I shield my eyes from the bright sun with my hand. It takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust after going so long without seeing such a bright light.


    Lowering my hand, I see how time has caught up with me.


    I examine the liver spots and the wrinkles on my hands. Based on the current year the woman told me, 50 years have passed, and I’m now 67.


    I am surprised at what little emotions I feel about my current situation. No anger. No regret. No fear. I guess deciding the fate of so many people will do that to a person.


    I try to take a step, but my foot kicks something. I look down, and at my feet is a large duffel bag with an envelope on top.


    I pick up the envelope, open it, and read the short sentence on a slip of paper. ‘Payment for your services.’ I crouch down, which is much more difficult than I thought it would be at 67.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    I open the bag, and wads of cash greet my eyes. There are thick bundles of hundred-dollar bills inside. I try to lift the duffel bag, but it’s almost too heavy for me to pick up. There could be a million dollars here, if not more.


    How strange to be presented with so much money. I guess in a way I did win the lottery. I had lost hope a long time ago that I would escape my prison, but now that I’m here with all this money, what am I going to do?


    I have watched so many lives be ruined when given this kind of money, and I never once saw it bring happiness to people.


    I have become a true believer that money absolutely cannot buy happiness.


    I look around and see all kinds of strange new buildings and people carrying around electronics in their hands that I have no idea what they do.


    What a strange world I have returned to. Even though I watched so much life on the computer, it didn’t prepare me for the world I’ve returned to.


    Then something crosses my mind; maybe this money can do something for me after all. I feel myself smiling.


    Perhaps I have learned something from watching so many people win the lottery. But first, I’ll have to find out if Marcus is still alive.