Chapter 1: Awakening
Selray Kaze. This is the name that I have known from birth. All I've ever known about the parents who left me in the streets is that they must have been from Japan to give me such a surname. Growing up alone in such a busy city in the United States was hard, but many people looked after me through my early and teenage years. I had many people who would look after me, and they all called me Selray. Even now I still don't know how people even learned of my name when my parents had left me, but I liked it.
Whenever my daughter Rose asks why she has no grandparents, I just say that they aren't around anymore. I try my best to be a great father for her. It may be an attempt to make peace with my lack of true parents growing up, but I still love her. She is a girl who deserves nothing but the best, especially with her mother not around anymore. She is usually pretty cheery, and I am so thankful for that.
"Well, Rose, you should start getting ready for school," I say, ushering her out the door.
"Dad, I'm in high school now. I don't need you telling me to go out," She says, with her usual slight sarcasm.
"Okay. But be safe, okay? Even a sixteen-year-old needs to watch out."
With that, Rose leaves the house and walks towards the school. I let out a sigh and slump into my chair. Just what the hell was that daydream? I know that people can have some strange dreams, but this felt so real. It was like I could truly hear those horrifying screams. The strangest part is that it was out of nowhere. Just before, I was just sipping coffee as Rose went to get ready for school.
I hear a knock at my door and snap out of it. When I answer it, I see my only friend, Seth, standing in front of me. He is a very muscular and tall man. He towers over my average and skinny figure. His bald head is such a stark contrast to my long brown hair, and we look like complete opposites when we stand next to other.
"Selray, is the lilttle one gone?" His deep voice booms through my small house.
"Yes, come on in. I was just having a drink of coffee if you want some."
We both sit in my living room and watch the television mindlessly. Seth was left in this town at a young age, a story similar to mine. People around us have always said that he is from Egypt, but noone knows for sure. His slightly dark skin certainly looks the part, that is for sure. We have known each other for many years now and are closer than brothers. He is the only permenant family I ever knew when I was younger.
"Are you ready to go to work today? You look a little pale," Seth's chisled face shows slight concern.
"I just didn't sleep well last night. Besides, today is a huge day at Seraph, so I couldn't possibly miss it." I flash a slight smile to ease his worries.
"You got that right, man. Today is the day that Seraph becomes an actual company. As co-founders, we NEED to be there. Do you think this will finally save some lives?"
"Yeah...I really do." I think my frayed nerves show themselves in my voice, but Seth seems to igore it.
We get up and walk out the door to my house. I lock the door and look up at the sky. Dark clouds cover the morning sun, and I shiver in the slight cold. As soon as I finish, we go into Seth's car and drive towards the Seraph building, my mind still fousing on the terror I felt as I gazed up at the black clouds in the daydream I had.