《The Alters》


 Chapter 1 | Coming to the Void

    He was just sitting there, like he did every morning. Sometimes he was staring off into space, and other times he was bold enough to read the daily news. Either way it was the same routine. Dinn would come in, shortly after Creed awoke, and just sit down at the kitchen table, motionless. His much too large jacket covering up most of his face with its excess of fur. Creed had no idea how Dinn could stand being in the jacket for so long, especially on warm days like today. Creed knew he never looked at him, after years of paranoid fits he recognized the feeling of being watched, but Creed had no such feelings for the past few weeks. All five of Dinn''s eyes were somehow always pointed far away from him. Dinn wouldn¡¯t look at him for longer than a few seconds. In fact, he would decidedly turn his head away as if something more interesting had caught his eyes. But what could be so interesting in Creed¡¯s little cabin? What could be so enticing that Dinn held no desire to ever look back?


    The tension was not missed by either man. Nor was the reality that they each were trying to systematically avoid the other at all costs. Despite what Dinn said the day he showed up on Creed¡¯s doorstep, there was nary a word shared between the two. He looked like a completely different person, what with his long brown hair and red tips that curled around his face and tumbled down his jacket. Not to mention how small his horns looked on his head. After years of chipping away at them, it seems they¡¯ve been downgraded to small nubs. And his tail, or rather tails. They had been split down the middle many years ago and it seems the fur never grew back.


    Why had Creed decided to put up with this tension? In his own home no less. His place of respite and solitude from the rest of the world. A place where he first felt at peace after years of fighting an unholy war. Was he just that gracious of a host as to not kick Dinn out after the first hour of tension? It¡¯s not like he didn¡¯t have anywhere to go. Dinn would certainly land squarely on his feet and not think twice about turning back. So why?


    The squeal that sprung from the kettle took Creed out of his thoughts. Removing it from the stovetop he hurriedly poured himself a cup of the boiling tea, and for the first time that day, he turned to face Dinn. Dinn glanced back at him, noting his movement, but again he quickly looked away. Creed grimaced.


    ¡°So?¡±


    He spoke, his calm voice breaking the silence.


    Dinn turned back almost startled.


    ¡°Are we going to talk today?¡±


    Creed asked staring directly into Dinn¡¯s eyes, as if willing him to speak up for once. But Dinn only sputtered. His mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Did he truly have anything he needed to say? Or was this all just a ruse to force himself into Creed¡¯s home again? Dinn¡¯s eyes turned downward as if he was deep in thought about what he wanted to say. Surely, he¡¯d respond with an apology. An explanation? Something that at least made him ending up at Creed¡¯s doorstep somewhat meaningful. More than just hanging around the cabin. More than just eating his food and sleeping in his guest room. Surely there must be something he needs to say, right?


    ¡°What do you want to talk about?¡±


    Dinn responded with a sudden spark of insight, as if this question wasn¡¯t the most infuriating thing to ever grace his lips. What did Creed want to talk about? That wasn¡¯t the deal. The deal was Dinn would talk and Creed would listen. Creed had no questions that needed answers anymore. As far as he knew, Dinn¡¯s actions spoke volumes about him. He was selfish, egotistical, a lost cause. It was Dinn¡¯s responsibility to prove him wrong. But those words jumped out at him just proving his bias. Did Dinn even know what he did wrong? Or was he expecting to return and drum up a bunch of excuses for Creed¡¯s questions?


    Creed shook his head, irritated to no end. Why was he holding out hope that something different would happen? That somehow Dinn had changed? Impossible. Dinn can¡¯t change if he never did anything wrong. With a heavy sigh that revived the tension in his home, Creed turned and walked out of the kitchen.


    ------------


    Dinn didn¡¯t know if he would ever get used to his surroundings. He¡¯d been living deep in the city for the past few years after the war ended. But here, in Creed¡¯s cabin on the outskirts of town? There was something so odd about it all. Waking up every morning to the birds squawking away. Hearing the owls and the wolves at night. Being able to walk around midday and be completely isolated except for the buzzing of the few bugs that shared this home. Was this how Creed had been living since they separated? All alone out here with just the rivers, trees, and animals for company?


    The first time they met, Creed had been obsessed with big city life. He wanted to see all the world had to offer and experience the hustle and bustle of a frantic workday. He was an odd one, especially when confronted by city folk who lived those days for their whole life. They couldn¡¯t understand what was so magical to him about life in the fast lane.


    They were younger back then.


    Now Creed submitted himself to a quiet simple life, away from needless distractions and loud noises. Dinn had seen the war change all types of men. Not just from hopeful to destitute, or from angry to a concerning calm, but everything in between. But had he really missed that much of Creed¡¯s life that he¡¯d never imagined that this would¡¯ve been where he ended up?


    When Dinn was finally able to track him down, he almost didn¡¯t believe it until he ended up on Creed¡¯s doorstep. His hair was much longer than he remembered, almost as if he grew it out on purpose as a way to combat the dress code that had to follow during the war. However, most of its color had long since faded, it seemed. What was once an annoyingly vibrant pink, purple, and orange had faded to the point that the pink and orange were almost the same color. Creed was a bit older than Dinn, but not by much. That fact that his hair was fading and graying much quicker than his own spoke volumes about the taller man. His small antlers were still perfectly precise, but his white claws were chipped and badly damaged, as were the rest of his arms. Burn mark and scars littered his forearms and rode their way up to his chest. Dinn wondered how many scars he had missed since they separated. And now seeing the way Creed lived day to day in this small cabin, this was definitely not a front for his real life. This was his life.


    Coming back to Creed wasn¡¯t an easy decision, but Dinn did believe it was what he wanted at the time. But now, seeing this Creed. This Creed that shares the same name, face, and voice, but is so different than the one he once knew. Was this the Creed he wanted to come back to?


    Dinn was startled by the back-door opening, immediately pulled from his thoughts as Creed stepped outside. Dinn surmised he must¡¯ve been done with cleaning for the day and was now going to tend to his plants, as he did every day. Creed didn¡¯t even look his way as he walked out onto his land and knelt down beside his vegetables. Dinn took a moment to look at him and ponder.


    Maybe he wasn¡¯t the same as before, but neither was Dinn, right? Surely, he wasn¡¯t the same selfish child who first entered the war for his own desires all those years ago. Hadn¡¯t he changed and created a new life for himself? One where he felt that he would be good enough to fall in love again?


    But looking at Creed, working away silently and calmly. Seeing how much he¡¯d changed and grown to be someone so foreign to him. Has he not done enough to change? Could they have what they once did? Or was it really just another waste of his time?


    -----------


    Creed didn¡¯t know why, but the sun was especially bright today. Looking up he saw a large stack of clouds in the sky, but still he found himself squinting to see anything directly in front of him. In essence everything felt like it was glowing, and Creed could barely stand to keep his eyes open. He thought working in his garden would help soothe his frayed nerves, but the plants just shone back at him, as if mocking his attempts to get away from the light. Frustrated Creed held his arm in front of his eyes, willing the light to fade, stumbling carelessly back up the steps to his cabin. He¡¯d hit and nearly tripped on a step as he made is way inside. In the back of his head he heard Dinn calling for him, asking if he was alright, but he didn¡¯t respond. His eyes were now dry and stinging, and he thought a quick wash would get them sorted out.


    Stumbling blindly into his bathroom Creed hovered over his sink, splashing his face with the cool water that leapt from it. In a moment of respite Creed allowed himself a quick peak at the world. The lights in the bathroom were off and the shadows were a much-needed relief.


    He remembered the feeling of the world going white after experiencing pain so intense that it nearly killed him. But this was not that. There was no evident pain; not in his side, not in his back, nor in his chest. Just a nagging white light that blocked his vision. He couldn¡¯t tell where it was coming from or why it had just suddenly appeared.


    Straightening his back Creed gripped tightly onto the edge of the sink as he nearly fell backwards. He felt dizzy, his head didn¡¯t hurt but he was dizzy. Steadying himself he took a look at his reflection as if willing it to answer his questions. That¡¯s when he saw it.


    The wall behind him held an unnatural bright glow. Even in the shadows of the bathroom it very obviously was expelling a white blinding light, to the point that Creed almost couldn¡¯t see his reflection. Whipping his head around Creed thought he¡¯d be once again assaulted by this light, but looking at the wall behind him, there was nothing there. No sense that it could give off any light at all, let alone one bright enough to rival the sun. It was just a regular wall hidden in shadow.


    Turning back around Creed was horrified to see a few new figures in the reflection. A few sets of glowing white hands reached for him from behind. Before he had time to react, they grabbed a hold of him. This time there was no denying it, he could feel their boney fingers and their long nails digging deep into his exposed skin. They began wrapping themselves around him, ignoring Creed¡¯s cries of protest. They were pulling him back, back towards the glowing wall behind them.


    ¡°Dinn! DINN!¡±


    Creed finally called out finding his voice once again. He didn¡¯t know what Dinn could do, but if anything, he at least wanted a witness to his disappearance at the hands of these disembodied figures that were forcing him back into the light.


    A sudden pounding of footstep grew closer, and Dinn appeared at the entrance to the bathroom. His eyes wide with shock at what he saw. Creed being taken away by some glowing figures he could not understand, being dragged through a wall of his home into some gate of light.


    ¡°Dinn help me!¡±


    Snapped out of his momentary surprise Dinn lurched forward grabbing onto Creed¡¯s hand and trying to pull him back through, away from the light. He struggled roughly against the strength of these figures. Their grip was so tight, and their strength was unimaginable for appendages without a body.


    ¡°Let him go!¡±


    Dinn roared. But just as he did a new set of hands leapt out from the light and grabbed onto Dinn¡¯s shoulders. He too was now being pulled towards the gate. Looking back at what little bit he could still see of Creed, Dinn only saw one unblinking eye filled with terror staring back at him. He hadn¡¯t seen Creed so horrified in years, and this solidified his own horror at the unknown predicament they found themselves in.


    ¡°Hold on Creed!¡±


    Being unable to pull Creed back through the wall, Dinn resigned himself to tightly gripping Creed¡¯s hand and allowing them both to be pulled the full way through the portal. If he couldn¡¯t keep them from whatever lied on the other side, he didn¡¯t want to lose Creed in the mess that would surely await them.


    Once the light faded the cabin stood silent once again, as if nothing had ever taken place. No windows were broken, no property damaged, nothing stolen. From the outside one would assume it was just a peaceful cabin where two men lived enjoying the silence away from the hustle and bustle of city life. But if anyone was to enter, they¡¯d find a much different story.


    -------------


    There was an incessant pounding in Dinn¡¯s head as he awoke. All around him he could see nothing but white, and for a moment he thought his vision had faltered. Shifting his head to look around he caught sight of Creed lying just a few paces to his right. His body was unnervingly still and Dinn¡¯s heart dropped. With great effort Dinn attempted to stand, still extremely dizzy and slightly battered from the fall. Carefully he made his way over to Creed. As he got closer Creed¡¯s body finally shifted only slightly. He was alive.


    Dinn sighed in relief, letting out what he didn¡¯t realize he¡¯d been keeping in. Dinn had only seen Creed as still as a corpse one other time and he wasn¡¯t one to relive horrible memories.


    ¡°Creed?¡±


    Dinn called out softly as he came closer. Supporting his weight on his elbows Creed looked over to see Dinn kneel just beside him.


    ¡°Dinn? Where are we?¡±


    He asked shifting around to sit up properly. Dinn could see Creed¡¯s eyes were still blown out, an indicator that he was still terrified. Understandable considering the world around them had morphed into a vast plain of white. No shadows, no walls, no sky, no evidence that they were still in the world of the living.


    Helping Creed to his feet Dinn responded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The last thing I remember was getting pulled through that portal.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­but why?¡±


    Creed asked the open air. It was clear that he was distracted by his own thoughts than actually directing his attention toward Dinn or his answers. Dinn gripped tightly onto Creed¡¯s elbow, something he did regularly back when they were fighting on the same side. He had just found the physical contact somewhat comforting. As if it meant that he was truly still alive and that someone took notice of his existence. But now, he wasn¡¯t sure. Sure, Creed was standing right next to him, but he was in the same situation. Who¡¯s to say Creed wasn¡¯t dead too?


    Suddenly the pair heard a loud screeching sound from behind them. As if someone was dragging an iron nail over glass. Dinn and Creed both covered their ears tightly, feeling as though their heads would pop off as the sound grew in intensity. They quickly ducked down to the ground fearing some sort of bombardment or attack from a force they couldn¡¯t see. The sound was now ear piercingly loud and they could do nothing to stop it.


    Just then a voice broke through the piercing sound. It spoke in a brassy raspy voice, as if it hadn¡¯t been used for many years.


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    ¡°Do not be afraid.¡±


    It said. Though the voice was calm, its booming intensity instantly made the pair pause and look up in abject horror at what they saw. What was staring back at them could not be described so easily. It looked down on them with its many eyes and spoke with its many mouths.


    ¡°Do not be afraid I said. I am not here to hurt you.¡±


    But the rings of fire that surrounded its form spoke a different story. The form was moving, ever changing the more it was observed; as if it had no literal form on its own. Its body would shift with spikes and rings and mouths and hands. Great wings would drip and morph through all stages of life and all varieties of winged creatures. The fire would quell and grow and rotate and shift of its own desire. And the eyes, oh the eyes. They¡¯d close and open always in different places, but always with the same unsettling stare directed at the pair.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Dinn asked finding his voice again.


    ¡°Who I am is not important. Who you are is much more meaningful.¡±


    It said. Dinn looked over at Creed hoping to catch his eyes, but Dinn only saw terror etched across his face. His knees were bent, making him almost as short as Dinn, his hands hovered over his ears with his fingers pressed tightly into claws scratching his skin. His eyes had not left the being since it appeared, his pupils dilated drastically.


    ¡°Creed. Creed!¡±


    Dinn tried to call to him, but it was obvious his mind was anywhere but here at the moment. With a deep breath Dinn shot out his hands grabbing Creed by the shoulders.


    ¡°Creed look at me!¡±


    Creed noticeably jumped in place and Dinn could feel him trembling. But luckily it seemed like he could breathe again despite himself. His breaths came out shaky, but it was more than nothing.


    ¡°You are Creed. And you are Dinn.¡±


    The being spoke, gripping both men¡¯s attention, before Dinn could say anything that might calm Creed¡¯s nerves.


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡±


    Dinn spat back.


    ¡°We need your help.¡±


    Now Dinn and Creed looked at each other, their questioning gazes mirrored in each other. There were so many questions. Who is ¡°we?¡± Why them? Why had they taken them from their world? What could they do to help this creature?


    But Creed could only ask one question.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    He stammered.


    ¡°There has been a mistake. A critical mistake that could shape the future of the worlds. This one, and all of its altered forms.¡±


    Creed and Dinn had been silenced by the beings booming voice. They didn¡¯t understand what it was saying, but they knew they needed to heed its words if they wanted to survive.


    ¡°Your counterparts¡¯ souls have been mixed up. A green one has ended up with a red, a blue with a yellow, a purple with a white, and so on. You are one of the only pairs that have ended up in your correct spots¡ª¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    Creed interrupted.


    ¡°Creed just listen!¡±


    Dinn shot back in fear of angering the being.


    ¡°No! I don¡¯t understand! Altered worlds? Counterparts? Souls¡ªWhat does any of this have to do with us?¡±


    He was sputtering again. The being¡¯s words were indeed causing him to panic, but Dinn didn¡¯t know how to calm him. He too was so utterly confused and terrified at the thought of not knowing. But the beings voice didn¡¯t waver.


    ¡°You are Creed. And you are Dinn. The correct ones in your world. The correct ones for each other.¡±


    It said shifting its many eyes between the pair.


    ¡°Think of it as if you¡¯re sorting marbles. You are both cat¡¯s eyes, therefore you are in your correct spot in your box together. But in the next box there is a cat¡¯s eye and an onionskin. And in the next box there is a pearl and a mica. And in a box a few rows down, there is a swirly and a tiger. None of those go together, and yet they were put in the same boxes for safe keeping. Isn¡¯t that awful? To have so many mismatched marbles.¡±


    Dinn still didn¡¯t really understand what the being was going on about, but he hazards a guess that its mistake had something to with souls in odd places. Maybe?


    ¡°So, what do you want us to do about your¡­marbles?¡±


    He asked incredulous.


    ¡°Well, they must be sorted.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you sort them?¡±


    He shot back. The being paused for just a moment.


    ¡°Imagine, if you will, that I am newly blind.¡±


    The being emphasized this by closing all of its many eyes, finally adverting its gaze from the pair.


    ¡°Maybe then you¡¯d understand that a swirly can certainly feel like another swirly, but it can also feel like a cat¡¯s eye. In fact, perhaps all the marbles feel exactly the same according to my hands. I would need much more time to figure out which is which. Time, we do not have due to this anomalous circumstance. But, if two sighted people were able to help me sort my collection¡­¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re newly blind, then how do you know we¡¯re both cat¡¯s eyes?¡±


    The being¡¯s eyes flung open at Creed¡¯s question. It hadn¡¯t been anticipating such a statement. It faltered for just a moment.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? You two were my favorite part of the collection. My rarest two cat¡¯s eyes! So, I brought you with me wherever I went. That is how I knew your touch.¡±


    Creed shrunk back, suddenly faced with the being¡¯s eagerness had made him uneasy again.


    ¡°But, as for the others I can¡¯t be sure.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to ask this again once.¡±


    Dinn stressed, his own panic forming into anger.


    ¡°What. Do. You. Want. Us. To. Do?¡±


    The being stared back at the ignorant man. Realizing that his blatant emotions in protecting his Creed were overcoming his fear of the figure. It had doubted itself before, but now there was no question. These two were indeed cat¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I have created a home for you and your altered forms wayward souls. Here, in the heart of Infinity. It is the place you see around you. This glorious white canvas that can be perfected to your liking, whatever that may be. I have opened up portals to The Infinity from each altered world and sent invitations to every Creed and Dinn I could find. If they heed my warnings, they too will be arriving here shortly in order to quell this anomaly. Your job, as Guardians of this piece of The Infinity, is to help each Creed find their true Dinn, and help each Dinn find their true Creed. That is why I have brought you here first.¡±


    That was their job? To play fucking matchmaker for a bunch of beings they had no idea existed until now?! Just because they may share their same names does not mean they¡¯ll ever be able to recognize who goes with who.


    ¡°And if we refuse?¡±


    Creed spoke up, his breaths evening out and his voice shaking a lot less. The being paused.


    ¡°I have left you both a portal back to your original world. Seeing as how you are not a part of the anomaly; it would make sense that you could return home at any time. However, just know that if this anomaly continues to plague the many worlds, then it will come to affect you as well. The glitch in our system will result in the worlds working to tear themselves apart and attempt to fit neatly back together like a puzzle. Even for a perfect world like your own. The universe crumbling and morphing into small bite size pieces will surely tear apart humanity and everything that comes with it. To us this is no big deal. For when the worlds do piece back together life can start anew from the very beginning. But, for you, death will be slow and painful. That is, if you refuse. The choice is yours.¡±


    And with that ominous foretelling the being slowly melted away into the world around them, becoming nothing more than a streak of light that shone from the white sky. Creed and Dinn could only stare in stunned silence at the place it once was. With a large metallic sound, a singular hole opened up behind them. A swirling blue vortex stood moving rhythmically, as if calling to the two stunned men. This must be their portal home. Or maybe it was the portal that the altered forms were supposed to enter from? Or perhaps both?


    Creed didn¡¯t have much time to ponder. With a sudden wave of dizziness coming over him he fell to the ground, slipping through Dinn¡¯s numb hands.


    --------------


    Dinn didn¡¯t know how long it had been since Creed had fainted. There was no way to tell the passing of time here in The Infinity. At the moment, in spite of everything that happened, Dinn¡¯s mind was completely blank. As he stared at the swirling blue vortex before him, he couldn¡¯t stop and think about what they had gotten themselves into. He thought for sure his mind would be racing about all the possibilities for their situation, but he could only sit and listen to Creed¡¯s soft breaths as he waited for him to awaken. His body and mind were numb without Creed¡¯s guidance in this moment. Even if Creed was more freaked out than him, it was his questioning that allowed Dinn to come up with answers. Some may say this would be a weird way for the two¡¯s relationship to blossom, but it¡¯s how it¡¯s always been.


    Dinn had found Creed intriguing from the moment he saw him. He was odd compared to everyone else. The way he spoke, moved, and even his powers were unlike anything he had seen before. But it wasn¡¯t until the two began to buttheads that Dinn felt a growing chemistry between them. To everyone else the two looked like they were always arguing, but Dinn and Creed knew this was just how they got work done. Creed would be the only one brave enough to question Dinn¡¯s motives, his plans, and his arrogance. In turn Dinn had become quick witted and found that the answers to Creed¡¯s questions became faster and more precise, to the point that the holes in his strategies were few and far between. It had become obvious after a while that Creed was his superior. He had known all of the answers before he even asked, but he needed to get Dinn to realize those answers for himself. If Creed had come in with answers to questions no one asked either he would¡¯ve looked like a fool, or he would¡¯ve taken Dinn¡¯s spot as a strategist. Something Creed stated many times over, that he did not want.


    Ever since those old days Dinn found that Creed was the only one he was able to bounce ideas from and hold conversations with. Every other person he had tried to seduce or friend he had tried to make fell short of comparing to his former partner. In this moment, with Creed passed out cold, lying on Dinn¡¯s lap, Dinn¡¯s mind couldn¡¯t come up with anything. He was lost. All he could think about was time.


    Whether he was trying to count that passing seconds into minutes. Or lamenting the fact that he had no clue if he should be falling asleep or getting ready for work. He staked a lot of his life on time in the past few years, and not knowing was driving him mad.


    Please, please, I just need the time.


    Suddenly a sound like a balloon popping sprung up right next to his arm. And a small alarm clock fell to the ground by his side. Dinn looked at the clock, not fully aware of what had just happened. He reached for it cautiously. The clock was the same shade of white as the rest of the room, but it was the only 3-dimensional object he had seen in quite a while. Turning it over he looked at its face as it slowly ticked away. 1:24pm it read. Dinn could barely believe his eyes. Was this real? Or just some figment of his imagination? Was it really 1:24pm, or was The Infinity just playing tricks with his mind?


    Had he willed this thing into existence?


    No, surely not. That just sounded completely absurd.


    And yet, here it was. The very thing he desired sitting in the palm of his hand, ticking away as if it couldn¡¯t know that it didn¡¯t exist just mere moments ago. Sure, it was oddly blank for a 3D object, but it did the job alright. It told Dinn what he wanted to know, and he supposed that¡¯s all he needed, right?


    Feeling a sudden weight shift on his lap he looked down to see Creed stirring for the first time since he passed out. Dinn¡¯s mind suddenly started racing. Creed need comfort, he was probably freezing, he needed water just as much as Dinn. If Creed woke up now with nothing to comfort him, he wouldn¡¯t be in the right frame of mind to discuss what they needed to talk about. And above all else, Dinn just needed Creed to be alright.


    Creed¡¯s eyes opened and he was none too pleased to be met with the same blinding white landscape that he wished to escape from. It all came back to him dreadfully slowly. Being pulled through a wormhole, ending up in the middle of nowhere, meeting that being with many eyes, and being given a task of protecting the worlds from falling to pieces. His head was throbbing like mad as the memories rushed back to him, he had just woken back up and he already couldn¡¯t stand being here.


    ¡°Creed? You alright?¡±


    Dinn said, looking down as the man tried desperately to dissipate the fog in his head.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Creed croaked; his throat as dry as can be.


    ¡°Just a little dizzy.¡±


    Sitting up he noticed a piece of white cloth slowly fall from his body onto the seat beneath him. At first, he thought it was simply his large white jacket he always wore that Dinn had decided to lay on top of him in an effort to keep him warm. But looking down at himself Creed realized his jacket still hung from his elbows as it always did, sloppily cascading over the side of the¡­couch¡­he currently sat on. He picked up the white cloth, feeling its fuzzy warmth he realized it was just a large blanket. Turning around to face Dinn he was greeted with a cup of water that was offered towards him.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably thirsty. Just drink, we¡¯ll talk in a second.¡±


    Creed¡¯s mind was racing with hundreds of questions, but he couldn¡¯t deny that his throat was painfully dry. So, despite his better judgement he took the offered cup and downed its contents rapidly. Struggling to catch his breath after finishing the glass, Creed set it gingerly on the floor and turned back to Dinn.


    ¡°Where did you get all this?¡±


    He asked incredulously. There was no denying they were still in the blank world, so how was it that Dinn just showed up with all these comforts at a moment¡¯s notice? Was it possible that Creed had been asleep a lot longer than he originally thought? Dinn sighed.


    ¡°This is going to sound crazy, but it just kind of appeared when I needed it.¡±


    He shrugged, trying his best to seem non-threatening. Creed was still obviously on edge and the last thing Dinn needed was for him to faint again. Creed challenged Dinn with a quizzical look. It wasn¡¯t necessarily that he didn¡¯t believe him, but that he didn¡¯t understand how it was possible. He felt wary of Dinn¡¯s newfound ability and thusly felt wary of Dinn as a whole.


    Dinn noticed Creed¡¯s questioning glare, the look he had become so accustomed to. A look that meant tell me more, teach me your ways, prove it to me. The one way Creed challenged Dinn that always made him mad with a desire to please him. Dinn racked his brain for something that could possible explain what was going on in The Infinity.


    ¡°Umm, let¡¯s see¡­¡±


    Dinn took a quick look around him, only spotting the clock and the cup he had somehow conjured up just before Creed awoke. Reaching down he quickly snatched the cup from its place and presented it back to Creed.


    ¡°You probably need more water, right?¡±


    He said in an almost too cheerful tone to be met with Creed¡¯s incredulous look. Creed took the empty cup cautiously, not tearing his eyes away from Dinn.


    ¡°Maybe?¡±


    He challenged, but just then another popping sound occurred, and the cup was instantly filled to the top with fresh clean water. In a panic Creed yelped and immediately dropped the cup on the ground. It shattered into small invisible pieces that littered the ground. Creed¡¯s stare changed, it was now a mix of horror and confusion as he looked back towards Dinn. Dinn had proved what he had done, now he just needed to explain it.


    ¡°I think¡­¡±


    He paused. What was it? What could¡¯ve possibly caused items to just appear in their hands the moment they desired them. This wasn¡¯t something they could do in the real world, so why here? Why now?


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Just then Dinn was hit with a spark of insight. What was it that creature had said again?


    ¡°That thing! That being! It said that¡­this place could be morphed to our liking. So¡­maybe this is what it meant? Whatever we needed or wanted will come to us! So that¡­if we choose to stay, we can live comfortably!¡±


    Dinn stammered out his answer, not truly believing everything he said, but willing to fight for it if Creed challenged him further. But, to his delight, Creed¡¯s gaze softened, and he looked back down at the cup that laid on the ground destroyed.


    ¡°I suppose that makes sense¡­¡±


    Creed said quietly. Now it was Dinn¡¯s turn to look puzzled. Creed wasn¡¯t usually the one to be so quiet and reserved with his thoughts. Throughout their years together Dinn knew Creed would be willing to come to him with what was bothering him. But now, he barely spoke. It could just be the situation they¡¯re in, but Dinn just couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this would be a new normal for him. Did Creed no longer trust his insight, or was there something else?


    ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡±


    Dinn asked, but Creed looked pointedly away from him, taking a few deep breaths as he did so. It was obvious Creed had questions and Dinn so desperately wanted to have answers. All he wanted was to calm those frayed nerves the same way he used to, but again he was struck with the realization that Creed was not the man he once knew. He didn¡¯t know how to approach him anymore, and he didn¡¯t know if he wanted to.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do this.¡±


    Creed spoke though his voice seemed so far and away.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°This. This whole Infinity thing.¡±


    Creed gestured widely turning his head, but not looking directly at Dinn. Truthfully Dinn didn¡¯t know if he could stand to do it either. The mere thought that they¡¯d be stuck in this world waiting for some unknown souls to show up and ask them for help. It all felt like too much.


    ¡°But we have to.¡±


    Dinn said, mirroring Creed in looking straight ahead.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    There it was! There was the question he could answer!


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear that thing? If this goes on our worlds will break apart and everyone in it will die!¡±


    Creed could only shake his head.


    ¡°What if we deserve to die?¡±


    Dinn looked back at Creed and froze. What was this already defeated attitude? If they had a chance to keep on living, why wouldn¡¯t they take it?! If they had a chance to save everything they had built, why would they abandon it?! Dinn¡¯s mind flashed back to the war. Back when men accepted that they may never go home again. Accepted that there was a likely possibility that they¡¯d die fighting to protect others. Not just be uncomfortable, but to die for the safety of the innocent. How was this any different?


    ¡°Maybe we do deserve to die. In fact, maybe most of the worlds deserve to die. But, what would it mean for the innocent lives taken because of our complacency? As few and far between as there may actually be.¡±


    Dinn said softly. Creed finally looked over to him again, his expression somber, but understanding. He sighed holding his head in his hand for just a moment.


    ¡°Those were my thoughts those some odd years ago. Guess I¡¯d forgotten them.¡±


    Creed almost laughed at himself. The war had changed many men, but some things can certainly stay the same.


    Dinn marveled at the thought that this could possibly be their new dynamic. Creed felt lost in their current predicament. He wouldn¡¯t say it, but it wasn¡¯t just The Infinity that made him nervous, it was also the thought of having to rely so heavily on Dinn again. But the being had said so hadn¡¯t it? They are both cat¡¯s eyes. They are meant to be together. This only further solidified in Dinn¡¯s mind, he would win Creed back, no matter what.


    So, this was what they would be now? Creed a shaky uncertainty, and Dinn, resolved.

 Chapter 2 | Sparks Fly

    It had been a few days since Dinn and Creed resolved to spend their time in this small part of the Infinity. As desperate as The Being had been for their work to be done quickly, it seemed it was taking much longer than they¡¯d hoped. They¡¯d spent most of the first day just waiting by the portal to see if anyone would show up. It was as if they couldn¡¯t move, or breathe, and barely think. They were just anchored to their spots. And yet, nothing happened. The two ended up crashing on the couch for the first night, but after waking up with stiff necks and sore muscles, it was obvious they needed to start creating a home for themselves.


    The Infinity was akin to being trapped in a windowless doorless room. Despite its size the place was barren of any life. No sounds emanated from the void. Creed, having become accustomed to the sound of the birds waking him up in the morning, and Dinn, already used to the constant sirens that plagued the city streets at all times of the day, were deeply unsettled by this discovery. Walking through the white nothingness was almost mesmerizing. They¡¯d become so entranced with the way in front of them that when they¡¯d catch a glimpse of the other in their peripheral vision it would only make them jump.


    Dinn had decided to start setting up structures he knew they needed all at once. Not only beds, or toilets, or fridges, but creating bedrooms, restrooms, and a kitchen. Creed worked a bit more slowly. He created singular objects as they came to him. Being guided by Dinn¡¯s walls and partitions that separated the rooms he would tuck in objects wherever there was space. From important objects such as stoves, and showers, to small amenities like potted plants, and books. Creed seemed insistent on getting rid of the complete lack of smell that surrounded them. Yet, the plants, the candles, even the trash they would accrue would never have an odor. Dinn couldn¡¯t understand where this obsession came from, but Creed seemed adamant in adding what seemed almost impossible. Despite this, after a few days the two men found themselves occupying a somewhat livable though barren space. They had both important furniture that allowed them to feel somewhat normal, as well as some decorations that gave them comfort. And though they felt anything but normal, they were content to know they could just relax for a while until someone else showed up.


    However, in spite of all of their progress Dinn was becoming rather irritated with Creed. Creed had not spoken a single word to him since that first day, and he would barely look at him. Dinn knew that his presence wasn¡¯t something Creed was expecting, nor was it something he expected Creed to immediately enjoy; but now that they¡¯re stuck in a world with no life and no sound, the silence from the only other living creature was not only deafening, it was maddening. How could Dinn possibly make up for past grievances if Creed wasn¡¯t even willing to talk to him? Was he just supposed to talk to a wall and expect it to understand?


    This wasn¡¯t how he expected his time in the Infinity to start, and it was exceedingly frustrating.


    Dinn caught sight of Creed once again heading out into the exposed area of the Infinity. The area they had claimed as their temporary home was only a fraction of what this piece of the Infinity had to offer. Just outside one of the back doors laid the huge expanse of white that enveloped the area. Creed was currently standing just outside their home, seemingly enjoying the view of the few blank trees that he¡¯d set up there. He¡¯d really rather look at bland white forms of trees than Dinn? He¡¯d rather spend time with barren objects than Dinn?


    Dinn¡¯s frustration was slowly becoming anger, and without a steadying thought, he too stepped out into the expanse and walked right up behind Creed.


    ¡°Enjoying the view?¡±


    Creed jumped in his spot turning around quickly to meet Dinn¡¯s gaze. He clearly wasn¡¯t expecting Dinn to leave the makeshift home, let alone break the tense silence that enveloped the Infinity. With a steadying breath Creed¡¯s look of shock settled back to a neutral look and he turned back away to his beloved trees.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    Dinn gaped, taking a few large steps around Creed to stand in front of him. Did he really just turn his back on him without uttering a single word?


    ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯ve got to say? Nothing?¡±


    Dinn challenged. Creed¡¯s face was a mix of shock and confusion, as if it wasn¡¯t obvious that he¡¯d been avoiding Dinn for the past few days despite everything that happened. Or rather, had he not expected him to say anything about it? Dinn had been quiet and reserved when he was in Creed¡¯s home because the place was unfamiliar to him, but this wasn¡¯t Creed or Dinn¡¯s home. This was a place neither of them knew and so they were once again on the same playing field.


    Creed gaped for a moment, but once again shut his mouth and retained his neutral look. This only angered Dinn further.


    ¡°Are we going to talk or not?!¡±


    He shouted, his voice echoing in the barren wasteland.


    ¡°Oh, so now you want to talk?¡±


    It had been the first words Creed had spoken in a while, and they were laced with venom beyond his years.


    ¡°What changed?¡±


    Despite his chiding remarks Creed¡¯s face still held the same neutral look. Dinn didn¡¯t like this. He didn¡¯t like how Creed was able to remain so calm, it made him feel like the crazy one. The ex who couldn¡¯t handle the thought of the other moving on. But that wasn¡¯t him, that wasn¡¯t them.


    ¡°Quit acting like a child Creed! If we ever wanted to fix anything we have to talk to each other! Both of us, not just one!¡±


    Dinn spat back. Creed chuckled, his face utterly bemused.


    ¡°Excuse me? I¡¯m a child? And what exactly do you mean by we?¡±


    Dinn couldn¡¯t stand the laughing. What was so funny about their situation?


    ¡°How is the silent treatment not childish?!¡±


    He shouted.


    ¡°And yes WE! I don¡¯t see anyone else trying to fix a relationship in this Hell hole!¡±


    At that remark Creed¡¯s chuckles became full on laughter. He was now almost doubled over holding his sides as he roared with laughter.


    ¡°Who said I wanted to fix this relationship?¡±


    This made Dinn pause.


    ¡°What are you saying?¡±


    ¡°Dinn, you¡¯re the one who showed up at my doorstep. You¡¯re the one who came back into my life asking to talk, and ever since then you¡¯re the one who¡¯s said nothing. I was content living my life alone for the longest time. I didn¡¯t go searching for you. I didn¡¯t ask about you. I didn¡¯t even want to know about you. What makes you think me allowing you into my home to explain yourself was me wanting to fix a relationship that ended five years ago?! If anything, Dinn, you¡¯re the one giving me the silent treatment.¡±


    Creed said all this while still lightly chuckling to himself.


    Dinn will admit, he had taken Creed letting him into his home as a sign that he too wanted to repair their damaged relationship. That maybe he too had been feeling that old familiar pull towards each other, but just didn¡¯t have the courage to seek Dinn out. He¡¯d assumed that Creed was just as willing to talk things out and let bygones be bygones.


    And yet, here he stood, laughing at Dinn, mocking him with the idea that reconciliation was on the table for both of them. Was Creed expecting Dinn to grovel and beg for forgiveness? For what? Being a human that makes mistakes? He couldn¡¯t possibly understand what Dinn¡¯s life had been for the past five years! How dare he assume otherwise!


    Dinn could feel a sudden buzzing in his ears, rising to his scalp.


    ¡°So what, letting me into your home was all in an effort to placate me?!¡±


    Creed straightened a bit, his laughter falling away, and his tone becoming a bit more serious. He was careful to notice the way Dinn bristled with his words.


    ¡°No Dinn, I have no reason to placate you. I have no reason to string you along. You came to me, telling me that you wanted to talk about what happened all those years ago, and yet I¡¯ve been met with nothing but silence. In a way, it almost feels like you¡¯re the one keeping me around.¡±


    Now it was Dinn¡¯s turn to laugh. With a loud chuckle he threw his hands into the air completely frustrated at what he¡¯s hearing. That odd feeling now growing.


    ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is, you felt like you had no part in what happened all those years ago?¡±


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Creed¡¯s serious look morphed from shock to an irritated confusion.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°You only expected me to talk? So what, you consider yourself some innocent victim who played no part in the destruction of our relationship?¡±


    Dinn was getting heated. He could feel his body slowly pulsing with energy.


    ¡°Well, for a lack of a better word, fuck yes! I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not the one who walked out on the other for no fucking reason!¡±


    Creed spat, now he was angry too, just as Dinn wanted. Two fools fighting in a world where no one could see or hear them. And arguing is where Dinn¡¯s anger thrived.


    ¡°Oh, so now you¡¯re going to use the abandonment excuse again?!¡±


    Creed looked utterly bewildered at Dinn¡¯s words.


    ¡°Excuse?! It¡¯s what you did! You abandoned me! You did so several times, and for some fucking reason I was always dumb enough to let you back in!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe this.¡±


    Dinn said suddenly exasperated, the beginnings of small sparks forming on his fingertips.


    ¡°Did you think I was talking about you when I mentioned those ¡®innocent lives¡¯ we would be protecting by staying in this shithole?¡±


    Dinn was almost chuckling to himself now. The thought that someone who participated in a war to end all wars was somehow just another innocent was laughable to him. The sheer audacity! If Creed believed this, he certainly must be delusional. Creed shook his head.


    ¡°Of course I don¡¯t, but we¡¯re not talking about the war or this place. We¡¯re talking about the bullshit that went down between us.¡±


    Creed said reverting back to a frustrated calm. The way he could turn off his anger so easily irritated Dinn to no end. How could he have such a command over his emotions at a time like this?


    ¡°Well then, if we¡¯re going to talk about abandonment then maybe we can talk about how you abandoned the other surviving soldiers! How come they haven¡¯t heard from you in years!¡±


    Dinn shot back. Truthfully, he hadn¡¯t talked to the other survivors very much in the past few years, but he somehow had a small inkling that neither had Creed. Creed stiffened.


    ¡°I did as much as I could for my fellow soldiers. During and after the war! I¡¯m sorry that I couldn¡¯t be like the others! That I couldn¡¯t be some morale booster during the tough times or some excitable child during the good times!¡±


    And there was the anger bubbling up again. At the mention of the other survivors Creed¡¯s attitude became dark. There was something else behind that angry shaking voice, but Dinn couldn¡¯t pinpoint it, and at the moment he didn¡¯t care. As the sparks danced upon his skin, Dinn responded.


    ¡°Oh, so you were just another piece of furniture who couldn¡¯t get your head out of your own bullshit to corral other survivors?! Well then, maybe you were the one who deserved to die!¡±


    The silence that fell was a weight almost too heavy to handle. It was almost like Dinn¡¯s words were still echoing into the void, repeating again and again infinitely. Creed¡¯s face had broke, but Dinn couldn¡¯t tell his expression. His mouth gaped like a fish and his eyes darted back and forth, but he didn¡¯t say anything. Instead, after a while he turned deftly on his heel and walked back into their makeshift home.


    Dinn was left standing in the open, still on the brink of letting the force of his magic crumble the world around him. He swung his arms back and forth as if he was trying to hit something. The sparks that danced upon his skin ignited, sending small shockwaves out into the ether. He was lost, could only see what was just in front of him. Because of that he didn¡¯t see where they had gone wrong, where Dinn¡¯s many failures created this hatred, this dismissal of him from Creed¡¯s life. Likewise, he didn¡¯t understand what was going through Creed¡¯s mind. They¡¯d been apart for a lot longer than he originally thought, and he couldn¡¯t fathom why he was here now.


    But as Dinn sat down to ponder his life choices, he began to hear his words echoed back to him. Words that he realized were said from malice and shame. Words that were directly targeted to break an individual, not to hash out any issues. And as he sat there, his internal temperature cooling and allowing him to realize the severity of his actions, he began to panic.


    ----------------


    His heels echoed through the quiet halls of white. Cautiously he made his way through the winding tunnels, not sure where he¡¯d end up. Every wall was the same, every step sounded just like the last. He¡¯d never seen a place so barren of personality or love. How could this possibly be the place he was directed to by some higher power? He couldn¡¯t believe it.


    Just as he was about to turn back, he heard it. A faint whimpering somewhere in the distance. Somewhere through these white walls there was someone else and they sounded distressed. Gradually he picked up the pace, listening closely to the soft cries he heard and creeping around each corner. He swore he was getting closer as the cries grew steadily. At one point he felt like he was walking in circles. The cries neither faded nor intensified despite his constant movement.


    He started to realize that he was indeed circling a room, he just didn¡¯t know where the door was. Gingerly he ran his hands over the plain white walls all around him. It felt like an eternity before he felt a wall give to his gentle prodding. Easing the wall open he found a small room, just as plain as the last dozen, but not exactly empty. The walls were decorated with picture frames with no pictures and lined with blank plants that grew tall. Small tables were scattered carelessly about with candles, vases, lamps, and plants placed carefully on each one. And in the center of the room was a couch where the crying individual currently sat. Holding his pale hands over his red face and still crying softly into his palms. He was turned away from the door and his long multicolored hair covered him up like a curtain of shame.


    He stepped into the room cautiously, eyeing this poor pitiful figure.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±


    He paused at the voice that came from the figure. It was so quiet, lost in its own sorrow.


    ¡°Why did you come back? Why didn¡¯t you just stay the fuck away from me like you always did?¡±


    He could tell the figure was angry, but it was a deep wet anger that was overshadowed by an unrelenting sadness. A sorrow that must¡¯ve come from years of neglect that he was never able to face. Surely.


    He stepped a bit closer and that¡¯s when he finally noticed.


    The man sitting before him sobbing quietly into his hands, all but losing control of his emotions, was Creed. Those small antlers, or horns, he never was really sure, were indistinguishable from the ones he once knew. Those markings etched across his face. There was no doubt that this was Creed, but what made it so off-putting was that he reminded him so much of his Creed. His Creed who he spent so long next to, devoted to. The person he loved to no end. Was he really sitting in front of him right now? How could it be?


    ¡°Did you comeback to redirect your anger at me? Do I deserve that?! Am I just a being for your vitriol?!¡±


    Those words, the way he just spat them out with such anger. Who had hurt him to the point of such an unyielding misery? Who dared hurt his Creed?!


    ¡°Answer me dammit--!¡±


    Creed¡¯s head finally whipped around with such a force that swung most of his hair to his far shoulder. His face was stained with tears, his eye puffy and red, but his look was angry. But at finally turning to the person who stood before him, his look morphed to a sudden shock that racked his whole body. The candles that adorned them all sprung to life with purple flame. Creed stumbled to his feet backing away from the tall figure, knocking over one of the lamps on the side table just to his right. It crashed to the floor with such a loud sound, but it succeeded in holding no one¡¯s attention. Instead, the two men stared back at each other.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Creed said, his gaze a mixture of fear and surprise. The other man could only stare back with a somber expression. All he saw was a man who had spent the last few moments crying over some bastard who sought to hurt him. He couldn¡¯t stand to see his Creed unhappy, and this was almost too much for his heart to handle.


    He resolved that he would be the one to make Creed happy again.


    --------------


    Dinn still sat in the open expanse of the Infinity, steadily picking at blank white blades of grass as they grew to his will. It hadn¡¯t sunk in what had just happened, what he¡¯d just done. Probably because when his anger takes over, it¡¯s almost like he blacks out. He struggles to remember what he said let alone that he ever said anything at all. This was a huge problem for him back when he was a soldier. He¡¯d only been a somewhat higher rank than some of the other soldiers, so he always had to be careful about how angry he got around his superiors. Let alone his underlings that weren¡¯t willing to put up with his bullshit on a personal level.


    Perhaps now it would be just a tad bit easier to remember what he¡¯d said, considering the only other person in this dimension at the moment was Creed. He knew the grievances he had with his ex, so he could hazard a guess what the conversation was about. That awful silent treatment.


    However, now that he sat there, alone with his thoughts, he started to realize something. Creed hadn¡¯t been speaking to him at all for the past few days, but Dinn hadn¡¯t been talking to him either. When faced with what he believed was a complete dismissal he chose to fester in his anger for days. The moment he finally chose to break that silence, he came in like a raging storm. His words had to be harsh. He could hear himself yelling, screaming even, but he just couldn¡¯t make out the words.


    He needed to remember those words. Or at least a few.


    There was something that he said that set Creed off. Something he said that was the final straw that made Creed turn away from him in that last moment. But what was it?


    Creed wasn¡¯t one to let his emotions control him, he was a calm individual. Level-headed as far as he could remember. So, what had he done that broke that barrier?


    Straining himself to remember even a modicum of the conversation, he recalled a few small snippets.


    You¡¯re a child!


    Or something along those lines. How ironic, considering Dinn was the one who sulked around his ex¡¯s house trying to gain his pity. Is that really how low he¡¯d sunk? It had taken him so long to conclude that he wanted to see Creed again; that he wanted to know Creed again. And yet, the moment he got there he just froze up. Didn¡¯t Creed deserve something, at the very least?


    You¡¯re not innocent!


    What the fuck was this about? Innocent? Which soldier on either side could honestly say they are innocent and not immediately be struck down by some holy judgement for lying straight through their teeth? Innocent of what exactly? Dinn wasn¡¯t an innocent man, and neither was Creed! At least, when it came to the war.


    What else is there? What else could he possibly be innocent of? Dinn couldn¡¯t conjure any answers for that argument. As far as he was aware that part of the conversation was unimportant.


    You deserve to die!


    Well, yes that is an awful thing to say, but it wasn¡¯t something that would break Creed. Creed had asked the question himself, what if they do deserve to die? Not just him and Dinn, but everyone in the broken altered worlds. Why lose sleep over things that were not meant to exist?


    But, as much as Dinn racked his brain, he couldn¡¯t recall any other words he said. So those must¡¯ve been the last words he said to Creed before he turned away once again. Before he left Dinn to his own devices in the open expanse of the Infinity. That wasn¡¯t nearly enough of a blow, and Creed certainly wasn¡¯t that sensitive! Was he?


    No, he must be remembering wrong.


    You deserve to die!


    What was that he said? How badly did he hurt Creed?


    You deserve to die!


    The listless Creed who had honestly considered death the moment he was told to save the world would not hate Dinn for suggesting the same. He was sure of it!


    You were the one who deserved to die!


    Dinn nearly doubled over, his mouth filling with bile as he finally recognized the words he said as they rushed back to him. A sudden storm cloud forming all around him had shocked his senses back to life. He couldn¡¯t, he couldn¡¯t possibly have said that to Creed. His Creed! How dare he use that memory!


    The memory of Donyun.

 Chapter 3 - New Arrival

    Donyun was one of Dinn and Creed¡¯s fellow soldiers that almost everyone had been fond of. He was the youngest soldier in the group, which made him both an easy target and a surrogate child for the men who had left their families at home. Those who had children, who had been expecting, and even those who had never gotten around to it treated him like their own.


    Donyun was one of the few men who was filled with a lot of hope from the moment he was drafted. He was certain that the war would be over sooner rather than later, and despite the many times that he was proven wrong, he never let his demeanor waver. He was a ray of sunshine in the dull dull world of the barracks.


    Creed and Dinn had formed an unlikely trio with the young soldier. Being one of the only secret couples on the field, Donyun felt safe around them, knowing they¡¯d always come back together to help him with whatever he needed.


    Despite the harsh conditions everyone suffered, they all loved Donyun, and Donyun loved everyone.


    It had been about two years into the war when a tragedy like no other struck Dinn¡¯s battalion. Their leaders had believed they found two major enemy strongholds that held weaponry, battle plans, vehicles, prisoners of war, and soldiers of all ranks. There was a possibility that the war could end if they managed to claim both strongholds. The thought was intoxicating. So many men were already beaten down after years of fighting. They wanted to go home, to their families. So many innocent lives could be spared. The world could start building peace with one another again. The idea of ending the war promised a brave new world after the fact, and that thought was enough to drive the calmest man mad with desire.


    So, against their better judgement, their lieutenants decided to split the troops down the middle. Half of them would head towards the stronghold near the ocean, while the other half would head towards the stronghold near a volcano. Even the soldiers were excited at the prospect of leaving this war behind, freeing their fellow men, and finding a new life among the innocent.


    That was the last time Dinn had seen Creed the same.


    None of the other soldiers knew exactly what went down that day at the volcano stronghold. The soldiers who went to the ocean stronghold realized how badly they had fucked up the moment they arrived. The whole place was not only barren, it was completely abandoned. There were dried oil slicks and tire tracks that led away from the building. The figures in the windows that were once thought to be soldiers from far away, were either random columns or miscellaneous pieces of furniture that had been propped up to look like monitors. The allied forces had realized their grave mistake.


    They¡¯d been duped.


    They¡¯d essentially led half of their soldiers on a march to their death.


    Not only had the volcano stronghold been placed atop a massive active volcano, but it was also filled to the brim with large destructive weapons, bombs, missiles, and soldiers of all kinds. The stronghold had been packed with enough explosives to blow everyone to kingdom come. The allied soldiers had marched in confidently, unaware of what true horrors laid before them, and with no chance against the bombardment they surely faced. If the bombs didn¡¯t kill them on impact, they¡¯d open up large crevices to the lava below. Many soldiers were either blown away or fell to their doom.


    Hundreds of soldiers met their untimely demise in the most gruesome ways possible. Among the hooting and hollering of enemy forces, dozens of soldiers were picked off a handful at a time.


    The only survivor of this massive battle was Creed.


    No one knew how he was able to survive. When they found him he was the farthest away from the stronghold of any man and many bodies lined the pathway to his destination. His body was mangled, burned, and maimed. They almost didn¡¯t recognize that he was still alive with how much blood he¡¯d lost, but coming closer they could hear his short, labored breaths.


    Many soldiers questioned how it was Creed had survived. How he could¡¯ve possibly made it past every explosion, and sniper, and missile that was thrown at them, and leave with his horns still intact. However, the worst discovery was that there was a hand wrapped tightly around his leg. With an unbreakable death grip that shielded the area just above his ankle from the barrage of fire; that hand had been proven to belong to Donyun. The young soldier¡¯s body was just a few steps from Creed¡¯s. The lower half of his body trapped within a crevice that had opened up and swallowed him nearly whole.


    Rumors began to spread that Creed was a traitor, a war criminal. He¡¯d clearly abandoned not only his entire platoon, but the youngest soldier in the entire army, for his own life. Many soldiers became convinced that he was scum or even that he was working for the enemy and that¡¯s how he got out alive.


    Many soldiers began to say that Creed was the one who deserved to die.


    To this day Creed asserts that he has no concrete memories of the events of that day. The only man who survived the onslaught that proved to be the battle with the largest number of casualties in the entire war, had nothing to say about it. A convenient lie, or a devastating truth? But it didn¡¯t matter because the other soldiers had already decided what had happened that day.


    Dinn wasn¡¯t there to see much of the fallout after Creed was revived, but he could imagine the horror it was being surrounded by soldiers who rather you were dead. Meeting Creed again almost a year later had solidified that something changed, but he could¡¯ve never imagined how much.


    After Donyun¡¯s death was the second time Dinn had left Creed.


    ---------------


    You were the one who deserved to die!


    Dinn had never played into the other soldier¡¯s hysteria, especially considering they were talking about his partner. But now, those words he said, they were vile. Those words must¡¯ve brought up one of the most painful and disturbing times in Creed¡¯s life. A time where he was painfully alone and treated like a criminal who deserved every bit of Hell he went through. And Dinn had said it just because he was angry?


    There was no denying it, he said it to break Creed.


    Dinn sprung up from his spot on the ground, a sudden jolt running up his spine. Grabbing his head as the vertigo hit him full force he turned towards their makeshift home. He needed to find Creed! He needed to apologize! Hurriedly, Dinn ran back into the building. Taking every corner sharply he continuously called out for Creed. Hoping beyond hope that Creed hadn¡¯t decided to leave his pathetic ass in the void.


    As he ran further inside, he began to hear some muffled voices coming from an odd place in the wall. Getting closer he could swear there was more than one voice talking back and forth. Finding himself right upon the voices he spotted a small crack in the wall that looked like an invisible passageway. Pushing through hurriedly he barged into the room seeing two figures on the other end. His Creed backed into one of the walls and another taller man looming over him. He immediately froze as the two men looked over at him, and his gaze locked with the strangers.


    This man had his face.


    -----------------


    Creed stood petrified, staring at the man who had just entered his room. If he¡¯d been thinking straight, he would¡¯ve realized early on that there was a strong possibility this wasn¡¯t Dinn; that the whole point of this place was for other people to eventually arrive. But he¡¯d been so overcome with grief that he didn¡¯t even consider it. When he¡¯d heard that door open, he just assumed it had to be Dinn. But the man before him was much too different to be his ex.


    This man stood just a smidge taller than Creed himself, his hair was cut close to his head, and he wore heavy sets of blue clothing. He had a large scar on the side of his cheek that still looked painful even what was likely years later. Those tear marks Dinn had on his face were gone, and his horns were much too small for his head. He still shared Dinn¡¯s five eyes, but only two were open at the moment. Dinn rarely kept his fifth eye on his forehead open as it is, but this man chose to keep his two bottom eyes closed as well. One of them, Creed surmised, he couldn¡¯t open due to the massive scar that overlapped it. He wasn¡¯t Dinn, but he did look similar to him.


    Another Dinn from another world.


    ¡°Creed, it¡¯s been so long.¡±


    He said, with a small yet mournful smile on his face. Creed had backed himself up against the far wall, despite this man not seeming outwardly threatening, he didn¡¯t know what he was capable of, and that alone was enough to trigger his fight or flight response.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Creed repeated a bit more forceful this time. He wasn¡¯t one to like his questions being ignored, let alone from a stranger invading his space.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Dinn.¡±


    The man took a few steps closer holding out his hand carefully as if to reach out and touch Creed. Instinctively Creed flushed himself up against the wall, trying to keep as far away as possible. He did not like to be touched! A small ring of purple fire languidly danced around his feet as the light from his side of the room suddenly began to flare.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question! I already know a Dinn!¡±


    Creed said turning his head away from the man, noting his nails were almost claw like in appearance, as if he was some animal. The man grimaced a moment, a flash of anger coming across his face before he settled again.


    ¡°Was he the one who made you cry?¡±


    Creed almost forgot what he¡¯d been doing just moments ago before the stranger entered the room. The sudden flash of what had taken place just outside between him and Dinn rushed back to him. How far they had gone in their anger towards one another. How willing they were to say things just to hurt the other, without so much as a thought of what it meant. He shed just a few quiet tears as a pang of grief settled in his mind. Though the renewed sadness was unwelcome, it did seem to douse the flames that had sprung up around him and dim the light that haloed him. The man¡¯s expression saddened, and he took a few more steps forward.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t cry.¡±


    He said softly reaching his hand out to wipe away a tear. Instantly Creed stiffened and slapped his hand away from his face. Just like that the flames shot up from the ground once again reaching as high as Creed¡¯s knees. The light emanating around him grew significantly as if it was coming from his hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡±


    He shouted, shocking the stranger as if he hadn¡¯t spent the last few moments trying to step away, showing his clear discomfort with the strangers¡¯ actions. Glaring down at the flames he had been producing Creed tightly shut his eyes and breathed forcefully in an effort to quell them once again. Clenching his jaw he repeated through his strained teeth,


    ¡°Calm down. Calm down. Calm down¡­¡±


    With a sudden spark of insight, the stranger held up his hands in a defensive position and took a step backwards.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    He said.


    ¡°I just¡­I can¡¯t bear to see you cry. I don¡¯t want to hurt you, but I don¡¯t know how to comfort you.¡±


    His voice was so genuine that it almost hurt Creed to still feel so afraid. He tried to relax just a tad, for his own sake and the strangers. If he kept up like this, he would surely have a panic attack and pass out. Or worse.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your comfort. I just need to know who you are.¡±


    Creed said evenly, trying to regain control over his emotions. He was usually great at that so perhaps focusing on that would help him calm down a bit. The stranger too took a few breaths before continuing.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°My name is Dinn. I come from a world that was once ravaged by a plague that killed many people. It petrified their bodies with either wood or stone over time. Many people had fallen to an untimely demise because of it. Though the plague has since been vanquished I cannot find happiness in the new world it has for me.¡±


    The man fell a bit more somber as he continued, this allowed Creed to relax a bit more. Creed had assumed all the people who came to the Infinity would be troubled in some way. They had to be to abandon their old home for the mere prospect of something else! Not exactly something better, just something different.


    ¡°So, where¡¯s your Creed.¡±


    Creed emphasized ¡°your¡± to make sure this Dinn knew Creed wasn¡¯t here for someone else. Hell, he was barely here for his own Dinn. He thought the Dinn¡¯s and Creed¡¯s of other worlds would pop up together, so either there was a random Creed roaming the halls, or he decided just not to come. Which would certainly not help the anomaly.


    The man shut his eyes tightly in a sudden show of grief and sorrow. When he opened them again his eyes glistened with tears not yet spilt.


    ¡°He¡¯s gone. He got sick a few years ago and I¡­I couldn¡¯t save him.¡±


    The sadness was palpable in his voice and permeated the air all around them. Creed almost felt a bit of comfort in knowing that the man also had a sense of grief. It made him feel alright with showing his own, even if it was to a complete stranger.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry to hear that.¡±


    He said. Sure, it was a pretty generic response, but above all else he meant it, and the stranger could hear that. He lifted his head back up to meet Creed¡¯s gaze, seeing his sorrow reflected in that face that was so similar to his own late partner. The man chuckled to himself lightly.


    ¡°I feel like I¡¯m dreaming. Finding you again in a place like this.¡±


    He said gesturing widely to the room.


    ¡°I knew you went to heaven, and for the longest time I just wanted to be there with you.¡±


    Creed tensed once again, putting his guard back up against the stranger. Perhaps it was the strangers sudden outpouring of emotions that made him uneasy; or maybe it was that Creed didn¡¯t feel like he was being listened to. The way he spoke made it seem like Creed wasn¡¯t his own person, just someone this man lost. He couldn¡¯t have that. He didn¡¯t belong to anyone.


    ¡°Listen to me.¡±


    He stressed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that you lost your partner, but I am not your Creed. I come from a world that was once destroyed by war, but now is trying to build itself back up on pillars of peace. I¡¯m afraid my world has been one of the worlds unaffected by this anomaly. Meaning the Dinn from my world and myself are meant to be there. The only reason we¡¯re here is to guide other souls who¡¯ve lost their way.¡±


    Creed tried to emphasize each word, hoping to get through to the sorrowful man. He needed him to understand that Creed was not only not looking, but that he cannot be swayed. Not due to his own convictions, but due to the fact that any more pressure on the anomaly could destroy the universe. His life is secured in his own world, not in anyone else¡¯s.


    The man looked puzzled for a moment, but as the words soaked in Creed saw a sudden panic come across his face.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be.¡±


    He said quietly, his hands beginning to tremble.


    ¡°Please, tell me you¡¯re joking.¡±


    He begged. Creed shook his head.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m not the one you¡¯re looking for.¡±


    ¡°But you look so much like him! The resemblance is uncanny! I knew coming here meant that I might see others who look similar to him, but never in a million years did I think someone would just be the spitting image of him. Please, take a look yourself!¡±


    With a sudden jolt the man dug into his pocket and produced a small picture. He held it out steadfastly to Creed which made him shrink back just a tad. The man¡¯s somber demeanor had been replaced with something far less appropriate and it made Creed uneasy. However, cautiously Creed leaned forward and carefully took the picture from the offered hand. He flipped it over to see this man, a bit younger, standing next to what appeared to be his Creed.


    Creed admitted that they did look drastically similar, same eyes, very similar markings, even a similar style of hair. The main differences were that their horns were shaped differently, Creed¡¯s were rather round, and the others were sharp, they didn¡¯t have nearly the same scars, and while Creed fancied himself with highlights in his hair and white clothing, this other Creed had plain shorter hair and black clothing. Creed shook his head as he handed the picture back.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I know we may look alike, but that is not me.¡±


    Creed said softly, hoping not to anger the man. The stranger took a few breaths as he took the picture back, looking from it to Creed and back. He seemed to be calming down again, as his once nervous nature reverted back to a sorrowful tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I suppose you¡¯re right. You two do look similar, but not exactly the same¡ª¡±


    The man didn¡¯t get to finish his statement as Dinn burst through the door, a sudden mixture of panic and surprise on his face, as he entered to see Creed talking to someone else. Creed had almost forgotten about Dinn, he assumed he was still outside somewhere and wouldn¡¯t come looking for him, let alone find him in a room he created in secret.


    The man¡¯s attention was now taken away from him, and anger boiled on his features as he faced Dinn.


    --------------


    Tucking his photo away he turned towards Dinn, the other Dinn. The one who must¡¯ve been the one that caused this other Creed to cry. He may have settled with the idea that this Creed was not a reincarnation of his late love, but it didn¡¯t matter. Anyone who hurt him was still a bastard in his book, and he wasn¡¯t willing to let that go. Not even for all the apologies or pleads in the world.


    ¡°Who are you?!¡±


    That Dinn asked, almost a mirror of his first interaction with this Creed, but with much more force behind it. He was trying to seem intimidating. Him? This man could barely scare off a squirrel let alone someone like himself.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re this Dinn I¡¯ve heard about.¡±


    The man snarled.


    ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡±


    He shot back. The man wasn¡¯t one for such obvious bravado from someone he already decided was a weak willed pathetic little man.


    ¡°Bastard.¡±


    He hissed under his breath, but just loud enough for this other Dinn to hear him. The Dinn¡¯s gaze narrowed, his teeth clenched in anger, but instead of shouting back at the man he looked over his shoulder and addressed Creed.


    ¡°Creed, who is this guy? What has he been saying?¡±


    His tone was harsh and direct. The man looked over his shoulder, having not heard a reply from this Creed, and his heart fell. This Creed wouldn¡¯t look at either of them, his eyes were downcast and his body sort of caved in on itself. He didn¡¯t respond to being yelled at once again, especially not to the person who broke him down.


    ¡°Creed!¡±


    That Dinn shouted again. The man quickly whipped back around holding his arms out to hide the figure of Creed behind him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t talk to him! Your beef is with me!¡±


    He said, trying to match the smaller man¡¯s aggression. How could he dare to yell at him again? After what this man supposedly did. The grief was evident all across Creed¡¯s features, and yet he felt the need to keep pushing him. There was no possible way this Dinn and this Creed were meant for each other.


    ¡°What the fuck do you know?!¡±


    This Dinn said, stepping just a tad closer to the larger man.


    ¡°Clearly I know more than you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    The man wasn¡¯t able to finish his statement as he was interrupted by Creed. His voice had been so quiet before that he almost believed he was incapable of raising it. The Creed stared them both down with shaky determination.


    ¡°Just stop it, please.¡±


    And there was the soft faraway voice once again. The man took this opportunity to step closer to this Creed. All he wanted to do was comfort him, but by the Gods he didn¡¯t know how! This Creed hated physical contact and that¡¯s a lot of what he understood.


    Carefully the man reached his hand out.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s best if we go somewhere less closed in.¡±


    He said trying to match this Creed¡¯s quietness. The air in the very small room hung heavy as it was, and he could imagine the thinner man was already feeling tense. Creed considered his offered hand for a moment before stepping toward the man, only to walk around him; rejecting his physical contact, but willing to take the offer of leaving the room. The other Dinn tried to speak to him as he left, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. Creed pulled his body away from him sharply and walked out of the room, not addressing either man as he left.


    ¡°What the fuck did you do to him?¡±


    The man said through gritted teeth. This Dinn turned towards him, caught off-guard by his words, but his demeanor quickly resorted back to anger.


    ¡°Stay away from our business, stranger. We¡¯re not here for you, so don¡¯t meddle in our shit.¡±


    With that the other Dinn turned and paced out of the room, presumably following this Creed, leaving the man alone in the tiny tiny room.


    He¡¯d heard Creed say that his world had not been affected by the anomaly, that the two men in fact were in their correct spots, but that simply couldn¡¯t be! He couldn¡¯t grasp how these two were supposed to ever find comfort and love in one another. Love wasn¡¯t about grief, sorrow, anger, or hatred, yet that¡¯s all he could feel between the two. There must be a misunderstanding, a new anomaly so to speak. And if it took this man the rest of his days, he¡¯d find a way to solve it.


    ------------


    Dinn found Creed in their makeshift kitchen, chopping what appeared to be a carrot. Back in the cabin Dinn often wondered if Creed escaped to the kitchen for his own amusement but was now starting to believe the kitchen was some sort of haven for him.


    ¡°Creed.¡±


    He called out, noting the small jump he gave as he turned to look back at him. Creed seemed to be struggling to come up with a response to seeing Dinn in the kitchen doorway. Was it because of the stranger still lurking the halls? Or was it because of the fight they had moments ago?


    ¡°Creed, can we talk?¡±


    ¡°Just leave me alone Dinn.¡±


    He said quietly, his chopping suddenly becoming louder and more uneven as he spoke. He was deeply frustrated, but how does he think Dinn felt? Of course, Dinn was frustrated about what happened and the situation they found themselves in now. But he wasn¡¯t just going to turn his back on it all again, he¡¯d done that one too many times.


    ¡°Look Creed, I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to say what I did. I know that¡¯s stuff difficult for you and¡ª¡±


    Dinn was interrupted by the sudden pounding of the knife on the counter. Creed had slammed it down nearly cutting his fingers in the process as he whipped his head around to glare at Dinn.


    ¡°Can you be anymore insincere with your words?¡±


    He spoke harshly, though still quiet and forlorn.


    ¡°Just leave me be, I don¡¯t want any more of this from anyone.¡±


    Turning back around he resumed his aggressive chopping, still refusing to talk about anything.


    What was Dinn supposed to do now? He¡¯s trying to apologize but Creed just doesn¡¯t want to talk. Even if he did get to apologize, who¡¯s to say Creed would even accept it?


    ¡°Hey, at least I¡¯m trying, okay? You know I¡¯m not good at this stuff!¡±


    Dinn replied, trying his best to not raise his voice, but faltering here and there.


    ¡°I knew you weren¡¯t good at talking back when we first met. That was years ago Dinn. Some would expect a bit of change over several years.¡±


    Creed said through gritted teeth, still refusing to look back at Dinn as he held his knife with an iron grip.


    Sure, Dinn wasn¡¯t good at communication when they were young, but he¡¯d still changed since then! Back then he probably wouldn¡¯t have even bothered apologizing, and now he was. That¡¯s got to count for something, right?


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to apologize, okay?! I know it was unfair of me to bring Donyun into the mix, let alone any of our former soldiers. Do you know how much I miss that kind of camaraderie? But I know it wasn¡¯t great for you especially after his death, so¡ª¡±


    Dinn had realized far too late that Creed had stopped chopping and was now slowly sliding to the floor hyperventilating. Shit! He didn¡¯t mean to cause him to panic again! But there he was, holding his chest and sputtering; desperately trying to catch his breath as his grip on his knife faltered and it clattered to the floor.


    Before Dinn could react, the stranger pushed past him and immediately crouched down next to Creed, gripping his shoulders in wide-eyed horror.


    ¡°Creed! Creed, settle down! You have to calm down!¡±


    The man said trying to get Creed to look at him.


    ¡°Stop! You can¡¯t crowd over him like that!¡±


    Dinn warned, not wanting to step closer in fear of causing Creed more distress. This stranger didn¡¯t know what he was doing; touching Creed, getting in his face, and shouting at him wasn¡¯t going to make the problem go away.


    ¡°What the fuck do you know about it?!¡±


    The man shot back, a mixture of anger and confusion written across his face.


    ¡°If you cause him to panic any more, he¡¯s going to faint! You need to back away from him!¡±


    Dinn had already done this once when they had first met the odd being that forced them here. He thought warning the man would help him avoid the same fate, but this man was another Dinn, so suffice to say he was just as stubborn.


    ¡°Then how do you propose we help him?!¡±


    Dinn didn¡¯t answer, as Creed¡¯s ragged stuttering breaths seemingly fell off, and his body fell limp in the strangers¡¯ arms. His head rolled to the side as it wasn¡¯t supported, and his grip on his chest and stomach loosened until his arms fell limply to his sides. The stranger, shocked that he had suddenly fallen into him, held him close to his chest, trying to support his head in the crook of his arm.


    ¡°I tried to warn you.¡±


    -----------


    Creed awoke to the fuzzy murmurings of two men. He laid in his makeshift bed in his plain white room, as Dinn and the stranger loomed over him, speaking harshly to each other. He truly didn¡¯t care to know what they were talking about and almost resigned himself to falling back asleep before either of them could notice he was awake. However, the men¡¯s voices would occasionally rise in pitch, giving Creed quite a scathing earful which he audibly groaned at, causing both men to look down at him and take notice.


    ¡°Creed, are you alright?¡±


    Creed couldn¡¯t tell which man was talking at the moment and he didn¡¯t care, rather he could feel the beginning of a monstrous headache coming on and he wasn¡¯t too happy. Slowly he sat up still rubbing his temple.


    ¡°You have a headache?¡±


    That voice came from his right, looking over Creed locked eyes with the stranger and slightly grimaced.


    ¡°Yeah, no shit.¡±


    He said breathlessly, he didn¡¯t care for politeness at the moment. Luckily, this shut the man up for once.


    ¡°Creed, I think we need to talk, alone.¡±


    Dinn emphasized from the other side of the bed. Creed glanced in his direction before going back to rubbing his eyes, trying to alleviate some of the pressure that was growing behind them.


    ¡°Not now Dinn.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see he¡¯s in pain?¡±


    The man asked pointedly across the way, with a harsher tone than Creed was ready to handle. Luckily Dinn remained mercifully quiet at the strangers open jabs. This caused Creed to turn back to the stranger upset.


    ¡°With all due respect love, I can speak for myself.¡±


    His tone was a bit mocking as the man had acted as if he was some savior or Creed¡¯s hero since the moment he arrived; something Creed wasn¡¯t too keen on. He did not need to be saved, nor did he want to be. The man looked a bit crestfallen.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to see you hurt again.¡±


    He spoke softly. At this Creed chuckled bitterly; what a farce.


    ¡°I bet you consider yourself some sort of fallen hero who has returned to save a dreadful royal. But let me get this through your head, okay? Dinn and I have fought far longer than we¡¯d like to admit, and we are no heroes. Don¡¯t expect yourself to be just because you don¡¯t like negative emotions.¡±


    Creed stared directly into the strangers¡¯ eyes while he spoke, his harsh words seeming to finally break some sort of barrier in the man¡¯s mind. Hopefully this meant he¡¯d stop following Creed like some lost puppy, he could only hope.


    With those words Creed went back to holding his head and pointed directly at the door.


    ¡°Out. Both of you.¡±


    He commanded, his voice not leaving any room for further talk. Without a word the two men rose from their seats and slowly shuffled out of the room, closing the door softly behind them.


    Creed flopped back onto his bed and closed his eyes, desperately willing sleep to come to him.

 Chapter 4 | The Quiet

    There was a wall, both a physical and non-physical, between all three men currently inhabiting The Infinity. For the past two days Creed had made himself scarce. Always in and out of any room just as the other two arrived. He was still hurting over something that the third man couldn¡¯t understand. He knew Dinn and Creed had some fight, but neither was willing to say what it was about. Dinn had tried incessantly the first day to follow Creed and try to talk to him. But Creed never made any motion signifying that he was listening. He was acting very standoffish and distant from both men, which the stranger simply found unfair. He wanted to get to know this Creed better, and he was being ignored just because he shared the same face as someone who hurt him. Dinn was also partaking in the silent treatment with the stranger. He would refuse to leave the room if both men were present, and instead chose to sneer and glare at the stranger until the tension became too much and the men dispersed. How shameful. To be so angry at a man he doesn¡¯t know.


    But then again, the man doesn¡¯t know Dinn either.


    The stranger had started to become accustomed to the powers of The Infinity. Creating any entity he desired had its perks, but it also had its drawbacks. The first day the man found himself merely opening the fridge and grabbing any meal he could imagine that was hot and ready inside. But, without the time out of the day taken to prepare it he became bored quickly. He could read any book but was overwhelmed with choices and so chose not to. He could create any plant but found that the ones he made were not nearly as beautiful as the ones Creed left behind. Somehow, he made a plain white surface twirl so intricately. He found he could have anything he desired, but realized he truly didn¡¯t desire much.


    Well, all except for one thing.


    The man stood at Creed¡¯s door; clenching and unclenching his hands in order to steady his nerves. All he wanted to do was talk! There would be no physical contact, no deeply revealing stories, no atonement for sins long since past. He just wanted to talk. And so, he knocked and waited.


    There was no movement. Not a single sound came from the other side of the door. Nothing to signify that Creed had even heard the knock, let alone that he was moving to open the door. Not so easily beaten he knocked again.


    ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time.¡±


    A sudden voice spoke up from behind the man. Turning around the man was none too pleased to find Dinn standing there with his arms crossed.


    ¡°He¡¯s not going to answer.¡±


    He said matter of factly. The man glowered.


    ¡°I just want to talk.¡±


    He said through gritted teeth. Dinn chuckled.


    ¡°You sure you just don¡¯t want to swoop in and be his hero?¡±


    He mocked.


    ¡°Maybe, that¡¯s what we should call you! Hero! So far up your own ass you can¡¯t see that nobody wants you here!¡±


    He said, his anger boiling to the surface. This Dinn was so easily angered, and the man couldn¡¯t understand why. To be fair, Creed was easily distressed, but he chalked that up to some tragedy he must¡¯ve faced. Nothing like what the man had gone through.


    ¡°Or maybe I¡¯ll listen to Creed and just call you Fallen! A fallen hero, so mesmerized by his own rise to stardom he didn¡¯t see how quickly his world abandoned him and couldn¡¯t care less about where he went!¡±


    Dinn was now almost giddy at his own words. His mockery reaching new heights that the man had not heard before. He scoffed.


    ¡°Does it make you happy to taunt me? Is that what little joy you can gleam from our situation?¡±


    Dinn¡¯s face almost instantly fell at the man¡¯s backtalk. Immediately reverting back to his primal angry state.


    ¡°Maybe you should listen to Creed and learn something.¡±


    The man said, careful as to not push this Dinn too far to where he¡¯d retaliate in full force. Luckily Dinn simply shook his head and with a growl and a flicker of the lights, he stomped off in the other direction. He knew he had nothing to respond with. He knew nothing about this man and couldn¡¯t read him the way Creed did. He was useless when it came to his emotions.


    With a shaky breath the man resumed his position in front of the door. He didn¡¯t need this Dinn distracting him from his ultimate mission; talking to Creed. With another calming breath he once again knocked on the door.


    ¡°Creed? It¡¯s me, the¡­other Dinn.¡±


    This time the man did hear something. A very slow shifting of cloth within the room. Was he leaving his bed? Or getting dressed? Or was that simply the sound of movement? With Creed¡¯s heavy jacket that dragged on the floor he didn¡¯t doubt the last one¡¯s possibility. But as he stood there wondering, the handle to the door began to move.


    The man hadn¡¯t seen Creed clearly in a couple of days, but still he was shocked to see the man who stood before him looking more distressed than usual. He hadn¡¯t been sleeping well, what with the bags underneath his eyes and his wrinkled clothes and messy hair.


    Creed didn¡¯t say anything when he opened the door, he simply looked up at the stranger as if willing him to say something first.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s been a while.¡±


    Stupid, he knew, but it was less distressing than ¡°what happened to you?!¡±


    ¡°What did he call you?¡±


    Creed whispered. The man hadn¡¯t been expecting Creed to talk so suddenly so he wasn¡¯t prepared to listen. And with Creed only whispering his words he couldn¡¯t tell what he said.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°What did he call you?¡±


    He said a touch louder this time. The man thought for a second. Dinn had called him two things: ¡°Hero¡± and ¡°Fallen.¡± Both in a viciously mocking tone, but the man couldn¡¯t say he was wholly against the nicknames entirely. He didn¡¯t want to be forever known as a stranger or ¡°the other Dinn.¡± Hero was much to on the nose for him. He didn¡¯t consider himself a hero in the slightest. Quite the contrary, he was a failure. Failing to protect the people he loved or create a life for himself after tragedy. No, he was a fallen man, desperate to get back up.


    ¡°Fallen.¡±


    He said. Creed eyed him up and down with a questioning gaze. One that almost unnerved the man.


    ¡°Do you like that name?¡±


    He asked incredulously. The man thought for a moment. He supposed he didn¡¯t mind the name, but to say he liked any name other than his own would be strange. He was Dinn, just not the right Dinn. He shrugged.


    ¡°I like it if you like it.¡±


    He said trying to be as non-threatening as possible, however this had the opposite effect. Creed¡¯s expression immediately soured, and he moved to slam the door in the stranger¡¯s face. Quickly realizing his mistake the man quickly moved to block the door with his foot and hands.


    ¡°Wait! I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it like that!¡±


    Creed had clearly already felt suffocated by the older man¡¯s desire to please him, so of course he¡¯d despise that response. How could he be so ignorant to that?


    ¡°I just meant that I don¡¯t have a preference!¡±


    Creed simply stared back at him with a challenging gaze.


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Yes, really. I do prefer my own name, but I know we can¡¯t have two Dinn¡¯s running around. That would just be confusing!¡±


    The man said chuckling lightly to himself, just trying to lighten the mood. After a moment Creed sighed and resigned himself to open the door just a bit wider.


    ¡°Whatever.¡±


    He said with a flippant wave of his hand as he walked back into his room. Fallen stood there for a moment, not knowing if this was an invitation or if Creed still expected him to leave. Cautiously he moved to step inside.


    Creed¡¯s room was rather odd. It was just as barren as all the rest, but the walls were drastically different. There were small divets and creases pressed into the wall as if it was some sort of stencil. Small bits jutted outwards as if they were coming towards you. The whole room felt dizzying, as if the walls were constantly moving and shifting while staying completely still. Still, Fallen persevered.


    ¡°Is there something you wanted to talk about?¡±


    Creed¡¯s voice took Fallen out of his thoughts. He sat casually at the head of his bed with his feet crossed in front of him. Fallen stepped closer, hesitating when faced with the fact that there was nowhere else to sit. With a bit of hesitation, he sat at the end of the bed, and luckily Creed made no motion of wanting him to leave.


    ¡°Not really, I just wanted to talk.¡±


    He said, hands in the air as if surrendering.


    ¡°Tell me a little bit about yourself.¡±


    Fallen asked a bit cheerier. He really just wanted to get to know this Creed, even if it would take him a year. However, Creed faltered at Fallen¡¯s words. His mouth open and closed as if he wanted respond but didn¡¯t know how. Did he just not know where to start, or did he not trust Fallen with his life? Either way, maybe it¡¯s best if Fallen started first. With a deep breath Fallen began.


    ¡°I actually used to live in a small cottage if you could believe it. It was always nice and quiet, though not as quiet as this place.¡±


    Fallen said gesturing broadly.


    ¡°You used to?¡±


    There it was! So, this Creed felt more at ease pushing others to talk about themselves but faltered when the tables were turned. Fallen smiled at his discovery.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess after¡­my Creed passed¡­it just didn¡¯t feel right.¡±


    It was the truth, but God was it still so hard to talk about.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°I suppose the quiet would be too much to bear after that¡­¡±


    Creed responded solemnly.


    ¡°Do you live in the city too?¡±


    ¡°Heavens no!¡±


    Creed immediately snapped up at the question, as if the thought of him living in the city was so grossly absurd to him. Fallen liked this more open Creed; but unfortunately, as soon as he appeared, he vanished. Almost embarrassed by his outburst Creed once again sunk back into himself and spoke quietly.


    ¡°It¡¯s far too loud and busy for me. I prefer the quiet.¡±


    Saddened by the departure of Creed¡¯s openness, Fallen was determined to bring him back.


    ¡°Somehow I think that fits.¡±


    An awkward silence followed. Both men felt like they wanted to continue the conversation, but just didn¡¯t know where to go from here. With a slight clearing of his throat Fallen chose to continue, as much of a failure as small talk may be.


    ¡°Question. Do you have these things known as Malmals in your world?¡±


    Creed eyed Fallen oddly, his face blanketed by confusion. Fallen had to chuckle at it.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    ¡°Malmals! Y¡¯know those round little chocolate malt balls that come in those clear plastic bags!¡±


    Creed still eyed the man warily, and while shaking his head, he responded.


    ¡°You mean Maltzens?¡±


    Fallen laughed.


    ¡°So, we do come from alternate worlds! They¡¯re similar just a little¡­off¡±


    Fallen emphasized his statement by crossing his eyes and shaking his head, as if the thought of the different yet similar worlds was just something to laugh about. Creed still looked at him with wide-eyed confusion, as if he couldn¡¯t imagine just having a normal conversation with someone. As if everything he spoke about in The Infinity needed to be deeply troubling. But, finally, with an astonished gasp, Creed began to chuckle lightly.


    ¡°You do not call them Malmals! It sounds like you¡¯re talking to your mother!¡±


    His laugh, though small, sounded easy but strange. It was not his Creed¡¯s laugh, but it was similar if a bit foreign. He was quiet. Much quieter than his Creed.


    Still, Fallen chose to laugh alongside the thinner man, happy to have finally broken through an albeit small opening.


    ¡°Swear! But if you called your mother Malmal in my world, you¡¯d be slapped upside the head!¡±


    ¡°Really? I thought mothers would like being referred to by something sweet. It¡¯s not like you called her a Prunnie.¡±


    ¡°What the fuck are those?¡±


    ¡°Dried dates.¡±


    At this Fallen roared with laughter at the thought of anyone calling his mother after an old wrinkled dried fruit. That woman was 200 lbs. of brawn, and she wouldn¡¯t let you forget it.


    ¡°Your head would be speared on a pike and put in the garden for decoration!¡±


    Both men took a moment to laugh at the rather visceral image, but soon things began to quiet down again, and this time Creed broke the silence.


    ¡°How is your family? Do they know you¡¯re here?¡±


    With that their moods settled into something a bit more serious, but lighter than their former grief.


    ¡°I could ask you the same thing.¡±


    It¡¯s not that Fallen didn¡¯t want to talk about his family, it¡¯s that he wondered if he still had one. Especially after the stunts he pulled. To his surprise Creed merely shook his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t got one.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a family?¡±


    Fallen was bewildered at the thought. Everyone had a family! Even if they were now estranged everyone had to have had a mother and father, right? Creed shook his head again.


    ¡°Nope. Got drafted right out of the orphanage. I didn¡¯t mind, it¡¯s not like anyone was waiting for me. I guess you could say the soldiers were more my family than anyone, even if I don¡¯t remember some of their names.¡±


    Fallen was flabbergasted. Out of all the things he could imagine about Creed¡¯s life, this was not one of them.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡±


    Creed looked up at Fallen, his face neutral.


    ¡°Why? It¡¯s not like it means much to me to have a family.¡±


    ¡°But surely you miss that connection?¡±


    Creed shook his head.


    ¡°Can¡¯t really miss what you¡¯ve never had.¡±


    Fallen studied Creed for a moment, as if he was looking for evidence of a lie. Evidence that Creed was actually burdened by the loss of a family and just didn¡¯t want to speak about it. But to his surprise he found nothing. The absence of a family seemed to be something that Creed was at peace with. Above all else, his ex, the war, his fallen comrades, it was the lack of a family that Creed had no trouble with. Internally Fallen smiled at the thought. Something he found devastating was like nothing to Creed, and he was happy that the other man wasn¡¯t burdened with such a loss.


    ¡°My family was a wild bunch. It was just me, my mom, my two sisters, and my one brother. I don¡¯t think we ever stopped annoying each other, even as adults.¡±


    Creed chuckled.


    ¡°Surely you must grow out of that eventually, right?¡±


    Fallen laughed heartily at the confused man.


    ¡°No, you just kinda find new ways to get on each other¡¯s nerves!¡±


    Both men laughed as Fallen spoke of his siblings.


    ¡°But, as angry as you are with each other, if they need you, you stay with them.¡±


    Fallen had meant this in a light jest, but he still felt troubled. It was true that his family had been there for each other for a long time, but in recent years those ties had weakened considerably. Looking back at Creed Fallen could see that his change did not go unnoticed by the other man. He honestly didn¡¯t expect it to, seeing as how this Creed had shown how emotionally aware he was of others. Would he dare to ask more?


    ¡°Tanin and I were like that sometimes¡ªTanin is another soldier I shared a bunk with.¡±


    So, he wouldn¡¯t ask further? So, if Fallen didn¡¯t present the information himself, he¡¯d never know.


    The two men sat there for what could¡¯ve been hours. Chatting casually about everything and nothing. Finding little discrepancies in each of their worlds and shockingly some small similarities. Fallen had come here in an effort to get to know the other man, trying to convince himself that this Creed meant nothing to him. Nothing more than a man meant to lead him to his ¡°one true love.¡± But the more they spoke, the farther he fell.


    And falling was the only thing he knew how to do.


    --------------


    It had been a while since Creed allowed himself a bit of respite in the kitchen. He found preparing food a bit relaxing rather than just eating it. He¡¯d just been taking prepared food to his room for the past few days in an effort to keep hidden from the others. He knew he could just wish for food in his room, but something about the thought of that churned his stomach. As if doing so would solidify the fact that he¡¯s becoming too comfortable in The Infinity. So there he stood at the kitchen counter, chopping away at a few vegetables, and relishing in the silence it brought.


    However, just a moment later Creed heard some footsteps approaching from behind him. He didn¡¯t know if it was Fallen or Dinn as he refused to tear his eyes away from his work. If it was Fallen, he may just grab something from the fridge and leave or start up a basic conversation. But if it was Dinn¡­well he was unsure of what Dinn would do. Creed heard the fridge open and close so he thought it just might be Fallen appearing for a quick bite. But then a tray of potatoes and a peeler were placed next to him on the counter and looking over he could see that it was in fact, Dinn.


    Creed steadied his nerves for the onslaught of meaningless words that was about to come. But, surprisingly, Dinn was mercifully quiet. For a minute he just stood there peeling potatoes as if Creed wasn¡¯t standing next to him at all. Creed could tell he was gearing up to say something, but he wasn¡¯t sure what. Perhaps he chose potatoes because they took a while to prep, and he needed time to think. Creed liked the thought of that more than the bombardment he¡¯d been faced with in the day¡¯s past.


    And then Dinn broke the silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    He¡¯d already said this numerous times before and Creed just didn¡¯t know if he meant what he said, or if he just thought it was the ¡°right¡± thing to do after an argument. Still, Dinn continued.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, for what I said¡­. That I said¡­you deserved to die¡­. I didn¡¯t mean¡­I would¡­never¡­¡±


    Dinn was speaking painfully slowly. Trying to choose his words carefully in an effort to just say what he meant rather than go around in circles with his thoughts. At the very least he finally acknowledged what he¡¯d said that upset Creed. He supposed that was a step in the right direction.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    Dinn sighed heavily.


    ¡°I would like to say I¡¯d never say something like that, but I did. But I didn¡¯t mean it! At least¡­I don¡¯t think you deserved to die¡­I only said it to hurt you at the time¡­. Which is no better I know¡­in fact it may just be worse¡­¡±


    Dinn quietly cursed at himself again. He was still talking in circles, but now at least he was getting to the roots of his thoughts.


    Creed knew Dinn was never great at communication, and his anger problems simply bolstered that, but there was something else about him that Creed couldn¡¯t shake. And it might be that Dinn just didn¡¯t want to admit he could do terrible things. Every apology he put forth was counteracted with ¡°but I didn¡¯t mean it,¡± ¡°it¡¯s not a big deal,¡± ¡°I¡¯m not that kind of person,¡± etc. Creed used to think these were substantial apologies, but not anymore.


    ¡°Dinn.¡±


    Dinn immediately stopped peeling and looked up at Creed. It seemed, at least, if he was willing to talk Dinn would listen.


    ¡°What you said to me was bad¡­it is bad.¡±


    It was Creed¡¯s turn to choose his words carefully. He didn¡¯t want to explode with emotion and potentially cause another fight. He just needed Dinn to know exactly how what he did affected him.


    ¡°It hurt me in the worse way possible¡­because¡­back just after Donyun¡­. passed, you left me.¡±


    Creed found it difficult to speak his fallen friends name, but he needed to say what was on his mind. He needed Dinn to know the turmoil that went through him in the past few days.


    ¡°You left me surrounded by men who were sure that I was a traitor¡­without a word you just abandoned me in that camp¡­I never knew how you felt about what happened. If you were¡­if you believed me or not¡­. So, when you said that during our argument¡­it confirmed in my mind that you had branded me as a traitor. Just as everyone else did¡­And that confirmation was too much for me to handle.¡±


    Creed felt as if his mouth had gone completely dry, his tongue turned to lead, and he almost felt a bit dizzy. He needed to speak his thoughts clearly for Dinn to understand. However, admitting to not only the past few days, but so many years of turmoil and doubt about whether or not Dinn had despised him for what happened was devastating in his mind. He¡¯d harbored so much fear, guilt, and doubt over what Dinn¡¯s thoughts were about the massacre for years, and now it was all out in the open. He felt vulnerable for the first time in a long time, and the feeling was nauseating.


    Dinn seemed to take a moment before responding.


    ¡°Creed, back then, I didn¡¯t know what to think. Not because of you, but because of the other guys. They were so intent on their own thoughts and feelings that I couldn¡¯t even get a word in edgewise. After losing so many men, everyone was devastated. And a lot of the devastation just turned into anger. And I¡­I¡­did leave you, because I just couldn¡¯t come to terms with my own feelings.¡±


    With a bitter chuckle he continued.


    ¡°Saying it now, I can see how fucked up that is. I left you because of my own comfort¡­I didn¡¯t consider yours.¡±


    The two men finally looked over at each other, Dinn sincere but Creed shocked. Creed had never heard Dinn speak so openly, let alone that he admitted he did something wrong. Something he couldn¡¯t make excuses for.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    In the midst of a tense moment Creed chose to laugh. He¡¯d been pinning Dinn as the one who was terrible at communication, and he was, but that didn¡¯t mean Creed was better by proxy. He too was so concerned for his own comfort that he refused to talk about any events where he felt wronged by Dinn. So, he laughed.


    ¡°Thank you for being honest with me. I can¡¯t say I suddenly know how to feel about our situation, but thank you for your apology.¡±


    There was a relative quiet after the two men spoke, but unlike last time, there was no oppressive tension in the air. Having spoken about their grief, their shame, made both men a little bit lighter. Sure, there would have to be more to talk about if they were to continue living like this in The Infinity; but for the time being they relished in the initial weight being lifted from their shoulders.


    -----------


    Fallen had been watching the two men from just beyond the doorway to the kitchen. He didn¡¯t want to eavesdrop, but he just needed to know. He needed to know what their fight was about, what they¡¯d said, what they¡¯d done! He couldn¡¯t bear being left out when there were only three of them present. It would drive him mad knowing that the only two other people in his world were hiding secrets from him. But upon hearing their apologies he was even more confused!


    What was this about the other soldiers? Abandonment? Had Dinn really told Creed he should die? And how could Creed just shrug it off the way he did?


    From their last talk Fallen had begun to think that him and Creed started knowing each other a bit better. At least, on a more personal level as opposed to what they had before. He¡¯d been told stories of old friends. The ridiculous things they used to do when they weren¡¯t on duty. His desire to see a new world bloom from the ashes of the old. And in turn he¡¯d told Creed so much about his family. About the way his brother became some sort of vegetable growing prodigy. How his sisters were the ones who insisted he start dating shortly after his first job. How his mother was a tornado of a woman that no one could talk back to. But hearing all this about the two men¡¯s past solidified how much he still needed to understand.


    And he will understand!


    He already devoted his time here to helping Creed be happy again and to do that he needed to know what was holding him back. What was it that was causing him so much pain? So, even if he had to sneak around to find out those secrets, he would.


    And as much as he already didn¡¯t like Dinn, he was pleased to see at least one thing that Dinn said made Creed happy. If only for a brief moment. Seeing that face alight, even if it was with a bitter laugh was something he could get used to. It was nothing like the harmonious tune of his laugh when they were joking, but it would do just fine.


    Stepping away from the two as they fell into a more peaceful silence, Fallen thought back to his late partner. His Creed. Looking at this Creed, he did feel a growing attraction and chemistry between them, but he would forever be known as ¡°this Creed.¡± His Creed, the one he lost all those years ago because of some illness that ravaged their small town, would always be his true love. He didn¡¯t know if he could ever let that go, or if he even wanted to. He wanted to feel love again, but he needed whoever he loved to be fine with his grief over his Creed. That was only fair, right? He didn¡¯t ask to be thrown into this world and told to look for a new partner. If it was up to him, he¡¯d still be home in a drunken stupor waiting for the day he¡¯d get to see his Creed again. Hopeful that they¡¯d find happiness in some beautiful afterlife together.


    Back home, where he was so ungodly bitterly alone.

 Chapter 5 | And Yet, Another One Joins

    Both Dinn and Fallen had woken up the next day to the distant sound of bells. They had started to get used to the ominous void of silence that The Infinity held, but these bells were so light and beautiful. It didn¡¯t sound like a coherent song, more like a simple melody being played on repeat. Slowly both men had crept out of their rooms tiptoeing towards the sound.


    Stepping out into the expanse of the abyss the men saw Creed, standing straight with his back turned to them in the middle of the living room. Floating just above his eye level were several varieties of crystals. Creed held his hands up as if he was commanding the beads to move using only his thoughts. The crystals were clicking together humming with their light melodies that echoed down the hallways. Larger crystals gave deep rumbling sounds and smaller ones were high-pitched whistles.


    ¡°Creed?¡±


    Dinn called out. Creed turned to him with a small smile gracing his lips.


    ¡°It¡¯s like music, yes?¡±


    He said, before turning back to his work. Fallen chuckled a bit at the sight. Couldn¡¯t Creed have just made a radio or record player if he wanted music? But seeing how much he enjoyed working with his little jewels, he wondered if this was more because he was bored rather than just the music.


    Dinn stepped forward, smiling.


    ¡°It is! Did you make these yourself?¡±


    He asked, watching the crystals jump and bump together. Their faces shone pink, peach, and blue, giving The Infinity its first bit of color.


    ¡°Actually, I just found them here.¡±


    Creed said gesturing down at the table before lifting his hands back up to repeat his motions never breaking eye contact with his crystals.


    ¡°Ah¡­wait, what?¡±


    Dinn reeled. Nothing was in The Infinity except for the stuff they made with their minds. You don¡¯t find things in The Infinity.


    ¡°I assumed one of you guys made it.¡±


    Creed responded only turning slightly towards Dinn and Fallen. The small harmonies persisted despite the men¡¯s apprehension.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t make these.¡±


    Fallen said.


    ¡°Neither did I.¡±


    Dinn repeated. The two Dinn¡¯s looked at each other utterly confused, but Creed persisted in his playing, seemingly not concerned with this new information, almost like he wasn¡¯t all there. Fallen found this a bit unnerving. Creed stood just in front of them, responding to their questions, but he felt so distant.


    Fallen stepped forward and grabbed at Creed¡¯s arm.


    ¡°You sure you didn¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Fallen cut off abruptly as all of the crystals fell to the floor, clattering with a loud ugly symphony of cracked glass. Creed stare back at him with shock horror. Fallen could feel him trembling in his arms.


    Quickly he released him, realizing his mistake.


    ¡°Sorry! I forgot, I¡¯m sorry!¡±


    Dinn was almost immediately at Creed¡¯s side, guiding him back as to not step on the now broken shards that littered the floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m fine!¡±


    Creed shouted, stepping away from the two men to collect himself.


    Dinn took a moment to breathe as well, as if he was steadying his anger as to not blow up at Fallen.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Creed, but we need to find out where these things came from!¡±


    He called out to the man now huddled in on himself in the corner of the couch.


    ¡°If there¡¯s some fourth person walking around here, we need to find them!¡±


    Fallen thought for a moment. A fourth person? The idea that another Dinn with an attitude problem could be stalking these halls leaving crystals behind as some sort of bait was oddly terrifying and expected for what they know of The Infinity. But then there was another thought. What if this was another Creed? The thought of yet another Creed entering his life almost made him dizzy. Would this Creed be so welcoming and warm? He hoped so. Well, it they were a Creed.


    With a few haphazard gulps of air Creed turned back to the two men, still a bit shaken but seeming to calm down.


    ¡°Is it possible that it¡¯s not a fourth person? What if it¡¯s those Beings looking over us?¡±


    Creed asked gesturing to the ceiling as if implying the Beings were some kind of gods. Fallen remembered meeting that odd individual just before he came to The Infinity. A large unknowable entity that spoke to him through a myriad of voices. It wasn¡¯t a dream he¡¯d like to revisit.


    ¡°Why would they give us crystals?¡±


    Dinn asked incredulously.


    ¡°To give us something to do?¡±


    Fallen tried to interject, but he had not bite to his words. He honestly didn¡¯t believe it himself; there had to be someone else here. But, why were they hiding? What would they gain from coming all the way here and not even showing themselves?


    The three men fell into a deep silence, all contemplating what their next move should be. Suddenly Dinn stepped forward and kneeled down to pick up one of the shattered pieces of crystal.


    ¡°So, you were just clinking these pieces together?¡±


    He asked holding two pieces and attempting to tap them together. However, the small shards made no noise when he did it. Creed motioned to step forward but opted to stay where he was at.


    ¡°Yes, it only works if they¡¯re in the air, so they can vibrate.¡±


    He said softly.


    ¡°Though I don¡¯t think they¡¯d be making much noise now.¡±


    Solemnly Creed held his arms together, looking down at the small crystals that were once producing a beautiful noise. He was saddened that he¡¯d dropped them all and broken the melody he was concocting. Then Dinn stood up holding his arms out like Creed had been doing just moments ago.


    ¡°I think they¡¯ll still work. They¡¯ll just sound different.¡±


    He said optimistically. The small shards rose from their spots on the ground and once again filled the air with their twinkling lights.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think¡ª¡±


    Creed tried to interrupt, but Dinn moved to clink two pieces together again. They did make a sound this time, but it was far off from the former bass of the large ones or the light bell of the small ones. Though it wasn¡¯t ugly. Dinn¡¯s movements were a bit more rushed and haphazard then Creed¡¯s, but the sounds he produced were not terrible. The melody was a bit faster and the sounds were more akin to a xylophone that someone was playing for the first time.


    Creed chuckled.


    ¡°I think you might need a little bit more practice before you¡¯re allowed in the band.¡±


    He said smiling up at the crystals strewn through the air, stumbling and shuffling their way next to each other.


    ¡°Well then, teach me oh great one!¡±


    Dinn called back jokingly. The men shared a good chuckle before Creed stepped closer and actually did move to help Dinn create a steadier melody. The two men working together were like two students at a piano. Perhaps they weren¡¯t always in sync, but the harmonies they produced were more than the sum of their parts.


    Fallen stood back and watched the two men at work. He was happy to know Creed was coming down from the fright he gave him a bit earlier. He didn¡¯t know if he should apologize again for his haste or simply leave it be as Creed was now enjoying himself.


    He may not be fond of this Dinn, but if he knew how to make Creed smile, then he was all for it. Looking at the way his face would light up as the duo somehow made complimentary harmonies, excited Fallen.


    Even if this new fourth person was another Creed, he didn¡¯t think he would take his eyes off of this one anytime soon.


    ------------


    ¡°You¡¯re going to give him a heart attack.¡±


    Fallen snapped up from his place at the table, turning to see Dinn leaning against the wall glaring at him with his arms crossed.


    ¡°You know that, right?¡±


    ¡°And somehow making him cry his eyes out will calm him down?¡±


    Fallen shot back, equally irritated by the other man¡¯s presence. Was he really going to get on him for making one mistake with Creed after knowing him for only a few days?


    ¡°You¡¯ve got more to make up for than I do.¡±


    Fallen said turning his head away as if Dinn wasn¡¯t worth his time. Dinn snarled at the comeback. He marched up to Fallen grabbing the back of his chair and spinning him around.


    ¡°Maybe I do, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that you could seriously injure him if you keep going down this road!¡±


    He spat. Fallen was taken aback by how upfront he was being. Getting so close to his face and roaring with a fervor he hadn¡¯t heard before. So now he suddenly cared about Creed¡¯s well-being? What changed?


    Standing straight Dinn continued.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your advice about my Creed. Keep yourself away from him.¡±


    Fallen chuckled bitterly. So Dinn wasn¡¯t as blind as he thought. He actually noticed that Fallen hadn¡¯t been stepping back from his attraction to this Creed. In fact, that feeling only grew the longer he stayed. Was Dinn just scared of a little competition?


    Fallen stood to his full height, easily hovering over Dinn.


    ¡°Scared he could do better?¡±


    Fallen chuckled. The way Dinn stepped back as he stood was enough to confirm that in his mind.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare you second-rate failure!¡±


    Dinn¡¯s screams were manic and were accompanied by an electrical buzz that permeated the air and sent shocks up Fallen¡¯s spine. His anger finally fully taking over. It was truly so easy to make him lose his mind.


    ¡°Creed and I have much more history than you ever will! Even if we can¡¯t find love in each other again, there¡¯s no way he¡¯d ever go looking for you!¡±


    ¡°Do you really think you¡¯d ever be able to rebuild a relationship when you can¡¯t even control yourself?!¡±


    Fallen sneered. As fun as it was to rile the smaller man up, Fallen couldn¡¯t bear to imagine what would happen if Creed was stuck with a man like this. Would they get into one argument and Dinn would tell him he didn¡¯t deserve his life again? Or worse? By the gods Fallen did not want to think about that.


    ¡°You¡¯d end up hurting him much more than I ever could.¡±


    Fallen spoke through gritted teeth. His blood was boiling at the thought of this man and Creed together. He didn¡¯t know what the Beings were talking about, there was no way these two would ever be meant to be.


    Dinn¡¯s breaths were sharp and uneven. His teeth still bared and his eyes full of hatred for his adversary. What could he possibly know about what they were going through?


    ¡°Do you love him? Or do you just hate being alone?¡±


    Fallen asked, suddenly calmer. His hatred almost melted away at the thought of who Dinn really was. Was he really a ball of vitriol who was looking to destroy anyone in his wake? Or was he just a pathetic lonely man with nowhere else to turn?


    ¡°Dinn? Fallen?¡±


    Just then Creed rounded the corner into the kitchen, catching both men as they stood mere inches from each other. Their glares fixated on one another till Creed showed up pulling them from their stare off.


    ¡°Am I interrupting something?¡±


    Creed asked suddenly apprehensive. Taking a cautious step back at seeing the two men with their emotions heightened to the point of breaking that physical bubble. What were they talking about?


    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright. Do you need something?¡±


    Fallen asked, the only one out of the two who seemed to be able to form coherent thoughts again. Dinn was still so evidently irritated but Fallen calmed down at the sight of Creed looking apprehensive. He didn¡¯t want to make the same mistake twice.


    ¡°Actually, I think there¡¯s someone you two should meet.¡±


    Creed said now relaxed and almost perking up a bit. Stepping back Creed gestured around the corner for someone to come closer. The two men heard heavy footsteps steadily growing.


    Slowly a figure emerged from behind the wall. A massive figure, bigger than all three men, shrouded in dark cloaks that hung heavy from its shoulders. Its face was completely obscured, and its posture was very sunken in. However, Creed looked up at the figure with some sort of fondness.


    ¡°Dinn. Fallen. Meet Daemon!¡±


    -------------


    Creed had been staring at the portal for who knows how long; holding a cup of what he wanted to be coffee in his hands. He was still a bit unsettled by the idea that someone else was here, but they weren¡¯t showing their face. He had enough to deal with when it came to Dinn and Fallen already, he didn¡¯t need some fourth person coming in just to upset things again! Was it another Dinn? Or was it their first other Creed?


    Creed held his mug tightly, shivering at the thought. It was weird enough to see two Dinn¡¯s walking around, but he had found himself wondering how Dinn felt about meeting his doppelganger. Creed had enough problems just trying to focus on his own life and himself, what could he possibly do to help someone who shared his fate?


    He¡¯d found some type of solace in Dinn and Fallen being the only two other beings in the Infinity. He didn¡¯t want to come face to face with another him that brought up things he didn¡¯t want to say nor feel.


    With a deep sigh Creed turned from the portal and almost immediately dropped his mug.


    Standing just on the corner of the doorway to the portal room was a large ominous figure completely shrouded in black cloaks. Their stringy hair hung heavily over their face, and their form stood looming over the doorway. Creed had been surprised when he first met Fallen and seen how tall he was, but this person was far taller. Tall enough to reach over the top of the doorway.


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    ¡°W-who¡¯s there?!¡±


    Creed called out terrified. He¡¯d been to war but had never seen someone so large and intimidating in his life. However, to his surprise, the figure stepped backwards from the doorway as if afraid of Creed¡¯s yelling. They began to shift back and forth on their feet like they weren¡¯t sure if they should step forward or run far far away. Stepping carefully around his broken mug Creed called out again.


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    A bit softer this time Creed attempted to coax the figure out of their hiding spot.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The figure still shifted around uncomfortable, looking back and forth between the hallway and Creed as he steadily stepped closer.


    ¡°My name is Creed. And you are?¡±


    Still a little bit shaken, Creed tried to reach out his hands to beckon the being closer. However, the figure shook their head violently while taking two large steps backwards.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Creed shouted trying to match the beings¡¯ large strides.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you! I just want to know who you are.¡±


    The figure stopped moving holding their arms together tightly while staring directly at Creed.


    ¡°Dinn¡­¡±


    The figure whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry? Say again.¡±


    ¡°My name¡­is Dinn¡­¡±


    Creed was surprised to hear the figures voice. Though they were still frustratingly quiet their voice was light and airy with a touch of rasp. It didn¡¯t sound anything like Dinn or Fallen, despite this figure apparently being another Dinn. How was that possible? As far as Creed saw this figure didn¡¯t represent Dinn at all.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­Dinn?¡±


    The being nodded slightly, still refusing to look up through the hair that hung over their face.


    ¡°Well, that makes three of you.¡±


    Creed offered trying to lighten the mood. Suddenly the figures head snapped up. Their eyes were large and bright vivid yellow.


    ¡°Us? What?¡±


    The figure said sharply in utter disbelief. Creed cringed. Had his joke freaked the figure out too much?


    ¡°Well, yes. There are two other alternate versions of Dinn¡ªyou, here already. A man we call Fallen and¡­the Dinn from my world.¡±


    Creed said carefully. Dinn isn¡¯t his; the thought made him think of them being sown together. They are just from the same world.


    The figure bowed their head again.


    ¡°You already have a Dinn?¡±


    They asked softly. Creed¡¯s mouth formed a thin line as he breathed deeply. Was this the only way the other alternate Dinn¡¯s knew how to speak?


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Creed succumbed to the idea. As long as others thought he already had a partner, they wouldn¡¯t feel the need to hit on him. He certainly isn¡¯t available.


    ¡°Of course you do, you¡¯re¡­beautiful.¡±


    The figure almost sounded ashamed at the compliment. Creed doesn¡¯t know how to respond; he¡¯d never been called ¡°beautiful.¡± In fact, he¡¯d never been complimented on his looks since he first joined the army. Even then it was just a light ribbing about his hair being a ¡°magical rainbow.¡±


    ¡°I¡­uh¡­¡±


    He stammered. With a sigh Creed slowly inched closer to the figure. They were tall enough that if he just got a bit closer, he¡¯d be able to see their face under their hood. However, as Creed grew closer the figure turned their head away still trying to hide themselves.


    ¡°Are you okay? Do you not want me to¡ª¡±


    ¡°No one should see.¡±


    The figure said rapidly, desperate to get Creed to back off and not have to look at their face.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m not¡­¡±


    The figure sighed heavily.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright. You don¡¯t have to show me. I¡¯d just like to know a bit about you.¡±


    Creed offered. He was still worried about scaring this Dinn away and though he did want to see who he¡¯s talking to; he didn¡¯t want to make them uncomfortable.


    ¡°I¡¯m Creed. I come from a world that was heavily affected by war and is still trying to rebuild itself years later. Dinn and I were the first ones who were sent to The Infinity to help others.¡±


    Creed tried to only talk about what literally happened, but he still didn¡¯t fully believe the last part himself.


    The figure rubbed their arms together and shuffled their feet back and forth.


    ¡°I¡­¡±


    Creed stood patiently, waiting for them to answer.


    ¡°My name is Dinn¡­I¡­come from a world where humans and¡­monsters exist.  And they¡­we¡­fight often.¡±


    Creed cringed; he¡¯d hoped that his world was the only one that faced war. He didn¡¯t want to believe anyone else had to go through such atrocities.


    ¡°Your people are at war?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily.¡±


    It was Creed¡¯s turn to look shocked. What did fighting between people mean if not war?


    ¡°In my world¡­monsters¡­aren¡¯t people. W¡ªThey don¡¯t interact with humanity. Our fights are small instances of monsters and humans stepping onto each other¡¯s territory. We don¡¯t interact long enough for there to be a war.¡±


    The figure¡¯s voice was saddened and faraway. These ¡°interactions¡± between humans and monsters must¡¯ve really affected them.


    ¡°Monsters aren¡¯t people¡­maybe, they¡¯re not human, but that doesn¡¯t mean they aren¡¯t worthy¡­¡±


    Creed had a hard time articulating his thoughts as they jumbled together.


    ¡°Fighting constantly¡­without any desire for a resolution?¡±


    ¡°You are¡­kind. But people in my world are not so kind.¡±


    The figure interrupted, almost as if they could see where Creed¡¯s train of thought was headed.


    ¡°Even peace would bring no guarantee of respect. Or a change in the way we interact.¡±


    ¡°I know what you mean.¡±


    Creed bowed his head, as if mourning for the men they lost during the war.


    ¡°Both sides lost many lives, and neither one could really ever look at each other the same. Our shame keeps us from interacting.¡±


    ¡°You are at peace?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Then why do you not try to start a conversation with them?¡±


    Creed looked aghast at the statement.


    ¡°With the army we fought against?!¡±


    ¡°No, with your neighbor.¡±


    Creed froze as the sentiment. It was true, they were at peace. Both sides had decided that the lives lost hadn¡¯t been worth it, and their enemies had decided to surrender. Back then Creed couldn¡¯t understand why their enemies were not punished en masse for their transgressions, but now?


    ¡°I guess I never thought of that.¡±


    Creed chuckled. He¡¯d spent so many years hiding away, ashamed of himself and not willing to face those he fought so vehemently when he was younger. Had they been feeling the same way? There were many men he knew that joined the army because of an obligation to provide for their family or as a duty forced upon them by their people. Very few men were there because they craved destruction. Was that what it was like for their enemies?


    ¡°Perhaps, we have more in common than you think?¡±


    Creed smiled.


    Creed had spent a lot longer than he originally intended just sitting and talking to this new Dinn outside of the portal that led them both here. They had only just scratched the surface of their world¡¯s differences and similarities, but the more they spoke the more they felt connected.


    ¡°I have a question.¡±


    The figure said in a lull in their conversation.


    ¡°Sure, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Those men you talked about, what did you call them?¡±


    Creed thought for a second, almost having forgotten the other two he shared his space with.


    ¡°Oh, you mean Dinn and Fallen?¡±


    He suddenly perked up.


    ¡°Fallen?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can¡¯t really call every Dinn we meet Dinn without confusing ourselves, so we opted for giving him a nickname.¡±


    Creed laughed again at their predicament. To him Fallen had just become that, Fallen. As opposed to Dinn who he knew in spades.


    ¡°Do¡­do I need a nickname as well?¡±


    The figure asked apprehensively. Creed chuckled.


    ¡°It would help. What do you want to be called?¡±


    Looking down at their hands as they twiddled their thumbs together the figure thought carefully. A nickname should be something they recognized, something they could respond to, and something they wouldn¡¯t soon forget.


    With a deep sigh, they responded.


    ¡°Daemon.¡±


    ---------------


    Dinn and Fallen shuffled backwards as Creed and Daemon entered the kitchen. Fallen¡¯s first instinct was to reach out and pull Creed towards him, but the sheer magnitude of the figure behind him caused him to shudder and cringe away. Dinn was merely astounded by the mass of this individual. Sure, Fallen was taller than both him and Creed, but this person was broader, wider than he thought possible. Their face was completely obscured by dark raggedy locks and a large hood folded over their head.


    However, Creed simply walked past the two stunned men and over to the fridge. Pulling out a small bottle of what he wanted to be water, Creed hopped up onto the counter and made himself comfortable, as if enjoying the scene that would play out before him.


    Having not taken their eyes off of Creed as he moved, Daemon walked steadily over, their steps making large thudding sounds on the pristine floor, as they took a seat at the dining table that was closest to the counter. Creed smiled warmly back at them, but admitted he still wasn¡¯t fond of the idea of another lost puppy following him around. He had enough of that with Dinn and Fallen.


    ¡°Who¡­who are you?¡±


    Finally able to break his silence, Fallen asked the figure that now loomed so closely to Creed as if they were old friends. Daemon turned slightly in the two men¡¯s direction but chose to remain silent.


    ¡°Creed, who is this?¡±


    Choosing to speak up as well, Dinn directed his question at Creed, seeing how their new guest wasn¡¯t going to talk to them anytime soon.


    ¡°This is Daemon, she¡¯s another Dinn from another world.¡±


    Daemon¡¯s head immediately snapped back to attention; their gaze focused directly on Creed. Their mouth gaped like a fish and their breath quickened. Creed looked back at them seemingly unsure of what had shaken Daemon. He gave them a quizzical look as he spoke.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    ¡°She?¡±


    Dinn had been the one to speak up and ask what him and Fallen had surely been thinking. The hooded figure that sat before them was shrouded in cloaks to the point that they couldn¡¯t even see their eyes. How could he be sure that Daemon was a woman?


    ¡°Oh! Am I wrong?¡±


    Concerned, Creed looked back towards Daemon apologetically, thinking he¡¯d upset them. He looked almost ready to get down on his knees and apologize.


    Daemon shook her head.


    ¡°No, I just¡­wasn¡¯t expecting anyone to notice¡­¡±


    Daemon¡¯s voice was raspy with a touch of airiness. Still, there seemed to be no indication that Daemon was a woman hidden underneath all of those furs.


    ¡°How could you have known that?¡±


    Dinn asked a bit harsher than he meant to.


    ¡°Well, when Daemon and I were talking she mentioned something about how her mother used to keep her and her brother¡¯s separate because of some old witch¡¯s tale about¡­what was it¡­? Goblins who come to take your children¡ª¡±


    ¡°If they see them sleeping in the same cot. Yes.¡±


    Daemon finished still looking up at Creed with wide-eyed surprise.


    ¡°In our world, single men and women sleeping together is seen as taboo for one reason or another. So, I just assumed¡­from my own experience¡­¡±


    Daemon chuckled at Creed¡¯s apprehensiveness. Her voice shook the table she sat it and tremors went through the floor. She was glad to have that out of the way. As apprehensive as she was to discuss it, she was glad they at least knew that, despite her size and stature, she was indeed a woman.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­a good listener¡­¡±


    Daemon bowed her head shyly after once again meeting Creed¡¯s gaze and seeing him smile. Fallen scowled a bit at the intimidating woman. Those small interactions just made him want to redo his first impression on Creed. If he could redo it to where just a few minutes after meeting he¡¯d be smiling at him, he¡¯d consider it a success.


    However, Dinn had a different thought in mind.


    ¡°Well, this is¡­unexpected¡­¡±


    Dinn sounded confused and rather apprehensive as he stepped closer to Creed and Daemon.


    ¡°That we¡¯d meet another Dinn so soon?¡±


    Creed offered. Dinn shook his head.


    ¡°No, that¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°I guess when the Being told us we¡¯d meet alternate versions of ourselves, I started thinking about aliens with multiple eyes, long limbs, green skin, or with a desire for human flesh¡­.It never crossed my mind that¡­.For some reason I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d meet an alternate version of myself that¡¯s a woman.¡±


    Dinn laughed loudly at his admission. He¡¯d been somewhat excited to see the crazy masterful people that would come out of other worlds, but he didn¡¯t stop to think of the simplest possibilities. Were there more women? Elderly versions? Younger versions? Were they blind? Mute? Deaf? Were they rich? Poor? Somewhere in between? All of these and more came rushing at Dinn in an instant. And for a moment his mood soured as he thought of something that almost had him trembling.


    Creed took notice of this, jumping off the countertop he walked over to Dinn and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°You okay?¡±


    He asked, in that tone so soft that it almost made Dinn want to crumble.


    He took a deep breath.


    ¡°How many alternate versions are we supposed to meet? If there are infinite universes¡­how long are we meant to stay here?¡±


    Creed¡¯s mood soon turned serious as well. He hadn¡¯t exactly thought that far ahead. He¡¯d simply thought that they¡¯d help a few lost souls and then be able to go home. But if it was true, and the universes were never-ending, then when will their predicament end? Would it go on forever? Would they ever get to see there homes again? Their friends and families?


    Daemon, who had been watching Dinn and Creed as the magnitude of their responsibility hit them full force, now finally looked over at Fallen. Fallen shared her concerned gaze. They weren¡¯t only concerned for Dinn and Creed, but also for themselves. Both alters had come here in search of happiness and a fateful love that was promised to them, but how long would it be before they found the one? Would they be forced to live a cycle of meeting and saying goodbye to couples who found happiness and fled to their homes? Was the one made for them even still alive? How long would they be forced to pretend that the silence of the Infinity wasn¡¯t suffocating?


    How many times would they have to retell their stories to complete strangers until they found their one and only?


    Daemon¡¯s mouth formed a thin line and Fallen matched it with an intense scowl. He was determined to stay as long as he could if only to help Creed grow stronger and find love. Daemon was the opposite. Though her world was not too kind to her, she didn¡¯t want to remain in a place where she felt like she was walking on eggshells around everyone. And she certainly didn¡¯t want to be forced into giving away her life again and again to curious alters who insisted on it. It wasn¡¯t something she¡¯d want to relive for an eternity.


    ------------


    ¡°Dinn? Do you want to talk about it?¡±


    Creed had found himself at Dinn¡¯s door this time. Their first meeting with Daemon had been cut short as Dinn had quickly fled the room soon after realizing how strenuous their situation truly was. Creed himself felt uneasy with this new information presented to him, but his own feelings were put away for the moment. Dinn had locked himself in his makeshift room hours ago and no one had seen hide or tail of him since. Despite their previous interactions Creed was starting to grow concerned.


    Knocking again he called out.


    ¡°Dinn? Are you in there?¡±


    If he told him he¡¯d want to be left alone Creed would oblige despite himself. The last thing he wanted was to start another fight.


    Creed knocked again a bit harder this time.


    ¡°Please Dinn¡­we¡­we need to be in this together, right? Even¡­even if everyone leaves¡­aren¡¯t we still meant to have each other?¡±


    Ringing his hands together Creed spoke desperately. He had to admit, even though he didn¡¯t love Dinn like he once did, he needed that reassurance. That promise that they¡¯d stick together even when things get rough. He couldn¡¯t do this on his own.


    Creed heard a sudden pounding of footsteps behind the door. With shaking hands, the door locks were taken off and the door swung open. Dinn stepped out throwing his arms around Creed¡¯s shoulders and holding him close. Creed accepted the embrace fully, wrapping his arms around the shorter man.


    ¡°Dinn¡­¡±


    Creed was trembling. He hated how he was reacting to all of this. It was Dinn who needed his help, but he couldn¡¯t keep himself in check and just stop shaking.


    ¡°Shhh, Creed. I¡¯m here. We¡¯re both here.¡±


    Dinn spoke softly as he held Creed closer. He couldn¡¯t decide if this situation was a blessing or a curse. Dinn still wanted to reconcile with Creed; he wanted to find what went wrong; he wanted to fix things. Having Creed so close at all times now made him question if this is what they needed. They wouldn¡¯t have even met if they weren¡¯t forced into a group together initially. If you count the army as a ¡°group.¡±


    ¡°We can help each other.¡±


    Dinn said, feeling Creed shake in his embrace.


    ¡°What are we going to see? Will it all be bad? Worse than anything we¡¯ve ever done?¡±


    Creed asked, his eyes shut tightly against the tears threatening to form. Dinn stepped back a bit, still holding Creed, but moving to be face to face.


    ¡°Listen to me. They aren¡¯t us. They may share our faces, our voices, and even our names, but they are not us! Whoever they end up being, wherever they come from, it doesn¡¯t change who we are!¡±


    Creed laughed lightly. Dinn looked surprised; that wasn¡¯t the reaction he¡¯d been expecting.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I come here to comfort you?¡±


    Dinn paused for a moment, then chuckled as well.


    ¡°You do Creed. This is how you¡¯ve always comforted me.¡±


    Creed looked at Dinn quizzically.


    ¡°There it is! Don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    Creed leaned back a little still looking a bit confused. Dinn just chuckled again.


    ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t¡­. want to see you sad. If I can, I want to make you feel better. If that can be¡­my purpose in this moment¡­then I¡­it makes me feel better too.¡±


    Creed began to laugh again. They both did. They both stood there crying, laughing, and holding each other. It had been a long while since Creed felt okay being touched, and an even longer time since he felt okay crying. He wasn¡¯t sure for how long they stood there in silence, just enjoying the other¡¯s embrace. He began to wonder if Dinn too had not felt an embrace in a long time. Did he isolate himself in the same ways as Creed did? Even if he was living in the city, that didn¡¯t have to mean he ever interacted with anyone in a meaningful way. Was it possible that they were still more alike than he thought?


    Had they really changed all that much?


    -----------


    ¡°So, you¡¯re going by Daemon?¡±


    Daemon looked up towards Fallen. The two had been frustratingly quiet since Dinn and Creed had left the room. Creed asked them not to follow him.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Daemon? As in demon?¡±


    Fallen pressed walking over to the fridge and pulling out a small bowl of what he wanted to be cereal. Daemon merely nodded. Taking a large spoonful of the desired corn flakes he spoke again.


    ¡°There a reason for that?¡±


    Meeting his gaze Daemon wondered if Fallen was trying to test her. Trying to see what her purpose was for being here.


    ¡°That¡¯s what they call us.¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The humans.¡±


    Daemon didn¡¯t know if Creed, Dinn, and Fallen were considered humans in their own worlds. To her they weren¡¯t exactly monstrous, but their images would still be taken harshly. What with their horns, Dinn¡¯s tail, Creed¡¯s markings, and Fallen¡¯s fangs; they weren¡¯t exactly ¡°normal.¡±


    But to say they were in any way equivalent to Daemon or her kind would be a farce. Daemon hid much more underneath her cloaks than any of them would be able to understand.


    ¡°So, do you have some special powers to go along with that title? Or is it just a species thing?¡±


    Talking through chewing Fallen waved his arms in the air as if to summon some great unknown force with a wave of his hand. Daemon chuckled.


    ¡°I¡¯m a Stone Golem.¡±


    ¡°I thought you said you were a Demon?¡±


    Fallen was quick to respond. He was definitely interrogating her.


    ¡°Demon is more of a general term. Like monster. It¡¯s a creature that is neither human nor animal.¡±


    Daemon explained, shaking her head at Fallen¡¯s ignorance. Demon¡¯s weren¡¯t real! At least, in her would they weren¡¯t.


    ¡°So, Fairies¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk with your mouth full.¡±


    Fallen froze, caught off guard by the request. Daemon may be a Demon, but she wasn¡¯t uncouth! She knew what was rude to do in front of others! At least in her world.


    Taking a moment to swallow his food, Fallen continued.


    ¡°So, Fairies and Minotaur¡¯s are both under the same category of Demon?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Fallen looked perplexed.


    ¡°But they¡¯re so¡ª¡±


    ¡°Different? Trust me I know. But it was never up to us to decide what we¡¯d be called.¡±


    It¡¯s not that Daemon hated being called a Demon; over the years she¡¯d become used to it and just accepted that as a title. The problems arose when she, as a Stone Golem, was put in the same category as Goblins, Nymphs, Trolls, or what have you. She had next to nothing in common with any of those tribes of people, and yet they were considered to be the same?


    ¡°So, you¡¯re a Stone Golem?¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡±


    Fallen asked taking extra measures to only eat after he asked his question. Daemon thought for a moment. It was hard to describe her people without leaving out important details about their existence. Many humans would mistake her as some sort of haunted statue, which was grossly na?ve.


    ¡°We¡­are souls that inhabit different¡­Earthly materials. Some clay, some mud, and for me it¡¯s stone¡­Our souls are our existence. Our hearts, minds, wants, desires, needs, are all connected to our souls¡ªand eventually¡­are souls link to those Earthly materials we inhabit. We become one in the same.¡±


    Daemon sighed. She felt that that was a good way of explaining what she is and how her people functioned. It¡¯s hard convincing people that she isn¡¯t an inanimate object, or that she isn¡¯t inhabiting an inanimate object. She is stone, but she is animate. She is alive.


    Fallen still stared at her, but his look was faraway. She assumed he was just trying to process what he¡¯d been told. It¡¯s hard enough convincing humans in her own world that she¡¯s alive, let alone someone from a different world who never even heard the term Stone Golem.


    ¡°So¡­does that come with any special powers?¡±


    Daemon laughed. She could tell Fallen is still trying to comprehend what she said but didn¡¯t want to leave the silence hanging. He didn¡¯t want her to feel bad.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m afraid us Golems aren¡¯t all mystical and magical.¡±


    She said flipping her hands around in the air as if to mimic the gesture of Fairies or Wizards with their wands. Fallen laughed along with her, now calm as the ice had been broken.

 Chapter 6 | A Lovely Little Argument

    The sensation of his warm feet sticking to the slick surface of the floor underneath him was something he¡¯d grown accustomed to. The familiar sounds of his skin peeling off of the tiled floor again and again echoed back to him as he continued his impossibly slow march down an unfamiliar hallway. Or, at least, what he hoped was an unfamiliar hallway. In truth he couldn¡¯t tell what had been home versus what was now new. The sterile nature of the walls that guided him was all too familiar. Nary a crack or a divot was found as he guided his hands gently across its face. The frigid air that bit at his skin was just as strong as ever. The eerie silence that plagued him hung steadfastly over his head.  And still, that feeling of being watched never left him.


    Everything was still too familiar, and he hated it.


    Suddenly, he heard something. It was only for a moment and was swiftly drowned out by his languid foot slapping back onto the tiled floor. What was that? Is there someone else here? Where? Who?


    ¡°Hello?¡±


    He called out just barely above a whisper. He strained his ears, refusing to move from his spot at risk of drowning out the noise.


    And then, there it was again!


    The sound was deeply muffled by the twisting walls that surrounded him, but still, it was a voice. Someone else is here! Perhaps they could tell him where he is! Perhaps they could let him into this new world with all these new people and a guaranteed new life ahead of him.


    ¡°Hello!¡±


    He shouted down the hall, but just as his word echoed back to him, he froze. What if this wasn¡¯t a new place? What if he was still stuck back home? What if that voice was just Sir, waiting for him?


    A ring of warmth pooled around his feet as sweat dripped down his brow. The world around him was freezing. Every possibility of what this world could be fell deftly on his chest. His breaths came out in short sporadic bursts, surely forming smoke clouds in the cool air.


    With a sudden stinging sensation and a slight buzzing in his ears, he felt the steady drip of blood roll down his cheek and land unceremoniously on the floor.


    ----------


    Daemon knew she had been walking into unfamiliar territory when she first decided to head to The Infinity; and yet, she couldn¡¯t have imagined the tension that blossomed in the air anytime Dinn and Fallen were around each other.


    It¡¯s not like she wasn¡¯t accustomed to hostile creatures. Living near humans for most of her life showed her how to deal with such hostilities, but still. The tension that grew whenever the three Dinn¡¯s found themselves in a room together was undoubtedly fierce.


    It wasn¡¯t like they were yelling and screaming at each other day in and out, but rather they just wouldn¡¯t acknowledge that the other one existed. They wouldn¡¯t look at each other. They wouldn¡¯t speak to each other. They¡¯d speak to Daemon at different intervals, ignoring the others conversation, but always making it a point to not step on each-others toes as if that would mean they¡¯d have to acknowledge the others presence.


    There was one odd thing about their interactions though. Whenever Creed would enter the room, it¡¯s as if the tension would dissipate. Dinn and Fallen still refused to acknowledge each other, but their tempers settled for a moment as Creed would greet all three of them whenever he would come around. Daemon wasn¡¯t sure where this sudden change of attitude came from. Did they not want to upset Creed with their fighting? Had Creed done something to imply such tension in his presence was unacceptable? Did he have some mystical power that caused any hot head within a five-mile radius to cool down?


    With the way Creed kept his abilities close to his chest, Daemon wouldn¡¯t be surprised in the slightest.


    But, from where she sat now, it was just her, Dinn, and Fallen currently occupying the same air. That same air that was thick and heavy with words unspoken between the trio. Daemon knew she was going to have to do something soon, or else risk going stir crazy. So, she took a deep breath, and spoke up for the first time in three days.


    ¡°I need to ask you both something?¡±


    With a sudden jump at the noise Dinn and Fallen turned towards Daemon, eyes wide with confusion at the sudden intrusion to their thoughts.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    Fallen spoke up.


    ¡°What is it like for the two of you to have alternate versions of yourself here?¡±


    Daemon had been growing rather restless the past few days as no one seemed to want to acknowledge how awkward their current situation was. Was she just supposed to accept these two other ¡°hers¡± like it was nothing?


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    Fallen stuttered out, finally taking a moment to look over at Dinn as both men seemed equally confused by her query.


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    He continued. Daemon sighed. She hadn¡¯t really wanted to go into herself at that moment, but if it would get these two talking again, she¡¯d be grateful for the distraction.


    ¡°How do you think I feel about it? I mean, there¡¯s no denying that I¡¯m the odd one out here, right?¡±


    She said opening up her arms as if gesturing to her whole body.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±


    Dinn slightly chuckled, as if the idea that she was the strangest one of the group was funny to him.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m the only woman here.¡±


    Daemon continued a bit perplexed as to why Dinn asked. Surely, they noticed.


    ¡°Not only among us three, but Creed is also a man. So far, it seems like I would be the obvious pick for odd-one-out, right?¡±


    Dinn and Fallen paused at Daemon¡¯s words, looking towards each other once again. That once angry tension now shifting to an air of confusion among all three. Daemon looked between the two men, frustrated that neither of them chose to speak up again.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    She said grabbing their attention.


    ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°Truthfully¡­¡±


    Fallen cleared his throat looking back towards Daemon to speak.


    ¡°Coming here I believed I was the odd-one-out.¡±


    Daemon looked puzzled.


    ¡°You? What¡¯s so odd about you?¡±


    Fallen grimaced at her question.


    ¡°Well, when ¡®The Being¡¯ came to me, it told me that I needed to find my partner. The person that I was truly meant to be with from the beginning¡­But¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°The partner I had, the one I lost, my Creed was all I ever wanted.¡±


    He continued a lot quieter than before.


    ¡°I loved him more than anything, but the way that ¡®Being¡¯ spoke of our partners and our correct worlds made it seem like our hatred for our current partners and worlds was justified. But I don¡¯t hate my world, I never hated my Creed. So, sometimes I wonder if I should even be here.¡±


    Dinn and Daemon sat mouth agape. Neither of them had known a thing about Fallen¡¯s past or his world, so to hear that he once had a happy life was something so foreign to them.


    ¡°Funny¡­¡±


    Dinn chuckled bitterly, grabbing the other two¡¯s attention.


    ¡°All this time I felt like I was the odd-one-out.¡±


    He said.


    ¡°You?¡±


    Fallen spoke confused.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you and Creed the original pair?¡±


    He pressed further.


    ¡°Not necessarily.¡±


    Dinn shrugged.


    ¡°We¡¯re just the two that ¡®The Being¡¯ knew for sure were in our correct spots. Truth be told if that thing hadn¡¯t told us that¡­¡±


    Dinn stopped, suddenly somber, but it didn¡¯t take much for the other two to understand him.


    ¡°Do you believe if you hadn¡¯t been told you were in your correct spots, that you¡¯d both be looking for new partners?¡±


    Daemon questioned. The thought was sobering. To think, the only reason Dinn and Creed were so keen to be connected to one another was because of their mission, not because they have any leftover feelings for one another.


    Dinn chuckled.


    ¡°I know Creed would, but I could never. At least¡­not again.¡±


    Fallen stood up straight, a stormy look coming over his face.


    ¡°What do you mean again?¡±


    His tone was terse as if he dared Dinn to lie to him. Dinn sighed heavily and moved to sit on one of the small couches opposite of Daemon.


    ¡°Please understand, Creed and I have been separated for years. A lot more years than you probably think. Some days I just want to feel like someone cared about me. Mostly physically, but sometimes emotionally too.¡±


    Dinn didn¡¯t look up either of them as he spoke, ashamed of what he¡¯d been admitting.


    ¡°You searched for other partners after the war?¡±


    Daemon asked.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you?¡±


    Dinn challenged. He hadn¡¯t cheated, he would never, but the weight of loneliness was often too heavy to carry. If he could go back and change how many years he wasted jumping from person to person, he would. More for himself than anyone. Daemon looked down at her hands, fiddling with her thumbs.


    ¡°Truth be told, I never even searched for a partner in my own world.¡±


    Fallen¡¯s gaze shifted from Dinn to Daemon, his once stormy look now sobered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know a thing about your worlds Creed?¡±


    He asked. Daemon shook her head.


    ¡°Not a thing. I feared persecution for leaving my home, so I just never did.¡±


    An uneasy silence followed her words. The boys went back to looking away from her, feeling a hot creep of shame slowly working its way up their body. Everything still felt so off which was angering Daemon. She didn¡¯t start this conversation to be put right back where she¡¯d begun. What were the other two even thinking?


    Fallen scoffed.


    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s better than just abandoning your Creed.¡±


    Fallen¡¯s voice was rough, and his words were pointed directly at Dinn.


    Oh no.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Dinn shot back.


    Not again.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just admit to us that you left your Creed for the prospect of someone else?¡±


    ¡°The break-up was mutual thank you very much!¡±


    Dinn stood from his spot, standing as straight as a tree.


    ¡°We chose that because neither of us were happy at that time. Would you have preferred us to just be miserable forever?¡±


    He challenged.


    ¡°Oh, like Creed is going to be happy now that we¡¯re all stuck here? You just said if it wasn¡¯t for that ¡®Being¡¯ you¡¯d both be looking for something else!¡±


    ¡°Why you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    Daemon shouted rising from her seat like a firework ready to explode. The empty picture frames on the wall came tumbling to the floor in a mess of white scrap.


    ¡°I thought finally getting you two to talk would stop this obsessive fighting!¡±


    The ground shook with tremors that echoed from her voice.


    ¡°I was hoping we could all see how similar we are! We¡¯ve all faced hardships! We¡¯ve all lost so much! But you two keep insisting on fighting over someone who will never love either of you!¡±


    Daemon¡¯s voice threatened to cause the whole house to crumble all around them. It echoed through the halls and shook the plains that went on forever outside their home. Her breath was hard, and she wheezed through clenched teeth, balling up her fists hard enough it threatened to break her fingers.


    Dinn and Fallen stared back at her, a mix of shock and fear etched across their faces. Their eyes were blown out staring up at her as she easily loomed over them. A rush of shame overcame Daemon as she saw how she managed to scare both men into submission. She didn¡¯t want to act like this. She wasn¡¯t a monster! With her breath picking up speed she turned deftly on her heel and exited the room.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    -----------


    The noise was back. What was once muffled now hit him like a tidal wave, rushing full force to greet him on his march. The way the house shook around him was enough to convince him that this had to be someplace knew. There was no way his old home ever held such noise. Not even the machines that were constantly running, and left the air electrified at any moment could match the sheer magnitude of that voice.


    A voice he was certain he needed to know.


    -----------


    Dinn and Fallen sat there long after Daemon had left the room. A part of them was waiting for Daemon to return, another part was waiting for Creed to inevitably come find them and ask about that noise. A question neither of them would be able to answer in their current state. And yet, there they were, left alone with their thoughts. And each other.


    Still, they didn¡¯t look up at the man who sat just across from them. Stuck in their own little words. Desperate to let it all out, but still wanting the other to speak up first. As if the shame they felt would be any different if the other man spoke first.


    ¡°Do you want to know how long it lasted?¡±


    Dinn asked leaning back on the couch till his back hit the plain white pillows roughly. Fallen looked up at him grateful that he didn¡¯t have to break the tension this time.


    ¡°How long what lasted?¡±


    He asked back.


    ¡°The war.¡±


    Fallen chuckled. Talking about something so vile was right up their alley, wasn¡¯t it?


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Three? Four years?¡±


    ¡°Nine.¡±


    Dinn responded staring at the ceiling as he laid back on the small couch.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    Fallen asked slightly bewildered.


    ¡°Nine. Nine years. That bullshit war lasted nine long years.¡±


    Dinn reiterated, seemingly not all there. Fallen shook his head.


    ¡°What the fuck were you even fighting about?¡±


    Fallen couldn¡¯t imagine, not even in his most wretched nightmares, what conflict would take nine years to settle.


    ¡°Land¡­sort of.¡±


    Dinn paused, searching his mind for the correct answer.


    ¡°Land?¡±


    Fallen pressed.


    ¡°No, but also, yes? It¡¯s hard to explain without going into every little detail.¡±


    Dinn sighed. For once Fallen stayed mercifully quiet. He didn¡¯t know if he should keep pressing or give the other man some time to come up with an appropriate answer.


    Dinn closed his eyes.


    ¡°The other people¡­our enemy¡­the other country¡­they felt entitled to rule over us. They wanted our land, our people, our culture all for themselves.¡±


    Fallen rubbed his hands together, suddenly uncomfortable. Why? Why did they feel entitled to own them? Should he ask? Was it worth going deeper down this rabbit hole? Is this what Daemon had wanted?


    ¡°Somedays I wonder¡­¡±


    Dinn paused, pulling his head back down but still not looking over at Fallen.


    ¡°Somedays I wonder how different things would be if we had surrendered. Would they be worse? Better? Not a day goes by that I don¡¯t think about it. That I wonder why it all had to happen.¡±


    A heavy silence fell over the duo. Fallen didn¡¯t know how to react. His world had been merciful to him in a sense that he never had to fight a war. He couldn¡¯t fathom what it was like. What types of hardships it caused? But still, that didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t have hardships of his own.


    ¡°The plague lasted about three years.¡±


    He said finally. Dinn lifted his head slightly to look over at Fallen.


    ¡°Hm?¡±


    Oh right, he didn¡¯t know. Fallen had only told Creed about his home life.


    ¡°My home was ravaged by a plague.¡±


    He continued.


    ¡°It would enter a person¡¯s system and slowly petrify their body bit by bit. Sometimes they ended up as wood totems, sometimes stone statues, and other times clay pillars. Either way, it was a slow and painful process.¡±


    Fallen had let his head fall back down to his lap. Why was he talking about this now? Why here? With this Dinn? Why did they suddenly feel the need to discuss such travesties?


    ¡°What the fuck?¡±


    Dinn spoke up, shocked and a bit horrified of the implication of what this plague had done to people. Something that heinous? To destroy people so slowly and painfully was a fate he considered worse than death.


    ¡°Yeah, fucked up, I know.¡±


    Fallen chuckled.


    ¡°It killed so many people. Granted it didn¡¯t last nine years, but still. It destroyed so many lives.¡±


    Fallen pondered for a moment. Thinking back to that time, during those desperate three years, it was enough to drive him mad.


    ¡°Was that¡­?¡±


    Fallen grimaced, closing his eyes tightly at Dinn¡¯s words. He could hear it. He knew what question was coming, and by all the worlds in every alternate universe he did not want to speak about it. He prayed this Dinn would stop. Would take notice of his pain. Just like Creed had done. This Creed who read him like an open book at any given opportunity. That¡¯s all he wanted in this moment.


    ¡°Was that how he died?¡±


    Sadly, it was not to be. Dinn was incapable of noticing the heavy tension that rolled off Fallen at the mere prospect of his question. In that moment he was forced to think about his Creed. But not just the love they shared, but how he died. Having to sit there and watch as his life escaped him. Not being able to do a thing to help him as he struggled with the pain. Every aspect of his failure was served up to him on a silver platter.


    Fallen nodded.


    ¡°Oh, my Lord.¡±


    Dinn rocked back and forth uncomfortably in his seat. Death was not a topic he enjoyed, especially not after having lost so many people during the war. Even then, losing the person you loved the most. Dinn cringed at the thought.


    ¡°Perhaps I should consider myself lucky then.¡±


    Dinn laughed.


    ¡°At least Creed and I are still alive, right?¡±


    Fallen shook his head. That wasn¡¯t what he wanted it to seem like to Dinn. Dinn wasn¡¯t in an any better situation because Creed is alive. How could he say that after nine years of war? Is he delusional?


    Fallen sighed heavily. Surely, he couldn¡¯t ask all of this at once, especially not ask someone like Dinn. A man who he¡¯s fought since he first got here. Him and Creed have been through a lot more than he originally thought.


    ¡°What was it like? After the war? Did you¡­?¡±


    Fallen paused.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about him.¡±


    Dinn spoke up chuckling. Fallen looked up at him.


    ¡°You¡¯re talking about Creed?¡±


    Dinn nodded.


    ¡°It¡¯d been years and I still had him on my mind.¡±


    Fallen sighed.


    ¡°But during that time, you sought out others?¡±


    It was almost like he couldn¡¯t get over the thought that Dinn found someone else to love besides Creed. As miserable as Fallen had been alone, it only made sense to be miserable if you truly loved someone. Right?


    ¡°Yeah, all for naught.¡±


    Dinn laughed.


    ¡°No one ever lived up to him. Everything we did together. Every memory we shared. Everything we went through together. In the end everyone else just paled in comparison.¡±


    Dinn fell back onto the couch an odd smile gracing his lips. Was he happy? About what exactly? Going through war with someone for that long can¡¯t be enjoyable. Are those the memories he was talking about?


    ¡°So, you never had another partner?¡±


    Fallen pressed.


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    Dinn shook his head.


    ¡°I mean, I had encounters with other people. Mostly sexual, but I just¡­never really wanted to be with anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Did you ever tell Creed about all of these ¡®partners¡¯ you had?¡±


    Dinn paused.


    ¡°No¡­I know I should, but I just think it would upset him.¡±


    Fallen looked confused for a moment.


    ¡°Why? I thought you said you guys broke up. Why would he be upset that you tried to move on?¡±


    Fallen himself had never really moved on from his late partner, but with the way Dinn and Creed fought, he couldn¡¯t imagine them being so hung up on an old relationship.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that.¡±


    Dinn sighed. He was again struggling to explain what he meant.


    ¡°I had a lot of sexual partners, and if Creed found out about that¡­¡±


    He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.


    ¡°I think he¡¯d think he isn¡¯t enough¡­¡±


    ¡°Why would he think that?¡±


    Fallen pressed. Was there something wrong with the way these two perceived sex? Surely, they must¡¯ve done¡­something together.


    ¡°He¡­doesn¡¯t like sex.¡±


    Dinn said quickly as if he just needed to get it out there. Fallen choked.


    ¡°Pardon?¡±


    Dinn shrugged.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t like sex.¡±


    He said a bit more pointedly.


    ¡°We¡­tried before¡­but he was just so uncomfortable. He said he liked me, but he had no sexual desires. It was so odd.¡±


    Fallen eyed Dinn as if he was looking for some indication that he was lying to him. A part of him didn¡¯t want to believe what he was hearing. Creed is a very handsome person, surely anyone would love to be with him, and yet, he had no interest in such love? Had he experienced something in the past that caused this? Was this because of the war? Had he always been like that? Dinn scoffed.


    ¡°Surprised your crush will never be interested in you like that?¡±


    He teased.


    ¡°Took me a while to come to terms with it as well. But that¡¯s just who he is. In the end, it doesn¡¯t change how I feel about him.¡±


    Dinn¡¯s voice became softer as he continued. He was lost in thought about Creed. Everything they had been through together. The first time they tried to see if they were compatible. The awkward tension upon finding out that they weren¡¯t.


    And then, the inevitable separation. The first time Dinn had left Creed.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Dinn and Fallen sat up quickly, hearing a small voice call towards them from the archway to their room. Standing there was a rather small person compared to the two of them. Thin and frail, his hair was cut up in several different ways. Uneven layers and small shaved spots framed his scarred face. He stepped gingerly on bare feet as he stood near the entryway. His clothes hung limply from his body with what appeared to be half a jacket swinging from his arm, but most importantly, his eyes were completely covered by a large bandage that wrapped around his head.


    ¡°Can you tell me where I am?¡±


    ---------------


    Daemon had stomped her way out of the small makeshift home the four of them shared. Out into the eerie expanse of The Infinity. She just needed to get away from everything and everyone. Being around so many people for so long was starting to become suffocating.


    Back home she was always alone.


    She always used to think it was so unfortunate to be alone, but now? Surrounded by these conflicting personalities is enough to drive anyone mad. She doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s worse; the constant arguing over who must be the better person, or the heavy silence whenever they toe too far out of line. Where was Creed when she needed him?


    ¡°Daemon?¡±


    Pausing Daemon jerked her head up. She hadn¡¯t realized she¡¯d been stomping with her eyes glued to the floor for much longer than she had anticipated. She was surrounded by nothing but a forever expanding field of white, and one lone Creed that stood before her.


    ¡°Creed? What are you doing all the way out here?¡±


    Creed shuffled in place, suddenly looking very uncomfortable with himself. He chuckled nervously.


    ¡°Back home I tended to just lose myself in the forest surrounding my home whenever I got tense. Thought it might work out here too.¡±


    He said scratching the back of his neck. Daemon¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    ¡°You would just run off and get yourself lost in the woods with no way home?¡±


    At this Creed laughed.


    ¡°No, not necessarily. I¡¯d always leave myself markers so that when I felt prepared, I could find my way back home easily.¡±


    Creed gestured just beyond Daemon¡¯s shoulder. Turning around Daemon finally noticed the very small steps jutting out from the ground just a few feet from where they stood. Had she been following this line of steps unknowingly as she trudged through the never-ending expanse of the abyss?


    ¡°I guess ¡®get lost¡¯ in this scenario is just a figure of speech. I would never be that reckless.¡±


    Creed laughed again. Daemon eyed him curiously. His laugh was odd. Too small and yet too loud at the same time. It felt heavy and out of place to her ears. Despite her initial desire to talk with Creed about what happened she found herself suddenly quieted by his presence. Sure, she wanted to speak with Creed. She wanted to tell all about her fears and apprehensions with living in The Infinity. She wanted him to give her that understanding gaze and nod of approval she remembered from their time near the portal. And yet, the Creed that stood in front of her was not the one she wanted to talk to.


    That was ridiculous. He is the only Creed that she ever knew! But, flipping back through her memories she realized she had been envisioning someone entirely different. She couldn¡¯t figure out how it was possible, but it was. Now standing here, with this man named Creed, she felt tight lipped and unsure of herself. He wasn¡¯t making her feel secure.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    Creed asked dipping his head low to catch her eyes from where they were again planted to the floor. There was that knowing gaze again, but instead of comfort it felt as if he was daring her to lie to him. Where had that comfort gone?


    ¡°Why do you look different?¡±


    Daemon blurted out, quickly slapping her hand over her mouth as she realized what she said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that was a weird thing to ask. Of course, you¡¯re not different!¡±


    Creed merely looked at her with confusion, his body not tense or lax, but a little unsure. His eyes are large and his expression a tad bit worried.


    ¡°I look different?¡±


    ¡°No! No, it¡¯s nothing like that! Just forget I said anything, please!¡±


    Daemon pleaded, her voice raising high enough that Creed seemed to have some complications standing so close to her. His hands hovered over his ears and his expression turned a bit sour for a fleeting moment.


    ¡°Sorry! Are your ears hurting?! Sorry, I¡¯ll try to stop, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Daemon!¡±


    Creed shouted out over Daemon¡¯s words. Despite his often-quiet voice he was still able to be heard over her apologetic cries. Daemon stood there; her head lowered down to meet Creed¡¯s gaze.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to apologize so much.¡±


    Reaching outwards cautiously, Creed took one of Daemon¡¯s hands in his own.


    ¡°And you don¡¯t have to tell me what you¡¯re thinking. I just want to make sure you¡¯re alright.¡±


    He said, now back to his normal soft speaking voice. His right hand stroked one of Daemon¡¯s knuckles gingerly, while his left came around to cup her palm.


    The touch was so small and barely there, but to Daemon it felt like all too much. The sudden feeling of being touched by someone else, something she had never experienced with anyone outside of her family, was enough to make her dizzy. Creed¡¯s hands barely moved, and they weren¡¯t even grabbing at her, just placed cautiously atop her own. It felt so unique and warm. Creed was so warm and soft, like she¡¯d always imagined any human to be. It was like she could suddenly feel his heart beating with hers, small, firm, and gentle. Looking into his eyes she saw that concern once again, but this time that uneasy feeling of being watched was overshadowed by the enveloping touch that he brought.


    Suddenly stiff Creed brought his hands back to his chest as if they had been slapped away. Daemon almost immediately missing that feeling of warmth unknowingly followed him, until he cleared his throat.


    ¡°How are the others? Did something happen back at the house?¡±


    Jerking backwards Daemon quickly snapped out of her reverie to stare wide-eyed at Creed. What was she doing?


    ¡°We should probably head back.¡±


    She snapped quickly turning on her heel and heading back the way she came. A few quick steps were enough to have Creed chasing after her just to catch up, though he stayed mercifully quiet.


    What was going on with her? Why had Creed suddenly invoked this push and pull within her? She felt safe with him when she first arrived, but now it was like some part of her mind was rejecting that feeling. But as soon as he touched her, she felt calm again. Was Creed safe to be around, or wasn¡¯t he? She¡¯d never felt this way before. Back home she always knew by instinct who was friendly and who wasn¡¯t. Nine times out of ten humans weren¡¯t friendly, so they were easy to avoid. It was always easy to tell when an animal was being territorial, so they were also easy to avoid. But here? This wasn¡¯t anyone¡¯s territory. No one had claim to this land or the people in it. Was that why she was feeling so uneasy? Could it be that being on the same playing field as everyone else was making her vulnerable?


    She couldn¡¯t have that.


    Creed sharply cleared his throat quickly grabbing Daemon¡¯s attention.


    ¡°You¡¯re shuffling.¡±


    Creed stated somewhat confused. Daemon looked down at her own feet as if she didn¡¯t realize they were even there, and sure enough she was shuffling along. Not bothering to lift her feet as she walked back to their makeshift home.


    She smiled awkwardly.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just that¡­one of my steps is equal to like, five of yours, so¡­I didn¡¯t want to leave you behind.¡±


    She said scratching at the back of her head. She may not be the stealthiest person of the bunch, but she was able to escape dangerous situations quickly by just taking a few long strides away from the problem. She had never really had to walk slowly to cater to someone much smaller than her.


    Creed nodded looking away as if deep in thought about something. Maybe he just wanted to get back to the house faster? Daemon made a small scooping motion with her arms, pulling them towards her chest.


    ¡°If you want to get back faster, I could carry y¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Creed snapped taking one large step back from Daemon. His body had become rigid again, with his arms tampered down to his sides, but his eyes were large and worried.


    ¡°N-no, that¡¯s fine! I¡¯ll just move faster.¡±


    With that Creed took off at a faster walking pace. Not really jogging, but more walking with a wide gait. His steps had purpose, and that purpose was to get ahead as fast as he could.


    Daemon caught up rather quickly, choosing not to comment on Creed¡¯s sudden shift in mood, but she couldn¡¯t help but have it bother her. Wasn¡¯t Creed just holding her hand a moment ago? But now he too feels uncomfortable with the idea of touch? What was that suddenly scared and apprehensive look he gave her? It bothered her. What purpose does he have being so frightened by her?


    Daemon paused a moment. Was Creed feeling it too? That sudden unease growing between them. Did he too not feel safe in her presence? Perhaps it wasn¡¯t just her who felt their relationship changing. But why here? Why now? She¡¯d been so desperate to see him not moments ago, and now the sight of him was frustrating her. His hair was so long that it completely covered his back. His hands were held tightly to his sides where his awkward nails dug deep into his palms. His voice was soft and heavy, and not at all what she wanted to hear. And his eyes, oh his eyes. There were so many things wrong with them.


    Catching his eye a few times, Daemon couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was thinking the same things about her. What is it about her that he can see just isn¡¯t right? Not bad, just not correct. They weren¡¯t correct.


    This wasn¡¯t her Creed.


    -----------


    By the time they made it back to the house both Daemon and Creed had calmed down. They still did not speak to one another, but the air around them was less tense. Creed slowly shuffled up the porch steps and Daemon merely stepped over taking them all at once. Creed laughed inwardly at the idea that many others had considered him tall. Perhaps he too had thought that about himself at one point, but having met both Fallen and Daemon, that thought had quickly flown out the window.


    Taking a step outside of their makeshift home had been beneficial Creed found. Even though he had a few tense moments with Daemon, he still felt relaxed and refreshed enough to come back. Back home he could spend days out in the wilderness with no desire to return to his small abode. He¡¯d built his little cabin from the ground up. He knows every inch of its interior and exterior. He¡¯s morphed it to be his own little safe haven that he can escape the world in. And yet, somedays he dreaded seeing it when he returned.


    But now, stuck in a place he was unfamiliar with he found that it was much easier to come back to. Despite the talk Creed and Dinn had had a few nights prior, Creed didn¡¯t feel the all-encompassing weight of their mission barreling down on him. The idea of spending an eternity in these walls wasn¡¯t even on his mind. Despite himself, and despite everything they had been through, Creed couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing warmth in his head as he stepped closer to the house.


    He just knew one thing was for certain, he wanted to see Dinn.


    As if answering his call Dinn quickly popped up from around the corner, seemingly winded and frazzled.


    ¡°There you two are.¡±


    He said as he doubled over out of breath.


    ¡°Something wrong?¡±


    Creed asked. He¡¯d never really seen Dinn winded like this. He spoke through large gulps of air and had a bewildered expression on his face. Looking in between Creed and Daemon he took a few sharp breaths.


    ¡°I think there¡¯s someone you need to meet.¡±

 Chapter 7 | Nothing Lost, Nothing Gained

    ¡°Are you feeling better?¡±


    Fallen asked as he stepped back from the shivering form of their new companion. He¡¯d shown up in a torn-up shirt and pants, with the remnants of an old jacket clinging to his arm. He shook like a leaf and his skin was cold to boot. Fallen and Dinn had led him over to the couch where he now sat, wrapped in a fluffy white blanket, and holding a piping hot cup of what they wanted to be tea in between his small hands.


    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡±


    He said, taking a slow careful sip of the scalding liquid. Fallen had told Dinn to go find Creed not too long ago. He thought it would be better if he met their new friend for himself. Even though the stranger had barely spoken since he arrived, Fallen knew he had to be another Creed. Despite their differences, Fallen, Daemon, and Dinn had found some odd common ground that linked them all together. Something that let them know that this other person could know them more than the others. They had felt familiar. But this stranger? He was much too different from himself and the others to be another Dinn. He had to be their first alternate Creed.


    That¡¯s not to mention the small antlers that were jutting out of his head on each side. His right one was badly damaged with only half of it remaining. The end was crooked and uneven, giving the effect that it was taken by force.


    ¡°So¡­¡±


    Fallen cleared his throat.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The stranger smacked his lips, swallowing the small bit of tea he managed to slurp up.


    ¡°Creed. What¡¯s yours?¡±


    Ah, so he was right.


    ¡°I go by Dinn in my own world, but here everyone calls me Fallen.¡±


    ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡±


    This Creed looked at him oddly, as odd as one could look at someone without their eyes. Fallen chuckled scratching at the back of his neck nervously.


    ¡°When I got here there was already a Dinn and a Creed. So, we decided to give everyone else who came here a nickname to make it easier.¡±


    It¡¯s amazing the number of things Fallen had had to get used to upon living here. Never going by his own name was one of the major ones. Not to mention the number of times he would still find himself responding to a call for ¡°Dinn!¡± when it wasn¡¯t for him.


    ¡°There¡¯s another Creed here?¡±


    This Creed pressed.


    ¡°Yeah, Creed is very welcoming. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s nothing to worry about with him, despite how weird it may seem to have another ¡®you¡¯ in the room.¡±


    Fallen replied in an attempt to laugh off the awkward question.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    His voice had suddenly gone very low. His head dipped down and away from Fallen. The hands around his cup pressed tightly against it as his whole body went rigid. Was he scared? Fallen himself had felt apprehensive when he first arrived in The Infinity, but not really scared. Maybe he was just nervous then? Nervous about meeting Creed.


    Fallen had to admit the two were different in some ways already. Creed may seem shy and apprehensive at first, but after speaking with him, and hearing how heavy his voice can get, Fallen understood the weight of his words and how serious he can be when he speaks. This Creed¡¯s voice was low and airy. It sort of floated away as soon as it arrived, as if it didn¡¯t want to be heard in the first place.


    At the same time Fallen felt apprehensive about this new Creed. He¡¯d imagined that every new Creed they met would send him spiraling down further into grief and sorrow for the one he lost. He thought they¡¯d all make him long for them the same way he longed for his lost Creed. But the only one to manage that so far was Creed. It might be too early to tell but Fallen somehow knew that this Creed would never be his. And likewise, he could never be theirs. Even as they sat across from each other, trying to break the ice and open up to one another, Fallen found himself merely waiting for Creed.


    Which he thankfully didn¡¯t have to wait too long for.


    --------


    Creed stood awkwardly in the doorway. Dinn had led him into their shared living room where Fallen and a new stranger sat. It wasn¡¯t hard to tell from a quick glance that this stranger was supposed to be another him. For days he¡¯d tried to build up the mental fortitude to be able to face another him, but when presented with his doppelganger, he didn¡¯t know what to think. Especially when said doppelganger looked so small and frail. They shared a similar hair color, with this man¡¯s being a faded orange much like some of Creed¡¯s own highlights. Their horns were also very similar, though this man¡¯s were chipped and broken in several places. Even the markings across his hands read similar to his own.


    Creed found himself staring for an uncomfortable amount of time, before Dinn elbowed him in the ribs to bring him back to reality. Quietly he cleared his throat and stepped forward.


    ¡°Hello. And who might you be?¡±


    This other Creed didn¡¯t answer. He merely dipped his head away from Creed¡¯s voice with a frown plastered to his face. Without being able to see his eyes Creed couldn¡¯t tell if he was nervous, sad, or angry.


    ¡°Creed this is¡­Creed. We haven¡¯t really figured out a nickname for him yet.¡±


    Fallen chuckled, standing up to greet Creed as he entered. He looked back towards where Dinn and Daemon stood as if looking for some help to make their situation a bit less awkward.


    ¡°He just kind of showed up a bit ago. We thought it¡¯d be best for everyone to meet up quickly.¡±


    Dinn responded taking a few steps closer, but not as close as Creed.


    Creed thought for a moment, looking back at the stranger on their couch he approached closer. Setting himself down on the coffee table that stood just in front of the couch he was finally able to get this man¡¯s attention as his head shot up at the sound of his steps.


    ¡°That¡¯s alright. I can imagine ending up here can be pretty disorienting. I know it was for all of us.¡±


    Creed said with a smile on his face. He thought it might seem ridiculous to smile at a man who can¡¯t see him, but he hoped that he wouldn¡¯t come off aggressive to their new companion.


    The man went rigid in his seat, scooting backwards in his chair till he touched the back of the sofa. His whole body leaned far away from Creed and his head turned decidedly toward the side. Creed may not be able to tell what this man is thinking, but he knows the body language of someone who is immensely uncomfortable with his close proximity to know to move.


    Standing from his seat he took a few steps away from the other.


    ¡°So, where do you come from?¡±


    Creed pressed. It was odd not getting a response from him. Was this how Fallen and Daemon felt when they first met? Is this how Dinn felt the entire time they were together?


    Looking over at his flat mates a lightbulb seemed to go off in Creed¡¯s head. Seeing the others awkwardly looming close by and staring at the two of them, Creed could feel that tension roll over him like a wave. This must seem too intimidating, like the four of them were trying to interrogate this smaller man. Even to someone who couldn¡¯t see, he imagined he could feel all eyes on him.


    ¡°Dinn and I come from the same world.¡±


    Creed spoke up a bit louder. Dinn seemed to snap out of his reverie to look over at him. Creed gestured pointedly for him to come closer. With a knowing look Dinn spoke up as well.


    ¡°Yeah, we kind of got dragged here by some¡­thing, so that¡¯s how we got here first.¡±


    Dinn said chuckling to himself as he stepped closer, circling the coffee table to stand next to Creed. The other Creed¡¯s head followed him as he walked.


    ¡°I¡¯m Dinn by the wa¡ª¡±


    Pausing for a moment Dinn looked over to Fallen with a pensive look on his face. Pointing back and forth between the two of them he asked,


    ¡°Do we sound the same?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Both Creed¡¯s spoke in unison. Snapping their attention back to the one on the couch, he quickly ducked his head away from their gaze.


    ¡°Your voice is¡­rough.¡±


    He finally said, his words trailing off quietly.


    ¡°Fallen¡¯s voice is definitely deeper. If only by a bit.¡±


    Creed finished, looking back towards the two men. Dinn blinked rapidly at the two of them.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I should be flattered or insulted by that.¡±


    He chuckled. Fallen¡¯s shoulders went slack as he stepped around the couch to sit across from their new companion once again.


    ¡°Maybe a little bit of both?¡±


    He joked, enjoying the light ribbing at Dinn¡¯s expense.


    ¡°Oh, come off it!¡±


    Dinn called back, still laughing to himself. Creed smiled as the atmosphere became decidedly less tense. He looked back towards the doorway, catching Daemon¡¯s eye as she lingered in its precipice.


    ¡°Daemon, come on in. Introduce yourself.¡±


    He called to her. Daemon ducked her head away from him, seemingly having a conversation with herself. Creed could tell she was uncomfortable, but he didn¡¯t exactly know why. She had acted similarly when they first met, content to watch him from the doorway, but never interact. He wondered if he hadn¡¯t caught her staring back then, would she ever have revealed herself to him?


    While Dinn and Fallen were still preoccupied with each other, Creed took the chance to slide over to Daemon. Standing just in front of her he was able to catch her eye again even as they were turned down.


    ¡°Come on.¡±


    He whispered, placing his hand on her arm. Something about Daemon was always a bit off. Creed felt that she was ready to run given the chance, but he didn¡¯t know why. As much as he disliked it, she seemed to prefer touch and closeness more than the others. Certainly, more than he did. If it meant living around the other would be easier, he could put up with small touches and perhaps even handshakes. The only thing he was still apprehensive about, was if the others wanted to touch him.


    Gingerly Creed pulled Daemon into the room slowly realizing that Fallen and Dinn¡¯s conversation had stopped, and they were both looking at the two of them. Their faces were unreadable, but Creed shook off that thought. He was only concerned about the other Creed in this moment.


    Daemon came closer, attempting to step as lightly as she could.


    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Daemon¡­¡±


    She said as quietly as she could.


    ¡°I think my voice is unique enough, right?¡±


    She joked nervously. Shifting her eyes between Creed and this new stranger it was obvious she was too uncomfortable to say more than that. And with the other Creed refusing to speak up any more than he had, Creed surmised that these two weren¡¯t going to be good at conversation.


    However, once again lowering his head, the other Creed spoke.


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of you.¡±


    He said, catching Fallen and Dinn¡¯s attention again.


    ¡°I guess you could say that.¡±


    Fallen replied.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t realize how crowded The Infinity could end up being by the time¡­¡±


    Fallen¡¯s words sputtered off, but Creed felt like he knew what he was going to say. By the time they found their other halves. Creed almost felt a bit jealous at the idea that any one of their companions could leave of their own volition at any time. While Dinn and himself were left to constantly cycle through more and more alternate versions of themselves until¡­


    Until what exactly?


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    The other Creed said.


    ¡°I¡¯d really like to have a room to myself. Is that possible?¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    Fallen said a bit too quickly. Shrinking back a bit sheepishly he turned to Creed.


    ¡°Creed could you, uh¡­find him a room?¡±


    Creed looked over at Fallen a bit strangely. Sure, he and Dinn had been the ones to stay here the longest and knew the area a bit better than the others, but surely Fallen knew that rooms were just created on a whim. Any one of them could lead this man anywhere in the house to a random room they decided to create. Why was Fallen singling him out to go and find this other Creed a room?


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    Was it because¡­?


    Did the Dinn¡¯s just want a moment to themselves? Had they all felt too overwhelmed by the sight of a new Creed? Creed sighed. He thought he would end up being the awkward one when facing his doppelganger, but the others were proving to be no help in that department.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    Sidling up to the lone man on the couch Creed extended his arm, slightly brushing his fingers against the smaller man¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I can help you find a room.¡±


    Huffing quietly the small man stood from his seat, taking a few notable steps to the side. Creed followed him, careful to remind himself that this man couldn¡¯t see him. He kept his movements deliberate and slow as to not scare the other man.


    ¡°Hang on. I¡¯ll come with you.¡±


    Dinn called to the two retreating forms. Walking up towards them Dinn still had that odd unreadable expression plastered on his face. Creed found it a little disconcerting to not be able to tell what Dinn was thinking, but he once again pushed it to the back of his mind. Nodding sharply, he turned back to the other Creed who he suddenly found standing in between the two of them. Gently laying his hand on his back he led him out of the room.


    -----------


    ¡°Tell me what you¡¯re thinking.¡±


    Fallen almost sounded desperate. He had turned towards Daemon just a few moments after the other three departed. Daemon hadn¡¯t been making eye-contact with any of them throughout the entire ordeal. For some reason she didn¡¯t feel like she had the strength to.


    ¡°Please, what¡¯s on your mind?¡±


    He pressed. Daemon shook her head. She couldn¡¯t get her own thoughts in order. This new Creed, whatever he wanted to be called, was so weird. He was tiny compared to her. So meek and frail looking. Where had he come from? Did he run away from his world fearing retribution? Was he like the rest of them? Running from something he can¡¯t change?


    Still, despite this, all she wanted was to sit next to him and listen to him speak. He barely spoke and didn¡¯t even say a word to her the entire time. Was that because he felt awkward having to meet everyone at once? Or was he scared of them.


    ¡°Daemon!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know alright?!¡±


    She shouted back. Quickly slapping her hand over her mouth and straining her ears to hear for any approaching footsteps. The last thing she wanted was to alert the others.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We¡¯ve barely met him. We¡¯ll have to wait longer to see.¡±


    She said a bit calmer now.


    ¡°But you must¡¯ve felt something! Anything at all? When I met Creed, I felt something!¡±


    Fallen insisted. Daemon shook her head a bit disgusted.


    ¡°Just because you fall in love at first sight doesn¡¯t mean the rest of us do.¡±


    She said pointedly. This seemed to stop Fallen in his tracks. He lowered himself slowly back onto the couch, refusing to make eye-contact with Daemon. She admitted to feeling a bit bad at her sudden outburst, but what had he expected?


    Daemon had seen him following Creed around like a love-sick puppy more than once. She couldn¡¯t understand why he insisted on hurting himself like that. It was obvious that Creed had someone else to fall in love with, and it was doubly obvious that even if he hadn¡¯t, he wouldn¡¯t be interested in either of them.


    Looking back down at her hands, Daemon questioned if she was or wasn¡¯t in love with Creed. On any normal day he just seemed like another man in the flat, but today something had changed. Every time he touched her, she felt something stir within her. Even as he scratched her arm with those odd claws of his and the roughness of his skin. A longing she hadn¡¯t known since childhood. A longing to be held. Was that what she was falling in love with? The mere act of touch?


    Or was it something more?


    -----------


    The hand grazing his back was far too warm for his liking. Not to mention that hand was attached to such an insufferable creature.


    This man, this Creed, was humming. As he led him down the corridor to some vague area of this house, he was humming? Could he not be quiet for two seconds? Did he really feel the need to make his presence known at all times? How insufferable.


    He¡¯d heard it. The way Fallen¡¯s deep voice lilted upwards when this Creed entered the room. Good God, he was already in love with him, wasn¡¯t he? Would he even look at little old him now? With his scars, his uneven hair, and his lack of eyes, where was his chance at love? Fallen had such a beautiful voice. Deep and rich and the way he spoke was so cautious. He wanted him to feel okay with his presence. He hadn¡¯t forced it on him. So why, was he already in love with this one?


    What was so special about someone who couldn¡¯t shut up? The humming continued as Dinn¡¯s steps began to match their own. This Dinn was supposed to be with this Creed, right? So why couldn¡¯t they just leave together already and save the rest of them the trouble? Were they going to continue to force their presence on everyone else?


    And who was the third one? Daemon, right? Whoever they were he knew that they were very very tall. Irresponsibly so. Even then, why had they chosen to sound so scared of him? As small as he was, he¡¯d never scared anyone in his life! Who would dare be so afraid of him?


    Or did they really already decide to not love him either?


    How infuriating! He can¡¯t decide upon a glance whether they¡¯re worth his time, but they can decide on a whim that he¡¯s worthless. Unacceptable.


    ¡°Alright, this should be a suitable room for you. It¡¯s just in between mine and Dinn¡¯s so it should be safe.¡±


    This Creed said, slightly tugging at his shirt in order to stop the smaller man in his tracks.


    ¡°If you ever need anything you can come to either one of us.¡±


    Slipping out of his grip he turned to stare at the two before him.


    ¡°Are we the only one¡¯s here?¡±


    He asked. A beat followed his question as he felt their eyes shift between them.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just us, Fallen, and Daemon. Why do you ask?¡±


    Creed replied with that lazy faux concern to his voice. Who are you trying to fool? Yourself? Or your partner?


    ¡°Don¡¯t you ever feel like you¡¯re being watched?¡±


    He hated to admit it, but that feeling hadn¡¯t gone away since he arrived. He thought he could shrug it off once he met the others, but the feeling only strengthened the further in he went. Like an impending feeling of doom, it latched onto him the moment he walked through that portal.


    ¡°Not really. Do you?¡±


    There was that rough voice again. So oddly piercing but dirtied from years of screaming. This Dinn sounded so torn up at all times.


    Shaking his head, he decidedly turned away from the two men, grabbing blindly at his door before walking through and kicking it closed. He didn¡¯t need to deal with them anymore. They weren¡¯t his problem.


    Finally, alone in his own room that feeling finally left him. Whoever it was that was watching him couldn¡¯t enter his room, the small safe space carved out for himself. The relief was sudden and all encompassing. A wave of cold sweat enveloped his whole body as he slowly slid to the floor. No more eyes. No more watchers. Just silence, and peace. He didn¡¯t even register the pop and sting he¡¯d become so used to just beyond his eyelids. At least until a stream of hot liquid made its way down his cheek. Wiping at it fiercely he knew he¡¯d eventually have to find some way to clean himself up now that he was alone.


    Hopefully the red wouldn¡¯t stain his skin.


    -----------


    Creed and Dinn walked away from their new companion¡¯s door to nowhere in particular. Creed didn¡¯t necessarily want to go back to the living room where Daemon and Fallen were. There was nothing he wanted less than to be around the others at the moment. He still wasn¡¯t sure why Dinn had decided to accompany him. He hadn¡¯t spoken a single word, and he barely even acknowledged he was there. Had he just wanted to get away as well? Did he too feel the incoming panic of what Fallen wanted to talk about with the others?


    Taking his steps slow Creed kept glancing over at his shorter companion, hoping to at least catch his eye for a moment. However, Dinn just continued to stare straight ahead, the hard look still sequestered onto his face.


    ¡°So.¡±


    Creed finally broke the silence.


    ¡°He¡¯s a bit of an odd one, right?¡±


    Abruptly Dinn stopped in his tracks, causing Creed to stumble a bit as he tried to stop at the same time. Looking back towards Dinn he finally caught his eye. The other man was looking up at him with some fierce determination. His jaw sputtered a bit as if he wanted to say something or if he needed to throw up. Creed was glad he had finally grabbed his attention again, but something about his gaze was not at all comforting.


    ¡°You, okay?¡±


    He asked. The last thing he needed was for Dinn to be angry again. Creed found that Dinn went off like a rocket when he was angry. Something he wasn¡¯t sure he could handle at the moment.


    Deliberately Dinn raised his right hand, fingers splayed outwards as he held it out barely in front of him. He had yet to break eye-contact with Creed. Creed stared at the others hand. What did he want him to do? Did he want a high-five? That was rather unusual. Dinn had never been one for casual gestures like that. So what?


    Did he just want Creed to touch his hand?


    Oh. Oh.


    Creed thought. They hadn¡¯t had any physical contact at all since they hugged a few nights ago. An event Creed didn¡¯t regret, but he also wasn¡¯t up for a redo for. He just hated being touched. But Dinn had seen him touch Daemon, only, that was different. Touching someone else and being touched weren¡¯t the same. Touching someone meant he could decide how soft he wanted to be. Other people touching him brought¡­pain.


    Despite this, Creed looked back into Dinn¡¯s steely gaze. He wasn¡¯t going to let this go. Cautiously Creed began to lift his right hand. This would be alright, right? It was just Dinn. He knew Dinn. And if he touched him than there would be no pain. Dinn wouldn¡¯t hurt him like that, right?


    His hand inched slowly closer to the shorter man¡¯s. His breath grew shallow and faraway. Dinn cared about him. He cared about Dinn. They wouldn¡¯t hurt each other so cruelly. If he lost sight of the world around him for a moment, then maybe that was for the best. Creed grew closer, feeling the warmth that radiated between their fingers and then¡­


    Dinn¡¯s hand twitched.


    Like a sudden wave crashing violently onto the shore the spell was broken. Creed retracted his hand hurriedly, clutching to his shaking chest. He was going to grab him! Dinn was going to hurt him!


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I ca¡ª¡±


    ¡°Please I¡ª¡±


    Dinn and Creed both stopped. Creed had already begun backing away, but Dinn quickly kept in pace almost beginning to chase after him. But Creed had stopped. He didn¡¯t want to run. He needed to know if what he thought was true. Was Dinn wanting to hurt him? Clutching his still shaking hand to his chest, Creed wheezed. His breaths coming out in little sporadic pumps. He looked everywhere but at Dinn, shaking his head.


    ¡°You¡­you¡­¡±


    Dinn¡¯s teeth clacked together as he spoke. His jaw set clenched as he strained to breathe through his teeth. He was angry for sure. And Creed just wanted to run.


    ¡°You¡­touched Daemon¡­Why?¡±


    Creed had been right after all. Dinn was thinking about his interactions with Daemon. The way he¡¯d pulled her over closer to the group. The caressing of her arms as he stood next to her trying to give her some support. His aversion to touch was new to Dinn, and so far, he¡¯d been consistently rejected for touch. But now, with Daemon, he saw what it was like.


    And he was upset.


    Creed shook his head.


    ¡°We needed the others to be okay with each other. Daemon, Fallen, and the new guy. They need to know each other in order to find love.¡±


    Creed spoke still clawing at his arms.


    ¡°She wouldn¡¯t respond to me until I touched her. I didn¡¯t like it any more than she did. It just needed to be done.¡±


    Dinn chuckled humorlessly.


    ¡°There you go again. Shutting off your emotions like it¡¯s no big deal!¡±


    Creed could feel the static growing on his clothes.


    ¡°Why? Why do you do that? Isn¡¯t living life dependent on other people just a waste of time?¡±


    As soon as it came the static slowly fizzled out. Dinn¡¯s face looked mortified, his mouth gaped like a fish. He was sputtering again, and Creed wasn¡¯t exactly sure why. He was right in a way.


    ¡°You think I enjoy it?¡±


    Creed responded dryly.


    ¡°If I let my emotions consume me I wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything.¡±


    He said rubbing his arms to try and keep his body from warming up too quickly.


    ¡°Things need to get done. This world doesn¡¯t need someone so manic that they can¡¯t solve anything on their own. Figured that out after years of isolation.¡±


    Creed felt so exposed. For so many years after the war ended, he was completely useless. He couldn¡¯t leave his home without falling into a pit of despair. He¡¯d basically abandoned his fellow soldiers for what? Isolation? That feeling burning up inside him until it all bled out. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of forcing the world to see all of his failures. Every scar a new failure. A wrong he was never able to correct.


    Dinn stepped closer, his expression no longer fiercely determined or spitefully vindictive. He looked odd. He looked¡­sad.


    ¡°Creed, I¡­¡±


    His words trailed off, replaced with a few frustrated grunts.


    ¡°Our world really fucked us up! Didn¡¯t it?¡±


    Dinn¡¯s voice carried down the hallway, but his words held no venom. He had to laugh at the thought, or else he¡¯d cry. What had their world molded them into?


    ¡°I¡¯ll try to be more understanding of your¡­issues with touch.¡±


    Dinn said almost robotically. Creed could tell that while he was being sincere, he hated that he had to be. Back in the old day¡¯s Dinn¡¯s expression of love was touch. Caressing his cheek, rubbing his head to help him fall asleep, braiding his hair when they had the time. Every aspect of his love language revolved around touch. Was that still where he was at today?


    Creed found himself looking back at Dinn¡¯s hand as it swung by his side. His skin was so badly scarred up. Calluses, scratches, and burns marred his palms. The unevenness of his fingers, probably whittled down after years of the tips being sliced off.


    Despite himself Creed found himself reaching forward again, if just too lightly ghost the hard hand. But he did more than just ghost, he brought his fingers around the others, squeezing ever so gently for just a moment. Almost delighting in the way his nails bit against the rough texture.


    ¡°I will also try to be more considerate. With or without my¡­issue.¡±


    The words were there. He wanted to say them, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to. Dinn didn¡¯t need to know about that pain. As the shorter man watched him, eyes wide in wonder, Creed settled.


    Dinn didn¡¯t need to know about those scars.


    ----------


    He didn¡¯t know how long it had been before he heard another knock at the door. He¡¯d simply been reveling in the feeling of being completely isolated. Something he hadn¡¯t realized he needed until he had it. Back home he was always being watched, no matter where he went, what he was doing, or what time of day it was. Here, in his own little bubble, he felt secure.


    The knock would have startled him if he hadn¡¯t heard the knocker approaching from a good way away. Was it the irresponsibly tall Daemon, or was it the much softer Fallen? Standing from his position and wiping himself down he turned to his door. Grasping blindly for the doorknob he pulled it open and was greeted with silence.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    He finally spoke up, exasperated.


    ¡°Ah sorry!¡±


    A deep apologetic voice spoke back to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s Fallen.¡±


    Hearing this his mood seemed to perk up just a bit. Fallen. Now he had his full attention! Lucky him it wasn¡¯t Dinn or Creed. He could hear a slight rummaging going on in front of him. Some sort of shuffling that he couldn¡¯t exactly figure out. Was he nervous?


    ¡°I actually came by to give you something.¡±


    He found this a little bit odd. A gift, so suddenly, for him? Ringing his hands together he began to sweat. Was Fallen so quick as to shower everyone he met with gifts, or was this something special?


    ¡°Could you, uh¡­hold out your hands for me?¡±


    He asked, that smooth voice coming back in full force. Cautiously he held his hands forward, cupping his palms together, unsure of how exactly he was supposed to receive said gift.


    Almost instantly he felt a brush of cool metal pressed against his fingertips. It was a long slender object. Something he needed to grasp with both hands. The metal felt odd, and as he brought it closer to him, he could feel the bottom end slide across the floor with quiet scrape.


    ¡°We wanted to apologize at not being able to get this to you sooner.¡±


    Fallen spoke up, this time his deep honey covered voice picking up in volume.


    ¡°With everything that happened today I suppose it just slipped our minds.¡±


    He began to tap his fingers on the rounded end of the object. Fallen was sweet, but he was also unbearably slow it seemed.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    He asked trying to match Fallen¡¯s volume but having his voice crack before it could make it. Shit. He sounded horrible!


    ¡°It¡¯s a walking cane.¡±


    Fallen responded seemingly oblivious to the other¡¯s mistake.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t want you to have to rely on us when you needed to go somewhere. So, we got this cane for you.¡±


    A walking cane?


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    Fallen paused, seemingly sucking in a breath for a moment.


    ¡°You¡­you¡¯ve never had a walking cane?¡±


    He stammered. He merely shook his head. Was it something that he needed? Was it something that was going to help him be more approachable?


    Fallen sighed audibly.


    ¡°A walking cane is something blind people tend to use so that they can get around easier. Since you are¡­blind, we thought it was something you¡¯d find useful.¡±


    He then chuckled a bit.


    ¡°Though, if you don¡¯t know how to use it, I¡¯m not sure any of us would be able to help you with that.¡±


    He gripped and regripped the handle to this supposed ¡®walking cane,¡¯ unsure of how to respond. He imagined it was something that was supposed to help him not run into things, but he wasn¡¯t sure how he was supposed to use it. Did he hold it out in front of him? Swing it? Use it to poke the ground in front of him? What help would it be if he couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Fallen perked up suddenly.


    ¡°Actually, I think Creed and Dinn might be able to help you! They¡¯ve had to deal with some injuries from the war before so maybe they¡¯re more familiar with canes than we are.¡±


    He gripped the handle to his cane till his knuckles turned bright white. Of course, it had to be those two. He was always being shipped off to someone else for help. Why couldn¡¯t Fallen stay and help him? Oh, how amazing that would be.


    ¡°By the way¡­¡±


    Oh shit, he was still here!


    ¡°We never did decide a name for you.¡±


    Oh right.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t appreciate just being called the new guy.¡±


    Fallen shrugged his voice almost lilting beautifully. His name? What should his name be?


    ¡°How did you guys get your names?¡±


    He asked, trying to make his voice smooth like Fallen¡¯s. What he wouldn¡¯t give to have a voice like that.


    Fallen scratched his head.


    ¡°As far as I know, Daemon came up with hers because that¡¯s what they called her back in her original world. Mine was sort of a¡­team effort.¡±


    There was something ugly hiding in Fallen¡¯s voice as he referred to his own name. Something deep and resentful. He decided not to comment on it since he had more pressing matters.


    So, Daemon got her name from what people used to call her back home. How awful to be named a demon. He would have to ask her about that. So, what about him? What was something he was called back home?


    Back home where he was always being watched by a man who interrogated his every move. A man who declined his many offers. And yet a man who criticized his every appearance. What had he always called him?


    Little one? Too long. Peanut? He wasn¡¯t food. Outsider? That was just in the beginning. Commander? Eh, he never really got used to that one. Thinking harder about it there was one name he had gotten used to over the years. One name he had submitted to for so long. But now, here in this new world, he would use it again as his own. Just for the time being.


    ¡°You can call me, Patient.¡±

 Chapter 8 | A Million Fireflys

    Dinn found himself pacing back and forth in the confines of his own room. His ears straining to hear any sound from the rooms next to him. All he wants is to see Creed, but the thought of going up to his door and having nothing to say, scared him. He could still feel the touch of Creed¡¯s fingers against his own. His skin was a lot rougher around his scars and markings, but he was still warm. It felt good after so many years of feeling cold. The small bites his nails took out of his skin were electrifying. That small touch meant so much more than the hug. This was Creed willingly coming forward to be near him, instead of the other way around. Was this finally proof that he also wanted to find what they¡¯d lost? Dinn hoped desperately for that to be the case.


    Now he paced anxiously, listening for any sign of Creed leaving his room. Their rooms may be relatively close compared to the others, but that didn¡¯t mean listening for the small sounds of a door opening was any easier.


    Dinn had felt almost relieved at Patient¡¯s arrival. He¡¯d sat in his room questioning his standing with his Creed too many times since the others arrived. But now, with another Creed here he felt like he could finally relax. Surely, they¡¯d try to find some commonality within each other now. That was the whole point of this world, right? What else were they supposed to do now? It¡¯s not like they could try and force any of the other couples together. Heck, they weren¡¯t even sure if Patient was supposed to be with Fallen, Daemon, or some other Dinn that had yet to arrive. How were they supposed to know?


    Just then Dinn heard a knock coming from down the hall. Pressing his ear up against the wall he wondered if someone was knocking on Patient¡¯s door. Had he missed the sound of Creed leaving his room?


    That¡¯s when he heard a voice.


    ¡°Something wrong, Fallen?¡±


    That was definitely Creed¡¯s voice. It seems Fallen had no gripes in walking straight up to his door and talking to him. What did he want?


    ¡°No, not really. I¡­I just wanted to see you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Oh.¡±


    Dinn could feel his stomach sinking to the floor. Why did it suddenly feel like Creed was drifting farther away from him? The space between them growing till he couldn¡¯t feel that warmth he wished to covet. It made him angry. It made him furious. To think, everything he ever cared for would just be ripped away from him in a moment¡¯s notice. How long? How long till this shaky alliance went away with the wind as well?


    ¡°I heard you¡¯ve been helping Patient with his cane lately.¡±


    Fallen said his voice sounding higher than normal.


    ¡°Actually, Dinn has been the one to help him out mostly.¡±


    Creed responded, his voice raising as well.


    ¡°I tend to have experience helping people who¡¯ve lost limbs or mobility. Dinn¡¯s better at helping those who¡¯ve lost senses. He even learned sign language during the war after Theo lost most of his hearing to a bomb.¡±


    Dinn had felt his heart leap from his chest as Creed spoke of him. The way his voice rolled gently off his tongue sounded like he was reciting a poem. It made Dinn feel heroic, worthy of something more than what he was given. He¡¯d hadn¡¯t heard anyone speak highly of him in an exceedingly long time. Listening to it come from his former lover¡¯s voice was music to his ears.


    A sudden short intake of breath halted his thoughts.


    ¡°D-don¡¯t!¡±


    It was Creed again, frazzled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡±


    He breathed. His voice now shook as the air grew slightly warmer. Damn it Fallen! How many times had he warned him about the touching thing?! What was he up to know?


    ¡°But why? Creed I¡ª¡±


    ¡°If he says don¡¯t touch him, then don¡¯t touch him!¡±


    Dinn hadn¡¯t even known when he¡¯d swung open his door. But still, there he stood, grasping at its handle with enough strength to crack a bone. Let alone snap the metal off its hinges. He¡¯d heard them through the walls. Heard the way Creed grew uncomfortable. But, more importantly, heard the way Fallen had grown insistent. That desperation tickling his voice. That feeling of being cornered crawling up his back. How many times had Fallen hurt them already with his need to be so close? His need to trample over the barriers they¡¯d set up. How inconsiderate.


    Fallen and Creed had stared back at him wide-eyed, unsure of when he¡¯d started listening in. Creed¡¯s look softened a bit as the room settled, seemingly thankful for the sudden interruption. Fallen, on the other hand, looked ready to pounce. His temper slowly rising as if he wanted to match Dinn¡¯s. But this wasn¡¯t something Dinn was going to back down on. Fallen needed to know that their boundaries they¡¯d set up for each other applied to everyone. They were not to be taken lightly.


    However, before anyone could speak, a sudden rumbling came from down the halls.


    ¡°You guys!¡±


    Daemon shouted from a way away, thankfully. Appearing around the corner she quickly skidded to a halt in front of the trio.


    ¡°There¡¯s something in the living room that you have to see!¡±


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Fallen didn¡¯t really know what to make of the little ornaments that decorated their once bare walls. They hadn¡¯t been here last night, or any of the night¡¯s prior. Yet, Daemon had insisted that she didn¡¯t create them. As did the rest of the group.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Patient asked, tapping his cane against the floor as if to remind everyone that he is certifiably blind.


    ¡°Some sort of round¡­fuzzy objects?¡±


    Fallen responded uncertainty evident in his voice.


    ¡°They almost look like¡­party balloons?¡±


    Creed added, side-eyeing the weird objects. The group turned their heads toward him as if asking him to explain.


    ¡°Y¡¯know those large balls filled with confetti that when you pull on them all of the confetti comes out?¡±


    He said demonstrating a pulling motion as if he was tugging on a long ribbon and then closing and opening his palms as if to symbolize the confetti bursting from the contraption.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of such things.¡±


    Daemon said, going back to staring at the odd white objects.


    ¡°I have, but only when I was a child.¡±


    Patient said tilting his head back and forth as if to mock the motion of someone dutifully observing something in front of them.


    ¡°Seems like we all have one.¡±


    Dinn said, crossing his arms. Fallen looked back at the party balloons, noting the small detail just underneath each of them.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Patient asked once again tapping his cane.


    ¡°He means that they each have our names under them.¡±


    Fallen responded humorlessly.


    ¡°Dinn, Creed, Fallen, Daemon, and Patient. Each of our names on a notecard underneath their balloons.¡±


    He said reading out the names from left to right.


    ¡°Or should I say, underneath our balloons.¡±


    ¡°But how? Things don¡¯t just appear in The Infinity?¡±


    Daemon reiterated.


    ¡°We can make whatever we want, but things can¡¯t be created without our express permission.¡±


    ¡°We can create things?¡±


    Patient asked, looking up in an attempt to meet Daemon¡¯s eye. She scowled intensely.


    ¡°Did you guys not tell him?¡±


    She questioned the other three standing in the room with them. At the least they all had the wherewithal to look sheepish.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long week?¡±


    Creed said attempting to sound apologetic. Daemon merely shook her head.


    ¡°We can talk about this once the other guy gets here.¡±


    She snapped.


    ¡°What other guy?¡±


    Fallen asked back.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? If none of us made these¡­things, then there must be some sixth person inside The Infinity with us.¡±


    Daemon said exasperated.


    ¡°A sixth person¡­who knows all of our names and nicknames?¡±


    Creed questioned halting Daemon in her tracks.


    ¡°And somehow knows the order in which all of us entered The Infinity? That can¡¯t be a coincidence.¡±


    He pressed. She huffed haughtily.


    ¡°Anything can be a coincidence.¡±


    ¡°No, no I think he¡¯s right.¡±


    Fallen interjected.


    ¡°Of course you do.¡±


    Daemon muttered, failing to grab anyone¡¯s attention.


    ¡°If there was some sixth person here with us, they¡¯d have to know more about us than I think they¡¯re capable of.¡±


    ¡°Could it be them then?¡±


    Dinn asked looking back and forth between Creed and the other three.


    ¡°Them?¡±


    Patient asked haughtily.


    ¡°The Beings. The one¡¯s who brought us here in the first place.¡±


    Holding up his hands as if to stop the barrage of questions sure to come, Dinn continued.


    ¡°I know they¡¯ve never done anything like this before, but I also know they must be watching over us. They wouldn¡¯t leave us in an infinite space with the ability to create anything we want to without at least some parameters.¡±


    ¡°And those parameters being?¡±


    Fallen pressed.


    ¡°Their constant watchful eyes? Maybe they¡¯ve seen we¡¯re getting farther in this little ¡®game¡¯ they set up for us, so they gave us something to¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°Take home with us once we¡¯re finished?¡±


    Patient finished tapping his crooked nails on the side of his cane.


    ¡°I suppose it makes sense. In the end aren¡¯t we supposed to be going home with our ¡®one true love?¡¯ Makes sense to give us a party favor as a parting gift. Though it is quite juvenile.¡±


    He huffed, clearly displeased at the idea of being treated like a child. Fallen imagined he got that a lot due to his size. However, before any of them could speak up about the theory, Patient cleared his throat.


    ¡°So, about that little ¡®being able to create anything you want¡¯ thing.¡±


    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Creed found himself stepping out of their shared home once again. Though he didn¡¯t go nearly as far this time. Their oddly shaped house was still in view as he stood soaking up the absolute expanse of The Infinity. The amount of people he was surrounded by on all sides was becoming suffocating. He really didn¡¯t know how many more personalities he was going to have to handle. In the back of his mind, he¡¯d hoped for a Dinn to show up and then that Dinn¡¯s Creed to show up right after. They could say their quick hellos, and then be off into their world together. He hadn¡¯t considered how many souls would be left wondering aimlessly throughout these halls.


    Taking in a deep breath, he was once again reminded that The Infinity had no smell. Frustrated he sighed audibly, ringing his hands together and scraping at his palms. He wasn¡¯t sure why this frustration always made him itch.


    Back home he could step out of his cabin and smell all sorts of scents in the air. Whether it be the scent of his garden, the smell of nearby campers, the smell of the old wood, or even the smell of animal feces. Whatever it was, there was always a smell that reminded him where he was. It kept him tied to the present. Now with nothing around him but white, his sense of time and direction was gone. He felt lost.


    ¡°Do you want to be alone?¡±


    Turning quickly Creed saw Dinn standing just a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets and his head disappearing into the fluff that was his jacket. Sighing Creed turned back around.


    ¡°No, not really.¡±


    Dinn was at least a personality that he could gauge. Being around him was a bit easier than the others. Hearing someone else talk was at least somewhat grounding, even if the words weren¡¯t always nice. Dinn sidled up next to him, seemingly content to remain quiet as if the mimic Creed.


    ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡±


    Dinn asked, his eyes shifting between the expanse and Creed.


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll come back with change.¡±


    Creed responded not taking his eyes off the expanse. Sometimes he just needed a moment to exist. No thoughts, nowhere to go, nothing to do, nothing to distract him. He realized this didn¡¯t really make him an interesting person to talk to, but if he cared about being interesting, he wouldn¡¯t be here.


    Dinn shifted a bit, clearly not used to standing so still. Creed almost had to laugh at that. He used to be the one bouncing all over the room, but now he could barely run without tripping over his own two feet.


    ¡°Do you like the forest? Back at your home?¡±


    ¡°It was my second choice. So, yes, I do enjoy it.¡±


    ¡°Second choice? What was your first option?¡±


    It was Creed¡¯s turn to shuffle in place. Over the years he¡¯d found comfort in his own little world back home, but he never did stop thinking about what would have been if he¡¯d gone with his first option.


    ¡°The beach. I originally wanted a house right up against the ocean where I could see the seagulls flying overhead and walk out onto my porch and smell the ocean air every morning. Even on stormy days I feel like I would still find a way to enjoy myself.¡±


    Creed could almost picture the shore now. The sand underneath his feet, the waves crashing in all around him, and the sky, oh the sky. He¡¯d wake up at the crack of dawn just to watch the sunrise. A myriad of oranges, yellows, purples, and reds would coat the sky. Reflected off the water the whole world would dance with color. The smell of the air would be even better. The crispness of the morning dew. The cool breeze that would wash over him on any given day. Wouldn¡¯t the world just be so beautiful then?


    ¡°So, what stopped you?¡±


    Creed had to chuckle.


    ¡°People stopped me.¡±


    He shook his head looking down at himself.


    ¡°Turns out a lot a lot of people want to be at the beach all the time. Far too many for me to handle. Even worse would be the vendors taking up residence right next to my home. Brining in tourists, partygoers, and young people alike. I decided that the noise would be far too much.¡±


    Ringing his hands together he once again scratched at his palm. The thought of never having a moment of peace was enough to drive him crazy. He needed time to himself more than anything. Still, despite his reservations, he¡¯s never felt confident about his decision.


    ¡°Once again it was just my emotions that got the better of me. My fear that stopped me from doing what I wanted.¡±


    Creed found himself pinching the skin around his thumb hard. The rough texture quickly gave way and cracked under his pressure as the redness shone through. How many opportunities had he lost because he feared the outcome? How many people had he lost because he feared they¡¯d leave him, so he left first?


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    ¡°Creed?¡±


    Snapping his head up Creed met Dinn¡¯s eyes as he stood just in front of him. Dinn¡¯s hands were hovering around where Creed¡¯s were wrung together. As if he wanted to hold his hands. With a sharp intake of breath Creed pulled his hands back to his chest.


    ¡°Creed¡­¡±


    Dinn paused his eyes darting back and forth as if he was arguing with himself about what he wanted to say.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you like touch?¡±


    Creed felt like a sudden great weight had fallen onto his shoulders. Dinn had never been so direct with his questioning. What had changed? Why was he so keen to know about Creed¡¯s boundaries? Was it not enough that Fallen was willing to break them any chance he got?


    ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°Because I want to know!¡±


    Dinn shouted. The world around them pulsed to life, sparks dancing over the sterilized surface of The Infinity. A rush of adrenaline took over Creed as he tried to step back.


    ¡°When did you stop trusting me?¡±


    He pressed. The tingling sensation grew fraying the ends of Creeds hair. The rush of static through his body gave him goosebumps and slowly his body began to heat up.


    ¡°How many years have we known each other, Creed? How much shit have we gone through together?¡±


    Dinn rambled on, his voice wavering. Creed stared at him through the corner of his eye, watching the yellow and blue sparks grow as they crawled up his arms. Slapping his hand over his mouth, Creed felt like he was ready to hurl. His body heat continued to grow to an uncomfortable level as he tried his best to shrink away from Dinn. He didn¡¯t want to blow up now. The mixture of Dinn¡¯s electricity and Creed¡¯s fire would destroy them, surely. Still, the languid purple glow grew on his shoulders as the flames sprouted quietly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand how you could just¡­forget all that. And now I can¡¯t even touch you¡ª"


    ¡°Why do you still act like you know me?¡±


    Creed¡¯s voice cracked violently as he tried to speak over Dinn.


    Dinn had stopped abruptly, looking confused.


    ¡°Why do you¡­act like we haven¡¯t been separated for years?¡±


    Dinn reeled back, the tingling sensation suddenly depleted. It was like he was seeing Creed for the first time again, and the sight was shocking.


    Creed clawed at his cheeks till lines were scratched deeply into his skin. His pupils were dilated, and his breaths were weak and shallow. He held himself, his arms wound tightly around his chest and head. He had certainly shrunk down at Dinn¡¯s words, his knees buckled under him as he leaned far away from the other. Small puffs of fire ran over his shoulders and down his back, glowing brightly, but feeling almost cold even at such a short distance.


    Creed looked terrified.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are, Dinn, and you don¡¯t know me. I¡¯m afraid what we¡¯ve been through¡­ it means n¡ª¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say it!¡±


    Dinn shouted covering his ears and shaking his head.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t say it! I can¡¯t imagine¡­I can¡¯t imagine everything we¡¯ve been through¡­¡±


    Dinn was still shouting, but the sparks that had once covered his body were gone. There was no fury to his words, rather there was desperation. A mix of sadness and shock.


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine it all¡­meaning nothing.¡±


    For once Dinn¡¯s breaths sounded ragged as he held his stomach. As if a large weight had fallen onto him Dinn kneeled on the ground. Creed found himself a bit perturbed by the sudden mood shift. Ever since they entered The Infinity Dinn had been angry, obsessive, Creed couldn¡¯t recall a time when he looked so small. Standing tall from his once crouched position Creed could just look down at his ex-lover. He wasn¡¯t sure what to do, not knowing how to comfort him this time. What he said was true, wasn¡¯t it? They¡¯re two different people now. There¡¯s no way they could still know so much about each other.


    With a short inaudible sigh, Creed kneeled to down to be at eye level with Dinn. He still wasn¡¯t looking at him, his eyes glued to the floor and a look of pain stretched across his face. He was sweating. Slowly Creed lifted his hand towards Dinn who remained perfectly still. He could feel the heat wafting off of Dinn in waves. Was he embarrassed by his outburst?


    Carefully Creed lifted strands of Dinn¡¯s hair up and away from his face, tucking them neatly behind his ear. Dinn watched his movements silently.


    ¡°You¡¯re burning up.¡±


    Creed said, his hand still hovering around Dinn¡¯s head.


    ¡°Do you want to take your jacket of¡ª¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Immediately Creed retracted his hand as if it had been slapped. Dinn shook his head back and forth, clutching the fur of his jacket. Resisting his desire to run from the scene, Creed sat back down on his knees. He¡¯d become so flighty lately.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±


    He said, voice raising barely above a whisper.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to.¡±


    They sat in silence for a moment. Both men refusing to look up at the other, fearful that they might say something wrong again.


    ¡°I never wanted to be like this.¡±


    Creed¡¯s head whipped up at Dinn¡¯s words. He hadn¡¯t found the courage to break the silence on his own, so he was glad that Dinn did, but he didn¡¯t understand what he meant.


    ¡°Angry all the time, yelling at everyone, pushing people away¡­losing everything¡­¡±


    He continued, still averting his eyes.


    ¡°Who does that?¡±


    He shook his head. Creed swallowed harshly. He had so many questions that he wanted to ask. Why was Dinn angry all the time? Why was he insistent on knowing about Creed¡¯s boundaries? Why was he still here? But were those questions worth it to inevitably push Dinn further over the edge?


    ¡°I¡­dammit.¡±


    Dinn stammered.


    ¡°Creed I¡­I want to be happy again.¡±


    Raising his head Creed could finally see Dinn¡¯s eyes, glazed over with tears refusing to spill. He could feel the warmth building back up in his chest, but for once it didn¡¯t feel like shame. Rather he felt a growing glow of sadness ripping through him like candle wax in his veins. Dinn was looking at him with such sincerity in his eyes. His words were quiet but firm. Was he really baring his soul out to him, here? In the center of The Infinity.


    ¡°Every time I think back to a time when I was happy¡­I think of you.¡±


    Dinn chuckled humorlessly.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stop thinking of you for a long time. Call me obsessive if you will, but¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°That¡¯s why when you remind me that we¡¯ve changed. When you remind me of how long it¡¯s been. If you say our past doesn¡¯t matter¡­it hurts.¡±


    Creed clawed at his pants nervously as silent tears rolled down his cheeks.


    ¡°It hurts because¡­that¡¯s all I¡¯ve had to hold onto for so long. And I¡¯m afraid¡­I¡¯m afraid that what I love will be ripped away from me again.¡±


    The two fell silent again, this time holding each other¡¯s gaze for longer than they were used to. Creed could feel his warm tears sliding down his cheeks, but he didn¡¯t cry out. It was like he couldn¡¯t. In the wake of Dinn¡¯s sorrow he didn¡¯t feel it appropriate to cry out and cause a scene. In the wake of Dinn finally opening up to him about why he¡¯d retuned to him those some odd weeks ago, he could only sit and stare.


    Dinn wanted to change. He didn¡¯t want to be this loud bombastic man that his life had turned him into. He wanted to be happy again. To be understanding. To see his life as something worth working for. Creed couldn¡¯t say he was unfamiliar with such a sentiment. Many times over the years he too had wanted to change his disposition, but he had found it too hard to commit to all on his own. So, instead of forcing people to deal with his manic emotions, he had isolated himself deep into the wilderness to hide his shame.


    And yet here Dinn sat, having those same feelings.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    Creed croaked.


    ¡°I¡­I never thought how my words had been affecting you like that.¡±


    He scoffed.


    ¡°It appears you¡¯re right about me tuning off my emotions in order to live. I was doing it to protect myself, but I never stopped to think how such crass language could affect others.¡±


    Creed shook his head moving to wipe the tears from his eyes.


    ¡°Our past does mean something. Whether we are together or apart our past still influences us. It¡¯s wrong of me to say it means noth¡ªah!¡±


    Suddenly a rough patch of Creed¡¯s skin caught on his cheek, stinging him. Looking down at his hand he could see a small line of red wiped across his finger.


    ¡°Creed! Your cheek is bleeding!¡±


    Dinn proclaimed. Oh right. He¡¯d been scratching at his cheeks when he¡¯d grown anxious around Dinn¡¯s yelling. His body had started to itch as it burned up from the inside out, but he didn¡¯t think he scratched hard enough to draw blood.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! Because of yelling you were panicking and¡ª¡±


    ¡°And because of my lack of empathy you were sent spiraling.¡±


    Creed cut Dinn off. He hated making Dinn feel like he needed to apologize like that. He hated that the spotlight was now back on him, as if Dinn hadn¡¯t just laid out all his emotions in one go. This wasn¡¯t about Creed. This wasn¡¯t even about Dinn. This was about both of them together and apart.


    ¡°We haven¡¯t been the kindest to each other, have we?¡±


    Creed laughed bitterly.


    ¡°I still care about you.¡±


    Dinn¡¯s head shot up from where he sat, his eyes wide.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we could ever love each other again, but I care about you. I don¡¯t want to hurt you, Dinn.¡±


    ¡°I care about you too.¡±


    It was stated so matter-of-factly that Creed had no choice, but to believe it.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I worry when¡­when you look so scared when anyone tries to touch you. Let alone me.¡±


    Ah right. Dinn had originally asked him why he doesn¡¯t like touch. Creed felt the urge to stay tight lipped about it, but looking back at Dinn, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, Creed sighed audibly.


    Dinn had bared himself out already, it was his turn now.


    ¡°Touching hurts me. I don¡¯t remember a time when it hasn¡¯t.¡±


    Creed looked everywhere but at Dinn.


    ¡°It¡¯s like¡­as if I¡¯m being burned whenever it happens.¡±


    He continued rubbing his arms slowly. From the corner of his eye Creed noticed a small white object in front of him. Looking over he saw that Dinn was handing him a small towel. Right, he was still bleeding.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    He said picking up the towel and pressing it gently to his cheek. Dinn sat back and cleared his throat.


    ¡°You can be burned?¡±


    Dinn asked. Creed chuckled, staring down at his towel as small streaks of red coated it slowly. Looking back up at Dinn his small smile quickly faded. Dinn had no humor to his face, only looking at Creed completely serious.


    ¡°You¡¯re joking right?¡±


    Creed responded looking in between Dinn and the expanse of The Infinity. To his surprise, Dinn shook his head.


    ¡°I figured since I can¡¯t get electrocuted because of my electricity powers¡­you can¡¯t get burned because of your fire powers?¡±


    The last part of the statement ended up sounding more like a question as Dinn gave him a raised eyebrow look. Creed stared back at him blankly for a moment. He shook his head and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but couldn¡¯t find the right words to do so.


    ¡°If you were¡­¡±


    He tried to begin.


    ¡°If you were attacked by a million volts of electricity¡­do you think you¡¯d be able to protect yourself from every single volt?¡±


    Creed asked once again looking everywhere but at Dinn. Dinn¡¯s eyes narrowed. He had been electrocuted before, but realistically it was with things like a taser or a small electrical rod. He¡¯s never been struck by lightning nor had a whole horde of electricity come at him all at once.


    ¡°Probably not.¡±


    He shrugged.


    ¡°But I feel like I would still have to be electrocuted to know what it feels like. So how do you know what it¡¯s like to be bur¡ª¡±


    Dinn stopped in his tracks once he looked back up at Creed. His face had gone ghostly white to the point that even his red and orange markings faded into his skin. He held the towel in his hand as if he was about to press it to his face but stopped himself. He gaped at Dinn for a moment before his expression suddenly broke into an anxious almost maddening chuckle.


    ¡°Oh my God, you don¡¯t know.¡±


    He said, his chuckle towing the line of hilarity and sadness. It sounded like if he was about to cry at any moment.


    ¡°What don¡¯t I know?¡±


    Dinn asked, louder than he had expected. Creeds sudden change in demeanor was confusing and upsetting. And Dinn certainly didn¡¯t like being laughed at. Instead of answering Dinn¡¯s question, Creed took the small towel and covered his face with it, still heaving back and forth. At that point Dinn couldn¡¯t tell if Creed was laughing or crying. Probably both.


    ¡°Creed?¡±


    Dinn pressed.


    ¡°Creed what don¡¯t I know.¡±


    Dinn sat there, staring at the other man rock back and forth as this odd ¡°laughter¡± slowly went away, yet he still refused to face him. He preferred to have that cloth situated over his face. The rocking motion was new, he¡¯d never seen Creed do something like that before. He wanted to reach out and touch him, but he pointedly reminded himself that Creed felt like he was being burned whenever he was touched.


    Eventually, Creed slowly dropped the cloth from his face. On the other side he looked sullen and distant.


    ¡°Cree¡ª¡±


    Before Dinn could finish, Creed was moving from sitting on his knees to having one leg out in front of him. His leg was bent upwards towards him at his knee as he slowly unbuckled his shoe. Dinn didn¡¯t say a word as he watched his former partner¡¯s shaky hands undo the latches. Once they were all undone, Creed gingerly took his shoe off. After placing it to the side Creed grabbed the end of his pant leg and paused. Taking in a shaky breath, Creed lifted his pant leg up to his knee.


    Dinn¡¯s sharp inhale of breath was reflexive as Creed showed him his leg. He stared wide eyed, mouth agape, and breath refusing to enter his body. Creed¡¯s leg had large red marks going up and down where the skin looked significantly wrinkled and agitated. A spiderweb of white scar tissue engulfed his entire leg. Parts of it almost looked a deep brown where the skin appeared roughest. The skin appeared to fold in on itself and create ripples of several lines of welts. This scar was nothing like the ones on his fingers. This scar was massive, all encompassing, and still looked painful even after being fully healed.


    Dinn didn¡¯t realize he was staring horrified until Creed rolled his pant leg back down and rushed to buckle back up his shoe. Once doing so Creed held his leg to his chest and breathed slowly and firmly. Dinn wanted to say something, to ask something, but he just didn¡¯t know what.


    ¡°They¡¯re both like that.¡±


    Creed said, breaking the silence.


    ¡°Both legs¡­they go up further.¡±


    Despite the bombshell Creed dropped on Dinn, he sounded hauntingly calm, as if this is something he could deal with because it¡¯s something he understood.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    Dinn tried to start.


    ¡°But where? How? When?¡±


    Dinn pressed, eyes darting back and forth on the floor. Creed shook his head.


    ¡°Do you remember¡­the volcano?¡±


    Suddenly a rush of memories came flooding back to Dinn. The volcano stronghold, the troops that were sent there, the barrage, the massacre, Donyun, Creed found to be the only survivor, the description of Creed¡¯s mangled and torn up body afterwards, and finally the realization. Dinn had never seen Creed¡¯s body after the incident. He¡¯d only heard about it.


    ¡°Oh my God¡­¡±


    He said softly.


    ¡°Oh my God!¡±


    He shouted suddenly, grabbing at his scalp, tears almost instantly springing to his eyes.


    ¡°Creed I¡¯m so sorry! I had no idea that¡ª¡±


    Once again, he was cut off by the look that Creed was giving him. It was firm, jawline tense, eyes focused and trained on him. He shook his head.


    ¡°When did we see each other again after that?¡±


    Dinn paused as he felt like Creed suddenly changed the topic. He went through his catalog of memories, searching for the right one.


    ¡°I had been sent to the Livingston Camp for the air raid. You were transported there by train several months after.¡±


    Dinn recollected slowly. Creed nodded looking away.


    ¡°I see. Anyway, that¡¯s how I know what it¡¯s like to be burned.¡±


    Creed said nonchalantly. Dinn shook his head confused. How could Creed mask his emotions at a time like this?


    ¡°So, whenever someone touches you, you feel that¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    There was that hard look again. And with that Creed stood from his spot.


    ¡°We should make sure the others are doing okay. No need to keep them waiting.¡±


    Without another word or look in Dinn¡¯s direction, Creed walked back towards the makeshift home. Dinn didn¡¯t move from his spot. He couldn¡¯t. As he watched Creed¡¯s figure shift and get smaller as he walked further away, Dinn sat staring off into the distance. He felt like he needed to say something. Needed to call out to Creed. But what would he say? Would he try to comfort Creed? He can¡¯t still be in pain after all these years, can he? Or would he try to apologize again. Looking back down at the spot he just left, Dinn paused. Creed was able to mask his emotions very well. To the point that it was almost scary how quickly he could go from one extreme to the next. In that moment, when Dinn felt like he was going to break down and grovel at Creed¡¯s feet apologizing, Creed had shook his head. He looked at him with a hard stare, as if looking straight through him, and he shook his head. Creed didn¡¯t press Dinn¡¯s apology. In a way, it felt like he didn¡¯t even want to hear it.


    He didn¡¯t want to hear Dinn¡¯s apology for abandoning him after the volcano stronghold incident.


    He didn¡¯t want to hear it because it meant nothing to him.


    Because that would be the one thing that he¡¯d never forgive Dinn for.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Daemon and Patient sat opposite each other on two separate couches, a small coffee table in between them. Daemon tried her hardest to lean down far enough so she wasn¡¯t towering over the small figure that was Patient, while at the same time trying not to hover too closely to him. Fallen had scurried off to heaven¡¯s knows where after the incident with the ¡°party favors.¡± Creed had meekly said he was going out to get some fresh air, and Dinn had followed shortly after. This left her as the only other body in The Infinity to teach Patient about how to make objects out of nothing. However, as Patient sat across from her, a sudden rush of anxiety coated her every movement. Patient seemed to have a habit of tapping his mismatched nails on his cane or tapping the darn thing on the floor when he was speaking. The tiny thing couldn¡¯t stay still for more than two seconds! As Daemon sat there twiddling her thumbs, she felt as if this eyeless man was looking straight through her. Hearing things and seeing things that even she didn¡¯t want to acknowledge. It was nerve wracking, but at the same moment, almost exhilarating.


    ¡°So, what do you want to make?¡±


    She asked shrugging her shoulders. Patient froze for a moment, then readjusted himself so he was leaning a bit more forward in his seat.


    ¡°How about a cup. I am awfully thirsty.¡±


    He replied shrugging his shoulders.


    ¡°Great!¡±


    Daemon said clasping her hands together. A move she instantly regretted as Patient cringed violently and brought his hands to his ears. The sound of her sudden outburst of enthusiasm and her clap was a little too much for the small man.


    ¡°Oh sorry!¡±


    She said hands shooting up as if in defense. Patient held his ears a little tighter till Daemon noticed she had shouted again.


    ¡°You are¡­quite loud, really.¡±


    Patient responded, rubbing the sides of his head as his hands slowly slid down to his lap.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Daemon responded making it a point to sit on her hands to avoid further issues. Licking her lips, she spoke terribly softly.


    ¡°So, what kind of cup do you want to make?¡±


    She said trying to bring the topic back around as she rocked back and forth. Almost as if on cue, Patient began rocking to match Daemon¡¯s rhythm.


    ¡°How about a teacup?¡±


    Daemon smiled and nodded before she realized Patient couldn¡¯t see her.


    ¡°That sounds perfect.¡±


    Patient stopped rocking and looked down at where he assumed the table to be.


    ¡°So, do I just say it?¡±


    He pressed, cocking his head to one side. Daemon stopped rocking and looked up towards the ceiling.


    ¡°I suppose I usually just think of something I need or want, and it comes to me. I can usually visualize what it is and then I say again in my head what I want.¡±


    She explained, her smile growing broader as she felt like she was nailing her explanation. However, Patient looked up at her seemingly unimpressed. His lips formed into a tight thin line spread across his face.


    ¡°Well, visualizing won¡¯t really do wonders for me.¡±


    Patient stated pointedly as he nearly jumped from his seat in order to lean forward.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t visualized anything in years.¡±


    He said haughtily. Daemon paused and brought her hand up to sheepishly scratch behind her neck.


    ¡°Heh, sorry. I guess I¡¯ve never really met someone who¡¯s blind, so I don¡¯t know how it works.¡±


    Patient seemed to pause in his seat as well. His haughty attitude suddenly distant as he slowly sat himself back up, leaning over to close in on himself. He didn¡¯t seem upset anymore, but Daemon couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking.


    ¡°I know what they¡¯re supposed to feel like. I¡¯ve held one before¡­I think.¡±


    Patient continued tapping away on his cane. Daemon nodded strongly.


    ¡°Okay, then why don¡¯t we start there. Try and visualize with your hands what you remember feeling.¡±


    Patient paused as he looked up at Daemon. Uncomfortable with her attention, he backed away further into his couch. Slowly he set his can to his side, his head shifting back and forth as if he was looking for something. Cupping his hands closely together, Patient began to tap his foot. Daemon swore he was saying something under his breath, but she couldn¡¯t hear it.


    Daemon suddenly went rigid, breathing very shallowly. She felt like she couldn¡¯t make a single sound as Patient stared down at his own hands. Would she be too distracting? Her eyes shifted back and forth between the corners of the room as if she couldn¡¯t even look at Patient. He is so small, and yet is very intimidating. She couldn¡¯t tell if he was judging her or questioning who she is.


    ¡°I can feel that you know.¡±


    Daemon perked up. Patient lifted his head from his hands, staring up at her face.


    ¡°You¡¯re anxious.¡±


    Oh¡­oh.


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    Daemon responded with a deep sigh. Patient sat up from where he was once hunched over. Patting his hands on his clothes he clasped them together and looked back up at Daemon.


    ¡°Why are you anxious?¡±


    Patient asked. Daemon paused. Shifting her eyes back and forth, she didn¡¯t know how to answer his question.


    ¡°Are you scared of me?¡±


    He pushed.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Daemon chirped before quickly putting her hands over her mouth. She was being too loud again.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not scared of you.¡±


    ¡°Then, why are you anxious?¡±


    He repeated. Daemon shook her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to answer that.¡±


    Patient sighed.


    ¡°You¡¯re exceptionally large and could toss me across the room with a flick of your wrist. So, you really have no reason to be afraid of me. So, it must be something we¡¯ve talked about that made you anxious. Did we say something odd?¡±


    Daemon shook her head.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. It might just be¡­¡±


    She paused.


    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure how to act around you. I don¡¯t know if my¡­loudness¡­will interrupt the way you live since you depend on listening rather than seeing.¡±


    Daemon wrung her hands together. She wasn¡¯t the best companion when it came to discussion. Her voice boomed loudly all throughout the woods she lived in. It was meant to intimidate those who dared try to enter her territory, but it was wholly useless as a vehicle for conversation. She was always a little ¡°too much¡± for people. Even for other demons.


    Patient smirked.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s bad that I can hear you better?¡±


    He asked incredulously. Daemon looked back over to him confused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you find it bad that I¡¯m too loud?¡±


    ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m not used to it, but it is easier for me to follow than the silent ghosts that stalk these halls. It took me five minutes to realize Fallen and I had been in the same room because he nary said a word to me.¡±


    Patient said, his voice growing sarcastic by the end. Daemon still felt confused, she¡¯d never heard anyone tell her anything more than to just be quiet.


    ¡°Still, I can be quieter when you need me to.¡±


    She spoke somberly.


    ¡°Your insistence on changing your voice is not odd to me. Heaven knows I¡¯ve done terribly similar things myself.¡±


    Patient shrugged.


    ¡°But don¡¯t feel compelled to change drastically for me. It should not be your prerogative to conform to my standards.¡±


    Patting the seat next to him, Patient picked up his walking cane and stood up.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we try this again some other time. I feel too anxious now to continue.¡±


    He said looking towards the doorway.


    ¡°Right, sorry. I¡¯ll try to keep that in check for next time.¡±


    And with that, Patient nodded and slowly exited the room. Daemon watched his form disappear around the corner. It wasn¡¯t until she could no longer her the gentle scrape of his cane sliding across the floor that she felt like she could finally relax. Slouching back on the couch with a loud sigh, she looked up towards the ceiling.


    Patient was certainly odd. Maybe even more so than Creed. At times, his mannerisms didn¡¯t feel completely his own. As if he picked them up from watching someone else, but how could that be possible. And what he said, to not conform to his standards. What were those standards? Did he mean that he did want someone quiet, and that Daemon shouldn¡¯t bother with herself because she¡¯d never be that person? Or was that a standard that she¡¯d only imagined for him and one that he didn¡¯t actually have? Despite his size he wasn¡¯t particularly quiet, and seemed intelligent to boot, but still, there was something off about his mannerisms.


    What was he not telling her?