Blanks and broken hearts

Kids in the Dark

"Her eyes!"

What? Who is that?

"Dust, look at them."

I feel a sensation like a window being wrenched open. Then the blurry corner of light snaps shut.

Someone inhales sharply "Ohh...Sweet Eden are we in for hell now."

I stand up, rubbing my head. Where am I? It looks like a cavern, or maybe a cathedral, because I can't see the ceiling, only the raw stone walls that seem to stretch for eternity. I walk forward, expecting to meet the wall in a matter of seconds, only to find that it's still the same distance away. There is no light, yet I can see perfectly. A voice rings out from somewhere, echoing round the space.

"Don't worry, it'll all be fine. I'll just talk to the kid for a little bit, and then I'll be back out in the world before you know it."

I look up expectantly when my field of vision narrows. All I am aware of is the toes of expensive leather shoes poking into the ring of light. An attractive man steps forward. Or at least, I think he's attractive. His face seems to keep on shifting and won't settle into one set of features or even a particular expression. And even if it was going to settle, it's half hidden by the hat he's wearing. He runs his fingers across the brim in what I assume is a kind of salute and one of the corners of his mouth seems to twitch upwards.

"Hey, kid. Listen, I want this to be as comfortable as possible for both of us. None of that hostile takeover bullshit the media shows you. In short, I, and some other demons, really kind of hate the way the humans run the world. And we know you do too, but don't wanna do anything about it. So we've a little proposition for you. I inhabit your body for a bit - though you'll still be here of course, and can take the reins if you so desire it - and with your help, clean up the mess those idiots have made of the planet. Once all that's done you can boot me out. You get a better world and some sweet connections in hell, and we get our planet sorted out. So, what d'ya say, kid?"

I hesitate before sticking my hand out for him to shake. "Sure. It's a deal."

The corner of his mouth twitches again, and this time it looks like a proper smile. "Cool. Control room's that way, I'll just be a minute. You can 'boot up' your body again, I suppose. Depends if you wanna freak out your friends or not."

Look I know it's shit. I really wanna expand on this at some point. I might, might not. Who even knows at this point? Not me, that's for sure.

-Cranberry