Eyes Closed
a Mass Effect Fan Fiction
Prelude.
Running.
She was running in a dark forest, as though her life depended on it.
Somewhere deep down, she knew there was no life here.
Commander Shepard.
He could be heard all around her, like a loudspeaker wired into her brain. She saw him at every tree she passed, every rock she nearly stumbled over.
She couldn't believe this.
His voice did not match his face.
He had no face.
Keep running.
So glad you could join us, Shepard. Please, TAKE A SEAT.
A fallen tree materialized under her feet, she tripped and fell hard onto the forest ground. These leaves on her face, the blood dripping from her lip; it all felt real.
Shepard, Shepard… so clumsy for the savior of the known universe, aren't you?
He was before her; feet visible and coming into better view as she rose. His neck twisted grotesquely, his head jarred like it was being yanked from its base and he focused the front of his head on her. She knew he did not have eyes, but they were once brown and she chose to focus on what she could remember.
Even his laugh was sickened by this place.
Yes, Shepard, you know me. But I do not know you. What have you done? Why are you here?
I died, she thought. She knew. She tried to speak, but found no words were ready to make meaning.
What's the matter, Shep? Life got you by the tongue? Or did I? You remember, don't you?
The sky brightened overhead, and she turned her gaze to the images playing above her.
"I think about losing you, and I can't stand it. And the galaxy will just keep going, everything; even the Reapers will come around again. But you and I, we are important right now; this is what will never happen again. Shepard, you make me feel human."
This memory was distorted, like his face. It looked wrong from what she remembered. She didn't want to watch this because it hurt her somewhere deep, but she couldn't look away.
"I love you, Kaitlyn Shepard. You mean everything to me."
Suddenly, hands were at her throat. The distorted face of the man before her was centimeters from hers, and it was not the same as she remembered.
I love you, Commander Shepard.
He mocked himself, twisting his face at her. He jarred himself backwards, releasing her from his grip; it seemed he wasn't entirely in control of himself. He shook himself off, but she was running again.
No use, Shepard. You live here with me now. And I love you, little Shepard. You will stay here with me, forever. Now let's have a swim.
His body hovered above the ground as he moved briskly alongside her; her pace was slowing, her feet were getting heavy and the ground was becoming dense and sticky. It began to rise to her knees, this sticky black tar surrounded her in every direction; trees were falling around her to its oppressive power. And she fell too, became covered in the filth. She tried to pull away, tried to reach up and grab something. Her mind began to panic, she felt cold; she felt dead. She pulled up from the muck and grasped this faceless man by his boot. He laughed, kicking her away like she was trash. She begged him to help her in her head. His head turned, and he motioned to what should've been an ear.
What's the matter, little Shepard? Can't find that voice of yours, can you? You don't deserve to be saved. You made your sacrifice! You made your choice! So die with it.
It consumed her. It choked her when it forced its path into her airways, clogged her eyes and pulled them shut. She was a piece of this thick black ocean now. And she was never getting out.
"Wake up, Commander. Shepard, do you hear me? Get out of that bed now!"