Post by Cascadia on Oct 2, 2007 15:57:16 GMT -5
Chapter Three
They say they're going to take us away, I thoughtspoke to my partner, trying and failing to keep a smirk off my face. How ? I shrugged, my thumb massaging his hand as we hurried along, most of me believing I was completely insane at this point. Duhno, they haven't got a shuttle. The man hadn't replied, and I rarely gave the benefit of the doubt. That and I just knew he hadn't got one. I usually knew things like that. Too bad I hadn't known...I glanced over the hill at the increasing number of bodies. It's not your fault. I turned away from the death and smiled at him, gripping his hand tighter before focusing my attention on the two men. The muffled voices continued, and I strained my mind, trying to hear what they were talking about.
...Di uie tnark lny hycycbyhl orutnarg ot oss ? I blinked, losing my concentration. Mentalblocks, I figured and felt an unfamiliar annoyance rise in me. I usually had the strongest mind, and the fact that two complete strangers could block me without even trying pissed me off. I stopped short, seeing a crystal hit the ground before me, my heart skipping a beat. My partner saw it as well, and waited a moment before hurrying on again.
So if you haven't got a shuttle, how are you getting us to this other realm ? I thoughtspoke loudly to the men, letting my sarcasm drip off every word. They had stopped a few yards in front of us, and one turned to face me. My partner kept walking, but I stopped, hesitating. He looked at me, confused, and I remembered he hadn't heard any of our short, near one-sided conversation. I ignored this fact for the moment, holding his hand as I waited for the man's response.
It's another realm, and you travel differently then you would other worlds. We don't need a shuttle, we're not going into...he glanced upward slightly, his steady flow of words pausing. What's left of your space. I nodded, although I didn't know any other form of transport. All the pods had been destroyed as well, even though the sun was our main source of power. You'd think we'd have an abundance right about now, I thought dryly, my eyes flickering up the the swelling ball of fire. My stomach turned quickly, and I took a step back, unable to shake the fluttery feeling.
"I don't like this," I blurted at him, and for the first time, realized the screaming had died down some. I didn't bother to look around the field, I heard people running and some crying, but the never ending shrieks of terror had gone down a notch or two. The sudden quietness made me even more uncomfortable, and I took two more steps back, shaking my head at the men. "It's not right to get our hopes up like that," I continued, trying to stall. Stall for what ? There's nothing left stupid. I blinked a few times, my eyes shifting to the second man, he was just standing there, watching us. Let's go, something about this isn't right. We'll keep running, I shot the thought at my partner quickly, tugging his hand gently.
Run where ? They say they can bring us somewhere, we...we don't really have a choice. He didn't sound too pleased about the last part, but was obviously willing to go anywhere the men might take us. Nothing can be worse than this, he reminded me, and suddenly I wasn't so sure. The world was dying, the sun that kept us suspended in the nothingness around the planet was going to explode, and that would be much worse then the far-off stars. They rained fire the size of my fist, but our sun...there would be nothing left to rain on. And none of this bothered me really, yes, death wasn't in my best interest right now, but I was more afraid of the two men before us than our sun burning me to death.
Please, I begged him, and he ignored me by nodding at the men, gripping my hand tighter. The man who'd been speaking with me smiled at him, and the other turned his back to us. I felt my heart jump into my throat, somehow knowing where this was going. He raised his arm, and the screaming began again, loud enough to make me wince, and my partner dropped my hand, raising his own to cover his ears. The shrieking became shrill, like all the bodies in the field were wailing at once, all at different pitches, mourning their own untimely demise. I stumbled backwards, my eyes widening as the air before the man's outstretched arm literally tore apart. A hole appeared, blacker than the melting sky and I shook my head in disbelief.
The men turned to me, and the closer of the two held his hand out to mine. I kept shaking my head, fear coursing through me. I couldn't move, my feet seemed stuck to the ground, even as it shook and trembled beneath me. My partner turned as well, taking quick strides to me and grasping my arm. He pulled me forward, forcing my stiff legs to walk.
"No," I choked out, tugging against him. He held me tighter, pulling me along faster. Finally I my legs responded to my will, and I dug my heals into the fake grass, pulling backwards out of his grip. I stumbled back and caught my balance, turned and started to run. I tripped at first, my feet unsure, before I found rhythm and took a few solid bounds. Something hard tackled me from behind, and I glanced up as a crystal struck the ground inches from my face. I was consumed by the fear now, and flipped over quickly, beating against my holder.
"Let me go!" I screamed, sounded just as hysterical as the people around us still hopelessly fleeing for their lives. He shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes.
"Don't be stupid!" He yelled back, his face inches from mine. "There is no where else to go!" He paused after each word, trying to make it sink in. I felt new tears roll from my eyes and I scooted back along the ground, crystals slicing my hands open and scratching my bare legs.
"Not with them," I sobbed, still sliding backwards. He stood quickly, grabbing my arms and standing me up before I could blink. His shoulder hit my gut and the world flipped suddenly, making me dizzy and gasp for air. I watched the sky shift and ground appear beneath me, taking a few breaths to stop everything from spinning. I beat against his back, a futile attempt I knew.
I kicked him, feeling my knee hit somewhere no man would ever want to be struck, and he grunted, leaning forward. I tumbled backwards, landing on my back, crying as the sharp rocks stuck into my uncovered flesh. My back screamed as the points sliced easily into me, and I struggled to breath. My partner was still bent over, cupping himself as he glared at me. He seemed to ignore the pain, and grabbed my wrists, pulling me up, his arm sliding under me and held me against him, my legs wrapping around his waist on instinct. He held me like that and ran, while I slammed my fists into his back, fighting against his arms.
"No!" I screamed in his ear and mind at once, but he kept running. Slowly, my hits became softer, tears clouding my vision completely. My head rested on his shoulder, fingers twisting into his hair, my legs tightening around his waist. He'd won. I could feel the man running next to us, apparently we'd reached him and kept going. It's in your best interest, the man beside us told me once I'd calmed down, crying in defeat.
His words angered me, and I slid one leg down my partner's, locking it in place. He stumbled, hands moving out to catch himself as he fell. I hit the ground first, my head bouncing back up to smack his and then back down to the hard ground. Thankfully we'd landed on a mostly crystal-free spot, and my head only hurt from impacting with his, not being sliced to bits. I pushed myself backwards, seeing the man slow to a stop a few feet in front of us, right in front of the hole. He started back, and I tried to get up from under my partner, not about to give up. The hole can't just stay there forever, I told myself, still sliding along the ground, glancing around for somewhere to go. I push myself to my feet, stumbled, and stood again.
His scream startled me, and he was suddenly there, my wrists clutched in one hand. I gasped, and he pulled me forward, dragging me the last bit before the hole. "I'm not going to let you die!" He screamed in my face, and I whimpered, feeling sorry for fighting him, and for being unable to explain my fear. Then his lips were on mine, and I gave into him completely. He kept his grip on my wrists, his other hand on the back of my head, his lips parted and mine followed suit. His tongue slipped over mine quickly, and I savoured his taste. My tears gave our kiss a salty flavour, the passion bitter-sweet. Then he was gone, and I tried reaching for him with my bound wrists.
I- his mind slammed shut, and I choked, wheezing, my throat burning as I tried to breath. My mind hurt, every sense was dulled, and I coughed, wondering if this is what death felt like, the urge to tell him he'd just killed me dying on my lips. I couldn't reach his mind, not without focusing, and here, being dragged toward a fate worse then death, worse then being shut out of his mind, I couldn't concentrate enough.
"I'm sorry," I whispered as he pulled me along, seeing a tear leak out of his eye. The clear sparkle running down his cheek was sharper than any crystal, and it tore right through me. He tugged me again, and then stopped. We were arm's length away from the hole when he froze. I turned to him, blinking away tears that were obscuring my vision and said his name softly, reached out to touch his face. His knees buckled, and he fell forward, his hand releasing my wrists. I watched him collapse in silent horror, dropping to my knees faster than he did, and pushed at his shoulder, rolling him onto his side. His eyes were wide in shock and his mouth was slightly open.
"Mon Âme ?" I uttered quietly, holding his head up, my thumb sweeping over his lips quickly. A line of crimson trickled down his forehead, and I felt my heart stop. My whole being shook, and I tried to comprehend the fact he'd stopped breathing. My hand raked through his hair, toward the start of the streak staining his face, and my finger hit something hard, I parted his dark hair that was now sticky and saw the tip of a blood-red jewel. It sparkled in the dying starlight, the smeared blood making it resemble a ruby. The redness came away at my touch, and left it's true colour clear. A crystal had fallen right on him, striking him just above his forehead, cutting through his flesh and skull. I felt bile rise in my throat and turned away to vomit, my body coming up with nothing, as I hadn't eaten in the past day. Nothing but a spit of stomach acid was forced from me, and fresh tears.
I crawled to him once I'd forced my stomach to stop trying to rid itself of my body. Laying over him, I shuddered, closing my eyes. The screaming meant nothing now, the exploding sun could take me. There was no death worse then the one I'd already witnessed. Without him, there was no reason left to fear. Tears splattered against his bare chest, and I pulled his arm around me, lost in despair.
Strong hands pulled me up, and I let them, my mind not processing the fact I was moving. But I opened my eyes, watching him move farther and farther away, and jerked my elbow backwards, snarling as it struck something hard, sending waves of uncomfortable shock up to my shoulder. The hands dropped me, and I spun toward him, glaring daggers at the man. This is his fault, a voice in my mind said, and I agreed whole heartedly. A primal shriek rose from my chest and burned my throat as it shattered into the air, my body tensing before I flung myself at him.
I was momentarily thankful for my OCD to keep my nails perfect, each one my own and not some fake stick-on, and each one about two inches long. The thought was lost as they tore into his face, ten deep gouges appearing on his creamy skin, blood quickly welling around the wounds. My knee raised to his groin, and my hands caught his head as he bent over. I raised my knee again, sadistic pleasure coursing through me as I heard the sick thud of my cap connecting with his nose. I felt the bone shatter and hissed triumphantly. His head flew back, and he was clearly still surprised by my sudden mood swing.
Get used to it asshole, I flung the thought at him before grabbing onto him, my head twisting to the side teeth tearing into his neck, and I felt his warm, metallic blood run over my lips as I bit out a large chunk of flesh. My nails pierced his skin, and blood was soon running from those holes as well. I couldn't imagine how mangled he must have been, in the seconds it took me to launch myself into destroying him. But another hand cuffed the back of my neck, ripping me away from the target of my rage.
Enough. A different voice in my head said. I snarled and spit in anger, my wrists held together by the man's other hand. I kicked my legs back, and he tossed me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. His touch was soft, and it seemed to separate me from all the death, the tainted air pressing against me from all sides, suffocating me, easing up. I closed my eyes, trying to hold onto this feeling of utter calmness.
This is the only way, the voice continued softly. Only way to what ? I asked, even my mindvoice thick with exhaustion. You really don't remember do you ? The voice laughed, not mocking, just a gentle laughter that breezed through my mind, soothing my nerves. Remember what ? I was draggy, something was pressing against my chest tightly, labouring my breathing. He paused in front of the hole I no longer feared. I felt the world tilt, and I was back on my feet, his arms holding me steady.
Tears poured down my cheeks as I looked past him to my lover, still laying face up, his blank empty eyes staring as the last of the stars went supernova and sprayed glitter over the dying skies. I raised a hand to my face, fingers touching my lips as I remembered the feel of his. The man before me seemed to know, and shook his head sadly. There's nothing we can do for him, he told me in the same gentle voice, breaking whatever was left of my heart. I pried my eyes from him, closing them.
Why ? I asked, and realized how broken I really sounded. Even my mindvoice, I was completely wrecked. He just looked at me sadly, and the pressure on my chest shifted. I forced myself to keep breathing, figuring I'd better get used to the pain, knowing nothing would be able to dull it now. He stared into my eyes, and placed his hands on my shoulders.
There is something you can do for him, the voice came, and I almost laughed bitterly. You can stop this from happening. I looked up at him warily, feeling ages older then my time. Does your black hole go back in time ? I asked sarcastically, the pressure strangling me. I gasped out loud, fighting it for air. He looked serious, his eyes white with black outlining the blank iris. Standing this close, I realized how bright his hair was, a shocking shade of white that must have taken years of dying to accomplish.
No, it doesn't go back in time. He almost sounded upset, as if my not knowing saddened him. It goes home, he told me, and I coughed, raising my hands to my chest. I...can't breath, I told him, knowing I didn't have enough air to speak aloud. He did not acknowledge my last statement, just kept staring at me with those piercing white eyes.
And if you just come home sooner, none of this, he paused, as if giving me a chance to look around at the dying world. I didn't. None of this will happen. I took another shallow breath, spots dancing in my vision from lack of air. Will happen ? Is has happened, it is happening. What do you mean, 'will happen ?' I asked him, feeling faint. He smiled, and stepped back from me. Think you can remember that ? Or have they completely destroyed your mind ?
I meant to ask who, and what he meant, who was destroying my mind ? But the other man was back, smirking. We'll be coming for you, he told me. You have come for me, I thought to myself, no longer having the strength to will the thoughts at them, the blackness at the edges of my vision spreading. I scratched at my chest, trying to rid myself of whatever was straining my breath. Both men raised an arm, and smiled at me. Wait for us. Won't be long now. I was about to fall, maybe pass out even, when I felt their hands on my shoulders, pushing me roughly backwards into the gaping hole, and managed to scream soundlessly with my last bit of air.
They say they're going to take us away, I thoughtspoke to my partner, trying and failing to keep a smirk off my face. How ? I shrugged, my thumb massaging his hand as we hurried along, most of me believing I was completely insane at this point. Duhno, they haven't got a shuttle. The man hadn't replied, and I rarely gave the benefit of the doubt. That and I just knew he hadn't got one. I usually knew things like that. Too bad I hadn't known...I glanced over the hill at the increasing number of bodies. It's not your fault. I turned away from the death and smiled at him, gripping his hand tighter before focusing my attention on the two men. The muffled voices continued, and I strained my mind, trying to hear what they were talking about.
...Di uie tnark lny hycycbyhl orutnarg ot oss ? I blinked, losing my concentration. Mentalblocks, I figured and felt an unfamiliar annoyance rise in me. I usually had the strongest mind, and the fact that two complete strangers could block me without even trying pissed me off. I stopped short, seeing a crystal hit the ground before me, my heart skipping a beat. My partner saw it as well, and waited a moment before hurrying on again.
So if you haven't got a shuttle, how are you getting us to this other realm ? I thoughtspoke loudly to the men, letting my sarcasm drip off every word. They had stopped a few yards in front of us, and one turned to face me. My partner kept walking, but I stopped, hesitating. He looked at me, confused, and I remembered he hadn't heard any of our short, near one-sided conversation. I ignored this fact for the moment, holding his hand as I waited for the man's response.
It's another realm, and you travel differently then you would other worlds. We don't need a shuttle, we're not going into...he glanced upward slightly, his steady flow of words pausing. What's left of your space. I nodded, although I didn't know any other form of transport. All the pods had been destroyed as well, even though the sun was our main source of power. You'd think we'd have an abundance right about now, I thought dryly, my eyes flickering up the the swelling ball of fire. My stomach turned quickly, and I took a step back, unable to shake the fluttery feeling.
"I don't like this," I blurted at him, and for the first time, realized the screaming had died down some. I didn't bother to look around the field, I heard people running and some crying, but the never ending shrieks of terror had gone down a notch or two. The sudden quietness made me even more uncomfortable, and I took two more steps back, shaking my head at the men. "It's not right to get our hopes up like that," I continued, trying to stall. Stall for what ? There's nothing left stupid. I blinked a few times, my eyes shifting to the second man, he was just standing there, watching us. Let's go, something about this isn't right. We'll keep running, I shot the thought at my partner quickly, tugging his hand gently.
Run where ? They say they can bring us somewhere, we...we don't really have a choice. He didn't sound too pleased about the last part, but was obviously willing to go anywhere the men might take us. Nothing can be worse than this, he reminded me, and suddenly I wasn't so sure. The world was dying, the sun that kept us suspended in the nothingness around the planet was going to explode, and that would be much worse then the far-off stars. They rained fire the size of my fist, but our sun...there would be nothing left to rain on. And none of this bothered me really, yes, death wasn't in my best interest right now, but I was more afraid of the two men before us than our sun burning me to death.
Please, I begged him, and he ignored me by nodding at the men, gripping my hand tighter. The man who'd been speaking with me smiled at him, and the other turned his back to us. I felt my heart jump into my throat, somehow knowing where this was going. He raised his arm, and the screaming began again, loud enough to make me wince, and my partner dropped my hand, raising his own to cover his ears. The shrieking became shrill, like all the bodies in the field were wailing at once, all at different pitches, mourning their own untimely demise. I stumbled backwards, my eyes widening as the air before the man's outstretched arm literally tore apart. A hole appeared, blacker than the melting sky and I shook my head in disbelief.
The men turned to me, and the closer of the two held his hand out to mine. I kept shaking my head, fear coursing through me. I couldn't move, my feet seemed stuck to the ground, even as it shook and trembled beneath me. My partner turned as well, taking quick strides to me and grasping my arm. He pulled me forward, forcing my stiff legs to walk.
"No," I choked out, tugging against him. He held me tighter, pulling me along faster. Finally I my legs responded to my will, and I dug my heals into the fake grass, pulling backwards out of his grip. I stumbled back and caught my balance, turned and started to run. I tripped at first, my feet unsure, before I found rhythm and took a few solid bounds. Something hard tackled me from behind, and I glanced up as a crystal struck the ground inches from my face. I was consumed by the fear now, and flipped over quickly, beating against my holder.
"Let me go!" I screamed, sounded just as hysterical as the people around us still hopelessly fleeing for their lives. He shook his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes.
"Don't be stupid!" He yelled back, his face inches from mine. "There is no where else to go!" He paused after each word, trying to make it sink in. I felt new tears roll from my eyes and I scooted back along the ground, crystals slicing my hands open and scratching my bare legs.
"Not with them," I sobbed, still sliding backwards. He stood quickly, grabbing my arms and standing me up before I could blink. His shoulder hit my gut and the world flipped suddenly, making me dizzy and gasp for air. I watched the sky shift and ground appear beneath me, taking a few breaths to stop everything from spinning. I beat against his back, a futile attempt I knew.
I kicked him, feeling my knee hit somewhere no man would ever want to be struck, and he grunted, leaning forward. I tumbled backwards, landing on my back, crying as the sharp rocks stuck into my uncovered flesh. My back screamed as the points sliced easily into me, and I struggled to breath. My partner was still bent over, cupping himself as he glared at me. He seemed to ignore the pain, and grabbed my wrists, pulling me up, his arm sliding under me and held me against him, my legs wrapping around his waist on instinct. He held me like that and ran, while I slammed my fists into his back, fighting against his arms.
"No!" I screamed in his ear and mind at once, but he kept running. Slowly, my hits became softer, tears clouding my vision completely. My head rested on his shoulder, fingers twisting into his hair, my legs tightening around his waist. He'd won. I could feel the man running next to us, apparently we'd reached him and kept going. It's in your best interest, the man beside us told me once I'd calmed down, crying in defeat.
His words angered me, and I slid one leg down my partner's, locking it in place. He stumbled, hands moving out to catch himself as he fell. I hit the ground first, my head bouncing back up to smack his and then back down to the hard ground. Thankfully we'd landed on a mostly crystal-free spot, and my head only hurt from impacting with his, not being sliced to bits. I pushed myself backwards, seeing the man slow to a stop a few feet in front of us, right in front of the hole. He started back, and I tried to get up from under my partner, not about to give up. The hole can't just stay there forever, I told myself, still sliding along the ground, glancing around for somewhere to go. I push myself to my feet, stumbled, and stood again.
His scream startled me, and he was suddenly there, my wrists clutched in one hand. I gasped, and he pulled me forward, dragging me the last bit before the hole. "I'm not going to let you die!" He screamed in my face, and I whimpered, feeling sorry for fighting him, and for being unable to explain my fear. Then his lips were on mine, and I gave into him completely. He kept his grip on my wrists, his other hand on the back of my head, his lips parted and mine followed suit. His tongue slipped over mine quickly, and I savoured his taste. My tears gave our kiss a salty flavour, the passion bitter-sweet. Then he was gone, and I tried reaching for him with my bound wrists.
I- his mind slammed shut, and I choked, wheezing, my throat burning as I tried to breath. My mind hurt, every sense was dulled, and I coughed, wondering if this is what death felt like, the urge to tell him he'd just killed me dying on my lips. I couldn't reach his mind, not without focusing, and here, being dragged toward a fate worse then death, worse then being shut out of his mind, I couldn't concentrate enough.
"I'm sorry," I whispered as he pulled me along, seeing a tear leak out of his eye. The clear sparkle running down his cheek was sharper than any crystal, and it tore right through me. He tugged me again, and then stopped. We were arm's length away from the hole when he froze. I turned to him, blinking away tears that were obscuring my vision and said his name softly, reached out to touch his face. His knees buckled, and he fell forward, his hand releasing my wrists. I watched him collapse in silent horror, dropping to my knees faster than he did, and pushed at his shoulder, rolling him onto his side. His eyes were wide in shock and his mouth was slightly open.
"Mon Âme ?" I uttered quietly, holding his head up, my thumb sweeping over his lips quickly. A line of crimson trickled down his forehead, and I felt my heart stop. My whole being shook, and I tried to comprehend the fact he'd stopped breathing. My hand raked through his hair, toward the start of the streak staining his face, and my finger hit something hard, I parted his dark hair that was now sticky and saw the tip of a blood-red jewel. It sparkled in the dying starlight, the smeared blood making it resemble a ruby. The redness came away at my touch, and left it's true colour clear. A crystal had fallen right on him, striking him just above his forehead, cutting through his flesh and skull. I felt bile rise in my throat and turned away to vomit, my body coming up with nothing, as I hadn't eaten in the past day. Nothing but a spit of stomach acid was forced from me, and fresh tears.
I crawled to him once I'd forced my stomach to stop trying to rid itself of my body. Laying over him, I shuddered, closing my eyes. The screaming meant nothing now, the exploding sun could take me. There was no death worse then the one I'd already witnessed. Without him, there was no reason left to fear. Tears splattered against his bare chest, and I pulled his arm around me, lost in despair.
Strong hands pulled me up, and I let them, my mind not processing the fact I was moving. But I opened my eyes, watching him move farther and farther away, and jerked my elbow backwards, snarling as it struck something hard, sending waves of uncomfortable shock up to my shoulder. The hands dropped me, and I spun toward him, glaring daggers at the man. This is his fault, a voice in my mind said, and I agreed whole heartedly. A primal shriek rose from my chest and burned my throat as it shattered into the air, my body tensing before I flung myself at him.
I was momentarily thankful for my OCD to keep my nails perfect, each one my own and not some fake stick-on, and each one about two inches long. The thought was lost as they tore into his face, ten deep gouges appearing on his creamy skin, blood quickly welling around the wounds. My knee raised to his groin, and my hands caught his head as he bent over. I raised my knee again, sadistic pleasure coursing through me as I heard the sick thud of my cap connecting with his nose. I felt the bone shatter and hissed triumphantly. His head flew back, and he was clearly still surprised by my sudden mood swing.
Get used to it asshole, I flung the thought at him before grabbing onto him, my head twisting to the side teeth tearing into his neck, and I felt his warm, metallic blood run over my lips as I bit out a large chunk of flesh. My nails pierced his skin, and blood was soon running from those holes as well. I couldn't imagine how mangled he must have been, in the seconds it took me to launch myself into destroying him. But another hand cuffed the back of my neck, ripping me away from the target of my rage.
Enough. A different voice in my head said. I snarled and spit in anger, my wrists held together by the man's other hand. I kicked my legs back, and he tossed me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. His touch was soft, and it seemed to separate me from all the death, the tainted air pressing against me from all sides, suffocating me, easing up. I closed my eyes, trying to hold onto this feeling of utter calmness.
This is the only way, the voice continued softly. Only way to what ? I asked, even my mindvoice thick with exhaustion. You really don't remember do you ? The voice laughed, not mocking, just a gentle laughter that breezed through my mind, soothing my nerves. Remember what ? I was draggy, something was pressing against my chest tightly, labouring my breathing. He paused in front of the hole I no longer feared. I felt the world tilt, and I was back on my feet, his arms holding me steady.
Tears poured down my cheeks as I looked past him to my lover, still laying face up, his blank empty eyes staring as the last of the stars went supernova and sprayed glitter over the dying skies. I raised a hand to my face, fingers touching my lips as I remembered the feel of his. The man before me seemed to know, and shook his head sadly. There's nothing we can do for him, he told me in the same gentle voice, breaking whatever was left of my heart. I pried my eyes from him, closing them.
Why ? I asked, and realized how broken I really sounded. Even my mindvoice, I was completely wrecked. He just looked at me sadly, and the pressure on my chest shifted. I forced myself to keep breathing, figuring I'd better get used to the pain, knowing nothing would be able to dull it now. He stared into my eyes, and placed his hands on my shoulders.
There is something you can do for him, the voice came, and I almost laughed bitterly. You can stop this from happening. I looked up at him warily, feeling ages older then my time. Does your black hole go back in time ? I asked sarcastically, the pressure strangling me. I gasped out loud, fighting it for air. He looked serious, his eyes white with black outlining the blank iris. Standing this close, I realized how bright his hair was, a shocking shade of white that must have taken years of dying to accomplish.
No, it doesn't go back in time. He almost sounded upset, as if my not knowing saddened him. It goes home, he told me, and I coughed, raising my hands to my chest. I...can't breath, I told him, knowing I didn't have enough air to speak aloud. He did not acknowledge my last statement, just kept staring at me with those piercing white eyes.
And if you just come home sooner, none of this, he paused, as if giving me a chance to look around at the dying world. I didn't. None of this will happen. I took another shallow breath, spots dancing in my vision from lack of air. Will happen ? Is has happened, it is happening. What do you mean, 'will happen ?' I asked him, feeling faint. He smiled, and stepped back from me. Think you can remember that ? Or have they completely destroyed your mind ?
I meant to ask who, and what he meant, who was destroying my mind ? But the other man was back, smirking. We'll be coming for you, he told me. You have come for me, I thought to myself, no longer having the strength to will the thoughts at them, the blackness at the edges of my vision spreading. I scratched at my chest, trying to rid myself of whatever was straining my breath. Both men raised an arm, and smiled at me. Wait for us. Won't be long now. I was about to fall, maybe pass out even, when I felt their hands on my shoulders, pushing me roughly backwards into the gaping hole, and managed to scream soundlessly with my last bit of air.