The sky begin to darken and ashes danced down like black snow. The air was cold and dry, it was like breathing frozen dust. I couldn't even imagine what could be happening. I don't live near any volcanoes. I live in a tropical climate but we are miles away from the sea. The sky turns a deep black like the depths of the ocean, the clouds begin to road on by and I didn't even notice the strange man standing behind me.

"How long have you been there?"

The man stares for another second. Then takes a soft breath of air, as if to only get enough for a few words. He then begins to explain, "I've been here for quite sometime. You probably realize now that you shouldn't be asking that question as it is frivolous."

"What should I be asking? And who talks like that anyways?" I question him very sternly.

"Now, now. I will tell you what you want, just try to calm yourself. I think you should be asking what is happening, or how I'm so calm. Also, to answer your little question, I talk like that. Now, would you like to ask a real question?"

"No," I shouted as if it took no time to think on it. "I'm not playing your games, I've got to go prepare," I say as I quickly turn in the opposite direction and move vigorously.

"Wait!" the man yells. "Wouldn't you like to know how to stop this 'strange' storm?" he asks me as if it's not even a question.

"How? Why do you say 'strange' like it isn't strange? You don't think this is weird?" I ask with hesitation.

"Have you been paying no attention?" he seems agitated with questioning me. "There was a weird plane, then a flash of light to the North, and now this storm is coming in and you don't find it strange? Fine then, begone with you. You're obviously not the person I thought you were," he speaks as if he's waiting for my answer.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just came from a meeting in a basement. I've been discussing a regiment for the people in my office, it's to have more active activities at work, while working. I know it sounds stupid..." he cuts me off.

"I'm not here for this unnecessary banter. If you're not interested I can move on. There are others you know?" he now speaks with a sense of violence.

"I guess I'm interested. Wait, what do you mean others?" I'm intrigued.

"Well, you might call yourselves chosen but you're really not. I get a name on a list when they don't accept I erase their memory and move on to the next. So will you be helping me or are we done here?" he seems more urgent to leave on his own.

"I will come with you," hesitation still in my voice.

"This is a decision you cannot go back on," he says this unturned by my previous answer.

"Yes, let's go stop this storm!" I'm now very eager to be 'chosen.'

"Okay, but first you die."

Before I can even answer his hand touches my shoulder and I can't feel anything. Am I even here? Where am I? I'm not lost but I can't find my way. I'm begining to see something. A light? No wait, it's a face. It's HIS face. The man from before. Why is his head floating?

"Stop thinking. Your thoughts are very loud in here," his voice echos as if the walls are very far away from each other.

"Where are we? Where am I?" I ask with my thoughts.

"We are in your mind. It's time for me to open up a few of these 'unacessable' parts. Please, close your eyes," he jokes because I'm not actually seeing.

I try to blank my mind to not see the process. As I do this I feel all knowledge flowing into my mind. I have already figured out what happened, why it happened and how to stop it. But wait, he's still at work in there. I can feel it. I reopen my mind and he is flowing in the energies of everything around me. It's as if the knowledge was always there just needed to be activated.

"Is everything alright?" I ask hastily.

"Yes, I see you can observe my actions without destroying your mind. I'd say that it was a success so far," he talks as if he's never done this before.

"I can tell by your tone you're unsure of what you're doing. But I can also tell that you're confident with your decision," I don't know why I'm talking like this but I like it.

"Well, look who has a bit of intellect now. I have done this once before, but it was long ago. Now, let me finish working."

"I already have the answers I need, what more could you do?" I ask with intensity.

"You'll see. I hope you enjoy, these effects only last so long. Please be punctual with your performance. We don't have time for you to razzle dazzle or whatever you'd like to call it," he says this with empathy in his voice.

"I understand."

I let him continue and as soon as he leaves my mind I can feel what he was mentioning. The storm can stopped by the energy that's flowing around me. I use the energy to reverse the storm and instead of the weird cold ash storm. I make it drizzle, I know the crops could use it. The people are in amaze by what I did. But that doesn't feel like all I've been 'chosen' for. I know everything about what did it and why. Now, it's time for me to prevent it from ever happening again.

© SavageKing1