Helen Wong » Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Memory Thief and His Dark Past

Jake isn't your run-of-the-mill criminal. Nope, he's what you'd call a memory thief. Sounds crazy, right? But stick with me. Jake has this uncanny ability to extract and manipulate memories. It's not magic, more like a neuroscientific marvel. His life has been a series of unfortunate events, each one pushing him further into the shadows.

Years ago, Jake was a brilliant neuroscientist with a promising future. He was on the cutting edge of memory research, developing techniques that could revolutionize how we understand and treat neurological disorders. But fate had other plans. A tragic car accident took his wife away, leaving Jake with a broken heart and a mind full of regret. That was the day everything changed.

In his grief, Jake discovered his strange talent. He realized he could tap into the neural pathways of others and extract their memories. It was an epiphany born from sorrow, a gift and a curse. His first experience with this ability was accidental – a desperate attempt to relive a moment with his wife. But instead of his own memories, he accessed those of a patient in the next room. The experience was jarring but enlightening.

Jake's discovery didn't bring him peace. Instead, it pulled him into a world he never wanted to be part of. His unique skill caught the attention of some unsavory characters, and before he knew it, he was neck-deep in the criminal underworld. Using his skills, Jake started working for shady clients, stealing memories for a price. Each job added another layer to his sordid past.

He became known in the underground as the go-to guy for erasing unwanted memories or recovering lost ones. But with each memory he stole, he felt himself slipping further away from who he used to be. He tried to justify his actions, telling himself he was providing a service, but deep down, he knew he was just running from his own pain.

Life as a memory thief is perilous. The job isn't just about skill – it requires guile, cunning, and the ability to stay one step ahead of those who might want to take him down. Every memory he steals leaves a mark on him, a reminder of the person he once was and the moral compass he's slowly losing.

One night, Jake sits in his dimly lit apartment, a glass of whiskey in hand, staring at the flickering shadows on the wall. The weight of his actions presses down on him, making it hard to breathe. He knows he’s crossed lines he can never uncross, done things that can never be undone. But he’s also aware that he’s not just a thief – he’s a man on the run from his own demons, a man trying to make sense of a world that’s turned its back on him.

As he takes another sip, his phone buzzes. It's a new job – one that promises a hefty payout but comes with even higher risks. Jake knows he should turn it down, walk away while he still can. But the lure of the job, the promise of one more big score, is too tempting to resist. He sighs, knowing he’s about to dive even deeper into the darkness, but unable to stop himself.

And so, Jake continues his solitary journey, a memory thief haunted by the very thing he’s supposed to control. He knows the path he's on can only lead to more pain, but for now, it's the only path he knows.