Into the Macrocosm by Konn Lavery

Author:Konn Lavery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Short Story Collection
ISBN: 9781777164010
Publisher: Reveal Books
Published: 2021-03-01T00:00:00+00:00

13

The observing had shown you yet another incident that has no relation to your best guess of the past. This whole process is proving to be a waste of time, and yet you have nowhere to go and nothing but time. You blink. It appears you’re you once more, rubbing your jawline where the ghoul had gripped. The skin is irritated. Malpherities is staring at you, arms folded, hovering a head above. The cavern is completely empty; it’s just the two of you.

“What was that about?” you ask.

“You’re slow,” Malpherities says.

“No, there was someone else here. They said they sensed a mortal,” you say.

“Oh, I took care of them. Don’t worry about it,” Malpherities says.

“But who was it?”

“Remember, I’m part of a hivemind? There are other ghouls who come to the Midway.”

“What did they want?” you ask.

“They’re not so keen on visitors.”

“Are they coming back?” you ask.

“No, we’re good now. Come, let’s do another observation.”

“If you had told me, I would have taken the droplet. No need to force me.”

“Time is short, and you’re letting your emotions get the better of you. I need to know why you are here,” Malpherities says.

“I’d like to know, too,” you say. “That hurt.”

“My apologies; I forgot how soft you humans are,” Malpherities says.

“Don’t do that again,” you say.

“I won’t if you stop dragging yourself.”

“This is tiring; I’m living many lives. It’s a lot to take in. Is there anything else in the Midway that might help?” you ask.

“Not much for you. Besides, finding out who you are is more important.”

“Can’t those other ghouls help us?” you ask.

“Let’s just say they like to participate in the act of death to feed . . . unlike me.”

You get his gist. They’d kill you if they saw you. It’s probably best to just agree with the ghoul and carry on. You’re not too keen on dying again, with Death’s Vortex right above, waiting for you.

“What then?” you ask.

“Well, once we know who you are, we can get you out of here. You don’t belong here.”

“Knowing who I am will get me out?” you ask.

“If your past offers any sort of clue, then yes. Now, did anything seem familiar?” Malpherities asks.

“Sort of. It was a city. The person wasn’t me; I know that much. There were buses. Smartphones, I know those.”

“Good, we’re narrowing down your time. Although you could know those items through a history book, or perhaps your mind is getting muddled with the previous observations. Either way, it seems to me you aren’t from humanity’s split of Harvesters. You may be around the nineties or possibly before then, during the time and place that I hold dear.”

“When is that?” you ask.

“Zingalg, the lost continent. It was around for many years before its collapse.”

“And why do you like it?”

“It was home to where a mortal girl once lived,” Malpherities says.

“Who was she?” you ask.

“Oh, once a friend. She taught me much about friendship and willpower, but that is not of importance. Everyone fades with time and into memory.

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