Amy S. Krauss
I’m in the very first stages of building author skills. I dream of some day writing serial fiction for profit.
Amy S. Krauss
I’m in the very first stages of building author skills. I dream of some day writing serial fiction for profit.
I’m in the very first stages of building author skills. I dream of some day writing serial fiction for profit.
I’m in the very first stages of building author skills. I dream of some day writing serial fiction for profit.
One glorious morning, Belle was out walking among the rolling hills of the countryside. She knew this landscape like the back of her hand, and it was comforting to walk great distances along the familiar terrain. The air was crisp and clear with just a hint of winter around the corner. As she was musing on the beauty of the day she noticed something at the top of the next hill which hadn't been there before. A bright light was shining so brightly it obscured whatever it was generating the light. Belle decided to take a closer look and directed her steps up the hill. Despite getting closer, she still could not discern what was generating this light. The light also did not get any larger or brighter as she approached, which struck her as odd. It was as though the object was staying the same distance from her despite the fact she had traveled more than half the distance to it. She continued on her way marveling at this strange object. As she reached the crest of the hill she determined it wasn't a light source which had drawn her this far. Instead, it appeared there was a wrinkle in the air which seemed to bend and focus the light. Always the curious one, Belle approached as close as she could while still seeming to be a safe distance from this strange phenomenon. Just a few feet away, close enough to reach out and touch the wrinkle. She walked all around the top of the hill circling the spot. It looked the same from every angle. Tentatively, she leaned closer and reached her hand out ever so slowly, one finger outstretched. Inch by inch her finger moved towards the bright bending light. Suddenly, before she even thought she had touched the wrinkle, her entire body began to be yanked violently towards the spot. There wasn't even time to try to resist. Before she knew it, she was enveloped completely by the light. Bright light surrounded her completely and she was enveloped in silence. The violent pulling stopped almost as soon as it had started. Slowly she turned her head to try to see past the light, but it was no use, she could see nothing. She then reached both arms straight out to help herself feel the way out. The movement caused her to tumble to the ground and everything appeared to return to normal. The familiar hills returned and she could once again hear the sound of the wind and the song birds. Truly shaken by this experience, Belle decided it best to return home as quickly as possible.
She covered the ground back to her familiar castle very quickly, feeling an urgency of returning to safety. She crested the next hill and was expecting to see the grand building in the distance, but was stopped dead in her tracks by the sight which greeted her instead. Where a solid stone structure once stood atop a hill, now there was nothing. In the valley below her a shining black road carved a path into the distance. Carriages were whizzing along at dizzying speeds. She turned in every direction trying to get her bearings. But everything behind her told her she was going exactly where she should to return home. However, home was nowhere to be found. She walked quickly down the hill into the valley and was stunned by the noise coming from the road and the speeding carriages. The closer she got, the more frightening the speed of the carriages became. She decided she would go back over the hill she came from and try to go around the road from the other side. But what she saw when she crested back over the hill completely took her breath away and brought her to her knees. What had been pleasant rolling countryside only minutes ago was now an incomprehensible collection of buildings, people, and noise. She desperately scanned the vision before her for anything even remotely familiar. "Focus Belle, you can figure this out. Don't panic" she said to herself with determination. Suddenly she felt as thought she was at once being drawn into the scene before her, and at the same time, the scene was coming towards her. Before she could comprehend what was happening she was completely enveloped in this strange new world. The carriages she had seen before in the distance were now frighteningly close to her and appeared to move by magic. There were no horses, but they were pulled along at great speed with their occupants all calmly seated inside. She turned on the spot desperately looking for an escape, but there was nothing to help her gain her bearings other than the signs which now appeared to be everywhere. While she could easily read all of the signs, none of them had any meaning to her. They all appeared to be labeling the dwellings of individuals such as "Walgreens", "Applebee's", and "Barnes & Noble". Other signs simply had meaningless words such as "Express", "Subway", and "Staples". But as she walked, she noticed none of these structures were dwellings. They were all shops of some type selling a staggering number of garments, food, and unrecognizable items. But one shop stood out from all the rest and drew her to it. Books. The store with the sign "Barnes & Noble" had books. Books were safe. Belle quickened her step and headed directly into the bookshop without hesitation.
Inside, the sound of the noisy carriages dropped away and was replaced by a sense of calm. This bookshop was bigger even than her library at home. She had never imagined so many books could even exist! She stood at the entrance and took in the scene before her. Many people were quietly walking among the rows and rows of bookshelves. Once in a while someone would pick up a book and look through it, then put it back and continue on their way. As she stood there in awe, she was startled by a voice:
"Is there something I can help you find?"
"Oh!" Belle exclaimed, jumping a little. "There are so many books!" was all she could stammer.
"Hmm." said the shopkeeper looking Belle up and down. "I'm guessing you like adventure stories?"
"Why yes I do!" Belle said feeling quite relieved there was someone here who spoke with sense. Perhaps this person could even help her find her way home. But for the moment, the call of the books was all that mattered and Belle happily followed the shopkeeper deep into the shop and among the books.
The last house which could be considered part of town fades out of my periphery. This means I’m almost there. The sun has set and dusk has begun. I shift my pack slightly and pick up my pace. I keep my eyes ahead, and then I see it. A lone house at the end of a curving drive. It emits no light. I quicken my pace even more even though I am not eager for what I will encounter. As I approach, I see the gate to the drive is open. I can see a freshly scrape on the pavement arcing where it was pushed open despite the sagging hinges. Dark trees hang low and dense and underbrush crowds the drive. I make my way along the drive and can hear unsettling scurrying in the encroaching forest.
“Just animals. It’s just animals.” I say to reassure myself.
I turn the last bend of the drive and the house reveals itself. It is a sprawling assembly of decades of additions and renovations. The brick work still impresses with interesting dark and light contrasts. There are enormous planters along the steps and patio, but the plants are withered and dead. Vines and bushes lean heavily against the windows which once produced magnificent views. The wind quickly picks up dead leaves and swirls them around in a messy leaf tornado, then dies off and drops them all just as fast. I am certain someone is in there, but they won’t be easy to find.
I crack open the cookie and inside isn't a fortune, but an advertisement. Outrage! It reads:
"Down on your luck? Call 450-969-3049 for your free introductory fortune telling!"
No fortune!? Rip off. I toss the slip of paper on my dirty plate and aggressively crush the cookie pieces on top of it. It seems the fates are against me. Now I’m not even getting the reliable comfort of a fortune at the end of a meal. I look around the room. There are 2 other occupied tables. One with two women deep in conversation near the window. They are smiling and very animated. They are dressed nicely as though they are on their lunch break, but it is 2:00 p.m. They either got a late start or have lost track of time. Deeper in the restaurant is an older couple eating in comfortable silence. And then there's me. I sit in the middle of the restaurant, alone, hair a mess, wearing clothes which are more comfortable than attractive. But I chose this. I could have gotten my food to-go. But I thought getting out and being among people would be better for me.
"You can't hide here forever. Go out, live life!" I had said.
Hmpf. Maybe I wasn't ready.
I poke at the cookie crumbs and pick up the "fortune" again. Rip off. Even so, the word "free" piques my interest. Why is it free? What's the catch? I put the scrap of paper in my vest pocket and walk out of the restaurant into the blinding sun. Cars are buzzing by and people are walking along the sidewalk as though on a mission. I fall into step to head back home.
The darkness of my apartment instantly calms me and depresses me at the same time. I cross the room and open the blinds halfway in hopes of making a compromise between my emotions. I flop down on the couch and take out my phone with a deep sigh. I take out the slip of paper and dial without hesitating further. What do I have to lose? The line picks up with some pleasant piano music followed quickly by an cheery female voice speaking over it. "Thank you for calling Fortunes by Design! Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed. Press 1 for your daily fortune. Press 2 for your one month outlook. Press 3 for your one year outlook. Press 5 for your extended outlook. And if you received an offer for a free fortune, press 9. To repeat these options, please press pound." I hesitate slightly before pressing 9. What happened to option 4? My phone is silent for a few moments. Long enough that I begin to think the call has dropped. But then then a quiet female answers:
"Lydia, is that you?"
My throat catches for a moment. Either she really is clairvoyant or she really knows how to work the caller ID system. I give an uncertain
"Yes?"
"Finally. We've been a bit worried. We need to get you activated as soon as possible so we can get moving."
"Activated?" I don't understand."
"Oh, sorry. I'm just so relieved it's finally you. Just go get your ring and it will all come back to you"
"My ring?"
"Yes, you know, your special ring? The one that has the most meaning to you? It's different for everyone, but you must know which one I'm talking about?"
"I do have a special ring, but don't lots of people?"
"Yes, that's the point. Now please go get your ring."
I could tell her patience was wearing thin, so I drag myself off the couch with another heavy sigh and walk into my bedroom, switching the phone to speaker as I walk.
"I thought I was calling in for a free fortune." I stated, matching her irritation.
"Just get the ring." she replies pointedly.
"Fine!" I say, with exasperation.
I pick up the small paper mache box I'd had forever. It was painfully out-of-date with a light blue collage of Victorian-era images randomly splayed across it. I open the hinged top and begin to use my index finger to dig through the small bits of ephemera accumulated thus far in my life. I hesitate when I see the button from our first date, but keep digging to find the ring. I pick it up carefully and feel the rush of warmth, fondness, and comfort come over me.
"OK. I've got the ring. Now what?"
"We'll you've got to put it on Lydia, come on, work with me here!"
"Excuse me? Just who are you again? Why are you asking about my grandmother's ring?"
"Just put the damn ring on!"
"But it doesn't even fit me! I never wear this ring!"
"Put on the ring Lydia! NOW!"
"FINE!" I yell, matching her exasperation.
I gingerly begin to put the ring on my right pinkie knowing it will only go about three quarters on before becoming too tight. But something odd happens. The ring fits perfectly. It's as though the ring grew bigger at the same time my finger became thinner. I feel an odd twinge in my right hand followed by an intense wave of pain through my arm as though I had just put my pinkie in an electrical socket. I yell out, but the pain begins subsiding very quickly. As it does, memories come flooding back to my brain like a tidal wave. My memories, but not my memories at the same time. As though someone was downloading another lifetime onto my brain.