Missing Pieces of Me

22 New Guardian

ALEX 

Everything was suddenly engulfed in the bright light and got blank. I look around confused with what just happened. I seem to forget what had happened in the last few minutes, like everything went blank. I know I'm the unconscious self because this couldn't be the real world but I remember what my room looked but I have no memories of what had just happened. It seems like my memories in the real world are finally coming to me here but that doesn't make sense because that never happens.

"Looks like you're really here for good now," I hear that voice again. I still feel dizzy. I open my eyes and realize that I'm back to the void again. I'm dreaming again? But I don't even remember falling asleep. Wait. I try to rack my brains for any sign about what I did during my waking hours but it still draws a blank.

I look at UP as if asking what the hell happened to me. It looked excited for some reason. I look at it weirdly, as if trying to figure out what I'm missing. "Well, are you just going to stand there and do nothing? Aren't you even gonna try out your new powers?"

And that's what confused me the most. I asked, "What powers?"

"Looks like your unconscious and conscious self are merging and you're forgetting some memories of both. It'll come back. You know. The one you've always wanted for so long, ever since you first came here."

"I really don't see the point. You know I can't do that," I replied dismissively.

Silence. UP started talking and instead created a tiny pebble. In a split second, UP threw it in my direction. Good thing I still have fast reflexes and caught it just before it hit my face. I shook my head and fiercely looked at UP who was still grinning from ear to ear.

"You were saying?" was all UP said.

I was puzzled for a moment until I realize that I caught it. I caught the pebble. It didn't just pass through me. I look at it again, still at the palm of my hand. I tried to change its appearance from just a simple rock to a marble and, with just a blink of an eye, it did. It didn't even take any effort.

My amazement may have been noticeable for UP interrupted me by suggesting that I try to make any type of surrounding, "It's boring here. Why don't you create the scenery for a change?"

Excitement flowed through me. It was like getting the greatest gift for Christmas except it wasn't even Christmas. I closed my eyes and imagined my perfect scenario. As if instinct put it there, I immediately envision trees, lots of them and like a little cottage in the middle of the forest where no one would suspect someone could possibly live there. After adding the finishing touches to the ground, I started painting the sky. I remember certain constellations and try to recreate them as accurately as possible. Hell, I'll even add a few planets to look at. This is my world now. I smile at the thought of me creating my own world.

After I was done, I sat down and admired my artwork. It feels really overwhelming.

I turned to UP and asked the question , "How can I do this?"

"Well, you see, you accepted my offer which resulted to your death. I didn't get this first but I figure that this is the first time that your soul has been complete so that you can finally reach the level to create here. It was a real blessing to you that you haven't accepted my offers in the past because this has been a better present than what I could've offered before."

So I'm really dead. I finally did it. I don't even remember how I did it. When did I take the offer? Was it on purpose or an accident? I look at my current form, I don't look like someone who died of old age. How did my death looked like in the real world? Did I just die mysteriously? Maybe this really is for the best. I don't even have full access to my conscious memories yet but I'll keep trying.

The best I can do is remember the bittersweet memories left when Blanche and I last talked on top of a building. I remember the sadness in her eyes. I now know the feeling of wanting to share something with someone you care about. The guilt rushed through my veins as I remember all the hurtful things I may have said. Did she forgive me? Will she ever? "What about Blanche? Where is she?"

"She rejected my offer and stayed there, with the living. She knew you were here. She said that living with the present and conscious you was easier that dealing with having you in her dreams. She said she would visit still, as long as she still can, but we don't even know how long that will last now that there's a new owner of this world."

"What happens now?"

"Now, you'll continue my legacy while I scatter through other dimensions again. Now that you've accepted my offer, I have a choice to go back to the real world again. Different set of dimensions this time and I decided to take it as long as that's okay with you."

"Yeah. Go enjoy your freedom. You deserve it."

"Till next time," UP said and finally vanished.