Daniel is a survivor. For all of his 24 years, all he's ever known is how to survive. He didn't know why he had to, but he did his best to live.
At a young age, he learned that when people close their eyes and don't wake up, they can no longer accompany him. He learned that when the sky darkens, beasts will come out and savage anything they can consume. And he learned that most of his fellow men are not to be trusted.
Every day he did what he could. Slowly, he reached his twenties, hardened by his harsh world. He learned to survive whatever was thrown at him and to trust no one with his life.
So when his life finally met its end at the hands of a beast that typically roamed near the place he called home, he wasn't sad or reluctant. He only mildly regretted not eating the food he had stored the day before in preparation for the upcoming winter.
Of course, he didn't allow himself to perish without a fight. He remembered blinding the beast with the rough dagger his old man had passed down to him. He had just enough time to deal a devastating blow that should ensure the beast wouldn't live long after devouring him. He also recalled the sensation of slowly growing weak as he made a wish to an entity others had said could hear and grant miracles for the worthy.
Waking up in a place without a fatal wound on his stomach and feeling quite energetic, Daniel was surprised and puzzled. He was sure he was a beast's dinner. He was certain he wasn't supposed to survive, just like so many others before him.
After he was sure he was indeed still alive, Daniel looked around his surroundings vigilantly, as he often did in an unfamiliar space. Everything was foreign. Nothing looked recognizable, and it all felt weird and strange.
Wanting to explore, he tried to stand up. However, he felt something attached to the back of his hand. It hurt when he suddenly moved to touch it. In his panic, he saw a bright red liquid flow out of his skin, through a transparent tube, and into a clear bag.
He wanted to yank it out, but he didn't know what would happen if he did. Not knowing what to do, he could only watch as the blood receded back into his skin, and the tube became clear again, much to his relief.
Now no longer worried that his blood would flow out, he took a closer look at his current surroundings. All he could say was that it was very clean.
There was no dirt that people around his place would never bother to clean up after getting their fill and finally getting a well-deserved rest. The place was empty, yet also full. It had the necessities his old man once said made up a house, but it was empty in the sense that it lacked any weapons he could use if something were to attack him by surprise.
Perhaps what caught his eye was a flower by his bedside. He had never seen such a harmless and beautiful plant. It was also quite fragrant, even from a distance.
Just as he was about to reach for the flower, he heard footsteps coming toward him. In a moment, he saw the door open and a group of people walk in.
"You're awake." A man in white said as he approached, easily taking Daniel's hand to examine the attachment and the bag hanging above. "It's good the blood didn't flow into the bag. How do you feel?"
Daniel could only stare at him. While he understood every word spoken to him for some reason, the language sounded too different from what he knew. He stared at the man in puzzlement, like a small, helpless animal being carried by the scruff of its neck by its owner.
Just as he was about to say something, he heard a snort from the other people who came in. He quickly found the source of the sound: a person wearing the most flashy clothes, the kind that would guarantee predators would hone in on them in seconds.
The person in question looked young, possibly in their teens. They had the distinctive arrogance of someone who was confident in themselves. The way they carried themselves suggested they had the means to be so, but in Daniel's opinion, they were honestly weak.
"Daniel." The other person in the room said. This one was a woman. She had short hair and looked sharp, like someone who had experienced hardship.
Daniel didn't answer. He just stared at them, puzzled and confused by everything. He couldn't recall knowing these people, nor could he possibly be acquainted with these strangers.
If he did remember them, he would probably ignore them. In his mind, less interaction meant a higher chance of living. Often, the danger came from his fellow men rather than from external threats. From how the two people carried themselves and the subtle way they looked at him, they were hostile to his very existence.
"Mrs. Finn, I think my patient has lost his memory from the incident your charge caused." The man in white said after reaching out to check the bandage on Daniel's head. Only then did Daniel realize his head was injured. "His eyes show he can understand, but he doesn't seem to be able to process the meaning or react as he should."
"Don't talk as if you're a psychiatrist, Doctor." The teen scoffed. "How can you be so sure he isn't faking it? Poor people often do that to scam the wealthy."
"I do have a license as a psychiatrist," the man called the doctor replied. "To be a state doctor, it's a minimum requirement to be a dual practitioner. After all, the wealthy like to lie too much to get off scot-free from their faults. Don't make me cite examples of the foolish things you've done, young man. I have a file on you, with most of your victims being directed to my office."
The teen would have argued if the short-haired woman hadn't cut him off with a glare. It made the teen's face turn red, but he shut his mouth. Seemingly satisfied that the other person wouldn't interrupt, the woman looked Daniel straight in the eye, examining him to see if she could catch a flaw.
"Daniel." She called out again.
Daniel continued to look at her in confusion. Normally, he would have run away the moment these people came in or huddled in a corner with a weapon in hand, ready to strike if they targeted him. However, his body felt weak. Even if he could sense these people were weaker and likely easy to kill, he couldn't act on his usual reaction.
"I guess Mrs. Finn has come to the same conclusion as I have," the doctor said carelessly. "This time, you can't bribe your way to get your charge off scot-free from this incident. Seriously injuring a civilian, destruction of property, not to mention his lack of remorse... In 24 hours, a subpoena will be issued. Please prepare your defense. My patient will be under the care of the state. Don't try to play any more tricks, or we'll be forced to take drastic measures."
The woman was smart enough to understand the underlying meaning of the doctor's words. The teen, on the other hand, looked enraged. From where Daniel was, he could see the teen's hand crackle with sparks.
"John Dean!" The woman raised her voice as she noticed what her charge was doing. "Stop this instant if you don't want us to land in something worse than where we are now."
The teen flinched at the sound. He glared at the woman before storming out of the room. The door slammed behind him, and the room felt awkward.
"I'll make sufficient arrangements for this matter, Doctor," the woman said after she cleared her throat. "There is no excuse for this incident, and I'll make sure my charge knows the consequences of his actions."
"I've heard that before, Mrs. Finn." The doctor's tone was oddly cold. "I have my reservations about believing you, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If you'll excuse yourself, I need to speak with my patient now."
The woman opened her mouth for a moment before closing it. She gave the doctor a nod before leaving the room. With Daniel's sharp eyes, he could see her give him a venomous glance from the corner of her eye.
"Now that the noise is gone, I'll introduce myself," the doctor said, his tone slightly upbeat. "I'm Dr. James Marvin, a state doctor and your temporary guardian until the state assigns you one. I believe you have many questions about what is happening, and we'll get to them in a while. But first, let's give you a proper health check, okay?"