Read Online Ashes by Estevan Vega - Free Book Online

the right people had this power when the world became. Maybe that was his mentor’s intent all along: to uncover that lost human particle, the anomaly he named the God gene , and to dictate who could have it and who couldn’t. To control it for what was to come. But the old dreamer didn’t stick around long enough to see how the story would end.  
    A chill snaked down the doctor’s spine. It really was a game with a curious conclusion after all. Like chess. But Krane was sick of playing as a pawn.

9
    Â 
    â€œHOW ARE YOU FEELING today, Stephen?” the shifting blur asked.  
    It was a struggle for Arson to keep his head up. So heavy. So very heavy.
    â€œIt’s all right, Stephen.” The blur spoke softly. “The sedative is still navigating through your system.”
    â€œSedative?”
    â€œYes. Don’t worry, it’s…it’s not harmful. It keeps you somewhat contained, as we’ve discussed before. Harmless, really.” The figure’s head appeared to have another one attached to it, one that disappeared and reappeared like smoke. It had a dizzying effect.
    â€œWho are you?”
    â€œGood grief, don’t you recall, Stephen? I thought we were past this. I am Dr. Nick Carraway, your psychologist.” The gray vapor held out his hand but was met with a long stare.  
    With a snap of his fingers, he urged Arson to follow his index finger as it moved. “Come back to earth.” The man wore a stoic expression. The movement of his lips seemed too coerced, and there were some wrinkles scattered about loose skin and jutted cheekbones. Sharp ears stuck out through salt-and-pepper hair. Gentle, younger, and seemingly freer eyes gazed into Arson’s warring windows.  
    â€œYou’re…” Arson managed before slouching in his chair, “not like the others.”
    â€œWhat others?” A long pause. “Oh, you mean, the other orderlies? Well, I can’t say I agree with you there. After all, the skeletons that skulk about these halls are mere clones of other clones. That’s what most of the patients here say, anyway.”
    â€œPatients?”
    â€œYes. You’re in a psychiatric facility. But you’re safe here.”
    â€œWhere is ‘here’?”
    â€œSalvation Asylum. This is a haven from the fears of the outside world.” The doctor kept looking at Arson like he was supposed to recognize him or something, supposed to remember this big room, but he didn’t.
    â€œYou…you’re strange,” Arson gasped. “This place is different.” Arson took a moment to scan the area. His pulse quickened, and his pupils dilated. The room had no windows. That part was familiar. There was nothing on the walls, but he felt like it was meant to calm him. Still, it wasn’t working. Where were the lively flowers or the bright photographs of a carefree family that often decorated a typical doctor’s office?
    Â  “Where is everybody?”
    â€œThere aren’t many here like you, Stephen.”
    â€œAm I in some kind of trouble?”  
    â€œPlease, enough with the games. This is the same room we’ve conversed in for the last several months.”
    Arson’s ears became alert. He drew his wandering eyes up from the crisp floors and felt his chest cave in. Months? Had it really been that long since he’d scooped ice cream at Toby’s or tucked Grandma into bed?  
    â€œHmm,” Carraway said, massaging his jaw. He set his notepad down and pressed his hands together. “Is all of this still foreign to you? Can’t you remember?”
    Arson shook his head, still drowsy, eyes weak and heavy.
    â€œIt’s not abnormal. Don’t be afraid. This is part of the process. It can sometimes be the case. Many of my patients can’t fully comprehend space and time because they are sometimes outside of it, if only in their minds. Black-outs and temporary