When the fog began to get heavy again, the Guide paused for a moment.
"Damn it..." They muttered.
They turned around to face me. As soon as they did I knew what was coming next.
They gently put their hand on my face, "I'm sorry."
I smiled, "It's okay, I know the fog can be too much."
"No, it's not that-" They are cut off when I feel an unfamiliar warmth spread across my face. I touch my hand to my face and look at my hand now covered in bright red. The Guide falls to the ground as the Void pulls its arm from the Guide's back.
It didn't have a mouth to speak, but I could clearly hear its voice.
"I created this space for you, how dare you entertain outsiders?"
I am frozen, a million thoughts running through my head trying to piece together what just happened.
The Guide disintegrates into dust before the fog consumes them. I only feel numb.
"The Guide will eventually come back and they are going to tell you lies."
"Why would they do that? The other Guides have been nice to me so far?" I continue like nothing happened.
"What is so pleasant about being left behind? They preach guidance and yet leave you when you can't keep up? What is that?"
This suddenly resonates with the anger I've buried deep inside of me.
"I can't blame them for something that was never promised." I manage to mask my anger that threatens to crawl to the surface.
"I've been testing them. This Guide is different from the others as you've noticed. It's hard for me to get in their head so you need to be the one to test that Guide since they trust you."
"But I don't know what to do."
"Your anger does. Just remember."
I take a deep breath and begin to walk in the heavy fog.
-----
An arm emerges from the fog and grabs onto me.
"Listen, I don't have much time but, I can explain." The Guide begins.
Honestly, I'm more shocked that the Void was telling the truth than the Guide being alive, "I don't even know who you are or what you look like. My mind couldn't even get that far, you're just made up."
"The Guides are the only thing real here, we are your connection to spring."
"Then why do you all choose to leave me? You all just lead me further from spring."
"What are you saying? Please stop, you're shaking." Something I didn't notice I was doing until they said it. They opened their jacket and wrapped me around them with the heavy fog joining the embrace as well.
I remember the warmth that would shine down and hug me. I remember the smile of someone that I do not recognize any longer. I remember the flowers that used to bloom in the garden. I remember the gentle spring rain. I remember the peace.
"You're not angry with me?" I say accepting their embrace.
"No, why would I be? Plus you dislike angry people, remember?" They smiled gently.
Remember?
"I do." My smile slowly drops and the fog lifts.
YOU ARE READING
The Fog
Short StoryThe Void is everywhere, you can't escape it. It's in every person, behind every laugh, every scream and every cry. The Void is patient even if you think you have reached spring the Void will forever loom over your peace. Will you let it convince y...
