What Memory Remains

Chapter 11 (revised)

A much disoriented Zenapharr fluttered his eyes open and looked up , not recognizing anything around him. Groaning, he rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"My head is killing....wait...what?"

After focusing for a moment he realized that his head actually didn't hurt. The throbbing sensation seemed to emanate all around him. In fact, the room made a slow rhythmic thumping sound, much like a heartbeat. There were no doors, and thusly no way to exit. Looking around, he saw the room was covered in a red, pulsating mass as if the very walls were alive. It looked like...

"...the inside of someone's body?"

There was no direct light source, the only light a reddish tint from the walls. Wherever he was, it definitely wasn't the NOSRAD facility or any kind of industrial place. He finally got to his feet, and reached for his katana only to find it wasn't there.

"What...?" Seeing as he was trapped with no way out, he decided to make one. Focusing his mind, he conjured a column of fire in hopes to burn through. Yet, nothing happened when he uttered the incantations for the spell.

He was completely stumped. Even under powerful wards, he was always able to still cast something before.

"Zenny!" A voice spoke, and he whipped around to see a familiar little girl in front of him. She waved, and he never felt so relieved to see her.

"Alice? How did you get here?" He asked, thoroughly confused how she got there.

"Through here. " She explained, tapping Zenapharr on the head.

"My mind? You teleported here through my mind?"

"No, silly! I'm here through your mind because that's where we are. Your mind."

"My mind? That's ridiciulous. This ins't real. How can you possibly see inside your own mind? Are you playing some sort of game with my head?"

"No, I'm not messing with you! You're suffering from a mental break. Right now, you're unconscious and sedated."

"This doesn't make any sense."

"It's not exactly supposed to. Remember when you passed out."

"Yeah, it just happened before I got here. Did that happen simply because of what the Director showed me?"

"Yes from that specifically, but your mind has always been on the fringe. What he showed you just tipped you over the edge."

As ridiculous as it all sounded, Zenapharr decided it may be the only thing that made sense. This was followed by the most blaring, obvious question.

"So how do I get out of here?"

"That all depends on you."

"So that's why you're here...to help me."

"Of course."

"Great just get me out here."

"That's just the thing. I can't just wisk you away...not until your mind is repaired."

"Okay, so repair it for me."

"It doesn't work that way. I can guide you, but the only person who can truly fix your mind is you, and to fully regain consciousness you must face your subconscious. And I think you may have an idea what....or who that is."

"My subconscious....the Voice?"

"Yes. Now as I said, I can't do everything for you here, but I can help. But for this all to work, I need you need to fully trust me."