Dust clouds formed over the horizon. From a dimly-lit shack it appeared that the coast was clear. I nervously walked from the entrance of the shack. I walked down the street, the sidewalk under my feet seemed to crack with every step. Unsure of the stability of the solid concrete beneath me I ventured out into the open street. My nerves began to twist as I entered out into the “open.� Where was this? I looked about, everything seemed clear but I wasn't sure, yet I resumed forward.
The road seemed endless. The buildings began to slowly melt into another. All the same hue. As I walked two birds circulated around my head. They lazily swooped down onto the branch of this dying tree which protruded from the side of one of the buildings. “Hey Jim!� The birds began yelling at me, big black birds.
“Jim!� Actually it was only one of them that seemed to call my name. The bird cawed my name again, I didn't respond.
“Don't go hurting yourself?� They flapped their wings and disappeared behind the buildings.
I continued walking. I don't remember what exactly what I was thinking of at the time. Every minute seemed to fall right off the clock. The sun scorched my back and neck. I looked for shade to rest but there were only scarce shreds.
I made it out to the park. The grass was perfectly green and wet. The sky suddenly turned white. I raced down the hill. I stopped at the lake which broke into the sidewalk. In the corner of my eye I saw the familiar two birds settled on a tree. Maybe ready for me to slip in. There were a couple of pebbles on the edge of the lake. I picked them up, ready to skip them but then I decided not to. Instead I dropped one of them into the water, making a little PLOP! I looked in, my reflection became distorted by the ripples.
Suddenly, I felt a slight uneasiness. Voices began to fade in and out. Lights outside began to blink on and off. My stomach churned, I still felt that queasiness from before. I stood up. The lake was gone. I turned around and I went back home.
Lake Isiah
