Every hallway looked the same, every door, every goddamn hood. Whatever material the ship had been constructed from it wasn't anything Terra had to offer. I felt as though I was gradually losing my mind the deeper we ventured. On some level, I knew the ship itself was alive.

"Your soul recognizes it's returned home."

Irritation ticked on my brow. The constant intrusion into my thoughts chipped away at my resolve. Even in my mind, I wasn't truly alone. Someone would always be observing me from now on.

"I don't know how many times I have to tell you this will never be my home. You can rewrite my memories but I'll never willingly become part of your hive."

They planned on erasing my memories, I knew they did. Logan wasn't who they wanted, at least personality-wise. All they desired was my skill-set, they had already confessed to it.

"We did not. You assumed that was the implication."

My jaw set painfully. I was getting irritated. It was one thing for someone to guess what I was thinking but to have someone know what I was thinking? I loathed it.

"Drop the bullshit already. Why am I here then?"

The group of hooded figures that encircled me stopped as the corridor parted and an entryway slid open. They proceeded to lead me into the room, silence now replaced the chatter. Within the space was a single chair, much like the ones I'd seen in countless horror movies. Straps were secured to both the armrest and where the legs would reside. The situation was deteriorating with each moment that passed and with it an increased sense of helplessness.

Once the room sealed us within the conversation picked up where it left off, except this time it wasn't in my head.

"Isn't it obvious? You belong here. Once the evocation process is completed you'll understand. You will be relieved to be home."

Every cell in my body trembled with a combination of confusion and primitive fear. I could feel it deep within my bones – my body no longer chose to fight, it required flight. The voice held a melody I was all too familiar with, one that belonged in my head.

How did I not recognize it before?

As the figure before me reached for the hem of their hood the other four figures echoed the act with pristine unison. What the hell is this? If my inner turmoil was any indication of what was to come it held no flame to the trepidation that flattened my lungs as the fabric billowed down around their shoulders.

Soft dark spots peppered the bridge of her small nose and round cheeks - round and young. Chocolate iris bore into my own, void of emotion. Chills ravaged me as they slithered over my skin. My eyes couldn't be averted. They were entangled, glued to the pair that resided in the counterfeit version of myself before me.

She was me. They all were me.

They all spoke in harmony, a choir of terrorism on my already wounded psyche. "The time has come. The evacuation process is nearly complete. Soon you will finally be home. Soon you will rejoin the hive."

As they began to advance toward me the tears started to slip down my cheek. This was it. I had finally reached the end of this wild ride. Sure it was a little too soon and I hadn't done anything of great importance in my life but on a certain level, I had always looked forward to this day. To the grief and the solitude coming to a close. If I regretted anything it was I'd perish before I reached my mother.

I allowed my eyes to flutter shut in defeat. I sure hoped Isaac didn't pick this particular moment in time to follow through on his promise of protection. That be a dick move.

Hands were on me the moment a loud voice sounded and as my eyes sprung open I'd already been drug back into the hallway. The voice reminded me of an alarm which could only mean one thing. Breach. For the first time, I passed by a window, my eyes bulging at the sight that befell them. Not even a click away sat at least two dozen Grog ships, locked and loaded. Normally they were a peaceful people but it looked like my capture light a fire in Dumplings belly.

My captor continued to drag me further down the hallway, abruptly cutting off my view. With a harsh shove, I fell into a dark room my cheek bouncing off the unforgiving floor. Blood trickled from my lip but I didn't care.

That mother fucker actually came.

I didn't think he would. Or maybe I didn't want to allow myself to believe he would. Isaac had become many things to me, an ass hole, the fun police, even a traitor. He'd never been viewed as my uncle Isaac, he never acted like one. I was sure glad he decided to finally act the part.

I sprung to my feet as the door slammed shut, my fist making contact with the newly appeared wall. Damn it. My eyes closed and I allowed air to reach the bottom lobes of my lungs. I couldn't be irrational, not now. They were here, all of them, which meant they would need me to assist from within. Knowing Isaac he probably expected it.

My thoughts came to a screeching halt as a raspy voice emerged from the back of the room. "I hoped it wouldn't come to this."

words- 930
total- 16237
written- 04/28/2020
last edited- 04/28/2020