Alone on Earth – Entry #53 (continued)

January 07, 2017


10:53PM
Dear Diary

I turned.....and looked upon where the voice came from in this store. In an old rocker chair sat a well dressed man. Brown suit, fedora hat to match and brown wing tip shoes. Wingtip shoes.....now I know he's from hell. I am not sure just who he was or what he was. But, as he turned in my direction.....I saw he had no face. There was nothing but a black void, as black as deep space. A voice came from him. But, I never saw anything else. As best as I can remember the conversation, it went like this:

Come, come.....no need to be afraid. I've been an interested observer in your journey. I mean you no harm. In fact, violence isn't in my job description, David. Be at ease.

....Who are you? You'll have to forgive me for not accepting your words of meaning me no harm. If you have observed the past two months, you should understand.

David, David, David.....what ever shall I do with you? Oh well, let's begin once more, shall we? As I stated, I am Gerasene. In your holy words, I was taken from my duties about two of your centuries ago and cast into swine. A very unpleasant memory, actually. Does that refresh your memory? But, let us not bring up ancient history. I do not wish to dwell on the past. I want to consider the future. I am a recolligo of animus, as it were. But, under the present circumstances, I have not been very busy as of late. Alas, like Alexander, I have no worlds left to conquer. Be that as it may, I want you to know first hand I am not here to hinder you or persuade you not to continue your journey.

Well, I'm glad to hear that. I have no intention of stopping now short of being destroyed by the Blackness. I have no...

hehehe What a quaint little description you have of Marcelius!

Marcelius? What do you mean?

Aaaaah.....allow me to explain to you who you have been dealing with, the being you refer to as "The Blackness." If you have ever read your holy word, you will no doubt remember in the Book of John where the Crucified One was hanging on the cross. Remember the Roman Soldier who stabbed the Crucified One with the spear? My dear David, Marcelius is that Roman soldier, the one you refer to as.....hehehehe....forgive me, "the Blackness."

That wasn't a Roman soldier I saw a couple of weeks back. That being could have crushed me like a bug!

hehehe.....forgive me for the chuckle. But, you have such a way with words, David. No, it is Marcelius fate to live.....and die.....over and over and over. Why? Well, let's just say someone had to take the fall for that one particular day two centuries ago. Why not someone as dense as a Roman solidier? Do I like it? Oh, I'm just a small cog in a huge machine, David. I just carry out orders like you do, my friend. Personally, I think Marcelius should have been given a medal for his effort. Poor fellow.....he's died so many times until I lost count. In fact, I lost count after two-billion. Unless he can find a way to stop you, and put an end to his eternity of suffering, I suspect he will die another horrible death. Just call it a "deal" between our two overbearing masters, if you will. But, enough of this.....I must tell you why I am here.

I was about to ask you that very question. I guess it wouldn't do any good to ask why you have no face. Forget it.....I don't want to know. Why are you here?

Oooooh, what a delightful man you are! Why, I would wager we would have been friends in another life! In fact, I know we would!

Let's cut to the chase.....why are you here?

Very well.....to business it shall be. I have a message to give you. I must tell you I never thought I would have to bring you this message. I, along with many others, believed you would never make it into this wonderful state called Texas. Now, to the reason I am here.....my message is short and sweet. Think of me as a sort of.....Jacob Marley, if you will. I am here not to bring up ghosts of Xmas. But, one who tells you of a decision, a choice you must make. Once you get to Van Horn, you will have a decision to make. There is no battle that will take place as you have foolishly thought from the start. No, dear David, you will make a decision based on the totality of your life experiences, including your experiences on this journey. Once you get to Van Horn, if you make it to Van Horn....I believe your friend.....dear me, it does make me want to laugh when I call him the Blackness. He is such an inept fool. Continuing.....there will be three paths for you to take, David. I think.....

Three paths?

Yes! Let's see.....how did Yogi Berra put it? If you come to a fork in the road, take it? HEHEHEHEHE What a wonderful man he was! But, I digress.....yes, three paths......or rather, three orbs. One orb will lead to life. One orb will lead to death. And, finally, one orb will lead you to an unholy torture that your mind could never even imagine. You will have to decide which orb is which. If you chose one orb, you may continue your life here on this world as you have in the past. You may even return to your quaint little town of.....what was it? Axis? A charming little town, I'm sure. One orb will lead to your death, I'm sorry to say, David. You're such a charming fellow. I would hate to see that. But, in choosing death, you could be making the ultimate sacrifice. And, then there is the other orb....I shall not go there. Suffice it to say, you don't want to go to that orb. All three orbs will have distinct colors. All of those colors will have a meaning to you, David. You must think before you take that walk into that orb.



Do you have any idea how confusing that is to me? Orbs....paths...colors....decisions.....choices. Death the ultimate sacrifice? What does that mean? Tell me.....what is this suppose to prove? Billions of people died so we can get to this point? I do not believe God would do this. This isn't the God my mother spoke of so much during my childhood. Why me? Can you answer that? Why me?

Aaaaah, David.....you ask the wrong question. What you should be asking is, why NOT me? As to what it proves.....perhaps nothing at all, David. But, then again, maybe everything. You see, you have questioned many times why your master picked one as old and fragile as yourself. You have questioned how you could compete against someone as powerful as the Blackness.....dear me, there I go again.....hehehehe. You are a good man, David. Misguided, perhaps, but a good man. Your nemesis is the very personification of all which is evil in this world. And he is far, far more powerful than you could have ever been in your life. Far more powerful than you.....but absolutely witless. You think on all I have spoken to you.....and then you will know why you were selected.

I don't understand any of this. This is totally insane. I've come all this way for this? And for WHAT?

Dear David! Don't shoot me! I am only a humble messenger boy now. You have a free will. You don't even have to go to Van Horn. You can turn around and go back the way you came. No harm would come to you. You will live your life in perfect harmony......and, who knows? Perhaps we could arrange to bring back your beloved pet dog, Ralph, to you. And WOMEN, David......women that you only dreamed of having before. Nothing you want will be refused. Your slightest wish would be instantly obeyed! And you can live for an eternity......without pain! Think of it!

But, that's what you would like me to do, isn't it? I've heard this all before. If I turn back around.....then hell's minions win, right? That's why you brought this up? So, you can win this little chess match, right? It's an inviting offer, I admit. But, I think I'll pass.

Aaah well, you can't blame an old demon for trying, can you? hehehehe Alas, I hate to leave such fine company. However, I have performed my duty. The rest is up to you, dear boy. I do wish you well. I mean that. You have been a delight to chat with these past few minutes. So, I will depart from you now before.....

Wait! One more question.....what happened to all the billions of people on earth? Where are they now?

Dear David, that was two questions you asked. I can't go into detail with you. But, I can tell you this.....the longer you continue this journey, the more likely you will find the answers to your questions. Your decision will play a large part into that final outcome. Of course, this all depends on if Marcelius can ever overcome his bumbling ways and stop you. He's not going to give up, you know? Personally, I was in favor of Judas Iscariot to be your nemesis. Let's see.....how I shall I put it? Well, suffice it to say he really wanted the job. It seems my dear friend Judas holds a grudge. hehehehe Ah well...you know, I like you. I do wish you would reconsider and just forget this whole thing.

No.....I have to go on and complete this journey. You know I won't turn back now, don't you? Surely, you understand that.

Dear David.....I don't pretend to understand your reasons. I think you are being foolish. And you are a selfish individual, I must say. Refusing to allow anyone to love you for reasons only you can explain. But, I do understand you will not go back. I had to give it......the old college try! hehehehe Farewell David.....choose wisely. Remember, one choice could mean death for you, one choice could mean life and finally.....well, let's leave it at that, shall we? Goodbye David. I'm quite sure we'll meet again.

And with a tip of his gray fedora hat,Gerasene evaporated before my very eyes. I was stunned by his knowing so much of my personal life. My.....being selfish. Denying myself to love again because of one terrible mistake in my life. I have been selfish.....living out in the country, away from most people sans a few neighbors. But, it hurt to hear it from this.....whatever he truly was. I need time to think......and a few beers.