The Pursuit of Paperface-Chapter one: A(Damian Vincent Henry) itted therein.

The room of Medusa, a room Genghis never wanted to be in to begin within, nor did he know of its existence. It was cold and there weren't even any blankets to keep warm, no sign of a pillow to rest his head. Cold shivers went through his body, drops of water fell on his head due to heavy rainfall. There were probably holes somewhere on the roof. He stared at the rusty steel walls with confusion. The leftover black paint against the steel walls showed messages written with perhaps a screw or pin in a very schizophrenic manner. And from what Genghis could make out, it stated: 'Save us from the light, lead us to the dark."
It just frightened Genghis more and more. So he cut the rope as quickly as he could, so he could escape. Everything seemed so desolated and lifeless. He continued cutting the rope, and whilst cutting...the knife slipped out of his hand. He then tried to reach for it, but just couldn't get hold of it. So he tried falling with chair but was unsuccessful. Because the chair was attached to the floor.

And for a moment it seemed he had lost all hope in himself. He asked himself so many questions. The room all on its own just made him want to die. What was the fisherman's plans with Genghis? And why place him in the room of Medusa?

After all the struggling to get loose, Genghis fell asleep. And as sleeping he dreamt of something he has never seen before, something that made him question a lot of things, but he didn't know where to begin, he didn't know where he was, nor did he know what the dream meant when he found himself in front of a swimming pool filled with back water, and a lady comes out of the black water dressed in a white garment. Her hair was pitch black with the heads of red skinned snakes coming from behind her back and underneath her hair. She had a beautiful face, and her skin was as soft as that of a baby's.

"Good...you're finally awake. Let me guess, you're the wannabe Genghis Khan.'

"Who are you?wait, don't tell me, let me guess...the wannabe Medusa.' Said Genghis.


"Don't we just make a lovely couple? The world's most horrible man and the world's most beautiful woman.' She said.

The ceiling appeared white as snow and thousands of black jellyfish appeared stuck to the ceiling. Drops and drops fell simultaneously from these black jelly fishes into the pool, diluting the water incessantly.
She remained inside of the water and suddenly something strange had occurred.

A man appeared from underneath the water and stood there in one position staring straight towards Genghis, his eyes were white as snow and his body were as pale as a deceased. Another man appeared and so on another one after that one, when finally there were eight altogether, then they said incessantly,' Rise and behold,
The deaths of the cold.
His birth be fore told,
a soldier ye must mould.
A story untold,
till paper his face shall hold."

Then they drowned themselves and the girl along with them, out of nowhere Genghis decides to jump in and save her, he goes down below grabbing hold of her. He then pulls her back up, but he struggles because the pale men won't let go. He fought long and hard but eventually it was only a matter of time before he gave in. He couldn't save her and soon found himself also dragged along with her. He watched her die underneath the water and when he finally got loose by kicking the face of one of the pale men, he broke free. Rushing to get out of the pool, he stuck out his head and when he opened his eyes, he woke up from a dream. He sighed as he found himself back in the room of Medusa, but only this time he wasn't tied to a chair.
Genghis discovers he's still in the room of Medusa. He sighs, then hears the door being unlocked.

"Sebastian...we're about to eat and if you're not to busy, I'd like to show you something.' Ignatius said.

"I'll be there now.' I said.

I could smell the food all the way from my room and the closer I got to the kitchen lounge the more hungry I became; I sat down at the table and we ate.

"So...Sebastian, how do you like your room? William asked.

At first I didn't know what to say, other than how grateful I am that they chose me. Regardless if they were two men, I was still however thankful because I was among those who were fortunate to receive a second chance in life.

" I am very happy. Thank you.' I said.

"You're welcome son, we just want the best for you Sebastian.' Ignatius said.

William went inside the living room and came back with a digital camera. And as they stood next to me with huge smiles on their faces, he said loudly,' On three! One! Two! Three! Say cheese."

"Cheese!' Ignatius and I said.

"Perfect! I'll have to develop this then frame it. What do you think honey?' William said.

Ignatius had a big smile on his face as he stared at the photo.
"I think that's a marvellous idea my love. Don't you just love it Sebastian?' Ignatius said.

I just nodded my head.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but when will I go to school?' I asked.

"Uhm...we were hoping to enrol you next year, if that's okay with you?' Ignatius said.


"No, it's fine. I look forward to it.' I said.


"That's good to know Sebastian.' William said.

"I'm sorry if this sounds wrong, I know you mean well, that you wish to bond. But if it's not too much to ask, may I be excused?' I asked.

"Yes my boy, and feel free to ask us anything you want and do know, we're here for whatever you need.' Ignatius said.


I went to my room and whilst laying in my bed I dosed off. When I opened my eyes I saw a burning church. I saw no people outside the church who ran for their lives, instead I saw them inside the church burning to death as they suffocated whilst battling to get out. And in the blink of an eye, they hung out the window frames with pieces of broken glasses scarring their burnt bodies. It was horrible. Then suddenly, the skin of the deceased turned pale. It started to rain, pouring down I had to find some place with shelter. It seemed I had no choice but to run towards the burnt church, so I ran as fast as I could, and the moment I entered into the burnt church, I found myself in the room of Medusa where Genghis were held captive. Immediately I looked around to see where Genghis was, and there he sat. He stared directly at me. I feared for my life.

"Who the hell are you?!' He asked.

"I...I'm...I am Sebastian.' I said fearful...

"How did you get in here?' There must be a way out, if you found a way in.' He said.

He began pulling me, indicating me that he didn't want to be trapped in there, and neither did I. The place just wasn't right. There were no food, no blankets and it was so cold. I wouldn't have survived long in there, but it was amazing how Genghis held out. Suddenly I felt so bad. I felt I was to blame for his suffering and that my emotions had got the better of me.

"Are you gonna help me?! Or are you just gonna stand there like God damn zombie?' Genghis asked.

"How dare you speak to me that way?!' I said.

He just laughed, as if he found what I said very amusing.
"And why the hell not?' He said.

I just stood there, not saying a word. I was too scared, he was more convincing and threatening than what I would've predicted. And while I froze in fear, he persisted on finding a way out. But I knew there was no way out, because now I was trapped in something I had created.



Suddenly Octavian appeared, and this just confused Genghis a whole lot more. He looked more distraught than earlier.
"What's the meaning of this?! Who are you people?' He said.

"Genghis calm down...I'm on your side.' I said. But he didn't seem to believe, or maybe he just didn't want to believe anything.
He grabbed me by my neck, persuaded Octavian to back off, threatening to kill me, I've never felt so scared in my life. At that moment I didn't look at Genghis the same way. I hit my elbow in his stomach, and with that being done, I gave Octavian the chance to tackle him to the ground. He tried holding him down, but Genghis was too strong. Octavian called for my help, but I froze. I didn't know what to do, or on whose side I wanted to be, I didn't want to choose between either of them.
They fought, and I feared for both of their lives. I need to do something, but I didn't know what; everything was just so messed up that even I didn't know how this at all could be possible.


"Sebastian! Help me!' Octavian exclaimed.

"What should I do? I don't know what to do!' I said with tears in my eyes.

"Sebastian! Please help me!' Octavian exclaimed as he laid there helpless while Genghis outmaneuvered him.

"Stop it!' I yelled. But he just wouldn't stop. I was scared and upon that, I couldn't fight.

"I am sorry Octavian.' I exclaimed softly...

I stood there helpless, having no more faith in myself anymore, as if my spirit was broken. And I realized just how better than me Genghis really was, and it destroyed me from inside. Knowing while I'd be a 9, he'll be a 10, when I'm a King...he'll be the Ace. He'll always be just a little bit better
than me and I just had to accept that there was nothing I could do about it and what he did to Octavian was the worst pain anyone could ever inflict on me. The fact that I just stood there, showed that I was in every word, a coward and I'd forever hate myself for that; Octavian looked at me as the tears fell out of his eyes. Genghis held Octavian in a sleeper lock, till he passed out. I startled as Genghis rosé to his feet in a rage.
In the blink of an eye he stood before me.

"Are you scared of me?' He asked confidently...

My hands shivered abnormally as he stared into my eyes. The cold look of death embraced his soul, and it was visible through his dark blue eyes. The devil had consumed him and he was certainly not what I had created. But how did I end up in his world if this were but a mere dream?
He stood before me, looked me straight in the eye and punched out cold.

I head banged against the steel wall causing me to fall flat to the ground and I passed out. After a while I woke up in my own room. And immediately rushed towards the mirror. I looked for Octavian, but couldn't find him. Usually when I thought about him, he appeared, but this time he was gone. I felt more alone than before, and it scared me. Where was Octavian?

I realized that it was all just a dream, but the disappearance of Octavian greatly overwhelmed me, bringing in unease to my heart.

"Sebastian are you okay?' Ignatius asked.

"I'm fine. I just needed to rest a bit.' I said.

I sat there crying as I knew in my heart that I had learned a valuable lesson of the word 'PAIN' and the thing that was so shocking and life threatening to me, was the fact that I had entered into 400Rome which I never thought was possible at all. That night, I didn't want to sleep. I was scared I'd end up in the room of Medusa once again, or worse...I feared I'd end up dead in my own creation.

What was I to do?

"Son, may I come in?' William asked.


"Yeah sure, you may come in.' I said.


As sitting down, he smiles.
"Are you happy here son?' He asked.

"Yes dad, I am very happy here and I accept both of you.' I said.

"But you'd tell us if something was bothering you right?' William asked.

"Yes dad, you'll be the first to know, I promise.' I said.

" Good, that's all I wanted to know, after all we just want the best for you son.' William said.

I only smiled. I said nothing further. He asked me if he should leave on the light and I nodded my head. He left it on, closed the door and went to his room.


(And he laid there, knowing firsthand of what it meant to be 'ALIVE' so after an hour he fell asleep at precisely 11pm, with a sadness in him for the loss of his imaginary friend Octavian. Sebastian realized then, that there are things out there that are simply indescribable.)

---