His body felt like lead as he tried to wave his arm. The city-length creature nearly engulfed the boy with its crimson-stained, sword-length teeth; abysmal breath pulled him as the strong wind of a tornado. Its mouth was like an eternal abyss. He rolled out of the strike's path, despite being less than an inch from the predator's snap. The creature lunged toward the juvenile with its jaws open. He braced himself for his inevitable death.
* * *
Trouble had crouched in a fetal position expecting to become a crimson stain on the ground, but his eyes shot open to see himself leaning against the same worn-out, wooden wall before he slept. He slowly peered over the balcony. The same plantations that were seen before sleep were still present. The soft glow of the moon illuminated the outline of the Stevenson’s cabin. His eyes noticed the outskirts of the Le Beau’s plot of land being revealed by the same, soft, silver light.
Dat may have been uh dream, but somethin' sendin' me uh message! He continued to gaze into the dark night, as thoughts rushed through his mind like electrons traveling through the circuits of a computer regarding his present circumstance. Most of his thoughts concerned the stipulations of his resurrection and developing solutions to his current problem.
Reynaldo Stevenson pushed thin covers away from his body, and he raised his upper body from the wooden cot after bright, warm beams shone across his face. He opened his eyes and squinted to avoid the sun's bright light. The plump, young man wiped the brown matter from his eyes, walked in his bare feet across the splintered floor, and splashed water across his face above the basin. He rose with water dripping from it. He squinted mildly until his eyes were dry enough to open.
His blurred vision revealed a large, distorted figure standing in the open doorway. His sight identified the burly figure as it became clearer. Reynaldo gazed at his father in bewilderment upon seeing him standing in the doorway. He usually don’t do dis. What is wrong? He slowly walked around him, and stared at him as though he were an animal at the zoo.
“Dad, you okay?” asked the worried Reynaldo.
“I am blessed, and you are too whether ya re’lize it or not,” replied Reverend Stevenson with an excited tone and large smile.
“Look out into the fiel’. Tell me what you see, Reynaldo.”
“I see some dirt wit’ lots of lines in it” replied a confused Reynaldo.
“What do you believe those lines mean?” asked the blissfully, enthusiastic father. Reynaldo’s face suddenly lit up with joy when he realized what his father was happy about.
“All our work finally done fo’ the season wit’ the exception of irrigation!” shouted Reynaldo. “I c’n really work hard if I ‘ply my mind to it!” Reverend Stevenson turned around, lowered his face into his son’s and threatened, “Boy! I may be uh preacher, but I will jack slap you if you try to lie to me like that, again!”
“Yes sir,” whimpered Reynaldo. The plump, young man quickly rushed to the back of the house to avoid further repercussions from his antagonizing behavior. Reverend Stevenson looked up and saw a lean, ebony figure waving from the far end of the plantation. Reverend Stevenson waved back and joyfully shouted, “Thank ya, Trouble. I’ll see you, later!”
Lush pine trees, weeping willows, and other plants drooped over a calm, flowing, murky green river with a cool draft brushing the water’s surface and providing relief from the heat. Beams of sunlight barely penetrated the thick foliage of the swaying branches and leaves. Some mild ripples gradually became larger in the center of the calm stream. Green scales repeatedly slipped above the surface before quietly returning beneath the water. Rough skin, beryl eyes, and partially exposed sharp, white teeth resurfaced.
It moved through the muddy waters without a sound. The deadly, green predator felt an unnatural pattern of small currents flowing through the stream. The reptile followed the irregular disturbances to a pair of long, dark, moving legs thrashing the water with some mild heat coming from them. The creature dove to conceal itself. It rose to the water's surface with the smoothness of a lily pad. The animal thrust itself for the attack in expectation of sinking its teeth into its prey. Its mouth snapped upon the muddy water without satiating its appetite.
The reptile submerged itself below the water in hopes of ambushing its next meal. It rested upon the brown, dry shore an hour later with an ever-increasing rumbling from its abdomen. It descended into the river and swam further along the shore. It settled like a corpse near the bottom before the scent of death resurrected its appetite. It propelled itself through the water like a missile. The scent led to a thick, red, and murky streak before seeing several, lifeless creatures with talons, feathers, and beaks floating in the water, inactively.
Massive jaws opened, crushed the remains, and pushed the pinkish, crimson balls of flesh down its enormous throat with its large, white tongue. The fading maroon trail implied remains were still available if they were found. Green scales charged through the water until its legs were running upon dry land after reaching the shore. It quickly paused before creeping through tall grass, leaves, and other debris along the ground. The scent seductively lured its appetite until it stood in front of the smell's origin.
A large, crimson pile of dead birds, raccoons, turtles, snakes, and lizards stood tantalizingly in front of the creature. The reptile crawled toward the hill of dead flesh with bursts of intermittent speed. Teeth were nearly submerged below the skin, feathers, and fur before its jaw and neck became immovable. Jaws bled in its attempt to resist the force keeping its mouth shut. Weight fell upon the animal's back, letting it know the problem was external.
The reptile thrashed from side to side like a snake until it felt itself being restrained from the head to its mid-section. The creature beat its legs and tail, unsuccessfully. A swift pull held the creature's cranium in an immovable position. Its eyes flickered once before a swift motion left reduced its face to an empty gaze. The creature fell upon the embankment as lifelessly as the creatures it attempted to devour, mere seconds ago.
Trouble sat upon the river's bank and gazed into deceased alligator’s eyes. The accompanying breeze brought comfort to his relaxing body while his consciousness faded into listlessness...
* * *
Timberwolves ripped both of his ears off from each side of his head. A lion had its teeth in the boy's neck before his windpipe flew across the lava in a single motion. Pit bulls and Rottweilers shredded his legs until they looked like spaghetti. A lion lifted its crimson head out of his chest after ripping the organs to shreds and eating them. A glance above his head revealed a large alligator descending upon him with open jaws. His head was swallowed by darkness with stabbing pains throughout his body...
* * *
Trouble’s muscles flared up and his eyes developed a deep, crimson hue when he remembered the agony of the pain he suffered in Hell after a second of relief. The adolescent paused and deeply inhaled as his blood flowed, very rapidly.
He felt as though his heart was punching through his chest, and he strained to move his finger one inch. He drew his breath in rapid successions as opposed to slow, even inhalations. If I don't stop thinkin' 'bout Hell, I might wake up there. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing down. Ya in uh very calm place dat is quiet and peaceful. Enjoy it! He experienced soothing darkness. However, his sclera’s redness increased until its color resembled old blood. His muscle fibers became denser than iron, and his blood coursed throughout his body with lava’s fury upon recalling his helplessness by his dark tormentor and different animals torturing him in the fiery lake.
The young man’s appearance was blurred as he ran through the woods with crimson eyes targeting every creature resembling the animals he faced in the burning realm. His knuckles sent numerous trees flying in every possible direction like they were in a hurricane. A small boulder became dust falling from his curled fingers upon an unsuccessful hunt. He paused briefly to glance at the river out of the side of his left eye, and lunged into the water like a torpedo with a wave the size o
f a small house.
I do’n’ have ta worry ‘bout bait since I’m already like uh snack to dem! He thrashed through the water as some of the large, green, carnivorous lizards quickly swam toward him. A large group of teeth attempted to clench his limbs. However, Trouble wrapped its arms until its whole body could not move except for its tail which it thrashed like a decapitated snake. Blood saturated the surrounding stream as he ripped through the course tough fibers attaching the creature’s jaw to its head.
He discarded the lower jaw like a Frisbee while he watched the animal float through the water with a certain, morbid satisfaction. He drove his fingers through another passing alligator's cranium until a pink substance seeped through his fingers like jam.
The hunter quickly turned his head and ripped through the water with lightning speed for more victims. A movement with green scales headed in his direction. Crimson eyes became slightly brighter as he leapt out of the water like a dolphin and dove for the mouth of another set of scaly jaws. The massive animal prepared to snap its prey in half until it developed a strong, case of lockjaw. Skinny, dark fingers grasped the top and bottom portions of the mouth. The green reptile attempted to shred its attacker with its sharp teeth while it thrashed around in the water. The struggle ended with another alligator floating on the surface with its own red pool surrounding it.
Trouble sensed another one was very close and thrust himself into yet another reptile’s mouth. His fingers plunged through the tissue like cotton. He repeated the same process with every passing predator until the carcasses of alligators floated down the bloody red river like dead leaves from a tree. His movement resembled a fired torpedo. I wonda if dey scared of me yet? He slowly approached the other reptiles. An alligator snapped at his human predator and attempted to swim off, but he was captured in a blink with its carcass floating in the water within the next second. The individual caught up with the remaining reptiles.
Trouble headed toward the center of the river, and the alligators parted from the middle as loyal subjects, clearing the room for their ruler. He blinked and his sclera became white, again. The cool water slowly eased his anguish, and he floated aimlessly for a couple of seconds before calmly swimming to the shore. His blurred image sprinted through the woods until he was dry and slid into his overalls. The cautious juvenile stopped and listened to the silence of the river. He turned his head and noticed the alligators were not within the scope of his view.
Trouble's sandals were surrounded by dust clouds with each step on the dirty road. He enjoyed viewing the setting sun’s mild, orange glow illuminating the outlines of dead grass, trees, and dilapidated houses. The peaceful, diminishing light filled him with tranquility as he gazed upon the land on his way to his destination. He finally stopped in the large shadow of his new, temporary home. The pedestrian raised his head and looked up at the bell tower with the anticipation of getting some rest. He approached the door until shouting startled him:
"Amen!"
“Hallelujah!"
"Praise the Lord!"
I bet if I step into da sanctuary now: alla dose praises woul’ become curses! Half of ‘em ‘re wickeder than I used to be! Hmph!
He quietly stepped upon the splintered porch and walked toward the door. He observed a mild, amber light emanating from the eaves of the cracked, wooden entrance without touching it. He peered through the small opening to notice people swooning from side to side in the old, wooden pews. The young man knew entering the building from the front meant squeaking doors would interrupt the service in progress. That would definitely solidify his reputation for being ill mannered and disrespectful as the rumors indicated.
The considerate adolescent went to the side of the building to see if he could find another way into the bell tower. He walked around the building until he saw a tree that was at least two stories tall. He had never thought about testing his ability to jump until now. The curious individual glanced at the tall oak tree, which grew on the side of the church. He noticed the thickness and firmness of the branches while he perused it. I wonda if any o' dese provisions would make me jump higher?
A great, electrical surge sparked through his feet as he arched. He saw an incandescent glow emanated from his shoes with a glance. The cells in his body generated explosive power like a fusion reactor as enormous potential prepared to expand. His skin had a red glow with intermittent orange flashes. I dun even have ta ask: I know dis can help me an’ mo'!
Trouble focused on one of the oak tree’s branches when the explosive energy reached critical mass. He enthusiastically poised himself with the warm sensation providing pleasure until a half second glance to the left revealed several, amber lights, several yards away. The power suddenly waned and tempered as his eyes focused on the amber lights with slight intrigue. His sclera developed a crimson hue with his pupils fixated on the lights from the shadows of the approaching night before receding into the thick foliage of the woods.
Numerous eyes became dry except those with occasional tears falling from them. Ears tuned into a single voice coming from the pulpit. Reverend Stevenson ensnared the senses of his congregants like flies stuck in honey. Some people walked out of the church while others were screaming praises. He noticed Walter Kingston shaking numerous people's hands before coming to the door. Trouble approached Walter Kingston with his hand extended toward him. The man placed his hand over his mouth and muffled, "I have uh cold, Trouble, an' I don't want you to catch it!" Then, the man quietly walked, away. So, he not worried about preventin' anyone else from gettin' him sick but me! Uh huh! I may be bad, but at least I ain't uh hypocrite!! The building seemed to sway from the explosive jubilation occurring within its walls.
People from other towns came for the privilege of listening to the volatile orations, figuratively igniting the building. The doors furiously swung open into the moonlit night with rocks, dust, and debris flying everywhere with congregants jumping and running, frenziedly, clapping loudly, and marching upon the dirty road. Dorothy and Reynaldo Stevenson walked out behind the patriarch as a small group of people followed them. Reverend Stevenson gently closed and locked the doors of the building as some of the remaining congregates formed a small circle behind him and spoke to each other. All of them walked down the dark, dusty road together.
Many followed the moonlight to their homes with the crowd behind the Stevenson Family becoming smaller and smaller. The burly man yawned and stretched his arms to his sides, lowered them, and sharply exhaled. He inhaled deeply with some satisfaction as he visualized the faces of the people listening to his sermon. The proud pastor exhaled deeply before he nearly choked on his own breath. Reverend Stevenson smiled before a very small glow in the corner of his eyes caught his attention.
He placed his finger upon his lip and gestured for the others to remove their shoes. The group noticed the suggestive commands and acted, accordingly.
"I want ya'll tuh act normally, but walk a little faster dan normal!" whispered Reverend Stevenson. Several amber glows became closer and brighter. Reverend Stevenson glanced out of the side of his eye to see a figure with a white sheet draped over it holding a small torch. He immediately turned around and shouted “run!” A group of white sheets with holes cut out of the heads for eyes ran toward them, brandishing ropes, torches, rifles, and hoes.
A sea of ivory cloths lifted a small woman of off her feet and carried her away, and grasped at some of the people on their pastor's heels. Reverend Stevenson grasped his wife's hand pulled her behind him when she suddenly released it. Dorothy Stevenson tugged at her husband’s sleeve and screamed. He turned around to see white sheets surrounding Reynaldo with pitchforks and rifles aimed at his neck. The pastor exhaled deeply with tears running down his cheek and walked toward the menacing crowd with his hands in the air.
Several knuckles struck him from all directions when he reached the edge of the group until he fell. Several boots struck his head with pebbles and dirt stinging his eyes until his vision became blurred and his a
wareness slipped, away. Several hands pulled Dorothy's legs from underneath her. Rocks and gravel drove their way into her back with the small, disguised gathering dragging along the dusty road before everything went black.
Reynaldo felt himself gasping for breath as he bore his own weight pressing into his neck. Something very itchy was wrapped around it. He tried to take a step before he felt his foot swinging through the air. Then, he realized he was not on the ground. The adolescent looked ahead of him to see familiar people dangling in the air with ropes on their necks, gasping for breath. His eyes suddenly met those of his father as they stared at each other.
It bad enough that I'm gone die, but I cain't stand ta see my wife an' son lookin! at me! I failed 'em! I couldn't protect 'em! What kinda father an' husband am I? My wife an' son are 'bout ta die, an' all I c'n do is dangle wit' 'em!! The defeated pastor stared into his wife’s eyes with tears saturating his cheeks. Dorothy Stevenson gave a slight nod despite the noose restraining her head in support of her husband. The woman closed her eyes and struggled to endure the strain of the rope with her head held high.
The large, coffee-grounds man looked into the eyes of some of the people who were around to share his fate. He blinked away his own tears to see watery streaks running down the slopes of his followers' cheeks.
“Reverend, I don’t know why ya cryin’! You bought dis upon yo’self and yo’ people wit’ all uh dis foolishness ‘bout ‘change’ and ‘revolution!’ We can’t have uh rotten nigger like you pollutin’ the min’s of all the good niggers here! I hated that we had ta kill some of the ones dat you corrupted with yo’ hogwash ‘bout havin’ rights and demandin’ ‘equal pay for equal rights.' Now, you know that you ain’t human, and you deserve no rights, Reverend! Do you know what Natural Selection is? If you don’t know, it means that some species ‘re better than others; therefo’, some were meant ta survive while others ‘re intended to die out. It’s just tha natural order of thangs. We‘re simply meant fo’ survival, and yo’ kind is meant ta ‘bide by tha superior species ‘til it’s yo’ time ta leave this world. If you oppose tha natural order of thangs, there‘re consequences. Well Reverend, I would love ta explain more, but I wanna finish this, so I can play wit’ yo’ wife. Then, go home and play wit’ my own. Good night!” finalized the insensitive racist.
Trouble's Always Watching Volume 1: Volume 1 (The Trouble Series) Page 18