The Five Souls - The Beginning

Chapter 36: The Wrapping Vine

Yet again, I was floating in the inky blackness of my subconscious. When I look up, I see two slits of light that my eyes pierce through to the real world. No matter how much I tried to pierce through the blackness to see my surroundings, I couldn't. 

Every now and then, a shadow would pass, but I couldn't make out any details. It was just great. There I go, trusting my dad, and what do I get in return? I got stabbed by a syringe with something that knocked me out. But I at least knew. My dad's control over me was powerful. The only thing is how to save him. I think he meant what he said. No, I know he did, and I hope I'll save him.

Time passed so slowly, and what felt like years passed in minutes. But I knew that even though it was a long time, it wasn't as long as I thought. I was floating, looking around the blackness, when a light started to form. It wasn't normal. It was an orange-red hue like a fire. Suddenly, I was able to move my consciousness in that direction.

As I moved closer to the orange-red hue, the blackness broke away like the fog off the mist at the movie's end. There in front of me was a campfire. Sitting on a log was a figure with blond hair, like James.

"JAMES!" I rushed forward and grabbed him from behind.

"i was wondering when id reach you."

"reach me. wait, you're not my subconscious doing something weird?" I said stunned

"no, I'm alive."

"but the fire? I saw you burn up. Your body was turned to ash."

"my body is gone, but my soul is not."

"how. Those stones in your bag, one of them I latched onto."

"stones, what stones?"

"Right, you didn't pick them up. Some extraterrestrial stones fell into your bag when Jamar first met you."

"Okay, but how did a stone take your soul?" 

"beats me. I feel the connection that's tethering me."

"so what do I do to save you?" I asked, realizing that even if he is alive, he is trapped.

"Your boss. He promised me power. He said he would work it out in the end. He's getting a body right now, in fact."

"body. he can make humans?"

"not quite. But I will be back in a human form soon enough."

"what does that mean? Possession or some shit like that?"

"think of more invasion of the body snatchers."

"What did you do?" I asked, realizing what he meant

"Nothing. its what your boss did. Soon, I will have a whole new life. It's a janitor. Beggers can't be choosers."

"wait, who did they take?"

"that janitor guy. devonta I think." 

"James, this is someone's life," I said, pleading with him that he would see the evil in the taking of someone's life.

"a small price to live again. Do you not want to see me again?"

"I do, but not to the extent of another life."

"And that's where you and I differ. Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good," he said, resigned to his words.

"No, you're wrong," I yelled. This thing that kept him alive had corrupted and changed my friend.

"Please, Jack, spare me. If you aren't going to support me, then I'm not wasting my time in your presence." He was gone just like that.

"James. JAMES!!!!" no response