The Guide || Short Story

The Guide

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Don't worry, little one.

Shh, it's okay.

You're with me now.

You wanted an opportunity so that is exactly what I am offering you.

        Look at the clock - all of its hands are static. There is no "time". You float carelessly in an ocean of both light and darkness, both peace and war, both silence and noise. You are capable of every emotion known to mankind and sometimes are punctured by each of them attempting to conquer you, yet you feel empty. Your grey core holds more strength than the iridescent rainbow striking arrows at your vessel.

I created all of this for you.

        A series of poorly-timed decisions resulted in your demise. Humans always do that. How could you complain when your very mind has led you to exist in such a state? This is all your doing. You tell yourself that you had no other options, ever, at any point. That
is so pathetic. You know nothing about the world.

        There is always another option. There is at least another infinity of ways in which any decision can go... Yet you love romanticising your mistakes and limiting yourselves to what you think is possible. Humour me, human – what does that mean? What is possible?

        Do you perhaps mean... ethical? No, it can't be that. When have humans cared about morals? You just do not want to be caught. You fear the physical consequences of your actions, but you feel no remorse for moral outcomes. Your finger may tremble on the trigger, but you will aim and shoot if necessary. Humans are selfish beings.

Do you mean... maybe... comfortable? Hmm... that sounds right to me.

It's making me laugh. You're making me laugh.

        How much are you willing to fight for something you want? How radically are you willing to think in order to be free? I wish you saw my face right now, but I suppose hearing my voice will do, although I must warn you that I am quite handsome. Try not to fall in love with me – I am all you have, after all. Humans do that a lot, too.

        Uncountable, untraceable voices scream. Are all of these yours? Oh, no, I remember now. I made it so everyone you have ever disappointed with your insignificance resents you. They often render you incapable of making this timeline advance and stretch your existence continuously into nothingness. They always scream.

Always.

Don't worry, little one.

This isn't Hell. Hell would not be this easy on you.

        You seem fearful? What's wrong? Are you not enjoying reality...? That upsets me. I tried so hard to create this for you. It's what you wanted! You craved freedom, so I offered you emptiness to transform into whatever you desire. You craved space, so I destroyed all the limits of spatial dimensions and offered you infinity. You wanted peace and quiet and I... well... no, I didn't give you that. That would have ruined everything.

I want you to grow. How are you still not happy?!

Stop screaming and learn from this. You are so annoying sometimes... It's giving me a headache.

        Stop screaming for one moment. Good. Focus. You have it in you to design your paradise. How come you are not doing that? You possess all the resources. You have all the time in the world since there is no time in this world.