Released from the Master's grip, Daniel fell heavily to the floor with a grunt. He landed on his side. Daniel didn't even notice how closely he came to cracking his head on the wood. It was like someone had flicked off a switch on an entire building compromised of the loudest radios, TVs, and computers trying to compete with each other for his attention. The sudden silence was almost as deafening.

That's all there was. A heavy silence. Just like when that planet was wiped from the universe. All that was left was Nothing. Nothing and the silence. The archaeologist curled in on himself, one hand digging into his hair. Oh God. Oh God. Someone was breathing heavily nearby. Daniel couldn't tell who it was, if it was someone else or him. Probably him. He felt like he'd been dragged through several gates and then had a hand device pressed against his head for an hour. No, actually, he was pretty sure the hand device never hurt this much. His head was past aching. His hearts- heart was pounding in his chest, and he could still see the fading afterimages of that planet winking out in an instant. He could still feel the loneliness. He could still hear the drums echoing in his mind, growing fainter but no less terrible.

Daniel lay there heavily, eyes closed, unable to move for several minutes. Unable to do much actually. Thinking? Wasn't going to be happening, not when he was trying to remember how to breath again.

There was so much that went past him. So much he couldn't comprehend. A lot rushing out of his memory. Whatever had happened, even Nem's machine hadn't been like this.

Help. That was a word that came to mind. The drums were still there. Faint but not gone. He should get help. Whatever that was. Help was a good word. It felt good, so he should say it. Daniel tried to but, finding his throat was too hoarse, he only ended up mouthing the word. It came out like a choked wheeze.