30: Against Fear

The battle lasted for almost a full year...but at long last, it is over.

I fought through its minions, who sprang up as fast as I cut them down. I made my way through the spectral maze, ignoring the apparitions that attempted to thwart my progress.  I even managed to solve the Three Riddles, which have confounded the wisest of men since the dawn of time.

At long last, I faced the dragon...and a more dangerous and cunning foe I have never known. The flesh-ripping talons and fire breath were equaled in power by its words. The honey-sweet lies...and the bone-chilling truths. Terror clutched my heart, but I was not overcome. Surrender meant death. To survive, I must fight.

Finally, I struck the killing blow. It let out an ear-splitting scream as it crashed to the ground. Once its death throes had finished, I removed my sword from its head.

In an instant, the body began to dissolve. The skin, bones, and meat burst into flame, while the blood oozed out onto the ground. The stench was incredible, but I did not leave...I dared not, until I was sure the battle was over.

Once the dragon had burned away, I could not believe what remained: a large egg, which was already cracking open. Inside was a dragon infant, which looked exactly like the beast I had slain.

"This is not over," it hissed at me. "We will have this fight again."

"Maybe," I said, as I turned to walk away. "But next time, you won't be as big."

29: I'll Be the First To Go

"So, let me get this straight. The nations of the world, and all non-national armies and fighting forces, agree to ban the use of: guns, bullets, tanks, missiles, bombs, grenades, land mines, chemical weapons, nuclear weapons, knives, swords, axes, arrows, bludgeons, ninja throwing stars, and flame throwers. In any and all future conflicts."

"That's correct, sir."

"My god, what the hell is left?"

"Umm..." The lieutenant searched through his notes. "...Nerf."

The general smiled. The next war was going to be awesome.

28: Sympathy

His underlings were there to greet him as soon as he walked in the door, but he waved them away. "I'll be in my office," he snapped.

He went straight for his office, and locked the door as soon as he entered. It had been a long and excruciating day, in an unending string of them. When the pressure--and the depression--got to be too much, there was only one cure for it. He opened his desk, and pulled out a box.

Inside the box was something very special...a promise. A promise that, someday, his work would be done. He could leave this job, knowing that it would be unnecessary. He could finally go home.

Hesitantly, he opened the box. A brilliant light filled the office, and he was washed over with a feeling of infinite joy. Here, in the very center of despair, there was a microscopic fraction of Him, and His love.

He closed the box, before the power of it destroyed him completely. Slowly, the feeling faded, leaving him cold and hollow. He buried his head in his hands and cried.

"Someday..."

27: We Have a Recipe

The family was gathered around the table, which was loaded with all the trimmings of our traditional holiday meal. Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, scalloped corn, dinner rolls, Jell-O with fruit in it, and a perfectly roasted Jehovah's Witness.

26: Not the First Time We've Had This Conversation

My girlfriend and I were on the couch. I was idly flipping through channels, while she laid down with her head resting against my leg. "We should do something," I said. "Is there anything going on this weekend?"

"Well..." she started. "There's the Beatles tribute band playing at the Groove tonight...but they only do the stuff from the Eighties."

"What stuff--"

"Or there's the new Muppet movie. Some people say that Jim Henson doesn't have it anymore, but I thought the one from three years ago was great. Oh! Or we could go over to Mallory's; she was telling me that her girlfriend just bought the new season of Firefly."

I finally had to stop her. "I have no idea what you're talking about. None of those things can possibly be real."

She looked up at me. "I keep forgetting that you're from the evil alternate universe."

25: Burning Love

Stanley ran full tilt down the stairs, almost laughing with excitement. He was going to see her again tonight. The love of his life.

All the preparations had been made. Her gift was ready--you have to have a gift for her, and she did love them so. She was also very particular about who she would associate with, so the homeless people in the alley had to go. Stanley had bribed them with some sandwiches and whatever cash he had in his pocket; they'd left for the mission on 12th Street a few hours ago.

After reaching the ground floor, Stanley bolted across the main room. He shouted in glee as he leaped over some random debris and barreled through the door.

He had just made it across the street when the countdown finished. An explosion rocked the fourth floor of the abandoned office building, blowing out whatever windows remained. Stanley felt the heat on his face as he looked back...and then he saw her. She stood out from the flames and smoke, looking more beautiful than ever.

The Lady in Red.

"I LOVE YOU!" Stanley shouted. She smiled, and mouthed the word, "Soon."

Stanley grinned from ear to ear. He would kiss her, someday. He could only do it once...but what a kiss it would be.

24: Hunted

I have been running for hours. My lungs burn, my legs ache. But I can't stop, and I don't dare look back.

I am the prey. It is the predator.

I can hear every footstep, every breath. I dart through the trees, trying to use the surroundings to my advantage. It keeps gaining.

Suddenly, my foot catches on a tree root, and I fall to the ground. I manage to roll over just in time to see It looking down on me in triumph. I am powerless to resist as It places a hand on my chest.

A strange sensation washes over me. The world changes--or rather, the way I see the world. My senses become sharper. My vision, clearer. Fatigue and fear drain away, replaced by insatiable desire.

I look back up, only to find that It has gone, replaced by a young girl in a pink coat. Within her, there is no more trace of this power. This curse.

Once realization sets in, she starts to run. As I regain my footing, I feel compelled to go after her. I start running, as free will is overwhelmed by instinct. This is what I do...what I am.

I must hunt. I must chase. I must capture.

For I am...It.