Chapter 3: Rising Action
As I stared into the mirror hanging near my bed, I saw myself reflected back at me. A beautiful woman, sure. But there was madness dancing in those green eyes, a dangerous fire sparking from deep within my soul.
"What have I done?" I muttered softly, running my fingers through my long dark hair. "What have I unleashed upon the world?"
There was no turning back now, though. The die had been cast, and there was no way to put the genie back into its bottle. All I could do was brace myself for whatever came next.
After all, there was no going back now. I knew what I'd created, an entity with the power to warp reality to my whims. But what was I supposed to do about it? Destroy it? No, it was already part of me. It would be like severing my own hand.
Maxwell had come to visit me, eager to learn more about my invention. His curiosity was understandable; after all, he was a man of science like me. I could tell he was impressed by my accomplishment, but there was something else there too.
Curiosity, perhaps. Or maybe even admiration. Whatever it was, it only served to further entice him.
"So, tell me about this machine," he said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "How does it work? What makes it special?"
I hesitated for a moment, considering whether or not to reveal the full extent of my discovery. Ultimately, I decided that sharing the knowledge could only benefit humankind. Besides, I needed someone to help me understand the implications of what I'd created.