\u201cCommencing test 58, Subject number 200183, Switch on the outer chamber vacuum pump\u201d The Director ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSwitching on the vacuum pump.\u201d Came a reply<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBegin ionising the inner chamber and monitor the health specs of the subject\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe specs show regular activities, there is a slight increase in blood pressure but that\u2019s expected\u201d The medical head informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018There is slight shimmer in the chamber\u2019 reported one the mechanics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Keep an eye on it and keep me posted\u2019 replied The director. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to the vibration, a loose screw came off. There was a humming sound that surrounded the whole place. With a blinding light, the test subject vanished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph got up and rubbed the black spots off his eye. He groggily got up and looked around but it hurt to look. He tried to remember how he got here but it hurt to think. In fact, it hurt to do anything. His body was aching, his eyes couldn\u2019t look more than a meter away. He moved his hand across the ground. It was coarse and prickly. He remembered this feeling. His thoughts raced to fond memories of the waves crashing on the ground, the sand being swept away, people enjoying themselves with their families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly there was the rustling of sand. He instinctively took a defensive pose and tried to concentrate on the sound. Joseph couldn\u2019t see anything. The light was shining on his eyes. He closed his eyes and focused on the rest of his senses. He couldn\u2019t smell or hear anything. All he could do was hope that it was just a figment of his imagination. But of course, it wasn’t. A giant man with muscular hairy arms reached out to Joseph and injected a liquid into his wrist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph woke up with full attention and surveyed his surroundings. It had a brick wall with wooden floors. It was so quiet he could hear his raging heartbeat. A man entered the room through a sliding door just across from where Joseph was lying. He was tall, with a scar across his forehead and slick black hair. He had muscular hairy arms and was wearing a toga. This shocked him because before his senses weren\u2019t working but now they are noticing every inch of details, assessing, planning automatically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFinally, you gained consciousness.\u201d It was a deep voice that filled the whole room. \u201cI was worried that I gave an overdose. Well, it might be a little over the top considering your skinny body.\u201d He continued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat did you do to me? Who are you and where am I?\u201d Joseph asked<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s not important who I am. You are on the Planet Zorp. As for what I did to you\u2026 I helped you gain your strength so you can return back to your home. I believe that you are supposed to thank me for my service.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you but can you let me go now?\u201d Joseph asked impatiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c I can\u2019t make you stay or make you leave. That\u2019s my curse. Do whatever you want with your own will\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph got up and went towards the door and plunged down to his death but due to his heightened reflex, he was able to grab the base of the door. He pulls himself up and looks for the man who saved him but he wasn\u2019t there. Confused, he looked around for a button or something like that so that he could reach the ground safely but couldn\u2019t find anything. Desperately he flipped anything he could find but that wasn\u2019t the right move. A trapdoor underneath him opened and he fell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a bunker. A dark dusty bunker with spider webs everywhere. His eyes were adapting to the darkness. He could see the outline of a big toggle. He went there and pulled it down. He had no other choice. He had to take risks if he wanted to go home. He waited and braced for anything that came his way but nothing happened except a small humming sound surrounded him. He had heard it before. It was the same sound that came before he reached this place. But instead of blinding light, a man appeared out of nowhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was the same person who helped Joseph to gain his senses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy did you summon me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t. I just flipped some switches.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, that summons me to this room. So tell me why do u want my help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to go back but I don\u2019t know how to.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll you have to do is think about where u want to be and this bunker will take you there. It was written right next to the main door but I guess you didn\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joseph thinks about the ocean. He pictured the turquoise blue ocean stretched out into a dark blue mass of water. He senses the white sand prickling on his bare feet. He imagines the waves forming and crashing near the shore. He can hear the soothing sound of wind and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He opens his eyes and sees the same bunker but the man is not there anymore. Joseph sees a door that wasn\u2019t there before. He opened the door and voila, the ocean was right in front of him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires.<\/p>Shakespeare<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n