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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

2015 - Winter - Blackout Entry

The Light - 1. Chapter 1 The Light

Never give up.

The Light

 

 

He stood in nothingness. Mired. It was an endless void… limbo… and somehow, he knew that. But he was also aware there was a defined path. A direction beckoned, like a pull on his cells, urging him, no, commanding him to obey. He wasn’t supposed to have a choice. He understood that too. Could he accept this new reality? Could he let go? He should be pleased the debilitating pain was gone, yet what it signified was worse, wasn’t it? Yes. His awareness grew, and fed his conviction. He’d be leaving something precious and irreplaceable behind if he took the fated course, the artery he could feel pulsing beneath his feet. Sight wasn’t needed here, though he still possessed functioning eyes, for he could see a light in the distance. It was a heavenly orb that flared gold on the outer edges. The center, though, was the purest white… a revelation that drew him. He had to look away. The power of that light, its beauty and its call, were too strong, too insistent. A siren? A promise? Another chance? He didn’t care. He wasn’t ready. Dammit. He needed time. Was time even a thing anymore? He looked downward, at his feet, but there was nothing to see… only a blackness so impenetrable it distorted the senses. Color couldn’t live here. It only existed in that light, in his ordained destination. No. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. There was immense pain behind him, he could sense it, and his absence was the reason for it.

A face, an exquisite, tear-stained face appeared before him like a welcome spectre. David. Wondrous, glorious, loving David… truly an angel that walked the earth. His other half, since practically childhood. They shared a soul. He had always been certain of that, and David had reinforced it with his words, words that fell like gems from his lips.

He was David’s light. Leaving him was sentencing David to a slow death that would span years. A lifetime. David felt too deeply, loved too deeply, but oh how amazing to be the recipient of such depths. How could he just leave him behind while he continued forward? What if the light made him forget the love that shone only for him in those soul-stirring blue eyes? His mind rebelled at the thought. All the light he would ever need was in those eyes. He would lay down here, and remain where he could still picture David and the love he emanated, rather than take the chance of never being able to recall that face and that feeling again.

He experienced remorse at ever praying for release from the pain he was tired of enduring. With pain, he had David. Without it, the price was unbearable. He wanted that pain back. He didn’t want to face a future, any future, without his man at his side. Please, God, give me back my pain. He began to pray. He became frantic. How much time had passed? There was no one for David. He was alone. Oh, God. Was the light moving closer? Stay away! I can’t leave him! God, please, don’t take me away. Please don’t make me leave him. He could feel the wetness of his tears in the blackness, and they centered him. The panic he was immersed in, turned to determination.

He could feel it… no, he could picture it… a vine, blacker than coal, wrapped around his ankle. It lead behind him, away from that beautiful, cursed light. He could envision a faint line of red running through the inky tendril. It was there, and it wasn’t. Was it blood? Was it love, David’s love? Was it life? Did it truly exist, or did he just want to believe it did?

He tried to turn around and look back. To verify. He couldn’t. It was not an option. His resolve, his fierce desire, became a rage. It wasn’t fair. God, please. He needs me, and I need him. Don’t do this to us. Please let me go back.

Nothing.

He fought. He wanted no part of that light without David. He struck out at the darkness, the darkness that led to the light, refusing to give in to the pull. It increased, but so did his resistance against it. He might not prevail, but he couldn’t not try. David would wither to an empty shell without him! Savage tears flowed as he battled with every ounce of will he had.

Please, God. If you can hear me. I beg you to let me go back to him. Please. He realized he was sobbing now.

The pulsing beneath his feet stopped. He froze at the difference... the absence of that infernal rhythm that still shot echoes through his body and his mind. What did it mean?

Release. It was sudden. For a heartbeat, he was terrified, and then he doused his fear in love.

He had freedom to move, to turn back. He did, and lunged desperately in the direction the cherished red life-line revealed. It did exist, however barely, and it was showing him the way. He was still in blackness, but he kept going. He didn’t seem to be getting anywhere, and a different kind of fear clawed at him, but he refused to stop. He couldn’t give up. He had to reach his David. The red was brighter, and the brilliant color encouraged him. It pulsed with increasing power. He didn’t just see it, he felt it. Hope flared. Thank you, God. He struggled on, calling on every resource he had, praying it would be enough. Please help me, God.

The vine was thickening to the size of a tree branch, and he would swear he could see bright red liquid moving through it, matching his own desperate speed. He was weakening, and his hope became endangered. He called for help again, while refusing to pay heed to his limitations. Even so, he weakened further, his breakdown imminent, but when he needed it most, a mighty push came from behind, and he fell gently out of the black, and into the astonishing light of the hospital room. He was back to lying in the same bed. He had made it. Filled with an unfathomable joy, he allowed himself to truly believe.

He could once again feel the sublime warmth of David’s hands wrapped tightly around his own. He slowly opened eyes used to perfect darkness, and saw his light once again. Shimmering blue pools were radiating the purest love.

“We have sinus rhythm… a strong pulse, Doctor.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Somebody up there must like him.”

“You came back.” David’s tear-ravaged face was the most arrestingly precious sight he had ever seen, and he had witnessed ultimate, heavenly beauty… yet, it couldn’t compare to his David.

“Did you doubt me, my love? Nothing can take me from my other half… nothing.” He watched fresh tears slide down David’s face, but he was content, because these were happy ones. He had taken away David’s anguish. It was only then he noticed all his pain was gone, every last speck of it. As he looked into those beautiful, blue lights that illuminated his very soul, he whispered, “Thank you, God… thank you for understanding… and thank you for giving me my David.”

God’s answer lived in David’s adoring smile.

Thank you, Timothy M. for your support.
Copyright © 2015 Headstall; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

2015 - Winter - Blackout Entry

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On 12/11/2015 06:01 PM, Renee Stevens said:

Well done, Gary. You really captured my attention, and while I might have suspected, you kept me wondering on which way would prevail. It was great to see that, in the end, his bond to David was enough to keep him there.

Thanks, Renee! I'm glad I captured your attention. I really enjoyed being a part of this anthology. This was a little different for me, and I see now that these can make us stretch ourselves a little. Thanks for the kind and supporting words, and the review... cheers... Gary...

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On 12/12/2015 03:29 AM, Carlos Hazday said:

I'm definitely not a believer. The thought of a light shinning after one dies means nothing to me. I couldn't relate to the story, yet it was an interesting read. Welcome to the Anthology family, Gary. It only hurts the first time :)

Yeah, it didn't hurt a bit, Carlos :) . Thanks for the review... I appreciate it and your thoughts... cheers... Gary...

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On 12/12/2015 04:13 AM, Cole Matthews said:

What a lovely job of portraying a death and return to life. I loved the vine analogy and the pulsing. it really worked well. Fantastic job Gary!!! Really great writing and storytelling.

Thanks, Cole! I'm really glad you liked it. I saw it as a take on an age old myth, and about the power love can have. Thanks for the kind words and the great review... cheers... Gary...

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On 12/12/2015 08:42 AM, Cia said:

While many of the stories playing with this theme featured dark tones, yours felt much lighter. Even when your main character is wrestling the possibility of leaving his David behind, I had confidence in him. Well done.

Thanks, Cia! The MC had something worth fighting for, and I agree. It was an affirmation of love's power, and while frantic in pace, we didn't have to wait long for a happy ending. Thanks for your support and encouragement, and the review. I loved doing this... cheers... Gary....

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I'm glad that this didn't turn out to be a poem, no offense to AC Benus or you, Gary. The story I read was a little special something in this anthology. Your ability to create a scene that stuck in the imagination was enjoyable. Particularly striking was the vine pulsing with life's blood—an umbilical cord leading back to Mother Earth, if you will—the protagonist not yet ready to move on toward the great beyond. Was it God in the light, was He the light? Does it matter?

 

"Thank you for coming. Here's your parting gift." This is the tongue in cheek version of how I viewed the protagonists release from pain.

 

Lastly, what was with all that talk about how deeply David loves? Clearly he has competition.

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On 12/14/2015 01:50 PM, Ron said:

I'm glad that this didn't turn out to be a poem, no offense to AC Benus or you, Gary. The story I read was a little special something in this anthology. Your ability to create a scene that stuck in the imagination was enjoyable. Particularly striking was the vine pulsing with life's blood—an umbilical cord leading back to Mother Earth, if you will—the protagonist not yet ready to move on toward the great beyond. Was it God in the light, was He the light? Does it matter?

 

"Thank you for coming. Here's your parting gift." This is the tongue in cheek version of how I viewed the protagonists release from pain.

 

Lastly, what was with all that talk about how deeply David loves? Clearly he has competition.

"Here's your parting gift." I love it! Thanks, Ron, for the laugh, and the review. No offense taken. Thank you for thinking it was "a little special something"... and for liking the 'vine'... that means a lot. And yeah, it's a toss up as to who loves more deeply. The narrator loves deep enough to take on God. You give great review, buddy :) . Cheers... Gary...

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On 12/14/2015 02:21 PM, skinnydragon said:

Oh gosh Gary!

 

It was so rewarding when David said, "You came back."

This was the cream of the crop.

 

Thanks for this.

Thanks, Skinny! I'm glad you liked this. I really enjoyed being a part of this anthology. Reuniting these two was very rewarding for me too. Thanks for such a great review, my friend... cheers... Gary...

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On 12/15/2015 11:03 AM, craftingmom said:

Oh, man, for a few moments there I was worried I was going to be balling if he lost his fight to come back. Thank you so much for not making me empty my whole tissue box! Great story!

Well, If I did make you cry, it would only be fair, CM. You've sure made me go through a lot of tissues :) . Thanks so much for liking this little story, and for the review. I loved doing this, and I really enjoyed yours. Cheers... Gary...

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On 12/16/2015 02:56 AM, aditus said:

I strongly believe the 'mighty push' has been David's love. They say love conquers all. Right? Beautiful, Gary.

The description of the 'in between' was really impressive, almost poetic. A very nice piece.

Thanks, Adi. I really enjoyed writing this, and being part of the anthology. The love they had for each other wasn't to be denied... not even by death. I'm pleased you liked it, and I appreciate the review... cheers... Gary...

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Will ya stop making me cry, Gary? Jeez, I should buy stock in Kleenex! :D

 

Another wonderful story, Gary. To be honest, I wasn't going to read it because it had 'alternate earth' in the tag line, and I don't usually read stories like that. But...I saw that YOU wrote it and I had to give it a shot. And boy, am I glad I did! :P

 

You had me sitting at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next with the narrator. I really didn't understand he was on the brink of death until the very end when he 'came back' to the hospital room...followed the light back to the hospital room. I sort of thought David was the one who was gone.

 

Congrats, Gary, for writing a terrific story for your first antho! :)

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On 12/16/2015 02:21 PM, Lisa said:

Will ya stop making me cry, Gary? Jeez, I should buy stock in Kleenex! :D

 

Another wonderful story, Gary. To be honest, I wasn't going to read it because it had 'alternate earth' in the tag line, and I don't usually read stories like that. But...I saw that YOU wrote it and I had to give it a shot. And boy, am I glad I did! :P

 

You had me sitting at the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next with the narrator. I really didn't understand he was on the brink of death until the very end when he 'came back' to the hospital room...followed the light back to the hospital room. I sort of thought David was the one who was gone.

 

Congrats, Gary, for writing a terrific story for your first antho! :)

Thanks, Lisa... I'm glad you did, too, and I'm so pleased you liked it. And the narrator wasn't on the brink... he died, and fought to get back to David. I'd say God's a pretty cool guy in this instance... he's a romantic, just like me lol. I have to say I loved writing this, and I loved being part of an antho. Thanks again, for giving it a chance, and for the great review... cheers... Gary...

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Wow. I deliberately picked something short of yours to read because I can't stay long this time around, and I wanted to return the interest you have shared with me.
Wow. And again, wow. Small, yes, but packs a punch that will be remembered. Only someone who has known love, and understands love, and cherishes love, could have put these words together in just this fashion.
I don't know if there is a real David someplace, but if he is loved half as much as what is here, he must be a very happy man.

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On 09/14/2016 06:45 AM, Geron Kees said:

Wow. I deliberately picked something short of yours to read because I can't stay long this time around, and I wanted to return the interest you have shared with me.

Wow. And again, wow. Small, yes, but packs a punch that will be remembered. Only someone who has known love, and understands love, and cherishes love, could have put these words together in just this fashion.

I don't know if there is a real David someplace, but if he is loved half as much as what is here, he must be a very happy man.

Thank you, Geron, for reading this, and the kind words you've shared. This little story will always be special to me, and yeah, you have me pegged. I'm all about love :) . It makes the world go round. We should all have a David... thanks for the awesome review, and for bringing me back to this one... cheers... Gary....

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On 01/11/2017 12:46 AM, northie said:

Wow! Short but packs a punch like nothing much else I've read here. The imagination and word painting you use on our behalf, is amazing. You don't need to believe in religion to find the story so emotional and uplifting. Thank you! :)

Thanks, northie, for reading this. This was my first venture into the anthologies, and I'm quite proud of it. I'm pleased you found it uplifting... I remember breathing a sigh of relief when I finished... content I had put these two back together. Again, thank you, and cheers... Gary....

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