There were some who claimed the mind and the universe shared a very similar structure. That perhaps the universe itself is a living organism. Or that it has its own form of intelligence.
A humble conspiracy. One that wouldn''t land you in the outcast circles some other beliefs would.
To me, the most beautiful part of the theory was that it was born from a simple slime.
I wonder if it had a name, like Freddy.
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A wall of TVs hum in the backdrop of a store. Signs hang from the ceiling proclaiming "seventy percent off". People buzz by like ants swarming toward their next meal. Their veracious hunger swallowing their better judgement. Their eyes darting toward bright colours and exhaustingly long queues.
Amongst the chaos, a young boy dubiously walks over to an especially fancy looking TV.
"Dark matter makes up approximately 85% of all regular matter in the universe. It is invisible matter that we can''t see directly. However, we can measure the effects of it. It''s thought to be responsible for the way galaxies are organized on grand scales, and helps drive galaxies and clusters together. Dark energy on the other hand, is a mysterious ''something'', a force if you will; like gravity, that accelerates the expansion of the universe. It is thought to take up 68% of all matter in the entire universe; regular and non-regular."
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"Hey bud, wanna play Guess Who with me and Lucy? I know we got this door between us and all, but we can use our imagination to try and figure out who it is. What do ya reckon?"
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"Fellabee, oh Queen so high. Lay down your worries, your shoulders bare."
They always sing it for themselves. They''re intoxicated by their own voices. It''s disgusting.
I remember when I thought, "How beautiful.. I can''t believe they''d sing something like this for me.."
It was a simpler time.
At first, I couldn''t accept it. How could someone do something like this, I had thought. I was naive.
However, as time passed, I realised the truth. Everyone does what they want. Whether they care or not for another is purely up to their wants.
Do as you will, I decided. And in turn, I shall do as I will.
"Get out of my chambers, Stephan. If you wish to sing a song, sing it for one who will appreciate it. I''ve grown tired of a voice that sings for itself. Our hearts do not speak to each other."
As Stephan left, a tear welled up in my eye.
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"A young boy, around the age of 14 has reportedly been kidnapped. Eye-witnesses claim they saw a boy who matches the description of the missing person''s flier making their way to a park near East Square. The date they say they saw him matches with the parents'' statements."
"Investigators have yet to release any new evidence about what might have transpired at that park. The boy has been missing for 26 days now. Many people are beginning to worry that the victim may already be dead."
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A young woman sat at a cafe. It was a cafe of humble design. The food was simple, brandishing the tell of home cooking. The flavours however, were sophisticated.
Many admired the food at this cafe. Dishes everyone knew. Simple staples of society. And yet, it had been made to such perfection.
It transcended all simplicity.
"I dream of the days when I can go and eat there without a worry in the world.."
A child ran by the fountain side, splashing their parents in the face. The parents laughed, and scolded the child gently afterwards.
"I wish I could run free.. Have a child of my own.. A lover who I can share my life with.."
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
"Your highness!! What a pleasure to see you here!"
A passerby-er broke me from my lamentations.
"Good morning Leahfee, how are you?", I responded in a measured tone.
"Business as usual, your highness. What about yourself?"
"Dreaming, Leafhee, dreaming a fond dream"
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My eyes suddenly flew open. With my breathing erratic, and my teeth firmly pressed against each other, I looked around.
A vast landscape sprawled out before me. Birds flew past, gradually dotting the sky above. The expansiveness of the land was breathtaking.
A river nestled between a decline in the land flowed gracefully toward the horizon. Fish occasionally jumped out of the stream, painting the scenery with colourful, glistening motions.
"Where am I.."
"Vincent.. Is that really you?"
A voice spoke out from beneath me.
Startled, I jumped back a bit.
"Oh my god! Fellabee, is it really you??"
"I.. Think we made it Vincent.. None of the others spoke back to me.."
"The others?"
"The memories.. I tried talking to them.. But they never responded.. You never told me about what happened when you were young Vince.."
"Fel I-"
Before I could finish my sentence, she hugged me with tears in her eyes. With eyes welling up to the brim, I hugged her back in the only way I could. We held each other tightly, countless memories unraveling our souls.
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"It was a long time ago Fel.. I.. I try not to remember it"
Tenderness. Her embrace was like a flower pedal. A gentle cushion to rest upon.
"Fel.. You never told me you wanted to go to a cafe.. We could''ve gone.. Before all this happened.. Before we left Earth.."
"Some desires Vince.. I too tried to not remember. However, you made me live every one of them with our time together.."
Wiping away her tears as soft as dew, I held her.
"With you, I feel strong enough to be outside. In this world, far more dangerous than when I was a kid. With you Fel. No matter what, I want to survive, with you. I want to persevere, with you.."
As the words left my mouth, Fellabee embraced me in a deep kiss.
Our eyes gradually closed. Our breathing began synchronising into a calm rhythm.
Together, in this moment, our bodies became one. The boundary between us melted away.
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As our skin pressed against each others, the scenery around us changed. The fish ceased to jump as the rivers were met with icy stillness. Countless trees grew around us, enshrouding us in a dense forest. The birds held refuge up in the trees; seeking comfort within their nests. Day and night flew by as our eyes remained closed.
Our sensations collided in a vivid fusion. Our minds unifying with every breath.
I grasped at her soft, luscious skin as she pressed herself against me. We had fallen into an ebb and flow. Sweat danced across our skin like sea spray. Every wave brought an overflow of sensation.
Our breathing had turned to panting as the sunset of our time was drawing near.
Animals scurried by. Deers and elk alike sent calls to one another amongst the trees. Squirrels scurried with treasures in hand. And before either of us knew it, the world had been born anew.
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As our eyes opened, we felt a surreal kind of shock, and a blissful serenity.
Had that really just happened?
"It felt so good..", Fellabee moaned from her lips.
Her reddened cheeks contrasted the pale snow beautifully. How could someone even be this gorgeous.
"It was amazing Fel.."
Holding her in my arms, I was filled with a strange depth of confidence.
I could feel my warm cheeks. I could feel the shy release of my words. And yet, I also felt something inside my heart. A sense of belonging.
The cold had yet to set in upon our skin. It felt like I was in a haze. A dream that I never wanted to wake up from. A moment I wanted to last forever.
"Wait, my body Vincent!!", Fellabee exclaimed while whishing her arms around suddenly.
As I looked at the person before me, I saw eyes looking back at me, the same size as my own. How had I not realised sooner??
"FELLABEE?! HOLY-"
Before I could finish my words, an intense scream permeated every corner of the forest.
The guttural churning and wrenching struck a primal fear into our hearts. It felt like we went from being in the sweetest dream, to being plunged into an ice bath.
"Wh-What the fuck?!", I muttered.
Both Fellabee and I turned toward the direction of the scream.
"Should we run..?", Fellabee asked in a shaken tone.
Her voice sounded different to usual. It must be affected by her new size..
We paused for a moment. The sudden shift from that gentle dream to this horrific nightmare shook my heart.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, and then spoke.
"I know this might sound a little crazy.. But maybe we should check it out. We came here to discover the truth didn''t we? To find a way out. This forest looks the same as the place my vision took place in."
Fellabee''s gaze narrowed. Her gentle softness shattered. Adrenaline was pumping through our veins. Tempering our senses to a razor''s edge.
"You''re right Vince.. I guess there''s no going back now. Let''s go-"
As she was finishing her words, she began to take a step, and immediately fell face first into the snow.
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"That was too funny to not laugh at.. I''m sorry", I said, gently helping her up off the ground.
"I got concerned though the moment I realised what had happened.. You didn''t hit a twig or anything did you?"
"I''m alright. My face stings a bit. Just what in the Nyne is this body?? Give me my body back!"
Fellabee stomped the ground in indignant rage.
In that moment of passion, she had wished for only one thing, and it had come true.
Putting my closed hand to my mouth, I tried to hide how funny her outburst was.
"I guess it''s gonna take time to get used to it.. Unless there''s a way to go back to being your usual adorable self"
"Silly! Are you saying I''m not still adorab-", as Fellabee stammered her words shyly, another loud scream permeated through the air, cutting her off.
The shriek sent waves of dread through my body.
Goosebumps had formed upon our skin. Our hairs stood on edge as the freezing breeze and blood curdling sounds culminated in a sensory shock.
"Time I guess we don''t have..", I said bleakly.
"I guess not.. What will we do Vince.."
"Get on my back"
"A-Are you serious?"
"It''s the only way Fel, you can''t walk yet.."