Evolution - Part Five

Shazaar unbuttoned his fly and relieved the pressure from his
bladder; which had been accumulating for the last half hour of the
exam. As he stood there staring at the wall in front of him, he became
aware that he wasn't alone. He sensed the presence of something here
which made the atmosphere in the room feel very odd. Finishing his
business and turning round: he saw a tall dark man leaning against one
of the cubicles, looking at him coyly. He was a handsome man, and
Shazaar felt strangely drawn to him. Shazaar looked at him for a
moment, then walked over to the sink to wash his hands, as he washed
them he looked into the mirror at the reflection of the man.

"Hello Shazaar." The man said.

Shazaar froze, "How do you know my name?"

"I know many things." The man said.

He moved away from the cubicle and as he moved it seemed like the room
was bending unnaturally towards him, as if he had some kind of magnetic
pull on it. Shazaar began to feel afraid, this wasn't natural. He spun
round, " Who are you?" he asked.

"I am the fallen." The man replied.

"The fallen?"

"I collect things."

"What kinds of things?"

"Memories.."

Shazaar backed against the edge of the sink, feeling it dig into the
small of his back. "Memories..?"

The man slowly approached him, and as he did, the room grew more and
more distorted and surreal, becoming a blurred mass of fractal images
and halos weaving in and out of each other. The man placed his hands on
Shazaar's head. Filling him with panic...

"What are you doing...?"

"It's ok, don't be afraid. " The man whispered into his ear. "I just
need something from you." Shazaar felt icy cold invisible fingers
probing his mind, slowly stealing, draining him: of his thoughts,
memories and emotions, all that he was..

" Please... stop... you can't do this.. stop."

"Shush... you will soon be at peace." The man said. "Such a beautiful
one you are too. A rare find."

Shazaar tried to scream, but no sound would leave his throat... he
tried to kick out, but couldn't move he was completely paralysed. The
world around him began to slowly dissolve into a dreamy swirl of black
nothingness. It was like being submerged into a pool of water, composed
of infinite depth and darkness. He let himself sink into it, no longer
having the strength or the will to fight or resist it.

"Yes, sleep." The man whispered.

"Sleep.."

***

Martin walked down the corridors feeling confident, the exam hadn't
been too difficult and he had a good positive feeling that he had done
well. He turned the corner and opened the door to the toilets. He went
pale with shock suddenly when he was greeted by the sight of Shazaar's
body - lieing limp on the floor by the sinks.

"Shazaar... Shazaar!"

He rushed up to him, gently feeling for a pulse and any signs of
respiration. When he felt the rhythmic reassurance of a steady
heartbeat and was satisfied he was alive. He placed him into the
recovery postion, and ran to get some help..

-End Of Part Five-