April 13, 2078(15:24)
Space. Space is infinite. Space is filled with nothing and yet, it's filled with everything. Nothing. Soon I will be surrounded by nothing. Nothing for an infinite amount of space.
Space that goes on forever. Space that never ends. Space, the one and only and the only in one. The thing I've pursued for my life. Yet, the thing I dread and the thing I fear. In a way I fear nothing. An infinite nothing. Some call me fearless. But, what's not to fear? About space. Infinite, dangerous
Space.
1 year. It's just one year. That's all it takes. It's just a test. A simple test to see how long a person can go it alone. With absolutely no connection to the outside world. Alone. In space. With no help. And no experience with being alone. Helpless. A billion dollar test I signed up for. I can do it. A test that will change the course of human kind and all space travel.
I can change the course of history. In just one year.
It's just one year.
I hold on to my seatbelt. I'm planted firmly in the chair with my suit and my helmet. I have to give them the cue that I'm all set. I have to. I don't want to.
I wait one last minute.
Then I let go of my seatbelt and press the intercom.
"Dr. Emi Solum ready for take off." I say.
My colleague, Debbie Quenn was the one who I requested to be the last one I talk to before I take off. She is also a part of mission control. She talks to me about what I need to check before I ask her to take off.
"Emi? Are you ready?" she asks.
"Yeah. Prepared for take off."
"Good luck."
Simple words. Simple world. One I'm finally leaving behind.
An unsure promise. And the last words I hear before blasting in through the sky into the infinite abyss that is space.
Infinite, dangerous
Space.
YOU ARE READING
(S)olitude
אימה"The brilliance that I one had gave me strength. Now, all alone in the empty abyss, I look at the past and only think, What the hell have I done with my life?"
