The footsteps were getting louder, closer, echoing through the darkness like a death knell. Wale's heart was racing, his mind racing with fear and uncertainty. He gripped Maya's hand tightly, his eyes straining to see anything in the blackness.
The footsteps stopped right outside the door, and Wale held his breath. The silence was oppressive, heavy with anticipation. He could feel the presence of someone standing on the other side of the door, waiting, watching.
Maya's hand was trembling in his, and Wale knew she was terrified. He tried to calm her, whispering softly in her ear, "It's okay, Maya. We'll get through this."
But as he spoke, the door creaked open, and a sliver of light spilled in. Wale's eyes were blinded by the sudden brightness, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes.
As his vision adjusted, he saw a figure standing in the doorway, its features indistinct in the shadows. The figure didn't move, didn't speak, but Wale could feel its gaze on him, piercing and intense.
The air was thick with tension, and Wale's heart was pounding in his chest. He knew he had to act, to do something, but his body seemed frozen in place.
Maya's hand was still trembling in his, and Wale knew he had to protect her. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, and stepped forward, his eyes locked on the figure in the doorway.
"Who are you?" Wale demanded, his voice firm, but shaking slightly.
The figure didn't respond, didn't move, but Wale could feel its gaze on him, studying him, weighing him.
The silence stretched out, and Wale's nerves were on edge. He was about to speak again when the figure suddenly moved, stepping forward into the room.
The light caught its face, and Wale's heart skipped a beat. It was a woman, her features cold and hard, her eyes piercing blue.
"I've been waiting for you, Wale," she said, her voice low and husky. "My name is Dr. Sophia Patel, and I'm here to help you."
Wale's mind was reeling, his thoughts racing with questions. What did she want? How did she know his name?
As he stared at her, Dr. Patel's eyes seemed to bore into his soul, and Wale felt a shiver run down his spine.
"I don't understand," Wale said, his voice shaking. "What do you want from me?"
Dr. Patel's eyes seemed to gleam with excitement, and she took another step forward. "I want to show you the truth, Wale," she said, her voice dripping with intensity. "I want to show you who you really are."
As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Wale's arm, her grip like a vice. Wale tried to pull away, but she held him fast, her eyes burning with an otherworldly intensity.
He struggled against her, trying to break free, but her grip only tightened. Wale's mind was racing, his heart pounding in his chest. What was happening? Who was this woman?
"Let me go!" Wale shouted, trying to shake off her hand.
But Dr. Patel didn't seem to notice. Her eyes were fixed on his face, her gaze piercing. Wale felt a strange sensation, like a buzzing in his head, and his vision began to blur.
He stumbled backwards, his legs feeling weak. Dr. Patel's grip was the only thing holding him up, and he felt himself being pulled towards her.
"No, no, no," Wale muttered, trying to resist.
But it was too late. The world around him began to fade, and Wale felt himself being pulled into a dark, swirling vortex.
He tried to scream, but his voice was lost in the void. The last thing he saw was Dr. Patel's face, her eyes blazing with an intense, otherworldly energy.
And then, everything went black.
Wale's mind was a jumble of confusion and fear. He was floating in a sea of darkness, with no sense of time or space. He tried to move, but his body felt weightless, as if it was no longer his own.
Suddenly, images began to flash before his eyes. He saw himself as a child, playing in a garden filled with flowers. He saw his parents, smiling and happy, but their faces were distorted, like reflections in a funhouse mirror.
Wale's mind reeled as the images shifted and changed. He saw himself as a teenager, getting into a car accident, and then he saw a figure, a figure that looked like him, but wasn't him.
The images swirled and merged, creating a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. Wale felt like he was losing himself, like he was dissolving into the void.
But just as he thought all was lost, he saw a light, a tiny pinprick of brightness in the darkness. Wale's mind latched onto it, and he felt himself being pulled towards it.
He emerged into a bright, white room, with a single figure standing in front of him. The figure turned, and Wale saw that it was himself, but an older, wiser version.
"Welcome, Wale," the figure said, its voice echoing in his mind. "I've been waiting for you."
Wale's mind was reeling. What was happening? Who was this person?
"I am you, Wale," the figure replied, its voice calm and soothing. "Or at least, I am a part of you. A part that you have forgotten, but that is still there, buried deep inside."
Wale's mind was spinning. What did it mean?
The figure smiled, its eyes kind and understanding. "You have been living a lie, Wale," it said. "A lie that has been told to you by others, but also by yourself. But it's time for you to know the truth."
Wale's heart was pounding, his mind racing with questions. What truth?
The figure leaned forward, its eyes burning with an intense energy. "The truth about who you are, Wale. The truth about your past, your present, and your future."
As it spoke, the room began to fade, and Wale felt himself being pulled back into the darkness.
"No, wait!" he shouted, trying to Wale. "Tell me more!"
But it was too late. The darkness closed in, and Wale was gone.
Dr. Patel's eyes snapped open, and she stared at Wale's motionless body. Her grip on his arm was still tight, and she could feel his pulse racing.
"It's time, Wale," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's time for you to remember."
As she spoke, she raised her other hand, and a small device appeared in it. She pressed a button, and a bright light filled the room.
Wale's body began to convulse, his eyes snapping open. He stared at Dr. Patel, his gaze wild and confused.
"What's happening?" he shouted, trying to shake off her grip.
Dr. Patel's eyes were cold, hard. "You're remembering, Wale," she said, her voice dripping with intensity. "You're remembering who you really are."
As she spoke, the light grew brighter, and Wale's mind was flooded with memories, memories that he had long forgotten.
He screamed, his body arching in agony, as the truth about his past, his present, and his future was revealed to him.
And as he screamed, the darkness closed in, and everything went black.
To be continued...