Beyond the Island
by John W. Steele
Chapter 22
Young Brian Mudd is proud of his ability to travel in the astral realms — until he encounters Lord Nagual, who prefers to be called “Max.” Brian becomes Max’s apprentice and finds him a harsh, even cruel master but nonetheless an effective instructor. Meanwhile, Brian is taken with Karen Frost, with whom he feels he has a karmic link. And Brian’s karma is trouble.
Sunday morning arrived right on time. When I awoke, my ears screamed like tormented goblins. I felt exhausted, as though a succubus had drained all the energy from my spirit during the night. I couldn’t face the reality now just a few hours away. I paced about the lodge, and my mind burned with a sense of guilt and despair. The demons were impossible to overcome.
Out of desperation, I sat in front of the television like a mindless idiot. The colors on the screen appeared as human shapes, and I surrendered my awareness to the comfort of the mind-sucking vacuum. Several times, I thought I heard the phone ring but the sound came from somewhere in another world, and I ignored it.
The state of hypnosis felt soothing and relieved the burden of thought. I stared at men chasing a ball, and for a time, reality evaporated. Somewhere near the crest of the mountain, there occurred an enormous clap of thunder that shook me from my doleful reverie. I thought it strange because, when I looked out the window, the day was gorgeous and vibrant with sunshine. I glanced at the clock. It was nearly 3 pm.
The leaden hour had arrived. I wanted to pray but I couldn’t find the tongue for it. I picked up the phone and called Karen. When she answered, she sounded distressed.
“What’s the matter?” I asked. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m so glad you called, Brian. I’ve been trying to reach you. I need to talk to you.”
“What is it, Karen. I’m listening?”
“I don’t want to discuss this on the phone. It’s too frightening. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“Why don’t you come over now, Karen? I’ll have everything ready. Do you want me to come and get you?”
“No. I think I’ll be alright. I’m not sure what happened but I’m scared. I don’t know where else to turn.”
“Do you feel you’re in any danger? Because if you do, I’ll...”
“No, no, Brian, it’s nothing like that. I’ll tell you about it when I see you. I’ll be there in about an hour. Goodbye.”
I built a fire, then walked over to the bar and uncorked a bottle of wine. Like a senseless zombie, I opened the packet of green powder Lord Nagual had given me and emptied the contents into Karen’s drink.
I paced back and forth until I heard the whine of her Beemer in the front of the lodge. When I opened the door, the sunlight exploded in her beautiful blond hair. Its effect was dazzling. She wore a red, black, and yellow sundress, and the alluring lines of her figure ignited the primal urge inside me. She looked gorgeous. I couldn’t help myself, and we flew into each other’s arms. We kissed passionately, and I grew aroused.
“Oh, Brian, I’m so glad to see you. You’ll never know how much this means to me.”
I could see in her eyes that she was shaken. I noticed her hands were trembling.
“Come over and sit down, Karen. Let me get you a drink.”
We walked over to the couch, and I handed her the goblet I had prepared. She looked at it a moment, then closed her eyes and took a long swallow.
“Now, tell me what happened.” I said.
“It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever known. I couldn’t sleep last night. I tossed and turned until around three a.m. I’ve suffered with insomnia for years, but this time it was different. I stared up at the ceiling, and suddenly it began to vibrate. The ceiling gave way, and I found myself in another place. The intensity of this experience was more vivid than what I feel right now.”
“What were you doing in this place?” I asked.
“I was with a group of young women. A huge castle burned before us, and we chanted in the light of the towering flames.”
“Well that’s not too strange. You should see some of my hallucinations.”
“Please don’t joke about this, Brian. I’m terribly upset about it.”
“I wasn’t joking. Sometimes I think that life is just a hallucination.”
Karen searched my eyes and went on with her tale. “The flames had erupted through gaping holes in the roof. The entire fortress was ablaze in a glowing inferno.”
“Well, that’s not really odd, Karen. Fires happen all the time.”
“Yes, but I could see through the flames deep inside the castle. Now here’s where it gets weird. In the middle of the fortress stood a man with a child in his arms. The man held the child close to his chest in an attempt to protect it from the blaze.”
“ I’m with you, Karen, but so far it just sounds like a terrible nightmare.”
“But that’s not all, Brian. The man in the castle was you, and the child in your arms was our son.”
“I’m not sure I follow you,” I said.
“I don’t know why but suddenly I came to my senses as if I’d emerged from a terrible hex. I wanted to try and save you. When I tried to run into the house, the women restrained me. I fought them off and charged inside. I ran through the flames. The fire burned my flesh and blistered my skin, but nothing could stop me, and I made it to you. We threw our arms around each other and tried to protect our son. You and the boy were blinded by the smoke and nearly overcome, and I wanted to lead us out of the fire, but the roof collapsed, and we perished in the blaze.”
Karen began to weep. She reached out, and we held each other close. “Oh, Brian, I’m so glad you’re safe. They say that there is no such thing as love at first sight... but they must be mistaken because I loved you the first time I saw you.”
I held her close and never wanted to let her go.
“I don’t know why, but I love you too, Karen. I think I’ve always loved you. Don’t be afraid, honey. I’ve had my share of nightmares. You’re here with me and you’re safe now.”
We kissed passionately and my hands explored the gentle swells of her body. We tugged at each other’s clothing. I had to have her and I forgot the scourge of our reality.
Karen broke away; she looked woozy. “I don’t know what’s come over me. I feel dizzy, like I’m gong to...” Her head fell to the side and a tiny trickle of drool dripped from the corner of her mouth.
The world froze in its orbit, and time ceased to exist. “No! You can’t have her.”
I fell to my knees and raised my fists over my head. In a lamentation that shook the walls, I cried, “You’re not taking her, you ungodly son of a bitch. I won’t allow it.”
Copyright © 2009 by John W. Steele
