Julius had fallen asleep in the Church after the service. He was friends with the pastor, who took pity on Julius and let him stay at the church. "Sometimes sleeping in His presence is cleansing," the pastor would always say. Julius knew he wouldn't be able to cleanse himself of what he had done the past three years. His only protection was his belief of duty. Julius felt that the necessity to do it. The Rangers had given him a more permanent home than he had ever had before, too.
Looking up, startled out of his thoughts by a rather large women who was yelling at a bus driver, Julius realized he was almost back to the apartment.
He looked up, out of instinct. At least the Rangers had taught him how to be aware. Julius saw a man on top of the apartment building. He hadn't seen the man before, but clearly the man had been living there for a while. Julius could just see the top of a tent and the man's face looked like it hadn't been touched by a razor in months.
"I wonder if he has any stories..." thought Julius. Julius was always looking for a good story.
Within ten minutes Julius was standing on the rooftop of Castle apartments.
"Morning." Said Julius.
Silence
"Mind if I stay up here for a bit?" Asked Julius.
The man answered with a nod.
"Well...I'm Julius, if you care to talk at some point." said Julius.
With that, Julius turned on the radio he brought with him. WTF was playing John Cage's 4'33"...
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sweet Dreams And Flying Machines In Pieces On the Ground
Julius left the tunnels. The man either was dead or left through a surface exit. Either way, Julius didn’t have any reason to be down there anymore. Hunger and sleep were calling.
He slept deeply that night. Mom was moving him, Christophe was gone, a man had gone into the sewage and not returned. This city isn’t right. The move will help Julius thought.
The clock read 11. A late start for Julius. He switched the TV on. The background was no longer filled with sand and blasted out buildings. Rather, a developed looking city filled the TV screen. Penelope's picture still lingered in the lower left hand corner of the screen.
Bzzzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzt.
"Mom?" "Julius, are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
A black, shiny car pulled up to the curb in front of the apartments. The blackness of the car brought color to the single gray color of the city and sky.
"Black. Typical. Everything is black with them. Like my second shadow..." Julius thought.
Julius slid into the back of the car. Mom sat across from him.
"Julius."
"Mom."
"We..um. Your new location is, sensitive."
"Everything with you is sensitive, why else would we call you mom?"
"No. I mean to you."
Julius slightly furrowed his brow at Mom. Mom rarely beat around the bush. Or just bottled it up.
"Spit it out Mom. I'm tired of this town."
"Well, Penelope is involved."
Julius couldn't swallow. His stomach turned into a baseball sized ball of lead.
"...wha.." he gasped.
"She's alive. We believe."
"Where?"
"Remember 3 years ago..."
The black car that brought color drove out of the city. The sun began to sink. Igniting the gray, old newspapered sky into a canvas of fire. Halfway across the world the sun began to rise. Breaking the cold of the desert night and warming the face of a woman with sandy brown hair and piercing gray eyes.
He slept deeply that night. Mom was moving him, Christophe was gone, a man had gone into the sewage and not returned. This city isn’t right. The move will help Julius thought.
The clock read 11. A late start for Julius. He switched the TV on. The background was no longer filled with sand and blasted out buildings. Rather, a developed looking city filled the TV screen. Penelope's picture still lingered in the lower left hand corner of the screen.
Bzzzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzt.
"Mom?" "Julius, are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
A black, shiny car pulled up to the curb in front of the apartments. The blackness of the car brought color to the single gray color of the city and sky.
"Black. Typical. Everything is black with them. Like my second shadow..." Julius thought.
Julius slid into the back of the car. Mom sat across from him.
"Julius."
"Mom."
"We..um. Your new location is, sensitive."
"Everything with you is sensitive, why else would we call you mom?"
"No. I mean to you."
Julius slightly furrowed his brow at Mom. Mom rarely beat around the bush. Or just bottled it up.
"Spit it out Mom. I'm tired of this town."
"Well, Penelope is involved."
Julius couldn't swallow. His stomach turned into a baseball sized ball of lead.
"...wha.." he gasped.
"She's alive. We believe."
"Where?"
"Remember 3 years ago..."
The black car that brought color drove out of the city. The sun began to sink. Igniting the gray, old newspapered sky into a canvas of fire. Halfway across the world the sun began to rise. Breaking the cold of the desert night and warming the face of a woman with sandy brown hair and piercing gray eyes.
Light of the Morning
It was Saturday. May 19. Christophe had given Julius the day off. Actually, a note had. He hadn’t seen Christophe in a couple of days. Something wasn’t right. Someone who runs an orphanage cannot just take multiple days off.
He watched the shiny, black tv, slightly slumped on the couch. Nothing new of her. Just memories.
His leg started to vibrate. “Hello?” he said.
“Are you ok?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s May 19.”
“No shit.”
“We’re moving you. Don’t worry about the Orphanage anymore.”
Great. Good thing I don’t have much to pack Julius thought. Before packing, he went back to the Orphanage. He wanted to at least leave a note. Mom would take care of the formal stuff, but he liked a personal touch.
The door handle to Christophe’s office was slightly warm to the touch. The switch for the fan was turned on. Christophe knew it was broken. Something wasn’t right. Then again, nothing ever was on May 19. Christophe had left a note.
The smell was rank. Worse than above. There were 19 rungs down the manhole. What the hell is it with 19 he thought. Sewage gas seethed out of the water. The shimmering gas made the tunnel look like it was covered in glass. A real house of mirrors. Random debris passed slowly by him. A tire, a shoe, a jacket. Normal city trash.
Scush scush scush. The noise echoed off the glassy tunnel. He wasn’t alone. Could it be Christophe? Mom said don’t worry, but too late. He followed the splashing noise. Soon, something overtook the sound of the splashing. It grew from a soft rumble, to a loud roar. Like a train barreling down the tracks. Gushing out steam and frothing with power. A waterfall.
A man stood at the cusp of the waterfall. Then was gone.
“Holy shit.” he whispered.
He approached the edge. Taking care to watch his footing and moving slowly. Peering over the edge, he could see the man swimming through the muck. A lucky man on his unlucky day.
He sat watching the man climb out of the water. He wasn’t going to tempt fate with the waterfall.
The darkness of the tunnels kept time from Julius. 30 minutes might have passed or six hours. He didn’t know. The man hadn’t come back. The waterfall became white noise, a constant rumble throughout the tunnels. No clanging of metal. No footsteps. Nothing.
He watched the shiny, black tv, slightly slumped on the couch. Nothing new of her. Just memories.
His leg started to vibrate. “Hello?” he said.
“Are you ok?” Mom asked.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s May 19.”
“No shit.”
“We’re moving you. Don’t worry about the Orphanage anymore.”
Great. Good thing I don’t have much to pack Julius thought. Before packing, he went back to the Orphanage. He wanted to at least leave a note. Mom would take care of the formal stuff, but he liked a personal touch.
The door handle to Christophe’s office was slightly warm to the touch. The switch for the fan was turned on. Christophe knew it was broken. Something wasn’t right. Then again, nothing ever was on May 19. Christophe had left a note.
The smell was rank. Worse than above. There were 19 rungs down the manhole. What the hell is it with 19 he thought. Sewage gas seethed out of the water. The shimmering gas made the tunnel look like it was covered in glass. A real house of mirrors. Random debris passed slowly by him. A tire, a shoe, a jacket. Normal city trash.
Scush scush scush. The noise echoed off the glassy tunnel. He wasn’t alone. Could it be Christophe? Mom said don’t worry, but too late. He followed the splashing noise. Soon, something overtook the sound of the splashing. It grew from a soft rumble, to a loud roar. Like a train barreling down the tracks. Gushing out steam and frothing with power. A waterfall.
A man stood at the cusp of the waterfall. Then was gone.
“Holy shit.” he whispered.
He approached the edge. Taking care to watch his footing and moving slowly. Peering over the edge, he could see the man swimming through the muck. A lucky man on his unlucky day.
He sat watching the man climb out of the water. He wasn’t going to tempt fate with the waterfall.
The darkness of the tunnels kept time from Julius. 30 minutes might have passed or six hours. He didn’t know. The man hadn’t come back. The waterfall became white noise, a constant rumble throughout the tunnels. No clanging of metal. No footsteps. Nothing.
Monday, April 16, 2012
The Walking Man Walks
He continued working at the Orphanage throughout the month. Christophe’s need for more volunteers, especially early risers, was greater than even he had expected. Orphanages were always understaffed, similar to the Rec centers that Julius worked at in a previous life. The one in this town was particularly bad.
He’d arrive at 5:30 and start preparing for the day. Since he taught the kids how to make kites, that’s all they ever wanted to do – kites were in short supply anyways, the kids ended up breaking them within a day.
By two in the afternoon his shift ended. Working with kids can tire someone out. The constant alertness was mentally draining. Even after years of ranger training, he had trouble concentrating after an arduous shift.
Today the sun was out and the breeze whistled through the branches. The kites were flying higher and longer than most days. The park ringed with the laughter from the kids. The air was still hot, but at least moving. Extra help showed up today. Even the working people noticed the day and decided to call in for the day off.
With the extra help, he was able to sit down and just supervise. No running around helping what seemed like 100 wants. Just sit and watch. The warm air and the breeze brushed over his face and hands. The blooming flowers enveloped his sense of smell. Tranquility came and brewed a drink of drowsiness. He started to nod off on the bench....
The sun was just rising above the mud and stucco wall. Everyone had a film of sweat covering their foreheads. The marketplace was just stirring. Vendors opening shop and mothers out ready to barter, hackle, and buy food for the week. Two figures sat on the wall, backs to the town. One about 6 inches taller than the other and much broader. They greeted the morning.
A diamond shape rose into the sky. Shortly followed, another diamond.
“I have to go,” he said.
She said nothing. Just looked at him.
They descended the wall. He walked out the gate and into the haze. Greeted by sweeping dunes and three figures in between them. The dunes and his team opened their arms to him.
“Julius” shouted a boy.
He went over to see what was wrong. His kite had broken.
He’d arrive at 5:30 and start preparing for the day. Since he taught the kids how to make kites, that’s all they ever wanted to do – kites were in short supply anyways, the kids ended up breaking them within a day.
By two in the afternoon his shift ended. Working with kids can tire someone out. The constant alertness was mentally draining. Even after years of ranger training, he had trouble concentrating after an arduous shift.
Today the sun was out and the breeze whistled through the branches. The kites were flying higher and longer than most days. The park ringed with the laughter from the kids. The air was still hot, but at least moving. Extra help showed up today. Even the working people noticed the day and decided to call in for the day off.
With the extra help, he was able to sit down and just supervise. No running around helping what seemed like 100 wants. Just sit and watch. The warm air and the breeze brushed over his face and hands. The blooming flowers enveloped his sense of smell. Tranquility came and brewed a drink of drowsiness. He started to nod off on the bench....
The sun was just rising above the mud and stucco wall. Everyone had a film of sweat covering their foreheads. The marketplace was just stirring. Vendors opening shop and mothers out ready to barter, hackle, and buy food for the week. Two figures sat on the wall, backs to the town. One about 6 inches taller than the other and much broader. They greeted the morning.
A diamond shape rose into the sky. Shortly followed, another diamond.
“I have to go,” he said.
She said nothing. Just looked at him.
They descended the wall. He walked out the gate and into the haze. Greeted by sweeping dunes and three figures in between them. The dunes and his team opened their arms to him.
“Julius” shouted a boy.
He went over to see what was wrong. His kite had broken.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Dust Out the Demons Inside
Drenched in sweat, Julius finished his run for the morning. The air still hadn’t moved for a couple of days and the clouds kept the heat in the city. Julius hadn’t seen a kite in weeks, and normally March was kite season.
All the kids had their favorite kites. The rec center didn’t have much, so they made their own kites. The shape stayed simple, but the kids elaborated their designs with color. They even made Julius one. It had red and gold stars on a background of royal blue.
He entered his apartment and started to strip off his wet gray t-shirt as he walked into the bathroom. He missed those kites. It meant that spring had come and the kids were ready to get back outside.
Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.
“Hello?” Julius said.
“Julius”
“Christ Mom, bout time you called.” Julius said.
“Enjoy your time off?” Mom asked. Julius didn’t need to reply, Mom knew the answer.
“Well, I’ve got something for you. It’s down at the Orphanage in the city. Go see a man named Christophe Moreau. Tell him you want to volunteer.” With that Mom hung up.
“Still hasn’t gotten down goodbyes yet...” Julius thought.
It’s still early in the morning, but the Orphanage opened early. Little kids are always awake it seems.
Julius knocked on the door. His skin felt tight and he seemed like breathing was a job.
Christopher Moreau opened the door and Julius walked into the Orphanage.
All the kids had their favorite kites. The rec center didn’t have much, so they made their own kites. The shape stayed simple, but the kids elaborated their designs with color. They even made Julius one. It had red and gold stars on a background of royal blue.
He entered his apartment and started to strip off his wet gray t-shirt as he walked into the bathroom. He missed those kites. It meant that spring had come and the kids were ready to get back outside.
Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.
“Hello?” Julius said.
“Julius”
“Christ Mom, bout time you called.” Julius said.
“Enjoy your time off?” Mom asked. Julius didn’t need to reply, Mom knew the answer.
“Well, I’ve got something for you. It’s down at the Orphanage in the city. Go see a man named Christophe Moreau. Tell him you want to volunteer.” With that Mom hung up.
“Still hasn’t gotten down goodbyes yet...” Julius thought.
It’s still early in the morning, but the Orphanage opened early. Little kids are always awake it seems.
Julius knocked on the door. His skin felt tight and he seemed like breathing was a job.
Christopher Moreau opened the door and Julius walked into the Orphanage.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Every Streetlight Reveals the Picture In Reverse
The air was muggy and still compared to the cool, stale earthy air of the shed. The sun had just dropped below the skyline, but the rays lighted the belly of the sky. The kid just looked at Julius. He looked like a high schooler. His frame hadn’t filled out quite yet and he had the faintest showing of stubble.
“Kid, where did the thief run off?” Julius said.
No response. Just more of that spaced out look. God how Julius hated that. Take some interest in the things going on, not just yourself. The world is an interesting place if you look up for once.
Then again what did Julius know. The kid may never have seen a mugging. Lucky for him he thought.
He remembered his first mugging. Walking home from middle school. The weather had just turned to spring. The high schoolers were spread out along the path, enjoying the bright sun and sweet air. The group of kids didn’t seem harmless. He just kept walking straight.
“Look, I know you’re probably scared. Just point in the direction.” Julius said
Julius hadn’t lost anything valuable. Just a pencil or two. He just sat down when he got home. His grandparents were at his house that day. He didn’t really say much. Just sat there. He remembered trying to play it off, like he was older than a middle schooler. That it wasn’t a big deal. But he couldn’t keep up the act. His eyes dropped and suddenly his face was hot. He couldn’t look at his grandfather. He didn’t want to be seen like this in front of him, this large, compassionate, yet stoic man. His grandmother’s age softened hand patted his knee.
The kid pointed in the direction of H street.
“Thanks,” he said.
He ran off toward H street. Thievery wasn’t something he would tolerate. That mischievous smile of that high schooler on one spring afternoon stuck in his head. He could still feel that somewhat playful, yet powerful slap on the side of his head. He really couldn’t stand high schoolers.
“Kid, where did the thief run off?” Julius said.
No response. Just more of that spaced out look. God how Julius hated that. Take some interest in the things going on, not just yourself. The world is an interesting place if you look up for once.
Then again what did Julius know. The kid may never have seen a mugging. Lucky for him he thought.
He remembered his first mugging. Walking home from middle school. The weather had just turned to spring. The high schoolers were spread out along the path, enjoying the bright sun and sweet air. The group of kids didn’t seem harmless. He just kept walking straight.
“Look, I know you’re probably scared. Just point in the direction.” Julius said
Julius hadn’t lost anything valuable. Just a pencil or two. He just sat down when he got home. His grandparents were at his house that day. He didn’t really say much. Just sat there. He remembered trying to play it off, like he was older than a middle schooler. That it wasn’t a big deal. But he couldn’t keep up the act. His eyes dropped and suddenly his face was hot. He couldn’t look at his grandfather. He didn’t want to be seen like this in front of him, this large, compassionate, yet stoic man. His grandmother’s age softened hand patted his knee.
The kid pointed in the direction of H street.
“Thanks,” he said.
He ran off toward H street. Thievery wasn’t something he would tolerate. That mischievous smile of that high schooler on one spring afternoon stuck in his head. He could still feel that somewhat playful, yet powerful slap on the side of his head. He really couldn’t stand high schoolers.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Got You in a Stranglehold Baby
A sliver of light shone in through the dirty, cracked window pane. Dust motes flitted through the air. The air smelled stale and earthy. Julius lay motionless on the ground. He was in jeans and an olive green t-shirt.
Something bumped into the wall. Julius woke from the noise. He knew he wasn’t in the hospital again, his falling into the lake happened months ago, when snow still covered the ground. Looking around, he realized he was in some kind of tool shed. Shovels, rakes, and a random assortment of gardening tools were placed randomly in the small 10 foot by 5 foot shed.
Another bump against the wall, this time in front of Julius, by the door. He walked over to the tiny window. The sun was setting, turning everything into a hazy golden yellow.
He could hear shouting coming from outside. “What the hell is going on?” Julius thought. He couldn’t remember how he got into the shed. His head didn’t hurt, so he couldn’t have walked in to the shed during a drunken stupor.
He peeked through the window again. He could see what looked like two people wrestling. “Maybe just some stupid fight. People fight.” Julius thought.
The two people continued to grapple for a couple of minutes. Julius was getting bored. He hadn’t tried leaving the shed. He sort of enjoyed watching. It was an amateur fight. He could’ve knocked both out on one foot with a hand tied behind his back. Finally someone seemed to get the upperhand. The victor then rummaged through the pockets of the victim and ran off around the corner.
Fighting was one thing. Julius didn’t have a major issue with conflict, it wasn’t his go to, but he understood the need. However, theft was unacceptable. Julius tried the door handle but found it locked. He threw his shoulder against the door. Nothing happened. Once again he threw himself against the door. Nothing. “Shit, I’m getting old.” Julius said. On the third attempt, the threshold splintered with a crack. One last time Julius threw himself against the door and burst into the open air. Someone turned to him with a blank look. It wasn’t everyday that someone broke through a shed door. The thief, on the other hand, was long gone.
Something bumped into the wall. Julius woke from the noise. He knew he wasn’t in the hospital again, his falling into the lake happened months ago, when snow still covered the ground. Looking around, he realized he was in some kind of tool shed. Shovels, rakes, and a random assortment of gardening tools were placed randomly in the small 10 foot by 5 foot shed.
Another bump against the wall, this time in front of Julius, by the door. He walked over to the tiny window. The sun was setting, turning everything into a hazy golden yellow.
He could hear shouting coming from outside. “What the hell is going on?” Julius thought. He couldn’t remember how he got into the shed. His head didn’t hurt, so he couldn’t have walked in to the shed during a drunken stupor.
He peeked through the window again. He could see what looked like two people wrestling. “Maybe just some stupid fight. People fight.” Julius thought.
The two people continued to grapple for a couple of minutes. Julius was getting bored. He hadn’t tried leaving the shed. He sort of enjoyed watching. It was an amateur fight. He could’ve knocked both out on one foot with a hand tied behind his back. Finally someone seemed to get the upperhand. The victor then rummaged through the pockets of the victim and ran off around the corner.
Fighting was one thing. Julius didn’t have a major issue with conflict, it wasn’t his go to, but he understood the need. However, theft was unacceptable. Julius tried the door handle but found it locked. He threw his shoulder against the door. Nothing happened. Once again he threw himself against the door. Nothing. “Shit, I’m getting old.” Julius said. On the third attempt, the threshold splintered with a crack. One last time Julius threw himself against the door and burst into the open air. Someone turned to him with a blank look. It wasn’t everyday that someone broke through a shed door. The thief, on the other hand, was long gone.
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