Page 79 of Until Death
Immediately, my mind goes blank. The space before me transforms before my eyes and I blink twice to make my vision focus.
I am home.
Frowning, I take a step as I try to recall where I have been.
But I have no recollection of where I have been or who I even am … orwhatI am.
All I know is this moment of stepping into my home having returned from a long journey.
Something warms my hand and I glance down in surprise to find a small glass vial, devoid of any substance, held in the palm of my hand.
I frown at it.
Why would I be holding such a thing?
Shaking my head, I move further into my palace.
I reach the cold fireplace and set the vial atop the mantel, staring at it for a moment.
I cannot for the life of me remember why I would have such a thing, but then my attention falls to the fireplace.
It bothers me that there is no fire lit within.
But why?
This has never bothered me before; I like things cold and dark and empty.
At least, I thought I did.
Now, I am suddenly not so sure of anything.
Confused, I reach for the vial again. It seems wrong to leave it here above the cold fireplace. Instead, I tuck it into my pocket before turning to go about my normal daily tasks.
Walking through the palace halls, an odd feeling comes over me.
My eyes keep noting the empty walls. The dusty kitchen. The clean floors.
I cringe at the lone echo of each step I take.
It is as if there is something missing. As if something deeply important to me has been taken from me without my knowledge.
But what?
I pause in a hallway, glancing about the empty space.
It feels so lifeless here.
But that should not bother me. So, why is it?
I set off again only to abruptly stop again.
Slowly, I turn toward a door that I never use and throw it open.
The space beyond is empty, just as I expected.
And yet, I know there used to be something here. Something terribly valuable. Of that, I am sure.
But I simply cannot remember what.
