I rummaged through my belongings once more after the group adjourned. Finally. Such long meetings, so boring. They just did the same thing over and over again, cowering in fear as they picked out the one they feared most of all. I can cure this! Such joy they were missing out on! I threw my bear pelt over my shoulders, reveling for a moment in the embrace. I took off at a spring, in glee at the feeling of absolute freedom.
End it.
I reeled, pulling up to a stop. What? Who?
End it now.
I looked around, spinning on the spot. There was nobody here! But voices, still they came!
It is hopeless. End it now.
The voices, they echoed like a chorus, smooth, but deep. Suddenly, I could feel it again. The despair… the knowledge of the unmovable object of destiny sitting obstinately in my path, blocking my way. I could never budge it. I slowly sat down, putting my head into my knees.
End it. Embrace oblivion.
I could hear a buzzing again. Oh no… the bees. Again? They were back to torment me again? Stop it… stop it…
You can stop it.
Wait. No. Suddenly, it was as though a fog lifted. The pit in my stomach vanished as the swarm descended upon me. I had defeated this! I did not fear! There was nothing to fear, not death, not bees, not bears!
NO! END IT!
I grinned maniacally. No. No, I would not end it. There was no fear. There was no pain. Others had to be shown the path. As though sensing my renewed confidence, the swarm dispersed. I took off at a sprint. I do not know what foul force wished me despair, but I was a triumphant prophet! I would never be brought down! I wheeled around a corner, still reveling in my liberation. I saw
Ishmael coming down to me at a slow pace. His eyes went wide, in apparent shock at my appearance. I sprinted to him, and before he could respond, I smashed his jaw with my fist. My momentum carried me past, forcing me to wheel around, spinning on a heel. Ishmael seemed to shake off his shock, and withdrew a sword to me and readied a combat stance. Haha! A good man! He raised his sword high and rushed to me. I had done my job! To overcome a sight as fearsome as myself, surely he deserved to live for now and spread the word! Cackling at the top of my lungs, I took off down the hallway, knowing he would never catch me.
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