I12DT: The Sleeper Wakes

[John Hino]

John, reading a science fiction e-book on his belt's holoscreen, sat nearby as his father rested. Mr. Hino was by no means critical, so John could stay if he was quiet. The man needed his rest but John wanted answers when he woke.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear was leading through an old, well worn baseball pitching manual. She had completed every exercise and milestone in the book multiple times over, but it gave her a centering comfort, like a certain security blanket.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino begins to mumble in his sleep, in Japanese.

"<So many bones...>"

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear glanced over, hearing the disturbance.

[John Hino]

"Bones?" John asked no one in particular.

[Narrator]

Moments of quiet sleep pass before he tenses again.

"<Quiet... I hear something...>" he mutters.

Then in an urgent whisper, he adds "<Kyoko! What are you doing?!>"

[John Hino]

John worriedly moved to his father's side.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear moved closer, trying to hear a bit more clearly.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino's eyes shoot open as his arm goes for Bear's throat.

<"Foul witch!"> he shouts furiously.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear was a microsecond too slow, as the hand closed around her throat. She didn't panic, though, as she twisted and brought leverage to the arm with her own arm, preventing the windpipe from closing off.

[John Hino]

"Dad! What the hell are you doing?!" John shouted at the same time as the grab.

[Narrator]

The pain in his arm brings Mr. Hino around. With an aghast expression, he lets go.

"I... I'm so sorry... I..."

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear breathed hard as the grip was released.

"W..what.."

[Narrator]

The man slumps back, palming his face.

"Forgive me... please... I thought... I thought you were... someone else..." he says shakily.

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear took her own seat, looking back and forth between John and his father.

[John Hino]

John breathed in slowly and sighed. "First you act all weird, then you pass out, then you try to strangle my girlfriend because of some nightmare."

He looked his father in the eye. Bear might realize then that he hadn't done that this whole visit. "No more letting you take your time, you're going to tell me what's going on with you. Now," he said commandingly, like the future CEO he was.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino seems surprised by his son's new boldness, but doesn't bend to it. "It's just... work stress. Nothing to be worried about," he answers.

[John Hino]

"Oh my God dad, are you seriously pulling the stoic crap now?!" John retorted, exasperated. "Let me help you for once!"

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino sighs shakily.

"The dreams started a few weeks ago. In them I'm someone else... no, that's not quite it... it's more like I'm a passenger in someone else's head. At first I told myself it was just random chance that they were connected to each other, but... they kept coming. A week ago they became... dark. Nightmares of violence and monsters that I can't quite remember. I can't sleep, and now I'm even hallucinating."

He gives his son a haunted look. "John. I'm... afraid that I might be losing my mind...."

[Byrna Cooper]

Bear looked on, concerned.

[John Hino]

John was silent for a long moment. This wasn't remotely what he expected. Kazuhiro Hino couldn't possibly be going crazy. That was like... a sloth winning a marathon.

"If you were going crazy, you wouldn't be so worried about it. There has to be another explanation. There... there just has to be."

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino sighs. "This is why I didn't want to say anything."

[John Hino]

"Have you seen a psychologist then?"

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino doesn't respond, he just stares as if the answer is obvious.

[John Hino]

John groaned.

"Damn it Dad! Don't you think the shareholders already know your off your game? Hell... have you even considered that someone may be doing this to you as part of a takeover?"

...or to get to me...

[Byrna Cooper]

"We can have one of the psychologists here, or one of the psychics take a look at you, discreetly.." Bear suggested.

[John Hino]

"Exactly. You can trust the people here," John agreed.

[Narrator]

"Perhaps..." Mr. Hino says, sounding not quite convinced.

[Byrna Cooper]

""I'll go ask for someone.." Bear said, getting up.

[John Hino]

"It'll be fine dad. Really. I've had it done."

John really didn't want to have to back that statement up. The less his father knew about the Kraven incident, the better.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino raises a brow. "Oh?" he asks curiously.

[John Hino]

"A mission messed with my head a little, that's all," John responded, technically not lying... much.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hino narrows his eyes. "Johnathan Tatsuo Hino. You know better than to lie to me."

[John Hino]

John studied his feet for a moment and sighed.

"Okay fine, I got injected with something that made me go all wild animal. It took me a while to feel like myself again."

Not going to use the word kidnapped. Nope.