*MADE IT TO THE FINALS OF ONC's SHORT LIST*
One makes, one nurtures and one extinguishes - thus, a balance is maintained on Tellus.
But what happens when the scales topple?
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The darkness had come alive. He could feel it around him, swirling, touching him, consuming him completely, calling him to embrace it.
"The time is well-nigh," something whispered to his right, and then to his left. Altogether, a thousand voices spoke at once, a whirlwind encompassing him. Just as sudden, everything died down, and there was light - albeit a sliver of it.
He followed it, and as soon as he reached the small orb of that absolute white in the dark, the surroundings vanished, and he was back in the room, staring at the girl's blood red, swollen eyes.
Ati Lancaster, he thought, recalling the information he had on her. In her twenties, pursuing Masters in Ancient History at the Dewsbury University. Used to live with her father who died when she was merely eight and a mother who passed away giving birth to her. Since then, she had had only a grandmother who also left her as soon as she turned sixteen.
Whether or not the said grandmother was alive was not on the database anymore. The information about all citizenry, aged sixty-and-above who were moved to Junipero Homes to lead a healthier life for a longer age, had been kept secret by the government. Even the high-ranking agents were not privy to any of that data.
Presently, looking at Ati's face made him forget about the darkness, and he was left astonished. A first.
A dark-skinned Alderian man, seemingly older than Ati, was talking about something that Ryker hadn't even registered until the creature, responsible for his throbbing head, was mentioned.
"... the creature. Once you've recovered from your condition, we will discuss some more about what had happened. With your expertise in crime, I am sure it would not be a strenuous task for you to get to the depths of what had ensued."
Although the man's confidence in Ryker's capabilities was reassuring, yet he had been bothered about this right from the time he had put his eyes on that thing. In all his years of working, he had never come across such an instance. Hell, he was ready to bet all his life's earnings on the fact that no one would have encountered something resembling what he and Ati had.
He shuddered even just thinking about it. He had to do something to stop it otherwise whatever had transpired hours ago, could become an anecdote for many others.
"I need my meds," Ryker spoke gruffly.
"Sure," the Alderian said, then turned to one of the people who rushed out and back to get him his prescriptions. The medicines were strong enough to revive a person in an instance but too strong to produce any side effects. The medicinal world had advanced to an extent that it had almost brought a man to the immortal stage.
Ryker took one of his dozes which made him feel woozy but better. Expressing his gratitude to the paramedic, he turned to Ati, "I am sorry once again from the pits of my heart. However, I don't regret coming here one bit. In fact, I am glad that I could turn out to be of use to you."
