Abe or The Goldfinch

Chapter 6

Earth-4076361

Abe walked alongside his father, wearing both shorts and loose shirts, with small mats under his arms. Amir believed that this activity could help Abe calm his nerves a little, which, if he had to be honest, had been a little on edge these days.

So they entered the yoga room and took their positions, Abe thought that he would feel more embarrassed to be there, but he relaxed when he saw that there were more teenagers and some children whose parents brought them.

Abe was never a social person, it's not that he didn't have friends, he had them... online.

But in the last few weeks he barely left the house, his parents didn't even let him go help Chico at his stall, which curiously Chico himself allowed without any problem, claiming that they took the necessary time.

The thing with his grandparents had been "strange", they hardly visited them and when they did they were much quieter than normal, the only thing they all seemed to have in common was that they were very disconcerted by Boris's presence.

Although they didn't really like to admit it, it was exactly what had helped Abe the most to process the whole thing, because Boris was simply right.

These things were happening on the other side of the world and had little or nothing to do with Abe, but still the dreams kept getting worse and worse.

His father had been quite resistant to seeking professional help, this was his last homeopathic trick, if it didn't work he would have no more options.

So resigned, Abe took a position and followed the instructions of the instructor who introduced himself as Jim Green, the postures were not that complicated, he did more difficult things in gymnastics, but he certainly never developed a taste for physical activities.

The difficult part was when they took the lotus position and Jim asked them to clear their minds.

Abe tried to focus on his breathing, but he started to feel... "cold", which was very strange, because a second before he was sweating from physical exertion.

The instructor commented -now enter the black void that is the opposite of this world...- Abe began to feel a strange cramp in the back of his neck and unconsciously put his hand there.

Jim continued -...breathe, let your body leave this earthly plane...- Abe began to hear a strange voice that repeated "go away... go away", but he did not hear it in the room, it was as if it resonated with an echo... from within of his head.

The instructor finished -... sit your other self in that world...-

Amir shouted in alarm -ABEEE!- as he knelt in front of his son who was beginning to convulse on the floor.

Abe could feel the shadow enter his body through his mouth and ears, and heard Amir's screams overlap with the screams of a woman that also came from the echo in his head.

-ABE / WILL .. habibi / honey... please react- Jim Green approached and tried to take the boy, only to move his hand away when he felt how cold his skin was.

Abe opens his eyes and recoils in alarm as he sees the instructor and the image of himself in a white coat layered over the baggy clothing and muttering "extraordinary."

And yes, in case you hadn't noticed, Jim Green is a variant of Dr. Brenner, now this is where the story gets complicated, and although it hurts, the "Abris" goes to a totally secondary level.

And remember, criticism and comments are welcome.