bizarre title. even more bizarre happening. transmission begin.
with a small sect of believers, the host of the evening's events who we shall name Reinhold, made his way down the concrete steps into the basement underneath the beautiful victorian house that stood several blocks from this city. in the small rectangular windows there was little visble of the ouside world, just the sporadic flash of headlights, momentary and then darkness took over again. in this damp, dismal, poorly lit space was the aroma of stale air, dirt & rubbing alcohol. all in attendance was hit full force by these elements and were left wondering, daydreaming, about what was about to happen and what the outcome would be. triumph or tragedy? completed observance or udder loss? the night was young and the fun had not yet begun.
the last of the sect down the steps faced a wall and flipped up a switch to the overhead lights. the entire place was bathed in eye crushing flourescent light, ferocious angelic white glowing illumination, crackling from one side to the other. everyone shielded their eyes from the harsh reversal of the blackness, with the exception of Reinhold, who lacked the self serving humanity to deny any feeling he could experience. this may be the last time this could happen, so it was important to take it all in and grip what his life has been until now. within this sect three followers began to spread out, each heading in a different direction, to a different area. for the first time it is strangely appearent that this basement has been turned into a makeshift hospital or surgery center. metal tables, computers, medical monitors and other equipment was scattered around the room, which by now, seemed as eerie as it was vast. this entire victorian under world was to be the center of what could only be called an experiment.
Reinhold's head slowly turned in all directions, taking the scene in piece by piece. he stood next to an over sized shower curtain, behind it something was shrouded from view, something sinister in it's own way. his hand extended, gripped the curtain and quickly slid it as far as he could. the claw-footed tub awaited him. the sect memebers pulled all of their equipment toward the grand masterpiece in the center of the room, wiring was being plugged into countless surge protectors, power was being flooded into the electronics and the time had come to begin. the countdown to crossing the divide had begun.
the following is a mass journal entry, as written by Reinhold himself. this story is his and his alone.
the room is colder than i had originally expected, i suppose it is for the sake of the computers and monitors, the machines that will track my entry and exit from the Great Divide. i began to take off my clothing, folding it neatly and stacking the pieces on a steel cart one of the "charismatics" has provided me. these men are bound by an oath to watch - record - ressurect or in the worse case, dispose of me when this done. another of the charismatic wheels over a dolly stacked with bags of ice. they look like crystals, those used to tell fortunes or heal the ill. fear is tapping my shoulder now, however, i shall not gaze into him. i have much to prepare for. i have much to do in order to survive.
undressed and awaiting the sign to strike out on the journey i stand in a thin robe, concentrating on every memory i can muster, every ounce of humanity i have and have witnessed. my sanity is a tool i will need to return from the void, it will protect me and guide me as i wander the wasteland. i am not permitted to eat or drink, my stomach is now reminding me of this fact and i must ignore it's cry for satisfaction for now. several monitors are being fitted with cords, each with an electrode that will be placed, glue even, to my body. it as if a swarm of pit vipers has decided i am dinner, it is a small comedic moment that swells up in me, i will not speak of this now, later perhaps.
with my new found tentacles in place the ice charismatic has filled the great claw-footed tub and has added water as well. this ice bath will cool me down, slow my heart and lead me into the hallway to the Great Divide. fear again taps vigorously at my shoulder, i find myself swatting at the air behind me, the charismatics take notice and give questioning looks to me. i assure them it is nothing, stating, "we should make haste, fear is lonesome and wishes that i play." they all nod and move at double speed, getting into position to open the channel to the wasteland, the abyss before me. with everyone except me seated, i am given the sign to step into the tub and lay down. so it finally begins.
shock shoots through my skin and nerves, every single hair on my body seems to beg for heat at that very moment. goosebumps spread like the plague all over me, leaving me looking as if i am being pulled in infinite directions by tiny threads from beneath my flesh. i can alread feel the all consuming hallway being lit by the candles of time, i am nearing the endless realm that i wish to explore. i am under the icy surface, with the exception of my head, and my vision is opaque like foggy glass. i focus on my life before now, reliving every scent, taste, caress, color and shade of light. i try to say that i'm ready but my face is numb and shaking uncontrolably. fear stands at the head of the tub, just behind me, and he finally speaks to me in a tone that no one else seems to hear, he says, "your disreguard for me is rather annoying. if you do make it back, we will be having a chat at length, do you understand?"
i attempt to nod in agreement but that is when i finally go under completely, the monitor has stopped.
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