Collected Stories Vol. 1
Contents
Dawn of the Storm
2. Hopefully Broken
3. Frantic Spinach
4. Empty Empire
The Dawn of the Storm
Black clouds coiled together into a flat vortex in the sky, the likes of which Jordan Dorver had never before seen in all his years. He raised a weathered hand to scratch an equally weathered forehead, barely brushing aside the last of his white hair that hung down. The clouds spun around a central point that didn’t look to far away to Jordan, just beyond the edge of his fields perhaps, or by the creek that borders that corner of his property. The wind was steadily but persistently blowing past him where he stood on the corner of his front porch, the boards sagged slightly underneath him and he made a mental note to check them over another day. Jordan could only assume that the wind was blowing towards the central point of the cloud vortex after it past him. He had a eerie feeling that he was correct.
“Martha, Martha dear. Come out here! You must see this.” Jordan shouted over the wind. He heard some clattering in the old but well maintained farmhouse behind him.
“Jordan, I am preparing dinner.” A slightly exasperated voice came from inside the house. “And you best come inside, you’ll catch a cold out in that weather.”
Jordan looked to the sky again, it was darker than the middle of a moonless night but he could still see that these weren’t storm clouds. He opened his mouth to tell Martha he couldn’t catch a cold if it wasn’t raining but the words died in his mouth as a sharp crack split the air, and a radiant flash of lightning arced from the centre of the vortex to the ground. Jordan gasped at the brightness and the noise but before he could shut his eyes or cover his ears properly thunder rumbled so loud it shook Jordan to the bone. As quickly as it happened it was done.
“Jordan, what happened?” Martha called from in the house. Jordan hardly noticed, he was already down the porch steps and starting to sprint towards the barn. The lightning had struck right near the creek, which was fortunate, he’d have a source of water nearby to fight the fire. Jordan dashed into his barn, almost tripping over his own two feet. He slowed down only enough to pick up two buckets and then he continued on at full speed towards where the lightning had struck. If the fire wasn’t contained it could spread to the nearby forest or, even worse, to his farm and his fields. He reached the edge of his property and leaped over the wooden fence, he may be old but farm work had kept him in better shape than most men half his age. He slowed down immediately after landing and smelled the air. There was no smoke. Jordan looked around franticly. He didn’t see any fire either. His skin tingled, and he felt the hairs all of his body stand up.
Cautiously, Jordan approached the creek and filled his buckets. He glanced at the black clouds above him, and he was almost directly underneath the centre of the vortex, where the lightning had come from, but he still saw no sign of the strike. Jordan crossed the creek and kept going, he would let his field and farm burn just because he had stopped looking when it seemed like there was no fire. A fire like that could ruin him.
The wild grass here grew long, it danced furiously as the wind whipped past it towards the centre of the cloud vortex. The grass brushed against his worn brown work trousers as he slowly walked towards the spot he was certain the lightning had struck. As he approached the spot he noticed the grass had been completely flattened there. He edged closer. Right at the point where the lightning had struck the flattened grass fanned out in a perfect circle and in the middle of the circle was a naked baby boy. Jordan knelt down, and picked up the child as gently as he could, cradling it in his arms. The babe was warm against his chest. The wind died down immediately, and Jordan looked to the sky. The vortex had opened at the centre letting sunlight shine directly down upon Jordan and the child, groups of tendrils from the cloud vortex merged together and for a brief moment he thought he saw shapes and symbols in the clouds. A Hammer and a Seed. A raised fist. Two partly overlapping circles.
Jordan blinked and the clouds returned to normal, no longer black and no sign of the vortex. The sun shone brightly at its peak in the sky. He looked down at the babe in his arms and was startled to see piercing blue eyes staring back at him. A wide smile split Jordan’s face. He could feel his heart racing in his chest from the intensity of what had just happened, but that didn’t distract from the warm feeling of joy that filled his heart as well.
“Hello there little one,” Jordan murmured, “Where did you come from?” He didn’t expect an answer but he still had to ask. The babe just looked up at Jordan expectantly. Jordan chuckled to himself. “Guess we better get you inside. Martha is not going to believe this.”
Hopefully Broken
Konnor opened his eyes, the world coming into focus around him. Everything else had been nonexistent as he traveled inward. Now the noise of the city deafened him. Cars and people rushed by on their way to whatever place they thought they had to go. The hardness of the bench he sat on made him want to stand but he stayed still, the slight discomfort was nothing compared to the discomfort he often felt towards life.
“You were lost again, weren’t you?” A voice to his left said softly. Konnor looked over to see Sarah sitting beside him on the bench. Her blonde hair rippled occasionally in the light autumn breeze, her cheeks were rosy from the chill. He had forgotten that she was with him.
“Yes.” Was all he said. He had given up explaining how he felt, nobody ever seemed to be able to help or even understand.
“Why do you do that to yourself?” She asked, a noticeable amount of concern in her voice. Sarah still cared about Konnor even when he couldn’t care about himself. He tried to be thankful for her presence but sometimes he just wished she would leave him alone so he could suffer in silence.
“Because it’s easy. I cared to much for to long and I am just tired of feeling like I am the only one that cares about the future of our planet and life on it. Everyone else is so satisfied with whatever they accept to be normal. My words go unheard, my actions go unnoticed. And in the end all of my suffering was pointless. I can’t make a difference because people don’t want anything different, they want things to be the same as they always have been.”
Sarah looked like she was going to say something else, then turned back to watching the traffic. Everybody else had given up on Konnor when he had given up on himself. Sarah tried though. Even though she had only ever known Konnor since he had lost hope she still tried to keep him from falling back into the black pit that he considered his true home; she still believed that he could overcome this. She wouldn’t accept that he could only ever be hopeless. He knew that she was in pain because of how ineffective she was but there was nothing he could do about it. He didn’t understand how she could tolerate his hopelessness, even after it had already driven everyone else out of his life. She would be better off as far away from Konnor as possible but as much as he tried he couldn’t get rid of her. She wouldn’t let him.
“You know you can’t go on like this. Eventually you’re going to get trapped in your own darkness. And then what? It’s what you want but you’ve also told me before about how much you wanted to escape it last time you were there. Do you think you would survive it again?” She said so quietly that her words were almost lost in noise of the city.
“Is simply surviving enough? Is that all we are here to do? I’ve tried to live to the fullest, I’ve tried to make a difference with my life, and live each moment for the greater good so that our species can continue to evolve. All it accomplished was making me feel alienated from everybody because they are all so satisfied with being normal. If I get lost in the darkness again then so be it, if I don’t survive then the world can go on as it is. Comfortably numb in it’s stagnation.”
“No the world will not go on as it is. It will go on without you, it’ll be missing one more real soul and you know it needs as many of those as it can get. You see the emptiness of our society and you feel it more than anybody else, that’s why we need you. If you give up on us like you have given up on yourself than there truly is no hope.” Sarah said, her eyes afire with fierce determination. She was the only person Konnor knew that was even remotely close to experiencing life like he did. He wanted to believe her, he wanted to want to let go of how broken he was and move forward. But like everybody else he clung desperately to the whatever it was that was considered normal and comfortable. For him it was hopelessness, and alienation. For everybody else it was routine and tradition; but life has the potential for so much more than they could even imagine possible.
“How can I help the world when I can’t even help myself?”
“You have to let someone in. I know that’s hard for you, I know you’re scared to let others see how broken you are but you can’t carry the weight of existence by yourself. You’re so trapped inside your own awareness because you’ve never given anybody a chance to share it.” She grabbed Konnor’s hand and stared into his eyes, not just with her eyes but with her entire being. She looked deeper into him than he had ever thought another person would ever be capable of. Konnor wanted to turn away, to get up, to run. He knew if she saw the truth she would give up on him like everybody else had. He couldn’t move though. He couldn’t stop her. Konnor saw it in her eyes as she realized how dead he was inside, he watched as the same sadness and emptiness filled her. Tears spilled from her eyes but she didn’t look away. She didn’t leave him. He wanted to cry, to turn away in shame. He had let her feel his pain. It was bad enough that Konnor had done this to himself but now he had done it to only person that actually cared about him. He watched her struggle against giving into the darkness, her eye’s closed as she inhaled and exhaled heavily. They sat like this for a long time. Konnor thought he had broken her the same way he had broken himself. Then she opened her eyes, and with tears streaming down her face she smiled at him.
“Please let me help you.” She said finally.
Frantic Spinach
The person ahead of me was paying for their groceries by the time I realized that I had forgotten the spinach. I looked behind me, hoping that there was nobody else waiting. Of course there were two people behind me. A wrinkly old couple that was buying at least a hundred cans of soup and behind them was a young woman with blonde hair who was just putting her stuff on the conveyor belt. I didn’t want to make them wait while I ran to grab some spinach, but I really need the spinach. It was the only thing that I actually came to buy. All the other groceries I bought were just things that had caught my eye. I looked back and forth frantically.
“Hello, how are you?” The cashier said. She was young, probably only in high school and working part time because her parents wouldn’t leave her alone. Her long black hair was tied back in a ponytail and her blue eyes were hidden behind stylish glasses with pink rims.
“I’m good, how are you.” I said without even thinking. Now I was committed. I didn’t even listen for her response. I knew what it would be. The thing I hated most about grocery shopping, more than forgetting the spinach, was the routine interactions. They’re so depersonal. I stood there quietly as the cashier rang through my items. It wasn’t cold in the store but sweat trickled down my back. I always tried to tell myself that I don’t care what people think but that doesn’t stop me from getting nervous just by thinking about simple social situations. I only had a few things but it felt like it took forever to scan them and I paid quickly because I was eager to get the whole ordeal done. I kept my eyes on what I was doing as I packed my groceries into my backpack. I wanted to run out of the store once I was done packing, but I still didn’t have my spinach. So I casually walked over to the produce section and grabbed the first container of spinach I saw. I didn’t even bother to check the expiration date. Now that I had what I needed I hustled back to the checkout, weaving through the flow of busy shoppers. I scanned the line of checkouts looking for the one with the shortest line. Everyone of them had at least three people waiting with their groceries, except the checkout that I had just been at. Of course. There wasn’t a single person waiting there, both of the people that had been behind me had paid and moved on. Good, at least they wouldn’t see me come back. The cashier, on the other hand, had already noticed me walking toward her checkout. Her smile told me that she knew what was going on.
“Back so soon?” She said as soon as I put my spinach down.
“Yeah I forgot the spinach.”
“Oh. Well, you could have gotten it earlier, I’m sure the people that were behind you wouldn’t have minded at all.” The way she said it was so condescending, as if it was completely obvious and I should have realized this before. I wanted to snap at her, so many rude and nasty things came to mind but instead I just nodded. She looked like she was about to say more so I whipped out my wallet and gave her a five dollar bill. Then while she was counting out my change I grabbed my spinach and walked away. I didn’t look back once, my mind was focused entirely on getting out of the store. Once I was finally outside, I let out a sigh of relief. I don’t understand why I have such a stressful time grocery shopping, but it always makes me wish I was living in a tribe of hunter-gathers. Sure they had stressful lives too, but at least they were directly responsible for what stress they experienced. It seemed to me like our entire society had been designed to be as stressful as possible. Maybe it was just me though. I had calmed down a bit so I started walking in the direction of home. Then I saw one of my old teachers, Mr. Rend. I kept my head down and hoped he didn’t notice me. Of course he did.
“Hey, James!” He yelled at me from halfway across the parking lot. I really wanted to just keep walking but I knew that that would be considered rude so I turned and started walking toward him. He was waving like a madman the whole time, as if he thought that I still hadn’t noticed him.
“Hello, Mr. Rend.” I said once I was close enough for him to hear me. “How are you?”
“Ah, you know. I can’t complain. School hasn’t been the same since you graduated.” He said. I knew he was lying but I smiled as if I had appreciated the sentiment. Mr. Rend had kicked me out of class more times than any other teacher, he always said I wouldn’t amount to anything. It really bugged me how some people would completely change how they acted toward somebody depending on the situation. In school he had been the authority figure and he took every opportunity to make sure I knew it. Now, though, we were just two adults and he couldn’t push me around anymore. “Are you doing some grocery shopping?” He asked, looking at me with an odd expression. Sort of half hopeful and half disappointed. I really just wanted to turn and walk away, he would probably shout at me but I would just keep walking.
“No, sir, I just finished.”
“No need to call me sir, James. Weren’t not in school anymore. Well, would you like to keep me company while I do my shopping?” I just about threw up on his shoes. The man must be really lonely if he was asking me to shop with him. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings but I would rather get a root canal done than spend even five more minutes with him. Then I realized I was still holding the container of spinach.
“Sorry sir, I already started making dinner when I realized that I needed spinach. Now that I have it I gotta go finish my cooking.” I said, it wasn’t a total lie but I still felt kind of bad about it.
“I understand. Enjoy your meal.” He said, then he walked off toward the entrance of the grocery store without waiting for my response. I wanted to be mad at him for that but really I just felt relief that it was finally over and I could continue on my way home. I walked as fast as I could to my house, ignoring every single person that I passed. I wouldn’t have noticed if my own grandma was having a heart attack on the side of the road I was so focused on getting home. As soon as I got in the house I sat down with my back against the door, reveling in the lack of social expectations.
Empty Empire
Terung the Destroyer sat on his throne of bones, he had had it made out of anybody who opposed his rule. Now he was realizing it might not have been such a good idea. The bones may be aesthetically pleasing but they were incredibly uncomfortable. It had been five years since he had become the supreme ruler of Earth, and everyday he had wished he had not conquered the planet so quickly. He missed fighting on the frontlines. Now, if there was any fighting to be done he had to send his soldiers.
The throne room was empty except for Terung. The throne sat upon a raised dais and at the opposite end of the room was a door large enough for three men to walk through at the same time. Tall marble columns lined the sides of the room and empty cages hung from the ceiling. Terung barely used the cages anymore, he preferred to be alone in his throne room, and prisoners were always so noisy. His royal robes were made of the finest silk, they were the darkest black accented by sections that were blood red. His crown was made of a very rare form of gold that was black, and it had a large ruby in it that he wore facing forward. Terung always found the attire very flattering when he looked at the mirror in the morning but he was starting to become displeased with his physical appearance. His hair was fading to grey and his skin was starting to hang loosely in certain places. At least his red eyes were still able to pierce a man's soul with ease. He may have lost some of his edge since becoming the Emperor of Earth but he was still able to inspire fear in anyone.
Terung pressed a small button on the armrest of his throne and a door to his left opened admitting his head steward Elrond. Terung always bristled at how young Elrond was but the steward ran the castle with amazing efficiency. His plan white robes were spotless as always and his head was still smooth from this morning's shave. Elrond hurried to stand in front of the throne and bowed so low that his nose almost touched his knees.
“How can I serve you, my lord?” Elrond said, still bowing.
“How is the empire running?” Terung said leaning back in his throne, then sitting forward again after being poked by a piece of bone.
“Excellent as usual, you have put together a very capable team my lord.” Elrond said.
“Yes, too capable it seems. There is never anything for me to do.” Terung paused, waiting to see if Elrond would respond. The steward may do an excellent job of running the castle but he was a poor conversationalist. “I think I might slaughter a village today, the people do not fear me as they used to.”
“Shall I prepare the royal carriage, or would you like to take the helicopter?”
“Neither, I am going to walk.” Terung said.
Elrond shot up from his bow looking completely startled. “Walk, my lord?” He said, then he realized he was not bowing. He gulped and bowed down even further.
“Yes, that is what I said. Assemble the Royal Guard and fetch me Malevolence.” Terung said standing and walking down the steps of the dais, his black boots click on the tile. “Also wake Regorin, I would like someone to talk to.”
“Yes my lord.” Elrond said, still bowing as he walked towards the small door he came through earlier. Guards opened the main door as Terung got close to it. The sunlight blind him for a second as he fumbled for his sunglasses. None of the guards noticed though, they were too busy watching for enemies. Not that there would be any. There hadn’t been any opposition to Terung for five years and any rebellions were squashed before they left the city where they began.
Terung stepped outside. He always enjoyed the view of the city from his castle. The Dread Keep had been built on a hill in the middle of nowhere years before Terung had finished conquering all of Earth. When he finally settled down there people had already begun building houses around it. Those original houses had been cleared and a wall had been erected around the Keeps grounds but after a few years the city of Ter had been thriving. Ter had become the capital of the world and it was at the forefront of all areas of culture. The skyscrapers of Ter were mimicked in every city around the world and all the best art was produced there. Terung descended the stairs as he looked out over the city. He could see the Honour of Terung amphitheatre and the Destroyer’s Stadium. It might not be that original to name everything after himself but Terung didn’t care and if anyone else said anything about it he would have them executed.
Elrond and the Royal Guard were waiting for him when he reached the bottom of the stairs. “Where is Regorin?” Terung said as he scanned his entourage.
“I am here my lord.” Regorin said from somewhere within the crowd. Terung watched as a few soldiers stepped aside to let the short fat man through. Regorin bowed when he reached Terung. “Greetings Your Majesty, how are you today?” Regorin said. He wore plain robes of blue and green that hung loosely around his massive belly. Regorin had been Terung’s friend since before he had begun conquering the world. Regorin had not been so fat then, he had indulged himself in the royal life. His face was pudgy and he had a few extra chins that Terung did his best to ignore.
Terung started walking toward the gate in the Dread Keep’s walls, his guard fell in behind him. Regorin walked beside him and Elrond walked a few steps directly behind them. “What is the point of being in complete control if there is nothing to do with that control?” Terung said.
“I don’t understand, my lord.” Regorin said.
“Of course not, I haven’t finished explaining what I meant. It is very tedious running an empire so I hired a few people that would do a good job, now I find that I have nothing to occupy my time. I have the power I have always wanted yet it still feels like something is missing.”
“Well, my lord. It seems like you’re missing purpose. Sure you have a great empire, and you’re the most powerful man on the planet but you are not fully utilizing the resources you have access to.” Regorin said as they walked through the gates and into the city. A few of the guards ran forward to clear the way and make sure the king was protected on all sides. The roads were wide and pedestrian traffic was not very heavy in front of the Keep though. One of the first things Terung had done once he was Emperor was ban the automobile, it was such an awful invention and he knew of the destruction that it was capable of. There was still certain machinery for building and other necessary endeavours but for the most part technology was not that dominant. Terung had created a fusion of the past and present in his empire, but he had not incorporated the future as well.
“I see.” Terung said, pausing thoughtfully. He was the most powerful person ever and his empire had unified the entire planet. Creating his empire had always been his end goal but maybe there was more that he was supposed to be doing. He had access to an incredible work force and could move resources from anywhere on the planet to where they were needed. “I need to expand my empire into space. That is what has been missing. I have complete control of this planet but there is an entire galaxy out there that I could be conquering right now.” He said turning around and walking back to the Dread Keep. Guards scrambled to get out of his way and make sure he was still protected on all sides. Elrond jumped out of his way then fell in behind him. “Elrond being assembling the most intelligent inventors and having the soldiers start training extra hard, we have work to do.”