Murdersphere Mosaic [ManXMan] [BoyXBoy]

Chapter 1 Part 2

Of course I wake up in a hospital, and the first thing I am aware of are the thoughts, beating at me like heavy rain. I know they are there all around me, but I do not hear them.

I take a breath, thinking. "What is my name?"

"Exalt." My memory replies.

"No." I think "What is my name?"

"Exalt Son of Ayesha of Balobedo, shortened to 'Ayeshason.'"

"Lies." I rant at myself.

Since I cannot turn my back on my own lying memory, I take in the room: white, smooth walled with no visible doors and no windows. What if I need to use the bathroom? Then again, if I really am Ayeshason, I won't have to. Great.

A door opens in the wall to the left of me, the hallway it opens to out of immediate eyeshot.

Given the circumstances, I am remarkably calm. It also seems like a bad idea to rush the door with what feels like twenty presences in the hallway surrounding my door.

As I contemplate how to figure out what is happening, memories start bubbling up in my head… no, not memories, instructions. I'm the reason I cannot read thoughts... I'm blocking them out. The process has been implanted in my mind and accessing the memory makes the steps bloom in my mind.

Focus on a single presence. Move "toward" that presence until you touch. Retreat back behind mental walls.

I began touching the minds in the hallway. All but one had barriers of their own in place. I could try to breach them, but thought better of it.

I read the easy one.

I frown. This person is an actor, Talent, who has been diverted to augment security to keep tabs on a dangerous new Talent.

Me. Shit. What did I do?

Let's try talking. "Um, hello? I know there are a bunch of you in the hall. What's going on?"

I get no answer, so I turn back to Mr. Actor. His thoughts are colored by fear and frustration; fear at being hurt, frustration at being diverted from a meet and greet being held in the upper floors of the complex between Producers and Talent.

"If you're here to escort me to the meet and greet, I'm going to need to get ready." I say, trying to sound, what, on top of the situation? Maybe professionalism will make life easier here. "I understand that there are few properties I'm already being pitched for and the negotiations would go a lot smoother if I am there to at least look pretty and stupid. Okay, maybe not stupid, but maybe 'vapid?'"

Mr. Actor is insulted. No one says anything. I look for orders... and the only order is to obey Producer Eau Rekka who is standing across the hallway staring at Mr. Actor.

I do not know what to do next that would not be interpreted as aggressive.

I continue to read Mr. Actor. He has a single name: Titus. He has been here a long time, everything from superhero to sci-fi horror. He… he has also been away, "Outside," and he feels that was a mistake. He desperately wants back into the Talent pool and this kind of work will get him back in.

Where in the hell am I? I look for information and all he remembers are variations of... Earth.

"So, is it possible to speak with someone from Lotus Entertainment who actually feels like talking to me?" I ask finally.

Through Mr. Actor's... I mean Titus’ eyes, I watch Eau Rekka gesture one of the guards aside and she steps to the door. All of them are clad in green body armor with white accents and full helmets. Rekka looks indistinguishable from the rest. She is issuing orders via communications link.