The Chronicles of Draylon (20 page)

“It's OK my child, it is my time, do not be upset,” said Ethel, struggling out her words.

“No, I can really help you,” said Draylon.

Ethel saw a flicker in Draylon's eyes, and she instantly knew that he was different, that there was something special about him.

“I know you can. But I beg of you, please don't save me. I don't want to live anymore.” Ethel tried to catch her breath. “My husband is waiting for me in heaven. Please don't play God my child, these things happen for a reason, this is meant to be.”

Draylon felt a pang of overwhelming sadness. “As you wish. Be at peace.” Draylon shed a tear.

“I, I, I can see h, h, him…” said Ethel with her last breath.

Draylon was stricken with grief. He could have helped her, but she didn't want to live any more. He stayed with her until the ambulance arrived, and Paul stood behind him with his hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

After the ambulance had gone they both walked back to the hotel, Draylon was unusually quiet. When they got to their room, Draylon crashed out on the bed, deep in thought.

“You did the right thing, it was what she wanted,” said Paul.

“I know,” said Draylon in a soft tone. “It was just very sad that she didn't want to live any more, even given the choice.”

“Maybe she felt lonely here.”

“Maybe. Are you scared of dying Paul?”

“What you mean is, am I afraid of dying again.”

“That makes two of us then, we have a lot in common,” Draylon smiled.

“I am scared of dying. I love my life at the moment, and I would hate for it to be cut short.”

“I love my life too. I am afraid of dying, very much so. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if we had conclusive proof that we move on to a better place. I don't remember anything about my death. And yet I have faith that there is more, I believe in a God.”

“I don't remember anything either, maybe we're not supposed to. I'm starting to feel rather depressed. Tomorrow it is retail therapy for us, a little indulgence I think.” said Paul.

“That sounds great! Energy drinks and grey T-shirts for me.” Draylon laughed.

It was Saturday the 9th of July at 9 a.m. Paul's alarm went off and he jumped out of bed, looking forward to doing some shopping. Draylon was already washed and dressed and tapping his feet waiting for his friend to get his skates on. An hour later, Paul was ready for action.

They made their way into town and they passed a hairdresser's. Paul asked if Draylon wouldn't mind waiting whilst he had a haircut. Draylon agreed that a trim was a good idea, and an opportunity for him to find a convenience store.

Paul went in to the shop and was surprised to find he was the only customer. He glanced up at the price list and chuckled, asking the female hairdresser what a hybrid cut was. She explained that a hybrid cut was clipper short on the sides and back, and scissor short on top, basically a scissor/clipper combination. Paul said that he would like a hybrid haircut, grade three on the sides and back, and scissor short on top, but not so short that it won't part. He thought to himself that it's only the parting that distinguishes himself from Draylon, and smiled.

Draylon trotted off enjoying the blue sky and the warmth of the sun. He found a convenience store and bought two Monster Ripper energy drinks. He also had a quick glance at a muscle magazine. He was shocked to see the size of some of the guys. He wondered at what sort of weights he would have to lift to develop his physique further. He figured maybe a couple of buses either side of a bar would suffice and laughed.

Draylon made his way to the hairdressers, and then sat outside of the shop waiting. The morning sun was gently warming his body, and he was drinking in the fresh air and his energy drink. He felt totally relaxed, completely at ease, and was thoroughly enjoying his day so far. Paul emerged from the shop.

“What do you think then?” said Paul with a big smile on his face.

“Excuse me, do I know you?” replied Draylon grinning.

“Very funny! It's called a hybrid cut would you believe.”

“I would believe it, yes.” Draylon was beaming. “It looks very smart Paul, you look very sharp my friend.”

“Thank you! Let's hit the shops then.” Paul was eager to get himself some new cloth.

They found a shopping centre, and Paul was like a man possessed looking for a clothes store. They eventually found one, and Paul shot off, looking for new outfits to go with his new haircut, and his new found confidence.

Paul picked up a basket and started to fill it with Jeans and smart shirts. He even bought an assortment of wrist bands inspired by Draylon's. Paul was having a great time. It even occurred to him that he might start to participate in vigorous exercise, to build his physique and add to his confidence further. He then talked himself out of it, thinking that walking was exercise enough. And also he didn't want to wear down his body, as he was hoping it would last him to at least one hundred. He then noticed some cowboy boots, and practically ran to them. They were brown leather, with a slightly worn look. There were patterns scored into the leather and the toes were mildly pointed. They too, went into his basket. He then went up to pay, and asked if he could use the changing room to put on some of his new clothes.

Draylon found some jeans that caught his eye, hipster boot-cut, and they were pale blue, worn looking. He put two pairs in his basket. He then noticed the T-shirt section and became excitable. He found some stretch T-shirts that cling to your muscles. He chose a blue, red, black, grey and white one. Then he put another grey one in his basket. He thought to himself that you can never have too many grey T-shirts. He then picked up a couple of pairs of Lonsdale trainers, and he was done. He went up to pay for the items, and then asked if he could use the changing rooms to try on his clothes.

They both emerged from the changing rooms looking awesome. Paul wore blue jeans and a red long sleeved shirt, slightly unbuttoned. And some leather wristbands on his left wrist, and some cowboy boots. Draylon was wearing blue hipster boot cut jeans, with a figure hugging blue T-shirt and some white Lonsdale trainers.

“Nice clothes. How do you feel?” asked Draylon.

“Like a million dollars,” said Paul with a big smile on his face.

“We can test that theory,” said Draylon grinning.

They both left the shop, with bags in hand.

Paul pointed out a coffee shop and suggested going in. Draylon thought it a great idea, but said that he was going to make a quick call to Adriana first, to see how she was doing. Paul went in to order the drinks. Twenty minutes later Draylon appeared, and his eyes lit up at the sight of two large café lattes. Thirty seconds later only one remained.

“That can't have touched the sides,” said Paul.

Draylon beamed, “It did a little.”

“How is Adriana?”

“She's doing fine. She said that she feels much happier now.”

“That's great, I'm glad. And you?”

“I'm fine too, thank you. I just want Adriana to be happy; she deserves the very best out of life. I think she's perfect, and she has such a pure heart.”

“She is pretty much perfect, you're lucky to have her.”

“I just wish I could be with her. I am hoping that one day we'll get our chance, and I can't wait for that day.”

“Everything comes to he who waits,” said Paul with a smile.

“I hope you are right. Thank you Paul.”

“You are most welcome.” Paul paused for a few seconds in thought. “I was just wondering. Have aliens intervened much over the years with the human race?”

“Now that's a subject change. Yes, for quite some time actually. Have you heard of Epilepsy?”

“Yes. They say it's the disease of great men.”

“My kind, have intervened many times, over thousands of years. The mighty Hercules, Achilles, Alexander the Great, and Caesar, are all victims of alien experimentation. Huge leaps in human advancement. Epilepsy is the side effect that has since passed down through generations, hence, the disease of great men.”

“Hercules and Achilles are just myth,” said Paul, a little confused.

“Not myth my friend, they were as real as you and I.”

“Wow! Now there's an answer.”

When they had finished their drinks, they decided to make their way back to The Space Ship Inn. When they arrived, Paul screamed in horror. His pride and joy, his Pontiac Trans-Am, was completely smashed in at the rear. Draylon surveyed the damage. It looked as if a lorry had driven straight into it.

“I was having a good day!” said Paul feeling sorry for himself.

“I'm sure it was only an accident Paul. Don't worry, we have plenty of money, so we can go and find another car. It's all part of the adventure. And if you wanted to, we could always get the same again. But I do believe that the cost of fixing this will most probably be more than the worth of the car.” Draylon put his hand on Paul's shoulder.

Paul started to cheer up, “You are absolutely right. And to be honest, I can't be bothered to go through my insurance; it's more trouble than it's worth. I'll arrange to have the car collected, and we can go and look for a new car this afternoon.“ Paul smiled, “I can't wait!”

“Well, I'm glad you're feeling better about the whole thing,” said Draylon grinning at Paul's rapid change of heart.

Paul arranged for the collection of his Trans-Am, and then called a taxi. When the taxi arrived, they asked to be taken to a car dealer, one that specialises in American classics and sports cars. The driver knew of just the place and a short while later they arrived at Sam's Motors.

Paul was in awe of the huge selection of cars. Dodge Chargers, Firebirds, Corvettes, Ferrari's and many more. “No way!” exclaimed Paul, when he noticed a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12. He ran up to the car as fast as his legs would take him, and walked about the car examining every little detail. The car had gull-wing doors, and brushed stainless steel panels, it was an awesome machine. Draylon approached, smiling in approval at Paul's choice of car.

“Do you know what this is?” asked Paul excitedly.

“Enlighten me my friend,” said Draylon smiling.

“This is a DeLorean! It was the car that featured in the film,
Back to the Future
. I suppose you haven't seen that?”

“No, but we could maybe buy it and watch it tonight?”

“That's a great idea! I want this, I really want this. What do you think?”

“I like it very much Paul. You see, this was meant to be.”

“It certainly was,” said Paul catching his breath.

Draylon guarded the car, whilst Paul ran in to the dealership to pay for it. Paul came back ten minutes later waving the keys in the air and smiling immensely.

“How much did it cost?” asked Draylon.

“You don't want to know,” said Paul with an enormous grin. “Would you believe it is already fitted with a state of the art MP3 compatible music system?”

“No way!” said Draylon humouring Paul.

“Yes way! And just one more thing. There are a couple of dents at the rear on the driver's side; could you work them out for me please?”

Draylon went to the back of the car and held his right hand over one of the dents. He then focused his ability to manipulate matter, and the dent was gone. He then did the same for the other dent, and it was done. The car was like new.

They both got into the car. Paul connected up his MP3 player and selected a playlist. He then put the key in the ignition and turned it. The car roared. Paul sat there smiling enjoying the sound of the engine. “Where would you like to go, 1986?” said Paul. Draylon frowned having no clue what Paul was talking about. Paul hit play on the stereo and then pulled out onto the main road. He then cranked up the volume and put his pedal to the metal. The tyres screeched as the car shot up the road at phenomenal speed.

On the way back to the hotel they stopped off to buy food and a copy of the DVD,
Back to the Future
. When finally back at the hotel, they took off their shoes and prepared for an evening in front of the box.

It was late. The film had finished, and Paul and Draylon talked at length about the movie. Draylon started getting ideas about using alien technology to improve their DeLorean. Paul talked him out of it, saying that he very much liked the car in its original form.

“What would you like to do tomorrow then?” asked Paul, changing the subject to divert Draylon's attention from pimping their ride.

“I would like to go to Vegas again. I really like that place.”

“Vegas? We seem to spend a lot of time there.”

“I know. Maybe we could stay at a different hotel this time?”

“OK! Sounds like a plan. Vegas in our DeLorean, I can't wait!”

“Are you sure you don't want me to make a few modifications?”

“Absolutely! Tempting as it is,” said Paul smiling.

It was Sunday the 10
^th
of July at 9 a.m. Draylon and Paul checked out of The Space Ship Inn, and loaded the DeLorean with their belongings. They then got into the car. Paul wired up his MP3 player and selected a play list. He then put the key in the ignition and turned it. The car growled like an angry cat, and Paul sat there smiling, enjoying the sound of the engine rumbling. “When you are ready,” said Draylon smiling. Paul put his pedal to the metal and dumped the clutch. The wheels spun with ferocious speed, and rubber burned on the gravel. Suddenly there was traction, and the car shot up the road like a flaming arrow. They were off, destination Las Vegas.

It was twilight when they arrived at Las Vegas. The engine was hot, the headlights beaming, and the DeLorean looked awesome with its cool metal exterior as they drove onto The Strip. Vegas looked stunning. It was lit up like a giant fairground, and people filled the streets creating an atmosphere that was electric. Paul drove the DeLorean as if he was on a parade, cruising down The Strip with the engine casually rumbling, with an astounding amount of power in reserve, like a mighty cat stalking its prey. He eventually pulled in to a parking lot and they both grabbed some of their belongings and made their way into their chosen hotel, the Luxor.