Last Earth

Prologue; Counting Stars

"Sir, your test results have come back."

Waves of pain etched their way though my head, starting at the back and pulsing forward to remain at my temples. I rubbed right temple, trying to breath evenly like the doctor had said to.

The little sound that was created in my room, from the fan to the soft squeaking of the nurse's pencil recording my progress, echoed off the walls and strangled the back of my brain, making the pulses even less bearable.

The nurse coughed impatiently and repeated her question, "Sir-" I glare at her, and she frowns, obviously confused by my sudden anger. My medical state is making me irritable.

"Your results have come in."

The pulsing gradually weakens as the silence stretches. I raise my head wincing as my neck cramps from the strain of my pain. "So-" My voice peaks from lack of use, and i'm also cut off by the nurses hand on my shoulder. Her touch cause the waves to return and I rest my scalp in my hands.

"Don't speak, it'll make it worse." I sigh, Don't you think I know that already?, I yell at her in my head, imaging a scenario where I turn and punch her. I jerk my head up from the very thought of doing that. Why would I....!? Somethings very wrong here. And a sudden thought pings in the back of my mind, but before I can comprehend it, the pain suddenly come so hard and so fast I almost black out, and I'm left gasping for oxygen.

"Back to the results." She states in a calm manor, oblivious to my current state. I cough and reply weakly, "Very well." She nods and smiles sadly at me.

"Sir, I'm glad to say your psychical test have com back good, but your doctor is very worried about the state of your mind."

I nod, then croak, "So...?" She goes back to scribbling on her clipboard.

The silence stretches and I ask again, almost blinded by the pain coming from behind my eyes now.

"So?" She turns her head to me, her gaze remaining at her notes. She pauses, meeting my eyes, "Hmm?" I raise an eyebrow, the pulses are getting even more unbearable.

"Oh, yes. The doctor wishes to meet with you on the 17th"

She hands me a piece of paper, full of writing, with one blank line for a signature. " Just need you to sign that-" She gestured to the open door. "Then you can leave."

I turn back to the table in front of me and grab the pen the nurse left. Neat as possible with my throbbing head I write my name down on the paper.

Then, slowly, I turn and lift myself from the chair. I take a tentative step towards the door.

"The paper." The nurse holds out her hand and orders me flatly. "Oh," I turn and grab the paper, then hand it back to the nurse.

I brace myself for the pain of my movement, but surprisingly, none comes. I pause confused, then glance at her. The throbbing vanishes almost immediately. She smiles, "Have a nice day." I draw my gaze away and continue down the hallway.

The door shuts behind me, in fact,all the doors close at my entrance. Something stirs in my gut and I immediately know something bad 's going to happen. A single door opens to my left and a man, probably in his mid thirties, steps out followed by a gang of younger men.

Leader by experience, I notice. I can feel my face fall in confusion as the man holds out his hand. "Hello there." He speaks in a heavy Irish accent. "Why..?" He puts his hand up to silence me. " I know your confused, but everything will be explained later." He must of noticed my skeptical look.

The man regains his composure and continues, "The pain that you have earlier experienced was part of a trail. Limited to those who we think are able to comprehend our greatest tokens of knowledge." He pauses checking to see my reaction.

I nod, bewildered. "And, well, frankly you have passed with flying colors." I cock my head, narrowing my eyes. "What does this have to do with me?"

He similes, "You have passed our test, so now you are one of us."

I perk up, pretending to be interested, while I truly want to have someone sit me down and explain way the sky is blue.

"You have passed the mind section of your test, the counting section, we call it. And now my friend, you are one of us." He gestured around him to the men.

"Welcome to H.E.L.P., "The mans face become insanely dark, but his smile still remains glued to his cheeks.

"Or-we rather like to call ourselves The Star Catchers."

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