A Road Through the Heartland: The Redemption of Samual

By Bradleigh Munk

Time is a fickle bedmate during the best of times. However, when Bradleigh is thrown into the mix, it turns into a battle wits and constantly falling through fractured timescapes. Our two heroes find themselves thrown back in time and forced to settle within the minds of two young protégés from the early twentieth century. Unless their previous conduct can be reconciled, the two will be faced with the continually deadly threat of survival traversing the rivers of time polluted from their previous transgressions.

 

Haunted from the past, Bradleigh will be forced into resolving his split–second decision of saving several souls condemned to death by Nazi Germany. It's a never–ending race against the clock when our friends rush to catch the next train into history before true evil peeks its head and forces them down a one–way road to hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bradleigh Munk
• Release date: Aug 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798227284921

Book preview

To Oscar Wilde, restricted from his true purpose in life and murdered by a society that was unwilling to live and let live.

Chapter One

Slowly opening my eyes, I was caught off guard by the deep and intentional throb of movement, the source still unknown to my cloudy and dazed mind. Looking around, I found that I was lying in a richly decorated berth and covered by several blankets, silky smooth to the touch. In the distance I could hear the high–pitched whistle of a determined locomotive pushing forward through thick gray clouds that threatened a change in the weather. It was dark, and I had no idea where or when I was in time. What happened to Richard? I thought. The previous night I remember falling deep into the void with him holding on close. I wanted to explore this latest time slip; however, the rhythmic movement of the car began to lull me back to sleep. Pulling the thick blanket up over my head, I quickly headed back into the void with the agreement to explore my new situation as soon as the morning had presented itself.

I was moments into my dreamworld when I was suddenly jolted awake, and to my relief, Richard was now lying next to me. I could tell that he was in a different timeline, and reaching out to hold on to him, my hand simply passed through, causing me to grab on to the edge of the sleeping berth. I wanted to pull my friend into my latest slip of time, but I had no idea how to accomplish this. Without too much effort, however, I sent out a burst of indigo energy, and we were again close and holding on. A little shocked, he turned to me and said, I can see right through you. The nightstand is as clear as if you weren’t lying here. Without thinking I grabbed on to his shoulder, causing us to roll back into the car, narrowly missing the siderail of the bed. As soon as I had a clearness of mind, I turned to Richard and said, Sorry to interrupt your sleep. I’m not sure how I fell into this timeline. I can’t imagine why we would be here.

We can’t afford the time off, said Richard. I’m scheduled to sit down with our producer, and we have to meet up with the band. Do you think you could pause this adventure for a moment?

I’m not sure, I said. Let me try something. Sending out another burst of energy, like clockwork, we had a swirling vortex that revealed a view of our bedroom, moments after we rolled out of it. That answers your question, I said. We should be able to step back to the moment we left.

Do you have any idea where we are? he asked.

It’s a mystery to me, I said. All I know is that we are in a richly appointed sleeper car. I have no idea where we are going.

It sounds like we will need to do some exploring when the sun comes up, he said.

Maybe we should just settle in for the night.

That works for me, I said. And with that, we both slid onto the cramped bed, spending the next hour holding on until we both drifted into the void.

My dreams surrounded me, and I found myself deep within a realm where free flying was possible. I was in the process of floating upward, to meet with an unknown entity, when I was suddenly thrust aside and pulled back into my current reality. All at once the car turned sharply, causing us to both roll off the bunk and land on the floor. Looking up from our vantage point, we attempted to right ourselves; however, a strong and unknown force began to pull us apart. As the car began to fill with a gray and white fog, we desperately reached for each other, but it was too late; the two of us simply blinked out of view. My mind began to race as time and space spun around me. Closing my eyes to avoid the dizziness, I was hoping that when I looked out again, I would be back at home lying next to Richard and our lives could move forward and avoid this latest detour.

Chapter Two

As the fog cleared, I found myself sitting at an ornately decorated dining table. Enjoying the bounty sat a dozen or so people all dressed in a style of the early twentieth century. I was unable to move or speak; however, I kept hearing an unknown voice within my mind. I realized that I must be an uninvited guest and what I was seeing was a view through the eyes of my host. It soon became apparent that if I were to successfully navigate my latest adventure, I would have to sit tight until the right moment was presented. I would then introduce myself and hopefully not send my new friend over the edge and cause him an adverse reaction with the sudden voices in his head.

The conversation was dominated by an older gentleman; my friend kept quiet and didn’t interrupt. Delving deep into his past, we both remembered a time when a severe beating finally put us in our place, and we learned to be seen and not heard. Gentlemen, he said, the future will be upon us sooner than we think. If we don’t silence the opposition, they will force us to accept their unions and the demand for a shorter workday. I say that we meet them head–on and bar the doors to those who are unwilling to follow management.

They all agreed, and to celebrate, several small glasses of a thick liqueur was passed around, changing the mood into one of acceptance and victory. We sat there transfixed, eyes on the patriarch. With our hands folded, we said nothing and waited for the conversation to conclude before we continued to eat, always quiet and existing in the shadows of our older brothers and sister. My new friend soon revealed that his name was Kevin and was the youngest of four. He had one older sister and two brothers. The oldest, Tom, knew that Kevin was special and constantly protected and doted on him.

Time quickly moved forward, and as Bradleigh, I sat and observed while the life of my new friend unfolded and he experienced the struggles associated with his secret existence. This was something I could relate to and could only imagine what it must be like for him to be special. During this time in history, admitting to and acting out as a homosexual was definitely a crime. With frustration and lack of acceptance, Kevin began to act out, and several weeks into the summer break, he found himself forced into a group outing with several boys from his school. We will be gone seven days, said the troop leader. Make sure you have everything you need before we leave this afternoon. Kevin was frustrated and felt that he was being forced into doing something that he had no interest in. Scouting is too much like the military, he thought. Why am I being forced into doing this? There were ten other boys including himself, and one in particular caught his eye from the start. Harry stood at least six three, and from the start, they were inseparable.

The first three days, the two enjoyed spending time together, and by the middle of the week, they found themselves alone and hiking the two–mile trail that circled the lake and campsites. Walking in silence for the first hour, they soon found themselves in a small clearing that sported clear views of the cabins. Moving up and around a small outcropping of pine trees, Harry said, Let’s stop for a rest.

How about over next to that fallen tree? said Kevin. We can sit and watch what’s going on back at camp. Settling into a quiet uncomfortableness, Kevin sat inches away from his new friend, and without warning, Harry reached over and cradled Kevin’s face in his massive hands. Looking into his eyes, he then proceeded to plant a kiss right where it mattered the most. A little shocked, Kevin pulled away and, without comment, turned to look out across the water for any unwanted witnesses. Finally settling his inner thoughts, however, he turned toward his friend and returned the favor by pulling him even closer.

Their brief moment of excitement and personal bliss was short–lived and came crashing down moments after returning to camp. Walking up to his cabin, Kevin was greeted by the troop leader, who ordered him to pack his bags and wait for further instructions. What have I done? demanded Kevin.

An abomination, was the answer. Don’t cause us any hassle. You’re only going to make things worse for yourself. The next few hours passed painfully slow as he sat in his cabin and waited for his uncertain future. Finally, three o’clock arrived, and a familiar limousine slowly pulled into the camp. Kevin’s heart sank when he was greeted by his father. The patriarch was silent and unemotional while the driver stowed Kevin’s bags. Moments after driving away, however, he calmly said, I’ve had enough of you. This time you have gone too far,

What have I done, Father? asked Kevin. I did what you wanted me to do. I got involved with a group of guys outside of the family.

His father just sat and said nothing until finally he said, Participating in sodomy is a sin, which goes against God and is illegal in the state of New York. I have no other choice but to have you locked away in a boys’ home until you learn your lesson.

Kevin pleaded, but his father was unmoved. With tears in his eyes, he said, But, Father, it was only horseplay. We weren’t seriously doing anything.

That’s not the story I was told, his father coldly said.

The matter was settled, and for the next two and a half hours, the two rode in silence. Except for clearing his throat from his endless tears, Kevin sat and waited for the outcome, hoping that his father’s words were only empty threats and that the two of them would take up the matter at home.

It was half past five when they pulled into a complex of gray buildings all sporting bars over the dimly lit windows. Numb from the situation at hand, at first Kevin refused to move from his seat until finally a group of men came out and physically carried him into the building. Take off your clothing down to your briefs, said a man dressed in black and sporting a white collar. This is what you will be wearing while I have you as my guest. Quickly dressing in the standard gray and white uniform, Kevin finally stood and watched as his father quickly walked away.

The torment began immediately. Before the end of the first day, the priest in charge forced Kevin into a room that sported several restraining devices attached to the wall. Take off your top, he demanded, and stand over here. Strapping his arms over his head, the man then proceeded to whip him with a narrow leather strap, stopping only long enough to quote Old Testament verses touting the evils of a life of sodomy. Satan, be gone and leave this lost soul, he said. Crack! Snap! First the sound, and then immediately after, burning pain up and down his back. With each attack, Kevin screamed for help; however, despite his persistence, his pleas fell on deaf ears.

An hour had passed, and as he unstrapped his victim the man said, That will be all for tonight. I can only start the process. You are the only one that can truly drive Satan from your soul.

With the interview complete, two men came in and carried Kevin into a long room full of boys all in the process of settling in for the night. This is your home for the unforeseeable future, one of the men said. If we find you outside this room after curfew, you will have another visit with the father.

Kevin lay in pain and in shock from the day’s events. How could he just leave me here? he thought to himself. I did nothing wrong.

What do we have here? came a voice from behind. Carefully moving his aching body, Kevin was greeted by an older boy who had a scar running down the entire left side of his face. My name is Ed, and I run this hall after we are locked in for the night. His blood running cold, all Kevin could say was, It’s great to meet you.

You would think so, he said. If you weren’t already bleeding, I would have to show you how nice it is to meet me. Then without any compassion, Ed slapped him on the back with such force that for a brief moment, Kevin felt the blood run from his face before he passed out.

As the weeks dragged on, as Bradleigh I tried to reason with Kevin. However, with his fear growing stronger the longer he was incarcerated, he silenced my voice, leaving him alone and panicked throughout his daily existence.

As I ended my first month away from my family, we were ordered to return to the sleeping barracks for the remainder of the day. This was out of the ordinary, and I couldn’t understand why we would be locked away so early in the day. Overhearing a conversation, I discovered that we had been sported away because several local government officials were making a surprise visit. To make a good showing, they needed everybody out of sight and out of mind.

Moments after lying down for the evening, someone suddenly pulled me off the bunk and held me down tight. Sodomite, he whispered in my ear. I’m going to give you what you think you desire. For the next hour, I found myself subject to a multitude of physical invasions. This included pulling my pants down in front of everyone and being forced to endure the heavy weight of this monster as he held a towel over my mouth while performing intercourse. That should cure you, he said while he was pulling out. Get used to it. I think I’m going to make this a regular event.

As time dragged on, the physical attacks increased until one day I gave in and let them do anything they desired. I was then passed around and shared amongst the boys and considered the property of the entire group. Two months had passed, and on a daily basis, I had started considering any means available to end my life. It was on one of these days, in the early afternoon, that I was called back into the father’s office. Fearing that I was in line to receive another beating, my walk was slow and without purpose. This time fate was on my side, however.

After delaying for as long as I could, I slowly walked into the office and was greeted by my brother Tom. Oh my god, what has happened to you? he said. You’ve lost weight and smell as if you haven’t had a bath in weeks. The truth was that no one practiced any form of hygiene. From the start of the day until we were left to our own devices in the evening, soap and water was a luxury left to the outside world. Quick, change into the clothing I brought you. I want to get you out of here and head home.

I was unable to control my shaking, and with my brother’s help, I traded my prison uniform for something more comfortable, and the two of us quickly drove away in my father’s private limousine.

As soon as we stepped into the foyer of our home, Tom turned to me and said, Father wanted to see you in his office as soon as we arrived. All my colour drained from my face on hearing the word father. It brought back thoughts of the priest back in the workhouse and all the torturous acts he performed on me. Don’t worry, he said, I’ll be here by your side the entire time. He needs to see what they did to you. We slowly made our way to my father’s office, and when he saw me, he said, My god, what happened to you? All I could do was stand there shaking from the immense fear I felt toward him.

What is that smell? he continued. They assured me that you would be taken care of. To check on my current state of being, he then ordered me to remove my shirt. After observing the scars and massive weight loss, he said, pointing toward the door, Get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you again until you are clean and presentable. Tom quickly pulled me out of the room, and within minutes, I sat in a tub full of hot water while he gently scrubbed me down using a washcloth foaming with soap.

Put your hands up, he said, preparing to clean under my arms. It’s hard for me to understand how anyone could treat other people like this. Midway through my redemptive cleaning, our mother stepped into the room, and as soon as she saw me, she uttered a sound of shock and dismay.

What have they done to you? she said. I knew this was the wrong thing to do. I told him so, and he wouldn’t listen to me. Kneeling down to greet her youngest son, she said, I am so sorry. Please stay out of trouble so this will never happen again. She then kissed me on my forehead and walked away. While Tom was drying me off, we stood quiet for several minutes, when finally, Tom said to me, I’m not going anywhere until you come back to life. In fact, now that I think about it, you’re going to stay with me in my room for a while.

I didn’t know what to say, but the relief was evident in my face. Without words, my brother pulled me close and held on while my tears flowed unabated. I stayed with my brother for the next several months, gaining back a quarter of the weight I lost. By the time Christmas arrived, solid foods became my friend again, freeing me from the embarrassing task of running to the guest bathroom to deliver my half–eaten meals to a watery grave.

The interaction between me and my father had changed. I no longer addressed him as Father. Instead, when approached with friendly conversations or questions, all I could do was stand at attention and respond with sir. Yes, sir. Not right now, sir. I had lost trust in the man, and until I could free myself from his iron grip, I would no longer invest any time or emotion in him.

As Bradleigh, I sat quiet while my friend navigated the dramas of his life after incarceration. Quickly nearing the age of eighteen, his pent–up frustration soon became daily outbursts of shaking his fists in the air and endless days of silence. His father decided that he needed to take drastic measures in hopes of curtailing his outbursts. A military school was planned; however, fortunately for Kevin, Tom was able to step in and negotiate a truce between the two. He would again take Kevin under his wing and guarantee his changed behavior.

At the first sign of disrespect, he’s out of here, said his father.

He will be with me from now on, said Tom. I promise to keep him in line and have him learn to respect authority, and especially you.

My friend and I knew that he was treading on thin ice, and later that day, his brother took us both into his room and spent the next three hours explaining what was now required of him. By the end of the night, Kevin was awash with tears, and without words, Tom held him in his arms while the two watched the movement of the trees outside the windows. Eventually they both drifted into the void.

Kevin, you will have a date with the military if you cross Father again, said Tom. We need to find a way for you to vent your frustrations.

I feel so different and just don’t fit in with anyone else, said Kevin. I feel as if I’m going to explode.

Perhaps you need a break from all this. Why don’t you and I get out of here for a while? I’m scheduled to travel to Chicago later this month. Maybe you could join me.

What will I do to fill my time? Kevin asked.

While I’m attending my meetings, stay quiet and respectful of everyone around you. Afterward, we can do what you have always talked about doing. We can visit several of the museums they have in Chicago.

Excited for the adventure, three weeks later, they boarded the noon train bound for Chicago. Sharing a berth, the brothers would spend their time talking and laughing, and when the evening arrived, Tom held his brother close until the two