Rewinds Conversation

“Even to little girls who may have had abnormally good luck in the past when sticking their noses where they did not belong? Are we wholly clear, *Riley?*”

Bonesaw ground her teeth. Even though she had no plans to tackle this ‘Other’, Phane’s tone was demeaning and she had been told (by me) that she didn’t have to take that lying down.

“Fully and totally, *David.*”

That was a surprise. I had stopped just short of telling her Phane’s real name, but probably should have realized her ability to figure it out. She always was a smart girl.

Of the gathered contestants, only she was close enough to read Phane’s facial expressions. A single flash of surprise, a single flash of immense anger, and then calm.

First all the lights over the stadium went out at once. Then all the lights in the city behind them went out at once. Then all the stars in the sky went out at once. Bonesaw was ensconced in pitch blackness, until a single blinding light broke it from directly overhead.

She and Phane were alone in a circle of light.

“Do you know what people like you are to people like me?” asked Phane, calmly.

(...)

“So. My name is Mr. Celo Phane. Do remember. Now, we’re going back a few seconds in time, which means that there will be a quiz on that fact. If not for yourself, get it right for your friends on your team, lest I choose to kill a few million incarnations of them in other worlds. It would be no real loss, my eyes will still be able to locate countless more, like so many ants. I wouldn’t care. Ask yourself whether you would.”

The spotlight went out, and suddenly Bonesaw jolted, as though waking up in a hurry. She was back outside the stadium, things as they were a few seconds before Phane turned off the universe..

“...not belong? Are we wholly clear, *Riley?*”

She blinked at him. Thanks to great effort, there were no tears.

“Fully and totally, *Celo.*”

***

Round 11, Season 6, SanityMeter