In Between Dreamz: The Dream Taker Book 2

By Patrice Gunville

What would one do if one were granted the power to make ones dreams a reality, to have dreams that can transcend into reality? And if not there, then where does this all happen from? In The Dream Taker Series, the author has written an engrossing story that revolves around an experiment that could make dreams come true, but with such god-like power how can anyone truly control it or estimate the havoc it can bring into the real word. Perhaps what we see isnt the real world at all? Perhaps were simple characters in someone elses dream? Or better still, in our own dream.
Project MKUltra is the code name of a U.S. government human research operation experimenting in the behavioral engineering of humans through the CIA's Scientific Intelligence Division. And officially halted in 1973. In 1977, a Freedom of Information Act request uncovered a cache of 20,000 documents relating to project MKUltra, which led to Senate hearings later that same year. In July 2001 some surviving information regarding MKUltra was officially declassified. The scope of Project MKUltra was broad.
What is real? Some peoples reality may simply not look like at all, what youre reality looks like. Its as simple and complex as that. Are dreams like insanity? And what about the people who are considered mentally ill? Or those who can dive into different dimensions, in their spirituality. Or the minds while smoking pot? The twists and turns in this book will have your head spinning in some weird vortex, not knowing which way its about to turn. Yet in the end I feel well all learn, what the heck happened, when we woke up, but will it be too late? Youll need to decide.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493186334

Patrice Gunville

Patrice Gunville was born in the city of Chicago, 1951. Having been brought up as a product of her environment, which consisted of an alcoholic father and mentally mother, she ran the streets and experienced things that most people her age wouldn't have been able to endure. Married at sixteen, a baby by 17 and divorced at 18. Her attempt at UIC was short lived being her need to care for her child was greater than her dreams of someday sharing her thoughts or imagination with the world. At 21 she remarried but by 26 she was again on her own now with two children to raise. She later moved to Wisconsin and had a partnership in a business, which was very interesting to say the lease. Only to feed her mind with many more life experiences. At the age of 47 when her children married, she finally found her delight, who had three grown children of his own. She resides with her husband Gerald on the Turtle Mountain Reservation of North Dakota. Wife, mother and grandmother of 12. At the moment she is actively chasing her dream. Life is good.

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Copyright © 2014 by Patrice Gunville.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4931-8634-1

                eBook          978-1-4931-8633-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/12/2014

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The second book is finally done and off to the printer. I dedicated it to all my family in the Turtle Mountains. Yes the whites as well as my beloved Native Americans. Oh God how I love you people! Thank you for showing me your honesty. I can’t except to be embraced by the entire clan. I’m not here on earth to gain in my own popularity. You taught me how to serve the entire world’s race. I dedicated my book to the angels, who know who they are, weather in spirit and HIS grace. And angels still stuck here in the human race. Anyway… I would put your name on the actual dedication page, all of you. Yet there were so many names it turned into a fricken book haha. So don’t worry, you’re names are mentioned in there, just don’t ask me where, since I’m going to start writing book #3 and I don’t have the time. xoxo. Oh and yes I will be putting a few names on the actual dedication page. Since they R very special 2 Me. And they have been putting up with me for much longer than any of you. Oh heck, they’re my kids, grandkids and Jerry. I mean heck, that’s what you’d do too. Or are you going to tell me you have a picture of all my peeps in your wallet? Dedicated to Melissa, Mark, Heather, Jacob, Olivia, Tezra and Royce. Special Dedication to Nick, for teaching me love is love. Super Special Dedication to Gerald; Jerry; the hubby. Grow old with me, the best is yet to be. Keep Dreaming. I love you.

INTRODUCTION

I’m the dream taker, not the dream maker. I want to be clear with you so that you understand. and not feel tricked into believing I’m anything other than what I am.

I don’t make dreams, I take dreams from the people who have thrown their dream away. So I gather them up from all over the world, from all sorts of places. Like trash cans, or airplanes, and old farmers pickup trucks.

It doesn’t matter where I find them, maybe in the booth next to me, when I heard their dream was just getting to tough, so they just give up, and went home, leaving their dream behind.

That’s how I got my dream. Of writing this book. But I wrote it back in 1985 when I had kids to cook for but no extra money to have copies made and sent via media snail mail. to the publishers over their doors trellis.

So if you misplaced you dream someplace in your past. I still have plenty of them, perhaps you’re in the pile I have. Wait let me look. Brb. Ok, I have one here it’s for an open your own restaurant, here’s one for the thought of someday being a chief. Here’s one for a jet pilot, and one, wow this one is a gold metal Olympian. But there’s one thing I need to tell you so you’re warned. All these dreams have a clause you must except if you want to claim it your dream. Oh and, I’m throwing in one special catch, just to see how much you really want it. You have to first be considered crazy, or brain damaged just because you are. It’s as simple and complicated as that.

I am a writer, heck I always was, fact is it’s all I can really do.

Are you going to keep you had kids to cook?

Why not, isn’t that what all crazy people do?

No, not really. Some of them have skills and talents. Fact is many people who are considered misfits, and unwanted got a lot of stuff they’d like to share with the world.

This is my gift. The best gift that I got. So I’m sharing my gift, since I think why the heck not. I might not be the best writer the world ever known, but I know that if I share my mind then perhaps people will be shown what it’s like to live inside my head. And the head of those millions of people out there who are just like me.

Run on sentence

So what. Bi-polar mixed says that’s the way my thinking is thought. It’s not bad, nor is it dangerous, so I’m keeping it there, cause why not?

Hope you enjoy living inside my head. I sure did. I’m already starting the next book which will probably be very hard. Since that one I tell how life is, to those born with a mind broken like my mind.

One last note: all the names of the characters have been changed to protect the innocent. Also all the characters are bi-polar for the love of it. Enjoy. Love, Patrice

Patrice Gunville

10280 Hwy 281

Dunseith, ND 58329

701-263-3774 [e-mail]

IN BETWEEN DREAMZ

by Patrice Gunville

"To those who search in this era of darkness. To those who seem to think this worlds gone to hell. To all who have been called a reject, from this time or another. Good news is about to appear.

The curtain has been opened; the dark has been shown. And it’s all just an illusion, so just leave it alone.

It’s time to awake. Get up and get ready to enter a place that you were created to enter someday. You are the first to arrive in our kingdom. You were chosen to be who you are. Just open the door. Leave the past behind. You won’t need to bring those lessons you learned while on earth to where you’ll be going. Leave your clothes, your home, even friends and family behind, say I’ll be fine, I just got to go dreaming." Michael whispered while pulling up his covers.

And for those who seek out for some kind of meaning, in what looks like the world, been left in the care of some pack of trolls. But are trolls even real? You’ll need to decide. Dill replied while wrapping himself up in his star quilt.

There’s a daybreak that can happen and is possible to realize. But only if your oneness is willing to embrace it. Beam shouted as he crawled into his sleeping bag.

Is this the life you wished for? Is this what it’s all about? Everything we worked for was of very little worth and that that is of worth we wanted not. Marky-mo-key-kers said out loud.

You sound a little churchy to me there, do you think you should take it out?

NOT.

There is a world that you are unaware of because it is not the one that you have been shown. Kissy said grinning, while hugging her mama.

Nighty night, sweetie pie, don’t forget I love you the best.

Who was that?

Professor Stone. Doodlers answered over the intercom.

"Our existence is only a dream. Why can’t you see that? Why are you accepting this and not the unknown? Crawl back into your cardboard box. Lay down and get as comfortable as you can. It’s 60 below, and the wind wants to take a bite right out of your flesh.

So you might just have to compromise and except a less of or fewer widgets. Or you can just dream it away. So please, just go to sleep. Things can be better than this, please go to sleep. To clean out your brain is a big time operation, and it’s going to hurt big time like hell. But I’m your hero. I’m Hetty, remember? The example to be anything if you’re loved enough."

This is going to hurt a bit. Yes, I’m aware of what I’ve been told. But I’m here by your side until the day one of us dies. Jer-bear said while scratching his head. Wondering if the words he just said, in his Native American balding head, is going to be a roller coaster ride without a parachute.

Run on sentences and misspelled words can just be so darn cool. They’re so you. Thought chuckled.

Sorry, my honey, parachutes are not made of wood, so that new auction table saw, ain’t going to do all the things you think it can do, or be any good.

And don’t be going to the land known as, passing out. The Falls shouted.

Slamming the car door and pulling out of the garage. "Eve will kick you out. She might just have enough of that other you."

Who was that?

I think it was Orb. Sage said, as she continued to take down notes.

Live another reality. Live your life on LSD. Sing, dance, party on. POW POW POW and now you’re gone. Don’t need that mess as a TV commercial. Who thought of this? Dilly asked looking around the production booth.

Sage fumbled her fingers on the keyboard to look up the screen who requested it. Its creator is marked unknown. She replied looking over at him.

Don’t judge yourself by your past. You don’t live there anymore. What’s done is done, it’s come to pass. Time to jump back on the old rocking horse. You know you don’t want to be left behind. Tom said as he took a seat with the others on the right to dream panel.

Can we now go to sleep? Aurora whined, not that she was tired. It’s simply a matter of fact she can’t exist as northern lights. To point out the way to the Turtle Mountains."

People may not tell you how they feel about you, but they will always show you. Pay attention. Doodlers said while drawing out a proper sleep pattern on the clear board.

You don’t need to allow the haters in this world to get away with their hating… That one is good, but it still needs editing. Dill said while Sage wrote it down.

Leave your routine life. Valentine shouted out like a drill Sargent.

Free yourself. Patty with an why and not with an I. Told herself.

Look for the path that leads to your soul. Seek out forgiveness or leave them alone. Follow that star. Search for who you are.

Be ready to walk the path where the few are marching.

Explore new dimensions.

Acquire true knowledge.

Now, it is necessary that you come awake. It is necessary that you know what is awaiting you.

Profound changes are coming to our planet. The transformation of the world as we now know it.

Our civilization will disappear to give rise to a new era.

A new cycle will start with those who have prepared themselves spiritually. Ying declared

It is time to transform ourselves. Yang agreed, as she crawled into the bed between Ying and Tom.

It is time to awake.

Your sleep patterns change. Get used to it. You’re bodies been screaming to you; it can’t possibly take much more of what you’ve done to it. Yes, all junk food is junk food. Get your heads out of the garbage bags. Put down those chips. Grab a simple potato, it doesn’t matter if it’s baked, nuked or uncooked. But leave that potato as it is, just a potato. And add no other ingredient, since what you eat then called a hybrid. It’s a potoil. And that goes for the sour cream and butter too. Yeap, don’t eat any potter or poteam. Beam said out loud.

Day will be day and night will be night. Jojo said taking over the floor. So keep the batteries in the flashlight but only for just in case.

So turn off the fricking lights. All of them. The ones on the poles, the ones in the house, the ones that are like swords cutting into the night while you drive down the streets. When it’s night it’s night. Go to sleep. When it’s day, it’s day. Go get up. How simple is that? People younger than twenty one get to take a three hour nap, right around noon. Those of you that are older than fifty two moons old get to take a one hour nap. Sixty one to seventy gets two extra hours of sleep. And those who are older than that. You get to do whatever you want to do. You are our elders. We do what you want, not you do what we want. And we are all free to do what we want. That’s called not a rule #632 in your instructional manual. Tellscopes will be installed at each end of your block. So that heaven can be seen, yes everyone has the right to look and see what heavens like so that we have the example of what we’re going for. On earth as it is in heaven, we need to see the blue print of what we’re supposed to build here on earth, in order to make a new earth into the earth we all want in our hearts.

I told you it was out there. Mike said as he took a seat on the bottom of the bleacher. I knew all along, there was something out there. I could feel it in my heart since the day I was born. Some said it was because it was the first thing I seen the moment of my birth. Just looking up to the sky at the stars from the basket my mother wove herself and left me in, on the porch of a nuns home. Did I ever tell you about the story of how I was found and how Sister Mary said I appeared to be of good nature, smiling baby just happily looking up at the stars, as if talking to our Sweet Jesus with his midnight deep eyes. Did I tell you about how I was found on the steps at exactly the moment right after the last chime lost its chime.

Yes Mike, at least one hundred times. The people in the stands all shouted out.

Want to hear about it one more time? Mike said still smiling.

Dad, you can tell me again, after our meeting here is done.

That’s my boy there. That’s my son. He said proudly pointing at Loki.

And that is an example of what happens if your rem use is out of hand. Hetty said as the hovgurney pulled up. He stood up and threw one leg over it. Straddling it life a surf board, waving to the crowd, like a prom queen in the school parade.

The government has even taken over the weather. Seeding the clouds, causing chaos in the weather. Once called super storms are now super duper storm. The sky says that’s it. I’ve had enough of you people ruining my breath with your poisons. And if you keep it up I’ll be forced to take all you people out. I’ll drowned you; I’ll throw down lighting strikes and take down your entire village. I’ll twist you and turn you; I’ll slap you around. I’ll cause your balls to freeze and fall off. Sky Walker protested.

And this one needs rest. Hetty said to herself, and in drove hovgurney number two.

I’ll send in great walls of water to crash over your town. And then swallow you up and spit you out too. I’m warning you.

Do you need an anger management class? Hetty asked as she made he lay down on his back.

You’re not sure about this global warming thing, and if it’s true? What’s the matter with you people? Go there and open your curtain, look out there. Can’t you see something’s not right? Why are they spending our taxpayer money on research?

We no longer pay taxes. Leeland advised him.

Just leave the sky alone. You’ve turned it bi-polar.

Ok everybody, grab your pillow, and let’s just settle down. We’re at t minutes sixty seconds; we’re about to shut down.

Lights out. Beam shouted. And let’s now all say our goodnights.

GOODNIGHT!

Go Deeper

The sky was distant and clear as I stood on the patio outside our bedroom. The stars overhead appeared miles away as I pulled the blanket around me, protecting myself from the cold winter wind that blew the snow off the railing.

I glanced through the glass doors as Pam finished making the bed. As my stomach rumbled from the meatball sandwich, Tom gave me during work, which played a mean game of pinball, and rebounded off my rib-cage, ricocheted over to my backbone and prepared to fling itself with great speed, out my mouth, like a grenade launcher. I glanced back up at the stars attempting to forget the possible dengue Tom forced on me. I attempted to draw in the cool, clean air. To rest my insides. Which failed, causing me my meal, which flew from my mouth, and out my nose, at a super-sonic speed. My hands gripped tight to the ice cold frozen railing. My insides cramped, as if I was also to vomit my internal organs.

Are you ever coming in? she yelled, but voice was muffled because of the glass door. As soon as I’m done. I shouted back and grumbled idiot, to myself. Since she had forgot to call the water department, to have the water turned on. I washed off my face, after grabbing fresh snow off the railing. And wished I could just wash the rest of myself from all the sweat, I had poured while moving into our new house.

Hey honey I yelled into the room, come out here for a second. I want you to see all the stars.

The lights of the city seem to be able to steal the stars right from the sky. But now that I could finally afford a house with some land, and no neighbors to watch me and mine every move. Which to me seems to be a bit like heaven right on earth. I was even able to throw up my guts right here out my bedroom patio, and no one wondering if I were drunk again. Or whatever they thought. And I could verbally say, who cares what they thought, but in all reality it bugged me that they would ever even think about me at all. What I did was nobody’s business but mine, and surely what I thought meant to me even more.

She shoved the pillow into its pillowcase, like my past resentment to filling sandbags, then slammed it down onto the bed. Michael, please come in before you catch yourself a death of a cold. She pleaded, but her plea was more like a spoiled child’s whine.

Leaning against the railing. I took in one last breath of the night air, to comfort my stomach. Then watched her crawl onto the bed and turn off the light, which left me to walk through the maze of cardboard boxes.

I had it all worked out in my head. Friday, everything was to be packed and ready for me to load onto the U-Haul. Saturday, Tom was to come by and help me with the larger things and Sunday, we could unpack, and if lucky we could catch the second half of the game. But no, when I came home I found the boxes scattered across the living room rug empty. The one thing I told her not to pack she packed. Then I had to go back and open all the boxes to make sure she packed my records properly. Saturday, Tom couldn’t make it because he was feeling ill, so I ended up moving the piano by myself.

I laid on the bed exhausted, rubbed my stomach and looked up at the ceiling. Pam, are you sleeping?

Not anymore, she replied annoyed for waking her. Is your stomach bothering you again?

Maybe it’s an ulcer. I answered with indifference. I think I’m going to put in one of those skylights this coming summer.

You and your damn stars. She said irritated. What are you some kind of astronomer or something? What is it that you find so fascinating about them anyway? They don’t do anything; they just hang there.

What does she have against stars anyway? I thought to myself as I turned to my side. If she only knew how those stars kept me from going crazy when I was over there. They were the only thing that reminded me of home.

I don’t want to talk about your years when you had to play war. It’s all bullshit. She punched her fist into my shoulder. Get over it!

You know that’s my bad shoulder, you bitch. I shouted back and then reached over her to turn on the light. If you hit me again. I’m going to hit you back, and I mean it. I shouted while rubbing my shoulder, trying to calm it down. I glanced at myself in the mirror, and it all came rushing back at me, like a lion clawing its way across my shoulder and down my chest. The scars leaving its mark not only on my skin but deep within me, down into my soul. It looked hideous, as if I were some kind of freak or a monster. But then again, monsters kill, and they kill often, but then again not often enough.

The argument we had earlier at the dinner table remained in the air like cordite after a firefight. And now had appeared to have settled somehow over our bed.

I just don’t give a damn about a time when I wasn’t in your life. It’s the past, so what good is it if you talk about it now? What good would it do? She replied bitterly. He face began to glow red. And she drew it directly into mine. I hate you!

You were the one who wanted this house. Now I’m the one who’s going to have to pay for it. I countered screaming back in her face. You knew long before we got together that I would have to spend a great deal of time out of town. The President… appointed me! Can you try to understand the pressure I feel? Our President feels I can do the job, and lady, I got news for you, if you keep getting in my way I am going to get you outta my way… permanently.

Her face instantly softened as she pulled it away from mine. He eyes gave off a twinkle; she glided her tongue slowly over her lips. It wasn’t an obvious act, since I didn’t think she knew she had even done it. I instantly put my guard up, as if her actions were some kind of warning sign that something just wasn’t right. She laid on her back, resting her light blond hair in waves across the pillow, and turned her face towards me. I want to have a baby.

Maybe I’m going crazy. Did I hear that right? I might as well go crazy since everyone around me appears to be going in that direction. First I told Tom not to mess around with that stuff. But no, the mad professor had to try it out. Didn’t we do enough drugs together already once we met at the UW?

Tom and I met at a party house on Mifflin Street. After we tossed our graduation hats into the air, we still didn’t know what we were going to do. So together we dragged our party out to the Middle East. Now look at him, he’s even crazier that back then. And I had to promise not to say anything to his boss.

She sat up in the bed. I want to have our baby.

What? Are you nuts? You know after the vasectomy; it would never be.

But you banked some just in case you changed your mind. She replied.

I’m beginning to believe our relationship isn’t even going to work, and now you think that a baby is going to keep it from failing? I replied in a high pitched voice. Children don’t smooth things out, they complicate things.

If I can’t have a baby, then I’m pretty sure we’re done. Over. She snapped back.

My stomach answered with a grumble, and I flung myself off of the bed and out into the patio, to heave the lining of my stomach out once more. While washing my face with snow for the second time, I heard my cell phone ring. She was quick to pick it up, and then after talking she was holding it out, stretching her arm out as far as she could, as if the person on the other end of the phone was a germ. I instantly knew it was Eve.

I took the phone from her hand and placed it up to my ear. Viktor here.

Mike? her voice screamed into my ear. Mike, is that you? I can hardly hear you, can you hear me?

Yes Eve, I can hear you fine. I replied with a sigh. I glanced back at Pam, her eyes now in flames. Eve was the one of the two of us that had enough of me, not the other way around. I could never have enough of her, and I think I took so much, that there was little left for her for herself, so she had to pull away in order to survive. Please don’t shout, you’re hurting my ears.

Sorry, Mike. I just thought I’d call to let you know our daughter has problems in school. I had a meeting with her teacher, which you were also supposed to meet with… remember?

Now I do. And I think I asked you to call me to remind me.

I did, didn’t Pam tell you?

Nope. I replied and glanced back at Pam; she mouthed the words, sorry, I forgot. And then I turned my back on her and walked back out and onto the patio.

The teacher she loves and calls the professor, said her grades are slipping, and she’s withdrawn. He thinks it might be because of our divorce.

I didn’t ask for it, you did.

I’m not going to go into that, this is about Aurora. Mike, they are going to review her next week, and she might have to leave. And I can’t give her what she needs because I just don’t have the brain. You do. And you’re never there for her because you’re busy with work and your responsibilities. And I’ll be damned if I let her live in that house with that bimbo you’re with now, and that punk she gave birth to.

I looked down at the blanket of snow beneath my feet. Then a small white object screamed up to me. ‘Hey man check me out.’ Yeap, it got my attention. I reached down and picked it up. My mind flashed back to my days on campus as I held the tiny roach in the palm of my hand.

Eve, I understand your concern, but would it be all that bad if you had to send Aurora to a public school.

I could feel her anger as my cell phone heated up next to my ear. So I shifted gear and put her on speaker phone where Mount St. Eve erupted. Like your step-son Dill?

There’s nothing wrong with my son, you fracked up bitch. Pam screamed right back.

I wish I could have thrown my cell in reverse. I changed gears immediately. Then placed it to my ear.

Fine Eve, I will see what I can do. I have to go to Washington this week; I’ll stop in then. I can’t promise that I’ll spend the entire day with her since this is a pretty big meeting, but I’ll see what I can do.

Good, she whispered. Oh and Mike, maybe you can help her with her science project? Perhaps give her a hand?"

Ever muscle in my body stiffened as my mind flashed back to the past. Why as I always nominated to be her official guinea pig? And why did I think that the divorce would change anything? One year Aurora almost electrocuted me; I’m pretty sure she deliberately tried. My mind flew instantly further into my thoughts of the past and the collision course our little family had gone into. And how surprised to find that everyone survived, yet was terribly damaged. The year of the separation where all three of us were in the emotional intensive care unit was the hardest, until Eve finally pulled the plug saying, it’s over. Perhaps this is why we sent Aurora away to the school. Neither one of us actually deserved custody of her. Although both of us knew, it was for the best since we would have pulled that child apart fighting for her. Eve and I did some crazy thing, and some great things together. And together, while helplessly in love we made our Aurora, which is our greatest accomplishment. Little did we know, 10 years later, we had to put her on the proverbial shelf in order to help her survive.

Eve was my childhood sweetheart. We met in the sandbox, on her first day of school. I was a third grader, and she was a kindergartener. My friends laughed and made fun of me since I loved being around her more than being around any of them. She was so awesome in her funny ways. I loved her laugh, her smile, and her eyes that would look into mine and told me how much she loved me, without actually saying the words. She made me feel so special in so many ways. As if I could never do anything wrong. I stuck by her side throughout high school. She was always my date on Saturday nights. She was my princess at prom. So I wasn’t at all surprised to find her as my wife. Until the harassment, got the best of her.

There are women in this world that can walk into a room, and all eyes would immediately admire them for their beauty. And it was like that with Eve, but for all the wrong reasons. People would stare at her because she wasn’t what some people think as pretty, never mind beautiful. Fact is there wasn’t a single attractive feature about her at all. Not her hair, her smile, her skin or that large bald spot that goes down her neck to her back. Caused by the dripping tar that fell from the school roof.

Sure, Eve. I can try.

Good, I’ll let her know.

No, let me surprise her.

K

Thanks…

RU ok?

Eve we are talking, not texting. I whispered sarcastically.

You can’t text me can you! she whispered back.

Knock it off Eve. I bit back.

Can you text anyone?

Stop it! I bit harder. xxx dot xxx dot xxx dot dot dot. She replied spelling out the letters one by one. Like spelling words.

I’m fine… . I texted her and then hung up.

I went back into the room, pulling the cords of my robe closed, marched past Pam, and climbed the stairs missing every other stair. I opened his room without knocking. What the hell is this? I shouted opening my fist showing him the roach in my palm.

You don’t know? he laughed back.

What’s going on? Pam said as she entered the room.

I twisted at my waist and presented the evidence to her. This!

Dilly, you promised me. she said sternly with her teeth clenched.

The phone rang, so I pulled it from my robe pocket and answered it. I also clicked on the speaker by accident.

Mike, when you get into town why not stop in and say hi. I have this crazy idea on how I can help you relax.

I quickly punched the speaker button off and replied. I’ll call you back. and then hung up.

Pam looked over at me as if all the blood had drained down to her feet. The expression on her face was one that I knew well, and any trust she had with me had instantly vanished. What is that supposed to mean?

It doesn’t mean anything, it’s nothing. I said defending myself since what I just said was true.

Are you… .

No… Nothing like that.

Then what did she mean?

Can we talk about this in private? I asked as I started to leave Dill’s room.

She followed me into the hall. Still asking me what it meant. When I reached the bottom, Dill called down to me. Just tell her the truth, Mike. Tell her this is your roach.

I looked up at him as he leaned over the stairway banister, and he gave me the flash of expression that this was my opportunity to explain what the ‘relax’ could be.

You still smoke shit? she said as she grabbed the front of my robe with her two fists.

Yeah, sometime. I answered, and then pulled her hands from me and went back into the bedroom. She followed closing the door after her.

That was the end of my conversation and choose not to answer any more of her questions. After she had finally fallen to sleep. I went back out to the patio and called Eve back.

You still haven’t changed. I said grinning. You’re never going to stop causing me problems are you?

Did you think I was lying when I told you I was going to punish you for the rest of your life? she replied giggling.

I wish she wouldn’t giggle; I thought. I hate her giggle. It gets under my skin like shrapnel that hasn’t been completely removed. I could almost feel it festering and swelling now.

I got a letter in the mail today. Storage fees on your frozen come are due, and I’m not going to renew it. I’ll give the card and letter to Aurora, and she can give it to you, and then you can do with it whatever you want with it.

Thanks, Eve.

Goodnight Mike

Night…

Go Deeper

I felt the sand cut through my clothes and bite at my flesh as I stood up to my feet. My fatigue felt cold and damp. In a few hours, the wind would play its ugly game once more with the souls of men. I hate sand.

Why should I go back and pick up the pieces? Why don’t they get their own damn unexploded claymore mines? What’s that? Chopped? Oh no, they’re going to leave me behind. Oh, God no, don’t let this happen to me.

I started to run towards the sound of the flapping wings of the chopper. My rucksack appeared heavy before. Now it seems as if weighted with the world’s problems. Quickly I slid my arms through the webbing, dropping it onto the ground like discarded remains.

Oh God no! I cried out. Oh God, don’t let them leave me behind.

What’s that? Faint footsteps at a distant? I’ll hide and wait silently for the footsteps to continue or perhaps pass me by. And then I’ll blow its brains out. But what if there’s more than one? What if there’s an entire platoon? Where can I hide, oh dear God help me? He came up from behind me. I jumped and pointed my weapon at him, and was about to shoot only to find it to be my dad. I rubbed the sand from my eyes to see clearer. Get down, son. he ordered, pulling me to the ground. The next thing was stranger still as if I was living inside my father’s Nam dream. I laid silently, hidden under the bodies of my team while the VC walked all around them with knives, making sure. I held my breath while I continued to pray. A claw grabbed the front of my shirt, jerking me out from beneath the dead bodies. I fell to the ground and looked up at him as my heart beat quickly in my chest.

Who or what are you? I asked with terror as I stood to my feet and glanced at it over the sight of my gun.

Its skin was gray and scaled. Ulcers marked its body that oozed a substance maggots feasted upon which gave off a suffocating stench I had never encountered before, and it caused me to gag uncontrollably. Its lurid red eyes looked into mine as it opened its mouth revealing a sharp black tongue.

I am all that others find ugly within the world. I am the power and energy that control the darkness. Whose thirst can never be satisfied until I have conquered every soul. I am the malignant beast that has been created by those who believe bad is good and bitter is sweet. The black guard who makes empty souls hunger which can never be satisfied. I am like a shadow at night that is seen at noon. A monster that knows of no peace, which must be fed continuously with spilt blood and torn bodies. A machine created by the minds of men who disagree with philosophies. I am the cruelty which bite at souls who want no part of the war. I am war for I am called Hate.

So what do you want? I asked trembling with emotion.

I have come to tell you a secret.

What secret?

A secret about your wife and best friend.

What about them?

Do not listen to Hates lies. A voice sang out from the hilltop.

Be still and speak no more. Hate shouted up towards her.

And who are you? I asked turning her way.

I am she, Miss Liberty. She answered pulling the American flag around her as if warming up in a blanket.

She is the one who speaks with lies of illusions some call love that fades with time. Hate shouted over to me. Your wife right now, yes this very moment as we speak, fills her arms with another man’s love. Yes, your best friends love.

No. I roared at the top of my lungs. She would never do that to me. Tom would never do that; he wouldn’t.

You told her to be there for him, to support him and encourage him.

For God sake, what else could I do? I was here, and he was back there.

You might as well have opened that bedroom door yourself. She felt alone; she was lonesome, and you told her to be there. It’s your own fault.

That’s not true.

You even counted the days yourself. Nine months’ worth of days.

Do not listen to Hates words. Lady Liberty replied, holding her torch higher in the air. Now it is time to sing, are you ready?

I have to get out of here. Do you know the way? I asked in dismay.

Oh, say can you see by the dawns early light…

Do you know the way? I shouted out trying to drown out her voice.

Hurry Michael, Hate laughed, for the shadows are upon you and soon those who only walk in darkness will rise to rule the night.

Does anyone here know the way? I shouted waking myself up.

Mike, are you all right? Pam asked concerned.

Yeah, I’m fine. I replied, as I used the bed sheet to wipe my forehead of the sweat that had formed upon it.

Ok, she replied laying back down, and then instantly sat back up and switched on the light. Look at this? she said holding her hand out in front of me. What is this? It feels like sand. Where the hell did this sand come from?

I felt her hand with my fingertips. I don’t know. But you’re right; it feels like sand.

Weird, she said softly as she examined it further. This is really weird.

Maybe the Sandman paid us a call. So it’s obvious he wants us to get some sleep.

Sandman. She giggled. Mike you’re so weird. She laughed further.

Everything is weird to you, since you’re the weird one. Good night.

Go Deeper

The hall was brightly lit as I made my way to Aurora’s room. For a few seconds, I stood looking at the door feeling somewhat reluctant to knock. Gathering my courage I lightly tapped my knuckles against the door, praying that there wouldn’t be any response… . Aurora, are you in there? I asked while cracking the door open slightly.

It flew open, crashing against the wall. She jumped up and grabbed me around the neck, holding me tight, like the day I had returned, and surprised her in class.

Daddy, you came. Her girly voice squeaked out as she continued to hold onto me.

How did you know, I was coming to see you? I asked as I started to pry her grip softly away from me.

I can’t tell you. She answered flatly.

Your mother? I replied somewhat disappointed that Eve didn’t keep her word.

Don’t try to guess, because you’ll never get It. she said smiling. And then sat down onto the floor.

Will you look at that thing? What in blue blazes did my daughter invent this time? A contraption of torture? I circled around it, looking it over from all different angles. Will you look at that, it’s the back seat of the fifty seven Plymouth. I wonder where she got it. Junk yard? Boy does that bring back the memories.

What is my father grinning about? I bet he’s drunk. No, maybe not. He doesn’t look drunk.

How did you get past the guards? She asked looking at me puzzled.

I didn’t see any. I replied. Wow, what’s up with that?

Maybe they’re not in school today. She replied.

I didn’t think it made a difference. I thought they were always supposed to be here.

He is special, dad. His father can take him out to go with him on his mini vacations.

No, I meant the guards. I replied.

She shrugged her shoulders as if it didn’t matter, and then a large smile crossed over her face. Guess what I started to do?

My sweet Aurora, I have taught myself a long time ago, never try to guess what your next accomplishment is going to be, so cut to the chase.

I started to ride horse. she said flatly and to the fact.

Really? I smiled surprised.

Yep, whatever the President’s son wants; he gets. So when they asked who wanted to ride with him, I volunteered. Personally I can’t stand him, but I always wanted to ride a horse, and they were going to give lessons, so…

Awesome. I replied smiling.

You’re not going to think awesome when you get the bill. She chuckled.

So I’m paying for the lessons? I replied

No, that’s free. You bought me a horse. I didn’t think you’d mind too much.

Ok, so how much wouldn’t I mind?

Ten grand.

Ten thousand dollars? I replied as if out of breath. What kind of horse is it?

A white one.

No, the breed.

Arabian. She answered and then started to work on her project as if trying to drop the subject. It was given as a gift to the President, but he doesn’t ride. And so that’s when they were going to give his son riding lessons but he’s chicken, so they asked me if I would trade him for my old plug. Dad, what’s a plug?

So I really didn’t pay ten grand? It’s a trade?

Oh no, it was ten; it was worth a whole lot more, but it wasn’t like the President could put it on Craig’s list or anything like that. So I worked out a deal with Royal, and he talked to his dad, and so Daddy, I got a beautiful white horse. I can’t wait to show you him, he’s wonderful!

I took a seat on the seat of the old Plymouth. So what did you name it?

Boy. she replied. Oh and dad, you better be careful care not to touch any of the switches or press any buttons since this things will send you someplace you might not have planned to go.

Boy?

Yeah, boy. she replied calmly. Not the N word type of boy. Just boy since it seems to work fine. I pat his neck and say, good boy, and he thinks that’s his name, so why mess it up.

Makes sense to me, I replied, so when you going to show me your new horse?

Her eyes meet with mine. So I can keep him? she smiled broadly and appeared somewhat surprised.

Yeah, my girl. If it makes you happy. I smiled back.

She stood up and threw her arms around my neck for the second time. You’re the best dad ever.

Yeah, yeah, right. I chuckled while I removed the wire stripper from out of her hand, before she stabbed me with it.

She grabbed it back then asked. So what do you think?

I don’t know. What is it? I replied.

It’s a transporter. Her mouth whispered, as her eyes grew immense.

Oh, I chuckled. I grabbed the steering wheel. Well jump in and let’s go.

Dad, it’s not ready. She answered.

Well that sucks. I was thinking we could be transported. I laughed back.

But I thought you were happy you were finally home. She replied seriously.

So, what does this do? I replied changing the subject.

It’s an anachronism vehicle. She replied looking at me a bit irritated.

A what?

Why is she looking at me like that? Was it because I didn’t understand what an anachronism is?

You know, an error in chronology; especially a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or things in regards to each other. A person or thing that is chronologically out of place especially one from a former age that is incongruous in the present.

Aurora, I still don’t understand what you’re talking about.

It would be like fighting the war of 1812 with ballistic Missiles. Or finding a washing machine to wash clothes on the arc. She stood up and pulled a small white card from her blue jean pocket and handed it over to me. Mother told me to give you this.

Thanks. I said taking the card from her hand and quickly slipping it into my wallet, and slipping the wallet back into my inside breast suit pocket. She glanced at the gun that was revealed for a second when I put the card away.

Packing heat, huh, pops. she giggled.

Yep, and I got into your school with it too.

Wild. she said smiling. Oh and before I forget, mom said to tell you, you don’t have to worry about next year’s tuition. His Highness has a crush on me. And I told him we couldn’t afford to send me back here next year, so he told it to his dad, and it’s now all taken care of.

I don’t need the Presidents help to pay my bills. I replied a bit angrily. We Viktor’s can take care of ourselves.

Mom said you’d say something like that. She’s just glad you won’t be messing up her bank account by bouncing a check.

I never bounced a check. I got the two… . why am I telling you this?

I have no idea. She replied factually.

Sweetheart, your mother asked me if I would have a few words with you about your grades. Is there a problem or perhaps a way I can help?

Father, do you really believe you can help with my studies? Her tone was dismissive, as she continued to tinker with her machine, not look up from her project.

I knew that attitude; I experienced it before. On Christmas just after her tenth birthday when I purchased her first computer. She was feeding her knowledge into it before I could finish reading the manual.

I’d just thought I’d offer. I replied softly.

How did your meeting go? She asked.

It’s being rescheduled.

Till when?

Don’t know.

Today?

Maybe, oh and don’t let me forget my suitcase.

Important papers? She asked this time looking at my face, perhaps to see if my answer was the truth.

Yes.

Will you get to see the President?

I hope so, it’s just so hard to find him half the time.

I see him all the time, since he’s here A LOT!

Really?

Really! she replied rolling her eyes. His Highness can’t even wipe his own butt without The Chief called in to be made aware of the consistency of his shit… oops, sorry dad, I mean poop.

Do you call him His Highness because he’s the Presidents kid?

Shit no she giggled. Oops, sorry about the slip again. I started to call him that because he’s always high. Plus because he’s the President’s son, so he’s kind of like a Prince in a way. I was calling him High Highness, but he got all paranoid, and asked me to knock it off, so I did. And he said calling him His Highness was ok, as long as I was the only one who did, he doesn’t let other people call him that.

You saying he does drugs?

Nope I didn’t say that at all, and you didn’t hear it. She stated flat out, giving a serious look as if protecting my ass.

I hope you’re not…

Don’t even go there, dad, she interrupted, and I’m not sleeping with him either, just in case you’re minds going in that direction. She took in a deep breath, laid her needle nose pliers down on the floor, and looked over at me. Our eyes met. Can we change the subject?

Sounds, good to me. I replied shaking my head yes at the same time. So what do you want to talk about?

Let’s talk about what kind of papers you have in your briefcase.

Nope, I laughed.

Plans on how to destroy the world? she asked with a shy grin.

We’ve already figured how to do that. I said grinning back.

Thought?

Maybe the rumors were true. Maybe she is Tom’s kid after all and not mine. Look at her eyes, she’s got the same eyes Tom has when Tom . . .

Dad! She snapped. Bringing me out of my day-dream.

What?

Thought?

What are you talking about? I asked her.

Dad, everything he hears he shares as soon as he gets stoned. I know all about Thought.

I tried to swallow the large lump that had instantly formed in my throat. The small hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up in the air, perhaps as a warning. I looked into her eyes as they started to glaze over moistly as if soon tears would soon begin forming.

My god, Aurora.

I know, daddy. she said softly as she climbed into the backseat with me. Sat down on my lap. And then curled up into the frightened little girl she once was. I just sat there holding her and could feel the warm tears fall from her eyes down onto the legs of my pants.

Is that when your grades started to slip? I whispered while resting my chin against her head.

She shook her head yes. And for a moment in time, I felt as if the world had stopped spinning, and time had stopped completely until she raised her head up from next to my chest. She pushed her hair away from her face and squinted her eye, while she asked. Daddy, are you going to be ok?

I don’t know. I replied. If something were to happen to you…

I promise never to say anything, she interrupted, I don’t want anything to happen to you, daddy. If I promise never to say anything to anyone, do you promise me?

I can’t promise anything, Aurora. Kids make promises, grown up people can’t. Cause all the promises in the world are really only wishes… do you understand?

Grown up people promise to stay married, but they don’t keep their promise. She snapped at me.

You’re right, sweetheart. Grown up people can promise so many things but as soon as one of them breaks their promise…

But it’s not fair, dad.

Aurora, I’ll make you one promise. But you have to promise me back.

What?

I promise, I will always love you.

Forever?

Forever.

She rested her head against my shoulder and whispered. Promise?

Yeah, I promise.

She jumped up off my lap and began to grab my hand to pull me off the seat. I forgot to feed Boy, come let’s go.

I followed her out of the room and into the hallway. We darted towards the door and once we were out we ran together towards the stables until I just couldn’t run any further. When she noticed I wasn’t still with her, she turned back around and yelled back to me. Blame your cigarettes, Mr. Crispy lungs.

I continued to stand in one place, and had planned to walk the rest of the way. But before I could reach the barn door, she flew past me, almost knocking me down. No saddle, no harness. Her fingers weaved in the horse’s mane, held tight by her clenched fists. My daughters flowing mane dancing with the breeze she and Boy shared together. I could feel the weight of the horse’s hoofs whenever she rode near me. I listened to the sound of his breath that Boy was making as he galloped around me. The grass appeared greener than any green I had ever seen especially being this was the spring of the New Year. The sky bluer. The air more fresh, my daughter more beautiful than I had ever seen her before. I continued to watch as she rode around in the pasture, her face was as if I were seeing it for the very first time. But then I think this is the first time I had actually seen her happy.

Is there a horse for me? I shouted to her cupping my hands together so my voice would travel further.

The plug is in there. she shouted back laughing.

I tried this addiction out for the first time while reading the Red Pony. I became addicted to books when I read the book… . Black Beauty. And as I watched my daughter fly all around me on her mythical white Pegasus, I found I loved the white horse the best. Not that horses have an actual nationality, though she was riding an Arabian one. But that makes as much sense as a quarter horse being only one quarter of a horse. A horse is a horse. It wasn’t a color thing at all. It was simply a matter that this is whom she fell in love with. And he happens to be white. And by watching her fly and the ease of his run, I can tell he loves her also.

I was in the Middle East, and I know what some of the people can do to a horse. But then again, it happens right here in my own country. Maybe he was abused? I don’t know. But to have some big deal give it to the President of the United States, I’m pretty sure this horse probably had a pretty good life.

Aurora… what’s this horse’s name? I yelled over to her.

Jingletron. She shouted back.

Jinnanan? I yelled back.

No! She shouted. I said Jingletron.

Jingganan? I yelled frustrated… well what kind of name is that?

No dad, she said as she rode up to me kicking dust from his hoofs into my face. I said Jingletron. And flapped her legs out, like the wings of a bee, leaving me in her dust.

I went chasing after her. And spend the next few hours in each other’s company. Not saying a word. Just being together was what made it so right.

The silence was finally broken was when the horses were cooling down, and we were returning the horses to the stable. I had noticed another horse in the stall next to where Boy was kept and asked her about it. I was surprised to learn that this was the slug she originally had before trading with the President’s son and that the horse Jingletron was actually a robot.

Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. I said scratching my head in disbelief as she lifted up the horse’s tail, pulled the cord out of its ass and plug it into the socket against the wall.

It’s a trainer. She stated calmly. The control switch is under the horn. She snapped the horn open. See, it has all the variables such as speed, as well as skills. Barrel racing, jumping fences. A two year old can ride this horse. Or someone old like you, who breaks their bones easily.

Funny. I replied and then messed her hair up playfully.

Jingletron is a war horse, you know.

No, I didn’t, I replied. What else they got hidden in here under the covers of a kids school? and then began to search around the stable, opening stalls, and trying to get into the tack room.

Dad, stop. she whispered as she ran up to me and pulled my hands down from the door. Don’t touch that, it could kill you.

You know what’s behind the door? I asked looking into her face.

Kind of. she answered. Didn’t you ever go exploring when you were a kid?

Well yeah. I answered. But nothing like this.

And that’s because there wasn’t something like this to explore, or you would have. So I and His Highness explored this barn.

But I thought the Secret Service was to keep a constant eye on him. I replied puzzled.

Dad, this is a barn. What does a boy and girl do in a barn?

They better not be.

We’re not, so don’t worry. But His body guards don’t need to know it. When we first stumbled on our discovery, we wanted to investigate further, but when the door slid open, the only thing he could think of doing to make them close the door and leave us alone was for him to kiss me. So we’ve been kissing a lot.

I’m not a happy dad, right now.

We don’t kiss like we mean it. It is just on purpose.

Like that should make me feel better?

Dad, face it. I’m a geek. But geeks need friends too, even if it’s not someone I would choose for a friend. He’s a freak, because he can’t have friends because of his dad and who his dad is. Call it a friendship of necessity. But that’s all it is.

Well don’t let it get any further than that.

What? Like actually have him as a friend?

Sorry, Aurora, I didn’t mean it that way.

Subject change. she replied. This was the way she always replied when the subject grew uncomfortable or unpleasant. Dad, when you were my age did you have any dreams?

We left the stable and started to walk back to her room, when we finally arrived she asked me again about dreams.

"Yeah. And back then they