7

I tried to walk on my own, but my legs had no strength and the pain wasn’t completely gone. I felt incomplete as though my run-in with the reptilians had taken more out of me than just my dignity. With my arm around Jake’s shoulders and his arm around my waist, Jake navigated over the jagged granite rocks. Once we were away from the quarry and on the woodland path the ground was even and sound. Without a word Jake scooped me up into his arms. He was able to travel faster and farther carrying me, but it made me feel guilty like a helpless burden.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of the forest while I tried to fight back tears. I heard the wind in the branches and the birds singing. I could hear leaves crackle and twigs snap under Jake’s feet. The sun had risen well above us now and I could feel its warmth shining through the leaves. Finally, we left the forest. The sun shone brighter, and I could hear the sound of asphalt under Jake’s boots. I opened my eyes. The sun was extremely bright and my eyes were not adjusted. I could barely make out a huge cinder block building in front of us.
Their loading dock was open, and Jake lifted me up before climbing up himself. He helped me to my feet and assisted me through the garage-style door into a large storage room. I was still very wobbly; my energy hadn’t replenished itself at all so Jake continued to help me. We made our way across the storage room which was stacked to the ceiling with large boxes and wooden crates. Jake led me through another set of doors and into a stylish showroom full of luxurious furniture.
“We need ta keep quiet.” Jake whispered.
I looked around the showroom, it looked empty to me, “There’s nobody here,” I said, bewildered.
Jake snickered and shook his head. Without further explanation he led me along the back wall of the furniture store toward the sound of televisions playing in the electronics department. I kept glancing around the showroom baffled by Jake cautiousness. He stopped in front of a wall of top of the line TVs.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“Ur feelin’ weak aint ya'?” Jake asked.
I nodded.
“Colors are kinda’ pale and sounds are flat?”
I thought about it for a moment. I hadn’t noticed it before but he was right. I nodded again.
Jake took my hands and placed them on a television screen.
“Why, am I doing this?” I asked.
“Darlin’ close ur eyes and quiet urself.” he said and rested his strong hands on my shoulders.
I was becoming annoyed with Jake but I did as he said.
It was a given that the TV screen was warm to the touch, but as I stood there the warmth moved into my hands and up my arms. By the time it reached my shoulders and down my back my fingertips started to tingle then my hands. My face felt flush and the warmth washed over my calves and finally the tips of my toes. The tingling feeling traveled over my body in exactly the same way. All my senses were heightened and I felt more alive than I did when I was alive. I pulled my hands away from the TV screen and opened my eyes. Jake stood next to me smiling. Then, I noticed that the showroom was filled with people browsing through the displays with salespeople attending them.
I smiled at Jake, “That’s awesome.” I said.
He nodded and laughed.
Physically I felt really good, but my thoughts went back to the morning’s events. I took Jake’s hand and we sat down on a nearby couch.
“Tink could have died today and it was all my fault,” I said, emotionally.
Jake shook his head to the contrary, but I wasn’t finished.
“No it's true. I almost got us all killed,” I insisted, “I need you to tell all you can about this insane world because next could be much worse.”
Jake leaned back thoughtfully, finally he said, “All right what do ya’ want ta know.”
I was a little flustered because I didn’t have a question in mind right then and there so I asked the first thing that popped in my head.
“What are those horrible creatures?”
“No one’s ever thought ta name ‘em,” Jake said simply.
“That isn’t very helpful,” I said, disapprovingly.
Jake just shrugged. “They ain't the only creatures ur gonna run inta ‘round here.”
“How so?” I asked.
Jake leaned back stretching and clasped his hands behind his head. He settled into the overstuffed sofa cushions and sighed thoughtfully.
“There’s plenty of creepy crawlies of all kinds big and small. Its best ta ‘void ‘em.”
I rolled my eyes, “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Some of these creatures look a lot like people, but they can’t be trusted. They’ll lie to ya’ and use ya’ anyway they kin. Others are helpful and friendly at first, but you’ll pay dearly in the long run.” Jake said bluntly.
Then he told me something truly alarming, “Those little’ns have a taste fur ya’ now, they’ll be searching fur ya’.”
“What do I do?” I asked.
“Ya’ have ta hide fur awhile on sacred land,” Jake told me, “I know a place ta take ya’.”
I sat quietly for awhile. I was troubled by the idea of having those little monsters after me. I took in a breath and was about to speak but stopped short. There were too many questions and based on the information Jake had already given me I wasn’t sure I wanted know more. I decided to follow another line of questioning.
“My grandpa told me I needed to find my light. I never saw a light, I don’t know why. I was a good person.”
Jake nodded his head as he listened to me attentively.
“If I have unfinished business I don’t know where to start, because my whole life has been left undone. What am I suppose to do?”
Jake leaned forward. He rubbed his chin. I could tell that he was giving a lot of thought to what he was going to say next. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.
“I reckon ya’ missed ur light. The livin’ have the best intentions ya‘ see, but they don’t understand the way things are s’ppose ta be. You must’a been gone and they tried to pull ya’ back.”
I can only assume that at some point at the time of my death an attempt was made to resuscitate me. It made me wonder what had happened the night of prom.
“What do I do?”
‘I aint sure I have all the answers ya’ want. At least not right now.” Jake sighed.
I took Jake’s hand and patted it gratefully, “I’m relieved that my being here isn’t because of something I did wrong, but what about my grandpa?”
Jake gave me a questioning look.
“Why is he trapped here?” I asked.
“What makes ya’ think he’s trapped?” Jake asked in return.
“Because he’s here. He didn’t see the light.” I answered.
Jake nodded then said with a smile, “Well you see darlin’ that’s where ‘ur mistaken. Just ‘cause ‘ur grandpa’s still here don’t mean he didn’t go inta the light.”
“I don’t understand.” I said.
“Souls return from the light fur many reasons and make sanctuaries. These places they make fur themselves are sacred land. I watched ‘ur Grandpa Harvard work hard all his life and he never had a chance ta enjoy the fruits of his labor.” Jake talked about Grandpa like they were old friends. “He needed a sabbatical before movin’ on fur good.”
“What about you?” I asked.
Jake shifted in his seat, apparently my question had made him uncomfortable, “I ain't in no hurry, nothin’ for me overthere no how.”
I could tell by his tone that there was more to the story but I didn’t pry. Jake had shared enough information with me for one day and I was very thankful.
“We should get movin’ darlin’.”
Jake stood up and held out his hand to me. I took his hand in mine and stood as well. We walked hand in hand back through the storage room to the loading dock. When I looked out the open garage door and was in awe at the sight of a fiery sunset over an arid southwestern landscape. It was breathtaking. Fervent plateaus wearing brilliant ribbons of orange and burnt umber stood sentry over the vast plain dotted with pale green sagebrush. In the distance wild ponies ran free across the dusty flatland kicking up ethereal clouds with their thundering hoofs. Beyond the jubilant ponies stood an adobe church with a gleaming white light shining from its bell tower.
Jake pointed across the great expanse to the church, “You’ll be safe there,” he said.
“We’ll never get there before nightfall,” I said apprehensively.
It was dangerous out in the open after dark, but Jake didn’t seem worried. He jumped down from the loading dock and began to run toward the church. As I watched him in disbelief I heard the high pitched whistle he used when he tried to call Tink. At the sound of the whistle the ponies changed direction and started galloping towards Jake. He continued to run on a collision course with the herd and just as they converged Jake was swallowed up in a dusty haze. The wild ponies started a wide arcing turn and as they passed by me standing on the loading dock I sighted Jake riding on the back of a brown and white painted stallion. Seconds later I was engulfed by the herd’s rolling cloud of dust. I covered my face to protect my eyes and prevent myself from inhaling the choking debris. As the dust cloud subsided; the loading dock was gone and I could see the mustangs circling around again.
My first instinct was to run away from the thundering stampede, but I saw Jake leaning forward with his arm extended towards me. I waited and as he and his paint drew near I reached out for him. Effortlessly he lifted me up and swung me behind him, onto the pony’s back. I wrapped my arms around Jake and held on for dear life. My heart pounded like the thunderous hooves of the majestic mustangs. The herd took another turn and as I peered over Jake’s shoulder I could see the tiny church on the horizon.

6

‘TWEEN

My body was rack with the searing pain of what felt like a thousand tiny razor cuts. It hurt even more when I moved , but I forced myself into a sitting position. I began inspecting my arms and legs. They were smudged with thick sticky black soot that reeked of sulfur. Even though, I felt like I had gone through a cheese grater there were no physical wounds. I looked up at Jake, who stood over me protectively, as he scanned the hostile rocky terrain for any sign of the little black dog.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, “Tink! Come!”
“Is that what you call her?” I asked.
Jake gestured at his own neck, “That’s the name on her collar.” He said.
I nodded.
We waited and called for Tink for quite sometime. Morning was on the horizon. The granite was cold and damp. I was uncomfortable and tried to stand up. My legs were rubbery and weak and wouldn’t hold my weight. I sat back down hard.
The quarry lake had always been a joyfully place it was unsettling to see it like this. With the water drained away it was dreary and dank. The strange landscape made me imagine the mythical passageway to the river Styx. Misty white vapor rose from small pools of water scattered throughout the empty lake bed. It was hard to believe that Tink, the dog had been agile enough to traverse the steep rocky slope. At the bottom of the quarry there was a huge dark cavern surrounded by tall jagged columns of stone. The columns and surrounding granite slabs were marred with cryptic symbols of various sizes and diverse cultures. Some looked Native American while others were definitely Egyptian hieroglyphics, but most were unfamiliar to me. The ominous columns cast shadows that gave the elusion of things moving between the rocks. From time to time we heard sounds coming from the pit. Some, like the shifting of loose gravel were easily explained, but there were sounds that came from deep inside the earth that were more troublesome. Moans and rumbles resonated from the stony depths. I couldn’t think of any living creature that made sounds like those. It gave me chills.
Teary eyed I asked, “What is this place?”
Jake was distracted with concern for the dog, but he answered, “Its a doorway.”
“No not just that, down there.” I made a gesture that encompassed everything. “All of this, this whole place.”
Jacob looked away from the chasm and focused his gaze on me. His usual carefree spark was replaced with stone cold sincerity.
“ This aint a place. Its ‘tween places,” he nodded toward the menacing cavern below and said, “and down there is a place you don’t wanna’ go. If you do you won’t come out.”
My heart skipped and I was consumed with worry for, Tink. I felt like Jake and I where sitting on the edge of malevolence. My fear was greater than any I had ever known. The air seemed to buzz with a powerful energy that was beyond my comprehension and it terrified me. However Jake stood strong and silent as he watched the opening to the dark cavern.
I looked up at Jake, “ Please, tell me she’s going to be okay.”
“ I don’t know.” Jake shook his head and sighed. “ I never seen the livin’ go into one of those places. “
“She’s not like you and me?” I asked.
“Nope.”
I sat in stunned silence. It was painfully obvious that my understanding of this new world was way off. I pulled my knees up to my chest and tightly closed my eyes. I tried to convince myself that the strange moans and howls from below were just the wind echoing in the cavern. I rocked back and forth and began chanting in my head.
Please, be okay. Please, be okay.
I didn’t open my eyes until I heard a metallic jingle. When I opened my eyes I sighed with relief as Tink hopped confidently from rock to rock steadily making her way up the incline. Jake and I clapped and call her to us. As she got closer Jake got to one knee.
“Come here, Tink. That’s a good girl .” He said with a beaming smile.
Tink was visibly tired, but she still waged her tail joyfully. Then, Jake noticed that she had something in her mouth. He held out his and Tink dropped a mysterious orb into his palm. It was a translucent aquamarine sphere. It looked like glass, but there were flecks of golden light at the center that flickered and danced like embers. I was captivated by its beauty. Without a word, Jake quickly slipped the orb into his pocket.
He grabbed Tink and hugged her, “Good girl.” he said as he patted her and scratched her behind the ears. “Its time fur you ta go home now.’ He told her.
Tink licked Jake’s face then scamper off.
Jake reached down and helped me to my feet. My legs were still weak but the pain had begun to subside.
“We need ta get outta here.” He said gravely.
“What was that thing you put in your pocket?” I asked.
“It aint nuthin’ but trouble.”

5

HOME SWEET HOME.

At first I was excited about coming home. I was looking forward to seeing my family, but the house was empty. Most of the time I mulled around the house reminiscing and looking through more photo albums. Jake disappeared again leaving me on my own once more. At least I wasn’t completely alone; my gray tabby cat, Nermle, was there. He was so thrilled to see me when I got home he could barely contain himself, which was highly unusual for him. Normally, he was a big grouch and didn’t have the time of day for anyone unless they had food. When I returned, Nermle meowed and he purred and rubbed his chubby face against me, tickling me with his long whiskers.
And then there were the voices. Shortly after I arrived home I started hearing eerie whispers. Sometimes they sounded angry, but mostly they seemed sad. At night I heard crying coming from my parent’s room, but that wasn’t all. I would see and hear doors open and close, the shower would run, and the toilet would flushe, but no one was there. It was like I was living with the ghosts of my family. I could feel them all around me, but they were just out of reach.
My grandpa told me I needed to find my light. I’ve heard you go into a light when you die. Why didn’t I see it? Finding the answer to that question weighed on my mind, in fact it was an obsession. It was making me stir-crazy. I had recently discovered I was trapped in the house so that didn’t make matters any better. The front door was open when Jake and I parted ways, but now it was closed. I’ve tried opening it, I tried all the doors, but none of them would budge. Ever since I found myself in this crazy place reality began unraveling before my eyes, and I was too. Chances are that by the time I do see a light I’ll be too whacked to notice.
I retired to my bedroom: it was quieter there and my cat decided to join me. You might think that being surrounded by all my things and happy memories would bring me solace. At first it did. I loved my fuchsia and magenta walls. I adored my huge bed covered in downy blankets and overstuffed pillows. It was a teenage girl’s dream. However as time passed I was only reminded of a life I could no longer have. I laid down on my bed and Nermle curled up on the pillow next to my head. He purred and swished his extraordinarily bushy tail, hitting me in the face. Normally I would have swatted him away, instead, I stared listlessly up at the ceiling.
I thought about the woman Jake and I had encountered in the sanitarium. I will never forget the excruciating sorrow conveyed through her sods. Her cries were profoundly laden with fear and heartbreaking loneliness. I wanted to help her. I don’t understand why Jake had insisted that we leave her alone. It seemed so uncaring. That woman was unable to find her light, which made me fearful. Obviously, she had been tethered to that horrible place for quite some time without finding her way. What hope did I have?
From the corner of my eye I could see my bedroom door opening slowly. I paid no attention to it. It wasn’t the first time I had seen a door mysteriously move of its own accord. But, then a haggard form crept into the shadowy room. My eyes grew wide and I violently gasped, stifling a startled scream. I held my hands over my chest to conceal the audible pounding of my heart. I was stunned when I realized the gaunt being approaching the bed was my younger sister, Cloey. I laid on the bed perfectly still I didn’t want to do anything that might scare her. As Cloey drew closer I noticed how thin, and not in a healthy way, she had become. Her eyes were sunken and red. She was uncharacteristically pale (Cloey sported a killer tan all year long), and her raven hair was stringy and unkempt. Normally, my Cloey only wore the cutest outfit no matter the time of day, but this Cloey was dressed in a ratty tank top and threadbare pajama bottoms. I hardly recognized this wisp of a girl as my sister. It tore at my heart.
Cloey knelt on the floor near the bed and reached to retrieve something from beneath. I carefully sat up to watch her slide a decorative box from its hiding place under my bed. It didn’t belong to me, I had never seen it before. Cloey opened the box and reverently removed items from it one at a time. The box didn’t belong to me but objects contained inside it did. As Cloey lovingly admired my effects I became ill at ease. The costume jewelry that Cloey tilted and turned to catch the light and make it sparkle was the same jewelry I was wearing. The expensive but broken wristwatch adorning my arm had a twin that was in perfect working order. There was also a photograph that Cloey brought out to look at. In it I was wearing the same black chiffon halter dress I had on now and next to me stood a fine young man in a handsome tuxedo. The corners of the photo looked a little dog-eared as though it had been handled repeatedly. As Cloey gazed upon the photo I could see that her hands were shaking.
I put my hand to my lips at keep from crying out. I remembered having that picture taken. The young man in the picture was Kevin Michaels, and senior prom was going to be our first date. What I was beginning to realize was that it was also our last date. And the reason Cloey was so entranced with the photograph was, it was most likely the last picture taken of me alive. I felt as though my throat was about to close; I swallowed hard to rid myself of the lump inside it, but to no avail.
I could see my little sister’s slender shoulders shutter as she placed the precious items back into the box. Before covering it she reached down to the bottom to retrieve a one-pint bottle of Tennessee whiskey. The paper seal was broken and a third of the bottle was already gone. Cloey tossed back a huge gulp and grimaced to keep it down. She coughed and sputtered, but she took another swig, regardless. Her coughs gave way to sobs. My sister pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in my comforter. Her body heaved as she began to bawl. I couldn’t bear to see her pain. I went to the door and slipped out.
I went to my mother and father’s room. I didn’t exactly know what I was going to be able to accomplish. I hoped that I could communicate with my mom and dad, like I had with the men in the sanitarium. I tried to open the bedroom door but as before I couldn’t turn the knob.
“Shit!” I exclaimed.
I pounded on the door with my fists and I kicked it with my feet. I screamed and I shouted. I begged my mom and dad to open the bedroom door. I told them that Cloey and I needed them. But no one came to the door. No one heard me. I had worked myself into such a frenzy that I was crying as hard has Cloey.
I couldn’t stand it there anymore; it wasn’t my home anymore. I needed to find a way out. I ran down the hall into the dining room. Through my tears I saw the patio door. It was open, or so I thought. I ran through the doorway and suddenly had the sensation that I was covered with thick cobwebs from head to toe. I screamed and tried to wipe away the webs, but there were none. Then I realized the patio screen had been closed and I had passed right through it. I was relieved to be out of the house, but I was still frantic.
I ran across my backyard and into the woods beyond. I wasn’t really thinking about where I was going. I was on a path that led to the lake. My father, sister, and I had spent many happy hours there swimming or fishing, but that wasn’t what was on my mind. The only thing I could think of was Jacob. He seemed to know more about this crazy world than I would ever wish to and for that reason I felt safest around him.
I reached the top of a ridge and should have found myself looking out onto the lake. Instead, I was looking down at a vast hole where all the water should be. I wiped away my tears. I was suddenly very aware that something was very wrong. I remember my father telling me that the lake had been a granite quarry and it was very deep. What I found was more than just a hole in the ground. It was a gaping wound in the earth itself.
I was uncomfortable and was about to leave when I heard a familiar shriek. I had no time to react before they were upon me. I was surrounded by dozens small reptilian monsters. They bit at my arms and legs with needlelike teeth. They growled and hissed as they lashed out at me over and over. I stumbled and slide down the side of the ridge toward the hole. I rolled side to side to keep the monsters off me. I got up again trying to escape and stumbled even farther into the empty lake. The ground was rocky and unstable and I couldn’t keep my footing. I fell onto my stomach and was overwhelmed by attackers. I could feel them tearing at my flesh and I screamed.
Without warning I could feel and hear another creature, a larger one. My hair had fallen over my face and I couldn’t see, but I could hear the monsters’ panic. They abandoned their assault and retreated towards the quarry. I looked up to see the little black dog bounding over me, giving chase to the lizard monsters.
“Clair!” I heard Jake shout.
I looked over my shoulder and saw Jacob. It only took a few seconds for him to climb down the ridge and kneel at my side. Once he quickly looked me over he turned his attention to the barking dog in the distance. He whistled as loud as he could trying to call her back, but she wouldn’t give up the chase. She raced into the deep shadowy pit and was soon out of site. All we could hear was barking echoing against the granite walls and then nothing at all.

4

I was jarred awake by a huge clap of thunder. Rain pounded the roof and the wind howled. My heart banged in my chest and before I had a chance to regain my composure I heard footsteps running up the stairs. The bedroom door burst open.
“Hurry, come with me.”
It was Jacob. He quickly crossed the room and threw open the window near the bed. Wind and rain whipped into the room. I hopped out of the bed, grabbed my shoes, and back away from the opening..
“What are you doing?” I cried.
“Come on.” Jake said, and without explanation he firmly took my hand and pulled me through the open window out onto the roof.
The lighting streaked through the sky. The thunder rolled and boomed continuously. It was the most violent storm I had ever seen. I held up my free arm defensively to protect my face from flying leaves and other debris. Jake released my hand and took a dauntless leap from the roof into the branches of an ancient oak tree that shaded the house. The tree bent and swayed in the powerful wind. Jake struggled to get a handhold.
“Your crazy?’ I yelled into the wind.
Jake motioned for me to follow, “Jump.” He said.
I looked down over the edge of the roof, then back at Jake and shook my head.
“Come on Clair.” He urged and held out his hand.
I edged closer to the drop-off, “Seriously Jake, I’m scared out of my wits and I don’t have a clue why you have me out on this roof.” I pointed at the gap between the branches and me. “There’s no way I can make that.” I shouted.
“Jump. Dammit!” Jake’s expression changed, his patience with me had run out.
I looped my sandal straps around my wrist and blindly jumped towards the tree. Instead of landing in sturdy oak branches, I began to fall. Luckly for me, Jake was able to grab me by the wrist of one of my outstretched arms and snatched me back from peril. I squealed as I swung precariously, holding onto Jake for dear life.
“Don’t you drop me.” I told him clenching my teeth.
Jake groaned and strained but managed to pull me up into the branches. I clung to Jakes muscular arm, shaking and gasping. The pounding rain stung my eyes and the forceful wind made it hard to breath. Jake pulled away from me and began to climb. I didn’t want to be left behind so I followed Jake up the tree. Twigs and leaves slapped my face and pulled at my clothes as I tried to keep up with him. He was climbing so fast I couldn’t keep him in my sight.
“Jake where are you?” I called shrilly, in panic.
“Keep climbin’.” He called back.
The tree bark was slick with rain and as I climbed hand over hand through the treacherous limbs I slipped numerous times nearly plummeting into the darkness below. Each time my heart would jump and I squealed. Each time Jake would shout back words of encouragement. My arms felt weak and rubbery from climbing for so long. The wind and rain began to subside, not because the storm was waning, because we where actually climbing out of the storm. The rolling thunder sounded far away and the lightening flashes far below were more like tiny flashbulbs.
“ Jake?” I called breathlessly.
“We’re almost there, darlin’.” He called back.
I continued to climb surrounded by leaves and branches so thick I could see nothing else. Twigs scratched and poked my face and arms. The rough bark made the bottoms of my feet and the palms of my hand feel raw. I felt Jake’s warm hand on my wrist and he pulled me up and out of the foliage. He set me down on a cement step that was overgrown with shrubs and grasses. I struggled to catch my breath as I looked around. We were standing on the steps of an enormous rundown building. It was four stories tall with empty black windows that looked down upon us like cold dead eyes.
“What is this place?” I asked while slipping in to my shoes.
Jake put a finger to his lips, “Shh.” He said.
I followed him into the decaying building, but not before putting my shoes back on. It didn’t look like the kind of place you would want to walk around in barefoot. It was dark and the sour smell of mold and mildew filled the air. I covered my noise and mouth. The floor was full of debris, rubbish that had blown in from the open windows and chunks of plaster that had fallen from the crumbling walls and ceiling. Graffiti was splashed across the pale green walls of the hallway we traveled through. I stumbled and almost fell.
“Jake.” I whispered, “Please, slow down.”
He reached back and took my hand. I looked at the floor to see what had made me trip. There was a bundle of electrical cores running the length of the hall taped down with duct tape. Jake and I continued until the hall came to an end. In a large open lobby there was a group of men setting up tables and electronic equipment. They all worn matching T-shirts and baseball caps.
“ What’s going on here?” I asked Jake, but he didn’t answer.
He led me out of the shadows and into the middle of the room. The men looked right through us and carried on with their duties as we passed by. On the far side of the lobby there was a stairway leading to the next floor. We climbed it. Halfway down the second story hallway Jake stopped and made himself comfortable, taking a seat on the floor. I kneeled next to him.
‘Jake, what’s going on? Who are those people?” I asked anxiously.
He patted my knee. “ Relax darlin’.” he said with a smile and a wink. “We’re just here to have a little fun.”
My jaw dropped, “Are you kidding me?” I snapped. “You scared the crap out of me back there, barging in my room like that. And all that climbing, what the hell was that all about?”
As my rant went on, the volume of my voice went up. For the most part Jake just sat looking at me with a slightly amused look on his face, but suddenly he looked past me towards the doorway and his eyes got wide. He slapped a hand over my mouth silencing me mid-sentence. Two of the men from the lobby sprinted into the hall from the stairwell. They were carrying cameras and other equipment I didn’t recognize.
“I just heard something up here.” the first man said. He had dark hair and was the only one in the group you had not been wearing a ball cap. “ It sounded like someone whispering.”
The second man was holding a recording device and started talking into it, “This is James and Garret, starting EVP session in the Holy Trinity Sanitarium, second floor.”
The men walked past us, scanning in front of them with their instruments and occasionally asking random questions.
Jake held me close, his hand still covering my mouth. “They heard you,” he whispered. He loosened his hold on me and rose to his feet. “Watch this.” he said and ran up behind the man with the recorder and grabbed him by the shoulder. The man gasped and spun around.
“Garret, something just grabbed me, man.” he said.
“Are you serious?” his friend asked.
“Serious as a heart attack.” He answered.
As the two men conversed, Jake danced around between them waveing his arms wildly. I began to laugh. His silly antics combined with his old fashioned attire reminded me of the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. Jake quickly tired with taunting the oblivious men and walked back to where I was sitting.
“Let’s go find the others,” he said holding out his hand to help me up.
We went back to the first floor and as we wonder through the unexplored passageways Jake sighed.
“It was good ta hear you laugh,” he said. “You use’ ta laugh all the time.”
“How do you know me? I still don’t remember.”
With a far-away look Jake said, “I aint surprised you don’t remember. You were just a little’n. Ur ma told you I was ‘maginary. After that you started gettin’ scared when I came ‘round.. So I hid.”
“How old was I?” I asked.
Jake shrugged, “Five or six I reckon.”
I remember my mom telling me how I had an imaginary friend at Grandma and Grandpa‘s house. I even remember telling her about seeing a boy coming out of the wall. She told me it was just a scary dream. Of coarse, I didn’t think it was scary until she told me it was.
I was about to ask another question but Jake wasn’t paying attention.
“Shh…listen.” he said.
We could hear the voices of two other men talking to each other. Their names were Shawn and Dan. The men stood together in a large ward where numerous patients would have been cared for. We peered into the ward from the hall.
Jake pointed out one of the devices Shawn was holding, “They call that an EMF detector. They think they can find spirit energy with it.”
“Can they?” I asked.
“No. Its just a trick.” Jake said. “I’ll show ya‘.”
Jake walked up to Shawn and put his hand on the EMF detector, but nothing happened. Then he put his other hand on Shawn’s camera. The lights on the detector went crazy.
“Holy crap!” Shawn exclaimed. “The EMF is off the chart.”
Jake let go of the detector and looked back at me with a smile. The lights stop flashing.
Dan joined Shawn in his excitement, “If there is someone with us can you do that again?” he asked.
Jake reached out and touched the EMF again and the light began to flash once more. The two men reacted like giddy little girls. Jake stepped back releasing the camera and Shawn notice the battery was dead.
‘Dude, something is trying to manifest, my camera just went dead.” Shawn said.
He was excited but he also sounded a little scared. He handed the EMF detector to Dan while he quickly changed the camera battery. Dan started asking the questions. This time Jake put his hand on Dan’s flashlight. Dan asked whoever was there to make the lights flash again to prove that they were really there. Jake touched the EMF activating the lights.
“Make the lights flash if there is more than one of you here.” Dan said.
Jake made the lights flash. Dan and Shawn were so caught up with watching the EMF detector that they didn’t notice the flashlight go dim each time the detector went off.
“Are you mad or upset that we are here?” Dan asked.
Jake chuckled and triggered the lights.
“Do you want us to leave?” Shawn asked.
Jake activated the detector. again
“Looks like we better leave.” Shawn said to his buddy and Dan agreed.
I was standing in the doorway. I’m not sure why it didn’t dawn on me that I should move out of the way, but it didn’t. Dan walk through the doorway and through me at the same time. I staggered backward gasping for air. It felt like a wrecking ball went through my chest and came out through my back taking my spine with it. Holding my chest, I wobbled trying to stay on my feet but fell to one knee. Within seconds Jake was at my side. He told me to relax and try to take long deep breaths. He assured me that everything was all right and it would pass soon. I didn’t believe him this time; I thought that if I wasn’t dead I surely would be. Jake held me encouraging me to take deep breaths with him. I tried as best I could and finally I took a breath and it didn’t hurt that much. The next one was even easier.
“I think I’m alright now.” I told Jake. He helped me to my feet.
“I reckon, I better take you home.” Jake said with a relieved chuckle.
With his arm around my waist Jake lead me back to the main lobby. Along the way we passed another large ward. I could hear the sound of crying coming from inside.
“Hold on, Jake.”
I peered into the room. In a far corner, facing the wall, there stood a woman swaying side to side. She wore a dingy hospital gown and robe. Her sobs seemed so hopeless they pulled at my heart. I was about to call out to her but Jake shushed me.
“Sometimes its best to leave ’em be. ‘Specially in places like this.” He said.
We walked out of the sanitarium onto a quiet suburban street. At the end of a cul-de-sac there was a white house with dark green shutters and a bright red door.
Home.

3

WHAT DOES HE MEAN, I’M DEAD?

Jacob was a tall good-looking young man. His sandy blond hair was a little on the shaggy side but it complemented his carefree demeanor. It looked like he was wearing a costume, like a farmhand from the olden days. Even though Jake’s fashion sense was questionable, he seemed trustworthy so when he told me my name was Clair Swanson I believed him. He told me that the white farmhouse I had followed the little dog to belonged to my grandparents before they past away and I believed that too. However, when he told me I was dead, well that I refused to accept.
Jacob told me that I would be safe if I stayed near the house. According to him it was sacred ground, whatever that meant, and that I could stay as long as I liked. Jake told me that my grandparent’s house would be a good place for me to recover my memories, but he couldn’t stay. He had things he needed to tend to. I thought about asking him if I could go with him but that might have appeared needy, plus I felt at home and safe. I even remembered playing on the same front porch when I was little. The sun had set and I watched Jake disappear into the darkness.
The night sang with the sound crickets and tiny tree frogs. Fireflies danced and flashed in time with the chorus. I leaned out over the porch rail to look up at the stars but was surprised to find none, instead, the dark night sky rolled like the surface of the ocean. Ripples of misty white light floated across the undulating sky. I began to feel a little woozy. The strange phenomenon, though fascinating, had given me motion sickness. That’s what I thought at first but when I looked away everything continued to sway. Then a sharp pain at the base of my skull made me wince. The pain progressed to my temples like huge fingers encircling and crashing my head. I couldn’t stand it. Between the pain and the queasiness, I thought I was going to hurl. I closed my eyes. I felt like I was falling, falling in to darkness.

* * *

Suddenly, I was sitting on a swing that hung from a branch of the big oak tree in front of the old farm house. Everything was back to normal, but it wasn’t night anymore. Golden sunlight shown across the fields from the east. The long grasses drooped, leaden with glistening dew. Blankets of early morning mist laid in the ditches and gullies. I heard someone whistling a tune. I looked out over the field and saw a white-haired man walking toward the house accompanied by a fat old beagle. The dog and the man looked old but they both had the spring of youth in their step. The man was carrying a fishing pole over one shoulder and a stringer of full of large fish in his free hand. As the two drew closer, I realized that I recognized the white-haired gentleman, it was Grandpa Harvard. I also recognized the dog from the old photo albums my grandmother used to show me; it was Grandpa’s favorite old hunting dog, Clyde.
The man and his dog stepped out of the long grass into the front yard. Clyde was the first to notice me sitting on the swing; he stopped and stared at me. Grandpa paused and was surprised to see what Clyde had found.
“ Hey there, little mouse.” He greeted me with the same nickname he used for all us grandchildren.
“Hi, Grandpa.” I said meekly, staring at him, with my mouth gaping.
I had a lump in my throat as though I was about to cry, because it had only been a year since my grandfather had past away and I had yet to get over it. However, this was not the bewildered, frail wisp of a man I remembered, it was Grandpa the way he was when I was very young.
Grandpa didn’t seem to notice my awkwardness. He was just delighted to see me. With a big grin he proudly held up the stringer of fish.
“ We’re going to have fish for breakfast.” He said with a hardy laugh and started up the front steps, “ Come on in when you’re ready.”
My grandpa went inside the house. The creaky screen swung closed behind him with a bang. Clyde had lost interest in me and had retired to the shade of the porch for a nap. From my spot on the swing I could hear the clang of pots and pans and Grandpa’s strong, baritone, singing voice.
“ A peanut sat on the railroad track, his heart was all a flutter.” He sang.
The next verse I sang along under my breath and out of tune. “Along came a train and smashed the little peanut, now they call him peanut butter.”
I got up from the swing and decided to have better look around real quick. The peach tree that had to be cut down because of a blight when I was five was back with a subtle improvement. Not only did it yield peaches, there were red and green apples, pears, and plums; all of grandpa’s favorites. The red raspberry bushes that grew near the garden shed also held blackberries and blueberries, as well.
I had to step over the sleeping beagle before going to the house. Clyde never even flinched, which made me smile. Once I was inside I realized that I remembered everything about the house. From the foyer Grandpa was in the kitchen to the right. Ahead, next to the stairs leading to the second floor, there was a hall that lead to the back door. To the left was the living room and beyond that there was a doorway to the backroom that Grandma used as the piano room. I walked into the kitchen and was surprised to find my grandpa taking the last fish filet out of the frying pan. There wasn’t enough time for him to clean all those fish much less cook them.
“Oh, look you made it just in time.” Grandpa said with a chuckle. “Grab a seat.”
I didn’t really care for fish, but it smelled so good I decided to give it a try. I sat at the place Grandpa had set for me. He loaded my plate up with fish before sitting down across the table. I didn’t think there was any way I was going to finish all the fish Grandpa had given me. I took a few dubious bites and was surprisingly delighted. It was better than any fish I had ever had, and I ate piece after piece. In no time at all the fish on my plate was gone.
“That was really good, Grandpa.” I patted my mouth with a napkin and got up to take my plate to the sink. “Do you need help with the dishes?’ I asked.
“No, I’ll do them later. Clyde and I are going to do some rabbit hunting.” he said.
Grandpa pushed himself away from the table and went off into the mudroom, near the back door, where he kept his hunting gear. Moments later Grandpa came out wearing his hunting hat and jacket and toting his shotgun. I walked out on to the porch with him as he left.
“Make yourself at home.” Grandpa said and patted me on the head. “Come on Clyde, let’s go get those rabbits.’
Clyde couldn’t get up fast enough. He jumped and yipped with excitement. I watched the two hunting buddies tromp away through the field. Grandpa turn and waved and I waved back. Once they disappeared over a knoll I turned and went inside.
I wasn’t looking forward to cleaning the kitchen, but I wanted to do something nice for Grandpa. I went straight to the table to pick up Grandpa’s dishes, but they were gone. All the crumbs and dirty napkins were cleared away, and a vase full of fresh cut lilacs adorned the table. I looked at the stove; there was no oily spatter or dirty pans. The counter space where Grandpa had left a toppled bag of flour, broken eggshells, and sloppy mixing bowls were spotless and clutter free. Even the sink where I had left my plate was empty and the fixtures sparkled. It was possible that the kitchen was the cleanest I had ever seen it in all the times I had visited. I went to the refrigerator near the stove and looked inside. It was empty except for a six-pack of diet cola. I realized, just then, that I was dying for a cola. However, Grandpa would never drink a diet cola in a million years, and would never even think to keep it in his fridge. I shrugged, and grabbed a can.
The farm house filled with the sound of piano music, one of the many hymns my grandmother used to play. The music didn’t start all of a sudden. Instead, it faded in like someone slowly turn up the volume. I followed the sound through the living room. I noticed that everything was neat as a pin but the television was missing. Grandpa never really cared for TV, he’d rather hunt or fish. He’d even choose puttering in the garden over sit in front of, what he called, the boob-tube. Grandma wasn’t a TV fan either, her favorite pass time was playing the piano. She was good at it too. She even made a little money playing for weddings at her church. I cautiously approached the backroom, I didn’t want to startle my grandma , but no one as in the piano room.
I was disappointed. It would have been nice to see Grandma again. She had passed away three or four years before Grandpa. It had taken the family longer to recover because she was taken by a sudden accident. It was winter and she slipped and hit her head while getting the mail.
The music continued to play but it wasn’t actually coming from the piano, it seemed to be coming from every part of the room. The melody was light and cheerful and in my heart I knew that where ever Grandma was she was happy just like her music.
Jake had been right this was a good place to remember. The top of my grandmother’s upright piano was covered with family photos. As I looked at all the faces of my aunts, and uncles, and all my cousins I began to remember each one. I took down a group portrait for a closer look. It was my family, my mother and father with my sister and myself on either side. My sister had straight jet black hair like her father. I, on the other hand, had wavy light blond hair like my mother.
I remember.
The walls in the piano room were covered it bookshelves. Besides an extensive collection of field guides on wild flowers and bird, Grandma stored all her photo albums on those shelves. It was like an archive of the Swanson family history.. I must have spent hours looking over wedding photos, baby pictures, and snap shots of holiday parties. I found my cheerleading photos and pictures of my little sister in her third grade school play. There were thousands of pictures of my Dad on hunting and fishing trips with his three brothers, and Grandpa Harvard. I noticed that the light in the room had begun to fade; it was well into late afternoon. The screen door squealed open and I heard Grandpa’s heavy boots. I went out to greet him.
“Hi, Grandpa.” I said. “Did you get any rabbits?’
‘Oh, we got lots of rabbits.” Grandpa said cheerfully. “Didn’t we boy?” He asked, Clyde. Good old Clyde waged his tail like a pup.
Grandpa went the refrigerator which was now full of cold beer instead of diet cola.
“Me and Clyde are going to sit out on the porch. You can join us if you want.” Grandpa said.
“Thanks Grandpa, but I’m not feeling well. I think I need to lie down.” After look through all the albums my heart was heavy and my head swam with even more questions.
Grandpa smile a sweet understanding smile and said, “Once you find your light you’ll feel better.” He gave me a pat on the head and went outside with Clyde close behind.
I went upstairs to the guestroom. Grandma always kept it made up for company just in case. I laid down on the creaky old bed; it was older than me, but it was still comfy. I was feeling sentimental and blue. I had regained my memories of my family and childhood, for that I was grateful. However, I was afraid that Jake had been right and I wasn’t ever going to see them again. I began to feel woozy again, like I had the other night and that horrible headache started to come back. I closed my eyes tight and prayed for it to go away. I just wanted to sleep and dream, but dreams never came.

2

I had been following the elusive black dog for quite some time. Most of the time I only caught glimpses of it here and there, disappearing around corners or sitting in the road and dashing out of sight when I came near. At one point I thought that the dog had deserted me all together, but just when I was about to give up hope of ever seeing it again, I heard the telltale jingle come up behind me. I turned to find the pup running straight at me, but at the last minute it veered off to one side passing me and leaving me in the dust. I wished I knew the dog’s name and hoped I’d be able to get a look at its tags, but until then I decided to come up with a nickname. The hot pink collar the dog wore lead me to make the assumption that it was a female. It’s small stature and dainty features also made a very girly impression. I tried a couple different names Puppy, Baby: but I started calling her Girlfriend. It seemed to fit the best.
At one point during my travels I passed a convenience store. Contemporary easy-listening music played over the speaker near the gas pumps where a few more cars were parked. One of the cars still had a nozzle stuck in its open tank. The barren city streets were eerie and I started getting an uneasy feeling again. It was a combination of fear and loneliness. Having the dog to focus on kept my mind from wandering to dark places, but I hadn’t seen the little lab for awhile. Luckily, just when I was starting to feel forlorn, I heard the familiar jingle and my fuzzy friend appeared out of no where, to give me direction.
The dog lead me through the city until we were heading towards the out-skirts of town. The streets were becoming more residential and I started to feel more at easy with my surrounding: they seemed familiar. I was hoping that I might begin to recall things about myself, but I was getting inpatient and bored with all the endless walking. I just wanted to be home wherever that maybe, hopefully there would be people there, loved ones who could tell me who I was and what had happened. I began tearing up. I would have gotten swept up into a full-blow crying fit but from the distance I heard voices. I couldn’t make out what the voices were saying, they were too far away. I stood in the middle of an abandoned intersection slowly turning in circles trying to determine where they were coming from.
I saw a green house with white shutters and even from a distance I could see the curtains fluttering in the open windows.
That must be it, I thought.
I set off toward the house but was startled when the relative silence was broken by a high pitched, Arf….Arf. I turned back to find my girlfriend looking at me anxiously. I wasn’t going the way she wanted me to.
“It’s okay, Girlfriend.” I told her. The dog whined and tucked in her tail, she wasn’t convinced but I ran off down the road towards the house anyway.
Once I reached the front porch of the house it was confirmed that the voices were coming from inside. She knocked on the front door. There was no answer, in fact the voice continued uninterrupted. I cautiously crept up to one of the open windows and brushed the billowing curtain aside. I peered into the living room of the modest home where there was a talk show playing on the television but there were no people in sight. With a sigh and a heavy heart I turned back toward the street. On the side walk I found the dog waiting for me wagging her tail. Something told me that she was thinking, “I told you so.”
“What now?” I asked her.
Like a cannon of excited energy, the little black dog sprang to her feet and ran up the street in the direction she had been trying to take me.
“What’s the rush,, Girlfriend.” I shouted.
In the distance the dog sat on the ridge of a hill and waited for me. I trudged along noticing that the homes were starting to thin out and become farther apart. The road ahead was lined with trees and the sound of birds filled the air again.. My little girlfriend had run off again down the far side of the hill. At the top of the hill the cool shade of the trees was refreshing. I found myself looking down over a lush green football field and track. On the far side stood a large brick building. I was thrilled because I finally knew where I was, Northland High. I ran down the hill, as best I could in heels, towards the main entrance of the school building.
I burst though the front door into the lobby. Inside it was dark the only light was the sun shining through the exterior windows, glass doors, and sky lights. Even though the building appeared to be empty I could hear the muffled thump, thump beat of dance music. Pep rallies and dances were held in the gymnasium at the other end of the school, so that was where the sound must be coming from. My heels click-itty-clacked down the long hall way as I made my way to the gym. Outside the doorway to the gymnasium the music was louder, but I still could not make out what song was playing through heavy double doors. I pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit and empty gym. A crepe paper streamer fluttered down from the rafters, landing gently next to a single balloon at center court. The music continued to play, but it was still muffled as though it was far away. I was suddenly overcome with disappointment. I had hoped that one memory would open the flood gate and the rest would come rushing back to me. I all I remembered was that I had once been a student at this school but I didn’t have any memories of going to classes or roaming the halls with friends. I was just as confused as I was when I found myself at the hospital.
Full of uncertainty, I was at a loss as to what to do next. A scratching sound was coming from the
exterior gymnasium door. I took a few step toward the door and saw the little black dog’s head pop up in the window. She stood on her hind legs with her wet nose against the glass. I couldn’t help smiling.
When I stepped out of the dark gymnasium, into the light of the golden sunset, I wasn‘t on the school grounds anymore. I was standing in the middle of a country road. I could hear the loud clack of the door latching behind me, but when I turned to look the doorway and the entire school building was gone. I didn’t recognize the country side but, I recognized the white farm house in the distance. I could see the dog bounding through the tall grass towards it. In these beautiful surroundings I finally felt safe.
I turned off the paved road on to a dirt drive that led to the house. During the long walk the crickets began to sing and the sky changed from bright gold to a dusky orange. As I neared the house I saw the little dog sitting on the porch watching me, wagging her tail. And then I noticed that she wasn’t alone. There was a young man close to my age sitting in a rocking chair next to her. He wasn’t paying any attention to me, he was gazing out at the fading sunset. I was thrilled to see another person but I was also apprehensive. When I tentatively walked up onto the porch the young man lead forward and whispered something the little dog‘s ear, who then scampered off the opposite side of the porch and disappeared around the corner
“Howdy, Clair.” the young man said, acknowledging me without looking way from the sunset.
“You know me?” I asked. I was stunned.
“I sure do,” he smiled, “but ‘ur all grown up and lookin’ mighty fine, if I may say so.” he winked. A sudden little flutter in my stomach took me by surprise.
“I’m sorry but I don’t remember who you are. I can’t remember much about myself to be total honest.” I confessed.
“My proper name is Jacob but you can call me Jake.” he sighed compassionately, “ Don’t worry ‘urself none darlin,” he tapped his temple with his forefinger, “it’ll come back to you.”
His words were reassuring and his country drawl was disarming. I was relieved to have met some one who appeared to know me and I was anxious to learn more. I pulled up a stool and sat across from him.
“Not remembering is the least of my problems.” I said, his kind eyes made me comfortable with confiding in him. “Some really strange stuff has been happening.”
“Well that,” he chuckled, “that’ll only get worse.”
My jaw dropped and my brow furrowed. I wondered how he could be so cavalier.
“I don’t think you understand.” I said earnestly. “The things that have happened to me today aren’t possible.”
Jake leaned forward and put his hand over mine and with a sympathetic smile he said, “ I do understand. I reckon I understand more than most folks but there’s something you need to understand.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Darlin, your dead.”

1

THE FIRST THING I REMEMBER

My head was pounding with excruciating pain, but very quickly and much to my relief it faded to a dull memory.  I found myself sitting on the front steps of  the hospital.  I thought it was extremely bizarre that without looking at the sign I knew I was at St. Joseph’s, but I had no idea how I got there.  I couldn’t remember ever being there before.  Then I realized that I didn’t remember anything before that moment.   I was a teenaged girl wearing a posh halter dress and some glam jewelry, of that I was sure, but I didn’t know who I was.

Most people would find the situation extremely disturbing,  Oddly enough the foremost thing on my mind was the cemetery across the street.  Why would someone build a hospital next to a cemetery? It seemed very inappropriate. I began to wonder if I was the only one who felt that way.  I wondered how many people visited or drove passed St. Joe’s saw the cemetery and thought to themselves, “What were they thinking?”
I then thought it was strange that no one had driven by. I checked the watch on my wrist.  It said 9:48 but the second hand wasn’t moving .  I wound it and held it to my ear.  I even gave the face a little tap but it still didn’t work.
Too bad it’s a really nice watch., I thought.

I couldn’t tell what time it really was.  The sky was misty and gray.
Could be morning could be late afternoon, I thought.

It didn’t really matter what time it was, there should be people driving or walking by, but everything was perfectly still.  I wondered what I might find if I went inside the hospital; perhaps an abandoned last stand against a plague, full of long dead bodies or the aftermath of a massacre of some kind.  I may find more nothing; that might be just as bad.  I walked down to the sidewalk and looked down to the left where there was an intersection.  I watched as the light turned from red to green and back to red again but  there was no one in sight.  Uncertainty began to creep over me.  I began to dislike the silence.  It made me uneasy because I had no explanation for it.  I was standing on what should have been a busy street,  in front of what was supposed to be a busy hospital.  I crossed my arms over my chest, I found it some what comforting, but what I really needed was to find another human being.  If something had happed to everybody in town, why was I left behind?
As I stood on the sidewalk trying to decide whether I should enter the hospital or not, something in the cemetery got my attention.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw something darting behind the headstones on the far side of the graveyard.  I was sure it was a small animal, but it moved so fast I couldn’t tell what kind it was.  I couldn’t get a good look at the peculiar creatures, but they had moved close enough to be heard.  They squawked like bickering hens, but they also growled and hissed like reptiles.
My heart began to pound and I became tense with anticipation. The creatures scurried across the cemetery again, weaving in and out among the headstones.  This time I got a better look at them.  There was a group of ten or more. They were small, the size of chickens, with skinny featherless bodies covered in leathery hides the color of charcoal.  The strange animals disappeared into some underbrush near the outer fence of the cemetery.  I  heard them rustle through the leaves, but it was soon quiet again.  The cemetery was lined by businesses on that side, restaurants and the like. I hope that the creatures had moved on.  With any luck they found themselves a dumpster full of kitchen scraps to keep them busy.
In any case I didn’t want to stay out in the open if they came back.  Just as I took a step back toward the hospital  when one of the creatures hopped out through the cemetery fence onto the sidewalk, directly across from me.  My heart jumped into my throat as I froze in place.
It had eyes like a snake but they were bright blue and seemed to glow.  It cocked it’s lizard like head from side to side as it watched me. I knew that whatever that thing was it was fast, and I had my doubts about being able to outrun it.  I hoped that if I stood real still that it would get bored and go away, but my hopes were dashed when the menacing little beastie was joined by two more.  They resembled small prehistoric reptiles, but they had long fingered hands that were disturbingly human in appearance.  They also had long pointed ears that laid flat against their lengthy slender necks.  The three bobbed and cocked their heads as they continued to gawk at her,  twitching their whip-like tails eagerly as they wrung their humanoid hands.
No matter how I wished the creatures would go away, the way they held me in an unwavering gaze told  me that they weren’t going to lose interest in me anytime soon.  The glint in their eyes also gave me the impression that this standoff might not end well.
The original reptilian creature shifted its weight from one foot to the other like a little dance.  The other two chirped eagerly.
The voice in my head said,  Get ready to run.
The rest of the group started to come out of hiding, and I was taken aback to find there were twice as many in the ghastly swarm than I had thought. Thirty altogether, at least.  They all chirped and squawked and hopped around until their racket became a deafening drone, all except the leader.  He never took his eyes off me and I never looked way from him.   He stretched his skinny neck, and released a long raspy scream.
The voice in my head shouted, Run, Run, Run!
I let out a scream of my own as I took flight, and the pack of screeching monsters were right on my heals.  I could feel them nipping at the hem of my skirt as I took the hospital steps two by two.  Once I cleared the stairs, one of the tiny terrors leapt up at me.  I felt it brush passed my arm barely missing me. I squealed and sidestepped away from my attacker.  I could see the hospital door ahead of me.  All of my former worries of what might be inside had disappeared.  Instead I was consumed with the desire to escape and find shelter from these horrible little creatures.
The electric sliding door opened revealing a pitch black entryway.
“Help me,” I shouted into the darkness, “Help.”
I ran head long through the doorway and was hit in the face by a violent deluge of cold rain.  Stunned, I came to a stuttering halt just short of the hospital stairs.  I was outside again in the middle of a stormy night.  I quickly took a guarded stance and scanned my surroundings for my menacing assailants.  They were gone and I was alone again, much to my relief this time. I had barely begun to process the inexplicable events when a blinding flash of lightening slit the night sky accompanied  by a loud clap of thunder that I actually felt in my chest.  Without giving it much thought I dashed back into the hospital.
Instead of  a patient registration desk head and a gift shop off to the side, I found myself looking up at a bright blue sky full of billowing white clouds.  I could hear the twitter of birds and could smell the perfume of blossoming trees.  The sun’s warmth caressed my face as fresh air filled my lungs.  Everything was light and beautiful and everything would be right with the world if it wasn’t deserted.  All would be well if I hadn’t found myself in a real live Twilight Zone. Moments ago I had been in a torrential downpour, but my hair and dress were completely dry.  Before that I had been running for my life from crazy little man-eating dinosaur thingies.  It was all too much, and I had reached my breaking point.
I ran down into the street, shook my fists at the sky, and  screamed, “What the hell is going on!”
Then I slumped on the curb and cried hysterically. There was something seriously wrong with me.  I couldn’t remember who I was and probably needed medical attention, which I obviously wasn’t going to get because the hospital had turned into a time warp that kept spitting me back out onto the street.  I was alone and disoriented.  I needed some comfort and most importantly some answers.
My out burst had done me some good and I felt more calm.  I wiped away my tears and took a cleansing breath.  As I did so, I began to hear the subtle jingle of metal.  The sound grew closer so I quickly got to my feet and prepared to run if need be. The jingling sound was accompanied  by the patter of  quickly moving feet and it was only a matter of seconds until the responsible party came into sight.  Much to my surprise a small black dog ran through the intersection I had taken an interest in earlier.  It was a Labrador mix but little, probably 45 pounds at the most.   The jingling sound was coming from the tags on its hot pink collar and as the dog got closer I could hear it panting as well.
The Lab came to halt in front of  St. Joseph’s and stood perfectly still, frozen at attention, except for its panting pink tongue.  With its ears perked it stared at me with sparkling brown eyes.  The dog was young almost a puppy.  Finally the little dog let out a little woof ,and with a hop it was off again running like it was on fire.  I quickly ran down to the sidewalk trying to keep the little dog in sight.  I didn’t have a reason to stay put, that I knew of, so I decided that I would follow the dog.  I can’t explain why but I actually felt that I needed to follow it.
I needed answers, but I would settle for companionship.  Following the only living thing I had encountered that hadn’t tried attacking me seemed as good a plan as any.  For now it was the only plan I had.