Edict 42

Chapter -11 Ryan

Ryan had lost count of how many different drinks he had since arriving at the bar. He heard the loud music being played in the background and deep discussion of others around him. Yet despite how much he drank he couldn’t drown his feelings out. He was angry, still there was nothing he could do at the moment. He had played a roll in killing people that he himself had not been fully aware had Alina been at the time? He did not know and how much of an effect had it played into what had happened. He still saw them in his dreams, there green eyes looking at him.

It was all their fault, the stupid fools. They caused all of the problems.

Ryan looked down at his drink, he wondered what he should do next? He should probably tell Dan about this whole thing and today his wife would see that the things he had said to her were true with the results of everything, the game and now the launch of the new product. This would probably make her listen to him a bit more. She had not called him at all for the day.

The game was about to start, it had been a long time since he had watched it but he rememebered the most important thing. The city had talk about it for months. He felt the presence of the men who were playing pool and seated at other tables drawing closer towards the bar.

Ryan was crowded, he could smell the stench of alcohol all around him and it wasn’t a smell he fancied.

The game had begun and the men shouted for more alcohol, they were louder than the volume on the television causing the bartender to have to raise the game up higher. It boomed over the bar across the surround sound. Ryan focused now was on the match he would have to call his wife to show her he was right about the things he had told her.

The Yankeers scored the first goal and the men in the bar cheered so loudly his ear ached. That, however, was the end of their luck for the rest of the game The Yankeers were on the losing end. When the game had ended they were beaten horribly 1- 4. Ryan looked at the numbers in shock as he got up from the bar hearing men swearing to each other he paid his tab and left.

Outside his mind rattled, it couldn’t be he thought. He knew the Yankeers had won. “Why didn’t they win?” He bit his lip and hit his hand against the wall outside. The blue poppers weren’t named either it was called something different CFG2. It was made at his work place in a different department and even though the name was different. It had to be the same thing right?

His phone vibrated in his pocket.

He looked at the name it was Diane.

He exhaled, looked back to see if anyone was behind him and stepped forward into the car park. He answered the phone and placed it to his head.

“Hello,” he said.

“Hello, Ryan,” Diane said on the other end, “I watched the game and the Yankeers lost, the Blue Popper that you said would launch didn’t either this week it was something they introduced called the CFG2.”

“I know, Diane, I can---.”

“Ryan, don’t you think that what you experienced or the things that you mentioned might not be real? It might just be a dream that your’e having.”

“Its not a dream, I can remember everything vividly. Its going to happen, we need to be prepared for when it does.”

“Okay, okay,” Diane said, “I listened to you, won’t you listen to me this time and come and see Dr. Pakashki. He might be able to get down to what is the underlying problem.”

“You want me to see a psychtrist?” Ryan whispered as he looked around the empty car park.

“Can’t you for me? I listened to everything you had said for me to do. Even though I had my doubts won’t you at least for me? It’s the only way, Troy and I would come back home.”

Ryan sighed loudly, “Okay, I will do it.”

“Today, we do it today.”

“Okay,” Ryan said, sounding almost defeated.

“Where do I meet you?” Diane asked.

#

How had he managed to let himself be talked into this if Dan saw him here the man would surely laughed his face off at him. Seated right beside him was Dianne. She was dressed very colourful in her red jumpsuit. Her blue eyes no longer was sunken they almost seem to sparkle as the light touched them. She gripped his hand tightly as if to stop him from trying to escape, the diamonds on her wedding ring glistened in the light as though reminding him of their vows.

Infront of Ryan he saw the receptionist at work alongside her was a robot checking over her work. Ryan knew her postion wasn’t needed but people felt a lot better talking to a human than they did talking to a machine with limited functions otherwise she would probably be out of a job.

One more person was ahead of them and being out here in the quiet made him wonder why things didn’t go the way it went in the previous timeline. Had he done something wrong? Would the parasites still trigger? Was it linked to work? No he knew what he had experienced was real. The touch, the taste and the sound was far to real to be anything else. How had he known about decetive Frank if it was just a dream? There were others to that day with him, should he seek them out? Frank wouldn’t believe him now but later he would hopefully. The answer to why things didn’t trigger the way they were suppose to he could not explain.

He watched a person walking down the hall as the last person in front of him entered.

He couldn’t be wrong too much interest was being placed in him and the things the government wanted to do. He looked at Diane, he would never allow that to happen to her. How would he protect Troy though it was a topic he had placed at the back of his mind after all Troy had a ribbon and one of those things was living inside of him.

His phone rang it was Dan. He untangled his hand from Diane and answered his phone.

“Hello,” Ryan said.

“Hey, Ryan you home, I wanted to talk to you about the game.”

The game Ryan thought Dan didn’t have any interest in it neither had he told him about the results of it. It had to be something else. No, I am not home but we can talk about the game tonight if your’e free.”

“Sure send me a call when your’e heading there,” Dan responded.

“No problem,” Ryan said pressing out the phone.

“Mr. and Mrs. Matters,” the receptionist called, “Dr. Pakashki would see you now.”

The thought crossed his mind perhaps he should leave now. Ryan felt a tug on his hand as they got up Diane had gripped his hand again and was tugging him along towards the Dr. Pakashki’s door.

The door opened and a short, grey haired, indian man smiled at them. “Come in, come in.”

He greeted Ryan and gave him a handshake with gloves looking him directly into his eye and with his left hand guided him to the chair. Ryan noticed the pin upon his arm. He would be one of them. The receptionist had it too. He had gotten a quick glance at the gloves on her hand.

Before Ryan knew it he was seated on the couch beside Diane and the Dr Pakashki had a big pad in his hand to write notes. He matched his body posture it was subtle but Ryan understood the trick it was to make him feel at ease. He knew what was coming next assessment and irrelevant questions to gather his tempermant. Inside the room was spacious with a vibrant mix of earth tones. There was a mirror facing towards the door making it easy for Dr. Pakashki to see who was entering. Everything seemed immaculately clean, they were many indoor plants seated around them and the sunlight glistened from behind landing softly on the couch.

Feng Shui? Ryan wondered He would have to be careful in what he said here. Knowing that this man would end up turning in the end if he did not find a cure or a way to stop the events from happening.

“How are you both today, Dr. Matters, Diane?”

“I am fine,” Diane responded.

“Same here,” Ryan said.

“Ok, Ryan.”

“That’s great news, I heard that you recently started back working. First I would like to commend you, the job that you and others alongside of you do is determintal for our society in more ways than one. The father of immortality came from Bositc labs. Had you ever seen the man?”

“No, I have never seen him when he was alive. When I first started working there I was nothing but a junior. Your limited in what you can access at different levels.

“Many people talked about him though they say he was always busy in his labs working on the project and learning using the Manere Parasitus to create immortality. The process may not be a hundred percent but he did indeed save many people. Yet from the same fruit he created he chose to die an old man naturally in the end. He also kicked started the CFGs but its been debated on who actually started it.”

“I see, very interesting information, Dr. Matters. How many days do you normally work?”

Ryan responded. “I use to--- I work a regular five days a week unless needed I come in and work additional days. It was a lot before but these days I don’t work as hard.”

“I see, that’s good its important to give the body adequate rest other wise a build up of problems can occur,” Pakashki responded as he tapped his pen on the paper. “I know its difficult for you to be here because you don’t think there is anything wrong. Taking this first step, however, will go a long way for your marriage. I will let your wife and you talk and I will mediate the discussion when needed. Diane if you may.”

“Yes, Dr. Pakashki, her eyes turned to Ryan and her finger thumped over his. “ Ryan, do you, do you still love me ?”

Ryan’s body shifted as his forehead furrowed in anger.“Huh, what? Yes, what sort of question is that?”

Diane paused causing Dr. Pakashki to interject. “Don’t be angry at her Dr. Matters, this is how she feels. She is only seeking a form of truth from you.”

“Is this how you feel Diane? You feel that I don’t love you?” Ryan asked.

“Sometimes I feel as though you no longer treat me the way you use to Ryan and now with these last days. Its been so hard on my mind and my thoughts and with her. Popping up every minute I don’t know what to believe. Do you love her?”

“Her? Who do you mean?”

“Alina, Ryan, do you love that woman?”

The name caught Ryan by surprised, his eyes slightly shifted from her. “No, I don’t love that woman, I only love you. Is this what this is all about? You don’t have nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”

“Nothing at all then why was her husband calling me to ask about her? And why---.”

Ryan shouted, “Stop! Don’t bring that up! That matter can’t be brought up revolving around work.”

The room went silent for a while.

“I understand if something confidential is mentioned. So I will ask you this direct question to you then Dr. Matters . Did you have an affair with this woman called Alina?”

Ryan looked the doctor in the eye,“No.”

“Okay, Dr. Matters, Diane has been telling that you have been seeing things. That you have been having visions of things from a dream that you believe are real. Have you been on any form of medications recently?”

Ryan turned his face to Diane before responding, “No.”

“Have you had this before any visions from anytime that you could remember?”

Ryan responded, “No.”

When was the last time you had these dreams?” Dr. Pakashki asked.

Ryan got up. “It was just once and that was it nothing more. Its probably nothing more than something that was in my head. I have a very visual mind. Thank you Dr. Pakashki, I think our time is up come Diane, we are leaving.”