Causality (Short story)

Causality

Sarissa was a Seer, someone who witnessed pivotal moments within each cycle. There were not many like her, and none of them had any idea who the others were. Although, you could sense something ... when you met another on the street, a connection that wasn't there with other humans. A knowing, understanding of sorts. But neither of you would say anything, just a slight gesture of the head in acknowledgement as you walked on by.

No, she wasn't a time traveler, not in the sense that most thought of. She witnessed moments. Real, historical moments within a cycle. Some of them were huge events like the Manhattan Project. But some were also private moments, the pebble thrown into the water that would make a huge impact in the world eventually. Sarissa enjoyed those the most. They were the most intimate, most exploratory moments of life. To bear witness to individual choices, decisions, thought patterns..it was the best insight one could get on how the cycle was progressing. They were moments that defined a person and shaped the world as well.



If you were to imagine for a moment, a small sphere containing numerous points of light around it. That would be what Sarissa carried with her. Each time she touched a light, an explosion would occur, taking her to the destination she selected.

The sphere was given to her as a child. From some other Seer who had decided he had had enough and wanted to live a normal life. He had given the sphere to her with a notebook, journal of sorts. In the front of the notebook were written the words "No time, only choices and moments".

And then the rest of the notebook had thoughts on all the moments he had witnessed, plus all the knowledge on how to be a Seer. It was not a thick book, yet it was full of information just the same. At the very end was a metallic disk taped to the back inside cover. Engraved upon the disk were the words: For use when a cycle ends.

Right now Sarissa was watching a child take his first steps. No one else who was witnessing this knew that this young fellow was going to discover the cure for cancer... Sarissa knew. She watched as he looked up into his loving mothers eyes, asking for approval and encouragement. The unwed mother bends down, keeping her eyes locked onto his and reaches out to him. He takes one more second, the most pivotal second, makes the decision, then takes his first step towards independence and into his mothers arms.

It is the choices they both make/made that are critical to shaping his destiny. His mothers first choice, to have the child. Had she opted for an abortion, this moment would never have occurred. Her choice to be a good mother, pouring her heart and soul into her child's development...essential. The bond created between the two, having lived through years of struggle and hardship, depending on one another for survival..crucial.

And when he grows up and learns that his mother is dying of cancer, the one person who has been there for him all his life, he becomes obsessed with finding a cure, and does. All because of the choices each made during their lifetimes.

It always amazed Sarissa how simple, yet complex life was. Each decision made by an individual directly impacting and effecting another person's decisions. You could connect the dots if you saw the world like Sarissa did, all the way up until the final act/decision has been made. And boom, you have a major, life changing moment in history. With most of the people involved not having any idea they were a part of it.

She wipes a tear from her eye as she pulls out the sphere and picks her next destination. These moments always made her cry, so heartwarming they were. Touching another point of light, the sphere explodes all around her and she is pulled to another moment, another world changing event.

To be continued at a later date...

thanks,
blend57

After the explosion, Sarissa is dropped into the world. She could see the point of light directly ahead of her. Always a surreal moment, as the world pauses for just an instant. She looks around her as she falls slowly into the sphere, billions of other lights shining brightly, billions of other moments/choices being made. But this one light, this is what she had wanted to see.

She steps into a cold, rainy night. The wind is blowing severely, lighting crackles across the night sky and she can hear the thunder echo all around her..enveloping her in the vastness of its sound. The rain begins to pellet her body. Pounding her clothes and hair until they were matted to her skin and face. But she was immune to such things, only taking a second to revel in the raw beauty of nature. She checks the face of the sea, not wanting to miss a single second of the moment that was going to occur. Nothing was happening yet, so she had time to choose her viewing spot.

The angry waves crashed against one another, pushing and shoving their way to the shore. The shore standing fast against them, holding its ground. But, every so often, Sarissa would notice huge chunks of it give way, as the sea slowly carved a path through the land that blocked it.

She chose to stand on the cliff above them. Pushing her rain drenched hair out of her face absent mindlessly as she waited. This was the closest she would dare to be in order to witness this event, it would be glorious. The kind of thing that changed the face of the world. The experience of a lifetime, and she was about to witness it.

A whirlpool was starting to form very quickly in the sea. She watched as it took shape. The wind and rain hitting her harder now, she was barely able to keep from blowing away. Lightning struck close by, she could feel the static electricity raise the hair on her skin. Still, she stayed where she was and waited. It would not be long, no, not much longer now.

It was magical, almost mystical. The water plunged into the deep hole that was forming, circling its way down to the bottom like someone had pulled the drain plug. She heard the groan of ancient metal as it bent and twisted against the force of water . She watched anxiously as the machine rose out of the sea, slowly at first, then it gained speed. The sea parted, giving in to the will of the machine. And as the device rose up out of the ocean, Sarissa took in a quick breath, holding it unconsciously as she waited for the waters to settle.

The storm had passed, the dark clouds dissolved to reveal the sun. The sea let go of all its anger and became tranquil again, keeping in tune with mother nature's song. Sarissa stood on the cliff, staring down at the machine that floated upon the water. She was excited and apprehensive at the same time. Now would be the time she had waited for. Now the choices would have to be made, and the course of this cycle would be clearly set.

She sat down on the cliff and waited, soon they would come. Soon she would witness the completion of one cycle and the creation of another. All dependent upon the choices made. She knew what was supposed to happen, what had lead up to this moment, how things should turn out. But she didn't know what was going to happen, too many choices to be made yet.

She had no care which way the cycle went, her only interest was in the moments leading up to the final decision. And she waited, watched patiently, as she knew that it was only a matter of time before she would be able to witness them...


To be continued at a later date...
thanks,
blend57

Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing your art with us.

a reply to: blend57

This is the most interesting thing I have seen posted on ATS. It is a new type of format that is quite unique, with the visuals and the eloquent short stories. I should spend more time in the creative writing section of this site. Gems like these should be seen more. I love the animated gif's as well - where did you find them?

a reply to: blend57

Blend I am enjoying this example of Your Artistry! More Please? ...