World of Gearshift

What is my purpose??? Why am I here??? I looked as people flowed around me, each on their way to some meaningless task that meant the world to them, but that everyone around them could care less about. I was just like them. A nobody. Someone the world could care less about. I had a home. And a family. And a best friend. And everything I could ever want. But it wasn't enough. I wasn't satisfied. I just kept chasing, and chasing, never finding meaning. Who was I? Ed Peterson was my name, but who was I really? Out of the corner of my eye I saw a man running. I turned, and as I did I noticed the gun he held. I wanted to run, but stood petrified in fear as he moved closer. He carried a briefcase from the Downtown Research Institute. "NO!!!" I yelled. The guy laughed crazily. His eyes were slightly glazed over, like he'd had too much to drink. His gun pointed at me. "You are in my way. Now move." I reached for the case. He pulled back, but I knocked it to the ground. It popped open, and I saw the Doctor's secret project inside. The gun fired. I reached up, in slow motion, to my temple. It didn't hurt. But my hand was coated in red. At the sight, my body seemed to turn off. I fell to the ground. When I hit, my eyes went dark. All I could hear was a scream. And I knew that my time had come. ***************************** But then I woke up. In a hospital room. And I thought to myself, "There has to be more." I knew I had to find it quickly. Because I wouldn't cheat death twice. Eventually he would have his due. I had to find meaning before that. And then the machine they had put in my brain made a loud whirring noise. All the metal in the room flew to my head and hit me. That was when I realized that I would never be the same again. I might never get to live life again. But I knew in my heart that I could find that meaning. I could.