FICTION
Awake
And seeking reality
Chapter 5
Several weeks pass, but stateside, Howard bruits over Chase remaining in Transylvania. His buddies, harassment, and teasing do little to sway his seated dogmata. Leaving no man behind is a permanent part of his life, active duty, or retirement.
Howard lets them call him Nancy Boy, bitch, softy, and other less flattering phrases while ignoring the badgering because he has decided to return and knows he needs their buy-in. Howard is committed and tough-skinned enough to swallow their insults while securing their help. He refuses to admit it to himself, but the thought of returning to that forest scares the crap out of him.
Once back in the U.S., there was no celebration like other return home parties, no glory time drinking nights with the lads laughing over the experience. The subject is never mentioned or spoken of by the others but
Howard talks about Chase more frequently as time presses on. He is the only one speaking of the place of fear they all escaped.
The men want to log the experience and move on to the next adventure. Have zero interest in returning or admitting they are still suffering nightmares. Unable to wrap their brain around what happened, they are unwilling to face it again. Howard alone has a sense of responsibility, for he told Chase he would return in the morning.
Howard’s nagging little voice tells him he must return to Transylvania because something is off. Since it has served him well, saving his life before ever entering the forest, he listens. He knows the place is a house of cards.
He must find a way to convince everyone there is good reason to return. He worries this could tear the group apart, but he must try.
Chase is clueless about Howard’s intentions while becoming accustomed to the forest and the company of Claire. Time is fluidly passing for him without the interruption of visits from outsiders. Claiming the area around the fire pit to be his own, he has overlooked returning home with his findings.
His friends back home have not forgotten, and after nearly ten weeks, their concern grows alarmingly. Chase has stayed longer than predicted but rarely returns home in the projected time frame. His friends sit on pins and needles, wondering if they are over-anxious or if Chase will ever return home.
Mmmmmm, I stretch my arms to the sky in contentment, like the moment after a lover has drained you to your core. I am exhausted, but with an overwhelming fulfillment of joy, I lower my arms.
When I first arrived here, I was a coward, like a child afraid of the darkness and all that goes bump, in the night. My friends will have to wait to hear about my adventures.
Looking over at the trees intertwining like lovers in dance, I recall my first impression of them. My first thought, they appeared skeletal against the pale sky as a makeshift kids’ play stage. I was spooked, fearful the house had a life of its own and eyes to keep a view of my every action. I recognized a certain charm about the place then, but the fear stifled it, and now it seems my second home.
Another beautiful night, but I can not recall how many I have had here. The sky is a majestic canvas of stars painting the heavens while striking the thought from my head. I must not concern myself with such trivial matters. A concern swallowed up before it could take hold, then soon forgotten, is becoming commonplace for me. At times I believe someone or something is manipulating me. I always come back to everything I need is here, and I have no reason to worry.
“It is gorgeous, is it not?”
I glance over and am pleased to find Claire standing before me.
“A wonderful addition to the scenery,” I reply.
“Chase, stop.”
She is no girl to me. How do I find the words to tell her?
Claire’s face displays embarrassment and guilt as if she is hiding something.
“Have you come to join me?”
I stare intently, trying to read her thoughts before she replies.
Slowly she looks to the ground responding shyly.
“Sorry, No. My Aunt asked me to bring you some soup.”
Odd, she seems as if she wants to be anywhere but beside me.
I notice the bowl she holds between her slender fingers. A fool am I, falling for her only after her Aunt gave fair warning. Originally thinking how ludicrous a statement it was then, but now I can not remember why.
My heart wants what the heart wants without regard for circumstance or response. The Aunt knew this before me. Could she be playing on my emotions? I question if my feelings are real, but the pain beating within me makes it seem so.
“Excuse me, king Chase, do you plan on taking this hot soup from me anytime soon, or do you expect me to grovel at your feet like a servant?”
I spring up and make my way near her. She has the faint smell of wildflower and rose, making me want to linger.
“Careful!”
She is simply adorable, doe-eyed as if she is still discovering the wonders of living each day. I digress, thinking of the dream my first night here. Be still my heart.
“Chase?”
“Sorry.”
I take the bowl from her and walk to my resting place behind the fire pit. Set the bowl down because it is burning my hands. Then wonder why she seems unaffected.
“Claire, do you think it possible to stay with me while I have my soup?”
She looks away, then quickly answers.
“Perhaps later.”
Have I offended her, or has she tired of me fawning over her?
She heads toward the house, slowly fading with each step that draws her nearer to it. I am stunned, wondering how it is possible. I think back to my first night and wonder how I never begrudged her after she toyed with me so. I am confused about her fading like an apparition.
Watching her wander off, she looks very much like my first love, and after further thought, the Aunt looks like the mother of my first love. Odd and coincidental, buts it certainly is not anything to be concerned over. As quickly as the thought arrived, it vanished.
The longer I stay, the less anything concerns me.
The soup has cooled enough for me to hold the bowl comfortably. The flames from the fire make the vegetable colors pop against the darkness of the beef broth. The soup is delicious, especially since it feels like I have not eaten for days, but I know better. The broth is thick and rich and fills like a meal. I wonder where they are getting their vegetables. I did not notice a garden or farmland in any of my walks.
Setting the bowl down, I check my backpack and find I am out of power bars and water. I make a mental note to get water in the morning. I must have mentioned it to Claire. I get the craziest feeling while zipping my backpack closed. I feel as if I have checked and found it lacking before. Soon the memory of checking is gone.
I am warm and happy beside the fire pit. Is there anything more I need than a sky of stars and moon? Lately, even the smallest of tasks render me exhausted. I am sure it has something to do with my weight loss since arriving. I will most definitely see my doctor.
Again I feel deja vu, believing I was concerned over my weight loss and exhaustion before this moment. I lay my head against the backpack, letting the worry slip away. Now is not the time to be concerned. A slight breeze brushes my face, making me quiver.
“Hey, lazy bones, what’s up? You going to sleep already?”
Claire sits beside me. Odd, I notice she resembles an old girlfriend of mine.
“Just resting my eyes. I didn’t think you were coming back tonight.”
“Chase, you hardly touched your soup. You must eat. What will the others think if you waste away to nothing.”
She follows her question with a laugh, sending a chill up my spine.
“What shall I tell my Aunt?”
“Enough already.”
I sit up, grab the bowl and drink some of the soup.
I stop short as my stomach has no room for it.
“I’m stuffed.”
I lay back down into a deep unnatural sleep.
Nightmares plague me with visions of Claire and her Aunt doing me harm. I awake in the early morning with an urgency to relieve myself.
Walk a few hundred yards before my pants begin slipping down. I disappear into the thick forest, then collect vines to act as a belt once finished.
Heading back towards the house, I realize how much weight I have lost. I’m feeling poorly quite regularly and often dizzy. It is time for me to pack up and head home. I have no idea how long I have been here. My clothes condition and the odor following me indicate much longer than I intended.
Back at the fire pit, I grab my backpack deciding to return to the river. I can refill my water containers, wash up and clean my clothes. I draw a blank when I try to recall what I have been up to. Focusing on my time here only seems to block my memories further. I head out in search of the river once more.
Feeling an itch, I scratch my chin but am surprised to find an overgrown heavy beard. I once more am stunned over how long I have been here. I walk, knowing small scissors and a few razor blades will make taming the facial hair a challenge.
Progressing maybe eight hundred yards, I suffer a headache, nosebleed, and nausea. I sit down to look through my backpack for ibuprofen. I find a new container of Tic-Tacs. Yum, minty fresh breath in the middle of a haunted forest. A small bottle of Gatorade, a small jar of peanut butter, a package of cheese peanut butter crackers, a Nestle crunch bar, jars of dried fruit, coconut milk, cashews, and a bottle of aspirin. I have visions of the dreaded Christmas fruit cake for a second.
Then Soap, Shampoo, and other miscellaneous products I can not eat.
I am somewhat flabbergasted at everything I found in the bag. I take two aspirin with coconut milk. Eat some crackers to prevent the aspirin from burning a hole in my stomach.
Giving the aspirin time to work, I wonder why I have food products left but have lost so much weight. I did not consume my supplies even with being thirsty and sometimes starving. I fail to understand as it makes no sense to me.
My headache begins to subside, and I start walking again, but unfortunately, the nosebleed worsens. I have to stuff a rolled-up tissue in one nostril. I laugh, imagining how I must look as I walk through the forest. An hour and a half pass, and I am so thirsty I down half a bottle of Gatorade. I begin to feel human again.
Then just how long I have been in Transylvania begins to sink in. What I have been doing for two and a half months is a mystery. I can remember bits and pieces but nothing solid. Being in the house meeting people, but no ghosts that I remember. The house looks ready to fall, so I find it hard to believe I have ever entered.
I remember meeting Santa Clause. I check my arms, legs, head, and body for wounds, thinking I might have a fever. Aside from being disgustingly dirty and stinking, I seem to be healthy. I notice something in my peripheral vision and slowly turn to the right. Just below the tree line, there is a roundish light following me. I finish off the Gatorade and open another can of coconut milk. I can not quench my thirst.
Something about this seems familiar, and I am more curious than fearful. I reach down to pick up a rock to toss at it but stop cold. I feel I shouldn’t, and that it is a terrible idea. Then my forehead begins to twitch. I continue walking briskly, trying to arrive at the river before dark. I can see the orb following out of the corner of my eye.
Even after the snacks, aspirin, and drink, I feel weak and exhausted. I am so thirsty, but with only two small cans of coconut milk left, I need to conserve until I am riverside.
I push on, my pace slowing as I continue. Wondering what that globe is up to and why it follows me. What is it, and is it safe, or does it mean harm? I wish I had some chewing gum.
I can feel the air cooling as my body tries to compensate. The chill seems to pierce my skin and travel into my bones. I promise myself a fire once I reach the river.
Howard decides to bite the bullet and see if he can convince his mates a rescue is necessary. First, he will need to butter them by interesting them with a trip to the shooting range. Then dinner at their favorite pub for a night of food, alcohol, and comradely. But they are no fools, and Howard must be careful how he asks for their help.
Cato is the first to smell the ploy before they leave the house.
“Howard, please tell me you’re not bringing Chase up again?”
Cato glares at Howard.
“Cato, being afraid is understandable, I am uncomfortably scared myself.”
“Damn it, Howard, let it go.”
Cato pushes the storm door open so forcibly that it tears from its hinges. The other men turn to face Cato and Howard.
“You are fixing that since it is the third time you broke it in a year.”
Howard laughs to keep it light.
Cato doesn’t respond and walks past the men to get in the hummer. Howard tears the storm door from the house, leans it against the siding, locks the entry door, and heads to the truck.
“Everybody AIS” he yells.
The men all get into the vehicle quickly and quietly.
Howard starts the hummer, closes his door, and screeches the tires pulling away. No one utters a word.
Chase’s friend Maddy phones his parents to see if they have heard from him since he left for Transylvania. She and his other mates have already agreed they may have to make a trip to find him if no one has heard anything.
They are all sitting around her living room, listening to the phone ring on speakerphone. The floor’s littered with luggage filled with clothes and supplies. There is worry and concern across all their faces as they listen to each ring of the line.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Mrs. E, it’s Maddy”
“Maddy! so good to hear from you. Certainly, been a while, honey. Has my son finally sprung the question?”
Everyone in the room is looking at each other confused.
Her friend Ann whisper’s to her husband, “They must not know.”
“Oh dear, has he gotten you in trouble, sweat child?”
There is an outburst of laughter in the room for a short moment.
“Mrs. E, you are on speakerphone, and all our friends are here. No, to either question.”
“Sorry, Maddy, Hello, everyone.”
Then commotion on the other end of the line with the sound of approaching footsteps and talking.
“Hello, Madeline, he doesn’t deserve you. Plenty of fish, dear.”
“Yes, Mr. E. Have you heard from Chase since he left for Transylvania?”
“No Maddy, but you know how he is. Just a minute.”
Paper rustles as Mrs. E gets back on the line.
“We didn’t realize so much time had passed, I am a little worried.”
“Don’t worry, going to meet Chase. I am dragging him back here and popping the question myself.”
Again everyone in the room is looking around as if they are completely baffled.
“OK, Dear, please keep us posted, and let us know if you need anything.”
As the dial tone fills the room, a tall, dark, handsome man stands, collects his luggage then walks up to Maddy. He kisses her forehead, says goodbye, and leaves.
Ann tells her husband she thinks the gentleman is being a little dramatic since it is obvious Maddy was trying to calm Chase’s parents.
Maddy hangs up the phone bursting into tears, then quickly walks into her bedroom with Ann close behind.
The room is silent as everyone tries to figure out what is happening. Maddy and Chase have not been seeing each other for nearly three months. Their separation was the reason Chase had traveled.
Maddy is a mess as Ann tries to calm her.
“Maddy, it is going to be all right. We will find Chase, and you can explain to Rick during the flight.”
“I am pregnant.”
“Congratulations Maddy.”
“Chase is the father.”
Ann remains silent, stunned, and slowly sits on the bed.
