by A. A. Volts
“Oh, my dear, she’s in the astral realm. From time to time, when the need arises she comes to Threshold. So believe me when I tell you that I know she’s very proud of you,” Eva said as she handed me a fancy handkerchief.
“Can I see her?” I asked, completely overwhelmed by the thought of seeing her again.
“All in due time, my dear friend,” Eva said, patting me on the back.
Although I felt very happy with the prospect of seeing my mother again, not even that prevented the sudden dread that possessed me.
“Oh no, he’s close,” I said urgently. “I can feel him.”
“Unfortunately, we must hurry,” said Mrs. Barnes.
“Dr. Rainer, since you know what needs to done, can you help them?” Mrs. Barnes asked as she handed him a scroll, which I presumed contained the map of where we needed to go.
“Sure, it’ll be my pleasure,” replied Dr. Rainer, taking the scroll and folding it quickly but carefully and placing it in one of his pockets.
“It was nice seeing all of you again,” Eva said as she shook our hands.
As we started to leave the room, I made sure Spark was following us.
“I don’t know why, but Spark keeps running in front of me,” I said in hopes that someone would know what he wanted.
“Maybe he’s hungry,” suggested Carla as we made our way back through the building.
“I don’t even know what kind of food he eats,” I replied, realizing that he hadn’t had anything to drink or eat. Just thinking about it made my stomach grumble.
“Great, now I’m hungry, if that’s even possible,” I said, smiling.
Mrs. Barnes followed us out. After several minutes of walking and several sharp turns, we finally arrived outside.
“Don’t forget your roots,” Mrs. Barnes said as she gently guided us back onto the street. “It was nice seeing you guys again, I’ll contact you again once you reach your destination. Good luck.”
I could tell she wished she could come with us.
I got the sense Mrs. Barnes had to do something very important before we could leave Threshold. There was something familiar about the way she spoke, but I dismissed it, thinking I must have retained some recollection of my previous visit to Threshold.
Everyone seemed to be worried because we weren’t talking very much and Jonas had stopped joking.
“Guys, we’ll be fine,” I said in an attempt to put my friends at ease.
“I know,” Nyx said.
“I’m just hungry,” said Jonas, obviously lying.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE DAWN OF FEAR
I couldn’t blame Jonas. It was very strange and surreal to have your whole belief system turned upside down in a matter of days.
“There’s a place just around the corner where we can get something to eat,” Dr. Rainer said, pointing straight ahead.
“We can eat in the astral realm?” Jonas asked, looking happier.
“Sure, we still have a body in the astral realm, granted a more rarefied and subtle body, but it’s a body that needs vitamins and nutrients in order to function properly,” explained Dr. Rainer.
The streets were very narrow, with stores on both sides. Every few feet, a sign floated freely in the air. Some were made of polished wood while others were more high-tech. The signs seemed to be grouped around the center of the city. I tried not to stare at them, but I couldn’t help it because there were all sorts of strange things on display. One advertised Aetherios power cores—whatever that was, while another showed a highly advanced and transparent tablet-like computer.
“What do you guys use for money here?” Carla asked.
“We don’t have any need for money,” explained Dr. Rainer.
“So everything is free?” Jonas asked.
“Not quite. We use what we think is a much better economic system. Here in Threshold, everyone works for the common well-being and gets paid in what we call bonus-hours. One hour of work equals to one bonus-hour. See those signs by that store there?” Dr. Rainer asked, pointing toward a sign that read: “Twingler Sale Everything for ^1 or less. ”
“That sign means that everything in that store is just one bonus-hour,” explained Dr. Rainer.
“There’s work here?” Jonas asked, looking disappointed.
“Of course. Life would be boring with nothing to do. Work is a good for the soul, there’s nothing better than to work while helping someone in need,” Dr. Rainer explained. “It took me a great while to figure that out.”
“I don’t know about this, I always thought that after my time on Earth was done, I would be able to rest,” replied Jonas.
“Well, you can, but I guarantee you it will be a very boring experience. Besides, time doesn’t really exist here, although we use it sparingly as an organizational tool simply to help us plan for events… a concept that was created here and later exported to Earth by the way,” said Dr. Rainer as he walked toward a quaint little store.
We followed him inside, and I paid close attention to all the movement going on around me. People of different races came and went, some walked alone, seemingly contemplating the beautiful scenery of the plaza, while others were too involved in conversations to even notice me.
“All I know is that we’re going back to Earth one day…,” I overheard an exquisite couple saying as their voices trailed off in the distance.
They wore white robes with gold detail around the sleeves that matched their sandals. The outfit seemed to be the norm. The robes looked like they had been sewn by a tailoring grandmaster. My eyes were drawn to the intrinsic gold weaving.
“Wow, this place is so vibrant and full. I don’t think I have ever seen so many different people in one place,” said Nyx as we entered a store that resembled a coffee house back on Earth.
There were some similarities to the stores on Earth, but there were differences as well. For starters, the counter was made of some unknown material. There were food plates on display, with small holographic signs hovering above each one:
* * *
DAILY SPECIALS:
Volan Fresh Baked Bread ^.27
Twingler’s Twilight Souffle ^.18
Elven Energy Rice Spools ^.35
* * *
“We have people from many races living and working in Threshold,” replied Dr. Rainer as he headed in the shopkeeper’s direction.
“Welcome to the Greasy Spoon. How may I help you?” asked a friendly, small-framed lady on the other side of the counter.
Upon noticing our puzzled looks, she continued, “I highly recommend the Volan fresh baked bread with the elven rice. Would you like to try it?” she asked, smiling.
“Sure, I’ll give it a try.” I figured that any food with that name couldn’t be all that bad.
“I’ll have two of whatever that is,” Jonas said, pushing me aside.
“Wait! There’s nothing weird on that, is there?” Jonas asked, apparently having second thoughts.
“No, my dear, not unless you don’t like vegetables, that is,” replied the lady behind the counter. Jonas face said it all, but I think he was really hungry because he didn’t complain.
“That sounds good. Can I try one as well?” Carla asked from behind me.
“Sure, dear,” the shopkeeper replied.
“Unfortunately, we’ll have to eat as we go,” Dr. Rainer said as he handed the storekeeper a translucent card.
“Thank you, Doctor,” the shopkeeper said, smiling as she handed Dr. Rainer his card back after scanning it. I got the feeling they knew each other well.
“Thank you,” replied Dr. Rainer. As he headed outside, we followed him with our food in hand. I must admit it was awkward to eat and power-walk at the same time, but somehow we all managed. The food was better than anything I’d had before, full of flavor. Apparently, tastes also were heightened in the Astral. The bread was by far my favorite, sweet and salty at the same time. Tasted and smelled just like the bread my mother used to make.
***
We followed Dr. Rainer as he headed toward the outskirts of the city. At first I thought we were going outside the city, but as we neared the front gates, Dr. Rainer turned left into what appeared to be an underground transportation system.
After walking for about three minutes or so, we arrived at a hall with floating signs that read:
* * *
UPSIDE —>
DOWNSIDE <—
NIGHTSIDE <—
DAYSIDE —>
* * *
We followed the sign for Upside, until he turned left at another sign that read “LIVING FOREST.”
It wasn’t long before we arrived at what seemed to be a train platform.
“Come and sit. The aerobus shouldn’t take too long,” Dr. Rainer said after he spotted a few empty seats nearby.
I sat next to Nyx while Spark found a dark hiding spot under my chair. To my left was Dr. Rainer, and next to him sat Carla, looking lovely as usual. Jonas decided to stand.
Although we weren’t the only ones waiting, there weren’t too many people around. Suddenly, a subtle humming filled the air and everyone stood up.
“Right on time,” said Dr. Rainer, looking at an intriguing watch he had taken from his robe pocket.
In the distance, I could see a long aerobus approaching. It was longer than the previous aerobus we had taken… this one seemed made to travel long distances. I couldn’t help but stare in awe as the aerobus approached slowly, floating just inches above the ground. Once the aerobus had come to a complete stop, its doors opened.
We waited patiently as passengers made their way out of the aerobus, that’s when I noticed that most of them looked human.
“You look surprised,” said Dr. Rainer.
“I didn’t expect to find so many humans here,” I replied.
“Every being in Threshold was a human at some point. Although they may not always choose to show themselves as so, that doesn’t make it less true,” Dr. Rainer said.
I timidly took a step forward and approached the aerobus. My posture and facial expression must have reflected my state of mind, because when I looked back at Carla, she gave a beautiful and much-needed reassuring smile.
I stepped into the aerobus, which was still hovering an inch or so above the ground. I sat by the first free window seat that I saw, in hopes that Carla would sit next to me. But I’d never had much luck in the past, and apparently that wasn’t about to change. Ultimately, Dr. Rainer sat next to me. Carla had opted to sit next to Nyx, while Jonas seemed happy to sit by himself with Spark as his only companion.
“He’s a cool dragon,” Jonas said as Spark slowly warmed up to him.
“Be careful not to be too pushy,” I warned as I turned around to see if everything was fine.
“Don’t be silly, he won’t do anything to me,” Jonas replied. Still playing with Spark, he asked, “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” As soon as the aerobus closed its doors and started to move, I heard a prerecorded message that said, “Welcome to the Rapid Transit. Wherever your destination, we’ll proudly take you there. Please stay seated and enjoy your trip.”
If I had to guess, I would have said the trip was going to last much longer than our previous one. Even the seats were more comfortable, like a commercial airliner back on Earth, minus the cramped leg space and suffocating aisles.
“Phasma won’t stop, will he?” Nyx asked, looking at Dr. Rainer.
“I’m sorry, I wish I could tell you something different but I can’t,” Dr. Rainer replied.
“Do we have a fighting chance?” Jonas asked.
“Of course, there’s always a chance. Don’t let Phasma, or anyone else for that matter, consume your hopes. That’s exactly how he gets his strength,” Dr. Rainer said as he opened a book and started to read.
“Don’t worry, Jonas, I’ll get us home safely. I promise,” I said, even though deep down I had no clue how I was going to do that.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Carla and Nyx were deeply involved in a conversation.
As soon as we were about to leave the city, the aerobus picked up speed.
I looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting brighter. In fact, the light resembled the early morning hours on Earth.
I was still contemplating the sky when I looked at the ground and saw a gorgeous forest covered in fall colors. A variety of trees populated the scenery below, while crystal-clear springs and small rivers added the master touch to nature’s artwork. The scene was complete with rocks and local wildlife. Strange creatures moved in and out of the bushes. I wished we weren’t going so fast so I could see them better.
We passed through amazing valleys, crossing beautiful fields and luscious farms.
“Wow, that’s gorgeous!” Carla said.
“That’s the Dawn Forest. Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dr. Rainer asked.
Although the trip wasn’t short, I was never bored. And even though some of the trip was underground and I couldn’t see much during extended stretches of dense fog, I always managed to find something interesting to observe, if not outside then inside the aerobus.
In one of the longest underground stretches, I thought that I saw an underground volcano spilling lava. However, I had no way of knowing for sure, because the windows had become foggy due to condensation.
When I wasn’t looking outside, I was paying attention to the inside of the aerobus and noting how everyone seemed to be happier than people on Earth. Ever since I was little, I tended to notice how sad people were in general. They usually went about their business looking sad and depressed, but that wasn’t the case here.
Apparently Dr. Rainer was somewhat famous. Everyone on the aerobus seemed to know him.
“This ride is making me tired. I wonder if I can sleep… oh, I almost forgot that I’m already sleeping,” Jonas joked and then let out a very loud yawn.
“I’m sure you can still rest, I know I will,” Nyx replied, smiling gently.
On that note, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander.
***
As usually happened when my mind ran wild, I got entangled in thoughts about my mother. I started thinking of how much I missed her all these years, and then I thought about the events of that fateful morning—the morning I lost all hope and faith, the morning destiny betrayed me.
I remembered when I was five years old; it was a day that started like any other. The sounds of a heavy truck woke me up. I still felt guilty for fighting with my mom. When I looked outside the window, I saw a bright yellow moving truck pulling up to the empty house across the street. Little did I know then how much my life was about to change.
The rest of that morning was uneventful, except for the chilling air that invaded my soul every time I went outside to look at the commotion on the other side of the street. I remember being curious about our new neighbors; I wondered if there would be any kids for me to play with. After all, the street had a shortage of kids. I was the only kid on the whole block.
Things started to get really strange right after lunchtime. The phone rang and my dad answered, but I recall that he didn’t do much talking and he looked weird in a serious sort of way… at least until he noticed that I was paying attention. Once he saw me, he just sat down with his mouth frozen in a half-open position. He was fortunate to be standing near the couch because he didn’t even look behind himself before dropping onto it. I didn’t think anything of it, but for some reason the whole scene got stuck in my head.
After the phone call, he rushed upstairs, pulling me behind him. He got dressed in a hurry, then said, “Son, today you’re going to spend some time with Grandpa and Grandma.”
Then he hugged me tighter than ever before—I remember because it hurt.
From that point on, the phone didn’t stop ringing.
Soon, a flood of people came to the house. My Boston grandparents were the first to arrive, but they didn’t sport their usual happy faces. When they saw me, they both rushed over and hugged me tight.
I thought it was strange because they usually took turns, and I couldn’t help but notice that their eyes were red and swollen, yet they smiled at me. Next came my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I remember thinking how strange it was to have all those people showing up at our front door at the same and on a weekday. Maybe I suspected something was wrong, but I was too young to understand.
The day got weirder as more family members started to show up. Some people brought food and looked sad; I remember receiving a lot of attention that day, and a lot of candy too.
I started to wonder why everyone looked so sad. Some people even cried silently but pretended they weren’t. Even at that early age, I could tell they were trying to hide their sadness, because every time they saw me looking at them, they gave me a strained smile and turned their faces away.
In the midst of all the confusion, the doorbell rang again.
My grandfather stood up and opened the door. That’s when I saw them for the first time. The boy looked skinny and fragile, while the girl looked beautiful in her white dress with a bright yellow ribbon around her waist. They were my age.
We were introduced, and on that crazy day, I had fun playing with Jonas and Carla. After we got acquainted, they invited me over to their new home. We spent the rest of the day playing in their almost empty house. We ran up and down the stairs, and we chased each other in the yard and played hide-and-seek with empty moving boxes. For those few hours that we played together, everything seemed perfect. I’d finally made new friends, and best of all, they lived just across the street.
Had I known how terrible and unforgettable that day truly was, I wouldn’t have had so much fun.
I only started to realize something was terribly wrong when night-time came and my mother never returned from work. It was strange to see the house full of family members, and yet the one person I’d been looking forward to see come home so I could say I was sorry never did.
I remember asking my grandmother when my mother would be coming home and not receiving a response. Instead, she rushed out of the room, covering her face with her hands. I thought that I had done something wrong to make her sad.
