The Parallax Effect

Chapter Eight: When the Dead Walk the Earth

August 10th, 10:15 pm

Benjamin Starley

"I'm just so angry and frustrated. And I'm so scared."

"It's okay-"

"No! It's not okay! There are so many people! I've killed so many! And a lot of them for no reason other than I'm out of control! I know what we do is important, but sometimes I feel like I'm going insane and nothing we do is going to make a difference!"

"I promise, we're doing the right thing."

"Are we? Because honestly, I can't tell anymore. I don't feel bad about killing most of the cops and heroes because they don't really care about the people they 'protect'. And even though I know Dusty is going to revive a good chunk of everyone I kill, I still feel like a horrible person."

"Just because Dusty can revive them doesn't mean you won't feel the guilt of killing them. They still feel and experience death. And you know what that's like."

Both Benji and Wendell shuddered at the memory of dying. Of the black and the void and the nothingness. The feeling of floating aimlessly, of feeling the need to breathe but not being able to. It was eerily similar to Benji's power, actually. But Benji's Umbra projected a feeling of safety and comfort to those inside it. Death was the opposite.

It was dark.

It was cold.

It was empty.

It was endless.

"I just don't know what to do anymore..."

A choked sob escaped Wendell's throat as he put his head in his hands. Benji rubbed circles on his back as Wendell cried. Releasing the pain and exhaustion and guilt he'd been bottling up for years.

"I almost killed you. I almost killed Dusty. I killed the sick patients at the hospital. And the children. I killed their parents and then them and I felt nothing. I've gotten out of hand. When I'm Parallax it's like I'm a different person. It's like I'm hiding in my own brain and a monster escapes and goes on a rampage. I'm going insane. What do I even do when I can't control myself?"

"I honestly don't know. But I think, right now," he paused, taking a breath and gathering his thoughts. "I think you should take a break from being Parallax."

Wendell's head shot up, his brows furrowed. "What? I can't stop helping people just because I'm not sane. People don't just stop needing help."

"I'm not saying we stop helping them, I'm just saying you don't personally need to help them. We have teams of people who know what they're doing." Wendell opened his mouth to interject something but Benji cut him off, "I know you like being out there and being in charge, but I think the best thing you can do right now is take a break."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. At least a few months though. You can just sit on the sidelines and make plans and direct people on what to do and when. That's what you're good at. Just please run any and all plans by me before you put them into action, alright?"

Wendell only nodded, no doubt the gears in his brain already turning. After a few minutes, he looked at Benji's face, "All right, I think I'll try that. But if I start feeling like I need to get out there again, I will. My sanity be damned."

................

August 11th, 9:00 am

Benji heard the footsteps before he saw who they belonged to. Valon walked in, his eyes immediately focusing on Benji's hunched form on the couch. "Are you all right?"