Try not to sleep.
Try not to sleep.
Beware of the darkness.
Try not to sleep.
Darkness creeps in…
…and takes over.
The walls and roof start distorting. The constant sound of a male voice disintegrates and multiplies to form a distant soundscape of chaos. Some distinct screams rise out of the sea of chaotic voices.
The soothing white cool glow of the tube light starts becoming yellow and warm, red and hot, grim and terrifying. The constant buzz from the tube light increases its volume and pitch, and converts into a screeching noise as if a machine is crying out in pain. An exploding shattering sound, as the tube light bursts into shapeless flames. Yellow, orange and red. Engulfing the visible space till the roof.
Down on the floor dozens of bodies are struggling to move, almost lifeless, chained to the ground, their wings and hair burning in the ravaging flames. The voices and noises of chaos gradually die down behind the sound of crackling flames.
A sobbing painful male voice emerges. “Our fate has been cursed.”
The crackling of flames continues for a moment.
The voice of the writhing soul asks, “Can you tell me why?”
The crackling sound dies. An eerie silence engulfs everything, like a calm before the storm.
Is it for me?
I am looking across the bodies to see who asked. All bodies are still. No one moves. No eyes on me.
The silence is broken again, with the desolate voice. “Can you tell me why?”
This time the question stays behind, like a droplet on still water the question starts reverberating in my headspace like waves. It haunts my psyche like nothing has ever done before.
Who is asking the question? I look around in the swarm of bodies on the floor to find the questioner.
Suddenly, I realize that all eyes are on me. Eyes without eyebrows. Head without hair. Devoured by the flames.
Who are they?
The question reverberates louder, “Can you tell me why?” as all speak together, but out of sync. They continue to stare at me with unblinking eyes, seeking for an answer.
Am I supposed to know them?
Am I supposed to know the answer?
Did I do anything to them?
Who am I?
I am unable to move. It is getting difficult to breathe.
Echoes suddenly become softer and distant. A sharp and distinct male voice asks, “Can you tell me why?”
The white light returns. Washes away the darkness. A pin drop silence follows.
The voice continues, “Because the dominant player is able to negotiate better to influence the terms in the supply chain contract.”
“That’s all for today’s session,” says the professor, taking his glasses off and cleaning with his handkerchief, as the students start standing up to leave the hall.
