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A void: The Edge
17 The Recluse and the Refugee

17 The Recluse and the Refugee

I awaken to the red light of the morning sun streaming through the cracks of my blinds. I lay in the bed for a moment, after all what's the point?

Well, laying in my bed isn't going to help either. I toss the filthy blankets aside and step out into my living room. I glance at the front door. Maybe I should go outside…

Breakfast first, maybe I'll grow the balls to actually go through with my plans after that.

I chuckle mirthlessly at my own joke as I step into the kitchen. Some canned beans from the pantry, a bit of bread from the freezer and… great, all out of coffee. Unless… Score! The pad from last time is still in there.

Now all I need- aaaaand the tap stopped working. Well it was bound to happen eventually. Well, I'll have to settle for second best, juice from the fridge.

Which is expired, lovely.

I suppose I could use some ice cubes from the fridge to make water. Yeah, that'll work.

Time to become a chef.

Now, ice in a pan, reduce it till we have a watery sauce. Then, while the ice is melting, open the can of beans and heat them in a pan. Toss the can on top of the mountain of waste in the overfilled garbage bin while you gently stir the beans.

The secret is to infuse them with your love.

Swat away the flies as they come for your food, if they land in it? Good, that's some free protein. Bake the bread in a separate pan once you notice your electricity isn't working anymore. Check on your ice, if it's a nice watery consistency, take it off the fire and put it back in the freezer to cool down a bit.

Contemplate suicide.

Maybe after breakfast. Take a somewhat clean plate and place the bread on it, richly cover in beans and voila. Breakfast.

I make my way back to the living room, breakfast in hand. As I go to sit down, I automatically grasp for my phone, which isn't there. I smashed it a couple of days ago, because that's how they get ya. And I don't wanna get got.

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After I finish my hearty meal -which happens to be the same meal as I ate yesterday, minus the coffee- I contemplate whether I should go outside again. Maybe things will be better if I do. I sigh as I walk over to the curtains, pulling them open to stare at the world outside.

"Probably not though."

The world is still the same as it has been for the past few weeks. The sun glows a bright red from three different places in the sky. The space bent in strange ways to show refractions of reality. I see the opposite side of town, the chains made of flesh that drag cages of bone around, figures within that I don't dare look at.

In the distance diseased red flesh reaches up to the sky in the shape of enormous tendrils, veiny webs wrapping around skyscrapers for balance. I cannot see the thousands of once human eyes set in that flesh, but I know that they can see me. For certain.

I avert my eyes once again to inspect the area closer to the flat I live in. Ah, a new thing has happened. The houses nearby have begun to melt in a way that makes them look almost organic, bismuthine shapes growing upon them. Those who have abandoned their failing shelter have unfolded, their skeleton repurposed to hold their organs aloft as stammen, their skin split to form beautiful, disgusting leafs.

I take another sip as I contemplate suicide again. Maybe the windows aren't filtering out all of the light, because I decide to turn around and walk out my front door.

I sigh as I let my hand rest on the door handle. I swing the door out and-

There is black, and there is white and an odd island. When I breach the comfort of the white water I finally feel relaxed for the first time in many days. Off to the island where an astronaut is awaiting me.

I awaken to the light of the morning sun streaming through the cracks of my blinds. I lay in the bed for a moment, after all what's the point?

The alarm on my phone rings to let me know I really need to get going now. I toss my blankets aside and start my morning routine.

In the train to work I read.

In the office I work.

On the way back I read.

I dine. I game. I sleep. I repeat.

It's all so dreary, an empty life. When the truck comes my life flashes in front of my eyes, and I will miss those I leave behind, but the ending is welcome. Oblivion takes me and-

Oh.

Oh, well ain't that interesting? As I plunge into the white ocean I can't help but smile. The smile stays firmly on my face as I start swimming towards the only dry land I can see. I am giddy to figure out what's going to happen.