1 An Unexpected Interruption

Alfonso Maradona, a man of 36 years old, carried the weight of a life well-lived on his shoulders. Having served as a soldier in the Philippines and lived through the rigors of Special Forces training, his experience had left an indelible mark on his being.

But, as with all things in life, his time in the military eventually came to a close. Six years ago, Alfonso began a new chapter in his life, as a psychologist. Over the years, he had helped countless individuals navigate the labyrinthine complexities of their inner selves, using his own idiosyncratic blend of wit, dark humor, and razor-sharp insight.

To those who sought his counsel, Alfonso was an enigma, a man of magnetic pull and a fierce determination to see his clients through the toughest of times. He possessed a calculating mind, coupled with a charismatic and cunning approach. His words were few, but his half-smile and half-lidded eyes exuded a quiet confidence.

Drawing from his experiences as a soldier, Alfonso had a rare talent for reading people, for divining the subtle nuances of their behavior and the motivations behind their actions. His arsenal of psychological techniques was formidable, encompassing cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and a host of other approaches.

Despite his many accomplishments, Alfonso remained something of a recluse. He preferred solitude to company, living a spartan lifestyle in a small apartment with few possessions. It wasn't that he lacked interests, however. Alfonso was an avid reader and had an abiding passion for music. His evenings were often spent reading books or exploring the vastness of the internet.

Occasionally, he would venture out into the world, usually on his own. He had a few favorite bars he frequented, ordering the same drink every time and striking up conversations with the same people. Despite his regularity, he remained an enigma to those around him, his calm demeanor and sardonic smile never faltering.

In addition to his work, Alfonso was known to be a daring gambler, often participating in underground poker games or making wagers with his friends. With his unparalleled ability to read people, he frequently emerged victorious. It was a pastime that he enjoyed immensely, but typically kept to himself.

In spite of his idiosyncratic character, Alfonso had succeeded in carving a prosperous path in the field of psychology. Endowed with an extraordinary gift for therapy, he harbored an unparalleled aptitude for relating to and understanding his patients on a level that very few could match. He embodied an exemplar for many of his clients and was frequently sought after for counsel or support.

To a large extent, it was a life that satisfied him. However, there was a darker side to Alfonso's psyche, a side that thirsted for pandemonium and savagery. He often found himself daydreaming about the times when he could utilize his expertise to instigate chaos and devastation. The mere notion of wielding authority over others sent shivers down his spine, and he reveled in the sensation.

On occasion, his demeanor would shift, and his placid countenance would be supplanted by a malevolent sneer. His patients seldom took notice of the transformation, but those who did were left trembling in the wake of his intense glare. It was as though he could see beyond their outward facade and into their very core, and he relished in what he beheld.

Though everything changed in one faithful day. As Alfonso stepped onto the crosswalk, he felt the warmth of the sun on his face and the breeze in his hair.

He was in a good mood, whistling a tune to himself as he walked. Suddenly, he heard the screech of tires and the honking of a horn. In a split second, a jeepney came barreling towards him, and he was hit with an immense force. The impact sent him flying into the air, and everything went black.

-

Slowly, my eyes opened, and my vision was obscured at first. As my senses sharpened, I apprehended that I was not where I was before. An odd sensation coursed through my veins, as if something had shifted. "What... in God's name...?" I muttered under my breath.

As I roused myself, the breeze whipped through my frame. I was high above the ground, perched atop a tree. I could not grasp where I was or why I was there. All I knew was that I had talons on my feet. It dawned on me; I was a... bird?

I had always been in command, aware of everything around me. But now, I was baffled and perplexed. I had no clue what had befallen me, nor what my destiny was. As a former soldier and psychologist, this was an entirely new realm for me. I surveyed my surroundings, striving to comprehend where I was.

Beneath me, I could see an extensive landscape of woodlands and mountains, stretching beyond the horizon. The sky was a brilliant hue of azure, and the sun radiated brightly, but it all felt so unreal.

My first thought was to fly, but I soon realized that I had no idea how. As I stood there, flapping my wings to no avail, frustration began to set in. I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the suddenness of my predicament, but I knew I had to figure out how to fly if I wanted to figure out this strange new world.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on the basics, determined to conquer this new challenge. Slowly but surely, I began to get the hang of it. The feeling of lifting off the ground was indescribable, and the rush of air in my face as I soared higher and higher was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I continued flying, feeling more confident with each passing minute. I was amazed at how peaceful it was up there, and how easy it was to navigate the sky. I could feel the wind blowing through my feathers, and it felt amazing.

After a few more minutes of flying, I finally touched down on a branch of a nearby tree. I was exhilarated. I had achieved something I never thought I could do. I was now a... bird, and I was in control of my own destiny. I felt free, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

-

I had awoken to a new reality, a reality unlike anything I had ever known before. The enormity of what had happened to me was almost too much to comprehend. Yet, I was excited, thrilled even, at the prospect of starting anew, with a twist of fate.

Despite my initial apprehension, I knew I had to venture forth and explore this new world. For the first time, I felt a sense of freedom, a sense of liberation that was almost overwhelming. It was as if the shackles that had bound me for so long had finally been cast aside, and I was free to soar.

Soar I did, with the cool breeze against my feathers and the world at my feet. The beauty of this world was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was as if the colors were more vibrant, the scents more intoxicating, and the sounds more melodic.

With each passing moment, my confidence grew. I was becoming more and more proficient at this flying thing, and the sense of control I felt was exhilarating. I knew that I could go anywhere and do anything. I was free to explore this new world, and nothing could stop me.

Yet, as the day wore on, hunger began to gnaw at my insides. It was a primal urge, one that I could not ignore. I scanned the landscape below me, searching for sustenance, for something to sustain me on this new journey.

As the day wore on, hunger began to gnaw at my insides. I knew I had to find food soon, or I wouldn't be able to continue my exploration. I scanned the landscape below me, looking for something to eat.

After searching for what seemed like an eternity, my eyes caught a glimpse of a small, vulnerable rabbit in the distance.

It was munching on a patch of fresh grass, and was completely oblivious to my presence. I silently glided down and perched on a tree branch, observing the creature.

As soon as the rabbit noticed my looming presence, it immediately froze in terror. Its eyes widened in fear, and its tiny heart began to pound rapidly in its chest. I could hear its panicked whimpering as I peered at it's eyes.

I knew what I had to do to survive. I sprang off the branch and launched myself towards the prey, swooping in and gripping it tightly with my razor-sharp talons before it could even make an attempt to escape. I soared back up to the tree, clutching the rabbit tightly in my grasp.

The rabbit wriggled and whimpered, struggling to free itself from my grip. Its eyes were still wide with fear, and I couldn't help but be fascinated by the predator-prey dynamic at play. I was driven by an unusual combination of satisfaction and thrill.

"P-Plea..-"

Without a second thought, I plunged my razor-sharp beak into its neck, crushing its windpipe with a sickening crunch. I swore I heard it mutter a word before I killed it. The prey fell limp in my grasp, and I was left with a mix of emotions - satisfaction, hunger, and a sense of awe at the primal instincts that had taken over me.

I quickly began tearing through the rabbit's hide and ate for what seemed like an hour. I thought it'd be a lot more... disgusting and raw, but it's far from that. I had done what I had to do, and I was now full. I didn't want to think about the rabbit anymore, so I quickly flew away and continued exploring the world.

A few hours later, as I was flying, I suddenly felt a strange sensation. I felt energized and alive, and I felt driven by a strange force I couldn't explain. The thrill of the hunt, a primal instinct lying dormant within me, now surged forth with renewed vigor.

Transformed into a predator, a raptor of the skies, I was endowed with sharpened senses and an instinctual, almost telepathic, understanding of my surroundings. I was, in essence, a new being, wholly unrecognizable from my previous self.

I had been granted a newfound sense of purpose, a clarity of mind, and a drive that transcended all previous experiences. I was no longer constrained by the limitations of my former existence, but rather had become a creature of raw, unbridled power.

A cold, calculating hunger consumed me, driving me ever forward towards my goals, regardless of any obstacles that might stand in my way.

In this new form, I was utterly free, liberated from the constraints of humanity, unfettered by the banalities of everyday life. I was now a creature of the wild, a hunter, a predator, ready to embrace my new identity and relish in the feeling of power and invincibility that it granted me.