"One more week. One more week. Come on!" I slapped my face a few times as I stared at myself with my rear-view mirror. It has been six months of working twelve-hour overnight shifts. Six months of waking up in the afternoon rushing to eat food and finish my homework. Six months of struggling to pay the rent that my roommate had left me with when he decided to skip out right before my last semester. Six months of life slapping me in the face on account of no one answering my god damn roommate ads. Six god damn months of scrambling to find time to finish projects and meet my graduation requirements.

Six fucking months of hellish stress. Only one more week until my semester ended and I left this shitty job. Only one more fucking week.

For the past six months I have worked at a pizza factory doing twelve hour shifts every night. Well, it was a factory in everything but name. Our job was to make the pizza that you eat in those tiny little boxes that you take out of your freezer. It was nonstop work, and my job was to make sure the dough cutting machine kept on cutting.

The trouble came via the petty the management overseeing the factory. Now that I was on the out, things became far less straightforward. And way more difficult. Hauling heavy delivery crates from the trucks, mixing the dough in the huge vats, boxing the pizzas, flash freezing the pizzas, throwing away the pizzas, cleaning the pizza mess off the floors, clean the toilets with napkins. Whatever the fuck they could find me to do I did, and they assigned it as fast as their little heads could scream. I really fucked up when I trained my replacement in only a few days, after which the excellent management did everything in their power to make my life miserable.

I agree with the management that, during my interview, I stated I would, quote, "Stay on board for maybe a year or two." But the shit I've been going through this past week? They could go fuck themselves with a ten-foot pole.

Breaking away from my rumination, I rubbed my face one last time and summoned the courage to enter the warehouse. I left my car and made my way up the stairs to the warehouse. I greeted the regulars that managed to stay on working this grueling schedule for years. The turnover was high, meaning that the pay was ridiculously good. Especially when you could work seven days a week and get paid overtime. It wasn't unheard of for some of the workers to work twenty-four hours straight. Hell, one guy, I knew worked forty-eight straight hours because management 'couldn't find coverage'. Management was that desperate and that scummy. The fact I didn't play ball with their abusive tactics was another reason they had it out for me.

I did that by avoiding my bosses' phone calls, like the brave hero I was.

"Evenin' Pedro. How's it going?" I said to one of the workers who had been employed for eight years. He was the one who worked forty-eight hours straight. I had no idea how he did it.

"Amigo!" He slapped me on the shoulder as I grabbed my apron, gloves, and hair net. I smoothed down my short, black hair and put on the head wear, plopping a green baseball hat with a gold Hyrule symbol on the front on top of the hairnet. I used it to keep the hair net from slipping off my head. It also helped to soak the sweat that collected on my head. This job was miserable, but I hadn't become so jaded that I wanted people to literally taste my misery.

"Everything is going well, I finally saved enough to pay for Tiana to go to college. She'll graduate from a good school like you, hijo." Pedro said with a smile as he put on his equipment and stored his personal belongings away inside one of the tiny lockers the company gave us.

"Wait, isn't she twelve? That's a little too early to be thinking about college, isn't it?" Though I'm one to talk. I just was about to finish my bachelor's at twenty-eight, when most people would be finishing or be finished with their post-grad.

"Si, si, si! But you forget! You never should think too far ahead! You know this by now! Cuantas veces te he dicho! I have three daughters to get through college, Dios ayúdame!" He began as he rambled on about his daughters, before lecturing me on the importance of being your best and working in life. While he did this often, I didn't mind it too much; mostly because it felt nostalgic. I stared at the man who worked so hard for his family. Now I understood why he had it in him to work so hard.

He reminded me of my father.

He had never complained or caused issues with anyone and was always as warm and friendly as they come. He always had a spark of will, determination, and hope in his eyes. Of dreams. Just like Pedro.

I looked at my name badge. James Hartford. I was born and raised in Detroit. I was as white as a napkin and had never left this state or even the city. Yet Pedro Marquez, a man who couldn't be further from me in both personality and background, was the only person I could think of that looked out for me. Which was weird since I only knew him for six months. People just took a liking to me and I never knew why. I just had that effect on people for some reason, but most of the time it did more harm than good. Happily, this time it hadn't.

"Hijo, hijo. Listen," he put a hand on my shoulder to pull my attention away from my musings, "You know I worry about you. You came here six months ago and looked so confused. Like a scared little rabbit. You had no confidence! So I helped you and told you to try and get the dough cutter position, and you pushed yourself and got it in a month!"

"Yeah Pedro…" I closed my eyes and sighed, resigning myself for another lecture from a guy who took it upon himself to be my pizza factory mentor.

"'Ey! None of this! You have to have confidence in yourself! Look at you! You're tall, healthy, young! Most of all you're smart! Very, very smart! But shy and lazy! Muy, muy perezoso!" I sighed.

"But", his voice suddenly softened, "you've had a tough life. So now it's your turn to take some life. You shouldn't be working here. You should be in an office, a nice office, not busting your balls making pizzas for these fucking people! Just...just believe in yourself some more, ok? You have so much potential! I wish I had a boy like you, but these balls only shoot out girls!", I chuckled at his crude joke, " I won't be there to keep your head straight or push you, you know?" He smiled as he reached up and patted me on the cheek. I couldn't help but smile as well.

"Fine, fine. At least I won't have to hear you lecture me anymore! And your spanglish! You couldn't be more stereotypical unless you had a sombrero and pancho! " I said as I walked over to the mirror to view myself.

He waved his arms at me in good humor, a smile on his face as he walked away out of the locker room."Faaah, typical gringo! You get a little full of yourselves and you think you know everything! You'll miss my lectures, hijo! Ah! Don't forget to punch in, you forgot last time. Also, Rosalita cooked some extra food for me to give to you, so listen," he stopped walking and turned around, his voice became low and paternal, like how I imagine he spoke to his own daughters, "I know you've been taking some of the boxes of pizza. Stop, ok? You know yourself how petty these people are, don't stoop to their level."

I flinched at his words. I had stolen several frozen pizza boxes throughout the week. It wasn't from spite. Well, not completely from spite, I was saving up money to move out of Detroit. If taking frozen pizza helped save me some money I'd take it, but if Pedro found out it wouldn't take long for management to catch me.

I could only nod shamefully at Pedro's word. He was right and as the only person who gave a damn about me in, well, a long time, his words held a lot of weight.

My Mexican friend's frown turned into a small smile as he accepted my weak apology. He waved off as he headed off to the factory floor. I glared at myself in the mirror, tired black eyes looking back. I was tall at 6'1. My body was all skin, bones, and muscle; and not in a good way. I used to be pretty strong and athletic in high school, but the years of studying, working and eating nothing but ramen, tuna and water had eaten away my frame. I barely weighed a hundred and forty pounds fully clothed.

I sighed and headed onto the floor. When I opened the door, it sounded like a bomb went off. It was the first thing I heard, but it wasn't the last thing I heard.

The last thing I heard was a loud sound like a meaty smack and then screaming.

The last thing I remember was falling.

A giant, beautiful field with a perfect hill. On top of that hill was a woman sitting against a titanic tree, framed against a perfect blue sky. This was the scene that was laid upon me when my eyes opened.

It was warm, perfectly warm for what looked like a spring day. A big, bright sun blazed down from the sky; it filled the field with picturesque sunlight. A pleasant breeze came from the east, blowing the scent of flowers and other pleasant aromas my ignorant city nose had never experienced before.

I was in awe. It was exactly how I imagined heaven to look like. A peaceful paradise that was free of danger or worry. It certainly felt like I was in heaven: my mind and body only knew euphoria, serenity, and peace. I don't know how long I stared at this pure image, but I was snapped out of my reverie by something softly pawing my leg. I looked down to see a pure white rabbit staring up at me.

It sat on its hind legs as it patted my right leg, like a pet demanding attention. I decided to pet it, only for it to hop off towards the tree where the woman was. I kept gawking. The rabbit stopped, turned around, and stared intently at me; somehow I knew it wanted me to follow.

My feet barely made a sound as they trod against the soft grass. Before I knew it, I was sitting down on the grass in front of a beautiful Asian woman. No, that was wrong...it felt like I was suddenly there. As if I traveled instantaneously with no build-up or anything. We were both sitting on a blanket with a brilliantly white tea set in-between us. I was confused. I had no recollection of the time between my first few steps towards the rabbit and my arrival to this woman. No, I had a memory of following the rabbit...but nothing in between. Wait, was there a rabbit? Yes, there was a rabbit. God, it was like I was in a dream.

"Yes. My home does this to those unprepared." The voice was high and bubbly, like a schoolgirl's.

I cocked my head as I was suddenly staring at the woman. She was drinking tea from a porcelain cup. I don't remember her picking it up. My eyes narrowed in confusion. I remember putting a hand in front of my face, no I did that, or am I doing that now? It felt like I was high. Like the first time I tried weed: I ate two entire brownies and time itself stopped working properly. Sequential events played out of order. Moments would be skipped entirely like removing scenes from a movie. You know things are bad when you remember being on the floor in pool of your own puke, then your standing clean as whistle and no one remembers you vomiting. THEN you vomit. That was a hell of a night.

Unfortunately, this experience felt even worse.

"Hohoho! That is quite funny!" She said with a tilt of her head. Her long hair swaying like fine silk.

"Uh, what's so funny?" I said (or was saying, or going to say? Fuck.) before sipping my tea. My eyes lit up from the sheer taste of this tea. The tea was amazing!

"Thank you!" she said with genuine happiness and a clap of her hands "Tea is a hobby of mine. Discovering and trying out new recipes is a treat for me. This was a-" Wait.

"Hmm?"

Ar-are you reading my mind?

"Whoops! I forget mortals don't like that. I'm so scatterbrained some times" She stuck her tongue out and winked. She wasn't even hiding she was lying.

I closed my eyes and breathed in, "Who and what are you?/Where am I/What happened to me?" Somehow, someway, my three questions came out simultaneously. Yet, for some reason, my mind was calm and content. I wanted to be enraged and yet couldn't even muster the beginning of annoyance. My voice was off as well: it was dull and placid, not outraged and explosive as ought to be. Strangest of all, it felt like there was a reverb or an echo that trailed my voice.

I kept my eyes closed. I heard her laugh. It wasn't a nice laugh, or at least I didn't take it as one. It was hollow with an amused tone. It also sounded...wrong. Like when someone taps a mic on stage and it makes that terrible noise. Her voice was no longer friendly, it felt downright sinister. It should've sent chills down my spine. Instead, I continued to feel calm and heavenly: like some brain dead fool. Logically that frightened me, emotionally I was as immutable as a marble statue.

"My home is paradise. It has that effect on people." I didn't need to see, I could hear the smirk.

I breathed in and out, "Who and what are you? Where am I and what happened to me?" I repeated again, struggling to be more forceful and utterly failing. Disturbingly, this time my questions and words were out of order. As time was going back and forth instead of sequentially.

She didn't seem to have any problem understanding me as she just as easily dismissed me, "Hmph. Why should I tell you anything, boy? I bring you to my home, give you tea and you treat me like a devil! As if I would do something terrible to you. The arrogance! You don't even warrant the effort for me to consider the thought!"

I breathed in and out, "You're just angry I'm doing my best not to think. Ruining your fun."

"I will admit I am peeved. I enjoy teasing, but you are a spoil-sport and a horrible tea guest."

I breathed in and out, "Then stop reading my mind, stop forcing me to be calm, and stop messing with my mind. I assure you, I will be better company if you do."

A tiny hiss escaped her, "Fine! I promise not to read your mind or alter your perception. But, I will keep my geas activated. My paradise must always be pleasant. Also, it is for your own protection."

I opened my eyes and saw a scrutinizing look on her face as she sipped some of her tea. I kept my breathing steady "How do I know you are not lying?". She rolled her eyes in response.

"You do not, but you should no longer be...completely disoriented. But to further assure you…" She lifted her hand casually as I felt a tingling sensation on my right hand. I looked down to see a green symbol that looked like a stylized tree suddenly imprinted on the back of my hand.

"With this, I will be unable to read your mind. It will also serve to identify yourself as belonging to me. Well, to those who matter anyway." A satisfied smirk spread across her face.

Thank you meditation exercises (but fuck you anxiety disorders). I finally stopped breathing like a yoga guru and felt relief. Which, paradoxically, was both impossible and very real. All I felt was unending calmness. I poured myself another cup of tea, this time(heh) no weird smash cuts or time skips. I appeased her I said halfheartedly, "I'm sorry for my behavior." Her eyebrows shot up like rockets.

She quirked one of her eyebrows, "Hmph. You keep surprising me."

"Why is that?"

"You were quite rude and difficult, yet justified in doing so. Most would not apologize for what they see as being in the right." Internally I rolled my eyes and sighed. I've met people like her. She was a narcissist and, with the power she had, she had every reason to be. At least she was somewhat aware she was in the wrong.

I shrugged and half-lied, "I think that you're right. To be fair, I would be having a panic attack right about now. I mean, this situation would guarantee it." She smirked. Instantly I knew, in no uncertain terms, I made a mistake.

Her face lit up with what I could only describe as predatory glee. Suddenly my chest tightened, my breath quickened, and my body trembled. I could feel the contents of my stomach fighting to escape. Terror gripped my mind. Tears began to well up as I fought to control the sudden panic and fright.

Lying bitch! Always pleasant my ass!

I clutched my stomach as I fell forward. I was performing an embarrassing version of the fetal position. My ass hung the air, while my head and knees acted as the legs of a tripod. All I could do was grit my teeth and do my best to fight it. Worse she kept turning on and off her 'geas', leaving me defenseless against her onslaught. My mind went from calm and ignorant, to sheer unbridled hysteria. I couldn't even build a tolerance to it, that was how powerful her damned 'geas' was. And she kept doing it.

Over and over.

I had a similar experience once when I was a kid, except without the supernatural bullshit. My friends and I were playing hide and seek. I had decided to hide in a backyard that, unbeknownst to me, held an enormous pit bull. Every time it growled at me I thought it was going to rip me apart, and every time I relaxed it barked at me like a savage monster. It finally ended an hour later when the owner found me crying and cowering against his fence.

I didn't consider myself brave, or hell, even courageous. As I remembered it; the former involved being too ignorant to be scared of danger and the later involved being stupid enough to face it. I did my best to keep my head down and pick my battles. Battles I could win.

But, at the same time, I wouldn't call myself a coward. It wasn't the best word to describe me. Especially not in this situation. No, you can't be a coward when a beast like a bear or a tiger had you at is mercy. All you could hope for was a quick death or hope it decided not to eat you. Given those terrible options I did everything to avoid those situations. To avoid no-win situations by controlling everything up to that point.

I was pragmatic. I prided myself on managing to live in a fucked-up world where everything was out to get you. Only allowed the bare minimum and somehow surviving with it. Always expecting the other shoe to drop. Where you could only trust yourself. I wasn't a dark, edgy, brooding asshole. No, I was a cynical and jaded man because that's what I needed to be to survive since I was sixteen. But I'd sooner kill myself than beg this bitch to stop. And I refused to die on my knees or be tortured to death on them.

I had some fucking pride.

With all the strength I could muster, I put my right hand on the ground, then my left. I pushed my upper body up, my teeth protesting in pain from how hard I bit down. Tears and snot flowed freely both my eyes and my nose respectively. I was a mess, yet I didn't care.

Everything blood red. Pedro's horrified face stared at me as the ground traveled up to meet me. Why is my body over there? Why am I so far away from my body? Everything faded to black.

"I'm dead! Why am I here and who are you!?" I roared while whipping my head up to see her. I spat those words out with all the rage and fury I could muster.

Her smile-.

It was-.

There was no good way to describe it. I didn't know if it was the effects of her home or just my imagination, but I swear to whatever god was up there her lips stretched inhumanly far. Her jaw unhinged. Further, than any human's mouth had any right to. But worst off was her teeth. They looked as sharp as daggers. And undulated. It was as though a shark's mouth was transplanted onto her face. That then decided to pull a Pennywise.

Then it was all gone. The face of a-.

She had-.

All I knew was that she looked human again. One thing I was certain wasn't an illusion was her eyes. I understood what I was staring at, for whatever reason, was the absolute truth. Her eyes were glowing completely green. Not a speck of white was showing. It was bright green. The kind of green on a healthy flower. The light rose up in an arc from the sides of her eyes and before breaking apart, like petals blowing away in the wind.

I took that all in within a split second. And I wished to god I hadn't. I believed I was prepared for the truth, but I was not prepared for what was next. The moment she spoke it felt like I was being hit by arctic winds.

"Yes. You are dead. I am called the Healer, among other names. But, you will call me Lady Zhulong."

Every single word slammed down on me with the force of what felt like a freight train. This wasn't a metaphor, some force slammed down on my entire body, threatening to slam me right into the dirt. It took all my will and physical strength not to collapse flat on the ground.

She stood up and, I swear I wish I could make this up, she was suddenly as tall as a skyscraper. I blinked several times, hoping I was just hallucinating. Unfortunately...I was not. Her head was stories up, yet I could still see her eyes as clear as day: glowing with that powerful, insidious green light as she gazed down upon me like the insect that I might as well be.

"And you will be my brother's servant."

With her last words, my world faded to black.

Author Notes:

Hey all. How's it going?

If you have read this far, I just want to give you my thanks for taking the time to read this first chapter. A few things before we continue on to chapter 2:

As you no doubt have noticed, this is an OC/IC story, but it will be different then the average insert fic. The status quo will change, repercussions will happen, and most importantly this will not be a power fantasy/self-absorbed story where the protagonist fixes everything and gets everything they wanted.

Think of this story as more of a Isekai or 'Trapped in another world story'. All I ask is you keep me in check so I don't destroy poor James Hartford's mind and soul.

So dear reader, I thank you again! I hope you enjoy this story set in the Hunter X Hunter world. Please leave a review.

See you on to chapter 2.