Dimensia

by Steven Thornton, Jr

  *

  Thinking, 'what if that had been me? You?' Trying to rationalize, there is none. Who has the right? There are so many alternatives.

  Moments later, I arrived at the Police Station and looked in with my newly given talent. From the sidewalk out front I counted how many officers were there. Contemplating my story, I obviously couldn't say I saw the baby in the trash can because I can see through things. I would have to say I heard the baby crying. Deciding to head inside, I counted six different officers. The glow each emitted was yellow, the same as mine. At the counter, I nervously began my vague description of the story to the officer with the badge name of Baker. As Officer Baker grabbed the infant from my arms, he turned and headed toward the back of the police station. I know this because I followed him with my talent and saw him speaking to another officer at a desk with the badge name of Hurney. After a brief conversation with his commanding officer, Officer Baker proceeded further back to an empty room, where he placed a blanket flat on the floor and caringly sat the baby on top, then turned to exit. As Officer Baker made his way back towards the front, moments passed until he arrived at the counter. As he did, he extended a clipboard with a pen attached to a chain, and asked that I describe the event and circumstances. I smiled and accepted the clipboard and began to write my explanation of the incident.

  When finished, five or so minutes later, I returned the clipboard and decided to take one final glance at the room the baby was being held. Jumping with my talent, I located the room, and saw a female officer sitting in a fold up chair, holding the infant snuggly in her arms. Staring at the baby, he started to kick his legs and smiled, as if excited. Feeling as if it had seen me? Realizing the baby was in good hands, I redirected my attention to Officer Baker at the desk who had been standing, looking right at me, waiving his hand in a horizontal motion in front of my face.

  "Sir, is there anything else?" Officer Baker asked, knowing I must have been standing there a good twenty, thirty seconds.

  "No, sorry, I'm just a little shaken up that's all," I said as I turned to leave.

  Outside I glanced down at my watch and realized it was midnight. Understanding Comfort had been off for about two hours, I was confident she would be worried sick. I rocketed home, not really paying attention to much of anything, and wasn't long until I arrived at my apartment. Looking up from the street into Comfort's place, her apartment door had been open. I assumed that she was waiting for me to return as I entered the apartment building's front doors, thinking, 'some things just may hit the blender.' Creeping ever-so-slowly up the stairs toward my apartment I made it to the second floor, and continued to walk down the hall toward my place. Arriving at the doorway, looking into her place, I saw her sitting on the sofa, listening to music through ear buds. Seconds later, Comfort jumped, in recognition of me, visualizing I had startled her. She then sat down her IPod and stormed towards me, expressing a look of frustration. I'm no weatherman, but I can predict a storm. Let the questions begin.

  "I went to the park and on the way home heard a baby crying from a trash can, so I had to take care of that." I responded,

  "Are you serious, why didn't you call?" Comfort asked, expressing a look of concern. Also, realizing I should have, beginning to feel along the outside of my jeans pocket.

  "I left my cell phone at home," I said in a convenient truth, as I smiled and reached out to give her a hug.

  "Everything's fine," I assured her, whispering into her ear as I held her snug in my arms. Shortly after, the two of us proceeded to my place. Once inside, we fell fast asleep, content in each other's arms.

  The next morning, when I woke, I realized I hadn't been to school in days. I had been so preoccupied with everything else that school hadn't been on my priority list. Jumping out of bed, I rushed around, hoping I could make it to class on time. In the process, I woke up Comfort. I quickly explained that I was headed to school and would see her later, as she mumbled something under her breath in some strange sleep language, I could not translate, and rolled over onto her side, propping her hands beneath her face. Stepping out, I rushed downstairs to my car and began the drive to school. It was pretty cool actually; I managed to make it on time, with the help of my natural GPS. I avoided the street I normally took to school, because I saw a wreck a mile or so ahead. As I pulled into the student parking lot, I found parking and rushed towards my class.

  In Psychology I found myself distracted and not paying much attention. I kept skipping from room to room, watching, and observing everyone, noting the different colors of auras each person possessed. I started to make a list, hoping I could somehow start to try to understand the meaning of the different colors. I also found that my gift, talent, or ability, could come in pretty handy at times. I mean, I could be in two or three places at once, kind-of. I could see more than the average person, which I found to be very resourceful. In class, I decided to test how far I could go, while in that position. Starting with the neighboring classes, I found easy. Then, to the other buildings on campus, scanning the various classrooms. Until deciding to proceed to the parking lot and locating my car. Accomplishing such in relatively no time, I then marched to the restaurant I worked at to check my schedule, located in the back of the ally, near the manager's office. I then decided to check out my apartment to see what Comfort was up to. It was crazy because it was crazy. But it was crazy because it was like I was walking down the sidewalk, but not. Different in that I passed right through people that were in direct line of my vision, and moving at a speed much faster than a normal stride; I would compare to the speed of an Olympic runner, or a slow, but not too slow, moving car, or a chipmunk on a magic carpet.

  Moments later I arrived at my apartment and saw Comfort, now awake, having a breakfast of toast and oatmeal. With undivided attention I watched with admiration for what must have been minutes.

  "Fisher. Mr. Fisher." I heard someone calling, then, retraced my line of thought to my current position: in class. Blinking, I reassimilated and looked around the now empty room. The professor and I shared a moment of awkward silence before he absorbed a seat in the desk in front of mine.

  "Son, is everything alright?" accompanied with subtitles, the professor asked concerned, discerned in his tone of voice.

  "Yes sir, I'm sorry. I just blanked out that's all, haven't had much sleep," I replied with a nervous smile.

  "Well, I have missed you in attendance the last couple of class periods, and today you were here, but one could only categorize your presence as bodily whilst mind preoccupied. Are you sure everything is all right?" the professor asked, yielding a look of concern as he stared into my eyes. Beginning to gather my belongings, I nervously stood and answered,

  "Yes sir, everything's fine, just working a lot lately."

  "Well, get some rest. I want your undivided attention next class," he said as he shook his hand with his index finger extended.

  "You got it, you have my word," I said, forcing a smile, and turned to exit the room.

  Walking towards my car, I couldn't help but wonder how far my place was from school, and thought how cool it was that I was able to travel that distance in little to no time at all. Upon arrival, I hopped into my car and exited the student parking lot. I looked down and read the mileage and engaged the drive home. Five or so minutes later, I arrived home and checked the mileage that calculated I had traveled a distance of two and a quarter miles. Realizing I traveled without leaving my seat, without moving a muscle, two and a quarter miles, I smiled contentedly. After collecting my things, I looked to my place from my car and saw Comfort inside cleaning. A smile came over me, cognizant that I had neglected her and should treat her to a nice afternoon out.

  Rushing up the stairs, Comfort was vacuuming my place while listening to music. As I opened the door, I was greeted by an overwhelming scent of Pine-Sol, with my place much cleaner than I had left it. Comfort smiled and her eyes sparkle
d much like a cresting wave reflecting the sunlight, accompanied with her white glow. I knew what the white glow was for sure. The other glows, well, I was still trying to figure those out. Entering my now clean apartment, I dropped my book bag on the bed and walked over to Comfort. I planted a big kiss, and apologized for how I had been acting lately, wrapping my arms around her upper torso.

  "Would you accompany me for lunch?" I posed. With her smile that could light up a room, she jumped free of my hold and stared into my eyes,

  "Yes," she answered enthusiastically, releasing a burst of energy, running, but more skipping to the center of the room. Somehow the music (shaky snakes - hold on to yr rock and roll) became louder, and the room had transformed into a dance floor. Jumping up and down, swinging her arms around ecstatically, spinning in circles. Her hair glided through the air. I found myself dancing, lost in what she was seeing. Also, seeing what she was seeing, and feeling what she was feeling. The beat surged, we laughed, and continued to dance, as the world around us ceased to exist.

  "Wait, I'm a mess, let me shower real quick. It'll just take a minute," she said, as the song faded.

  "It's cool, take your time," I said, as I grabbed a seat on the edge of my bed and reached for my book bag. Comfort jetted out the door and moments later, I decided to make good use of the time. I located the seventy sheet, wide rule, spiral bound notebook I had written about the different colors while in class, and turned to the page with the specifics, eager to grasp some form of reasoning, pattern, or significance. My eyes scanned the page and I had written at least fifteen different colors that I had seen. The same question that had been running through my mind presented itself: 'what do all the different colors represent?' I had concluded white was purity or innocence, something angelic. I had begun to think that yellow, which was mine, was protectors or guardians of some kind, as evidenced from the Police officers auras the previous night. Having two down with many more to figure out, I had ideas of what I believed the colors represented but no real evidence to support my instinctual theories. When I heard a door open and close. I looked to see Comfort heading for my room, and jumped out of bed and dashed for the door. I waited until she lifted her hand to knock, then swiftly opened the door. Startling her, she jumped and her expression had me hunched over laughing.

  "How did you know I was going to be here?" she asked.

  "Jerk." She muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes. I was unable to contain my laughter.

  "Oh, I uh, heard you close the door to your apartment and looked out the peephole and saw you," I replied after regaining my composure. Satisfied, she smiled.

  "Freak. So, you ready to go?"

  "Sure, where's it going to be?" I asked, as she grinned.

  "I figured you would say that." Retrieving my car keys from the kitchen counter, I locked up my place and walked with Comfort downstairs to our awaiting chariot.

  As the day turned to night, I lost track of time. This night was truly amazing. We had dinner at a local seafood restaurant. The restaurant had exceptional seafood and an exquisite wine selection. We enjoyed a couple of glasses, which helped me keep focus on her and off the storm brewing in my mind. Thank Jesus' half-brother James they didn't ask for ID.

  Given that the food and wine were exceptional, the real highlight of the evening was my company. At moments I drifted in and out of the conversation, wondering why I had been so lucky to be blessed with such a bright and unusual girl. Every second, every breath, every smile; every moment of this night I will cherish forever. Even though we were just a single couple amidst a full house, it felt as if we were the only table. If I were to have died at this very moment, it would have been with a smile on my face. My heart in harmony with my thoughts; in a whirlwind of emotions, regarding how much I cared, loved, and adored this breathtaking, ravishing woman. I considered myself lucky to have met her, and a little unworthy. As we dined in complete content, time just wasn't cooperating. I wanted to be in this moment forever. I wanted nothing more than to be happy and in love. But as you know, time doesn't show favoritism or partiality. Unable to bend time, the night came to a close. Despite my best efforts to stall by ordering and devouring a delicious cheesecake truffle, the waiter dropped the bill and soon after we were en route to our place. I didn't speak, but listened as Comfort spoke of nothing but positive and uplifting things. How to change the world. How she wanted to leave her mark on the world. She had such a great outlook on life and I wore a smile on my face now as I did whenever in her presence.

  Down the road, a few blocks from our place, waiting at a stoplight I saw something that demanded my attention. Casually looking at one of the buildings to my left, I caught a glimpse of a lady who seemed to be in some kind of distress. Unable to look away, a man entered the room of the unknown lady. The man, dressed in black, shielded his face with a black stocking mask. Instinctively, I pulled the car over to the right and parked on the shoulder of the road across from the building. Comfort with me, time was of the essence.

  "Sit tight; I'll only be a minute. Lock the doors, if you see anyone come out whatever you do, don't let them in," I stressed in opening the car door. She looked at me, her demeanor changing from happy to baffled,

  "Okay, what . . . what's going on?" Comfort asked worriedly.

  "Not sure, I have to go," trying to disguise my emotions and appear calm.

  "Call the cops now." I said, prior to exiting the car. Leaning against my car, my eyes slowly retraced the original pattern. I can't say what, when, or why, but something about this moment felt bigger than life. It was a defining moment, an opportunity to shine. Show what one is made of. What you can bring to the table, how you can help, how you can care, how you can LOVE. Scanning the second floor, I located the apartment. The front door to the apartment had been forced open somehow, evidence of a shattered doorframe adjacent to the door handle, which looked like someone had taken a crowbar to it. The place had the unmistaken resemblance of a tornado by the name of chaos. Everything was scattered in disarray: lamps knocked over, the coffee table overturned. Arriving on the three-thirty-three train: 'sweeping conclusion' that something was not right. In the kitchen, I stopped in sight of a puddle of blood. Yes blood. Blood-blood. Swift panic possessed me, confirming what I first believed I had seen: a burglary in process. Looking to the bedroom I saw the woman squirming, with blood running from her nose. Her wrists restrained, tied to the bedposts. With her legs tied in the same fashion, making it next to impossible for the woman to move. Next to her the intruder stood, looking frantically through dresser drawers in the bedroom. With each drawer he looked, he tossed to the ground below, as his body language grew angrier and angrier.

  *

  Voice:

  "Oh what the winds of Tribulation can take in a moment's breath, when we place value on that which has no value. Let us not forget what is valuable . . . or the winds will surely return."