Chapter 05 - I Dreamt I was Immortal

Chapter 05 - I Dreamt I was Immortal

March 26th, 1989 - Tuesday Evening

The gap of time allotted by Cameron’s request allowed a much needed dose of slumber. My eyes quietly fell shut as I stood at the dreamy threshold of a childhood memory. Time temporarily rewound to the innocent age of fifteen, a stage shared with an adolescent group of misfits all rallying together to rebel against our future selves. Sev, Sails, Carmine, Essie, and myself would band together most afternoons to explore the wooded pines of Forest City in lieu of tending to the many responsibilities our age beckoned. This particular memory held weight as it marked the first of its kind. 

The season of winter had promptly been renamed by locals as second fall. The accuracy of the name change extracted from the mild flavor that was experienced throughout the region. Jeans and a jacket met the requirements of seasonal attire while the last page of the calendar revealed a new year to come. Regardless of the stance taken on the nickname, it was implausible not to recall December 6th, 1981. As if a lost bet was fulfilled by the gods and goddesses of each season, the mundane morning turned unique quite quickly. Around 9:30am the sky shed a sash of snow that covered the entire landscape. 

This memory plays often in the nighttime cinema of my thoughts. Sails and I were in twelfth grade physics as windows that fostered daydreaming froze in a downpour of white snowflakes.

SAILS: I don’t mean to interrupt but is it actually snowing outside?!

The entire classroom tilted in unison to confirm the observation.

ATMOS: We have to go check this very instance!

I knew upon broadcasting my opinion that the stonewall discipline of teacher Bluefield would be tested.

TEACHER BLUEFIELD: Atmos, you know you have to remain in your seat. I can't just let the entire class go outside during such important time allotted to learn.

SAILS: Look it’s Miss Ellone’s class, they’re all outside. We have to join them!

TEACHER: We will certainly not. Look students, I am as awestruck as you are at the sight of snow, but we must finish our lesson. After the bell rings, you may do whatever you please with your lunch period.

Sails knew what I knew, Sev and Essie were in Miss Ellone’s class, all we would need is to get Carmine out to make the gathering complete. 

ATMOS: Sails we need to fake a fight. Get kicked out, and go join our friends in this new weather.

SAILS: That’s a stupid plan Atmos.

ATMOS: Who are you calling stupid!

I jumped at Sails, tackling him off of his seat in the action. With my body knelt on top of his, I prioritized a wink hoping he would play along. My bare knuckle hands grabbed his neck as I began to whisper in his ear.

ATMOS: Let’s put on a good show. I promise I’ll be careful not to hurt you.

Sails responded to the request, finding his playful side and shoving me back. 

TEACHER BLUEFIELD: Enough boys, off you both go. You will have to work this out with the principal’s office.

He began to place finger after finger in the classroom rotary phone, notifying the office to punctually expect us.

TEACHER BLUEFIELD: If you are not in the principal’s office in two minutes, well I’m afraid that the entire school will be looking for you.

ATMOS: Understood teach, just make sure this guy doesn’t try to sucker punch me.

Teacher Bluefield rolled his eyes and motioned his academic hand towards the door. Sails and I kept our distance, scurrying into the hallway.

ATMOS: Alright let’s head outside, courtyard exit work for you?

SAILS: Atmos they’ll be on the look out for us, I don’t think it will be that simple.

ATMOS: We can outrun most of the faculty here, come on for crying out loud, it’s snowing. Any trouble brewing is well worth the risk.

Sails slowly smirked, he proved time and time again to be easy to convince. We tiptoed through each empty hallway until reaching the docile door that led to the school’s courtyard.

Within seconds our presence outside became known. Essie initiated our welcome party, neglecting the words her teacher spat out during the diversion. 

ESSIE: Are you guys seeing this? It’s actually snowing in Forest City, I can’t believe it!

SAILS: It is pretty incredible but our time outside might be short lived. Atmos may have gotten us in trouble with Johnny Law. We just peaked our heads out to see this phenomenon for ourselves. 

ESSIE: Nonsense, I cannot imagine what the pines look like right now. I’d find out for detention. Hell I’d bet an entire semester of sitting in that dull room after school just to venture out. What’ll you say, I bet we can outrun the entire staff here.

ATMOS: I said the same thing!

Essie smiled, her face bathed in innocence. She knew Carmine held a corner of my heart, but was aware of the chemistry brewing between us.

SAILS: I suppose you have a good point. I have to imagine that Sev would be up for the great escape. That leaves Carmine, has anyone seen her? Isn’t she in history right now?

ESSIE: Maybe the moment needs to be jumped on, you guys already said you’re public enemy number one. Carmine can come next time!

SAILS: You really think there will be another time it snows in Forest City Essie?

Essie kicked Sails in the knee, his second bruising of the morning. I knew the current company would facilitate pure enjoyment for the journey ahead, yet I placed Carmine’s feelings above the moment. 

Although the strings lassoed between mine and Carmine’s heart caused my appetite for her inclusion, the year also proved an unusually tough tour around the sun for her. January brought tragedy to her family with her sister and older brother drowning in the undertow believed to have been caused by the new railway construction. Carmine and her sister Evelyn were as close as siblings could be, differing in age by a tight twelve months. A common tale told of their relationship was how they would swap places from time to time, taking on the other’s role together. 

Her older brother Samuel took on the role of father figure for the absentee patriarch that plagued her family. 

I still remember the soft sound of the rain pattering atop of each slender wooden casket while a well dressed stranger spoke words of peace to a small crowd. The blunt edges that existed in Carmine’s personality became sharpened by the shrouded year filled with death. Following the tragedy an eerie detail formed and flickered like a feeble flame just outside of view, Carmine grew a fascination to the dark side of life. It clung to her once and a while like a cold shadow. 

SAILS: Look we need to go now, who's ready for a varsity track tryout? I say we race to the forest entrance just behind the school. They should stop following us once we reach it.

Essie smirked, hinting that she might get her way with the cumulative pressure meant to neglect poor Carmine. Within seconds she joined Sails, shooting off into the distance towards freedom. Sev, oblivious to our conversation, saw all he needed to see and followed in pursuit. All eyes present in the courtyard fixated on me, milli-seconds stood between the decision I needed to make in my mind. My body turned opposite the direction of the newly falling dust from the recent getaway, I knew exactly the twist and turns needed to reach Carmine’s classroom.

Significant seconds spanned between myself and the echo of the door slamming to an empty hallway. I slowed my pace and heath rate as Carmine’s classroom unfolded into view. With the door knob turned my pressure spilled out, interrupting a lecture and demanding the attention of all. I noticed Carmine, sitting in the back trying her best to look as unimpressed within the moment should fallen eyes bestow her. Reaching her desk, my fingertips grabbed her hand, resisting a smile as I whispered my intentions.

ATMOS: This is a breakout, don’t try to resist.

CARMINE: Are you now? That’s usually my job.

She snuck a smile from her back of the classroom bravado and followed my lead to the journey I had not yet told. .

ATMOS: I’m sorry professor, but it’s snowing for crying out loud. You should open the blinds to this prison every once and a while.

I closed the door to seeping thoughts that whispered of the increasing trouble I was getting myself into. Yet  the stop, the person, felt well worth the risk. Our nimble bodies performed a collection of twists and turns that had us hot on the trail of the others. Our combined exhaustion knew that the entrance to the pines would hold a new level of satisfaction. It proclaimed an inviting welcome as the floor bled white all around us. 

Essie turned to the patter of our escape approaching in the distance. Her face beginning with excitement that soon lost control to the disappointment of Carmine’s inclusion

CARMINE: Essie, I suppose you can join us this afternoon.  

ESSIE: ……Anyway. Guys can you believe what we’re about to experience? Actual snow in the pines, this is going to be magical.

CARMINE: It is something,  but personally I never cared much for magicians.

The group laughed, their banter somewhat common in our explorations. Blinded by adolescence, I hadn’t placed that I might be at the center of such scrappy sentences.

SEV: Look, I cannot wait to share a flask by the old outcropping that overlooks the abandoned lighthouse. Maybe we head there first?

SAILS: You were able to bring a flask? Sev we came from school, how?

CARMINE: What Sails means to say is thank you Sev for the accommodations.

ATMOS: Look guys I don’t care where we go, let’s just spend the entire day lost in this frozen landscape.

Sev nodded and took charge as the apex of our goose triangle, flying high in the sky to parts unknown. He slowed his pace to walk alongside Carmine, reaching for his flask hidden from sight. Their chatter was soon lost in the falling snow that embraced us. I stopped momentarily to check in with Essie, readying bandages for the fang marks recently punctured by Carmine.  

ESSIE: Have you ever seen anything so beautiful before?

ATMOS: I don't really think so. It’s like we’re seeing the pines again for the very first time. Hey, by the way I think magicians are pretty neat.

ESSIE: Right? I’m glad we have that in common.

ATMOS: Why stop there? I’d say we have more in common than most Essie.

ESSIE: You mean we have the most in common! That's pretty hard to beat, and to think it all started with magic.

A playful pause hung in the air, promoting a pep in our step that allowed us to catch up to the others. I noticed Carmine turning, piloting herself to collide towards our banter.

CARMINE: Stay for a drink Atmos?

ATMOS: Aren’t we walking right now?

An eyeroll accompanied the swift movement of her hand, gripping my arm in place and drawing me closer to her. Sev’s flask was brought to her mouth, pouring in silky seconds of liquid. Her lips landed on mine, dispensing some of the substance as we shared a short kiss. The fleeting sign of affection came to a close as she gurgled the words “cheers darling”. I swallowed the toxin and smiled if my role in her playfulness. 

SAILS: Dinner and a show from you two, how lucky are we?

ATMOS: Truthfully I’d consider that only an appetizer……Anyone want some of Sev’s potion before we continue?

ESSIE: I’ll be next, Darrrrling.

Essie giggled as she mocked the scene that had unraveled from our interaction. The half consumed memento proceeded to be passed around until it was empty.

SEV: Well done everyone, let’s continue onward. It just so happens that I have a worthwhile topic of discussion for us.

ESSIE: Lovely Sev, what do you have?

SEV: Well class today had me thinking, what animal would I want to be if I were reincarnated. I’d bet that we all have different answers.

ATMOS: I’ve never given reincarnation much thought Sev, I’ll have to let the snow massage my mind first.

CARMINE: Well the Forest Moth is without a doubt my chosen animal.

ESSIE: Aren’t moths insects Carmine?

CARMINE: They are oh so much more. I’ve never felt so connected to another species before. I’d live along side them for an eternity if I could, pity I’m afraid I cannot. I shall say, the joy of finding a large gathering of their existence in one area, the soothing noise of a thousand wings pattering, well it is sheer ecstasy.

SEV: Alright Carmine, good start, Moths are everywhere here in the forest, smart choice. Whose next?

ATMOS: Well I’m savvy to foxes, I suppose I’d like to see what it’s like to be one.

ESSIE: You’d be a cute fox!

CARMINE: Foxes have a short life expectancy Atmos, maybe death is your reincarnation. Do us all a favor and pick again. 

ATMOS: A death has to be meaningful for it to make sense Carmine, I don’t think being a tiny critter qualifies to be on the list.

ESSIE: Please remind us not to ask you any more questions, Carmine. 

Carmine closed her eyes, the gesture synchronized with her tongue sticking out at Essie. Alongside their skirmish, anticipation grew within the group. We would approach a portion of the forest recently cleared by NightLight for the development of a few new train stops. Although the setting would promote a slew of backhanded comments aimed at knocking the monolith from its self made throne, it signified that we were almost at Sev’s clearing. The collective thought of the city was in alignment that the added stops on the train’s route would certainly cause a crash. Reliance of the speeding bullet’s safe passage depended on the high spirits of its labor force, all natives of Forest City. All with the understanding of a common enemy, Nightlight. Carmine knew that we were about to intersect the recently unearthed construction site.

CARMINE: Oh how I hope to see this train off of its tracks one day, aren’t these new stops pitiful?

Sails provided sympathy with a chuckle of her narrative, supplying the threat with drops of reality. 

SAILS: Why don’t we find a more peaceful way to burn them to the ground Carmine.

CARMINE: Why don’t I push you into the water Sails?  I’m quite serious, all of these reclaimed structures deserve to revert back to collecting dust. The train, the lighthouse, oh and let us not forget that damn mansion that Evelyn had been obsessed with. She never did mention where she found such a remnant.

Carmine trailed away from the moment, the wound of loss still fresh along her heart. She did not bring up her deceased siblings often, but each time she indulged a mysterious detail typically accompanied the remark. Identifying a solution to her emotion, she picked up an abandoned spray paint can previously used for moments similar. Walking over to the half built bridge abutment, bold red letters were outlined that wrote, “Stop destroying the Pines or else! Sincerely C”.

Sails made his second attempt to warm up Carmine from the rain soaked embers plaguing her mood. 

SAILS: You know we weren’t all together for this race that took place earlier. Shall we have a redo, this time with full participation?

ESSIE: Teams! I want to ride on someone’s back, barking orders to the sky!

My eyes deviated towards Essie, hanging as I captured her excitement. 

CARMINE: She’s not your type Atmos, when will you learn that?

Carmine spoke at a whisper, yanking my hand towards her orbit.

CARMINE: Atmos and I, verse you three. I really don’t envy whoever is at the bottom of that triangle.

ESSIE: UGH, fine. You two are going to regret your decision! Sails boost me up, please! No offense Sev but you can be our coach!

With a nod given, Sev surprised us all by forming an all out sprint towards a finish line not yet defined. 

CARMINE: Atmos, hurry yourself as my steed.

In an act of elegance she mounted my lower back, putting us into motion towards the newly mobile Essie and Sails. The moment matched the felicity of the snowfall enshrouding us. Each agile pair properly giggling with the innocence of the act. Even Carmine cracked a smile among snow flakes that multiplied in density in our new direction. A powder white barrier partially blocked the three assailants in front of us when the dash came to a halt. 

SEV: Hey! Who goes there!?

Within feet of the detour Carmine leapt off of my back, fleeing into the soft white nothingness ahead. 

ATMOS: Wait! Where is she going? What did you guys just see?

ESSIE: It was someone else, out here all alone in the Pines. I didn’t make out much but they scattered once Sev yelled out. 

Carmine screamed tenderly in the distance, straining in a way inconsistent with her character. All of us chased the disturbance, revealing a silent Carmine fanned on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knee. The appendage appeared unscathed, yet her face remained frozen. 

ESSIE: You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

CARMINE: Essie, stop talking for once in your mortal life.

The group went silent. I knelt down to help her off of the ground, placing aid underneath her assumed injured leg. 

CARMINE: Not necessary, I’d prefer to not look so helpless being carried away like some ragdoll.

Her body lengthened, stationary only for a moment before walking away from the group. Feverish hands pulled out the small notebook held in her jean pocket while she began scribbling words down. Sev did not share Sails empathy and instead threw kindling on the heated mood.

SEV: There goes Carmine again, writing endless screenplays about fictitious people we’ll never know.

A flame caught the last word out of his mouth and caused a slight eruption within the playwright. With green gluttonous eyes of vengeance, Carmine stormed back in the direction of Sev. 

CARMINE: You know what Sev, you’re right. Allow me to share with the class a more recent script of mine. No strangers this time, just us five. Each with a role to play. Yours is perfect for you, you are Atmos’ partner in crime. 

Her eyes curved with an edge of sincerity, strafing in my direction. 

CARMINE: Atmos, you’re the no thrills detective. You began a life of virtue but have since fallen on hard times. Corruption fills your veins, making you the villain of this tale. Oh and Essie.

Her slow smile told of an emotion absolved of happiness.

CARMINE: Essie, you’re Atmos’ lover. Hell bent on stopping him from what he’s ultimately become.

ESSIE: My goodness, Carmine I’ll cherish this day. I’m in awe that you’d actually write me in as Atmos’ lover.

CARMINE: It’s just show business darling. Now Sails, you’re our hero this afternoon. The no thrills civilian working some dead end job, just trying to do the right thing whatever it takes. Let’s take our places everyone, our scene begins and ends on a boat. A big one, think tanker sized.

Carmine handed her notebook to Sails, advising him to read the first line from the script.

SAILS: Uh okay,  why not Carmine. It says I’m at a payphone, um on a boat?

An instant glance of disappointment confirmed the intensity that would accompany our expected acting to come.

CARMINE: Yes Sails, do you have a problem with that?

SAILS: No, not at all…..Well hello? Person on the other line of this phone…I have the goods. I’ll be arriving at the city shortly. Let’s meet at our meeting place, not a minute late!

Sails delivered the notebook to an eager Sev, anxious to smooth over his misstep that had led to our current round table.

SEV: Stop right there! I know you have the goods. I’m not going to hurt you I promise, I’m here to help. My partner, he’s…..he’s gone mad. BAM!

Sev peered over at Carmine while soft snowflakes accumulated on dry ink of the words just spoken.

SEV: Am I supposed to read the notes section below my dialogue?

CARMINE: Yes Sev, please narrate the scene properly.

SEV: Notes: A gunshot echoes throughout the air. The partner falls to his knees, looking behind him to see….

With an outstretched hand, Sev ran to me curious of his fictitious fate.

ATMOS: You thought you could double cross me. You should know that no one double crosses the dastardly. You there, civilian! Give me the goods or else!

SAILS: Can’t we talk about this, there has to be another way other than death.

The game of hot potato continued with the support of a new voice.

ESSIE: Wait, Detective. I knew I’d find you on this boat. You must think of our future together, let this man go and sail off with me instead. I still love you as much as the first day we met.

Essie altered her voice, indicating that she had reached the notes section of her dialogue.

ESSIE: Notes: A fight breaks out as the two men brawl. The detective’s gun is flung out of view. They get closer and closer to the railing of the boat. The lady in red, “that must be me!”, follows them screaming to stop. A rocky wave strikes the vessel knocking her into the water below “Hey! No fair!”. The men stop fighting and search for her. The detective realizes she is surely dead. “Great thanks for the cast in Carmine.”

Within restless seconds I noticed the screenplay’s last lines were mine to deliver.

ATMOS: No! My sweet love, this is all my fault! How could I have let this happen!

Manufactured sniffling chaperoned each word, following the script’s notes.

CARMINE: Sell it Atmos, I need more emotion from you.

ATMOS: My sweet love! This is all my fault!

CARMINE: More. Atmos.

ATMOS: How could I have let this happen!

CARMINE: Atmos, pretend it was me who just died. Pour yourself into these lines.

ATMOS: No! My sweet love!

An uneasy aroma seared the air, poor Carmine had cracked in the moment from the trauma still fresh in her bones.

SEV: Maybe that’s enough for now everyone, well done well done. Now I’ve been patient, may we please head to the outcropping?

The group meandered past the density of trees and found awe in the sight of a snowy lighthouse in the distance. Half frozen water fostered beautiful reflections that swayed away from the relic. 

ESSIE: I take it back, this isn’t just magical, it is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

SEV: Beauty defined I must say.

The film reel typically burns through with the shining image of the structure, ending the memory and the dream that beckoned its recall.