Lorry

By Joanna M. Pilatowicz

This is one of the first fantasy stories by Joanna M. Pilatowicz.

"Lorry" belongs to the series published in Poland by the title of "Stories from the Borderlands". It is a metaphor for addictions presented in a lighter way, where a truck has a habit of speeding up and crashing into the trees. Special agent Lisa is sent to take care of Lorry and other creatures, such as Dutch Wind, who stops to blow in the Netherlands and who is addicted to marijuana, or Salamander, who cannot control her flame and burns herself out. The series of events lead Lisa to question her job, wondering about her own memory gap …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanna M. Pilatowicz
• Release date: Nov 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9798682385393

Joanna M. Pilatowicz

Joanna M. Pilatowicz is an adult's coach, dancer, dance teacher, choreographer, author, abstract painter, and recording artist. She has lived in Poland, The Netherlands and currently resides in Germany.  Her master thesis, "Expansion Through Dance," explored the concept of using dance as a healing media, positively influencing not only body, but mind and soul as well.  Life in the Netherlands inspired her to write her first short stories, in Polish language, hiding some of observed reality behind the veil of fantasy. As she says, "Passing the borders of reality, I would say I am entering the world of fantasy, dreamland, and paranormal; however it is all still connected to everyday life." "I was always drawn by what's invisible to a human eye. At the same time, probably from a desire to understand my own Self and motives more, I started to write diaries which unfolded in an unexpected way. So I just followed it." "The supernatural creatures in my books and paranormal aspects present there are my own ways of expressing my reality, linking non - fiction with a feeling world as well as adding some sort of higher force to it." "It is my own metaphor for different roles from our so-called subpersonalities that perhaps want to share their story with us, in order for us to grow, explore, experience or have a more fulfilling life. I do my best to follow these inner voices, giving them space and grabbing their message." For more information about Joanna and her passions, please visit: www.ifnotdance.com

Book preview

Dear Readers!

This is one of the first stories I ever wrote. I am giving it to you in hopes of offering some enlightenment on one of the most troubling human conditions: addiction. Let this story bring you joy, a smile, and a healthy inspiration to heal or assist those in need of healing.

My SPECIAL THANKS AND LOVE go to ...

LORRY, WHO WAITED some years to be released and wouldn’t have happened if I hadn't encountered the first person to set off this domino of events in motion: Polish translator Sławomir Apel. He was the first to start the translation. It was probably one of the hardest stories for me to translate and, without his help, a lot of the text might have sounded too sad when it was supposed to sound funny, missing a lot of typical Polish sayings which I might have assumed to be untranslatable.

However, without proper editing, I could not have put it out. And there she was, Simone Z. Endrich, herself an author and a former journalist from Malta. Thanks to her skills and the special care she put into the text, I am proud to publish this work! I hope you will enjoy the smoothness she added, but mostly her dedication and her deep understanding of the plot as a fellow author.  I wish for her nothing but the BEST.

And, finally, my longtime partner in creative crime, Glenn. T. Randolph, who came up with another great book cover idea. The result is a truly original creation by a wonderfully talented designer. I will look forward to seeing more of his outstanding work spread all over the world. His art is always a great source of inspiration for me, as I’m sure it will be for others.

With Love,

Joanna M. Pilatowicz

PS: If you enjoyed reading this story, do please write and tell me about it.

Lorry I ~  What a Ride

A Collision

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT she maintained a massive dose of optimism. The landing was sudden — hard and violent. But how? She didn’t know.

Lisa, a young brunette witch, sensed a sudden downfall. A lorry was rushing down the slope at high speed straight into the abyss. And? According to any laws of nature, miracles do happen. You could stop her somehow, so that she wouldn’t crash. Let her fall apart or not?  Like matter, once set in motion, it has no power to stop itself. The brakes? Are they working at all? Apparently not. Well, at least I got one thing settled, Lisa thought. Common sense would tell anybody to get off. But what is Lorry going to do? Will she close her eyes? Make a turn? Change her course? If I keep thinking of it, this large, heavy motor vehicle will crash.

She did. By the way, she was really rolling down for quite some time. Let’s get closer and see her injuries. She may not have moved; perhaps she’s scared of the soil. The ground could be pretty hard. Any recovery? Affirmation maybe?

Lorry made a move, as she would have liked to kick someone with her wheel. She was okay then, and she was moving. I need to be more fulsome with my praise of others in trouble.

See how strong you are! We’ll get by — you just need a rest and the invisible mechanics will fix the issue.

The staff was getting ready rather slowly. Short people started to get down to business.

Again, said one of them. A crazy wagon. She is speeding along. She doesn’t watch out and then she skids.

Lorry appeared not to be consumed by any guilt. She just seemed to have a hangover. She opened her bonnet and said in a low voice:

What? What are you looking at? Let’s say I have raged a bit, okay? It was not a question but Lisa nodded, knowing it was better to do so when someone or something was in a state of intoxication. All was clear.

The truck fell asleep while switching her lights off. Lisa went about her own business, thinking long and hard about what it was, exactly, that connected her with the lorry.

LORRY WASN’T FEELING well. She stayed on the side of the road and stared vacantly at the road. Suddenly, in a towering rage, she moved forward. Lisa hurtled after her, but it was too late. The wheels bounced off from one side to the other. She went crazy. It crossed the woman’s mind: And now what? Finally, she collided with a tree and came to a screeching halt. Nothing really happened to her at first glance. How had she done that? She must be mad.

Calm down or else they’ll lock you up. Hearing those words, the vehicle whirred, bucked up and skidded down the slope. The woman sighed, not relishing the thought of running after an insane object on wheels, but somehow a sense of responsibility made her run as fast as her legs could carry her. Lorry stood still. The woman acknowledged that she had to take a vehicle’s small predictability into account.

Hi, Lorry said as if she had just spotted company, and then smiled. Not in a crazy way this time, fortunately.

Are you feeling all right?

Great. She groaned.

I see, Lisa nodded just in case. Good to see you. She wanted to keep the conversation going.

Good to see you, too. Have you been here long?

No, I’ve just arrived. It didn’t matter what was said. What counted was the fact that she’s noticed someone at all, and that she was talking.

Ah ...Okay. She nodded, clamping the bonnet tighter.

Erm ... The young brunette had no clue what to say, but felt she had to say something, so she asked a silly question. Did you have a good day?

A fantastic one. The answer sounded ominous.

Yeah, sure. Can we go for a ride then? She knew she had just made a silly suggestion.

We can. I can pick you up, Lorry offered.

Well ... It wasn’t a proposition to be turned down. She seemed vulnerable. Okay, with pleasure. Was she imagining things, or was there something in the air?

What is that smell? the witch asked airily.

It’s just a sign that fun is about to come. That struck terror. Lorry hit the road far too fast and they went headlong once again.

Where are your brakes? the young woman asked merrily.

I don’t have any, the vehicle responded softly. That’s the best part, I stop when it’s over, get it? When the powers above intervene.

Sweet Jesus. What happens now? Don’t get into a panic, Lisa told herself. She’s just like that, she doesn’t have brakes. Not a big deal, we’ll stop somehow, won’t we?

But you have fuel, right? The question seemed to be a sensible one.

I do, the mad lorry boasted.

I can see that. And who fills you up ...? Erm ... Posing such a question seemed to be absurd, but she knew what Lisa had meant.

The powers above, Lorry added from far away as she was flying ahead in a frenzy.

What are these powers above? The passenger was feeling sick.

The ones you can’t see, but they are there. D’you feel ’em?

"Yeah, I do. Why