Trip To The Desert

Philip MacKinnon

Glancing down I wondered why I couldn't feel my legs, only to realize they are no longer there. "What happened to my legs man?" I ask my newfound friend. "Relax their still there buddy." He replied. Looking down they rematerialize and I start to breathe easier, my hot slowing.

My heart started beating faster and faster; I can feel it pounding against my rib cage almost like it will explode through my chest. Needing air I walked to the park hoping to relax.

All around me people transformed themselves. The people are all de-evolving becoming more ape like with each second that passes. They started dragging their now hairy knuckles on the rough pavement.

Trying to focus on something else I reach into the nearest flower bush, plucking out a single rose. The red of the rose became more liquid then a normal rose and melted into a pool of blood in my hand. Blinking quickly the puddle of rose vanished from my hand reforming into a single rose bud.

Plucking away the petals of the rose I let them go into the wind, where they sprouted wings and flew away. Plucking the final petal I placed it under my tongue where earlier the small paper resided, and the taste of strawberries blossomed into my mouth.

Hands moving quickly I plucked two more roses and cut the tops off, working quickly I braided the three stems into a circlet. Placing the crown of thorns upon my head I leaned back spreading my arms wide, suddenly blood appeared on the palms of my hands and my side. Crucified by own mind, why does no one stop to help me I wonder?

Glancing down I watch the wound on my side close, moving my hands to the front I look down and see perfect flesh where there was a second ago. Suddenly my vision turns red, and I start to panic. A warm rush trickles down my face my vision getting redder and warmer. Reaching up quickly my hand comes away wet and red. Blood. The thought suddenly comes into my head with a sudden realization. Snatching away the crown of thorns I toss it into the lake, watching it float on the water I feel the urge to jump in.

Stripping to my boxers I feel as if I have left myself in that pile of clothes. Stepping onto the railing I look down at the water, the clear surface rippled and became reflective. Leaping down into the water the mirror surface evaporated accepting me into the waters cool calm depths.

Looking from side to side fish swam past me ignoring me. Trying to talk to them my mouth suddenly filled with water. As the water poured down my throat I started to choke and gasp for air. Pushing myself above the water I gasped for breath taking in air like I had never had it before.

Pulling myself back up on the shore I reached into the pocket of my jeans digging out my Zippo lighter and a beat up pack of Marlboro Red's. Pulling a cigarette out of the pack and flicking the lighter on I lit the smoke. Inhaling deeply I sat under the nearest tree, enjoying the feel of dew wet grass on my bare legs and the palms of my hand. Leaning my head against the rough wood of the tree I closed my eyes to relax.

Waking up to the feel of the cold breeze on my bare chest I glanced around trying to orient myself to my surroundings. Quickly I realized that I had come back from the desert. Someone had stolen my clothes from their pile by the railing, and my cigarette had burned itself down to the filter. Taking a fresh cigarette from my pack and placing the flame to the tip I inhaled deeply, rose up out of my sitting position, and cracked my back. Looking out at the still water I started to think about my next trip to the desert. Would it be as mind expanding as this one? Only time would tell how good it would be, and when it would come.