A small dose of amnesia may be all we need, or a small dose of Love.

I

There was a child, he cared a lot about the other children so much so that he tainted his soul for them. He became black as tar and as sticky as it also. His parents thought it best if he attended all forms of religious institutions for the purpose of equilibrium. First on the list was a Judaism. He was told they called their buildings “Synagogs” and… well.. He thought the word was funny. The first day on that cold Saturday left his heart in awe. He liked it. The stories interested him greatly. Unfortunately he became opposed to another attendee. They were like oil and water. But at least he found a love of debating in it. After five weeks of this he requested from his parents somewhere else. Next was Christianity but to start with he picked Catholicism. But instead of being war, He struggled to stay awake. For the next month and a quarter. All he would do was sleep. Unfortunately the catechist changed and he would get yelled at for sleeping so his time (after a quick convo with his very supportive parents) at that old building ended. He thought after that, that he may as well go to the normal person church. He went to a very particular church. He went to the poorest. The people there were so kind, They were by far the most reasonable he thought. For the next 5 years he stayed with them He would often give food and money to them and they would teach him. But the relationship frayed like an old shirt. The comfort he provided got less and less appreciation and he got less and less knowledge. “They got rich..” he thought “…and I got poor…” After telling them he wouldn’t be coming anymore. They didn’t look happy or sad they looked angry. and that was that. He was done. At the ripe age of 13. He was done with all religious stuff. He thought it best if he left on a good note. So he prayed. It was to God and his most honest prayer and unfortunately his last for a very long time. “God, Creator, Love. All these years I haven’t been seeking you but myself, I can’t keep going on like this I’m thirteen now and I still barely believe in you but i know you’re listening now. All the places I’ve gone where you should be. I meet the devil. In myself and in those people. I gotta go now. Teach my heart. Put a rope around my ankle. Rescue me. But i gotta…” The prayer never had a proper end. At least not that night. He attended his dreams like a gardener that night, at least… well… that was his dream. The dream felt like an eternity and when woke up his old self was no more.

The next morning he awoke. Fresh and refreshed. His Journey with religion was over. So it became life as usual. He intended to live unabated by anyone but himself. A wight was lifted. So He lived. That said He loved debating and that never changed. He would always debate about religion. As much as he could. He decided it was better to be a fake atheist than a fake of anything else, because what, there’s no authority on being an atheist. There’s no atheist king, and the very definition excludes the highest power in all things. It became a habit to proudly proclaim statements like “What’s he look like?” “I guess he must be lazy, or are broken legs too difficult for God?””I wish you wouldn’t show how imperfect you are in your knowledge of God, It hurts.” This went on until his mom died of leukaemia. With no mother he struggled beyond his means. After loosing her at 17 his whole world changed. His father remarried, but not to a woman. The little guy had to fight to keep them apart. His dad had re-married the bottle. The bottles got his dad angry and delusional. He only had one day until his dad died where they had a good non alcohol fuelled conversation. They sat out on the patio and talked about how great she was. Even on her death bed all she cared about was the two of them. She said she had found God in that hospital. The last thing She said was “Give him another chance you two, It doesn’t hurt to reach out to your creator. Just give him another chance…” The alcoholic relationship that his father was in ended. He went cold turkey that night after the conversation with his son. It killed him.

There he was all alone. That week there were storms. He stayed in curled in a blanket watching the tv. He had one rule: Don’t cry, be strong. Don’t cry, Don’t cryy… Dont cRy.. No… cries…

He fell into a deep grieved, purposeless sleep. He dreamt of spys, in the action. There were donkeys, Hundreds of them, all speaking to the sky. They were crying and crying out. He saw them turn into lions but the lions were red. They were crying tears but they were bright blue. Then a flock of birds wizzed over him like a team of fighter jets. The light of the sky turned black. Like a switch being switched off. Then he could hear a seductive voice promising him anything and all things. It got on his nerves (he hates being manipulated) and he awoke for a bit. The rest of that night his dream were in the dark.

The storm ceased.

The next morning he awoke to a loud knock at the door. He slowly got up to answer it.

It was a police man and woman. They looked concerned. “We thought to check on you, You Just lost your father a week ago…”

“I’m alright.”

“…Alex… Thats not all…”

The female cop copped in “…There’s a tree blocking the road five miles down. No-one on this street can get in or out. We have supplies, take some.”

“…Alex… I knew your father… I know at the end he believed… He’s in heaven.”

“Oh great! Just what i need! Now the only way for me to see my mother and father again is to “Believe”! HAHA, I give up God! I guess all i need now is to become homeless and-“

“The house is being repossessed.” -Female cop

The shock on Alex’s face said it all. Tears go up, Then down. His eyes like fountains or springs with abundant water. Tickling the streets of his face like the ocean on a beach. Alex collapsed.

II

Alex woke in a hospital room.

“blood pressure is too low. Grief does that to some people…” The nurse was checking his vitals.

[I…Don’t remember…]

“I… Don’t Remember…”

Alex sat up in his hospital bed. He tried to recall the day before but had nothing. Then the week before. Nothing. The year? Nothing. The nurse was still talking and muttering to herself. She obviously was concerned. She was asking questions but Alex was in an entirely different world. Independently searching for anything. Then it happened. A memory. It was a face, a voice. Then a name. “I… Remember…someone.”

“Well out with it!” The nurse smilingly demanded.

“It’s my auntie… her name is Josie…” Alex was still a bit sleepy.

“Has she got a last name?…”

“Perticot…”Alex was about to fall back into a slumber.

“You sit tight dear, I’ll get the doctor to examine you and contact this… Josie Perticot.” The nurse left him alone.

Alex spent the next week doing tests and resting. The doctor told him the truth. That he thinks he went through too much emotional pain and that his mind deleted memories in order to cope. He had amnesia. Alex was now 18. The doctor said both his parents were no longer alive. This wasn’t difficult for him to process due to having no recollection of both his parents. Tho he did feel a tinge of sadness. The next few weeks he spent quietly at the hospital. Until…

“Where’s my nephew!” A strange unabated voice rung out across the halls of the hospital. A trotting loud beat hit the ground with quite a fast tempo. The sound of heels and the smell of strong perfume. A head poked into his room. “Is that you Alex?”

Alex sat up in bed with a healthy dose of fear.

“Ah! It is you!” The lady came over and sat on the only other chair in his room. She grabbed Alex’s hand. Clasping it and looking directly into his eyes. “I’m your aunt. Do you remember me?” Alex nodded. He remembered. “You’re my aunt. Aunty Josie.” Josie looked away at the floor. Then out the window. “Your father kept me out of your life for a reason… and he was right. I’m a little crazy.” She winked at Alex. Alex had a few questions. So he decided to go with the most pressing one and the most painful.

“I need a place to stay.” He looked down, Then out the window. “Can I live at yours?… The doctor said i’d have to stay here until i get my memories back or… Cause you’re the only family I’ve got-…”

Josie Beamed.

“oooo we’re gonna have so much fun!” Josie lost some water as it rolled down her cheeks while Alex sighed a sigh of relief. Alex went into blur mode. He daydreamed his way out of the hospital. Then three strange things happened that Amnesia has no power to steal from his mind.

#1. He saw a child with a giant goat mask. It turned its head to look at him. Then took off its mask to reveal a pretty girl. Alex looked around to see if he was the only one to notice, but when he looked back she was gone.

#2. Alex saw birds flying over the train back to aunt Josie’s. He took a second look and they were no birds. They had become human-like. He pointed to them and aunty Josie Did the “shhhh” motion with her hand. He kept quiet.

#3. While siting in the car at the gas station (the last leg of the journey to aunt Josie’s) he saw what he believed was Jesus. He himself was normal human sized but he was directing giants. The giant beings looked a little… antsy, like they were afraid of him.

He mentioned it to his aunty. She said something about levels and choices. He barely understood. She said after the third vision you don’t get anymore until they have been completed in your life. Apparently all the Perticot’s have a connection that cannot be broken. She told him to really think about what he saw because they would be good memories one day. So he did. He thought about what he saw as much as possible. Trying to make sense of it all. The more he thought about it the more he felt like he was real and he loved being real. So it became a habit. Before bed, think. At waking, think. After lunch, think. He thought about it so much that the back of his hand felt strangely unfamiliar in comparison.

III

The house Alex’s aunty lived in was quite large. It was a mansion with a large front garden. He felt at ease there. He would often attempt to get lost and would be successful the majority of the time. Time was on Alex’s side. Time gave Alex whatever he needed. Rest? Got it. Work? Got it. Food? On the table. This was quite a wonderful time for Alex. He always looked back on it with great happiness.

Josie mostly stayed in her study. Writing. She always said “It’s my mission to write, but its always my mission to be there for you.” Her study door was always slightly open. Alex would occasionally go in and have a quick chat. This is when his first memory unlocked.

It started like an ordinary day. Alex got up. Brushed his teeth. Had his breakfast. Sat on the couch and was just about to turn the tv on. Then he got hit by a high pitched sound. His first memory. He remembered his childhood. Rose coloured glass. A flood of memories. In seconds he saw hours, days, years and his mother. Oh so happy she was in his memory. He remembered her name. “Beatrix.” Alex whispered then it was over. He was on the floor with memory. He looked up and saw his aunt. She dropped her cup of coffee on the floor in shock.

“It’s time.” She said.

IV

She took Alex into the mini library. A secret door. The passages cascaded around, twisting through tunnels that seemed endless. Until they made it to a locked door. Aunty Josie knocked seven times. Then she told Alex to wait. After seven minutes the door rattled and finally opened. inside was a garden. With seven other doors and one being. The being looked human like but she had a single horn planted beautifully on her forehead.

“He remembers his mother.” Josie told the strange human.

“aedfgygfdutkfg” The being made no sense to Alex. “gfuyvdkhgfuyg.” The being reached into her pocket. She (Alex assumed the being was female) produced a bright yellow cake like scroll. “fyydtfhgfrtx.” the being paired these words with a motion to Alex to eat the bright golden cake like scroll.

“She wants you to eat it.” Aunty Josie said happily, her perfume blocking the smell of the cake scroll.

After eating it a few things changed inside Alex. The first and most important was he could understand the little horned human like being. His eye sight was also clearer and finally (a close third in impact) he for a moment understood the intricate workings of life. He understood more than he thought possible. Some of which never left. Like a sure trust in what created him. Love. The horned creature spoke. “Can you understand?”

“Yes.” Alex’s eyes grew wide. He looked around in the garden room in awe. “Wooow.” His head turned quick, taking it all in.

“You’re the last male in the Perticot line. The heir to your fathers throne. He chose your mother and you over his duty. He is dead now though. So it’s up to you. The Perticot’s mission is one of a warden. Though not a warden in the sense of keeping evil in prison but good in safety. These seven doors hold seven Spirits of our king and God. They wish good on the world, Love and laughter. Though they are very powerful. If they all roamed the world they could destroy it with nary a thought because God’s wrath protects them undeniably. If they are grieved God He would not hold back his wrath. If your aunty agrees ill hand the keys to you. Your mission if you choose to accept is to take care of these seven spirits, comfort and protect them for God and for man…” The strange creature chuckled a bit… “sorry mission impossible is my favourite movie series.” She touched her horn. “always wanted to say that…”

Alex looked confused. His aunt was anything but. “How many times is that counter at now?”

“58…” The little horned human like creature looked sheepish. “…this year…”

Alex let his eyes go back and forth between his aunt and….”whats your name?” Alex genuinely needed to know.

“Oh its Gabriel…” She smiled.

V

The next morning when Alex got up he felt strange, like a heart was clinging to his. He recalled the events of yesterday. He was given keys to the seven doors. He was given instructions of which he only wanted to follow. Only one door per day can be opened. Each door went to a different climate ideal for the comfort of the seven spirits. He could speak to all of them without opening the doors. There was a live sound system (very high fidelity) that was on 24/7 that the seven spirits would often use. Alex found much joy in sitting in the first door or “Common room” just listening to them chat away. It was always polite conversation. His soul was always nourished by it. He would occasionally join in with questions. They would always answer them quite logically even with emotion. Gabriel was also there. Alex couldn’t understand how she could sit still watching the same movies on repeat. He would look at the screen and sometimes he would get a feeling that he could have the same quirky habit, just not Mission: Impossible. Maybe something else?

They would always ask in the morning if Alex wanted anything for the day. He would think about it then say: “I don’t know…” Then they would say. “We’ll ask tomorrow then.” This continued for a few months and once the excitement of having a new warden/ caretaker had died down he began needing something more to do so the next morning after waking up and after the question instead of saying. “I dont know…” He said. “I want something more to do…” Gabriel beamed. “ooo ooo, can i pick? Can I pick?!” The wisest of the spirits said “If Mr. Alex Gives you the mission, you’d better accept.” Alex agreed saying “Your mission if you choose to accept-“

“Accepted!” Gabriel wasn’t wasting time and disappeared in a flash and Alex fell backward from the force then he was alone in the common room, He looked around. Lost. “Don’t be afraid Alex, we have much we can do, that we have not shown you.” The voice rang out in the common room through the intercom system. This was a great comfort for Alex, realising he was terrified of being alone. He said to the spirit. “I have to be honest, I unlocked another memory last night. I remembered that i was searching for God but i gave up because I thought that sin was more powerful. I never vocalised it to anyone even myself but… thats why i said goodbye to God… I’m scared… I don’t want to be but i am…” He heard a *sigh. “We’ve all felt scared but remember! Sin is failure not power. We’re all apart of a story. And in your story I know you feel sick in your stomach when we talk about God, thats why we should talk about Him all the more! We have to pump your stomach of that bug in you. So say what you must about our creator… Please be corny, be emotional… be honest.” Alex didn’t have to be told twice.

Alex began with his hope: “I want God to be present, Near, close. It’s like a fire i know can consume me, but i want to be held by it. After loosing my parents, after each one died… I prayed God would replace them. Confronted with death I desired life but I hated him inside Because I thought he was stealing my life, But really i was stealing his. Jesus is a bad word to many people. And for me a cold light. I say the word then i get attacked. It’s like a virus. But i know its not one. But to the world it is. I have the world in me… But i need him… I want God to be present and I want the world to accept him. But i know I gotta choose Him over it. I felt for the first time i was real. When… I lost my memories… I can live here… Happily….”

VI

Gabriel was at the store. In disguise. She had a couple things in her basket. She was listening in on what Alex was saying. Sadness loosely griped her heart and her mind was quiet. After buying a few movies and a laptop she sat down outside the shop listening to Alex’s confession. It was almost time to pass the torch to Alex. She began to cry because she had to go back home. She only had a few more days there at aunty Josie’s place. People passed by looking concerned by the tears that Gabriel cried. An important person came up to her. You could say the MOST important person. He comforted the little Gabriel with two words: “Release freedom.” Gabriel wiped her tears, did a funny sad laugh. “okay, I will!” The man disappeared the instant she had him out of sight, while wiping her tears.

Five seconds later. She was back in the common room. With not a cloud in her eyes. Gabriel gave Alex the stuff she bought, Not saying a word. She sat down and continued watching mission impossible, nary a word. Alex was perplexed. He knew this was not her usual self. After 3 and a half months. This distance was not something he had ever had from her. He thought “Something must have happened wherever she went”. He sat quietly opening the items she’d given him. He was impressed by what she got him: A laptop, a watch, and a phone. It was exactly what he wanted even his own personal knowledge was out-shined by her knowledge of him. He tip toed around her… Wanting to show gratitude to her, but not knowing how.

Gabriel paused the movie then spoke up. “I know you’re worried. I’m not being myself to you but I get this way sometimes, rarely, but still… We must release freedom… and… you think I’m an angel but im not…” Alex was pale. “…oh don’t worry we’re not deceiving you. I’m not a “dummymon” either. Im a “Horman.” basically a human with horns.” she sighed. “Us Hormans can only open one door in our lifetime… then we go back home and there we dream in the manner of the spirit we release… I will release that one-” she pointed to the third door on the left. It read “fretle” “That means freedom… in our tongue. So i’ll be free…forever…” She smiled. “I’ve made peace with it… the only thing I’ll miss is…” She paused.

Alex took it in. Then it sunk in. It would kill her. He shook his head. Then looked her dead in the eyes. “I’ve had too many people go! I’m sick of it! I wont let you do it! You said ‘you can only open 1’ but what about me! How many can i open? How many!” His demands were not about to go unrealised. He wouldn’t! Never! Death would never take another! He would kill it! Kill death! He thought this deep in his soul. Gabriel saw his grief. Maybe his memories were all back? Alex was not one to hide what went on inside. She decided to respond. “you can effectively do it an infinite amount because you’re a Perticot… I’m not one… so… it…” Alex had a mental surge, pictures flashed in his head. He got a headache, then collapsed.

He awoke quickly, he just wanted Gabriel to be alive. He looked around. His aunt was there and… there she was. Sad eyes happy words. She look concerned. Alex smiled while she asked a thousand questions. Alex sat up in bed while Josie interrupted the ten-thousand miles per second tongue that little Gabriel had. “So you want to steal her Joy from her?” Alex nodded. “My enemy is death…. Theres no Justification in using a single use weapon when you have an infinite use one.” “No there is” Josie was NOT happy. “She’s stronger than you!”

“ahhh..” Little Gabriel wanted to counter that statement though Josie wouldn’t let her.

“If you care about her that much you take care of her!” Josie sighed. “Alright I named her Gabriel because she could not stand…” Josie gulped. “she could not stand evil!”

“Hmmm… so that’s why…”Gabriels voice was small.

“Re-name her! Open the door! Then protect her! OR ELSE!” Another sigh exited Josie’s soul.

“I Will” Alex had never been so sure. “Her name is ‘Anita’ I will open the door to Fretle! I wont let Death kill another friend or family member again!” Alex’s eyes looked set like stone. Inside his thoughts raced. He thought about the spirits. They were on Gods team and as they said “God is on your team Alex… So be on His!”

His aunt was smoking…. “huh so thats why you use perfume?” he mused. Still in a bit of a slouch his aunt retorted “WHAT YA THINK IT WAS?!!” Anita(Gabriel) and Alex giggled at her anger. They knew she had a big heart.

VII

The next morning Josie was cooking breakfast. Alex walked down the stairs from the nice smell That woke him up. Anita was sitting on the barstool chatting away with no cares. She didn’t notice Alex while his aunt winked at him. The servants kept trying to kick their boss out of the kitchen but she wasn’t having it “I pay to tell you what to do not vis-versa.” Alex’s aunt was a happy grouch he thought. “Right its all done.” Anita on the other hand continued talking at a hundred miles per hour. No-one could stop her at such break neck speeds. The break must be broken Alex laughed to himself. She’s different now he thought. He sat on the last steps to the kitchen still half asleep. He yawned to wake up after which Anita noticed him. She went into stood up and saluted him. Quivering from excitement. “Boss, ready. Ready, boss!” Alex played along “AT EASE SERGEANT!

Little Anita Laughed. “Right sir, Right! If I will sir captain?” “You may sergeant! Proceed!”

“On todays itinerary is a pic-nic, sir!”

“YES, SERGEANT!”

And that’s what the three of them did. They had a pic-nic. Everyone was involved in conversations they had never experienced. They spent the whole day there. At 3.57pm while Alex and Josie were deep in conversation about her brother and His father… Anita’s dam broke and she cried all the tears she had held back all these years. This was her seventh years at the mansion and common room. She had feared. She had foreboded her fate but now after being robbed of it the tears came she had no clue what her future held. She felt a burden she’d expected to carry transform into a different burden. She was so happy and hopeful about the future now and… She fully expected them to destroy death. After much comforting from Josie and Alex she re-breathed the grief away. Alex asked “by the way, Anita… How old are you?…” She smiled. “One day old…”

VIII

Now if you will dear reader zoom backwards from. This heartwarming scene. Zoom backward. Back to a crystal ball. Now back again to a room, a dark room. These three are being watched by evil. Evil at its core. These do not desire life but death. At least for their enemies. At most… well they wish for nothing to be possible. They have visions of glory they wish to steal. They have exalted themselves in their hearts and demeaned the Love which gave them life. Twisting their souls in unspeakable ways. A giant toad like creature spoke up. “REK, REK. Hehe REL, LET’S EAT THEM NOW, REK, REK. Hehe.”

“SILENCE TOAD!… We may be able to use them!” A dragon lady, ever keen for more gold gnashed her teeth at the giant frog.

“REK, GULP, REK. BUT. REK, IM HUNGRY!”

A Giant sat feasting on a dragon munching it down with fervour and speed. “ITS MY FOOD!”

A Male elf with glowing eyes stood up. “Useless vermin the lot of you. I gave my soul for revenge and i will get it. Else none of you eat. Now ignore the horman and his aunt and watch Alex, He is my target.”

“Yes sir!” They all said (in different ways) Chuckling between each other in mockery toward the elf behind his back. Then a light shone in the dark room It was the Lord of Heaven and earth: Jesus. God’s blessed Son. His mouth remained shut. They all scoffed and gnashed at him. He looked up. Then down. A light fell down slowly. “Try and fail.” The light repeated his words more and more, until all of them went mad from the repetition. Hearts as hard as stone, minds as blurry as a muddy water. The glass ball smashed and demons went out from it and into the four villains. They would try and they would fail that they were sure of. This gave them drive, they were driven to loose. As mad as that sounds… well… they were mad so…

That multitude all began to chant blindly: “WE WILL TRY AND FAIL, WE WILL FAIL, WE WILL FAIL, WE WILL FAIL!” This went on for a good half hour. Strange creatures huh?

IX

We go back to the three troops: Alex, Anita and Josie. The later of which became much more involved in their lives. She told them “I have written all I can” and when they requested information about what it was that she had written she just shrugged and said: “It’s not important.”

Today though they were going to release Fretle. Alex knew a little but wasn’t totally sure about the whole process. “They say, you have to see an unlocking to know how to do it…I know because i saw my mother do it and she saw may dad do it and he saw your grandfather do it…” Alex put his hand on Anita’s shoulder. “Its okay i know what to do…I saw it when i collapsed…”

“Oh… that makes total sense… Just so you know i was so angry with you that i was just going to do it straight after you collapsed….Aunty Josie stopped me…what a relief” Aunty Josie lovingly smacked her on the back of the head. “Thank me later! Give him the key already.”

“Anita produced the keys from her pocket” Anita also produced a monologue for her actions. “She then gave them to Alex.”

“Careful! I heard monologging is a thing villains do!” Alex didn’t feel real or authentic. Like he was trapped at the bottom of the ocean, tied down. Unable to breath. He knew the key to his freedom from this was releasing Fretle. He ironed his mind. Picked a key (he knew which one from the vision) Then said in a friendly way: “Fretle it’s time to come out!”

“Understood!” Fretle was ready. Alex saw a vision of a cute turtle air boxing. Anita saw a sleepy turtle in the sun and Josie saw a turtle being washed up on the shore. Alex unlocked the door. A storm raged out and the force pushed them backward onto the floor.

Fretle was free.

They sat there. For a while. Alex looked in the room. It was filled with water but it was draining out. There was an invisible wall holding the water in. Alex put his hand in and it went into the water. When he took it out dirty water drained out of him and the clean water went in. His character was accepted by reader and writer alike. He was free. He stood up determined. Looking around he sensed a power, a great power, like that of life itself an acute fear overwhelmed him. His heart sank but he decided to be brave. He spoke. “Lord! You’re Here. Please, Reveal yourself.”

“You have done well, child. Beware though. Of the tainting. Value the salvation I give. And do not forget. I order life to order life and such is your mission. Death will see his reflection.” The voice spoke all around while lights flashed like a disco ball. Then it was heard no-more.

Alex quickly got up and checked his new laptop. He checked the trending news. Sure enough there was a article about how a dictator decided to release all his prisoners. It was a few minutes old (the article) and apparently the dictator was about to livestream their execution, but instead set them free. On live tv. Soon freedom changed the whole world but to everyone but the three it was as though nothing had changed. It was life as usual for the world. Non the wiser about what Fretle had done.

He returned to the mansion after a few weeks, saying his mission was done and the stage set. At least his mission alone was done. He quickly clued the three of them in to what he’d done and told them to pack their bags. Sure enough the next afternoon they were packed and ready to go. At least, Anita and Alex. Josie said her Job was to be the girl in the chair. Giving the two of them a small device. She told them to keep it in their ears.

“Okay but how are we gonna go where Fretle wants?” Anita inquired.

“We fly of course!” Fretle had a big grin but Alex perked up like a child on Christmas morning.

“We fly?” His excitement was palpable.

Fretle turned into a giant bird with large- no- humungous wings. “Hop on! I’ve got a pouch for your bags and the two of you!” The two of them followed his orders and jumping on Fretle’s back they were off.

X

They flew high in the sky, turning, twisting, flying. “Hahaha, Woooooo!” Alex laughed and turning to look at Anita who was also having much fun by the giant smile perched on her face, they settled in. Resting from their late night packing.

*bzzt bzt.* Their ears rang. “Hello Alex and Anita, This is Aunty Josie. Can you hear me?”

“Huh, yeah… Loud and clear!” -Alex

“Yeah I hear too.” -Anita

“Right good! If you ever want to talk, just press on the the thing in your ear until it makes a buzzing sound. It will buzz me, and don’t be afraid to use as much as possible, Its going to be awfully quiet with you two gone” -Josie

“Yes ma’am!” Anita yawned.

“feel free to sleep Anita.” Fretle empathetically corresponded.

“ok…” and Anita was out like light. Alex on the other hand had plenty of energy. He looked down on the towns and people below wondering how something so big could look so small…

XI

A few hours into the trip the night began to come through. Fretle and Alex were in a long serious conversation about how they could feed death to, well… Death. Fretle talked out the Ouroboros. The serpent that eats it’s own tail. Alex began to grasp something he was missing. “Life is a story” he thought. “but… who is the author? Is the author on my side or am i the villain? or is the author the villain?” Alex was about to tell fretle about these thoughts, but ended up choosing not to. He thought “It can wait.”

Now because they were going against the sun the dark came quicker. They were above the ocean too. On top of that there was a light rain. Anita was sleeping deeply But was beginning to rouse. About five minutes later she was fully awake and with more energy than a bouncy ball. Her mouth also woke up and began speeding going 100km per hour in a thirty zone. Fretle laughed. “haha look up we’re just about to loose the rain clouds! You can see the stars, little ones.” The two looked up and were in awe. “God sure is creative isn’t he?” Fretle continued laughing.

“wawawawawow!” -Anita

“It’s cool i guess… I mean its super cool i guess.” His mouth may have dumbed it down but his eyes told a different story. “Just think” Alex thought.” Just 6 months ago I was alone living ordinarily, but now I’m flying on a giant bird that’s really a spirit that I released on the world to save a horman that is my friend that would have died without me.” While Alex thought these things he sighed. “I’m happy now…” He decided to take the leap. “God I’m yours again…”

Lightning!

Rain!

Thunder!

Land!

Tavern!

Shelter!

Anita and Alex sat perplexed staring at Fretle, who once again had transformed. This time into a human but he looked like a cross between Alex and Anita.

“Act like I’m your Father.” Fretle whispered.

“ok!” Anita whispered back.

Alex on the other hand remembered his real father and went into a slump. He retreated indoor into his mind. He thought about the last day he had with him. He wondered how His father would react to the stories he was apart of now. Alex tried to rationalise his beliefs about religion now. He was sure if there was spirits like Fretle or if he was able to have visions of Jesus that seemed sooo real then there must be a God. There was just one thing keeping him from really believing. It wasn’t God at all. It lay in the institution. He thought “…but maybe… there is one that works…?” Alex came back to reality, attuning to the conversation Anita and Fretle were having.

“…Yeah but its not a practical way!…”-Anita

“But even so it must be done…” -Fretle

“…It hurts tho… No-one likes it!” -Anita

“… We’ll talk about it later…Alex! You’re back.” -Fretle

“oh”-Anita

“I have a question…” -Alex

“Shoot…”-Fretle

“Do you know of any… organisations… that aren’t… Bad. I mean religious ones…?’- Alex

“Ooo Ooo can we go there?! Can we!? Can we?!” Anita

“That was the plan all along” -Fretle smiled.

Anita sighed of relief.

“Go where?..” -Alex.

“You’ll find out tomorrow… Now finish your food and go to bed!”-Fretle

Alex lay awake in the dark resting his eyes. He was excited, But more he was at peace. He let his mind dream while he thought about how different his life was… It was like he had lived on the bench in a sports team and the captain had called him up to play. It was his time. His time to do the captain proud. The captain must be Jesus he thought… He rolled over and morning came. Rolled back and got up. Anita was up and at em, Fretle on the other hand was snoring and sleeping like a ton of bricks, his legs falling out of the blanket.

“We gotta wake him up!” Anita said to Alex, Seeing that he was awake. “We have to leave the room in 27 minutes or we’ll have to pay for a whole other night!”

Alex Grinned mischievously. “I accept this mission!”

A loud yell echoed out of the room the three were in. Scaring all the birds away. And within the time frame they were all up and out of there.

“I’m glad we didn’t have to pay for another day…” Anita sighed. “but you were pretty hard on him..”

“That hurrt! I pulled a muscle from that Alex!… Don’t you know how much that hurts!…” -Fretle brought his complaint to Alex.

“oh nonsense, you know it was necessary! You were more asleep than my paren-” Alex paused. “Lets just go!”

The agreed and within 5 minutes were back in the sky. Now, the day was VERY hot! The consequence of this was that the complaints started pilling in from Alex and Anita. Then, From Fretle and Anita. Then, From Fretle and Alex. I as the writer will suppress the mean words they said to each other, but they were mean. Like, abnormally mean. “sigh” -Author of the story. “Salt, salt, Salt.”- Author. “So much salt.” After flying over water to desert to salt fields, they were dehydrated, and were mumbling like those with no mind.

“The heats getting to us all, Lets fly quick to that oasis over there. It’s just after those salt fields…” Fretle said huffing and puffing with the last ounce of strength he had, and so they did. All the meanie things they said were forgotten thanks to the lovely cool water. Alex was so keen to beat the heat that he Jumped off of Fretle into the water.

XII

That night they were happy like those who had defeated a nation and had gotten free from oppression, like those who had gone from tyranny to love. They made a fire and stayed up late telling stories and jokes and all kinds of tongue twisters. The happiest of course was Anita. Alex thought it was a good time to take up art and drew the scene of that night. ‘Happiness and joy’ he called it when he was finished.

XIII

The next morning Alex and Anita woke up to prodding from a stick, while their eyes were prodded by the sun. The late night left them a groggy present. There was around 10 people. They were in full body suits so their faces were covered. They signalled with their hands instructing the two groggy young characters to get up. “How are they NOT hot?!” Alex thought. Alex looked around but saw no sight of Fretle. The roughly ten suit guys became more forceful and dragged Anita while pushing Alex. Anita was coming in and out of the dream world giving a yell when waking up and promptly returning to the land of unconsciousness. A few of the ten suit guys walked into the oasis pond and promptly disappeared bellow the water. The rest followed them and so did Anita and Alex. And down they went!

Alex was sure he would drown, It was obvious the guys in suits had a breathing apparatus in their space suit like suits. Of course, they did not provide one to Alex and Anita but even so they descended below the sandy oasis. Below the sand was a tube made of either plastic or glass (probably glass coz the sand). They went down very quick, but there wasn’t much room so they went down one by one. Alex was thrown and Anita dropped. Down they went, down, down, down. They exited the tube by landing on a soft cushion thingy. When Anita landed, She was back in dream land, thankful for the nice bed, but unfortunately a stick to the side kicked out all the euphoria. And she was awake and alert. The two of them were guided through the underground city, like cattle, and without a word from the suit people. The city looked like an old city like a cross between London and a town in the wild west. But unlike such city’s there were pipes shooting up, down and all around. They seemed to be their main transport option.

“They must use water to push themselves through the pipes.” Anita observed. Alex agreed.

They were walked through the town. There malnourished and starving children and adults stared at them hopelessly. One came up to the two saying. “Don’t say a word!… Don’t interrupt!…” She was promptly shooed away by the suit people. And… After a bit of walking and some stair climbing, they were in a giant room where and old man sat callously, with spite and a bored expression. He said. “Who are these vermin?!”

“Oasis drinkers, your liege.” – a suit person.

The king spat. “You drink my water. You pay now!”

The king held out his hand. “pay!”

Alex didn’t know what to say. He looked around at the room. There was embroidered carpets, Statues of -what Alex thought- the previous rulers. They lined the sides of the room, but with one broken and one missing, There was light creeping through stained glass behind the statues. The ceiling was high, like two or three stories high. He looked at the throne, and beside the king was a tall man. Alex noticed he was making hand signals, which he strangely understood. “Don’t say a word. Give him something yellow.” Alex racked his brain. Yellow?… The man by the throne pointed at Anita, Repeatedly. He stared at Anita, trying to think. Alex at a complete loss for words while the kings glared pierced his soul with anxiety. Alex began to feel dizzy. Again. But just before collapsing he remembered…

XIV

Fretle got up early. Far before dawn. It was around three in the morning. The fire was dying out but would still crackle every now and then. He already knew about the underground kingdom below them and was prepared. “That king will charge through the roof if i know him well enough.” So, into the oasis pond he went. Down the tube, and onto the welcome bed. The city was asleep, excluding the king, who was on a tantrum. With a loud voice echoing through the city’s intercom system, the denizens were too busy sleeping to give much attention to it. Fretle on the other hand made a bee line right to him. When he got there, the king was red. Yelling about how he cannot stand water thieves. Fretle quietly transformed and then made his presence known. “O kind king, will you not have mercy, on a couple of kids?..”

The king turned, flustered by the sudden appearance. He stared at Fretle. Then stared harder, then once more. “Ahah!.. You were my fathers advisor! I remember you left right after he died! i had just turned 13!” The kings anger left him like a frightened bird. But his words landed on the whole city. “You always gave him the best advice.” The king smiled. At least for a little while, then he fell serious. “We have a big problem…”

XV

In the throne room the following day. Fretle signalled “Cake, Cake, Cake. Yellow cake!” Alex was seeing stars. But someone must have turned the lights off because this time he didn’t faint (like usual). He quickly asked Anita: “Have you got more scrolls?.. you kno-“

The king raged. “What language is this?! They’re plotting to kill me! Guards take them to the holding cells!”

Alex quickly Rush a scroll out of Anita, while Anita “aha’d” one out of her pocket. “Thats why not to speak! We know what they say but not vis versa!”

The guards had already began prodding in obedience. Anita had already gotten one out and was trying to offer it to the king but the king turned his head, and wouldn’t give her time of day.

XVI

In the cells they waited. They were quiet at first then a room mate or a cell mate that was already there spoke. “It never goes well in this town…the king controls everything… if you get a crumb you’re rich… Its my forth time in these cells…*sigh* but what can a travelling merchant do…” the speaker looked old and more like a goblin than a human, but it was plain it was a human.

Anita and Alex looked at each other then and the old man. Remaining silent for a while. “Can you understand us?” Alex said.

“Oh yes, oh yes..” – old merchant goblin looking man

A guards footsteps echoed the hall “Alright old man, your times up!” The prison guard was a pig like creature. Snorting away. The old man seemed to also understand the guard.

“Old man!” Alex had an Idea…”Give this scroll to the king to eat!.. Please-“

The guard snorted “hurry up… *snort* …Their language sounds… *snort* …awful *snort.*

The old merchant took the scroll cake and left the cell with the guard but Alex and Anita remained for many more hours.

XVII

“5 hours later and still no word…” Alex complained, while pacing around the cell.

“I haven’t even had breakfast yet…”Anita complained, while conserving her energy.

“C’mon, c’mon… Let him eat it!…” Alex was as impatiant as a dog before a meal. “I can-..”

Alex’s words were cut short by the sound of steps. It was Fretle and the king. The two of them stopped in front of Alex and Anita’s cell. “I have been told by my trusty advisor that you have a gift for me! Give it here now!”

Alex sighed “That weesly merchant must have taken it for himself… Anita have you ano-“

“Here.” Anita interrupted Alex with her answer. Giving another yellow cake scroll thingy to the king. Alex’s mouth dropped a bit. “How many have you got?..”

“Enough…” -Anita

The king took it then gave a wry look to Fretle then Anita, then Alex, then the yellow cake thingy. Closed his eyes and ate it.

The next moments had a tinge of relief for all concerned. The king now understood what, not just Alex and Anita were saying, but his whole city! After all his city was full of many languages, and to the kings great and tearful joy he understood everyone. He spent the next weeks trying to understand EVERYTHING! And Everything understood him.

XVIII

After a few days the king brought Alex and Anita into his study room (Fretle was already there). The king said there was a very important mission he had for Alex. He needed him to prevent a war. One that would destroy the whole world if left unchecked. Alex was concerned. He wondered if he could do it. He also wondered if he wouldn’t just make things worse. The king though had a plan. The king explained that there were two kingdoms. One lead by a strong willed lady called “The lady of the east” she was a very hard worker and rarely if ever slacked on what she thought was necessary for her kingdom. The other a sluggard and a brute. He on the other hand was FAR too lazy even to let himself feel pain. The king explained further. That there is a force at work in those two kingdoms. Something evil that wants to destroy the world. Both kingdoms could do that two or three times. Also both kingdoms were growing less and less interested about preserving the world. They were on the brink of even destroy the world. “Now the plan…” The king looked at Fretle then nodded. “I have eye’s on the evil forces that wants the world to die…” the king sighed. “The plan is to defeat them, so they no longer poison the nations, and we need the two of you to-…” Alex heard a buzzing in his ear, then… “Alex… It’s your auntie Josie.” It was the ear communication device, or the ECD.

“Hi Aunty, what’s going on?…” Alex felt bad for interrupting the king but the king nodded in approval.

“I’m getting a strange reading, something or someone is headed to your location and quick! My scanner seems to recognise it as a… Uh.. Frog? Be ready!” Aunty Josie ended the ECD connection and Alex told the king. The king’s eyes grew wide then went into determination mode. They were to fight.

“The frogs a world poisoner.” The king explained. “Our city doesn’t stand a chance.” Fretle looked at the king then said “I bring shackles to nothing even the shackles of a bed in sick.” The king nodded then quickly organised his troops. The king instructed his best guard named Timothy to protect Alex while they went to war with the frog thingy. A dizzy spell fell on Alex. He tried his best to stay conscious while the king organised everyone in his kingdom. Finally his kingdom of strangers had became one of unity, as Anita passed the language learning scrolls around to all the citizens. Eyes open and so did hearts. Alex asked Anita. “Where do you get all those?” to which Anita cheerfully replied. “My secret.” Smiling with both eyes and mouth.

XIX

The time of battle came quick, leaving no rest in preparation. The kings mood was 180’d from the restoration of his quiet city. Four hours was all it took for language to conquer resentment. Four hours was all it to for a divided nation to regain its cooperation. Four hours later they had a common enemy with no hostage or prisoner. For by understanding alone can we reduce division to its knees. The frog smashed through the ceiling and bought his evil war. His tongue of poison spat and threw itself. Unabated. He sought to return the city to the poverty of resentment and division. Why had the battle come when the people had lost the self destruction that had lingered twelve years long? And so quick?

Fretle sat on a pillar, wind blowing through his hair. His form once more changed. He liked looking like Alex and Anita. He crouched upon their loss hoping they could gain for them a figure no child should be robbed of. Though many are. Fretle Looked down at the two of them hoping anger would not stir at his presumption. To father those without such. I question that fear for every dance in the heart does not fight for the sake of it. There’s a reason for every choice that comes from Love. Always recorded in Joy.

Alex looked up at Fretle. A single tear rolled down his cheek. And from the shed tear, that went down, took all of his dizziness away with it. No more fainting. Confidence burned the chaff in his heart. Alex saw no presumption. Fretle never lost that form though at some point years later he burned in the temptation to change to another form. He did not. Anita was measuring something on the ground relatively oblivious to proposed adoption by Fretle, though she too being an orphan saw no presumption, only a gift. Fretle was ready. The King was ready. The citizens were ready. The soldiers were ready. And so, the battle commenced.

XX

“REK REK, HUNGRY, REK REK. FOOD I EAT REK.” The frog drooled, waging its tongue. He was quite a large frog. He had a purple tongue. On the frogs back was a normal sized rat though he was anything but. The rat snarled. “We’Re onLy HerE fOr AleX, HaNd HiM OveR AndD No HArM To EveRyOne hEre WilL ComE.” A giant smile and creepy giggles manifested on the little rats face. “We’lL EveN GivE HiM BaAck” The rat snickered.

“REK REK ME EAT, ME EAT, REK REK!” The frog looked very disappointed along with a tinge of anger at the rat. “REK REK” The frog then began to pray to whatever evil creature an evil creature prays to. His big body stood up goofily praying to whatever evil creatures pray to.

The King took the front line and denied the rats request.

“WeLl ThEN…” The rat snicker, while the frog rejoiced as though his prays were answered, and began to devour. It was a brutal battle, many died. Even more grieved. No one more than Alex and the king. After hours of pain and war the fight neared its conclusion. no-one gave up till their last breathe. The frog was set to be killed when the king got flung against a wall. Alex who felt completely useless by his inability to fight and seeing the king would die if he did nothing ran to the heart of the battle. He would to give them what they want, Him. The king got up. “Nooo Alex!…” While Anita tried to catch up to Alex but it was too late. The rat jumped onto the frog’s tongue and got catapulted straight to Alex. The rat took out a syringe with green liquid in it and stabbed it right into Alex.

Many “No!’s” echoed on the battlefield.

The rat laughed loudly and proudly before biting a pill in his mouth. Saying. “THe BoY WilL NeVer FinD ReAlitY noW…. HEhEHeHEeH…” Throffing up into death.

XXI

Alex was NOT ok. He was going at a breakneck 5 pukes per minute for a few hours. The frog had been delt the killing blow, by the king of course. And the rat also was no more. The people of the underground oasis quietly did their best to fix the town. Some sobbed next to corpses, other hung their heads. Alex was in a constant state of vertigo, but felt at peace. Not dizzy though, just… still. Anita patted Alex on the back. Hoping to provide comfort to the puking boy. “Alex… Lets be siblings… If you wish?…” Anita mussed. Fretle came up to the two of them. “Fretle, any idea what the poison is?” Anita inquired.

“No telling. We’ll have to take him to the hidden forest. Dunamis’s prodigé is there. She’ll know what to do.” -Fretle

“Dunamis is one of the seven spirits, the spirit of power, But there is no time to go back and release her. The forest kingdom is only an hour away as the locrils slides…” -Fretle

“What’s a ‘locril’?” -Anita

“Come see.” -Fretle picked up a faded Alex and guided Anita to the locrils who were sound asleep.

Anita tried to make sense of what it was she was looking at. It looked like a bird, but also a cat, not only that but it had scales like a crocodile. It didn’t take long for her to see just how cute the locril’s were. Eyes widened and she went full dotting mode. The locrils did not mind at all! Lapping up all of her affection.

The king approached Fretle concerned telling Fretle to take whatever they need. Humbly requesting Fretle to thank Alex for saving him. Relaying that they would always be welcome.

They loaded up a locril and departed.

XXII

Five minutes into the journey Alex began crying in pain. He didn’t seen all there but it was plain he was fighting. Hard. It was night so there was a cool breeze. They had a locril rider at the helm. The locrils slid along and quite quickly too. The king also gave them the service of one ‘Thomas’. He was passionate about protecting people, but also quite serious. Not a funny bone in his body. AND. He was also a Horman. He sat in the corner clutching his spear not saying a word. Anita would occasionally have a sneaky look at him. Intrigued. It was a very noisy hour. But only because of Alex. All else was silent. Tiredness touched their tongues like shackles. The stars were out. They lit up the ground along with the moon as they slid on self made slides like frozone (the ice guy in the incredibles) Though no ice. More like… rainbows, or slug trails. What was it like? It was… beautiful? Or…. Painful? Well it was over soon, too soon….

XXIII

Alex began to sweat green. It was the last 5 minutes of the trip. He’d gone silent. 10 minutes prior. Now his tongue made no sound, but his bones rattled like a rattlesnake. As the green goo poured out of every hole in his body, they knew it was serious. And as such hated to blame him for anything really. I guess seeing pain can see forgiveness.

They made it as the sun rose. It was about 4.30 in the morning the got off the locril and Fretle rushed Alex into the gates of the hidden forest kingdom. The gates were hidden too. They were invisible between to trunks. Which had bark stripped off of them. Fretle ran right through between the two trees.

Fretle vanished into the hidden tree village. Quickly rushing Alex who was moaning in pain to the village elder a.k.a Dunamis’s protegé. The others lagging behind.

XXIV

She was already awake. But when she saw Fretle and Alex she quickend to her feet to help.

Alex’s mind was melting. He heard many things but held no comprehension. What he saw was a blur. Like a canvas of madness. Within all that he could hear something he DID understand but not at first. It was like he was swimming in paint. Reality began to crumble beneath his feet. But he could hear a voice yell out at the darkness with fire, passionate fire. He tried to reach it. “That voice.” He thought. “Can save me.”

Then the voice spoke. It sounded far away like he heard it from the water. “Don’t lie to yourself! It’s not real! Stop lying! I’m sick of it!” Alex looked down at his hands. They were not his. There was a mirror, but it was not his face. This was not his life. He tried to run, not wanting to trespass. What world is this? “I’m not meant to be here!” He tried to run but his body wouldn’t move. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying. Forcing, praying.

Blank.

Nothing.

Then.

A Beautiful sunrise.

No.

Not just that.

Life.

It’s real.

Alex looked up into the sky expecting to see God.

*tstzzgts* *tstzzgts**tstzzgts**tstzzgts*

Images flashed like lightning.

Jesus appeared from the clouds.

Everything was big.

No.

He was small.

He reached out to Jesus.

*tstzzgts**tstzzgts**tstzzgts**tstzzgts**tstzzgts*

Smile.

Jesus Smiled.

*vadoom*

Alex woke with a start. He looked around. his eyes adjusting. He was fine. He sighed while looking around. It was dark. He was in a strange place. It smelled nice though. Alex sat up. Getting his bearings. It felt like he had been asleep for years. Alex looked around again but there weird spots in his vision and he couldn’t tell if it was night or day. He sat up. He could hear voices but did not comprehend. Thinking he was back with his mother and father. Maybe the whole adventure was a dream? He got out of the bed he was in but he stubbed his toe. After a few ouchie remarks he said. “Well this isn’t a dream” Wincing and laughing at his luck. Where WAS he though? Continuing to look around. It was like he was in chains. It took great effort to move at all. He really hoped that the last half year was not a dream. But the spots in his vision concerned him. Even if it meant it was real.

His vision melted.

Then restored.

Again it melted.

Again it restored.

It looped as such until.

*retching*

He really awoke.

XXV

There were about five people rushing around Alex. Rushing to save him. Alex looked around. Scared. The pain all came back. There was an old lady looking right down at him.

“Well” Alex said. “It wasn’t a dream at least.”

*retching*

*retching*

*retching*

“Alex… Stay with us!…” A calm kind voice echoed through the pain. “Alex!.//q2/.!..:”

“We have to cut it off!”

“His mind will burst,.kd If… We D04ntsa!s” It was puzzling to Alex. “Us3 7he 3harp K1nfe.!”

The voice was still calm. His arm. Fell off like butter. It didn’t even hurt. “Why?” Thought Alex. “Do people have arms?”

“What is an arm?”

“His Mind is like a piece of paper on fire.” The voice remained steady.

“So steady…” Alex spoke this time. He was drenched in sweat.

Sighs of relief echoed throughout the room. Some dropped to the floor. Others trembling in relief. They propped Alex up. His mind still in disarray but he was safe. They’d put out the fire.

“Now comes the fun bit.” The steady voice steadily said. “Right Alex. Can you hear me?”

Alex looked his eyes awash with blots in his eyes.

“Not see Alex. Hear.”

“Ye-ee-ss.”

“Pick a number from one to three.”

“Three.”

“Okay now four to nine.”

“Five.”

“Okay, now ten to twenty-four. Last one.”

“uuuhh. Twenty-four!”

“ookayy….” The steady voice introduced herself. “I’m Dunamis’s prodigé. The names Dorothy.”

“I’m Alex.”

“I know.”

“I know you know.”

“I know you know I know.”

Alex began to giggle buuuuut….

SLAP!!! Right on the face.

It was Anita.

Alex could barely see but he knew she was not in a joking mood.

He sat up. looked at Anita. Attempted to hug her, aaaand promptly fell on the floor. (not easy to live with one hand…)

Fretle stepped in. “I know now’s not a good time buuuut…..we need to repair or replace Alex’s mind…. He needs it asap!”

“Right away!” -Dorothy pressed a couple of button on a weird tablet thingy then an orb came out of it (Alex couldn’t see but you’re not Alex soooooo…..)

Then Dorothy picked up the orb and put it on Alex’s forehead and it sunk in. Being absorbed into him.

“The purpose of the mind is to is to… well… mind. His personality and memories will remain. The idea is to give him a just view of reality. I’m hoping the spots in his eyes will clear up too…”

And they did.

Alex blinked twice. He was back. He smiled.

Everyone in the room cheered!

“Yaaaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!! 😀 Alex Is back!”

Cheers erupted

Eyes erupted

And

Hearts

XXVI

Time to zoom out again.

Zoom.

Zoom.

Exiting a new crystal ball.

We hear a frustrated pen tapping.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Euraghhhh” Its the elf boy who sold his soul for revenge knowing full well he would fail.

“Eurraaagggghh” The pen tapping finished with it taking a flight landing with a thunk.

The elf boy stood up and began pacing. “Why should anyone work in these conditions!!”

“We are doomed to fail! So why tryyyy???!” The elf boy squealed.

“pfftt, you know nothing about being evil little elf! We ALWAYS fail!” It was the dragon lady. “The only thing we EVER succeed at is failing! So aim in your weight class!”

“HE HE WE FAIL.” The giant found humor as though his eyes had been opened. “HE HE….WHY I LAUGH?” The humour replace by confusion. Yeah he’s low IQ (like goliath xD)

The dragon lady sighed in frustration. “I’ll go next. Anything to get away from you bumbling fools.”

*SMASH*

The second crystal ball shattered bringing us back to Alex.

XXVII

“So… what’s the purpose of our little journey?” Alex was talking to Fretle.

They were standing on a balcony outside their room provided to them. The sun was going down, it’s cool light dwindling in a very beautiful sunset.

Fretle paused. “I need to take you here. Right from the start. These people share your mission. And you need to receive a gift. All the previous perticots always started here. Though that’s not true for you. The winds of fate have been blowing in your face right from birth and you must decide whether to oppose it or turn your back to it and let it guide you.”

“That doesn’t answer my question though does it?” Alex said softly touching his now lost arm.

“It’s your story, Alex. You have a choice. Even if you jumped off this balcony. Or went and hugged you sister. You could even choose to make no choice and just ride the waves life throws at you. Let me ask though what do you REALLY want to accomplish? What is the weight in your heart? The weight you carry that you aren’t willing to lose even though it tires you half to death?” Fretle gave Alex time to answer.

The stood in silence for a while as Alex searched his heart.

Alex stared intensely at what was in his heart. He searched. He saw a picture of his mother then his father. He felt his heart wince in pain. He had to let them go but… not forever. Then. Anger. His eyes flamed up.

“I hate death.” His answer was that of anger and pain but… Along with the flaming eyes came tears.

Fretle watched Alex’s face for a while concerned yet impressed.

Fretle looked back at the sunset musing. “Then that’s the mission.” Fretle couldn’t help but smile. “We kill death.”

A SECRET STORY BUT OH SO IMPORTANT (LOVES CHAPTER)

Fretle stood at the edge of the arche way to the balcony. Alex sat in his bed He was talking to Anita who was on the floor tinkering with something. They were talking about nothing in particular. Anita would randomly hop up and look at Alex’s lost arm and let out a “yup yup very pain looks” to which Alex would say “pain is.” But they would smile at each other then return to what they were doing. Well Alex wasn’t doing anything but Anita would continue her tinkering.

Fretle sat down lighting up a smoke. It was a bit of a surprise to the two (Alex and Anita) of them and they looked at him as though he’d done something out of the world. The staired unapologetically causing Fretle to laugh nervously. Fretle realised it was prime time. Time for his request. So, embarrassedly he offered the question.

“How would you two like for me to adopt you both?”

Alex pressed his only hand to his mouth in thought. While Anita’s mouth widened her eyes looked shocked.

“Alex is my master though… We would become equal… wouldn’t that be wrong…” Anita couldn’t lie though she wanted the adoption.

“It’s not good for anyone to be without family. I have my aunt but as far as i know Anita has none. I have no qualms with your proposal uhmmm dad?” Alex looked down embarrassed by his forthrightness.

“I have an uncle but… I haven’t heard from him in decades! It’s been years!… since i had family.” Anita began to well up with tears.

Alex looked up. Tears welled in his eyes too. He looked at Fretle who was smiling. Alex let out a sigh of relief.

Anita looked back and forth between Alex and Fretle shocked. The grief turned to complete joy.

Millenia later archaeologists found in that spot a strange device that when you shake it you see a short film of the three of them signing adoption papers. It shows them having a big party afterwards. It became evidence that the three of them REALLY did exist. Landsliding against the doubters. Though some still said it was fabricated evidence to sell books. Even so the party was BIG. Everyone was in quite high spirits, not a cloud in the sky.

XXVIII

The tree dwellers called for a meeting. Everyone was there. Everyone. Dorothy clapped to start the meeting.

“As you all know we have guests…”

A few cheers rang out in the crowd.

“…But we have a problem…”

Now boo’s.

“…they are being hunted…”

Dramatic sniffles.

“…So we may need to fight…”

Now the men of the tree dwellers hooted in excitement where the ladies eyes darkened.

“…We must prepare.”

Heads turned and looked at other heads.

“Any questions?” Dorothy looked around the crowded room with hands flung up. Almost the whole village had raised hands. Dorothy smiled and looked at Fretle, Anita and Alex. Anita and Fretle returned the smile but not Alex. He was dazed and in a different world no smile on his face. He looked at the crowd of hands thinking: “How is this real?”

XXIX

After the meeting (which Alex barely participated in) Alex sat on the balcony staring down at the people below. His mind was empty but something was working in him. I guess his heart? Either way he was in a melancholic state and with only one arm. I guess he just needs time. To heal his wounds, mental and emotional. Anita knew her adopted brother needed space even though she wanted to cheer him up she left him alone. Anita spent this time quizzing Fretle. She had a burning question: How were you born, If you were born? Fretle enjoyed being quizzed about such things. It brought back many memories, some good others bad. The rest of the tree dwellers were busy prepping for what might come. There would be a fight that was for sure. So the next couple of weeks were spent like this. Though one night there fell a storm on the treehouse city. It was strong and very uncommon. Dorothy to Fretle that the last time there was a storm like this a dragon attacked the village. There were many casualties and regrowing and building there nice city took close to a century. Eighty nine years to be exact. Ironically though that was only eleven years ago. Dorothy said she remembered a little of their pain but she was born only two years after the attack. Which makes her ninety eight. Dorothy chuckled and Fretle sighed. “I remember your 3rd birthday. You had chocolate all over your face and refused to let your mother wipe it off because you thought it would take your skin off as well.” Fretle returned the chuckle.

XXX

The whole village tree city place was on lock down. The lights in the rooms glowing in the stormy weather. It was 2 days until d-day. They were all prepared. Not the storm though which acted against them. Loud rustlings could be heard from the trees. Everyone shivered greedy for the warmth of the lights. And so they waited in anticipation. Dorothy was checking her tablet device thingy. Fretle was looking out the glass doors in anticipation. Anita was warming herself by the fire her head dancing around the room in anticipation. And Alex… He was fast asleep. Quiet like the dead. In his bed.

XXXI

Now we enter Alex’s dreams and thoughts. The world within. His soul trapped in a glass prison. Water slowly filling in the glass box. He though. “I’ll deal with that later.” Alex Floated in his scrambled world. Broken and smashed. “How?” He thought. “How can i fix me?”

A voice loud and proud spoke. “YOU MUST UNDERSTAND TO KNOW, AND TO KNOW TO UNDERSTAND.”

“What’s your name? Are you an enemy?” Alex starred where he thought the voice was from. Searching.

He heard it again. Saying the same thing. Only answering as such.

This went on for a good three minutes until Alex became vexed and shouted “I WANT TO KNOW I WANT TO UNDERSTAND, JUST SHUT UP!”

And so the voice kept silent. Alex breathed in relief that broke a possible madness Alex may have acquired. Alx sat in silence for a rather long time. With only the ticking of his heart for company. His mind was scrambled he knew this… He knew… Knows… Then he understood. He lifted his eyes in the direction of that voice. “My mind was melted from the poison.” He paused after saying this. Looked at the ground then plucked himself up. Standing up he spoke with absolute confidence saying: “If You Know, You Understand. So you know what I need to know, To Understand.” Alex heard a pop and a sigh. “I GUESS HE’S READY…”

The scenery changed, Before he was in a void like place now he was in the most beautiful garden in the world. There was an old man tending to it. He had a giant smile, stubble and a hat. The sun was beaming down strong and it seemed even stronger on the old man. The old man didn’t even look at Alex but he said: “Have you heard? Plants like sun, it gives them growth and life, But without water, They wither… Same with us… Alex. I’m next.”

The dreams shut off like a switch and Alex was back in the tree village.

XXXII

There were about 12 people standing around Alex. They were holding him down and the shocked faces brought Alex instant confusion. Alex opened his mouth. “What happened?”

Sighs echoed around the room. Dorothy answered Alex’s question. “You were floating above your bed… Glowing white! We haven’t seen your kind here in 40 years.”

“My kind… What?…” – Alex

“Light branded. We call your kind burners.” -Dorothy

One of the strong men who had held Alex down(who had a few burns from Alex) Explained further. “Burners were presumed extinct…”

“Alright people let’s give him some air, chop chop!” They did as Fretle instructed and then there was only 5 in the room including Alex. Dorothy told the strong man speaker person from the last paragraph to stay and Dorothy also remained.

Alex was finally out of his slump. Anita was happy about that because she was getting frustrated by Fretle’s vague explanations about his origins. So what did they do? Why they binge watched every mission impossible movie possible of course! It was MISSION POSSIBLE!

“okay sorry that was bad ._. sorry” – The author (me)

Funny tho because as soon as they were done with mission possible. The sky’s cleared and the sun shown. Every one went out to enjoy the warmth of the sun, smiles everywhere. Even on Alex’s face.

Unfortunately the happiness made them drop their guard and within hours the battle sprung like a trap.

Fire rained down from the sky.

Panic.

Fear.

Shame.

Why?

Tears,

Orphans.

Widows.

Widowers.

Why?

Death.

Why?

What did we do?

The rain returned.

They lost.

Why?

Alex sat keeled in the rain and mud.

He Prayed to God. “Hades follows death… Why does death follow me” Alex cried bitterly.

All Alex heard was “Because you’re at war with him.”

Alex looked up to the sky. “Are you?”

“I AM” It was Jesus. So sincere. Not angry. But he was burning like a spring of water. Alex fell into a trance. Rocking back and forth. Alex began speaking but could not hear himself nor understand himself. But he could hear the response. (I’ll tell you reader tho just know Alex has no idea xD)

“You Can.” – In response to Alex asking (Again Alex has no clue). “Can I destroy your creation guiltlessly?”

“I’m with you.” (Will you fight with me?)

“No-one can break the back of Love” (What can I do? I’m weak.)

The trance ended.

XXXIII

Alex Looked around at the people running and scrambling in the rain and fire then he stood up. Looking for the enemy they must fight. What manner of fight would they have? He saw it, the dragon. The dragon caught his eye and flew to him landing at his feet. “HOOO Human, You are the one i want.” The dragon lady blinked. “IF you come with me, I will leave THIS Village. I WILL.” She snorted.

“I will go.” Alex said missing no beats.

“OKAY Child.” And she wisketed Alex away while Anita saw and started running after them saying attention words.

XXXIV

In the sky the dragon spoke to Alex explaining why all the bad stuff happens. She said that there is someone called an author writing the story they are in for someone’s entertainment. That they were Just letters on a page and what happens to them is purely decided by the author. She told alex if the author wanted he could write “Then death dies.” And death would be no more. She explained that the author… Is the actual villain of the story… The reason he lost his parents and his arm. Why his heart is aching or his body shivering. All his pain. All for someone’s entertainment.

Alex’s heart grew very bitter towards this author person. Why not? He was convinced. So what would he do? Trust the writer or turn his back on him and… choose evil? Or mistrust the writer even retaining a desire to be good? Alex shook his head in frustration.

“No need to choose now.” The dragon looked up at Alex. “Look there’s my mountain, My husbands a good cook, you’ll LOVE it!” The dragon lady flew down into the mountain cave and there Alex dismounted.

XXXV

Alex’s first thought was how cozy the mountain cave was. The dragon lady had a giant smile. “HIIII HUBBY! I’m back home!”

“oh hello dear!” His voice was small and quiet.

“OOOOH I MISSED YOU!” The dragon Lady gave him a kiss then introduced him to Alex.

“THIS is FRANKLIN, MY dragon hubby.” – Dragon lady

A huge smile crept onto franklin’s face. “and this is dorcion my wife dragon.” His voice was small, so very small. (Franklin finds it funny to introduce the person introducing you)

Dorcion looked lovingly at Franklin understanding his humor.

“RIGHT! What’s for dinner?” -Dorcion

“I have prepared potato chip lasagna with chicken and white sauce, there’s a missing ingredient tho…. so …. herbs… “

Alex drifted away from that place, the walls shrinking and growing at the same time. His mind falling asleep. He zoned completely out. His mind was on Anita and Fretle how they had fun like these two together. He was missing them.

“ALEX! ALEX!….ALEX!” It was Dorcion.

Alex zoned back in.

“Where were you little one?” The dragon looked mildly amused by Alex’s mind traveling.

“Why did you bring me here?” Alex said completely ignoring Dorion’s question.

“To kill you of course!” Dorcions nostrils flared and the room went dark, all the joy was distant. Franklin joined in with flared nostrils and dark atmosphere. Repeating Dorcion’s words.

Alex flinched at this and his skin grew cold, then sat down. His feet were sore. Putting them to rest.

“Okay kill me if you like! But if you hurt my friends, I will haunt you till YOU die!” Alex growled like a lion with fierceness not normal to him. He chose this fate and he would not now run from it.

XXXVI

Fretle and Anita sat in the council of the tree dwellers. They had much to say but not as loudly as much of the forestry people. They were loud. They were not happy. Most atributted the dragon attack to them. The tree dwellers also had emotional damage. They’d prepped but even still they were caught off guard. The majority of them viewed these woes as the punishment of harbouring their guests. What could Fretle and Anita say? The dragon left in the same breath as Alex. Alex was a Jonah to these people. When he left so did the storm. Fretle and Anita’s only justification is that Alex sacrificed himself for their lofty village. Maybe that’s why? Why they hadn’t exiled them already?

Dorothy (the village head) stood up on the pulpit. The towns people slowly quieted down until the whole room was quiet, aside from a few coughs and sighs.

“We have no choice!” Dorothy started. “The past is the past and that’s all we own!” Dorothy looked at the ground. “The lives lost are not lost!” She stared directly at Fretle. “We have a gift left by our ancestors…” The room went even quieter. “The gift of life is in us now… and we must only kindle its flame. The flame spreads so easily and… I will to use it!” Dorothy reached into her pocket and pulled out a weird looking glowing ball, the same size as a golf ball. “This will resurrect ANY dead that wishes to return to us! To life again! A gift from one among us here today!… Fretle!” Gasps were heard amidst smiling faces. Some heads turned to look at Fretle.

And so the village bought back all those that were asleep or… dead rather. The majority woke back up, rubing their eyes like they’d had a nap. Many had already started rebuilding and out of those that died only four remained dead. (a couple of old men an old lady and a child) This period of time was called the ‘great sigh’. They made a memorial for the four who fell asleep to not return. And wrote on their tombstone: “The dead do not wake at the call of man but the call of God.” They also left one tree that was the most damaged as it was for a reminder writing on it: “Do not rejoice at the end of a storm, for it may feel taunted to return.” And so the village recuperated from their trouble smiles all around. Not so for Alex…

XXXVII

The torture Alex was facing was like a tree calling to the other trees saying “Give us a branch and we’ll be kind.” The two dragons whispered to each other, discussing their course of action. They looked very amused. Alex on the other hand was NOT amused. He stared at the ground like a child being forced to eat their vegetables. Sitting on a chair. What did these two dragons want? Why was he still alive? They were enemies right? I’m confused. Alex repeated these questions in his head. Still looking at the ground. One of the dragons sat up and looked towards the sky. “He’s here, finally…”

“Franklin, dear would you let our guest in?”

“Yes, deario!… Click, Clack and the door opens right back” Franklin wobbled over letting the guest in. Alex wondered who it was but his back was to the door, oh and he was tied up (failed to mention but you know now -azie). “Ah, it’s you!” Franklin let their second guest in and he walked around to stare at Alex face to face. It was the elf boy. (Alex has NO idea who that is but we do.) The elf boy’s first reaction to Alex was a nice hearty laugh. AT Alex. The elf boy pulled out a knife waving it in Alex’s face. Taunting him. He then proceeded to stab it straight into Alex’s only hand. Alex winced. “HAHAAaa, did you see that?” The elf boy spoke to the two smiling dragons. “He Winced!” The two dragon’s goaded him along insinuating friendship. But unfortunately for the elf boy the only thing a dragon cares about is their gold. So, when the elf boy was fully fixated on Alex, Franklin crept up behind the elf boy with a WWE chair and batted the elf boy with it. Knocking him out instantly.

XXXVIII

The elf boy woke up confused. He looked around dazed but coming to. He was tied up and sat in the chair that put him to sleep. Alex was staring at him. The elf boy had the expression of one that had been betrayed, well… he had so that makes sense. Anyway, The two dragon were asleep occasionally waking to check their prisoners. They’d had a long day and wanted to be well rested for their plan. And so a few weeks went by with the elf boy and Alex being fed and toileted by the dragons, they sat in those two uncomfortable chairs, eating the same food and drinking the same drink. At first the elf boy treated Alex with contempt and hatred but slowly his walls of enmity decreased.

It didn’t take much to find out the elf boys name, as their names were the same. When Alex found this out he smiled, then chuckled. A sigh of relief and also chuckled out of Alex (ahhhh same name, aaaahhhhh how will we know who’s who aahhhahahahhh confuzzzleementttt aaaaaahhhhhh- azie)

“What would you prefer to be called?” Alex question.

The elf boy thought for a second. “I like long names and I’m also an elf so I’ll probably live longer… I could go by Alexander?”

“Ok Alexander the great then!” -Alex

“No, he’s a human and not me.” -Alexander

“Are you sure you’re not him?” -Alex

“Positively.” -Alexander

“Ok, so why do you hate me?” -Alex

“It’s… confidential” -Alexander looked at the ground quietly remembering the events that bought him there.

Alex looked at the roof of the cave. “I… wanna know why…. but…”

“I’m a time traveler!” -Alexander blurted these words very blurtedly. Franklins eye lifted up to look at the two chair dwellers. He was very intrigued. Sleeping/ resting on his bed of gold coins. His head pricked up. Alex’s eye also pricked up but the room was quiet, Aside from Dorion’s snoozing. She really didn’t care about anything but her z’s. After a while in silence Franklin begun to quiz Alexander.

XXXIX

The questions that Alexander received were all that which would be beneficial for making money i.e “What is the price of bitcoin?” or “How bad is inflation?” or “Have you tried betting in sports?” and “Are stocks still a thing?” and as per normal for time travelers Alexander tried to deflect the questions. Which caused Franklin to grow bored. “They’re all the same.” He complained. “Never giving’ us the gold.” Franklin punched the floor in frustration. Tho, not too loud. Franklin had one more question before turning in. “Why are you here, in this time?”

Alexander was willing to answer this time.

“I came to kill Alex. For revenge.”

Franklin yawned. “So foolish, revenge is, only gold truly matters to us. However wherever.” Franklin double yawned. “Tomorrow we deal with you two.”

XL

Dorcion woke up well rested from the sleep. Got up for a coffee. She had completely forgotten about Alex and Alexander. She only thought about the coffee. After her first two sips she looked around remembering the situation. She stared at two empty chairs with ropes laid around it. Then she looked around the mountain penthouse. She looked for Franklin but he was not there. Walking to the opening of the cave and looking down on the city of mountains. She could not see the three missing creature’s. Confused she sat down on her hind legs. Growing more and more confused. She would look to her left, then her right. Up at the ceiling, down at the ground. She finished her coffee in a state of utmost confuzzlement. She whispered to herself “What happened to the plan?… where is frankie?…” She didn’t know if it was the coffee, the sweet dreams or maybe she was still dreaming? Tears began to well up in her eyes. Dorcion didn’t like confuzzlement. So she just sat there frozen like a snowwoman. Maybe they went to the mountain store to grab a few supplies? But that didn’t explain the disappearance of their prisoners…

After time in fear. She got a lightbulb hat and decided to contact Franklin on his phone. The call went through and rang, but within 5 seconds she heard Franklin’s cell ringing in the kitchen. She went to the kitchen to pick it up only to find a turtle rat slinking around holding it.

The pride of a dragon does not compete with the humility of a turtle rat. They are far more humble than dragons are proud. So if a dragon does end up fighting a turtle rat, the odds are in the turtled rats favor. It’s said only two dragons in the whole world have defeated a turtle rat, tho thousands have tried. Those that do try suffer much for their attempt even to their grave.

“I…uh was… t-t-told t-t-to c-come- here- u-u-uh. I- uh have a-a-a me-me-mesage f-f-for y-you!” -turtle rat

Dorcion died a little inside. She was half afraid and a quarter mortified and even more nervy. She took a deep breath. “what’s the message?” Her voice was a little weak but she tried to breath away the fear.

“y-y-y-your h-h-husband h-ha-has g-g-gone i-i-into t-t-the past. H-h-he’ll b-b-be ba-back s-s-soon.” The turtle rat looked at the ground. “m-m-my n-n-name i-i-is ‘trune’ p-p-pleased t-t-t-to me-me-meet y-y-you.”

It was customary for a dragon to give a gift to a turtle rat, If a dragon didn’t then it COULD mean they were to fight. Not in every circumstance but in many. In this case Dorcion didn’t want to fight so she offered the brewed coffee. Which Little Trune happily accepted.

Now if a turtle rat ended up declining the gift it could mean one of two thing, one of two polar opposite things.

1. They reject your gift in order to fight. This happens most commonly in famines. Tho only if the turtle rat has gone mad with hunger. And this is VERY rare. As the saying goes. “If a turtle rat eats from your bowl, You will eat from theirs.”
2. They are fasting and they cant accept food. In which case they will tell you and request a non consumable.

The later reason is FAR more common.

So Trune and Dorcion sat staring at the mouth of the cave sipping coffee and watching the sunrise and set. Rise and set. They let the hours go by fast staying seated before the view, awaiting the return of their time travelling friends.

XLI

“So that’s how it works?! You bend light, then snap it like a glow stick.” -Franklin

“Yes, but it’s only possible with this orb thingy. It’s basically a gps but for time.” -Alexander

“…” -Alex

“hmmm… and so it acts like a passport too?” -Franklin

“Yup! and if i were to lose it i’d be stranded.” Alexander continued. “WE’D be stranded!”

They were in a place that heavily resembled a train station. Many people were there at this place hundreds even. They curiously looked at these three some scorning some rolled their eyes at the newcomers and other simply found it amusing. A child came upto Franklin to say hi, but he got very scared because children terrified franklin. (Pedophobic is the term) Franklin hid behind the two Alex’s, covering his face in fear. Franklin was on the brink of tears and was about to flip out but the child’s mother came up and apologized. “He is a fan of dragons” the lady said. “I’m very sorry!” and that was that.

The three of them approached the ticket officer’s of time. Alex explained that you must declare the main reason of time travel. i.e if you want to buy bitcoin or assassinate someone or even just push yourself in a direction you got yourself to got in it’s mandatory to declare it. They then play back that timestance on their global time compass (like a big gps thingy Alexander has). Then you get a rating. Either ‘pass’ or ‘fail’. If its fail you can still go but whatever you plan to do it will fail. “I got a fail with you Alex.” Alexander explained. “But, If you get a ‘pass’ you have no choice at all. You must go!”

“So… How did you find out about me? Like… Am i famous in the future, or did i hurt you in the future? or something?” -Alex queried afraid of the answer.

Alexander blushed like crazy thinking why. “It was a girl” he said “I was Jealous of you.”

Tears welled up behind the authors eye’s but never reached the point of actual tears. “Alexander is still a villain.” He said to himself. “But maybe he’ll change?” The author mused. Let’s let him explain on the time train. The whole story.

“Alexander, where are we going?” -Alex

“Bitcoin!” -Alexander

A wide eyed dragon with a fluttering heart went into a love trance. He was going to buy sooooo many bitcoin it hurt in the best way.

Alexander handed his gps orb to the officer. “Trip to bitcoin please!”

The officer mumbled under his breath. “Can’t do real work can they, kids these days…”

The officer put Alexanders orb in his big one punching in some numbers. Three weird glowy strings came out. There was a noise like a register. Making the money sound.

“It’s a pass for two and a fail for one. For the failure one feel free to fail by not going.” Monotonous voice oh so cold.

The first pass went to Alexander and he wrapped it on his wrist. Then Franklin also got a passed band. Leaving the fail to Alex. While Alexander and Franklin got Bright yellow band Alex got a red one. This meant failure.

Poor Alex… What will he do? Go or not? The other two looked down on Alex even just for a second. Then Franklin sighed, recommending he come too. Alexander agreed. “I failed my revenge against you but… I got something better… maybe you’ll get something better than bitcoin?”

“Okay I’ll come!” Alex banded himself and they all hopped on the time train. “What year are we going to?”

“twenty eleven!”

XLII

On the time train they talked. The three of them, a dragon an elf and a human. What resolution will they find? As i said lets have Alexander explain his bout of Jealousy. And why he sent people to kill him.

“I alway had a deep fascination with things, I loved computers, trees, metal, you name it. If it’s a physical object, I’m a fan. One night though while in my room playing with toys and having a fantastic time on my own it happened. I awoke to the realisation. You see, there was a mirror in my room that i barely gave any attention to. But this time unfortunately while having a break my eye’s wondered to it. I looked at the person there and saw it was imitating me. I grew VERY afraid. I then ran away looking for my mother. But I was the only one home. I grew more and more fearful. So i sat in a corner of my parents room waiting for help. Though it never came. I was TERRIFIED. But… after hiding i calmed down, and looked again. This repeated until i was no longer afraid of the mirror.” Alexander paused. “That was the day when I met her. The reason for my jealousy. While i liked toys she liked words, concepts, truths, knowledge or wisdom. I only cared for the material but she saw value in immaterial things. After i was no longer afraid of the mirror I went and sat outside. She was my neighbor but i never gave her any attention. I looked at her though this time. She was talking but i saw no-one else. I thought it was funny. It made no sense to me. I mocked her. I thought myself smart. I played with real things, and she played with (to me) fake things (or people). I found it amusing but those “fake things” did not find my mockery amusing and i was taught a lesson i would never forget.” Alexander began to sound a bit emotional. “I wanted to mock her to her face, so i went to do that but on the way when i was halfway there… My parents whole house melted like wax. All my toys, clothes, and food. I was shell shocked, she looked over and was about to laugh in mockery to me but there must have been something on my face because she looked as sad as i felt. I don’t remember the rest of the day but my parents were just happy i was alive. Weirdly tho I never saw her talking to herself again.” Alexander mused. “We ended up being friends tho… My parents left me in her parents custody. I barely saw them after that, Like max 4-5 times in a year. That being a high ball statistic. I would talk about them not being there much, but i stopped talking about them after a few years because I always got sad faces… It wasn’t until high school that i found out they were in our house (the waxed one) when it melted.” Alexander sighed. “Why couldn’t i find them?” Alexander was sad angry. “I yelled and looked everywhere for them… If only…” Alexander was done talking now, as he fell into a slump. He was experiencing the pain again. He told Alex he would finish the story latter. Going to sleep.

XLIII

Franklin listen to Alexander’s story, He didn’t really care though. He was more invested in the time travelers handbook. Now Franklin WAS a dragon, but not OVERLY big he was 8 foot something but closer to 9. He was hungry tho so he bookmarked the handbook and looked through the food menu. He got a big fright when he saw there was a dish called dragon fruit pudding. He WAS a red dragon but he was pastelled a bit by this. Going slightly whiter. He called the waiter asking how one could be SO cruel. The waiter was slightly scared but asked him if he wanted to try it. To which Franklin, scared that not trying it would bring to light that he also was a dragon, making him the next victim of this trains food and drink department. Franklin Causally ordered it.

When his meal arrived his red skin went further white. The color of the dish was remarkably similar to his mother’s skin. This produced a fair bit of gagging. His first bite tho put him in food heaven. “We taste THAT good?” He Gulped it down in both heaven and hell. Food heaven and carnivore hell. “Hooo boy…. I think we’re gonna have to resolve this joke soon…” said the author, thinking “i’m in a bit of trouble from some of the reader’s.” It’s a long shot but let’s add some of the readers positions about this humor. “A Bit too dark for me.” says one. Another scoffs at how daft he thinks it is. Some just wanna get through this part as it’s uncomfortable. Those that are aficionado’s of the dark humor savour it. Furthermore there are others laugh knowing its not ACTUAL a carnivore situation. some reader’s wish to educate the dragon, but that said I want all people reading this to understand Franklin the dragon is a villian through and through. He may seem compassionate or cute or even loving. He is in reality none of those things. Franklin has never given or accepted love in his life. Do not fall for the trap these two Alex’s have walked into. Furthermore he has know about dragon fruit from childhood. It’s all a show in distraction.

Franklin ordered more dragon fruit pudding four more dishes in total. Each time showing remorse, giving audible grief, until the whole train of bitcoin buyers was trapped by heart into his hands. All… except one. With her head wrapped up in a hoodie. She had the attitude of one seeking to hide her identity. She also had a red band. Occasionally she would look back at our three time travelers.

XLIV

The rest of the trip was quite long and felt like they were there for a long long time. Apparently going BACK in time feels longer than going forward through time. But why that’s the case perplexes even the most learned of time studies professors and students. It’s hotly debated and is understood to be more of a psychological issue than a physiological one. Alexander finished his story about how he ended up time travelling for revenge. “So basically. You wanted revenge because you thought I was more important than your girlfriend at the time?… because she read a book that is about me and my story and read it over and over for a whole week, neglecting you?.”

“Yeah, basically. She told me to read the book too but i only got as far as the part where anita cried and stuff. That picknick part. Then I got bored and threw it away.” Alexander was very sheepish. “I didn’t know you and I thought you’d stolen from me so I ran. I dumped her because of a poorly read story. Maybe If I’d finished the book things would be different….”

Alex’s eyes lit up. “I remember!.. There was a picnic!” That was right before we left on our journey to… ” Alex clambed his mouth. “Is there a way of getting a copy of the book?”

“Yeah, Why?…oh…” Alexander was a little distraught thinking about what would happen if you had a book written about you and your story and read the book. What kinda pain would come from discovering such things. Alexander looked at Alex. Alex was smiling.

*Clash *Clash* *Bulkle* bom *ping*

A noise erupted from the kitchen. What was going on? Franklin was not in the cab. From the kitchen they heard his voice which had smoke escaping it. The two Alex’s were gonna go see the situation but the girl in the hood stopped them. She blew dust on their faces putting them both to sleep and with superwoman strength took held of each dozing Alex one hand each. Pulling them along she Jumped out of the wormhole train thingy. “Sorry Alex…” she said. “It’s the only way…”

XLV

When they came to they were yet again tied up. They were in what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse factory place. Alex let out a frustrated sigh, While Alexander had no complaints, Probably because he had a lazy boy chair. Alex on the other hand…. okay maybe you don’t need to know…. The girl in the hood took the hood off, revealing a beautiful human girl. Alex had never seen anything like her and suddenly there were no complaints. She looked at Alex, then kicked him where it hurts.

“I have all the right to be angry at you! Why did you have to-” She stopped… “Y-your n-not Alex… W-Who are you!?”

“I’m Alex…” Alex was even more confused than before. “…and so is he.”

She turned to look at the other Alex…

OH.

The girl switched their seats. Now Alex was on the lazyboy and Alexander was on the… uhhhh… Other… Chair….

“So you go and break her heart do you? WELL I’LL HAVE YOU KNOW IF YOU BREAK A GIRLS HEART THERE IS NO COMING BACK FROM IT!!!…” The girl seemed tough Alex noted in his mind but he was sure it was because she was actually quite sensitive inside. He thought maybe she was compensating. Maybe she knew what a broken heart felt like and that’s why she had such strong emotions toward such things.

The girl scoffed. Looked at Alex as though she heard his thoughts then turned back to Alexander. “You have a decision. Either go back to her… OR…say goodbye to all of your hair!” She smiled diabolically. Alex thought she must have her hair in high regards, It does look nice but Alexander has a buzz cut so how would it apply to him.

This time she bit her nails… “Again.” Alex thought “It’s like she can read my mind…”

Then the girl begun her rant it was a long rant, about all kinds of things but mostly how she felt about… well… boys. She explained to these two Alex’s all the problems she had from the age of nine till now. She said a LOT! but for her sake it’s omitted. You also have done embarrassing things so cut her some slack, hmm? Anyway, She confirmed Alex’s suspicion that she could read minds but only if the thoughts are about her. It was said you could think about her from the other side of the universe and she would hear it… But that was just a rumor among the angel folk. They found out you have to be on the same surface as her so if she’s in an airplane she can only hear the other flight passengers(that are thinking about her). On Earth? Anyone on earth that is thinking about her she hears.

“What’s your name?” Alex was having the time of his life.

“Why do yo-… oh…” She was shocked. She could hear his thoughts… then finally from all the talking exhaustion, the time travel and finally Alex’s interest, she collapsed going to straight to dreamland. Alex thought “My smiled is not big enough.”

XLVI

“She’s my girlfriends best friend” Alexander explained. “Her name is Veronica.”

“Ahhh.. But didn’t you say you dumped your girlfriend?” Alex was puzzled by Alexander…

“Yeah but in elf law it says in Article 5: 59. ‘If you dump someone but they don’t dump you, you can not move on until they have also dumped you. This law mimics the set up. If you ask someone out only by mutual agreement do they become situated in a relationship. So also is the break up.’ So technically she’s still my girlfriend. Oh and the Elf church will fine you if you do not comply with this rule and attempt to force the significant other to dump you too.” Alexander explained.

“Ah! Well that kinda does make sense to me…” Alex looked at Veronica. Then he had a daydream of her and himself sitting on a mountain enjoying a sunset…

*BANG*

She was up and at em!

She looked at the two Alex’s. One by one.

Alexander had no interest but Alex just stared at Veronica. No matter how much he looked at her, she looked weak to him. When she got wind of these thoughts she gave up and pulled out a knife. “Right!” She said. “You’re switching again!” She grinned. “That’ll teach him!” She thought.

After the switch was done. She laughed to herself, thinking she’d defeated Alex for sure: “He Won’t be thinking like that no more.” She thought triumphantly.

“She’s like a diamond.” Alex thought. “But with the hardness of fur…”

“ARG-” Veronica was just about to lash out directly to this strange Alex with way of survival knife, that she felt all the need to protect herself from (mainly her heart). When Alexander’s Girlfriend waltzed into the abandoned factory.

“UHH no Veronica! You got them mixed up.”

Veronica gulped. “I uhh… I go-“

“Just fix it!”

“Okay Ma’am” Veronica was scared of being insulted by her. She would hear and her poor glass heart would smash again.

After switching. Again. And Veronica receiving a compliment instead of a curse from…

“Mary. Please untie us?”

“You know the trouble we’re in because of you?! There’s not a soul alive that can fix the story. It’s not coming back. If we cant even find one copy we’ll lose the bet. And If we lose the bet don’t you know what will happen to us?”

Alexander was quiet for just a little while, then he said “We want the same thing! Why can’t we work together?”

“You know why! It never works out we always lose! We do it my way or not at all. We STILL have a chance to give up!… But if we try again that’s it! No more chances!” Mary and Alexander sure had their own way about things Alex thought. Then turned to look at Veronica. He smiled. She smiled back. “Lovers quarrel huh?!” She thought to him, then blushed. “Their no way about it, She’s… perfect!” Alex thought.

XLVII

Anita was watching mission impossible when she got the news. It came by way of a creature of legend. A Turtle Rat. Alex had time travelled. Fretle said to her. “Your brother, Alex… may never return.. even IF time is on his side.” Anita stared at the screen in front of her. Distant and alone… She switched off the tv. Stood up. turned to Fretle. She was trembling. Was it rage? Fear? Even Anita didn’t know. “I have to try!”

Fretle had also time traveled. He knew the risk. Though he heard it had improved tremendously in the future. Apparently it was almost as easy as taking a train. A wom train, he heard.

Fretle looked at the ceiling. “Your mission… If you choose to accept… Is to find your brother and return him to OUR time. Return him to HIS time!”

“I Accept!”

“Very well this message will self destruct in 15 seconds!”

XLVIII

Anita and Fretle went all out on the mission impossible theme. The way they talked, the way they worked and the way they chose comrades. They gathered the team with all the technicalities that was necessary. They travelled the country searching for the right team. Once they had the people they all gathered (all five of them)

There was Fretle: Special guidance officer.

Anita: The main operative. She would do all the field work.

Torche: He was the vehicle genius. He can repair any vehicle or drive any vehicle. Legend says he’s been working with aliens the last 10 years as their main advisor.

Blame: The horned devil killer. Never one to give up on a fight. He goes to prison for the soul reason of getting into fights. Legend has it he knocked out an entire prison, Guards and all. Eye witness reports state he was found playing with a taser like it was a fidget spinner.

Call: No word he doesn’t know, no accent he cannot fake. Grew up in a loving home but after learning his 16th language at 12, apparently he got bored and left home to travel. Parents never saw him again, but he would send postcards. When he turned thirty He found out his parents were dead. That was when he learnt his last word. (after which his expression never changed from that day on) the word was: “Broken”

The “Plan” was then discussed.

XLIX

“Right! as you all know time is become a road in the future. Our Job is to save my brother. Who has been swept up by that road. He could be anywhere anytime. Our first priority is to locate him this will be the first step. We’ll search through millions of documents hoping to find a clue. Keep in mind he may have travelled forward and not backward. If its forward we will find nothing.” Anita tapped on a screen in their meeting room. “This is the first step, tho we will need to find information on people building machines. Call you’ll be the one translating and searching, find out what you can and translate anything you find interesting. Work with Torche, Remember you’re also searching for a way to time travel. You may need to invent it yourself. The one thing we do know is that it’s 100% possible. We have trusted sources claiming as such. We’re a rescue team on a rescue operation, so don’t slack off!” Anita cleared her throat. “Blame and Fretle you are going to be rich! You’ll be in the field as wealthy businessman and guard!” Fretle and blame fistbumped. “I’ll be here manning the ship, any questions?!”

“Uh yeah… did you say “invent time travel?”” Call was more worried than Torche.

“You may need to, yes!” -Anita

Torche had a big smile he gave Call a reassuring tap then spoke to Anita. “Yeah, yeah no sweat. When do you give me your number, Gabriels?”

Anita blushed. “My name has changed Torche.”

“Can I change it again?” Giggles from the piers but Fretle not missing a beat said. “Only If I let you.”

Anita looked Fretle in the eye then at Torche. “You can fight anywhere but when I’m here.”

“That’s not gonna stop your new old man is it?”

“It will stop me if I want.” Fretle was about to show the power that slept within him but he thought of something. Something that kept him cool. “My recommendation to you as your advisor, Anita, and Torche’s as well is to “find the balance before the walk.”

“Riddles.” Torche gave up and let Anita finish the presentation.

L

The lion slept by the gate. Dozing in the afternoon sunlight. His tail wacked the flies dancing around him ending their form, tripping them down. After flying away the flies would return with no memory of why they left in the first place. This repeated until the sun got ready for bed. When the sun was safely in the blankets of the mountains and once the night light began to shine on the world the lion got up and stretched both back and mouth. Wandering into the kitchen. The the chefs were preparing the meals for their master big or small. Lasagna. “Daniel’s favorite.” The chefs would say smiling. They loved their job And their little master. Nothing gave them more joy than when they were cooking for the Stonewells. Daniel Stonewell walked into the kitchen looking for his pet lion. “Oh. There you are!” Daniel said. Daniel had a cold but he just lost the nightmare faze. Just a bit sniffly now. “Yakov.” The lion was eating but looked up at Daniel and went into the purring state. Daniel gave him a good pat. “Good boy yakov, good boy!” after snacking and eating the two of them retired to Daniels study. Yakov eagerly raced to his bed and Daniel continued studying. Daniel would often study all day all night and only sleep when his body forced it. AKA crashing. It. was another crashing day or really crashing night. Just after 1 am he was out like a light. The servants would knock, give food then leave. But he’s only allowed three night pases and twenty three day ones. He takes it as a challenge to use them all up but unfortunately it’s never happened. The closest was two in the night and nineteen during the day. “That was an exhausting day.” he thought in recollection.

“Daniel”

He woke up.

“Daniel.”

He got up.

“Daniel”

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me. I’m your enemy!”

“Show yourself!”

Laughter erupted. So Daniel got up and call the servants to find the trespasser. First they search his room. Then the gardens and finally the underground basement. No luck tho. Then. Daniel heard it again.

“HHAHAha, But Daniel, You must realize you can neither escape me OR your food!” The voice trailed off but Daniel was with the servants and he asked them, not wanting to be crazy if they also heard it.

“You’re not crazy Daniel.” the servants looked at each other. “Some things just can’t be explained….”

But out of all the servants one looked the most concerned. He suggested Daniel should see a doctor, Just to be on the safe side. It sounded reasonable, but it was the worst decision in Daniel’s life. He got admitted and became a lifer. He could say the most normal thing but it would be discarded as crazy talk.

At the brink of his life while he sat staring out a barred window he prayed. He asked God saying. “I want to redo… I… Lost my life.” And at age 43 he died that very same night.

“The life you want, is the life you should avoid.”

“Daniel is dead tho.” He thought referring to himself. Then Daniel opened his eyes and saw the truth. God sat before him shining! “What life did you-“

“Wait… DANIEL OPENED HIS EYES!? How? Isn’t he dead?”

“Yes! This books theme is all about judgement makes sense. He’s one of my favourite superheroes. “Judgement.” It just sound pristine. It gets better but now it’s sleepy byes we can finish the story tomorrow night.”

“Ok Dadd….”

“Want the night lights off or on tonight?” -Dad

“Off, I can’t be a superhero if im afraid of the dark can I?” -child

“Uuhhh…Well” The dad let it go “Good night!”

“Niiiight!”

And with that the house fell silent.

The child looked up at the ceiling and prayed a prayer in modest hope. “Please make me a superhero.” She prayed and prayed and prayed with all her little might. Until finally sleep hit her like a car crash. She was out to it. Sleeping all the way home.

LI

Alex Sat in a taxi with Veronica, Mary and Alexander. The later two had made up and the former two were busy getting to know each other. It was a cold winter’s night in new york. The taxi driver pulled to the side letting them out, driving off to his next job.

“Where are we?” Alex questioned.

“At our base.” Mary confirmed.

It was a derelict building abandoned for it seems a long time. “It’s cold..” Alex thought.

“Don’t worry Alex we only use one room and we have generators and heaters there…” -Veronica

Alex sighed in relief. Walking in the warmth washed over him and a smile blossomed on his face.

They all sat down except Mary who started to write on a blackboard. “Time travel ALWAYS complicates things. Even so, We are all always travelling through time. The time space continuum is not so easily thwarted as some suggest and in fact from all the tests we have found ZERO use cases where it has broken. That said we have not been able to access time traveling from the year 2047. No matter what we try it seems to return us back to real time. EVERY. TIME.” Mary looked around at the three sitting watching her. Veronica spoke up. “So if we attempt to go in the future in the year 2047… We’ll bounce right back to home time?”

“Yes, and i plan to use that to our advantage.” -Mary

“Oooookay welp imma make some crypto purchases… you guys have fun!” -Alexander

“I have to find Judgement. That’s always been my mission but…. I’m going to fail…” -Veronica

“I already know imma fail with the crypto stuff so i’m gonna try and see my mom… She dies in 2015… Sooo….” -Alex

Alex stood up planning to leave, then Veronica grabbed his arm. “I’m coming too.” She was blushing. “Must be difficult for her to treat me this way.. ” Alex thought. “Well, why don’t the the failures stick together and you two…” Pointing to Alexander and Mary. “You two also stick together?”

Mary agreed “Keep in touch Ver.” And so the group was halved. When Veronica and Alex left, Alex heard Alexander explain to Mary the name situation then set his face to see his mother with Veronica in tow.

LII

“Do you wanna hear it again?” Her Dad smiled but she was not smiling. It was bed time story time but she was no longer interested. It was a gut punch to him tho he knew better than to use her bad mood against her.

“It’s okay if you want to read a different book?” -Dad

“I.. I dont want hero books anymore…” -The girl

“Want to pick something else in my study?” -Dad

Her eyes perked up but then she remembered the reason she was sad, dragging her back into the dens of her heart. She would never tell her dad, she thought. She couldn’t. It’s too shameful for me and he wouldn’t understand. These thoughts shackled her honest nature. She wanted to talk about it but it would hurt more if she told him.

“Okay, It’s alright, I’ll stay up for a few more hours. If you can’t sleep come up to the study.” It was cold outside but not so inside…

“Ok..” -The girl in question.

“Light on or off?” -Dad

“Off…” -The girl person said

Her father smiled. “You’re still my heroine, no matter what!” Leaving he left the door open just a smidge where a line of light ran across the room. As she lied there in bed she found herself staring at the little light. It gave her peace and soon she was smiling too. It was comfy she thought. After rolling over and tag teaming her dream self. As her dream self took off and over she found herself dreaming the dream she always wished to dream. On top a big building fearlessly looking at the ground thousands of meters below. No Fear. Looking to the left was a person she didn’t know and to the right her best friend EVER. They were tricked out in comfy and cool looking clothes. She looked up at the stars with love on her face, then at the ground she fell. At landing she checked herself for pain but found none. Her heart eagery wished to stay in this dream forever but it was at that moment she woke.

It was still night and the crack of light remained painting itself on the walls. Well that put the bad mood to sleep she thought. She decided to see if her dad was still awake so she got up and made her way upstairs to his study. His door was slightly open. She knocked and went for the eye reconnaissance. Her Dad was asleep with his nose in a book. It was a new one she’d never seen tho it was a part of the “Judgment” series. Her dad was very much asleep but woke up with a start as she tripped over a box. He seemed on edge but only for a moment.

“It’s the last one.” He said. “Wanna read?” Rubbing his eyes.

“Ok.” -The girl person (she said this calm and cool)

And so they read, but as they got through it she saw more and more similarities with her own life. With her own father. At the last page it was undeniable. “Are you Judgement? Father?”

“Yes, Veronica. I’m Judgement.”

LIII

Veronica woke up with a start. “Where am I” was the first question in her head. She looked around Thinking about the dream… Or… Whatever it was. Seemed more like a memory. More importantly tho, where was she? She was on a train from new york to pittsburgh. (where Alex’s mother was.) Alex was awake. He was typing on his laptop. Fully engrossed. Sighing she got more comfortable. Alex noticed, welcoming her back to the waking world. They had a little talk passing time. Training away the train time.

“OK, so…” Veronica began to ask. “I heard that if two people share their biggest secrets, they are set to be best friends. Wanna try?”

Alex thought.”Ok, but who first?”

“We write it down?”

“Ahhh, its ok i volunteer as tribute.” -Alex

“ok, ok. Go!” -Veronica

“I Like you…” -Alex

“Hmmm…. I knew…I can read minds.” -Veronica

“Is that your secret?” -Alex smiled

“Ooooh no…I have…umm… a different one..” Veronica looked down. Thinking… “I’m not from this world…”

The train trip continued and after nine hours they were in pittsburgh where Alex’s Mother was in hospital.

LIV

They were lost there. They were so lost. A figurative coin held their hand. But. It wasn’t what they wanted. They would rather hold each others hands. Those seeking frozen numbers, may indeed hold their hands close to the fire. But. It won’t hold them. Money. The most evil of words. There’s no nourishment for the soul. So why retain it. We throw that out only for it to curse us with want. I want many things but my most hated want, is money. I’m cold and need the fire. The work i do is not for my benefit but my slave driver. Money.

Give someone the world only for them to loose it in a poker game. That’s the nature of this story. They all lose in the end but only if they exchange true worth for something not profitable by the standards of those that rule meaning. For, The meaning held in ignorance benefits no-one.

“I guess time folds the worlds books. And time protects itself through giving from itself.” Alex held out his hand to Veronica. “May I give you a hand, M’lady?”

“Why yes, sir.”

They walz into the darkness unbecoming of those who wish for life. Alex never saw his mother at the hospital. They became prisoners. Though only for a night. They questions and comments bounce like ping pongs against and for each other. The night danced for them, thinking it had won. Where would they go? What would they do?

“This is the most real life has felt for me in a while.” Alex commented. “I wish this night would last forever…”

Veronica agreed silently, not wanting to agree. Agreeing nonetheless, she peered into Alex’s eyes. “I guess this is goodbye…?” Alex saw her eyes well. Reassuring him of their mutual fear. The time was running out. Galas and ferris wheel broke their silence. But… Time would return them… And time… Returned them.

LV

Alex was forced back to the dragon’s lair. “Back in wonderland.” he sighed.

Time had pushed him back. Back to his one armed life, or the cause of it anyway. Dorcion pounced on him with one dragon arm. She was, very angry.

“HEY! Leave Alex alone!” It was the turtle rat, well, Alex didn’t know that though. “Oh… never mind… It’s the other Alex that I’m worried about… feel free to chomp on that one…”

“Ouch..” -Alex

*Whoosh*

*Koooosh*

*Kabangg*

The other Alex (Alexander) returned.

Alexander was bubbling like a baby. I Got it! Let’s check the crypto address! They put it in.

“155 million!” Smiles all around, but… Alex didn’t care. They all huddled around the phone examining their motherlode. Well, Except Alex, Who walked to the edge of the cave and looked for a way down. The turtle rat noticed but said nothing.

Alex tho, found a grapple to go down of the mountain. He wanted to see Anita and Fretle, His adopted family as soon as possible. And so, alone he went, thinking about the time traveling and “Veronica”.

LVI

Anita stared at a computer screen fully engrossed. A notification popped up. She was just going to click it off but she realised it was Alex.

“OH!” Anita was more than happy. Rushing away from the computer to tell the others and forgetting to reply was a common thing for Her. Little forgetful Anita. Call was the first person she told and from there the whole team knew. Call sent a helicopter to find him in the mountains and within a day Alex was back at their base. Their base was underground the tree peoples place. Commonly these were called catacomb trees. This was in past times called Dunamis’s playground. She would exercise her powers here, though this changed due to the “Incident of departure” which basically changed thousands of years of consistent and almost constant eragalities. Apparently only Dorothy knew what had taken place, tho no-one dared ask.

LVII

Dorothy sat at the edge of the desk. She had a bone to pick with Alex. Tho,m at this stage she simply want to hear what had taken place. So he said.

After Alex had completed his story Dorothy looked relieved. “Good thing I sent that Turtle Rat. Seems he was quite useful. Don’t tell anyone this but I help breed turtle rats. They’re good again dragons and I have a firm belief they will be more prevalent than dragons one day… It’ll just take time.” Dorothy chewed on her pen. “Right! Now that Alex is back I have a job for him!”

“What Job?” Alex squinted his eyes. “I just got back and I’m… Tired” Yawning to prove it.

“Oh well you’re in luck then for the job is to sleep!” -Dorothy

“Oh?…” -Alex

LVIII

Alex followed Dorothy down the hall, both were too tired to say anything. Dorothy only afforded one sentence and it was said after a good 5 minutes of walking. “It’s just around here, around this corner.”

They entered a room that looked like the inside of an igloo but made of dirt (they’re still under the catacombs). There was a puddle at the corner of glowing blue water.

“Jump in.” -Dorothy

“Uhhhhh” -Alex

“I’m not asking!” -Dorothy

A small pause was all she needed to convince him.

“If you don’t, there’ll be hell to pay.” -Dorothy

“Uhh of course.” Alex jumped in but something felt strange. Had no temperature. It didn’t feel hot, or cold.

“Right that’s your bed for the night” – Dorothy really did not seem in a good mood.

“But…” -Alex thought for a second. “Okay, yes ma’am. Thank you”

“I’m locking you in. There can be no contact until the morning. You’re stuck in here until then.” -Dorothy

Alex watched her leave and a curtain fell seemingly from nowhere. It was thick too. Then, Alex was alone. The only light source was the blue glow from the blue water in the corner. Alex sat in it for a while then fell asleep. And in the little pond he went into a trance with strange pictures circling in his head. Things he neither understood, or had ever thought about. After a couple of minutes he sat up in the water, half conscious. Half in the trance. Time flows differently here in this state. In this room. Then… his eye’s flatlined. It was only black sooted darkness. The water was no longer there or at least it no longer provided light. Time seemed like it didn’t or hadn’t existed. After what felt like hours. He found enjoyment in bring up some what then dropping it back in. Every Time he did this it would glow. Understanding that the more the strange liquid moved the more it gave light. So, he moved it. Lots.

A voice spoke. “It’s time to get up.”

His eyes opened.

LIX

Alex could fell the water now and it was cold. He shivered up. Standing on his feet. There was blue light in the room but no longer in the little pond. It was on him. Strangely he saw the room but something else was there. He saw red numbers. The red numbers remained in the same position even after turning his head. There was something else tho. A blue dial. He didn’t spend much time looking at it tho because the red number appeared to be counting down.

*8

*7

*6

*5

*3

*2

*1

Alex heard a voice. A metallic voice. It sounded like feminine.

“Burning in process…”

Orange fire shot around him. He was burning. He still felt cold though.

At least for a little while. He started to feel warm. Tho, Only warm.

It must have been hot tho because the pond started evaporating.

Screens popped up left right and center. Unable to keep track of it all he didn’t bother trying. Then, something strange happened…

LX

Anita sat outside the walled room waiting… patiently… Aunt Josie was there. Smoking. She had given up giving up. No longer trying to hide it. Fretle had gone to get her, they would need her if Alex didn’t survive. Another funeral was all she needed. So her fingers hoped to God for her nephew to survive. There were… Only two outcomes. Either Alex survives, or he dies.

The first option: Lives to tell the tale of WHATEVER happens to Alex in that room, Claiming a prize of sorts. This would only happen if he has a pure heart.

The Second: Dies from his own hand, well… Self consumption. As, Alex was a “burning” able to self detonate. Often called “Spontaneous combustion”. Only happening if he is NOT pure of heart.

“I wouldn’t be too stressed. We KNOW he cares.” Torche sounded confident but, He too was worried.

Sighs jumped ship throughout the hallway. They were SURE, but…

The morning couldn’t get there to them fast enough.

LXI

Alex sat on the floor of the room, unaware of the possibility of dying. He was trying to get used to what was happening to him. He had the voice, the menus and also he was slowly getting used to the fire. He was able to control the fire and he was able to increase and decrease it. He could even choose the location along his body to discharge it. Having the fire burn around his hand he used it to explore the room he was in. First he checked the walls. Which had strange words on it. Tho, thanks to the language scroll thingy he could understand.

“Wolves feed on the flesh, Serpents the soul. Neither Loves that which is not their own.”- Judgement

“Huh…I wonder who judgement is…”-Alex

“If you can win without fighting, you can fight without winning.” -anon

“Uhhh… I don’t get this one…”-Alex, a bit frustrated.

He continued, reading all kinds of things on the walls. After about five He decided to write his own thing on the wall. “What would it be?” Alex asked himself.

“The light feeds a tree, but it can also burn it to the ground. How can they run?” -Alex

Alex Smiled, looked back at the door and low and behold it opened.

LXII

Alex was different. Everyone saw that. Tho, they said nothing. Even so there were smiles all around. Dorothy was the first to speak. “Right time to do some test on you.” Her cold a calculated delivery sent chills around the room. They parade of people all went to the main base room. There was a sick bay quite close so Anita, Alex and Dorothy went to the sick bay, for the tests.

They all came up fine. Alex was a healthy boy. Dorothy checked the control Alex had on the fire. Getting him to show tiny amount of flame and also large. Dorothy noted quite good control.

Alex kept the voice he heard a secret, at least for now. Not wanting to get into trouble. (the metallic lady voice). He also didn’t want to say anything about the menu power. At least for now.

It was a brief respite. Everyone had something to do and they all worked hard at it. Very good memories were made for them all. Unfortunately trouble was not far. For the next few months tho, everything ran its course. It was a time of healing and growth. Alex trained faithfully every day and all the others pursued the goal with no complaints. They all believed in their mission. The mission: Kill death.

A Conversation between siblings in action

“So, Alex. What is in the stars?”

“Um…Anita… Hi!”

“Oh, good you’re back, So what was in those stars?”

“I don’t know… I was just thinking about Veronica…”

“The girl you met back in time?”

“Yeah, I was wondering… What you would think of her…”

“I look forward to meeting her… If time would allow it…”

“And the planet she came from!”

“Yes, Alex. There too…”

“I keep thinking she would just *Appear* but… well… Anita… Is this life that we live just words on paper? That’s what the dragon told me when she took me away… I think it’s true but….”

Anita looked at her own stars. Thinking.

“Even if it is… We mustn’t be against the author. Simply because someone has that power. Doesn’t mean the letter’s or words are recorded against us. They may be there for our benefit…”

Alex looked at his stars….Again. Thinking.

“That reminds me…” Alex smiled into a half laugh removing weights from the room… “Remember when I treated you like a sergeant. You called me boss… wanna regain that dynamic?… even tho we were both adopted by Fretle and stuffs.”

Anita smiled. “Yes boss!… or should it be captain?”

“Captain. Definitely captain.”

There. At that moment, Peace was released named “Efide.”

LXIII

Alex pulled out his keys. Just to tinker with them. Not much else to do… for him.

There were four keys. Three were already used. Fretle was the first spirit to be released. Then, Dunamis was the second released. It had been a week since Efide was released. Four left, Alex thought. He looked at the names etched into the keys that had not been used.

“Staltie.”

“Ruelle.”

“Amire.”

“Railorve.”

While Alex looked at the keys He noticed that the keychain reacted to his effects gained by that night in the strange dirt igloo type room. Anyway the key chain got brighter and brighter very quickly blinding Alex.

There Alex got a vision in the light. He saw a gentleman walking but glitching. That was it just a man with a cane walking and twitching. He seemed to notice Alex, then it stopped.

“You fell asleep.”

“Cry about it.”

“Who’s there?”

“I’m nothing.”

“I’m something.”

“What are you?”

“YEAH? WHAT ARE YOU?!*

“Welp, I’m confuzelled.”

“Oh… It’s the author…”

“What’s confused you?”

“Not just me.”

“We need to add the person to the quotes.”

“YES! SO DO IT AGAIN!”

“Yes, but with the quotes.”

…

“You fell asleep.” -Anita

“Cry about it.” -Evil Giant

“Who’s there?” -Alex

“I’m nothing.” -Nothing Itself

“I’m something.” -Something itself

“What are you?” – Something and nothing at the same time.

“YEAH? WHAT ARE YOU?!* – OLD MAN WITH DEMENTIA

“Welp, I’m confuzelled.” -azietheazie

“Oh… It’s the author…” -Fretle

“What’s confused you?” -Torche

“Not just me.” -azietheazie

“We need to add the person to the quotes.” -Call

“YES! SO DO IT AGAIN! THE CONVERSATION!” -OLD MAN WITH DEMENTIA

“Yes, but with the quotes.” -Anita

LXIV

The dragon couple could not be happier, they neglected to even watch Alex on the glass ball. It had zero significance to them. Dorcion and franklin had ALL the gold they could ask for. The trip back sure was successful for them. They were in a perpetual state of celebration. To them they were out of whatever jobs or activities that needed doing. They were out of the race.

Tho that is the case for the dragons, they had a visitor who had no interest in such things. He, watched the glass ball. What he saw sent shivers. Alex had entered another uncontrollable state of burning. The giant was afraid. He knew at that moment, Death was not coming out of this story alive. The giant thought “I’m going to die for or against him, against Alex.” An upset stomach sent him to the toilet and when he returned, the glass ball had smashed.

LXV

Veronica sat staring out the window. It was cold. The rain must have been angry at the window because it wouldn’t stop hitting it. Alex’s smile remained glued to her mind. The only comfort remained her cup of cocoa. The only warmth. She was alone. At least statistically. Her uncle was going through another temper tantrum. She tried her best to ignore him but enough was enough. She gulped down the cocoa and stood up. Her uncle was probably just smokeless. a.k.a Needed the old tobacco stuffs. Luckily Veronica was primed to deal with such situations. She had hidden cigs around the house just in case Her uncle needed one. Her uncle received it with joy. A relief similar to one rescued from drowning. “That’s what it is.” Veronica thought to herself. “He’s drowning… And… the cigs keep him above water.” Veronica sat back down after giving her uncle what he needed. “I’m drowning too…”

LXVI

Alex was on cloud nine. A smile drawn permanently on his face. Thinking, always thinking. Well… really dreaming. A metaphorical sleepwalker. It was a bit infuriating to the team but to say would or could make it worse, so, no-one spoke to him concerning this.

One day tho a bit of trouble brewed. Torche and Anita had a very vocal fight about the coffee machine. Torche a coffee hater and hot chocolate lover would make his Joe, ignoring the clean up process. Anita a coffee lover and hot chocolate hater, threw away her final straw. Straight at Torche. Who returned her final straw. Torche the calm and collected lost his (almost) constant demeanor. The argument started as a mild irritant and became a full blown war. The casualty front and center became the Joe brewer. The poor thing became ground, glassed and broken. Then it was throats, which would happily become severed pipes if not for the two adults at the scene, who dealt protectively together for these two “children”. Alex on the other hand went m.i.a. going for a walk in the catacombs. Aaaaand… He got lost.

LXVII

His abilities wouldn’t help him. Unfortunately. Weirdly he felt completely stripped of them. Like there was a jammer. Alex decided if he kept walking eventually he would get back, but that’s not what happened. Instead…

*WACK!*

Alex saw stars and in his concussed state confessed his love for Veronica… Again. Again she did not respond to it coz… she wasn’t there. This time.

LXVIII

Coming to Alex was in some sort of caged storage closet. A big storage closet Alex thought. And, hovering over him was a big person.

“I’m not human.” -Giant

“I can see that.” -Alex

“I know you’re going to kill death…” -Giant

“…” -Alex

“I CAN’T LET YOU DO THAT!!!” -Giant

“It’s gonna happen…” -Alex

“I… Have always been the nervy type… But not when I’m sleeping… If you kill death you can say goodbye to SLEEP TOO!!!” -Giant

“Ah…” -Alex mused…

“So, here’s the deal… You kill me BEFORE you kill death!” -Giant

“Uuuhhhh…”-Alex

Alex then spent the next 27 minutes trying to convince the Giant there’s always a way and stuff but the giant refused to see any value in life.

“This room has jammers against the powers of the majority of spirits…” The giant went on. “So… you can’t use them… but… if i color your world gray…” The giant chuckled. “You’re powers will lose control.”

The giant pulled out some weird devices. “I was the village dentist back in my home village.” The giant smiled…”That’s how i got these.” Blah blah blah the giant has white teeth, anyway the giant went full dentistry on Alex, fixing all his teeth for perfection. Perfection tho, requires pain and pain is what Alex had. For like 50 minutes.

*SNAP*

Yeah… so… Alex snaped. The color in his eyes drained like a drain, coz drains drain. The world of gray.

Before Alex noticed he was going through a burning and the heat killed the giant. His teeth tho survived… and Alex’s teeth were better than ever… Alex was sad thinking tearfully to always brush his teeth before bed.

The world was still gray though. Alex’s fire wasn’t red and orange. It was a shade of black. He looked around… “wait!” There was some color down the hall. Alex was strapped to the giant dentists chair. Breaking the bonds like snapping a twig Alex got up and chased the only color he could see. Through bends and corners as face as he could be. He felt like he was floating on an ice hockey table. The only color began to brighten, then. Nothing. The whole world was frozen. Time had stopped. THE WHOLE UNIVERSE HAD STOPPED.

Alex trembled like a scared, cold kitten. He looked up.

*Trumpets*

The fear of God swept through the whole world like wildfire. Like wax the world melted. The news was showing on all tv’s, computers, screens. Whatever.

*guzrtttzz*

It was the anti-christ. He was confessing to the world how he was greater than Jesus. He seemed open, most thought. A little nervous thought other’s. Christians and all their friends were not happy. They were not interested. They thought only to search the sky. Their heads lifted. Jesus. The Greatest king possible. Was returning. The world, no matter where, there were those that were eager for Jesus’s return, they didn’t concern themselves with the screen thingys. Only two options. God or the devil. Jesus or the antichrist. His name unveiled. [Name redacted]

LIX

Alex put his attention towards the trumpets. The antichrist was not his problem. “Funny.” Alex thought. “It’s in tandem.” Laughing. He stretched his arms to the sky. “I love you @u@”- Alex, teary eyed began floating up. A smile returned to his face.

“That giant killed you…” -Jesus “Time to wake up-“

*VOOOOSSSSHHHH*

Alex awoke. His eyes fixed directly at The Lord’s eye’s. It was happening. The end of time, The Lord’s return. Clocks began popping all over the world like bombs, and, in the chaos time ceased to be. At least… the memory of time.

Jesus swiped Alex’s keys to the last four spirits, Staltie ,Ruelle, Amire, Railorve. Their purposes hidden in this story. Not usefully told here.

The fight against death tho, had begun.

LXX

Fretle ran frantically down the winding passages ways shouting Alex’s name. “Where is he? Alex!!!!”

Fretle had sneaked out of the argument chamber. Feeling a bit inside depressed. He need a walk. He thought. “I’ll find him soon, can’t be too far.” But after twenty minutes, then thirty them three quarters of an hour he slowly became more and more concerned, eventually leading to his frantic running. After 2 hours it happened.

*pop*

*szkkzzzztctc*

Fire.

Alex was having a burning episode. Fretle walked into the heat getting hotter and hotter. Closer and closer.

There he was. Alex.

LXXI

The fire around Alex burned like a bonfire. So hot in fact it really felt cold. Fretle walk into the room, bones of the giant littered on the floor. Fear quaked, beckoning resentment. A forest of light or lights. A voice perpetrated through Fretle ears. “Save me!.. I need help!” It started like this. Increasing in volume, slowly but surely. We characterize only with what we wish to be. Here, Fretle pushed to burn too. Like fighting a great wind wishing to sweep him of the ground and into the sky. “Call my name!”

Fretle looked around “Whose name?”

“Mine!”

The trees of light fruited. Growing its own fruit. Each tree had the same word written on it. The fire from Alex was producing from the heart a memory in Fretle’s blood pumper. Every cut and bruise broken by the joy and fear that remained in him. Fretle walked in the the fire fighting to get close to Alex.

“Alex!” -Fretle. “REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING!!”

The fire ceased. Alex with no concious, sleeping like the dead, well, He was, Fell to the ground, nimble like a ragdoll. Fretle rushed over, Praying that he was still alive, While the rest of the gang, also had formed a search party. They all crowded around Alex. Mortified. What was it? The tears would come later, but for now… I guess… Denial.

LXXII

Alex was in a place where time flowed very differently. Well, maybe not at all.

“You search, but never find.”

Alex looked around in the darkness.

“Over here.”

Alex looked in the direction of the voice. It was a light. A small light. He stared at it and it got bigger and bigger.

“I’ve been waiting.”

The voice was soft but also determined. Almost like it was asleep but oh so alive.

“What’s your name?” -Alex called out

“My name? I wish only to be called that which supports the enemies of that which destroys.”

The light streamed down onto Alex. It was warm. He thought. “Forever’s not enough.”

The light then encapsulated him and he no longer saw only light and dark. Colors bubbled and beeped and he was in a classroom.

“Here we teach, but do not learn. Faulty as that is.”

Looking around he had a question. “Am I dead?”

“No, Just sleeping. The building block of creation are deteriorating. The pillars of creation tumbling, an avalanche of pain. It’s not fun to die. You say to kill death, but you yourself have only thought for people. Even the universe must die. Will you save eternity from flaws by letting it go? Or, make redundant a thing, kill death, letting flaws in life remain?”

Alex look around the classroom. No answer knocked on his door, leaving him to ponder. Then the room changed. It became a forest. Rain trickled down on bright green leaves and his hair wet and his clothes no longer dry. Alex tried to access his menu thingy. It didn’t work. He then heard a voice, loudly from the sky. Birds and all sorts of animals fled at the sound, making noises in fear.

“I have another question Alex. “How do you expect justice to play in a deathless world?”

Another ponderment. Alex had no answer. Then new scenery.

This time it was the cave, well, the base under the forest people’s village thingy. Tho, it was empty aside from two monitors and a computer. A person was on it or an a.i., either way the person in the computer looked at Alex and asked. “Will we be better of without death? Called by the whole scope?”

This time Alex had an answer.

“The scopes only there for the living. Death leaves no choice.”

“Okay, live.” The three voices said in tandem. “But do not live only through your own scope else I call you blind.”

LXXIII

“The antichrist, on a talk show?!” People mocked laughing. “So he stole.” The people would say, “And he expects us to serve him more.” The worlds laugh filled the earth. Even by the force of power from a lie. Where nothing true is understood. “He’s literally stealing from the people he expects to serve him.” “What a hypocrite.” “Earth boring now.” Sayings like this became the atmosphere of the world. Soon after that fateful occurrence. The talk show. The word became more than totalitarian or fascist. It became a prison. Like, literally. Caged animals. Freedom was stolen. That’s what became of the human race. Tho, There was how. The was a Christian in the midst of the anti christs circle, who convinced the bad guy to go easy on people. Luckily it worked and the soft spot the antichrist villain person treated some with kindness and many Christians became wardens of the prisons or sometimes better. But this story is not about the destruction of the antichrist but death’s end. The destruction of death.

LXXIX

After Jesus’s return to earth certain things changed. The initial wrath had subsided at the death of its constituents. Jesus sat on his throne and judged, showing a love famished world what the word love really means. Satan was no longer free to roam chained in a prison, inside and out. That became the only prison. As the only necessary cage. Life grew differently and in kindness it was a lamb enthroned no wolf, no dark just light. The war of armageddon fought on the stage of culture and swords was contained. Jesus leaving no stone unturned remained victorious in the pursuit of love’s march to life. And life sure was bright.

“Find your love in truth, even if you don’t understand either.”

LXXX

Alex sat in a smiling body. Jesus was there, also the underground king. They were discussing together plans from a-z. There were two people that needed to be sorted out. They were the “lady of the east” and the “sluggard of brutality” (Or called Bos). “It’s going to be an all out war. Things have cascaded, leaving no choice for both parties.”

“The war will end in three weeks. There is a greater war. That we fight.” -Jesus.

And lo and behold three weeks later the war culminated in the death of both rulers. Ending the war. The nations fractured, becoming king/queenless. Never to return.

“The battle we fight is fixed. Alex, do you like your bionic arm?”

“Yes, but… if i trigger burning uncontrollably it melts the wires and they need to be replaced.”

Jesus looked at what seemed to be nothing, next thing they knew light trickle down like snow, only above Alex.

“Stop treating the burning like a curse, Treat light like friend, it will return as such.”

“Yes, Lord.”

The snow light healed Alex’s arm, melting the metal converting it to tendons and bones and veins and flesh.

LXXXI

Alex was sent to a cult group that needed “regenerating.” It was Alex, Jesus and Anita doing this impossible mission.

Both alex and anita were very happy to work with the Lord. Jesus was such wonderful company, they knew love was the best choice. They were completely sold out to Him. You would too if you met him (stone hearts are dumb hearts fighting love with no justification).

Entering the garden of doubt, as it was called. The meeting place of this particular group of cult members. A disguise was the first step. Jesus snapped his fingers and they blended in like a wheat in a field of chaff. The three made their way to the center of the garden where the leader, who named himself “Leaz” was speaking to the weeds of his flock.

“We have ONLY one ENEMY! The liars of freedom. If it was TRUE freedom. No punishment WOULD come near, but it does. Misses beatrix here lost children, her beautiful face burned. For what you ask? Because she simply asked for help from love! She was repaid with evil from all the good she did! The double standard these so called Jesus freaks, these Christians keep is beyond hypocritical. Does it not say “If you repay good with evil it will never leave you house?” But the priest that tended to her children said, and I quote. “Your children are safe, God reserves the right to take back what was given, and I know it’s difficult but rest assured they are well taken care of.” Well where is this almighty God? Will we also be struck, from an opinion? HAH! If you’re here I, Bet, You, Would!”

Alex looked at Jesus wondering what his face would convey. What he could learn in this rather, ironic situation.

Leaz then opened the floor for other cult member to speak. Much tho went to the food spread. Not expecting really all that much from any other possible speaker. Jesus tho told Alex go up say what you can. My mission is with Beatrix. Jesus touch Alex’s throat. Then vanished. Anita mumbled “What do i do?…”

“I’m still hear Anita.” -Jesus

“Oh fewf.” -Anita

“You must befriend Leaz.” Jesus continued. “He’s the key to the hearts of the cult members. Now go, we must be done before morning.”

LXXXII

Alex stood up on the podium when it was free. He titled his message “The light we cannot see.”

“So why do we speak in anger at that we cannot comprehend?! Why do the poor beg for nothing? Is it not those in power who sit idly, not lifting a single muscle? We stand he cold and destitute. The do not sit at all! They certainly won’t stand! So that’s what we do! We stand! We stand against oppression and those who honor themselves. We sit in a seat of nails. They? They lie in ivory beds and feathered pillows. When will they stand up? Well? They would crush the bones in their legs by the weight of their torsos.”

The crowd that had once fragmented began to gather around. Interest began to peak.

“Why?..” Alex continued. “…Do we give any room in our heads to them? ‘I fought myself and lost, but if i lost to myself I have shurly won!’ The evil in ourselves CAN win. What good would that do? For ourselves? We look up at the stars and they shimmer. We think “the stars have come out” We think “they shine for us” But that is not so! Who do they shine for? If not us who? The worlds? God? Nothing? Themselves? They shine bright and beautiful. throughout the millennia, unafraid seeking right not for us my friends! They shine for… ‘The light we cannot see.’” There were a few claps, a couple of jeers. Tho when Alex hopped down he was swarmed by a mob of questionnaires. Alex was given a tongue that knew things that people had been looking for, and so he spent the night talking to the cultists. Answering what he could.

LXXXIII

When Anita got the mission to befriend Leaz, she quickly pushed herself to be social. Anita’s a hard headed softie. She put herself in the zone. Giving a firm push to her mission. She was ever focused on the mission. “Befriend Leaz” She struck up a conversation with him. She ended up watching Alex’s speech with Leaz and ended up getting his honest thoughts about it. which she wrote in her diary.

“Leaz likes stars.”

“Leaz hates all forms of dishonesty.”

“A huge poetry buff.”

“What’s he getting at?”

“Nice ending.”

“More popular than me haha.”

“I need another drink.”

Anita really had only one question.

“I know you hate God but If he liked similar things to us… Would it change those feeling?” -Anita

“Yes.” -Leaz

Dumb founded Anita went and sat down. A dizzy spell. Leaz followed her making sure she was alright.

They sat for a while. Tired Anita fell asleep. on the seat. She awoke come morning. Leaz had stayed up all night next to her making sure she didn’t get abused.

Alex had just gotten done with the last questionaire. Jesus had also just finished. Walking to Anita and Leaz, Jesus told them to hurry away with him. Out of the garden of doubt. Leaz looked at Jesus and did a “Huh?” They all four left the garden. Just as they left…

*Fwwwooopftt*

They looked back and the garden vanished. Just an empty plot of land.

“What did you do Jesus?” -Anita asked.

“All is well Anita, we’re taking Leaz back to the base.” And they were off.

LXXXIV

Back at the base they had everything set up. Jesus took his leave. “You must complete the machine on your own. Leaz has the equation.” And he was off.

Leaz was confused… “I have the equation? What machine?…”

“We’re making a time travel machine…” – Dorothy. “We need to complete times cycle, It exists but not yet, because…well…”

“How do you even know it’s possible? What about the ethics?” Leaz sighed. “I get that God has petitioned it but I don’t know anythi-…” Leaz paused. He was thinking… A thought that was contrary to what he had almost finished saying. Leaz sat down on Torche’s favorite chair, this time Leaz was dizzy. Anita thought it a good idea to repay Leaz so Anita -knowing Torche was about to blow the casket- Stared directly at Torche. “Want a hot chocolate?” Torche’s eyes -which had almost fully reddened- Returned to normal. Sighing Torche accepted Anita’s peace offering. That act changed everything. She basically just asked Torche for marriage. Torche Accepted. (A horman’s secret love language- no one knew except them… and you coz i’m telling you.) Anita blushed while Torche played doctor making sure Leaz was ok.

LXXXV

Leaz was sick to his stomach. So much happened just for him to be included in these people’s story. “So, *uogh* You all christians?” -Leaz

Dorothy smiled. “What’s the difference between a christian and a citizen of heaven?”

Leaz barfed. “Sorry I wasn’t *ughhs* puking against that statement.”

“Right well the author is a christian, but that means christ follower… like what would we call a citizen of the kingdom of heaven?” -Dorothy

“…”

“…”

“…”

“?”

“Yeah i don’t know?”

“hmm well what about leaving that an open question?” -azie (the author -me…) “maybe a reader could find the right word?…” -me again xD

“hmmm…” – Dorothy… “The fact none of us have a good word… The author mustn’t know either…”

Alex was mind blown. “Is the author bad? Evil? Against us? Does he write suffering just for entertainment? Why doesn’t he just write us getting like… lots of money? Can he write out death from this story? Suffering for entertainment of his readers? right? Wrong right?”

“Have some faith Alex. You have your arm back haven’t you? I have seen neither cloud nor snow in your eyes since Jesus healed you.” -Dorothy

“hmmm… I- I don’t trust him…” -Alex

“You’d trust a dragon rather than a friend? Even a dragon who did so much damage?”

LXXXVI

Alex woke grogging and malesleepish. Tho he forced himself up out of bed. A coffee and breakfast later he went up the elevator to the tree peoples city, town, thingy. It was a really nice day. He forgot all his woes -sleepy woes and went for a really nice walk. Anita was talking to a bunch of street smart kids. All kinds of things were afoot. The day was perfect. Too perfect. Looking around dubiously. “hhhhhmm suspicious… verrryyy suspicious.” It was almost like he was staring at me. Keeping his stride up he kept looking around. Every time he felt perfection it would be accusing me of being suspicious. I don’t really mind to be honest, I find it funny. Alex walked to their upstairs room. He wanted to look out the balcony.

*Noise*

The room was being cleaned.

“Not suspicious.” -Alex. “Finally back to normal.”-Alex

His brain hurt. My stomach hurts writing this… Some sort of writers vertigo.

Then death died.

Yup. Keeled over and died.

It was all over the news. Apparently 50 widows had gathered together. They wanted their husbands back. So they prayed together for a couple of hours. Telling stories to God about their better selves. Bringing the grief straight to him. They had finished the meeting chanting to God: “Let death die, Let death taste death. Take away hades, put him in a cage!” It took waaaaay less effort people would have thought. Buuuuuut here we are.

LXXXVII

“So Alex these dreams you have… Do you find benefit in them, I heard from the other doctors you only have good days if there’s good nights. AKA dreams.” -Doctor

“Yeah but… sometimes i don’t know what’s real. I want deeply for life to have a point. If I go to that place… again… I feel I’m losing touch with reality because I don’t see a point to them when i wake up.” -Alex

“Alex…” It was his mother. “There’s always a point to life, even if we dream through it.”

“Boy, try exercising that funny bone more.” -His father.

*aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhgg* -someone outside the doctors office.

A nurse knocked on the doctors office. “It’s urgent.” She was very obviously afraid.

“Okay I’ll be right back.” -Doctor

“Aahhh okay I’m turning the tele on though.” -Alex’s Dad.

*click*

“Breaking news people seem to have their ability to die taken from them, no one seems to die. More in just a minute.” -TV

Alex became visibly nervous. Death’s death was last nights dream. His mother saw the anxiety. “Oh honey let’s turn it off. Alex is nervous…”

“Just give him a smoke dear, No need for weak children.” -Alex’s Dad

“Oh, Alright.” -Alex’s Mum

Yeah so the smoke definitely helped Alex stomach the news. In fact He smiled. “This is cool” Alex thought. “No more death huh?”

LXXXVIII

Chaos ensued? buildings falling? War? No. No. No!

LXXXIX

A non nurse, or doctor walked into the office. Well, another patient.

“Hiii, Alex!”

“Hi, uhhh…”

“Veronica.”

Alex smiled. Saying “_{i like her…”} Under his breath.

“I like you too, Alex.” Loud and proud right around Alex’s parents.

Alex fainted.

LXXXX

When Alex awoke. He was more than confused. Not knowing which world he awoke in but then he saw he was still in the doctor’s office. Veronica was sitting next to him on the floor. Crazy times, crazy people. Tho crazy is just a word.

“Welcome back Alex. Did i tell you my dad is a superhero? Well I mean a real one too, but unfortunately I had to leave His planet because it was going to explode, he sent me here. Most people don’t believe me. That’s why I’m here. Otherwise I would be dead.”

“You like talking huh?…” -Alex.

“You don’t huh…” -Veronica.

“Yeah…” -Alex

“Just ask question of me. That way I get to talk.” -Veronica

“okayyy… Have you got super powers?” -Alex

“Yeah… I read minds, But only when its thought about me. I hate gossip so my brain senses when its been talked about. I learn a lot about people. You always think to marriage when you think of me, like there’s always a visual thought, like a picture of us at the altar. I like the one with the flower and petals like snow. Bright day. Well it’s the best one to me. So yeah I probably should ask for another question…?” -Veronica

“Do you ever shut up?” Alex thought.

“Yeah I can shut up, but only if there’s no talking material, and that question produces a lot of material. I hear that said in my head at least twice a day. I don’t know why tho. I don’t talk THAT much. It’s kinda funny to me. Oh, Well. Oh yeah that reminds me It’s time for my morning mute training.” -Veronica put a device in her mouth. Clasping it in her teeth. It buzzed with some light. Sealing her mouth closed.

Alex needed quiet now, and he had it. His mind slowly stopped overheating.

“OH Yeah. I should probably say how this works. So basically…” -Veronica

Veronica’s voice trailed off. Alex’s mind trailed off. And so it was. The next few weeks felt strange especially to Alex. Life had pivoted in a way he didn’t expect. Well He wondered tho, how were the people. Is reality both here and there or… Just here. It didn’t make sense to say here wasn’t real tho. But even so… He spent a lot of time with veronica. He feared tho, “would my time here run out too?”

LXLI

Alexander sat in complete contempt. Angry annoyed and frustrated. Why was he angry? The last page of this story had made its way to an auction but he was out bidded. Even putting ALL of the money from the bitcoin time travel journey (his share). He was holed up in a hotel while Mary had left him in search of Veronica. Why couldn’t he just go back again? His bet failed. Even if he did go back again it wouldn’t change its location following the auction.

Alexander had ordered room service, and was throwing it at the wall. After a few hours of food darts he passed out from both grief and anger.

LXLII

Alexander awoke groggy, and malesleeepish. There was a knocking at the door. Angry he got up and went to answer…

“OH?! it’s you…”

LXLIII

Alex let the strange man in. He was cloaked in black one garment clothes.

The strange man hid his face in a hood. A strange dark aura emanated from him. Alexander called him “sensei.”

“I have a new plan.”

Alexander and the strange man deliberated, and THIS plan was SURE to be successful. The laughed, proud of their intellect. The proudly said, “Even if God tried, We, would win with this plan.”

Anyway, their plan failed.

LXLIV

A river of gold. Franklin told his dragon wife “we must make a golden river!”

“hmmm” Dorcion thought. “Lets just sell our souls to the author and get him to just write what we want?”

“Again with you superstition about the author…” Franklin almost believed the same thing but… He wished to spend time making things… Dorcion was far more lazy. “Alright, Author…” Franklin paused and looked at Dorcion who nodded in agreement. “Make all these mountain gold, And then you can have our souls…”

A couple of seconds later they were no longer standing on dirt but gold. Looking out across the field of mountains they saw every single mountain on their property line turn to gold.

“So yeah, basically now I own their souls.” -Me (the author)

Azie then offered them both to his God (Jesus).

So… Yeah… Anyways…

LXLV

The two dragons began to worship Jesus with great joy, tearfully in love with Jesus. The mountains of gold became a after thought. They would prefer to sing songs to Jesus than anything else. Their souls on fire for God! 😀

XCVI

Alex asked himself “What do I want to be known for?” Pondering this he said to himself. “I want to bet known for being a good friend. Tho… Being know for love is unmatched. I want to… Hmm… How tho can i be known for love?…”

It was wedding day. Anita and Torche were hitching. Veronica was there sitting next to Alex. Holding his hand. “You’re not thinking about me.” Veronica whispered in Alex’s ear.

The wedding was great. Going on without a hitch… actually… one hitch…

XCVII

Back at the base, They were still tinkering with the time machine. Leaz had figured what Jesus meant. It was something his mother had given him to before she had died. He kept it on him at ALL times. It was a page. With words on it he didn’t understand. He gave it to the team. They took one look at the page knew exactly what they needed. Within two weeks the machine was complete.

Tested by bananas.

Confirmed and closed.

XCVIII

So, How’d Veronica make it to the tree place?

Veronica was trying to time travel. After thousands of times trying to open the light gate. I opened. She rushed and bought a ticket. Her mission? “Find Alex”

“Mission will complete.” The ticketer gave her a success band. Excited. Nervous. But completely hopeful. The train went through picking her up. The worm travelled quickly. More than the norm.

*fizzle fizzle*

She Jumped out of worm as the light gate let her. When she got out of the light gate. Alex was there. “OH that cute girl I like and always think about! Actually… There’s two of them..”

Veronica dropped to the floor. Seeing her future self… Then looked up… Her future self smiled. “She’s gonna need another trip… fun times ahead for her.”

“I’m thinking about myself, and hearing myself think about me.” -Veronica thought.

“I heard that, haha” -Veronica thought.

Veronica heard her thoughts and veronica also heard her thoughts. (lmao)

“I have to test it” – Veronica said to the team.

“I have to go back…” -Veronica said to them

Alex sighed. “Alright but I’m coming too.”

They went back in time.

XCIX

“You’re thinking about your parents, huh?” -Veronica

“Yeah. I had a dream of the past. We met back then huh?” -Alex

“Yeah…” Veronica.

The past held. Tho… What if they got stuck in an endless loop? That was the danger. Though when they got back three weeks prior, there were two Alex’s which solved the loop problem.

“Welp The time travel thingy works at least.” 😀 -Alex

“What a relief…” Veronica sighed. “I’m finally back!” 🙂

C

There was only one loose end that needed resolving. What would happen to Alexander? He remained the only Person un touched by reality. Call it what you want but he’s driven by things not applicable to man. After all he was an elf. I call it purpose. Waste your time on a purpose un useful, and it will continue as such. Even returning rewards that accomplish nothing. Alexanders plan had failed beyond what he thought. Why did it fail? It was Alex’s fault. “ALEX’S FAULT!!!!!”

“I will make sure his story ends in misery!!!” Alexander Laughed angrily. Mary Stared at him. “Give it a rest, Alexander!”

“I WILL NOT!”

So, Alexander traveled back in time and employed the giant, the dragon the frog and all their miscreants. The goal? “KILL ALEX!”

THE LAST PAGE

This is the coveted last page. The last Requiem has to give. What fate? What Destiny? What Truth? Many seek for what they want but few seek for what other’s want.

Alex and Victoria Married, Living lovingly ever after.

Alexander’s fate? He became a tree. A black and white tree. When he made it to Alex and Veronica’s wedding he saw this page lying on a chair. Saying his fate. At the last letter, from the end of this page. He became a withered tree, Snow caressing it. Even in the hottest summer day it snowed on him. A bout a meter above.

To be honest i don’t know how to end this story. Though, I hope you enjoyed reading it. I’ll leave you with one last page.

“So, the cats out of the bag?…”

“Yes Grandad. Mom Told me!”

“Hohoho. To think such a smart kid would bother spending time with me?”

“Dad, Son. Dinner is ready, So you two get ready too.”

“What’s your real name Grandad?”

“hmmm, Should i say?”

“Hurry up Dad!”

“Yes hurry up Grandad!”

“Fineee, My real name is Alex!”

“I knew IT! That story is your story!”

“It’s not my story…. It’s…” Alex trailed off… Deep in thought…

“It’s… “

The kids didn’t remain listening to the old man, They just rushed to dinner. After seeing they weren’t there he looked at his wife Veronica and smiled.

There the story ends.

FIN

(CHARACTERS:
Alex, Josie, Anita, Fretle.
–
Alex: The main protagonist, He wants to find the Truth within or without religion. His main goal is to destroy death.
Josie: Alex’s aunt, She ashamedly smokes
Anita/Gabriel: Alex saved her from death, Shes Alex’s friend
Fretle: The spirit of freedom, works hard and very quick.

“Wolves feed on the flesh, Serpents the soul. Neither Loves that which is not their own.”- Judgement

“If you can win without fighting, you can fight without winning.” -anon

dead list: Toad> Dragon Lady> Giant>elf boy> Death

all sven spirits: Fretle, Dunamis, Efide, Staltie ,Ruelle, amire, railorve

svn + nglish,: Freedom, Power, peace, justice, wisdom, love, hardwork

pittsburgh from new york ~9 hours)