Dreams of Efeshia: Chapter 8: The Palace

We rode for some time before we stopped in front of a gigantic tree. It was like one of those trees that you see only in the Amazon. But this tree was unusually dark and rotten looking. Lanak rode up to the tree and jumped off his horse. He placed his hand and the center of the tree and said some words I didn’t catch. Suddenly the ground began to shake and the tree formed what seemed like a black hole. One by one Lanak’s men went through the tree until my horse was the last one.

“It is time to go home my dear”, Lanak said with a laugh.

“No, I really don’t think this is the right place for me. I really don’t wish to go with you.”

“You don’t have a choice my dear. When we get to my palace, you will have everything you could want.”

At that Lanak pulled the reigns of his horse, with me on it, and walked into the great black hole at the center of the tree.

When we arrived on the other side the air changed. The sky was foggy and dark.

We were still in a forest but it wasn’t the same one we left. Lanak jumped back on his horse and held me as he rode to the front of his men. In the distance I saw huge towers. Finally I saw the palace Lanak was talking about. It was the biggest structure I had ever seen and it glistened in the sun. It looked like it could hold an entire city within its walls. The palace had tall marble towers at every corner and had a gate that surrounded the entire area. I could also see guards looking at us from the towers and guards at the entrance of the gate. There was a golden bridge connecting the end of the forest and the entrance of the gate.

We as we rode closer, the guards let up the gate before us. Since Lanak’s horse was leading the others, the guards of the palace saw me first. They all gave me cold, mean looks as I looked down at them. When we entered the entrance of the palace Lanak jumped off his horse and yanked me off. Two women waiting at the front of the palace met us. He told one of them to take Mau in. I figured they were just his maids. Lanak lead us to the east side, then down some stairs and then through a magnificent golden hall. As we walked down the hall I saw marble statues of svartálfar people with regal poses. Finally, we entered a room at the end of the hall. When we entered the room it looked like a cathedral, except grim. All the furniture was dark, and the windows were shut. There were long black drapes with the dragon emblem hanging on the side of the walls. It was the same emblem that was on Lanak’s armor.

“Take a seat Efeshia,” he said, pointing to the chair in the middle of the room.

“How did you know my name?”

“I’m a good guesser. Since were all settled down I would like to introduce you to my two most trusted advisors”, pointing to the two women at the side. “Yirresh and Ashiru.”

Both women weren’t human, but they looked different from each other. The one holding Mau, Yirresh, was a svartálfar. She had brown hair and dark green eyes. The other one, Ashiru, looked more like Vankari’s kind. Her complexion was much softer than Yirresh and she had short blood red hair.

“My advisors will take good care you while you stay here Efeshia. I have already asked them to clear out a room for you near the east wing.” ”Why am I staying here?”

“As long as you stay here you will be safe.”

At that another svartálfar entered the room. He looked like a soldier, carrying a long sword on his back. He also wore the dragon emblem on the side of his armor. He had curly black hair and dark eyes. When he walked closer to Lanak, he exchanged a few glances with Ashiru, who was standing on the opposite side.

“Ah, Kelthereth, your just in time”, Lanak said pointing to Mau.

“ Efeshia, this is Kelthereth, my appointed general and friend.”

“My lord, I was told that you wanted the main accounts of battle on the Har border before your father read them. The people of Yirsen are...”

“ We don’t need to discuss such matters now Kelthereth. I’ve brought a present for you to commend you for your service to me.”

“My prince, you shouldn’t have. I require no such rewards.”

“ It was nothing. I’m giving this fairy here”, Lanak said pointing to Mau. “I had captured her from the Rhun forest. She is yours to keep.”

“Thank you my prince, but I don’t think I will have a use for her just yet”, Kelthereth said looking at Ashiru.

“Yirresh, Ashiru, take Efeshia to her room and see to it that she has everything she wants. I will be talking for a while with general Kelthereth, so take the little fairy along with you.”

Dreams of Efeshia: Chapter 9: Prisoners In A Palace

Yirresh and Ashiru lead us down another set of steps and further east inside the palace. We went through several halls until we reached a gate that connected the hall we were in to another set of steps.

“Why are we traveling so much just to get to a room”, I said looking at Yirresh. “If this is a palace, shouldn’t there be more rooms available that are closer?” Yirresh stopped and gave me a long look.

“You should be grateful for even being spared by his majesty! There is a reason why you are placed further away from the main hall and further east. Prince Lanak made a special request that you are as far from the west wing as possible.”

At that Ashiru pulled a key from her pocket and unlocked the gate before us. We went down a few steps and into a much smaller hall than the others were. Finally, we stopped at a door at the end of this hall.

Yirresh opened the door and pushed me in. Ashiru took hold of Mau.

“This one is to stay in another place,” Ashiru said firmly.

Yirresh came inside the room and closed the door as Ashiru walked away with Mau.

The room was quite big and very dark. It had a chiseled king sized bed in the center of the room and also had dressers and mirror surrounding it. There were no windows but the walls were painted and the carpet was sewn with the same dragon sign I had seen before.

“Now look here child”, Yirresh said as she walked further in the room, “His majesty, Prince Lanak also made the request that when you arrived here, we were to address you as a My Lady. But seeing what you are, you don’t seem worthy enough for us to lower ourselves before you. I do not know how you bewitched Prince Lanak, but I’ll try my best to obey his orders.”

“Bewitched? That’s an impossible assumption. I don’t even know Prince Lanak or why he is holding me captive. Nevertheless I did not bewitch or captivate him on purpose. You have to believe me!”

“Even if what you say is true, Prince Lanak has a greater destiny in store for you. It was fate that brought you to him.”

“Destiny? I know not of destiny, Yirresh. I only know that I’m not supposed to be here. I’m not supposed to be in this world!”

“As it may be, Prince Lanak intends to have you well taken care of. He has asked that any request you have be fulfilled and any luxury we have be offered to you. But, even though

the Prince shelters you, this does not mean King Azeroth won’t sense you in the palace.”

“Azeroth? Who is Azeroth?”

“If anything prevents you from being able to walk the halls as we came, there is a short cut from this room to the main hall and several palace gates”, Yirresh said, pointing to the floor. “Only four people know of this route, and Prince Lanak wanted me to tell you of it. Not even Azeroth knows. There are underground tunnels that are spread through out the palace. Underneath this carpet is a tunnel that leads to the north gate, past the main hall. Follow it only when in danger.”

“Thank you for informing me, but you still have not said who Azeroth is.”

“Azeroth is the father of Lanak and is the king of Athosia and Yirsen. He is a great conqueror but a tyrannical and oppressive king. He wishes to conquer all of the northern countries and start a new empire. If any one shows even the slightness hint of opposition, they, and their entire family, would be destroyed. King Azeroth is feared mostly among his own people and no one dares oppose him.”

Dreams of Efeshia: Chapter 7: Prince of Darkness

Before us formed creatures I never seen before. Darkness, like smoke clouds followed their forms. The one in the middle was the first to take shape. As his outline took shape, I saw his body form from bottom to top. He seemed like a man at first. When I finally saw his face he had a small grin. He was wearing some sort of dark armor with a dragon emblem on his let side. His ears were long and pointed and he had long, straight hair, similar to Vankari’s, that same strange burgundy color. As soon as the other beings took their shape he looked me directly in the eyes. I instantly noticed his eyes were the color of gold, shimmering gold. His skin was very pale, like a corpse. I couldn’t move off the ground when started walking towards me. For some reason, he seemed oddly attractive.

“Creoso, mellonamin” he said in a smooth voice. I couldn’t help but notice how muscular his body was when he stood over me. His voice was very smooth but deep.

“Lle lava?” I had no Idea what he was saying but Vankari seemed to have a pretty good idea. Vankari started shouting something to the creature over me.

“Amin delotha lle!”

“Lle tela?” he said back.

“You have no dealings with the girl”, Vankari said. “What does she have to do with you?”

I started to try and get up off the ground while they were arguing. The creature noticed I was trying to get up and stood right in front of me. As he bent down, I noticed his men had encircled around Mau and her horse. They all were wearing dark armor and seemed stoic. The creature bent down and put his hand to my ankle. Within seconds I felt like he healed it. He held his hand out to help me get up. “ No thanks, I can manage on my own”, I said trying to be nice as I could. As I got up he started to walk towards me. Vankari was just pushed to the side.

“Are you a human, a human girl?”

“Yes, I guess I am.”

“Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?

“ I’m sorry, I can’t really understand your language.”

“What is a wench like you doing in Athosia?”

As he spoke he started to walk closer and closer to me.

“Its intriguing to find a human in Athosia all alone.” He started to walk in circles around me, as if preying on me. “ Are you all alone in Athosia?” he said slyly.

“No, not really. I am with Vankari and Mau.”

“You seem really young. How old are you girl?”

“Does my age matter in this situation? I don’t even know you and my dad said not to talk to strangers!”

He stopped walking around me and looked at me. “You are pretty bold for a little girl.”

“I’m not a little girl, I’m 15 going on 16.”

“15! You really are young!”

I had just realized that I gave away my age so easily.

“I am Prince Lanak, and you are in my kingdom, so I doubt that I’m the stranger.”

“What exactly are trying to get at? Why are you asking me so many questions and why did you hunt Vankari and us down?”

For a moment there was complete silence all around as he stared at my face.

“What exactly are you, Lanak?”

“I’m a svartálfar prince, a descendant of the gods of old.”

His eyes seemed to twinkle as we made eye contact. He felt as though he was trying to read my thoughts, or my soul. “He must be wicked.” I thought to myself. He suddenly grabbed my arm.

“You’re going with me now.”

“What! You can’t just take me against my own will!”

“Really, I doubt you can stop me.”

At that he started dragging me with him to his black horse. “Get on!” he shouted. He dragged and pushed me on the horse and sat behind me, holding the reins around my waist.

“Mallen pelu e' n'alaquel en' sen!”

As soon as he said that his men surrounded Vankari. One of them grabbed Mau and tied her arms. She started to scream. They tied a cloth around her mouth to muffle it. Vankari tried to stop them from taking her but Lanak’s men beat him down. I felt Lanak reach for something near his belt. I looked back in time to see him aim and throw a dagger that pierced Vankari in the waist. Vankari instantly feel into the grass.

“Why are you kidnapping us?” I screamed. “What did you hurt Vankari?” Even though Mau was fighting, Lanak’s men somehow were able to drag her to a horse.

“Where are you taking us?”

I’m taking you to my magnificent palace”, He said in a sarcastic tone.

“You will be happy there as long as you obey me.”

“Why? I don’t even know you. I don’t even know how I got into your kingdom!”

“I can’t come to believe you came into my kingdom without a reason.”

“If it’s just me you want, why are you taking Mau?”

“Your precious Mau is just a pixie. Don’t concern yourself with her. Her fate is not in your hands. “Oh!” he said as if he just had a new idea. “Oh, and if you even think about leaving me I will kill her personally.”

“That's not fair! What does she have to do with anything?”

“I think its time for us to go now. We can talk about our future together when we go inside my palace”. At that the creature tied a cloth around my mouth so I couldn’t talk for the rest of the way. “Khila amin.” The moment he said that his men mounted their horses and we started to ride off. I looked back sorrowfully at Vankari who was still paralyzed on the forest floor.

Dreams of Efeshia: Chapter 6: The Chase

After waiting for about a half hour for Vankari to return, Mau sensed something wrong.

“It usually doesn’t take this long for Vankari to go hunting. He is very skilled and it should only take him a few minutes”, she said worriedly. I also became worried and hoped that he would come soon. Suddenly, there was a hard bang on the door.

“Should you answer that Mau?”

“Its me Vankari, let me in quickly”, said the voice from the door. Mau opened it and, to our relief, Vankari rushed inside.

“There coming, he’s coming”, Vankari panted. “Who’s coming?” I asked.

“We should leave now! If he finds you, he’ll never set you free.”

“Who are speaking of, Vankari?”

“I saw him and his soldiers in the distance, not far from here! He must have used magic to find you so quickly. We must go, NOW!”

“It’s not Azeroth, is it? Why would he be interested in her?” Mau asked him.

“No, not Azeroth, worse. It’s Lanak and he is determined to find what he is looking for.”

“Who is Lanak, and why would he want me?”

“There’s no time to explain, we must go to save your own fate.” Vankari rushed back outside and brought his other horse from the back shed. It was a beautiful black stallion. “ Efeshia, you’ll ride with me on my horse and Mau will ride on hers.” Vankari mounted on his horse and grabbed my arm for me to get behind him.

“I never went horseback riding before and I don’t know how to do it now!” I yelled.

“Efeshia you don’t have much of a choice, just get behind and hang on to me. You’ll be fine.”

Mau had no problem getting onto her horse. She rode with ease and was ready to go. I climbed onto Vankari’s horse and hung on tight. We galloped away instantly and rode into the direction of the sun. After a few minutes I could sense a sudden danger arise. I felt cold and sick inside, as if I was being vexed. I started to see black fog creeping up into the trees. A cold wind was blowing from behind us.

“He’s getting closer Efeshia. We may not make it.” The darkness crept even closer to us.

“Don’t look back!” Vankari Shouted. Vankari really shouldn’t have said that. I turned my head around to see the darkness, like smoke, following behind us. I could also here the pounding of hoofs galloping around us. I became terribly frightened. Suddenly, our horses stopped, as if stunned, and didn’t move a bit.

“What’s going on?” Mau said in a panicky voice.

“Get off the horse and start running, now!”

As soon as I jumped off the horse I felt sick to the stomach. My body began to ache and I was scared to death. I couldn’t run so fast.

“Vankari, Mau, go without me.”

Vankari turned around to grasp my hand.

“I can’t just leave you here, its you they want!”

“Lets go now!” Mau cried.

Vankari grabbed my arm and jerked me with him.

“We have no time to lose. We need to make it out of the forest while we still have time.”

We started running faster and faster, but the air became darker and darker.

Mau looked back to see us lingering behind. “I don’t think we’ll make it.”

As we ran I could hear strange noises, similar to those I heard before I came into this world.

They sounded as echoes surrounding the forest.

“Mereth en draugrim, Lasta lalaithamin.”

“Do your hear that? Where are those voices coming from?”

“Don’t look back Efeshia!”

We were getting tired of running and the darkness had already surrounded us.

“Lle holma ve' edan!” Voices were surrounding us as quickly as the darkness was. “I can’t run anymore, just leave me”! My body ached for no reason and my head was spinning; yet Vankari kept running. I could go anymore and before I knew it, I tripped and twisted my ankle.

“Get up, get up now!” Vankari shouted.

“Its too late.” Mau looked dead ahead at the forming shapes in the smoke.

“Amin sinta thaliolle e dagor.”

I could feel my heart racing as I looked forward. Vankari just stood there, right next to me. “What's going on?” I asked in fear. Vankari turned his head to look me in the eye.

“The beginning of the end”, he softly said.

Dreams of Efeshia: The Dream Revised

"Dreams of Efeshia" is a short story I wrote based on a dream I had when I was 14. I started typing the story back then and I recently retrieved it on an old flash drive. It was never completed. I regret that now. I don't remember the dream's details anymore to complete it...

I Am Jacob: Chapter 2 (Part 2)

I had a recurring dream that night, same as before. I was a knight escorting the princess through the forest. This time we got further to the castle. As we got closer and closer, I got weaker and weaker. Was I supposed to die when we reached the castle? I had a duty to complete, even if it was to be my last. I swore on my life that I would bring this princess safely to the prince. Maybe my life was to really be sacrificed for this mission. As I got weaker, the princess started confiding in me. She told me I was supposed to be her prince. I didn’t understand. Then she didn’t something I didn’t expect. She kissed me. She said she loved me and she said we were both going to die if we returned to the castle. I didn’t know what to believe. I knew the prince couldn’t possibly want to hurt us. I served him most of my life. But she was so convincing. She said she wouldn’t go any further. I would have to drag her to palace instead. I woke up.

I headed off to work early that morning. Rell called me at noon to go on a lunch break with her. She said she was treating. We went to a little bistro a few blocks from my job. We sat outside to enjoy the spring air. We didn’t talk much, just on small matters. We didn’t even talk about that night, when we overheard Ivan and Stephanie. I didn’t want to bring it up but I was curious as to what her relationship with Stephanie had become. Had Stephanie stopped talking to her just as Ivan stopped talking to me? At the end of our lunch Rell told me about another concert Ivan was having. Ivan hadn’t invited me so I had no plans on going. I didn’t tell Rell we weren’t talking so I just nodded and said thank you for the invite. Rell reached over and kissed me goodbye before she left. I sat at the table for a few minutes thinking over this situation.

Ivan obviously had some communication with Rell for her to know about his concert. He probably invited her himself. He invites her but not me? This all made no sense. Did Stephanie ask him to invite Rell? I couldn’t figure out why these two were cutting me off. I did nothing to hurt Ivan. He doesn’t even know me and Rell are lovers. Stephanie had to be behind this.

I Am Jacob: Chapter 2 (Part 1)

Mom came back 2 days early from her trip to nowhere. She never told me where she went, and I felt I shouldn’t ask. I haven’t spoken to Ivan since before his spring concert. Every time I call his cell I get a busy signal, as if he’s blocking me or something. When I knock on his door he never answers. Could all this be because of his promise to Stephanie? I don’t know where all of this distance is coming from, but I don’t care. As long as I got Rell, I could care less about them. Steph can have her way with Ivan and his friends.

That night mom told me a bed time story for the first time in ten years. She told me it was a bible story… A bible story about me… It was the story of Jacob. She knew I wasn’t much of a bible reader but she was so enthusiastic in reading it to me. She made me a cup of hot chocolate and told me to get comfortable on the couch while she read to me. I didn’t understand why she was acting this way, but then again she’s just a mother… We sat together and she turned to the book of Genesis, the very beginning of the bible.

“Now honey” she said in a soft voice. “You never know what blessings life can give you, even if you’re the poorest of folks. Things happen for a reason now. You may think you’ll never get what you want, but someday what you want is coming to you. I was looking through this old bible here and I found a story I would like to read to you.”

Mom held the bible in her lap and started reading. The story started out plain and simple. Isaac marries a woman named Rebekah and has two sons, Jacob and Esau. Now Esau was the oldest child. He was strong and rash, a hunter of sorts. Jacob on the other hand was a quiet momma’s boy… Now as time passed Esau became the typical bad boy. Long story short, Esau screws up and Jacob received his father’s inheritance though second born. Esau gets mad and plans to kill his brother. Jacob found out and ran away. After she read this I interrupted her.

“Funny thing mom, I have no brother or an inheritance at that. Why is reading this so important?”

“Patients boy. Story isn’t over yet. There is a lesson to be learned.” She continued reading.

So Jacob went away to the land of the Orientals and found a place to stay with a man named La’ban, his mother’s brother. La’ban had two daughters, Leah the oldest and Rachel the youngest. The eyes of Leah had no luster, whereas Rachel had become beautiful in form and beautiful of countenance. Jacob was in love with Rachel. He made sort of a contract with La’ban saying that he would give seven years of servitude to him in exchange for Rachel. So Jacob proceeded to serve seven years for Rachel, but in his eyes they proved to be like some few days because of his love for her. At the end of the seven years Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, because she was first born. Jacob had to serve an additional seven years for Rachel. Mom stopped there. She closed the bible and looked at me.

“So what do you think about that? Wasn’t that a nice story?”

“No! That was complete nonsense.” I came off more agitated than I should have been.

“Mom, I don’t get what’s so important about this story. The guy gets screwed over the entire time. His brother tried to kill him and he’s married to a woman he doesn’t love. What nonsense is this?”

“The story is far from over dear. I just stopped here for today so you could take in what was read. It’s not about what Jacob didn’t have but what he was given. He was given his father’s inheritance because he remained a loyal son. He found true love and was able to survive because of it. He slaved fourteen years for Rachel. And each year was like a day gone by until he could finally have her.”

I Am Jacob: Chapter 1 (Part 3)

Of all the times I fantasized about this moment with Rell, I never thought I’d harbor these feelings, these feelings of uneasiness and guilt. Something was wrong. Rell was so beautiful, so tempting, but something was wrong. I know she’s drunk, but there’s something different about her... I already had the good sense to never take advantage of a woman when she’s drunk. You’ll always regret it in the morning… But this time, Rell was leading me on. When we got to the bedroom, she shoved me on the bed. Why so eager? She crawled on top of me, pinning me by the hips. She ran her hands through my hair, moving them down to my arms and chest.

“Jake you’re so hot. Do you know how much I want you? Do you babe?”

I couldn’t imagine… I didn’t know she was ready for this. I nodded and placed my hands on her thighs. She took off her bra. My heart started beating fast. I eased up and held her, my hands rubbing her back. She moaned. I slowly kissed her, my tongue swirling against hers. That’s when we started getting in the motion. I held her so tight I could feel her heart beating against my chest. I could feel her rubbing against my hard crotch. I liked that feeling, but I tried so hard not to moan. I was slightly embarrassed that she was doing this to me. We never got this close before. As Rell started pulling down my boxers I heard voices coming from the other side of the wall. Ivan…

Ivan lives it the apartment next door to me. How could I forget? Our walls are thin. He can hear everything on my side just as I can hear on his side. When we were younger we use to talk to each other through the walls as our parents were sleeping. We had the same bedroom end. We were never alone. I never thought this could be a problem one day. Rell took my hands and placed them on her breasts, motioning me to rub them. She started to moan. Not now… I got scared and placed my hand over her mouth. She mistook it for passionate dominance and continued to take my boxers off. The voices on the other side got louder. Could she not hear them? I quickly spun her around so I was on top of her. I kept my hand over her mouth so I could hear what was happening on Ivan’s side.

“Sorry Rell, hold on a minute…” We paused. There was someone else at Ivan’s place. Ivan started talking.

“You don’t understand me Stephanie!” I heard Ivan pacing around the room. “I love you, and I won’t let you go. I’ve changed.”

“But you still love her. I know you do. How can we progress further than friends if you still harbor feelings for her? I know you still want her.”

“That’s not true. Believe me bab-” I heard a loud smack from across the room. She must have hit him hard.

“I hate you Ivan. I hate you, I hate her, and I hate your friend too. You all can go to hell!”

“I know you don’t mean that. I told you I’m over her, and I will prove it too.”

“I’m leaving Ivan. I don’t have time for this. This is goodbye.” Stephanie started crying. Then I heard Ivan’s heavy footsteps walk over to her.

“You’re not leaving me tonight. I promise you.”

“What are you doing? Stop it. St-” Ivan grabbed her close and kissed her. She started to struggle but to no avail.

“I want you Stephanie. I want you now. Let’s forget the past. I’ll forget them for you. I’ll forget Jacob for you…”

Next thing I knew Ivan and Steph were going at it. That brought me back from my eavesdropping trance. Rell looked at me, as lustful as ever. Was she still in the mood after hearing that? I started to hear faint screams coming from the other side. I wanted to continue with Rell, but this was too weird for me. Ivan finally consummated his relationship with Steph and I was relieved that I could be free with Rell.

“I’m sorry Rell, let’s do this another time. I’ve heard enough. I’ll give him his privacy for tonight. I promise to make this up to you.”

“Where are we going to go as late as it is? It’s not fair that they get their fun yet we were here first…”

“I’m sorry babe. But I just can’t continue, especially if they can hear us. Don’t worry, you can still sleep here tonight.” Rell got up and started putting her bra back on.

“Forget it. I’m going home.”

“Alright, at least let me walk you back.”

We put on our clothes and headed out. I walked her down the block to her house. I waited for her to open her door then I kissed her good night.

“I’m really sorry about this Rell. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“It’s alright. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When I got back to my apartment, Ivan’s conquest was over for the most part. I heard mumbling but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I fell asleep peacefully for the first time in ages. I felt fresh and renewed. My mind was free, free of that lingering burden. I felt Ivan had finally let go of Rell and she could forever be my girl. Even if Ivan abandoned our friendship for Stephanie’s sake, I was content to have Rell. Everyone got what they wanted for the most part that night. We all enjoyed a sense of contentment and happiness.

I Am Jacob: Chapter 1 (Part 2)

It started to rain as I walked back to my place. I went inside my apartment, locked up, and poured me a drink. Nothing like sharkov vodka to warm my spirits. I took a few shots before taking my clothes off and jumping into bed. I lay on my back and looked out the widow, watching the drops of rain drizzle down the glass. It wasn’t too long before I faded out into sweet dreamland. A knight, a princess, and a prince. Who were these fantastical characters played out in my mind? In this dream I am a noble knight escorting a beautiful princess through a turbulent forest. This princess is to be married to the prince I swore my undying allegiance to. I am escorting her from her homeland to the grand castle of my prince. Along the way she tells me a secret. She tells me I’m supposed to be a prince. I don’t understand her. She goes on to say that she wants me to be her prince. I suddenly hear banging in the forest. The banging becomes unbearable as it consumes me. I wake up to the banging. The door…

I forgot! I forgot all about my agreement with Rell. She must be irritated now. I jumped out of the bed to open the door. I realized I was only wearing boxer shorts. I couldn’t have Rell waiting so I quickly let her in. She stumbled into my place, right into the living room.

“It seems you guys had quite an after party…” I teased. She seemed drunker than usual. Drunker than I ever seen her before. I led her to the couch to sit down but she resisted sitting.

“Hey baby. You missed out, as usual… Why do you choose to stay in this dark and dingy apartment when you can enjoy the world with me?”

She slowly took her jacket off and threw it on the floor, revealing a navy blue dress. I didn’t know how to respond to her so I said nothing.

“You always say you want to talk to me but you never really do. This time, I’m gonna make you talk. I’m gonna make you scream.” She walked towards me with a glare in her eyes. I wish she wasn’t so mad. I don’t want her to be mad...

“I’m sorry Rell. You just don’t understand at times it can b-”

She slapped me. I kept my head turned away from her, silent… She started to cry. Why was this happening? Why is she the one crying? I didn’t understand. I broke my silence.

“Rell I just don’t get it. I never meant to hurt you. Why are you unhappy?”

She looked up at me and saw the deep concern in my face. She started laughing.

“I’m drunk baby. Can’t you tell?” As she laughed she put her hands on my cheeks. “Isn’t this enough for you? Shouldn’t you be going crazy now?”

Was she trying to provoke me? That’s not like her. Was she really drunk, or trying to play off her emotions?

“I don’t know what you want from me, rea-” She thrust two fingers in my mouth before I could finish my sentence.

“You like that don’t you baby?” She said with a smirk. All of this made me feel uneasy. “Relax Jake. I’m gonna make you talk to me…”

“No…” I grabbed her hands and held them in my hands. “Rell, tell me what you want. Let’s talk about what’s really going on.” She pulled away from me.

“Listen, I’m just trying to understand you Jake. I want you. You know I want you, but you don’t seem to want me as much.”

That’s complete nonsense. She knows how much I want her. She has to know. Once again I said nothing. I just stood there, looking down at the floor. If it were Ivan I was speaking to, he’d beat my feelings out of me. I’m so glad it’s not him. Rell started to take off her shoes. I feared the worst and thought she was going to hit me with them. She didn’t.

She instead took off her dress, right in front of me. I was getting nervous. I started to back up. She threw the dress on the couch. I turned away from her, trying to avoid staring at the underwear clasping her beautiful body. She walked towards me. I still couldn’t say anything. She got close and held my left hand, placing it on her breast. I pulled back, still holding her hand.

“I can’t. I don’t think yo- no wait, I just… um…” I was losing words faster than I could think.

“It’s alright Jake. Please accept me. I want you this way. Just do it…” I didn’t know what to say. I did accept her so I let myself go. She took me by the hand and led me to my bedroom.

I Am Jacob: Chapter 1 (Part 1)

It’s that feeling right before you puke, that jolt of sickness running through your belly. You feel that swaying sickness, slowing taking over your mind. You start to sweat, as if you’re running a marathon. Your neck, your eyes, your lips get heavy. You start to speak but can’t form words. Your body aches, as if beaten all over. Beaten by the many burdens your tragic life throws upon you. Then you see her, that beautiful face in the distance. You see her and your pain fades away. Her nearing presence heals you…

“Jacob, Jacob!” She calls out to me from afar. I don’t respond. “Jacob! Come on hun. Hurry up will ya!” She motions me to run to her, but I don’t move. I watch as she walks toward me in disappointment.

“Jacob baby, you’re making us late. What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m not in the mood to go today. I’m sorry Relissa.”

I don’t mean to push her away, but I can’t take this right now. “Listen babe, I need to walk alone for a bit. You go on ahead and meet the group at the park. I’ll meet you later on.” I just couldn’t bear to see him again. Ivan invited me, Relissa, and Stephanie to see him perform in the park tonight. Ivan is my best bud. He was there for me in good and bad times. We’ve been through so much together, but nothing could have prepared me for this. I had such respect and trust for my bro. I once promised to be by his side as he done for me, but I just can’t face him now. Ivan loves her. He loves my girl Relissa. He loved her first. But she loved me first. What am I saying? I’m a traitor. I took her away from him. I took away his chance to be with her. What kind of friend am I? I am guilty of having no regrets, although I feel I should. I don’t regret having Relissa as my own, but I do regret the pain Ivan will feel when he finds out. If he finds out…

I walked in the direction of the park. When I got to the entrance, I froze. I just stood there, in the middle of the path. I started to hear the smooth melodies resonating from Ivan’s guitar. I could hear his soft voice singing the petty plights of our teenaged existence. He sang about love like it was some kind of drug. Something you had to have but was far from reaching. Something you desperately tried to grasp but kept slipping. To us, all of us, love was a curse. The four of us felt waves of desperation some time or another. And it was that desperation that held us together for so long...

The trees started to sway in the darkness. The wind shifted in the direction of the stage, vibrating around my body. Vibrating… I realized my phone was going off. I took it out my pocket and watched the flashing lights, feeling the vibrations in my fingers. It was Relissa calling. I answered it.

“Babe, you’re gonna miss Ivan’s performance!”

“I know. I plan on it. I’m sorry but I just can’t go now. I need to think for a bit.”

“Think about what? You’ve been thinking all day Jacob!” I could tell in her voice she was getting upset. “You seem distant from not only me, but all of your friends. Why don’t you hang out with us like you use to? I don’t understand it babe.”

“Look Rell, It’s not like that. I’m not trying to avoid you or anyone else. I just need some time alone right now. I promise I’ll talk to you tonight.”

“Wait Jake, how about I come over to your place once the concert is finished. We can spend time together and talk, just the two of us…”

“Alright. Don’t come too late though. I don’t want you walking in the dark by yourself.”

We said our goodbyes and hung up. That was it. She arranged to meet me at my place after Ivan’s concert. I usually would have made some excuse to go to her place instead, but my mom was out of town for the week. The apartment was completely empty. Things seemed so convenient, especially with Rell living down the block. I had bet Ivan and the gang were going for drink afterward so he wouldn’t suspect Rell coming to my place.