Evanesce

Chapter Eleven
Think Keenly

I looked it up. I don't believe it, but I did look it up and find … what I did. The world population; it's over double what I last remember it being. So either a lot of people decided they wanted to go against scientific possibility and have a lot of children really fast… or something's wrong here.

I'd swear someone's trying to change history. I can't find any trace of dozens of missions I know happened, or other events for that matter. Reports and news of two of the cleansing missions seem to be gone entirely from the national databank.

God… I can imagine all this; a whole big plan devoted to… what? World domination? I never would have believed this. Could it really be that complex? Or is it something simpler? How long ago did it start? Months ago? Years? "Heh."

I keep forgetting to look for an exact date… I'll do it next time.

It's getting late. I wish he'd get back soon. Kris needs hydrogel. Stupid, she should heal fine without it….

She shouldn't even be alive, let alone walking.

But she is and she was… until the doctor confined her to the bed, of course. I can't quite decide if she's happy to be helping or if we've all fallen into her lap at the wrong time.

Or maybe she just dislikes us. Or me.

I wonder if….

"Hey," yeah, shouldn't be alive my foot…

"Shh," I'm willing to bet she's feeling better, "I don't think I'm supposed to be up yet." Still looks pretty bad off. Kind of sickening to think someone tried to twist her arm off like that. She doesn't seem to care, though, and I guess that's what counts.

"So what's this all about?" Better to try everything and figure it out than miss something important.

"How dull. No reminiscing first?" She always did laugh far too easily, "To tell the truth, I don't know."

"No one seems to, and if any of us did, we don't now."

"Us…?" She never could keep a secret, even if she had to tell just one person for peace of mind.

"Dreamers," I know that term… from…? "Nothing special… it was Ryan's word. 'I felt like I was in a dream, but couldn't figure out if I was the dreamer.'"

Ryan's word…. But Neil knew it.

"I guess you didn't find him yet."

"Huh?" Who?

"Ryan… he was here with me, but we got… got separated."

"I didn't know I was supposed to be looking,"

"No, I suppose… I sort of expected him to check in on his own; like him."

Like he would, "Maybe he would if he knew where we are."

"You'd be surprised," Hmm? "I'll go look for him."

Oh no… "No," something's wrong here, "If you're that worried, I'll go. You stay here."

"Okay," definitely disappointed, "But, hey!"

Huh?

"I'm sorry," what's she talking about? "For… running away before, and… your friend. I really am sorry about your friend."

'Guilt.'

Shut up, what does that mean? Shame? Or is that fear? I suppose it doesn't matter. "Don't worry about it."

"I'll talk to you later," with Ryan, maybe he'll tell me.

Maybe she would have if I'd asked. Although she should be resting, so it should wait.

It's warm out; the temperature must be balancing out with outside. Actually, I think that must have happened a while ago.

Okay… Where in the world am I supposed to start looking? Humid, damp, large city such as this one and he could be anywhere. And is it just my imagination, or has this place grown bigger in an hour?

Calling out might not be such a good idea. No one around to ask. Searching every little hole in the ground would be time consuming. I don't really feel like standing around hoping he'll see me, and would waste even more time. What was Kris thinking? Hmm… What was I thinking? At least she has an excuse, or I should have known better, or…

Where was she? Maybe I can find where they got separated.

It might be a little easier if I could see. The lights are dim because of whatever the heck this haze is. Damned inconvenient.

This is where she must have gotten under the level, if the blood here is hers. If it's not… Where the hell is the flashlight? I did bring it, where'd… aha, "There you are."

All right, how do you open this thing? Little latch here, already broke, pull it up… simple enough. Now, then. Lessee…

No one down there. Big damn surprise… Okay, then. Back the way she came.

Looks like the trail gets heavier the further back it goes. If…

Whimpering. Not corporeal, I'm sure.

What the hell happened here? This place is completely torn apart. The walls, n' the ground… Everything looks scrap.

Wait a second, what's this? Someone's… foot… a person? Ah hell, under all this crap?

Hhn. What better do I have to do? Besides… no… no thoughts on that.

Whoever-it-is is has a pulse, so that's a good sign. He's breathing, that's good, too. Oh…

I guess that's something not seen every day. Where did… where did his head go?

"Mmm…" I don't know him, I don't think. Not by that name anyway. But how is he still alive? Just how did he live through…?

I don't want to know. If maybe… this has to end somewhere, or I have to find… maybe if I… we all left, and went away from here. Away from everything; it's possible, isn't it? And they'd come, or I'd just… No one would follow us if we went far enough. Not like… here. Here. Damn.

I have to get back. She didn't tell me, but I should have figured it out. If she were followed, or if I was, it doesn't matter; everyone needs to be in one place. Even if we have to worry about Ryan later. And he's fine, I'm sure he can take care of himself.

"I'm sorry, excuse me," where the hell did he come from? Wait, do I know him? I don't think I do, but… huh. Blood is beginning to seem more common than other liquid around here. To turn around and see or to keep going. Oh the love of free choice.

Yep. He's covered in it. Looks pleased with himself, too. Shouldn't be overly surprised, or at least not much more than anything else.

But I know him, don't I? He looks like he knows me. And there's the rest of that other man back there. A prize… a thing to be carried, played with, and given as a gift. I remember… the cat; he did that too. And playful eyes; a child's eyes; seeking attention, or something more.

A distant noise, a cry…. Pain? I was followed. A dangerous, stupid attempt that'll get the stalker killed. Already pinned to a wall, and probably injured by the force of it all. A friend is going to die out of sheer stupidity.

His or mine?

Another sound, and this one is not so clear. A name… mine, and something….

No… this isn't going to happen. I'm not going to let it happen.

"Let go, y-ah!"

Ow. "Mmph…." Almost completely ignored, too. He's not paying attention; maybe the better for me, but not doing good at all. Why does he look so confused? Doesn't he…? Ugh, Damn it.

"Get away from him!"

I'm going to kill him, I swear.

Oh, now he's looking at me. What did I do to get his attention, I wonder?

"If I am denied existence, then I will deny it to everyone here as well."

What? Huh, I certainly got his attention, though.

He's taller than I am, and looks a bit heavier. That's hard to judge; not something I want to underestimate, and the damage he's done so far… he's done a lot. And he looks quite angry. Have to stay well out of reach for any chance of… I couldn't win a fight here; I need more to find more open ground.

'Run.'