The Sanctuary Chronicles - Part 1

Trent Begins

As you know, the temperature of any sea is not constant. It changes. Honestly, I

couldn’t tell you what it is, as I contemplate in this moment, on this moment.

I’m sure the outer Zone Ocean has particular temperatures at particular times, as

does the Engineered Ocean and such things go on all the time and right now. The

Zone Ocean, do to its vastness and depth, removes us from its fullness, as does the

Engineered Ocean. All of these and other bodies of water have varying degrees

unknown to me. Winds, waves, storms, and other unseen movements play on these

ideas. I’m sure if I research the inner workings on this subject I will become

conversant and knowledgeable of these facts instantly but will I always be aware

every minute, every moment, of every day of the shifting, changing elements of

every body of water on the planet and be aware of every temperature fluctuation

simultaneously of said bodies?.....I think not… Not that I don’t think it is a nice

cerebral exercise or thought... Does it have worth?

Some one is entering my house right now. A stranger, making loud disturbances,

naked, panting, carrying a very large gun, and charging at me. What am I to think?

Thinking is done…. I better run! .... and run fast! I am not thinking of bodies of

water…Oh no! I’m thinking it’s time to get out.….and dodge the crazy. Is this

individual a rapist, a burglar, a mental patient who missed his daily medications or

worse…. A bureaucrat?

SANCTUARY

-2-

There is no time to think at times like these. The natural order of things kicks in

and my legs kick out, stretching outward and onward in the opposite direction.

As distance fills in and separates me from him I feel calmer, however, a mystery has

evolved. Who was that unknown, unmasked, unclothed clown? What was he doing

in my house uninvited? Why the gun? Why the rage? ….and what’s for dinner?

I’m hungry with all that running. I will call the police….or will I? After a burger I

will sort it all out. Maybe I will call the authorities. I have little or no confidence in

the criminal justice system or those puppets they call police, installed as nothing

more than glorified secretaries, actually, order takers, record keepers, reporting

crime as an afterthought. They record a crime after the fact. They do not prevent it

or stop it or solve it. A criminal on the other hand has the upper hand with his

wicked ways and evil intent, which is, in and of itself a potent force, and worthy of

exploration, and coupled with that, they at least have an agenda. The police have 

donuts waiting for them somewhere, drawn inexorably like a magnet to metal or moth to flame. What

do they care about an over grown leaping Gnome like me?  Shy... Invisible at best.  What if I just don’t

report it? Will the world move any slower? Will the unclothed clown stop and

change?...and I don’t mean into clothes as a normal course of action. Will he become

normal? What is normal for him? What about my burger? Isn’t that more

important? To enjoy a burger is the purpose of the day. The criminal with the big

gun is a looming question. I’m going to sneak back to my place and see if I can get

in without being detected. Perhaps…..Well, perhaps nothing. I’m just going to

crash at the Well for tonight. They have cheap food and single rooms that will do.  

 

SANCTUARY

-3-

It is that long day going into night. Good for me that the Well Inn is open at strange

hours. A hot soup would be good. A pillow would be better. I’m calling it a night.

There is an odd calm in all this. One minute I’m home watching TV, the next, I’m a

displaced citizen, like a hunted refugee with no place to go. Also, there is no news.

No one has contacted me today. My cell phone is off. It’s better that way. The only

person I’ve had words with is the desk clerk here.

I should call the police. It will come down to degrees of circumstances. I don’t feel

any particular danger or harm coming to me. Life is one big violation anyway. I

don’t want to confront the police. I don’t want to confront the uninvited character

in my home. Sleep will be the judge.

Morning happens without warning. Sun, birds, trees, the whole thing. My thoughts

and being, that is being here, flooded, no, absorbed by the sounds of the streets and

Inn. Nature takes hold.

I have no choice. I have to get up. I have to decide…..Home it is. I will go there.

Reconnoiter. Fact find. Check for damages or missing items. It would be great not

to find the wild one in or around my place. If nothing was stolen or trashed I

will probably cook. Some eggs and toast would be nice. There is always the chance

he could return. I should buy a gun or at least some mace but first I need coffee.

I settle with the clerk and gather my senses. Taking the long way home so as not to

draw attention to myself would be prudent. In a flash, my invisibility evaporates

almost immediately. Not even 5 steps from the Inn and the police shout my name,

“Hey You!” (I’ve been called worse.) In an instant, like a trigger on a gun squeezed

SANCTUARY

-4-

into action I run like a rabbit into the woods. They follow in a fever, panting,

yelling, cursing, and stumbling to a stop. The briar proved to be too much for them.

They became entangled in its thorny grip. I slow my pace as the race has ended.

No winners, just more questions, like; Why is the law after me? I am no

criminal…that is, according to my mother….and other known sources. Perhaps it’s

a matter of mistaken identity. “Hey You” could be anyone. Obviously this is a one

sided story and somewhat incomplete. I could have stopped.

Finally home! The woods were creepy but at least I maintained my anonymity. No

one seems to be following me and no one at home. Always a good sign. Things

don’t seem to be missing or destroyed. I take comfort in these small things. What

to do…..What to do…..Coffee it is. Coffee time! My mind wonders to the joys of

cream & sugar. It’s great to be home. Too bad it’s not safe.

Master John James is at the ocean. I will confer with him tomorrow. He will know

what to do. His contemplative nature will fall like a snow flake on this conundrum.

I hope that he saves enough water for me to take a swim. The ocean can surprise

you at this time of year. That is I don’t believe in mass evaporation but why take a

chance. I think I will call before setting out. It will be alright. What about the

neighbors? They see all know all and tell nothing. I should knock on some doors

and ask some questions. John James will not be happy with too few clues. As the

sun sets on this not so news worthy day I will have to rise to the moment of action

and find out something, any thing. Even lost thoughts have their place in this world. 

SANCTUARY

-5-

Again, circumstances not of my choosing press me into action against my will. The old

gal next door sees everything. Let’s give it a go.

TRENT: “Hi Meg!” “Everything OK?”

MEG: “Oh hi Trent.” “I haven’t seen you in ages.” “How’s the family?”

TRENT: “Everyone is fine.” “No news.”

MEG: “What’s new with you?”

TRENT: “Funny you should ask.” “Have you seen any strangers around here lately?”

MEG: “No.” “Why?”

TRENT: “Well….I’ve had some trouble recently with some weird guy who

came into my house the other day….He was naked, hysterical, and

brandishing a gun. He came at me with great force. I ran like Hell and got

lost in the night. It has been all down hill from there. I’m just getting back in

now.” “I was hoping you might have seen something...anything.”

MEG: “Any idea who the guy is?”

TRENT: “No clue!”

MEG: “And the police?”

TRENT: “Not yet.” “I don’t like the police, or government, or politicians.”

MEG: “You have to do something.” “What if he comes back?” “He sounds like he’s

dangerous.” “I’m calling the police right now!”

TRENT: “And say what?”….”That you heard me, your neighbor, tell you a story.”

“I’m about to disappear and sort this out.” “Too bad no one saw anything.”

“A simple clue would do to help the situation.” “We only have fragments...

SANCTUARY

-6-

….nothing tangible.”

MEG: “Trent, I’ve known you for years.” “What is wrong with you?” “You have

always been a down to earth person…reasonable…clear thinking…and wise.”

“You are allowing this criminal to run free….to take over your house….and

your life…Why?.and you know he has a gun…and he broke into your

home…and he attacked you…..Daaaaah!...Wake up man!....Do something!”

TRENT: “I have become complacent.” “It is time for the hunted to become the hunter.”

“I will find this freak of nature and turn the tide.”

MEG: “I’m calling the police!”

TRENT: “I’m leaving.

Time for a jaunt down by the jetty. The winds and waves should be lifting at this hour to

a mighty roar. I need to clear my head by the ocean and move on with my new plan. A

rock from out of nowhere, hits me flush on the side of my head. Oh great! Oh my head!

When I finally come to, my wallet and keys are gone. I had been taken by surprise by

something as common as a pack of sea urchin harbor punks who hurled an ordinary rock

and got lucky. I did not. My pride and finances wiped out in a single blow. Moving

forward, my focus is on the origin of my problem, the unknown man must be dealt with

first, and restoration of order, hopefully, will follow. Negative things can not be allowed

to flourish.

(Sanctuary 7 will follow in the next installment.)  

Author's Note

This is an epic adventure, thriller, suspense filled story with unimaginable endless depths of intrigue, drama, twists and turns around each mind bending landscape. It will be the most unusual undertaking in literature you have ever taken. (according to the author.) Enjoy

Reviews

[A Human In Considerable..]

Arguably the best hook ever ;)