Ashes from Ashes: Winner Loses All
Chapter 1
[I'm Here]
"Hello, computer," Professor Utonium said to the empty laboratory. There was no response. "Resume audio transcription," he added.
His voice was unsteady, and some time passed before he spoke further. He idly flipped back and forth between two papers on a clipboard. "Administered 10 ccs of regenerative agent RA dash 03 to subject G at T minus zero. Tissue damage reversed, but no further activity. Verified connections and status of monitoring equipment. At T minus one minute, forty-seven seconds, I declared the subject non-responsive and proceeded to terminate the trial. However, as I did so I noted the subject's eyes were...following me."
Professor paused here, swallowing deeply and squeezing a pen in his hand like a stress relief ball. "I rechecked vital signs and confirmed no pulse or breath. Verified flow of regenerative agent was indeed off. Subject was not responsive to following my finger or my pen light, and did not respond to...verbal commands to move her eyes or blink. Subject...subject instead locked eyes with mine whenever possible."
Professor sat in silent stillness, having stopped squeezing the pen as well. He stared into an empty corner of the lab, lost in thought.
"Cessation of motion occurred at approximately T minus four minutes, twenty-seven seconds. Recommend monitoring of brain activity for future trials.
"Computer, please terminate and archive audio transcription."
The only response was a "ching" sound reminiscent of an old typewriter.
Professor tapped the butt of his pen on the counter, half-trying and half-pretending to read his notes.
Behind him was a small child lying on a gurney. She had the outward appearance of Buttercup, as she had appeared when created more than six years ago. His girls had grown over the years. This girl had been created by Blossom much more recently. Blossom had named her Ashley. For the moment she was simply subject G.
Likewise, Blossom and Bubbles were subjects R and B, respectively.
Until they could become themselves again, dissociation was for the best.
Ashley's eyes currently stared at the ceiling. Still. Empty. Cold.
Professor reached out for a nearby cup of coffee. His hand shook slightly as he lifted it to his lips.
Author's Forward:
Professor Utonium just wants his family back again. Is it even possible? And is he willing to pay the price to make it happen?
Ashes from Ashes is the fifth entry of a study in horror—the Ladder series. While most entries are intended to stand alone, Ashes from Ashes is not. New readers are encouraged to back up to Unstrung at the least. They are, of course, welcome to start at the beginning with Ladder as well.
Each story in the series examines a different form of horror. Horror does not always inspire fright, nor does it always try. Ashes from Ashes explores the horror of "lesser" evils and the loss that entails.
Other stories in the series examine horror from other perspectives. Each has a different focus and a different "feel." However, they all continue the same story line, and they were all written with the assistance of mood-setting music.
These stories list a musical accompaniment that is entirely optional, but which the reader is encouraged to follow. Although not a crossover with Silent Hill, its music and music inspired by it includes some of the most beautiful, haunting melodies this author has heard. Readers who have taken the time to find these albums and songs (many freely and legally available online) have expressed their happiness in doing so.
I personally dislike reading (and try to avoid writing) certain things. Well-established characters acting out-of-character without good reason or explanation. Grittiness and death as an alternative to telling a story. It's up to you, dear reader, to judge my success or failure in these regards.
Suggested listening, presented in the order they are used:
01 – I'm Here (Silent Hill Fan Soundtrack)
02 – E-Tangin (Silent Hill 4)
03 – No Promise (Essentia)
04 – Tears of Ashes (Soiled Shores)
05 – Torn Angelus (Tears of Ashes)
06 – Gray Afternoon (Broken Notes Sanatorium - Lost Chapters Disc 2)
07 – Remembrance (Soiled Shores)
08 – Theme of Eileen – Protection (Broken Notes Intermission 1)
09 – Anastatic (Broken Notes Extremitas 1)
10 – Blind Memory (Soiled Shores)
11 – Two Evils (Silent Hill 4 Limited Edition)
12 – Confrontation (Broken Notes Extremitas 1)
13 – Ten Carillons (The Art of Dying)
14 – Lifetime (Silent Hill 4 Limited Edition)
15 – E-Tangin (Silent Hill 4)
16 – Anywhere But Here (Soiled Shores)
17 – Surface Tension (Silent Hill 3 Unreleased)
18 – Compressed Into Time (Broken Notes Unreleased)
19 – The Perfect Denial (Soiled Shores)
20 – Triptych (Endless Delusions)
21 – Death of the Butterfly (Endless Delusions)
22 – Wasted Words (Broken Notes Extremitas)
23 – Memoria Eterna (Broken Notes Extremitas)
24 – Omen (Broken Notes Extremitas)
25 – Memories of the Girl (Broken Notes Unedited)