THE MESSAGE

I had a steadfast stride as I climbed the concrete expanse known as the Detroit Bridge near downtown Cleveland. My every step agitates the heat causing dust plumes in my wake. I looked to the cloudless sky wondering where they are? Car exhaust rides the eastward winds as I head west of Cleveland.

Luckily, the traffic is moderate but I welcome gushes of cooling air that gracefully touch my skin. The bridge is normally kept clean by the sanitation workers which is why I found it odd when I saw debris in my path. As I glare ahead at brown objects in the middle of the sidewalk, my disappointment grows as I wonder who would have done this. We, Clevelanders, take pride in our city’s appearance.

As I approached the oddly shaped mound, an out of focus shadow drew my attention. My gaze was drawn to this Muslim woman striding towards me. I noticed her silhouette being disguised by a red outlined black hijab and a red, gold, and green embroidered black Islamic tunic. Our paths seem to be fixed on the same point. It was like we were on a collision course.

Were these her boxes? I increased my pace and I noticed she did as well. I didn’t care about the objects at first but now her interest has piqued my own curiosity. These were not my items but nothing has led me to believe she has a claim to them as well. I will find out in a few seconds who she is and why were these boxes so important, all of sudden.

My thoughts start to ponder as the boxes come closer and more into focus. What items could be in them? Could they hold family heirlooms or maybe designer clothing? Could they be just boxes that are packed with appliances, pictures, and bedding. If they were, why is she running so hard to get there before me? It has to be something good.

The slight breeze wasn’t the only thing the moderate traffic offered. The roadway became a football field. Cars blocking her approach offering me a chance to reach my goal first. Thinking It's probably just trash is all that was running through my mind. How could someone have disrespectfully dumped their trash on the sidewalk?

No! No! No! This can’t be. Why would she be running for trash? It has to be more. It just has to be. I started to turn away when something shiny reflected a ray of light from the sun. What was that shining? Could that be gold or maybe it was a diamond? Maybe, it’s just glass. Either way, I arrived at the pile and like to a kid on Christmas morning I tore open the flap ready to claim my prize. Inside there were, there were bags. Several granite gray thank you for shopping here bags with handles.

Soon catching sight of the Muslim woman proceeding to get closer to the boxes. I began to notice her green alluring eyes as she was approaching in my direction. I quickly grabbed a bag to open it and found an 1811 Napoleon diamond necklace. I was filled with excitement as I continued to grab and open more bags. The Muslim woman finally comes and grabs a few bags from the other boxes. Suddenly an all black Rolls-Royce Phantom with chrome trimming pulls up beside us.

I looked shocked as well as disappointed. Just thinking that the treasure I just retrieved is no longer going to be mine. But when this handsome man no older than 45. Steps out with a pair of designer red and black Girotti shoes, a tailored cut black Brioni's suit and a fresh professional haircut. I seized the moment to look around for camera's when he insisted I get into the vehicle. Stepping in with no control or clue of what's to come of this journey.

I noticed that we quickly drove off heading in the direction of Edge water beach then suddenly wounded up in Hidden Hills L.A. My thoughts were flooded with questions as we soon approached what seemed to be a fenced off abandoned building. 

No one was in sight as we stepped through this cut open portion of a 6 foot tall fence. Getting hit upon entry while walking into this abandoned building with a pungent smell lingering in the trashy hallways of this treacherous lobby.

Unable to turn around from walking up the few stairs as we are approaching an unblemished golden elevator. Yet and still confused at the fact that no one has spoken since I stepped foot in the vehicle. Acknowledging that I haven't been able to speak as I was still in shock. Only having questions in my head of the situations to come.

I was unsettled as we continued to go up on the elevator with no numbers to be seen. " Ding " is what I heard before the doors slid open to reveal this stunning penthouse suite. Walking in I noticed both security guards standing on each side of the elevator. Then the woman greeted the man who brought me here. Saying " Was she any trouble?"

While she also has the same eyes as the woman from the bridge. Except this time she has an alluring slim fit black laced red dress with a black blazer. Asking for the jacket of this mans 3 piece suit.

I looked over to the right as I tried to put things together. I saw 2 familiar body figures sitting at the dining room table. I began heading to their direction to see who it is that I may know. But to my sudden surprise it's Janet and Chelsea. Two old friends of mine from school.

I started to ask questions like. What are you 2 doing here? Who are these people? Where are we? What's going on? What's going to happen to us?

Janet grabbed me and said while laughing  " Elizabeth calm down. I know you're a little freaked out. But everything is going to be fine ". Turning my head left in the direction of this man who's name is still unspecified to me. I was watching as he started undressing not only his clothes but his meat suit as well. Scared out of my mind as I watch the slimy flesh drop to the ground. Assuming he must be a skin walker while every piece that fell off made a pile at his feet.

The sci-fi movie scene had me more startled than the previous events. As I was standing in the center of this room, Janet and Chelsea's flesh on their faces began to start peeling off. Janet, her tight two handed grip still had me by my right arm while Chelsea slowly walked towards me. My anxiety quickly took over. My body is in full fight or flight mode. These two people I once called friends are now trying to kill me.

What are they? Why are they doing this to me? I am not sure if this was action or reaction but I quickly grabbed the closest object to me with my left hand. What seemed like an instant or even a fast swift moment, I was standing over Janet's body. My eyes zeroed in to where Chelsea was located and I was ready. No, I was prepared to fight my way out with this weird candle holder in my hand. It was going to be my life or my death and I was not prepared to die again.

This horrendous creature arises looking more and more like a demon or a devil. My friends, if I still called them that, were gone. I’m trapped in this room. This plastered cage, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, but I refuse to die. I was so focused on the fight that I didn’t hear the roof being destroyed above me. It wasn’t until I saw my shadow being projected from a bright light shining in where the ceiling once was.

As I look up, I can see the beautiful heavenly clouds and a hand reaching for me as I turn around. I felt it lifting my body off the ground as everyone in the room moved at a deliberately slow speed. For the first time since being in this room, I began to think I was safe, and things would be ok.

Suddenly, I was let go. Dropped back into the same room. The emotions and questions racing through my head like " was I not deserving to be saved or is there more required for me to do to prove myself " like I wasn't done with what I had to do here. I sprung back on my feet. This hand did offer a new opportunity that was not available once before, I was able to see the window.

I am not sure if it had always been there or if it was created when the ceiling was destroyed but I was not going to allow this opportunity to slip away. I gathered all of my energy, courage, and resolve then I sprinted straight for that window. Searching for a landing point, I felt like I wasted no time before I jumped.

I landed on a searing hot roof top. My body felt a little pain from the impact, it felt the heat from where my hands pushed down so I could get my feet under me. My adrenaline was rushing through all these sensations and I still managed to climb down and hit the ground running.

I knew I would spend the rest of my life allowing my mind to make sense of the facts of what just transpired. But my focus, and my only goal is to get away to save myself for now.