Return of the System Preface

'Chaos.1

That is the world as it is described today even by the most renowned scientists and political leaders. Everybody seems to be going insane as mass murder, rape, and denial is rushing through society at a growing rate.'2

Xan leaned back on his couch watching the grey fuzz slowly take over the television screen and seep into his brain. Fire was burning behind the news reporter as he barely made out the last words in the report. Xan walked over to the window of his dreary, tenth story apartment building, took out his dagger, and made a small slice on his wrist, and watched the blood fall, drop by drop to the floor. You could hear a slight whimper of the word, 'Why?' as Xan put on his black overcoat and walked out of his apartment.3

The door to the stairs was slightly rusty and off of its hinge, so it made an eerie creaking noise as Xan opened it, and started to walk down the hollow metal stairs that seemingly never ended until he managed to escape from the building. The night air was cold and exceptionally calming as Xan tucked his head into the hood of his coat and walked to the local bar. He noticed how calm the alley was, and every once and a while he looked down into the main streets to see the fires in town.4

The bar was dreary and the dim, red lights inside were constantly flickering on and off at such a rate that you couldn't keep your eyes off of them. 'Anything for you?' asked the bartender in a harsh, raspy voice. It was almost as if he struggled to speak. 5

'I'll have whatever you can give me to knock me out,' Xan replied.6

'So you've been watching the news too?'7

'Yeah, and I'm not liking what I'm seeing, I think my life is ending.'8

'Some of us feel that way, and some don't. Here, take this, its the house speciality.'9

In his mind, Xan was off in another world, dreaming of his childhood, before the raids began, until he was snapped back into reality by the bartender's silence. He took the drink and slowly made his way back to his apartment, slowly sipping whatever the concoction was. His key slowly clicked its way into the lock of the door, just the way he liked it, and turned to open into his home. Xan then ran straight to his bed, took a pillow, slammed it into his face, and screamed for hours in vain until finally he crashed into his bed.10