The Stranglers: DarklianEmpire Book Series, #4

By Steven Uecker

Eric Cass felt that life had become stagnant and habitual. While at work Eric stumbled across a video that promised a reprogramming of the mind. After watching the video that once still voice in his subconscious mind became audibly clear. The voice directs Eric toward the Stranglers, the people and situations that have been keeping him from reaching his true potential.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Uecker
• Release date: Dec 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393696995

Book preview

At Hopes End, Is where life begins

It’s where life begins, At Hopes End

Eric thought of that saying every time he passed the township placard on interstate 126 as he came into town from work.

"I wonder what’s new on YourBook." He thought.

He picked up his smartphone off the top of his desk. He had the time to waste on his phone and the fact that he was hidden by four cubicle walls made it even easier, almost welcomed the tom foolery. He flicked his fingers passed the sales ads and click bait with women wearing scantily clothing but this time, something peaked his interest.

Reprogram your mind and manifest your true desires.  Let’s see this. Eric whispered to himself.

He held the screen of his smartphone away from the  entrance of his cubicle just to be on the safe side, Gary often popped in and out of no-where. He was an office friend but he had loose lips and he loved to exchange water cooler talk with anybody who would listen. Eric wasn’t in the mood to answer any questions to Gary in regards to what he was watching or doing. If there was any real purpose of Gary it was to keep Eric on his toes, always watching and listening for a sneak cubicle attack, no one wanted a premature termination notice even if they did hate their job.

He clicked on the video about mental reprogramming and it instantly grabbed his attention. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing also known as EMDR. A video began to play and Eric stared into the screen with intense curiosity and wonderment. The screen was black and it had a lime green dot which darted from right to left, then left to right at a steady pace, back and forth. It was accompanied by a tonal sound which was described as 528 hertz, pure tone. Eric had heard of the 528 hertz pure tone before when he read about it in a science magazine once when he had waited in a dentist office for two hours, he found the article to be fascinating. Although he had never followed up on the magazine article he didn’t forget that it had interested him, 528 hertz was known in the science world as the miracle frequency. Everything had a vibrational frequency measured in hertz and it varied from human beings to animals living things to inanimate objects like wood and metal. The energy of the earth, sun, plants and the emotion of love all vibrated at 528 hertz, that is why it was called the miracle frequency. The video instructed the viewer to watch the green dot and clear your mind and meditate on your deepest desires. Eric held sight of the digitized ball for twenty minutes in a meditative state when  Gary  walked up and broke the trance with his loudness.

Whatcha, doing? Gary asked.  Lunch?

Eric pulled his eyes away from his phone and faced it down on his desk to conceal the video.

Your on your own today buddy. Eric stood up and grabbed his smartphone and walked away from Gary without another word said.

Ok catch you later. Gary blurted out as he took a quick glance at Eric’s cubicle abode.

Eric knew he was being an asshole but in that moment he didn’t care one bit. All the bathrooms at New York Scientific were gender neutral which made sense because they segregated their trash into three different categories Compost, Landfill and Recyclables; all for the sake of the environment but you can’t have gender specific restrooms.  Segregate your trash but don’t segregate your sex. Common sense always overtook Eric’s mind when it came to some of the political correctness that had enveloped society. Most of it didn’t pass the litmus test after all, the sky is blue and two plus two still equals four. He locked the bathroom door after entering and it was immaculately clean. They had recently applied a speckled gray epoxy floor that felt like it was almost soft to walk on. It made his equilibrium feel a little off it was as if he was floating on air. He felt strange, something didn’t seem right and a sharp pressure built up at the center of his forehead. He leaned over the sink facing the mirror. He swiped the sensor on the faucet to get a stream of water and it didn’t  turn on.  He waved his hand  around in frustration to find the sweet spot on the sensor, he felt a strong desire to splash his face with some water.

Turn on. He whispered sternly.

He waved his hands sporadically around the sensor, and  finally, water exuded with a powerful stream and he dabbed it on his eyes and cheeks, the cool environmental safe filtered water was refreshing.

Can you hear me?

He turned around quickly to see who was in the restroom with him and there wasn’t anyone around. He looked under the stall door, no feet.

I said, can you hear me?

Yes?  Eric replied in disillusionment.

Finally, it is about time, you did it.

Did what? Eric asked. I’ve lost my mind and I feel like I should be worried but I’m not. Eric said as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.

Your not going mad. The voice spoke out. Your what’s called awakened, it rolled off your left eye.

Eric came to the sudden realization that the voice he was hearing was his own; and it was in his head. Crystal clear and audible as if a pair of ear buds were in his ears. Eric leaned on the sink with his arms stretched out and his hands holding the porcelain steady. He stared into his greenish-blue eyes and closed them, they burned tiredly. He could see the blackness behind his eyelids and the pressure in his forehead started to build up once more.

Things are going to change for you.

They are? Eric asked.

Of course they are. From this day forward... The voice stopped in mid-sentence. You said it yourself earlier today, Fear, the most deadliest of human emotions. People forget that fear is a verb and when they concentrate on it, well, let’s just say, it takes action.

"Who are you? I mean you sound just  like my voice. Why?" Eric’s heart began to race and he started to panic.

Relax, take five deep breaths. I know people say ten but five actually does the trick.

Eric breathed in deeply maxing out his solar plexus and they filled his lungs with air, five times, and he felt much better.

Alright, good job. The first thing on the list you need to do. Your going to walk to your work prison cell, I mean cubicle and get your key fob. Then your going to walk out the front door and go home. Your taking the rest of the day off.

Yeah I don’t think so.

Why not?

I might get fired, then what will I do?

Great question, then what? The fear of the unknown. Who cares then what. I say, so what, so what if they fire you. Do you think that lowly of yourself that you can’t find a better job? A higher paying job or maybe a job you actually like.

Eric thought about it for a moment and he couldn’t argue with that point.

Go, go get your key.

Eric stood up straight and he felt fine. He filtered his fingers through his brownish blonde hair and pulled down on the bottom edges of his shirt. He walked out of restroom and headed straight to his cubicle. He snatched his keys from his desk top and quick stepped down the carpeted hallway, Gary shook his head in dismay as he watched Eric turn the corner then out of sight. Eric pushed the exit door open and a sudden rush of fresh autumn air filled his nose.  The sun was bright and warm, not hot at all and it felt good on his face. This time of the year was optimal in Southern California especially at Hopes End. He barreled down the 126 and he felt a rush of excitement flow through his veins. It felt good to be doing something different and the choice was his, well partially his.

Don’t worry about Lacey. Stop conjuring the worst case scenario. Let’s not forget the alternatives. The best case scenario or the no one is going to care scenario. Don’t forget these other two options. No more of this worst case scenario garbage.

"Makes sense, what if Lacey is happy that I came home early or perhaps she won’t even care.."

Exactly.

What were you thinking? Lacey said. Are you that irresponsible that you can’t even trudge out a couple hours of work? Come on Eric. Besides, you could have at least called.

Lacey was extremely upset and was taken aback by Eric’s out of the norm behavior. She grabbed a laundry basket and marched across the house to their room to fold clothes.

Well that blew up in my face. What happened to the other two options beside the worst case scenario? Eric whispered.

So it didn’t work out like you expected but I do think her overly angered attitude is a cause for suspicion. I wonder why she is so upset. After all, you are her husband, she should be happy that your home early.

I don’t know, Lacey is just a straight shooter. She’s not up for anything truly irresponsible.

You’ll be surprised to know what people are capable of doing. After all, you just left work early. That was an unusual turn of events, wouldn’t you say.

I suppose your right but I think Lacey is perfect.

If perfection is yelling at you and giving you the cold shoulder than your right, she  is perfection.

You know what I mean.

Eric opened the fridge and grabbed a few items to make a quick sandwich. He was opening the bread when Lacey walked in.

Your making a sandwich. I’ll do it for you. She said begrudgingly.

Eric could tell she had more to say and he waited for her to unload the chamber.

I’m sorry, I went a little crazy earlier.

She slapped a few slices of ham on the white bread with a brash of hostility and repeated with the mustard.  Just call next time ok, I’m glad your home. She pulled out a large knife from the nearby knife block and thrusted it to the sandwich with a loud thud. "I love you."

She handed Eric the sandwich and he watched her walk out of the kitchen back towards the staircase that led to the upstairs.

She is acting weird. Eric said as he took a bite of his sandwich.

CHAPTER 2

I’m headed to yoga class, see you in a couple of hours. I’ll pick the kids up from school after my class.

Sounds great have fun. Eric replied while he continued to sit on the toilet, Lacey popped her head into the bathroom once more and she was smiling.

Let’s have lasagna for dinner, sound good?

Sounds perfect. Eric said hoping that Lacey wasn’t disgusted by the sight of him using the bathroom in the sitting position.

You’ll have to swing by the grocery store and pick up the stuff that you’ll need to make it.

Ok.

Eric grimaced and just wanted Lacey to get out of the bathroom.

See you later, love. Lacey shouted out, giving Eric one last line of words before the front door to the house shut to a deafening silence.

Are you still there? Eric asked.

He hadn’t heard the voice in his head for at least two hours or so and he was wondering if the voice was just a momentary lapse of sanity.

I’m here, just listening and observing in the background. You know, I’ve always been here since the day you were born gathering information and experience.

So your my sub-conscience then, ok, that makes sense. I’ve read books on the subject.

I’m whatever it is you’ve made me out to be. You’ve just rolled it off the left eye and now you hear, and soon you will see.

What is this, rolled it off the left eye thing you keep referring to anyway? It doesn’t even make sense.

You’ve been awake your whole life since the moment you were conceived. Don’t you know it is possible to be awake and asleep at the same time. The left eye is a symbol of hidden knowledge and now it’s been revealed to you.

Yeah, but what do I really know or believe anymore.

Stop talking yourself down. The voice interrupted. Think and talk yourself up. You were created to be all that is good and prosperous not a dreadful miserable human being of God’s creation.

The thing is, I don’t even realize that I’m talking myself down most of the time. Eric replied.

I’m going to help you with that. Everything is going to be exactly the way it should be.

Alright then. Eric paused. I guess it’s time to go to the grocery store.

Eric finished washing his hands while he admired the blue sky and the sunshine through the kitchen  window. He dried his hands on a terry cloth that hung from the oven handle and he was out of the door and on his way in minutes. While driving along H Street he was going through the list of ingredients that he was going to need for the lasagna when he asked the voice in his head a direct question.

Are you good or bad? Eric asked.

You’re wondering if I have good intentions or ill-willed intentions? Let me answer the question with a question. Are you human?

Of course I’m human. Eric replied as he reached toward the dashboard to turn on the radio.

That’s right, your human, you were born to make mistakes.

Just then the song Human by Human League began playing over the radio.

Are you kidding me? Eric blurted out.

The signs are everywhere and all around, you just have to learn to pay attention. The voice spoke out with assurance.

The VectorCo Township Market parking lot was full to capacity and while Eric careened through the asphalt aisle-ways, he happened to see the tail lights of a car that was backing out of a stall. He stopped and pushed on the indicator signal that he was waiting, the tiny LCD arrow clicked on the dashboard. Eric observed an elderly lady with bluish-gray hair at the wheel of a car that was much too big and much too long for her size. She proceeded to back out of a parking stall with unnerving caution. The elderly lady pulled away after a few painful minutes and as the parking stall became open, a different car from the other direction quickly pulled into the vacant stall, completely dismissing Eric.

Hey, that was my stall. Eric yelled out in frustration.

The muffled thump of a dance beat from the vehicle shook Eric’s car with a throbbing beat.

Say something. The voice in Eric’s  head muttered. 

No that’s all right. I’ll just find another stall.

Why not say something? Don’t be afraid there’s nothing wrong with telling someone how you feel, say something. The voice insisted.

Alright. Eric replied as a lump of nervousness built up in the pit of his stomach.

A short young man, looked to be in his late twenties stepped out of the car. He had white sweat bands around his wrists and a backward sun visor on his head, topped of with a pair of aviator sunglasses. His style was a throw back from a late nineties music video.

Eric rolled his window down. Excuse me. He yelled out to the young man.

The young man kept to himself and pretended to ignore him. Eric felt slightly embarrassed about his meekness and suddenly became more persistent.

Louder, don’t let him go. 

Hey. He shouted out through the drivers side window. That was my stall!

The man looked up in dismay.

Are you talking to me? The man sternly as he began to walk toward Eric’s car.

"I was waiting for that lady to back out and then you just swooped in.

So what. The man replied.

Ask him to move.

I need you to move, that was my stall.

Eric began to feel the muscles tighten in his neck as the man approached his car.

"Is this going to go to blows?"  Eric thought.

It’s not going to go to blows, trust me don’t back down.

The man walked right up to Eric’s window with an aggressive posture and he suddenly stopped in his tracks.  Eric was ready to unbuckle his safety strap when the man quickly pulled off his sunglasses.

Is that you, Mr. Eric? He called out with a smile.

Eric was taken aback by the mans sudden change in demeanor.

It’s me Feng Shui, you know from the Red Dragon.

The young man was genuinely happy to see Eric. Eric  couldn’t place the name at first but his face seemed vaguely familiar.

Wait a minute, Feng? How are you?

Eric suddenly remembered Feng from what used to be his favorite Dim Sum restaurant. He hadn’t been there in years being that his culinary cuisine had turned into a kids menu, at least for the last three years or so. Feng was a little heavier in the face but recognizable after a solid recollection of his former younger looking self.

You haven’t been by the Dragon in along time. Is everything ok, Mr. Eric?

Yeah it’s great. Just the kids you know, no babysitter to watch-’em.

Eric smiled and nodded his head.

Listen, Mr. Eric I’m going to move my car, you park here but you have to swing by the Red Dragon, soon ok.

That’s ok Feng, I’ll find another stall somewhere else, it’s cool.

Eric felt bad for confronting Feng and he definitely wouldn’t have said anything if he knew it was him.

It’s ok Mr. Eric I need to go to Brenda’s Jewelry Shop it’s a little further down. Maybe I will find a closer spot.

No, really it’s alright, seriously. I apologize. Eric was interrupted by the voice.

Take the stall you were waiting here first, you don’t need to feel bad about it.

I’m moving Mr. Eric. I’m sorry I took your spot. I’ll see you at the Dragon? Feng asked.

Sure Feng, thanks.

Feng pulled his car out of the stall and honked goodbye with his horn, he waved and then smiled. Eric pulled into the stall and felt awful about the situation. He usually just let people take the stall and even metaphorically speaking, he let pretty much everyone have their stall. He always took the turn the other cheek approach, which allowed him to go through life without too many confrontations. He even applied this mental security with Lacey.

She sometimes would ask Do you ever get mad? and after fourteen years of marriage he never did. He felt the anger and frustration well up deeply within his core but always chose to let everyone have their way, the path of least resistance. Something he learned by studying the Tao Te Ching. Eric was a Christian in name but he was fascinated by all religions especially the doctrines that focused on inner peace and a personal relationship with God and his creation.

Number 8 of the Tao Te Ching - THE WAY OF WATER- Great good is said to be like water, sustaining life with no conscious striving, flowing naturally, providing nourishment, found even in places which desiring man rejects. In this way it is like the Tao itself.

Like water, the sage abides in a humble place; in meditation, without desire; in thoughtfulness, he is profound, and in his dealings, kind.

In speech, sincerity guides the man of Tao, and as a leader, he is just.

In management, competence is his aim, and he ensures the pacing is correct.

Because he does not act for his own ends, nor cause unnecessary conflict, he is held to be correct in his actions towards his fellow man."

This was a great philosophy to live by and it didn’t conflict with the words of Christ. Although, at times, this way of thinking came across as apathy he still felt a strong sense of peace about his daily thoughts and encounters. Speaking up about the parking stall was against the flow of his mettle.

"I shouldn’t