There was a banging somewhere in the distance, rattling my brain. I crawled out of bed and I knew straight away things were not right. Everything felt strange, familiar but unfamiliar at the same time, like I’d dreamt about the items in my flat but now I couldn’t quit touch the dream, leaving everything blurry.

I stumbled around an unfamiliar room, looking for something to cover my bare skin. I found a pair of jeans and fumbled putting them on, they seemed to fit right.

I head toward the sound of the banging, which was now becoming a pulsing thunder in my head, unrelenting.

I found the source of the noise and opened a heavy front door. Revealing a strange man standing there, staring at me. Sunlight over his shoulder flashing in my eyes.

“Jack, your half an hour late, I’ve been knocking for fucking ever”

I looked and him, confused, I didn’t recognise this man at all.

“What” was about all I managed.

The man barged past me

“Get dressed, we need to be on the job in ten minutes”.

I closed the door and we stood facing each other in the strange hallway.

“God, you look like shit lad” the man said “are you back on the booze?”.

I stood there in shock for a few more minutes until I finally got my courage up

“Look pal, I don’t know what’s going on here” I tried to use an unthreatening tone, but I don’t think I succeeded..

I was just feeling lost and confused.

And now I could see confusion on the strangers face and something else. Concern?

He tried to put his hand on my shoulder but I shrugged him off roughly.

“Mate are you ok?” He asked

I stood there stuttering, I just couldn’t get my words out. I was getting more and more frustrated. He suddenly stepped closer and I just reacted. I punched him full in the face, sending him reeling back.

I stumbled myself, my head was pounding now, I felt unsteady. I then pitched forward into darkness.