Eric Slansen: the story of an insecure man, a beautiful woman, an evil cult, a hero, and other stuff

A Story by Azarel Szabo

a work in progress

Eric Slansen was trudging, toiling, making his way through the loud boisterous crowd towards his goal. He was trapped in the midst of a large group of fans screaming, clapping, and carrying on for their favorite local band: Ten Fists in the Oven.

In the small desert town of Indigo there was always an annual fair that was decked out with all the works, including a musical performance.

Of all the people they could’ve chosen why did it have to be them!? Eric complained to himself. Eric hadn’t ever disliked rock music but this was something else entirely. Not to mention, he couldn’t stand the wild nauseating atmosphere of the crowd he had found himself stuck in.

How did I even get myself into this situation? Eric asked himself, but before he could give himself a smart reply, looking through the thundering bunch of teenagers, he saw her.

Lilith Andrew.

Even through the crowd she looked radiant as ever. Her golden hair glistened different reds and blues from the various lights. Eric found himself struggling harder than ever to get through the crowd to the otherside. I have to get to her before she’s gone! Eric told himself.

Eric first met Lilith when he had arrived at his new job in Indigo. From the moment he met her, he had acquired feelings for her, but due to his shy and excessively nervous nature, he had never talked to her.

Now was his chance.

Move! he shouted into his head, shoving past a group of people,

“Out of my way!!”

As Eric knocked through the crowd, he went past a familiar face.

“What’s the hurry?” the familiar face said, while he prevented Eric from moving forward. His thick coarse hair slightly fell in front of his oriental yet extraordinarily strong, masculine face.

Eric tried to move past but to no avail, “I’m sorry Temujin, I don’t have time right now.” Eric attempted to continue on but Temujin stopped him easily. Eric started panicking, as he noticed that he could no longer see Lilith through the crowd. Temujin looked surprised by Eric’s panicked state and let him go.

“What’s up with you? I don’t enjoy this music too much either but you might as well have a little bit of fun. Come on!”,Temujin yelled, trying to speak over all of the commotion. Eric slumped down, only to be picked back up by Temujin.

“Eric?” Temujin seemed worried, “What’s wrong with you today? Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”

Under the huge tent that housed the dining center of the fairgrounds, Temujin started to eat the burger he’d just purchased. Eric just sat there ignoring his food.

“Are you serious?” asked Temujin “Not even eating? Alright,” Temujin put down his burger and looked at Eric, “Something is definitely wrong. Spill it”

Eric looked up finally feeling like he could speak, “To tell you the truth, you kind of stopped me from going to see Lilith...” Temujin looked confused and scolded Eric.

“Why didn’t you tell me then!? Jeez! This is probably the first time you actually attempt to talk to her and you let me stop you!?”

“It doesn’t even matter. Before I even got two feet away from her, I probably would’ve chickened out anyway.” Eric said looking up from his self-loathing stupor, “Besides, its not like she would’ve even...” Eric was stopped short his mouth still open. Temujin looked behind himself to see that Lilith was walking right towards their direction!

“Hey! I didn’t know you were here today.” she said to a startled Eric. Eric sat there speechless until Temujin punched his shoulder. Eric suddenly blurted out,

“You look beautiful today!” Lilith jumped back, frightened by Eric. Temujin intervened.

“What my friend here means is he’d like if you joined us.” he said.

Thanks Temujin. Eric said to himself. Turning to Lilith who had sat down next to him, Eric quietly apologized, “Sorry.”, inside he told himself I’m such an idiot.

“Oh, it’s alright.” she said smiling. Eric felt himself trying not to blush and decided he’d say something.

“So... what you’ve been doing here so far?” as the words left Eric’s lips, for some reason, he felt as if he were walking into a mine field. Lilith responded,

“Well, I’ve really just been looking through all the vendors. I just love all the little crafts n’ things, you know.” Lilith laughed, “I couldn’t seem to find anyone around. So, when I saw you I thought I’d come and say hello.” Eric couldn’t believe what was going on and began to zone out.

Is she really talking to me? He thought ,SHE”S ACTUALLY SITTING NEXT TO ME! I MUST BE DREAMING! Eric suddenly woke up as he saw a hand waving in his face.

“HEY!! ERIC!!”Temujin shouted, “Are you gonna answer her?”

Eric looked to Lilith, “Hmm?”

“Do you want to go get some cotton candy with me?” asked Lilith

“Uh, sure!” answered Eric as he got up from the wooden bench he had been sitting on. Together they walked through the fairgrounds, headed for the cotton candy stand.

“So... I hope Temujin likes whatever flavor we get him.” Eric said attempting to start up a conversation.

“Yeah.” Lilith laughed.

How can she be so happy all the time? Eric thought to himself, I must seem like an absolute bore. NO! I’m just nervous, that’s all.

Upon reaching the seemingly endless line at the cotton candy stand, trying to pass the time, Eric asked, “You didn’t really come here alone, did you?”

“Well, to tell you the truth, I actually came here with Alister, but he turned out to be a total jerk.”

“Alister!” Eric shouted to himself. Ever since Eric had come to Indigo, Alister had taken it upon himself to be the self-proclaimed maker of hell for Eric’s life. At work and around town, constant harassment made Alister an absolute pain, not to mention his “feelings” for Lilith. At least she knew Alister for who he really was. “So you left Alister to see me?”

Lilith smiled, “Well I didn’t exactly plan on seeing you, but I’m glad I did.” Eric smiled back.

“You really mean that?” Eric asked.

“Of course!”, Lilith said, “Besides, I might as well get to know you better. I mean ,we do work together.”

“Yeah.” replied Eric, “I guess we’ve just been a little bit too busy to... notice each other...” Eric paused, “NOT THAT I WAS TOO BUSY FOR YOU!!” Lilith giggled at Eric,

“I think I know what you mean, Eric.”

Eric was blushing once again.

Should I tell her how I fell? He thought to himself