Run Towards the Shadow's Edge

Dr. Molina watched Colonel Riva walk toward his office from his office window. It was his schedule for his regular session. The final report is waiting on his table, but until he closes it or affixes his signature, the Colonel must regularly visit. Every month, a detailed report shall be submitted to the regional committee containing the patient's assessment. However, none of them have already cleared his mental status. After this session, Dr. Molina will have to make a long trip to endorse another recommendation.

He heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

It was Colonel Riva.

"How are you, Colonel?" Dr. Molina wore his white doctor's gown. He sat on his desk as he observed the colonel settle on the psych chair in front of him. He took note of Colonel Riva's appearance and his unusual physical mannerism in his progress notes.

"Never been better. Got plenty of sleep last night." The colonel seemed unfazed by the rigor of the examination.

"That's nice to hear."

"Tell me this is going to unearth more secrets from me?"

"Depends on you."

"I thought maybe you could tell me a thing or two why I need more time to do this."

"As much as you help us in the research to navigate the human psyche, you are helping science help you."

"Frankly, I don't know what they see in me that would make things right? "

"Maybe there's nothing wrong. And they want you assessed for the next challenge. Whatever that is."

"What would it be?"

"You know the drill. No question. Just follow."

"Right. Yes. Just follow."

The colonel took a sip of the liquid placed in front of him. Then he lay down on the psych chair and began to close his eyes.

Dr. Molina's initial diagnosis of Colonel Riva was not good, and the final recommendation will not favor the colonel. His mind is somewhat made up - there will be no final report for now, and the colonel should stay much longer so that a more thorough examination of his well-being can be conducted. That includes actions where he had to let go of the precinct management- entirely in Jorge Velez's hands. The doctor believed that Colonel Riva is trapped in a psychological dimension, with a map of another world entirely created inside his mind. Hence, he sees many unreal events that made him incapable of coming up with a valid judgment.

The doctor readied his video camera and began to document the Colonel's journey into the unknown. The colonel was heavily sedated. Unable to resist the god-like voice he heard in his dream.

"Where are you now, Colonel?" Dr. Molina asked.

"Here in a dark place, just like what everyone told me here to get ready. I am ready."

"For what?"

"To run…"

"Why would you need to do so?"

"I have to... the light already cast a shadow."

The doctor wrote the words `run" and "light" in his notes. The video camera recorded how the colonel writhe in his position as if he was up to some form of physical maneuver.

"What is it about the light that casts a shadow, Colonel?"

"It is the way."

"I am confused."

"I, myself, have no idea how light and shadow works. But it's there."

"I am still clueless. How?"

"The way is like a door."

"Uh…. door to what?"

"Wait. I'm waiting for the edge of the shadow to emerge. There it is. I see it. Run. Quick! I am going to jump now. Aaah!"

Colonel Riva shouted as if he was falling. Indeed in his point of view, he fell on top of a building, and he floated like a feather in the air.

"Where does the door lead you, Colonel?" The colonel laughed in his sleep.

"Another world. If you run towards…. the shadow's edge. Fast. You will enter another world."

" What world? "

The colonel smirked in his sleep.

"Beyond the shadow's edge is a world. Few know what lies in the beyond. It's not an entirely different world out there, see."

Dr. Molina pushed himself back on his chair. He read it in a report a long time ago about some select servicemen having the same kind of result he is having with the colonel, but he cannot pinpoint where he accessed them.

Is Colonel Riva a part of this top-secret experiment by the government, and that he is unknowingly extracting vital information?

He is ready to pronounce that everything happening is but a discourse on insanity. But something does not add up. He may be confused by the colonel's revelation, but what he heard disturbed him.

"I am calling quits. When I clap my hands, you will open your eyes, colonel. "

"Uhm," the colonel grimaced in his deep state.

"I am counting three, two, and one!" A big clap pulled Colonel Riva out of his sleep. He snapped back quickly, but he felt groggy.

"My head hurt. Uh...was it interesting?" the colonel asked.

"Tops," the doctor replied.

While his mind is mixed up with conspiracies, the doctor immediately cleared up his mind that the colonel's dream has none that can be described as real. Dr. Molina then left his medical paper unsigned.

The next day Dr. Molina reported his findings to the police committee in charge of Police Mental Health that has jurisdiction on Colonel Riva's case. He traveled 50 miles to make the necessary representation, and while it is paid for and covered by a committee stipend sent to him, it was a sacrifice of his time.

Seated in front of him were five aging police officers waiting for their retirement as they read through the reports he submitted monthly.

"You are Dr. Molina?"

"Yes, major. I am the doctor assigned to the patient Lancelot Riva."

"You reported that he has a possible 'flight of fantasy' and 'delusion of grandeur.' Can you tell the committee what it's all about?"

"For the background, Colonel Riva had been my patient for the last year, and he completed 15 sessions with me. He is physically fit and can function normally during work and casual conversation." The committee cut him.

"I will repeat. What again is a delusion of grandeur?"

Dr. Molina cleared his throat.

"It is a belief by someone that they are someone else or having in possession of certain power."

"And Colonel Riva is acting as what to be exact?"

"That is what I am still trying to deduce and discover... "

His response elicited laughter from the committee.

"What exactly did you find in him that he has delusion then?"

"He said to have been in a different world...."

"Are you doing psycho-analysis of the patient?"

"Yes, major."

"To clarify, what exactly in his dream state did he describe as another world?"

"He mentioned running in some light towards the shadow's edge, which he claimed may be a portal to another world."

The committee members buzzed. It woke the rest up from their stupor.

" But none of those is verifiable," Dr. Molina continued.

"Are you saying your patient is in a game like a world with role-playing activity? Is he into video games?"

The doctor cannot answer in the affirmative. The committee took his silence as an answer. The committee members again buzzed together.

"Have you asked the colonel if he is into one? Like Elder Scroll? And what other games do people play these days?"

"Final Fantasy?" Said one of the white-haired members wearing round spectacles.

"Yes, Final Fantasy."

Again the doctor cannot find the courage to make a reply. The committee members became impatient.

" If your findings on the Colonel doesn't affect any of his work, then why would the committee find him unfit for anything?"

"Yes, major. I understand." The doctor agreed. It was to be expected as he intentionally dressed down his report to analyze the colonel further.

"Go on and finish your psychoanalytical evaluation. This is long going, and for now, we cannot find him at fault for any that can affect his function. Not unless you say in these medical reports that he is insane and can no longer think wisely. But for now, there are more doctors outside that will report for a far graver psychiatric breakdown that we are going to hear. Dismiss!"

Doctor Molina stood up from his chair.

"Thank you, majors."

On his way to his office, Dr. Molina received a text message from his secretary's cellphone.

"Urgent Notice! The higher-ups confiscated all files related to Colonel Riva. Computer drives, recordings, medical records, among others. Come down quickly!"