Jesse Wright

To the East

The sun rose again, despite Williams best efforts. William was absolutely certain that last night would be his final one, and prayed that today would be. To the east. The Locket was speaking to him again. No, not speaking. Commanding. Sure, you could resist. Walk west. Before you know it, the sun is at your back as the stars begin to wake. William couldn’t remember the last time he tried to resist the commands. It terrified him. Not in a pulse pounding fight or flight kind of way in books or movies, it was a like a cold spike inserted itself into the bottom of his stomach. It’ll fade. He knew his weak attempt to convince himself that the fear would leave him was a mere hope. He was beginning to lose the ability to distinguish his own thoughts from the command of the locket. Was he losing himself? Or was he becoming like the Locket? It was innocent looking. A heart shaped casing hiding tumblers, springs, and perhaps something sinister. As he made his way eastward his mind went elsewhere. That was probably the only good thing about the situation. He could be on autopilot all day, although eventually he would feel the strain. He No longer felt pain or hunger. Not that his mortal body would sustain itself, he was commanded to eat whatever was near when the Locket deemed it lunchtime using some inexplicable method of telling time. Can it see what I see? Can it hear my thoughts? You have to tell me if you can hear my thoughts, otherwise it’s entrapment. William chuckled to himself. No. I am not losing myself. I will get out of this. The fear melted like ice, giving way to a smile.