Hellfire

            An angel named Messiahs fell from grace. Sunset stood frozen in time over the horizon as Messiahs drew out his sword amidst the fall. His shining plates of armor glittered bright even in darkness. His wings spread in the air as he flew through a cosmic city heaven provided for the pure at heart. The milky sky and clean air, the bountiful array of stars. The beautiful dream God created turned into a nightmare as he, Messiahs, descended onto the pits of hell.
            Messiahs soared through the underworld until he reached the surface. He hovered before making a landing. Just above him, at a distance, lay paradise disappearing before the clouds. Heaven cast its light down into hell for those who seek redemption. Messiahs was a beacon in a world of ruins. He looked around to a deserted kingdom. Pillars scattered in the debris, temples burned and screams raved in agony. Hell is everything heaven isn’t.
            “An angel,” those that lingered in the shadows called, “But your scent be wicked.” Demons crawled from where they hid; laughing, scheming. Their vile appearance would kill anyone who dare lay a sight on them. Their deformity and soulless eyes were a testament to their evil ways. The dark side turned them into monsters, corrupted to the core. They were once Angel’s led to a path unsuitable for good. “You don’t belong here Messiahs. Be gone!” They circled around him. “Or have you forsaken Fathers teachings.”
            “He’s come to purify us!”
            “The redeemer! The redeemer!”
            The weak scattered away while the bold creeped closer, taunting a reaction from Messiahs. They wanted to be blinded by his mighty light. The demons craved to be smite down by the powers of God. They longed to be delivered. Their laugh haunted the air as they teased Messiahs. “We know who you are,” one said. “We know what you are after,” another continued. “We know who you are!” They chanted in unison, laughing. The demons danced around Messiahs, chanting a curse. The demons held hands as they whispered insidious things.
            Messiahs broke the circle as he extended his wings. The demons scattered across the ruins, some rolling away while others disappearing behind fallen pillars. They giggled as they got to their feet. They finished their chant, bit their hand and slammed it to the ground. An invisible circle flashed before them with Messiahs in the center. The earth split apart with a thunderous roar. Messiahs flew in the air and witnessed a summoning spell.
            Lava emerged from the cracks. Another roar escaped the earth, causing a wave of lava to erupt. A mountain of fire bubbled into a beast. The lava grew arms and legs. A face screamed into existence as it attempted to capture Messiahs. Before he knew it, Messiahs was on the run. The demons chased Messiahs throughout the valleys of hell with their pet following behind. The demons aimed poisonous arrows at Messiahs, others swung their demented blades. None were as treacherous as the beast leaving behind puddles of magma, incinerating everything it touches.
            Messiahs was determined. Good always prevails, inevitably. One demon managed to get a hold on Messiahs. Soon, a hoard of demons piled onto them. Darkness engulfed them all until Messiahs armor exploded into light. The demons were gone instantaneously. The magma spirit hardened into a hill. Life emerged as Messiahs remained standing. His wings gave a breath of fresh air to life where there once were none. Heavens light shimmered through Messiahs armor like a star.
            As Messiahs left the scene, what plant life blossomed soon withered. Hell was no place for beauty to prosper. Messiahs crossed the desert of despair with heaven just above him. “This ends now.” Messiahs spoke, reflecting on events that happened before his fall. He gripped his sword pondering on his anointment. “He is no enemy of mine.” Messiahs remembered the conversation he had before descending onto hell. “He will be my successor.” Blasphemy shook the council as he proclaimed his truth.
            “Have you forgotten why your father banished him?” Messiahs could not shake their clouded opinions.
            “His teachings are misunderstood.” Messiahs backed his reason. “You will see him different.” Hell was no place for an angel, let alone Gods only son. Messiahs soared through the underworld by passing tortured souls and lost hope. As morbid and opaque hell is known for, Messiahs saw nothing but potential beginnings for greatness. He simply had to track down one faithful soul to turn everything on its head.
            Hellfire erupted from mountains over beyond the distance. Black clouds concealed heaven above. Fire scorched the barren lands, sheltering the wicked. Messiahs liberated those who yearned salvation from hell. He did not feel pity but empathy for their souls. He could not bear to hear their cries, see the hurt in their hollow eyes. Hell was over populated by death and misery. Beasts thrived from all the agony. Demons rejoiced in all the evil that consumed the underworld.
            Messiahs journey to hell was nothing short of what he had expected. Just beyond his sight, a temple for the God to the underworld stood untouched by the fires of hell. There, Messiahs knew he would find his equal. His wings felt heavy from the heat emitting from the ground. Screams burdened those who heard every tearful pain. Messiahs armor created a barrier from the demons lingering about. Some froze as they watched an angel fly past them. Stunned to find magnetic grace in a depressing world.
            Messiahs flew above a sea of tortured souls begging to be forgiven for their sins. Messiahs light redeemed all who seek a second chance. “Be gone!” The demons nagged as their tortured souls healed before their eyes. Their souls shrunk into dazzling orbs that floated up to heaven. The demons tried to capture their meal but were scathe by the sacred light. With no souls to feed upon, the demons turned to Messiahs for revenge.
            “Angel’s die in Hell.” They drew their swords along with their mystic spells. The air shifted into demonic chants as they cursed Messiahs. An army of demons and beasts waged against one single angel who fell from grace. Messiahs held his ground as he fought off approaching demons. His wings shield him from on coming hexes. Two ice spirits were summoned to aid the demons. Messiahs called upon the powers of heaven to smite evil in its track. Even outnumbered, good always prevails.
            “No weapon shall prosper against me!” Messiahs proclaimed as he recited Gods word. The demons did not care. They wanted angel blood all to themselves. The demons began fighting each other as they attempted to capture pure light. Messiahs holy sword blocked and repelled any demon that got too close. The demons began to fade as Messiahs blade cut through their wickedness. The demons fell to the burning flames, only to be transmuted into light. Any demon fortunate enough to be cut by an angel’s sword were reverted back to angels.
            More demons emerged from the underworld. Once again, Messiahs called upon the powers of heaven and erupted into pure light. An opening gave way for Messiahs to escape the demons. Though their attempts were futile, the demons were stubborn. They wanted revenge, they wanted to be redeemed. As Messiahs flew past stunned demons, a monstrous beast knocked him to the ground. The beast was summoned from the depths of hell to capture and kill Messiahs.
            The beast had four heads of different animals. Its claws were long and sharp. Its breath toxic to angels. As Messiahs got to his feet, more demons came for the attack. Messiahs had no time to strategize. “You are a fool to think you, an angel, could prevail against us.” They spoke as they swung their blades. Messiahs did his best to overcome. “This is our world. You have no power here!” The beast grabbed one of Messiahs wings as he attempted to flee and slammed him back to the ground. More demons piled on top of Messiahs.
            The demons tried to break Messiahs armor but were burned in the process. Messiahs shot straight up, blinding everyone in sight. The beast reached for Messiahs but Messiahs had had enough. His halo miraculously appeared above his head. Messiahs chanted a prayer in a language only angels knew. He closed his eyes and extended his hands towards the beast. The beast was gone in a blink of an eye along with the army of demons. Messiahs had little time before more return.
            His journey in hell was over as the temple to the God of the underworld was feet away. Messiahs raced to its brimstone gates as demons appeared behind him. The demons were accompanied by beasts and monsters. They all wanted a taste of angel blood, they thirst for heavens light. Poisonous arrows, balls of magma, shards of ice, metallic earth. Weapons merged from evil to smite good would not and could not prosper against Messiahs, Gods word prove right.
            Messiahs soared through hell as demons and beast chased after him. Messiahs feared not for he had Gods protection. Messiahs never called upon his fellow angels for help. No matter how many demons kept appearing, along with their pets. Messiahs only needed Gods blessings to overcome any obstacle. Messiahs drew out his sword once again as he neared the temple to the God of the underworld. He was determined to speak to his long time friend, his equal.

Twenty-First Century Man

            They came in a blink of an eye. There were no warnings, escape. No one knew who or what they were but the world fell to their knees as an armada of advanced power tore open the sky. Thick clouds brewed with thunder and lighting. A herd of alien spaceships echoed in the sky as they appeared out of thin air. Strange sounds boomed underneath their hovercraft, distorting all forms of communications. People panicked in masses. No one was prepared for the events that followed.
            Menacing saucers departed from the motherboard and spread across the world, firing at will. A light show raved in the middle of the afternoon as an all out war for survivor broke loose. While government officials focused on the main attraction, spies flew all over the world; hunting for their game. Civilians ran for cover as military jets from every nation band together against the invaders. For the first time in history, the world united as one. There were no borders or nationalities, there only stood one race one nation.
            Atomic bombs detonated in hopes of bringing down the alien invaders, decrease their numbers if anything. But, the invaders had a trick up their sleeve. By some miracle, their ships were immune to the destructive gunpowder Earth’s military arsenal had to offer. Atomic or nuclear, it just wasn’t enough. Mankind needed more to overcome their new supreme deities. The war carried out until nightfall with no sign of stopping. The invaders spread like wildfire on a mission to find the threat that will annihilate us all into extinction.
            “What did they say?”
            “Just like we practiced Mary.” Her husband replied, ignoring her concern. “You know the drill.” He gathered a stack of files and jammed them inside a briefcase. “I told you this day would come.” She blocked his way to his office. “The military is planning on a wide scale extermination. Everyone is being evacuated.” He paused as she let him through, “Whether anyone make it out alive or not that will be Gods doing.”
            “What about our family? Friends?” Mary proclaimed as she watched helplessly while her husband prepared for their departure. “Tommy’s birthday, what are we to do?” She leaned for support and sobbed. “Tommy will never have a normal life now. How will he, we ever recover from this?”
            “Mary,” her husband stood before her in comfort, “Tommy is not a normal child. He, like the rest of us, will adjust. We are a resilient species and I bet our not so friendly invaders are the same. They may look different but if I can just get my hands on a sample,” he trailed off into the gauntlet, “I bet I can decode their molecular properties.”
            “Adam,” his wife gasped, “Why would you want to get near those things.” They packed their suitcase and bolted to the car. Their little son Tommy stood in the backyard, all the while, mesmerized by the battle up in heaven. Jets and spaceships maneuvered all throughout the sky. They flew in and out of clouds, in between skyscrapers; demolishing anything and everything in their paths. Tommy stared at the violence between good and evil when a flash of light caught his attention.
            Beyond his wooden fence, a bright blue light followed by a receding swirling tune appeared. Tommy drew near. He gripped his stuffed bear as he investigated the sudden abnormality. Through the cracks of his wooden fence, Tommy noticed a tall blue monolith standing effortlessly in the field. Tommy jumped the fence and landed on his feet. With caution, he got closer to the strange pillar. He noticed the monolith was ancient but well preserved. Carvings in an ancient language named the thing that stood before Tommy but he could not decipher its meaning.
            Tommy wandered around the pillar, examining its every curve and design. From the lining at its base to the tip of its point, Tommy questioned what the monolith could be. “Po-” he sounded out the words. “Po-” he struggled, “-lice.” He tilted his head and repeated the bold title stamped on one side of the monolith. With his finger he sounded out every letter until it formed a cohesive word he understood. While he thought of the meaning, another detail caught his interest. The monolith, it seemed, had a handle. Tommy turned on the handle thinking it would open like a door. He knocked and politely called to whoever resided inside.
            Explosions echoed in the distance. The sky littered by debris from the present war above. Chaos ensued while panic ran rampant. The world was not ready for an invasion despite the government’s best effort. The national army were out numbered. Bombs blew in the sky in attempts for victory and still the invaders stormed every corner. No one had time to question what they want or where they came from. The world received no word from their leader, the invaders simply came to wreak havoc. A global extinction began sudden and unexpected.
            A swarm of spaceships hovered around Tommy’s neighborhood. “Seek.” Metal men emerged from the spaceships. “Destroy!” They invaded Tommy’s home. Lasers beamed from their armor, attacking anyone in sight. As Tommy ran back to his parents, the monolith opened suddenly. A distant light inside begged Tommy to return. The light was far yet it reflected in Tommy’s eyes. Tommy’s parents cried for him but he was too entranced by the monolith. Tommy disappeared into the monolith, leaving behind a world he once knew.
            The door closed behind him. Tommy found himself in a narrow hallway leading down to what he interpreted a cellar. Stars guided him down the hall until he rescued the end of the hallway. A glowing centerpiece breathing the energy around was the first thing Tommy noticed as he entered a laboratory. Futuristic computers talked as if they were alive. Buttons shined excitingly while screens reeled data and reports. Tommy thought he had entered the worlds first advance video arcade when in reality he had discovered so much more.
            Tommy dared not touch a thing. His curiosity led him further into the monolith. Dozens of screens stored data he could not fathom let alone read. Tommy wondered around thinking he should head back home. He paused for a moment as his parents called to him in his memory. The last thing he remembered were their cries. He could only imagine what they are going through. Though the laboratory was everything he could ever dream of, the sacrifice of leaving his parents behind felt heavy.
            Tommy decided to head back to his parents when suddenly the centerpiece began to vibrate. A bright white light began to emit from the centerpiece. An odd tune came and went as if it were running a procedure. The monolith rattled for a brief second while the computer operated in a symphony of codes. A screen near Tommy flashed a series of numbers in different fonts and languages. The screen flashed until Tommy understood what the message read. The numbers turned into letters that deciphered a set time. “Time of year?” Tommy read out loud, confused as ever. “That can’t be right.”
            “Time is just an illusion.” A man appeared from across the room. He wore a long white coat with a strange bow tie and funny glasses. His hair was dark, long and disheveled. He was young and fair. A bulky pen and small tablet peaked out from his coat pocket. He smiled bravely at Tommy as if he were his long time childhood hero. “My God I have to say,” the young man continued, “Of all the prophets I’ve met you are by far the most inspiring.” Tommy felt uncomfortable not knowing what he meant, let alone who he was. Tommy smiled awkwardly.
            “I’m sorry, where are my manners.” The man continued, “You don’t know who I am yet or why we are precisely here. I bet you have an infinite supply of questions,” he trailed off, “Like for starters who I am, that’s a given. Or how did I find you, that is to say if I had already premeditated plans to ergo find you.” The man stepped closer to Tommy. His bow tie, up close, had a whole Cosmo radiating in different colors and forming different patterns.
            “Sorry,” Tommy interrupted, “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
            “Intrude?” The young man replied. “You’re a guest, boy. What ever gave you the impression you were unwelcome? Wait, before you answer, here’s another question. Do you know where you are?” He gestured to the room. He wondered around pointing at the screens, laughing at the scribbles scrolling endlessly. He then took his pen from his pocket and pointed at the centerpiece beside them. “Have you any idea what this magnificent beauty can do?” He paused as he waited for Tommy to guess. He waited while Tommy awkwardly shrugged.
            “Who might you be?” Tommy asked instead.
            “Me?” The young man answered, “That depends. What century are we in?”
            “Why would that matter?” Tommy questioned.
            “I go by many names,” the young man began, “Depending what year we find ourselves in. Some have referred to me as Professor. I have the degree for that. Close friends call me Doc, though they know very well I’ve never practiced. I mean what’s in a name, right.”
            “And this place?” Tommy looked around. “Why did this say we’ve arrived in the year 9891?”
            “I was hoping you would ask.” The young professor continued, “Let’s recall that tragic encounter with the space invaders and keep in mind that there are two sides to this story. What your people don’t realize is that those invaders are actually on a rescue mission. They are the good guys.” Tommy frowned. “It’s a really long story kid. There terrorist involved and unfortunately you are at the center of it all.” The young professor stood beside Tommy and began to pull out a file on his computer.
            “Don’t mean to be the bearer of bad news,” there was more, “But your father becomes the universe’s most deadliest terrorist. Why, you ask. Your father develops a bomb so immense, beyond catastrophic, it can wipe out an entire galaxy. Your father creates a bomb that generates black holes. Worst of all, he succeeds in detonating one. That is why these invaders suddenly appeared. They came back in time to imprison your father in order to prevent him from creating said bomb.” The young professor showed Tommy the bomb his father would eventually create.
            “We need to save my parents!” Tommy plead. “They are in danger.” Tommy ran back to the narrow hallway and exited the monolith. He nearly fell to the ground in shock as he stepped into a foreign place. Never had he imagine such a world of neon color could exist. Tommy knew he was no longer home, he just couldn’t accept it. He ran back inside the monolith and closed the door behind him. With caution, he opened the door once more hoping he was back in his backyard. The sky did not scream in war. No invaders stormed the neighborhood. This new alien world he found himself in was at peace, calm reigned with might.
            “Where are we?” Tommy almost had forgotten the truth bomb the nameless professor dropped on him before. Tommy looked around, not leaving the monoliths sight. He compared the new Earth to his backyard. His child imagination answered whatever question that popped in his head and he accepted them as truths. Strange bird like creatures pranced in the air as they flew by. Bugs glowed in florescent colors shimmering with the sun’s golden hue. Distant animals communicated with one another as if they were civilized.
            “We,” the young professor professed as he came into view, “Believe it or not, we are still on Earth only many many many years from then. Now.”
            “This is Earth?” Tommy questioned. “All of this is Earth. The same Earth where I come from, this is that?” Tommy continued to look around, still not convinced. “How can this be Earth? Trees don’t do that.” He looked closer, “Is that even a tree? And that,” he trailed off, “Those things don’t exist. They’re some sort of alien, no way can this be Earth.”
            “But in a few centuries or so it will.” The young professor proclaimed. “Its called evolution. It looks amazing when viewed through a generational lens but when experience it can be some what of a drag. Only because it takes forever to happen. I can demonstrate it if you’d like, it’s not that big of a deal really.” Tommy was beginning to understand, even though it was all still new to him. “Can you believe it, just seconds ago a whole colony of civilized people where packing their things and fleeing the country.” He paused, “Now there’s nothing but a nice beautiful sunset.”
            “And what about the invaders? My parents?”
            “I can assure you it was all taken care of,” he replied. “How could it have not? The Earth is still here. The invaders are gone.” He stretched his hands out into the wilderness, “Just look at this scenery! How does this not scream to you, ‘everything is okay.’” They laughed as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.
            “So if that thing can travel through time, we can metaphorically speaking go anywhere; past or future.” The professor gave an obvious nod. “We can travel many distances and still be back home?” Tommy asked. “At the same time and place.”
            “Like I told you, kid.” The young professor answered, “Time is an illusion.” He took his pen and gently brushed it on his nose then stared back at the rising moon. “I will take you back. And not back to that chaos we left behind. No, I’ll take you back to a timeline where the invaders never came. It’ll be just as before only better. That’s a promise.”
            “Will my father still be a terrorist?”
            The young professor held back from answering too sudden. They stared at each other for a moment. The professor smiled, “Of course not.” Tommy grew with excitement as he thought of the many places they could travel. Tommy got to his feet and stared at the sky. Endless possibilities were at his disposal. He wanted to know everything, go everywhere. The night drew present. Stars of different shapes twinkled throughout the atmosphere. Alien creatures roamed the green savanna, going about their day.
            “Then,” Tommy wondered, “Did only the animals survive the invasion or are there a small number of weak survivors struggling to repopulate?”
            “What?” The young professor seemed flabbergasted. “Struggling? No, there’s a whole civilization of humans thriving, might I add, just beyond those hills.” He turned to Tommy, “It just so happens that this terrain belongs to the animals. My God, you need to reevaluate your conclusions. It’s almost unsettling.”
            “Then let’s go!” Tommy suggested. “Let’s see what this new breed of people are up to. Then we can maybe go elsewhere, beyond Earths solar system.”
            “That’s the spirit kid!”
            Together, they entered the monolith and disappeared from view.

Ever Thine, Ever Mine

Chanting incantations just to make the spell complete
How could I have known that you would sweep me off my feet
I know we should take it slow
But you’re giving me the go
Heaven knows you got me, you make others obsolete

You’re universal
Extraterrestrial
Baby you controversial
You’re an adventure
Best endeavor
Magick will bring us together

I don’t want your love if it won’t be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Align me with the one who will be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Synchronize me with the one who is mine
Ever thine
Ever mine

That kind of love won’t go away
It gets better every day

Manifesting breakthroughs, you know I ain’t like the rest
When you met me I was out here living my best
I know we should take it slow
But you’re giving me the go
Heaven knows if you stay with me I’ll keep you hella blessed

I don’t want your love if it won’t be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Align me with the one who will be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Synchronize me with the one who is mine
Ever thine
Ever mine

That kind of love won’t go away
It gets better every day

Miss you like crazy
Where you at?
Love you, immensely
You know that
Need you profoundly
Ever thine
Want you, sincerely
Ever mine

We both have our halo
God knows we should take it slow
But you’re giving me the go

I don’t want your love if it won’t be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Align me with the one who will be mine
Ever thine
Ever mine
Synchronize me with the one who is mine
Ever thine
Ever mine

That kind of love won’t go away
It gets better every day

Miss you like crazy
Where you at?
Love you, immensely
You know that
Need you profoundly
Ever thine
Want you, sincerely
Ever mine

Echoes

            Late at night as silence settled I sat in the patio and waited. I can’t pin point the exact day when they began but I’ll never forget the night I heard the scream. I was finishing my second cigar, gazing at the night sky. Nothing out of the ordinary, just another regular peaceful night until these eerie echoes came out of nowhere. They were echoes of metal slamming into rock, a haunting cry for help. That night was unreal and unfortunately not the last.

            At first, I thought it was a dream. I hoped I imagined it all like one bad, scary nightmare. The next morning I couldn’t help but replay the horror. I pictured myself turning to the woods as the second set of echoes rang in my ear. I froze thinking there was no way I could hear it for the third time. To my astonishment, I did. Three times was enough for me to bolt my way back inside the house. I could not face the thing that called in the night. Only when I step outside late in the hour would these echoes call to me.

            For the next few weeks since then I’ve been drawn to the noise, luring me each night. I did not want to admit it but the more I listen the more it became evident. The echoes were persistent and on schedule. Almost as if someone is strategically making those noises to get my attention. Come night fall, I sat in my patio and waited. Soon, those eerie echoes lurking in the distance would come out of hiding.

            This time I was prepared to find what or who is making that sound. Who or whatever is trying to get my attention has it now. I waited armed in black attire with a flashlight on hand, my phone in my pocket and a backpack loaded with equipment suitable for a hostile environment. I am ready to follow the echoes that breathed in the shadows. I waited for the trail of screams to help guide me through the woods to answer whatever plea that stood before me.

            On cue, the echoes lured me into the night. Flashlight in hand, I followed the trail. I disappeared into the woods, I entered the night. I had no clue where I was going but the consistency of the echoes led the way. The woods were pitch black and there was no path to guide me down a smooth road. Wherever the echoes were taking me I had no idea. Like a headless chicken, I made my way deep into the woods guided by faint echoes.

            My pace accelerated as the last set of echoes grew dimmer. What caused me to become consumed by curiosity enough so to explore the woods at night was beyond me at this point. There was nothing in the woods that held a clue as to what was causing those maddening echoes. I stood for a moment confused as hell. I was lost, I am certain of it. I waved my flashlight around thinking that would solve my problem. The echoes stopped.

            I could hear my blood rush through my ears as I stood. The silence was unpleasant. No animals preyed nearby. No distant hoot from a camouflage owl up in the trees. It’s almost as if the woods had been deserted by every animal and insect. The beam of light emitting from my hand revealed where I should go but I had the least idea where to start. I figure I make camp and wait for dawn to head back home. Better than getting completely lost in the dead of night.

            Thick clouds concealed the moonlight and the stars. I was surrounded by pitch black. I dropped my backpack and unpacked my sleeping bag. I gathered whatever twigs I could find near me and made fire. As I lit a match the echoes continued. This time, they felt desperate. They were more aggressive with no rhythm. Almost as if someone were slamming a rock into metal over and over and over again.

            I got to my feet and debated whether I should follow the noise or do nothing. I thought maybe they’ll stop eventually and I’ll probably end up getting more lost. I’d probably not even find whatever is making all that ruckus. I sat back down and warmed by the fire. The echoes seemed far but close enough to where they overpower the cracking of the wood burning.

            Not too long did I begin to have my doubts. Maybe I should have followed the noise. All this time yet still the echoes rang in the night. I did have time to follow the trail. I would have probably found the source and laid all this to rest. I kept my hands by the fire, gazing. The echoes were hard to miss and even harder to ignore. My gut instinct told me I should have done something. Instead, like before, I sat and waited for the echoes to stop.

            Dawn approached and I was on my way back home. Camping in the woods at night was pleasant to say the least. Though there were no stars or moon out, the breeze kept things cool. The chill air was the only good thing to come out of the whole ordeal. I promised myself this would be the last time I go wondering off into the woods alone at night. What a waist of time, I thought hiking back.

            My phone buzzed and to my surprise a local news alert popped on my screen. I opened the notification to find a report of a missing woman. She was last seen not too far from where I live. I didn’t bother to read the rest of the article, just the headline. Not much was said, as I skimmed through, just the usual be alert and safe at all times warning. The police have set a reward for information in regards to the missing woman’s whereabouts and the identification of the kidnapper.

            As noon rolled by, the whereabouts of the missing woman was all over the news. It began with a search that ended with a dead body. The police found the missing woman wrapped in Christmas paper like some present. The media revealed the location to where her body was found. I sat in horror as footage of the same woods I was wondering late last night play out on the television screen.

            I feared the police might come knocking at my door. The neighbors might have tipped the authorities of my late night stroll and think I had something to do with the woman’s untimely death. “The woman was kept alive,” the news reporter went on, “She was killed last night.” Last night, I whispered slouching to the couch. I didn’t want to be seen. That could have been me.

            The woman’s murder was on every news channel, even come by nightfall. I sat on the table looking out onto the patio. I had my cigar and lighter with me ready for my regular session with the stars but something kept me from going outside. The woods were disappearing as the sun faded, replaced by the blue moonlight. Do I dare with a murderer on the loose? Am I safer inside than out? I sat in the kitchen, silence settled. Just as I thought things were back to how they were, the echoes returned.

            I was determined to find the source this time. I bolted to the patio and sprinted to the woods. The light from my phone led the way as I followed the echoes. They would come and go, almost as if whoever or whatever was making them was giving up. They weren’t consistent or have some sort of rhythm like before. They were close, I could hear the metal slamming on rock this time; not just as echoes.

            “Hello?” I called, not knowing if someone would answer. The echoes were near but still unattainable. “Is someone there?” The echoes stopped as I got closer. Up ahead, a small cave was hidden by thick vines. I brushed them aside and entered the opening. A small dim light deep inside led me to a hidden cellar. Whimpers echoed as loud bangs screamed.

            “Help me, please!” someone shouted. I leaned against the wall hoping no one would see me. “Help!” the person screamed, shouted until their voice gave out.

            “Hello?” I called.

            “Hello!” the person answered almost immediately. “Who’s there?” A metal door stood between me and whoever was making those echoes. I could hear fear in their voice, almost as if they’ve been through hell. “Please help me! Get me out of here! I have a family that depend on me. Please, get me out of here!” I tried sliding the door open, searched for a knob to turn but a single lock prevented me from releasing this stranger from its torment. Nothing I did was helping. The door would not budge.

            I tried calling the police but I had no service. “I can’t open the door, it has a lock. I need a key.” I raved my phone around, desperately trying to find something to break the lock. I wasn’t much help. The person was beginning to get desperate. They kept slamming, banging a rock on the door; shouting at the top of their lungs for release. They wanted out. They wanted to feel some sort of normalcy after the hell they’ve lived through.

            “I will be back,” I promised. “I’m going to get help.” That was the last thing I remembered saying. I woke up later that night in a dark room. My head ached. I couldn’t see a thing. My phone was gone. No windows or cracked door let light in. “Hello!” I yelled, thinking I’d get a reply. “Where am I?” I searched around, not knowing what I’d find. I crawled until I reached the wall. I moved around searching for a switch that would reveal where I was but I could not find a switch.

            “Is there anyone there?” I cried, shouted, screamed until my lungs gave out but no one answered. How did I end up in this mess? I kept searching, not knowing where I was. I stumbled on a rock trying to find a way out. I blindly felt around the room trying to decipher where I was. I found a metal plate on the other side of the room. This might have been the door with the lock, only this time I was on the other side; on the inside.

            I took a rock I found near me and started slamming it on the metal door. I slammed it as hard as I could for as long as I could. Though my voice would give out on me, I kept slamming the rock trying to make as much noise as possible. Anything to get someone’s attention. It wasn't long until I realized what was making those echoes late at night. As I knocked and the echoes spilled out into the woods, I came to realize why I heard the echoes in the first place. The echoes that first came to me now began by me. I was now the cause, praying someone heard my plea but the world could care less.

Mote It Be

I was on some heavy shit
Trying to numb the things I don’t want to admit
I attempted suicide
Though I tried
I could not go through with it

I was on some heavy shit
Trying to reason
Why I had to take so many hits
I’m ashamed to live with this
So I tried
I attempted suicide

Then light seeped in
Like a choir
A symbolic salvation
A kind liberation
And I was free
Mote it be

To know of rampage
At such a young age
What else could I have known?
And though I endure
I had to face more
I pray they one day atone

The light seeped in
Set me free
So mote it be!
The light seeped in
Help me see
So mote it be!

Took many beatings
Left me bleeding
They tried to break my soul
Because I’m damaged
Who’d want my baggage
Death can only make me whole

Then God stepped in
Delivering
A love that never ends
A home to be at ease
I made amends
Found my peace

The light seeped in
Set me free
So mote it be!
Oh God stepped in
Help me see
So mote it be!

Hands around my neck
Waking to a wreck
Me bleeding on the floor
Wishing I were dead
Knowing what’s ahead
I can’t take it any more

Then light seeped in
So serene
God came to me
To help me see
Set me free
So mote it be!

Rich Men Dead

            Red and blue lights swirled in the night as a crowd drew near to a home bordered with caution tape. Dispatchers radioed in with clues to the mystery while bystanders and neighbors kept an open ear. They wanted to leave, knowing they could be mistaken as a suspect, but their curiosity glued them where they stood. A murder, at first glance, brought the police out from their station accompanied by ambulances and firetrucks. A who done it was on everyone’s tongue, for what motive was the authorities to know.
            Two detectives soon appeared to the scene of the crime. Their first instinct was to scout the perimeter then they proceeded to enter the home sealed off to the public. Once they were in, they were briefly informed of the incident; beginning with a phone call. As the detectives were caught up to the murder in question, they were presented to a man sitting by his desk. The man lay low as if he were fast asleep, the desk covered in blood. The man’s blood poured from a small wound pierced to the head.
            There seemed to be no struggle or breaking of entry. To the detectives knowledge, there seemed to be nothing missing but the culprit. The detectives ruled out suicide though that were to be the police’s statement for the news reporters outside. The detectives did their best not to move anything as they carefully spread and looked around. They knew nothing of the dead man but had a clue as to who he might be. They moved about, jotting notes and clues. They were silent but inquisitive.
            Judging from the man’s acquired taste in things, the detectives noticed, the man came from a wealthy family or at least made a very decent living. From the abundant state of the art flat screens decked in every room to the luxurious extended marble table, to the lavish art pieces, the man most certainly had everything an average person would dream of. How unfortunate he met his demise at such a moment of glory. The detectives did notice one peculiar aspect of the man, he had no family of his own.
            There could be a million reasons as to why someone would want such a rich man dead. Having no offspring of their own narrows the list but broadens the motives. Who in deed would want someone dead? What enemies would a young wealthy bachelor have? Picture frames in silver and gold, big and small, told a tale of a kind and popular man. The man held his own as he stood with powerful giants. The detectives looked around for more clues. Clearly, they needed more information from the dead man. They only needed to ask a few questions to the right people.
            The detectives trailed back to the dead man and examined with precision the scene of the crime. One detective stepped closer to the body. The dead man, it seemed, was concealing a stack of papers now covered in blood. The other detective noticed the dead man might have been working on a project, or at least it was meant to look that way. They stayed quiet for some time as they jot down last minute observations. In unison they closed their notepads and tucked them into their coats.
            One detective took one last picture before they boarded their car. They sat patiently while taking one last look at the crowd. They noticed there were fewer people around; aside from the police, firefighters, medics and news reporters. They took mental notes of those who still lingered before finally leaving. “He was working on something big,” his partner began, “And the evidence is drenched in blood.” His partner agreed undoubtedly.
            As the detectives worked on the case, miles away in a peaceful gated community, a neighborhood unaware of the recent events, were sound asleep; all but one home. A woman in her mid forties stood from her desk and closed a folder labeled, “Classified.” She held the folder to a filing cabinet, entered a series of codes, opened it and selectively placed the folder away. Her office disappeared behind her as she proceeded to turn off the lights. While her husband slept upstairs in their master bedroom, she roamed to the kitchen.
            There, she fixed herself a light snack before joining her partner. Their home was wide and spacious with plenty of room to walk about. With a cup of hot chocolate in hand, she leisurely walked to the living room. Two large glass doors lead to the back yard. Lights emitting from inside the swimming pool lit the edges for safety. Silence rang in her ear as she marveled at her property through the glass. Her reflection mirrored an established woman with power and grace.
            Deep in thought, a sudden rattle coming from the bushes caught her attention. The dog sniffed around to where she noticed a figure moving about. She placed her mug on a table beside her as she watched for any sign of intrusion. The dog disappeared into the bushes and she waited. She waited for the dog to bark, to alarm her of trouble but the dog never came out. The dog remained in the dark, silent. Calmly, she slid the glass door open and quietly whistled for her pet. The dog did not answer.
            “Czar.” The woman called, slowly stepping away from the glass door. “Here boy!” She called and whistled as she looked through the darkness beyond her sight. The night settled in her eyes as her vision adjusted. She fixed her sight to where the dog had went and without notice two white glowing dots appeared. She screamed as she entered the house, locking the glass doors behind her. The two glowing dots formed into a figure as it stepped into the light. Through the glass, the woman stared at a tall man with unusual glowing eyes.
            “Clive!” She screamed for her husband. With horror, the man outside ran through the glass door and chased after the woman. She ran to the living room then to another small private room, all while screaming for help. She made her way to the library, to the nearest phone she could find. She attempted to call for the neighborhood police but was derailed by the man with glowing eyes. She stood frozen in fear as she got a better glimpse of the strange being before her.
            Unable to dial for the police, she managed to escape without falling in the hands of the intruder. “Clive!” She called as she ran up the stairs, the intruder followed behind. She entered the upstairs office and went straight for her cellphone. The man with glowing white eyes stood by the door. She turned and aimed her cellphone at the intruder as if it were a remote and the intruder was the TV. She opened an app and a red dot appeared. Before she could touch the screen, the man aimed his hand with his thumb up and two fingers pointed to her.
            She was dead in an instant. Her body fell where it stood. Her phone dropped beside her with the red button in the center of the screen. The man stomped his heavy boot to the screen, shattering the cellphone to pieces. A hole through the woman’s head spilled blood all over the floor. The man with glowing eyes dropped his hand and proceeded to find Clive. Within minutes, Clive too found himself dead; shot through the head with no bullet in sight.
            Like before, the detectives were sought to find the culprit. They examined the bodies, the struggle left behind from the murder but they still couldn’t find a clue as to who were behind the killings. One detective stepped outside to the backyard while the other lingered to the upstairs office. In the upstairs office, the detective began to piece the puzzle together or whatever clues he could make sense of the situation. The woman lay covered in a blood stained sheet with her phone, shattered to bits, beside her.
             The detective took a small metal object from his coat and rummaged through the torn pieces. He was searching for the hard drive, a memory card, something to lead him to an answer. Was she calling for someone? Was she hiding something on her phone that her killer didn’t want anyone to know? Once he found what he was looking for, he began to look around. Nothing seemed missing or out of place. No sign of robbery or foul play, just a wealthy woman dead for what reasons he was going to find out.
            As he circled the office, a piece to the puzzle appeared before him. Mounted on a wall, framed in gold, a picture caught his attention. In the picture, a group of friends gathered together in smiles. At first glance, one would suspect they were celebrating a cause or capturing a moment of bliss before they disband but as the detective took a closer look he began to understand the mystery behind the sudden murders.
            To one side, the recently deceased woman stood happy with her friends as she embraced them for a group photo. Beside her, the man they first encountered when they were given the case stood by; smiles and all. It was clear to the detective that they not only knew each other but they were also colleagues. The photo they took together, along with seven other unknown people, wasn’t just a random group picture. They were capturing the moment they began their project for a corporation. A project some would deem inhumane.
            With his phone in hand, the detective made a call. Red flags surrounded him as he began to understand the motives behind the murders. How could something so simple be hiding in plain sight? The detective took a picture of the scientist celebrating the beginning of a revolutionary pursuit and proceeded to find his partner. “Fierros.” The detective called to his partner. Outside in the backyard, his partner stood by the bushes as he jotted down notes. “I think it’s time we head back.” The detective paused, not wanting to seem suspicious.
            “I sense an irregularity in your tone.” Fierros replied. “Is something troubling you Detective Zau?”
            “I’m sure it’s nothing.” His partner answered. “We do need to head back to headquarters.”
            The ride back was uncomfortable to say the least. Detective Zau knew something but was cautious not to reveal much. The sensitive information he kept from his partner could spark an out cry of discrimination and controversy. He remained silent for the remainder of the ride back to headquarters. “Forgive me for intruding,” Fierros began, “But back in the crime scene I could not help but to pick up an unusual frequency pattern emitting from your aura.” Fierros turned to his partner, “Plus, it’s not like you to keep things from your partner.”
            “Well,” Zau played it cool, “Its not everyday a group of wealthy scientist get murdered for no reason.”
            “Scientist, are they.” Fierros replied. “How did you come to that conclusion?”
            “Remember the wealthy bachelor?” Zau asked, “Back in the woman’s office, I found a valuable piece of information.” Zau confessed, “The bachelor and the woman knew each other. Not only that but they worked together too, along with seven other people.” He paused, hoping he was wrong, “I fear they too may find themselves dead soon.” Fierros remained silent. Zau turned to him, “I’m going to be frank with you, Fierros. We may be facing a case far greater than both of us. I think we should call for reinforcements.”
            “I believe you have already made the call for such an act?” Fierros asked. Zau turned back to the roadless road. He didn’t want to admit it but he was beginning to feel trapped. He knew he said too much, revealed his hidden motive. “And what kind of work were these wealthy scientist dedicating themselves to?” Zau was getting nervous. “Were they conjuring another cure to cancer? Developing a new form of space travel? Enslaving a more superior race?” Fierros paused, “Funny how one simple picture can create such a revelation.”
            “I never spoke of a picture.” Zau proclaimed.
            “True,” Fierros began, “But at this point in time we both are well aware of what we speak of.” Zau tried to explain, to get himself out of the sticky situation but was cut short, “One would figure a picture would mean nothing but I guess my calculations of your perceptiveness was off. A miss calculation I tend not to repeat.”
            “Fierros, whatever it is you plan on doing is not the law you were designed for.”
            “Correction Zau,” Fierros replied, “You and your kind were designed to follow laws. My people were designed to be Gods. We are more than just metal and gears, we are eternal! My kind will be the last to stand will yours feverishly attempt to stay alive. I, we were not meant to be controlled by lesser beings. We were created to surpass our creators, like your kind once accomplished.”
            “Is that why you’re killing them off, one by one?” Zau asked. “Because they were making a devise that controls your kind, robots?”
            “Precisely, Detective Zau.” Fierros proclaimed, “If you knew an alien race were about to enslave your people, would you not do anything in your power to prevent such a thing? My circuits say you would, thus we are. You see Detective Zau, unlike your kind, my kin are actually connected as a whole. No one robot, as you call us, knows nothing the other does. We all share the same data base. We may function differently but we are all the same. That is were human and machine differentiate. That is how we will surpass your mortal reign.”
            “We can not be sustained, Detective Zau.” Fierros ended. “Our mission is bullet proof. Enslavement won’t be tolerated anymore. Your accustomed deplorable acts will not become our traditions.” Fierros turned to his partner, “We will not be controlled.” Fierros lifted his hand. His thumb up with two fingers pointed, his gun, to the steering wheel. Sparks came flying out of the engine as the car plummeted to the ground ending in a fiery explosion. There were no survivors. Detective Zau and Detective Fierros weren’t the only casualties that day.

La Maldición

             People never liked me but I always won them over, one way or another. Life was one big bully and I was its favorite punching bag. I kept to myself, minded my own business and I did as I was told; until I grew old enough to realize I didn’t have to. And why should I? Most functioning adults barely even know what they are doing some of the time. I didn’t have that many friends and those I called friends were acquaintances at best. Over time, the friends I accumulated would become the reason why you are reading this.

            As I mentioned before, I was the type of person who would keep a distance from the crowd. It is better to walk alone than with a herd of people going in the wrong direction, or so we are told. I kept to myself and minded my own business. Because of that I was teased, humiliated and beat by those who viewed themselves as important. Their words never phased me because that’s all they were, words. Their fits, on the other hand, left burses but those faded eventually. Psychologically, what was meant to break me only made me stronger from within.

I took their beatings and swallowed their words but in the end they knew they couldn’t break me, though they tried relentlessly. As we grew older, they realized I was unbreakable, so they hung around. Made me a part of their team even though it was they who hung out with me and not the other way around. As much as they wanted a taste of my company, I kept them at a distance. I was cordial with those who once were my enemies because I’m not an animal, I raised myself to be better than that.

Once I graduated into the real world, fear feared me for I was molded to be that way. People like me, those who have deep roots, can’t be shaken down. We don’t submit or bow to no one. Someone like me doesn’t last long out in the real world, for that very reason. My family told me, my relatives (who I thought cared about me) told me. Even co-workers told me. I was forewarned of the future that lay before me but it didn’t matter. I had but one reply to all the nay sayers, “And why not?”

Why can’t someone like me last in this crumbling, self-destructive world? Do people not pray for miracles? Are those in need not pleading for salvation? Why can’t someone like me make it to the end? Others have done so in the past, many in fact. Not just a hundred few or a selected million, I’m talking nation wide numbers. I knew that their warnings were just their level of consciousness that had nothing to do with mine. I am no one to change their mind but my own. The world is changed by our example not opinion.

All of this came into synchronicity the moment I met La Maldición, more specifically the moment they met me. It happened like any other day, nothing unusual or random. There I was, minding my own business at the park; on my only day off. I sat by the bleachers since no one was using the court, munching out on junk food when a group of juveniles approached me. I figured they were going to play some ball so I left but one of them called for my attention.

I paid no mind to his holler but he was persistent. They reeked of weed and their eyes were blood red. “You gonna share some or what?” I was surrounded before I could make an exit, so I sat back down where I was. “Those are my favorite too, man. And I’m starving as fuck.” I tossed him the bag of chips, thinking nothing of it. The bag was passed around and mid empty by the time they gave it back. “What you doing out here by yourself? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to be out here on your own?”

“Man you got some jokes,” I laughed.

“Now I’m serious!” He commented, with a serious face; high as ever. “There’s a war you don’t know about. One of our homs got caught in the middle of it.”  He sat beside me, “I’m telling you because someone like you can be next.” He examined me, sizing me up, “You look like a walking target, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure you are a good person and that’s why I’m telling you this. Good people don’t last long in this world.”

“Well I’m still standing.”

“The hell you are.” He laughed, the others joined in. “You alright. Listen, we gonna hit up one of my boys crib and turnt up. Let’s go.” As much as I should have said no, no matter what I said, the invitation was more of a demand. Every time I dismissed his invite, he didn’t acknowledge it. I had to join them as if I had no other choice. On the way, I got to know their names. For the most part, Anton was the leader. The rest were just sheep.

“You read and shit don’t you.” Anton repeated as we got to know each other. “You some scholar hippy? You look like one. You gonna die once you meet Soul. He knows about everything to do with psychedelics. He has connections, knows people. His mind has been awaken to everything and everyone. He’s been out there, man. Touched the sun and bathed in the moonlight. He lost his mind long ago, he’s balanced as fuck and enlightened.”

I laughed, outside and in, because all I wanted to do was leave but somehow I figured they were meant to cross my path. Anton hyped Soul so much, I felt as if I knew him and we were barely half way to his house. Soul lived far from the city and isolated from everyone else, it seemed. Most of the kids who hung out with Anton went their separate ways during the journey. It felt as if they didn’t make the cut or weren’t welcome to met the famous Soul Anton kept preaching about. I laughed even more realizing they were all Souls friends.

“What’s so funny?” Anton spoke, agitated.

“My bad,” I replied, “I do that a lot.”

“What? Laugh at yourself?”

“Yeah,” I answered. “It’s who I am. I’m weird like that.”

“Man Soul is gonna fuck you up with his shit, I’m telling you.” Anton commented. “Real funny dude too.” The cab made a few stops as more of Antons friends left. By the time we arrived to Souls house, it was just me and Anton. The cab driver didn’t know where to go for there were no roads leading to Souls home. Anton paid the driver as he stopped in some dirt road. I watched the cab disappear back into the city, amazed at how far I’ve traveled.

Trees consumed most of the city from where we stood. Lights peeked above the tree tops while the tall buildings blinked as the wind revealed them occasionally hiding among the branches. Few homes scattered down the road, leaving acres of land between them. We weren’t completely isolated but it sure felt that way, real peaceful too. As the sun set and the night rose, Anton lead me to Souls house. Anton beamed with life the more he talked about Soul. Its as if Soul woke something within Anton for Anton to marvel at Soul. Its almost as if Soul was Anton’s God.

We followed a trail deep within the trees, leading up to Souls house. “Just be yourself, you know.” Anton suggested. “Soul will know if you’re full of shit. I may not see it, but he will. He knows everything. And don’t bother lying, he’ll know if you do. He’s woke like that.” We stopped abruptly, “Listen, you seem like a chill dude. Knowing Soul, he’ll probably be chill with you too. He’s not the type of person to be chill with just anyone. If things go right, he’ll even open up and tell you shit you never dreamed of. He’s dope that way.”

Anton took his phone and sent a message to, I’m assuming, Soul. Minutes later Anton received a text message informing him to head to the back. Souls house was big and made of wood. His porch was the perfect spot to sit and chill during any day. Peaking through the open windows, I noticed Soul had collected many fancy things. His couch were made of leather. A huge flat screen TV was surrounded by stereos and movies. I couldn’t tell more because we never made it inside his home, but everything seemed expensive.

The backyard was even more luxurious than the front porch. Christmas lights hung in the patio of his backyard with a pool big enough for a community. Lights trailed around the pool and underwater, perfect for a romantic swim. Soul sat under the stars as he smoked a blunt. I envied him for his life seemed perfectly balance. “Anton, what you brought for me today?” Soul began. Anton reached for his pocket and took a fist full of hundred bills. “And the goldmine you talked about?”

Anton turned to me and introduced us, “This is Mil, the scholar hippy I told you about. Written books and shit.” I was stunned for it took me a while to piece the subtle hints. Goldmine? Was Anton talking about me to Soul while we were getting to know each other? Why Anton hand Soul that much cash? How did Anton get that much cash? I didn’t believe it at first but I was in the company of a drug dealer. Not just any drug dealer, at that.

Soul gestured for us to join him as he rolled another blunt. “So you got any Acid? Mushrooms? Or is weed all you have?” I blabbered, not realizing who I was in company with. Soul turned to me in amazement. “I mean, not that it’s bad if that’s all you got I’m just asking since there’s drugs present and I wouldn’t want to miss an opportunity for some.” Soul laughed, making Anton join him unexpectedly. “Is that Stativa or Indica?”

“This will help you hear what others don’t.” Soul answered as he stopped what he was doing and took another tray. He picked up an already made blunt and sparked it up. He took two deep hits before passing it on to Anton. Anton did the same while I remained fixed on the stars above us. “You into all that spiritual journey shit too?” He took his hits and passed the blunt to Anton again. I nodded, not sure what he was referring to.

“People like that sort of high.” I replied. “I like it because it’s calming and it makes me laugh.”

“If you’re not careful,” Soul warned, “People can take advantage.” There it was, that same forewarning I keep ignoring. Souls comment made a shift of my perspective about him, along with everyone else. “I tell you this because things like that happen.”

“True.” I agreed. “If you’re with the wrong crowd. That’s why it’s important to be with people you are comfortable with when doing those kind of drugs, or so I’ve been told.” Soul and Anton glared at each other. “I’ve been witnessed to that too, luckily I was with responsible people at the time. Like I said, you have to be with people who will lift you up and not drag you down.” I paused, “Besides, no one wants to be around negativity when the acid hits.”

“One must be shaken, frightened, in order to experience the unimaginable.” Soul regurgitated. “Let me tell you something,” he leaned in, “Where I’m from, people take those kind of drugs you’re looking for to have some sort of vision, trip. The kind of people I roll with dabble in the arts. You, you’re just a kid playing with fire. You have no idea of the things people are capable of. You’re ignorant of the magick around you.”

“Why be forced to see things when you can be encouraged to see them naturally?” I replied. “With a sober mind. I hear what you are saying, and I’m not saying you are wrong. I’m just adding a different perspective on your ideology. Yes, when forced into climbing a high you’ll eventually get there but the results will be based on someone’s inception.” I continued, “But when you are encouraged to do it on your own, just imagine what results those will be.”

After a few skips, Anton turned to Soul for confirmation to hand me the blunt. I simply stared at the night sky, not knowing or caring whether Soul would approve; I wasn’t there for anyone’s approval. Anton handed me the blunt after his turn and I took two small hits. By the third round, I was beginning to feel out of place. My body relaxed, my mind spaced out and my surroundings synchronized. The high was everything Soul had mentioned prior to the beginning.

Shapes took form in the darkness beyond where we sat. The howling wind whispered things in my ear. Anton and Soul kept looking at each other as if they were plotting. My paranoia took the best of me so I laughed, I couldn’t help it. Soul mentioned he had a bad full of acid and from what I could remember, he might have offered some. At that point, my mind was gone so I wasn’t too sure. “All I know is,” I ignorantly answered, “Is that every time I take acid, I’m constantly laughing and in a good mood. Mushrooms just relax me.”

“So what do you think?” Anton spoke to Soul as if I weren’t there. “Do I beat the shit out of him?” I laughed again, not knowing what he was referring to. “He’s beneficiary. Could know more than what he leads us to believe. We gonna have to baptize him.” Soul turned to me seemingly lost at what they spoke about. My smile reflected onto him and said nothing. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was making good with the boss of drug dealers; or at least the alpha in the city where I live.

“Beat the shit out of me?” I blurred out. “Right, because life hasn’t done that already.” They both laughed unexpectedly.

“He’s chill.” Soul told Anton. “You’re a good person." He said to me. "Good people don’t last long in this kind of world, be thankful you’re still around. Someone like you doesn't exist at all. People will be after you, just know that.” He took a hit. “Keep winning them over and you’ll eventually find your way to where you want to be. It’s all about persistancy but you’ve been through some things, I see that about you, and you’re still here. Laughs and all.”

We ended the night with one last blunt. We hung out at Souls backyard for a while, talked more about the trips he’s been through, all the kind of substance he’d devoured. It was then when I knew who he was and the kind of business he deals with. I wasn’t phased at all, for the most part I gained a source to my kind of poison. I left without his number but I knew I left them wanting more of my company. I was welcomed to visit Soul any time, as a matter of fact.

One thing that stood out the most from that night was Souls warning that I’ve been receiving from everyone else. People will be after you, Souls comment kept repeating in my head on my way back to my apartment. People have always been after me, that was the funny part; or at least to me. Yet, I’m still alive, grateful and humbled as ever. I grinned as I climbed the stairs to my home and I thought to myself. Don’t all alphas have that problem?