The Button and The Sign
‘I’m going to press it.’
‘What?’
‘You heard me. I’m going to press the button.’
‘That’s what you said yesterday.’
‘Well, I mean it today.’
Cronag rolls his eyes. Brushak has never followed up with his actions. His words hold no weight. But this felt different. An aura of determination emanates around Brushak, something Cronag has never observed before. Intrigued and frightened, he watches his friend closely, despite his apparent lack of interest.
‘Press it, I’m going to press it… press it.’
‘You know we’re not supposed to.’
‘Press it, set us… free.’
‘The sign, Brushak. It tells us not to.’
Cronag stares at the sign above the button in question.
NONE SHALL TOUCH THE BUTTON AND EXPECT TO LIVE
A piercing chill runs down his spine. How long have they been stuck here? In this cursed white limbo? They had no want for food or water, in fact, they had no want for anything. There was nothing in here, in this white desolate landscape. Hunger, thirst, knowledge, they did not exist. There was nothing, save the big red shiny button, and that haunting sign above it.
Cronag snaps out of thought. He sees Brushak dangerously close to the button, the sign looming threateningly above him.
‘Brushak. Brushak! Brushak come back here!’
‘I must press the button Cronag. It is the only way.’
Cronag had never heard his friend speak with such confidence before. He was proud at least, for a second or two. Anger and fear then fills his heart, and he begins to sprint towards Brushak.
‘You fool, you’ll kill us all!’
‘No. No, I won’t. I’ll set us free.’
‘Do you not see or remember what the sign says? Touch that button and you’ll doom us both!’
Cronag sees a flash of anger on Brushak’s gentle visage. His face contorts in indigination and frustration.
‘Yes I see that damnable sign. I see it! I say, screw it and screw what it says! Screw them both!’
Brushak’s voice echoes over the white empty landscape. Cronag half expects some unseen calamity to take them both for their lack of respect. Hiding his shock at Brushak’s outburst, he attempts to calm his friend.
‘Brushak... hush, please…’
‘Throughout my existence in this place I have lead a life of insecurity and indecision! I have never kept my word, never held a promise to heart! I’m…I’m pathetic!’
‘Brushak…’
‘No! Do not try to stop me. I have never felt surer about anything else before. This is, this is the only way out Cronag. I will press that button and free us!’
Brushak sprints the remaining distance towards the button, sprints under the sign and he reaches…
‘BRUSHAK, NO!’
Cronag closes his eyes involuntarily. Fear fills him to the bone. What will happen now? What horrible fate awaits them? What…
‘Cronag. Cronag! I need help my friend.’
Brushak was pushing down on the button, but his weight was not enough to depress it. The scene almost made Cronag burst into laughter. He would have, if not for the circumstances. In the unknown expanse of time they had both spent here he had never felt the urge to chuckle before. It felt good.
He walks towards Brushak, cringing at the sign as he passes under it.
‘Please, Cronag, help me. You have to trust me.’
‘What if we die Brushak?’
‘See, I have touched the button and nothing has happened! It is a farce.’
‘It is good to see you full of confidence my friend, but I fear what will happen.’
‘I too, fear the unknown. But I do not let it govern what my heart tells me. This is the only way out of this accursed place.’
Cronag stares at his friend. There was wisdom in his words, and he wondered at the sudden change. How does he know pressing the button would free them? But then, Cronag knew in his heart. No matter how they search there would be nothing here, nothing but this button. Pressing the button might free them, kill them, or even do nothing at all. Perhaps that is what he feared the most, that the button would do nothing at all. One thing was certain though.
Nothing would definitely happen if they did not press the button. They would never know.
‘Alright Brushak,’ Cronag breathes heavily. ‘we will press the button.’
Brushak smiles at him. They place their hands on the red, smooth, shiny surface.
‘Goodbye my friend, perhaps we will see each other again.’
‘Perhaps.’
They push down together.
Such an engaging story you have written!! WELL DONE:)
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