Ethereal Witness

To find out what happened in the story before this continuation, check out Jason's short micro here. Thank you.

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In an instant, Carl realizes it may be too late but can never forgive himself if he didn't try something, anything to escape the ominous promise given to him a decade ago—something that could’ve been avoided.

He finds a few seconds amidst the pending chaos to think about how selfish he was to marry and bring kids into this world, knowing one day it could all be gone.

"Carl! Talk to me! What's happening?" Jaylene says with growing fear.

After one last look out the window, Carl turns to his wife, locking their hands in a trusting embrace.

"Jaylene... Look at me. I mean really look at me! Do you see me?"

"Of course, I do. We're inches from each other's face. What the hell is this about, Carl?

"Good... Promise me you will never forget this face. I need you to say it...Please!"

"I will never forget you, Carl."

The space between them decreases more, hugging each other tighlty like its the last. Simultaneously, every wall in the house begins to sprout little patches of rainbow light. Growing and spreading and combining with other patches until the entire house is consumed in a Kaleidescope of bright, twisting hues... And then, nothingness.

***

Opening his eyes sometime later, Carl doesn't recognize the bed he is in or anything in his vision. He quickly jumps up and runs to the window, nearly ripping the drapes off the frame to see the outside.

'Palm trees?... Dammit!' He says to himself, trying not to panic.

There are no palm trees in Quebec...

Running back towards the bed, frantically looking for clues concerning his situation, he sees his jeans along with pamphlets and a bible laying across the dresser. He is in a hotel in Key West, Florida.

Several items from his wallet scatter to the ground after retrieving it from the back pocket of his pants. He is only interested in one thing...

Wanting to know as soon as possible, anxiety overwhelms coordination. He fumbles the wallet several times trying to locate his license. Finally wedging it out of its plastic covering, he drops the wallet to the carpet, slowly walking away holding the identification card close to his face.

Carlton James Martin: 1883 Mission Road: Edmonton, AL, Canada. T5A OA1

His name is the same. His birthdate matches. But it says he lives in Edmonton, nearly 2000 miles from Quebec.

Carl can easily recall life events. He remembers growing up with his three siblings. He remembers the excitement of graduation day. And he can never forget Jaylene and the kids... 'MY FAMILY!' He says loudly, experiencing that hopeless feeling in his gut.

Rushing to find his phone, his flips through the rolodex in his mind trying to remember Jaylene's number in case her contact info isn’t in the phone.

In a state of frenzy, he finds it under a pillow, leaving the room in complete disarray. Carl wastes no time unlocking it.

It's all gone. Jaylene's contact and any of her affiliate's contacts are also gone. Precious memories in the form of digital photos are nowhere to be found. It's as if Jaylene and the kids were nothing but a figment.

Carl sits on the edge of the bed smothered in defeat...

Continuing his downward spiral, he looks at the phone again. "Call mom." he voice commands the phone, hoping she can shed some light.

***

"Hi, Carl. I was just thinking about you. How's Florida?"

"It's okay, I guess... Wait! How do you know I'm in Florida?... Never mind... Look, this may sound strange, but I need to ask you something… Am I married?

The line goes silent for longer than either of them expects.

"Mom! You still there?"

"Yes...Yes, I am. I was trying to recall the crazy story you told me ten years ago that ended with you saying that if you ever suddenly change... they kept their promise... I didn't know what you were talking about then, and I still don't know."

"It's true then... you don’t remember. I have to find her, my wife, Jaylene."

"Who's Jaylene, honey?"

The Excercise: