The Void Wears a Green Suit

Kareen’s breaths came in haggard gasps, whole body trembling like a pebble in an earthquake. She quickly glanced around her, horrified to find herself in a sea of nothingness. She—she had been just out for her morning run before this, right? Or... had she seen something terrifying? She couldn't rightly recall.

What was this place anyways? It was just black, a starless night. Breaths controlled now, she experimentally took a step forward. She had half expected her foot to simply plunge down into the abyss, dragging her along with it, but instead it jarred on something level to where she was standing now. She winced, more careful with her next step, which landed neatly in front of her other foot. She fell to her knees, the smooth “ground" catching her even though it was impossible to see. She ran her hands over it, unable to find any irregularities to it its smooth marble surface. Huffing, she stood back up and began striding forward.

“Hello?” she said into the endless darkness. Her voice felt almost muted, drowned in the emptiness. She gulped and called, “Anyone out there? Hello?”

She furrowed her brow when there was no response, unable to fathom where she was or what had happened. The only thing she could recall at all was her name. She scanned her clothing quickly, but the jeans and red T-shirt provided no answers. At least she was wearing sneakers. Maybe if she kept walking she would find something. Really, it seemed the only option. Nodding to herself, she set off.

She didn't know how long she walked. There was nothing to see, nothing to hear, nothing to feel, it was just as if she had been swallowed up by a starless space and left to rot. Her feet never started to ache, her stomach never started to rumble, her mind never whined for sleep, nothing changed. Maybe time didn't even exist... wherever “here” was.

“Anyone?” The only thing she had was the panic in her chest that bubbled up her throat and poured into her voice. She swallowed hard, turning around herself but everything was still so empty. “Please! Answer me!”

Silence.

“Real pain in the arse, innit? When ya scream into the void an’ the void don't answer back.”

Kareen whirled around, terror melting into relief at the sight before her. “Oh god.” Her breath hitched in her throat. She batted her eyes against the burn of tears. “I thought I was alone in here. And I—well, nevermind. Where are we?”

The man in front of her shrugged. He seemed familiar, somehow, dark freckles peppering his face like ash on rich soil. His wrinkled suit was a striking green, bright against the darkness, fitting nicely on his lean frame like the garment was tailored for him. “Thought I was alone in ‘ere too, love. I—"

Kareen shook her head angrily. “Whatever. So you don't know where we are either. I was just roaming around for nothing then, huh?”

The man stuffed his hands in his pockets, smirking. “Simmer down there, love. I may not have all the answers ya lookin’ for, but I ain't good for nothing.”

Kareen’s face flushed. She stared at the black ground, cheeks burning. “Sorry. Guess I've been wandering around this place for so long, I kinda forgot my manners.”

The man brought his hands up in another easy shrug. “No harm done, lass. Though I'd wager I've been in ‘ere a tad longer than you, judging by those clothes. The future gets a little weird, eh?”

Kareen self-consciously folded her arms. “I'll have you know this is peak fashion when I'm from. You're the one in need of some fashion tips, mister. And you still haven't told me anything worthwhile yet.” She arched a brow at him.

He had a light chuckle. “Aye, s’pose I haven't.” He motioned around him, Kareen’s eyes following in a vain hope of something appearing there. All this emptiness was going to drive her mad if she didn't start getting some answers. “How much you remember from before ya got ‘ere?”

Kareen grimaced and that seemed enough answer for the man. He nodded, expression grim. “Just as I feared, mind as blank as the snow on the hillside, yeah? That's alright, I didn't remember anything either at first. Just was wanderin’ around this place, same as you.  But it started coming back in bits and pieces until I would've rather my memories stayed away.” He pulled at the cuffs of his suit jacket, brows furrowed slightly. “Since I was a wee lad, I had the extraordinary ability to see how my actions would affect the world. Now, I didn't do much with it at first. Would take lollipops I knew I wouldn't get caught snatchin’, get my running shoes all ready for when I knew on the next day it would stop raining, little things like that. It was a little like seeing the future. But when I got older, ah, those were the times. Would pick lottery cards cause I knew which one would win, would sit at the slots and pull the lucky lever, would enter a poker game at just the right time to get a royal flush. I was livin’ the life, people callin’ me a cheat and a scoundrel, but no one could prove nothin’. But everything came crashing to a halt when I woke up ‘ere.” The man laughed again but it had no mirth. “Don’t know much about god or whatsit, but s’pose the universe can only take so much before it’s got to take care of the anomaly, eh?”

“I used to bet on sports. Horses, cars, sport brackets. I knew how every decision I made would affect my world. Whether punishment or fame, I knew the outcome of everything.” Kareen mumbled, eyes darting around her. It was all coming back, memories of obtaining prestige and riches, living the flash life of partying and spending, always knowing she could go bet some more and get it all back. Kareen glanced back up at the man. “So exactly how long do you think you've been here?”

The man tilted his head back and forth. “Hard to say, really. Had just thrown a huge party to celebrate the end of the war. Second part to 'the war to end all wars'.” He chuckled. “Have to say, love, I'm not too sure if you're really here.”

So he had been here for nearly seventy years and still looked like a young man, packaging not included. Kareen grimaced at that but frowned a moment later, “What do you mean?”

The man tapped his temple, smirk playing on his lip. “Think I might have cracked, yeah? ‘S a real problem I tell ya, not too sure if you're real or not. Been here a mighty long time by meself after all.”

Kareen’s frown deepened. “Er, where exactly are you from? Your accent is a little... all over the place.”

The man leaned forward, mouth stretching impossibly wide in a sharp smile. “You tell me, lass.”

Kareen stumbled back, mind whirling. Her breathing began to pick up. The man's very flesh seemed to be melting like wax, drops rolling off his face like beads of honey. Faced with this image, though, Kareen's only sign of panic was her labored breaths. After all, this wasn't the first time she had seen it, was it?

“How long have I been here? How many times have I gone through this?” she whispered.

The distorted figure in front of her wobbled on softened legs. His green suit started to become peppered black like a rain of ink was falling on him. “Too long, friend. Yet you have still not paid for your crimes. You pulled at the strings, and for this you must remain. Forever.”

Kareen closed her eyes, breaths coming in haggard gasps. “Please. Let me go. Please, I can't take it anymore.”

When she opened her eyes, Kareen’s breaths came in haggard gasps, whole body trembling like a pebble in an earthquake. She quickly glanced around her, horrified to find herself in a sea of nothingness. She couldn’t remember where she was or why she was here. Without anything else to do, she began walking through that abyss—alone with nothing but the void to keep her company.