No Such Thing ::Chapter 1::

Autumn used to be my favorite time of year, but not any more. Now it’s just a reminder of what lurks out there. A reminder of something of another world I just happened to glimpse, and touch. And now...it’s been ripped from the deepest part of my soul and nailed to the wall of Society’s Ignorance. It’s just a reminder, you see, of something that happened to me exactly two years ago right in that very forest just over that peek. People might call it the supernatural, some might blame it on the aliens, others would tell you I’m crazy, that I’m seeing things. Maybe I am. But I don’t think so.1

I could tell you this story a million times over, repeating every little detail, nook and cranny, and you still would not believe me. They didn’t believe me. That’s why I’m here. “The Aileste Isle Institution for the Mentally Unwell” that’s what they call it. A fancy name meaning nothing more than a place they, the “normal” people, stuff all the crazy people so they don’t have to face reality. A pretty dumb idea if you ask me. Things always have a way of getting out no matter how many times you lock the box and throw away the key.2

They say what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Well, I’m dead not yet. Neither is my story, neither are They. 3

Ya, you heard me right, Them. 4

If they heard me talking about Them, I’d never see daylight again. But I don’t care. I don’t exactly live what you would call a normal life, or any life for that matter.5

I’ve told my story a thousand times there, and a thousand times here. I’ve told it so many times, over and over, and over, it makes me dizzy. Just thinking about what happened on that October night makes the butterflies in my stomach dance with anticipation. I’ve repeated the story several times to myself, and every time I do, I know I sound crazy. And I know it’s hard for you to believe I’m not. 6

You say you do? Really? You believe me? I think not. Your eyes speak a whole different message.7

But you’re curious anyway? Ah...oh, well. I’ve told this story a million times. But I guess one more wouldn’t hurt....8