20.7

Like a misconceived character in someone else’s novel, Max felt an impulse to rush towards normality, reality. Perhaps simply to feel his feet back on the ground.

“If you want me to talk I’ll just reveal my ignorance. Like with that flag. No wonder you laughed at me. Not recognizing such an important flag is… really stupid.”

“Max,” Shard said soothingly. “It doesn’t matter. You got there in the end – that’s what matters.”

“Frankly, I feel like a puppet.”

“You are a puppet!” Shard agreed. “What does it matter? You still have yourself! Now, without the implant, you will simply live on, as you – as Max.”

“Mmm.”

“Come on,” Shard cajoled. “That can’t be so bad can it? Look at you – so young…. so strong… so handsome. You’re like a Prince to all the young women out there.”

A Prince?

Mate… that’s a big call.

And anyway… women aren’t the problem.

“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you… and I assure you, it will be great. This will all become… just a moment in the past. ”

“Mmm,” Max murmured, unconvinced.

“Max, I want to speak freely to you. Listen carefully… there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Don’t feel in any way trapped by this. Of course, we kept your money and passport for you. You are free to move on with your life in any direction you choose, with or without anyone you choose. Always remember… you didn’t choose renunciation to be bound by it. This is an experience you need to understand and overcome – just like any other powerful experience.”

Shard paused for a moment to allow his words to sink.

“Many of us choose writing as a tool to enable us to achieve this.”

Just accept for a second that he could be right.

You do need to relax…

Perhaps, if you can stay on the mountain for a while…

With time you could possibly put the whole experience behind you.