It's always worse before it gets better

Adam knew his whole life was over. Not literally as in ****, but it was close enough that the difference didn’t matter.

Adam placed his head in his hands as tears dropped down his cheeks. He didn’t know how long he cried for, at least since he had arrived in the hotel room. He dug his fingernails into his scalp, hoping the little amount of pain would help him. It didn’t, he continued to cry.

Why did you do this Rachel! Adam thought, throat tightening. The love of his life, his fiancé and girlfriend since high school had dumped him, after he had found out she was cheating on him. She had met someone at work, another highflying lawyer. Rachel had been cheating behind his back, it hadn’t been the first time they had sex in their fucking bedroom.

Adam had stormed out, ignoring all the calls and texts he had received afterward. He didn’t want to speak to anyone, not his best friend or Rachel. He had driven around for what seemed like hours, until he had found a hotel. He had stayed the entire evening, drinking away his woes in the bar, and being consoled by the bartender. Now he felt tired, his muscles ached as the events of the whole day finally caught up with him.

What am I going to do? Adam thought, as he lay on the bed. He was exhausted, tiredness spread quickly through his body. He closed his eyes, he was surprised at how quickly he had become tired but he also welcomed it.

Adam let go, and fell into a deep sleep.

Specimen within acceptable parameters found

Adam groaned, he dreamt of nothing at first. But then shapes and figures swept through his mind. From family and friends, to random strangers. His dreams were erratic.

Emotional state already compromised.

Adam bit his lip, as his dreams seemed to morph. His mind sprinted from one landscape to another. Creatures mundane or fantastical entered his dreams. Cars, dogs to even dragons and giant snakes.

Suitable for transference.

Adam groaned as the landscape changed again. Fog rolled in on him from every direction, swirling around his body. A cold laugh pierced through the chaos. The fog retreated, revealing a lush vibrant landscape and a dark figure standing opposite him.

Transferring….Transferring...Completed.

Adam didn’t know what the figure meant, but the sensation washing over him felt wrong. He turned and ran, only to stop as the figure appeared before him. His face was clouded in darkness, but Adam knew he was laughing.

Adam stumbled backward as the figure sprinted toward him. He raised his arms in front of him as the figurenbeared, still cackling. His eyes widened as the figure went through his hands and body.

Pain erupted through his chest and body, before everything went black.

Amending emotion input/output. Assuming control of secondary systems.