Dimensia

by Steven Thornton, Jr

  *

  On the drive home, my mind felt overwhelmed with questions. I thought about my past, the present, and future. Unknown questions worried me but at the same time fueled my excitement. Chance and I drove into the night and I enjoyed the time we shared. We laughed and joked with one another and reminisced about the back in the day, days. Time flew, and it seemed like none had passed when we arrived home.

  We parked on the street in front of the house, cut through the lawn, and entered the front door. Finding my Mother asleep in the recliner, with her reading glasses still attached to her head and an open book resting flat in her lap. Quietly, I walked toward her as she slowly began to wake up. I smiled as she did, then she groggily said,

  "Fisher, where have you been? I was worried that something had happened to you." I grabbed a seat next to her on the couch and replied,

  "Mom, I'm sorry to do this to you, but there will come a day when I may not be here." Her eyes swelled with tears.

  "Mom, please. I'm not sure exactly, what or when, but I will be safe and I want you to know that I love you. I want you to not be sad."

  "Is everything alright? Is there anything I can do?" she asked in a concerned tone.

  "Have you been taking your meds?

  "Yes and no Mom, but I'm fine. I just need you to know that whatever happens in the future, understand that I will be fine and you should not worry. Promise me here and now." Confused, she sat motionless and stared into my eyes as she reached up with her right hand and began to rub the palm of her hand against my face. Tears began to stream down her cheeks.

  "Fisher, I'm, well . . ." with her voice beginning to quiver,

  "I love you and always will. You're scaring me though." We looked into each other's eyes; I could see her eyes were filled with sadness, causing my eyes to swell.

  "Mom, I love you, I have no other choice. I'm sorry, I," as I took a deep breath I wanted to tell her everything, but couldn't. I reached out to give her a hug as she grabbed me with a death lock hold for what felt like minutes. I felt sadder than ever and realized how much emotional hardship I was putting my family through. When she released her hug she said,

  "Well young man, whatever it is, you don't leave without telling me again, got it?"

  "Got it Mom," I said as I smiled.

  "You're not too old to be grounded kiddo," she grinned and while shaking her fist, waved her index finger while obviously trying to hide her emotions.

  "Let's go to bed." As we stood up I placed my arm around her neck. I turned out the lights in the living room and continued to bed. I felt good lying there. I felt like I was ready for whatever may come. Minutes later I was fast asleep.

  The next morning I woke up to Dallas looming over me, inches from my face. Opening one eye and with my vision coming into focus,

  "I have killed for less, Dallas."

  "Ooh, I'm scared. Get up, Mom made breakfast. Let's go eat." I acted like I was still asleep like a strung out druggie, but couldn't escape the feeling of hunger. I jumped at the invitation. In a sudden flash of energy, I tossed aside the covers and jumped out of bed as Dallas shot for the door and bolted out of the room. I continued to chase him to the table where the whole family sat eating breakfast.

  Mom had made my favorite breakfast: bacon and eggs, biscuits and gravy, with an assortment of fruits and juices. It was a breakfast fit for kings and we sat around the table and ate until we couldn't anymore. After breakfast, my Step-Dad left for work and Amanda left for the mall. Dallas and I unanimously agreed on having a lazy day. We hung out and played X Box most of the day, with my Mom periodically popping in to check and see how we were getting along. I could feel the life I knew coming to a new chapter; something was close, change was in the air. I didn't know exactly what, but I felt something deep down, and accepted whatever it was to be.

  The following days seemed to drag, just as I wanted them too. Time was not something that I thought about as I had in the past, but tried my best to be content and in the moment. I absorbed every smile, every word, and tried to hold on to each breath as long as I could. I hoped I could memorize each conversation, each moment, and each emotion.

  One night, after having family dinner, we sat in the living room watching television as we did on any given evening. Instead of watching the television however, I watched my family as if they were a show that I would never get to see again. I know this read on my face, as they often asked,

  "Is everything okay with you Fisher?" I simply smiled and tried to hide my obviousness. It was this night that what I had foreseen came to fruition. After falling asleep for the night I heard,

  "Fisher, the time has come, we need to go. Truth and Order want to meet with us."

  I slowly came to with Chance standing at the foot of my bed. I quickly got out of bed and dressed. I scanned the house and saw my family comfortably asleep in their beds. I realized that I might never see them again as tears streamed uncontrollably. I saw my lifelong memories flash before my eyes. I continued getting dressed and grabbed the letter I had written for Dr. Scott, which explained that I was advancing to the next dimension and for him to hope for the best. With the letter in hand, I continued downstairs, then outside. I dropped the letter in the mailbox, and raised the flag. Turning to look back at the house I had lived my entire life up until this point, I noticed my family safe inside and hoped this was not the last I would see of them. Feeling more distant than ever. I continued walking with Chance who seemed preoccupied or deep in thought.

  "Is everything alright with you man?" I asked. He turned and looked at me with a look that I could not place.

  "Dude, I'm sorry it has to be this way," he said.

  "You have no idea what the Other World is like. I just want you to know that this was not my choice." He turned his back toward me while continuing to walk but distancing himself. His head was angled to the ground and I could not make much sense of what had just gone down.

  "Dude, come on, its all good." I yelled. Confused, I thought he must be joking, but I received no such response. We were standing in the middle of the road, in front of my house, when Tribulation emerged from the shadows. Chance stopped walking and turned to face me. Tribulation, now standing next to Chance, placed his right hand on his shoulder and said,

  "Chance, you have done well and you will be rewarded as I have promised." Still confused and not making much sense of the moment,

  "You're kidding me, right? I yelled, you're going to leave me here? We are best friends, family!" My eyes started to swell as I felt my blood beginning to boil. Chance simply looked down and turned to walk away as Tribulation approached. Feeling betrayed and then lost, I kept waiting for Chance to turn back around but he didn't. With each passing second, he distanced himself from me as Tribulation advanced one step closer. From a distance behind Tribulation, I saw a group of Dark Siders emerge from the shadows and begin to approach me. I turned and saw Dark Siders beginning to form a three hundred and sixty degree formation around me. Only this time I was left to defend myself. I nervously reached into my pocket and located my marble, as Tribulation stopped a few short feet away.

  "You naive human, your best friend delivered you to me. He gladly accepted my offer in exchange for your life. Packaged, parcel, and posted, here we are. How does that make you feel?" Deep down I felt upset, but more hurt, but I didn't want to grant him the satisfaction of knowing such. I tried to mask my emotions as I clinched the marble in my pocket.

  "I am not afraid to die, Tribulation. You see, I will gladly die knowing I had lived doing what is right rather than live a life of lies, inflicting harm and doing what is wrong. I am no longer afraid of you or your Dark Siders." Pacing in a circle around me, he suddenly stopped. Standing in front of me he reached up with his hand and locked his fingers around my neck and tightened his grip. With a swift raise of his arm, he lifted me off the ground. I struggled to breathe as
hypoxia settled in. I heard Tribulation speak, although muffled and in the Other World tongue, I realized he was speaking to the surrounding crowd of Dark Siders. I saw the Dark Siders begin to show excitement and cheer. Some jumped up and down while others began to shake uncontrollably. They were anticipating the bloodbath, or feast at hand, and I was the main course. Allow me to provoke an image in your mind: A perfectly cooked, marble-glazed Butterball turkey. I tilted my head to the sky and witnessed clouds circling overhead. A breeze began to stir and lightening began to strike wildly around us. I felt light-headed and my body tingled as I looked down at Tribulation and the group of Dark Siders and their red eyes. Unanticipated, Tribulation released his hand from my neck and I gasped for air, but still could not move. Somehow, I was left suspended in the air by some act of dark power. Tribulation speaking to the crowd of Dark Siders in the Other World tongue while lightening struck him and currents flooded his body for a good ten to fifteen seconds. I was of the impression he enjoyed the pain as he dropped to his knees, eyes bulging, grinning continually. His body began to shake wildly and then all at once the lightening ceased. As Tribulation began to stand up, with apprehension, steam began to exude from his body. Tribulation approached me but stopped a few feet shy and looked down at his hand. As he moved his fingers, sparks of electric current shot from one finger to the next. It was as if somehow he was able to harness the electric current. His face had changed from an attractive, successful business guy, to that of a mean and ruthless being. His demeanor was cold and a look of hate inhabited his face. His appearance was something I hadn't seen before. His skin looked like plastic. It was murky, grey in color, and his mouth was very thin. Becoming aware of small rows of teeth in his mouth as he spoke. His build was large and he had two horns protruding from his head that looked very similar to the modern interpretation of the devil, a Mephistopheles. With my terror building, Tribulation placed his hand back around my neck. During the act of doing this, I felt an intense flood of electric current stinging my nerves. The feeling must have compared to being struck by lightening. With intense currents jolting through my nervous system, intense pain pulsated throughout my body. Tribulation then began to shake uncontrollably, and released his hand from around my neck. Turning toward the crowd of Dark Siders, he spoke aloud in the Other World tongue as they cheered. My mouth felt dry, my body felt abused and ached with pain. Seconds passed, when yet again he placed his hand around my neck. I again felt the pain from his currents conduct through my veins. This time it lasted a bit longer and felt more intense. In pain, I searched my mind for a release, an escape. But it was all I could do to keep my mind from shutting down, afraid of such a result. When he finally released his hand from around my neck, I quivered uncontrollably in pain. I felt my brain ache and organs throbbing. I tried to move certain parts of my body, but was incapable of motor skills.

  "Is that what you call pain?" I screamed. With cat-like reflexes, Tribulation snapped his head and jumped fifteen feet into the air, body slamming me to the ground. The strength from his jump hit me like a ton of bricks, causing me to crash hard on my back and slide against the pavement. I began to spit up blood and my eyes felt heavy, overwhelmed and feeling death approach. I looked around and saw the crowd of Dark Siders growing restless and ready to feast, thirsting for blood. Tribulation approached, raising his hands into the air I became levitated, he lifted me up above his head telekinetically. I then saw my memories flash before my eyes again as I tried to drown out the noise. I imagined myself in a place far away from any Dark Siders and felt a sense of peace.

  "Fisher, I will give you one final chance to reconsider." Snapping out of my delusion, I saw Tribulation standing beneath me.

  "We're not so different you and I." I forcefully took a deep breath and tilted my head back as I lifted my arms towards the heavens above, choosing my last words wisely.

  "Never!" I yelled as loud, and as long as I possibly could. I closed my eyes preparing for the worst, and felt an intense blow against my rib cage that sent me flying backwards through the air at a high rate of speed. Seconds later, landing hard on the pavement I struggled to open my eyes and saw the herd of Dark Siders running at me. Here, I accepted my fate and was prepared to die. My body could not withstand any further aggressions; I smiled and tried to drown out the pain. I didn't want to show my suffering, knowing that is what the Dark Siders enjoyed the most. I did not want to give them the satisfaction on top of my defeat.

  Struggling to keep my eyes open, the background began to blur and I felt shock beginning to set in. Darkness settled in my mind and I felt the world disappear. Seconds later a white light began to glow, growing in intensity. Soon the blaze consumed everything and I felt a sudden calming come over me. Drawing the conclusion that I must be in heaven. I then felt a hand placed gently on the back of my head. At that moment I strained to turn my neck, fought to open my eyes, and saw Order kneeling next to me, along with other Light Workers whom I had not met. Order turned, stood, and approached the charging Dark Siders.

  "Everything is okay now," I heard, but the sound was muffled and echoed. The other Light Workers trailed just behind her. Standing with their backs facing me, they positioned themselves between the herd of charging Dark Siders and myself. The Dark Siders failed to relent their charge. They screamed, wailed, and howled. Not knowing what to expect, the Light Workers stood in a straight line and grabbed each other's hands. A wall of light appeared in front of them and when the Dark Siders came in contact with it, they disintegrated before my eyes. I was thankful that they had come in the nick of time. I looked into the distance where Tribulation stood smiling, and then heard his voice.

  "This will not be our last encounter." Then he disappeared from sight. I grinned, knowing he was upset more than ever and that he had not fulfilled his mission.

  I scanned the fellow Light Workers and smiled, Order amidst them. As the Light Workers dropped one another's hand, the wall of light began to dissipate. I counted at least ten Light Workers, all of whom were different, but sharing the human characteristics, nothing crazy or otherworldly. As they turned to face me, I tried to stand, but couldn't. Helpless and unable to move, the Light Workers began to approach as two of them bent down and grabbed my arms, helping me stand to my feet. They introduced themselves and in the act I felt weak at the knees and dizzy. Feeling a wave of nausea sweep over me, my legs jolted from side to side, then buckled underneath me as I collapsed to the ground.

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