Illusional

Wonder and Ponder

December 26

Christmas had gone by, and we had a lot of fun! We even made hot cocoa and a snowman! We used an axe blade for a nose, which I found quite amusing.

When it was time to check out, we packed our stuff, and the others gave Jenny the key to our cabin, loaded their stuff in the back of the car, and headed off. Me and Brandon took the longest to get our stuff together (we're not very organized).

However, it turns out our subconsciouses were still here.

    Or at least me and Brandon's. We were the last ones to leave the cabin, but the cabin door suddenly shut and locked itself. We heard a voice saying, "Not so fast...! I believe a confession must be made."

    Both of us looked at each other, confused. None of us thought that we had wronged the other.

    "Brandon..." the voice started.

    "Y-yes?" Brandon replied.

    "Do you remember when Mason got beat up in 3rd grade?"

    "Oh, that?"

    "What...?" I said, wondering what was going on. "I'm so confused..."

    "That was back in elementary school! Why are you bringing this up now?" Brandon asked the subconscious.

    "I've been waiting for the perfect moment." the subconscious responded.

    "Brandon, what is he talking about? Why is he bringing up the fight?"

    "Okay, there's really no easy way to say this..." Brandon started, paused dramatically, then continued, "...I...I was the one beat you up in the 3rd grade. Your dad sided for me."

    A series of images played in my mind at a very fast pace the second he finished his confession. I didn't know what to say. I've been going around the past 2 years trusting this person in almost all aspects on my life, only to find out that he was the cause of my worst memory.

    "I...I can't believe you would do this to me, Brandon... I trusted you!" I said to him, feeling betrayed.

    "I know, and I'm sorry..." Brandon apologized.

    "Sorry?" I asked in frustration. "You're 'sorry' for beating me up in third grade?!"

    "Yes, I am, and I shouldn't have done that, either."

    My dad called out to us, "Kids, are you coming?"

    "Yeah, I am..." both me and Brandon said simultaneously. Both of us walked to the car, got in our seats, and slammed our doors.

"Hey! Be careful! I paid good money for this baby!" Dad warned me and Brandon.

When we started driving, all me and Brandon could do was stare at each other. We didn't look all that happy, either. Brandon looked more nervous, while I was filled with contempt.

"I sure do like how quiet it is..." Leo said, half sarcastically.

"I don't." Brandon and I immediately replied after.

"Is everything alright?" John asked us both.

"No..." both of us replied.

    "What's wrong"

    "Brandon, care to answer?" I asked him cruelly.

    "Mason found out that I beat him up in third grade." Brandon replied.

    "What?! How did he find out?! None of us have told anyone!" Zachary stated. This made me more mad.

    "You guys knew this whole time?!" I angrily asked the guys.

    "We were going to tell you!" I replied.

    "Too late..." I replied back.

    "Mason," my dad started, "I really think you should forgive Brandon."

    "I don't really feel like it."

    "Mason..."

    "Don't worry about it, Mr. Yemmingham," Brandon said, "I'll take it from here." I looked at Brandon, waiting for an explanation.

    "Mason, right after I beat you up, my school called my parents. They told them I beat you up. They found out after seeing security footage outside the school, where your mental demise took place." I will admit that I chuckled slightly at the "mental demise" part.

    Brandon continued, "When my parents found out, they were furious. They punished me severely and forced me to read the Bible and go to Church every day until I learnt my lesson. I did. After almost 2 months, I discovered Christ and gave my life to Him. When I got unpunished, I remembered what I was punished for in the first place. I still wish I could've taken back what I did to you to this very day.

    This is what led me and Zachary to creating our secret Christian group. We built it for the sole purpose of helping people turn to Christ and repenting of their sins, big and small. So far, we've had 6 amazing members taking part in our amazing group."

    "Hold up." I started. "How do you get 6. We've only had Phillip, Leo, John, Andrew and me."

"Someone was here before you joined, but she left. We don't know why." Brandon answered.

"Alright."

"Anyways, my main point is that even though I've hurt you in the past, I see no reason why we should remain enemies. The Lord Jesus teaches us to forgive, and I am, truly, desperate for your forgiveness."

I looked at Brandon. Brandon looked at me. We locked eye contact for quite some time. That's when I said, "Brandon, thank you." and then I hugged him, forgiving Brandon for beating me up in third grade. Everyone was very happy that the two of us made up.

Since then, the ride home was peaceful, and the guys even roped me into some of the car games they would play. But more importantly, I learned to let go.

Now that I think about it, that subconscious seemed to be wanting Brandon and I to split our friendship down the middle. Fortunately, it didn't work. I was finally glad to be out of that cabin and out in the open, where I don't feel so... hidden.

    But something about this experience made me ponder, such as how our subconsciouses worked together to plan this whole thing, how they became physical representations of us, and how they could come out of us. Perhaps I'll never know the answer, or any other scientist out there, but one thing's for certain: I'm glad I took this trip.

    I really am! This cabin trip taught me that separation from others could lead to more harm than good. And respectfully, I wouldn't want to live scared of human thoughts for the rest of my life.

    We finally arrived home, though my butt hurts from sitting too long. I unpacked my stuff, lied on my bed and began writing in my journal. I'm very excited that I found something interesting to write about, and I sincerely hope whoever may read this someday enjoys this book from start to finish.