I will keep updating this post to make easier for you to follow the book in a sequence. Also, at the bottom of each post you will find a link for the next chapter.
:: My Idea ::
:: Prologue ::
:: Chapter I ::
:: Chapter II ::
:: Chapter III ::
:: Chapter IV ::
:: Chapter V ::
:: Chapter VI ::
:: Chapter VII ::
Sunday 19 July 2009
:: Chapter VII - The other side ::
Chapter VII
The other side
The other side
Arnold's burial was getting closer. It would be on Wednesday, 29th July. His family asked the Hospital Director if I could go with them, since I spent some time with Arnold and he had talked about me as a good new friend in his last hours. Whether they would allow me to go or not, I didn't know yet. But the time was coming and we had one day left to the burial. I really would like to go; perhaps something on Arnold's life would make me know what he meant by 'go back'. That was the most strange sentence he said that day, but I know I could not hold on that thought; actually, I shouldn't. For now, just lie in bed and try to forget the shock would be quite okay. I was almost sleeping when someone knocked on the door. That was Madelijne, maybe she had some news.
She was already smiling even before I said hello. She should be used to presence moments like the one from that day very often. That's the reason why she was still smiling. Tough work; however she had a strong heart. Nevertheless that was just part of a doctor's routine.
- Hello Madelijne. I would ask how you are doing, but due to your smile I presume everything is fine.
- Well, that's a good observation. Although, a person doesn't have to smile only when things are going well. That's a poor feeling. You have to smile to be able to say that things are going pretty well. You can always change the final result based on your motivation, the level of happiness you put on that thing.
- Sorry, I didn't mean that. I was just trying to be cordial. What happened was as hard for you as it was for me. I didn't know Arnold for long time, but we had good talks in his last days. Even the way he introduced me to his family was sort of special for me. But for now, let's think about his burial: did the director say anything to you concerning Arnold's family request?
She wasn't smiling anymore. That was a shame, after everything that just happened to us, there was no space for misunderstood.
- Actually, I'm the director. I don't remember if I mentioned it before. However, it doesn't matter right now. I have talked to Rianne and Jeroen, they agreed you can go, but they shall go with you, just in case...
- There will be no 'just in case', Madelijne.
- I hope not. Jeroen will bring some clothes, something more suitable for the event. Tomorrow, around nine o'clock, they will come to pick you up.
That said, she went away. I was feeling really bad with everything that just happened. I knew that nobody was okay, but it didn't mean that I couldn't ask about their lives. I was just hoping that Madelijne would be able to understand that later on. For now, I got more interesting things to think about: there would be the burial; I would have only one shot. If I would be able to manage to escape was something really unpredictable; I didn't even have a plan. However, I was totally recovered, at least physically, and I knew I should use that opportunity wisely.
It was around eleven in the morning and I decided to have some rest. Few hours of sleep would help me to relax and think a bit more about my next step. I could still feel everything that happened in that room; I could still see that thing dropping something into Arnold's mouth. And that was really frightening. I wasn't in the same condition Arnold was before he died, but just stay in that room made me think what could happen if that thing would come for me as well.
I felt like I was fading away progressively; to fall asleep wasn't as difficult as I was expecting at all. Actually, I would rather expect to wake up faster, but later on that day I would find out how hard it could be. After five minutes, I could feel that breeze again, bringing some rest for an already broken mind. I knew that place and the only thing I could do was walk and enjoy the breeze, the grass and the light. Probably I would face the same mirror; or it could just break apart and I would wake up. However, due to everything that happened in the last weeks, nothing was for sure; and I thought it would never be. But something was different that time. I could see something else; someone else. I saw black clouds in the horizon: a storm was coming. But it wasn’t just a regular storm; what I saw was more like the whole earth was about to knee before the universe.
I was still walking when I saw a white spot in the middle of that storm. I wasn't able to define what was that thing, but I could see that something was just standing there, on the grass; perhaps waiting for me. Another couple of minutes have gone and I got a bit surprised: there was a man standing there, holding on a staff and dressing a white suit; and he was staring at me. I have been in that place before and I have experienced a really strange situation. However, I wasn't expecting that someone could share the same thing with me now. I kept walking and when I was getting closer he started waving his hand to me. I only believed on what I saw because that was a dream: that man was Mr. Arnold.
I was about three metres from him when he moved towards my direction. He looked the same, though he had a bit more of energy within; more than last time we have seen each other. For a dream it looked quite real, but I would be awake soon. I should use this time to have a conversation with him. Perhaps I could use something from it.
- Hi there...?
- Well, you should say something else, Natan. Just a 'Hello Arnold' would be quite nice.
- Sorry for that, but you died couple of days ago. Having this dream now is just a bit strange.
- So, here we go again. Do you really think I'm dead? Even if it's a dream, do I sound like a dead speaking?
- I have dreamed with this place before, Arnold. So, I do know it's a dream. I guess this time I put some other elements on it, like the storm and yourself. You were a nice friend, that's why you are here. Unfortunately, you will be buried tomorrow.
- Perhaps you are right. But what if you are not? Whether I'm going to be buried or not is a bit relative; it depends on which side of the mirror you will be. For now you have to focus on what we need from each other.
- I don't think I'm in a good condition to follow those riddles. Could you give me a proper explanation about what do you need from me?
- What I can tell you now is that you have to...
- Wait a second! It's not happening. Are you trying to convince me that this is not a dream?! I guess that's the most stupid dream I have ever had! I know what kind of help I need from you: please, stop acting insane!
- I'm not dead, Natan! Not yet...
- Let me see: it's like one of those cliché films, when someone is in coma and trying to get some help from someone else who is alive, right?
- Well, it's a bit complicated to explain. I have been through this for quite a long time already. We are not dead yet, but if we don't help each other we will be soon. We have to walk against that storm, we have to face it.
- Hello, someone wake me up! I want to get out of here. Hello!
- It doesn't work like that, Natan. Now I’m here, you can only leave if I allow you to. I have to make you understand.
- No, you want to persuade me to do something I wouldn't, probably.
- It’s not clear enough for you, I know, but if I die you will die as well.
The most uncomfortable thing till now was that Arnold seemed to be really quiet and peaceful. He wasn’t demonstrating any sort of resentment. If it was a dream, and by that time I thought it was, how could everything remain so clear? If the only way to wake up from that dream would be via Arnold’s will, I should try to listen to him.
- Right, Arnold. So, somehow, we are connect; just as I thought when mentioned those clichés. How can I help you on that?
- Well, I would say that if it was one of those clichés, one of us should be a woman, right?
- You still have your sense of humour, that’s interesting for a dream. But you are not answering my question. Also, not making anything clear to me.
- Natan, I need you to stop my burial. You cannot allow them to bury me. You have just one shot, don’t make any mistakes.
- Now I’m really scared. I’m not going to try something so stupid. Even if I would try to stop them, I wouldn’t know what to do. It’s just insane!
- Just focus on it and you will be able to stop them. It’s all in your head. It’s not me, but you are in the wrong side. Now you can go.
- Wait, wait...!
The storm went away in few seconds; I saw that blindly light. I couldn’t move or speak; I could just wait for the Sun to come and burn my flesh, turning my bones into ashes. After what seemed to be an eternity for me, I woke up and realised that I have slept for the last 10 hours.
She was already smiling even before I said hello. She should be used to presence moments like the one from that day very often. That's the reason why she was still smiling. Tough work; however she had a strong heart. Nevertheless that was just part of a doctor's routine.
- Hello Madelijne. I would ask how you are doing, but due to your smile I presume everything is fine.
- Well, that's a good observation. Although, a person doesn't have to smile only when things are going well. That's a poor feeling. You have to smile to be able to say that things are going pretty well. You can always change the final result based on your motivation, the level of happiness you put on that thing.
- Sorry, I didn't mean that. I was just trying to be cordial. What happened was as hard for you as it was for me. I didn't know Arnold for long time, but we had good talks in his last days. Even the way he introduced me to his family was sort of special for me. But for now, let's think about his burial: did the director say anything to you concerning Arnold's family request?
She wasn't smiling anymore. That was a shame, after everything that just happened to us, there was no space for misunderstood.
- Actually, I'm the director. I don't remember if I mentioned it before. However, it doesn't matter right now. I have talked to Rianne and Jeroen, they agreed you can go, but they shall go with you, just in case...
- There will be no 'just in case', Madelijne.
- I hope not. Jeroen will bring some clothes, something more suitable for the event. Tomorrow, around nine o'clock, they will come to pick you up.
That said, she went away. I was feeling really bad with everything that just happened. I knew that nobody was okay, but it didn't mean that I couldn't ask about their lives. I was just hoping that Madelijne would be able to understand that later on. For now, I got more interesting things to think about: there would be the burial; I would have only one shot. If I would be able to manage to escape was something really unpredictable; I didn't even have a plan. However, I was totally recovered, at least physically, and I knew I should use that opportunity wisely.
It was around eleven in the morning and I decided to have some rest. Few hours of sleep would help me to relax and think a bit more about my next step. I could still feel everything that happened in that room; I could still see that thing dropping something into Arnold's mouth. And that was really frightening. I wasn't in the same condition Arnold was before he died, but just stay in that room made me think what could happen if that thing would come for me as well.
I felt like I was fading away progressively; to fall asleep wasn't as difficult as I was expecting at all. Actually, I would rather expect to wake up faster, but later on that day I would find out how hard it could be. After five minutes, I could feel that breeze again, bringing some rest for an already broken mind. I knew that place and the only thing I could do was walk and enjoy the breeze, the grass and the light. Probably I would face the same mirror; or it could just break apart and I would wake up. However, due to everything that happened in the last weeks, nothing was for sure; and I thought it would never be. But something was different that time. I could see something else; someone else. I saw black clouds in the horizon: a storm was coming. But it wasn’t just a regular storm; what I saw was more like the whole earth was about to knee before the universe.
I was still walking when I saw a white spot in the middle of that storm. I wasn't able to define what was that thing, but I could see that something was just standing there, on the grass; perhaps waiting for me. Another couple of minutes have gone and I got a bit surprised: there was a man standing there, holding on a staff and dressing a white suit; and he was staring at me. I have been in that place before and I have experienced a really strange situation. However, I wasn't expecting that someone could share the same thing with me now. I kept walking and when I was getting closer he started waving his hand to me. I only believed on what I saw because that was a dream: that man was Mr. Arnold.
I was about three metres from him when he moved towards my direction. He looked the same, though he had a bit more of energy within; more than last time we have seen each other. For a dream it looked quite real, but I would be awake soon. I should use this time to have a conversation with him. Perhaps I could use something from it.
- Hi there...?
- Well, you should say something else, Natan. Just a 'Hello Arnold' would be quite nice.
- Sorry for that, but you died couple of days ago. Having this dream now is just a bit strange.
- So, here we go again. Do you really think I'm dead? Even if it's a dream, do I sound like a dead speaking?
- I have dreamed with this place before, Arnold. So, I do know it's a dream. I guess this time I put some other elements on it, like the storm and yourself. You were a nice friend, that's why you are here. Unfortunately, you will be buried tomorrow.
- Perhaps you are right. But what if you are not? Whether I'm going to be buried or not is a bit relative; it depends on which side of the mirror you will be. For now you have to focus on what we need from each other.
- I don't think I'm in a good condition to follow those riddles. Could you give me a proper explanation about what do you need from me?
- What I can tell you now is that you have to...
- Wait a second! It's not happening. Are you trying to convince me that this is not a dream?! I guess that's the most stupid dream I have ever had! I know what kind of help I need from you: please, stop acting insane!
- I'm not dead, Natan! Not yet...
- Let me see: it's like one of those cliché films, when someone is in coma and trying to get some help from someone else who is alive, right?
- Well, it's a bit complicated to explain. I have been through this for quite a long time already. We are not dead yet, but if we don't help each other we will be soon. We have to walk against that storm, we have to face it.
- Hello, someone wake me up! I want to get out of here. Hello!
- It doesn't work like that, Natan. Now I’m here, you can only leave if I allow you to. I have to make you understand.
- No, you want to persuade me to do something I wouldn't, probably.
- It’s not clear enough for you, I know, but if I die you will die as well.
The most uncomfortable thing till now was that Arnold seemed to be really quiet and peaceful. He wasn’t demonstrating any sort of resentment. If it was a dream, and by that time I thought it was, how could everything remain so clear? If the only way to wake up from that dream would be via Arnold’s will, I should try to listen to him.
- Right, Arnold. So, somehow, we are connect; just as I thought when mentioned those clichés. How can I help you on that?
- Well, I would say that if it was one of those clichés, one of us should be a woman, right?
- You still have your sense of humour, that’s interesting for a dream. But you are not answering my question. Also, not making anything clear to me.
- Natan, I need you to stop my burial. You cannot allow them to bury me. You have just one shot, don’t make any mistakes.
- Now I’m really scared. I’m not going to try something so stupid. Even if I would try to stop them, I wouldn’t know what to do. It’s just insane!
- Just focus on it and you will be able to stop them. It’s all in your head. It’s not me, but you are in the wrong side. Now you can go.
- Wait, wait...!
The storm went away in few seconds; I saw that blindly light. I couldn’t move or speak; I could just wait for the Sun to come and burn my flesh, turning my bones into ashes. After what seemed to be an eternity for me, I woke up and realised that I have slept for the last 10 hours.
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