StarGaze

Corrosion

"Where are we going?" Raghav asked.

Thomas had been in control for the time he took to break free from his mind. He had arranged for travels and was going to a distant land where attacks from the mechanical predator were quite frequent.

"What do you have in mind?" Raghav asked Thomas.

"It's quite simple. We go there, talk to the people and gain their confidence, and to solidify our presence, we take down the creature that's haunting their lives." Thomas said.

"Huh, simple you say?" Raghav said and looked away.

They were in something like a train, but faster. The speed was so mind-bogglingly fast that they couldn't even see what was passing by outside. Pinky was sleeping with her head on Raghav's shoulder. there was a strange glow on her face. She seemed to be at peace. I'm afraid the same couldn't be said for other people on the train.

Their faces were...just weird. I don't know how to explain it. There were no expressions. There was no smile or frown. They were just dead..but living. Their life was just like a zombie's, except for the g******e part. It was horrible to think that they were controlled and manipulated by mere machines that were made by them. The paradoxical situation had taken away their free will.

"They are not living," Thomas said, looking at the people around.

"I know, but at least they are safe. There are no murders or shit." Raghav said.

"It doesn't matter if you are safe or not if you cannot FEEL safe. They are as good as dead. They have no aspirations, no joy, and no love." Thomas said, dreading everyone around him.

"Just like most people in this age. The difference is just that our people have the illusion that is free will. Human minds have always been inclined towards being slaves, whether it be gods or kings. These people just realized it and made a perfect system to make sure their civilization lasts." Raghav said.

"Whatever dude, I'm gonna sleep now. My body is all yours." Thomas said and yawned.

"That sounds...oddly s****l," Raghav said but Thomas didn't reply. He was long lost in the dreamy maze.

"Hey," Pinky said softly as she woke up.

"Hii there, long time no see," Raghav said, setting her hair.]

"What do you mean?" Pinky asked, a little surprised.

"Nothing, you look good," Raghav said and smiled.

He wasn't kidding, she actually looked good. Her goofy hair, little swollen eyes, and low-pitched voice made her seem like an alien version of a movie star.

On the other hand, Raghav had also learned to appreciate life and the people around him after the traumatic experience he recently had inside his mind. And it is no news that he felt something for Pinky, some feeling that he couldn't quite place. It wasn't pitying, it wasn't affection, and it certainly wasn't love. But how could he know, he didn't actually feel love before.

"Tell me, do you think these people are better this way?" Raghav asked Pinky, signaling at the people around them.

"Maybe, maybe not. Feeling emotions is a beautiful thing, but it comes with a price. Joy and excitement are incredible and make you blessed with life. But on the other hand, sorrow and sadness are not something everyone knows how to handle.

And after all, these lead to complex situations and states of mind where a person becomes harmful to himself and others around him." Pinky gave her insight.

"Wow, that's...deep. How do you develop so strong opinions in such a short time." Raghav asked, a little taken aback.

"I read some books on philosophy that I brought back from Earth. I have to say that your brain is a peculiar piece of art." Pinky said and Raghav saw the white beads on her body light up a little. She was excited to talk to him.

"Yeah well, beautiful minds can turn dark pretty quickly," Raghav said and sighed.

"huh, how does that happen?" Pinky asked.

"Well, if you must know- every human has a dark side. But in your own eyes, you are always right. You may have a unique perspective to look at the world or to change the world you might have an idea. You might become obsessed with the idea and forge a destiny in your mind. You lead yourself to believe that you were meant to make your idea a reality. And you have to do it no matter what price you have to pay, and the price is usually very high.

Now some people might find your perspective attractive and adopt your way of thinking. This will justify your cause in your mind and you will become motivated to cause a change, even if others don't like it. You will start to think highly of yourselves and become less compassionate towards others. That's where the trouble begins.

From there on, you might lead a terrorist organization, a dictatorship, a cult, or even a planet. So you see, an idea that was peaceful and certainly beautiful (at least according to you), can be corrupted by power. And it can become something horrible." Raghav said as Hitler's image popped into his mind.

"Ah yes, I see it now," Pinky said and bobbed her head.

"Why is this thing stopping?" Raghav asked, seeing the train-like thing stop.

"We are here. Come on, big day ahead." Pinky said and got up while yawning.