Up Above and the Runaway: A Couple Through Time, #2

By Michael A. Susko

Zoe and Tod meet Mac, a homeless person, who they knew as Rock Man from a fantasy realm. Together, they try to help a runaway teenager, who has dissociated -- gone "up above"  into a symbolic world. Things become even more complicated when their lives intersect with a doctor, in need of a human subject for a risky experimental procedure. In the end something uncanny happens, which show  Zoe and Tod that their fantasy has some basis in reality. This story explores the meaning of symbolic worlds, the danger that others can pose in not understanding them, and how resolution and true healing can occur.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AllrOneofUs Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393513995

Michael A. Susko

With an interest in interdisciplinary studies, the author majored in Philosophy and obtained a Masters in  Counseling Psychology. He has taught college courses, including Archetypes in History, the History of Madness in Western Civilization, and Symbolism of Indigenous Cultures. In reading history over his lifetime, a generational scale has proven to be highly useful, and he wishes to share this work to make history accessible to all.

Book preview

CHAPTER I

Rock and

the Time Before

IT’S SO DIFFERENT NOW, smaller and well... just a rectangular hole in the ground. Tod felt an unexpected sadness as he viewed the childhood underground fort. Look, a piece of old plywood is still lying around.

Zoe stepped down and touched an earthen wall. There’s a lot of feeling here. I could almost lie down, daydream, and have another adventure.

I think we’re a little old for that. Anyway, have you noticed? Our imagination isn’t what it used to be.

Tod, it wasn’t just that! I know we fantasized and made up stuff. But how do you account for us remembering the same thing and so vividly?

The power of suggestion. We told stories and got engrossed in them. We made clay figurines that were characters for our stories. It’s no surprise that one of them was a Sphere, the easiest form to make. There aren’t any other worlds.

But Tod! You were the one who showed me the way to that other world!

"Look, Zoe, there’s fact and there’s fiction. Science is fact and stories about talking Spheres and Rubbery Men are fiction."

You sound like the Archon now!

That used to be the worst insult they could give to one another. The Archon had been the ruler of the world they had visited, who collected aliens for exhibits and stole their body parts to become immortal. Tod had become a prisoner and had almost got caught up in the Archon’s way.

Zoe expected a reaction from Tod. Instead, he was staring right past her. You aren’t even listening to me!

Don’t turn, but I think we’re being watched.

By who? asked Zoe.

It looks like a homeless person.

Oh, they don’t usually bother you, except to beg.

This one, I swear, is looking straight at us and walking our way. And he’s big.

Zoe couldn’t help turning, and she became alarmed when she saw the ill-dressed man heading toward them.

I think we should start walking ourselves, Tod urged. We’ll cross the creek and come to the road quicker.

They started out and noticed that the man had picked up his pace.

Should we run for it? asked Zoe.

I don’t know if we should show that we’re scared, but this is most unusual. Let’s go!

The two dashed through the wooded area toward the shallow creek. A couple of jumping steps would take them across, but Zoe skidded on a rock and fell. It took a few moments of being stunned and Tod helping her before they looked up. The broad-shouldered man with a weathered face was standing next to them.

What do you want from us? Tod demanded fiercely, picking up a rock.

Whoa, wait a minute, said the man. I know you two. His trousers were smudged and his shirt had tears, but his expression was earnest.

We’ve never seen you before in our lives! Tod protested, but Zoe, who was still shaking off the wet, sensed a vague recollection.

Maybe we’ve seen you about town, said Zoe. But that’s no reason to run after us and scare us half to death.

Don’t you remember me? asked the homeless man, picking up two small stones and rubbing them.

You can’t be him, said Zoe. Rock had a thumb and three fingers....

You may not have noticed, but in the other world, my hands changed when I lost my outer layer.

"Other world, did you say?" asked Tod, finding it impossible to believe.

Zoe put her arm on Tod. He must be Rock. He finally found us.

But that world doesn’t really exist. I wouldn’t talk to this man anymore. Besides, he doesn’t quite look the same.

What do you want to know? the man offered. How the Rubbery Man was always falling asleep, or how the Archon’s fragmentation beam almost killed me. Or how the  Sphere-Woman left the Archon trapped by a hallway of mirrors.

Wow! said Zoe. He knows everything.

It’s strange, Tod admitted. There’s got to be some explanation. Could he have overheard us?

Tod, when’s the last time that we talked about this? It’s no way to treat the person who risked his life to free us.

Well, if it’s true, we owe him something. Can you use some money, mister?

Tod! exclaimed Zoe, but the former Rock Man was not offended.

You can call me Mac. I know it’s been a long while, and we’re a long way from where we first met. I don’t need money, as much as your friendship and help.

What kind of help? asked Zoe.

If you really are who you say you are, Tod interjected. We’re not able to help you get back to your world.

The former Rock Man held up his hands. That’s not what I need. I want to introduce you to someone here. I was hoping you can help her.

Her? Who is she? asked Zoe. And why does she need our help?

She’s what you call a runaway. And she sounds like she comes from another world.

CHAPTER II

The Runaway

WHY DON’T YOU GO TO the police? asked Tod.

I don’t know who to trust in this world, the homeless man answered. The police sometimes do the right thing, but sometimes they don’t. The runaway doesn’t want to go back to her home, or to a shelter. Can you come and see her? She lives under in a homeless camp under some power lines near here.

I don’t know, said Tod, still uncertain whether to trust the man. We’ve got things to do.

I think we should go, said Zoe. It’s the least we can do after all Rock did for us. There’s someone in need.

Tod lowered his voice. "Does it really make sense to follow a homeless man we just met? And if it’s him, how do we know he hasn’t changed"

Tod, who else could it be? Besides, if he was planning to harm us, he could have done that already.

Look, said Mac. The power lines run near a gas station. There’s an attendant there, named Eugene. He knows  about the runaway, and you can ask him about it. She uses the facilities there, and he doesn’t mind.

You know Eugene? Well, I guess that puts a certain light on things, Tod considered. I suppose we could check out your story.

Story! protested Zoe. Rock––I  mean Mac—is our friend.

I’m just being cautious. But I’m not sure what we can do for a runaway.

You’re close to her age, said Mac. Maybe she’ll talk to you. She doesn’t tell much about her past, at least what we can understand. We call her Jen, but that’s not her real name.

Tod and Zoe followed Mac along the sunken creek.

Tell me something, asked Tod. "You were lighter when we last left you in the other world, but now you’re  darker.