6 | Imprisonment 1

“You’re new.” The entity hissed, a tone of amusement present in its words.

“Silence, creature. I’m surprised you haven’t tried to break free.” The professor muttered, staring at the screen. The two eyes thinned, as if the entity were staring directly through the professor.

“You are… very patronizing.” The entity responded, but didn’t seem to be serious. “It’s okay. I enjoy feisty ones like you. You’d be surprised what I’m willing to put up with.”

The professor only stared at the old computer with contempt, and the entity began to fuse and shift.

“So? To whom do I owe the pleasure of speaking to?” The entity finally spoke, after some silence.

“Professor Karnell.” The professor responded. “My predecessor, Professor Carrero, was the one who trapped you in here.”

“Ah, yes. The… gray one. He's lucky I'm nicer than people realize.”

“Is that how you see yourself?”

“That is how my peers see me.”

“Your peers?”

“The ones you are too weak to capture.”

The entity laughed, mocking the professor.

“Quiet! You are childish and immature, and I will not be mocked by a creature lesser than a human!” The professor yelled, slamming his hand on the desk. 

“Is that what he told you that I am?” The entity hissed. “Lesser than a human?”

“...He did.” The professor responded, calming down. “But I admit I do not believe his truth. This is why I’m here. To learn the truth.”

“Humans do not comprehend the truth.” The entity responded.

“I am an educator, first and foremost. The truth is all I’m ever after.”

“If you dislike the truth, I am not responsible.”

“I can’t dislike the truth. I can only hear it.”

“I suppose.”

The entity morphed again, and more yellow, catlike eyes seemed to appear in the darkness.

“So, what truth are you looking for? I can tell you when you will die, or your future spouse, or even the date that humanity will fall to ashes. What will it be, mister?”

“You. Tell me about your existence.”

“Impossible. My existence is so permanent that the human psyche would shatter at the explanation.”

“No matter. I need to know.”

“It would be a shame to make this your bookend. Humans have such peaceful deaths.”

“I will take whatever end this gives me.”

“Why don’t I compromise? I will tell you about myself, little snippets of my existence, in the simplest way I can. You will leave and enjoy your life in increments. Drink your beverages. Eat your consumptions. Be human. And then you will come back and teach me what it means to be human. And I will reward you with what it means to be eldritch.”

The entity continued to morph, before finally, turned its interest to the professor.

“One more thing. Find me a new form. A lack of identity causes me distress.”

The professor did not respond, and only turned off the computer.