Stories

So many to tell....

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“Wake up, and be still, Mr. Higgins.”

“What the hell…? What’s happening…? Where am I…?

“Good. The stage has been set. And we can begin.”

“Hey! Help! Someone get me out of here! Can anyone hear me?!”

“Apologies, Mr. Higgins, but no one is going to hear you. Not here. Not at such a crucial moment.”

“Please don’t hurt me….”

“Oh, Mr. Higgins. There will be no pain or suffering. Nothing of the physical type anyway. What happens now all depends on you. Now… be still on your mark. You are the main actor here.”

“The main actor…? Stage…? What is this? Some kind of sick game?!”
“There is nothing sick about it. It’s a game that you all play. A lovely one that should be cherished. But we will get to that soon. I can promise you that. Now, calm yourself, and we can begin.”

“... Okay… what do you want? Money? I can get it for you, if that’s what you need! Please just let me go!

“I want to talk to you about your walk of life, Mr. Higgins. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“My… life?”

“Indeed. That is why I have brought you here today. I want you to help me understand your livelihood from your perspective.”

“. . . .”
“I know this is all foreign to you, but you must do it.”

“What do you want to know…? My life is fine….”

“You lack specifics, Mr. Higgins. Bring them to me!”

“I have a good life! I have a roof over my head, a great family, a beautiful girlfriend; nothing in my life is that bad! I have nothing to hate about my life, and I’m grateful for all of that.”

“And you believe this in the deepest depths of your soul?”

“. . . I do.”

“Hm. Very well. Then tell me a story.”

“What?”

“Tell me a story. Wonderful lives are filled with so many stories. I’ve heard so many breathtaking ones from so many people. And I want yours, Mr. Higgins.”

“Why…? What is this all for…?”

“Again, you will understand very soon. Stories carry so much weight. They tell me more than any description. There are just some things in this world that cannot be projected from just words. And it allows me to see how you really feel. If your words now hold any weight.”

“Now then. Whenever you’re ready, you may grace my ears. You can take as much time as you require. I will be here. Forever and always.”

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“Sunday.”

“Hm?”

“It was a Sunday. The worst date of my life.”

“Ah. . . .”

“I took my girl out to a burger joint across campus. It was definitely a pretty shit place for a first date, but for some reason, she didn’t really care that much. We still talked like there wasn’t an issue with it at all. She was always so charitable…”

“Anyway, we bar-hopped after. It was actually my suggestion since me and my sister did the same thing every now and then, and I thought it’d be fun at the moment. And it definitely was. Heh… I remember that we were acting a fool so much that the bartender kept yelling at us to shut up or he’d kick both of our asses out to the street at the same time. And we goaded the poor bastard and we ran our drunk asses out of there as soon as he lunged.”
“We ran as fast as we could, until we could barely see the lights of the street sign. We ended up walking back the long way, through this wooded area with a beautiful creek and a rickety bridge. Something out of a Fairy Tale, honestly.”

“And what is it that you talked about?”

“Everything. How dark it was that night. How Professor Palmer was the biggest dick for giving out the most BS tests. How by the time we were halfway home, dad would’ve been waiting for us on the sidewalk up West Pine Street.”

“Was that all that happened?”

“... No.”

“Do tell.”

“We were sitting by that brook for a while. It felt like hours. I remember that I got all pissy in the middle of it all, whining about not knowing where I was going. I didn’t know where my big destination in life was either. I threw it all her way. I still really regret all that trauma dumping… such a stupid thing for me to do.”

“But… then suddenly, she put my hand on my shoulder, and gave me the sternest look I’d ever been given in my life. And she goes ‘Seemore, you don’t have to worry about shit. Maybe you won’t make it. But that’s okay. All you gotta know is that you did everything you could to make it there. Sometimes the game ain’t fair, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t play.’”
“I stared back at her for a while. She smiled back at me, and she hugged me. It was one of the most profound moments of my life….”

“. . . .”

“And what happened after…?”

“. . . I tried to kiss her. But I saw her lurch back. I remember apologizing so many times… and I just rushed away from her. Even as she was calling my name… I just couldn’t face her anymore. It was… the worst date of my life.”

“And that was it.”

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“God… I’m so fucking stupid….”

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“It’s quite alright, Mr. Higgins. Dry your tears. Life comes at us quickly. Your intentions were not malevolent in nature, I have seen that from the way you speak. And in the future, perhaps you would’ve seen that.”

“But, do you still believe that your life was as great as you had said?”

“... I don’t know… I wasn’t going anywhere… and I fumbled the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me…

“....”

“But… maybe there could be a chance… a chance for something better later…”

“Hm… you are a very interesting man to me, Seemore Higgins. So much conflict. So much uncertainty. I find those ones to be the most fascinating to me.”

“So… can I go now…?”

“Mr. Higgins… Do you not see why you are here? Everything that you just described has led to this very moment.”

“... What do you mean?”

“Keep telling your story to me.”

“Well… what else is there to say? I went back to my dorm. I cried for such a long time. I think I downed a whole bottle in the fridge. And I must’ve just passed out.”

“Can you tell me what happened afterwards…? A single thing…?”

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“Oh… God…. No….”

“Yes. I know you felt that. That’s what all who come to me have in common. The sudden end to the game. Though for you… it must’ve been so much more peaceful than others.”

“This… this isn’t real. This is just a dream!”

“Though, I prefer not to use the word ‘God.’ God is someone who is revered by many, praised by many as their savior. And most of all, he is in your image as you are in his. I am no such thing, my friend. I operate like this under the notice of all. I am the one who watches you in your dreams– I am the one who stands behind your vision always, and stands in the farthest reaches of your subconscious. To collect your stories. To understand what type of man you are. As well as someone who stands so starkly away from you can, at least. I envy your experience– but I will always listen to your stories. Hearing you tell them all back to me… is such an enriching experience.”

“No no no no no-”

“But the show must end. And I will deliver you into the void with the others. I cannot promise you salvation, but what I do promise is that you may play out that lovely story. Over. And over. And over. As all who fall into the void do. Until that soul of yours has somewhere to go… if it goes anywhere. I am so excited for you, Mr. Higgins!”

“PLEASE HELP! MOM! LYNN! SHAY! ANYONE!”

“Shhh… Gaze into my eyes… and do not be afraid… just remember… sometimes the game is not fair.”

*CRACK*

“But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t play it, my child….”

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