“Would you just hurry up already?” Ty said, annoyed. “I’m trying. The vessel has to be perfect,” I mumbled as I walked along the grassy isle between the gravesites. It was nice to see so many flowers and balloons. There were also the graves that hadn’t been visited in months, or even years. Sad, really. It was dark, but I could see like an alley cat roaming the dark streets of New York City. He has to be perfect, I won’t settle for anyone less. Anthony Marcus. No. Nathaniel Trummel. Nope. “Seriously, you don’t have to be that hot,” Ty joked. “She isn’t that picky, bro.” “Just shut up, Tyler,” I whispered sarcastically. He was starting to get on my nerves. Just because he had decided on a vessel that was decent looking in a matter of seconds, don’t mean that I need to be rushed. This was one of the most important nights of my entire existence. This would be the first time that I would see her in person … well, the first time she would see me. I needed a face she would never forget. I kept walking slowly through the graveyard. I looked over and saw the multiple lights of the others choosing their vessels. “Wait … you know what? Keep talking, Ty! You’re the one that looks crazy talking to nobody,” I laughed. “Oh wow, just pick one already!” Ty shouted impatiently. “It’d be a lot easier if you’d quit bugging me!” “Fine, you have ten minutes. Hurry up, GQ,” Ty snorted as he walked away. Finally, left to myself, I could concentrate on finding her Mr. Perfect. I waited until Ty was out of sight as I walk slowly, searching. Gregory Grandle … no, don’t like the name. Maybe I am being too picky. That’s it. The next gravesite I come to, I’ll use him. I was nervous that the next one would be hideous. Then I would have to go back on my own words. I hesitated as I stared at the grey-concrete stone ahead of me and sighed. “Here we go,” I said to myself, rubbing my hands together swiftly. I closed my eyes as I walked closer, then opened them slowly to see the name Derek Humphry … and smiled. December 20, 1990 - December 24, 2010. I couldn’t help but feel my heart grow heavy as I stared at the day that he had passed away. Christmas eve. Maybe he’d been killed in a car accident on the slick, snowy, icy roads … or maybe he fell off a ladder or the roof hanging last minute Christmas lights for his mom. I wasn’t sure how he passed away, but it didn’t matter, as we weren’t meant to know. I tilted my head staring at the date. He was twenty years old. Perfect! “Now the moment of truth, please say you didn’t fall from the ugly tree. Give me a good one,” I said aloud as I closed my eyes. I slowly put my right hand over the site and began to concentrate. Waving my hand back and forth, I could feel the heat building up in my palm. The chill in the air picked up and I could hear the breeze whip through each single blade of grass. The wind howled as it blew through the tall, creaky oak tree limbs. I could feel the energy between the perfectly manicured, lush lawn and myself and the bright light through my closed eyelids. Come on, show me the face. I felt my hand shake as the blurry face came into my mind’s eye. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Humphry,” I said, laughing aloud. Finally, after a few hours, this was it. He would be my vessel for this mission here on earth. Just after I made my decision, my body began to tingle like I’d been sitting in the same position without moving for a few hours … no, no, no, make it days. The heat that now coursed through my veins was unreal … hot. I shook, as it felt like a fifty-pound-weight was lying on my chest. But instead of struggling, I just held my breath. When I could hold it no longer, everything stopped. I inhaled deeply and the light behind my closed eyelids was now gone. The heat, like water to a flame, was gone. The weight on my chest had been lifted. I stood for a moment blinking rapidly, scanning the dark night around me. In the matter of seconds, I realized I was no longer invisible. I was alive. Well … I’ve always been alive, but now I was really alive. Anyone in this world could see me now. She could see me now. *** Excerpt of "Impassioned," by: Molly Bryant. Join us 6-8 p.m. Friday night for fun, contests, prizes ... and a GIVEAWAY GOODIE BAG up for grabs! See you there! https://facebook/events/152214568316869/?ref=22
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 12:39:02 +0000