The Army of Minds

Chapter 6

For the first few seconds there was silence. Skich was focused on his breathing and - unfortunately - kept his eyes fixed on the imposter in front of him. The silence was so loud, the only thing that filled the empty space was Skich's panicking heart. Pounding and pounding. That soft squishy padding sound never ceased to slow, the amount of adrenaline running through Skich was enough to kill a horse. Yet he still managed to sit face to face with It.

The eyes never blinked. Just stared.

"You want to know why my eyes are like this." he said. Skich felt the voices in every corner of his body. He never answered. Jacob waited a bit before replying, whilst some more blood dripped from his nose which he wiped away.

"I could roll them back if you'd like?" he asked, but this time he didn't wait for a reply. "But what would the point be? You're scared of something you see in the flesh, something that'll mean nothing in just a speck of a moment in time." He frowned in disappointment at Skich.

Skich on the other had been building up some strength within himself to ask questions.

"If you're Dorath... what is it you want with me?" he asked, disregarding what Jacob had just said.

"Truthfully I can say, I haven't a clue. I was told that you were the one we need. What for, only He can say."

"Please... whatever this is... I want no part... you have to understand me." There was a thick knot in Skich's throat, it made it difficult to breath. He was gripping the arms of his chair as if it was the only thing he had left, and he kept shooting glances at his partner Brigh, who was still out cold.

"Understand me when I say this. There is no decline to this. Whatever He says goes."

"Who's this 'He'... you keep mentioning?" Skich asked, this time with the slightest increase in confidence. Jacob twitched into a baffled expression.

"You aren't aware?" he bellowed in laughter. "I thought I told you... 'He' is reality... You should be grateful actually... you're one of the few within this void."

Skich gave a confused expression.

"Yes... there's more of you." Jacob answered before Skich could pose the question. He then saw Skich's eyes darting around and looking again at his colleague eerily still passed out in his chair.

"I'll ask you something again... Do you know why my eyes are like this?" Skich thought it was a rather stupid question since he obviously didn't, but he decided to play along with his peculiar game. Skich shook his head, and Jacob smiled satisfactorily. He then stood up and walked halfway toward Skich.... But this was different... Jacob walked through the table.

Skich kept switching glances from his face to the point where the table cut off his legs.

"I see what is necessary." Jacob said. The part of the table where he stood looked as if he was made with the table. " You see by 'wanting' and 'liking', but I see what is meant to be seen... What is needed to be seen. The fact that I see you is a sign. I'm sure there are plenty souls amongst you, that you can see. So many but yet, you are the only one I see and..." he looked at Brigh laying limp in his chair. " I see him... a corrupted soul."

"Corrupted?" Skich repeated.

"Yes... I'm sure you're stumped by how he's not awake by now. It's pretty simple really. Evil doesn't thrive near the higher order. "

"Evil? What are you saying about Brigh?" Skich asked. He was beginning to flare up in panic again. Jacob on the other hand was staring at Brigh.

"You're friend here is an imposter. " he said. Ironic. "He wears one of the many masks your kind put on everyday. The fake smiles and regards, the empty heartfelt messages, the list goes on. What really makes it a pinch is the very fact that he's working against you. "

"Impossible. " Skich blurted out. Heart beating faster. Hands clutching for dear life. Jacob turned his head in Skich's direction.

"My word is more truthful than if I were to say you were a man."

Skich shook his head. Far deep inside him, he wanted to cry. How could so much be happening to him and why. The feeling just sat there deep in his gut.

"I... can't believe you..." he managed.

"You can't or don't want to?"

There was no reply.

"You know Skich, you've asked me quite a few questions but you keep asking the wrong ones."

Skich looked at Jacob more intently. Yet still he did not answer, so Jacob answered for him.

"You never asked how you died, better yet... Why you died."

An uncomfortable twitch came from Skich. True fear seeped in through his pores and down to his core. That's where it turned again into that feeling of dread. The most painful emotion.

Jacob took a step closer to Skich, which he obviously reacted to by getting up and backing away slowly, but Jacob raised both his hands in a gesture that showed he meant no harm. It was enough to make Skich stop backtracking.

Jacob then stretched out his hand.

"I'll show you everything... " he said. " But when it happens... call Jenediah, and tell him what you're thinking at that very moment."

Skich was reluctant at first. After a few moments, he gave out his hand and put it in Jacob's. How very cold it was. Then in the blink of an eye... The snap, it happened again.

Skich was sitting back at the table with Brigh and Jacob. They seemed to be looking at him with confused expressions, it was clear it was because he started breathing heavily out of nowhere. Skich had clutched his chest and winced at the sound of life around him, it all flooded back into his hears as if he were underwater. Brigh attempted to grab his shoulder but Skich pulled away quickly. He knew what was going to happen sooner or later. On the other hand there was Jacob.

His eyes were fine. The Iris and pupil vibrant as ever. He too was looking at Skich concerned.

"Skich?" Brigh tried.

"I'm fine..." he lied. He controlled his breathing and forced himself to calm down, his hands were still a bit shaky. Jacob gave a look to Brigh that said 'what happened to him', which he replied with a shrug of his shoulders and a look that replied 'not a clue'.

"Shall we continue?" Jacob asked. Skich didn't like it one bit, Jacob seemed so normal it was weird. Nonetheless he gave a nod of his head.

"So... as I was saying, at the facility back on Principè, we deal with... You could say some unbelievable things..."