The Lonely Void of Space

The Lonely Void of Space

By: Ethan West

There I was, lost in the void of space.  There was no light, no comfort, no peace, just darkness pressing in on me.  I lifted my arm and it moved effortlessly through the space beside me.  I could not see my arm, in fact the only evidence I had that anything was moving was what my mind created.  But I had begun to question everything in life, even the reliability of my own mind.

What a sin in must be, I thought to myself, to question one's own existence like this.  But I could not keep the thoughts from bubbling to the surface.  My heart could not sooth my sorrows, for I could not feel its steady, rhythmic beating in my chest.  In fact I couldn't feel my chest either.  How long had I been in this hell?

The answer to that question was nowhere to be found.  And the void, it seemed, could not provide me with any answers, just more and more questions.  In time I lost track of who I was and my mind slowly sunk itself into the cold waters of insanity.  I could not feel anything now.  The only evidence of my existence was my thoughts which echoed around the void of space and reminded me of something.  Something I could not remember, something I yearned for with all my heart.

This echo was not sound, how could I hear sound with no ears?  How could I think with no mind?  Oh how I begged it to give itself meaning, something that I could comprehend completely.  But I had no such luck.  For without ears I could not hear, without eyes  I could not see, without hands I could not feel, and with no existence I could not understand.

Suddenly there was a great flash of light, and pain flashed through my body.  What was happening?  Suddenly I could see legs and arms, could feel the void moving around me, and could hear the roar of whatever horror was in store for me.

I felt fear fill my heart.  Tears floated off of my eyes as my body lit on fire.  The pain was unbearable as the flame scorched the tissue of my skin.  I yelled in shock, my voice had returned.  My fear was replaced by joy as I remembered what I was, and all the little things that I was made of.  The fire was still burning, and my new found life was disappearing as my innards melted off the bone, fading away into the inferno.  The charred bones dissolved into dust as I faded away, my last scream echoing across the once again still atmosphere of space.

I opened my eyes slowly and was lifted off of the ground into a sitting position.  A voice reached my ears from above my head.  Did it work? a man in a white coat asked as he pulled me off the floor.  The man began to talk to me, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.

He waved his hand across my eyes but my eyes did not respond to his motion.  His voice made the transition from concerned to desperate in a fraction of a second.  He was yelling at me, I could see it straight ahead.  I did not see it with my eyes, but my spirit yearned to tell him that I had done it, that I had traveled through space.  The man was crying now as he closed my eyes with his hand.  What was happening?

I tried to move my arms but couldn't.  I tried to open my mouth but couldn't.  I wanted to scream, to cry, but couldn't.  For it was at that moment I realized I was dead.  I had traveled through space and time only to die exactly where I started.

They carried me out of the lab a couple days later, placing me in a wooden casket and closing the lid.  Then there was nothing.  But the only difference between this and the void of space was that this was home.

Author's Note

Another dark short story. I was told to write something science fiction and this is what came out of it.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Reviews

[Cristina Moldoveanu]

A story from beyond death it is interesting. Truly science fiction. I have a poem about a Near-Death experience, more metaphorical. (The Operation) When your hero dies he can still hear and think. You ask interesting questions. Maybe there is a greater spirit in that void...That paragraph about fire is shocking and more vivid than others.

[ewest1220]

It was a tough one for me personally. I'm bad at writing concret descriptions. Much better at feelings and such. I'm thrilled you like it thanks for reading!

[Warrior]

Great story telling. This did justice in the realm of getting the message across. Great message. There's lot of times where a story can have a great message to aim for, and have a lot of under lining things but then no one gets it, and if no one gets it, then the point has failed. But in my opinion this did well to get the message across. You made it clear, which is why I think it's good. Keep up the good work. What was also great was that I could imagine the story as I read it, and that is also a strong point of stories. The ability to have the reader imagine it because after all we're reading not watching it, but it was as if I was there as I read this, and that is great. Great visuals and great story telling. It had plot and substance. When you add substance to writing it gets that much better. It gets the reader hooked on it and make them feel as if they are part of it. As long as their is that emotional connection between the reader and the story then it's good. The connection you were able to established in the writing gives the reader a sense of comfortably that they are in tune with the writing. So that way when the writing is over, the reader wants more, and wishes it didn't end. I feel the same way when I watched a movie or tv series that I get so attached to, I never want it to end. And for this writing, I didn't want it to end. You had me hooked, and I am sure everyone else who read it was hooked as well. That is good, that is what you want for people to keep wanting more. The way you put the story together makes me feel like my life is different for that moment in which I read your story. I love it, and it was beautiful. Just keep posting stories like this, and you'll have a good following.

[Yheela]

Very well penned, I love good science fiction!

[ewest1220]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[Brandon Mathis]

Very interesting short story, loved it!!!

[ewest1220]

Thanks!

[Brandon Mathis]

your welcome

[forevermore1218]

nice mysterious feeling in the story. I like specifically how you had a nonlinear timeline where it started in the middle and then you told the reader why you were in that state.

Very nicely written mate!

[ewest1220]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[T. Logan]

You should keep doing science fiction. It's not bad actually. I really like the ending, and how the person is speaking from the dead.

[ewest1220]

You know what I just might :) Thanks for reading it's always a pleasure hearing from ya!

[Rox Bain ☮]

Wow! I love this! I tend to read a lot of dark pieces of writing, and this has got to be one of the best. The part about fire is so vivid... so REAL...
You've made me a fan :) Keep it up!

[ewest1220]

Wow! I'm really honored that you enjoy my writing so much :) Thank you so much for reading it's always a please! Oh and just to let you know you're about to make me a fan as well w/ your writing keep it up!

[Rox Bain ☮]

You're welcome! Your writing is amazing!
And thank you^_^

[Rhea752]

Death always wins.

[ewest1220]

lol is that a good thing? O.o

[Rhea752]

it's something i learned from Edgar Allen Poe's story Masque of Red Death

[ewest1220]

Ooo I loved that one!

[Rhea752]

me too. it's one of my favorites. :)

[eighwoeifj]

Death is something that we've all wondered about and feared. I've wondered what it was like and you've given me another take on it. I absolutely love it; how you turn something as sad as death into something truly beautiful. Into a piece of art.
Very nicely done, my friend.

[ewest1220]

Once again I'm absolutely thrilled that you enjoy my work. I love your take and input on what I write and I hope you keep reading! Also I love reading your work too send me read requests when you have time!

[eighwoeifj]

I will once I get more things up. I have a bunch of works in progress, but I don't like putting it up until it's absolutely finished.

[ewest1220]

That's a really good mindset to have. I'm shy about my work until it's completely done and even then I'm a little shy about sharing it. This site has really helped me come out of my shell.

[eighwoeifj]

Haha. No need to be shy. Everyone on this site wants to improve and be able to help others. I'm glad you're feeling more. omfortable about your work because it really is good.

[ewest1220]

I know you said no thanks needed but I'm still gonna say it lol Thank you!

[eighwoeifj]

Alright, I sent you a RR of my caged bird poem.

[ewest1220]

Sounds good. Probably wont get to it till tomorrow I have about 40 RR's I have to go through. I can't wait to read it thought!

[ewest1220]

*though

[eighwoeifj]

That's fine.

[Timeless-Chan]

wow. a glimpse of what it is to dieO.O the void seems frightening! it was cool how he was loosing himself like he was slowly slipping away from death and then BAM! he's back in reality. then of course you had to throw another twist into it! a really really good twist might i add ^.^

[ewest1220]

I'm really glad you liked it. This one I really enjoyed doing because it was so different from anything I'd ever done :) Thanks for reading it!

[Timeless-Chan]

i think you should do more of this type of thing:)

[ewest1220]

Interesting I just might do that.

[Tai Ryens]

You should review this for errors, I spotted quite a bit of mistakes; especially regarding plural/singular tenses and typos. Nonetheless, a really intriguing idea to dwell on.

[ewest1220]

Oh I'm sure. This is just about raw I'll have to take a second look at it. Thanks for reading!