Derrick's instinctive scream of fear was almost immediately replace by confusion. Why wasn't he dead? The unicorn's horn had plunged all the way through his skull, the point somewhere behind his head. He was pinned to the creature's forehead like a butterfly on a board, and it felt like the spiral dagger had pushed all the way through his brain as well. His mind felt - divided. He was still fully aware, but that awareness was split into different places - part of him was amazed and thrilled, the other frightened and bewildered. Two distinct reactions that were as separate as different people.
You are two different people, Derrick.
Though stuck on the horn, Derrick's eyes could still find those of the unicorn. They were still the same warm, bright orbs, regarding him calmly. "Why did you attack me!?" Even as he spoke the words he knew they were not true, but he could not think of anything else to describe the sudden lunge. "Am I going to die?"
I want you to be free. I am giving you the chance to free yourself. Make your choice.
Choice? What choice? Derrick was bewildered for a moment, still trying to come to terms with two centers of self. Oh. Of course. The Unicorn wanted him to choose one side or the other. The fear was tied to a side of himself that understood death, knew pain, had the knowledge and experience of 17 years. It held his strength, his resolve, caution and purpose. There was also the side that felt joy at being with the mythical beast, the wonder of its magic. That side was innocent, ignorant, and vulnerable. How was he supposed choose? And what would happen if he did?
The choice must be made now. The Unicorn suddenly pulled back - it should have simply jerked Derrick forward, but instead the horn slid smoothly out of his skull. At that moment, Derrick made his choice.