Evolution

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Delirium is such a wonderful journey. So many things  are new and vibrant, and all of them, no matter how bizarre, are safe. The world is safe. My world is…safe.  I could feel the sun lick my cheek and could hear the distant melody of Alex’s voice splash like a pebble in my ear. It rippled, echoed, and faded. 

I was hot. Sweat was trickling down my brown and making a river down my tummy. It pooled near the navel where tiny little jumping monkey’s splashed playfully in it. Dragonfly‘s buzzed back and forth over the pond, their tails lighting up with purple, blue, and pink neon. A trail of body hair slowly turned golden and swayed in the breeze. A field of wheat marked the entrance and a mossy stone path invited all to my bodies Utopia.

My fever had spiked to one hundred and four and was still rising. I struggled to keep awake in the cool bed of the truck. My body jarred and rolled as the thick tires rolled over debris in the road. My sense of time was shattered.  It must have been hours. Days? 

I remembered her sweet voice turning hectic. Fear. Panic. My Utopia quaked and the monkeys scurried behind the mountains just east of my clavicle. 

“If he don’t get more medicine soon he will die Boomer! His wounds are infected and we are almost out of water.” 

I felt a big meaty hand wrap around the sweaty tuft of hair attached to back of my head. I felt something cool and wet slide down my dry throat. I dared to open my eyes. Not once, but twice. Reality dripped into my eyelids. Bright sunlight invaded and sharp pain stabbed me. A hard gasp for breath. Sweet oxygen filled my lungs. I seen Boomers smiling face and Alex pacing a back and forth in front of the rear axle of the truck. I tried to speak

“W-W” I stammered. 

I swallowed and tried to make the external voice match the one in my head. I struggled to articulate the thought. Slowing down my thought process I tried again.

“Where are we? How long have I been asleep?” My voice quivered.

“TREVOR! OH MY GOD YOUR AWAKE!” 

I felt her soft skin wrap around my neck and a tight squeeze. I managed a brief smile.

“You had us so worried. You have been asleep for almost two days! How are you feeling? Are you okay? Do you need anything. Are you hungry?”

  She rambled nervously, not knowing how to help me. Slowly I raised my hand as if to silence her. Smiling, I simply replied

“Yes. To everything. And water.” 

Slowly, I pulled myself upright. Leaning against the back glass I asked again. 

“Where are we?”

“We are in Illinois Trevor. Granny Mae had a few tricks up her sleeve. We will be hitting Missouri by the end of the night.  Don’t worry though. You just rest. Okay? Tomorrow we will find some medicine for you in the first city we come across.” 

I was worried. She seemed sincere but her eyes seemed to scream “I’m helpless, please don’t die.”

A loud thump disturbed the day. Baboon screeches and unknown growls. Wolves? Pod Wolf pack? A cold shiver ran up my spine.  I looked nervously over at Alex.

“Wolves Trevor. Don’t worry they are a few miles behind us. You just go back to sleep. Rest. It will be dark soon and everything will be fine. You will see.”

Boomer squeezed my shoulder, a show of affection yes, but a bit too rough. I felt myself wince and seen an apology in his eyes.  I slowly slid back down and clamped my eyes shut. The heavy footsteps and the metallic clank, the shaking of the truck and the rumble of the engine was the last bit of reality I remember.

I was back to my Utopia. I could actually feel the tickle of silky dragonfly wings on my skin as they danced to and fro, enjoying the serene pond.