Lycan Soulmates #2: LYCAN DYSTOPIA: LLYRIAN [18+]

Chapter 2

10 minutes ago they caught me in a trance, officials took me to medical, cleared me, thanked me for my service as The Guardian for the day in the mess-Section and sent me home.

There was no problem. No detailed report.

You want to know why?

Because when my medical host asked what I had experienced, as I was the only one with knowledge of the experience in that time, I lied.

I said nothing true. I just said I was caught in a trance and saw something scary.

That's all I said.

But the lie was the problem.

I had never lied. But I lied to protect... that very ethereal, strange moment.

I feel ashamed and dirty and disgusting as I walk home. I can't believe I lied to a host medical doctor.

I can't believe I lied to my home, Eleyrion.

I lived because I wasn't breached. Someone watching had thankfully turned back time.

...but why did I remember Imber the Lycan?

I feel like I should not remember him.

But it feels like the only experience I've ever had.

Trembling. Nervousness.

Swallowing air. Terrified.

Shaking. Adrenaline.

Feeling hot. Feeling deprived. Leading to me wishing to see him again.

Wishing for.

A want.

A desire.

When I'm home, with everyone, I fall right back into line. I talk to everyone. I smile to everyone. I listen to everyone. I was a great listener. I'm grateful for it now, that I don't have to talk.

Or else they would find out I am corrupted.

My friend Mavis talks to me all early morning, from 5am, we sit together over green juice in the garden and she tells me all about her newest music lessons. She shows me recordings of her playing the same notes over and over.

I think at one point it might drive me... to discomfort... it's hard to listen to her.

Hi, Helena.

Hello, Helena.

A thousand times.

Everyone who passes says hi, insert name.

That simple thing is starting to drive me uncomfortable. It's driving me mad.

To madness.

Anger.

I feel anger at the repetition of everything and everyone.

Watching everyone smile. I feel apathy.

I don't know why I feel upset that people are so happy.

I am corrupted. I am still breached. That's why.

Oh, why, oh why do I feel so many negative things toward others now?

The moment I am free, I walk the Eleyrion gardens alone from midday until night. I hide behind hedges of the maze, I am antisocial – I avoid, and I have become deceptive.

When people ask to meet me on the science-eve web, I lie to them too, and say I'm busy.

And again, I am so ashamed by my behaviour, my madness, my corruption, my ability to lie, I want to self-report.

I am grappling with it now. I want to self-report so they can burn me. Take me away from everyone else in their Eve State.

But even I feel like, if I get too close... I might infect others.

My emotions are expanding all the time, crossing, twisting.

This is so overwhelming.

I end up sitting in a maze, on the dirt, in the cold, staring into the darkness of the maze corridors.

I'm thinking of the breach. The demon. Imber the Lycan.

I am holding my arms tight over my knees.

"Imber... I am so confused... can you... can you hear me... can you talk to me... please? Where are you?"

How about I show you...

Imber's lullaby melancholy voice is instantly in my head.

You are inside. I am outside. You were bred for this. What is he talking about?

For what?

Let me show you. Give me your mind.

I feel like my mind is hijacked for a moment, I let my will power slip and he's inside me just like that.

I can see an image in my head of a city landscape. I am thrust into a science fiction dystopia movie theatre. I see tall buildings.

I see Lycans... everywhere.

Dark colours. Night. Smoke.

This is Llyrian, 2540, Imber explains.

Don't you mean, Eleyrion? I try to correct him.

No. You're in a simulation called Eleyrion we created to harvest souls for consuming and fucking. You're in a box. I'm on Old Earth.

No, I'm on Earth.

Shh... Earth doesn't exist anymore, Helena. We're the apex now. The dominant species. Humans are our food & pets.

Am I having a fever dream?

Imber laughs, no, bitch, you're not dreaming. Well, your mind is. But your body is with me. I'll wake you up. Just say yes. Compliance is always rewarded, that I promise.

Imber... who are you really? Just some demon in... Llyria?

No, I am the Lyrian of Llyrian... by your vernacular, I'm the King of Llyrian.

Then what does Imber mean?

Rain. It's just a name I told you.

So you like the rain then...?

Yes.

May I ask you a question? I hope he doesn't snap.

Go on, bitch.

Do you want to consume me or fuck me, Imber?

Wake up and find out.

He sounds humorous, so I ask, are you teasing me?

Ask me to wake you up, Helena.

Imber... or Lyrian, whatever he is called, he sounds impatient as his tone gets snappy.

I want you to promise me something first. When there is silence, I assume he is listening, please, Imber, at least, show me around, before you... end... me?

I promise I won't waste you.

Okay. Don't forget you promised. Wake me up, I whisper, I want to see Llyrian and I want to see you.

You're very, very welcome, bitch.

Wait... any tips, Imber? I ask.

Be yourself.

...how could a demon sound so sweet... and mean... at the same time?

I mentally nod.

As if holding onto his hand – he pulls me up out of a fog, and the King of Lycans, the Lyrian of Llyrian... wakes me up.