July 30, 2024 - Los Angeles, California
"We have breaking news: thousands of people have simultaneously disappeared across the country," the anchor, Maria Sanchez, announced. "Reports are coming in from multiple states, but California appears to be the hardest hit. The government has released a statement saying the matter is under investigation and assures the public that there is no cause for concern. Officials are confident it will be resolved soon."
A pre-recorded segment played, showing a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security addressing the press. "We are aware of the reports of widespread disappearances. We have mobilized all necessary resources to investigate these incidents. We urge everyone to remain calm and follow the instructions of local authorities while we find the cause and resolve the matter."
Back in the studio, Maria continued, "Authorities are asking anyone with information about the disappearances to contact their local police department. Meanwhile, theories about the cause of these mysterious vanishings are rampant, ranging from alien abductions to government conspiracies."
The scene shifted to downtown Los Angeles, where protests had erupted. The camera panned over a large, angry crowd holding signs and chanting slogans. "No more immigrants!", "Stop the terrorists!", and "The judgment has arrived!" were among the cries echoing through the streets. People waved American flags and held up pictures of missing loved ones, their faces contorted with anger and fear.
"This is Sarah Stone, reporting live from the heart of downtown Los Angeles," the sounds of the crowd almost drowning her out. "Protesters have taken to the streets, blaming everything from potential terrorist groups to illegal immigrants to even aliens for the disappearances. Despite local authorities' reassurances, panic and fear are driving these demonstrations."
A protester, red-faced and shouting, pushed his way to the front of the camera. "So many mass disappearances, and what is the government doing? Fighting with the opposition over some fucking elections!? How I wish the aliens would just come and blow the whole fucking coun—" he yelled before being pulled back by another protester.
The field reporter's voice continued over the footage, "Tensions are high, and there's a heavy police presence here to prevent any violence. Many of these protesters believe that the government is either hiding the truth or not doing enough to protect its citizens."
The broadcast cut back to Maria Sanchez in the studio. "We have with us Dr. Linda Schmid, a sociologist from UCLA, to give us some insight into the social dynamics at play here. Dr. Schmid, what can you tell us about the public reaction to these disappearances?"
Dr. Schmid appeared on a split screen, looking composed and thoughtful. "What we're seeing is a classic response to fear and uncertainty. When people don't have answers, they look for someone to blame. Immigrants and minority groups often become scapegoats in these situations. It's a way for people to channel their fear and anger into something tangible, even if it's misdirected."
Maria continued, "Do you think this reaction will escalate?"
"It's possible. The government's message of reassurance is important, but if people don't feel they are getting answers quickly, the protests could grow and potentially become more violent. It's crucial for the authorities to maintain transparency and communicate effectively with the public."
"Thank you, Dr. Schmid. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. For now, we advise everyone to stay safe, stay informed, and avoid the protest areas if possible."
The screen shifted to a map of Los Angeles, highlighting areas with significant protest activity. "Traffic is being rerouted around downtown," Maria added. "Stay with KTLA for continuous updates on this developing story."
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July 29, 2024 - First Floor, The Tower
In an instant, everything turned white for Lawrence.
He found himself abruptly teleported into a featureless, stark room—a transition so seamless and beyond the bounds of normal physics that he immediately recognized it as 'The Tower'.
'It was true after all,' he thought as he looked around. It was sudden and not the transition he expected, but it was what it was, and he would adapt to it.
Prepared for this moment, Lawrence methodically surveyed his new environment, confirming his suspicion that this was indeed the otherworldly test he had been briefed about and had been preparing for during nearly two months of hellish training.
He tapped methodically on the cold walls, his calls echoing into silence. When no response came, he stilled himself, settling into a waiting game.
Hours morphed into an indeterminate stretch of time, the stark whiteness of the room challenging his mental fortitude. The thought that this could be 'The Tower'—a test for mankind as a whole, and that he had been selected for it—solidified in his mind as he settled into the role of a patient observer, his resolve unshaken.
As time became irrelevant, Lawrence's disciplined mind held strong against the encroaching hunger and thirst.
Time kept passing, and maintaining a calm mind became increasingly difficult. He had to take quick naps while trying to remain alert.
Then, breaking the monotony, as he woke up from a nap, his stomach growling and his mouth dry, he saw a knife in the center of the room. He was slightly shocked. 'How did it get inside? Did someone or something put it there or was it some sort of advanced technology to teleport things?'
The appearance of the knife shifted the dynamics of his situation. Was this a tool, or was it the next phase of the test?
Approaching the knife, a realization chilled him to the bone. Picking up the knife, he understood that this might be the ultimate demand of the test.
For a moment, doubt crept into his mind. Even as a soldier trained to face death, the thought of ending his own life was terrifying. His heart pounded, and his hands trembled slightly as he weighed the knife in his grip. Memories of his comrades, his family, and the life he had lived flashed before his eyes. The instinct for self-preservation warred with his sense of duty and purpose.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Every fiber of his being screamed against the act he was about to commit. He questioned whether this was truly necessary, whether there was another way to prove his worth in this test.
But as the minutes stretched into an eternity, he knew that hesitation would only prolong his suffering. The sterile, unchanging whiteness of the room pressed in on him, amplifying his isolation and fear. He had been chosen for this task, prepared through grueling training, and now he faced the ultimate test.
With a resolute heart, he directed the blade toward himself. The cold steel pressed against his skin, and he forced himself to push aside the panic rising within him. This was for the greater good, for humanity. He had to believe that his sacrifice would mean something, that it would fulfill the requirements of the test.
Closing his eyes, he took one last deep breath and thrust the knife into his chest. The pain was sharp and immediate, but a numbing release followed. As darkness closed in, he felt a strange sense of peace. 'Would they remember me as a hero?'
***
Instantly, Lawrence found himself back at the base, as if no time had passed, surrounded by the familiar yet mundane elements of the military installation. A comrade caught sight of him, eyes widening in shock. "Lawrence?"
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Alonso had lost count of how many he had killed. He didn't care anymore. He needed more orbs, more power.
More creatures emerged, over a dozen filling the room. He welcomed them with a twisted grin, his movements fluid and deadly.
The first creature lunged; he sidestepped, driving his knife into its spine. As it collapsed, he moved to the next target. Bloodlust surged through him. His strikes were brutal, his attacks merciless. The creatures fell one after another, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness, leaving behind the precious orbs he coveted.
He scooped up the orbs greedily, feeling their energy merge with his own. The sensation was euphoric. His senses sharpened, his strength increased, and his mind buzzed with primal instincts and ambition.
The creatures, now more numerous, continued to come at him. But he was unstoppable. His body moved with unnatural grace, each motion a deadly ballet. He relished the feel of his knife slicing through flesh, the sound of bones breaking under his assault.
His laughter echoed through the chamber.
He couldn't get enough. With each new kill, he absorbed their essence, his power growing exponentially. The creatures kept coming, and he met them head-on, his attacks more savage with each moment. He reveled in the violence, the thrill of the fight, the ecstasy of the kill.
The room was a slaughterhouse, and he was the butcher.
In the brief moments of stillness, he clutched the orbs to his chest, feeling their energy seep into him. His eyes burned with a manic light. He was consumed by the power.
As the final creature fell, its body disintegrating into the void, he stood alone in the silent room for an instant. The countless orbs he had absorbed pulsed within him. He was no longer the man who had entered this place. He was something else, something far more dangerous.
He looked around the empty space, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.
He saw more creatures appearing. Dozens of them. He grinned.July 30, 2024 - Nevada, USA
"Lieutenant Tadesse reporting," Lawrence announced crisply, saluting the Colonel and the high-ranking official present.
"At ease, Lieutenant. Begin your detailed report on what transpired since your disappearance," Colonel Greene commanded.
Lawrence relaxed slightly. "Sir, I was immediately transported to a stark white room. No visible exits or features. Total isolation. The passage of time was unclear, felt like hours but hard to measure exactly."
"How did the situation evolve?" the Colonel inquired.
"A knife appeared centrally in the room after what felt like an extended period of waiting. Its appearance was sudden, no indication of how it was placed," Lawrence continued.
"Did you interact with the knife?"
"Yes, sir. I concluded that using the knife on myself might be the demanded action of the test. I proceeded with the belief that it was the only way forward."
Colonel Greene leaned forward, his expression intense. "Were you certain of your death?"
"It felt definitive, sir. The pain was immediate, and darkness followed. I believed it to be the end," Lawrence explained.
"What did you feel upon reappearing here at the base?" the Colonel prodded further.
"Confusion, sir. It was as if no time had passed. Yet, I was aware of having gone through a profound experience," Lawrence answered.
Colonel Greene nodded gravely. "A bit over 10 hours have passed since you and several others around the world disappeared. You were among the only two elites from the group that trained under my command who went missing. The other, Sergeant Jefferson, has not yet returned," he then paused and looked straight at Lawrence. "We believe you were inside The Tower during this time."
"Yes, I believe I was in The Tower's trial too, but I am uncertain whether I failed or not."
"Well, be glad you are alive, Lieutenant. Hopefully you will have many more days to enjoy."
"Thank you, Colonel."
"Oh, and before I dismiss you, I think you may be interested in this," the Colonel nodded to the other official next to him, who turned a display around so it was visible for Lawrence, who gasped at seeing it with wide eyes.
"Is that..."
"Yes, this is a massive 10 km structure that suddenly appeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, exactly at the time you and many others went missing. We also call it... The Tower."
The Colonel nodded again, and the display was turned around. "Well, you are dismissed. Take a well-deserved break, grab some food and drinks from the kitchen, and we will meet again tomorrow morning," noting the hesitant expression of the Lieutenant. Greene continued, "we will keep you informed, including about Jefferson's return. That is all."
"Thank you, Colonel," Lawrence saluted and left.
After the door was closed, Greene's face changed to a more serious one, and the official next to him whispered after some time.
"Are we leaving it just like that?"
"If the one that returned is my soldier, then he deserves a rest, and I know he will not be lying. If his memories were tampered with, we will know as more come out, and asking more will be meaningless. If the one that returned is not my soldier... is there something we can do about it?"
The official remained silent.
"I have already informed the higher-ups," he reclined his head in his interlocked hands. "I have a hunch a lot will be returning soon. If the test is as described by Lieutenant Tadesse, then not many people can withstand those 10 hours of isolation, especially when offered an easy way out."
"So you think... Lawrence failed? But then … why is he alive?"
"We will know soon."
image
Time had lost all meaning.
His body felt invincible. With every kill, he felt stronger, more alive.
He felt good. He felt very good.
'Huh?'
His arm had stopped mid-way as he was executing a slashing motion.
'What is happening? Move. Move! MOVE!'
But his arm was paralyzed. His body was paralyzed.
His eyes widened as he saw them coming. Slowly they were reaching him.
"AHHHHH!" he screamed, but his throat hurt massively and he spat blood as he coughed.
He tumbled. His body fell, unresponsive. He noticed his arm was thinner than before and his body was... he looked at his chest and could see the bones as clear as if there was no skin.
In disbelief, he felt something. It was his arm. He looked at it and saw it.
The creature was biting it.
He stared as the creature bit his arm, and he did ... nothing. His body did nothing, but his mind... reacted.
'I... my arm was bitten before. This creature... the cage, the food, the water! I... I am... Who am I?'
'I can't remember... no, I do... I remember the car, the accident... wait...
'Dad? I...'
The light in his eyes started shifting. They were gaining clarity.
'I am...'
The creature had finished with his arm and he was losing blood as it poured out in droves.
'I am...'
The creature opened its mouth, ready for another bite. It was aiming for the neck now.
'I am Alonso Shemson.'
Suddenly, everything changed. He was standing up. The room was empty.
He looked at his arm and it was there. His arm was still there. But then... what happened?
He continued looking and saw nothing else. It was just him in the room. What about the knife? He was not holding it and could not find it.
This was very confusing. He did not understand. He remembered falling on a killing spree, getting addicted to the orbs, the power, the feeling of getting stronger with each kill. And then... and then he woke up.
Why did he wake up? Woke up from what? He remembered who he was... he was Alonso. He remembered his past. He remembered the accident and all that came before and after.
He remembered even the last few hours? Days? He was not sure how much time had passed since then. He was brought to this empty white room suddenly and then he waited and suffered until a staircase appeared. Yes, he remembered that, and then the cage, the creature, the fight and the orb. He then remembered climbing again and... and then he started fighting. And then he fell into the addiction of growing in power and killing those creatures. He was not sure how long he spent there, but he remembered his body decaying, probably from overexertion.
But then he... he remembered. He remembered who he was and broke through the cycle. Yes, he broke the cycle. He woke up because he found himself again.
Suddenly, a staircase appeared as if triggered by his enlightenment. A barrel with water and food provisions also materialized in the center of the room, but he paid little attention to that.
He understood this trial. The third challenge was never about the fight or the creatures; it was about him, about him breaking addiction. And he did it, he managed just at the end and was brought back with whatever mythical powers or advanced technology whoever was testing him had. He was brought back because he passed the test. The staircase appeared because he understood he was tested.
But... what would have happened if he did not pass the test?
He had a good guess.
He gazed up at the white plain ceiling and smiled with tears running down his eyes.
He knew that he alone would have failed that test. He had lost himself completely. He should have died. But then he appeared... he showed him the way like he had always done. Always there for him.
He cried. He cried until no tears were left...
'Thank you, Dad.'
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About the author
M. E. Cuartas
M. E. Cuartas
7/5/2024, 10:00 PM 7/13/2024, 10:43 PM
Bio: Hi everyone! So glad to have you here! I'm Marcos, writing as ME Cuartas, inspired by my grandpa, who was a radio novelist. I've got a background in Applied Physics and Aerospace Engineering, but guess what? Writing stole my heart! Now, I'm here, crafting stories and doing my best to keep them exciting—thanks to your amazing support. Truly appreciate it!
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Comments(17)
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gorn_gorn
gorn_gorn
2 years ago
Tftc
Orion5455v2
Orion5455v2
2 years ago
Thx for the chapter
Mitko
Mitko
2 years ago
Tftc
Lorddarkrai
Lorddarkrai
2 years ago
I wonder if 'The Tower' has a name or designation
ChildConsumerServices
ChildConsumerServices
2 years ago
Thanks for the chappy!
Okayyyy...
Harmless Spider
Harmless Spider
23 months ago
Huh!
Liam Francis Upgrove
Liam Francis Upgrove
20 months ago
Just checking: he still has his restored leg, right?
Qyro
Qyro
19 months ago
That test was completely unexpected
Lily Fhon Azhel
Lily Fhon Azhel
19 months ago
Oh, so that level test the mind, how far he can go without losing his identity. Like fighting addiction
Sam0207
Sam0207
18 months ago
I understand that Alonso passed the tests. It also seems it was a arduous and painful task. But that's it.
Although his manic state was visible, I was unaware what he was going through. I don't mean to say we need the full report of what happened to him... But it felt like...a disconnect.
And the last test where he overcomes the mental challenge... It felt kind of shallow? Like okay, Lion King moment, Dad appeared and gave him wisdom. Sure, cool.
I like the story, but I think maybe dedicate a single POV to one chapter? Of course various POVs are building up the story, that's important. It's just that I'm not feeling the struggle or feeling apathetic at his relief.
That's all. image
TradeMarked
TradeMarked
13 months ago
I mean I knew he was addicted, but I'm not truly connected with any character because of all the pov switches
elkress
elkress
6 months ago
Maybe this is one of those where we only feel the long term consequences? I do understand your criticisms, but also know those would be very hard to beat as its still the beginning of the story. So im hoping for example, that mc will continue to struggle keeping his addiction in check (briefly snapping out of it, doesnt get rid of it altogether) and be perpetually scarred from the white room. Cant say im confident though, that doesnt seem to be hinted to be the case yet
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