192

192

  (Part 1)

  A long arm of the earth offered Isaac out to the ocean and up to the stars. Thousands of them glimmered at the edge of his reach. He wished he could touch one. He’d pluck it right from the sky and let its beauty scald his hands and boil his eyes, and after he discovered its scorching secrets he would place it back and select another. He’d study them and choose some to bring to his wife, Allison, wherever she was. He didn’t know. He wanted the stars to be something more than jewels that sparkled in his dark eyes. For Allison, he wanted them to be diamonds that hung from her ears, pearls that glowed around her neck, and gems that hugged her wrists.

  Isaac’s breaths were slow and steady as he sat under the dazzling gaze of the moon and its colleagues. With every exhale, his steamy breath waltzed with the cooler atmosphere. Allison, as usual, was at the forefront of his thoughts. She was why he was there on the starlit bluff. From time to time he could feel her ethereal presence. It would wash over him and bathe him in euphoria. He waited for the extrasensory moment when he could feel her even though she was not there. It did not matter how or why he was on the desolate cliff, but only that those moments of her ghostly touch never stopped coming.

  A wave of familiarity swept through Isaac. His bones tingled and his hairs rose. Allison had come. His hand opened in anticipation of hers. A light pressure took him by surprise as it pushed down on his chest. He could tell it was her hand on him. He brought his hand to it. Invisible lips pressed themselves upon his, and then warm breath flew across his ear. Her unseen mouth let loose powerful words, “I love you Isaac, and I will always love you. I wish you could have seen her. I’m still hopeful that you will.” That was the first time he had heard Allison’s voice in as long as he could remember. How sweet it sounded to him; however, confusing as it was. He wondered who she was talking about. The weight of her hand still rested on his chest and he spoke to it, “Allison…” Her name hung in the air waiting to be caught. It was then that her presence vanished.

  A sharp pain overtook his left elbow. He clutched at it as it swept into his fingertips. They felt ready to burst. His arm shook as the stinging pain inched up his shoulder leaving tensed muscles and damp skin in its wake. It was as if an arc of lighting was gradually striking every fiber of his being. His entire frame trembled as he struggled to breathe. Blackness rolled over him and he passed out.

  Unbeknownst to Isaac, something had slipped into him as he lay unconscious. While he stood gazing out into the shrouded emptiness of his own mind it placed itself on the edge of his peripheral. Isaac slowly turned his head as his eyes registered a thin silhouette in the distance to his right. It was a woman. Her figure was so very familiar to him. She walked towards him. Her body was slender, and her movements fluid. She drew near and her features became more defined; her skin was satin incarnate, her eyes were hazel gems, and her hair was threads of ebony silk that framed an ochre complexion. His eyes widened as they became filled with her elegance. He whispered, “Allison….”

  As Isaac stood in awe, the conscious world began to stir. The ocean swelled under the aggressive hands of a fierce wind. The wind flung wave after wave into the cliff’s base. Isaac was oblivious to the relentless onslaught of surging water as each volley shook the cliff. One by one, the stars in the night sky sank into the blackness behind them. Allison glided across the emptiness of his mind ever closer to him. She reached out to him, and as she did so, death bloomed from Isaac’s unconscious body and radiated outwards. What little grass that made its home on the cliff was turned to charcoal. Isaac looked at her with tentative desire in his eyes. He wondered if she truly was Allison. He wanted it to be her more than anything in the world. He grabbed her hand and was met not with familiar suppleness, but with cold and fragile porcelain that cracked beneath his palm. At that moment, the world outside froze. He looked at her hand then into her eyes and glimpsed his reflection in them before they swallowed him. He was terrified.

  The crunch of rocks and soulless grass grew louder as a pair of petite feet neared Isaac’s limp body. A delicate frame eclipsed the moon and shadowed him. A soft feminine voice drifted over tongue and through teeth, “It’s been a long time, Isaac.” She looked him over. She studied the rhythmic rise and fall of his diaphragm, his closed eyes, and his expressionless face. “It seems as if you’ve wandered down the wrong path.” She knelt down and rolled him onto his back. “But that’s why I’m here, honey.” She stroked his cheek. “You need to go back.” She placed her index finger to his forehead, just between his eyebrows, and its tip flared a bright blue. “She needs you, Isaac.” All of Isaac’s color began to vanish into her blue fingertip. Soon, he was nothing more than a clear vial that housed liquid obsidian. Allison removed her finger and gazed intently into the blackness. Her eyes scanned every inch of him. A small hand was momentarily visible within his clear body as it bumped into the wall of his abdomen and receded back into the black ink. “There you are.” She reached her hand out towards it.

  Isaac drifted through the dark fluid unable to tell whether or not his eyes were opened or closed. His arms waded through the dark ink hoping to find something to grab onto. He did not expect anything solid to come his way and when it did it took him by surprise. He froze in confusion and then his arms cut wildly though the dark, struggling to make contact a second time. His legs jerked and his arms sliced, but he found nothing. A swell of water brushed against him and grabbed his attention. He sensed something swimming through the black liquid. He no longer felt that he was alone. Swimming away was the first thought to cross his mind, but the more he thought the more he liked the idea of being eaten by whatever was coming. He figured that there was a good chance that this thing would kill him and death was better than where he was now. With a heavyhearted demeanor, he waited for the unknown creature to hand him his fate. Within seconds, the mysterious hunter devoured him completely.

  Upgraded was a word that crossed Isaac’s mind as he lightly bounced up and down on the soft ground and enjoyed the warm air of his new prison. He had more control of his movements here. The disappointment of not being dead began to fade. Isaac was mid-stretch when his captor accelerated back in the direction from whence it came. He fell backwards and braced his fall with his hands. An incredible jolt of passion arced through his heart as his hands made contact with the floor. He ran his fingers across it. It was unmistakable. This was neither prison nor monster. It was Allison. The electric feeling of her touch was undeniable. He melted to the ground, and in the safety of her possession he gladly succumbed to fatigue and fell asleep.

  Allison opened her palm and looked down at Isaac. He was so small and vulnerable. She wanted to shrink down, crawl up right next to him, pull his arm over her, and sleep next to him forever. She wished she had the time to wake him up and talk, but that time only existed in the past and in her dreams. A hushed cracking caught her attention. She turned and looked at Isaac’s clear husk. Again the cracking sound came. She rushed over to it and rested herself on her knees. “Oh no…” She said. Her fingers hovered over the network of fractal cracks that originated from the husk’s chest and branched out. She looked into her hand at Isaac and said, “I’m sorry, but this needs to happen.” She took her off hand and placed it over him. New cracks sprang up on the husk and that was all that was needed to end her hesitation. She crushed Isaac between her hands. Her palms rubbed together and worked his body until it became the consistency of putty. After flattening it out somewhat, her fingers gripped opposite corners and she pulled at it rotating it as it stretched. She held it out and compared its length and width to that of the husk. It was enough to cover it and that’s exactly what she did. She rose up off her knees, took a few steps back, and waited.

  A low hiss came forth from the covered husk. Allison started to grind her teeth. A
single ripple raced across the skin sheath. The hiss immediately shot to an ear piercing screech like that of a screaming kettle. Allison shut her eyes and threw her hands over her ears. Thousands of ripples overtook the peach covering. It looked as if a storm had let loose an invisible shower upon it. Steam began to rise out from under the covered husk. The heat flew up and nudged Allison’s eyes open. The rippling and screeching stopped and the skin sheath grew tighter to the human form beneath. Little by little, it was slowly becoming something human again. It was slowly becoming Isaac. Allison dropped her hands to her side and stared at the featureless figure before her. With slow and uneasy movements it lifted itself to its feet. It teetered like and uncertain toddler standing for the first time, and it was as faceless as an artist’s wooden model. Allison was somewhat disturbed by its appearance and mannerisms. She call out to what she hoped was still her husband, “Isaac?” The figure froze. A few tentative seconds passed by then again she called out, “Isaac, it’s me. It’s Allison.” The figure flung its head back and began to frantically scratch at its face.

  It clawed with fingers that were without nails as it struggled to tear the skin that was blocking its mouth and nose. Allison could only watch in horror as it staggered about, twisting and jerking unpredictably. Its eyelids formed and pulled apart. Its dark eyes shot across the world looking for anything that could help. They grew wide when they saw Allison. The figure stumbled towards her, reached out to her, and then collapsed to the ground.

  Allison ran to it and dropped to its side. She pressed on the skin that covered its mouth and nose; it peeled away under her touch. Its mouth hung open and its eyes looked off into the distance. She ran her fingers through its freshly sprouted hair and across the scratchy stubble of its jaw and chin. This was, in fact, her husband and not some sentient mannequin. “I wasn’t quick enough. There is only so much I can do here. I’m so sorry, honey. I’m so sorry.” She said as she rested her head on his chest. Her fingers made their home in his soft, dark hair and she cried into him.

  Isaac’s chest quivered under her. Allison sat up and looked him in the eyes. His pupils were vibrating and shaking off the lifeless dullness that had over taken them. “Isaac?” She spoke to his glossy eyes. His torso shot up and he sucked down as much air as his fragile lungs could hold. Allison helped him to his feet. His weakened body shook as it tried to support itself. He asked her, “Wha…what’s happening, Allison?” His breaths were still heavy and deep. She said, “There is too much to explain in what little time we have.” “But…I don’t underst…” She brought a finger to his lips and hushed him. Her hand caressed his cheek and he pressed himself into her palm. “You’re almost done, honey. You can go home soon, promise, but first you need to be cleansed.” “Cleansed?” “Yes, there’s something inside you. It needs to come out.” “Okay. What do I do?” “Just close your eyes.” He did as she said. She dug her hand into his chest. Isaac felt nothing. She grasped his heart and squeezed as hard as she could. Dusky muck gushed out from it. When she drained it, she let it go and pulled her hand out of him. Her arm had begun to change into a ghostly apparition. “Isaac, when I tell you to, I need you to take as deep a breath as you can.” “Okay.” Allison waited until she had become spectral then she leaned in close to Isaac. “Now.” She kissed him and Isaac drew her in like the most perfect aroma he had ever experienced. Isaac opened his eyes and Allison was gone.

  An incredible pain shot through his abdomen. He fell to his knees and grabbed at his stomach. Tar spewed from his mouth in bursts and pooled on the ground before him. The vomiting left him shaking and struggling to catch his breath. Bubbles began to rise to the sludge puddle’s surface. Faster and faster they rose, breached, and burst. Isaac watched the tar with fear filled eyes. A surge of smoke erupted from it. Isaac threw his forearm up to shield his face. The thick smoke shrouded him and scratched at his eyes. He winced in pain. A voice called to him from one side then from the other. “Isaac,” it chanted as it circled him. He hesitantly opened his eyes. The smoke had cleared and before him stood Allison.

  “Hello, Isaac.” She took a step forward and he took a step back. “What’s wrong, honey?” “You’re not Allison,” he replied as he watched her apprehensively. “What are you talking about? It’s me, I love you Isaac.” “No! You’re not Allison!” He backed away, afraid to take his eyes off, this thing that was masquerading as his lover. It took another step closer and Isaac picked a rock from off the ground and chucked it at her. The rock smashed into its leg and cracked it. Black puss oozed out and slid down to the floor. Unfazed by its fissured leg, it continued on towards Isaac. Step after step the cracks grew and spread down to feet and up to hips. The creature pushed on eager to get to Isaac. Isaac continued to back away as he stared at the grotesque imposter. He picked up heavy rocks and threw them striking the creature several times. He shattered one of its legs and forced it to drag itself in its relentless pursuit. “Where are you going, Isaac!?” Puss seeped from its mouth and a sickening gurgle was heard with every word it spoke. “Help me, Isaac! It hurts!” Isaac tripped over one of the large boulders that littered the cliff top. The creature pulled itself faster at him. Isaac scrambled to his feet and placed his hands underneath the boulder. His tired muscles strained as they pulled the rock from the ground and up to his clavicle. He hurled it at the creature. The boulder crashed into its skull and a brilliant flash of white light flooded the world.

  Isaac tried bringing up his arms to block out the intense light, but they were strapped down at the wrist. He pulled harder and harder to no avail. He tried to kick his legs, but they too were also restrained. The bed he was laying on rattled under his thrashing. The world around him blurred into focus as his eyes adjusted to the white room. He stopped to catch his breath and look around. The room he was in was small, no bigger than a jail cell, and empty except for his bed. There were no doors that he could see. “Hello?” His question bounced around the small space. A section of wall directly in front on him seemed to vanish as it slid into itself. Red streaks on the outside wall spelled out, 192 Will Save Us All.

  Isaac saw movement on the edge of the doorway. “Who’s there?” He jerked his arms. “Can you help me? Please?” Small hands gripped the doorway and a little head peeked into his room. “Hey, can you help me?” Isaac said. The stranger retreated back out of sight. “Don’t go! I’m trapped here!” Again the eyes peered into his room. “Hey, what’s your name? My name is Isaac.” A little girl stepped into view. “My name’s Marcy.” “Hi Marcy, can you go get somebody to help me?” “No.” Her answer caught him off guard, “Why not?” “Cause all the people are sleeping and none of them will wake up.” Isaac shot a quick glance up at the crimson writing on the wall. “Marcy, where are we?” She thought about it for a couple seconds, “Umm, underground I think. My mom called this place a bunker.” “Where is your mom?” She pulled a lanyard out from under her dirty, blue smock and rubbed the identification card that was attached to it, “I don’t know.” Isaac knew that feeling all to well. “Marcy, if you let me out of here I’ll help you find your mom.” Her face lit up with excitement. “Really!?” “Yes, I promise.” She rushed over to him. “Just unclasp my right arm and I can do the rest.” “Okay!” She wrestled with the strap and set his arm free. He unclasped the rest. The skin on his wrists and ankles was tender from having rubbed against the nylon restraints. “Let me see that card that’s around your neck.” She held the card away from him. “Don’t worry, I will give it right back.” She lifted it up over her head and wiped the card with her dress. “Here.” “Thank you.” He smiled at her.

  The picture on the card turned his body cold. “Marcy?” His heart pounded in his chest and his hands began to sweat. “Yes?” “Is this your mother?” “Yeah, why?” Isaac looked at the small child. He wondered how he didn’t notice it sooner, “Because, Marcy, we are looking for the same person.”

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  Here is a preview of my upcoming story! Enjoy!
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  (Currently untitled, not completely proofread, and still subject to change)

  A big, blue hand crept out from behind a massive tree trunk. Its fingers had cones of bone where their tips should be. They looked like fat caterpillars with ivory stingers huddling together for warmth on the damp bark. The hand sunk slightly into the tree; the trees here were always somewhat damp. The bark squished under its grip and fell apart as it moved away. It shook off any that latched onto it and traveled further down the trunk so it could support the creature that it was attached to. An enormous pair of round, golden eyes edged out from behind the tree. Their surfaces swirled like the sun’s and seemed to contain every shade of yellow within them. These incredible eyes were set deep in the face of a giant. His turquoise skin glowed softly under the serene, luminous orbs that hovered among the treetops. If not for the many orbs and their soothing, orange-yellow radiance then the forest would be a dark place for the trees grew tall and their branches wide and interwoven into one another giving the hard sunlight no room to pass through. The forest looked as if the earth had birthed powerful arms for the sole purpose of keeping the green sky from falling. Wide leaves grew from sturdy branches, sturdy branches webbed out from wooden palms, and wooden palms flowed down to thick forearms that hugged the ground with stout roots which dug deep into the fertile soil. From the soil grew not only the great arms of wood, but a blanket of pillow like grass with azure tulips strewn throughout it. Like sapphire beacons, the tulips commanded attention in the drab yellow hue of the forest, but the giant was familiar with their grace and only focused on the task at hand.

  He stared out at a fiery scene that was the remnants of a lightning strike. Charred branches and crisp leaves lay in piles on the blackened earth. Flames danced in his eyes and smoke rolled in the middle of it all. Sunlight raced down the path the lightning had carved through the treetops; this was the only time it ever entered the forest. It lit up the debris with godlike intensity. The giant left the cover of the tree to investigate. His figure resembled that of a thimble. His legless body brushed against the grassy floor as he glided over it. A few tulips bent briefly under him. Their blue petals vanished against his skin. He stopped in front of the debris and proceeded to dig his calloused hands into it. He brushed aside the branches with ease. The wrinkles around his eyes multiplied as he searched through the burnt wood. He opened his mouth from time to time to blow the dark smoke away from his face. His cracked lips stretched around his two white tusks when he did this. The tusks jutted out from his lower jaw and curved up in between each eye. They were magnificent in their curvature and were most likely nurtured by the loving light of his golden eyes. A large, clay-colored bug flew up to him and landed on his head with a thud. He didn’t flinch under its weight. Its four stubby legs dug gently into his smooth skin. It tapped on his head with a leathery thorax that resembled a dehydrated chili pepper. He responded with a quick grunt. The bug proceeded to rest upon him, keeping its short, fat antennae vigilant.