CHASM

TWO -- COUNTERPART

 I gasp in surprise.

"You're trying to find life outside of the Chasm?" I question.

"It's my life's passion," Wolliw replies, "I even have a PhD in it: 'Wolliw Stoor, Professor in Outerchasmic Speculation'."

"You're a professor?" Esir remarks, astonished.

"Yeah! Why is that so surprising?"

"I don't know," Esir explains, "I just didn't expect it."

"Wait a minute," I state, "does that mean you had been looking for Esir when you found him?"

"Well, yeah. I was searching for fallen debris at the time."

"I guess you found one," Esir mentions humorously.

"I think so, but I'll need some proof to convince my fellow researchers you two really are from the Outerchasm."

"What kind of proof?" I ask.

"First, I'll need to study your DNA and show that it is unrelated to any species in the Chasm. Then, I'll study your physical traits, which shouldn't be adapted to this environment if you are genuinely from the Outerchasm. Finally, if the Beaurau of Outerchasmic Speculation is convinced by my findings, I'll send a message to the Outerchasm detailing your species' anatomy, hoping for a return message confirming your origins.

"I was hesitant to share all this with you two so suddenly. I don't want you to think of yourselves as 'specimens' because you're not. You have the right to deny me permission to study your physiology."

Esir and I stand in jarred silence.

Just a moment ago, we were two curious beings on an expedition to discover--or should I say, remember--ourselves. Now, we have been thrust head-first into a pivotal scientific controversy.

Who ARE we?

"I'm gonna take a walk," I decide, too flustered to think.

"Me too," Esir adds.

The cool Chasm air enlivens my countenance as I exit Wolliw's home. It is cool and sharp, stark and lively.

"I just wish I would remember something,"

Esir sighs.

"Any idea what that sign I saw means?" I inquire.

"I've been thinking about it...It's probably a coincidence that you woke up next to it."

"There's no way, " I state, "There's just no way: 'This is your doing. Welcome to the Chasm. Hopefully, you will learn the meaning of it all.' Why else would it be there? Who else could it possibly be addressed?"

"But if it was planted there for you to read it," Esir argues, "How could the person who planted it possibly know you'd be there?"

"That's assuming I wasn't there before I woke up. Maybe I was...Put to sleep or something."

"But we must be from outside the Chasm!"

"Until we let ourselves be studied, we'll never know. For all we know, I could have had a whole life down here."

"If you were part of a recognized species of the Chasm, Wolliw would have surely identified you."

I am silent for a moment.

"I don't want to be the subject of a Chasm-wide scientific revolution. I want to understand this place. I don't want to be studied on: I want to study myself by exploring this beautiful, strange land."