Saturday

What I know and what I remember.

A recap of things.

Just to make sure.

‘You’re lying again.’

Fine.

But shut up and listen.

**********

Today starts off on a happy note.

I finally made it.

Yeah, you guessed it. The great beyond. The final destination. The resting place where I will take my place with my family, my friends, and my long-lost beloved.

Everything’s so beautiful here. Even the frightening and the unusual have a glow about them. A shine that could only be something not from this world. And to think, it was only because I was hungry that I had ventured out to look for food.

It’s not luck. Luck is too small of a word to describe what has happened.

Fate’s too small too.

In fact, nothing I say or do could adequately fill any part of this place. Everything is insignificant to this place.

It’s kind of scary.

Wait. Scratch that. It’s REALLY scary.

But my escorts seem unafraid. Their brilliant gold bodies shine like the sun. Their wings buzz in perfect harmony with the pulsing of the walls. They seem perfectly absorbed by the power of it all. They all seem content, even if they are in the company of the likes of myself.

I am unworthy to be with such . . . . . .

Oh no.

I knew I had felt different. Ever since I have left I have felt a strange sense of disappointment with everything. No matter how much I tell myself that it’s all supposed to be this way, that’s it’s more than luck or fate can describe, it feels all so . . . . . . empty.

I know why now. It’s not the place itself that is disappointing, but it’s the way I see it. I do not have the correct eyes to fully understand what is around me.

Although, I must say, the sense of wonder is still there.

Hmmm.

To my right is another captured animal, someone I’ve never seen before. The strange thing is, he seems to be unaffected by the wonders around him. Truthfully, he looks like an extreme version of me. His eyes seem so empty . . .

And the way he walks . . . . . it’s almost like he has no respect for what is about to happen to us. Maybe he’s been here for a long time and he’s never been integrated. Maybe he’s bitter about something that they won’t let him have. Maybe he’s being punished.

Whatever the case may be, I’m still going crazy just staying so silent. Letting the pressure just build up is never a good thing.

Maybe I can talk with him. I mean, not much can go wrong with just a conversation, right?

“Would you . . . . mind telling me where you’re taking me?”

**********

“So, we’re using the Echidna’s DNA, then?”

“Yes. She at least accomplished part of her mission.”

“Still, it would have been nice to get all of this done in one shot.”

“If she did succeed, we wouldn’t have to be doing this.”

“No, but you’d do it anyway. You get bored easily.”

“Hmmm.”

“I don’t know, sir. I’m getting kind of sick with these errors. What if this turn out to be another Manic or Ashura?”

“I never used Echidna DNA with the others. I used my own.”

“That’s frightening.”

“Prep the procedures. Get everything ready. I need to have a talk with her.”

“Where is she right now?”

“The tank on level 27.”

“Harsh, sir. Very harsh.”

“Spare the rod, spoil the child. She disappointed me, and I hate disappointment.”

“Right. Just be sure to keep your dick in your pants this time, sir.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

**********

The spear strikes his throat but doesn’t penetrate through his skin. He still lays unconscious on my bed, one arm under his neck and the other across his chest. Even the sharp weapon pushing against his neck doesn’t wake him.

Here is the choice.

Here is the deciding factor.

Here is where the road branches.

I could end this here and now. I could stop whatever news he has to bring into my life. I can ignore whatever special gift or knowledge he has and move on. I can forget this ever happened with a simple grunt and a push. I can kill the truth by killing him.

But all I can think about are the stares: the lingering, mocking stares of the village. All of them, even my mentor, have shared disgusted glances at me. Maybe what they need is a little truth.

Maybe what they need is a little destruction. And even if it is blasphemy, it’s no worse than what he did to the Reverend. It’s no worse than killing a Demigod.

Even if he is lying, at least I can kill him for doing so. Redemption can be found within sinning.

**********

I cough up some more of my own blood. The vice wrapped around my heart tightens. The world becomes dimmer, and then, there is no more light. All I’m left with is my own depleting thoughts. I’m left with sorrow and deep sadness. I’m left with a giant pool of churning emotion. But I suppose this is the risk I took in following him. Losing isn’t so bad when it’s a possibility, but it would have been nice to win for once. Sally is a good soul to fight for. She’s a nice reward, disregarding the fact that she wouldn’t be mine. There is no regret. I would have done it again if I had been given the chance. It’s exciting to try something new, but consequence is a hard price to pay. To think, a single mistake took all the light away. I didn’t even get to see if we made it . . . .

Someone, anyone, will later tell me that the door was opened, and that even a few of us made it out, but of course, I will never be able to witness it for myself. And this somebody, anybody will turn away and smile, saying that they were one of them. And they will disappear from my site once more, smiling the entire way. And I would wish them the best of luck. And I would tell them to say hi to Sonic for me, because he taught me what it means to actually live.

**********

The sun burning a hole through my eyes, the rocks drilling into my ass, it was only when I heard the low rumbling coming over the edge of the island that I sprang up, ears twitching and fists tightening. The trees below the ridge rustle not because of breeze, but of foundation struggle. I recognize it because it’s familiar . . . .

Something is taking off.

Whatever Robotnik’s plan is, he’s orchestrating the final phases in it, and in fact, has probably already won.

But I’m not dead yet.