Mystery of the Boundaries

Chapter Nine

Images of laughing children surrounds me, all so joyful and innocent and oblivious to the dangers ahead of them. After a second of observation, I realize the little kids were Evelina and I, playing in the backyard of the Adams' household. The photographs seem to be playing on repeat in a manner that made me nauseous. The film starts to blur and darken.

"NO!" I wanted to scream, but all I can do is helplessly watch as the pictures smear until I couldn't believe if the whole incident was real.

~*~

I am trapped in the dark abyss of oblivion. I cannot process if the univerese exists, nor can I identify if I'm in the state of reality. I try to drag my way out of the darkness, but all I can do is scream in my pathetic state of mind. I want to escape, escape from the hell that I am in right now. I struggle to wake up from this terrible nightmare to find myself back in the safety of Evelina's bed, accidently falling asleep whilst we were giggling about the typical girly things we gossip about. But all I could do is dream. Eventually, I give up. I lie in a miserable heap as I attempt to remember the things that made me happy. Evelina. Jim.

I wake up.

~*~

Smoke. I smell smoke.

I inhale the intense and putrid scent of ashes and burning flesh. Nasty.

I caustiously stand up, the nausea hits me like a ton of bricks. The sudden and dramatic change of position causing me to stagger harshly to the side. I cry out.

Alaska, focus. Find the Ring of Fire. You know that's where you have to rescue Evelina.

I wobble where I think is east, toward the direction of the vaporous soot. My mind is swimming confusingly, blurry images surround me. I bite my lip to stop the scream. I taste the rusty and coppery tang exploding in my mouth. Yucko!

I teeter towards the fog as figures and shadows of trees flashes up and about. As I am closer to the mist, the dizzier I am. I moan, trying to contain my sickness. I know if I stop now, I will never get up again. Which leaves to the alternative of Evelina dead. Nein. That ain't happening, not on MY watch.

As my sight begins to worsen, my thoughts all sails towards Jim. Jim. Jim with his soft, soft hair, soft, soft lips, and soft, soft eyes. God, I remember the lines of his mouth. Every crinkle of his eyes when he smiles openly, not the cocky one that he usually gives to piss off everyone, believing that he is not good enough. I treasure the thought of the ignorant v that seems to always reappear every frown Jim form. I relive the memories we had.

*~*

"Don't you ever get tired?"

It was a starry night, highly unlikely in Beyond the Boundaries. Jim is situated comfortably on a log, admiring the mesmerizing world above. My head is settled pleasantly on his lap, with my hair splayed out to the swampy ground. A bonfire is nestled next to the bushes as we savor the warmth.

"Tired of what?" I curiously ask, studying his face. At the time I thought he resembled a troll. A beautiful troll, that is, with his hair tousled carelessly and eyes crinkling, warm and cozy like honey. Snap out of it, I thought as I stare at the laugh lines by his eyes, but it is impossible as I watch and watch him smiling to the sky.

"Tired of the running," JIm replies after a long moment.

"Why?" Now that's caught my attention.

"Don't you ever just stop and think, "What's the point" every now and then? Whether if it is a simple task as taking a shower or a comlex one like murdering the evil creatures, it's always on your mind, lurking beneath the shadows."

"Jim, it's our job," I say, looking at him sympathetically.

"I know, I know. It's our job as Chosen to do this extraordinary killings. But what if? What if we had the chance of being normal again? Don't you ever wish we can walk on the streets, ordinary, without having to look behind our backs? Don't you ever long for the possibility of settling down one day? Falling in love, getting married, leading to the result of seven children that you will cherish and raise?"

"Out of all combinations of kids, you want to have seven?" I ask trying to keep the mood poisitive, however, I'm failing.

Jim ignores my attempt to joke.

"Alaska, I can't. You know I can't. I know you won't not understand because of the thrill you survive upon. You're one of those people who just love this role of playing hero, couldn't get enough of it, even. But I'm different. I want out of this, whatever this is."

"Jim, come on. The doubt is catching up to you," I say, avoiding his eyes and the confirmation.

"Yeah, maybe it is" He replies, sharp, cold and distant.

I look up to him, the eyes that are one a soft color of hazelnut is now a dark pit of concealed emotions, the colour of coffee stains.

"Jim-"

"Forget it," He says, standing up and making camp.

I sigh.

"Well, let's get ready for bed, shall we?" I say lightly.

"Yeah."

When the fire is finally distinguished and the sleeping bags laid out, I finally climb into bed.

"Alaska?" I hear a muffled voice.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Don't dwell too much on what I just told you. You have your own opinions and I have mine, I'm sorry." I hear regret in his voice.

"Don't worry. Just know that the anxiety is just a sympton of being here too long, We'll be out of here soon." I say assuringly.

"Alright." JIm responds unconvincingly.

After that, I stare up at the stars, twinkling joyfully in this unusual night. Little did I know, in a couple of seconds, I will dream of Jim, smiling down at me ecstatically with seven toddlers in tow, running up and about, beaming joyously in my direction.

~*~

I stumble and fell down in the present. My headache is worse now. As I fight back the urge to puke, I am suddenly aware of where I am. Right in front of me, is the infamous Ring of Fire.

~*~

Hello bookworm-lios! Sorry the update was so late. Hope you enjoyed and have a nice day!

~Infinityendlesswords