06-27-2009

Start Fiction:


     Walter walked towards the light, going against the advice of the anonymous voices echoing in the darkness. As he slowly, cautiously closer, Walter searched the darkness for the sources of the voices. The seemed to come from every direction, except from the direction of the light. That revelation made him stop.
     The light appeared to get brighter, the voices slightly more quiet; distant. He took a step backwards. The light grew even brighter. The voices were now cheering him on, excited he was listening to their advice.
     He took one more step backwards and turned slightly to his left. The voices went crazy, cheering, applauding. The light now produced sound, a low level hum; He could feel it. A celestial baseline?, Walter thought.
     He turned away from the light. The hum grew louder; the vibration resonated through Walter. The voices matched the intensity of the light. They now began to tell him to run from the light. He complied as the light did not appear inviting to him in the least bit.
     The light began to fluctuate it's colors; the humming grew I'm to a rumble. Walter understood. He had pissed off the light. He picked up his pace, a bit scared. Walter wondered, Is this really something I can "outrun" in this void?
     The faster he ran, the lighter the void became. The voices become more in sync, becoming one voice. The voice was becoming familiar.
     Walter quickly glanced over his shoulder, trying to gauge his progress. The light was red, swirling; the rumble had grown into a violent thunderstorm; lightning shot out from the center of the light; booming thunder pierced Walter's ears.
     The black void was becoming filled with light; outlines of structures formed, the smell of wet grass filled Walter's nostrils. He ran harder, feeling the ground firm, crackling under his feet.
     Walter breathed easier, his stride more steady. Where he was headed was unknown, and what was following him he didn't want to know. A landscape was forming, mountains in the distance, the sky faded to a clear blue, foliage to shape along the path on which he was now running.
     Walter smiled as his shadow began to form in front of him, warmth covered his back; the thunderstorm that had been following him faded into a low rumble, to a hum; silence.
     As the sounds of birds singing filed the air, Walter came to a slow jog. Looking over his shoulder he saw that there was nothing behind him except an open path, flanked by lush green fields.
     Walter came to a stop and laughed as he walked in circles. "What the kind of weird ass dream is this?" he said out loud.
     "It's no dream, Walter," a female voiced said behind him. Walter didn't turn around. He closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air.
     "Where are we?" he asked.
     "You don't recognize this place, Walter?"
     Walter slowly faced his company, eyes still closed. "I believe we have met before," he began, "but I can't seem to place your voice."
     "Yes, we have met many times before," she said. "Open your eyes and perhaps my appearance will refresh your memory."
     Walter hesitated, trying to remember a voice so familiar. Was she someone from his childhood? Someone he met in college? Did it matter? He slowly opened his eyes. "Oh my," Walter said. "I thought you..."
     "No, Walter, I am not imaginary," the woman said.


End Fiction.