[ WP ] You look out at the bright lights of the city and wonder how you ever grew up .

*Is n't it absolutely mind blowing that you were a child once? A child who was innocent, and happy. You were tiny, and unaware of the dangers of the world that existed right in front of you. * 
 
 Austin was sitting on the floor of his loft in New York City. He leaned back onto the closed door, peering out of his enormous glass window that overlooked the city. 
 
 *God, what a beautiful city this is. * 
 
 He had fond thoughts of the times his parents had brought him to the city as a child. He had loved how everything seemed so fast paced and exciting. The smell of the hot dogs on the street, and the people who seemed so confident and successful. Living in New York was something he never thought he would be able to do. He noticed himself grinning due to the thought of the success he had achieved. Then he grimaced at the fact that it would not last much longer. 
 
 *Any minute now. * 
 
 He thought back to the times when he did n't need booze or drugs to have fun. More importantly, he remembered a time when money was n't important. The only thing he gambled on was what flavor of ice cream to choose from the ice cream man that day. 
 
 Knock* Knock* 
 
 *They're here. * 
 
 A tear rolled down Austin's cheek. *This life must be a dream! * He tried with all of his might to wake himself up. He prayed that he would just awaken in his childhood home. He longed for the smell of his mothers fresh pancakes, and the soft reassuring kiss on the forehead that let him know that nothing in this world could hurt him. 
 
 Austin stood up and opened the door. He was greeted by two large men. They were there to *break his legs*. They pushed Austin onto the floor. He tried one last time to wake up before he realized that there was nothing to wake up from. 
 
 He screamed, `` I'm sorry!'' 
 
 He was n't apologizing to the large men. No, he was apologizing to his younger self. 

