The Trial

Chapter 8 - Edited

I can't believe I'm actually getting used to this part. Not the lack of control my prison provides, since that's something I'll never allow myself to adjust for no other reason than I control my mind and will never give in. It's the brief moment where everything freezes and the mist rolls across everything I'm referring to. Do I wish I could sense it some other way, of course I do, but that isn't the point. It's the sense forward movement's about to happen; at least I hope my previous experience with the mist continues, but there's always the possibility that I'll repeat something from my past.

Those first few times I don't recall the sensation of stopped movement before the mist, but it must be the way it was. The gray's become all encompassing and left me with the maddening sense of senselessness. This moment's going to be another short-lived eternity and the future awaits; unless I do something to stop this madness.

Where are you? Show yourself or don't. I don't need to see you to get answers. What do you want with me? Why postpone my promised darkness. Just get it over with. I'm done playing your game.

The gray swirls start to lift and I'm denied my rightful end. My guards are more interested in cowardice than justice. They can't hide from me forever. Whatever this misery is, they'll tire of their game and will never break my mind.

State clerk fourteen's wretched stench calls my attention away from thoughts of my captors. I don't know how much time has passed and wonder why if it has always been the sense of smell to return first. That red monstrosity has grown out at least two inches on his face alone and there's much more hidden behind his desk. His vacuous eyes have closed almost completely from the swelling of his face, and can't help but wonder if he even recalls the last time he left this room.

I'm standing on the other side of his desk as I hear him mumble, and wish someone would hose off the stench coming from everywhere within these walls. "Speak up, state clerk fourteen. You don't have to worry about being heard. It isn't like I'm not passing the information on to state clerk sixty-eight."

He nods as his voice clears and the sound of branches break in the red mass. "Fine. I have two names for you." His voice cracks and searches my eyes as he continues. "You are telling her the information's coming from me?"

I fight back the urge to gag and give a false sense of hope. "I always do. Give me their names."

Two years have passed and don't ask me how I know, because I've no idea how I can be so certain. Then again, with this muted voice of mine, I'd have no way of answering even if I did know. Beyond the certainty of time is the certainty his stench is far worse this time around, and no idea how he hasn't already disappeared. I've seen it happen for far less, but would require the right people to care about the stench.

State clerk fourteen's afraid of me and we both know it. "State clerks seventeen and forty-two."