Author Note: This is being inspired by a painting from local artist Ryan Holmes that was shared for a writing prompt.
Nobody told me it would feel like this, melting into water, into nothingness. Why did I have to watch my face disappear? My hands melt? My feet dissipate even though I could still stand? I was in a room of mirrors, brightly lit. I stood on a floor made of air. There were three other people in the room with me disappearing into the Element Stream. I wondered if we would be stuck together on the other side. I knew what made me choose this, but it did not stop me from thinking less of them for joining me.
“Patient AGX45, please focus forward. This is your first and only reminder that Elemental, Inc. is not responsible for any slipstream occurrences caused by the errant focus of participants. Do you comprehend and re-agree to all terms, conditions, and assurances you have made, Patient AGX45?”
I nodded, turning my head quickly back to the mirrors ahead of me.
“Please use words and not head or hand gestures to articulate agreement, Patient AGX45.”
“Yes.” I felt like I was disappearing more quickly during this exchange of words than felt unnecessary. I didn’t fully believe my matter could simply combine with someone else’s, but I also did not think I would be in a room with anyone else. Maybe they weren’t real, and this was a trick to get me to focus on immersing fully into the Element Stream.
“I don’t think our matter can actually combine,” said a voice from behind me. He was distorted in the mirror ahead of me because he was a reflection of a reflection, making us back-to-back.
“Stop talking to me. I’m already in enough trouble.”
“How can we get in trouble for something we are paying for? I think we have a customer service claim in this situation.” He chuckled in a husky way that put me at ease.
“Fair point. I’m Anastasia.”
“Carl. I wonder if we will see each other on the other side.”
“I’m wondering the same. I hope we enjoy each other’s company because where we are going, there is no customer service. Just us and all the other elements.” He chuckled again, and now I found myself hoping we would see each other. I would know soon because I was on my last leg and then nothing but blackness.
“Anastasia, are you okay?”
“How would I know that, Carl. I am nothing. I no longer have a body. How are we even talking?”
“Well, you have a mouth, and if you open them, you have eyes.” I sat up, opened my eyes, and there was Carl, with his kind smile, angled face, very French. He was gorgeous.
“Do I look like me, Carl?”
“Were you a gelatinous cube with eyes and teeth before the element stream?”
I screamed.
“Settle down, Stasia. You aren’t now either. You are a classic beauty with long brown hair and soft green eyes, cute figure, and button nose. Does this track?” He chose to chuckle again. He was doing me in with his curly brown hair. If I had known him before, maybe I wouldn’t be here now. I touched his face, a bold move for an introvert.
“How did a guy that looks like you get a name like Carl?”
He narrowed his eyes, but it was in a way that meant he was studying me versus judging. “My name is really Sebastian. I went into this with a fake name.”
An overly loud, projected voice said, “Patient AGX46, please do not stray from your contractually agreed upon naming convention. Further digression from the terms, conditions, and assurances you made to enter the Element Stream will be met with swift dismissal of Elemental, Inc.’s ability to honor all terms, conditions, and assurances we made to you.”
More soon…
Kelly Rogers 