14: And So We Meet

Jack blinks and rubs his eyes, which itch like crazy. He slowly takes in his surroundings—a chamber, its walls made of cold, unforgiving stone. The air is thick with the stench of decay. Panic surges through Jack's veins. He is trapped. Imprisoned. The weight of the stone walls tramples over him, taking away his very breath.

As Jack's senses reel back to its normal state, to his horrified face, his legs are missing. A wave of intense pain courses through his body. Panic grips his heart as he struggles to come to terms with the horrifying situation. Desperate for escape, Jack darts his eyes around the chamber, searching for any sign of escape. But all he finds, is darkness.

Fear grows stronger with every passing minute, and Jack's grip on reality grows fainter. He knows that he must find a way to escape, to break free from this prison before it is too late. So Jack sets to work, scanning every inch of the chamber for any hidden passage or secret exit.

But as the minutes turn into hours, he begins to realize the futility of his efforts.

Trapped in this chamber, Jack knows that his only hope lies in finding a way to outsmart his captors. But that is the thing. They could have trapped him here and thrown away the key. And based on years of experience, Jack figures they would not return and risk freeing him. With a heavy heart and a sinking pit in his stomach, Jack braces himself for what lies ahead. The true battle for survival has only just begun.

Hours. Days. Months. Time does not matter anymore. The pain grows more unbearable, gnawing at him like a ravenous beast and shredding his resolve to pieces. Fear claws at his mind, bringing him to the brink of madness.

But even as death threatens to consume him, something whispers in the depths of Jack's soul—a spirit that refuses to be silenced, that refuses to surrender. Jack roars and claws his way from the depths of his despair, his determination burning brighter than ever before. It does not matter what accursed fate awaits him; he knows that he must press on. He cannot waste time here. Not when people need his help.

With newfound resolve coursing through his veins, he takes his first steps forward, ready to face whatever may come with unwavering resolve.

He trips. No legs, remember?

Jack stumbles forward. The realization of his missing limbs hits him with renewed force, sending him crashing to the stone floor below. Agony tears through his body as he hits the ground, the pain a cruel reminder of the strength he currently lacks.

For a moment, Jack lies there, dazed, his mind reeling from the shock of his fall. The harsh reality of his situation is inescapable. But even in his darkest hour, a flicker of determination burns within Jack's heart. With gritted teeth and trembling hands, he pushes himself upright. There are people out there who need his help. He whispers in the back of his mind. With a deep breath, Jack steadies himself, his calmness steeling against the unimaginable pain. With every ounce of strength he can muster, Jack begins to crawl forward, his hands scraping against the unforgiving floor, inching his way forward.

And so, with his eyes fixed firmly on the horizon, Jack forges ahead into the unknown, ready to face whatever may lie ahead with unwavering determination. He knows that the flame of hope still burns bright, lighting the way toward a brighter tomorrow.

Your "flame of hope,” is truly amusing.

A voice speaks to him in his mind.

Tell me, what makes you so determined?

Jack's mind reels at the sudden intrusion of the voice, its presence sending shivers. For a moment, he hesitates, unsure of how to respond.

"What makes me determined?" Jack repeats. "It's the knowledge that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope—a spark refusing to be extinguished!"

"It's the belief that no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, there is always a way forward, a path to victory. Even at my weakest, I have the strength within me to persevere—to rise and emerge victorious against all odds."

Right... Because you have so much "belief." That you will come out victorious, save the day. And win.

Tell me, Determined One, what do you plan to do now?

Jack listens to the voice, his mind racing as he considers his options. Despite the uncertainty of the situation and the looming presence of the mysterious voice, he refuses to be cowed by fear. Instead, he decides to speak from his heart. The truth is always the strongest weapon.

"I plan to keep moving forward," Jack responds. "No matter the challenges that lie ahead, I won't give up. I will continue to search for a way out of this place, to reclaim what has been taken from me: justice!"

He pauses, gathering his thoughts before continuing.

"And while I may not know what lies ahead, I refuse to let fear dictate my actions. I will face whatever obstacles may come my way with courage, knowing that with every step I take, I am one step closer to freedom."

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Jack can feel the strength of his resolve burning bright within him. Pain and adversity will not chain down this unbreakable spirit.

No, I mean logically.

No leg to bring you forward.

Or arms. I can make them disappear, too.

The door is locked.

The place is deserted.

I can make your existence fade at the snap of my fingertip.

Jack, I don't think you understand how helpless you are now.

Jack's heart sinks at the voice's words. Despite his determination, he cannot deny how much his fate lies at the mercy of this otherworldly force.

Silence takes the center as Jack considers his options. There are none.

"I may be trapped and powerless," he admits, "but I refuse to let that define me. I will find a way to escape this place, to defy the odds and reclaim my freedom. And if I must face my end here, then I will do so with dignity."

Foolish determined man.

Well, since we have time.

Jack, tell me, why did you become an agent?

Jack takes a moment to reflect. There are several answers he can give. In fact, it has been so long since someone, or Jack himself, asked this question.

"I became an agent," he says, "because I wanted to change the world. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the injustices and hardships faced by those who could not defend themselves. I saw the pain and suffering caused by those who sought to exploit the weak and vulnerable for their gain."

"I knew I couldn't stand by while others suffered," Jack continues. "Becoming an agent was my way of protecting those who couldn't protect themselves, and bringing sinful men to account for their actions.

“One day, there will be a better world where anyone can live free from pain."

Jack can feel the scorching flame of his commitment. Despite the challenges and dangers that come with the job, he knows that he made the right choice—a choice born out of a desire to make a difference in a world haunted by violence.

"And even now," Jack continues, "even in the face of impossible odds, I refuse to abandon that purpose! For as long as I draw breath, I vow to fight for what is right!"

How noble.

What if I cut your eye right now?

Both of your eyes.

You will see nothing.

Jack feels a chill at the voice's threat. There is no telling what else the voice can do if it can casually strip away his sight. Jack steels his nerves for the possible torture. His vast experience of being interrogated will not fail him now.

"Even if you were to take my sight," Jack replies, "you cannot take away my vision, to see justice served, to fight for what is right. Unwavering."

He takes a deep breath.

"Blinding me will not extinguish the light of hope that burns within me," he continues. "Didn't I tell you already? For as long as this pair of lungs breathe and this mouth can feed, only God can stop me from delivering justice."

What if I cut your tongue, too?

No more words.

"Ridiculous," Jack scoffs. "Even if you were to take my voice," he states, "you cannot silence the voice of justice that echoes within me. My determination to erase tyranny will never be silenced!"

The voice's threats mean nothing to him now. In the darkness, Jack's resolve alone illuminates the depths like a rising phoenix.

"Even in silence, I will find ways to make my voice heard, to speak out against injustice, and to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. For as long as this body lives, it will fight for what is right. No. Matter. What." The phoenix roars.

Jack, tell me.

When you die, will you be all alone?

Where are your families?

Jack flinches at the word "family." His mouth refuses to respond as his body starts trembling.

Oh, that's right, you possess none.

"While I m-may not have blood relatives," Jack manages to utter a few words, "I am n-not alone. I have friends... colleagues... and allies who have stood by-”

Jack chokes midway into the sentence. Something is reeling him back, but he cannot figure out what. His body shakes uncontrollably.

Snap!

Jack's world plunges into darkness and silence as the voice strips away his sight and speech. Panic surges through him as he grapples with the sudden loss of his senses.

For a moment, he is paralyzed by fear, his mind reeling as he struggles to comprehend what has happened.

But only for a moment.

In the depths of his broken form, a spark flickers within Jack's heart. A bright and stubborn flame of a man who never knows when to give up.

For there is always hope.

Now tell me, Jack, does your conviction change?

I know you can hear me, Jack’s thoughts ring out like a bell in the stillness. So listen carefully.

He takes one last deep breath.

My conviction remains unchanged, Jack’s voice echoes in the back of his mind. Blind and mute though I may be, I will never fall. My hope burns brighter than ever before.