Crossroad by C. L. Halvorson

Ah. Greetings! I see you’ve woken up. That’s good.
Oh, no, be careful. Don’t move too fast. I imagine you have a frightful headache. Am I right?
I thought so. Just sit back for a while, it’ll fade soon.
Yes, that’s good. Rest for a minute, there’s no rush. Take a break! Enjoy the scenery.
Of course I’m joking. Honestly. There are no windows and no doors. Unless you count white
tile as scenery, I was being amusing.
Well, that’s your opinion, isn’t it? I thought it was amusing.
Oh, please, don’t groan like that. I’m sorry. I always forget what shape people are in when
they get here. Doubtless you’re in no mood for a jester. My apologies.
Well, of course there have been others before you. You’re not the first one to end up like
this, and you certainly won’t be the last. You’d have to be pretty full of yourself to think you
were that unique.
I’m not saying you have a big ego, I’m just saying that assuming you’re the first person to
have the experience when you find yourself in a new situation isn’t very sensible. I wasn’t trying
to be insulting.
You’re right, your narcissism is irrelevant.
What? I was agreeing with you.
...Well. That was just rude.
But you’re very polite when you start wanting answers, aren’t you? I’m surprised it took you
so long, to be honest. Usually people have barely opened their eyes before they start in. “Where
am I? What’s going on? How did I get here?” and on and on and on. It takes ages to calm some
of them down. Then you get the really hysterical ones. They curl up in the corner and pull on
their hair, or else latch on to me, demanding answers like I’m the one responsible, all the while
rattling my brain around in my skull as if the information might leak out my ears. I tell you, it’s
enough to make you want to slap them.
Yes, yes, I was getting to that. You’re awfully impatient, aren’t you? That’s the other thing
that gets me. Just because I happen to be in the room when they wake up, everyone expects I’ve
got all the answers to all the questions they could possibly have. I mean, how am I supposed to
know why there are no windows, or where the tile comes from? Do I look like an architect?
Of course I haven’t forgotten your question. But I couldn’t really say where you are. I mean,
aside from the obvious – a big, empty room. Though, I do like what they’ve done with the
lighting. The way the middle of the room is so bright, and all the corners just fade to shadow?
Very atmospheric.
Ah, my favorite question! If the room has no doors, how did you get in?
It’s just so fun to watch the realization set in. Some notice it right off, and it’s the very first
thing they ask. How? It’s impossible, isn’t it? To get into such a room - or out of it, for that
matter. They refuse to believe it, insist there’s a secret door somewhere. They’ll spend hours
looking for it. But I assure you, there is no need to waste your time. There is a way out of this
room, but you’ll never find it like that.
But you know, some people never ask. Perhaps they don’t notice, so it doesn’t occur to them.
Or maybe, they just don’t bother. They have a deeper understanding. Intuition, if you will.
I wonder - which are you?
Are you really going to argue with me? I told you – don’t waste your time.
Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the one who brought you here. And no, I can’t tell you
who that is. But don’t worry. You’ll see the one responsible very soon.
My second favorite question! Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how to leave. Well, I suppose I
can, but you won’t like it.
Are you sure?
Very well. The only one who can let you out is the one who brought you in.
Look, I’m only here so you don’t have to wake up alone. The answers are yours to find.
You’ll have to figure out why you’re here for yourself. I can only say this: something has ended,
and something must be understood.
No. You can’t go back. Not in the way you’re hoping.
What the hell is what? Oh, that. Now where did that come from? You turn your back for one
moment and a bloody great box appears in the middle of the room.
Of course not. It’s a figure of speech.
It is pretty handsome, though. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Don’t be silly. It’s just a box.
Hmm...I’d say, six and a quarter feet long. Just over two and a half feet at its widest point,
somewhere between one and two feet tall. That’s a big box. What kind of wood is that, do you
think? Cherry? No, it’s too dark for cherry. Mahogany? Yes, I think that’s it. And look at its
luster, it’s so beautifully polished. Gold hinges, beveled edges, inset panels, excellent carpentry.
It’s been a while since I saw a box this exquisite.
...Of course I know what kind of box it is.
What do you mean, how did it get here? It got here the same way you did.
What do you think it’s for?
Who’s in it? Why do you assume it’s occupied?
Goodness! It appears you’re right. That was quite a bang!
Now, why should I know any better than you what’s in there? But it sounds like whoever it
is, they want out.
So, what are you going to do?
I cannot open the lid. That must be your decision.
Are the answers in the box? That seems likely. But there’s only one way to find out.
So what are you going to do? Will you open it, or refuse? Take your time, there’s no rush.
You wouldn’t believe how long some people agonize over it. But you’re not going anywhere
until you decide.
...Well?
That’s right. Fortuna favit fortibus, and all that.
The banging stopped. Finally! It was giving me a headache.
You’re sweating. Don’t worry – this is what you’re here to do.
Go ahead. Lift the lid. That’s right.
Well, look at that.
No, you’re right. This person is quite dead. Surprising, considering how much noise they
were just making.
And look there – the hair. It’s just like yours. Height, weight, skin tone, identical. Look at
the cheekbones, the lips, the nose, the fingers. Even your clothes match. Only the eyes are
different, but that happens when you’re dead. Things get all hazy. Shall I close them?
As you wish.
Do you see now? Do you understand? This is the who and the where and the why. When will
you be willing to accept? How long will you resist the inevitable truth?
...
What’s next?
Why don’t you climb in and see?
After all, it’s just your size.