My mind was blurred from the pain snaking up my hand, but it was clear enough to comprehend his question.

“My f-father? But…he’s – “

The man gave a cruel laugh.

“Oh, anything but,” he said, grinning like the devil incarnate. “You’d be surprised at how much I exactly know about your dearly beloved parents.”

What does he mean…?

“What would you know?” I said, feeling anger seeping back into my words. “Are you saying that they just left? That the whole accident was a staging?”

“No, not exactly. But you’re close enough. If you ever cornered them, they would tell you it was all ‘for your own good’, or ‘because they wanted to keep you safe.’”

What is this man talking about? Is he insane?

“Are you…are you crazy?” I managed to say, eyes widening marginally.

“Maybe,” he said, the sneer returning. “Now, come along, dearie, a certain piece of metallic apparatus is just dying to meet you.”

I faintly heard the clanking of chains and vocal protests before I was wrenched into a dark room.