Abigail Keller

"Kate was one of my students.  She became involved with all this because I recruited her.  She had a gift and I pushed her to fulfill her potential.  From the moment she joined, we knew everything about her life and that includes you and it goes without saying... Roger."  She stood, her attention riveted on the horizon.

"How?  How could you?" I barked.

"We were a loose group of intellectuals.  We called ourselves the Coalition... a group of brilliant minds assembled for the advancement of mankind.  Eventually, as we developed new tools, new technologies, and visions for the future... we began to see things differently.  Utopia for mankind began to mean different things to different people in the group.  After years of fighting, some broke off to join those at Warwick.  The rest of us formed a watchdog group to keep an eye on the others."

"And that brings you to me?"

"Yes, Mr. Harris.  You are the key to Roger's project.  He realized it early on. The electricity you produce is the jumping point; a make it or break it kind of a thing.  Without you his project dies on the drawing board and the future is safe for the time being," she said, now trying to divide her attention between me and whatever she was drawn to.

Only half aware, I followed her gaze as she spoke.

The clouds that sat on the edge of the sky when I first arrived had now moved closer to us.  Slow, white, fluffy clouds in the beginning, they had grown darker, more gray and foreboding.  Small arcs of lightning began to jump between them as they slid closer, bringing with it the low rumble of thunder.

"Mr. Harris.  Please, you don't understand.  You must calm down," she said, waving me toward the chair.  Her attention now divided between me and the horizon.

At that moment, the two men that accompanied her in the beginning reappeared.  They stood behind her, pulling her to her feet.

"You have to calm down.  Look around. Look at what you're doing.  All this is coming from you.  You're no good to us or yourself in this condition... we can't help you like this," she shouted over the sound of the growing wind.

"So, you're trying to tell me you're here to save the world," I said with sarcasm.  I was ticked.  I had reached the point of disbelief.  I had become tired of being manipulated, of being lied to.  Everyone had an agenda, a reason of their own to pull me in one direction or the other. 

What struck me deepest was her saying nine.  Nine times someone had been in my head.  Nine times someone fucked with me to get what they wanted. 

"You, or someone like you, climbs uninvited into my head anytime you want and I'm suppose to do or don't do whatever it is you say?  Well, that's bullshit," I shouted, jumping to my feet.

A loud clap of thunder exploded overhead, vibrating to the very core of me.  The gentle breeze had now become a rush of air that preceded the gathering storm.  The sky had darkened, covered with a swirling, angry mass of gloom.  Bright flashes of lightning jumped from one end of the sky to the other, accompanied by the roar of thunder.  Clap after clap boomed overhead.

"Mr. Harris, listen to me, please," she screamed, reaching out toward me as the two men struggled to pull her to safety, knocking over the table and chairs.  The gale force wind grew more powerful than before, blowing the sand everywhere.  Now nearly dark, save for the flashes of lightning, the air was full of debris.  It was difficult to see anything at all. 

The beautiful sky, the incredible surroundings from but a few minutes before were gone, as were the others.  The only certainty now... I was alone.  I stood in the center of what I can only describe as a small hurricane.  The dark walls of spinning wreckage reached far above me, wobbling wildly, threatening to crash down upon me.

The patio had begun to break up, becoming increasingly smaller.  Torn from beneath my feet, shattered pieces flew through the air to join the rubble racing in the walls surrounding me.  Lightning exploded with greater force and regularity as the walls drew closer and closer.  My heart pounded like never before... I couldn't breathe... I couldn't move.

At that moment, a bolt as thick as my arm drove itself into my chest.  It burned beyond words, filling me, racing down my body to erupt through my feet and I screamed.  I screamed as if my lungs were on fire and the flames rushed from my mouth. 

The sound of it woke me.  I drew a deep, cool breath... sitting up.  I was still in bed, still in my room, covered in a cold sweat and a walloping headache.

Slowly, I made my way to the bedroom door.  My heart still pounded as I gripped the knob.  After a moment, I pulled it open to find my living room filled only with the things that belonged there.  No wind, no beach, no sand, no Abigail Keller.

I stood alone in the dark.

Reviews

[Justin Robben]

This piece brought a smile to my face. I enjoyed it very much. It was clever and engaging. Not overly vague where I felt lost or confused, but not so overt that you spelled everything out for us.
Descriptive, which I rather enjoy...a personal style taste, I guess ;)

If you are looking for any critical feedback, in regards to your writing I don't have much to offer. I think it's quite good and held my attention.
Story-wise, I think there's more here. I also think it'd be cooler if it weren't a dream, after all. I sort of got the sense it wasn't. But rather a portent into events to come, in a way...

Bravo!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are a amazing storyteller. I like the situation and interesting characters. You create good storyline and left me with the need to read more. I like the set-up and the surprising ending. A well-written story that held the reader to the last words. Thank you for sharing the outstanding story.
Coyote

[dan]

I'm afraid that I feel as though I was dropped down in the middle of a story with no prior context and no other conclusion other than it was a bad dream. The writing is done very well but I don't feel as if I've gotten the point of it all. take care...dan

[Rana]

A well-written and interesting story. The description of the chaos due to the wind was specially good, just of the quality dreams have. The climax was great too, it was moving to see how much obsessed he was with AK. Nice job.

[Willard Wells]

I am a writer with limited ability to put words on paper as you do. I have the stories but not the ability that you have to bring your ideas and thoughts full circle to a complete exciting story. I will continue my struggle as I stand humbled as I read your work. Thank you.

[Brinleigh Bailey]

Tegon, this is an amazing piece. As promised, I judged based on many factors but creativity was one of the main factors into choosing a winner to my contest. I suppose that is why you came out on top. From the first line, I was hooked, hanging onto every word until "I stood alone in the dark". A beautiful way to tie the story together and incorporate the theme of the contest. In reading your piece, I took pleasure in the amount of power your character had during his dream, it leads you to believe this is something he craves while awake with his disability. I cannot begin to express how much the last paragraph moved me. It was word choice that made it flow so smoothly, made it so simple while beautiful. Very well done, you show true potential as a writer. Sincerely, Brinleigh.

[Will Neill]

Please accept my apologies my auto correct changed your name Tegon.
Will

[Will Neill]

Such a pleasure to read a good story teller Teton, there are few on here.
Will

[Tegon Maus]

Thanks Will... nice of you to say. I read your story about Hitler on Readwave - pretty cool my friend

[Will Neill]

Thanks Tegon I am still working through the littlefield chronicle's I have been quite busy getting together some material that is to be sold on a 'hopefully publishing deal' but so far its been a excellent read, my book club will also get the chance to read and review once I finish...good luck with the contests you entered into recently on here..take care
Will