Roy sat frozen by the console, his breathing uneven as he stared blankly at the black hole on the monitor. His thoughts swirled with confusion, fear, and the faintest trace of awe. He didn''t hear the faint clinking of boots against the metal flooring until a hand landed gently on his shoulder.
“Roy,” Akhilesh said softly, his concerned face illuminated by the dim light. “You’re shaking, man. Are you okay?”
Roy startled, jerking his head to meet Akhilesh’s gaze. The man’s brow furrowed deeply, his usually calm demeanor edged with worry. Akhilesh was tall and lean, his dark skin highlighted by the sterile glow of the station''s lighting. His sharp, observant eyes scanned Roy for signs of physical distress.
“I... I’m fine,” Roy stammered, but his voice lacked conviction. He quickly looked away, focusing back on the monitor as if it held all the answers.
“You don’t look fine.” Akhilesh crouched slightly to meet Roy’s eye level. “Did you eat today? Sleep? You’re not sick, are you?” He glanced at the monitor briefly before returning his gaze to Roy. “You’ve been staring at that thing like it’s going to eat you.”
Roy forced a laugh, though it came out hollow. “No, I’m fine. Just... spaced out, I guess.”
Akhilesh raised an eyebrow. “Spaced out? On a space station? Really leaning into the theme, huh?” He chuckled, his attempt at humor falling flat as Roy didn’t respond.
The silence lingered, heavy and awkward. Akhilesh eventually sighed and crossed his arms. “Alright, talk to me. What’s going on?”
Roy hesitated, his mind racing for an explanation that wouldn’t sound insane. “I... had a nightmare earlier,” he said finally, hoping it sounded plausible. “It just shook me up more than I expected.”
“A nightmare?” Akhilesh repeated, his tone softening. “That bad?”
Roy nodded, grateful he didn’t have to elaborate. “Yeah. Just... felt too real, you know?”
Akhilesh studied him for a moment before clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Alright, well, I can’t say I blame you. Being out here, staring at that thing—” he gestured toward the black hole on the monitor “—is enough to mess with anyone’s head. But hey, if you need to talk or take a break, just say the word, alright? We’re all in this together.”
“Thanks,” Roy said, his voice barely above a whisper. He managed a small, fleeting smile.
Akhilesh opened his mouth to say more, but a deafening klaxon suddenly blared throughout the station. Red lights flashed overhead, bathing the room in an ominous glow. Both men snapped their heads toward the intercom as a monotone voice repeated: “Warning: Hull integrity compromised. All personnel to designated repair stations.”
Akhilesh’s face hardened instantly. “That’s not good.” He motioned for Roy to follow him as he moved swiftly toward the door. “Let’s go. We need to check the hull.”
Roy pushed himself to his feet, his legs unsteady but functional. His heart pounded as he followed Akhilesh down the narrow corridor. The walls seemed to close in on him as the alarm continued to blare, each step echoing in his ears like a drumbeat.
Akhilesh glanced over his shoulder. “Stick close. It’s probably just a micro-meteor impact, but we can’t take chances.”
“Right,” Roy muttered, his voice barely audible over the blaring alarm. His mind raced with possibilities, each more catastrophic than the last.
They reached the central hub of the station, where several crew members were already gathering. Akhilesh quickly assessed the situation, pointing toward the repair equipment stored along the wall. “Roy, grab a suit. We’ll check the outer hull and see what’s going on.”
Roy hesitated for a split second before nodding and moving to comply. As he pulled on the heavy, cumbersome suit, the reality of the situation settled over him. This wasn’t just a memory. This wasn’t a dream. He was here, living this moment. And whatever came next, he’d have to face it head-on.
Akhilesh stood by the hatch, tapping his gloved fingers against the metal as he waited. His concern hadn’t faded, but his patience with Roy’s hesitation seemed to be running thin.
“You’re taking your time today,” Akhilesh said, his tone light but edged with tension. “Not like you to drag your feet, man.”
“Sorry,” Roy muttered, his voice muffled by the helmet as he sealed it into place. The comm system clicked on, amplifying his next words. “I’m just... a little out of it.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Akhilesh replied, his tone softening. “We’ll talk later. Let’s handle this first.”
As Roy stepped through the narrow corridor, his boots thudding against the metal flooring, he couldn’t help but glance at the blinking consoles lining the walls. The data displayed on the screens, the faint hum of machinery, the weightless sensation in his stomach—all of it felt so painfully real. Too real to be a dream.
They reached the main observation bay, where the rest of the crew had gathered. The room buzzed with activity as voices overlapped, reports being exchanged and theories discussed.
Standing near the central console was Dr. Elara Voss, her gaze fixed on a holographic display of the Gargantua black hole. She was calm and collected, even as red warning lights flickered in the background.
“Radiation spikes are increasing,” Elara said, not looking up as she addressed the group. “We need to confirm the hull integrity before we proceed with the next phase of the mission.”
Captain Ivan Grigorev loomed nearby, his broad shoulders squared as he surveyed the crew. His voice cut through the noise like a blade. “Check it thoroughly. I don’t want any mistakes. If this station fails, we won’t have time to fix it.”
By the maintenance console, Kat Moreno fiddled with a handheld device, muttering under her breath. She looked up briefly, flashing a grin at Roy. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Glad you could join us. Figured you’d take your sweet time.”
Roy managed a weak smile, her teasing tone a small comfort amid the chaos.
Seated at the far end of the room, Dr. Hiroshi Takeda quietly observed the others, his expression calm but thoughtful. When his gaze landed on Roy, he gave a small, encouraging nod.
The last figure in the room was Mason Keller, leaning casually against the wall with a smirk that never quite reached his eyes. “So, we’re all here. Great. Can we get on with it? Some of us have better things to do than stand around.”
Roy’s stomach churned as he met Mason’s gaze. There was something unsettling about him, a sense of arrogance that felt misplaced given the severity of their situation.
“Alright, listen up,” Ivan commanded, drawing the crew’s attention. “Elara and Akhilesh will handle the primary scans. Kat, you’re on backup systems. Hiroshi, stay on standby in case we need medical assistance. Roy, Mason—you’re with me for the hull inspection. Move out.”
Roy nodded, falling into step behind Ivan as they exited the observation bay. Mason trailed behind, his footsteps deliberate and unhurried.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
The journey to the hull inspection site was silent, save for the faint hum of the station and the occasional crackle of the comm system. As they approached the hatch leading to the outer maintenance zone, alarms blared suddenly, a piercing sound that sent a jolt through Roy’s chest.
“What the hell is that?” Mason asked, his smirk vanishing as he straightened.
Ivan’s voice was calm but firm. “Pressure leak in Sector 3. We need to seal it before it compromises the entire station. Let’s move!”
Roy’s heart raced as the urgency of the situation sank in. This was no ordinary day on the station. Something was wrong—terribly wrong.
“Stick close,” Ivan barked, his commanding presence an anchor in the chaos. “And don’t do anything stupid.”
Roy swallowed hard, gripping the railing as they made their way toward the hull. He could feel Mason’s eyes on him, a quiet tension building between them.
As the hatch opened, revealing the vast expanse of space outside, Roy steeled himself. This was just the beginning. He didn’t know what awaited him, but one thing was certain: the nightmare was far from over.
As the hatch sealed behind them, the hum of the station became faint, replaced by the hollow echoes of their breathing through the comms. Roy followed Ivan and Mason along the narrow maintenance corridor leading to the outer hull. His stomach churned as he glanced through the reinforced windows, the black hole’s glowing event horizon dominating the view. It loomed ominously, a constant reminder of the fragile line they walked.
“Keep your focus, Roy,” Ivan’s voice broke through the comms, sharp but steady. “Eyes on the task. No distractions.”
Roy nodded, even though Ivan couldn’t see the gesture. His gloved hands gripped the railing as they descended toward the inspection site. Mason trailed behind, muttering something under his breath that Roy didn’t catch.
When they reached the access point, Ivan stopped and gestured to a panel embedded in the wall. “Mason, take the readings. Roy, secure the safety locks. I’ll monitor from here.”
“Got it,” Mason replied, his tone clipped. He moved to the console, his movements brisk and impatient.
Roy crouched by the safety locks, his fingers working deftly despite the cumbersome gloves. The routine task gave him a momentary distraction from the dread gnawing at his chest.
Then the station jolted violently.
The force sent Roy sprawling against the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of him. Mason cursed loudly, clutching the console to steady himself. Ivan grabbed a nearby railing, his voice barking over the comms.
“Report! What just happened?”
Before anyone could answer, a second impact rocked the station. The screech of metal tearing reverberated through the hull, a gut-wrenching sound that made Roy’s blood run cold.
“Impact on the outer hull!” Elara’s voice came through the comms, strained and urgent. “Meteorite debris. Structural integrity compromised in multiple sectors.”
Roy scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his ears. Through the window, he could see a small but rapidly growing crack spiderwebbing across the exterior.
“We need to seal this area now,” Ivan said, his tone unyielding. “Mason, override the safety protocols. Roy, get back to the airlock!”
Roy hesitated, his mind racing. “What about you?”
“I’ll follow once the sector is secure. Move!” Ivan’s command left no room for argument.
As Roy turned to retreat, a third impact struck, this one more violent than the last. The lights flickered, and a deep groan echoed through the station as the gravitational pull of the black hole began to assert its dominance.
“Gravitational drift detected,” Kat’s voice came through the comms, laced with panic. “The station’s trajectory is shifting. We’re falling toward the event horizon.”
“Damn it!” Ivan growled. “Elara, redirect all power to the thrusters. Keep us stable as long as you can!”
“I’m trying!” Elara shot back, her voice strained.
Roy stumbled into the corridor, his legs shaking as he fought to keep his balance. Alarms blared, red lights bathing the narrow passage in an ominous glow. Mason pushed past him roughly, his expression a mixture of fear and frustration.
“Move it!” Mason snapped.
Roy didn’t have the energy to argue. He forced himself forward, each step feeling heavier as the pull of the black hole grew stronger.
Behind him, Ivan’s voice came through the comms. “Sector 3 is sealed. I’m heading back now.”
The corridor shook again, another impact sending shrapnel scattering across the floor. Roy barely managed to avoid a jagged piece of metal that flew past him, embedding itself in the wall.
As he neared the airlock leading back to the central hub, Roy saw the rest of the crew gathered just beyond the bulkhead. Akhilesh waved him forward, his face pale but resolute.
“Hurry!” Akhilesh called.
Roy pushed himself harder, his lungs burning as he closed the distance. Mason reached the airlock first, slamming his fist against the controls to open it.
But just as Roy stepped through, Mason turned sharply, his eyes cold and calculating.
“Sorry, kid,” Mason muttered.
Before Roy could react, Mason shoved him hard, sending him stumbling backward into the corridor. The airlock hissed as it sealed shut, leaving Roy on the wrong side of the bulkhead.
“Mason! What the hell are you doing?” Akhilesh’s voice roared over the comms.
“We don’t have time,” Mason replied flatly. “It’s him or us.”
Roy slammed his fists against the sealed door, his voice raw with desperation. “Open it! Don’t leave me here!”
But Mason ignored him, turning his back as the rest of the crew argued.
The station groaned again, the force of the black hole pulling it inexorably closer. Roy turned away from the door, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he realized the hopelessness of his situation.
Through the cracked window, he could see the event horizon drawing nearer, its ominous glow swallowing the stars. The station’s metal frame creaked and bent under the immense gravitational forces.
Roy sank to his knees, his mind racing. This is it, he thought. This is how it ends.
And yet, even as the station’s destruction loomed, a strange calm settled over him. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. If this was the end, he wouldn’t face it cowering.
As the station’s frame collapsed under the immense gravitational pull, Roy felt the first signs of his body succumbing to the black hole’s tidal forces. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced—his feet stretched first, an unnatural pull that traveled up his legs, elongating him as though he were being unraveled.
Pain exploded through his body, sharp and unrelenting, as the spaghettification process began. The immense difference in gravitational force between his head and feet made every nerve scream in protest. It was as though he were being pulled apart molecule by molecule, each fragment of his being separated in slow, agonizing detail.
Roy''s vision blurred as his mind struggled to comprehend what was happening. The concept of "himself" began to dissolve, his thoughts fragmenting just as his body did. Memories from his lives—his first as a teenager, his current one as a scientist—flashed in rapid succession, fragments of emotion and experience crashing against one another like waves in a storm.
He saw his mother’s face, her soft smile as she waved him off to school. He remembered Akhilesh’s kind words and camaraderie, Ivan’s steady leadership, Elara’s sharp intellect. And then Mason’s cold betrayal, the push that had sealed his fate.
Rage flared briefly, a desperate, primal emotion. I wasn’t ready. I could have done more. I—
The thought dissolved as another wave of pain tore through him, scattering his consciousness further. He felt stretched thin, his sense of self unraveling as the black hole consumed him. Yet, amidst the chaos, a peculiar clarity began to emerge.
The black hole wasn’t just pulling him apart physically; it felt as though it was unraveling the very fabric of his being, forcing him to confront the essence of who he was. Memories he had buried deep, regrets he had ignored, and truths he didn’t want to face all rose to the surface.
He remembered the witch, her piercing eyes and the soft, haunting smile she had given him as she granted him this cursed gift. Her voice echoed faintly in his mind, a whisper threading through the chaos.
"You wanted to live. This is what it means to live—facing every death, every failure, every regret."
The words lingered as the last vestiges of his body were pulled into the singularity, his thoughts spinning into a vortex of light and darkness. Time seemed to stretch infinitely and collapse simultaneously. He felt as though he were falling forever and yet standing still.
As his consciousness fractured completely, a single thought emerged, clear and undeniable: This isn’t the end. Not yet.
And then, everything stopped.
The pain, the stretching, the disintegration—all of it vanished in an instant. Roy felt weightless, suspended in a void of absolute nothingness. Slowly, faint sensations returned—warmth on his skin, the faint hum of distant sounds. His chest heaved, and he gasped for air as if surfacing from deep water.
When his eyes blinked open, he found himself in a new world, a new reality, the memories of the black hole’s torment lingering like a distant nightmare. His journey was far from over, and whatever lay ahead, he knew he would face it again.