Her Name is Robert

As I walked along the river, a raven flew and perched itself on my left shoulder. I smiled as it nuzzled my head in familiarity. We walked quietly together until we reached the usual clearing. I gasped as a giant, marble mausoleum came into view. The structure had a large gold dome for its roof. I ran over to the mausoleum. My quick movements caused the raven to fly from my shoulder. The structure was old but in perfect condition. It sat under generations of dust and grime, but still, the beauty of the building left me speechless.

I tried to open the door but it appeared to be locked. I banged on the doors, causing dust to fill the air around me. I noticed Latin etched into the stone, but I had no idea what it said. I took a deep breath and put my hand back on the door. 

My eyes shot open as I felt a warm, strong hand on mine. I looked to my left to see the Viking. “We will enter together,” he spoke softly to me. I looked at him confused, but I somehow understood that I could not walk this path alone. Together we pushed open the door.

The doors creaked with age as they struggled to swing open. Through the dust-filled air, I could see the threshold of other hallways. I walked closer to one of the walls to see that they were lined with mirrors. Hundreds of mirrors decorated the walls. The mirrors were all different shapes and sizes. One had an ornate gold frame, while another was protected with jade. I struggled to understand what it all meant.

A small, dusty, brown frame caught my eye. It sat at the end of the long hallway. I walked towards it and studied the old frame. It was simple and plain, made of nothing but stained wood. Small and square I touched the mirror. A man’s face appeared in the reflection. He held a warm smile and wore military garb. I gasped as I recognized the man immediately.

Before I could even understand what was happening, I was transported through the mirror. I gasped as I looked around. I was on a tarmac with planes all around me. I could feel the rumbles of their engines through my feet. “Rob! Robert, we gotta go!” My head snapped to see a young man waving me over. I ran over to him.

As I passed a loading plane, I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I was dressed in a World War II, army-issued pilot’s uniform. I touched my face as the eyes of my great-grandfather stared back at me.

I knew it…

I quickly rushed into the plane and hopped into the pilot seat. I had never been in the pilot seat of a plane before, but I had never felt more comfortable in my life. I quickly gripped the yoke and lifted us into the air.

Within a few minutes, we fell under fire. I gripped the shaking yoke and tried to control the plane as I focused on my mission. 

We’re under fire… 

This was supposed to be easy…

I could see planes exploding around me. I had broken out into a cold sweat, which made it hard to grip the steering. Panic began to consume me as I thought of the men on my plane. My men. My responsibility. I had to bring them home to their families. I promised them we would make it home. 

I have to save them…

…Who?

My men…

Suddenly, a flash of bright light blinded me. Visions began to shift through my mind. I was by the beach, the waves were rushing in. My great-grandmother smiling in a veil as bulbs flashed around us. I was holding my infant grandmother in the hospital. The emotions were overwhelming and I started to cry.  

I’ll never get to see her grow up…

As fast as the visions came, they were gone and I was back on the plane. I could feel my hands shaking as I tried to keep the failing plane level. “Rob! Robert!” I could hear my crew screaming my name.

They’re scared…

  I’m scared…

I turned back to them. “Bailout!” I screamed, “Bailout now!” I turned my head back to the window and was blinded again by a bright, white light. But this time the light was warm and comforting.

I have accepted death…

I remember feeling such sorrow as I watched only one shoot open up. I closed my eyes and I was back on the tarmac. This time I was myself, but my hair was longer, past my shoulders. I was in a white cotton dress and my feet were bare, allowing me to feel the warmth of the tarmac. My sea-colored hair blew in the wind as I looked around at the planes. My great-grandfather walked towards me. But as I studied him I realized that he was translucent. “Hello beautiful,” he smiled softly at me. His voice was warm and full.

“Hello Robert,” I smiled back. We stared at each other for a moment enjoying the comforting presence. “Why did you come back?” I asked.

“Because I had to. You had to.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“You need to help them?”

“Who?”

All of them. Everyone around you.” The vision seemed to shake around me. He looked around concerned and then back at me. “You need to go.”

“Go? No! I’m not ready to go! I have more questions.”

“You know where to find me. You have to go now.” Before I could say anything else an invisible force pulled me back through the vision. I took in a massive gasp of air and let out an animalistic scream. The Viking took me into his arms and pet my hair.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. I will lead you out now.” He led me through the hall of mirrors and out to the river. As we walked, the raven landed on my shoulder. The warm sun felt good on my freezing body. I took a deep breath of the fresh air. I looked up at a soaring raven and remembered the feeling of the yoke in my hands. I slowly began to question how many lives had I lived? How many names have I had? In this one, her name was...

Robert…

Robert…

Lt. Robert L. Mains…