'In this world, is the destiny of mankind controlled by some transcendental entity or law? Is it like the hand of God hovering above? At least it is true that man has no control; even over his own will.' -Void
What you perceive as white light. What you perceive as pure white all what seems to be above you. What you perceive as almost a universe of pure nothing. What you perceive as a flat expanse of water below the nothing. You believe you're standing upon that which is perceived as water. You believe you hear a sound behind you. You feel like you've turned around quickly. You remember thinking you saw a figure. You believe they looked right through you. As though you weren't there. You feel like you looked right through them. You know you looked right through them. Right through the hole in them. The hole.
A very stressed woman in a messy bed covered in cozy pillows and extra throw blankets jerked away in a cold sweat. Waking up on a day off was difficult for Parker. Her chocolate brown waves of hair rebounded as she jerked out of sleep, half concealing a pair of light blue eyes darting around the partially lit bedroom. She was prone to over sleeping but a relaxing day off wasn't gonna stop her from frantically grabbing her phone and checking what day it was. A Wednesday for anyone else would be another day but as a part time editor at the dying local newspaper and (as her friend James described) a 'freelance nutrition expert' it was her one actual self imposed day off. Driving for Uber Eats wasn't the most glamorous way to make ends meet but it beat either working for Walmart or not having the extra money to be comfortable being her adventurous self.
'Fuck.' she sighed sitting up and taking a few breathes preparing to get out of bed. The call of the warm blankets was tempting but caffeine was the stronger addiction. Slow slaps of a pair of small bare feet echoed through the humble two bedroom apartment. A gurgle of hot coffee brewing, the snap of an opening fridge, and a satisfying exhale of a fully caffinated young woman later and Parker was awake. Between sips in her favorite chair by the window she looked out past the parking lot and fast food signs at the glass covered building where the Toro Gazette continued to exist for now. What was once the most successful small town newspaper (Voted five time in a row by the Kansas State Journalism Group) now languishes in obselesence. Last week after editing one article and spending the rest of the time talking with her friend Cami and her new found purpose in life. 'Journalism was your dream. Now what? It's not like your life's meaning comes knocking at your door.'
Cami had begun to get on her nerves lately. She knew all of this already but she just didn't understand how hard it all is. Suddenly as if to interrupt her self analyzing thoughts there was a loud banging on her door. Completely startled by it, she hesitated answering but knew anyone banging that loud probably knew who they were looking for.
She groaned as she climbed out of her chair assuming it was one of her more intrusive friends Cami. The type that never calls when they come over, they just show up or are continually trying to make plans every day knowing damn well you don't have the time.
Cami had become incredibly lonely since she had her child and while mother hood was lonely, it was the only thing she wanted to do and Parker tried not judge as she didn't have any kids of her own yet, and wanted to be supportive.
Mildly annoyed, Parker looked through the peep hole to discover James, one of the closer men in her life. Incredibly confused by his abrupt presence, she opened the door and greeted him with a puzzled expression.
"Hey what's going on?" She asked him.
James responded quickly, "I don't know who else to show this to and you're the only one I didn't think would call me crazy. We have to go, like, right now."
Parker had a pit in her stomach after seeing the crazed look in her friends eyes that something wasn't right. James was known for his skepticism when it came to anything occult, or seemingly magic. She had never seen him so excited about anything, and to be frank it didn't seem like him at all.
She hesitated then asked, "Is this a prank? What are you about to make me do?"
He became still and his eyes were no longer crazed, but starring directly at Parker as though she'd offended him.
He began to cry.
"Woah what the heck is going on man you have to explain a little more I'm not trying to-" she said before he cut her off.
"It's fine! You aren't worthy." He said starting to laugh as he turned to walk away.
"Not worthy-? What the fuck?" She muttered as she stepped out of her apartment to follow James but he was making speed back towards his car. She had no shoes on so she ran back in to grab some. She grabbed her phone as well and immediately dialed their mutual friend Cami. She figured maybe she'd know something Parker didn't.
Cami answered, "Hey girl!"
Parker went to explain what was going on but didn't even know where to start.
"Hey has James tried to get ahold of you today he's acting weird, tweaking or something. I'm kind of worried."
"Hm. That's weird. Really weird. James doesn't even smoke weed." Cami replied back.
"I know that's why I called. He's like all Jekyll and Mr Hyde right now and I'm not really sure how to approach this." Parker said.
"Well I'll keep and eye out but there's not much I can do. I'm watching Xander right now and I certainly don't want him around that." Cami explained.
Parker replied, "Ya of course I'm not sending you on a goose chase just thought I'd check with you and see what's up. I'll go check it out."
Parker hung the phone up then proceeded to grab her wallet and keys. She shook her head side to side and made her way to her car.
She picked up her phone and dialed James. Immediately she was forwarded to voicemail three times before she started her car and made her way to his home. Parker honestly had no clue what to do when she found him but she certainly didn't have the kind of conscious to leave this alone and be fine with it.
She made several more attempts to call James but was answered with the same voicemail each time. She was becoming increasingly worried. She continued to dial him regardless and just hoped she'd get one answer. It didn't matter if she called a hundred times, she wasn't giving up.
She pulled up to his home while still trying to dial him and noticed his front door was open. She believed that to be a good sign until she remembered he had a cat that wasn't supposed to get out. Why would he leave his door open?
