He woke up, with a gasp of air. He knew not of what had just happened, so he was frantically looking around to get a grasp of his surroundings.

Where am I… Oh, yeah, I’m back at home.

He scratched his neck and started to get out of his room, completely painted with white, and completely uniform with only 90 and 45 degree angle corners. Walking to his restroom, he tried to recollect what his nightmare was about. But still, after brushing his teeth minty white and gelling his flow of hair, all he could remember was getting rushed to an emergency room, on the brink of death.

Dressing up for his job at his local cafe, he put on his earthen colored suit, tie, and shoes, before he started biking to the café.

“Hey Leo, how you doin’?” his manager asked.

He put on his apron and nametag, and then looked up at his manager.

“I’m doing just fine, sir.”
The brunette, silky-haired woman with fair skin stood with proper posture and full attention in her boss, Achilles’, office. She could not believe what she was hearing from this oil-haired man with a lust for power in his eyes.

“So you see, Briseis, as of right now, you’re easily expendable. Change my mind, and you won’t get fired, okay? I’m sure you can understand from my perspective. After all, this is a –“

Briseis stormed out of Achilles’ office, having no need for small-talk. For her to keep her job at this NYC based corporation that developed new tech, she would need to pull her weight in the think tank. But first, she would need a cup of coffee, and go straight to her doctor for a yearly checkup – X-Rays and blood tests included. She started driving out, not knowing of what was to come.

Leo saw the beautiful brunette walk in. She appeared to be of Greek descent. Before Leo could get a good look and accurate approximation of her, she saw him staring at her. Leo embarrassedly looked away quickly while she giggled. The awkwardness was defused.

“What will you have?” Leo shyly asked.

“Your famous espresso. It’s my turn to ask, now. What’s your name?”

“My name is Leo. And yours?” he said while making the espresso. He got a flash of a smile.

“Briseis. The name is Briseis.”

And right before her was placed an espresso, still frothing hot with sweet aroma.

“How much is it?”

“It’s on the house, Briseis.” Leo smiled pleasantly. Briseis could sense that he meant no harm to her, as much as it may have seemed to someone else.

“Thanks, Leo. I might stop by again.” Briseis winked at Leo and left for her check-up.

“The results of the X-Ray just came in, Briseis…”

A tense moment of suspense and silence passed. The doctor sighed and put the X-Ray film up against the light.

“… And you have a tumor.”

Briseis sobbed, light shining against her tear-streaked face. She took only a few moments to regain as much composure as she could muster.

“It’s benign, right?”

The doctor only responded with an apologetic smile, as Briseis continued to shed her tears of grief and sorrow.

“I’ll email the details to you, Briseis. I’m sorry.” said the doctor, as he patted her shoulder softly. She nodded ever so slightly as he walked away, and soon followed suit.

Leaving the hospital, it had started raining, as though the sky itself wept for Briseis, even though it could never cry enough tears for her. She got into her car, screaming and crying on the drive home.

Leo’s day had passed by quickly, as usual. There were a decent amount of customers who came mainly for the widely acclaimed espresso and the free Wi-Fi. But, despite the café’s success, the manager called all the day shift up at sunset for quite the bad news.

“We’re going bankrupt.”

All of the employees except Leo murmured amongst themselves. Leo couldn’t believe it, yet he knew for the better. He racked up the nerve to ask,

“When is this getting put on the market?”

“Good question. And that is on 4/8/14 at 7:42 PM.”

Leo couldn’t understand. His manager stated the present date and time, and that was it. His manager would have alerted them earlier if the date and time was accurate after all. So, something strange was going on, but Leo couldn’t think. He suddenly felt dizzy, fading out of consciousness.

Eerily waking up in his own bed in the morning was Leo, feeling somehow invigorated with life.

Briseis woke up, making an effort to stop sobbing. Checking her phone, she found the doctor’s email. Bracing herself, she read it slowly.
TYPE: Malignant – Possibly terminal cancer
LOCATED: Occipital Lobe of the Brain
SENT: 4/8/14 7:42 PM Local Time

She couldn’t understand some of the info, her still being a layman. She called her doctor, but to no avail. Trying to distract herself, she dressed and drove to work.

“Picking up the slack?” asked Achilles.

“I’m going to cut straight to the chase. I’ve got cancer – possibly terminal. But if I can get radiation and chemo, I’ll have to keep my job, and use most of my savings.” said Briseis.

Achilles drummed his fingers on his desk for what seemed like an eternity.

“Let’s talk. Meet me at the local café.”

“So, can I keep the job? Surely you can underst-“

“My Briseis, you can keep it only if you pursue a relationship with me. I have longed for you for quite a long time.”

Too shocked to speak, Briseis went inside the café, Achilles looking upon her with malice in his eyes. But there was Leo, who saw the frightfulness and innocence in Briseis’ blue-hazel wide eyes.

“I’m sorry, but is that man outside bothering you?” Leo rhetorically asked.

Briseis nodded, tears streaking down her face, as Achilles walked in. Briseis looked over her shoulder, seeing him stride to her. Achilles put his hand on her shoulder.

“Could I have a moment with her?” asked Achilles imposingly.

“Actually, no, you can’t. She doesn’t want to. If you try to harm her, you’ll have to get through me, first.” said the brave Leo.

“So be it.” Achilles walked right up to Leo, who had his fists raised. Achilles swung a punch.

Leo woke up with a gasp of air. He knew not of what had just happened, so he was frantically looking around to get a grasp of his surroundings.

It was a neat, white, uniform hospital room. Beside him were flowers. A familiar looking doctor walked in, with a startled look on his face.

“Oh, Leo! You’re finally out of your coma… You showed signs of frequent brainwave activity while in it. It got so intense, that you were actually dead for a minute, on 4/8/14 at 7:42 PM. We’re not sure what induced this coma. Perhaps a blow to the skull?”