Distant Memories
By Gumnut
5 Apr 2004

They come to him at night. Distant memories from distant stars.

They taunt him, tease him, in his dreams. Complex imaginary worlds where he is complete, happy.

And sane.

There he had friends, companions, people who cared for him and what fate he may find.

Here he had nothing.

There he also had enemies. Defined foes he fought. Win, lose, he gave blood, sweat, and tears. But there had been honour, meaning, a right. Something to fight for.

Here the only enemy was himself.

And the shadows that hid just beyond the edge of his vision.

Laughing at him.

Only the memories stood up to the laughter. While he screamed and fought with himself. Scratched with his nails, bit with his teeth, pounded into the walls, the memories shouted at him, called his name. They took him in their arms and shook him till his teeth rattled, till he saw. Saw the visions before him.

Saw the memories walking.

Saw the eyes that shed tears, water raining on pale skin.

Listened, heard their voices above the pounding in his blood and the laughter in his mind.

And for a moment.

Just for a moment.

He was swallowed by the memory.

A flicker of a feeling, of recognition. Realisation.

Before once again the laughter swelled in his ears and swept him back into the horror that was his existence.

Memories.

That’s all they were.

From before a time.

A time of unknown distance.

Where Jack O’Neill offered up his life that one time too many.

And fate cashed it in.

**********
FIN.