Fate of the World

I

“I’ve locked you in the pitch-black basement since our marriage when we were teens five years ago. You don’t get any human contact, except when you get food, for all this time. Now, you have the audacity to tell me that you love me?” Lyle yells at you, questioning what you just told him.

You know that he has locked you away from the rest of the world, even from himself. Although, you can’t help but think of him the same way as when you met him at your arranged marriage. You tell him that you do love him and that you can’t help it. You also tell him that you feel like he is trying to keep you safe. You can feel the frustration that he has after you told him that. You were with him for six months before you were locked into this room. He was so nice to you that the current emotion that he is giving off confuses you.

"You don't even know what I look like anymore. For even that matter, who I am as a person."

You reach out to Lyle. Touching his face, you feel him flinch. As your hands explore his face you feel that he has grown a beard and now has a very ridged face. Most of all, you can feel the scars that cover his whole body. In shock, you wonder what happened. However, he does respond by bringing your hands close to his body. You feel his warmth and do not want him to let go. Being away from him for so long and anyone else makes you crave human touch, especially his. You tell him that you don't want to be left alone without him.

He squeezes your hand tight and does not respond right away. "I can't, not now."

You hear an explosion. In a panic, you ask him what is going on.

"Shh!" He puts a finger to your lips. "Breath lightly and don't make a sound. Also, you should follow me." He quietly guides you to somewhere in the room. You hear him lift up a door on the floor that you didn't even know was there. He shines a light down and prods you to go in.

You hear loud footsteps from the floor above. "Where are they? We followed him here, so where is his significant other? Where did Lyle go?"

You hear the loud voice disappear as Lyle takes you down a path that leads to the sewers. You can't hear any voices but what you can hear you assume to be traffic from a street. You ask Lyle where you two are going. All you know is that you want it to be with him.

"I don't know, someplace is safe." Safe sounds good to you, but you wonder what happened back at the house. He opens up the ground above and escorts you out into a forest.

Once you two emerge from the ground you wrap your arms around him. You ask him not to leave you. When he doesn't respond you look up and see how his face is lit up by the moon. His facial structure is just how you thought it did when you felt him. It definitely looks more rigid than you remember. It, in your opinion, makes him look more handsome. You put your hands on his cheeks and press your lips against his. You can feel him kissing until a light starts to glow around the two of you.

He immediately pushes you away. "We can't be doing that, Blake! That's what star-" He suddenly becomes quiet as both of you hear a sound coming from all directions. He pushes you back down under the ground and covers it back up.

You look up and see Lyle through the grate.

"There you are, Lyle. Now, where are they?" A deep menacing voice questions.

"Who? I don't know of anyone you would be looking for besides me. You know, the key to peace or calamity." You hear him laugh nervously.

"You know who I am talking about. The other key, is your spouse."

You want to call out to him; however, you know that would give you away. You don't understand what exactly they want with both of you. You do know however that Lyle said that he was the key to peace and calamity. It confuses you because you thought that you could only be one.

"Come on Lyle. I know that your partner is around here. We saw that glow."

"When have I ever had a partner? I've been single my whole-"

Something moved past him and you can see that it put a gash on his cheek. "We talked about them already. Now, where are they, Lyle? We could hurt you some more if that will get you to talk." One of the men picked Lyle up by his tattered shirt. "Well, are you going to talk?"

"I starved them." The man slashed Lyle from under his right eye down to his gaw.

"We're taking him with us. If they're around we'll be able to find them. They'll have to find a way to get food somehow. We will come back in the morning."

Once they are gone you work your way out and collapse on the ground from exhaustion.

II

You wake up in a bright white room which is completely different from the dreary basement that you are used to. You shout for Lyle’s name in hope that he would be there after remembering what transpired the last time that you were awake. You frantically look around and notice a tray of food by the bed that you are on. You push it away not trusting your surroundings. You feel like you need to get out but you don’t have the strength to get out of bed. You realize that you need to eat to get the strength; however, you don’t know if the people that brought you here want you alive or not. If anything, you believe that they are probably the same people that took Lyle.

You grab the bread and slowly start to nibble on it when the door to your room opens. You quickly scoot yourself into the corner of the bed when some lady in a lab coat enters the room. “Oh, you’re awake!” She smiles at you making you relax a little. She seems pleasant enough. Although you know that you shouldn’t let your guard down.

You demand to know where Lyle is even though you are fully aware that you are in no position to be making demands. Your voice shakes lacking conviction. You know that you sound weak but you hope that your face shows no fear, unlike your voice.

“Who? Are they your key holder? Tell me, are you the key to peace or calamity? This is crucial and we must know which side we got? If you already have your key holder then we need to find them to bring peace.”

You just stare at her and demand to see Lyle again. You refuse to believe that she doesn’t know who he is.

“Look, kid, I don’t even know who you or this Lyle person is. All I know is that we saw a beam of light signaling that either: a) the key(s) were awoken or b) they found their key holder.” She let out a deep sigh. “Look, we just need to know which one you are. No one here is going to hurt you. We just want there to be world peace. Nothing more than that.”

You don’t respond. You still don’t trust her. You only trust Lyle even though everything in you is currently telling you not to trust him either. Lyle knew those people that you two were fleeing from. Yet, they knew about you and things that you didn’t even know about yourself. You eventually tell her that you have no idea what she is talking about. It is not a complete lie, you feel whatever little information that you do have you should keep to yourself. You feel that is what Lyle would want.

“Please, I beg of you. Even if you know something that we already know, please tell me something. Anything will do.”

You were raised in a family that kept you a secret from the world. You were married off to Lyle who was the first person outside of your immediate family that knows who you are or anything about you. You don’t even know much about yourself. You just know that you are important to that group of people that wanted both your husband and you. You shake your head at her. Nothing should ever slip, at least, not until you know where Lyle is and how to get back to him.

“We need to get at least the answer on which key you are so we are going to need to run some tests to find out.”

You shout at the lady to stay away from you. She must never find out and you don’t want to know which one you are. It would mean that Lyle is the other one.

“Look, you don’t have much of a choice. This building has the highest security with only one way out of this room. I will keep you locked in here as long as I need to to get an answer from you. I will get an answer whether you tell me or not. I will call for backup to examine you if need be. You will cooperate no matter what.?”

If she thinks threatening you with locking you up and isolating you is what is scarring you she would be wrong. You’ve been isolated your whole life. Everything that you know about the world is only through stories that you heard. You were told it was going to keep you “pure.” Lyle showed you that the world isn’t like your childhood stories. Even so, you still love him. You don’t understand why he doesn’t want you to or why you do. Maybe you still believe that things will turn out like a story.

You tell the lady to get you Lyle and then you will talk.

Her face relaxes some and then tenses again. She reaches for your hands and you pull them away. Letting out a sigh she starts to speak. “I really don’t know who this Lyle person you are talking about is. Could you answer me this: Who are they to you?”

Tears run down your face at the realization that you were taken by a different group of people than that took your husband.

She nods as your tears tell her everything that she wanted to know. They told her more about you than you realize as well as what happened and who he is. She realized, that you are the key of peace and that Lyle must be your key holder. However, if you two were separated likely that meant that he was also a key, making you his key holder too. It is a forbidden relationship in that only one key can win out. If you are the key of peace, that means Lyle, must be the other, calamity. “You need to find a new key holder.” She leaves the room knowing that in order to get what she wants your key has to win in the end. This is so, everyone can live.

You throw the tray of food against the wall knowing very well what that lady was saying. No one will ever replace Lyle and you will never stop loving Lyle is what you tell yourself. You realize that you have to get out to find Lyle yourself.

III

"The activation of the key and key holders takes place once when both parties have some kind of deep connection to each other." The lady that visits your room tells you. Although, you already knew that much. "You don't have to love who we pick, you just need to form a close bond with them. Although, it makes it hard since you act as you have never formed any kind of relationship with anyone." She sighs. "It works both ways. You both need to be close to each other."

Not like she would understand the isolation that you have faced your whole life. No one will. You do feel as if Lyle did on some level. You were happy with him and don't want to get close to anyone else. With her explanation it made it sound like he might have had some kind of bond with you but that doesn't mean that he actually loves you. You tell her that you don't want anyone else.

"You don't have a choice, now do you? You are stuck here. Maybe if we take away a freedom that you have then you'll listen to us."

You tell her that she can do whatever she wants and that you still are not going to listen to her.

She quickly gets up. "I know how I can get you to cooperate and you won't like it one bit. I have warned you. Remember, it doesn't have to be a good bond."

Later in the night, at least, you think it is night, the door to your room opens. You expect to see the lady that had frequently been visiting you but to your surprise, it was not. You look in their eyes and see nothing but ill intent. You look down and kindly ask them to leave.

"Don't be like that hun. You'll make this even harder than you need to make it." They grab your face and make you look at them as you see them lick their lips. "In fact, I can get you out of here under one condition."

You make eye contact with them and ask them what it is.

"Isn't that obvious, you let me become your key holder. In return, we get to get out of this place and I'll help you find this Lyle person." They reach their free hand between your legs and you tens up. "You let me do it whenever I want without a fight then I'll help you find Lyle and as an added bonus you get out of here. Although if you resist, we'll, that is self-explanatory. Isn't it, my beautiful key."

You look down while they still hold up your face. Not even Lyle has done this with you. He never had. Although, you know that it will be the only way to see him again. You've been trapped here for two weeks and would like to be with him.

They let go of your face and pull down their pants. You know that you can fight back but you also know that you don't have the strength to fight it either.

After they are done with you they pull you close to themself. "Now think about getting rid of the people that keep you locked in here. Think about the peace to everything that it will bring. Even if this doesn't work I'll still get you out of here. It will just be harder" They press their lips against yours as light overcomes you two and shines throughout the rest of the building.

They pull you away and an ID appears around their neck assumingly with their name on it.

They pick it up and look at it and a grin spreads across his face. "I see, so you decided to alter reality this time and I'm now the CEO of this corporation. Good. You are going to help me and I will get you to your partner. We'll leave in the morning since this timeline I'm in charge of. Unless you are willing to go the extra mile and get rid of everyone here that I don't like too."

You say that you'll just wait until morning. You turn around and start heading back to bed and they stop you.

"Who said that you were staying in here? No, you are staying with me. Understand, Blake?"

You tell them yes that you do. They escort you through your prison doors. For the first time ever since getting here, you just wish that you could stay a prisoner in this room. He moves his hand around your waist and leads you to another room with a different bed that looks bigger than the one that is in your prison.

IV

You feel the sun beating down on your face and you open your eyes. You don’t remember when the last time was that you were able to see the sun. It shines so brightly that it hurts your eyes, yet you can’t help but stare at the sky. You turn around and see that person sleeping next to you. They turn over and throw their arm over you. You feel trapped. Maybe you could slip away and leave, you think to yourself. You slide out from under their arm and head to the door and turn the nob.

“Where are you going? Trying to leave without me?” You turn around and they are awake sitting up on the bed. They walk over to you and shove you up against the door. “You think that I would let you leave? No, you are mine now. What do you think will happen once you go out there with no one to protect you? You know that those people that have your Lyle are looking for you too.” He grabs your wrists and pins them above your head. “Maybe you need to be punished.”

You think that maybe peace would be getting rid of people like him yet, that wouldn’t stop new people like that from being born. Maybe starting over would be better. You think about trying to get rid of them but nothing happens. You are still trapped with them. They are still here, defiling you.

“I see that you are going to be good and just take it. Are you sure that you don’t want to resist?”

You tell him that you won’t and that he can do whatever he wants because you have no way to stop him. As you talk you refuse to make eye contact with him knowing that that will only hurt you.

After the event that unfolded, you are led out of the room and through the exit. The sun shines on you brighter than it did in the bed. You don’t remember it ever being this bright.

V

Maybe leaving you wasn’t his best idea. Lyle thinks to himself even though he knows that it was to protect you. He knows that these people here would have tortured you just like they do to him. He looks at the new cuts on his arm from those people and hopes that you are in a better place. He regrets keeping you locked up for all that time. He wishes that he didn’t feel like he had to keep you hidden. As well as wishing that he didn’t go to that bar that night drinking and talking about being a key to those people while drunk. The only thing that could comfort him right now is knowing that you are safe. Unfortunately, he can’t know that for certain.

“Where are they, Lyle? I know that they are still alive. There was a light shining from your location that night. Or do you want us to hurt you some more? We can go at this until you are on the brink of death. Even if we kill you another key of calamity will be born.” The man puts a knife to Lyle’s face and slides it down slightly leaving a cut along his gaw.

“I left them back in the sewers. They are probably gone by now. I have no idea where they would be now.”

Another man punches him in the face. “You really are worthless aren’t you? Good thing that you still have some value for us. You should be dead by now but because of our good grace, we are keeping you alive. You remember what we want you to do once we find them, right, Lyle?”

Lyle remains silent not wanting to answer the question. Not like he would do what they want anyway. Destroy the whole world but only leave them and the weak alive. Make their leader king. No, he wants every one of them gone. He doesn’t want anyone else but you and him alive. Only then will he be able to be at peace.

“You think that you are allowed to ignore us?” The first guy yells. He kicks him and then shoves his knife in his arm and drags it down leaving a large gash.

Lyle cries out in pain. He feels that he should be used to this by now but it hurts just as much every time that it happens. At least he knows that they won’t kill him. Although, that doesn’t make it any better. I’m sorry Blake. I’m sorry for everything that I have ever done. I should never have locked you down there hoping that you wouldn’t form a bond with me. I was hoping that I could break my own bond that I had with you too. You do mean the world to me which is why I can endure this pain for as long as I have.

“What did that hurt? Well, maybe you’ll respond when you are being talked to next time trash.” He kicks him in the stomach one more time and both the two men walk away from Lyle laughing.

As he holds his stomach from the pain and as the blood falls off his arm he can only hope that you are doing alright. As long as you are okay is all that matters to him. He doesn’t care about himself. He would hate himself even more if he knew what you have been going through. However, his mind is currently at ease with the belief that you are doing well.

VI

It has been a week since you two have left your prison. They hold you tight as they sit next to the fire that they set up for the night. You politely ask them to not touch you like that because you want some space.

They look at you and with their free hand caress your cheek. “You don’t have any kind of a say on what I do, remember? You are mine right now and will behave as a doll that I can do whatever I want to do. Don’t you remember, Blake?”

You apologize and tell him that you were foolish and just forgot. You do wish that you could have your space. You wish that you weren’t just an object to them. You can feel the hand that was touching your cheek explore your body and you tense up. All you can do is hope that Lyle is in a better situation than you are in not knowing that he is just as bad as yours.

The person that put you in another type of imprisonment fell asleep with their head resting on your lap. You look up through the leaves of the tree and see the stars twinkling above the trees. You wish that you could get out but the more that you think about it the more that leaving them while they sleep would be beneficial. Maybe you could get away and find Lyle on your own. At least that is what you think to yourself.

You slowly move out from under them so as to not wake them up. You know that if they catch you then you could get in serious trouble so you move slowly and quietly away from them and the campfire.

The night is quiet as you can hear crickets carrying on. You are accustomed to the dark and can see through the forest as if it is the day. You hear the crackling of another fire and peek around to see a group of people sitting around it.

“Come on trash, eat. You are going to help us. So you need to eat in order for that to happen.” You see one of them move over to someone.

You notice that it is Lyle. You say his name under your breath as you analyze the new marks on his body and that there is blood dripping from some of them. He looks as if he is in immense pain and like he will have problems moving if he tries to.

“We will make you eat if you don’t try to yourself. You are worthless if you can’t even do that. You are lucky that we have a use for you.”

“There you are, Blake. I was wondering where you ran off to.” Your capture turns you around and caresses your cheek. “I guess that you found them. How are you supposed to do anything about them without me, your new key holder? You ran away from me. You need to be punished, Blake.”

They turn you around and hold both your hands behind your back and move you to the group of people that have Lyle.

“You looking for them, men?”

“Leader, you were able to find them while going undercover?” One of the people says.

You are brought down to your knees as your capture grabs your hair. “We have them both here now so why not bring that failure here. Lyle, I bet that you regret talking to me when you were drunk. You do have an amazing partner.” They pick you up by your hair and make you face them. Once Lyle is in front of you. “You will make him disappear so you two never met. You were never married to him. That it was me that you were married to. What do you say, Blake?”

You tell them no.

They throw you on the ground. “You really think that you have a choice? You are my key now. I will own you.”

You sit up and wrap your arms around Lyle as he looks at you unable to speak. He feels hopeless since he saw that you were captured and that he can’t do anything about it.

“You really think that a broken man can do anything for you Blake? You are mine and will get back up to me.”

You move back slightly and put your hands on his cheeks. You lean in to kiss him and a light shines down and your capture disappears as you hear him scream in pain from every fiber of his being disintegrating.

You undo the ropes keeping Lyle’s hands together and all he does for a minute is stare at you as the people around them stand there stunned. “Blake, let me destroy everything. So no one can hurt you again. Let’s start humanity over from zero. Just you, me, and some that will help us continue on. So we can live peacefully away from others.”

He leans in and kisses you as you don’t pull away you hear nothing but can see a light spread out around you and everyone else.

Epilogue

You lay down on the empty ground as the sun shines through the trees. You feel Lyle’s hand holding yours. You look around and see no trace of what had happened the night before. Looking at Lyle after observing your surroundings you notice that his scares are gone and that there are no marks on his body. His clothes are still torn apart but he looks so content at the moment.

Lyle slowly opens his eyes and looks over at you. “You look amazing Blake, I am sorry that I have never told you this before. I should have been a better husband.”

You tell him that you don’t care about that. That you are glad that you can be with him now and that you won’t have to remain hidden from the world.

“Yes, you will never have to be hidden again. We both won’t.”