Chapter 3: A Fresh Start
We clambored down the long, winding dirt path through the lush rainforest of tropical trees. As we got closer, I could hear the faint sound of tribal drums getting louder and louder. Finally, we reached the break in the trees and I gazed at the beautiful, prosperous village, only dimly lit by the faint orange light of the sunrise. Everyone had their ceremonial paint on and were dancing around the enormous, radiant fire licking the orange sky. There was laughter and cheerful greetings echoing all around me.
I stepped forward into the sunlight and walked into the village.
It suddenly became silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me. The elders shook their heads in shame; several children started crying.
Someone somewhere in the crowd cried “YOU BASTARD!”.
I looked at Garik, attempting to coax away the lump in my throat. He patted me on the shoulder and sighed.
I turned around and headed towards the Temple. Garik soon followed.
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Once we were inside the temple. I stopped and turned to Garik.
“Hey Garik…can we talk?”
“Yeah, sure buddy…what’s wrong?”
I stared at my feet, holding back the tears.
“It’s just…I don’t know…lately I’ve been…questioning myself.”
“What? How’s that?”
“I’ve realized I…I hate very little aspect of myself…my personality, my thought process, what I think, how I think, what I do, what I say…I hate it…I hate it all!”
I pounded my fists on the temple, screaming and cursing. I suddenly felt weak and collapsed to the ground. I grabbed my knees, shivering on the cold stone floor.
“I hate me…I fucking hate me…”
I could see in Garik’s eyes he was scared to the bone. His hands trembling, he knelt down beside me and grabbed me by the shoulders.
“Listen to me, Finn…you are my best friend, my only friend. You are a great guy, you hear me? You have nothing at all wrong with you…don’t let anyone else tell you different! You hear me? Do you?”
I shook my head.
“I’m a fucking moron, everybody knows it. I hate every single fucking thing I do, say, feel, act, think…I just want to throw away this life…get a new start. I’ve fucked this one up too damn far.”
Garik stopped and stared at me.
“Wh…what do you mean?”
I had stopped shivering. I propped myself up against the stone tablet behind me, staring at Garik.
“You…you’re perfect, Garik. You’re handsome, intelligent, level-headed…you’ve got the whole package. Your healing service has brought blessing to this village…everyone loves you, Garik. Everyone wishes they could be just like you, Garik.”
His lip trembled and he slowly backed away. I started walking towards him.
“You’re scaring me, Finn, stop it…”
“I know I sure wish I could be just like you, Garik.”
“Stop it…”
“I need a fresh start, Garik, a new beginning…”
“Stop it, Finn! Finn!”
I smiled and bent down. I slowly and carefully crossed my legs and raised my hands to his face. I clenched it with a crushing grip and pulled him towards me. He tried to scream.
I started to chant.
“Euo Eeyuo…Euo Eeyuo…Euo Eeyuo…Euo Eeyuo…”
He howled in pain and covered his pounding, pulsating temples. His body began to shake and quiver. His eyes rolled back into his head and he started foaming at the mouth.
I felt a massive surge of energy.
It was complete.
A fresh start.
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