Awake Asleep Dreaming Dead (22 page)

Did it. Got it. I’m getting out. He pulled himself upward.

He felt no pain in his leg, and thought, Is that a good or bad sign? He continued pulling his broken body up the cliff, and could see the branch bending as he pulled.

If it breaks, I’m falling all the way back down to the bottom. Please, God, don’t let it break. Sam repeated over and over, again and again. Don’t let it break.

The sun was close to touching the horizon.

I’ve got to get to that tree, Sam said. I’m going to make it to that branch.

He scratched and clawed, slid back, his body covered with dirt and blood.

From dust, and dust you shall return, something like that, Sam thought.

He was going into a dream world. Wherever he looked he saw faces. Faces in leaves, faces in the branches, faces in the dirt, faces in the rocks and clouds. As he lay on his back a big white puffy cloud that looked like his father’s face floated by.

Dad? Sam whispered. Is that you up there? He watched the cloud until it changed into what looked like a horse jumping off a cliff.

Enough rest. Got to get going. It’ll be dark soon.

Sam reached out and grabbed the branch. Made it!

The second step was complete. Just the last part to the top remained. This would be the most difficult, and dangerous section, but if he could do it—he’d be free.

BONES

 

He let out a soulful cry, a sharp contrast to nature’s warbling, and it echoed into the sky. Sam couldn’t move his tired stiff body. His leg a log, dead weight, and on top of that, a growling stomach that he rubbed to ease the hunger pangs. Sam had nothing to eat. Nothing as he scanned the nearby area, thinking, What can I eat? I could dig up more worms, maybe eat some leaves, or try eating some of these plants, he said, and brushed them with his fingertips. But I don’t know what they are. I hurt bad enough now, and don’t need any more problems. I wonder how my leg is?

Sam cringed as he massaged it, then moved around trying to get comfortable.

Well, no use staying here. It’s time to move on.

He scanned the top of the hillside looking for a place to throw the rope. To get in a good position, he cleared away the leaves and branches around his body.

Is this what I think it is, he thought, afraid to say the words. Can’t be human. Must be animal bones.

He cleared away more dirt. There were more bones.

I think I’m in a grave, Sam said.

His body shrunk with fear. He wanted it all to disappear. To be anywhere else other than the hillside graveyard. Had he defiled someone’s grave by dislodging the bones?

There’s something strange about this grave, something familiar, something . . . but what.

I’ve been crawling on these bones, on a grave. How did they get here? Was this person murdered? Was it someone who just got lost and died? An accident?

Scenarios rattled around in his head, and faces of dead relatives and friends flashed in his mind. He wanted to get up and run away, run as fast and as far away as possible, but he couldn’t stand.

It had been a struggle to climb the hillside, to make it out of the trap, to find someone who could help. He looked up the hill. Only one more section, the steepest part, and nothing to anchor the rope to. Will I die here, and add my bones to the ones already here? The ground shook, vibrations went through his body, and the forest whirled. His mind spun. The forest became a blur, his eyes closed, he was out.

Sam slowly came to, coughing, and clearing his throat, then spit out a ball of phlegm that landed on the bones.

Is there anyway to identify who this is? Sam whispered. Maybe there’s a piece of jewelry, clothes, or picture buried here.

Sam picked up a stick and dug deeper, unearthing more bones. I wonder how long this poor schmuck’s been here, Sam muttered in a soulful tone, must have happened a while ago because there’s nothing left but bones.

Maybe a ghost is haunting this place? Ghosts can fly, can’t they?

Sam continued digging in the ground, turning the earth, then he came across a wristwatch.

It’s corroded, but was a nice watch once. I wonder how long it’s been here? Maybe the same thing happened to him, or her, an animal jumped out, and they tried to avoid hitting it. I’ll take this watch, maybe there’s a way to find out whose it was.

Then Sam felt something pulling him down.

What the hell is that?

Something was sucking him into the ground. His legs were being absorbed into the ground like water into a sponge.

Shit! he yelled. What the hell’s happening?

His body went in further, to his knees, he struggled, and pull himself back out of the quicksand ground.

He grabbed a branch, pulled, and said, I’ve got to get out of this place. He dug his hands into the ground and jerked his body back.

He passed out.

WINDOW

 

Sam woke shaking with fear. He looked up the hill. There was nothing to tie or throw the rope onto.

I have to climb the rest of the way up without the rope, or find another way.

His water was gone, he had nothing to eat, and his leg was getting ripe.

Even if I made it to the road, and was found by someone, I’ll probably lose my leg.

It was there, but he felt nothing, just dead muscle, bone, and skin. He didn’t want to look at it because he knew the outcome—no leg, maybe no life.

Back to business, Sam said. Get up the rest of the way. Move! he screamed. Move! Twisting and turning on his back, then on his stomach and side he inched upward grabbing anything that stuck out of the ground. Sam was spent, energy gone, and his face in the dirt. His mind went blank except for an image of the high school play Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He was with Esther, they were on stage, and the audience was spellbound. Dr. Jekyll changed into Mr. Hyde. Sam thought, that’s what I need to do, change into Mr. Hyde, use his strength to get to the top. How do I become Mr. Hyde?

Hey! a voice bellowed. Anybody down there?

Who’s that? Sam thought, and looked up to the top of the cliff.

I’m here, Sam yelled, his voice weak and breaking up. Down here, he shouted. I’m down here!

Hold on, I’ll get a rope and help you up, the voice said.

A rope dropped and landed near Sam, then he heard someone crawling down. Cover up if you can. Some rocks might fall, the voice said.

Sam looked up at a smiling face with a bushy beard, long hair, and arms with skull tattoos

Thank you, Sam said, thank you, he repeated.

Don’t worry man, I’ll get you to a hospital.

Spratt?

Just keep still.

Then Sam stared at the face. Spratt?

Okay, I’m going to tie this rope around you, then going back up to the top, and pull you up. It might hurt a bit, but there’s no other way to get you up there. After we make it to the top, I’ll drive you to a hospital.

How did you find me?

Esther said you weren’t returning her calls or emails, so we went looking for you. Saw the busted fence, and checked it out. When I looked down the cliff, I noticed your car. And well, it’s totalled, man. You can always buy another one. How you are is what’s important. I’ll get you to a doctor.

It’s in bad shape. I wrapped it the best I could, but I don’t have any feeling in it now. Hope I don’t lose it.

Yeah, Spratt whispered. It doesn’t look good, man, but you’ll be okay. I’ll get you to the hospital, and let them take it from there. Okay, you ready?

Yeah, Sam said. Haul me up.

You’ll feel the rope get tight now, but that’s me pulling you up. If you want me to stop just holler.

Sam grabbed the rope with both hands, and held on tight.

Spratt started pulling Sam up the hillside.

I gotcha, Sam, be up at the top soon. How are you feeling? Want to take a break?

I’m fine, keep pulling.

Sam bounced along the side of the cliff, opening and closing his eyes, looking at his demolished car, and the bones scattered on the hillside.

You made it! I’m gonna put you in the back of my truck. You’ll be more comfortable there. You lay on these sacks, and I’ll drive nice and easy.

Spratt?

Yeah, need something?

Down there in the crevice. Did you see?

See what?

You didn’t see . . . the bones?

What are you talking about?

The bones.

I don’t know, just saw your car.

We have to tell someone about it, Sam said.

Yeah, guess you’re right, Spratt said, but let’s get you to the hospital first. Esther will be happy to see you.

She makes good sandwiches, Sam said.

Spratt drove down the valley, and Sam watched the clouds float like ships in the sky. It’s so beautiful when the blue touches the horizon, he thought. The battle for attention went to the sky. It reminded him of Hawaii, and biggest blue sky ever. He went there with Esther after graduation. They were both eighteen, and had never been that far from Four Corners before. It was one of their many adventures. They had met on the playground, explored the neighboring cities, but being in paradise was a new experience. Everything was new, and exactly what he had imagined.

He rented a Ford Mustang convertible and drove to Waikiki from Honolulu Airport. That was the beach they wanted to see. The roads were crowded, lots of people walked down the sidewalks, and there were so many stores. On one side of the road the Pacific Ocean rolled in, and on the other side, concrete buildings rose to the sky. It was a paradox Sam couldn’t understand.

Why would anyone take such a beautiful island, and build so many ugly buildings.

The hotels were big boxes, layered with windows. It reminded Sam of the high school at home. The whole area was one big shopping center, buying and selling, but the beach was unbelievable. They parked the rental car near the Honolulu Zoo, which had old style parking meters where you insert a dime or quarter. They walked to the beach, and you could tell right away that this was a fun place. Surfers out on the waves, and people on boogie boards. Children building sand castles that were soon washed away, and sun bathers catching rays. The sand was hot, but they only had to step into the ocean to cool off. Sam wanted this memory to go on forever.

They walked from the entire length of Waikiki beach and back. Stopping along the way for a bite and drink, and occasionally stepping into the Pacific. They went to the Mona Surf Rider and checked into their room. The hotel was surrounded with buildings, but behind on the beach side was a huge Banyan tree that protected the terrace, and a swimming pool. They found a table, ordered some drinks, and watched the sunset.

He looked at Spratt driving the truck, watching him fiddle with the radio, then the Warren Zevon song, “Werewolves of London” came on.

Sam was semi-conscious watching the trees pass under the sky. Where are Tom and Lori, he thought.

The truck rumbled down the valley road. Sam felt a storm brewing, not in the sky, but in the surrounding forest. The trees were alive, and sending waves of emotion outward. A force of nature was exploding from all the harm done, and it was fighting back. It was big, and spread over the valleys, roads, through canyons, into tunnels, and caves. It could be felt, but not touched, and heard, but not seen.

Spratt drove up to the E.R., slammed on the brakes, then jumped out without missing a beat like he’d rehearsed it. He opened the tailgate, and picked Sam up.

Hey, I need some help for my friend, he shouted.

Sam’s breath was shallow, skin pale, and his voice—there was none. Only a wisp of air from his lips gave the least bit of hope that he was alive, and still in the world.

The paramedics dropped the wheels of the gurney, held the IV steady, and bowled into the E.R. Down the hallway with the staff busily moving equipment preparing to save a human life. They connected the necessary electronic gadgets that showed his beating heart, temperature, and breathing. All there for everyone to see, beeping machines, and jumbled jargon from the staff. This ultimate event we all will someday experience, and all think about at a certain age. How will it come? Accident? Breakdown of our body from old age? Murdered for jealousy, love, hate? Or no good reason?

Spratt stayed at the hospital with Sam until Esther came.

She hugged Spratt. You’re a hero, she said. You saved his life.

He’s my friend, and he’d do the same for me. I’ll wait out there in the lobby. Don’t worry, Esther, he’s tough. He’ll be okay.

A parade of medical people came in, then began setting up, checking, and connecting devices to Sam.

Maybe it would be better if you waited outside, a doctor said. We’ll let you know how he’s doing.

Okay, Esther said.

Morning, Esther, Spratt said. Get any sleep? I just talked to the doctor, and there’s no change.

Thanks, she said, and closed her eyes.

Then Joe Conrad walked in the waiting room. How’s he doing?

The same, Spratt said.

You know, Joe said, I just heard on the news this morning, the bones where Sam crashed are what’s left of Holiday.

That crazy-nut-case who killed cats and was in prison?

Yeah, and some woman’s bones were there, too, but they don’t know whose. They think Holiday had something to do with the architect who disappeared years ago. You know, Alan Rogers. The guy who designed the park where we had Sam’s party.

Why do they think that?

They found a wrist-watch that belonged to the architect. If Sam hadn’t driven off that cliff, it would still be a mystery.

So, they think Holiday killed the architect. Spratt stood and stretched. Sam was on the way to his house to take pictures. So, what happened to the architect?

They don’t know, but talk is they’re going to do some digging around his house.

I guess Sam’s the hero if he’s solved the crime.

Then young Holiday walked into the waiting room, and they went silent.

Hi, I’m John Holiday, the dentist. I come here a few times a week to check on my patients. I just heard the news about Sam. How’s he doing?

We don’t know, Spratt said.

How’s Esther?

She’s tired, and asleep, been up all night.