{"id":891,"date":"2022-08-23T00:40:27","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T00:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=891"},"modified":"2023-11-20T01:32:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T01:32:21","slug":"a-key-to-the-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=891","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"_3d-flip-book  fb3d-fullscreen-mode full-size\" data-id=\"1348\" data-mode=\"fullscreen\" data-title=\"false\" data-template=\"short-white-book-view\" data-lightbox=\"dark-shadow\" data-urlparam=\"fb3d-page\" data-page-n=\"0\" data-pdf=\"\" data-tax=\"null\" data-thumbnail=\"\" data-cols=\"3\" data-book-template=\"default\"><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA = window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA || [];window.FB3D_CLIENT_DATA.push('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');window.FB3D_CLIENT_LOCALE && window.FB3D_CLIENT_LOCALE.render();<\/script>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Key to the Universe<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chapter Three, Summer 2037<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was the following afternoon that Atlas opened the box. Mariah and Langley looked on as close as they could at all of the tiny bottles labeled with the words Atlas listed yesterday. In one of the bottles there were several capsules.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPowdered mekadine,\u201d Atlas said. \u201cIf your mind was on a walk to understanding since the beginning of your life, psychedelics are like someone picking you up in their car and driving you for a few exits. And imagine you\u2019ve never been inside of a car before.\u201d He began removing four capsules or silvery-white powder and two small plastic trays shaped like square trowels. He put aside the trays and dismantled the capsules, two capsules per tray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re going to put this powder under your tongue for about ten seconds and then swallow. This dose shouldn\u2019t be enough to make you heavily trip; it\u2019s only a half-gram, but you\u2019ll definitely feel it. The mindset you have and the setting you\u2019re in affect your experience heavily. Fortunately, your environment couldn\u2019t be safer with me. I just need to make sure your mindsets are in check, because if they\u2019re too flighty or in a bad place, I don\u2019t recommend taking them. They could have a damaging effect if that is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy first question is: do you feel that you\u2019re in a depressed, dark, suicidal, or generally inactive part of your life or mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo,\u201d Langley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m guessing neither of you have taken psychedelics before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Astronomers shook their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas took a breath. \u201cPsychedelics are keys to the universe. All of the drugs that actually cause you to see things while tripping or high are created in your brain already. When you die, your brain secretes DMT naturally as your soul transfers from your body to another realm. DMT can be created in a lab as well and smoked. The drugs you\u2019re being warned about are already in your head and have always been there. And the dose you\u2019re about to take is small; you\u2019d need twice or three times as much to have a steady trip depending on your tolerance. And the whole time I\u2019ll be here to help you and walk you through what you\u2019re seeing. Additionally, Mariah, being a prophet is partially like being on psychedelics constantly. Since our fraise is so mentally acute, prophets tend to keep their fraise well into their twenties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith someone this young, I\u2019ve only done this once and with him, he didn\u2019t have incredible deep thoughts that are commonly seen in adults, but it accelerated his fraise-growth at a breakneck pace. You\u2019ll be fluent in your basic prophetic powers in about two days. It\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll see anything, but you\u2019ll feel your mind switching up. You may feel a certain fear pulling in one direction and you\u2019ll want to fight it. Don\u2019t fight it. I can even help you through the fear, but the pull on that fear is the key to overcoming it and if you let it lead, you\u2019ll grow from it. Otherwise, it\u2019s like being paranoid and fighting an ocean wave. You\u2019re only afraid of what you take with you. Remember at all times that you\u2019re safe, that I\u2019m here, and I have done what you\u2019re doing many times. I know what you\u2019re going through and quite literally can see what you\u2019re seeing if I want to, but once you\u2019re done, you\u2019ll be far more powerful. Not many fraisers have this opportunity. Now, what are your questions about this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley and Mariah were now watching the two trays with the powder closely as if they expected them to move. \u201cHow long does this last?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA few hours at the most. You\u2019ll peak in about thirty minutes to an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf it\u2019s that long, should we eat something before?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas shook his head. \u201cEmpty stomachs are best, though being hydrated is an excellent idea. Are either of you dehydrated right now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley and Mariah had been using Atlas\u2019s rain-barrel set up behind the house, brimmed with pure water. They shook their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas placed the tiny trays before both children. \u201cSimply dump it into your mouth and leave it under your tongue for ten seconds. Then wash it down with water. You\u2019ll feel the effects start in 10 minutes or less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley and Mariah each picked up the tray. Langley, feeling unsure, looked to Mariah just in time to see her dump the contents into her mouth, make an assortment of disgusted, confused faces, then hold a certain face. She was holding the powder under her tongue as she looked at Langley to see his progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFuck it.\u201d Langley swished all of the powder into his mouth and onto his tongue. \u201cShiut,\u201d he said with his mouth full. He adjusted the powder around in his mouth to under his tongue and held it. The contents of his mouth tasted like sidewalk chalk as he salivated and turned the powder into a mud. He quickly counted to ten and started swallowing. The initial swallow stuck in his throat and he coughed with his mouth closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas spun open a water bottle cap and handed it to Langley who drank with vigor. Mariah waited her turn, swallowing with finesse, and then took the bottle as well. Atlas opened his mouth as if to say something and then shut it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSomething wrong?\u201d Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas answered, \u201cNo. I was about to say something, but realized it was pointless to say. It\u2019s better if you simply see for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Astronomers nodded, passing the water bottle back and forth, ensuring all of the mushrooms were out of their mouths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s go see the Ledge,\u201d Atlas said, leaving the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He led them out of the Tilted Mansion, past the sloped porch and into the woods. They started walking into the woods toward somewhere. Atlas\u2019s pace was leisurely, similar to an old horse on a tourist trail. Langley and Mariah were paying attention to their footsteps and wondering when they would feel anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost ten minutes passed with all three fraisers paying attention to the psychedelic effects taking place in the two Astronomers\u2019 stomachs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah felt the tickle first. She heard it. Her footsteps resounded back to her, but not by sound. It was by the roots in the ground; the mycelium. Her footsteps were shaking the ground and being sensed by the whole forest. Langley almost ran into Mariah as she stopped, listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas stopped, looking behind at Mariah. His eyes were patient and unconcerned, but curious. His eyes asked her: What are you knowing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe forest knows I\u2019m here,\u201d she said, looking back at Langley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley looked at her with fascination. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIs the forest saying anything to you, Mariah?\u201d Atlas asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah listened to the trees swishing and looked at the grass. She stomped the ground again, knowing again that the earth heard her, but she shook her head. \u201cNo; why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf it did, you would be quite the lightweight when it comes to mekadine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPart of you doesn\u2019t believe that, though,\u201d Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas\u2019s eyes lit up and he nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s exactly right! Now, how did you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s natural,\u201d Mariah whispered that last part. \u201cInteresting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t feel a damn thing, aside from a little\u2026 feeling in my chest. It\u2019s not pain or a good feeling or anything, it just feels like something,\u201d Langley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s your fraise organ. I can sense it strengthening as well. In maybe an hour or so\u2026\u201d Atlas trailed off. He was in a trance, looking at Langley. Finally, he said, \u201cHanger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a hanger?!\u201d Langley asked. \u201cI get to fucking fly?\u201d He started remembering all of the information surrounding hangers that Atlas had told them last night.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re a hanger.\u201d Atlas was nodding happily. \u201cCongratulations, Langley!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a motherfucking hanger!\u201d Langley pumped his fist. \u201cWhen will I be able to fly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not sure. We\u2019ll find out later,\u201d Atlas promised. \u201cLet\u2019s keep walking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But by now, Mariah had started petting the grass with her hand. \u201cLangley, feel the grass.\u201d It was mostly dead and came up to their knees. Mariah said, \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026\u201d And closed her mouth again as if that explained it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCan we stop here for now, Atlas?\u201d Langley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe literally have all day. Do what feels right,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah sat down on the side of the path and became intensely focused on the grass, petting it slowly and then putting her hands on her knees, looking with gently-dilated eyes. Langley wasn\u2019t feeling the effects visually, but could still detect the fraise organ growing larger like a subtle heartburn. He admitted to himself that the sunlight was bright and full, like a block of yellow light instead of the usual thin wafting streams of light. Nothing was moving and nothing was that interesting to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019re you seeing, Mariah?\u201d Langley asked as Atlas sat in the grass next to her, laying back with his eyes closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah kept her eyes open and her mouth shut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAtlas, are you able to see what she\u2019s seeing?\u201d Langley whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMariah is just having some realizations; let her be for now. She\u2019s not actually seeing anything move or anything particularly fascinating. She\u2019s just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was thinking about me,\u201d she said, rising to her feet. She rolled up her sleeves and stood. \u201cLet\u2019s go to the Ledge. I\u2019d like to see what\u2019s there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas rolled to stand and started leading them again. After five minutes of walking, all three of the travelers could see the trees disappear abruptly into nothing but sky beyond.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s like walking into the gym at Winton Middle,\u201d Langley said. \u201cWith the tall ceiling and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI know what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d Mariah said. \u201cI think I can partially hear you thinking. I think he\u2019s thinking\u2026 well, <em>now<\/em> he\u2019s just thinking of swear words\u2026 and<em> heil, Hitler<\/em> over and over,\u201d Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI can hear that too,\u201d Atlas said with a smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They walked until they stood five feet from the Ledge, looking out at the expanse. Atlas heaved a huge sigh and Mariah narrowed her eyes at the bright clouds, cold air, and wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLangley?\u201d Atlas noticed he was several steps behind. \u201cIt\u2019s safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think-\u201d Mariah started, and Langley broke into a run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWait!\u201d Atlas said, putting his hands out, trying to stop the Bug from a risky move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley swished past them and leaped headfirst off of the Ledge. He twisted midair, looking back at the shocked and fearful faces of Atlas and Mariah. His gray hood hung loosely around him like a dark ghost, his pants started flapping around his ankles and his shoes seemed much looser. Nevertheless, his jump was confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He used the fall to twist again and put his arms above his head to control his fall. Once his face was toward the ground, the wind whipped his hood off his head and he could feel the drawstrings tickling his ears. The water, about a mile down from the Ledge, approached quickly. He knew what Atlas meant by the \u2018connection to the fraise\u2019 being activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley used that connection now and locked into it, using it to pull on him. His whole body became the weight of air and it was like his whole being was being pulled along a string, directly back up. His fall slowed and changed direction, <em>swoooo<\/em>ping up. He started falling again. He swooped again, harder this time. His body launched up toward the Ledge again and he swooped again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah and Atlas carefully peeked over the Ledge and watched him fall. Gravity seemed to change direction with him as he zoomed back toward them. Then he passed them, whisking up like a geyser, twenty feet above them. Then he swooped a little bit forward and landed shakily next to them. Atlas helped him catch his footing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI couldn\u2019t help it. I just saw the edge of the cliff and knew I could fly and I had to jump. And I really want to do it again, but I think I\u2019ve used up a good amount of the fraise energy I have. I don\u2019t know if I could do that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas said. \u201cExcellently done, but we\u2019re close enough to Stablefield that you could be spotted and Cavaliers may start patrolling around here for other fraisers. Only a stupid fraiser would show himself like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKey to the universe. That has many meanings,\u201d Mariah said. \u201cI think I took the right amount,\u201d was all Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The prophets sat at the base of a tree while Langley walked back into the forest and started messing with different strengths of swooping, staying a good distance from the Ledge. For thirty minutes, Mariah had nothing to say, sitting at the tree looking out at the expanse. New neurons were connecting and she could feel them connecting. She felt washed with a new understanding. She wanted to ask questions, but first she wanted to take in the view to its fullest. After another fifteen minutes, she stood. \u201cI\u2019m going back to the mansion,\u201d she informed Atlas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even these words to Atlas had a profound meaning. She spoke to him as an equal. When she met him, he was an adult, almost someone to be feared, but she saw him now as a fellow child at heart. His heart was light, as was Langley\u2019s. Atlas got up with her and started walking behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we can read each other&#8217;s minds, can we speak telepathically? She wondered. She listened to the front of Atlas\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The front of his mind was saying: <em>Technically, yes. It\u2019s only a prophet-to-prophet communication, but it\u2019s as good as communicating with our minds.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah let out a small gasp of delight. <em>But we would have to have our mental ears open at all times to do that, right?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Right, for now,<\/em> Atlas\u2019s mind was saying. <em>There is a way to directly communicate with others. Can you guess what it is?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDreamscoping,\u201d Mariah said aloud. She felt a draw on her mind letting her know Langley was hiding in a tree, forty feet up. The Clairvoyant looked up at Langley and waved. The feeling came so naturally! That information slid into her mind like she had made it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cProphesying is almost like I\u2019ve known the information all along,\u201d Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas nodded behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLike just now, without looking behind me, I knew you nodded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas nodded again and smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd you just smiled.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYup,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley hopped smoothly down the branches of the tree and swooped alongside them. \u201cFlying is fucking awesome if you needed to know. But it\u2019s not like I imagined; it\u2019s more like gliding without a glider. And you have to lead a certain part of your body like a dancing ribbon. Like you\u2019re tied to a string or something. Then you just zoom around,\u201d Langley said and shot up through the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI could read your mind right now if I wanted to, right Atlas?\u201d Mariah asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you have the stomach for it, you\u2019re free to try. I am an open book,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah continued walking and thinking. \u201cAny advice before I try?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas said, \u201cStart with listening to what is at the front of my mind and then try pulling on any of the threads. It\u2019s an inexplicable action; you\u2019ll see what I mean when you try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah opened her mental ears to Atlas\u2019s mind and listened to him whimsically wondering about where Myles was, a healing wound under his jacket\u2026 he was thinking some thoughts that he didn\u2019t mean. No, it wasn\u2019t that he didn\u2019t mean them; he was wondering if these things were possible or were going to happen, like the entire Great Hook splitting apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah reached out and started a sort of mental attack on that idea. The Great Hook falling apart. Instantly, she could sense other thoughts connected to that thought. Images started bombarding her, flashing by like flipping through a magazine: some were of natives of some strange planet, a large floating cube, some were of a dark man\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUgh!\u201d she backed out of his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou lasted about a quarter of a second.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was just because it was like you were my sibling and knew all of my secrets too, but somehow we were learning them about each other in one second. It was all so wrong, like\u2026\u201d <em>like we were standing naked looking at each other and inspecting each other. Ewww.<\/em> She shuddered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRemember, when you whisper something like that at the front of your mind, I can\u2019t help but hear it,\u201d Atlas said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah felt her face grow hot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m impressed at how accurate that description is&#8230; siblings. Mekadine gives you some creative thoughts, no?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah nodded and Langley whooshed into the tree canopy again. He was laughing, rolling around in the air, looking like a joyous, childish specter with his baggy hoodie. He landed in front and started walking with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWow, walking? What a downgrade, man. Fuck this,\u201d he said and bounded fofty feet into the air and was gone again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAtlas?\u201d Mariah stopped and turned around. Atlas stopped with her, curiosity on his face. She jumped into his arms, giving him a large hug. \u201cThank you. And know that you\u2019re so, so loved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas hugged her back, gently rubbing her back. He said nothing out of genuine surprise, feeling relaxed and chuckling. \u201cThank you. I haven\u2019t had a hug\u2026 in a long time.\u201d They let go and continued walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They made it back to the Tilted Mansion where Langley was lying on the roof, hands behind his head. \u201cHello there, you grounded jabronis. Only peasants get confined to the ground. I\u2019m the king here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYeah, well, I can read your mind now,\u201d Mariah said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAll you\u2019ll be able to read is \u2018I can fly and you can\u2019t!\u2019\u201d Langley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas clicked his tongue. \u201cSome people are born with simple minds, Langley. Simple, singularly-driven minds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley narrowed his eyes at Atlas. \u201cWise-guy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDweeb,\u201d Atlas returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cShoehead.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDipshit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFuckwad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNazi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c&#8230;Bitch\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPiss&#8230;Wanker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley laughed at that one. \u201cI love that insult.\u201d He hopped off of the roof and swooped into their path. They looked at the front of the mansion with a sense of contentment. Langley swooped to the hanging seat up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas and Mariah joined him in the seat with a deep exhale. They swung the whole bench gently, watching the forest move. The grass rolling and bending to the wind. The trees ticking back and forth. Bugs. A rodent or two. This was their whole world, undisturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas was bent over his body, looking at the deck. His forearms were placed between his legs, hands hanging idly off the bench. His legs were limp, swinging from the edge of the seat. Mariah could sense something offset in his mind; she didn\u2019t have to guess what it was because he spoke:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m so tired,\u201d he laughed like one about to hang in the gallows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The old chains holding the swinging bench creaked as Mariah and Langley looked over at him. He continued, \u201cI\u2019ve been in turmoil over intercepting Myles in the jump and it didn\u2019t work. It\u2019s been almost three days and the best I can do is doze for a few hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Langley stayed quiet as Mariah, sitting next to Atlas, placed her fingertips on his forehead. The old prophet opened his eyes fully and lifted a hand to block the action, but then he stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Touching the person\u2019s head made the front of their mind as clear as speaking. She could feel Atlas\u2019s consciousness like a glass ball filled with energy, brittle and blue. It sounded blue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour brain sounds blue. I can hear the color of your mind?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas just nodded and said, \u201cTry to break the energy. It should feel like squashing a puddle after a rainstorm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mariah looked back at the energy, interacting with it. The whole thing was horribly defensive, slipping through her mental grip like a water-balloon. She put her other hand on his head and closed her eyes. She somehow received a running start and slapped both sides of the energy at the same time, like killing a mosquito. The energy flitted away in a dazzling show like being in the middle of a firework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh!\u201d Mariah moved back in the real world, taking her hands off of Atlas\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlas\u2019s whole body fell forward like a bag of lemons, he landed on his side, and finally rolled onto his back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFuck, you killed him!\u201d Langley jumped to Atlas\u2019s side and started shaking the green jacket to wake him up. \u201cAtlas?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cNo, I didn\u2019t! He\u2019s finally asleep,\u201d Mariah pushed Langley\u2019s hands away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The two Astronomers regarded the sleeping prophet, went inside, and returned with two large blankets and many pillows. After piecing together a mattress of pillows, they rolled him into a comfortable sleeping position, propped his head, and covered him in blankets. Mariah put her fingers on his head to check him once more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There was nothing to hear in his mind aside from two pulsing rhythms: His heartbeat and breathing. Mariah smiled and sat on the bench with Langley, watching over Atlas while he slept.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Key to the Universe Chapter Three, Summer 2037 It was the following afternoon that Atlas opened the box. Mariah and Langley looked on as close as they could at all of the tiny bottles labeled with the words Atlas listed yesterday. In one of the bottles there were several capsules.&nbsp; \u201cPowdered mekadine,\u201d Atlas said. &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/?p=891\" class=\"more-link\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fraiser"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=891"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1350,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/891\/revisions\/1350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blackbox.black\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}