"Let's see.."
Bryon finds the note he had tossed from before.
In search of answers to his questions, he continues where he had left off.
"The Teleportation device is simple. First, while in direct contact with the device, begin picturing the target location within 10 kilometers.
Second, once you have pictured the target location, activate the device using the button on the side of the device.
And third, you will hastily transit depending on the distance.
Do be wary that every time you use the device, it will create byproduct at the original location." -The note ends here.
"Byproduct, huh? An entire human corpse? This is a pretty risky device to use then." Bryon frowned.
"I guess there's also this number I got, guess I'll try calling it."
He dials the number into his phone. Despite having a cracked screen, it still works, enough to call people at the very least.
Vrrrr.
Click.
"..." Complete silence.
"Um, is this the right number for the uh.. device?"
"..Yes.." The voice of a man around his 30's replies, clearly not the beautiful lady from before.
"Can I ask- Sorry, could I inquire about the device?"
"..Proceed.." He could at least have some emotion into his replies- Byron thought.
"So, first things first. Why was I sent this device in the first place? I don't recall being so important."
The obvious question, anyone would ask this.
Maybe it was a mistake? But it was sent to his doorstep with his full legal name.
"Well.." The man pauses for a few seconds.
"Maybe you're special, think about it."
Special? I'm special? What does that mean? Could I be- Could I be a hero or- or a protagonist in an epic story!?
Bryon was filled with excitement. He had his suspicions, but he couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought of being special, maybe it's something in his blood. Maybe he was a hero.
Maybe he was important after all.
"Me? Special? No waaay~" Was Byron's attempt at being humble.
But Bryon still had another question, something that cost him his rug.
He regains his composure and breathes in.
"So, I have another question I've been meaning to ask.."
"..Ask away.."
"So you know how the device creates.. "byproduct", correct?"
"Yes." The man confirms.
"...So, why does that happen? And why is it....me?"
"...."
There was a moment of silence, a long pause.
Should he really ask that question?
He already asked so there's no going back now.
All he can do now is wait for the man's reply.
"...Well.."
Gulp
"..How do I put this? It doesn't really "create" byproduct."
What?
"..To put it simply, you were never really teleported. Your body was reconstructed in another area, and- well I guess we could call it your soul, gets transported from point A to point B. You understand what I'm saying?"
So..
"So.. that means that the ME from before was..."
"..Your old body.." The man finishes the sentence.
"...I think I need to go uh, do something. Could I call you back?"
"..Depends.."
"What kind of answer is that? Whatever then, I'll hear you later, old man."
"Who are you calling old-!" Beep
Before he could scold the young Byron, he was hung up on. That was the only time in the entire call that he had shown any emotion.
So..... that other 'me' was...the original me?
Am I the same person? I mean, if the.. soul was transported into this body, then I am me, right?
But I'm not the original me, the actual Bryon is long gone.
But I'm still the same person, just a different body.
It's- It's just like asking if you're really the same person if your body is remaking cells- so I am still me! Just... not!
Either way! I'm not some kind of clone with replicated memories, I'm still ME.
Even if the original body was the one that I buried- wait I forgot to ask about the decomposition thing!
Bryon dials the number once again.
Vrrrrrrrr.
No one picked up.
Did he hate that comment that much? Sorry, man.
Guess I'll have to try calling tomorrow, maybe he'll calm down by then.
A familiar area, lots of greenery.
Soothing wind, and a grave.
Bryon had scouted the area out and surprisingly, no one really comes around this area.
Perfect for what he's about to do.
Experimenting! However, there isn't much to experiment about.
He'll find something to do though.
First, what will happen if he tries teleporting into a solid object?
Will he be forced out? or will he be partially inside it?
Click
"Ah! AAAH!" It was option B!
Even though he kind of expected this, he couldn't help but freak out that only his upper torso was outside.
Second, what will happen to things he's holding, or are in contact with this body.
Although he kept the device and his clothes during the first teleportation, there could be exceptions.
In his palms were the device and a rock.
He also wore a cheap backpack, cap, and his usual attire.
He also wanted to try metal objects like his watch.
And finally, he's balancing a stick on his shoulder. He's not holding it, but it's still in contact with his body, even though the ground is too.
Click
"Well, I already feel a lot lighter."
What he had lost were the backpack, the stick, and apparently his shoes too?
After thinking for a little bit, he had come to the conclusion that the object has to come into contact with his skin or body part.
He didn't notice this before because either his clothes were in direct contact with his skin, or were partially in contact.
"I guess I could wear boots."
Now this raises another question, what will happen if he tries teleporting without any footwear?
He sweeps the ground of any leaves and places his bare feet into the earth.
Right before he pushes the button, a bug bites his foot and Bryon starts to trip
Click
"Ow-! ..Woah, they're surprisingly clean!"
After teleportation, it seems like no dirt had teleported with him.
Is it some kind of limitation that the earth cannot be teleported? Or certain elements? Or is it a size thing? Or maybe the entire earth was teleported in space.. if that was the case that could cause problems.
Even though Bryon doesn't believe that the entire earth had teleported, he teleports back to where he started, bare foot.
Wait, but all this time, every time he had teleported, the objects brought with him also had returned to nature one way or another.
Mostly liquified.
So if the entire earth had teleported, shouldn't some kind of catastrophe happen? Because the entire earth would've...replicated? Anyways, Bryon feels stupid for teleporting again before understanding that the world would've ended if the earth had teleported.
Bryon had gotten many answers today, and the sun is already setting- not good.
He looks over his shoulder at the various dead Bryons, laying on the ground, in trees, whatever that thing is..
Even though he's still himself, he can't help but feel guilty.
Would this still count as murder, or suicide?
Why are they dying?
Is it because they have no soul?
Well, no reason to cry over spilled milk.
He prays to the teleportation device that no one comes across this horror scene.
..But he can't help but feel like a body is missing.
Good morning.
It's been 3 days since Bryon started teleporting.
And the man on the phone still hasn't picked up.
"Really now? Was that 'depends' based on whether or not I called you old or not!?"
Clearly frustrated, he tosses his phone towards his bed from his desk.
But today isn't very a lucky one, and he misses his shot.
Crack
"...Shit.."
Bryon, as he's looking even more frustrated, drags his feet out of his usual phone repair shop.
"..Can't believe it actually broke. I hope they can fix it."
Splat
He stepped into a puddle, a...sticky puddle.
This sensation reminded him of something, something bad.
And a familiar metallic smell.
As Bryon properly observes the sight before him, his eyes widen in shock.
People, were scattered across the sidewalks and road.
And very obviously, dead.
"...What the fuck.."
Soul Transit - Chapter 3 "Answers He Sought For"