AWAKE

Mim sprung open his eyes, gazing upon a frigid and damp floor in a room shrouded in gray tones. His hands drift along the ground seeking balance. As he struggles to stand, the light coming from what seems to be a pinhole in the distance is blinding. Mim, trying to determine what this place is and why he's there. He begins to walk forward. The orchestra of sounds floating through the air in the direction of the light intrigues him, with hands up shielding himself. The noise and aromas intensify. Journeying out into the world, as it felt to Mim, was his calling. The damp air drifted by almost palpably while he tried to adjust to the light: an explosion of input rushed to his mind. Gawking, the colors of warm greens and subtle yellows cascade over towering forms in the distance, almost appearing to roll further away until no longer visible. Deep inside Mims' mind, the striking appearance of this environment raises fear of the unknown. Gaining the strength to descend away from the hole within the mountainside became a strenuous objective. Clumsily walking down the rock-covered trail Mim begins to think of how he got to be here; and why he was able to recognize what he was thinking. Foreign noises crescendo within the thickly laced forest. Filling Mim with wonder, noticing he's never heard anything of this nature before. After some time he arrives at the sloping end of the trail. A wall of brush stands in the way, visually impenetrable. Engrossed by the sounds coming from what seems to be behind this wall, Mim contemplates. Breaking open to the other side: a brisk breeze washes over his face; creatures gliding through the trees blare at Mim, alerting others of his presence. An oasis burdened with flowers and vines holds a grip over a divot within the ground. Mim moves towards this divide, seeing the reflection of light bouncing off, kneeling into the pond. He reaches his hand inside. Cold! Mim thinks. While catching a glimpse of a figure in the water; hovering over, Mim sees this figure mirror his movements. Is this ME? observing closer, Mim notices his sleek gray face with no noticeable features, a gauntly lean body of the same unappealing tone. Paralyzed momentarily by this, Mim falls in. Flailing his arms, he attempts to get a grip. His bottom sinks to the ground, the water only reaching his waist. Mim stands up, no longer fearing death with a slight sense of conquering the pond. Observing, Mim, while stepping out saw something glistening within the embankment wall. It was something that was unlike anything Mim has encountered to this point. A small rectangle, black on both sides, trapping another white rectangle within.

Mim picks it up, wondering about what this could be. Like most, he hasn't the slightest idea of what anything is. Plopping down onto a rock, he opens it. Pages of drawings and texts flow between Mims' fingers. The words shifting amongst themselves, building what he notices is something he can read. The extent of writing is immense and fascinating to him, discovering there used to be something known as humans. History was elastic; their minds were the single driver. Reading; from men like Plato, Aristotle, Alexander The Great, Winston Churchill, and Ernest Becker. Mim molds in his mind what he believes it is to be human. The underlying motif he notices is a construct called consciousness, A wave of being that soars through time and space inhabiting those who wield it. Concluding this is what he posses, why he's recognized his thoughts. The book not only contains information on the people's greatest philosophers. But also knowledge of practices used by humans. The art of agriculture, science, and society, seemingly grotesque natures of war, admirable tales of exploration throughout the world, and the relationships amongst themselves and within the natural world. The commonality through history assumed by Mim was one of love, gathering that people had come to the same conclusion stating the idea that love permeates through the universe as the single most powerful force. Mim quickly shuts the book; after a bird sails down onto the ground near him. Pecking at his legs, he reaches his hands out to touch the bird. Hesitant at first, the small black crow hops back. Mim then digs into the damp ground presenting a worm. The bird starts to take a liking to Mim and accepts his offering. Mim stands after spending some time with his new friend, he names Ato. After one of his favorite philosophers, he has read about. Journeying deeper through the forest trail with a newfound perspective. Light no longer seems unbearable but more of a rosy tone. The greenish-yellow leaves appear more vivid and the air sweet. Thoughts race inside Mim's mind; he can't help but think of where they came from or what they are. If they are trapped, or if they soar through the sky like his friend Ato. Then to be plucked and requested to reside inside his head. Pondering had become a new favorite pastime of Mim. He began to think of the vehicle his mind is for being conscious, or the capability it has to construct ideas within itself. Most times, he would reflect on these things while admiring the flowing grasses or stagnate water. Residing still in the pasture he had come upon. He devised a plan to journey onward. Without the need for food or water, it should be quite straightforward. With his black book in hand, he followed the path tucked away from the pond. The leaves dwindled thinner as he traveled further into the forest; Mim couldn't help but notice the juxtaposition between where he had been and where he is now. Reminding him of the contrast between love and war also the grayed line within both of them, how one can exist while acting toward the other. This idea consoled him for some time until he was able to pass through the ominous woods. The strikingly led out into a bare field of auburn wheat. The scope of the horizon stretched for miles, reminding Mim of what he had recognized from the book: cities. Although, the reality was vastly opposite.

Towers entangled with foliage seemingly slouching in a posture to oversee the streets below; the sight to Mim was a mystery that was never told in the book. He moves through the dry fields gliding his hands above the wheat, eventually stepping through into the loomed-over streets. Astonishment was one way Mim could describe his current feelings, mulling over the idea that humans were able to construct with such authority. The ideas that inhabited each of their minds were what commanded such progress, the people only being a laborer to the will of ideas. Mim notices he often walks aimlessly while being consumed by thinking. he decides to wave away the fog in his mind to be present. Slipping into a dilapidated building climbing the dizzying stairwell to get a better view, in the corner of a room that contains polished equipment Mim discovers a small black metal box. He swings it open to find what he's read about from the book: money. A large amount figures Mim, probably something like $20,000. Slid under is a file stating human experimentation with consciousness; they had discovered its nature and how to instill it into a being. The documents went on to state they had succeeded in their experiment, cryogenically freezing a conscious inhuman being. Mim took the documents assuming these were referring to himself and left the money, deciding he would not make the same mistakes humans did with it. Also, the money seemed quite pointless to him. Descending back down to the ground floor, Mim began thinking of what this meant to him; he didn't know whether to feel endowed with honor or dread. Stepping back out into the street; a familiar noise filled Mim's ears. It was Ato! Mim felt a rush of excitement to see his friend, Ato landed on his shoulder. Sitting down on the street next to Ato, Mim finds another treat for him. After a one-sided conversation; Mim decides to confide in his friend about what he's discovered, they both agree to keep moving forward. At this point, the night shrouds the two of them with the moon illuminating patches through the streets; Ato spending a night with him was a very appreciated gesture. Mim decides it's best to continue traveling when the sun rises. As dusk breaks, he gathers his book and files, Ato following. The two proceed on their journey; although Mim feels gracious to have a friend, the underlying existentialism begins to pick at him. Mim wages in his mind a deal to continue pondering throughout their adventure on what it means to be conscious, why humans chose to create him, and what mysteries this world presents to him. In the meantime, Mim thinks; I'll enjoy my time here with Ato.