Fragile Shard 3. Samsara.
The waves gently rustled as they rolled onto a deserted autumn beach. The sunset was approaching, and the gray sky, veiled with clouds, bore a faint yellowish-crimson hue. The day was waning, and with it, the solitary figure standing at the surf’s edge gradually dissolved into the twilight. Cold water occasionally lapped at his bare feet, but he paid it no heed, even as a chill set in. Automatically, he flipped up the collar of his coat and lit the last Lucky Strike cigarette with an expensive lighter. Taking a deep drag, his gaze remained fixed on the horizon, which blurred increasingly amidst the pre-sunset twilight.
He waited for the sun’s last light, took a deep breath, turned around, and walked away from the shore. Climbing up the sandy embankment, he headed toward his car on the road. After putting on his shoes, he got behind the wheel and smoked again. The realization that this was his final day washed over him like a wave, enveloping his mind with mixed emotions — a sense of hopelessness and bittersweet anticipation. It would all end tonight, and he would never witness the sunset over the sea again. Tonight, it all ends here, and something new begins there.
A black Mercedes with government plates sped along an unlit highway that wound along the ocean. The bright headlights sliced through the thickening twilight, and the engine’s roar shattered the stillness of the night.
He drove for quite some time, and darkness had utterly descended by the time he reached the town. The city appeared peculiar, comprising only twenty-two-story villas, with a glass spire of skyscrapers soaring in the middle.
He entered the dark office on the skyscraper’s top floor two minutes late. A young man in an expensive suit sat at a massive glass table. Upon the guest’s entry, the young man raised his head slowly, his glasses gleaming.
“Good to see you, senator. You’re almost on time. Did you bid farewell?”
“Yes … I mean, no, not really. Yes, I watched the sunset.”
“It’s odd. All of our clients, without exception, watch the sunset before this. Perhaps we should add this clause to our contract and charge an extra fee,” the young man chuckled softly. “Have you changed your mind?”
“Yes. Of course. But first, I want to know why you do this. I’m not asking how or what you are. It’s all beyond my comprehension… But why?”
“I’ll tell you. But first, please sign the final page of the contract,” the office owner handed the guest a pen and gestured toward a sheet of paper lying on the table.
Only one sentence adorned the document: “I hereby confirm that I am ready to leave samsara. I am aware of the irrevocableness of this decision and renounce any claims against the Company.” The man sighed and signed it with one swift stroke.
“Excellent, thank you for choosing us,” the young man’s voice carried a tone of irony. “Now, I’ll satisfy your curiosity. We engage in lucrative investments. Not material ones, of course, as we already possess ample wealth. It’s the power that we seek. Here, there, everywhere, we now have control. And all of you, miserable beings, have conditions of existence that make it nearly impossible to escape samsara alone. Hence, we merely satisfy the demand with our offer. Pure business. You pay us millions, and we provide a solution to your problems. Meanwhile, in addition to the almost worthless currency, we gain complete control over your society — for our purposes, which, I’m afraid, I cannot discuss. So, it’s quite simple.”
“What will happen to my… my life? My body?”
“Nothing extraordinary; not even your wife will notice the difference. Our employees are highly skilled. The manner of conducting business might change slightly, and you’ll advocate for slightly different bills, sanctioning a war here and there… Everything will proceed as usual, essentially, but in our interests. Senator, let’s not prolong this; I hope I’ve answered your questions. In the morning, we await our next client, you understand.”
The young man stood up and beckoned the guest to follow him.
In a glass elevator, they ascended to the rooftop. They climbed a broad staircase leading to a spacious circular platform, at the center of which stood a glass structure resembling a capsule.
People in white coats awaited them there. They requested the guest undress and sit on a rigid chair inside the capsule. A series of wires were connected, and the capsule’s hatch closed. A digital display right before his eyes began counting down his remaining time. Five minutes.
The man attempted to recall all the significant moments of his life, but it proved futile. He was genuinely weary of it all. He had realized the meaninglessness of his aspirations and goals too early. He had achieved much, but it didn’t satisfy him. Even the wife he once loved deeply had become just another partner. Only one image surfaced in his mind — the sunset over the ocean. A lone tear trickled down his cheek, but it soon dried up. The emotions had faded, and the countdown reached its conclusion. Something hummed below, wires crackled, and the process commenced. He couldn’t pinpoint precisely when he started seeing his body from above or drifting away from his (now former) body. He ascended higher and higher and higher still. The town transformed into a dark speck, the vast ocean came into view, and finally, the sun drew near… His incredible journey of liberation from earthly life began with a plethora of unknowns lying ahead.
He opened his eyes. He glanced down at his hands and smiled. He had time to return home before dawn so his wife wouldn’t notice his absence. Tomorrow, he needed to sign essential documents and attend a few meetings. It was time to get to work.
The waves gently rustled as they rolled onto a deserted autumn beach. The time was approaching dawn, and the gray sky now glimmered with the red-yellow hues of the sunrise. He instinctively flipped up the collar of his knitted sweater and tugged down his sleeves, concealing his chilled fingers. Once they had warmed up, he retrieved a crumpled pack of strong Marlboros from his pocket and lit a cigarette with the penultimate match. Then he sighed, turned his back to the sea, and headed toward his car. It was his last day here.
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“Fragile Shards: Whispers of Transience” is an evocative anthology that spans 15 years of the author’s writing journey. From mystical adventures to dark introspections, these tales traverse vivid landscapes, offering a captivating glimpse into the ever-changing tapestry of human emotions and perceptions. Each story is a unique shard, reflecting the complexity of life’s experiences and the resilience of hope.
