The Mutant

Can you keep a secret? It’s about a girl named Dolly.

Georgian forest. Dark lush trees sway overhead, plagued by the wind of the oncoming thunderstorm. Raindrops in the summer are filled with electricity. If you are not careful, or you’re the cautious type to walk outside with a tin foil cap, you might just be struck. I, for one, have spent too many years in that cabin desperately afraid. I heard tell of a mutant in the swamp about two miles out, and when you come face to face with him and there’s no one there to protect you, he makes you a mutant too. To be a mutant, to lose the love and recognition of those your heart yearn for, I came to learn was my greatest fear. 

But I wanted to live in fear no more. 

I ventured out into that lush and green Georgian forest, fingers spasming in rhythm to the most recent song I practiced on my busted Yamaha. I could feel the vibrations from my fingertips drift out into the surrounding wood, causing a stir among the chipmunks. As my right hand lifted, strumming away on a phantom guitar, thunder clapped above me. Knowing the forecast still I jumped, as the placement of trees created a relentless and unforgiving amphitheater. I would not be discouraged, the swamp was still a mile and a half away. 

Dolly waited for me back home. I promised her I’d be gone no more than two hours, giving me fifteen minutes per mile, and an hour to confront the mutant. My plan was clear, I would politely explain to him that without my Dolly I’ve got nothing. I am nothing. In those years I spent holed up in my cabin Dolly and I homogenized. To be away for these two hours was heartache enough, and I ran out of liquor a long time ago. Surely he would understand, as he must have heartache of his own, as love is a universal language. I would explain that Dolly and I are good people, that we respect the rules of the forest and that we take nothin’ but what we fully intend to use. And that Dolly needed me just as bad as I needed her. Maybe even more than I knew. It was my belief that the mutant would respect my wish, and in days ahead I could venture out and take the river all the way south, without fear of the mutant, without fear  of losing my Dolly. 

The rain grew heavier, so much so I ran from tree to tree for cover. Turned around, I bellowed in realization. In these conditions I’d never make it to the mutant in time! And Dolly, golly she’d be so disappointed! She was the one who insisted I go after all. Sick of resting on my laurels, I continued swampward.

The marsh grew thick on my old leather boots. Each footstep ended in a resounding SHLOMP, revealing all matter of worm and rollypollies. Silly little ones. Mini whirlpools formed on a nearby pond as the wind picked up force. I reached in my back pocket for the piece of paper tucked safely away. Dolly wrote me out directions for the swamp, God forbid I lose my sense of direction. But I never conceded to needing help, and that she knew well. Not until I had no other option. As dark grey clouds covered any sign of sun, I prayed I’d make it back in time. 

Ten more perilous minutes of dredging through mud scored by a cacophony of crickets before the rain turned to sharp-like pellets. As trees gave way to marshy flatlands I was left without nature’s umbrella. Exposed to the elements, I winced at every point of impact. The hail came down with motivated fury. Droplets of my blood melded with the rain as I marched on, excited to weave the tale of this perilous journey to my dear Dolly. I would throw my old boots on the porch and prepare us a kettle, and start from the beginning. I would tell her of the premonition I had the night before, of this great storm, the final terror. And how I kept my head high, marched on through to get to the mutant and bring us fear no more. She would then wrap her gangly arms around me and squeeze too tight, and the tea would be ready. A smile spread across my face just picturin’ it. 

Lost in my own world, I failed to notice the dilapidated sign before me. It wasn’t until the hail stopped, too sudden. 

And the air felt bone dry.

That I found myself there.

 A clearing of dried earth and an absence of life...more of a dust bowl than a swamp. The mutant, nowhere to be seen, I went to the middle of the dusted circle and called out...

                                      “FRIEND!”

... silence.

 I sat down as a plume of dust ensconced me. Perhaps, this wasn’t the swamp afterall.   Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. Anymore waiting around and I’d lose time meant for the mutant. Ego aside, I reached in my back pocket for those directions. The paper, thin and perfumed, was nearly destroyed by the rain. As my eyes adjusted to what was her delicate handwriting, a gust of wind rushed in furious, and tore the paper away from my fingertips. I watched in anguish as my chance at locating the mutant disappeared into the evening. Lost, all alone, and with my fate before me, I couldn’t help myself but cry. 

Dolly always hated seeing me cry, when I cried she would leave the room altogether. It got so bad I learned a technique to keep myself from sproutin’ tears in the first place. I’d simply pinch my own flesh, harder and harder depending on how deep my sorrow sprouted from… and how desperately it wanted to escape me. And when she’d return I’d be good as new, all smiles, ready to carry her own burdens once more. Never wanting to burden Dolly with my troubles eventually they seemed to disappear all together. Or so I thought. 

“Friend..” My tears stopped. My heart raced. My prayers were answered. I channeled my best attempt at intimidation and turned to face...my Dolly. 

Words were lost on me. Soft skin now covered in scales, her eyes remained just as beautiful. We stared at each other for what felt like the equivalent of all the time I ever knew her before a piece of paper, thin and perfumed, landed before me. Careful not to crease it. I tried my best to make out the words.

‘Boone, 

                Thank you for watching over me, but it’s time I get.’ 

“But Dolly!” I muttered at her. “I know it’s you! And you’re just as beautiful! And you’re just as kind!” I collapsed at her feet and groveled. “Let me keep taking care of you! Let me carry the burdens!” Dolly looked at me, her eyes heavier, her sorrows right at the surface…before….nothing. I peered in what once were her eyes and no longer recognized my Dolly. 

Empty myself, I continued reading the letter. 

‘And it’s time you travel south.’