"Fated" - Introduction

      This is a story about three people. Strangers, which in one week’s time will completely change each other’s ordinary lives, and find out more about themselves than they ever wanted to know. This is a story about cruelty, bitterness, love, and fantasy. This is a story about what we want from life, what we take for granted, and what we have to lose.

      The first of the trio is a young girl, named Alessandra, who is living alone for the first time in her life. After high school, she left her parents’ home, to move to the city with her childhood love; however, as most things that we love as children, they grew up and got over each other. It has been two months since they separated, each saying it was their decision, and being too stubborn to return home, she is now trying to live in a city that doesn’t care. Taking what little money her parents gave her “just in case something happens”, she managed to find a small studio apartment, with little problems, and few bugs. Like most young people starting their lives, she has a job, or at least she does for another ten minutes. You see, the last time she was late to work, was her second chance, and if she can’t make the half hour walk in ten minutes, then she can’t afford rent or any of the other bills she has been putting off for too long. So, there she is, walking along the street, in that way you do when you are in a hurry, trying to beat the blinking crosswalk symbol. She starts across, but it is already too late, for sometime between her fourth and fifth steps the light has changed, and she was left walking in front of other citizens, some of who are also late for the rest of their lives. There is one person in particular, which Alessandra happens to be standing in front of at this moment; this man, while not late for anything, is always in a hurry.

      His name Cassidy, and while honking his obnoxious horn, he rolls down his window to yell at Alessandra. Now most people, especially those in a hurry, would take this as further motivation to hurry along, but not Alessandra. Instead she stops, standing directly in front of this rude man’s vehicle, blocking his path. Yelling back and forth, the situation quickly gets out of hand, and within second the young woman is kicking the front of his car. Cassidy gets out of his car, and as he does Alessandra finally gets the motivation to run to work. Now Cassidy would follow her, but the people in the cars gathering behind him are angry and he thinks he can make the light. He gets back in his car, but before he can start moving again, the light changes red. Thinking that he deserves this one, he tries speeding through the intersection, striking a motorcycle in the process. The cyclist smashes into the ground, and in a panic Cassidy drives away without looking back; leaving the motorcyclist lying in the street, traffic still driving around him.

      The unconscious biker’s name is Alex, and as he lies in the path of dodging vessels, the only person who comes to his side, digs through his pockets and steals his wallet without checking for any signs of life. Minutes pass, and the only movement is the city passing around him, trying hard not to notice the injured man in way of their daily schedule. Five minutes have passed since the accident, maybe Alessandra has made it to work by now, but still the poor biker doesn’t move. Now, eight minutes have passed, and finally he begins to wake up. He doesn’t seem to be in pain, because the bike had taken most of the impact, but he did hit his head on the ground, which left him with a slight headache. Getting to his feet, angry motorist honk while trying to avoid him, but he isn’t paying attention to them. He is far too preoccupied trying to recall the memory of what has just happened, and trying to remember his name.

      This is a story about three strangers, and the one week when they find out who they really are.