Who am i

2004 June 28

In a dimly lit room with a solitary bulb hanging from the ceiling, a stark division between light and darkness created an eerie atmosphere. The distant sound of rain added to the ambiance, as though the room were located in a basement. It was packed with various items, such as barrels, ropes, and cardboard boxes, lending it a cluttered appearance. However, the center of attention was focused on a man, tightly bound to a chair beneath the swaying bulb. His hands and feet were secured, and a black cloth blindfold covered his eyes, rendering him unconscious.

Gradually, the man regained consciousness, his senses slowly returning to him.

"What the hell? I can't see," he exclaimed, his voice filled with panic.

One of the two men standing before him approached and removed the blindfold, allowing the man in the chair to take in his surroundings. Both men were tall and wore identical black suits, as if it were their uniform. The first man, exceptionally tall and appearing to be in his mid-30s, stood in the light, while the second man, slightly shorter but well-built, remained shrouded in darkness.

The man in the chair attempted to look up at them, but the brightness from the first man's face and the obscurity of the second prevented him from discerning their features.

"Before we proceed, calm down and tell me your name," the first man requested.

"My name? I... I don't know," the man in the chair responded, his voice filled with uncertainty.

As he spoke, a wave of anxiety washed over him. He realized he knew nothing about himself, not even his own name. The man in the chair started to sweat profusely and struggled to catch his breath. Panic consumed him.

"Where am I? Who are you? Who am I?" he urgently questioned, seeking answers.

The second man whispered something to the first, who nodded in response. The second man then departed into the darkness, the sound of a metal door opening and closing echoing in the room.

"You are safe, and I mean you no harm. You can call me Captain," the first man, now identified as Captain, reassured the bewildered man in the chair. "Perhaps you suffered a head injury or some other trauma that has caused your memory loss."

"That still doesn't explain why I'm here instead of in a hospital," the man replied, skepticism lacing his words.

"I found you near death and took it upon myself to treat you," Captain explained.

"Did you find any identification on me when you found me?" the man inquired.

"No, not a single shred of information. For now, let's give you a temporary name, 'Mike'," Captain suggested.

Drawing closer, Captain revealed his face—a youthful countenance with pale skin and short black hair. However, what caught Mike's attention the most were Captain's strikingly red eyes, gleaming brightly.

In an instant, Mike found himself overcome with shock, losing consciousness once again.

When Mike regained consciousness, he discovered himself in a different room. It contained a bed, a bookshelf filled with old books, some rusty gym equipment, and a large mirror. As he rose from the ground, he noticed a small glass window on the door.

"You need to rest and relax a bit. We know very little about you, Mike, and—" Captain's voice came from behind the door, interrupted by Mike.

"Don't call me that," Mike interjected sharply.

"Mike, you must allow yourself time to rest," Captain persisted.

"How about I rest at my home? Surely, someone there knows who I am. Just let me go," Mike pleaded.

"Even if you were to find someone who recognized you, your life wouldn't be the same. Furthermore, it's too dangerous for you to venture outside," Captain explained.

"What do you mean, dangerous?..

"you are not the only one who forgets his existence. There are orders people like you."

"What is this? A disease"Is this some kind of disease?" Mike inquired.

"Perhaps, we are still conducting research," Captain admitted.

"This doesn't look like a lab. if I'm sick take me to the doctor."

"This may not look like a laboratory, but believe me, if you were sick, doctors wouldn't be able to do much."

"If they can't help, how can you? You don't look like a doctor," Mike remarked skeptically.

"You're right, I'm not a doctor. That's why I'm asking you to join me and together, we can uncover the truth. I believe that by being with me, you will find yourself," Captain offered.

"I—" Mike began, but was abruptly interrupted by an alarming sound emanating from behind Captain.

"Beeeeeeeep!"

Captain turned his attention to something beyond the door, then turned back to Mike.

"The choice is yours. Take your time to think it over," Captain said, locking the door before departing.

A day had passed since their last conversation. Mike found himself consumed by depression, trapped by what he perceived as a cult. Thoughts of being killed and his organs sold plagued his mind. Since that day, he hadn't seen sunlight or encountered another person. Meals were delivered through a gap at the bottom of the door. Sleep eluded him, leaving him with only exercise as a means of occupying his time.

Amidst his dire circumstances, Mike couldn't help but dwell on Captain's words. Even in captivity, his thoughts invariably returned to the enigmatic offer made by Captain.

That night, Captain paid Mike a visit. Their eyes met, and Mike, now seated in a chair, gazed at Captain with empty eyes, thirsting for answers.

Captain opened the door, bound Mike's hands with rope, and led him underground. It was a vast gymnasium, filled with dumbbells, punching bags, and gloves scattered throughout. The room was briefly illuminated, causing Mike to shield his eyes from the brightness. In the center of it all stood a boxing ring. Captain guided Mike around, removing his shirt as he warmed up.

"This is your test. I will fight you, and you must defeat me. If you succeed, you will be free to go wherever you please," Captain declared.

"But what if I lose?" Mike inquired.

"Then you will become my comrade," Captain responded, a hint of intrigue in his voice.

The timer began.

"ZEEEEEEEE!"

Mike instinctively took a step backward, briefly lowering his gaze before refocusing on Captain. To his astonishment, Captain vanished before his eyes.

As Mike searched for Captain, a menacing presence alerted him to danger from his right side. Reacting swiftly, he ducked to evade a punch from Captain. The assault did not cease, with Captain launching a relentless barrage of punches. However, Mike deftly dodged each attack, his newfound agility surprising even himself.

Undeterred, Captain aimed a high kick toward Mike's face, but Mike intercepted it with his hands, halting its progress.

Buoyed by his movements during the fight, Mike felt emboldened to strike back. He threw a jab at Captain, who swiftly ensnared his outstretched arm, twisting it and causing Mike's bones to audibly crack.

Collapsing to his knees, Mike experienced excruciating pain that altered his physical and mental state. Despite the anguish, he mustered the strength to lift his gaze and was promptly knocked unconscious by Captain's kick. Mike tumbled from the ring, landing on the ground below, as Captain secured him to a nearby chair.

When Mike regained consciousness, he found himself still bound to the chair, gazing up at Captain's towering

figure. Captain turned around and addressed him.

"You lost," Captain declared.

Mike sighed and replied, "Yes, I never expected to win."

"Now you will be working with us," Captain announced.

Mike was then tossed back into his room. As he rose from the ground, his eyes fixated on the mirror before him. An inexplicable shock coursed through him as he beheld his right arm—fully healed as if the injury had never occurred.

This sight left Mike enveloped in a cloud of confusion. Questions about his past, his healed arm, Captain, and the world at large swirled within his mind, demanding answers.