Having Fun with God

Introduction I was having the time of my life at the summer music festival. The celebration was an auspicious event and the sun was shining bright even though an overcast of large clouds slowly rolled in. It looked like it was going to rain, but it didn’t. People from all over were drawn towards the vibrant sounds of the three live bands that hummed synchronism; harmonizing a few hundred yards away from each other. The music was calling so loud, I could feel my heart pounding in sequence with the thick pulsing sounds of thunder, coming from a bass drum; Roaring, making its way for the percussions. Then blazing electric guitar and harmonic horns were thrown in the mix. Milling through the crowd, intoxicating smells of barbequed foods made my mouth water and the closer I got to any band, the denser the area with hot sweaty bodies moving around making it hard for me to see. There were all kinds of music to choose from, and a full line up of musicians that were yet to have their moment on stage; that I couldn’t help bumping into people, as I danced from one venue to another. Smiling faces were everywhere and a great presence of unity flowed through the multitude of people. Everyone was singing, dancing and having fun. Being happy, joyful, feeling euphoric. It truly was a beautiful summer day.
Looking around to see if I recognized anyone, I happened to notice a dark figure, over there, far away in the distance. So far in fact, it appeared as a small dot, blending in the crowd, hanging there suspended amongst a field of bright colors. That’s odd. It was looking at me in a mischievous way, perhaps plotting to take my life away. I cringed, turning towards the stage, reassuring myself that I was in my happy place. What harm could come my way? Just then, an incredibly horrifying feeling came over me, and my body started to shiver, shake and vibrate as a thrilling chill moved through me. Filled with fear, I wanted to be as far away as possible from the dark figure, so I fled the scene.I showed up at a friend’s beautifully furnished condo. We had finished a lovely meal, and then went into the living room for drinks and conversation. I leaned back in a big comfy chair, and began to relax holding a glass of white wine. Being in the secured company of loving friends eased my mind from; the dark figure that was opening the front door, entering the living room and staring directly at me. He was a faceless man dressed in black, wearing a hat and reeked of rotten corpses. Gripped with fear and overwhelmed by the stench, I froze. So many questions rushed at me. Why? Why me? Why now? Struggling to get out of the room, I somehow managed to get up and move.Panicking, I caught up with another old friend, and begged for help. Receiving no console, I tried to explain why I could not stay. “I have to keep going or else the man in black would surely find me and take me away!” The distance between us was rapidly disappearing and I could feel him getting much closer, so I ran and ran and hopelessly, I ran some more. He was right behind me. Realizing there was nowhere else to hide; I stopped running, and turned around to confront him.“What do you want from me!?” I pleaded. Giving no response, he bent slightly forward with both arms stretched out, pointing his hands down at my feet, slowly wiggling his fingers towards my head and up. As he was doing this, I could feel the energy move up from the bottom of my feet, through my body, to the top of my head and out. It was quick and painless. Still standing and breathing, I wondered to myself, ‘That’s it?’ “That’s it,” he shrugged. Then he left me alone to chase after someone else.I stood immobilized, feeling greatly relieved as the fear left, leaving in its place a glorious sensation of peace and harmony. Followed by a bewilderment of what just happened. Dazed, I looked over as the other person was running away from him. Knowing what it’s like to die, I wanted to tell her; there’s nothing to fear, no need to cry.
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I awoke early. The sun was peering over the horizon, shining brighter than ever before. I tried to forget the frightening dream or what it might mean. I opened and walked through the French doors to my room and passed Kevin’s room, an unoccupied guest’s room and then his daughter’s Nikki’s room. Hearing neither of my cousins stirring, I went up the stairs and into the kitchen to make breakfast. “Good morning, it’s another beautiful day”, Uncle Pat sang, as he emerged out of the master bedroom and into the living room followed by Aunt Irene. “Mornin.” I acknowledged somberly. “Are you working on set today?” Aunt Irene asked. “Yea, Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the classic horror flick.” I said. We discussed the movie briefly, then segued into politics. “You know speaking of horrors, I had a nightmare last night and I haven’t had a nightmare since I was a little kid.” I mentioned. “Oh really, what was it about?” They wanted to know. So, I told them.“Well it sounds like you conquered your fears head on”, Uncle Pat said. “…victoriously facing death itself.” Aunt Irene agreed. Although their words were comforting, I was still haunted by the images and the way they made me feel. The dream was so real. I hope that’s all it means, overcoming my fears. Even though it was morning, I could still feel his dark presence and the thrilling chill he gave as he chased me in my sleep. It had me staring into space as I sat at the kitchen table. I tried to shrug it off. It was just a dream. Besides, it was a beautiful summer day and being assured that I had conquered death, what harm could possibly come my way? “You haven’t been tampering in the shed out back have you?” Uncle Pat asked interrupting my thoughts. “No,” I said. “Why do you ask?” “Well it looks like someone’s been in there moving things around. I fixed it so no one goes in.” he replied. I wondered why I was being questioned but said nothing more, then told them to have a good day and went downstairs. I showered, changed, hopped in my ride and switched radio stations until I found a song that I liked. ‘Sunday bloody Sunday’ by U2 was playing again, I must have heard it a hundred times this week already. ‘…I can’t believe the news today, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away.…’ Pulling out of the driveway, I sped down the windy road with a cigarette in my hand and headed towards the city.