“Damnit!” I wake up and jump out of bed. I’m late, AGAIN. I’m definitely going to get fired this time. My feet hit the ground. Hmmmm, I must have left my clothes on the floor last night. I scampered over to the wall to flick on the switch in my tiny little studio apartment. What usually takes 5 tiny steps is taking an eternity. My outstretched hand keeps feeling for the wall in the darkness.

Finally I reach the wall. No switch. This is weird.

I’ve got to be dreaming. I rub my eyes and pull at a curtain where my light switch should be. The light burst through like spotlights illuminating the entire room.

The view is immaculate! The skyline is incredible and I can see clear across the city. But what city is this? Certainly not mine. I live in one of the worst neighborhoods in Boston.

After the divorce, my wife got everything. Life was hard for me. We had three small children and a new house. Things were going good for us. Until I was let go of my job where I worked for 22 years. After 22 damn years they just hand me a slip and tell me I’m done.

I was a welder and my skills were obsolete now. I tried to find work but could not. I eventually turned to the bottle and lost everything. My wife, my kids, my house, my friends and family. I was even homeless up until last month.

Well, if this is a dream I’m going to enjoy it a little while longer. I crawl back in the bed.

I’m interrupted a short time later. “Sir, your clothes are ready and the car will be here in an hour” a well dressed butler is holding a suit and shoes. “Huh?” I asked still dazed and confused. “Your speech is in 2 hours” “Speech?” “Yes, today at Stanford. Tomorrow in Chicago and you end your tour at Oxford”

What the hell is happening? I run to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I lose my balance and almost fall. Clean shaved, hair is immaculate and the person in the mirror is fit. It’s KaiRome Calloway. The Greatest Philosopher of modern times. HOW!?!?

The butler rushes me along as I try to explain that I’m not KaiRome!! I’m BRUCE! My name is BRUCE. He laughs and urges me along.

Now I’m in a Bentley being chauffeured to the university to give a speech that I have no idea about. In the car I inquire about the speech so I can at least go over it. Meanwhile I’m eating everything in sight. If this is a dream I plan on enjoying every minute of it! This suit, the hotel, the food….all of it. “You have never written a speech”, the butler explains, “You’ve memorized every speech since you were 3 years old”. THREE! Who the hell is giving speeches at 3!

I remember reading about Kairome being a prodigy but I don’t know all the details. When we arrive I’m whisked onto stage. Luckily I’m able to read the banner and the discussion topic.

“THE MEANING OF LIFE”

My life plays out in my mind immediately. A wave of emotions overcome me and I think about all that I’ve been through and what I could have done differently.

I’m standing in front of a thousand people. No speech. “I stand here before you all to discuss the meaning of life. Not in the theoretical or academic sense, but in a more practical sense. At birth we are born into a system that doesn’t teach how to live or what the purpose of life is. We are told that there are things that we need to have and to do to navigate life. That education is important. The money is a mode of exchange that gives us status and allows us to trade for things that make us happier while we are here. But what is not taught is that the things that makes us the most happy can never be bought. The true intrinsic value lies in every day positive interactions with the people you love. The emotions you feel when you touch the hand of the person you love. The feeling you get when you watch a child take that first step or utter the words mama, or dada. The adrenaline rush you get when you accomplish a goal. Even when you’re in a room alone and you solve a complex problem that you’ve been working on. Zone in on that moment. Close your eyes focus on that feeling for moment. There was no money exchanged, no alcohol or drug consumed. But in that moment your brain released all dopamine and endorphins that people use drugs to reach. That happiness and moment in time when you’re just together with friends and laughing your ass off. Examine those moments and pay attention to the rewards that your body creates for you. Live in the moments of joy for others. Live in the moments of joy for yourself. Be inquisitive, be creative, be adventurous. Love as much and as openly as you can. Remember that kindness, love and humanity are the keys to a happy and productive life. Go out today and pay attention to how the universe rewards you for being a good, loving, thoughtful person.”

When I finish the speech, everyone in the room is on their feet clapping. Many are crying and I can’t help but drop a tear as I think about my situation. It was clear to me that I had focused so much on my job and what I thought I was supposed to do. I was building a work life, not a family life. I invested more into my career than I had invested in my family and relationships.

Leaving the building, I saw a homeless man outside the loading docks where the car was parked. I reached in my pocket to hand him a few dollars. When I extended my hand to this homeless man that was obviously down on his luck, I looked dead into the eyes of ME!

Expedition number one was to a cave on a deserted island. We had to take a 1 1/2 hour guided tour boat to get there. We figured we would get this tour over with first. We could spend the rest of the week doing party boats and enjoying the all inclusive amenities. Along the way the tour guide pointed out the various islands owned by celebrities and some historical sites. We would be the first ones that would be visiting this new island. It took the crew years to get the island ready for visitors. It was a pretty impressive island. Amazingly beautiful and pristine. The island itself was a self guided excursion. They gave us a map and told us to be back at the boat in 4 hours. It certainly would not take that long to see the entire island. It was only3 miles wide and 8 miles long. We walked along the paths looking at the exoctic trees and reading the little plaques with the descriptions. When we reached the other side of the island we were on another beach. This one was more beautiful than the one we came ashore on.
Instead of taking the pathway back, we looked around to see if anyone was looking and decided to dip off into the wooded area. There was no sign saying we couldn’t, so we took that as an Indicator that we could. About a half mile in we saw a small entrance to cave. It looked pretty cool and we had to take a closer look. The entrance was big enough for us to squeeze our frames in. It was a little chillier in here than outside but not bad. A few steps in my buddy decided he wanted to be a smart ass and scrape his stick across the cave wall. I turned around and almost ran into him trying to get out of there. He laughed hysterically but to me that shit wasn’t funny. We only had a little light from the entrance of the tunnel and this thing seemed to go a little ways down. I was over it! The further it went, the darker it got. But he wanted to go a little further. After a few steps he tried the same trick. This sound was a little more high pitched. It sounded like rock on rock. “You’re not getting me twice jackass!” “That wasn’t me.” “What ever.” Then he did it again a few more meters in. “Cut the shit. It’s old.” “Bro, that’s NOT ME!” he exclaimed. He put both his hands on my shoulders and while his hands were there we heard the noise again. Whatever it was, it was between us and the exit. I fumbled in my pocket to find a lighter. I was so nervous I was barely able to get it lit. On the cave walls were large scratches. But not like animal paws. These were large claw or talons like from an eagle or a hawk. I don’t know how far we came in but the light from the entrance was no where in sight. It was dark. I became even more terrified when I saw what looked like blood on the cave walls and skeletal remains on the cave floor. I dropped my lighter and tried to run with my hand on the wall as guide. I heard the scratches on the wall, they were right behind us. FUCK!!

THE END

Be careful. Every year someone will be her victim. When Dorthy was a young girl someone laced her candy with poison. She did everything right. She had her parents check her candy before she ate it to see if anyone tampered with it. Dorothy died that Halloween and she vowed that someone would pay every Halloween for what happened to her. She’s delivered on that promise.

“Girrrrlllll, this party was everything”! “Who you telling?” “I needed this. This semester has been super stressful.” “Yea, you stupid for taking all them classes.” “Bitch, shut up! I’m trying to graduate early!” “Taking all them classes you must be trying to graduate late!” They both burst into laughter.

“Well, I gotta get back to my dorm before I do something stupid. Steve looking real good and the way I’m feeling, he might get some tonight!”

“Girl, You stupid. How you getting home?” “I’m about to walk, it’s nice out. I need walk this alcohol off.”

“NO YOU NOT!” Renee’s face gets stone cold serious. “Whoa, chill girl. I ain’t that drunk. I can walk.” Tasha responds.

Renees shares the story of how fast people have gone missing on and around campus. Not just missing, vanished. Not one of the missing persons cases has been solved. No evidence. No Blood. No clues. Just gone. Everytime it happens they were alone.

Except this one time. One survivor lived to tell about a situation. He’s been in the crazy ward uptown ever since.

His name is Jonathan. He said that he was at a frat house party and he and his friend had been drinking a little. Not enough to be drunk or anything. But enough for him to know it was time to go.

Him and his roommate Syrah had said their goodbyes and were heading home. They crossed Douglas park and dipped behind Martin Hall. Their dorms were all the way in the north east side of campus. When they came out on the other side of Martin Hall, Jonathan bent down to tie his sneakers. By the time he stood up Syrah was gone. There was no way he could have ran that fast and hid anywhere. Behind Martin Hall is an open field where the students would gather to hang out and play soccer or American Football. When the cops detained him, he told him the story. No one believed him. The ironic thing is, when they checked the cameras, they could see the two young men come from behind the Martin Hall and start to cross the field. The camera shows Jonathan bending down to tie his shoes and the camera glitches. A really quick glitch. Syrah was gone in that quick moment. A year or two later, the same thing happened. This time the student was alone. A quick glitch and the student was gone. Not a trace. This has been going on for years now. Everyone wonders why the college is still open. With no evidence of foul play the State says they have no proof to justify shutting it down.

It wasn’t until the night that Renee was walking Tasha home that another incident in which a pair were walking and one disappeared.

For years, no one vanished while walking with someone. The school made it clear that no one should be walking alone.

The story goes that Renee was walking Tasha home. She didn’t do anything but blink and Tasha was gone.

Renee is in the same ward that Jonathan is in. They both lost someone as quick as a blink.

Dear Diary, I got the job but I need to move to the Midwest. I don’t know anyone there and my closet family members are in the southeastern part of the country. It’s a great opportunity but making new friends at this point in my life doesn’t seem like any fun. Excited about the opportunity, upset about the move.

Dear Diary, I only have 2 days to accept this job offer. The good news is that I have another offer on the table. It’s local but it pays substantially less. 60k less!! Now I have to do an opportunity map and see what’s best for me.

Dear Diary, I asked the local company if they would match the offer I had from the Midwest. It was a firm no. I spent way too much time having fun in my younger days and I need to pad my retirement account. I get paid more and the cost of living is cheaper. It turned out to be a no brainer. Guess I’m moving.

Dear Diary, Tonight was the going away party. I like to think I’m pretty masculine but I cried like a baby in front of the entire party. The girls thought it sweet but my homeboys will never let me live that moment down. The moving company is coming tomorrow to pack up the apartment. FUCK! This is really happening.

Dear Diary, I arrived today. The apartment is nice. I’m right in the heart of downtown. I’m on the higher floors and the view is amazing. I’m overlooking the river. Nice start so far. Tomorrow is my first day.

Dear Diary, I think I’m the only black person in the entire company!!! I asked about diversity in the interview. The office is diverse, but I thought I made it clear that diversity meant MORE THAN ONE BLACK PERSON! They do have a good mix of people. I saw some Asian, a few Spanish people and maybe some middle eastern people. This should be interesting considering they hired from outside the company for an executive level position. They normally hire internally.

Dear Diary, Second Day……SHIT SHOW! This would normally be reason to meet up with friends and drink! But I don’t know anyone here so I’ll settle for a long run on the river trail behind my building,

Dear Diary, Sorry it’s been so long. I’m now 3 weeks in….STILL SUCKS! I think they brought me in to Revamp the department. Meaning, they brought me in to FIRE PEOPLE. That’s why they hired someone from outside the company. These people have been working together for 10+ years. They were too chicken shit to fire their friends. I feel like I’ve been duped.

Dear Diary, I got invited out tonight. I had to decline because 4 of those people will be getting let go tomorrow. They should have been fired 5 years ago according to what I’m reading in their file. I’m lonely as hell here and having some friends to hang out with during this tough time would be nice. MORE RUNNING TODAY. Running is starting to be my hobby.

P.S. I keep seeing this amazing woman. I think she lives in my building. We have only given eachother a casual nod in passing. But it’s starting to feel like we know eachother.

Dear Diary, HORRIBLE DAY! After laying off a total of 12 people and reorganizing the department no one is really talking to me. They are cordial, and work is improving already. But this has been the worst 6 months of my life!! I’m lonely and bored.

P.S. Her name is Lilly. We spoke on the path and she does live in my building. She’s a few years younger than me and she’s an attorney. And….shes single and a transplant like me.

Dear Diary, We got the department results back. Sales are up, customer satisfaction is up and we’ve saved money through shaving time on shipping products and reducing inventory cost. The team will get the largest bonus they have had in a while. More smiles and less frowns. IM STILL NOT GOING OUT WITH THEM!! They were mean as hell to me.

Dear Diary, Me and Lilly bumped into each other at a restaurant tonight. It was cool. We decided to dine together. She’s from out west, San Diego. We talked for hours. She has no kids, never been married and has 3 siblings, 2 brothers and a sister. It was cool. We exchanged numbers and walked back to our apartment together.

Dear Diary, Much better atmosphere today. My secretary left some thank you notes on my desk from the team. Maybe I should accept the olive branch. NOT!!

Dear Diary, Midwest ain’t so bad. Me and Lilly have been exploring the area together.

Dear Diary, It’s been a year now. Sorry I have not been writing. I’ve been to busy BEING ENGAGED!! WHOOP WHOOP! I know, that was quick. But when you know, you know.

P.S the team is pretty cool. We are killing it in the office and I even went out a few times. I took Lilly with me for protection lol.

Dear Diary, This move didn’t turn out too bad. My mother and father are coming down this weekend to meet the mystery woman that has been making me so happy. They haven’t met her yet. Can’t wait to see their face when they see she’s white.

I did not think anyone had seen me. I was so careful. I staked the place for days. Only the target had came and gone for 3 days. He’s routine was normal. Wake up, go to the local mart and buy food for the day, Never more. That said to me he didn’t know how long he’d be there. He burnt his trash after every meal and covered the ashes with dirt. He did not want to leave any evidence that he was there. The third day, he did not leave in the morning. I could see through the window in an area I was perched on that he was packing. It would have to be today. It would have to be NOW! I didn’t have time to trek back the 1 mile trail to my car. He may leave at any moment and my window would be closed forever. He’s be in the wind. I crept down the west side of the house and around to the back door. I hadn’t seen anyone else and the report said there were two targets. I glanced through the windows and didn’t see anyone. Not a trace of the second target. I traced my steps to the back door and slipped in. The target had his back to me. Unaware I was there I let off two quick shots dropping him in the kitchen. I did a quick check to ensure the target was dead. I snapped his picture, uploaded it to my client to confirm the kill. My work was done. When I returned to my car. All 4 tires were flat! By the time I could react I heard the sound of bullets hitting the tree next to me. I did not hear the weapon but I recognized the sound of bullets hitting bark. He was a professional. I hit the ground and looked up to see which direction the bullet came from. He was behind me and up a hill. He had the high ground. My only chance at escape was to make it to the lake. I saw a boat down there. But how? I’d have to think quickly. I shot at the gas tank of the car setting it ablaze. When it exploded I took that opportunity to run as fast as I could down the hill to little boat. Certainly, he didn’t think I would run to a place where he could easily snipe me. I was lucky. I made it to the boat and took off as quickly as I could disappearing around a little cove on the lake. I was safe, for now. If there was a second person. I just became the hunted instead of the hunter. I have no clue who the person is, what they look like or what skill set they. But I know they are good. They stayed invisible for days. I’ll need to be careful.