Under His Grip

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. And what space was Lina even in - or who’s space? A familiar darkness surrounded what she knew to be a dream; her screams were as stiff as her body which lay lifeless in a deep trance of sleep. Lina was lucid dreaming, something that came naturally, especially after participating in seven ceremonies of Ayahuasca, a (Madre) mother medicine plant far more in tune with the universe than our fleshy beings.

Sleep paralysis some would say as her body tightened, though Lina could feel the dark touch of a masculine presence; she knew it was him. She knew she was in the astral realm once again and he was pulling her body deeper into the vacuum of his world. She couldn’t escape his gravity, his might, as the darkness enclosed it’s bellowing force around her, sweeping her up in what felt like a spiritual intervention.

A voice, his voice, suddenly echoed in the distance, resounding a sentence in Spanish, of which Lina was caught off guard by; only her thoughts could make their way through.

“I do not understand” her thoughts racing, “I truly mean no disrespect,” though she could not help but giggle uncomfortably at the surreal moment that sparked her immediate attention. Lina had known this voice, but not in Spanish. Was she being tested again? She felt withdrawn and sighed at her inability to decode his Spanish, wishing she had studied harder in high school. Only the words of Chinese uncovered themselves in her thoughts (from years studied in college) and she surrendered to her unknowing.

“Please, I am trying to understand….” Lina despised sounding so desperate, but she knew her poor choices made a couple days earlier made her a desperate target nonetheless. She had caved, and he knew. Lina was vulnerable in his grip.

“You know why I’m here… I am in England.” He bellowed, her vision still impaired and her body still stiffened by his powerfully luscious energy.

“England?” Lina thought, “how random…” She could barely get the thought out when a memory flashed before her eyes of the book she had read nearly a decade ago on her mother’s new kindle. It had been a free novel offered to those interested in the Illuminati. The author had been “chosen” by this ancient society to write a novel coded only for those ready to step into their power and know their true potential.

Being a curious child, Lina was instantly intrigued by the books calling and dove straight into its written guide towards enlightenment. Though, she found herself disappointed by her lack of understanding and eventually would switch over to a romantic novel that left Lina dreaming of stumbling across her “Prince Charming” someday.

“London..” the words mouthed gently off Lina’s lips, the only words she could release in his realm. Immediately, her eyes darted open and she sprouted awake, realizing her surroundings. Lina was still alone in a private room in Iquitos, Peru.

Two fans vibrated around her, cooling her in a way she would never take for granted again. Lina had left the jungle several days ago to venture into the city, which would drain her enormously. Each day forward, she would find herself being followed by curious men, who would wait impatiently for her eyes to fall on theirs so that they may approach her in efforts to sell some trinkets or a jungle tour.

At first, Lina felt flattered by the constant attempts to grab her attention; her ego glamorizing the English shouts of “I love you!” announced at nearly every street corner. By the third day, she grew weary of the constant chatter and began to feel chased, as some men began to take photos and jump towards her to kiss her hands and call her “La Reina.” The Queen.

Eventually Lina would get a text through WhatsApp, stating the cartel had been watching her closely and had four of their best men stationed near her tiny AirBnB apartment she currently resided at, awaiting her response to join them. Burn notice. She watched the video of a man dressed in all black, voicing threats of capture and ravenous rage against her lack of communication with them. They knew of her recent wealth, not of paper, but of powers, unveiled to her by Madre Ayahuasca.

Hastily packing her belongings, she covered herself in Agua de Florida, a protective floral perfume gifted to her by the curanderos from ceremony and began smoking the mapacho she initially had purchased for her boyfriend, Christoph, who was anxiously awaiting her return back in the States. He would have to accept the stack of tobacco with a few less as well as a snort less of the rapé snuff she promised him. Only a small scoop in her hand, did Lina snort swiftly into her nostrils, instantly getting a rush of jungle tobacco sprouting through her nasal area.

“I am a demon hunter,” Lina whispered to herself as she remembered the numerous dreams and visions Madre Ayahuasca presented to her whilst journeying with her those two weeks of sacred unveiling. The rapé settled into her body and she began humming the icaro, or magic song, she had been gifted for grounding. Dressed in all black, Lina positioned herself still slightly leaning against the kitchen counter, although her hands couldn’t help but rattle at the fear of the men coming for her.

“Do not let them frighten you. You are a powerful force. Call upon us for protection.” A voice drifted into her thoughts, reminding Lina of her recent teachings of fear and understanding of self.

Calling upon the black magic from the depths of the earth for protection, Lina felt a sense of calm uncertainty, which would later present itself when meeting the mysterious masculine entity once again in her sleep.

During her retreat, she had released all ties to the spirit world, sending them back to the places she had once summoned them from. She felt their contracts had been complete and the life Lina would move towards would be one of normality. A small brick home burrowed in the midwestern woods had been calling to her, of which she was ready to graciously accept.

“Peace, it would grant me,” Although hearing that voice… his familiar devilish voice once again, Lina couldn’t help but wonder what could have been…