|
NEW AUTHORS SHOWCASE
|
|
16-10-10 6M P3 |
|
The Final Life by Michael Martin |
|
Synopsis
Jack Millington, a normal guy struggling to find work in England within his trade of Industrial Abseiling starts to ask himself these questions when an offer of work takes him to the heat of the Middle East, forcing him to leave his tranquil home and wife for three months to earn enough money to support them both. It is during this period that Jack realises random events and coincidental circumstances he would normally take for granted are feeding his curiosity. When he saves someone he has never met before from certain death, Jack is shocked to find they have more than one thing in common. Jack is faced with finding answers to questions that may shatter his and mankind’s understandings and beliefs forever. There was no reply only a movement of shadows as a candle flickered to show the features on an exotic wooden carving. A dragon briefly brought to life only for it to disappear. “Now we must be patient as we twist and turn the kaleidoscope of life, giving him the signs that may guide him to us.” The wind could still be heard outside, rattling the shutters and forcing the flames to leap around the room exposing more exquisite carvings and embroidered fabrics. “When will he come, will it be soon?” whispered the younger of the two, sitting with eyes closed almost in a meditative state. The elder of the two with eyes also closed felt a warm smile grow across his face. “We will have to wait and see.........we will have to wait and see.......some people dream with open eyes and believe our signs. Others are blind to them or just ignore them. I believe he will see them in this life and accept the truth and understand the unimaginable.” They both sat in silence until an older sounding voice muttered something from an adjacent room, startling the younger of the two. “What did our master say?” “He said let it begin.” ****
The thoughts in Jack’s head were spinning around uncontrollably, swirling faster and faster like clouds being blown by the wind around the Earth, his mind now like a satellite image, with him being unable to focus on one but able to see every thought circling his mind, making his heart beat quicker as he felt the sensation of it sinking from his chest into his stomach. Adrenalin flooding his unconscious body, his mind straining with the speed at which the thoughts were now entering, then leaving his mind. Beeeep............beep..............beeeeep. The noise had no part in his head but it was desperately trying to take the images and thoughts from him, the struggle to hold on to them interrupted again by more incessant beeping. Then a big sigh was attempting to steal the thoughts as he could see the images his mind had created slowly slipping away until it became impossible to hold onto them due to too much happening he was not in control of. A bang was heard as he slowly opened his eyes, easing him back into reality so hopefully the cold sweat would leave him alone but to no avail. It crept upon him, and so did the realisation that it was the start of another day, the beeping and the big sigh he knew to be his wife being cruelly awoken by her alarm on her mobile phone and the bang was the breeze slamming the door shut behind her. With eyes open this time he tried to see if he could bring back the misty images and thoughts but they had escaped too far and too distant for him to recapture, eventually being replaced by real images of his beautiful wife trying to sneak back into the room so as not to disturb him but he was awake enough to see the subtle light from the early morning sun that was also peeking a look through the gaps in the blinds, falling on her soft, naked body forming perfect shadows on her lightly tanned skin. He studied her, the morning being his favourite time, knowing the naked female body had not been marked by the fabric of the clothing that underwear and clothing normally would leave after having been worn all day, sat in and walked in, leaving the delicate skin scarred from the tight garments. Her body, having been naked all night looked perfect and blemish free as she gave him a big smile, a smile that whenever they were apart, he would think about, which in turn would make him smile and remind him it would only be a matter of time before they would be reunited. “What are your plans today, baby?” asked Meg, affectionately but with a tone that suggested she was fed up it was only her having to get up for work every morning. “Going to be visiting mum and dad, then contacting a few people about work,” replied Jack, with a tone that hoped his answer would stop any further enquiries. Jack was telling the truth in what his plans would be, but felt bad it was her working whilst he lay in bed, although getting up and making her and himself a cup of tea became a conscious ritual because he knew how much he struggled having to go to work unless he had had one, so did not want to see Meg go without one either. Climbing back into bed and pulling the covers up to his chest he lovingly studied Meg again. This time watching her apply her make up for work in front of the mirror and having taken a sip of his tea, he slid down under the covers, watching, sympathising, the familiar feeling being present of sadness knowing in a couple of minutes she would be gone, starting her nearly two hour drive to work. This was the part that filled Jack with worry. She would have to do this most days of the week, there and back, making Jack feel guilty and it made him wish he could earn enough money so she did not have to work, or at least she would not have to drive so far. Happier, more selfish feelings would surface knowing like Meg, millions of people were preparing themselves to travel to work and be away from home for a few hours or maybe even days and yet he was not and although he was not earning any money he regarded himself as a free man. He would conjure up daydreams about what Meg and him would do if every morning they could both wake up together and do whatever they wanted, not having to be woken up by alarms on mobile phones, him not having to deal with the guilt, instead both of them would be doing the things they both liked. “Your tea is going cold.” He could feel her warm breath as well as hear her voice. “I’m sorry, I must have fallen back to sleep.” said a slightly startled and guilty voice. Meg sat on the edge of the bed with her face close enough for them to kiss which Jack knew meant she was about to leave him for another day. Seeing she was fully dressed, clutching her car keys, Jack stroked her hair from her face as they met for the first kiss which was a quick peck on the lips, the second one being a more passionate kiss, both of them holding it for longer knowing once the kiss was over she would be gone. Jack hated the feeling when he knew the kiss was coming to an end, his heart would be beating because of the intimacy but dropping and twisting because it was the final act before they departed for the day. Eventually they did part revealing Megs face etched in sadness, reflecting how Jacks felt. Standing in the window he watched as Meg’s car disappeared down the drive and out of sight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- |