Phantasia was engrossed in the video, watching scenes of destruction with her large white eyes like a child would watch primary-coloured cartoons.

“Watching more Old World reports, are you?” asked John.

“It’s like I’m watching a totally different world,” she said, “Everything is just so…different? Don’t you think?”

“Well it was a long time ago,” said Dante, who had resorted to scuffing his feet on the dull grey carpet, “It’s not good to obsess over the past,”

“Phantasia just wants to work out the truth,” said John and Dante could feel one of his lectures coming on, “We can’t just ignore everything that happened back then or we’ll never understand what caused so much tragedy – or be able to stop it from happening again. It really helps having someone like Phantasia come in and watch the footage because she notices things that we’ve missed. I really need to sit her down with my old man and get a roundtable discussion going.”

Dante wasn’t sure if Phantasia was interested in debating the complex contradictions of the lost history – by the innocent expression on her face as recordings of violence and death played out before her wide eyes, it looked more like she was enjoying the footage rather than analysing it. Maybe all the talk of friendship and love and understanding created a morbid shadow in her mind that was fascinated by death and destruction. It was a comforting thought, but one that was soon overthrown as the documentary turned it focus away from mindless wars and onto psychology.

‘The Cult of Erebus’ began the narrator, ‘A few years ago it was a minor doomsday cult but now its symbol, a twelve-winged angel of darkness, can be seen in graffiti and carved into monuments across the world.’

Dante didn’t like where this was going. He eyed the shop door and contemplated an abrupt escape. Phantasia was too engrossed to notice.

“I always thought the Erebus meme was a little creepy,” said John, not helping Dante’s mood.

The documentary continued, flashing up images all-too familiar to Dante. ‘Adopted by youth culture across the world, the image of Erebus has seeped into the international consciousness as a symbol of looming apocalypse. Research has even claimed it has been recorded in remote cultures, suggesting unverified claims that humanity may be connected by a collective subconscious. Scientists have—’

“See, now that is rubbish,” said John, “Any reasonable person can tell those cultures we introduced to the meme by travellers. Problem is the whole New Age culture back them was so strong it corrupted even science. All anyone wanted was something to unite them – something to fight against and blame the state of the world on. Things like magic and demons and Erebus provided them with that.” He ruffled his hair. “At least that’s what my old man’s always told me,”

Phantasia was smiling to herself as if she knew something they didn’t. Another crazy story passed down through her tribe, no doubt, like the ones she’d spouted in classes. Dante eyed the door again as a bell jingled and a customer entered carrying a box of wires and chipboards. John excused himself, his face beaming like Doyle’s whenever he saw a pretty girl.

“We should probably get going,” said Phantasia, turning her back to the continuing documentary. Dante didn’t hesitate to turn off the screen and toss the memory card back into the collection.

Chapter 35
Previous / Continue
(page 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8 )