Mortal Desire

by Alexander Bryn

The doors opened at the viewing platform. Albert indicated for the three immortals to exit before him. But they didn’t, and Albert was growing impatient. ‘Obviously your mothers did not teach you to obey directions of those older than you. Now get out of here and enjoy the view that you came to see!’ he asserted with an agitated voice.

  Two of the immortals smirked as they looked down. Perhaps it was their age. I wondered how old they were.

  The doors closed and I was summoned to the second floor. I was involuntarily removed from the highly volatile situation that was unfolding between Albert and the three immortals. He was outnumbered and I felt helpless. I overrode the elevator computer and returned to the thirty-ninth floor and held the elevator there with the doors open. I would not leave my Protector when I knew that trouble was imminent.

  Albert wandered about the viewing platform under the guise of a tourist. But I knew that he wasn’t there to admire the 360 degree view of the city, he was there to monitor the movements of the three immortals. He would go where they would go until they were off the radar and we, or should I say I, was safe. That is why he was here on the Earth with me; to ensure my survival and safe passage back to the spiritual realm, however long it took.

  Within a short amount of time the unwelcome passengers were back in the elevator car with me, plus Albert as well.

  ‘Sirs, I hope that you enjoyed the view. Are you headed back to the ground floor, or do you have business elsewhere in the building?’ I asked in my professional Elevator Operator voice.

  ‘Yes. I believe we are headed to the ground floor … Henry …’ replied the dominant immortal.

  As the car descended smoothly, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply through his nose. He was scenting our type.

  He clenched his fists and shook them before he opened his eyes. He narrowed them at me first, and then Albert. ‘I thought I could smell you the other day … Henry …’ His voice was thick and threatening.

  I froze momentarily. My first instinct was to look at Albert, but I did not. I came to the realization that if one of us had to die, I wanted it to be me. I was the cause of this confrontation. I should be the one to take the consequences, not Albert.

  The immortal took a step closer to me and closed the gap between us. I sucked my blue energy deeper into my human body. I was sure that it was one hundred percent undetectable.

  I would not attack the immortal first. I had been taught to attack only in self-defence. But then technically, if one knew that an attack was forthcoming, wouldn’t a surprise planned offensive be in defence?

  In complete contrast to expectations, I straightened my back and placed my hands behind me. I squared my shoulders in a gesture that told them that I was not afraid of them, and that I would not use aggression against them.

  Albert leaned between us and pushed the stop button on the elevator panel.

  Damn!

  Now we were frozen mid-shaft. There was no escape.

  The outcome would be either a traumatic and gruesome battle to the death, plastering blood, guts and body parts piled up in the elevator pod to decompose and rot, rendering Elevator Thirteen toxic for years to come. Or, it could end amicably.

  Personally, I preferred the second option.

  Albert returned to his position in the elevator and threw his trilby hat in the centre of the floor before he cleared his throat.

  The dominant immortal retreated back to his side of the elevator, but did not lean against the rail as the other two did.

  ‘Delivered or created?’ Albert asked the three immortals.

  They looked at each other as if Albert was speaking a different language.

  ‘There is a difference—delivered or created?’ he asked again with annoyance and impatience in his voice. ‘Were you, a mortal human before becoming attacked and forced into immortality?’ he rephrased and articulated in slow speech to help the understanding of the three immortals.

  ‘Yes,’ they responded in unison.

  ‘Why do you seek Henry?’

  ‘He is the first immortal that we have scented in our one hundred and fifty years. Now we have two! You are in our territory, which immediately makes you our enemy. Are there more of you here?’

  ‘We have no idea. We adhere faithfully to the rule of immortals—hurt no being! Do minimal damage only in self-defence, so as not to draw attention to your kind. You are aware that you have accountability to your kind are you not?’

  The middle-sized immortal spoke next. ‘We wander the Earth lost. We do not belong anywhere. We seek out other immortals of our kind to find our place.’

  ‘And you seek them in an aggressive manner? I suggest that you find a secluded place to live without fear of your identity being exposed. Hurt no humans. Live alongside them in peace. A time will come when you will be released from your immortality. But you have to have great patience and wait until that time comes. And it will come. Find those things about the world that you enjoy, and focus on them. Enjoy your existence, watching how the world changes as time continues. Watch history unfold before your very eyes. Grow wisdom in your being, and help others when you can so that you can be prepared for when your immortality ceases to exist. And it will cease one day …’

  Albert held up his ring to their faces so that they would not miss the symbol emblazoned in sterling silver that adorned his fourth finger. The three immortal eyes widened in recognition of the ancient symbol—the Adinkra symbol Gye Nyame. At once they lowered their heads in realization of the message from traditional wisdom.

  Albert nodded at me, and I engaged the elevator to continue its descent to the ground floor. The three subdued immortals abandoned the elevator car like young boys reprimanded by the head master.

  ‘Ho molto da imparare Albert. Ringraziamento per essere stato il mio maestro e il mio protettore. Non vedo l’ora di vedervi a casa stasera,’ I said as Albert stepped out of my work pod. I handed him his trusty black trilby hat.

  He turned to me with his hand on the elevator door to stop it from closing.

  ‘I am your Protector, and yes, you have a lot to learn. I will see you later tonight,’ he whispered with an ounce of humour in his voice.

  I smirked at him and placed my naked hand on his to connect our kindred spirits before he left. This man was my bodyguard, my shield. My mother had chosen him wisely.

  The thirteenth floor was my next port of call. Mr. Milani greeted me as the doors opened. Mr. McEwan sat on the red leather sofa to the right of the elevator.

  When I stepped out of the elevator, Mr. Milani proffered his right hand.

  ‘Henry O’Connell, it is wonderful to see you again,’ he said. He over-smiled at me, and shook my hand in earnest.

  What have you done Mr. Milani?

  I narrowed my eyes at him to try to pick up on any non-verbal cues that he was inadvertently trying to send to me.

  Nothing ...

  ‘Mr. Milani. It is wonderful to see you too. I have come for Mr. McEwan. I believe that he has finished his session with you today,’ I said, still waiting for some sign from Mr. Milani to guide me.

  He looked away from me and to Mr. McEwan. ‘Elliot, Henry is here for you. Thank-you for coming to see me, and I will be here at any time that you choose to see me again. Have a nice day.’

  Elliot McEwan looked up at him with a face void of emotion, nodded and smiled at him as if it were orchestrated. He stood and turned to face me. I gestured for him to enter the elevator and shook Mr. Milani’s hand before I closed the elevator doors to begin our coast to the ground floor.

  ‘Mr. McEwan, you are looking better,’ I said to him while he leaned against the hand rail of the elevator.

  ‘Thank-you Henry, I am feeling pretty good today. Mr. Milani gave me some tickets to the football tonight. I am feeling pumped!’

  ‘Excellent—I haven’t been to the football in a while now.’ Well actually I have never been in my four hundred years ... ‘Just a tip Mr. McEwan… Sarah Flynn likes to use this elevator. It may be a g
ood idea if you choose a different elevator from now on,’ I suggested to him, eyeing his reaction to the mention of Sarah’s name.

  He frowned and shook his head.

  ‘Who is Sarah Flynn? Should I know her?’ he asked.

  ‘Oh forgive me. I thought that I had seen you talking to her at one stage. It must have been someone else. Enjoy the football tonight!’ I said to end the conversation when he stepped out of the elevator smiling.

  ‘Thank-you for helping me Henry, I am most grateful.’

  He strolled off at a casual pace like he didn’t have a care in the world. I started to question Mr. Milani’s therapy. What was it that he did with his clients? They seemed like different people once they had returned from a “session” with him.

  The remainder of the day stretched out painfully to conclude after the mentally exhausting morning of keeping the balance in the world, and preventing a multi-dimensional war between the different kinds of immortals. The cool evening air on my face was a welcome sensation while I walked home.

  Albert’s mood was unreadable when I entered the apartment, and it worried me. He worked in the kitchen putting the finishing touches onto our dinner. He had become quite the master chef in his four hundred years.

  ‘Buonasera,’ I said when I leaned Sarah’s painting up against the wall and walked over to him.

  ‘Yes, good evening Liam. You didn’t stop by at the bar with your work colleagues tonight I see,’ he said.

  ‘No, I was not in the mood. My concern was with you,’ I said and looked into his eyes to gauge his true feelings.

  He looked away from me the moment I tried to connect. ‘I am not of your concern Liam. I am your Protector, not the other way around. I made your mother a promise. One that I will keep. Now sit yourself at the dining table. I have prepared an exquisite meal for us tonight,’ he commanded.

  I grabbed the wine glasses and headed to the table. The red wine was already opened to let it breathe I presume, unless Albert had been sampling it whilst he cooked. He was such a mortal in that way.

  I pulled out a chair for Matisse. She always joined us at the table while we ate. I wondered what she knew, and how much she could understand.

  ‘When were you aware that they would be visiting me today?’ I asked, knowing well that he did not always give in to my request for information.

  ‘Two days ago. They had not decided on a time until this morning. That is why I had to hang around. Your day was most unremarkable until they turned up.’

  ‘What did you think of Sarah’s painting? Should I be concerned by it?’

  ‘She has talent for sure. No need to be concerned though. We can wipe her memory if we have to.’

  ‘What were the immortals after? Could you look into their minds?’

  ‘One was scared witless, the other did not want to be present, and the dominant one was the one running the show. He felt threatened by you, and was ready to kill you if he had to. They have not finished with you yet. We are mulling around in their minds. They have more questions than answers. They will come at you again Liam!’

  ‘Sarah ... may see me as two different people Albert,’ I threw into our conversation.

  ‘Is that so? Perhaps she is smarter than you think. Perhaps she knows that a conversation is quite closed with Henry because of time and place, and that a conversation with Liam is open and can be on a more personal level. Don’t underestimate her Liam. She is just playing the game that you started!’ he replied with humour evident in his voice.

  ‘How was he planning to kill me Albert?’

  ‘What is with you tonight Liam? Your conversation is all over the place! Just say, what you really want to say and be done with it!’

  I could not look at him after that. It would be best not to tell him what was on my mind, and I would not let him in to read it without permission either. I chose to remain silent.

  ‘What is worse? The muddle-headed talking, or the silence?’ Albert asked in frustration after a short while.

  I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I did not speak because I did not know how to express what I wanted to say about giving my life for his.

  ‘Ti sei eccelso con la cena di stasera Albert,’ I said finally, but it had nothing to do with what I wanted to talk about.

  He looked at me and cocked his right eyebrow at the compliment I had given him on his excellence in cooking.

  ‘And the wine is the perfect accompaniment for the red meat,’ I added, trying to break the awkwardness between us.

  He started to chuckle out loud. It was a deep belly laugh so contagious that I laughed with him. He was right. I was being ridiculous.

  I picked up my wine glass and touched it to his. ‘To my wonderful friend, my Protector, my Guide. Life on the Earth as an immortal would be unbearable if you were not here!’

  ‘Touché, except if you would hurry up and learn your lessons, we could return to our own realm, and not have to watch the mortals suffer as they do upon the Earth.’

  ‘Albert … I would die to protect you. It is my choice,’ I said in a quiet voice while I swirled the wine around in my glass. There. I spoke my mind, unsure of how he would react. Our roles upon the Earth were very different, and very particular.

  Albert stood up and slammed his hand down on the table. The impact forced the plates and cutlery to rebound into the air before they returned to the table with a loud clatter. I stopped swirling the wine and looked up at him.

  ‘I. AM. YOUR. PROTECTOR! I have made a promise! I have taken an oath! The death of you means the death penalty for me. Two dead instead of one! You must accept your place in this caper Liam. You must remember why you were fast tracked to live an immortal life on the Earth. Our time is running out. You have already been warned!’ And with that, Albert straightened his posture, and left the table with an abruptness that pierced my being.

  And for the first time in my walk on the Earth, I had to clean up after dinner.

  ‘Il coraggio, la temperanza, la saggezza, la giustizia, la pazienza, courage, temperance, wisdom, justice, patience,’ I meditated on these five words as I held the blue energy mass of light, letting it lift me higher until I experienced my spirit free from my body. I wanted to stay there floating above my human form. But I would pay the price for it with physical exhaustion.

  In submission, I re-entered my body and felt the burden of the heaviness of the bone, muscle, blood and organs that were anchored to the Earth by gravity.

  I watched the blue mass of energy ascend to hover above me when I released how accurate Sarah’s reproduction of the energy was in her painting.

  To my left, the lesser red ball of caution still hovered. The danger was not finished. I wondered what the key was to stop all of this from happening. I wondered where the key was to unlock the mysterious lessons that I must learn to enter into mortal life to die to enter the spiritual realm again.

  I must be missing something ...

  I was quietly confident that I had learned courage, temperance, wisdom, justice and patience in my four hundred years.

  What else could there be that I had to learn?

  Before I gave in to the delta sleep zone for ministering, I set my mind to search for answers while I was in an unconscious state.

  All things are possible ...

  CHAPTER NINE

  Nothingness filled my bedroom at the dawning of the new day. For four hundred years I had been woken to the sounds and aromas of breakfast being prepared by Albert. But not today. There was nothing. And it worried me.

  A wave of dread rippled through me. Had I angered him that much with my declaration of wanting to protect him? I had offered it with affection and deep respect for him from my heart.

  I rose from bed and clothed my nakedness. I walked down the hall and hesitated near Albert’s room. His door was ajar the tiniest of a fraction. I heard his murmuring voice, but I could not decipher exactly what he was saying.

  I gazed through the slot between the door and the door fr
ame and saw Albert kneeling. His hands were joined in front of him, as if he were in prayer. His aura was gold, bright and strong. Whatever he was praying about was heavy duty.

  I continued down the hallway and into the kitchen and prepared breakfast for the both of us, in the best way that I knew how, considering my lack of cooking experience. Just as I placed our plates onto the breakfast table, Albert appeared—his face anguished.

  ‘Liam, please forgive me for my lack of attention to your needs, and also to my duty.’ He sounded as though he was on the verge of tears.

  ‘It is not as though I am your king, or superior, Albert. Let me serve you with a thankful heart. Sit down and enjoy my peace offering to you,’ I said, feeling sympathy for this remarkable man before me.

  He stared at me momentarily, and blinked before he finally took his seat. He looked at my version of an English Breakfast before he picked up his knife and fork, then hesitated before he pushed his fork into a sausage.

  ‘Did you cook the sausages, bacon and eggs on medium high?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you sauté the mushrooms in garlic butter?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you grow the tomatoes?’

  ‘No, I materialized them out of thin air! Of course I did not grow the tomatoes. Did you?’

  ‘Did you turn the tea pot three times anticlockwise and three times clockwise?’

  ‘What if I didn’t?’

  ‘Did you stir the tea in the pot?’

  ‘No I infused the tea leaves with the slightly cooled boiled water so that I didn’t burn the delicate tea leaves before I turned the pot three times anticlockwise and then three times clockwise! What is up you this morning?’

  He stopped chewing and looked at me with a forlorn look on his face. ‘My heart is heavy that you would choose to die to protect me. Do you not see that I would not be able to live with myself if you died and I lived? My promise to your mother would be broken, and I will be destroyed Liam, forever sickened to the core of my being because I did not look after you. You must allow me to keep my word.’ Albert looked deeply into my eyes cutting to the core of my being.