Oliver Benjamin
how roommates are, and he probably has the police already scouring
the beach and the jungle for me as we speak, so I think it would
probably be best if I went now or else they might think that I was
kidnapped or…or something worse, so I think it would be best for me
to…”
Suddenly, the face of the man called Tree became lit up with an
eerie red glow, and I became frightened. It was as if some sort of
magic was radiating out of his skin, while his eyes burned so bright I
thought they would shoot purple flame. I sat frozen on the ground
watching what I believed for a second to be the first evidence that
sorcery did exist in the world. Then I realized what was really
happening and turned around.
The infinity curtain was being torn open. A red flame cut across
the horizon of the ocean like a distant cataclysm. The fireball grew
and ravished the peaceful morning clouds with shades of deep purple
and blood orange. An enormous river of sanguine dew poured from
the emerging brightness, cutting across the immense body of water.
I stood up and looked around. From this clearing I could see for
leagues all around me, across all angles of the ocean and over the
neighboring islands. The entire ocean glowed like a jewel, crimson,
orange, violet and electric blue.
As the totality of Samrin island became apparent to me, the sun
rose directly over the axis of the two sides of the island, lighting up
both sides equally. Previously, I had thought the right, developed
side of Samrin island was the most beautiful place I had ever seen.
Now I knew better. The lush, untamed jungle on my left teemed with
the movement of monkeys and flying birds. Underneath, the deep
green foliage burst with tropical flowers and fruits that teased the
eye. It was extraordinary, and quite unlike the right side of the island
which looked positively raped in comparison.
“Whoa,” I said.
“Wasn’t it worth all that terror to see this?”
“What terror?”
“The fear you had that I was going to kill you the way I’ve
murdered others.”
I swallowed hard.
“Relax. I didn’t.”
“That’s good,” I said, relieved.
“Not exactly, anyway.”
“Um. Okay.”
101
 |
 |
 |
 |