JayAdams@blackhole.com
Both in the final year of school at the University of Vermont
I.T, but still caught in the icy grips of the student
loan sharks of their respective banks. Both pleased to know Dana's
rich, eccentric Aunt Ezimeralda and that she lives in coastal
area of Virginia. For both young men, it was spending time in the
area where much of American history occurred, and the
spirit of adventure was born. But it would be a different type spirit
and energy that would be released and explored during their vacation.
"...ok....tell me ONE more time.......what happens?"
"I'm walking in this grassy field and the air feels warm and inviting.
I pause to pick a bulls-eye daisy from the ground, and take in the aroma of the flower.
I continue walking leisurely along...but with a vague emptiness, or perhaps loneliness surrounding me.
It's then that I hear it, no: I feel it first. A rumbling from the ground, softly,
but building with intensity. I scan the horizon and see no trace of any thunderhead activity heading towards me. Looking behind me, and towards the ground, I see something.
A force, an energy seemingly carves a large furrow underground, pushing
the tall grass aside
and kicking up dirt like a plow or a gopher. And it's targeting right at me!
I begin to run,
with a voice echoing through my mind telling me not to fear. Fear is what feeds the force and cannot touch me when I cross over.
I was not going to argue. I started to move with the pace of a hurdler:
running....picking myself up after I stumble over several stones.
The ground seemingly changes from grass to sand and stone instantly,
but I press on.
I glance back and my invisible foe has not
changed its course. It gains speed and looms closer.
I begin
to get this dread fear and foreboding as the rumbling and
the tension builds. I screech to a stop. In front of me is the
reason for the change in terrain. I peer over the edge of a
two hundred-foot drop into the ocean. Panic really settles in
as I look over my shoulder. The invisible nothing is closing in
with nowhere left to go. The voice from before then re-enters
my mind, reassuring and calming me.The voice then tells me to JUMP!
It tells me not to fear and that the journey is but one giant leap of
faith and courage, a leap to the destiny I only dreamed of in
college or imagined in my creative writing course. Not
wanting to miss out on destiny, and with a sudden feeling of courage
and vigor, I committed myself. I imagined myself as a
cliff diver you'd see on segments of Wide World of Sports and,
fully clothed,
gracefully swan-dived over the side.
As I descend, I steal glance behind to see the top of the
cliff explode as if a bomb had just been detonated, with debris
falling past me. My acceleration towards the ocean seems to slow
as if caught in a thermal up draft...or being held aloft.
All
the time this is going on, now this is the strange part...I
start hearing music. Not just tones and notes, but a song.
I finally
recognized what the song was. It was that Allan Parsons Project song, you know;
"...
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE, NOW THAT ALL OF THE CHILDREN HAVE
GROWN UP. AND HOW DO WE SPEND OUR TIME, KNOWN' NOBODY GIVES US
A DAMN. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE HERE NO MORE,I DON'T WANT TO STAY.
DON'T WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE, QUIETLY FADING AWAYYYYYY....."
And as I speed to the awaiting ocean, my whole body seems to glow
reddish-orange. Like that of the underside of a re-entering
spacecraft, except no heat or flame. I notice at the
last second my hands and arms slowly fading from existence,
then...BOOM!! I hit the water and wake up..."
Dana whistles softly, "Jeez, and I thought I was spending too much time watching Deep Space Nine. Outer Limits time Jas"
" Just watch the road. My mental stability isn't the only thing around
here that should be in question. When the blazes did you have
the suspension for this better worker on last...the Spanish Inquisition?!?"
In a very over-done British accent, "No one expects the Spanish
Inquisition. We follow the two philosophies of desciet,treachery,
and bad personal body odor,...I mean the three philosophies......."
" ‘Bad Personal BODY Odor" what the hell are you smoking anyway. That's not how the sketch runs."
"Yeah, I know, I know. Speaking of Body Odors, did you talk to Rachel before I picked you up at your place?"
" No. I did not and will not. It was a mistake getting mixed-up with
that one. Jeez Louise, Dana.
It's like a comedian once said, " she's a user and a taker."
Never gave anything to therelationship; a twenty-five year old with a sixteen year old mentality. Truly one of the three biggest mistakes of my life.
Thank Olympus it's over!"
" Only THREE Mr. Einstein? I feel you have miscounted mien Herr. Please restate yourself."
"Rachel was certainly one. That dumb stunt thinking the military was answer to the question of my life was the other.....and the third, well......"
"Uh-huh, I know exactly # three. S'funny, how two of the three major
screw-ups in your life dealt with the women in your life. Or lack there of."
" Sure, let's extract a little on YOUR love life Don Juan, or should I say Don NONE!"
"TOUCHY-TOUCHY!"
"Touchéé-Touchéé"
Silence takes hold of the car for a moment. Both look at each other
and begin laughing. Dana shakes his head laughing, "that's the first
decent laugh I’ve heard from you since winter quarter, LAST YEAR!!"
Jason just shakes his head and smiles, " Just drive on McDuff. Your
Aunt Ezzie will be wondering why it's taking you sooo long to get there.
The road continues onward, through the trees and farmlands that
populate the area. Both know Dana’s' aunt, although only by
reputation. She, according to Dana's mom, is the family free spirit.
Having loved and lived on the European continent, Aunt Ezimeralda
created quite a stir. She married into British aristocracy
while charming and befuddling her way into society.
When Lord David Stiles, Earl of Devonshire died of a brain tumor,
Aunt Ezzie was heart broken. She was, until Lord David's ghost
started to appear in the 17th century castle they lived.
Auntie then (this according to Dana’s' mother) moved the
entire castle lock, stock, and windowpane to some deserted
coastline property just northwest of Argus Corners Virginia, right
along the boarder of a national refugee. Of course, the ghost
tagged along. Not that Dana or Jason minded. The solitude sounded
pretty damn good to both men. Both fairly free-spirited in nature themselves.
As they drove along, Dana passed pictures of the area to Jason.
Rolling hills, sand and sea grass covered hills made the images
almost come alive, and to Jason....
"I know it's going to sound funny, but I swear I've seen these scenes before, these....picture."
Dana chuckles, "Maybe you saw one of the postcards from the area.
It IS one of the most photographed areas of the state. And do
ya want to hear something kind of funny. I was talking to Andy before we left.
You know Andy, " takes on a regal air,"the GRAND SAILOR OF THE
SEVEN SEAS AND HEART-BREAKER EXTRODINAIRE . He was telling me
that we'll only be 200 miles WEST of the tip...get this...of the Bermuda Triangle.
A couple hundred some miles of the western most tip."
"Hell, I'm only interested in the history of the area. Not the science
fiction of the area. Beside, didn't Nova or some other show
blame it on modern day pirates or blue sinkholes. I've got my camera,
plenty of film and two weeks of rest and relaxation.
Your turn off is a mile up from here."
"You suddenly know where we are Sacajuwea. I'll call Louis and
Clark; let them know I have a competent guide for them. I...."
As the car speeds farther along the road, a sign bearing the words
"Claymoor Township-Next Exit-1 Mile Argus Corners Exit.
Dana's jaw hangs open as he looks at his friend and changes lanes to make the left hand turn.
"How did you..."
"How did I know? Jeez. I dunno. Just let me relax, its still another
40 minutes after we take the exit."
Jason slides the Stetson he received over his eyes, takes a deep
breath, and tilts his seat back. The past few weeks of finals,
breakups, and nightmares seem to their toll. Jason slumbers into a
nap while the roll of the tires hum him to sleep. Jason's mind cruises
the boarders of REM state as the car moves along.
Colors, sounds, and musical pitches fill his mind. And the voice.
Her voice.
A voice to no bodily image that calls to him in the night.
Before, faintly; almost on the wind. But now, stronger
yet still gently loving.
"Jn....Jsn....Jason....Jason, your mind seems so close. Can you hear me? Jason?"
Jason mumbles in his sleep. Dana looks over at his friend and
smiles, while turning up the car heater a notch. "How the blazes is it
he can crash so fast?" Dana just shakes his head.
The heat in the car relaxes Jason farther. The voice calls to him,
"Jason, please hurry to us. We've waited so long.
It seems like an eternity. I've missed not hearing you.
Why is it your thoughts are so clear?"
"I can hear you. I don't understand, but I can hear you, not see you
though. Who are you and why are you in my thoughts?"
" I am Reilar. I have always been with you, link by our REM State
thoughts. We have shared so much through our dreams, even back when you were growing up in Minnesota."
"Why is it I can't see you? Your voice is like an angel. I wish I could see you."
"Soon, dear sweet Jason. You must be able to breach one of the barriers."
"Barriers? What...like a wall?"
"Yes, similar. But much more elaborate. Were you able to bring your special equipment?"
"Yes, I was able to get most. The rest I need to improvise."
"Please hurry. The rotation time frame is passing quickly. We only
have 28 days. After that, we won't be able to contact the
outside for another 500 years!"
"Time frame? Time frame for what? Reilar, answer me. For what?"
"Fredm, swt Jasn. Frdm! Contact...losing...you....Lv...u..."
Jason awakens with a start reaching a hand towards the windshield,
surprising Dana. Dana's reaction is to swerve slightly as if to
miss hitting something. "REILAR!" Jason looks around. He is
in the Bronco, breathing laboredly.
"Jeez Louise, Jason. Take another year off my life. At least you didn't..."
"Didn't what?"
"Nothing, never mind."
"WHAT?"
"Mickey told me, just a couple times mind you,he...uh.."
"He...come on Dana, spill it."
"He ," Dana chuckles slightly, "found you talking in your sleep,
staring out the window up at the moon. Talking about moonwalking."
Jason, more relaxed, "What if I told you I was speaking with an angel."
Dana shook his head, singing his off-key response," ...how do you talk to an angel...verrrry carefully."
Jason related what he "saw" in his dream. "But it seemed so real. I
mean, how do you explain the equipment I "needed to bring along."
"Extra credit for old man Wycroft, maybe...."
"Maybe," Jason sighed as he sinks farther into the car seat," I'm just about to lose it."
"I already think you've lost it, buddy." Dana punches Jason in the arm.
"Anyway, it's about another thirty minutes to go. Just slip back into
your nap and if any fairy princess need to be rescued, let me know
ahead of time so I can lower the jeep's windshield so you don't punch it out."
Jason slides his hat down into place over his face and is sleeping
soundly once again. Dana turned on the radio softly so
not to disturb Jason. If the radio had been turned up a little louder,
Dana might have heard the news/weather report regarding strange atmospheric
disturbances occurring offshore in the Atlantic.
Lightning, coming up from the water, large schools of dolphins
bobbing in the water about two miles from where the "water-lightning" is occurring.
And the most curious of things, several ships captains and crews traveling in the area have heard what they have described as lute and pan-pipe music
floating over the water. Something, the reporter stated was probably
alot of fancy from a group of overactive and imaginative minds.
The turnoff came and went quickly as the two kept their eyes peeled
for Aunt Ezzie's humble abode. The sun was setting quickly..perhaps
too quickly...for the boys.
Tall trees that were once visible became
dark, mishapened visages with a starry blanket as their background.
Coming around the bend in the road, Dana and Jason found themselves
driving along a cliff road overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Small,
winged creatures floated upon the air currents, navigating the
darkness with ease. Coming around a secondary bend, Jason and Dana leave
behind the cliff road, returning, again, to an inland direction.
Their travels soon come to a halt when around a grove of pines a
large, stately house appears before them...light up for all the
world, earthly and otherwise, to see.
"Dana!!! Yoo-hoo!!"
The voice, emanating from the steps of an oddly shapened porch, is
Aunt Ezmeralda. Looking a bit dishelved and not like Jason..or Dana..
for that matter, expected. Being Dana's mothers youngest sister,
she retained much of her beauty from her youth. Granted, being dressed in overalls...
inverted painters cap...and sandals plus smudges on her face could not detract
from the statuesque beauty chiseled in her face. Both Dana and
Jason turned in unison towards each other and smiled.
Dana immediately receives a massive bear hug and peck on the cheek
from Ezzie. Dana, at 5'8" and Ezzie at 6'2", is lifted off the
ground without effort. Looking at Jason, after being released from the grip, Dana smiles. Realizing Jason is
6'1", Dana realizes Jason will be somewhat immune from the warm greeting from Ezzie.
"My Dana. Whoever is this handsome and tall young man. And don't
tell me this your friend Jason.
I'll have to keep him here for myself if not."
Jason blushes a deep red and Dana bursts out laughing. Ezzie just
smiles...chuckling slightly...then wraps her arms around Jason, and welcomes him also.
"I hope I didn't embarrass you Jason."
Jason simply shakes his head, saying " No. Not at all.
'sides, best offer I've had in months."
"My problem, " Ezzie claims, " is there are no eligible men for about
100 miles. Plus that none are TALL enough to suit me."
"Ahhhh, " comment both Jason and Dana simultaneously.
"So, that was why my reaction seemed a bit impetuous towards
Jason," Ezzie says with a wink towards Jason.
Linking an arm with both of the young men, she escorts the two towards the looming house.
Entering the home, the young men are surprised by the eclectic style
of the furnishing.
A mix of centuries and styles weave various patterns as Jason and Dana are given the grand tour of the stately house.
Though a late
18th century structure, modern light permeates the infrastructure. Rooms are decorated
in 18th,19th, and 20th century styles. Ezzie's room, it seems, is furnished in early 21th century decor.
"I feel like I just took a trip through the Time Tunnel," Dana says glibly, as Ezzie excuses herself for a moment.
"It's not that bad," chides Jason.
"YOU would like it, Mr. Historian. Her room looked like something rejected by B5."
"Yeah...wish my room looked that good."
Dana gives Jason a playful whap upside Jason's head.
Aunt Ezzie returns with a fully light candleabrab.
"Aunt Ezzie. I think we have plenty of light in here, " Dana comments to her.
Aunt Ezzie simply smiles, looks down at her watch, and mutters "5...4...3...2...1...Blammo," then snaps her fingers.
With no explanations, the lights dim, then goes out all over the house.
Within the candlelight, Aunt Ezzie smiles mischievously.
Dana catches sight of this smile and shakes his head.
"I assume this has happened before OR your showing us your precognition at work."
"Twice a week...like clock work."
"How long does it last? " Jason pipes in.
"Usually 45 minutes to one hour. Always in the evening. Well, so much for dinner."
" That's alright. We scarfed several burgers and shakes a few hours back.
I dunno about Jas here, but I did a far amount of driving and could use some sack time."
Jason’s' reaction is a deep... and bellows yawn in agreement.
Dana, with a peck on the check for his Aunt, and a wave to Jason wanders into his room for the night.
The door is about to close when Dana turns towards his friend, saying
" Oh and Jason, any angels come to talk to you this evening....see if they have a friend."
Jason makes a step towards a door and Dana quickly closes it.
Ezzie stares at the door then at Jason who begins making a circling sign beside his temple
area while pointing towards the door. She smiles
(shaking her head) and simply turns,
walking to her bedroom door
...muttering something about men being men.
She calls back over her shoulder, "See you in the morning gentlemen. Sleep well."
Jason, in turn, walks to his assigned bedroom and closes the door.
JayAdams@blackhole.com
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