Wastelands I: Deserted

Mono, could you, asks Alina.

Spare me my name! shouts Mono, interrupting Alina.
What? asks Alina.
My name. Its all weve got, replies Mono. Alina ignores him.
Mono, could we go to the other side today? asks Alina.
What did I say! shouts Mono.
I called you by your name, replies Alina.
Call me Jack, orders Mono.
Why? asks Alina.
Because thats my true name, reveals Mono.
Okay. So, Jack, how about it? asks Alina.
Mono pauses for a moment before responding.
I hear the beast inhabits a cave near there. I dont think its in Jacks best interest to go. Mono kicks
at the sand.
We can just ask for Ralphs help, suggests Alina, attempting to coax Mono.
Isnt he dead? asks Mono.
Not yet, answers Alina.
Do you know the way? asks Mono, pointing toward the jungle.
Sometimes, answers Alina. She begins to walk toward the jungle.
Lets just build a boat. I dont think we should go. We could leave here with a boat, suggests Mono.
Weve no tools, and where would we gothe ocean? asks Alina.
Im not the cause of this shipwreck, reveals Mono.
I know todays just another day weve awakened to a world not our own, replies Alina.

Will it ever end? asks Mono.

Things always do, answers Alina. Anyway, Im going off on my own, with or without you, but I
know itll be with. You never leave me alone. She starts walking away.
Lies, shouts Mono, following her. They walk for a bit before Mono states, I dont want to go back,
Alina.
Youll have to one day. Its the pact, declares Alina.
My soul is my own; I dare not divide, says Mono, pleadingly.
Were only fragments, admits Alina.
Maybe figments? asks Mono.
Never, whispers Alina.
Alina and Mono come across an open patch of bloodied ground. There is a spear stuck in the ground in
front them. The spear is bloodied as well. There is a cave in the distance covered in moss. Mono sees a
boars head on the spear, covered with flies. He turns to Alina with fearful eyes. She sees only the
spear.
Im going to check out that cave. Ill prove theres no such thing as monsters. Alina begins to walk
toward the cave. Mono rushes over to her and grabs her shoulder. She turns and sees that hes worried.
Please, dont leave me, begs Mono.
Ill be right back, says Alina, walking away. Mono falls to his knees and begins to weep. He hears a
voice from behind him.
Why are you crying, old man? says the voice.
Im alone again, sobs Mono.
I shall keep you company, says the voice, warmly.
Who are you? asks Mono, turning around. He sees the boar head on the spear. The boars eyes open
and close; the boar's breathing is a struggle.
I am the apple and the I. The one who embraces sin as my son. I am the duke of debauchery. Do you
not know I occupy all mens hearts. Ive been with you for a long while Ed. The boars head tries to
smile unsuccessfully. Mono's face is blank, emotionless. He lies on the ground and grabs a coconut,
which he begins to throw in the air and catch in a similar motion as one does with a baseball.
You are a figment while I am a fragment. Don't pretend to know my name, silly seducer. I am the
dream, the dust of reveries, the cloud-conjurer, and the force behind the snore. My name's Jack; the
calm before the storm and the eye of the whirling winds. Mono begins to laugh.

I am not a liar; only a tempter. I guide you through your own labyrinthine conscience. Call me
Acheron. Mono throws the coconut up but lets it hit the ground. He rises to his feet.
You are a boars head covered with flies: you tempt nothing but the stomachs of maggots. Stop
speaking with me, says Mono, angrily.
I am you, Jack. We have many names, but why do you insist on Jack? That name is dull and insipid.
We are artists; there are far better pseudonyms. The boars head starts to cough, violently.
I thought you were the apple and the I. What happened, change of heart? You are a pathetic figment,
and you bore me. I shall call you Ahab, foolish miser. Mono yawns.
I am Abaddon, naive worm! Youre just a coffin; a container for the transport of my kin. I loathe your
kind. No respect! Not like the old days. Ill follow you forever! I am eternal; my revenants will live
again. The boar begins to cough, almost choking. Help, it says.
How? Youre a head on a spear, cant give you the Heimlich maneuver. I dont even understand how
youre coughing. You barely have a throat. Mono moves the head in a clockwise motion, tightening it
to the spear.
Better? asks Mono.
Much, replies Abaddon. Open yourself to me, Jack. Let me into your heart, says Abaddon in a
persuasive manner.
There you go again. Spouting. You sure do like to talk. I just saved your life or saved you from dying
again at least. You are as petty as a snail. Ill let you stay with us on one condition. Mono paces with
his arms behind his back.
Conditions! I never, grumbles Abaddon.
You are to behave yourself. No more I am this and that nonsense. Ill call you Ahab; you call me Jack,
and for Midas sake, clean yourself up a bit. You are, well, disgusting to look at. Mono yawns again.
Perhaps this is a better form, says Abaddon. Mono turns back around to see a squirrel.
A squirrel, really? asks Mono, laughing. I suppose thats fine. Better than the boars head. Where the
hell has Alina gone? asks Mono.
To the cave, answers Abaddon, the demon squirrel.
Ah, hell, moans Mono. They both start walking toward the cave. Once outside the mouth, Mono
shouts, hand cupped by his mouth, Lemons! There is no response. Mono shrugs and goes to turn
around but slips on a moss-covered stone and rolls into the cave. There is a long descent until he lands
on a pile of bloodied bones. Flesh is scattered all over the ground. Mono gets up and tries to get the
blood off his hands by wiping them on the moss on the walls.
God, whispers Mono.

Not God; not this. Not even I, the deity of destruction, knows what has done this, says Abaddon.
I warned you, warns Mono, pointing his finger at the squirrel. Abaddon puts his head down, knowing
hes done something wrong. Alina, whispers Mono. Alina! he whispers again.
I can barely hear you; how is she supposed to? says Abaddon, curtly. Mono grimaces. They start to
go deeper into the cave. They see Alina on the ground. Mono rushes to her and tries to wake her.
Alina, please wake up. Dont leave me to my lucidities. Alina yawns and pushes Mono away.
I was just sleeping. They stand at a crossroads. A sign above one states: Omelas 3 circles. The sign
above the other states: Atlantis 4 circles. There is a small hole in-between the two.
Well, I thought you were dead. Mono sits down on the ground; Abaddon jumps on his shoulder.
Nonsense. Anyway, I didnt know which way to take, so I sat down to think about it. I was waiting for
you. You never came. Then, I fell asleep until you startled me just now.
I got distracted. I was talking to Abaddon, says Mono.
Who? asks Alina.
Abaddon, says Mono, pointing to the squirrel on his shoulder. The squirrel begins to talk as squirrels
talk. Neither Mono nor Alina understand. Sorry, hes acting up again.
Sure he is, replies Alina. Anyway, I say we camp here.
What about the monster? asks Mono.
Theres no monster. Well be fine. We can take turns keeping watch, if youd like.
I would like, but shouldnt we keep going?
No, answers Alina.
Lets go see Ralph, says Mono.
I forgot, says Alina.
Forgot what? asks Mono.
He hasnt been here for years, admits Alina.
Well, lets just wait, suggests Mono.
Another day of waiting? asks Alina.
Why not? asks Mono.

Ive no reason, says Alina.