《Pneuma's Call》 Chapter 1 - Pneumas Calling Lilith Hayles sat alone at her cramped desk; her face buried in her laptop. Her eyes were full of despair as she frantically scrolled through each article. ¡°Lilith Hayles: The Journalist Who Lied for Fame?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t lie!¡± her words became muffled as her face dived into her hands, which slowlypushed through her unwashed, gritty hair. The words echoed in her mind with a cruel persistence. Rain tapped softly against the round, foggy window. The dim glow of her laptop and the dull light of the moon illuminated a pale glow in her room. Each line she read felt like a dagger to her heart. How had everything come to this? Her reputation was bleeding out slowly for the entire world to see. ¡°Pathetic. Why would anyone believe her?¡± Every comment felt like a snake sinking its venom into her skin. The crushing weight ofit all came crashing down as she slammed her laptop close. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. She pushed back in her chair; the wheels scratching against the uneven wooden floorboards. A gust of air from the force blew out the candle on her desk, leaving the faint aroma of smoke and vanilla. The distant sound of a revving motorbike climbed to her 7th floor apartment. But nothing broke through. She could only hear their voices, the disgust in their tone. She had everything going for her. Her work had always been precise, beholding the truth that no one had uncovered. But this time, she had gone too far, chasing a story and trusting a source that led to her ruin. The accusation of fabrication has sliced her down to her knees, forcing her to beg for any forgiveness. Truth was a brutal thing. The silence was oppressive. She leaned back in her chair; the radiator emitted a chokingbreath, but she was withdrawn from reality. Leaning against it sent a shockwave of pain through her arm, jolting her back to her senses. A stack of classic books toppled over, knocking down a framed photo. ¡°Shit, shit, shit,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking under the overwhelming wave ofemotions. She picked up the framed photo, staring back at her younger self, holding her diploma.The enthusiastic smile on her old self taunted her current self. The welling tears in her eyes dropped effortlessly down her cheeks, following the same streamline as her old, dried-up tears. Her eyes drifted away, her pale fingers losing grip on the once beloved photo.The soft vibration of her phone broke the stillness. It pulsed uncontrollably in her pocketas she reached for it. A flicker of curiosity crossed her eyes as she gazed at an email. Subject: A Chance at Redemption From: The Eidolon Institute She hesitated, a breath getting caught up in her throat. Eidolon. The name feltominous, but desperation pushed her forward as she read the subject. She clicked, looking at a short and specific body of text. ¡°Ms. Hayles, We believe your talent for uncovering the truth in your writing has gone unnoticed.Despite your recent involvement in controversy, we have a proposal. An opportunity that no other journalist has experienced. We would like to give you a chance to write stories that no other human could write. Real, authentic stories. If you want your chance at redemption, we invite you to meet with us. After all, the dead tell the best tales. Kind regards, Dr Ravenswood¡± Lilith¡¯s heart skipped a beat, adopting an irregular beat as her eyes scanned the email onrepeat. It was too good to be true. Someone was surely messing with her, right? Her fingers trembled as she hovered over the button to reply. The mouth hung slightly ajar, allowing her quickening breaths to escape. The world seemed to fall completely silent.She placed her phone down on her desk, retreating to the edge of her bed. Her fingers ranover her temples softly in a hope to rub away the thoughts. It all felt like a joke. A cruel person taking advantage of her situation. ¡°Real, authentic stories.¡± ¡°Yeah right.¡± She muttered, as her spiralling thoughts settled. The once suffocating aircleared, but the heaviness on her chest persisted. The only thought circling her mind was the necessity for sleep, a break from this abominable day. Lilith didn¡¯t sleep well that night. Disjointed and strange dreams caused her to toss and turn all night. The buzz of her alarm dragged her out of bed as she stumbled over with groans of annoyance. The sunlight filtered through her blinds, casting a warm glow on her clothes she was still wearing from the night before. She crossed her apartment into the kitchen. Coffee was an essential. But at the back of her mind, the email recited itself in harmony.The steaming hot water of her shower eased her into the day. Like dirt, the built-upemotions from the night before washed away. The once eerie silence fell to a low hum. But something flipped in Lilith, something new. Not an energy burst or a rush of adrenaline, but a determination to flip the odds. She returned to her desk, grabbing her phone without an ounce of regret. ¡°Time and place?¡± she typed, hitting send without a second thought. The taxi weaved through rush-hour traffic, coming to a halt outside a cracked, whitestone building. Streaks of moss clung to the corner and sides. It loomed over the other buildings but remained discreet. Lilith stepped out, drawing out an umbrella. The rain barrelled down, soaking her freshly washed black legging whilst the other droplets rested gently on her polished shoes.Her eyes came to rest on a stand-alone door, plain and cold, with a single metal doorhandle. She took a deep breath, hesitating, before reaching for the handle and stepping inside. A wave of bleach, yet an absence of any specific odor, intruded on the outside polluted air. The scent was sharp, but her eyes focused on the endless hallways. The bright fluorescent ceiling lights reflected on the polished white floors. She paused, taking a moment for her eyes to adjust to the sudden switch of scenery.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. To her left sat a receptionist with vibrant, frizzy hair. A pair of round glasses sat on thebridge of her nose, magnifying her eyes. Her fingers mindlessly typed away on the keyboard with efficiency. Lilith approached slowly, her shoes tapping gracefully along the floor. Without looking up, the young woman called out. ¡°Lilith Hayles?¡± her tone was firm. ¡°Y-yes?¡± She continued typing as a distant door at the end of the hallway screeched openominously. The soft buzz from the lights tickled the back of her neck, sending a shiver of vibrating nerves down her spine. She walked slowly, her steps muffled by her overwhelming thoughts. It all seemed too bizarre. Perhaps she was still dreaming? She read somewhere that humans can¡¯t read the time in dreams. But no, there above the door, a clock accurately reading: 11:03 a.m. She peered into the room. A single chrome table sat at the centre. There were nowindows, no decorations, just a single hanging light bulb. On one end of the table saw a man in his forties, clear from the lack of hair stemming from his crown. The dim light bulb cast a shadow across half his face, emphasising his sharp features. He had neatly combed the remaining hair and his dark, onyx eyes were fixed on hers. ¡°Ms. Hayles.¡± His demeanour was calm, but his tone was unnervingly welcoming. He gestured toward the empty steel chair opposite him. She reluctantly sat down, her eyesshifted frequently between him and a silver plate on the table. Centred on the plate rested a small pill, coated with a pale shade of pink. A droplet of sweat trickled down her temple, erasing the topcoat of her rushed make up as she wiped it away with a single flick of her finger.The man sat neutrally, his lips cocking into a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯m Dr. Ravenwood. We¡¯ve already had a conversation of sorts, I believe. I wrote theemail that brought you here today.¡± Lilith remained silent. She stared back blankly, though her body language told a differentstory. She swallowed hard in a search for any moisture to replace the current desert in her mouth. He, too, remained fixed in his position. His finger tapped hypnotically on the edge of the armrest, a slight clink echoing softly as his fingernail met the steel. ¡°It¡¯s only natural to be nervous.¡± He added, breaking the silence. ¡°What¡¯s the pill?¡± she forced out. He leaned forward, balancing his elbows on the table. ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked,¡± his lipstwitched into an almost sinister smile. ¡°We call it Pneuma.¡± A tight knot in her stomach twisted, a partial regret forming at the back of her mind. ¡°What does it do?¡± she asked with a frown. ¡°Pneuma is the key to every writer¡¯s dream. You take this, and you can access thememories of any dead person.¡± Lilith scoffed, followed by a small chuckle. ¡°You really expect me to believe thatbullshit?¡± The room now felt deadly colder than before. Dr. Ravenwood brushed her comment offbefore continuing. ¡°It¡¯s not a direct channel. A single touch to a significant object is the link. The pill isphysically harmless as you only experience what they experienced. Every sight, every sound or taste. You become them.¡± Lilith leaned forward, crossing one leg over the other. ¡°Say I take this pill. What¡¯s my jobhere?¡± ¡°To write.¡± He said honestly. ¡°To write?¡± she replied firmly. ¡°We want you to relive the memories of dead criminals and write their memoirs. You¡¯ll can see the actual truth behind their crime and life. The proper story. Past the lies buried deep. We want you to tell stories that no one else can.¡± Her leg bounced nervously under the table. There was a glint of desperationbehind her eyes, but she refused to show it. If this was true, this was her chance. She was already a public disgrace, so what did she have to lose? ¡°So, you expect me to believe that this drug will allow me to investigate the memories ofdead criminals? I¡¯m more convinced that this is some shitty prank.¡± Her tone was harsh. Dr. Ravenwood remained silent, reaching down into his pocket. He pulled out whatseemed to be a golden ring before placing it softly next to the plate. ¡°This belonged to Leonardo Hernandez.¡± That name rang a bell. ¡°You mightremember. He hijacked a plane, killing 44 passengers. The media depicted him as a solo terrorist. A crime of passion. But I believe that the truth is yet to be uncovered. Blackmail.¡± Lilith fixated on the pill. The room felt a lot smaller than, almost suffocating. ¡°Take the pill,¡± he encouraged. ¡°See for yourself.¡± Her nails dug into her palms, leaving a dent of four crescents on each. She bit her lip asher mind raced. ¡°What¡¯s the worst that could go wrong?¡± She muttered under her breath, plucking the pill from the plate. She stared momentarily at the pill cushioned between her fingers before placing it in hermouth. The taste was bitter and for a moment; the room fell silent. But nothing happened. She looked at Dr. Ravenwood as he placed the gold ring on her palm. ¡°I don¡¯t feel anythi¡ª¡± Then the world in front of her warped and ripped a part. She sat in the cockpit ofan airplane. Blood covered her hands, but the blood wasn¡¯t hers, neither were the hands. Her breathing was now raspy, her thoughts weren¡¯t her own anymore. It was pure panic. To her right slumped two bodies¡ªthe pilot and copilot¡ªeach with a gunshot wound to the head. ¡°I don¡¯t want to do this,¡± the man cried out. ¡°I DON¡¯T WANT TO.¡± His voice nowbreaking under the pressure of the situation. The plane descended rapidly, and all Lilith could do was watch. She felt his sobs, the snotfrom his nose running down to the top of his lip. The sincere desperation in his voice as he pleaded. His guttural scream blended in with the roar of the engines as the plane closed in on the ground. But at that moment, Lilith gasped, her body jolting into the table. She was back. Leaning against the table next to her stood Dr. Ravenwood, an expression of amusementpainted on his face. ¡°Incredible. Isn¡¯t it?¡± he said calmly. ¡°What¡­ what the hell just happened?¡± her eyes were wide in amazement and fear. ¡°The real story.¡± He said. Chapter 2 - Orientation Lilith reached into her leather designer handbag, jingling her keys before putting one in her apartment door. The door clicked behind her with a creak. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes whilst leaning against the door. The bag slipped off her shoulder, hitting the floor with a soft thud. She ran her finger over a piece of cracked paint on the wall, her mind in fragmented pieces. The overwhelming memory of the blood on his hands replaced the musty smell of her apartment. The plane, the screams, the metallic taste of blood on the tip of her tongue. She shuddered, her vision focusing back on the apartment. The empty coffee mugs, the half-open book on the edge of her bed, even the unwashed dishes. She had lost herself to the spiralling disaster that was her career. She just stood there, staring lifelessly, as if time had frozen. Was it real? Her mind flickered back to the cockpit, the cold, soulless eyes of the two pilots staring back at her. Perhaps it was one hell of a dream? The thought looped continuously as she squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to break reality. But the present chill air clung to her skin, sending a shiver down her arms and legs. Lilith crossed the room in a daze, carelessly kicking off her smart heels. She brushed her fingers across her silky duvet¡ªfeeling every sensation¡ªconfirming that this was real life. She was there. This was her life, her reality. ¡°This can¡¯t be possible.¡± Her whisper carried to the empty room, as if she expected a response. She sat upright, her eyes locking onto her unopened laptop. The dull evening sun infiltrated the room, casting a warm glow in the room. She stared at it for a lingering moment, her body pulsating with tension. She could still feel everything. The exhaustion from his body continuously shaking, the clamminess from the blood, and the river of tears flowing effortlessly down his cheeks. Yet here she was, alive, untouched by the wreck. It couldn¡¯t have been a hallucination. Whatever it was, it was real and terrifying. Pneuma. The word replayed in her thoughts like a broken record. She shifted over to her seat, rolling towards her desk. She opened her laptop, researching this newly discovered word trapped in her mind. The ¡®breath of life,¡¯ the ¡®spirit and the soul.¡¯ ¡°Interesting¡­¡± she muttered, the word barely escaping her lips. Lilith awoke to a muted gray day. She hadn¡¯t slept. The young man¡¯s last words¡ª¡°I don¡¯t want to do this¡±¡ªechoed relentlessly in her head. She felt almost disconnected from reality. Everything felt distorted, like the appearance of static on a bad television connection. She sat at her kitchen table, nursing a coffee with a half-eaten piece of toast. Her eyes fought to stay open, the events of the previous day feeling like a fever dream. Orientation was today. She groaned, followed by a deep sigh, as she pushed herself to get ready. Her skin prickled at the thought of Dr. Ravenwood. His dark, curious eyes were dissimilar to his calm demeanor. There was something else, something beneath the unease. She wondered what else pneuma could do. With a steadying breath, she pulled on her cream trench coat and closed the door behind her. The bitter wind made her hair stand on end. The walk towards the institute felt like a sudden feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Except this time was different. Her usual weak steps were now replaced with confident strides as her heels thudded against the cracked pavement. Lilith¡¯s footsteps now echoed through the hallways of the silent institute, her detailed shadow clear on the reflective flooring. The air now seemed colder, the building feeling more ominous. She headed for the elevator, pressing down on the button for the third floor. The elevator moved with a creak and shift, sending her slightly off balance. Dr. Ravenwood¡¯s office awaited her at the far end of the corridor. Frosted glass windows surrounded each office. ¡°They sure do like their privacy.¡± She mumbled. She let out a low exhale before knocking subtly on the door. ¡°Come in,¡± said Dr. Ravenwood. She twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door. The room was spacious, illuminated by two lamps on the end corners of his desk. Behind him was a large inbuilt aquarium, stretching along the back wall. It was far from what she had expected. ¡°Aha, Miss Hayles,¡± he said, standing up and offering his hand out. She shook it hesitantly as her eyes drifted to the cluttered piles of paper and folders covering his desk. He wore an ironed white shirt with suspenders, a classic look coordinated with an old-fashioned ink pen resting in his shirt pocket. He gestured towards a comfortable leather chair that sat opposite his desk as he cleared the papers from his desk. ¡°Please, have a seat.¡± Lilith walked over slowly, placing down her dark, leather bag. She placed her coat neatly on the head cushion before easing down into the seat. Curiosity flickered across her face as she took the room in. ¡°I suspected you would return.¡± He leaned back in his seat, intertwining his fingers across his lap. ¡°The truth, however disturbing it may have been, had a pull, I assume.¡± ¡°To be honest¡­ I don¡¯t know what to think.¡± Her voice faded as her mind remembered the moments before the crash. He cocked his jaw to the side, rubbing his fingers across his stubble. His eyes studied her, her expressions and her body language, like a surgeon dissecting parts of a brain. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve seen what Pneuma can do. What do you think?¡± he asked calmly. ¡°It felt so real. A bit too real. I don¡¯t understand how that can be possible.¡± She swallowed hard, her nails digging into the previous crescents formed from the previous day. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. ¡°The mind is one gigantic puzzle containing thousands of memories and sensations. Pneuma allows you to tap into any of those moments, acting like the last piece of that puzzle. You place it down, and you gather access to the full picture. When you take Pneuma, you''re not a passenger in that memory; you live it yourself.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. She crossed her arms tightly. ¡°Memories aren¡¯t always a reliable source.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± He said, leaning forward. ¡°Memories are subjective, influenced by perception, emotion, and so on. What you see may not always be the objective truth. The story is unravelled by the one who lived it.¡± ¡°So¡­ what I saw on the plane may not have been true.¡± She asked. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± he added. ¡°What you saw may have been incomplete or fragmented. A distorted truth, you may say. Pneuma is incredible and powerful, but it comes with certain risks.¡± ¡°What kind of risks?¡± A hint of fear was clear in her voice. ¡°There is a fragile boundary between memories and reality. The deeper you dive into a memory, the easier it becomes to lose yourself. If you''re not cautious, you may experience delusions and hallucinations or¡­ even madness.¡± ¡°But why? Why would anyone willingly want to take this drug?¡± The colour of her face washed away. His smile became more apparent now. ¡°Truth is complicated, Miss Hayles. There are stories that need to be told. Truths that haven¡¯t been discovered. This is where you come in. I want you to be that link between the memories and reality. Uncover the actual story that no courts or investigations will ever reach.¡± She sat frozen. Every thought and feeling rushed in at once. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a sharp breath escaped. ¡°Every object we possess has significance to someone¡¯s story,¡± he continued. ¡°Some memories will be clearer than others. Some will be fragmented and broken. You will feel everything as if you were there. You will live it, Miss Hayles.¡± She took in a sharp, deep breath. Her fingers and leg bounced and fidgeted simultaneously as her eyes remained locked on his. ¡°Are you able to handle all of that, Lilith?¡± he asked, his tone soft, almost comforting. Lilith nodded, her teeth nipping at the edge of her fingernail. ¡°I want to try.¡± ¡°Perfect.¡± He said with an ominous grin. Ravenwood shifted in his chair, opening a drawer in his desk. He reached in and pulled out a small velvet pouch. He slipped his fingers inside, drawing out the same golden ring from their first meeting. The dim light reflected on its shiny exterior, plain but full of character, with deep scratches embedded on the surface. He ran his finger over the scratches, observing it closely before returning his gaze back to Lilith. ¡°I assume you remember this?¡± he asked. She nodded, her eyes fixated on the ring turning between his fingers. The memory of the man on the plane sunk deep into her mind. His terror and panic. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll be starting here then.¡± Ravenwood said, enthusiasm in his tone. ¡°How¡­ how do I get out?¡± Lilith asked, her eyes darting between the ring and Ravenwood. ¡°You¡¯re bound to panic on your first attempt. That¡¯s why we are doing this with my present,¡± he said whilst standing. ¡°All it takes is control, Lilith. When living a memory, you¡¯re not trapped, but it can feel like it. You have to ground yourself. When you want to leave, just imagine walking away, or standing up, or just¡­ leaving,¡± he finished, now leaning against the desk. ¡°That sounds easier said than done.¡± Lilith shot back weakly. He smiled faintly, taking a deep breath. ¡°The mind is a curious thing. It knows what you are capable of. But you have to believe it. If you allow anxiety or hesitation to take over, then that¡¯s what will keep you trapped.¡± She gripped the edge of the armchair, her nails digging into the dark leather. ¡°Are you ready?¡± ¡°Not¡­ really.¡± She admitted, fear present in her voice. ¡°Good. It¡¯ll be a learning curve.¡± Ravenwood said, offering out his hand. She placed hers in his, noticing a dark glint in his eyes. He placed the ring on her palm and clasped her fingers around it. ¡°Breathe. Deep, calm breaths. Let it come to you.¡± Her thumb rubbed the edge of the ring in a circular motion. It was almost therapeutic. Her breathing was now controlled in a rhythmic tune. Nothing happened at first. She closed her eyes, picturing the cockpit. Then Ravenwood¡¯s office shifted. Her stomach lurched as gravity ceased to exist momentarily. The air was thick; the faint hum of an engine echoed in her ears. A passenger shifted in the seat next to her. This was different. She wasn¡¯t in the cockpit anymore; rather, she sat in the very back row of the plane. The distant scent of coffee filled her nostrils as the flight attendant pushed the food and beverage trolley up and down the aisle. The seat belt dug deeply into her waist. Her fingers tapped at the armrest viciously¡ªpicking at a loose piece of fabric¡ªbut they weren¡¯t her hands. They were his¡ªLeonardo Hernandez. She could hear a baby fussing, its irritating cry interrupting her thoughts. She focused on the indistinct murmurs of conversations surrounding her and the occasional cough. Everything felt normal. A bit too normal. A trickle of sweat settled on the edge of her brow. She leaned forward, her breathing low as her hands began to tremble. Her pulse quickened as she reached into her jacket pocket, slowly. She watched as a gun entered her vision. She felt the man lick his lips, dry from the stress of the situation. Lord, forgive me. She heard the man think as he clutched his cross necklace. His fingers were now shaking violently as his eyes darted to the passengers, some oblivious, others snoring in a deep sleep. A tear dropped onto the edge of his boot as he flipped the safety off. Chapter 3 - Leonardo Hernandez The gun felt heavier than before, pressing deeply into his palm as his fingers clenched onto the handle tightly. His breathing was shallow, escaping in small gasps. The thick cabin air suffocated him, the pressure of his task now becoming too much. He jolted at a tap on his shoulder as he turned to the lady in the seat next to him. ¡°Is everything alright?¡± she asked kindly. ¡°Uh¡­ Uh¡ªyeah. Yeah, sorry.¡± he managed to splutter out. He shot up, his breathing now becoming a struggle. He stuffed the gun back into his jacket pocket, gripping the head cushion of the seat in front of him¡ªaccidentally nudging an older man awake. The man snorted the air before squinting at Leonardo. ¡°What the hell is your problem?¡± ¡°S-Sorry¡­sorry.¡± Leonardo said weakly. They know. They have to. Lilith listened to his thoughts, her own stunned with the situation at hand. The baby wailed from the front of the cabin, piercing deeply into his train of thought. He clutched the front of his head; the sweat leeching onto his fingers. He could feel the plain hum beneath his feet. His eyes darted down the aisle, his heart hammering in his chest. This was it. Do it. Do it now. His mind spun concurrently with his body as he threw himself towards the bathroom door. He rattled the handle, swinging the door open in a panic, locking it quickly behind him. The room shook slightly as he caught a glimpse of himself in the small mirror resting on the wall. His lip quivered as he saw an unrecognisable reflection. This wasn¡¯t him or what he was meant to be. He slammed his hand down on the edge of the sink, sobbing into his other hand. ¡°God damn you Leo.¡± He cried out harshly to himself. Threats and whispers echoed in his mind. A phone call that made him weak at the thought of. That gun was the answer to all his problems. And then something snapped. His expression and demeanour shifted. He pulled the gun from his jacket, aiming it directly at the mirror. Then he slowly turned it onto his own head, his hand shaking violently as a single tear dropped from his eyes. A sudden turbulence tormented the plane, shaking Leo back to reality. He opened up a small pocket watch. Both he and Lilith looked deeply into a small picture of a woman and child. He clutched the pocket watch against his chest before bringing it to his lips. He pushed it into his trouser pocket before opening the bathroom door. His centre of his being was slowly breaking. Who he was no longer existed. There was no escape, not anymore. He had brought this upon himself, a desperate man in need. Down the aisle he stormed, his footsteps heavy with purpose. His teeth grinded against one another, his jaw tightening with every step. His hearing was sensitive, every sound felt like a bullet to his skull. Don¡¯t you stop. Keep moving. A flight attendant, helping an elderly lady with her coffee, obstructed his path. The thud of his footsteps caught her attention. ¡°Sir, is everythi¡ª¡± He kept his pace, barging straight past her. She stumbled, her usual polite smile faded. People rippled into confusion as they watched Leo barrel down the aisle. ¡°Sir!¡± the flight attendant exclaimed. He didn¡¯t look back. His eyes locked onto the cockpit door looming ahead. His head pounded as his mind raced. Another flight attendant stationed by the door shot up in alarm at the sight of Leo. ¡°Sir, please wait¡ª¡± He grabbed a hold of her before she could react, his arm locking around her throat. She let out a strangled breath, her nails digging into his arm. But he felt nothing. His body was numb, but his mind was alive and fierce. ¡°Open the door!¡± He shouted out. The flight attendant sobbed, kicking her feet out in a desperate attempt to free herself. ¡°Please! Stop this!¡± ¡°Open it now!¡± he roared, tightening his grip around her neck. Leo reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out the gun, pushing the nozzle firmly to the side of her head. The entire cabin fell silent at the sight of the weapon. A man with broad shoulders and a stern gaze approached Leo with a weapon of his own. ¡°Put the weapon down,¡± the air marshal ordered. Leo¡¯s grip remained tight as his eyes darted between the marshal¡¯s eyes and the pistol in his hands. The flight attendant''s legs quivered in fear, her breaths coming out in quick gasps. ¡°Sir, put the gun down,¡± the marshal repeated. ¡°Nobody needs to get hurt. We can talk about this.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk,¡± Leo snapped back. ¡°Get me into that damn cockpit!¡± He pushed the gun forcefully into the flight attendants'' temple. She cried out, her tears slowly soaking his arm sleeve. The marshal remained locked on Leo, his weapon steady, marking its spot. ¡°That door won¡¯t open. You know that. Let her go and we can figure this out,¡± he said calmly.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Leo¡¯s heart raced. ¡°Just¡­Just open that door, or i¡¯ll¡± ¡°You¡¯ll kill her? Are you really that type of man?¡± The marshal¡¯s tone was harsh, almost judgemental. ¡°What happens after? Do you really think this ends well for you?¡± ¡°Shut up! I don¡¯t give a shit about what you have to say!¡± The flight attendant squeezed her eyes shut as Leo pushed harder. ¡°Put it down. You still have a choice in all of this,¡± he said delicately. ¡°Shut up! I mean it!¡± ¡°So do I. Put it¡ª¡± His ears were ringing as the gun roared. A single shot. The marshal staggered as blood spluttered from his chest. He collapsed, his gun clattering on the ground beside him. Screams filled the air as the sound reverberated. His eyes were wide in shock as the flight attendant sobbed. ¡°Jesus¡­¡± he whispered. A soft thud behind him caught his attention, his senses on high alert. Adrenaline pumped through his whole body as the cockpit door cracked open. Without a second thought, he shoved the flight attendant to the side. She collapsed to the floor, gasping in between sobs. Leo lunged, his arm shooting into the gap just before the door closed. The edge bit into his flesh as he gritted his teeth, prying it open bit by bit. His shoulder screamed in protest as he fought the force on the other end of the door. A man shouted on the other side¨Cthe co-pilot. He tried to slam the door shut. A guttural scream escaped Leo¡¯s throat as he shoved harder, his fingers clawing and slipping from the sweat. The door groaned, opening far enough for Leo to burst through. The co-pilot wrestled for control of the gun. ¡°Get out!¡± he screamed. They twisted and turned, grappling for control. The co-pilot landed a blow to Leo¡¯s abdomen, winding him slightly. His vision blurred with desperation, he fought back with primal strength. Every attack was relentless. The co-pilot¡¯s hand clapped over his wrist, pushing it downward. Leo growled, ripping his arm free and firing. The co-pilot¡¯s head snapped back against the wall, his body dropping to the floor in an instant. A crimson cloud painted the window and wall, a few droplets mixing with the sweat on his face. Leo locked the cockpit door, turning to see the other pilot. His eyes were wide with terror. He scrambled out of his chair to his feet. He held up his hands, palms open. His whole body shook, his legs nearly giving out from under him. ¡°Please,¡± he begged. ¡°Y-You don¡¯t have to do this.¡± Leo raised the gun slowly. His eyes were slightly ajar as he stared lifelessly back at the pilot. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± A sob broke from the pilot, his breathing ragged. ¡°Think about this, please. I¡¯m begging you. It¡¯s not too late¡ª¡± The second shot shattered the pleas from the pilot. The pilot¡¯s body stood momentarily, his soulless eyes breaking contact with Leo¡¯s as he slumped forward. Blood spilled out onto the dark blue carpet, spreading slowly to the base of Leo¡¯s boot. Leo took a step back, his knee buckling under the weight of his guilt. The gun slipped from his fingers, smashing onto the ground. Lilith¡¯s heart raced as she watched through Leonardo¡¯s eyes. This was it. The exact same moment she had witnessed before. The metallic taste of blood made the knot in her stomach tighten. Leo dragged himself into the pilot¡¯s chair, his hands gripping onto the plane¡¯s control panel. ¡°Please, Lord,¡± his voice cracked. ¡°Don¡¯t make me do this.¡± His trembling hands inched the wheel forward. The soft glow of the horizon disappeared as the plane descended into the clouds. The golden reflection in his eyes faded, becoming deathly black. Lilith¡¯s stomach lurched as she felt the descent of the plane. They were plummeting hundreds of feet per rapidly. ¡°No, no, NO! GOD DAMNIT! Leo sobbed, his nails dug deeply into his face as he screamed out. Leo reopened his stopwatch, gazing at women with gentle, blue eyes and a little girl with dark pigtails, her smile wide and joyful. He closed it, bringing the watch to his lips one last time. ¡°Lo siento, por favor, perd¨®name mi amor.¡± he whispered gently. Lilith flinched at the muffled screams behind the cockpit door. The sounds of their nails clawing at the metal screeched into her ears. Their pleas for mercy. The echo of some making last attempt calls to their loved ones before their impending death. The chaos was unstoppable. Leo¡¯s sobs deepened as he slammed his hands against the control panel. He could hear the terror in their voices but there was nothing to be done about it as the impact was imminent. To escape, Lilith squeezed her eyes shut, thinking back to Dr. Ravenwood¡¯s words. ¡°When you want to leave, just imagine walking away, or standing up, or just¡­ leaving.¡± She clenched her fists, her mind racing with the sound of screaming passengers and the roaring engines. The plane plummeted towards the ground, but then there was complete silence. Her eyes opened to two warm desk lamps illuminating that of Dr. Ravenwood¡¯s office. She shot up, her hand clutching at her chest as her senses returned to reality. The room came into focus, her eyes setting on Dr. Ravenwood, who watched her, his gaze steady. He sat quietly with his fingers interlocked, resting on his desk. Her breathing steadied, but her body trembled at the echoes of the screams. ¡°Welcome back,¡± Ravenwood said smoothly. Lilith stared back at him, her eyes wide in terror. Her hand traced the armrest as she slumped back down into the leather chair. ¡°I felt everything.¡± She mumbled. ¡°Tell me.¡± Her fingers picked at a loose piece of skin poking out by another nail. She itched to feel something real, like she was really back in her world. ¡°It all felt¡­ so real,¡± she whispered. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just a memory. I was him. I was me but still him. I crashed that plane. I killed those men.¡± Ravenwood tilted his head, his gaze lingering. ¡°And how do you feel right now?¡± Lilith¡¯s gaze dropped slowly, her hair hanging partially over her face. ¡°Like¡­ I died too.¡± ¡°Truth comes with a cost, Miss Hayles,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Some memories will have a crushing weight. You have to be careful.¡± ¡°How can I keep going after something like that?¡± her body twitched. ¡°You¡¯ll learn. This is only the beginning.¡± He said, a thin smile flickering across his face. Lilith took a deep breath, pushing her hair aside. She opened her mouth to speak, but she didn¡¯t trust her words. She nodded, her hands seeping into the soft cushion, keeping her steady. ¡°Very good,¡± Ravenwood said whilst pushing himself to his feet. He turned his back to her, observing the aquarium. His fingers twisted at an onyx ring resting on his pinky finger before he turned back to her. ¡°You survived the first memory. The truth is within your grasp. Let¡¯s see what else you can bear.¡± Chapter 4 - Risk and Reward The door clicked behind Lilith as she stumbled into her apartment. The room felt strange as she leaned against the wall, gathering her thoughts. It felt too quiet, too peaceful. She looked down at her hand, her eyes landing on a visible gun. The weight was heavy; the metallic exterior was cold against her skin. ¡°No,¡± she whispered. ¡°It¡¯s all over. It¡¯s done.¡± The gun vanished. The shift between Leo¡¯s memories and her reality remained distorted. She pushed herself off the wall, dragging her feet along the uneven wooden floor. Her legs buckled as she collapsed onto her couch. ¡°What the hell was I thinking?¡± she questioned herself. The vision of the air marshal, the pilots, and the blood was burnt behind her eyelids. Open or closed, she saw them. Their cold, soulless expressions. Her stomach churned as she relived every second of the plunge towards the ground. The fear and helplessness of the other passengers and their screams. The crushing weight of guilt loomed over her. ¡°I killed them. I crashed that plane. I¡­ I was him.¡± The words barely escaped her dry, cracked lips. The truth hit her like a train. Her nails dug into her temples, her knuckles white from the tension. I didn¡¯t do it. It was him. It was Leonardo Hernandez. She bolted to her feet and headed straight to the bathroom. She gasped at her reflection. He was there. But then he wasn¡¯t. She stared back at herself, her once vibrant, peachy skin now pale and gloomy. She shivered as her eyes lingered on her features. Why had she agreed to do something like this? Was she really this desperate? Her thoughts travelled to Ravenwood. His calm and ominous demeanour was unsettling. Could she really trust him or anything he said? She took a deep breath as the storm of questions swirled endlessly in her mind. There were no definite answers¡ªnot yet. ¡°Get a grip on yourself.¡± She fired at her reflection. Lilith splashed a handful of cold water on her face, smearing her coat of makeup across her face. ¡°You have to be stronger than this.¡± After a long moment, she cleaned herself up. Lilith¡¯s eyes flickered to her laptop, gleaming from the bright, gleaming moon. Its dark screen reflected the still reality of her room as she hesitated. She needed to know. The screen pierced her eyes, stinging despite her efforts to squint past the discomfort. Her fingers moved effortlessly. Leonardo Hernandez Plane Hijacking Her screen flooded with results, her eyes unable to keep up with the words being displayed. There were news reports and columns with the public''s open discussions. But one caught her eye. 162 Lives Lost in Tragic Hijacking Was This a Crime of Passion or was Hernandez a Pawn in Something Far Greater? On June 16th, 2023, Leonardo Hernandez, a disgraced restaurant owner, took control of flight 385. None of the passengers or crew survived the tragic incident. Authorities reported Hernandez acted alone. However, there has been no obvious motive identified. Reports cite Hernandez was struggling financially after losing his restaurant because of poor financial management. But there may be other contributing factors that may open up some insight as to what led to this man¡¯s catastrophic actions. The article depicted him as a madman, someone who was lost in life with nothing to lose. A man who cracked under the pressure of life. She frowned at her screen. ¡°No obvious motive.¡± Lilith leaned back, her pulse quickening as she reread the words. She continued her search through other articles, searching for any possible cracks she could explore. Perhaps the truth was hidden in plain sight? The word ¡°truth¡± echoed in her mind. This is what pneuma was for. The opportunity to reach into these cracks and dig up the uncovered story. Her fingers hovered over her mouse, biting her lip before she clicked on her email. To: Dr. R. Ravenwood Subject: Meeting Dr. Ravenwood, There are a few things I would like to discuss. I want to meet in a park or a caf¨¦, perhaps. Let me know what works for you. L. Hayles She let out a long exhale as she hit the send button. The now dark screen left her alone in her still apartment. She shut her laptop with a sigh, tucking her loose hair behind her ears. The sleepless nights were finally catching up to her, but Leo¡¯s memories refused to shake off. She rubbed her eyes as she stumbled to her bed. Her head slammed into the soft pillow. Flashes of Leo and his haunting memories filled her mind. But exhaustion overpowered her thoughts and eventually claimed her. Lilith awoke to the chimes of her phone. She squinted, adjusting to the harsh daylight penetrating through her blinds. Upon opening her phone, a notification sat at the top. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Fovere Caf¨¦, 8:30 a.m. Lilith flung off her covers, scrambling for her clothes. She threw on a hoodie and jeans, tying her hair back in a tight ponytail. The darkness under her eyes was noticeable as she stared at her reflection. ¡°You look great,¡± she assured her reflection with a tone of sarcasm. She swung her bag over her shoulder and shot out of the door. The clouds were dark and thick, casting a comforting light on her sore eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself as the bitter wind attacked her exposed skin. Fovere Caf¨¦ sat comfortably on a quiet street local to the institute. She pushed through the door, a wave of warmth sending a shiver down her spine. The scent of fresh coffee and pastry filled her nostrils as she spotted Dr. Ravenwood sitting near the window. His hands nursed a steaming cup of coffee as his eyes rested on a newspaper in his other hand. Lilith approached, her footsteps heavy and deliberate. He glanced up from the newspaper, his sharp gaze meeting hers. ¡°Miss Hayles,¡± he greeted with a warm smile. ¡°What a miserable day.¡± Lilith slid into the seat opposite him. She didn¡¯t respond immediately, her mind focused on where to begin. ¡°Pneuma. Where did it come from?¡± she asked firmly. ¡°Ah¡­ well, Pneuma. Its creation didn¡¯t involve negative intentions, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about.¡± ¡°Concerns?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure you have multiple concerns; otherwise, this meeting wouldn¡¯t be necessary.¡± He remarked. Lilith¡¯s fingers twitched against her leg. ¡°Why does it exist then?¡± His eyes lingered on her before his lips parted. ¡°The purpose of Pneuma is a pursuit of understanding. Decades ago, researchers studied the connection between memory and our perception of reality. I¡¯m not proud of the foundation of Pneuma, but studies that started off as trauma developed into something far greater.¡± Lilith¡¯s frown deepened as she finished a mouthful of her coffee. ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question exactly.¡± ¡°We want a leg up on the truth, Lilith. A way to discover the entire story, not a story that will satisfy the media. People deserve to be painted as who they are, not with a twisted truth.¡± Lilith tapped her finger gently against the edge of her coffee cup, holding her observant glare. ¡°Is it legal?¡± Ravenwood tilted his head. His expression remained complaisant. ¡°Legality is a problematic construct. They often have a poor understanding of morality. Pneuma operates for the pure truth. Truth, Miss Hayles, needs no permission to be uncovered.¡± ¡°You could¡¯ve just said it isn¡¯t.¡± She whispered. He smirked slightly. ¡°Legalities aside, Lilith, Pneuma will expose every lie created by the media. It grants the opportunity to dig deep, to experience the raw memory of the one who lived it. It allows clarity.¡± ¡°But how? How does it work?¡± Curiosity was clear in her tone. ¡°We have a form of memory called ¡®episodic memories¡¯ that allow us to recall our past experiences through senses. Pneuma taps into our neural pathways associated with sensory recall and our emotional state during that time and place. Your mind can sync with the emotional imprint left on an object. The stronger the connection to the object, the easier it is to tap into a clearer experience.¡± ¡°What about the dangers? What about the blurs between memories and reality?¡± She asked, her head pulsating. ¡°Aha, yes, the impending doom of drowning in someone else¡¯s memory. You have to remember, what you see may not always be the factual truth.¡± The knot in her stomach tightened. ¡°But what¡¯s the point? How can I write ¡®the truth¡¯ if the memories are flawed?¡± Ravenwood sat back, sipping from his mug. ¡°Truth isn¡¯t always about the facts, Miss Hayles. The truth comes from the soul of the story. Facts are objective, but Pneuma lets you feel the truth. No headline can ever achieve that.¡± Lilith remained silent, her eyes watching the ripples in her coffee. ¡°You make it sound so easy,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I never said it would be easy. Truth comes with a cost, Lilith. It''s about whether you are willing to pay for it.¡± The air was heavy. The weight of silence pressed down on her chest as fragmented thoughts of Leo swirled in her mind. Her fingers continued their nervous tapping of her now-empty coffee cup. The crash haunted her, but a part of her refused to let it rest. Her eyes shifted away from the ground towards Ravenwood, her voice breaking the silence. ¡°I want to go back.¡± He cocked an eyebrow and leaned forward. ¡°Back where?¡± ¡°To Leo. There¡¯s something I missed. The memory itself only shows him crashing the plane, but there¡¯s no explanation as to why he did it.¡± She inhaled sharply. ¡°You said it yourself. Memories can be flawed. But I need to see the truth, to feel it. I want to find the moment that explains everything.¡± Ravenwood¡¯s dark eyes remained fixed on her as he sat in silence. His expression was unreadable, but his mind was active. ¡°You do realise the risk of this, right?¡± Lilith nodded slowly. ¡°I need you there. In case anything goes wrong.¡± He let out a deep sigh, and for a moment, he said nothing. But there was a glint in his eye. ¡°Very well then.¡± Ravenwood¡¯s office felt colder than before. Its usual warm lighting felt harsh and unwelcoming. The ring sat ominously on his wooden desk, the polished gold reflecting in the bare light. She stared at it with slight fear. How could a small, innocent object possess this much horror? ¡°Remember what I said,¡± Ravenwood chimed in. ¡°When you want to leave, just imagine exiting. If it becomes too much at all, you get out.¡± Lilith¡¯s nerves grew at the tone of his voice. Her fingers wrapped around the ring, grasping it tightly as the room faded. But there was only black. No plane or the hum of an engine. No screams or infants crying. No cockpit. No sky. Just darkness. Panic swallowed her whole. She could feel the texture of fabric against her face, scratching at her bare skin. Her hands were tied tightly behind a cold, metallic chair. Something was over her eyes. A blindfold pressed against the bridge of her nose and her temples. She was cut off from the world. In the distance was a low hum of murmurs. She couldn¡¯t quite make out what was being said, but the tone was menacing. Goosebumps ran down her arms and legs as her heart skipped a beat. The sound of a door crashing against the wall reverberated in the ground, startling Lilith. The footsteps approached slowly, each step a terrifying reminder of her inability to see her surroundings. She felt a presence close to her ears when a bone-chilling voice broke the silence. ¡°Good evening, Mr. Hernandez.¡±