The Sands of Borrowed Time

by Jeffry Winters

  Epilogue

  “You’re quite a catch, Kyla,” the plump man with glasses said as she looked up at him drowsily, unable to move on the bed. She noticed his hair was ruffled as he came into focus like he couldn't do anything with it, not minding to leave it looking wild and unkempt. “We have been watching you for some time,” he continued as he shone a light into each eye, checking for a pupil reflex, smiling each time when he saw them constrict. “Beautiful eyes,” he mumbled to himself. “The blues of the ocean in one, and the greens of the forests in the other.” He looked at them for a while, mesmerised before walking over to a bench, grabbing a syringe and needle. “We have been watching you longer than you could care to imagine, since you were a child, in fact, that day when you, I guess, lost your mum, across the hills, far, far, away.” He coughed a little, and his face flushed as if he was embarrassed to have mentioned it. “We sent Cain and his, well, female friend to rescue you as I’m sure you remember. I do apologise for her, but he insisted on having her. No one is perfect I guess, especially in tough times like these, not that it matters anymore.” He rubbed his nose as if he was about to sneeze but nothing came. “You have quite a story to tell about yourself, about your friends, and those that are not, but it seems you have a story to tell about us as well. I wouldn’t worry, though, you will forget that soon enough, and you will be back to your normal self, trusting what you want to believe as you go through your life like all the others.” He looked back at her and sighed. “Only the hooded man knows the other half of the truth. That ship holds a terrible secret, and we must catch him as we did you.” He coughed a little again, his cheeks burning red. “I don't believe you've met him? Anyway, he’s a slippery little bugger. We did almost get him once, you know.” He frowned, clenching his fist tightly. “Apparently, that's why he hides his face under that hood of his. They tell me he’s found an interest in oil. Might make for an interesting sideshow for you lot, at least, as it's always been.” The man attached the needle to the syringe and carefully broke through the rubber seal of a small vial with it, gently pulling up some liquid into its barrel before continuing. “It's all a bit of a mess to be frankly honest; unforeseen hitches if you like,” he rambled on as he walked back over to her. He sat down next to her, looking a little apprehensive. “These things happen, although I’m told they should not. It's all for the best we believe to rectify such matters. Otherwise, it will all fall apart.” She looked up with dread as the man primed the needle, gently pushing the plunger of its syringe, a small amount of liquid spraying high into the air from its sharp, metallic tip. She wanted to scream, hearing it only in her mind, unable to open her mouth as she felt the man lift her arm, the needle entering a vein effortlessly with a little jolt. She tried to flinch from the pain, but she couldn’t move, not one muscle.

  “I do apologise,” the man said, his face cringing as if he felt the pain himself. “That was a bit naughty, I know, but I assure you it's for your own good.” Her heart began to beat faster and faster as the drug flowed through her veins, her clothes starting to feel damp as she began to sweat. “We would like you to continue your story, the history of the World will be far more fascinating with you in it, without doubt.” The man smiled again, looking down into her eyes. It was a warm and genuine smile, she felt. “I must say, though, and I do mean it, it has really been a great honour to meet you. You're a special girl, and I wish you all the best of luck on your tough but crucial journey through life. I wish I could be out there with you, cheering you on,” he said waving his fist. He looked into her eyes one last time, his face guilt ridden. His chest slowly rose before he gave out a deep sigh, “We had to create a few bogeymen just to keep you away from the real ones.” He stood up and smiled again, like he really meant it, looking like a cherub with his round, chubby face. He gave her a friendly pat on her side before walking away towards the door. He looked back over his shoulder as he grabbed the door handle, looking at her one last time as his smile faded to a look of concern. He turned away and switched off the light, the sound of the door opening in the darkness. She heard the door swing shut behind him with a hollow thud. She felt a sudden wave of nausea as a key turned in the lock. Then there was nothing.