Freedom Fever

Chapter 1: Life is Good

Heated anger. Eye-opening fear. All-encompassing hopelessness. Grim determination.

Breathless desperation.

My steaming body rushing forward through the constricting limbs of an unknown forest. Unearthly sounds of my hunters not far behind, driving me forward. Scratches, cuts and bruises all but secondary to the imminent threat of death. Shrubs and rock do their utmost to hinder my dash, for I fear no escape is available. The thumping of their legs a staccato of impending death, their hysteric hissing language a wave of gripping fear that does not let go. But even worse is the booming sounds of their jumping.

My breath bellows fire into my limbs, their responsiveness waning under the relentless exhaustion of my desperate run for hope. Light breaks through the darkness in front of me, new hope pushes their biting jaws and many legs further behind as light blinds me more and more! My numb feet secure in their footing as I soldier on! I will survive! I will see them again! I will, fall?

Falling,

Falling,

Falling…

Beep, beep, beep… click.

Morning already? Sucking in a deep breath reveals the morning sun from its blanket of clouds. Just a dream. Letting the breath go out slow and surely some of the weight from the dream slowly leaves me. As a snake making its way out of the warming sand my body starts digging for the surface from within the covers. Weight leaves my leaden limbs as warmth starts to spread. My eyes wander through the room before falling onto the calendar illuminated by a stray ray of sun. As a hare frozen by the stare of the fox, my thoughts slow to a crawl as instincts try to force it to run from danger, to flee for life. Today is the day. Will, will she say yes?

Two protectors stand against the fox by announcing themselves with a bark, breaking the hare from its stupor to activity. “Woof!” “Woof!”

As if my lips only now remembered the sun was faithfully warming me did a smile emerge from my face, thawing the rest of my body in the process. My gaze falls to the two dimly lit brown heroes that saved me from my nervous hiccup, barely making it above the bedside. My arms throw of the cold as warmth pumps from my heart all the way to the gentle touch of my hand on their small heads.

“Ah, good morning Hunter, Niala. Did you guys have a good night’s rest?”

As if energized by my touch two tails start chopping like the woodsman’s axe, generating movement from the rear till the front! “Woof!” “Woof!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll open the door.”

Shifting my weight, I stand up from the bed and soldier on into the kitchen placing a pan onto the stove, I throw in a handful of green coffee beans, set it to three and switch on the kettle. Opening the kitchen door Hunter and Niala bolt out to go and pester the rest of the animals unto awakening on this warm summer morning. Energetic as always.

Feeling the call of the wild I rush to the bathroom before being summoned back by the smell of roasting coffee beans, I force them through the grinder and into the French press.

A few minutes later I am sitting in front of the computer with coffee that would make many a man jealous. Opening my inbox, I am confronted by two emails. One from Bob, and another from a terrible fantasy writer going by the title “ChimmyChump”, whom published some of his chapters online, I only commented once but he couldn’t get enough of my criticism, and sent me the draft of his story requesting an opinion.

I of course gave him one after a cursory glance and he decided a bothersome acquaintanceship was in order. A snort forcefully exits my nose like the clown from a canon. Or rather an annoying once a day question and answer sheet via email.

There was one cowardly character’s view that found merit in my eyes in this morning’s q and a: “I, when forced into the choice of rescuing someone, would always choose to be the victorious saviour rather than the successful sacrifice, if push comes to shove the coward who lives another day. My first priority is me and I will be damned if I were to give myself up to let someone else live theirs for a little while longer.”

The email from Bob was simple to answer, he wanted confirmation on the program I wrote for their company’s new accounting and networking system. We finished the product without having even met in person once - in my opinion a preferred customer – they wanted to incorporate bitcoin into their payroll system, and set up a preferred business network for businesses that trade with bitcoin or other crypto-currency’s. It goes without saying that I was paid in said bitcoin. He just wanted a clarification on one of the features.

At 05:30 the alarm went off on the computer, flashing the fire brigade red word “Run!”

Making my way back into the kitchen I take out a Texan-steak from the fridge and make my way into my running shorts.

Grabbing an inhaler along with the emergency button from the counter, a frosty glaze observes it in my hand. I hate this, thing. Quickly shaking off the thought I deposit it into my pocket.

Walking from the kitchen I am greeted by the workshop to the left with the sun spilling over the roof and the partially lit farm on the right. Using my fingers, I whistle an ear deafening sound startling the shadowed rooster perched in front of the workshop into crowing his morning call, where the sun apparently failed to do so. Frowning I observe the frantic way the archaic rooster works itself up to crow like a grandfather clock in need of some oil before the first strike at the hour. How is this darn thing still alive?

Stretching my limbs then jogging in place a little I notice two wagging tails emerge from the direction where the livestock would be this time of year. I need to remember to check if there are any animals that need medical treatment, see if the sheep are ready to sheer, make sure there is enough backup meat in the freezer...

Trembling.

Trembling hands brings me back to the present as I lift them slowly up to eye level. Ten cold, shaking fingers stare back at me, like the flags upholding a cold truth upon the besieged castle wall ready to fall. A truth no amount of distraction would cure.

A deep breath and a flexing brow accompanies tightening fists as my gaze locks onto the direction of my daily jog. Time, to check the fences.

Starting at a light jog Hunter and Niala fall in behind me with a silent focus, in tune with my every step.

Finding a comfortable rhythm my heavy shoulders seat my forward tilted head, ready for the ordeal. Eyes drifting from fencepost to fencepost checking for any abnormalities or breaches. Quickly getting lost within the habit, ground continue to disappear beneath my feet.

They betray the monotony of the jog by going straight into a wild fire, noticed only by my throat as every breath I take starts to burn. Push through it! A few breaths later the fire continues on into my muscles, burning up any remaining oxygen resulting in sluggish responses. Push through it! Lifting my chin I push out my chest and force out everything as my eyes remain fixed upon the horizon. Push throu…!

Pudong!

On my hands and knees every muscle protest with fire, highlighted with the wheezing breath that ekes through my narrowed passageways. A shaking hand brings the inhaler to my lips, 8 repetitions as prescribed are pulled into my aching lungs.

As I hold my breath, my heart finds itself in a filling gas chamber and starts pounding upon the door with increasing intensity. Hold it in! Screaming for air! Hold it in! Screaming for oxygen! Hold it in! Screaming for life!

My hand still trembling drops the inhaler and removes the emergency button from my pocket and holds it, primed for activation. My heart refusing to relent, hammering onto the door with strength rivalling the gods.

A heavy minute later my heart brakes out! I cough up any foul air and grabbing hold of the fresh breeze, refusing to let any slip by. A funny aftertaste omnipresent to all taste buds haunt my mouth. Feeling my passageways widening, the emergency button and inhaler find their way back to my pocket. At least its further than last year.

As I lift my head I look straight into the worrying eyes of Niala, Hunter standing on the side keeping watch of the surroundings. “Thanks, guys, I’ll be right back on my feet, just, give me a minute.”

And exactly a minute later we were on our way again, taking stock of all the animals and checking the once more broken fox traps. It got away again, do any of the traps even work or is it just too smart for them?

35 sheep, 23 cows, 30 chickens and 15 pigs. 2 chickens less than last week.

Trudging to the side of the workshop I take some wet food and mix it into the dry pellets for Hunter and Niala, keeping the bowls on the table I turn around to see both already bowing for their food like a pair of beaten show horses!

“Come one guys, you know you have to wait for my command before you do anything, else you don’t get fed.”

“Hunter. Sit. Stand. Hunter jump up.” Hunter nimbly jumps up onto the table and stands before his bowl. “Hunter wait.”

“Niala. Sit. Stand. Niala jump up. Niala wait.”

Both of them are waiting on the table top, drool dripping from their mouths they stand at about chest height, waiting faithfully for my command. They really aren’t so small standing on the table. 20 seconds later, “Eat.”

Entering into the workshop I go to my exercise section, doing a few body weight exercises combined with resistance training with hand-made dumbbells complete my morning workout. On my way back to the kitchen I milk old Bessie without squeezing the life out of her, grab a dozen eggs from the coup and a few vegetables from the greenhouse.

The Texan-steak is at room temperature and beckoning for the grill, 15 minutes later breakfast is served. A full plate accommodating a 1,5-kg steak, 12 poached eggs, three tomatoes and a hand-made pitcher with 2 litres of milk. I bow my head in prayer.

“Thank you lord for the food on my table,

for the roof over my head,

the rain for my land,

and for the bride you have prepared for me beforehand.

Blessed be your name, amen.”

The dishes done my steps bring me to the medicine cabinet. A few seconds pass as I remember the burning pain still lingering in my muscles, setting aflame a new uprising of determination as my chest puffs out in defiance with a deep breath, till I am reminded of the inhaler and panic button in my pocket.

A long sigh drags down my posture, a haunting feeling stems from my bones when my right hand removes the pill and I swallow it dry. Celestamine Experimental tablet no. 7

Grabbing my phone from the wireless charger in the study I move to the lounge and take a seat in my handmade lazy-boy.

“Hey Siri.”

“How can I help you?”

“Please call Lee-Ann Remmington.”

“Just to confirm, did you mean Lee-Ann Remmington Home, or Cell?”

“Cell.”

Riiing.

As if cotton balls are rolling around in my stomach I lean forward looking at the screen.

Riiing. Riiing.

“Good morning.”

A smile spreads itself onto my face like butter melting on toast.

“Good morning beautiful, did you have a good night’s rest?”

“Yes thanks, did you have any dreams that you remember?”

As a mother bird floating on the breeze softly landing on a single stone sticking out of the quiet river, her voice brushes off any excess weight left on my shoulders. Like a kid reaching for the cookies on the out-of-reach shelf my head tilts backwards in remembrance. A dream? Yes.

“Now that you mention it, I do remember one, but barely. More of a nightmare truth be told.”

“Oh, don’t keep me in suspense then.”

“Sure, sure. I remember being chased by grotesque monsters that resembled spiders and something else through a strange wilderness, but couldn’t define any other distinct features in my haste for survival.”

“This isn’t another stab at my mother is it?”

Akin to a camera losing focus the memory blends back into the background.

“Pff, haha, no. Not this time. Ahh. Well, now I lost it. And you? Any dreams of significance you’d like to share?”

“In fact, I cannot remember anything at all.” A hint of worry taints her voice: “How was your, jog?”

A creak from the chair as I shift is the only sound that makes it through, a frown creasing my forehead. Ten seconds pass before her tainted voice comes through again.

“That bad huh?”

“Yeah, thanks for worrying though.” Change the topic. “I managed to finish the project yesterday.”

“The one you can’t talk about? Non-disclosure agreement or something?”

The taint left her voice, replaced with a much better curiosity.

“Yeah, that’s the one. Was thinking I could finish the bed base you asked me for this weekend. But I am definitely looking forward to seeing you guys at the dog park later today.”

A rising tide of excitement gushes from the speaker “Really! Yes, I can’t wait! You know full well the struggle of not fitting on the bed. Ahh, I can imagine it already, no longer a night will I struggle with dangling legs. There is one thing I have always wanted to try in the bedroom!”

The one side of my mouth angles up into a mocking smile.

“Oh, sounds naughty, let me in on it too. What is it you always wanted to try in the bedroom.”

“To get a full 8 hours sleep!”

“Ahahaha!” “Ahahaha!”

I hear a door opening and Rella jumping on to the bed while yelling in her charming innocent voice “Good morning Tristan! What was the joke? Was it funny? Guess what? I brushed my teeth with my new tooth brush today, when are you visiting? We miss you!”

“Whoa there horsey, you nearly trampled my ears to death. I miss you two too, but I’ll be seeing you both later today sweetheart! It is unfortunate but I can’t tell you the joke mommy told me, because she said a dirty word!”

A sound of disbelief echoes from both voices at the same time, “Huuh?!” “Huuh?!”

Before Lee-Ann could get a word in I hear Rella shuffling from the bed in a rush yelling: “I’ll get the soap!”

“How dare you Tristan! Now I have to uphold the rules or she won’t follow them either! She won’t believe me because you said it! I’ll get you for this!”

My mocking grin transforms into a full out open laugh.

“Ahahaha! Don’t worry honey, I could almost smell your morning breath over the phone, smells like you need it.”

An anger filled grunt flavoured with indignation assaults my ears, and yet, I couldn’t remove the smirk from my face!

“Uggggh! Just you wait!”

“Here’s the soap mommy! Now get rid of the bad words!”

“No Rella, mommy didn’t swear, really, Tristan was lying!”

“I don’t believe you mommy! Soap! Soap! Soap!”

Trying to hold in my laughter I gave my greeting “Enjoy your morning my bountiful beauties! I love you both!”

Another grunt of indignation followed by a whisper from Lee-Ann coupled with Rella’s energetic voice ended the greeting: “Love you too.” “Love you too! Mommy soap!”

“Call ended.”

Yeah, she’s definitely the one for me.

Riing, rii…

“Hi son! Today is the big day huh, you ready? I feel jittery all over thinking about it.”

“Hi mom, you sound more excited than I am ahaha!”

“Who wouldn’t be excited? But why do you have to be so secretive about it huh, not even showing your mother how the ring looks like, hmmm? For all I know you made it from scrap metal in the workshop! Please, just show it to me, please please please?”

“Haha, no mom, you’ll just have to wait like the rest before you get to see it.”

“Hmpf, you’re no fun. Keeping me high and dry like this, oh well, hope she’ll like it. Oh, I mean I hope she says yes! Hehe.”

“Thanks mom.”

A few second go by before she speaks of the only other thing grabbing her attention recently, a hint of danger playing in the undertones of her voice: “Have you heard there was another singularity that happened in Russia yesterday?”

“Another one? This might be one big and elaborate hoax, or something is going on.”

“Yeah, they said it was one where something came through again, but wouldn’t disclose what it was, again. I even got one of your dad’s sources to check in on it.”

Akin to an agent on a failed suicide mission, poison now flavours my mouth along with my words. “Mom. I told you not to do that.”

Silence.

Just move on, she’s married to him after all.

“Yeah, the conspiracists, scientists and churches are all jumping on this thing. In my opinion they’re just spreading mass hysteria, the end times, aliens, gods, whatever it is, as long as we can fight it and stay safe if it comes down to it, what else does it matter?”

“Yeah, conspiracy or not, stay safe son.

Oh.

Wait…

Here’s your father.”

A stone hits my heart from its pedestal down to the floor, dragging the fake smile from my face in its refusal to fall alone, hiding the sun from my heart and casting it into an ecliptic darkness.

“Hi son.”

“Hi, father.”

…

“Well, I didn’t want to do this over the phone. But, here goes.”

My face remains as my new heart, cold, calculating, impassive.

“I do support you in this, and also hope that she says yes. There is just one thing I would like you to do…”

“Yes…?”

“To be a better husband and father than I am. Despite not being there for many things you went through and are still going through, I still love you.”

Money can’t replace time lost. A sneer jumps up on my mask of coldness before being suppressed.

“Thanks. I’ll let you guys know what her answer is once I know too.”

“Call ended.”

Sigh.

Yeah dad, I will definitely be a better husband, father and man than you ever were.

Switching on the tv I do some channel flipping, eventually landing on the discovery channel with a show focussing on the world’s deadliest spiders grabbing my interest. Anything to get him of off my mind.

“Welcome professor Jobe, thanks for visiting us and enlightening us with your impressive arachnid knowledge.

Thanks for having me.

Before we let you go professor Jobe, one last question?

Please.

Excellent. As you are aware today’s show focussed on the world’s deadliest spiders, from the fast running spiders of the desert, trap door, those that hunt with a net, those that live under water, those that wander with strong poison, those that can jump 100 times their own body length and those that are big enough to catch birds among others.

What in your opinion, would be the worst combination in a spider you can get?

Ah, well mister Travollie. To me this isn’t that much of a question since I have had many a daydream depicting this very thing. What would be described would be a menace, something governments would fight against with force onto a plague, where citizens would be forced to build high walls, deep reinforced basements and where the natural food chain would shift to make place for it, where even the ecology would need to be revised for it to fit if not overburdened unto collapse.

I do however have one thing to propose, and that is no matter how strong, fast, venomous nor big a spider gets, it would be a far cry from the threat of such a spider if it were to be given the intelligence of a jumping spider. The adaptability that would be brought to such a monstrous hunter would be worse than the black plague, and would likewise never be truly made extinct.”

That reminds me, I haven’t fed them yet. Standing up and stretching my upper body somewhat I go to the workshop and feed my brown-hair tarantula with some crickets and my corn snake with a small mouse.

Time decided to take a jog of its own as I continue my morning chores. At about 11 AM I finally finished the last of them and went to the wall safe inside the workshop with a light jump in my step.

Opening the safe with a finger print code combination lock I remove a polished mahogany engagement-ring box. Mom you were only half right, I’m not a gold nor silver smith so the ring was bought, but at least I could make the box it comes in! But honestly, who was the bastard that said an engagement ring should be worth three months’ salary?!

A full month’s worth of searching and it all ran down to a custom order anyway. A white gold Victorian style ring with a brilliant cut exposing as much shine from the diamond as possible.

Placing it into my pocket I saunter into the house with a giddy mood, quickly packing some miscellaneous stuff for the dog park into a duffle bag, and hiding the box inside it. Running through another meal for brunch, taking a shower and putting on something business casual I summoned Hunter and Niala.

Quickly confirming with Lee-Ann that I would see them at the dog park in a bit with a voice-note I gather everything and head to the garage, always hated text messages.

Doing a quick check that all six wheels are in proper condition and having Hunter and Niala jump onto the back I squeeze into the driver’s seat, careful not to hit my head in the process, noting that I would have to send it in to replace the front shocks due to their constant creaking, again.

Twenty minutes later I enter into the outskirts of town, having to drive carefully on some streets due to being too narrow, ignoring the pointing fingers from children and the frightened or interested gazes from the rest.

Arriving at the dog park I see Lee-Ann’s car already parked among a multitude of others with her characteristic stickers on the back window. “Supermom and supergirl on board!” Hopefully I’ll be able to add my sticker there after today.

After having parked, it was another round of tiptoeing past car sideview mirrors and walking softly past the more expensive cars making sure I don’t accidentally cause an alarm to go off, again.

At least the gateman knew me and quickly opened the gate to let me through, it seemed relatively quiet at the gate, but once inside there were a multitude of people and dogs running, playing,

and stopping to look at me.

A deep breath pushes my chest out, my chin high and my shoulders back. My eyes looking beyond the gawkers and whatnot. I am not a display piece for you to see.

Some dogs were instantly intimidated and barked at me with their hackles raised.

Having learned from some dog trainers I don’t make eye contact with any canines, ignoring them and just continue walking with a calm, assertive feeling. Having Hunter and Niala next to me whilst remaining calm helped a lot with reducing the hostility of the other dogs as they came up to investigate me.

Out of the corner of my eye I see a young kid run up followed by an overweight chihuahua who refused to remain behind, his approach a mix of a giddy rush and awkwardness as if he wasn’t fully sure of himself. Till he came and stopped next to me. He looked to be Rella’s age with the same unmistakeable wild tint in his eyes when adventure was still to be found around every corner.

The chihuahua came up to give Hunter and Niala a greeting before giving me a sniff and finally keeling over panting so hard you would wonder if it was about to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Seeing that the boy standing in front of me while nearly breaking his neck I bend down on one knee and look him straight in the eye, Hunter and Niala standing next to me at the same height as the boy.

His eyes start to tear up a little at the same time his arms go to clutch each other, I keep my silence while focussing on him. His eyes darting left and right searching for some type of comfort. A few seconds pass before his hands ball up into fists, and the previous teary-eyed kid is replaced with a man thrown into the wilderness having just managed to kindle a flame with a flint and some straw as his eyes firmly lock onto mine.

At least you have some backbone. I could already predict his first question.

“Are, are you the Hulk?”

“No but I am a friend of his.”

The spark from his eyes started being buffeted by a wind of disappointment, threatening to be snuffed at any moment.

“Huh, how come you are so big and strong then if you’re not the Hulk?”

“Well you see, as I am a friend of his, the Hulk gave me a secret in how to become big and strong.”

In an instant, the spark was back having overcome the previous breeze of confusion: “Wow! Can you tell me? Please?”

“Oh, are you sure you can handle it? It is an important secret.”

The sparkle caught some twigs and started burning with curiosity. “Yes! I can keep a secret…” Hah! Liar, but I’ll forgive you kid.

Lowering my head even further I whisper in a serious tone.

“First, you have to eat all of your vegetables.”

“All of them?” His voice flavoured with doubt and ridicule.

“Yep, then you need to exercise every day.”

“But that’s no secret, mommy tells me that every day.”

“Oh, but here is the important part. You see, the Hulk told me that he was tired of getting angry all the time so that he can get strong. He wanted to be strong all the time, not just when he was angry.”

“That’s so cool! Was he able to do it?”

A toothy grin accompanied my next sentence.

“Of course, remember he told me his secret and I’m big and strong without being angry.”

He takes another look at me, then nods in confirmation.

“You see the Hulk learned to get a handle of his emotions instead of bottling it up, and he said that it was key to discovering his true strength.

He said that he wouldn’t tell me how he got strong after that, because everyone is different, and only once they are at that point can they see how to get their own power.”

Even I am not there. But an ideal is always more beautiful than the truth.

The kid got a smoky look in his eyes, as if my words were some wet tinder thrown over the small fire and would likely stay there smoking for a long time.

“That, does sound like a secret. Thanks mister.”

And just like that he bolted towards his dad, who was eyeing me like a hawk the entire time. Only after his son ran to him did a look of relief and a strange pride colour his features. Extending my hand and tapping the fat chihuahua out of his panting stupor I stand up watching as it tried to catch up in vain.

Continuing on my way a few dogs tag along as usual in a temporary pack behind me with Hunter and Niala in the middle.

With a few more minutes of walking I see the signature 8-meter-tall oak tree with a few people sitting around it comfortably on park benches. Including Lee-Ann, Rella, and Sheeva their female husky.

The usual gawkers and a new batch of dogs start barking at me and my mini entourage before going through the same process again. Rella jumped up as soon as she saw me running full speed while Sheeva stayed at a comfortable pace alongside.

Going down on one knee and bending forward I await her with open arms, gently moving away a dog or two who thought it was an open invitation to lick my face, if they could reach it.

As she came close enough she did a running jump while yelling “Hi Tristan! Oemf!”

At the impact a wave of gentle warmth spread through my body, I hold her in the air in front of me as if a doll for inspection: “Oh, you nearly didn’t make the jump my blond headed beauty.” Tilting her a little from side to side elicits a giggle, accompanied with the jingle of a few bells that were clipped onto the bottom of her ponytail. “Did you grow again when I wasn’t looking?”

Without waiting for an answer I bring her in for a soft hug, she goes limp in my arms with satisfaction. I can’t get over how small you feel in my arms. “Hehehe, of course I did, I need to become big like mom and you.” Good luck with that.

After giving the energetic Sheeva a pat on the head I raise Rella and put her on my left shoulder before we start walking again.

“Hold on properly now, I don’t want you falling from here.” A sharp pain comes from my ear giving me a little jolt. Please don’t rip it off!

“Hmhm, ok. It’s always so different up here. You can only see people’s faces when they try to break their necks to look up at you. Even mommy has to look up to you and she is 2 meters tall already!”

My ear!

“It definitely is a different view up here isn’t it. What else can you notice from here?”

“Well, everything looks smaller I guess.”

“Huh, I never noticed that, thanks! Now tell me more about your week, I haven’t seen you two for a week so I guess I missed a lot.”

I knew I would regret it eventually but decided to start this engine in hopes of it running out of fuel faster while walking towards Lee-Ann waiting for me at the bench. Was wondering if Rella was scolded or already spent some of her energy earlier, since she wasn’t on a roll already prior to my question.

“It has been waaaay longer than a week, we didn’t see you for two weeks! I made a new friend at school this week, her name is Leona and she also has a dog and Barbie dolls and a cat and even a shower! Mommy said if I stand outside and she sprays me with the hose it’s like getting a shower too!”

“Wow, then I would like to get a shower like that too. How about I let you down for a bit so that I can greet mommy?”

I come to a stop as my eyes are fully locked with the woman of my dreams.

She stares at me with a beaming expression meeting one of my own. Her brown eyes glowing with a gentle warmth that can hypnotize the hardest criminal into a bubbling babe. Her chestnut brown hair flowing loosely to her shoulders inviting me to touch it, drawing my gaze down to her beautifully proportioned body. Mountains accompanied by a valley so deep my eyes almost got lost in it!

“But I like seeing some dad’s bald spots when I’m up here!” My shoulders stiffen as I bark out a laugh seeing the surrounding men having a hand dart up to feel if her claims were true. Lee-Ann looks at Rella with an incredulous stare before speaking in a disbelieving voice: “Oh no missy, I thought I raised you better than that!”

I add on a beat later: “You can’t say that out loud sweetheart, some guys would get upset hearing that.”

“Oh, ok Tristan.” Hopefully you will call me daddy after today.

Lee-Ann softly mutters under her breath: “Why does she only listen to you?”

A shift in weight on my shoulder indicates Rella tilting her head: “So that means the women won’t be upset if I look for their bold spots?”

My hand slowly comes to and holds my face, stifling the next bout of laughter. A real trouble maker! “They too would not like that sweetheart.”

Seeing Lee-Ann getting worked up I grab her and pull her into a hug stopping whatever she would have said in reprimand.

The missing puzzle piece finally connects as she lays her head on my chest, a deep gratifying sigh accompanying my words: “I missed you my flame.”

She struggles a bit while the fire for the spanking of the butt on my shoulder slowly leaves her.

“I missed you too my handsome hunk.”

“Ehehe, I like it when you make mommy so happy.” And also, probably because I’ve saved your bottom more than once.

Only now do I realise I still have a bird perched on my shoulder.

“I’m glad to hear that your glad that I make her glad.”

Lee-Ann stands back while I take Rella down to her own two feet while she playfully tries to imitate my sentence as a tongue twister. The constant tinkling of the bells on her ponytail seemed to become her movement chime. Standing back up I take another look at Lee-Ann, warmth feels like overflowing from my chest to my mouth: “You truly are beautiful Lee-Ann.”

As if a master painter came running by for the express reason to colour her cheeks a rosy red, she decided to make it worth more by adding a natural smile.

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Rella chimes in “Of course he does mommy, you said yourself that Tristan is a true gentleman.”

For a moment, everything just felt right. Complete. I felt loved, while being able to happily love them back.

“Let’s take a seat, I’m already hungry.”

Lee-Ann throws her eyes around my feet noting with slight annoyance: “Do you always have to have so many dogs around you every time we’re here?”

Looking around I count about 13 dogs of all sizes having become part of my temporary pack.

“Ok, ok. Rella why don’t you go play with them? I’ve got a ball here for Hunter and Niala as well. Sheeva might even like playing with it.”

Her eyes dart between me and Lee-Ann as if weighing my words against something.

“Ok, sounds like fun.”

She probably misses me a lot.

Removing a sturdy tennis ball from my bag I hand it over to Rella who could barely grip it properly. “Don’t go too far ok?”

“Ok!”

Rella starts running forward alone. “Hunter, Niala, go play.”

A few seconds later most of the dogs tagged along and started running circles around her as she kept going forward and threw the ball, initiating a mass migration of hounds in hot pursuit. She has an arm of steel.

Seeing that everything was going well I turned my attention back towards the love of my life, bent down, stared into her eyes, bit the bottom of my lip before giving her a deep kiss, turning her legs into putty.

“How are you doing Lee-Ann?”

She slaps me on the chest, angry that I can get to her so easily.

“Good thanks, but why aren’t you wearing your medical bracelet? Do you have your inhaler and button?”

Her tainted voice scraping against my soul garners a grimace from me. “I’ve got the inhaler and button in my pocket, isn’t that enough? Let’s not talk about that anymore ok?”

She stares at me with that knowing look, shaking her head slightly she moves on to another topic.

“Are you hungry? I made some things for a snack.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

Conversations turned into background noise as we went to sit. She on the bench and I on the ground so that we could see eye to eye. She removed a large lunchbox from a duffle bag filled to the brim with all kinds of treats. Soap, soap, come out wherever you are!

“Thanks, how are you doing Lee-Ann?”

“Well enough thanks, had a little more energy this week to get some translating done outside of keeping the house and Rella in order. She has been going on and on about getting a shower since that friend of hers mentioned it. But seems like I have outdone myself since they asked me to take on an additional translation project.”

“Those nimble fingers seem to have brought you some extra trouble it seems Mrs busy bee. Did you take it on?”

“Not yet, wanted to discuss it with you first, but my thoughts are that I just had a very productive few weeks and I don’t think I can maintain that standard with another project on my hands.”

As we continued to chat I picked up a meatball that had a different weight to it. I should just walk head first into this trap.

True to my instincts soap exploded into my mouth, it was not a piece of soap but soap water! It covered every inch of my mouth! Have mercy!

About two table spoons worth of soap water soaked my shirt after gagging a bit from the taste.

“Blech! Oh-hell woman! That was so much worse than I thought it would be!”

Evil laughter spilled from her lips to my chagrin.

“Ahahahaha, I knew you would bite the bullet voluntarily, I was afraid you would stop biting as soon as you felt soap on your teeth, in comparison to my full mouth of soap the vengeance was not enough! So a soap water filled meatball sounded worth the effort and the eggs to keep it together! Ahahahah!”

After rinsing my mouth out with some water from a bottle that was in my bag and a few more meatballs we settled down and continued to chat some more. The time continued to go by as Rella came by every now and then to sit in my lap and chat about school and friends, forcing me to hold both her hands with mine. Then refuel with a cola and be off with the hounds for another round. She was full of questions today, why was the sky blue? Why can birds fly? Why are some dogs fat?

Only the older and unfit dogs that couldn’t keep up anymore decided to stay around me, some owners even came around looking if one of the pack was theirs, and in most cases, they were. If only they could be like their dogs, accepting me the way I am and not avoid me.

My pocket started vibrating causing some cold sweat to form on my back. Four already?!

“Love, I want to show you something I found at the oak tree the other day. Would you like to see?”

She smiled in a smooth and soft way that filled you with warmth, that made you feel that everything would be alright. But her words felt like a sucker punch to the gut. “Hunk, you know I already finished university, right? And yet you want to show me something around every corner that I already know about. At least you have a lot of enthusiasm.”

At least she said it with love, come on woman just follow me! Rubbing the back of my neck in embarrassment I swallowed a mouth full of air.

“Ugh, well. I know I can bore you sometimes sweetheart, won’t you humour me one more time?”

She nodded and we stood walking towards the tree hand in hand. Each step an exaggerated beat of my heart. Small talk suddenly felt extremely difficult. “Remember when we first met?”

“Ah, a trip down memory lane is what you found eh? Sure, I remember.” Her eyes jumping from branch to branch on the tree, searching for one in specific.

“If I’m not mistaken then today should be the anniversary of when we met and you rescued a girl who rescued a cat, from this very tree.” You could hear the smile in her voice.

“You nailed it on the head, I even remember having to pick you up so we could reach the distraught little hero monkey. I don’t even know how she managed to climb it since I can’t reach the lowest branch on this behemoth.”

“I pondered on that myself, but all the focus was on her and the cat.”

My ears and neck suddenly felt impossibly hot. “I also remember that was the first day that I saw true beauty, the day that I fell for both of you. What I found here was, happiness.”

She squeezed my hand in reassurance and leaned onto my arm. “It took me a little longer than the first day, but I too, fell in love. And Rella fell for you harder than I did.”

Stepping away from her so that the oak stands to my back I bend down on one knee, almost looking her in the eye as I take the box from my pocket and opened it in one smooth motion. My body felt like a trapeze artist between jumps without a wire nor safety net, everything faded away till nothing else existed other than me and her tear-filled smile.

“Lee-Ann Remmington, would you make me the happiest man alive by becoming my wife?”

With bated breath I wait, barely keeping my heart in my chest. Just as her lips started moving, my ears, stopped working.

Boom!

A wall of air slammed into me from the side, if not having already been on my knees I would have been flat on my back. The howling wind taking centre stage for all sound as Lee-Ann fell to the side and grabbed onto a bench. Looking right I notice her eyes focused on a spot to my left while trying to scream at me. Turning my head enlightened me on some things.

First, this was a singularity. All the hullabaloo the world was making was true.

Dogs and people were all flying through the air or trying to grab hold of something. Through all the confusion I saw Rella managed to hold onto a small tree about fifty meters to my left, the object of Lee-Ann’s screaming. But centre stage left me feeling small. An oval shaped tear in space a few meters in the air, as tall as a three-story building which was the source of the roaring winds in all directions around it. It was dripping a multi-coloured acid that smoked and ate away at the earth.

Then a big balled up object fell from the tear and impacted the ground, creating a few cracks around it while steaming. My body adjusts to a tilt against the wind, my bulk keeping me grounded, my squinted eyes never leaving the steaming ball of black.

Hastened by concern yet slowed by caution I come closer to Rella with balanced steps. Ten meters from her the black ball seemingly sprouted spider legs from the sides of its body, and the upper torso of a male with six lidless eyes on its almost humanlike face.

It stood up.

Looking around before taking notice of the tear behind it, the tree to my right, and then to me. Its eyes were soulless. Bottomless pits of, hunger. It looked at Lee-Ann for a moment, all my muscles tense up. Seemingly not interested its greedy gaze shifts and spots Rella holding onto the small tree with her eyes closed because of the still ongoing wind.

Then it jumped.

Cracks form beneath it as it soars through the air in an arc towards Rella. All pretence of caution goes out the window in a mad dash towards her. With cracks it left, and with cracks it returned to the earth. My speed barely enough to catch up I dive tackle the monster before it manages to grab hold of Rella.

It was rock hard. It was steaming hot. It was hell spawn.

The spider with its additional legs managed to withstand my tackle and stay upright, as if having run into a steel pillar I am almost knocked senseless. I straddle the monster in my stupor with all the strength I can muster, a bear hug for all I am worth keeps the torso’s arms occupied. My legs managing to tie up most of its own, bringing it down to the ground.

Feeling its carapace giving in slightly it screams in a barely audible hiss as it tries to reach for me with its appendages. Rella unaware of anything still clings dearly onto the tree as I spy Lee-Ann approaching fast with a small boulder in her hands. Bringing any scrap of energy to the table I press harder to keep its attention on me.

Lee-Ann arrives and with a lift she brings down the boulder straight onto one of the joints that my legs couldn’t occupy. A satisfying crunch accompanies another hissing scream as she relentlessly repeats the action on the other open appendage. Its struggles increased but I managed to keep hold of it. She came towards its face and brought the stone down with the force of an enraged mother upon its head. Hitting mine also in the process.

The spider and I go a little limp but still continue to struggle, thinking I could let up a bit to recuperate myself it fools me by throwing a punch from my embrace and hits Lee-Ann with a right hook to the jaw, taking her from her feet. Rage fills me as strength returns greater than before and my lungs turning to fire, my feet no longer straddling the monster as it finds flat ground.

My legs managed to somewhat disable its own with my previous action, regaining my grip on the torso I barely manage to lift it. It had to at least weigh 200 kilograms! Step by step I come closer to the acid spewing tear. Blood dripped into my eyes from a gash on my forehead. The spider struggling violently, managing to bruise or even break a few of my ribs in the process. A stoic grit of the teeth and firm determination pushes me through the burning sensation of my muscles as my airways start to constrict.

Reaching the tear I lift the monster up higher to return it back to hell. As it’s body makes contact it’s screams rise above the howl of the wind, some of the multi coloured acid spills onto my legs and a wheezy scream of my own joins it. Pushing it deeper my arms also come into contact, and it feels like I am putting them into boiling oil!

The more of me enters into the thing the more it pulls, when the monster only had its head left I let go and pulled out second degree burns on my arms!

Barely missing the last-ditch bite from the monster. Falling over backwards my hands, burned as they were, managed to get the inhaler and I pulled in for all I was worth, maniacally pressing the emergency button, leaving blood everywhere I touch. My entire body felt heavy, until more acid fell on me from the tear.

The sight of my trousers vaporising, of my skin boiling for a second then healing the next, then boiling again, then healing again without the pain lessening made me forget about the absurdity of it all. The suffocating feeling left me feeling woozy as the next breath brings me back to the present.

Breathing through my teeth I shuffle backwards out of the acid straight into the small crater left by the monster’s arrival! Feeling the adrenaline start to fade pain steps higher onto the scale of importance. Gritting my teeth, I manage to stand and look towards Lee-Ann and Rella. Lee-Ann seems to have come to and has a dislocated jaw as she hugs Rella and focusses on me screaming "No!"