'StandStill'

He walked out the door and smelled the fresh air around him. Birds tweeted about and trees swayed in the soft breeze. While strolling down to the mailbox, he sighed a sigh so deep that the vastness of the sea even failed to compete. As he reached for the white envelopes, he wondered if he had received anything back from his parents. He grabbed them and turned to head back, but out of nowhere came a black crow heading right toward him. Its great black wings seemed to be all around, filling his world with rich blackness.

“Where am I…?” the man thought to himself, realizing that somehow he had to be conscious.

“You are in your parallel.” A strange voice answered.

“Who are you? Where are you? What’s going on? the man cried.

“Wait, how do you know what I am thinking?” the man continued.

“Shhh… don’t be alarmed, I am only your guide, I am here through your consciousness.” the soft voice replied, trying to reassure him.

“Oh ok, cause that helps me….”

“Sorry I didn’t mean to be rude.” The man apologized as he’d noticed that his guide had gone quiet.

*The silence deepens and deepens around him*

Confused, the darkness had become much more unsettling for the man. He wasn’t sure what to do or how to get out of this place. He had so many questions. Where could his guide be? How was she suddenly in his consciousness? After what seemed like an eternity of darkness, a white light glimmered in the distance drifting about. Somehow he knew it had to be his guide.

“You’re back!” The man exclaimed.

He didn’t like to be alone in this strange place. Actually, he didn’t like to be alone much at all. But back home that’s exactly what he was. He was always alone.

“Why did you leave me?” the man asked.

“I never left dear, you simply didn’t believe I was with you. I am your guide, yes, but I am also a part of your consciousness. Remember, you control your own thoughts.” The voice explained.

“Oh ok, well how can I get home then?” the man asked.

“Oh, you need only wish for home and home you shall be, and I too will still be around.” The voice reassured me.

“Wish for home, wish for home, wish for home…. why isn’t it working?” the man asked, feeling defeated.

“Well, have you thought about why you might not feel home?”

“Your mind right now can only associate with the feeling of home, try not to concentrate on its physical portrayal.” The voice explained.

“Oh…. I guess that makes sense…I uh.. I moved away from my family in Hawaii a few years ago.” he admitted with despondency.

“I left my home with them in Hawaii to try and make a career in America.” He explained.

“Is career more important to you than home?” the voice asked.

“No, I just… people never thought I could make something of myself you know… and I wanted to prove them wrong.” The man answered, growing more distraught.

“I don’t care about that anymore though, I want to be with the earth, the sea, the animals, my family, everything that brings me life…everything that brings me home.” The man said.

“And soon you will be” the voice said echoing in the distance. A few moments later, The man felt weird and his vision started spotting. Then the sky and clouds were moving, for they were once again in sight. The man sat up and looked around him. Grass, weeds, and his mailbox.

“Was I really in my yard this whole time? I couldn’t have been dreaming, I couldn’t have…” the man thought, rubbing his head. A crow flies by and perches on the mailbox. But something was different about it.

“Are you staring at me?” The man thought to the bird. In a way the bird seemed to smirk back at him, but in a glimmer of light it disappeared.

“Oh, Hello Guide.” The man smiled before gently closing his eyes.

The man placed the unopened envelopes on the counter and stared and stared at the address sent to him. Maui, Hawaii it read. His parents had sent him not one but three letters. He opened them, reading their words. They held updates for him on all their recent adventures, and how they finally opened their small organic market. He smiled, a tear running down his face. Reaching down for his cellphone he dialed in his mother’s number.

“Andrew? Is that you? Did you receive our letters? Oh, we’ve missed you so much Andrew” his mother exclaimed.

“Yes mom, it's me.” He answered, enraptured by her voice.

“Well are you alright?” she asked, confused.

“Yes mom, I’m… I’m coming home.” The man answered with a relieved expression.