READER'S ESCAPE
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"Escape into a world of excitement, escape into a world of love, a world of fear or a world of wonder. Escape and indulge in your deepest desires....Oh, What a READER'S ESCAPE!"
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 White Lie
Andrew often watched them scramble around each morning getting ready for work. It was like they had no regard for each other. Andrew would wonder how such a beautiful couple with everything they prayed for could end up in such a runt. Normally, they would have drove to work in separate cars; but yesterday Mark’s car broke down. So, today they were stuck together to confront their demons. “Look, Jesse ... What do you want from me...I’m driving as fast as possible.” “Look Mark!”, Jesse mocked,” You wouldn’t have to rush if you would have left ten minutes earlier as I suggested.” “Well, You’ll really be late if we have to waste time with the police after they pull us over for speeding.” Mark leaned up squinting his eyes attempting to see through the rainfall that was hitting the front windshield. The fog in Mark’s mind was making it hard enough to concentrate. Jesse’s bickering seem to blend in with annoying squeak of the windshield wipers swaying back and forth. At that very moment, he felt a bit of remorse. What was this really about? Mark loved this woman. He loved that she was independent, self-driven, intelligent, and confident. Life is too short to have a pile of regrets. Mark gripped the steering wheel. He raised his head to look at Jesse hoping she was looking back. Jesse snatched the steering wheel as the tires of their SUV slipped across what seemed to be every puddle on the wet road. The SUV spun in complete circles. Memories flashed through their minds with each circular motions. Now they were not only emotionally, but physically on a merry-go-round. Instant pressure folded the front of their SUV. A luminous ray of light beamed in through the entire SUV. All the weight of the word seemed lifted.Their bodies were light as feathers. They envisioned themselves floating and ascending upward. When they entered an intense brightness blinded Jesse making her cover her eyes. " Mark, what happened?" “Hell, if I know. We were on the road.” “You were driving fast.” “You were bickering...” Mark snapped. “And you were...Oh, my goodness we’re dead. Aren’t we?” Jesse inquired. “Again, woman, hell if I know.” Jesse's begin to experience palpitations as she lifted her sweaty hands to grab her chest to ease the strain on her breathing. Her hands quickly dropped to her sides and her eyes seem to adjust to staring into the once blinding light. She dropped to her knees and let her head fall forward. “You...” “You are unconscious is all.” Andrew chuckled,“You two were arguing and swerved into a tree. Nothing, but minor physical injuries. It's the internal damage that's been done that worries us.” Mark gripped his chest and slowly brought his hand to his stomach. “Internal damage?” Mark slowly but swiftly backed up to where Jesse was standing. He turned his head to her while putting his hand softly on her shoulder. Jesse still on her knees; rose and fell exhaustingly into Mark’s arms. “So...Are either one of you going to inquire about who I am?” Andrew stepped closer to them. Jesse grabbed on to Mark and moved backward. “Ok, Well... my name is Andrew and I am an angel.”Andrew put out his hand with no welcoming response.”Ok. I’ll just continue reading your minds and answering your questions. Again, no you are not dead just knocked unconscious from the blow. The plan is for you to return to Earth, but only under one condition.” “What is the condition?” Mark asked. “You both have to confess to each other.” “No problem, we can do that.” Jesse spoke up. “Every lie you have ever told. You must confess every lie you have ever told to each other. Jesse to you and you to Jesse.” Mark's body tensed up. “I would love to get back to Earth, so let’s get to it,” Jesse demanded. “You first Jesse!” Andrew proposed. Jesse moved from the side of Mark and took a stance in front of him. After taking a deep breath and she moved a little closer. Jesse glanced back at Andrew over her shoulder one last time before completely giving her attention to Mark. “You know two days ago when I said I couldn’t get back to you because my phone died well I was just ignoring your calls.” “When you asked me to proofread your legal documents, I said I forgot, but in all honesty, I didn't have the time.” “Mark. Come on. This only works if nothing is left out. Full truths are required.” “Ok, ok. I didn’t have the time, because I didn’t want to make time. I didn't want to proofread. I hate it.” “Jesse your turn.” Andrew pointed out. “Last week, when I told you I was just thirty minutes away. I was actually right up the street three minutes away having a glass of wine at the bar.” “I told your sister that her baby was beautiful, but I don’t think he looks that good. Kind of like a baby animal.” Jesse balled up her fist and moved in closer to Mark. Andrew started to rush in, but a force seemed to hold him back firmly. “I once told your mom she looked oh so beautiful for her age well I lied. She looks older than her age. And you know what else...” “No, no, no Jesse one confession at a time.” Jesse’s face turned red and she began to tap her foot repeatedly. “Jesse, look, we have to do this. I’m not trying to be cruel and I'm sorry.” Mark quickly turned to Andrew,” Andrew what is the meaning of all this? I love her.” “Be slow to anger Son. Love is the point, Mark. It will all make sense soon. What was going on while you were on earth was not acceptable. Have you ever wondered why two people who seem to have everything they could ask for still couldn’t seem to get it together? There wouldn't be any need to pull if there was no tug.” “Every time I said I was fine. I never was. I was just tired of trying.” Jesse interrupted. Jesse and Mark went back and forth. What began as little white lies turned into bigger lies being confessed back and forth. Andrew was sure by now both Jesse and Mark had made up their minds that he only had dark and mean intentions, but come on his intentions are as pure as they get. Andrew is an angel. This was Andrew's assignment and soon they would see why sending them back to earth without this eye-opener would be unhealthy. Where Andrew was from, love was everything, it was breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was commanded and expected. At this point, both Jesse and Mark were face to face as their eyes filled with tears. Both afraid that if they stop blinking they would have glanced at each other a moment too long. At this point, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions: anger, sadness, deceit, and envy. But in some way compassion mingled between those feelings. They had both come to realize the truth. Something was missing. They stood there as if they were afraid to open their mouth to let even the slightest syllable out. “When I said I was going to my man cave to ignore you because you were broken. I never went to ignore you. I went to find peace in God because I am broken and don’t know how to love you, Jesse.” “Your turn Jesse. Its time. You have never been able to confront it. You even told yourself this lie. What was your lie?” “I....” “Come on Jesse. You have been muttering these words since day 1. “ “I love you.” “Jesse I love you too.” “Every time I said I need you, I just wanted you. Every time I said I wanted you, I was just lonely. And every time I was lonely, I settled.” “Jesse...” “Every time I said I love you, I didn’t.” “What are you trying to say? What lie are you confessing to?” “I love you!” Jesse screamed while the tears rolled down her face symbolizing the release she held captive for so long. Mark stood there without moving a muscle. The blinks almost seemed as if they had come to a stop. Jesse took a few steps back. Andrew looked up into the sky. Andrew snapped and the brightness filled the entire void that had been there since the beginning.
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 When I first came here I was curious as to why there were so many mirrors in one house. I simply assumed she loved seeing her reflection or had a unique taste in decor; oh boy was I wrong. We all could see that she seems to be a very lonely girl who intentionally kept to herself. Even though she enjoyed her own company she needed us as much as we needed her. How was work Marley? I quietly asked. Marley jumped startled as if her attention was somewhere else. Marley looked up at her reflection in the mirror. What’s wrong my sweet child? Edith inquired in a motherly tone. Edith always took it upon herself to interject in everyone’s conversation. Edith has this Delusional mindset that she is the perfect mother figure who can fix everything. I probably could just chalk it up to her old age.  “Nothing”. Marley responded but Edith knew better. I mean Edith was the only one who had children. Besides at age 87, I assume you would be well experienced in life. “Hey, Marley look whatever happened, it doesn’t matter now. At least you made it home safe. You could have got into a car crash coming ho...”, Judy stopped and continued, “I’m sorry Marley I forgot.” She forgot. Of course, she did. Everyone always makes excuses for Judy. Judy just talks too much. Judy didn’t mean it. Maybe Judy is young and definitely talks to much; but I’m almost 100% sure she knows it and means to do what she does. If you asked me Judy always knows just what to say to depress Marley even more. I’ve always believed that Judy was jealous of Marley and therefore was out to get her. Marley feels this about Judy as well. “We know...I forgot, I’m sorry. Just go away Judy.” Marley flopped to her bed into tears. A new kind of nerve have been struck. I sat by Marley as she cried. See Marley was once a really happy girl. Marley had two loving parents and was the only child. She enjoyed school conversation, outdoors and long car rides. October 31, 1998 that all changed. Marley was going to her car to come home on her last day of high school when she was greeted by the police right outside the school. That day, both Marty’s parents died in a fatal car crash.  After that incident, Marley closed her self off to the world. She slowly stop hanging or even talking to her friends. She decided to receive her diploma in the mail. The thought of walking across the stage killed her. She closed off and covered all her windows. She made it her mission to lock off access to all but one door in the house. That’s when we met in her bedroom. We both starred at each other walking past. Marley came out from the kitchen into her bedroom passing her dresser mirror as I was too passing. The mirror caught our cross path. At this point both of us thought we were crazy. I stood in front of the bed as I looked at both our reflections in the mirror. We became acquainted with one another. That same night we heard other voices. By the morning we were seeing a few others in the scattered three or four mirrors around the house. That’s when we broke the first layer of Marley shell. Marley left the house for the first time in months. She bought a total of 45 mirrors. I’m not sure that was a great thing to do with her money but she had enough money more than enough money from her inheritance. Finally Marley now had a few friends and a few nuances she had to ignore. But I think at this point she had realized that some conversation and company was better than none at all.  I myself was also grateful. I love Marley. We were best friends. I reached a level with Marley; that Judy, Edith and the others couldn’t reach with her. I slowly gave Marley a bit of life again. She started to occasionally go outside. She got a part-time job, she began to live a little again. And that is why I couldn’t dare let Judy bring her to her breaking point again. Although it seems like Judy had plans to make sure I don’t help her find herself again. Something about Judy bothered me, something wasn’t right. Something about Judy was sinister. “I don’t mean to come back and bother you today, but I need something from Marley,” Judy whisper nicely. “Like what?,” I inquired. “ I wasn’t talking to you! ... Come here Marley I found a way for you to at least see your parents again.” Judy called out. “ Are you serious?” Marley perked up. “ I’m so sorry. I seem to always mess up. I wanted to do something right this time. I’ve been working on this for a while.” Marley walked over to the mirror looking right into Judy’s face. Judy put her hand to the mirror. I repeatedly scream no, but Judy had done something with my voice. Marley placed her hands to Judy’s.  At that moment something weird began to happen. Marley seem to be getting weak and there was nothing I could do about it. As I sit there and watched it something dawned me. Judy was trying to perform a soul transfer. Judy suddenly broke out in a high pitch scream. She seem to be snatched away from the mirror. Marley fell and drop to the floor. Edith appeared in the mirror. “Hurry, I have her. Destroy the mirror.” Edith pleaded. “How?” I cried. “I don’t know, but hurry.” Edith struggled. I focus all my energy on the mirror and it shattered. I focused all my energy on Marley and moved her body just before the glass broke. It’s amazing how powerful emotions are. But if there’s one thing I learned in that moment was that the emotion and bond between Marley and I gave me Power. I... I was different. I didn’t need the mirror. Marley began to wait and raise up slowly. I briefed her on what happened and she decided she will break every mirror in the house. The only thing is without the mirror I could only be heard and felt I would no longer be seen. So she proceeded. She spray painted every mirror in the house black so nothing could get through.  So before we blacked that final dreadful mirror we had grown to need; we put our hands together and performed a soul transfer. Within a few minutes I was Marley and Marley was me. We were one. Marley and I will never be separated. I didn’t see it as leaving my own identity behind as much as I seen it adding to it. Now when we looked in the black hazed mirror, we seen us. A perfect image. Marley and I return to the bedroom to have a conversation. Although they could not see or get through the mirror because it was spray-painted with a haze of black we could still always hear them. We could always hear them banging. We could always here there scratching. We could always hear them crying and pleading. “Marley put a Mirror back, we miss watching you. I miss watching you!” 
 P.S. Disclaimer: Aside from my own copyrighted imagery and cover art, I often use Gifs from Gif apps to help bring my narratives to life along with aiding my readers in visualization. In no way do, I take ownership of these gifs.
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AuthorOpal’s (O-SoMe) is an award winning author with a passion and gift for storytelling. She has been featured in numerous newspapers and won two NAACP writing awards. Her passion in writing is to inspire other artist to just go for it and thrive in it. Once you begin to read her stories, you won't be able to stop. 
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