Jack has always seen art in death. The splash of red that always leaves behind that familiar jolt. That euphoric sense of madness. He was always looking for more work but something whispered on the wind. Something about a grand masterpiece.
Leave your tools behind.
But his tools-knives, guns, swords-they were like his children. How could he possibly…
It will never be yours, then. __ __ Jack was getting more and more annoyed with these voices. Why couldn’t they show themselves? Why the tricks?__ __ Leave them behind and the dream you desperately cling to? Will be yours. Don’t? Your chance will be gone.
He reluctantly left his children behind.
Time passed and he saw nothing that could be considered art. Until he walked out to the forest. Blood red leaves littered the canvas, shining just right as the sun was just overhead.
He noticed wandering through the forest, a woman.
It’s not like he hasn’t seen one before. No he used many for his “paintings”. But this particular one was different. She seemed to scream perfection. With his babies? He could resume his work but he would have to use his hands this time. He got closer to her perfect body, perfect skin, eyes of blue pools, hair that glistened off the wind.
He never met someone so perfect in his life. Then she spoke:
“Something told me that I could come here to die.”
She said those words like it was a fleeting thought and strangely enough? It surprised him.
“Why do you want to die?” He asked like he hasn’t caused so many himself.
“Oh…just my parents died, my pet just recently passed, no one in my family is around, I have no friends or any relationship with anyone, I’m quite alone.” She said calmly.
Jack couldn’t believe that she was so calm after all that has happened to her. To accept death so willingly? It seemed wrong.
“Oh, you need more? Let’s see…I lost my job, twice. I now live in a box where people walk by as if you’re already dead already. So? I’m taking there advice.”
The warm wind basked through.
“Are you my reaper?”
Jack embraced her, the smell of lilies hung in the air as he began to cry. But he was smiling. For after all this time his masterpiece wasn’t what he wanted. It was something else entirely.
The day my father passed was the worst moment of my life. Not just because he’s gone, oh no I could heal that scar just like anyone else.
No, it’s because I just don’t remember how. You see, when he passed on, I was young, I think four years old. But past that I can recall only sounds. A deafening scream, the blow of someone’s breath, the cries of so many others. Now I know what you will say. The most obvious solution. “Ask your mother.” Right?
That would be great advice, really it would, but she doesn’t remember either! So I lay in my bed…I’m seven now and I just realized I never told you my name.
I’m so sorry, it’s Damian. Damian Locke. Nice to meet you.
Anyways, I hope I can figure this conundrum out soon because I’m going mad with grief. Shouldn’t you know how someone close to you passed away? Especially a parent?
“Damian! Breakfast!” My mom calls. I forgot about that. I got school today. Great. Just great.
I bring the blanket closer. Shielding myself from this damn nightmare. My own breath turned into spikes that bit my skin. I was enraptured by glass. I had no choice but to accept my fate.
But maybe there is hope?
“Over here! Dear gods over here!”
The shadow of a man walks over with what looks to be a pike in hand? If so then maybe he could break it.
As he draws nearer I couldn’t help but feel this warm wave of relief and as he just stands there.
Come on! I thought. Do something!
But he remains unmoved.
“Hit the ice!” I screamed as I could taste blood in my mouth!
“Damn it! Hit it!” I bellowed but the shadow remained unmoved. “Please…….” As my vision turns to black.
I don’t know how long I was out but I awoke on a hospital stretcher, a helicopter nearby and a friend next to me. Jason. Good man.
“What happened?” I said weakly.
Jason shook his head, “you tell us! You were encased in ice.” He looked at me like I was nuts and I looked back in kind.
“Well, how did you get me out then?” I asked wondering if what I was thinking was true.
“You must have a real angel on your side.” Jason said.
“How you mean?”
“When we noticed you never came down, we got worried. We went back up there to look for you. It was like finding a needle in a haystack but we found you? And this.”
In his hand was none other than what I saw through the ice.
The pike.
My bed owner has been very kind. For you see they leave their clothes everywhere!
I need what is on the floor for you see, this is a new bed. A new owner.
By the way, if you’re wondering at this point if I did the deed?
I did not. For I have plenty of souls to sate me. At least for the year.
Night comes, the creaking of someone entering the bed brought me to full attention.
The socks fall off?
And I wait. Wait for the…
Zzzzzzz
Perfect as I take them away and wait. Gleeful as a child.
Morning rises as I hide in the shadows. My bed owner notices something out of place. Maybe lost?
I laughed silently as I saw the concerned face but they thought they would find it eventually.
Months of this little game and my bed owner is scared to sleep. Her parents blame her for losing her socks when she knows that she put them in the same spot.
every night.
every time.
She drops another pair and waits to see for herself.
Should I show my hand? Or should I let her fear stew.
Her shallow breathing.
Holding the edge of her bed to the point of pain.
“Show yourself!” She screamed. And there it was. I did and I saw the blue light around her. It was radiant but I saw the youth on her face. How could I take another soul?
I wanted the light brighter anyways.
I reached my hand out and grabbed my prize. As she screamed and cried. I smiled.
A year later I felt the Hunger.
The blood moon has come.
Souls have left me like dearly departed friends. I watch them sail away, on the rivers of the afterlife.
I needed her being. Her fear. Her soul.
As night returned, the blood rays entered her window and I did what had to be done. Our time together was over.
On to the next one.
I awaken to the vast blue space. My chest hammering like the salsa. I know I shouldn’t be here in this lane in between, but my feet believe otherwise.
The crack and booms of the storm off in the distance rattles me as I hold myself. Giving the only comfort I could. I had to find a way out. It was foolish of me to seek him out.
Damian?
I turned around and standing behind me was none other than my father.
Boom!
“Dad! You’re really here!” I cried. I haven’t lost him yet. There was still time.
“Better question is why are you here Damian? How are you here?” My dad asked worried.
“I’m fine dad. Really. I just…….” My mind was going a mile a minute. The storm was getting closer and when that happens “he” comes. Well he’s not having him! Not on my watch.
“Damian……how are you here?” My dad asked firmly. “The dreamway,” I answered as I grabbed his wrist and ran. “You know that’s dangerous! I’ve told you this.” I smiled. “Have I always listened?” My dad rolled his eyes as he grabbed me and pulled me back as a streak of white landed right in front of me!
“Whoa! Uh, thanks” I said catching my breath. The sound of the storm was getting closer, the weather even more intense. “Damian, you have to let me go. I love you more than anything but you know what’s coming. I don’t want him to take you too.” A cold chill went down my spine. I had no reason to leave. I was taking him home. Whether he wanted to or not.
Time passed as a black silhouette came into view. The storm surrounding him.
“Damian, for Novu’s sake listen to me!”
“Now what are we talking about here?”
A cold voice said happily. I jumped back.
“Nanashi” I muttered. As he walked around us, scythe in hand. “So what is the meaning of this invasion of my realm? Is it to browse around? No, it’s to take someone. One that can’t be taken.” He said as if he was singing. “It’s your fault to begin with! If you didn’t switch those candles,” his slimy finger touched my lip.
“My fault you say? No. You should have simply paid attention”
“I was four!” I screamed as ripples went over me like the sea. I reached my hand out but it wasn’t coming…not yet.
“It does not matter now. For a life extinguished is mine. Another filthy Godsend off the board.” He sneered.
Who was he to say that? He planned it! He took him from me and I just want him back. “You took him from me…….you took everyone………you…….”
It was here.
A gold line came crackling down.
Right into my hand.
I pounced with my staff in hand.
Thwack!
I slammed it right into his smug skeletal face and do you know what he did?
He laughed.
“You really think you can fight for your fathers freedom? A man who has died and could very well be sent to the gates of paradise, but instead you just want what you want.” He sweeped his scythe at me as I ducked and smashed his face again.
“Damian you have to let me go. There’s no other way out!” My father cried but the space became dark and cold.
“I was going to let you suffer with the guilt. With the simple fact that you had lost your father.” Nanashi hissed. “I was going to let you heal, to be with your mother who is only protected because of you…” his eyes of black flames seared into mine. “What do you mean my mother is protected? She’s a godsend too! You would just go after her next…” but both were quiet. Nanashi looked towards my father with a strange expression of respect?
To be continued…
I thought it would be a romantic evening. Go to a nice dinner, sit at the white wooded pier overlooking a beautiful lake.
A simple date right?
It was anything but simple.
We had to wait 3 hours before we got our seats.
Then she ordered everything expensive on the menu.
“If anything else goes wrong I will flip.” The devil said.
“Just keep your cool man, you got this” the angel said as I paid the bill.
We were walking towards the pier and the lavish wood was worn and degraded.
What happened?
Thankfully, by the pier sitting in our spot was a fisherman.
“ya come to brave the pier ey?” He had a patch over his right eye and lost a couple teeth to boot. “Names Jack,” he took his hand off.
Naturally we both screamed.
“Let’s go Simon,” she said but as she turned around, her hands felt cold.
“Go missy? You ain’t be going anywhere,” Jack said as he stood up.
“Why? I can do whatever I set my mind to, right simon?” I nodded reluctantly.
“Boy? You don’t know do ya?”
“Know what?”
“A couple, drowned just last night swimming these waters. Feuding over mixed feelings. I see you have mixed feelings of your own ey?”
I looked at Kassandra, she came from a wealthy family, not only that but she was beautiful. But this night felt like a test of my patience. I still wanted her to be happy.
Why?
The fog came in as little whispers touched my ears:
“Because she can handle herself without you”
“Because she has a good heart,”
“She doesn’t need a man like you”
The fog was getting thicker. I covered my ears.
“Stop just stop!” I screamed as she touched my shoulder ever so gently.
“Simon?”
“No no…..”
“What did you do to him?”
Jack’s eyes glinted off the lake,
“what should you do? Hmmm I think you two need to figure that out yourselves and my dear?” Jack took off his patch and underneath was a black void.
“Find what can’t be seen from this night, open your eyes to the feelings around you, only then can you both stay afloat.” He covered his eye and I felt the immense pressure off of me.
“Or you may drown. It really makes no difference to me,” as he hopped in the lake.
“So……what now?”
Mommy took me to the aquarium. We went past all the windy streets and rude city folk until I saw. A giant building that seemed to make the light dance like water.
“Honey! Careful!” As my mom took hold of my hand and we went inside.
“Whoaaaa” it seemed all so magical to me, the fish, the sharks (which scared me a little bit), the stingrays that we could touch but my mom took my hand and tutted at me.
Why do grown ups always ruin the fun?
“Sarah, I want to show you something,” mom took my hand, brought me down a winding corridor and as we got to the surprise? You know what I saw?
Nothing.
Just little orange pieces dancing in the river.
“Keep watching,”
I did and the tiny orange pieces were linking together! Little by little until it filled up the screen.
“Human play with Goldie?” “You can talk?” Goldie nodded, “could talk for long time but…” “But what?” I asked.
Goldie’s face looked to the floor.
“Everyone come, Goldie say Hi? They run. Goldie doesn’t understand,”
I understood. It’s not always easy to accept the unknown but when you do? It is a magical feeling.
“You different though, you see Goldie?” I looked up at mom and she nodded, “let’s say once a year,” Goldie and I both said “awww,” in unison. “Let me finish. Once a year, until you are older” I nodded. Goldie did a backflip in the water.
“What you name?”
“Sarah.”
“Sarah Goldie friend?” I nodded as we left. I kept that promise until my last day. Where I am writing this now.
I hope my son does the same.
The Silk Road.
A path one must take when they feel lost or afraid.
One such man, who has wandered the earth for many moons, searching for an answer to a question he knows not of.
But still he walks, his feet blistered from the worn shoes, his hands numb from the cold, his cotton gloves not helping him as he blows into his hands and rubs them together.
“Looking for warmth stranger?” “If you are willing to give it,” he felt a warm scarf being placed on his shoulders. He wrapped it around his neck and felt such ease. “What brings you to Levinistra?” The stranger asked. “Is that where I am? Blimey it’s hard to keep track these days,” the stranger laughed, “Too true, too true. But I must confess that no one has come through here unless they were seeking answers,” “What do you mean?” “What I mean is…….you may only gain entry if you have a question, do you have a question stranger?” The stranger asked.
The man sighed, “I do but I know not what,” there was a long pause as the wind blew through changing the town to a road.
He gasped, “the Silk Road,” the stranger nodded. “If you know not, your question, I cannot give you an answer, but this road will give to you, what I cannot,” the stranger said as the man took his first steps.
Did he find his question that he has been seeking? Did the stranger answer it I wonder? Who could say.
I remember the day when I genuinely felt happy.
Every night I went with my sister to the Lumin forest. The trees sparkled like jewels, the water shined like stars, the ground was as clear as crystal. Gorano, a half human half beetle, was there to greet us.
“Welcome back girls!” He spoke in tones that only we could understand.
We bowed, “hello Guardian Gorano,” we said together.
“Ella, Anita, you both know that we are among friends here”
“I know, it’s just momma always taught us to bow to a guardian if we ever met one” my sister said. Her black long hair as sleek as night covering her face.
“You girls are my friends. So let the night…..begin!” As he opened the gate and we saw the beauty of the forest.
“Hey stop it” Anita said with a chuckle as a woodland spirit, an Animi, tapped her nose. We swung from the trees, we skated across the ground and we swam in the water. It was paradise.
But just like all stories, our paradise was broken by a curiosity.
As we were swimming, our thoughts focused on the here and now, Anita’s face, filled with life and joy, slowly began to change.
“Anita? What’s wrong?”
Anita began muttering something that I had to get closer to hear
“…….the darkness…….”
“Darkness? What darkness? Anita!” My pulse quickened and my hands shook. But she kept repeating
Repeating
Repeating
“Gorano!?” I could hear the fluttering of his wings and he grabbed me and took me away!
“What are you doing????”
“Saving your life, I’m so sorry little one,” he said as a blackness covered the forest with my sister inside it!
BTOOM
The trees turned black, the water was like mud, the ground as black as night. But what happened to my sister? I ran back inside once Gorano let me go and what I saw horrified me. In place of my sister, was a monster.
“They are called nightlings. Creatures that were once human but were tainted by night.”
“Anita?” I said, my lips trembling. Yellow eyes greeted me, but it wasn’t my sister’s eyes. It was a monster.
I screamed and bashed the ground.
“There only peace is death,” Gorano flew in and stabbed it right in the chest.
It wriggled and writhed until only the wisps of light remained.
“It is done, your sister is at peace now,” he said calmly but a rising flame was burning my chest. “Why did you save me and not her?” I asked with as much restraint as possible but Gorano was silent.
“Answer me!”
I heard rain falling from his faceless eyes.
Was he crying?
“I know when someone is touched by darkness they can only find peace in death. While it might be dark thinking, I wish I could have seen the darkness inside her. Prevented it somehow. I’m sorry,” as his knees buckled and fell to the ground.
10 years have passed and I still come to the lost forest to grieve. I will always miss my innocent sister and if this darkness has a face? Mark my words…….
I will burn it to the ground.
