Outsider (30 page)

“We see. Once again, following Death’s
lead……. And who is your Boon?”

Life’s eyes went to Joy. Sid stared, arching
her eyebrows. Joy blinked, startled in sudden comprehension. Death
didn’t move.
They
scratched
Their
heads in total
synchronization before bringing Their collective attention to
Death. Death nodded before answering with the ritual sentence to
the silent demand.

“I now wish to retire and ask for my
Boon.”

“We know who your Boon is.”

They
surprisingly laughed, a crystal
sound flowing with warmth and delicacy, and smiled. It didn’t seem
to fit
Their
features. Maybe too big, or maybe too small. It
was difficult to figure it out. Seriousness befell
Their
features again.

“Do we grant or do you challenge? Do we
redeem or do you pay? You were the best Life and Death of all times
and you wish to retire?!” Thunder in the united voices. Death and
Life looked back without a word.
They
scoffed, almost
looking bored. “Death, we understand. Sid is not an unexpected
Boon. But you, Life. Joy as your Boon?! What did we miss? Tell us.
Tell Joy.” Everyone heard the echo, the hint of threat.

Life walked towards the bemused Joy and
looked into her eyes intently. Joy wondered.
Don’t tell me. Not
Life
. I would remember! But she did not remember. Death was
right. How could she remember. She had had so many lovers…….

Life let a gentle hand rest on one of the
vampire’s shoulders. Joy stared back into Life’s blue eyes and
saw……. One of her many lovers. Yes
……. A long time ago, a
lifetime away. She remembered eyes calling for her attention across
a ballroom, a radiant smile capturing her imagination. The human
Jasmine had felt passionate for the offered tenderness. She had
enjoyed the nights, until her lover had murmured softly that she
had to leave, even if she wished to stay. Duty, a higher calling,
was requiring her elsewhere. She was hoping to reunite one
day…

“My Sweet Jasmine……..” The entity whispered,
breaking the stream of memories. “You were so young……. If only you
had died a natural death…….” And looked away.

“Does your Boon agree to the deal? Oh, she
doesn’t really know what it entails. Nor yours, Death.”

“We haven’t had the chance to explain yet,”
Death replied.

“Are you challenging us?”

“No. You are granting and redeeming. We have
served our purpose for millennia.”

There was silence around everyone, and a
chill, while a staring match was taking place. They suddenly laugh
again.

“Have you planned the next Death and the next
Life?”

“Yes! Our replacements are perfectly
suitable.”

“Reincarnation and happiness ever after? Are
you sure?”

“Yes,” Death answered.

“Oh, let’s get on with it then! Your Boons
will like it anyway. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” This time Life spoke.

“Then, so be it…….”

And the world went dark around them…….

And so it came to pass that among the new
births daily occurring on the planet Earth, four specific beings
came to life, crying out for each other without knowing it yet.

The simultaneous events took effect in
London, UK; Santacruz, California; Flagstaff, Arizona; Hanover,
Germany. They grew up in their various cities, thriving to learn
and excel in artistic, intellectual, paranormal and alternative
fields, always active in their respective communities and at the
same time always apart from their peers. They grew up, feeling
different, feeling thirsty for knowledge and new horizons, balanced
and at the same time feeling like some vital parts were missing
from their lives.

They each had the opportunities to start
traveling at an early age, enjoying the wealth of cultures and the
broadening of their minds, often seemingly ahead of their time.
Internet being a tool with marvelous potential, they started
spotting each other’s names online just after their twentieth
birthdays.

They eventually met one summer in the midst
of the Vancouver Folk Festival. The rest, My Friend, is, as
They
say, History…….

Little is known about the apparently quiet W.
Freedreamer Tinkanesh. The few unearthed bones are still
disconnected: dreams, books, no gender, tattoos, wolves, invisible
energies, permanent puzzlement. W would be (in alphabetical order)
a versatile artist, a chocolate fiend, an independent musician, and
a tree hugger.

The cats know more, but refuse to talk: one will
stare you down; the other one will fight you.

W’s writings have appeared in unknown, obscure zines
and in the last ten years in various anthologies: ‘Write Now’ (UK,
2001), ‘Threads’ (UK, 2009, edited by Cassandra Lee aka Shawn-A-Lee
McCutcheon-Bell), ‘Eclectica’ (2011, edited by Andrea Dean Van
Scoyoc), ‘No One Gets Out Alive’ (2012, edited by Hydra M.
Star).