Shadow Winds

By Robert Blanton

In 1996 Roger went on a vacation to the Bighorn mountains in northern Wyoming only to have his life changed. No one knew what his story was when he returned home to Cheyenne. Tormented by the images of a time gone by he seeks the truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483595979

Book preview

Thirteen

Chapter One

High atop the Big Horn mountains of Wyoming, shadows dance in the wind. Casting their ominous darkness upon the land. Some find solace in the dark, yet others fear what could be found in them. I know, I seen my fear the shadow winds. Changing my outlook on life. I didn't know the events that I witnessed would follow me home to Cheyenne. I still see the shadow winds to this day.

I had always wanted to retire early. Most likely somewhere peaceful, with a view. A view of mountains, even water. I was in desperate need of a place far away from the world around me. Freeing my spirit, and above all sleep in until noon, naked on the living room floor. Nothing lavish, my thoughts and journal is all I needed.

Shadows dancing on the sidewalk. The trees swaying in the crisp spring wind. The abundance of wind breathing new life into the small towns that dot Wyoming. I wouldn't want to live anywhere other than here. Yet sometimes wondering what if I lived in another state, would the feeling be mutual. I spent most of my life here running from the shadows in the wind. But now I had to face my fear, and tell my story of the shadow winds.

One of the most frightening things I have done in the past twenty years, was place my hand on that door. It was my first time at a psychologist. I have been told to talk to someone, but who? All my family and friends turned their backs on me. The love of my life was taken from me years ago. I had no one. Since that day twenty years ago, my life turned into a pathetic display of how twisted life is. My heart raced as I opened the heavy glass door.

A sweet angelic voice greeted me from behind a cold marble counter. Good morning sir. May I help you?

Yes ma'am. I have an appointment this morning. Her eyes shimmered like the finest sapphires. If the receptionist looked that beautiful, what does the doctor look like.

May I get your name. Please.

Roger Blanton.

Ah. Yes. Welcome Mr. Blanton it's a pleasure meeting you. I am Kelly the one and only.

Nice to meet you as well.

Please take these forms. Fill them out to the best of your ability. The last page is yours to keep. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Please help yourself to some coffee. Pointing me in the direction of a plush seating area.

Thank you ma'am.

Taking a seat near a window. The sun shining on my face. On the small table next to the window was a Bible. I chuckled to myself thinking, that it would not save me now. I sat looking out the window, contemplating life's vast array of choices. I could have stayed home and put myself out of this existence. I could have ran a blade across my wrist, in a warm bath. Placed the muzzle of my pistol in my mouth, quick, painless. Hell I could have tied my belt around a beam in the basement. But of course something made me come here. Of all the possibilities I decided to be heard.

The sound of boot heels on the tile snatched my attention from the window. Standing at the corner of the counter was no doctor. The woman I seen in skin tight jeans and revealing pink plaid shirt, looked more like a stripper. Our eyes meet as she called me back to her office. Mr. Blanton, come on back.

We walked down a long dim hallway. This doctor was the most beautiful doctor I have seen. There was a blue door at the end of the hallway. Was I about to enter a dark room, where we would do unspeakable things to one another? Am I in the best dream I have had in years? I couldn't help but notice the sway of her hips. Her firm bubble butt in those jeans. I couldn't help myself. I found it hard to focus. But I had to focus. I was there to tell my story, not look for a date. I guess I was looking for any reason to run out that front door.

It felt like a lifetime had passed walking down that hallway. Opening a heavy blue door to spacious office. I stood in amazement, the office didn't look like a typical head doctor's office. No white walls, no small couch to lay on. Hell a straight jacket would have been a nice touch. The office was whimsical, almost childlike. The faults fireplace gave a comforting feel to the room. It was one of those electric space heater type with the fake flame. On a large oak table was a voice recorder. This must have been a dream. Was I dreaming? No, this was no dream. I was here it was all real.

Lost in my own mind I felt the gentle hand touch my arm. Mr. Blanton. Is everything alright?

Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry I forget what I'm doing from time to time. Your office is nothing like I imagined it to be.

What were you expecting? Straight jackets?

To be honest, I was. It's so welcoming and warm. Whimsical. Your name, DiJohn, is that French?

I believe it is Mr. Blanton. Please take a seat wherever you feel most comfortable.

The soft embrace of death would have been more comforting. The doctor took a seat next to me, between us was a small table. The sound of the recording starting made me think. Was I about to do something we would both regret? Would death swoop in and save me from this disaster?

Placing the recorder between us. The words of an angel, started me down this path. Today is May 4th, 2016. I am here with Mr. Blanton. Please, Mr. Blanton tell me what's on your mind.

My mind is not the place to be. The things that I have seen. No one else should have to… I decided to withdraw myself from any further embarrassment.

Mr. Blanton. You're safe here. Please go on.

It's been twenty years. The details of that trip north are vivid every time I close my eyes. Where would you like me to begin?

You can start from any point you want. You could tell me how you got that scar on your face.

This scar. This scar is proof that I survived what most people shouldn't. It reminds me every day that my life was good before.

Before what?

"It was, May second 1996. I was one day away from a two week vacation. I had never been north of Casper. Many found it odd that I have lived here for so long and never been past Casper.

The last page of a project I was working on slid off the printer. A billion dollar company and I was the heart and soul of that project. Relieved that I would be getting a healthy bonus if it went through. I was in a hurry to get home so I rushed the documents to the boss man's office, neatly setting them on the corner of his desk. My heart was racing with excitement. I rushed down the hallway out the front door. I ran into the new office girl, Jessi. I felt bad, I knocked the paperwork she had out of her hand. I apologized and helped her organize the paperwork. She thanked me for the help. We walked through the parking lot, she parked right next to me. I climbed into my cherry red and black 1943 Chevy truck. Man I miss the way she looked, no rust, mirror finish. Poor Beth."

Who's Beth?

"My truck. She has seen better days. I sat in the truck looking back at the office. Little did I know it would be the last time I seen that office. It was three o'clock when I pulled out of the parking lot. On my way home, I stopped by a taco joint. I ordered one of those burritos that makes you wish you hadn't. The damn thing looked like a newborn baby.

When I got home, I decided to double check the camper, making sure everything was in order. I wanted to leave at six the next morning. Beat the traffic and watch the sun rise over the Rockies. Through the the window of the camper I spotted the neighbor’s wife. She was standing in their bedroom nude. In Front of the window. I could not help myself, I had to look. She was a year younger than me, and her husband, Mike was ten years older than I was. But age is only a number. It must have been twenty or thirty minutes I watched her before her husband started pounding on the camper door. I panicked, thinking I been caught and I was going to get my ass handed to me. Opening the door slowly, I seen Mike had brought a case of beer. My favorite brand of beer was free and cold. I invited him in, after all he had free beer. We sat and talked for hours. He had no idea I was watching his wife. I was happy when he left, my heart rate returned to normal.

It was almost midnight when I went to bed, after a hot shower. Still inebriated, I climbed into bed. I found myself asleep before my head fell upon the soft pillows. Somewhere between reality and living in a nightmare, I found myself floating."

I said nothing for awhile. All I did was gaze into the fake flame of the heater. Sometimes the best view of your life is from the fiery depths of hell. Searching for the strength to fight back the wave of emotion.

Mr. Blanton. Dr. DiJohn said in a calming voice. You're doing well. Keep going.

While I was floating snow began to fall. Building up around my feet. Two golf ball sized red orbs came out of the darkness. The shadowed outline of a wolf could be seen coming towards me. I couldn't find the courage to move. As the shadow came closer the smell of sulfur filled the air. Closer the wolf came, opening its jaws. Blood dripping from his fangs. I couldn't move. The wolf clamped down on my leg, burning my skin. This startled me awake. Six minutes before my alarm was set to go off.

What was I doing? This doctor thinks I'm insane. There was no turning back now. I was here, I had to tell my story. The doctor sat staring like I was the key. The key to the unanswered