The Gemini

39 - Dreams

June 11, 1989

In the dark, snow flurried fat white flakes around him. Though he was without a coat, his skin couldn't feel the bitter freeze. Looking on through the night Roger saw himself, rather the shell of himself, staring Andre down.

Twenty-years-old and hopeless. He might as well have been painted red and green because Roger could see Gemini all over his younger visage. He wondered if Andre ever saw the difference in that moment.

The conversation was muted to Roger's ears currently but it didn't matter, he remembered every word. As he should given the fact that they've haunted him almost every night for ten years.

Fists were being thrown now. Standing on the outside looking in, Roger's stomach turned at the reckless abandon in which his younger self operated. Nothing but rage. Depressed and broken. Truly a shell.

The shove was quickly approaching. He didn't want to see it again. Turning to walk away, he was halted by an invisible force. Try again, fail. With more effort, nope.

"Where do you think you're going? You're missing the best part."

Closing his eyes, defeatedly Roger exhaled. Turning his head to the left, there was Gemini grinning on at the brawl.

"Look, look!" the painted man enthused while pointing.

"No." Roger denied, trying to walk away again.

This time Gemini grabbed his arm and tugged him around. "Watch my shining moment." he insisted still beaming.

Roger did. Andre went over the edge.

Gemini laughed manically, "Again!"

The action played back and then forward again. "One mo' time!"

Another repeat. After the third one Roger could take no more. When he went to move away this time it worked. He didn't know where he was going and didn't care as long as he was away from the mess behind him.

Too bad this was a dream and he couldn't escape.

In approach, heels echoed harshly against the pavement. "Yo, motherfucker, I heard you been thinking shit about me. What's up with that?" the question sounding raucously.

Unruffled Roger kept on his way. That is until Gemini materialized in front of him.

"Hello?" he said in an impatient attention seeking manner.

Roger looked him over. His suit was split half black, half purple. At his waist was a belt bearing his moniker. Roger didn't find his glove wearing strange, but the item connected to the collar of his suit jacket...

"Why are you wearing a cape?"

Offended, "Why are you talking to yourself?" Gemini retorted smartly.

He had a point. Roger walked again.

Gemini beside him, flourishing the shiny black material, "We look good."

"Go away."

Shaking his head, "Can't."

"Why not? Why are you still here anyway? I don't want you anymore."

"Chill on that. You need me."

"Ha. Yeah to go away." Stopping, Roger rolled eyes at himself. "You're not even real."

Wide eyed, hand to his chest. Gemini gasped for air, staggering his steps before collapsing dramatically to the ground. Eyes fixed to the sky, tongue hanging out of his mouth. Roger paused, looking down at his alter's 'dead' form before stepping over and continuing down the snowy sidewalk.