Wake Up, Reality's Calling

Chapter 6: The Guide

There may be some strong language present.

I unlocked my door and walked into my apartment. No need to turn on the lights, I thought, as the light from the windows were showing the bright sun shining from the outside.

I put down the papers on the kitchen table and sat down on the couch. The photos echoed in my mind. Suicide. There's an alternate universe where I killed myself. So this is the fourth outcome, huh? I'm experiencing this fourth one, I'm making the decisions. Not that I didn't in the others, but now it's this universe's Vic who decides what happens next.

I walked over to the pile of papers consisting of my file and the so called 'guide'. I opened the guide, as I wanted answers. The first page was a table of contents. Wow so professional, I thought sarcastically. I flipped the page until I came to the explanation of visions. 

Visions

The visions are an effect of the FDSK. If you are experiencing problems or the visions are fading, call the number of your supervisor. 

Control

To control these visions, there is a procedure to go through. One must fully dedicate themselves to breathing and focus for a minute. When focusing, the only thing on one's mind should be one's goal. If one wants to have full control of when to see the FD's one need to first successfully mute them temporarily and turn it back on again.

Okay... and how the hell do you expect me to do that? I asked the guide, knowing that I was talking to paper.

I continued to look through the guide, but of course, the one explanation that I wanted, wasn't one that was included in this guide. So I'm doing this by myself? Great, wonderful, perfect. At least I get some tips; 'the only thing on one's mind should be one's goal'. 

I went back to the 'Control' part again and continued reading. 

Photo Memory

Many wonders over the reason and explanation of why one has the ability to understand the photo and it's context without any explanation. What one can see and feel, is both the memories and feelings of the one taking the photo and the one in the photo. This is helpful when it comes to certain missions, and it can also be used in healthcare for amnesia. 

Rye, I thought, and stopped reading. Why did you choose me? And how did you get those photos of me? I mean physically, there is no way that you can travel through alternate universes. so how? And why? Why me? 

I looked around for my phone and was close to calling him, but then I remembered and thought to myself, he seemed stressed, and worried about something, so I shouldn't disturb him. I'll call him later. Maybe. 

Just when I had put down my phone and went into the kitchen to pen up the fridge, my phone called. Surprise, surprise, I thought. Guess who's calling. Unknown caller. I guess I could've added his name in my phone by now. 

I picked up the phone, and answered his call. 

"Hello?" I said, waiting for an answer from the other side. 

"..." A silence came over the phone for what felt like forever. 

"...Hey, it's Rye." The voice finally said. "You know, the guy who you met in the café a little earlier today?"

"Yeah, hey again," I responded. "What's up?" I asked stupidly. What's up? Really? That's the only thing you can think of? Great-fucking-job you moron. Why do these phone calls always have to be so awkward?

"Uuuuhh, well..." He sounded slightly nervous. "Do you have time tomorrow? I know it's a Monday, but you don't have a job, so..."

"How the hell do you know about that?!" I nearly yelled into the phone. 

"How do you think I know?" He asked back at me.

"...Oh...sorry," I said, embarrassed, and remembered that he had been investigating me, as proven by the file with my name on it. 

"...so, do you?" He asked. "Have time, I mean."

"Oh... I think I should be available..." I said, ending in a questionable tone.

"Same place tomorrow, at 9?" He requested.

"See you there" I responded. 

Beep Beep Beep

The call ended. I felt my heart beating faster and faster, even though the uncomfortable experience was over.