The Split

Chapter 17

Undetermined

Charles' thoughts began to pull through and out of my head like water through a drain. Slowly I could feel my own thoughts expand and fill my mind, eager to claim the space as their own. The pain had worn on my psyche, I could feel the unfamiliar body pull away but I lacked the awareness to really respond. Soon there was nothing but darkness. The end was near, my death had released me.

A world crashed into my view and I seemed to regain my senses. I was lying on the ground, a cool smooth surface beneath my face. The pain in my gut had subsided and I nervously unclenched my stomach, anticipating its return at any moment. I lifted my head up.

"No..." I muttered in disbelief, looking around me, "No, no, no!"

I pounded my hand on the ground and glanced around at the same walkway I had been on what felt like just hours before, the green walls in the background still moving and morphing.

Had I even left? Was any of this real?

I pulled myself to my feet, still relieved to be without the pain of my wounds. My body felt stronger, and realized I stood a few inches taller than I had as Charles. I looked down at my arms to see my own hands and the relief grew.

My mood quickly shifted to anger. Despite the comforts of my familiar form, I felt deeply violated. First I had my thoughts taken and then I was forced to live the horror in Cuba.

This had gone too far, my brain boiled with rage as I let out a guttural growl. I started to run; faster and faster I moved down the walkways. The presence reached out as I rounded a corner, choosing not to speak and instead just observe while it lurked on the outskirts of my thoughts. I could sense it, at each crossroads I could feel the Presence growing stronger, showing me which way to turn.

Finally I made it to the open room in which it sat. I sprinted down the platform, and past where I had stopped before, still moving full speed. I was almost there; it was just ten feet away. My thoughts flared up with caution, as the being on the chair seemed to sense my intentions.

I would not be toyed with any longer.

Within arm's reach, I flung out my arm to grab a hold of its leg, and somehow try to climb up its body.

My hand never made it. An invisible force hit my chest with the impact of a truck, sending me staggering backwards into some sort of wall.

Soon it was all around me, I felt myself being squeezed from every side and lifted into the air. I tried to thrash my way free, muscles straining, but was unable to move at all. I was twenty feet off of the ground, helpless as I moved closer to the being.

I felt him invade my mind, casting my thoughts aside as he angrily called out, "Primitive insolence, always using force to solve your problems."

I ignored him, gasping out my words as my body strained against the tight squeezing, "K-kill me or send me b-b-back!"

A strange feeling of exasperation emanated from the presence. "Another one, Terrans are always stubborn. Death will not come for you, no how desperately you try or how badly you crave it. Your existence, your past, your future, your very essence belong to us now. One life for another, the exchange was fair."

Realization dawned on me. Meela.

Had this thing heard me as I cried out, pleading for her return? The Presence opened a memory in my mind, to confirm my suspicion. I watched myself from above holding her small frame as I yelled up to the heavens in anger. The grip around my body loosened as I put together a reply. I was being slowly lowered to the ground, moving down and back away from the Being and his chair.

"What just happened to me? Why did I dream about Cuba? Whose thoughts were those?" The questions came pouring out of me.

"There are no dreams here. Your life has left you; only death works through you now. Many across existence cry out for your gift, for the chance to become death as you have. I don't know whose thoughts you share, we care not for the vessel."

I was stunned; all previous anger had turned into a resentful curiosity. "What now? Do you send me back to another place and time to continue this pointless bullshit?"

I felt amusement in his response, "Such ego and rebellion yet another trait you Terrans share. You pride yourself in the knowledge of your species past, but know nothing of your future. The battle in which you fought was a test, a trivial conflict in a one sided war. I can feel your savagery, your fury, your thirst for a greater challenge.

Yet, you are as primitive as any life I have encountered. You see time as inevitable, some unstoppable force carrying you through life. In your arrogance, you tried to manipulate something you can't even comprehend.

Did you really think telling that old doctor about the future would make a difference? Your time is set, how could you hope to change your future or your past while you're standing inside of time itself?

Doctor Freeman died in that battle, just as anyone who knew details about the future, would. the sequence of your world is final, any attempts to alter it will fail..

"What?!" I shouted in shocked anger, "You talk about life like it means nothing. That man was a better life form than you can even imagine. All he wanted was a glimmer of hope after a life filled with darkness. He was a man of God, something you also can't imagine. You speak with pride gained from knowledge-"

"I am the closest thing you can even perceive to be God!" The Being interrupted, annoyed.

"Conquerors who have subdued entire galaxies kneel before me powerless. There is no such thing as pride in my culture. We do not hold high esteem for past accomplishments while bracing ourselves for an unsure future.

To us, there is no past and future. I see my beginning and my victorious end, unfolding together, a confirmation of my dominance. Pride is the primitive response of lesser creatures, all imprisoned by a force they can't control. A force I see through and manipulate like you interact with form and matter"

"But.." I protested.

I was quickly silenced as he gripped my thoughts and continued over my objections.

"You are called for, and we watch with great interest."

Before I could speak again, the room dissipated and I felt myself pulled away from my form and once again hurling through the blackness.