The Unknown and the Writer (THE FINISHED COPY)

The idea is that this man, a writer is dying of old age & something happened where he mysteriously ends up in an unknown world where he's a young man again. The theme is late 1800s with some fun twist

 The Unknown and the Writer

Written by Adam M. Snow

 

The night is bleak; I sat there at my studies. A blank page before me eludes me; the candle flickering, I sat there pondering. But pondering what? I cannot say for sure. Perhaps the whole ninety-one years I’ve been alive. I’ve been at this for a day too many. I can’t seem to bring myself to write, can’t even force myself to write. I fear I’ve became forgetful and weak at this old wizened age, I cannot write like I use to. I feel death breathing down my neck, sometimes I feel as if he’s mocking me; watching me suffer. I guess we’re all pawns in death’s cruel game. Oh, how the years have taken me by surprise. My hand, I cannot hold on to my pen anymore. I fear this will be the last time I sit here at my studies, such great memories I’ve had. I guess I’ll go lie down and let death take me. I am alone, I left my studies be, walking slowly to my chambers.

“Yes. I’ll go lie down and let death take me.” I said with my final breath. I’m walking, pressed against the wall; but I guess death got too impatient waiting on me. I feel it in my heart, I clinch my chest as hard as I can, yet still I fall; fallen onto the cold hard ground below me. My eyesight is gone. My life is gone.

 

CHUGA CHUGA! PHEEEW!

“What of this!? I thought I was surly dead!” I open my eyes to a bright white light. “Is this not Heaven?” I gaze upon my hands; how can that be? I was but an old wizened man, now I am young once again? I look down before me, it appears that I am on top of a train, amidst the clouds; how can that be?

‘HOLD ON!’ I heard a voice yell out to me. ‘This is going to be a bumpy ride!’ again that voice, I heard it once more, this time said in a menacing jest with a laughter at that. I held on for dear life as truth be told, that voice which yelled to me did not lie, this train ride did take a bumpy toll. Now I’m hanging on for dear life, barely hanging as we sped downward. Where is this train of mystery taking me? Such a strange place, I’d say. The train, it seems to be slowing down as if coming to a halt.

            ‘This is your stop.’ The voice, he called to me once more. Confusion is all I think of at a time like this. Where am I? Where did that train take me? I got off that train, standing alone on a platform, confused.

 

            ‘COME YE! COME ALL! SEE THE MYSTICAL HALF-BEAST, HALF-MAN, OR IS IT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!? YOU DECIDED! ENTER IF YOU DARE!’

“What is that?” I said out loud only for me to hear. “That voice, it sounds just like the one from the train. I must go and see.” I said, looking to the far right from where I stood, gazing beyond the fog. It looks as if a carnival was raging on.

“What is this? Where am I?” I thought to myself, I’m at loss for words. Terrified? Yes, I am, without a doubt. I just want some answers. I proceeded onward to that carnival amidst the fog. The tent is torn, it’s an eerie sight; even more hauntingly, there’s no light in sight, only darkness. Do I dear enter this nightmarish tent? Perhaps looks can be deceiving, I hear laughter inside. Curiosity peak my interest, I approach the ticket booth. A man was there. His face was painted like a clown, but unlike any clown I’ve ever seen; almost demonic like.

‘You there, ticket.’ He said in such a deep sinister voice. I feel as if I shouldn’t enter the tent, I’m having doubts. There’s just something about it, I don’t know. Perhaps the answers I’m looking for are inside.

“I apologize, sir. I am without a ticket.” I said in a kind voice with fear. “What is this man going to do with me?” I pondered there for a second.

‘WHAT!? No ticket!? He said in a loud deep voice, so hauntingly. ‘How can you see the show, if you don’t have no ticket!? He asked sinisterly, his face so close to mine. I can see the evil in his eyes, the terror. What am I getting myself into?

“I do apologize, sir. I just got here, and I don’t know what ‘here’ is?” I said with a sincere apologize once more. I just feel as if that man won’t be kind enough to let me see the show. I must get in, I cannot explain why, I just had to.

‘HERE, YOU SAY!? Just got here!? I guess just this once, a free pass for you. Just don’t go telling anyone now, you hear!’ I was shock, he let me enter. I don’t know what to think, so I thank him and proceed onward into the tent.

 

I am astounded by my findings; this tent was much bigger than I thought. It had to be at least a mile long and a mile high. The laughter, I hear it. It sounds as if it’s getting louder and louder, where is it coming from? I look around, finally I see it. The stands, rows and rows; they’re full of teeth. I see them jumping up and down, laughing. They’re focus on the Ringmaster as he stood in the center of the tent. I can see him; he’s standing next to a cage draped in a dark red cloak.

‘Are you ready? What you are about to see will scar you for life!’ he said out loud with a sinister grin. ‘Get ready to be amazed!’ he said, grabbing the cloak and yanking it off the cage. What of this? I don’t understand. When he pulled that cloak away, no creature is shown, just a mirror within the cage. I am stunned with confusion; I couldn’t help but stare at that mirror. I only see now, my own reflection; but what happens next, I still cannot explain. Somehow, I found myself trapped within that very cage. They’re mocking me, everyone. I’m trying to yell for help, but it seems that my voice is gone. Is someone going to save me? Is this, my Hell? The Ringmaster chuckled and snarled at me.

‘This before you is no man, but a beast!’ he said with a sinister grin, as he glares at me. I grip the bars as tight as I can, but still I am trapped.

‘Behold this beast, as fate waits for him! Such treachery is this? Only he will know!’ he said laughing with his sinister grin. Then it happened like a flash, the Ringmaster and all who were among the stands, vanishes out of sight. They’re gone, yet still I remain within this cage.

 

“Why am I here?” I said to myself as I am still without a voice. Then suddenly, the ground before me shook. The floor gave way, opening a dark abyss below me. I couldn’t help but to fall. I am falling, what feels like days; it feels as if there is no end. This feels like what nightmares are made of. Where am I falling to and when will it stop? Still I keep on falling, for days more; then I finally see it. What is this I see? I see it, but faintly, a white light; breaking through the bleak darkness below me. Have I reached the end? I see that light getting bigger and bigger, as I am getting closer and closer to it. Finally, the light engulfs me, that’s the last thing I remember. I awoke on the ground, a new land, a land like the desert. But something’s different about it. This desert sand is black; there are gears like that of a clock, sticking out from the sands. Among the trees, melting clocks; the sky has birds, that of crows frozen in mid-flight.

“Where am I now?” I said out loud with the return of my voice. “What kind of impossible place is this?” I am walking, alone. The air is getting heavy, oh so heavy. The air is cold, I cannot breathe. I must’ve walked days and days non-stop, I feel as if I’m walking in circles. The wind it’s blowing, blowing so hard; it’s raging non-stop, the black dust in the air consumes my sight. I am almost blind, yet I find myself not stopping, I can’t help myself but keep walking. My sight is faint, it could be playing tricks on me; I swear I see a silhouette, an outlined shadow of a person.

 

“WHO’S THERE!?” I yelled, but no response. “WHO ARE YOU!?” again I yelled, still now response. The closer I get, the more I can make out that silhouette. What I thought was a man or a woman, was in fact an old rugged wooden door. It appears to be standing alone amidst this desert. I walk around that door; it’s obvious it should not be here, there’s nowhere that door should lead. From what I’ve seen within this world, a little gamble should suffice. So of course, I would reach my hand for that knob, and open that door and see where it may lead. I turn that knob, ever so gently; I push that door open with ease. What I saw would be the last thing I’d expect to see. My Isabel; or at least a fragment of my memories of her.

“What of this? Why am I seeing my Isabel?” My love I lost, do to greed; my own selfish needs. My only regret in life, how could I have forgotten? She had loved me and I her, yet I chose my greed and pride over her, out of fear and spite.

“I am but a white man and she is hated for the color of her skin. Love should not be defined by the colors of our skin, but by the feelings that shines from the deepest pits of our hearts; that is love.” I fell to my knees, tears envelope my eyes. If I could take back the past, I would, even for a moment; just long enough to see my Isabel one last time. “Isabel, I’m sorry.” I gather my strength; I pick myself off the ground.

“Isabel.” I said, backing up from the door, just enough to give me room. “Isabel.” I said. “I am coming for you.” I begin to run, and I’m running as hard as I can, I jump through that door and into the arms of my Isabel. Never again will I leave her.

Author's Note

The idea is that this man, a writer is dying of old age & something happened where he mysteriously ends up in an unknown world where he's a young man again. The theme is late 1800s with some fun twists. Now that I am officially finished, what are some of your thoughts on this short story of mine...

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I'm always surprised at how few reviews short stories receive here. Its frustrating, really. I do like this - I wish it would continue though. Its eerie and a bit surreal -and if he becomes a young man -would lend itself to a longer work.
Your descriptions throughout are wonderful - vivid and I found myself fully immersed in the story.