Mastim's Curse

Chapter 9

The hubbub of everyday life at UCLA buzzes around me as I sit with my back to the rough bark of a shade tree, my math book open on my lap. However, today the formulas and theorems have no meaning. They are like a Greek opera. They obviously tell an important story but the words are lost on me now. My mind is transfixed on a play of such depth and import that all else is superficial. The cigarette I lit not moments ago goes un-smoked in my hand, the smoke adding to the surrealism of the scene before me.

There's a storm coming, and it has brought forth the darkness in a way that I've never felt before. Day after day, it's been building, growing stronger, and more urgent, until it can no longer be ignored or denied.

Displayed all around me with a clarity I've never experienced before are the bare souls of men and women going about their daily lives at the university. I see them plain as my own hands. And not just the ones close to me. I see them all, even the ones behind walls in buildings all throughout the campus... thousands of them... tens of thousands... It's like watching a galaxy of burning stars in the sky.

Seen like this, stripped of their flesh, they are so much the same in the way snowflakes are but with each one intricately their own. If only everyone could see it this way... race, creed, male, female, all gone. If everyone could see people this way, how much better life would be?

Of course, there are some with tainted souls, dark stains in otherwise pure light. They call to me to free them from this life of temptation and despair. Their desperate call awakes my deepest desire... to kill. The desire flows through me, electrifying me. I close my eyes and relish it almost like a lover.

I sense rather than see a man approaching. He is beautiful and flawless. His tall form and dark skin radiate strength and confidence. And when he speaks, his voice is like the spring wind, full of promise of things to come.

"It's a great honor to meet the Nephilim daughter of Lilith," he says.

"Who are you?" I ask. "And why do you call me Nephilim?"

He smiles and the effect is striking. "I can't tell you who I am or who you are. These are things that can only be learned from experience and personal discovery."

I suddenly realize his feet are not touching the ground. I'm confused. "Are you real?"

He laughs heartedly. "Yes. I'm real, even though this is only a dream." He kneels close to me. "Sometimes... dreams are closer to reality than what your awakened mind sees."

"If this is a dream, why are you here?" I ask.

He gestures at the souls all around us. "You're powerful emotion opened a path for me to come to you. For my kind, dreams are often our best means to communicate."

"You're kind? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Again, telling you would be a waste of words. These things can only be learned through life's journey. However, what I can do is point you in a direction that may help you learn what you seek."

"That would be nice," I say.

"Start by reading the Book of Jubilees, but be sure to read past the words on the page."

I've never heard of that book. But before I can ask about it, he's gone.