Young Writers Society

Conversation with the Impossible

Jannah asked them to come over her house for a sleepover. When asked why, she answered it would be helpful if she had them when the pencil started to move by itself, or when a blue light appeared. Rachelle agreed rather excitedly, although she said it would require some persuading to gain her parents’ permission. The same went to Manisha, although hers were a bit lenient, and would not mind as long as it was Rachelle who took her to Jannah’s place. Rachelle’s parents were worried with the thought of their daughter going out at night, even with a friend accompanying her; Manisha’s parents, while trusting their daughter’s decision, would only agree if she went with Rachelle.

Rachelle and Manisha promised to come at Jannah’s house around six in the evening. Jannah bid them farewell and went to her car.

*

Jannah was washing the dishes as the Friday’s prayer during the afternoon ended. She wiped her sweat with the back of her wrist, then continued. The plates and glasses in the sink were not much, but they had been abandoned since that morning. Neither she or Mother had the time to clean them.

Since Father died, she had taken the role as a cook. Mother, being a busy accountant, did not have time to learn it. Aunt Fatimah, Jannah’s neighbour, had been teaching Jannah to cook since she found out Father had passed away. That almost-half-a-century woman had been exchanging foods with him, and he said she was the better cook. Mother had initially refused to receive her help since Mother said it would burden her, but Aunt Fatimah’s persuasion skill was as excellent as her cooking.

Jannah cleaned her hands with the dry towel near the sink after placing the plates into the shelf stuck to the opposite wall. She looked at the table at the corner of the doorless room. She could not see it, but the tudung saji covered the foods she had made. Those would be enough for a couple of days. One, if Rachelle and Manisha were hungry. The refrigerator stored snacks she had bought on the way to her home, so food would not be an issue. she had also messaged Mother about their arrivals; Mother was fine with it, although she still referred to them as Michelle and Tanusha. Jannah did not bother to correct her; she would realize it eventually.

She released her tiredness through a long exhale and went to the living room, sitting on the couch. Soon, her subconscious took place...

*

She woke up only to find the room exactly as it was. The huge, flat television in front of her, devoid of bright colours; the peach, cozy couch on which she rested; the glass table at her side with newspapers needing some arrangements; the living room dark with the light above the ceiling unused; the spinning fan above; a faint of light creeping through the door-less room at her other side. She forgot to switch off the light there.

And yet, she felt something different. There was something off with all of these, but she could not figure out in what way. What was the time now, anyway? She glanced at the clock hung on the wall above the television, and blinked. It was past eight o’clock in the evening. Mother should arrived an hour ago; her friends should be here earlier than that. Then, why was there no one alerting her? She went to the window, passing through another couch placed at the lower part of the room, and pushed aside the curtain. The area in front of the house’s gate was empty; no one had arrived here or waited for her.

This is weird, she thought, and went to her room, ascending the stairs at her right, placed at the opposite wall of the television and couches. Her room was straight ahead the stairs; she opened the door and--

She pulled back, falling to the floor on her butt, her eyes widened, her mouth opened but uttered nothing. A blue spherical light floated in the room, brightening a fair part of it.

‘I thought visiting you like this would prevent you from avoiding me,’ said it with a young male voice. ‘It is the best way to communicate with you.’

She willed herself to stand, her eyes fixated on the light. What had it done? Was it the reason no one had arrived yet? What did it want from her? Was it going to press her more about saving her? She realized she could not run away from it forever; there would be a time when she needed to confront it, whatever it was. And the time, unfortunately, was now.

‘What are you?’ whispered her, folding her hands to fists to suppress them from trembling. ‘What do you want from me? Why me?’

‘Your world is in danger,’ said it, worry bleeding in its voice. ‘They continue to fight but to no avail. The enemies should be stopped immediately. We must unite to rid the corrupted evil.’

She frowned; it was speaking in riddles. What did it mean with her world being in danger? The world was always in danger; crimes happened everyday, followed by disasters caused by people. It was not something new. They continued to fight but to no avail? Well, the activists would always fight for what was right. Those who were rich enough to exploit others for their own benefits should be stopped.

She shook her head. She was not dealing with a mere human, but a creature of light. She did not understand why this was possible, only that it was happening right now. And she should not jump into conclusions.

‘What do you mean?’ asked her. She was glad her voice had sounded firmer.

‘It was our mistake to come here at first. We did not know in what way humans could influence us, but we know now. They do, too. They were once a part of us, but now evil rules them. They intend to destroy you. All of you. It is for that reason that we have to become one. We have to fight them.’

She was not prepared for the torrent of words, so they left her stunned. The light did not help her in understanding more about its message; in contrary, it triggered more questions from her. What mistake? Human’s influence? Who were they? How could it and Jannah unite, and what way they could fight others who were ‘once a part’ of the light? Out of a sudden, she could hear something. The bell ringing.

‘My time is running out. Soon, you would awake,’ it continued. ‘I thought I could not be able to manipulate your dream, but it appears I am wrong. We would meet next time --’

‘I plan for my friends to see you tonight,’ blurted she. ‘They’re going to sleep at my room. I thought you’d give me a message again.’

Silence. After what felt like years, the light spoke. ‘I trust no one other than you. Someone is watching, Jannah. I can feel that, although I do not know who. I have given you enough hints of my existence, and others would notice them too. Soon, they would hunt you. It goes back to what I have said. We must unite and fight back.’

Her spirit had already diminished after hearing the first sentence. It would not going to appear tonight; perhaps it would not give her a message, either. How could she prove it to them if it did not want to cooperate? She wanted her friends to experience what she had. She wanted them to join in whatever it was she had been involved at. She wanted their support. The light did not want to give that to her.

‘You said you can only trust me,’ said she, ‘and I want you to trust me on this. They’re my friends. They won’t betray me, if that’s what you’re implying. Please appear tonight. If you want me to fight with you, I need to have them to keep me strong.’ She hoped her voice would be convincing enough to gain sympathy. The bell rang again.

‘Very well,’ it replied quickly, surprising her. ‘If that is what it takes to gain your help. However, I warn you. If any of those you trust betray you after what I showed to them, I would never appear to anyone unless I myself have the reason to do so. We are talking about the fate of humankind, Jannah.’