The Bound

Spinning, twisting, falling… unsure what is happening you finally stop. You’re seated in what looks like a small abandoned building. The boards weathered and cracked from years of neglect. Windows are all but a few panes shattered and the afternoon sun shines through the remaining glass opaque with dirt and dust. A few empty tables and chairs lie about the floor. No one appears to have been here for a very long time.   Dirt and dust cover every surface, except where you sit. You suddenly notice something else in the room, maybe a person. As you shake your head trying to comprehend what’s happening you’re suddenly in the presence of 6 others. Most of them are looking at you in bewilderment, shaking their own heads and appearing to be confused. One person appears to be standing, looking at the rest inquisitively, sizing them up, evaluating them.   “I thought you would all be younger…”, he says. “I have labored so, to bring you all to this place.” You try to speak, but you can’t get any words to come out. It’s all a blank, you can’t think of anything.   “Do not worry. I have not brought you all here to bring you harm. I need your assistance with a provocative situation in which I have found myself. I have been bound, and I need you to assist in my release. If you choose assist me, I shall restore that which I have taken from each of your minds. If you choose to forego this offer and continue your life without assisting me, I will not pursue you. Nor will I restore that which I have taken from you, your identity. I leave the choice to you...” The speaker pauses for a brief moment and directs you all to walk out the door.   One by one each other person passes through the front door, dissolving as they pass the threshold. You pause for just a moment, and look back trying to think about the choices you have at this moment. You turn and pass through the threshold of the door, you feel the spinning again, your first thought finally is able to come to mind, “Not this again…”