LIFE FLASHES
By Jeff Beesler
Life Flashes
Copyright © 2017 by Jeff Beesler
Published by Jeff Beesler
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the Author. Your support of author’s rights is appreciated. Re-selling this eBook without permission is punishable by law.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
For Dr. Max Wachtel, who got me to think how different my life might be if I lived in Colorado.
CHAPTER 1
HEADACHES AND BLURRED VISION
Austin Teph’s Dorm Room
University of Washington
9:30 PM
Wednesday, March 16th, 2016
Pressure built up right between my eyes in my third hour of intense study. Prepping for my calculus final tomorrow, I sat at my computer desk in my dorm room, absorbing calculus algorithms from my Kindle Fire into my brain. Every equation threatened to inflict more pain between my eyes. My own fault for letting finals week sneak up on me, a winter quarter wasted on parties and procrastination. Now I faced a failing grade, thanks to indulging my folly.
“Come on, Austin, get it together,” I muttered. “Mom will flip if she hears about you not taking your studies seriously.
I stared at my e-reader, a diagram on the LED screen boggling my mind. My eyes started to burn and I pulled away, apparently unable to retain any information at all. Every thought was a sledgehammer striking against a mental trash bin. Some ibuprofen and flat root beer did not ease the pain. But it was all I had to work with for now.
At least my roommate, Tony Mason, had stepped out for the night. I didn’t need him encouraging me to go get a beer with him. I glanced up at the sticky note I’d posted on the fridge a few days ago, a reminder of finals week. I had no idea if Tony saw it. If he did, his knowledge of it probably got lost somewhere between one party and another.
The digits on the clock next to me marched toward ten o’clock. I stifled a yawn, trying to keep myself awake for a few more hours. The lines and curves on the screen in front of me began to blur, proof of the strain my eyes were under. I got up from my desk and walked around the room, squinting in every direction as I stared. The ibuprofen sure seemed to be taking its sweet time banishing the aches inside my skull.
Maybe Tylenol would help. I strode to the bathroom, opening the cabinet and pulling out the bottle, finding it half full. Two pills plopped into my hand a second later. I went over to the kitchen for water this time around. The capsules slid into my mouth and the water washed them down my throat.
My studies soon resumed. I looked to my next equation, which required a graph involving the x, y, and z-axes. Not even five minutes later, I pried my eyes away again. The lines blurred again, my medication ineffective. Had I studied too hard that day? Taking a longer break seemed necessary. I even dared to consider going to bed.
For a second or two, the lights seemed to flicker. I looked outside my window, mulling my study-cram options, and drew comfort from the orange glow of Seattle’s nighttime skyline. Seattle was my home. I couldn’t imagine myself living anywhere else.
A crackle of lightning startled me. I looked outside my window for any hint of rain, but only found my reflection. I sighed relief before returning to the computer desk.
Hopefully I can get my nerves under control before I take the exam!
Another flash of lightning and the lights went out. Thankful that my laptop switched over to battery power, I saved my work. The lighting from my computer dimmed, but still cast enough light that I could see where I was going. I went over to my kitchen cabinets, my hands fumbling through the contents of one until I uncovered a flashlight. I had to shake it to get the light bulb working.
Then, a cold draft brushed against me. The hairs on my limbs rose and my teeth chattered. I glanced over at my dorm’s digital thermometer. Sixty-nine degrees. Ignoring the innuendo that Tony would’ve undoubtedly cracked a joke about, I checked where that draft came from. First, the AC/heater wasn’t on. Second, the window wasn’t open, nor was the door. So where had that gust come from?
Curiosity far from satisfied, I pulled my iPhone out of my pocket. The touchscreen still worked, as did the Wi-Fi. The lights returned an instant later. Confused by what had just happened, I decided to get some rest and catch up on my studying in the morning, just before the first exam.
I decided to call Tony to make sure he knew about finals tomorrow. As I went to dial, the numbers and symbols on the screen danced about, fluctuating, growing unrecognizable. I blinked, only to find my screen wasn’t even on. I really needed to get some shut-eye.
Not even bothering to change out of my clothes, I went straight for my bed. The pain in my noggin magnified to where I just about saw a white light fill the room. What the hell was happening to me? This had to stop. I needed to be alert and ready to go for that test. Something told me no matter what amount of sleep I got, it still wouldn’t suffice.
My nose pressed into the pillow as I toppled over onto my bed. Chills kept crawling all along my arms and legs, compelling me to yank my covers over me. I chafed every part of my body in the hopes of finding warmth. Was I getting sick or something? This couldn’t have just been from cramming for a test.
Tyler? Oh, my God! Tyler! No. No! You can’t be gone! You just can’t be!
At first, I thought the words came from a neighbor’s TV, blaring in their own dorm but barely making a whisper in mine. I lifted the blanket up and over my head. The same words replayed like an echo. They still seemed to play off a frequency, not so much a television as perhaps a radio. Pondering, I sat up in bed, tossing off the sheets and glancing out my bedroom window. More strange flashes, lightning without the thunder.
I can’t let you die, Tyler! You have so much to live for. I feel like I just found you and…
The words cut out on me. They sure sounded stronger this time. I didn’t know who this Tyler was, but, apparently, he was fighting for his life.
Tyler. Listen to me. I don’t care what the doctors say. You’re not braindead. I’m going to find a way to get you back to me. We belong together. I can’t go on without you.
The headache stabbed at me once more. I fell back against the mattress but barely felt the impact. The white light behind my eyelids persisted as another gust danced across my skin. I tried to force sleep, but the voice persisted.
You wouldn’t believe what I heard, Tyler. The doctors want to take you off the machines. I suppose I ought to tell your mom and our friends about this, but…no, there’s a better way. I mean, why upset them needlessly with this? They don’t need to know.
Now the words seemed to come from right next to me, as if someone had breathed them like cigarette smoke into my ear. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. Soon, body heat returned to me, the pain buried beneath my skull subsiding. I could think straight again, although my chest felt tight with anxiety. Something seemed off about the world around me. Only I couldn’t figure out what that something was.
My phone buzzed from inside my pocket. I pulled it out, finding Tony was on the other end of the line.
“Hey,” I rasped into my device.
“What’s up, guy?” Tony asked, his words more than a little slurred.
“I’m in bed.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
I sighed, but otherwise didn’t answer.
“Are you coming home anytime soon, Tony?” I asked, changing the subject.
“In about an hour. Just checking in on you, buddy. Yo
u know you’re the bee’s knees, right?”
Yep, it was the alcohol talking to me. Part of me wanted to tell him off for getting plastered the night before finals. But the other part, my greater half, indulged in relief. At least Tony kept me grounded after that mental glimpse involving some guy named Tyler.
Thank God I have Tony in my life. Can’t believe how grounded he keeps me.
“Hey, bartender, what do you mean you won’t get me another beer?” Tony again slurred his words, an untimely burp getting in the way. “Hey, Austin. I gotta go. Got to deal with something.”
He hung up before I got my goodbye in. Still unsettled by what happened five minutes ago, I decided to text my mom.
Hey, Mom. I just wanted to let you know I’m sorry for not calling you lately. Hopefully we can get together soon. Love, Austin.
Not even a full minute passed before I got a message back from her.
It’s okay, Austin. I’ve been busy so much with showing houses to potential buyers these past two weeks, I’ve barely had time for little more than a bubble bath. How about we get together for lunch over the weekend?
I thought about my response for a moment. It would take me some time to head over to Bainbridge Island, what with the construction downtown and the ferry wait time. But this would be after my finals, and my free time would once again belong to me. I saw no reason why I couldn’t head on over to the island, if only for a quick meal on Winslow Way.
Does Saturday sound good for you? I can be there around midday if that’s all right with you, I messaged her back.
A moment lapsed before she answered.
Sounds great! I do have one house to show in the morning on Saturday, but I’ll be free afterward.
I sent her another reply. See you then. Love you.
One look at my screen confirmed I had sent those last words. I set my phone on my end table and closed my eyes to go to sleep. I felt an unusual surge of energy flow through me, but then I allowed myself a slow exhalation.
A car honking nearby made me open my eyes. Rain-drops splattered against my face, a suddenly wind pelting me with stormy torrents. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, only to find myself still sitting in bed, beads of moisture dotting my flesh. The stinging underneath my arms suggested the liquid was sweat. I ran the tip of my tongue all around my lips, only to find no salty taste whatsoever. Another spasm of fire ebbed through my head, forcing me to lie back down. More car horns blared, sounding close by. I went to pull my covers back over my head. My fingers slipped through the fabric without making contact. Panic set in; I went to reach for my phone, unable to touch that either.
What the devil was happening to me?
“Someone help me!” I called out.
I am helping you, Tyler. I’m bringing you back home to me.
Something about the way the voice spoke seemed direct this time. I couldn’t shake the feeling there was malice in the voice’s intent.
“Who’s there?”
I’m here, Tyler. I’m so relieved to know you can hear me! I think I have a solid lock on you. I don’t know how you got away from here, from your home, but I’ll pull you back over onto my side. We belong together, Tyler. You’re not leaving me. I can be a better person if you’ll just let me.
“You’ve got the wrong person. My name’s Austin,” I called out into the dark of the night. Then a thought occurred to me. “Tony, if this is your idea of a joke, it’s not at all funny.”
I half-expected Tony to come barging into my room, exploding with laughter. He had a knack for pranking me a lot, but he’d laid off his tricks ever since he got me with that exploding can of beer two weeks back.
I’m not Tony, Tyler. You must be confused. It’s understandable, seeing as how you nearly died in that car crash the other day. I thought for sure you’d died. But instead, here I find you alive and well, although your assumption of another name leaves me somewhat troubled.
“Who are you?” I asked, now surer that this wasn’t a Tony prank.
The love of your life, Tyler. You married me three years ago. Our anniversary is coming up. I can’t believe you almost left me. Whatever happened to your promise to stay with me for the rest of my life?
I shook my head, slamming my pillow over both ears. I had never been in love before and had rarely dated in the past. In fact, I hadn’t gone on a date since homecoming senior year in high school. Whoever spoke to me like I’d been in a relationship with them was crazy.
Then again, I heard the voice when no one was physically around. What did that say about my own sanity?
“You have the wrong guy. I’m not Tyler. I’m Austin. I’m a college student at the University of Washington.”
Washington? How strange. My own fault, however, for not better understanding this device. I just assumed it was about as easy to maneuver as a vending machine. Whatever.
“What are you yammering about?”
Just technical details. I have a firm lock on your signal now. You made the mistake of trying to talk to me. As ever, your mouth gets you in trouble, Tyler. But you know I can be reasonable. We’ll have to talk when you get home, but for now…
I waited for the voice’s next words. The rasp interfered with my ability to discern whether I was dealing with a woman or a man. I didn’t know how anyone could mistake me for some other guy. I went for my iPhone again. This time I got a firm grasp on it. I threw it into my pocket out of fear of losing it again.
Another flare of the ivory energy blinded me. My ears not only picked up on horns, but also the sound of tires sloshing through puddles. Exhaust choked my lungs and I gasped for air. More rain fell on me, my stomach churned, and I felt another draft. A thud against hard pavement resulted in at least half of my body filling with pain. Metal struck metal and glass shattered but I remained free from harm, other than crashing against broken pavement. I made half an attempt to pull my covers over my head one last time, but I found nothing on me, not even clothes.
My body naked to the world and my strength departing from me, I finally passed out.
CHAPTER 2
BEDBOUND
Location and Time
Unknown
For a time, the ringing of white noise served as the only sign that I was still alive. An antiseptic smell tickled my nostrils next, followed by the solid support of a firm mattress and coarse sheet underneath me. A splash of copper coated my tongue and almost made me gag.
But taste proved a lesser problem for me as opposed to my one remaining sense. I tried to open my eyes, but got no response. Whatever the reason, nothing came into view. Had that earlier light burnt out my retinas? I tried to speak. No words came. Was there even anyone in close range to have heard me?
For now, I kept quiet. Whoever spoke to me earlier might’ve still been around, watching, waiting for me to slip up, still confusing me for whoever Tyler was. I had to be smart about this.
Footsteps echoed in the distance. Every fiber of my being tensed up, my nerves just about pinching. Was the owner of that mysterious head voice about to make their identity known? I felt around in front of me for a cover. Finding a thin fabric that I then yanked over my head, feigning sleep with what I hoped was a convincing snore.
The footsteps grew louder for a few minutes, and then softer. I listened to each clack against the tile and realized I was probably in a hospital, hopefully a sanctuary. I tested my arms and legs. No restraints. At least I wasn’t being held against my will.
But walking out of here without my eyesight intact would prove tricky, especially if I didn’t know where the hell I was. And just how much time had passed since I lost consciousness? A day, a week, a year even? How would I have even known? It wasn’t like there was a digital clock and calendar built right into my skull.
At some point, the darkness weakened. Light soon reached me and I heaved a sigh of relief. I still didn’t have a good idea of what was going on other than the fact that I was lying in a hospital bed. I looked around as my vision came back to near normal.
A remote control lay on an end table next to my bed, as if waiting for me to return from my slumber. I found the power button and turned it on. Someone called out the letter N and I realized Wheel of Fortune was on the TV.
When the show went to commercial, I paid little attention to the advertisements at first. Instead, I looked about the room and mostly saw a thick blanket of darkness around me. The commercials playing mentioned fried chicken, smart phone plans, even a breakfast cereal. I shrugged these all off. Just as I thought the show returned, the local station cut in with a breaking news report.
“This is Jessica Cottrino, reporting for Channel 52. We have an update on the car crash that left Denver resident Tyler Jonson in critical condition. Denver police have revealed that the hit-and-run driver may have been responsible for a slew of bank robberies in the Metro area.”
The anchor went into further detail in her report, but my mind dragged across two key words. First, “Tyler.” It may have been a coincidence, but that was the name I’d heard the other night.
Then the second word. Had she really said Denver? I knew I’d been out for some time, but it seemed far-fetched that I’d be transported all the way to Colorado during my blackout. My mom would have sought medical attention for me in the Puget Sound area, not in the Rockies. I squinted at the screen and found that the TV station really belonged to the Denver market.
The thunder of my heartbeat became hard to ignore. I flexed my fingers, letting them roll in soothing motions. Somehow, I’d wound up some thirteen hundred miles away from home. I went to reach for my phone, finding myself clothed only in hospital pajamas. A quick scan of the room revealed a change of clothes were rolled up on a chair next to the window. My legs offered no support when I went to stand, and even if they did an IV in my arm bound me to the medical equipment next to my bed. Patience seemed my only friend for now.
“Hey, Voice Person, are you there?” I asked through a raspy throat.
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