Martin is in the darkness to my left. He talks. He talks constantly. He talks of pain and punishment. He paints a picture of a man in a bar. A man who has had too much to drink. His car keys are in his pocket. He decides to have one more drink before going home. Martin tells of him going out to a car park, swaying. He has difficulty getting his keys into the lock. He scratches paintwork. He sits in the driver’s seat. The car smells of sweat, tobacco and alcohol. He starts the engine. He doesn’t notice the dark shape in the rear seat, rising up. He doesn’t see it until he turns in his seat to reverse out. And then the horror begins.
Martin talks of a man in silk shorts in a sea of fluorescent light. He is moving on his toes, dancing. He is talking about movement and the power in the shoulder. He is smiling as he jabs out a left, ducks his head, weaves and bobs. The fat boy opposite doesn’t move. He stands there, his gloves at his side. The boy will move soon. When he’s ready. And the man doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand the power in the shoulder. But he will. He will when the boy decides.
Leah is in the darkness off to my right. Her voice mingles with Martin’s. They talk at the same time, but I can hear what each is saying. It is all clear. She talks of Mrs Atkins, of cancers gone, of children in hospital wards, of horror and pain banished. She describes a boy moving through the world. He cuts through pain and suffering. He moves into darkness and leaves behind him light. There are smiles on faces that were twisted with hurt.
I listen to their voices. They argue. They tell me what I should do. But I have my own mind. And there is room in that mind for both their voices.
I know what I will do. I know when I will start to do it. I will rest tomorrow. I am tired, because of everything I’ve done, everything I’ve created. But the day after tomorrow I will move within my world. And those who are good and pure of heart need fear me not. I will bestow on them all blessings. I shall take away their pain. Their suffering shall be as if it never was. And where there is darkness I will bring light, where there is fear I will bring hope and my name will be praised above all others. Yet those who dwell in evil, who have not purity in their hearts, will tremble as I pass. I shall bring vengeance upon them and their sufferings will endure forever. I shall cast out their evil and the world will be born, new and afresh. And I will do this in my name. Michael Terny.
Because I can do this now. I can do everything.
To prove it, I lean forward into the darkness.
‘Let there be light,’ I say.
And there is light.
Author’s note
Lucid dreaming is a ‘real’ phenomenon, with many practitioners throughout the world. For those interested in learning how it can be done, any internet search engine will provide many fascinating sites.
Unfortunately, in Australia and throughout the world, bullying in schools and mental illness among young people are also very real. Information and confidential help is available in all schools. There are also a number of very good websites that provide information and support.
On the issue of bullying, I recommend www.bullyingnoway.com.au
For help with matters of mental health, the Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd have a site at www.aicafmha.net.au
Another good resource is www.reachout.com.au
Acknowledgements
Many people read early drafts of Dreamrider and provided invaluable suggestions. I would like to thank, in particular, Barb Clarke, Lauren Moss, Brendan Moss, Penni Russon and Erica Wagner for helping to shape the final manuscript. My editor, Jodie Webster, brought her customary skill, dedication and enthusiasm to all stages of the writing process and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work so closely and productively with her. Thanks also to Angela Namoi, responsible for spreading my writing about the world, who said she was ‘smacked around’ by the book. I hope that is a good thing.
To all my family and friends – thanks for your support and belief.
Saving the best till last: my wife, Nita, who makes me write when I don’t want to, who always spots the flaws and tells me, who gives me space, support and belief . . . thanks is too small a word.
Also by Barry Jonsberg
THE WHOLE BUSINESS WITH KIFFO AND THE PITBULL was shortlisted in the 2005 CBC Awards, Older Readers.
When Calma and Kiffo discover their teacher (aka the Pitbull) is involved in strange late-night dealings with mysterious associates, they think they can catch her out. But what you see is not always what you get and Calma and Kiffo don’t see what is coming next . . .
‘A hilarious depiction of teenage life, teachers and true friendship, with a crime mystery thrown in.’
JO STANLEY
WINNER: 2006 ADELAIDE
FESTIVAL AWARD, CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU, CALMA! is the riotously funny followup to THE WHOLE BUSINESS WITH KIFFO AND THE PUTBULL.
Calma Harrison is in love. Not just with herself, but also with the handsome checkout guy at Crazi-Cheep. But the rest of her life is fast falling apart. Calma knows the only sure way to shape events is direct, personal intervention . . .
A bold and witty novel about friendship, loyalty and acting on impulse.
Dreamrider Page 16
