Break Me, Fix Me

(Andrew) A week ago, “Andrew, watch out!” Bang. The sound of a gunshot rang in the air. I watched as she fell, blood splashed all over my shirt. “Run, Andrew, run.” She said, screaming. “No, get up! Let’s go, let’s run together!” I tried to lift her, but she pushed me away. “I’ll go distract them while you run and get help. No matter what happens, just keep running.” She stood up and started running towards the shooters. “No, no, no, no!” I cried out as I watched multiple bullets being fired at her. ******* “No, no, no, no, no,” I screamed till I woke up, shivering all over. That dammed nightmare again. My body was wet with sweat, my clothes clinging to my skin. I got up from the bed and walked to the window, lighting a cigarette as I checked the time. It was 2 am. My pills had finished last night, and I hadn’t been able to get more. I knew I’d have to kiss sleep goodbye. Those pills were the only things that kept me sane after every nightmare; the only relief for my pounding headache. I stood at the window, cigarette in hand, staring into nothingness, lost in thought. I didn’t realize how long I’d been there until I heard a knock at the door. “Good morning, sir,” my assistant, Timothy, greeted me. His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned to face him. “What’s the time?” I asked. “It’s 7 am, Sir.” “Morning, Tim, get the car ready. I’ll be down soon.” I didn’t realize that time had gone that far. “Yes, sir.” “And get my pills too. They finished last night.” “Okay, sir.” I dipped my cigarette into the cup of water by the window, putting it out, then moved to the bathroom to freshen up. I grabbed a quick breakfast and entered the car. My assistant handed me the pills, which I swallowed to calm the raging headache threatening to split my skull. Then I closed my eyes to nap a little. “We have arrived, sir,” Tim said, waking me from my short rest I stepped out of the car into the lobby, my signature smile plastered on my face. My employees all stood waiting for me. “Good morning, boss,” they chorused. “Morning,” I answered. It was part of the company ritual for the employees and me to meet every morning. I had a little pep talk with them and dismissed them. Then I stepped into the elevator and rode up to my office. “... and then the land auction starts by 5 pm.” Tim was saying as he read out my schedule. I asked him to bring me coffee as I settled into the day’s work. Time really does fly when one is busy. I was about to dive into another file when Tim called to tell me that it was time for the auction. In the car, he began briefing me about the land I was bidding on. Soon, we arrived at the venue where I was welcomed and led to my seat. The bidding started. The process was very boring, so I made small talk with Tim while waiting for the property I was interested in. “……….Next is the land beside the African mall, it is……….” Finally, the land I’d been waiting for. “……..and it is going off at three million dollars” “Five million dollars,” someone called before I could raise my paddle. “Seven million,” another said. “Ten million,” “Twelve million.” I was momentarily surprised because that plot of land had been unwanted for so long, but suddenly everyone wanted it the moment I did. "Ah, I see what's happening here." I smiled. Someone had leaked the information about my bid. “Twelve point one million,” I said coldly, finally raising my board. The hall went dead silent. You could have heard a pin drop if one did. No one dared to outbid me. “Th- the bid closes at twelve point one million… one, twelve point one million… two, twelve point one million… three,” the announcer stuttered. “Congratulations to bidder 202 for getting the land beside the African mall.” He finished, regaining some professionalism, though his voice still shook. Everyone clapped, some standing up. Not that they had much choice. I returned to my charming demeanor, raised my glass, and drained my wine to show my appreciation. As I left the hall, I caught the collective sighs of relief. "I hate drama," I said while adjusting my cuff links. "Yes, sir," Tim responded. As soon as I got into the car, I closed my eyes with hopes to getting some rest. I still had a lot of documents to attend to, but I needed rest. That’s when I felt it, a sudden, searing pain in my head. It ripped through my nerves and shot straight into my brain. A deafening siren screamed in my skull. My jaw clenched, eyes squeezed shut. And then, as quickly as it came, the pain was gone. It was almost like it never happened. “Is something wrong, sir?” Tim asked. “No” I probably should have been worried, as I had never felt anything like that, but I didn’t give it much thought and abandoned my previous act. I began working, focusing instead on wrapping up the auction business. “It probably won’t happen again.” I thought. But I was wrong. The next wave of pain hit harder. My head felt like it was being pierced by a thousand needles and smashed by a hundred hammers. My vision turned blurred, my skin crawled, itchy, like millions of ants were burrowing into my brain. Somehow, it made me feel like hurting myself. This wasn’t my usual headache; I knew it. This was worse, much worse. Tim must have noticed the change in me and called out to me, but before I could respond to his voice, I blacked out from the pain. The next time I opened my eyes, I was back in my room. My hands and legs, bound.