Light Unbridled

Light Unbridled- Chapter 25: One-Sided Coin

*The scene opens with Hayden waking up in his bed, except something is wrong. He looks around and notices he is back at his old house and no longer in the hospital.*

Hayden: What the hell…? Am I dreaming?

Penrose: A good question, Hayden. How did you end up here, I wonder?

Hayden: Did you have something to do with this? Did you bring me here?

Penrose: You brought yourself here. The real question you should be asking is, why are you here? What is so significant about this room?

Hayden: I brought myself here? What do you mean by that? Either I’m dreaming, or you’re as psycho as Ryan said you were.

Penrose: No, no. You brought yourself here because you're remembering something from your past. You're trying to find it, so I suggest you start looking.

Hayden: I don't know what I'm looking for. How do you know what I'm looking for if I don’t even know?

Penrose: Because your friends told me everything about you. Told me about how your stand is able to force people to answer your questions, so long as they answer only one. I can see into your mind, Hayden.

Hayden: You're a stand user, aren't you? Maybe Ryan was right about you.

Penrose: That stuff isn't important, Hayden. What's important is that your stand has no use for me. Or for her.

Jordan: Her?

*Penrose pulls a gun on Hayden and aims it directly at his head. Hayden puts his hands up in fear and stares down the barrel.*

Hayden: Why isn't my stand working on you now? You've answered multiple questions now. This seriously has to be a dream.

Penrose: It’s because your stand is so weak that it has no effect on me. You are hopeless against me.

Hayden: Does your stand keep you from being affected by my stand?

Penrose: Perhaps your friends will find that out. Nice speaking with you, Hayden.

Hayden: No no, wait!-

*Penrose fires the gun and shoots Hayden in the head. Hayden falls down to the ground and wakes up screaming in the hospital. He puts his hand up to his head where he was shot and notices there's no wound. It was a dream after all.*

Nurse: Are you alright sir? Are you hurt?

Hayden: No ma'am, I’m fine… What time is it?

Nurse: Currently it's seven in the morning. Would you like some breakfast?

Hayden: Uh, yes, please.

*The nurse walks out of the room and leaves Hayden alone to gather his thoughts. He begins to wonder if there was any truth to what Penrose has said in his dream.*

*A knock on his door interrupts his thoughts as Riley walks through the door. Riley attempts to speak, but in a very raspy and damaged voice.*

Riley: Hey Hayden.

Hayden: Riley. They’re letting you leave your room?

Riley: Yeah, not for long, though. I’m just glad I get to stretch my legs.

Hayden: I was just about to get some breakfast. Did you want anything?

Riley: Oh, I still can’t eat solid foods. Too hard to swallow.

Hayden: I’m sorry to hear that…

Riley: It’s kinda difficult to talk too, but I’ll be fine

Hayden: I could tell from the way you spoke, but why are you forcing yourself to talk to me? Doesn't that hurt like hell trying to speak?