Ariya [Severance]

“Reject all illusion and lies, for they hinder the strong.” — 20th Point of Satanism [The Black Book of Satan]

My name is Rhonda Runnels.  Things seemed to have taken a “downward spiral” as the media likes to say, but why, for the first time in my life, do I actually feel alive?

First off, I am the heiress to my zillionaire father, the “great” Peter Runnels’ Runnels hotel chains. “Relax at the Runnels.”

I thought my life was okay, partying and drinking. I was at all the hot spots with singers, rappers, T.V. and movie stars and having my photo picture taken and spread all over every major sleazebag tabloid. When I drank too much, when I picked my ass, the public needed to be in the know. Even my ex-boyfriend made his first million selling our sex tape.

How did I end up doing what I’m doing now? Here are excerpts from my diary.

120 Year of Fayen

11/14

I’m about to land in LaGuardia. The movie on the plane was lame so I ended up juggling songs in my i-pod. It’s like totally amazing how old 15,000 songs could get! I’m going to have to talk to Magic Dragon about getting some new songs.

Holy shit, Amsterdam was so off the hook! I never knew how many actors and actresses with so-called upright reputations go there and light up like all day! 

Anyway, Tiffany is okay, but she smells pretty horrid! Ugh! I think that it’s the cheap inorganic deodorant she uses – or lack thereof (lol). She totally smells. And this is the one that viewers voted as “The Next Big Thing?” Ugh!

She smokes like a fuckin’ chimney and she’s way too loose! (like I should really talk…lmao) We were at a bar and this not even decent looking guy strikes up a conversation with her. Then she’s totally trashed and blowing him in some alley next to the bar. With no rubber! Eew! Then we go to his place and him and his brother double penetrate her! I just blew the brother and just sat there and watched the slut. lol!

The layover in LAX was cool. I gave my number to this really cute guy walking by. We got totally trashed at the airport restaurant. It was a 4 hour layover, what do you want?

I hope that cute Asian chick that loads my bags into the taxi is there at LaGuardia. She’s hella hot. I’ve eaten pussy before and I wouldn’t mind sampling that muff.

Tiffany’s over here passed out as usual. If I hook up with that Asian girl, I need to find some way of ditching Tiff.

Anywayz, landing in about one hour. Time to catch some zzz’s. These airplane drinks are totally buzzing me.

Laterz.

11/16

Holy shit! That hot Asian chick’s a total bitch! We landed in LaGuardia Friday and she loaded my bags into the car as usual. When I turned around to ask her something, she pushed me into the car! When I tried to open the door, it was locked and the driver drives off and laughs hysterically.

He tells me to shut the fuck up and relax. I think that he said his name was Rick. Rick said that he won’t hurt me as long as I do what I’m told. He shows me a gun and I’m shitting a pill at this point. OMG!

I said that Daddy will pay him anything he wants and the Rick  just smiled. He scares the shit out of me. 

Rick takes me to some  really big house surrounded by a bunch of trees and him and some big Puerto Rican drag me into this room in the basement. At least they’re letting me write here!

They’ve been feeding me takeout food, ugh! Everybody who comes and checks in on me just ignores me!  That red-headed chick’s a total bitch!

11/17

Another day of everyone ignoring me. I keep talking about money when they come to feed me but no dice!

I just sat here and looked at the walls. No windows, just these four walls, the door and a toilet in the corner of the room. I think that there’s somebody sitting right outside because I keep hearing someone move but when I try the door, it’s locked.

I know that Daddy and Mommy are worried about me. I hope that these people talked to Daddy and he’s sending over the money. God, I’m so scared! What did I ever do to deserve this?

11/19

I slept all day yesterday and didn’t eat anything. Maybe it’s all the weed and drinking from the trip and belated jet lag all kicking in. I know that I was too scared to sleep when I first got here.

Where’s Daddy and the ransom money? Holy shit, are they just going to kill me just for the hell of it? I feel like I’m in hell.

God, why are you letting them do this to me? Why have you left me here?

11/20

That red-headed chick came in and actually talked to me today. She sat on my cot and asked me how I was doing. She said her name was Susannah. God, she smelled so good! She asked if I wanted to take a shower and change my clothes. Hell yeah!

She and the big Puerto Rican named Andy walked me to some really nice bathroom in the basement. Susannah sat on a closed toilet and watched me while I showered. The chick was older, but she was hella hot. She kind of reminded me of Diane Lane. I think that she wasn’t just watching me to watch me but also checking me out.

Susannah gave me pajamas, flip-flops and some cheap Walmart lotion. She said that she would see about getting me perfume, some books and magazines and maybe cigarettes if everything worked out with Rick.

Anyway, I hope that what she says is true because I’m really getting bored.

11/21

Susannah hooked me up today! She brought me my i-pod, some of my clothes from my luggage, my cigarettes and a bunch of magazines!

When she went to sit on my cot, she touched my shoulder and I got all these goosebumps. Damn, she’s hot!

Listening to some DJ PM stuff right now. ttyl.

11/22

Thank God that they let me keep my watch or I wouldn’t even know what day it is! I can’t believe that I’ve been here for a week!

I don’t even know what the fuck to write about because nothing’s going on.

I can only try to remember the good times and hope that there’s more to come if I get out of here. When I get out here. God help me.

11/23

That guy Rick came and actually talked to me today. I haven’t seen him since the first day they took me here. He said some mumbo jumbo about me being the “ten percent” and how my kind usurped his ancestors. I mean, whatever man. If you don’t like the way things are, just go out and vote!

Everybody is created equally. He can take his chances like everybody else. He doesn’t have to kidnap me to get my Daddy’s money. Just work for it like everybody else!

Anyway, he told me that Daddy had put out a full two minute ad on T.V. asking for my safe return. Rick said that he would let me watch it if everything worked out.

11/24

Susannah talked to me about personal honour, Family and dead books with dead ideas. I was so intrigued by what she was saying. I couldn’t believe that I was mesmerized by her every word. More so than with Rick. Maybe it’s because Rick dragged me here.

Anyway, I was so intrigued that Susannah agreed to let me have a pen and paper to write things down as I see fit.

She said that I might be out of here next week if Daddy comes up with ten million dollars. I told her that he is capable of getting to it by accessing the Swiss account, but it takes time. She said that there’s no rush. She would look out for me.

11/25

Susannah gave me two books to read today. They were “Opus Vrilis” and “The Black Book of Satan.” I just skimmed real quick through these books and I told her that they scared the shit out of me. She laughed and just told me to take my time with them. Everything will come into place.

11/30

I’ve been so busy trying to read these two books that I haven’t had any time to even sit for a full meal. I can’t believe the lengths that  people actually have to go through to even try to obtain a fifth of what I have! It’s so incredible!

Rick told me that my father and him made arrangements for payment and that I’ll be home way before Christmas, that Rick was trying to avoid detection from law enforcement agencies.

Why does it sound like I’m empathizing with these people? They kidnapped me!

Am I just going crazy from the isolation and loneliness? Are thay brainwashing me? Is this some C.I.A. operation because they want me to rat Daddy out? I don’t even know what Daddy’s typical day at work is!

12/3

I looked through some more old magazines that some guy named Jimmy gave to me. I went over some old articles about me and looked at some pictures of me passed out on some dance floor with my panties showing.

Then there’s that rock star who wrote a book about me that my lawyer told me to deny even though every word was true. Then the stints in rehab and the critics who wrote that I’m famous for nothing.

There’s something going on with me, internally. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and reassessing my whole life. As if I want to know why and how I’m here for the first time in my life.

This “Presencing the Dark” concept is also very intriguing. As if  there is an awakening inside of me.

12/5

I read more manuscripts about Reichsfolk Culture and the concept of the Numinous Way. I actually feel that I view things more profoundly. With Susannah’s guidance, I’m beginning to gain a powerful insight by just reading this fascinating material.

I almost see it as something that the powers that be in the mundane world don’t want want us to even begin to comprehend.

I also look back at those past articles and photos with deep shame. There was no purpose in my life. I was just there, taking up space. All my words and deeds were Earth-bound.

12/7

Rick was really angry today. He walked in and yelled about some “occult expert”, the F.B.I. Director Chloe Skinner, telling the media that negotiations for ransom are officially off and that a nationwide manhunt is being commenced.

I told Rick that the concepts that Susannah introduced me to resonate with me and that if the Nexion needs financial help, I would be more than happy to oblige.

He suddenly smiled from ear to ear and said that we’d talk soon. 

Epilogue

“Our top story today: kidnapped heiress Rhonda Runnels is caught on bank surveillance closed curcuit television holding what appears to be an automatic weapon, pointing it at bank employees and customers alike as alleged members of the infamous gang known only as Nexion 352 proceed to hold up bank tellers. According to law enforcement sources, it was long theorized that Nexion 352 had allegedly kidnapped Runnels last November from LaGuardia Airport but it is now feared to have joined them. We take you now to the Runnels Hotel in Midtown Manhattan as Federal Bureau of Investigations Director Chloe Skinner is holding a press conference. We now go to Collen with the latest developments of this breaking story. Colleen?”

“Thanks Julie. Here in a few moments, F.B.I. Director Chloe Skinner will hold a press conference discussing the abduction of millionaire heiress Rhonda Runnels and the developing story of Nexion 352’s latest bank heist. It looks like Madam Director Skinner has just taken the podium now.”

“Good evening. Before I field questions from the media, I would just like to give a brief synopsis of the case. The Satanic cult slash crime family Nexion 352 has in fact taken responsibility for the abduction of Miss Runnels last November 14th. The bank heist at the Waterhouse bank in the Bronx does indeed possess closed circuit television footage of what appears to be Miss Runnels brandishing an automatic weapon and assisting Nexion 352 members. We have confirmed from viewing the footage that the person is in fact Miss Runnels. That is what I have for now.”

“Madam Director…”

“Jenny”

“Due to past experiences with 352, would you consider this to be a personal vendetta?”

“Next question, yes?”

“Do you have any suspects at this time?”

“There’s a nationwide APB in conjunction with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies at this time. At this time, we only have knowledge of the responsible party and not individuals. Yes?”

“In your personal opinion, is this the new Satanic scare reminiscent of the late seventies and early eighties?”

“Truthfully, this bears no resemblance to those past incidents. This is a well organized group and as far as ritual sacrifices and such, there is no tangible evidence. Yes?”

“Any word from the Runnels family, Madam Director?”

“At this time, we have the family’s full support on bringing Miss Runnels on charges when apprehended. That is all I can comment about at this time. Thank you for your time. Good night.”

“Madam Director…Madam Director…”

“As you heard Julie, Skinner has stated that Rhonda Runnels will be brought up on charges when apprehended. This is Colleen McGahee reporting live. Back to you Julie.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ariya [Prequel]

“All that is great is built upon sorrow.” — 5th Point of Satanism [Black Book of Satan]

0

“Everybody get the fuck down!” Jimmy yelled. He let off rounds from the Uzi into the ceiling to accentuate his point. Fragments fell from the ceiling to add to the dramatic effect.

Everyone inside the bank complied yet there were some sobs of fear.

“Don’t worry! As long as no one plays hero, everyone will go home tonight. This is nothing personal. Your money is protected by the F.C.C.! Just stay the fuck down and don’t move until we got what the fuck we came for and we won’t hurt anybody!” Jimmy reassured the bank patrons behind a white handkerchief obscuring his nose and mouth.

Danny, also clad in all black with a white rag covering his face and brandishing an M16A2 rifle walked around and kept watch on the bank employees and customers laying on the floor.

Tellers scrambled into their drawers and emptied them out, scooping money into bags and shoving them underneath the bulletproof window. Susannah, the oldest of the 20 and 30-something robbers held the bank president in front of her by the throat with a .45 pressed against his temple in case the tellers wanted to activate the alarm and/or the first sign of incoming police sirens.

Outside, Tanya waited in the green ’99 Dodge Caravan. Not a fast car, but able to blend in with a highway full of soccer moms picking their kids up from school. The engine was on and she looked anxiously towards the bank entrance. Then she heard police sirens coming from maybe two blocks away.

“Fuck!” Tanya shouted. “Fuck! Come on, come on!”

Susannah also heard the sirens from inside the bank as Rick Ruiz grabbed the last bag. She angrily pointed her weapon at the tellers. Even though the glass was bulletproof, the tellers held their hands up with fear.

“Which one of you bitches tripped the fuckin’ alarm?” Susannah shouted. “Fuck. It doesn’t matter.”

She placed the muzzle of her weapon back on the bank president’s head and squeezed the trigger. The shot echoed throughout the bank as people screamed. Blood was everywhere. The bank president’s corpse crumpled on the floor. Susannah wiped the blood from her face.

“Let’s go, let’s go!” Danny shouted hurriedly.

Rick, Jimmy and Susannah made a beeline for the van. Danny brought up the rear. The first N.Y.P.D. Emergency Service Unit truck turned the corner of Northern Boulevard and Main Street.

“Get the fuck outta here!” Danny shouted as everyone jumped inside the van. “I’ll buy you some time! Get the fuck outta here now!”

Tires screeched as Tanya pressed the gas and hurriedly shifted to drive. Jimmy waved at Danny and Danny winked back. Then Danny fired on the ESU van.

Tanya hurriedly dodged vehicles on Main Street then made a right on College Point Boulevard. There, she slowed her pace down to 35 mph.

“Fuck…Danny.” Rick said somberly.

1 

The ESU cops pulled over and Danny tried to pick them off even as they tactically jumped from the van. Danny reloaded another banana clip into the rifle and clicked the lever from “auto” to “semi” to try to save rounds and buy more time.

Then, more squad cars and ESU vehicles converged on Main Street. Danny knew that he had no chance, so he kept his head down and lit a cigarette.

“NYPD! Put the weapon down! Now! You won’t get hurt.”

Danny kept the cigarette in his mouth and then fired in the general direction of where the police had converged. There was no visisble uniforms to fire upon so Danny fired to prove the point out that surrender and prison wasn’t an option.

A barrage of gunfire was returned from the police. Danny smiled and hit the ground. He continued smoking his cigarette.

2

The police sniper, Charlie Thomas crouched down on a rooftop 10 floors up at a 45 degree angle from Danny’s location and pointed his scope throughout Danny’s immediate area.

Sgt. John Giaccio’s voice came in through the headset.

“How many we got?”

“Just one, sir.” replied Thomas.

“You got a clear shot?”

“I got a partial of the top of his head.”

“Put him down.” Giaccio coldly ordered.

“Yessir.”

Thomas readied himself and assumed a comfortable position. He took in a deep breath through his nose and breathed steadily out of his mouth. The scope was trained right on Danny’s forehead. 

Thomas gently squeezed the trigger as he exhaled.

3

Danny sat leaning on a white delivery van. The barrage was reduced down to spurts of gunfire and then silence.

He lit another cigarette and exhaled slowly. He thought of his Family.

“They should be counting money by now.” he thought to himself and smiled. He felt the warmth of the noon sun on his face.

Then he heard one single shot and then he put the cigarette to his mouth. He felt a sharp pain at the top of his head and felt himself hitting the cold, hard cement sidewalk. He let the rifle go and felt his shoulder land on top of the butt of the weapon.

The pain was the sharpest he ever experienced. He felt his head and face wet. He felt as if a stampede of boots were running right at him and the ground was vibrating, making the pain in his head worse.

“Ten minutes. More than enough time…” he whispered.

He saw red and then black. Then, the pain was gone.

4

Tanya pulled the minivan into the garage of the large brown stucco house in Bayside. Susannah’s cousin was going to paint it later for the next job. Jimmy got out of the backseat and lit his third consecutive cigarette. He walked towards the backdoor of the house. Susannah quickly followed and put her hand on Jimmy’s shoulder as they both walked inside. Tanya felt hot tears roll down her face.

“I know, I know.” Rick said as he still sat in the passenger seat. “Let’s go get a drink.”

“No.” Tanya said. “Let’s just take a nap or something. Maybe we can all get some dinner later.”

“Okay.” Rick also wiped tears from his face. “He went down fighting, though. He was always fighting for our shit. Ever since high school.”

“I know. Jimmy’s not doing so great right now. Let’s go check on him.”

“Yeah. This is the life, babe.”

Strangely, the comment made Tanya smile. She kissed Rick on the lips as he grabbed the bags of money.

They both got out of the Dodge and walked towards the house. 

5

Thomas took another breath as he saw the mist of blood from the perp’s head. He watched as the rest of the ESU team run towards the perp as he hit the ground.

Charlie  felt his stomach turn.

“Good shooting, Charlie!” shouted Giaccio.

“Yessir.” replied Thomas as he began to pack up his gear.

“Go ahead and police up your brass and get on down here. Great job.”

“Yessir.”

“One shot, one kill! You got the war face on, Charlie!”

“Shut the fuck up…” Charlie thought to himself. He grabbed his gear bag and walked slowly towards the roof exit.

He looked down at a puddle and saw his reflection in the water. He looked at his uniform, his rifle, his headgear. The sun shone on his back.

After his first few drops, he used to get sick. After that, he became indifferent as if it were second nature.

His instructor once said, “The worst pain is when you don’t feel anything anymore.”

“How about when you have to shoot your own Brother just to keep this Game going?” Charlie whispered. “I’m sorry, Danny.” 

 

Ariya [Prologue]

“Test always your strength, for therein lies success.” –2nd Point of Satanism [Black Book of Satan I]

0

115 yf

 “So, do you consider yourself a Communist?” Dr. Annis stared straight into Rick’s eyes from across his desk.

“No.” Rick replied. “I give two shits about all people. Just mine. My Family.”

“Hmm.” Annis looked at the organized chaos of paperwork on his oak table. “Mr. Ruiz, you have no blood relatives on record. Are you referring to your gang?”

Rick laughed. “Yeah, whatever doc. My gang. It’s so much more than that if you bothered to think outside your shell.”

“Mr. Ruiz, I detect hostility in your voice when I bring up the people in your gang. Am I hitting a soft spot? Am I getting to you?”

“My Family is my strength, doc. On the contrary.”

“People that are convicted bank robbers, burglars and pimps? I find that they are your weakness, Mr. Ruiz. Then you wouldn’t find yourself in prison again.”

“These ‘crimes’ are but means. Fuck it. I don’t need to tell you shit. C.O.! Get me the fuck outta here!”

From behind Ruiz, the door opened and a burly corrections officer stepped into the prison psychiatrist’s office.

“Stand up, Ruiz.” he said.

Ruiz obliged and as if cued, put his hands behind his back. The officer put handcuffs on Ruiz for the walk back to the cellblock.

 “Wait.” Dr. Annis stood up and walked to catch up with Ruiz and his escort. “What is your deal, Ruiz? You talk tough, but I see you reading books that I read when I was studying for my Doctorate. Let’s cut through the chase already. What makes you tick?”

Ruiz, with his back towards Dr. Annis, smiled. The corrections officer was still walking away with Ruiz. “All I want is what”s coming. Simple as that doc. Simple as that. I’ll see you next Thursday. I’d like to talk to you about you S.P.S. diagnosis.”

“S.P.S.?” Annis asked.

“Small Penis Syndrome.” Ruiz said indifferently. The C.O. suppressed a snicker.

Dr. Annis also suppressed a snicker and watched Ruiz walk away. He looked forward to hearing from Ruiz again.  

1

 120 yf

The N.Y.C. Department of Corrections bus stopped and Ruiz stepped out. He deeply inhaled the air of Astoria, Queens and looked around. He watched as airplanes departed and arrived in the distance at LaGuardia Airport. 

“Hey, Ruiz.” the C.O. behind driving the bus said. “Step away from the bus or the warden will decide to keep you.”

Ruiz smiled and waved at the C.O. He didn’t hate all the cops and C.O.’s. He knew that they were just pawns in the mundane world for the most part.

A lone figure walked toward Ruiz as he followed the C.O.’s request. Ruiz stopped and smiled.

“Jimmy, you motherfucker!” Rick smiled.

Jimmy O’Connor ran towards Rick and embraced him.

“We’ve got some partying to do. The girls are waiting, dude.”

Ruiz looked towards another departing plane. “I just need to stop at the airport first.”

“Holy shit! It’s fuckin’ Thanksgiving weekend! Do you have any idea how the traffic’s gunna be in that place? What’s next, you wanna go to Macy’s tomorrow at nine? Did the C.O.’s whack you in the melon once too many times?”

“I have to see her, Jimmy. Seriously.” Rick turned somber. “She still works there?”

“Yeah. She’s still there.” Jimmy groaned.

“Good. Let’s go. Road beers on me.”

“Fuck no. Too many Port Authority cops doing traffic at the airport.”

Rick smiled. “Yeah, bad idea. Got any trees?”

“I rolled a fatty and it’s in the glove.” Jimmy smiled back.

Rick and Jimmy put on a Megadeth c.d. and smoked as they made their way towards LaGuardia Airport.

2

Jimmy pulled the black Nissan Sentra in front of the arrivals area at the U.S. Air terminal almost two hours later. The high from the marijuana was long gone.

“Rick, if you come out and I’m not here just wait. They’re gunna make me move.”

“Okay.” Rick smiled. “Gimme a piece of gum.”

Rick ran through the terminal in eager anticipation. He hasn’t seen Tanya in six years since his arrest after the last bank job. Tanya was driving and luckily received a two year sentence. A serious legal error and much research done by Rick had reduced his sentence by almost a third.

An attractive Asian woman in her twenties dressed conservatively held up a sign reading “Runnels.” She glanced at Rick then looked away. Then she looked again. Her face could not hide her pain.

“Rick. You’re out. I can’t talk right now, I’m working. Can I just call you later?”

Rick stopped short of Tanya. He wasn’t going to get a “Get out of jail” embrace.

“I don’t have a phone. Can I come back when you get off work?”

“Rick. I have a new life. Didn’t they tell you I got married?”

Rick felt his chest tighten. “Does he make you laugh?”

“He doesn’t make me cry.” Tanya said flatly.

Rick began to walk away. He looked back at Tanya and smiled.

“I’ll be back and I’ll keep coming back. I love you and I know that you love me too. You know that the only time that you ever felt alive your whole life was when we together.”

Tanya looked away. “You’d better go.”

“You still take your coffee black?”

Tanya ignored him and looked towards the arriving passengers.

Ten minutes later, Rick came back with a large cup of coffee and a bag with a chocolate donut and a blueberry muffin. He noticed Tanya helping a tall attractive lady with her baggage into a waiting black Lincoln Town Car. He waited for Tanya to see the wealthy socialite off and then approached Tanya.

“We used to steal from assholes like that. Remember, baby? This isn’t you. This isn’t you at all.” Rick whispered into Tanya’s ear with her back turned to him.

Tanya closed her eyes. “Yeah. The rich bitch didn’t even tip me.”

“Wanna take a break?”

“I got three hours until my next flight.” she looked at him curiously.

Rick smiled as Tanya turned around. She laughed as he handed her the large coffee cup and paper bag.

3

Rick and Jimmy stepped into the large mini-mansion in Port Jefferson, Long Island.  The cloudy skies and the surrounding trees made for a Sinister, yet consoling backdrop.

 An older attractive redhead with a summer dress with orange floral print greeted them at the door.

“It’s great to see you, Rick!” she greeted him with a more than sisterly embrace and slid her hand to his crotch.  Rick felt himself become erect. “Hmm, lonely, weren’t we? Let’s fix that.” She smiled at Jimmy in silent greeting.

Susannah walked away and picked up her cell phone. Rick and Jimmy followed Susannah into the spacious living room. The burly corrections officer from the prison psychiatrists’s office five years ago was seated in the couch nearest to the doorway. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and black jeans.  He stood up and embraced Rick in greeting. 

“Been taking care of business, Andy?” Rick said to the C.O.

“Citrine, Rick. Now that you’re back.”

Rick smiled. “You taking care of the girls?”

“It goes both ways as always, my friend. It’s the greatest job in the world.”

Just then, ten women of varying races dressed in tight provocative clothing walked down the stairs and into the living room and sat in the vast living room smiling. Balck, white, Latina, Asian. Susannah emerged from behind the bar with a tray of beers.

“All we’re missing is Tanya and we’d all be together again.”Susannah said flatly.

“Maybe in time.” Rick said.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Jimmy said. He looked at the multi-racial Fleurdelits with lust. “Let’s party.”

4

Tanya read over the letter again. It was cold and impersonal – to break off a relationship with a “Dear John” letter. John was good to her, he had a decent job as an electrician. He made so much money that she really didn’t need to work at the airport but chose to so as not to go crazy with cabin fever.

She looked at John sleeping peacefully. She wanted to give him one last kiss on the lips but thought against it. Prolonging this goodbye wouldn’t serve anyone any good.

Staying here in this spacious home was against Wyrd, against Individual Destiny. She felt almost a void of nothingness in this simple life lacking excitement and plainly, life. It didn’t feel like living. An exultation of life was sorely lacking with John although this life was what the mundanes teach everyone to dream about.

“I’m sorry, John.” Tanya whispered softly as she taped the letter to the mirror of the large dresser. “I know that you would never understand. I never meant to hurt you. I truly hope that you find happiness some day.”

Tanya fought off the tears and walked off. John stirred in his sleep as if disturbed but settled back down. Tanya grabbed her small bag and walked out of the bedroom door, closing it softly behind her.

5

Rick awoke in the guest bedroom of the mini-mansion to the sharp knocking on the door.

He looked around. The three Fluerdelits were gone. His head was pounding from the dehydration caused by the previous night’s  alcohol consumption and the release of pent-up sexual frustration.

“‘Tis some visitor tapping at my chamber door – only this and nothing more.” Rick said, quoting Poe.

“Hey, Rick!” Jimmy exclaimed. “You really should come downstairs.”

Rick threw on whatever he was wearing last night and ran downstairs but then slowed himself  to a brisk walk.

He saw her first. Tanya was sitting on the love seat in the living room with her back towards the stairs.

Rick ran down and Tanya rose to greet him. They embraced and wept.

Words would only serve to obscure the Essence…