By Maddox Brown
“Well what do you know? Once again, I am here. Lost in emotion. The feelings of stress and anxiety clouding my judgement and my train of thought. When I feel like this, I will, as you might say, ‘Take to the skies!’.
I would lie down in my backyard and gaze at the Midnight, gaze at the vibrant stars as they shimmer across the sky; and don’t get me started on the main course of the Midnight, the full moon itself. Shining in the darkness. Dominating the night sky with its authority. The breeding ground of creativity and inspiration.
As you can tell, I am pretty well versed on the night. To the point that I would not be surprised if you began thinking that I’d make a good astronomer some day.
Anyways, back to the topic. Staring at the midnight sky gives me a unique kind of feeling or sensibility compared to what I would usually feel, a sense of comfort and serenity. Like an imaginary hug from someone you know and love. A sense of protection. For some reason, I sometimes even shed a tear or two, can’t really explain why, but it just happens. The overbearing stress and anxiety I feel would temporarily cease and all that would be left is euphoria, a melancholic euphoria. That might be why I sometimes actually shed a tear. Well whaddya know.
Occasionally, I would read a book, maybe even listen to music to add to the sensation. I won’t stay out for too long though, or else I would be facing terrors that don’t come from within, if you know what I mean.
Have you ever been on a boat in a foggy lake, guided by an overseeing lighthouse? I can only equate this experience to that. Imagine sitting in a boat, stationary on a foggy lake. You hear the melancholic roar of the foghorn as it traverses through the thick fog. If you’re lucky, you can also hear the melodic clacking of the revolving beacon as it helps sailors navigate through said fog. If you can imagine that, then you can truly get where I am coming from.
One last time, I would admire the Midnight, this time, in it’s blazing glory. From the one time it showed its true form to me. Standing and walking in a gorilla-like posture. A deer-shaped skull resembling it’s face, locking away it’s weaknesses and deficits. Extending dragon-like wings that span out about a dozen feet. A pristine grace it carries with itself at all times. Within it’s pitch black ‘skin’ lie billions of planets and stars acting like… what usual stars and planets act like. In the center of it all though, resting on the centerpiece of the beast, is the full moon, as radiant as ever. To me, he resembles what I aspire to be. Not literally of course, I don’t want to become a beast, but the traits it embodies are traits that I lack. The beast may be a part of my imagination though, or is it?
Nevertheless, whenever it whispers to me, or after a night’s session of gazing into the darkness, I get just a little bit stronger.”
***
‘Gah! Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!’ exclaimed Morningstar. ‘It’s just all wrong. The pieces, they’re not coming together.
‘I keep on going on all these different tangents, these scenarios. They are diverging from the actual meaning, the purpose…
‘Give it to me doc, what is wrong with me, why can’t my thoughts come out as coherently as I want them to?’
‘Morningstar, for the last time, I am not your doctor. I am your therapist. I thought you were dealing with some familial issues back at home,’ replied Stevens. ‘Are you?’
‘Sorry my good man. I have lied. Please excuse me for my actions, but I have much more pressing matters for you to solve, responded Morningstar, feeling jittery. ‘For one, why can’t my thoughts properly come out?’
‘Sir, family issues are no matter to be taken lightly. I’m sorry, but I can not help you with what you are experiencing,’ answered Stevens, growing agitated by the knowledge of his lies.
‘What? You cannot help me? I thought you were a qualified therapist! You have got to be kidding me. T-They want it… they need it soon!’ yelled Morningstar as he got up from his chair and began to pace around the room. ‘Help me… please… rah!!’
Morningstar began to stand, clutching his head and yelling at the top of his lungs. Stevens, visibly disturbed, tried calming him down. He tried as hard as he could, but he couldn’t make a dent in Morningstar’s anger.
Two minutes passed.
Morningstar’s screams began to cease, his hands lowered from his head, and now rested back by his sides. Now he is just standing, motionless.
‘Are you ok?’ asked Stevens.
‘Oh, good sir. I am better than ok. I am magnificent!’ replied Morningstar as he raised both his arms straight up in the air.
Morningstar looked back at Stevens.
‘Oh my goodness, your right eye, It’s blood-red!’ squealed Stevens as he started to back himself into the wall.
‘I thought… I thought I didn’t need to complete it. What’s with the change of heart?’ questioned Morningstar, as he looked up at the ceiling.
‘Morningstar… ? Who are you talking to? I am right here. Needed to complete what? Are you ok?’ said Stevens, in a confused state.
Morningstar kept begging, paying no mind to Stevens, but still conversing with the ceiling.
Stevens began to inch himself closer to a red button located right beside the door, signaling security. Every room in the complex had one for emergencies. Once he got in range of the button, without hesitation he slammed it, calling for security. Noticing this, Morningstar bowed to Stevens and then jumped out the window.
‘Holy…’ whispered Stevens as he ran to the edge of the window, trying to possibly save him, or see where he landed. He was bewildered to see that there were no traces of him. No residue or anything. Security arrived and saw a puzzled Stevens sitting at the window’s edge.
‘H-How could this happen?’ muttered Stevens, trying to compose his thoughts.
‘What happened?’ asked one of the security officers.
‘He jumped, then simply disappeared.’ replied Stevens. Then he got up and went out of the room.
The security officers were confused, but began sweeping the area, looking for any traces of the man.