Call to Action

Prologue
I sleep to live, but am living towards death. I rush to rise, but am sinking towards haste. I am called to eat; I am called to drink — must I answer every call?
Chapter 1
I awaken each morning to an assault, this morning is no different. The attack feeds my temper and stings my ears — it is a necessity. I am not eager to rise, yet from deep within there exists a calling stirring me into action; to ignore this would be a regrettable offense. I must move; I must make progress, for existence, as I know it, depends on it. With eyes yet opened I begin my journey — step after belabored step. The daylight has little respect for my closed lids; it forces its way through in a blatant attempt to blind me. I do not know why the light bares such hatred towards me, but this transgression will not soon be forgotten. I digress; I am suddenly baptized in a blanket of errant waste. “Such an immediate onslaught of the senses?!” I had not trained for this. I can feel my mind hastily slipping. I tell myself, “Keep it together, man! You were born for this!” It seems that my legs did not receive the message, and I fall helplessly to my knees. There is little I can do in the face of such overwhelming adversity. I was once told as a child that we are faced with challenges to prove our convictions. So, with a heavy heart, I press on.
Chapter 2
Woeful tears fill my eyes as I work to rise to my feet. The rancid atmosphere has different plans, though. It’s desire — my total defeat. The odorous beast works to force me down into complete submission. Its efforts are not in vein. My knees, once again, begin to buckle. The weight is proving to be too great. One of my knees is on the brink of collapse. “No! Not again!” I place my right hand on the ground for support, but in that brief instant I feel a minute evil scurry across my hand. This sickens me to the point of nausea. That is when I realize the horror of my situation. I have fallen into the deepest, darkest cesspool imaginable. “If this isn’t hell, I don’t know what is!” That thought rings between my ears. Not only is the atmosphere rank, but I am surrounded by the creatures from men’s nightmares. “What have I gotten myself into?”
Chapter 3
The ground is a living blanket of filth. Each step is deliberate and precise. I can hear them scurrying about — squirming and wriggling. By chance, at this time, my stomach is empty. If there had been even the slightest bit of contents, it would have been expelled onto the floor immediately. This would have only given the creatures nourishment. The thought of this disturbs and angers me. Their existence offends me, as my existence mocks their own. There is but one bond that I and these creatures mutually share; that bond is hatred. Our worlds should never meet, but cruel fate has thrown us together. Against all odds, I have once again managed to work myself upright. Now, the true battle begins.
Chapter 4
My perception of time has vanished. Spatial awareness is also slipping. “When will it all end?! When will my journey be complete?” It feels as though I am losing myself in this deplorable pit. I must dig ever deeper to gain the strength to persevere. This is a task easier said than it is done. My body has become stiff. My joints feel tight and un-worked. This has become a battle that I am not fighting with the creatures or my surroundings, but with myself. If I am to succeed, I must reignite the torch that lives within me. Evil, though, has a way of making even the brightest flame appear to be but a dim flicker. I press on.
Chapter 5
Searching, searching and desperately searching. I know I do not have much time remaining, and I still have yet to find it. “I know I can make it! It won’t end like this!” I say this, but will my ever present foes overcome me? Doubt, once again, takes root in my heart. As moths drawn to a flame, I feel my enemies draw nearer. It is said that a shark can smell a single drop of blood in the ocean from miles away. Well, it is not blood that has aroused the dark intent of my adversaries, but my wavering resolve. Just when the end begins to feel eminent, I am struck with an idea, “My eyes! I could reach my goal if I opened my eyes!” Yes, it just might work. However, will the light, in this moment as well, be my adversary? There is but only one way to find out.
Chapter 6
One hundred lifetimes worth of words would fail to describe the unspeakable images that forced their way into my mind. It was a reality that no being should ever see. It was a reality I could only pray to forget. The one and only benefit is that light has a meager presence in this realm. I am spared one pain, though, just to be handed another. While the light has feigning presence, shadowing much of the area, it is what is hidden from my vision that I fear the most. I am all but paralyzed in this forced sensory overload. The tears that I once wiped away are welling up once more. I struggle to see my destination, but blurred vision and muted light are a matrimonial duo impeding any progress. I tell myself, “Calm down. You are closer than it feels. Just relax and focus.” The moment this thought drifts from my mind, a calm wave surges through me. The rushed blinking that once blurred my sight has ceased. With this, my eyes gradually adjust to the gloomy atmosphere, and I am granted a hazy vision of my destination. “Yes, almost there!” Ecstasy rushes through me, but I must not move forth hastily.
Chapter 7
How much time has passed? No man can ever truly know, for time is a sultry illusion; enticing us with hope, then cursing us with despair. My time on this journey has come to an end. Thoughts of past struggles begin to flood my mind as summer rain on an arid plain. All of the pain, doubt and fear that once gripped me begin to loosen their hold. They flow through, releasing themselves from my body; leaving me both relieved and fulfilled. “Ahhhh!” The joy is exultation coursing towards infinity. I have reached my destination; I have answered the call. I fix my eyes in the direction of full light. That is where my journey continues. A ball of warmth begins to grow in my chest. It is a sensation that I had forgotten through the many perils and tribulations of this journey, but I welcome it as an old friend — it is hope. I have lingered long enough in this realm of shadows and filth. I cleanse my hands of this place, and take my leave. My stomach growls with a low rumble as if an angry beast. There is a new call to be answered.
Epilogue
I should really clean my bathroom…
