Revelations (note: This is part of a longer story.)

REVELATIONS1

BY 2

JAMES ROCHON 3

A shadowy figure paces past a frosted window pausing now and then as though a strange dance is being performed.4

The Shadow then approaches the glass, a large black blob against its smoothness. Slowly, the glass of the door moves out towards a stark white hall. The shadow enters the hall looking fist left, then right. The light above making his soft and scholarly face, appear sickly.5

Closing the door behind him, the man puts his hands into the pockets of his long white coat. Pulling out a small device his eyes scan the screen. Then with a quiet sigh he walks off to the left with determination. All too soon he reaches a set of dark blue metal doors. Reaching out a hand the man places his right palm against it. A warm glow surrounds his hand and then a soft click is heard. The doors slide apart and allow the man to enter the hall, done in a light blue. The man turns left and quickens his pace. Soon he comes to a black and foreboding door; he touches it briefly and a soft chime is heard from within. Then the door opens with a soft whisper. Through the door is a room done up in a rich red wood. At the far end sits a black stone desk. No pictures sit on the desk, and the only other piece of furniture is a white well cushioned chair, a chair totally out of place in this dark room. 6

“You’re late.”7

“I do have work to do John.”8

“That you do.”9

“Okay so what’s so important that it can’t wait till morning?” 10

“I hear we’ve had a set back.”11

“It wouldn’t have been! I told you he wasn’t ready!”12

Not even a flicker of emotion crosses Johns’ dark calm face.13

“We’ve found another subject.”14

“Is that what you’re calling them now?”15

Still John shows no emotion. In fact he seems to be a statue carved from granite.16

“May I ask who it is?”17

“Of course; my friend it’s your son.”18

“What!”19

“Oh, do calm down. When he was here last we did a quick test.”20

“So what, only about 2 percent of the worlds’ population is acceptable. He can’t have met all of the conditions.”21

A slight smile plays across Johns’ lips.22

“He did meet 97 percent of them.”23

A shocked look crosses his face.24

“Look Alister it’s decided.”25

“But he’s young. He’s…”26

“Exactly. A young strong individual is just what we need.”27

“Maybe but he doesn’t pass enough of the requirements. We’ve always said they needed at least a 98.5%”28

“I told you it’s been decided.”29

“I’m still in charge of this project John. And, I won’t do it!”30

“You have that right Alister. However, you do know what that means.” With a slight gesture from his hand he points at Alisters’ right breast pocket.31

A glimmer of fear creeps into his eyes, as his hand goes to the pocket slowly pulling out a small vial. He scans the milky white contents within then drops it back into the pocket. With a sigh he says:32

“When?”33

“He’ll be here tomorrow my friend.”34

“That soon?”35

“Is that a problem?” There’s a slight change in Jonathon’s’ voice.36

“No. No I’ll be ready for him.”37

Stepeling his fingers John said: “Good. Until tomorrow then.”38

*39

A young woman walks slowly up a cold and lonely street. Her choice of clothing for this evening, more appropriate for summer, than winter. Quickening her pace as the wind begins to pick up, she turns down a darkened alley. The alley has a very unnatural feeling to it. The stone portrays a gothic look, very much like a comic book story. Trash is scattered through out, and strange sounds echo off of the stone. Rotten fruit and decaying paper add a very pungent perfume to this picturesque picture.40

Yet, despite all of this, the young woman continues to walk her chosen path. Her eyes move restlessly back and forth, from one wall to the other. She searches the refuse her body taught, as she searches for what’s hidden within the shadows. Her breathing begins to quicken as she hears a squeal to her left. Turning she sees two rats push away from a piece of dark food. The struggle last mere moments, as a flash of blood decides the victor. The women screams as she sees’ this unexpected bit of violence. With heart pounding she begins to run up the alley. After a few moments, she begins to slow and catch her breath. Sweat rolls down her back, as well as between her breasts. The wind again picks up with a fearsome howl. The cruel lash of cold causing the girl to whimper audibly through clenched teeth. Tears glisten in her eyes, and her mascara begins to run down her face, making her features appear clownish. Her features now appearing sinister. A noise ahead of her makes her look around for the source. A large shadow moves away from the wall and stumbles slightly towards her. Straining to see better she moves foreword a few steps.41

“One, two, buckle my shoe.” A harsh masculine voice sings in a whisper. Yet, it seems to echo through out the alley.42

“Who… what?” asks the girl confused. Still straining to see properly she moves closer to the source of this shadow.43

“Three, four, close the door.” Sings the voice.44

“Are you okay? Do you need help?”45

“Hey, lady, can you open the door?”46

As the girl gets closer she sees a well dressed man in a white trench coat. His hair is well groomed, and his face is clean shaven. This is a handsome man of middle age with only slightly graying black hair. A stocky and quite fit man of wealth. This was apparent by the watch chain at his waist and strangely cut ruby ring on his right hand.47

“Look I’m cold. How about we go some place and go and get warm?”48

“They won’t let me go. They don’t want me to skip any more.”49

The women sees’ only a child looking back at her. Innocence is painted in every corner of his face. His blue eyes are shiny and bright reflecting light like a cat or something even more sinister. She slowly reaches a hand to his face and hesitantly, brushes his cheek with her finger tips.50

“It’s okay, I’ll make you forget.” She whispers this almost fearfully.51

“Red rover, red rover, I call you over.”52

The lady continues on her way; her boots echoing ominously off the pavement and dark walls.53

“Hey lady I called you over.”54

The man’s dark manicured hand clamps down cruelly on the young woman’s blonde almost white hair.55

“Will you really keep me?” He asks harshly, with a hint of lust in his voice.56

“Can you really make me forget?”57

She struggles to escape his steel grip, but he only yanks her back. She begins to scream hysterically, and he reacts with the speed of a snake. His hand instantly clamps down on her mouth smearing her reddened lips. She begins to sob and collapse into the man, unsure what else she can do.58

“Nice girl.” The man pets her hair and speaks as though the girl is his favorite toy or beloved pet.59

“Shhh, it’s okay. I like you.” His left hand moves up to her ample sized breast and begins to fondle it roughly.60

Then the sound of a zipper being pulled down sounds unnaturally loud in the alley. He then proceeds to move against the girl in crude motions. Motions some would recognize as sex. He’s finished quickly, and soon forgets the girl. He stumbles away from her as though drunk, and staggers against the wall, using a trash can as support.61

‘The girl tries to compose herself as best she can. Tears fall unashamedly, from her eyes as her hands move towards her open purse. Small objects litter the immediate area, and she throws them into her bag. Finally, finishing her task she looks around her. The alley looks the same, dark, forbidding, and unwelcome. The man is still near by and humming. Humming a tune she recognizes. A child’s tune. And then he sings, in a very warm and scary voice in that it’s very comforting.62

“Row, row your boat…”63

The girl stares for a moment almost hypnotized by his bizarre behavior. Then with a shake of her head she stands and prepares to leave this scene of horror. Upon standing she looks on last time at this bizarre man. He’s just finishing his song when he suddenly turns towards her and stares straight into her eyes. 64

No recognition registers on his child like face. A face of complete innocence stares back, and then a childish grin appears. However, is seems more sinister than comforting in this environment.65

“I can do it. The door has been opened. I can skip again!” The excitement in his voice, twinkling in his eyes.66

The girl stares at the man completely transfixed by the spectacle before her. No emotion mares her smooth almost perfect complexion. Nor, does she move in anyway. It almost seems as though time has stopped for this brief moment, or perhaps it doesn’t even exist.67

The man begins to move. Not like one would normally move, but instead it was similar to one having convulsions.68

And yet, he continues to stand. Then parts of his body shimmer, and disappear, and reappear, in strange and random patterns. His arms slowly begin to windmill, and gradually picks up speed. A speed impossible for a normal person to ever hope to duplicate. A light glow begins to glow from his eyes like the glow of a jack o lantern. It starts to intensify and then the man begins to laugh. The laughter bubbles from his lips with great enthusiasm, like a child at play. Unfortunately, a wet mist begins to form around the area at this time as well. A mist coming from this abnormal person, painting the passage way in a grotesque picture of dismay. Then he begins to move his head in a clockwise and then a counterclockwise motion. (It spins on his shoulder like a top and would appear comical in any other situation.) It spins so fast as to become nothing more than a hazy blur. A scream of unspeakable sound issues from the form before the girl. A scream of such terror and pain that no one has or will be able to duplicate it. The light issuing from this bizarre scene intensifies and becomes a green neon color. (He looks like a neon Christmas tree that’s gone horribly wrong.) And yet, as impossible as it sounds his yells and screams continue to get louder.69

The girl falls to her knees covering her ears as hard as she can. Her body rocking back and forth and yet she continues to stare, completely transfixed to her spot. Then with a loud pop it’s over. The man disappears with a violent explosion of green, and a red mist flies outward covering everything. The girl lies on the ground covered in red and exposed flesh. Her flesh blackened and charred. Her hair is totally gone, and yet it’s quiet. It’s so very quiet and seemingly peaceful. A few moments pass and then… a siren can be heard in the distance but it’s slowly getting closer.70

**71

Dishes clang loudly as the waitress dumps them into a large stainless steel sink. Conversation continues to flow, however despite this rude interruption. The little café is packed and everyone is telling someone something. Most of the conversation is about their day or future plans. Not really anything special. It almost sounds like an unknown song or chant is being said. Unfortunately, it would seem that everyone has forgotten the words, and are making them up as the go along.72

At the back a young man sits by himself. He’s a dark person at first glance. This isn’t because of his coloring but rather due to his posture and expression. He has a look of one who enjoys brooding over everything in his life. This can be seen in his clothing and the colors he wears. He has on a dark blue trench coat, and dark red glasses peak out of the breast pocket. (The coat hangs on him like a bed sheet instead.) Under the coat he wears a black very tight t shirt. The whole look makes him look out of place. Like a man trying to hard to be different.73

A waitress slowly approaches his table in a slow, hesitant manner. Her white knee length white skirt makes a slight whispering sound as she walks. Within moments she’s at his table, a sculpted smile on her face. She holds up her right hand and motions at his coffee cup. 74

The young man picks up his stained white cup and stares at it a moment, then looks at the girl. His eyes move over her body taking in everything. The light blue sweater that shows a bit of cleavage, the coffee pot in her left hand, even the mole she tries to hide behind her ear with her dull dark hair. He drinks in her curves than with a slight grin pulling at his lips, he sighs. He then puts his cup down and pushes it towards the young girl.75

“There you are sir. Will that be all?” A bouncy, perky voice asks. 76

The young man looks at her and a grin shows on his bloodless lips, than shakes his head no. The girl quickly turns and walks away from him. She heads for a dull grey counter, never once looking back at her customer. Had she; she may have noticed that he had followed her swinging hips with his grey eyes the whole time.77

The front door of the little café opens and a soft tinkle of a bell can just be heard over the wave of conversation within. No one bothers to look up to see who has entered this busy beehive save one. The young man in the back corner instantly tracks the opening of the door, never leaving the figure that walks in. His eyes track a, women of mid to late forties. However, one could easily mistake her for ten years younger. Her hair is Long and straight, and shines like new paint. The rich, blackness of her hair softens the sharper edges of her cheek bones. She’s a woman of beauty but a subtle beauty, one that’s lost on those within the cafe’. He’s instantly aware of the rich, vibrancy that made up who she is. 78

The woman’s eyes of depthless blue slowly move about the room. They search out every space and corner until they finally rest on the young man. A smile of silent grace floats across her lips. She weaves her way through the tapestry of people, each movement precise and with purpose. Soon she stands before her destination.79

“Hello Mother.” His voice is quiet almost seductive in its greeting.80

“Racider, I see you’re well.” Her voice is cultured, and vibrant with life. However, if one where to listen closely a detached quality seems to creep in. 81

“So what’s new?”82

“Cut it, Mother. You want or need something right?” His voice almost purrs like that of a cat.83

“Racider, please I… I had hoped we could be civil.”84

“I’ am being civil Mother. Remember, you’re the one who didn’t want me. You’re the one who turned Dad into the… the wraith he is now.” A slight flush transforms his face into a temporary mask of anger. His eye’s narrow slightly, a look of pain shows briefly within. He spreads his hands wide and then sighs.85

“I know son. But you have to realize this wasn’t entirely my fault. You just got caught in the middle. Cant you at least try to forgive me?” Her voice is near to cracking from pent up emotion.86

“Oh I see much in you Mother. I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t.” a strange smile crosses his lips.87

“So you do care about me. I had feared that you hated me and that you where going to say it to my face.” A relieved look is on her features.88

“I’ve thought of many things over the years Mother. I’ve had this conversation in my mind a thousand times and could probably recite it all to you… but what’s the point. You see, I think I’m over that now. I can see why Dad married you though. So what do you want Mom!”89

“I… was hoping that you’d stay with me for awhile. I’d like to get to know you again. Please, Racider.” Although, proud a look of pleading enters her eyes.90

“I’m sorry Mother, that’s impossible. You know the terms of the divorce. Besides I’m working with Dad now.”91

“You’re what!”92

“Don’t get excited. It’s nothing. I’m just, helping out.”93

“When… when do you start?”94

“Tomorrow. Look I’ve got to go. So you can stay away okay. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, alright.”95

With that said Racider stands and leaves the table. His strides quick and sure as he leaves the café. 96

The women stares at the now empty seat for a few moments, and then her eyes begin to mist as tears slowly begin to fall. She does this quietly and with poise as the activity of the beehive continues around her.97

***98