You Will Always Fall Again

Written by Carol Wang

“I guess it is time…” Allison sighs and walks out of the shelter that covers them in darkness, “I’ll see you on the other side if I make it.” 

“Allison!” Fritz gets up and grabs her shoulder. “What in your right mind makes you wanna walk out into a street that’s flamin’ up in every corner of it?!”

“Fritz, don’t you understand? We can not stay here forever without seeing the light.” Allison screams hopelessly, pushing Fritz away. In her eyes there is a heroic light. 

Fritz feels his adrenaline rise and his heart pump nervously as Allison opens the door and the light of day gradually diffuses into the room. Every movement by Allison seems to be slow-motion in Fritz’s view.  

Because this has happened hundreds of times before, he can no longer remember each time exactly, can no longer differentiate each one from the other. Unsurprisingly, as she steps through the door, Allison is burned to a flame. And just like the time before this and the time before that, even each spark seems identical. 

The light brightens suddenly and blinds Flitz’s vision for a moment.

He can’t help himself from staring at the spark like this is the last ray of hope in his life.

Then all of a sudden, darkness falls upon his world again.

“You will always fall again, Allison.” Fritz sits in darkness for seconds as his words float away from him, trying to adjust his eyes against the brightness that has come and gone. Then he stands up and sweeps the dust from the floor.

When he’s collected the ash, adeptly throwing it into the light outside, Allison appears again in the room. He knows it even though he can not see. “Exactly the same spot every time.” Hi smiles.

“Hello? Anyone there? Where do I land?” Allison’s voice shivers in fear and anxiety. 

‘Hi, Allison,” Fritz tries to make his voice sound as agreeable as possible. “Welcome to the eternal island, where your eternity is a cycle.”

Allison answers with uncertainty, “I don’t really get what you mean. Can you turn on the lights, please? It’s dark here.”

“No, dear,” Fritz smiles. “It is the only creed in this place. No lights.”

“That’s an odd rule,” Allison’s voice is in fear. “Can I please leave then. I want to see the outside. Thank you for this spot to land.”

Fritz smiles again. “You will always fall again, Allison. I told you,” he murmurs quietly, and the world falls back into silence.