Soldier

"Yes! Yes it is..imagine..like I have said before, we arent participants in well in real life anymore, we are..more like..guests, and it doesnt hold guests to the same set of rules that it holds occupants. I mean we can be killed, but it isnt easy."

John half chuckled half sighed. "I can see how people get carried away with this, it is definitely sending me on one hell of an ego trip."

Russell chuckled lightly under his breath and shook his head. "Dont fly to high cosmonaut, because there are some rules. At least there are a few I am aware of. I only hinted at them before because I wanted you to get on living. But know I cant tell you."

"You told me a few back then, that when I see too far, or push too much everything pushes back and it does so against your mind." John said as he tapped his head.

Russell nodded and began using his hands to accentuate his speech, like he was pointing out critical information on a projector screen. "Yes thats one of them. There are others. For example, to step too far out of reality's bounds and it can kick you out altogether. You wind up nothing more than a slobbering looney somewhere, mumbling on and on forever."

John looked down to his beer accusingly almost as if it had been an accomplice to one of those poor soul's demise. "Oh my god, thats..horrible." He said.

Russell shrugged. "It happenes, some people are stronger than others, I told you that before. But more importantly some people are better at finding that balance than others. It doesnt matter if people see you doing things, well to some extent it does, but people will see what they want to see, what matters is that you find that balance and learn it quickly. Because the darkness doesnt care if youre not ready to see what it wants to show you."

"Thats another thing, when you were caught in it, did you feel like it was alive somehow? Somehow..wanting..you?" John said, his eyes narrowed as he leaned close to Russell.

Russell looked down quickly as John mentioned it, and spoke quietly almost in a whisper. "Listen to how you talk about it..listen to how I do. Caught in "it", didnt "stay away" Yes its alive John, and yes it wants us."

John leaned back and stared off into the distance with a pained expression. "Jesus what the hell is it?"

Russell spoke again with his eyes still cast down to the wood, staring at the grain. "I dont know, and I have never met anyone who does. Some people like to say that they know, and there are all sorts of theories, but one thing is certain, it does want us, and those people I told you about that indulge in darker things? Some of them are the ones that have been taken by it."

John shuddered. "Jesus christ, I only ever felt it when I pushed too much, or tried to see something too hard."

Russell nodded. "Thats because it lives on the edges John, just outside the bounds, you peek your head out too far..and it sees you."

The waitress interrupted them as she walked up, she smiled and spoke "You guys want another bee..oh never mind you havent finished your first ones yet..holler if you need anything." She smiled again and disappeared into the darkened bar.