Day 170 - 25-Hour Story

25-Hour Story

Matthew Ryan Fischer

Ares was not his original name, but it was the name he wanted to go by. Ares had considered going by Mars, but he felt that was too on the nose. By using a pseudonym Ares made himself feel special, more powerful. He had read about power stances in a self help book for middle management hopefuls and had long ago decided to pose in front of the mirror each morning for ten minutes of affirmation. He gained strength in his gaze and in his walk, so why not in his name as well. Ares was a powerful name. Ares wasn’t interested in physical power, but was after a spiritual and mental power. Ares was in search of the key to his very soul.

Ares had read a theory that life, human life in particular that is, had come to earth from outer space. Some people believed in aliens and some people believed in Martians and the idea that humanity was just a giant experiment. Others believed that organisms in the frozen water on comets and asteroids crashed into earth and spread their alien seeds. Ares liked the idea that life had come from outer space. If that were true, then there was possibly more life out there to be discovered. That would make the infinite vastness of space seem a little bit more manageable and inviting.

Ares had read of an experiment where humans lived underground away from the sun and the standard deviations of daily life. Those that stuck with it slowly began to operate on a 25 hour schedule as opposed to the common 24 hour day. With no sunrise or sunset to determine sleeping habits, it seemed that mankind found a more natural routine. Why was a 25 hour day of particular interest to Ares? Because Mars, not Earth, rotates on a 25 hour day. Perhaps there was some cellular memory or programming in the DNA that longed for a distant past truth.

Ares became convinced that he was a Martian. He hoped it was true. He hoped he really was a alien. Why? Because his days were too dull otherwise. 24-hours were not enough for him.

He synchronized his life, his patterns. Slowly his days shifted to a 25 hour pattern. He woke up later and later each day, until he was consistently ruining his ability to participate in normal society.

Ares expected something magical and powerful to happen. He wanted to be transformed. He thought once he achieved a perfect 25 hour day he would have an experience where he might possibly find a clarity and understanding of the energies of the universe and life itself.

Ares had his 25 hour day. He was out of touch with his family and friends. He was away half the night while the rest of the world was asleep. He felt lonely and liberated at the same time. He didn’t know what a Martian was supposed to feel like, but lack of greater connection or understanding was extremely disappointing. Ares was very hungry and very tired at the same time. He felt like he hadn’t slept in years. Ares closed his eyes and imagined what it would have been like to walk on the surface of another planet, to feel like he had found his home. Someday he hoped to figure out exactly which planet was the correct one.