Hollow Truth

Prologue

The world was gray, lifeless, empty. He alone walked the world, each step silent. Nothing, not even his own heart made a sound. Where he was walking, he didn't know. All he knew was he had to take the next step. He kept his eyes lowered, watching his feet push off the ground. The ground below his feet was smooth for a reason that eluded him. Why would one need to pave in an empty town, he couldn't help but wonder. It was an idea that was refreshed every time his foot touched the earth.

Another peculiarity he couldn't help but ponder at was why he was in this place. He was clearly the only thing that moved, or bothered to move. So why was he there? Where did the ideas of how the world was supposed to be even come to him from? As far as he knew, he had always existed in this world. Alone and out of place. Alone and out of place was the only thing he knew, but he couldn't understand why this was. How did he even know he was alone and out of place if the only thing he knew was this gray world he walked and didn't know why he was there?

So many things to think of in this dull world, and so much time to think these things. But the answer to his questions liked to run wildly in circles, each question colliding with the other in an endless cycle. And just like his thoughts, his feet carried him in an indefinite circle, large enough to skirt the outside of the town, but small enough to not know what was beyond it. The dusk was never ending as well, the sun hovering between day and night. He wasn't sure if it was trying to rise, to bring light to the otherwise gray world, or if it was trying to sink down and disappear, leaving his home in utter darkness. Either seemed plausible, but it didn't matter. After all, nothing changed.

Sometimes he got the feeling that he was waiting for something to happen, endlessly wandering the same path fearful that if he strayed, whatever he hoped would happen wouldn't. And at that moment, the feeling was strong. Was it false hope? He wasn't sure. But every step he took felt as though he was drawing closer to something. For the first time in ages he quickened his pace, unfurling his arms from their usual grip on each other. Something was happening in his world.

Slowing to a stop, he allowed his gaze to rise, looking around. It was the first time he had seen it in full. A growing fear consumed him. It wasn't how he had seen it from his peripheral vision. There was nothing. Absolutely nothing. There was no world, no town, not even a street. Just gray. He didn't know why he was afraid. Only the gnawing feeling in his gut hinted that he had done something horrible. Or maybe it was exciting... But something... Something was waiting for him. It wasn't the other way around. Something was calling to him.