*thunder*
The sound of thunder filled the air as the sky was covered in black clouds, and it looked like it would start raining at any moment.
"It looks like it's going to rain today too," said a young man, looking out the window of his room. He was standing in front of a mirror as he finished tying his tie around his neck.
He was a young man in his 20s, with black eyes and hair of the same color, light skin tone, medium build, not too skinny or too fat, almost average-looking, not too handsome or too ugly, and of average height.
If he could be described in one word, it would be average, absolutely average.
From the soles of his feet to the tips of his hair, everything was so average that he once thought if he ever committed a crime, they would never identify him because of how average he was.
His name was Paul.
"Paul, come down for breakfast."
"I'm coming," he grunted, finishing fixing his tie before looking back at the mirror and nodding in approval.
He was getting ready to go to the Christmas party his college was hosting. Some would say the tie would be too much, but he'd always liked to dress elegantly.
Heaving a sigh, he headed downstairs to the dining room where the table was already laden with food, and someone was already eating.
"Finally, you're here. Sit down and eat quickly, it's getting cold," said a middle-aged man, stuffing his mouth with his mouth.
The man was Paul's older brother, Gary.
"Thanks, but I won't eat much. Today is the college Christmas party. I'll eat something there," said Paul, sitting down for a moment and taking a lumpia that was on the table.
"More food is better for me," said Gary with a smile, refilling his plate.
"Whatever, just make sure you don't have a heart attack," said Paul, getting up from the table and starting to walk toward the door.
"Whatever you say, Mom," Gary replied mockingly as he continued eating without a care. "Remember to bring an umbrella. The weather forecast says it's going to rain."
Without saying anything, Paul just grabbed the umbrella that was hanging on one of the blinds and walked out the door, but not before saying a final goodbye to his brother.
There were still about two hours until the event, so he decided to walk as a way to calm his nerves. The city landscape as the sun set and the downtown lights came on was beautiful, with all kinds of colored lights twinkling all around.
People walked around him, also wrapped up in their own affairs, no one giving him more than a glance.
He was a simple person; he had grown up in an upper-middle-class home with loving parents. He was in engineering school at a mid-range university and had started living with his brother because his house was closer to the university. His favorite hobbies were reading books and playing fantasy games.
In reality, his life was quite good and peaceful. He never lacked for anything, never suffered abuse or neglect, and until recently, he had even found a girlfriend with whom he lost his virginity.
Paul's life was normal and peaceful, and he didn't want for that to ever change.
*thunder*
Another thunderclap sounded in the air, and Paul could feel a light rain begin to fall.
'I'd better hurry,' Paul thought, opening his umbrella and starting to run faster as he felt the rain around him increase. What had started as a light rain quickly escalated into a downpour.
As he ran, he came to a pedestrian crossing where he had to wait because the light was red.
*Thunder*
*Swish!*
"Watch out!"
Suddenly, Paul heard someone shouting as he heard the sound of thunder and the squeal of tires skidding across the ground. He turned his head in time to see, through the fog of rain, the headlights of a truck speeding toward him.
For a moment, all of Paul's thoughts stopped...
He could feel his life flashing before his eyes, and the only thought he could muster at the end of it all was...
"What the hell happened?"