- Next: Chapter 3 The Next Day
Chapter 2 A Voice in the Head
A few flashes from the night went through Dante's head as his loud scream from before now forced him awake. He was in his bed and perfectly fine. He had overslept as he noticed the clock past 3pm. He checked his phone and was late for a date with Jasmine, he rushed himself to the bathroom.
Jasmine was very calm and nonchalant- as she walked block-by-block in the city with Dante -in a desperate search for trendy goods. He was otherwise elsewhere and very suspicious having her so casual and unaware. He really wanted to open up and talk, but not like this; it was hard to communicate his concerns with her. He was fully aware of the prior events and confused by her ignorance. On the other hand, her blissfulness was quite amusing as she carried on to another window full of pricey apparels. Jasmine fluttered about with her eyes, "Doesn't this look good Dante?" Yet again, he was unfocused to her words and instead fully aware of all other surroundings. He knew it was rude but his head spanned a lineage of questions. Inside his head was a puzzle and with millions of unsorted pieces. In fact, each piece was just a beaten down question spun and postponed for a more convenient date.
Jasmine stopped in-front of a bench and an elderly women just happened to pass by and take a seat. Dante opened his mouth, but no words seemed to form. He just glanced at the old lady sitting next to Jasmine and she glanced along with him. "You seem a little odd today. Let's go back if you're sick." Dante calmed the puzzle that was his brain and opened his mouth, "It's not that...it's simply nothing." From the distance the sun was the highest it would be for the remainder of the day as it gave out a tinted aurora of orange and jasmine yellow. The two continued making rounds down the busy market street of the puzzling city. They walked a little further and had come to an empty corner. Jasmine took a second to figure out the next destination. Dante stared off into the distance and felt a sensation coming from the building across from them. An unheard voice spoke to him and he could feel it, a push, all the way to the very inch of his soul. A thought, most likely mistranslated, popped into his head, "Find us. Find us here, we are waiting." Dante's heart began racing faster and faster. His attention was now focused squarely on what his next actions would be. "Jasmine humor me for a second, let's try and check out that place over there." Dante walked straight ahead and grabbed her arm as he went. He knew exactly where he was headed and his emotions grew stronger as much as his legs could stretch and stride allowing a quicker pace. Jasmine's eyes opened up and she gave a short smile, "I guess you're awake now."
What lay before them was a giant building and stuffed into the corner of the trashy end of the market street; naturally a few blocks from the business district. Several strong and ancient looking pillars held the outward part of the front entrance. These pillars bared no immediate value except the aesthetics of a long lost history. A few miscreants and drifters huddled underneath the entrance of this place. They tended to lean against the walls and pillars for shelter. These abandoned people looked dead, and yet, somewhat full of a small erratic spark through their watery eyes. Dante and Jasmine came upon the stubble marble of the entrance way as they walked past the beggars and carried on into the building dead into its center. Inside, right at the heart, books covered every distance imaginable. Books were scattered all about as occupied people huddled around specific odds and ends. They appeared to be in a library, but also some kind of hybrid convenience store for the select few. Jasmine found something interesting to read on the second floor as Dante concentrated harder and started looking around for the voice to make an appearance. As he looked everywhere, running about, nothing was gained and only time lost. He was beginning to lose himself as his pace waned, but he was not tired, only stressed as he continued his search. He gave another look up to his girl and decided to slip out for some air and reevaluate his situation.
Outside, a disillusioned Dante leaned up against one of the large beams not inhabited by anyone. He took in a cool breath of fresh air and closed his eyes. The first thought that came to mind was his father who taught him a few techniques for communication with and without the use of ones tongue. Dante began silently chanting to ease his mind. The very words uttered was of a phrase his father had spoken on more than one occasion as a calming technique; some kind of internal peace.
"I am you and you are me. We are one together. The creator is good."
He slowly calmed himself as he repeated this chant. His heartbeat eased down a level or two and his mind opened up. "They want me to find them. Wouldn't they be somewhere...maybe," Dante stopped all thought, and a light had immediately lit in his mind. He opened his eyes and looked to his far right. He noticed a dirty sidewalk and a handful of homeless people scattered around. Past a pillar with a group of people he noticed a man against the wall of the building he was just inside. He gazed deeper. This man, giant like, had an odd way about him. His aura was that of a familiar appearance and mood. Dante headed towards this man, his calling. In the most casual way he could, Dante, slipped to this man's side. The unknown giant was in some kind of trance, but at first glance Dante noticed his white rags and small staff. The man opened his eyes and Dante looked right up at him. Dante noticed a woman to his right. This was another giant like person and she had purplish dark skin with darkish vine-like hair. She gave a smile as she peered at Dante, but his focus shifted back to this mysterious man. For a split second, Dante felt a great sensation in his lungs and than he took in a deep breath. A mere glance from this man was causing Dante breathing troubles. He relaxed a bit more as his arms seemed to slightly rise up. His eyes locked on and his mouth shifted to a slight smile. The man got up and swiftly moved with the wind. Dante was pulled along with this man's current and like a feather attached to a bird, he was swiftly carried off. The woman followed in close third. His world was beginning to break up as they moved at a high speed. He gave one more look around and noticed another giant, covered in a rag like robe, next to a pillar who opened his arms wide to Dante. Now, with the robe open, his whole body could be seen as a large stone like head with flames which spun in circles like a greeting. Dante had vanished into thin air, with the three mysterious people along with him.
Jasmine put her hand against the glass back inside the building. She was looking directly down to where Dante was. She had an empty expression but her hand quickly turned into a strong fist of an unread emotion. Her fist opened up and her face gained a swift stream of life.
- Next: Chapter 3 The Next Day
0 comments:
Post a Comment