Afterlife - A Horror Story

14 - Control

XYAN

———

"Okay, so how does this help?"

I looked at Praxus questioningly as he came through the door, with what looked like some kind of map in his hand.

"So we can pinpoint areas Gradient might be," Praxus said, "It'll take forever if we search ourselves, and splitting up is too dangerous."

"Fair point," I shrugged.

Praxus spread the map on the table. It was of the town, I recognized multiple streets and buildings.

I observed the areas on the map. My gaze swept over an area of the map, where there were some train tracks leading to the forest. Something seemed to whisper on the back of my mind as I saw the area.

I pointed to it. "Do you know if anything's there?"

Praxus looked to the area. "I think that's where the old derailed train cars are. Why?"

"He's there."

Praxus tilted his head curiously.

"How do you know?"

"Not sure. I just do."

"Alright then."

"Xyan..."

I turned around to the stairs.

"Akhet?"

Akhet was stumbling down the stairs. She looked in pain, somehow. The black scars on her arms had spread further to her chest, and she was clutching her head with one hand. The other was holding onto the stair railing, her attempt to balance herself.

"Akhet, what's wrong?" I said. I tried to walk toward her, but I was stopped in my tracks.

Her eyes were pitch black.

"Xyan, run."

I took a step back, afraid. What's going on?

"RUN!"

I tried to heed her warning, but a horrible screeching filled my head as Akhet fell to the ground. Was that her? I fell to my knees, hands clawing at my head.

MAKE IT STOP! PLEASE!

After a minute or two, the sound stopped abruptly. My ears seemed to ring, even though the sound was entirely in my head. As I was recovering, I saw Akhet stand. Her blank, black eyes stared through me.

"Hello again, Xyan."

I could tell from the echo of her telepathic message that this wasn't her.

"Gradient," I growled.

"Oh, you recognized me! Good to know you haven't forgotten me."

"How could I? You're breathing down our necks every second!"

"Have I? To tell you the truth, I haven't seen you and Praxus for days!"

"Maybe it should stay that way," I mumbled, annoyed.

Akhet's head twitched. Her/Gradient's voice was edged with madness. Insanity.

"What was that?"

Fearful, I quickly said, "Nothing! Hehe..."

"I may be using Akhet to speak now, but I can still consume you where you stand."

Crap. Didn't know that.

Akhet's head twitched again. I could hear her voice, somewhere behind Gradient's, but I couldn't make out what she was saying.

Her face twisted into an angry snarl.

"SHUT UP!"

She's trying to fight back.

"Akhet!" I said, "If you can hear me, you can fight him! Don't let him control you!"

Akhet blinked. Her head twitched again.

"She cannot hear you, imbecile."

"Hey! Xyan! Can you hear me?"

"SILENCE FOOL!"

"Don't mess with him!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Protecting my friend!"

Her head twitched multiple more times as the two fought back and forth. The only reason I could hear them was because Gradient was originally talking with me. And I don't think he knows how to redirect Akhet's telepathy.

Another agonizing screech echoed through my head as Akhet suddenly crumpled to the ground, limp.

I shook my head, trying to get my ears to stop ringing, and immediately jumped forward. The black streaks from her eyes were no longer there, although her arms were still black.

She slowly blinked awake. Her eyes were back to normal. I sighed in relief.

"Hey."

"Glad to see that you're okay," I said.

She smiled.

Suddenly, an angry screech sounded from outside. It sounding like some kind of banshee.

And I knew exactly who it belonged to.

A blur of white and black flew through the ceiling and landed in between me and Praxus. He stood, his visible eye piercing through me like a knife. His expression was twisted into a furious scowl. The black from his stab wound had spread nearly to his hands.

"Xyan," Gradient seethed, "I thought I warned you not to interfere."

"Actually, you didn't-" I was about to say, but a sudden force brought me down to my knees. I couldn't move, or do anything besides watch Gradient approach me.

"No worries, though," Gradient said, twisting what looked like colored smoke around one of his fingers. A spirit. "I have plans for you."

"Gradient, please. You don't have to do this."

"Oh, but I can. And I will."

"I know the old you is still in there. Please. Stop this."

"Xyan, this is my afterlife now. Killing brings me pleasure. And so it will for you."

Somehow I could feel pain spread throughout my body. I hadn't felt it for so long, I forgot how excruciating it was. I blacked out for a moment before reopening my eyes.

I felt... different.

I looked towards Praxus on my left, and met his eyes.

But it wasn't compassion I felt.

It was an urge to consume.

I stood, breathing heavy, and glanced at Gradient.

He smiled, and dragged his finger across his throat as he motioned to Praxus.

————

PRAXUS

————

No.

Xyan. Black consumed parts of his arm and torso.

His right eye was a red scribble.

Thats... that's impossible. No.

He smiled at me, his head slightly tilted to the side.

"Hello, Praxus."

Even his voice was different. It was deeper, and echoed creepily.

I glanced at Akhet, on the floor behind him.

"You go. I'll be fine."

But we both knew that was a lie.

I looked back at Xyan.

And ran as fast as I could out the door.

————

ONO ;0;

963 words