December 2008

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December 2008
Topic Started: Dec 4 2008, 09:51 PM (180 Views)
Mr K	Dec 4 2008, 09:51 PM Post #1
Lodger Posts: 233 Group: Admin Member #2 Joined: May 22, 2005	Apophenia Finale I looked into Alice’s wide eyes. What a strange sight they were, those pale blue irises surrounded by even paler young skin, framed by dark, straight hair, behind which an advanced artificial intelligence calculated, evaluated, and feared. “Why can’t you just bring me out of the coma?” I asked. Alice shook her head, disturbing a braided lock of hair that she brushed away off-handedly. “Nothing more can be done from the outside. The biological trauma has been repaired, what holds you back now is psychological.” Alice pointed a finger at me. “You represent K’s willingness to face what has happened and move forward. He, (I had no doubt that she meant Dr. Gibbs), represents K’s desire to hide from the world, to remain ignorant. To die.” “And all we have to do is…?” “Escape this building,” Alice said decisively. “But Dr. Gibbs has been trying to get me out of here as well!” I whispered hotly. “That doesn’t make much sense, does it.” Alice scowled at me, as if I were a pathetic simpleton. “He’s been making a show of helping you. But each stage of his treatment seals you further within these walls.” It all made a curious kind of logic to me. I could see that my sense of reality had been distorted beyond all reason. I needed to regain certainty in my own idea of what was real. Did I want to face the things I’d done? Or stay in here while my body withered and died? I realised that I’d already made my decision. “How do I get back to Crooked House?” I asked. * * * * * “You’ve done it!” squealed Alice with obvious delight. “You just needed to make your choice. Take my hand, let’s go!” In a happy daze, I took Alice’s small hand in mine and we headed for the door. Alethia stared at us serenely as we checked that the corridor was clear. “Thanks for your help,” I whispered, “however cryptic it was.” Alethia nodded, a warm smile played on her lips. “Now!” I said to Alice. We giggled with glee as we ran towards our freedom. I began to feel strangely insubstantial. * * * * * I slowly realised that I was looking down upon a scene that was not entirely unfamiliar. Dr. Gibbs was leaning over a man lying motionless in a hospital bed. Beside him was an anxious looking Alethia, and a little girl that looked almost, but not quite, like Alice. Dr. Gibbs stood up, and I finally saw that the man lying comatose in the bed was me. It was cold floating up here by the ceiling. “I’m afraid he’s completely catatonic,” said Dr. Gibbs turning towards Alethia. Alethia sobbed suddenly and pulled the little girl in towards her, they held each other tightly. “But what happened?” asked Alethia shakily. “You said he was improving.” “In a case like this,” answered Dr. Gibbs, “there is always the possibility that the patient may regress. I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do now. We’ll make him as comfortable as we can for the time he has left.” I stared down in horror. I felt so powerless floating, unable to control a thing. Everything was so cold, and my vision seemed to be fading into whiteness. I could still manage to make out their voices, though they sounded more distant now, moving further away. He’ll not come back? No, I believe he’s retreated permanently into a psychotic delusion. His mind has gone and his body will follow shortly. Do you...do you think it was ever a real place? Crooked house? No my dear, I can assure you, it never was. THE END.



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