The Trial

Chapter 25 - Edited

Everything freezes just as the door closes and the mist starts to rise around me. It's been too long since the last time, which means I can't be certain of the speed in comparison to the events of the past. I think it's slower than before, but that's just a guess on my part. My vision starts to obscure and only the swirling gray remains.

After all this time, you finally get around to this. Show yourselves, or send me on to another time. Either way, just be done with it. Whatever game you're playing, I want no part of it.

I sense movement before seeing something moving in the swirling gray. It's a soft light that could be a figment, but I know it's there. This is the first time I've seen this and wait for it to come closer, but dances just at the edge of my vision. The mist thickens as the light grows. I'm finally going to see my captors, at least one of them.

Does this mean you're finally ready to answer my questions? Tell me what you want to end this madness. Send me to my promised darkness. I'm ready for this to end.

The mist thickens and swirls as the light fades until I no longer sense anything. I search all around for some sign, but there's only gray upon gray. It's not coming back, at least not anytime soon. The presence, for lack of a better word, has to mean something, which gives me some hope that this madness has a purpose beyond their cruel game.

Movement starts to return as the mist fades, and notice a sharp pain in my back. My hands rub it, but they aren't my hands. I guess this means my younger self finally took notice of the pain.

How much time has passed? I'm looking through the eyes of myself at a screen that reveals nothing. Has it been days, months, years? Why should I expect anything different than your silent responses to questions deserving answers?

I look up at Rabbi Solomon and wait for him to speak. He promised good news and it better be. My calendar had to be completely rearranged to meet with him, but at least they've stopped keeping a close eye on me. I'm as untouchable as any Keeper ever has been, and neither of them suspect who I really am.

He takes a seat and leans in close, despite the closed door, which means this is more for effect than privacy. "It's done."

There's something off about his demeanor, but there's something more pressing as I verify what I believe he's referring to. "The Controller's dead?"

He nods, but isn't smiling and his voice has no sound of joy. "The Controller is dead."

Rabbi Solomon's hiding something and have to know what it is. "What are you not telling me, Rabbi?"