A Long Ass Sample
Watch. That was all I could do.
For years now - just staring down at the people who had become my family. Helplessly. Desperately wanting to call out or make some kind of contact - any kind. Hell, at this rate I’d have settled for smoke signal or Morse code.
There’s that saying, ‘Things have to get worse b’fore they can get better’, and I had a feeling, deep down, that the ‘worse’ had hopped a midnight train to Los Angeles and would be knocking down Angel’s door soon. All too soon. I’ve seen him, down there...and he won’t know what hit ‘im if he keeps on like he ‘as. He’ll be blind sided, and I refuse to sit about and let it happen.
I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t watch another apocalyptic blood bath happen down there when I should be a part of it. No, alright, I wasn’t the bravest of souls b’fore, but...I helped in my own way...I think. Well, s’not like I was a hindrance to the fella! Ok, maybe all those times he had to bail me out of a few scrapes or had to talk down a few bookies from offin’ me on the spot, but other than that I was an asset.
All of a sudden, I felt them. The Powers. They appeared as figures made up completely of light. The glow of everythin’ positive and good in the universe, but staring directly at them was always hell on the retinas.
“I can’t stay here. You’ve gotta let me go to them. Really, what good am I to you up ‘ere? It’s a win-win situation all ‘round. You’ll get rid of my constant complaining and you’d have another set of earthbound hands to do your bidding.”
I looked on as the flickers of light pulsated and hovered about. I’d either just succeeded in pissing them off or they were debating. Usually they just faded out after I ask to be sent back, so this was definitely progress. It’s extremely difficult to read something you can’t hear or see. Just another one of the many benefits on the world below. Human contact. Not that this wasn’t a swell bunch.
“Please”, I pleaded rather pathetically. “You have to let me help.”
No go. They started to push off at that point. Jesus, Mary and Joseph they were stubborn! Luckily, so was I. I pressed on after them with determination and also a bit of fear. Questioning the Powers is usually a no-no ‘round ‘ere.”
“Oh no ya don’t. No dismissing ol’ Doyle just yet you ruddy fireflies. Listen to me!”
It hit me like a freight train - excruciating, mind numbing pain. After serving as vision-guy for a few years, daily mind explosions were just a fact-of-life, but this was an all over, full body pain. My skin seared and my insides felt like they were being tugged at violently. But as fast and hard as the pain hit...it was gone, then I realized something. Although pain was one of the not so pleasant sensations I remembered...that fact remained that it was still a sensation of some sort. A feeling. Something I hadn’t felt for some time now.
Once my vision corrected itself and the haziness cleared I noticed I wasn’t in Kansas anymore, or the great beyond for that matter. I was back. Besides the fact that my skin was still tingling and all the sights, sounds and smells of my current locale were all rushing into my system waiting for their turn to be acknowledged, this was unreal.
“Ask and ye shall receive...”
Why the powers thought I deserved to have an alley be the first thing I open my eyes to was beyond me, but beggers can’t be choosers. I stood up and was a bit wobbly for a sec but after a few small steps I remembered how that walking thing went. I had to find Angel. And I had to do it fast. He’s been brought back from the dead before...so hopefully he won’t go all non-verbal on me.
For years now - just staring down at the people who had become my family. Helplessly. Desperately wanting to call out or make some kind of contact - any kind. Hell, at this rate I’d have settled for smoke signal or Morse code.
There’s that saying, ‘Things have to get worse b’fore they can get better’, and I had a feeling, deep down, that the ‘worse’ had hopped a midnight train to Los Angeles and would be knocking down Angel’s door soon. All too soon. I’ve seen him, down there...and he won’t know what hit ‘im if he keeps on like he ‘as. He’ll be blind sided, and I refuse to sit about and let it happen.
I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t watch another apocalyptic blood bath happen down there when I should be a part of it. No, alright, I wasn’t the bravest of souls b’fore, but...I helped in my own way...I think. Well, s’not like I was a hindrance to the fella! Ok, maybe all those times he had to bail me out of a few scrapes or had to talk down a few bookies from offin’ me on the spot, but other than that I was an asset.
All of a sudden, I felt them. The Powers. They appeared as figures made up completely of light. The glow of everythin’ positive and good in the universe, but staring directly at them was always hell on the retinas.
“I can’t stay here. You’ve gotta let me go to them. Really, what good am I to you up ‘ere? It’s a win-win situation all ‘round. You’ll get rid of my constant complaining and you’d have another set of earthbound hands to do your bidding.”
I looked on as the flickers of light pulsated and hovered about. I’d either just succeeded in pissing them off or they were debating. Usually they just faded out after I ask to be sent back, so this was definitely progress. It’s extremely difficult to read something you can’t hear or see. Just another one of the many benefits on the world below. Human contact. Not that this wasn’t a swell bunch.
“Please”, I pleaded rather pathetically. “You have to let me help.”
No go. They started to push off at that point. Jesus, Mary and Joseph they were stubborn! Luckily, so was I. I pressed on after them with determination and also a bit of fear. Questioning the Powers is usually a no-no ‘round ‘ere.”
“Oh no ya don’t. No dismissing ol’ Doyle just yet you ruddy fireflies. Listen to me!”
It hit me like a freight train - excruciating, mind numbing pain. After serving as vision-guy for a few years, daily mind explosions were just a fact-of-life, but this was an all over, full body pain. My skin seared and my insides felt like they were being tugged at violently. But as fast and hard as the pain hit...it was gone, then I realized something. Although pain was one of the not so pleasant sensations I remembered...that fact remained that it was still a sensation of some sort. A feeling. Something I hadn’t felt for some time now.
Once my vision corrected itself and the haziness cleared I noticed I wasn’t in Kansas anymore, or the great beyond for that matter. I was back. Besides the fact that my skin was still tingling and all the sights, sounds and smells of my current locale were all rushing into my system waiting for their turn to be acknowledged, this was unreal.
“Ask and ye shall receive...”
Why the powers thought I deserved to have an alley be the first thing I open my eyes to was beyond me, but beggers can’t be choosers. I stood up and was a bit wobbly for a sec but after a few small steps I remembered how that walking thing went. I had to find Angel. And I had to do it fast. He’s been brought back from the dead before...so hopefully he won’t go all non-verbal on me.