu chuckled at Ace’s confused expression. “Please come in Mika.” The door that they had come through, opened slightly, and in came in a young woman.

“Hello doctor.”

“How are you today Mika?” The doctor asked.

“I’m just fine thank you. Now who is this handsome young man we have here?” Mika asked, now turning and smiling towards Ace.

“My name is A-Ace.” He said, his cheeks now becoming warmer.

“It’s very nice to meet you Ace.”

“Now Ace, Mika will be teaching you how to put on your new wardrobe. I have some other things I need to attend to.” Ace nodded his head in reply. The doctor placed his hand on Ace’s head and ran his fingers trough his raven-like black hair. “You be good for her, OK?”

“Yes.” Ace replied with a gentle smile. Dr. Osamu smiled down at him, and made his way out of the room. Mika then came up behind Ace, and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Now let’s get you dressed.” She smiled, and Ace tilted his head, still a little bit confused about this whole getting ‘dressed’ concept. Mika pulled out a pair of freshly cleaned boxers, the black slacks, and his shinned black shoes. “Ok, let’s put on these first.” Ace looked down at the boxers and blinked. “Alright just put each leg through the whole.”

“Which leg do I use first?” He asked in an innocent tone.

“Oh, you’re so adorable!” She squealed, wrapping her arms around his bare body. “Ok, how about you we say we use the right leg first?” Ace nodded and slipped both his legs through the wholes, making sure to use his right leg first. “Very good Ace, now let’s put on your pants.” He nodded.

“Is it the same as the boxers?”

Mika nodded, “It sure is.” Ace did the same as once before, placing his right leg in first. “Now lets put one your shoes, these will be easy you just need to slid your foot into each one.” Ace looked down at the shinned black shoes, slipped in his right foot, and then the left.

“Are we done?” he asked.

“Not yet, we just need to do the top half of your body.” Mika smiled and grabbed the long, white sleeved shirt. “Now this is just like putting on your pants, except this time you put your arms through the wholes.”

“I see...” He said, slowly studding the shirt. Mika handed it to him, and Ace did as told and slid his arms through the wholes. He looked down at the unbuttoned shirt. “What do I do now?” Mika thought how difficult it might be for Ace to learn how to button his shirt.

“Well, I am going to just button up your shirt.” She said, as she slipped each button trough the little whole. Ace watched her vigilantly, making sure to note her every move. “Alright all done, now we’re just going to put on your tie.” She slipped the already limply knotted tie over his neck, and tucked it under the white folded collar of the shirt. “Now for the final touch.” Mika pulled out the black vest and slipped hit over his shoulders, letting his arms slid through the wholes. “Ok Ace, we’re all done.”

Ace look down at his new cloths and then back at Mika. “I like it.” He smiled brightly.

“Good, I’m glad. Now let’s go down and meet up with Dr. Osamu.” Ace nodded his head and followed Mika out of room, and down the hallway. “He says that he has someone he wants you to meet.”

“Someone…?” Ace tilted his head, as they turned the corner. Who would want to meet me? He thought to himself. Before he could realize where they were going, he found that they had stopped in front of a blue door.

“Dr. Osamu, we’re here.” The door opened.

“Ah, there you are Ace, please come in.” Ace walked into the room slowly, and noticed a pale-like woman sitting in the chair next to the desk. She stood up. “This is out newest experiment, Project A.C.E.”

Experiment? The word repeated its self in Ace’s head for a moment.

“He goes by the name of Ace, and we have created him to stay around the age of 17.” Dr. Osamu continued.

“That’s perfect, I’ll take him.” The pale-face women smiled at Ace. Ace just stared blankly at her.

“OK, then we have a deal.” The doctor turned to Ace. “You’ll be going with her now.” Ace tilted his head, but turned towards the woman. “From now on you will address her as, mom.”

“M-mom.” Ace repeated slowly. The women then gently took Ace’s hand.

“Time to go home, Ace.” She said leading him out the door. Ace looked back at the doctor and Mika, then back at the lady.

I’m going home?