I closed the car door and closed my eyes for a moment. Another day, another file folder, another phone call. I made it through another day and now it was time to go home. Deep breaths. This is why you came back here right? I thought to myself. A nine-to-five was nothing to complain about, and yet, why did it feel like this town would be the death of me? Cathy was nice, the job was fine. I needed to get out of this town. I bucked my seatbelt and started the car.
Red lights and traffic left me in front of the White Horse. In the summer the doors would be open and a dozen or so people would be playing music by the patio. This time of year, the doors stayed shut to keep the cold out. Wasn’t there an open mic tonight? I kept on my way.
Jessica and Hailey had been in the Research Triangle for years. They went to State, I went to Emory. They made their lives out east; I’m stuck here. How did this happen? Maybe I should take a hint from Karen and move to China. Quick merge onto highway 9. I got home and went straight to my room. I can’t be the only one with so many thoughts. My gaze wandered; landing first on my desk, my clock, my computer, and then that book. I closed my eyes and tried to shut everything out.
I was an island in the dark. Well, one might say it was dark, but perhaps it would be more accurate to say there was nothing to be seen. I stretched my arms and legs as I floated through the emptiness. How did I get here? I couldn't remember. A soft blue flashing caught my eye. I had a KI message. I made to read it, but the display wouldn't raise. Is it broken? I kept pressing the button, cursing under my breath.
I heard a voice. “Tori? Where are you”
I looked around, but there was only me in this void. “Hello?” I called out, hoping I sounded braver than I felt. There was nothing, but the memory rang clear in my mind. How did I get here? I needed to get out. I reached for my Relto only to find it was gone.
The black filled with KI projections filled with messages. Hannah; Mark; Flora; Steven; a Guild of Messenger bulletin?
I fell. The KI projections disappeared into darkness as I was hit by the adrenaline. From below something started to take shape. It was a lake, it was the cavern lake! The Yellow water rushed towards me as I struggle helplessly to fly. I wanted to scream but the fall had taken my breath. I knew I would hit the water any second and I threw up my hands instinctively to protect my face.
My eyes flashed open to the sight of bedroom wall and soon the floor as I fell out of my bed. Well, that was embarrassing. I pulled myself up. My mother called from downstairs asking if I was alright. I looked to the book on my shelf. I took it down and examined it. Green cover with slightly yellowed pages. It looked more like a journal than anything else. I opened the cover and watched the image on the right hand page pass through the clouds to the High Place. My mother called again from below. "Just a minute," I called. I looked around my room. Now where did I put that KI?
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