PreMeditated Life

The Revelation July 26, 1993 Petie looked around the room with his huge, dark eyes and the fur rose on his back. A low growl escaped from his throat; it broke the strange silence that had filled the small apartment. His posture showed that he sensed danger. Carly looked around her living room for what might cause Petie’s sudden reaction. She knew her dog and knew not to take his indications of possible danger lightly. “What–what is it? What’s up, Petes?” She tried walking past him, but his body stiffened as if to block her. “Petie, what’s going on?” His stare was focused on the bedroom. She peered into the darkened room from behind him with a strange lump forming in her throat. My entry door was locked … are all my windows locked? She could make out nothing that would cause his reaction. She shoved her legs against the strong dog. His ridged muscles twitched as she again tried to get by. “Petes, I have to see what’s in the bedroom.” She finally managed to shove past her big dog. He let out a loud, gruff bark – warning her to stay back. His eyes beckoned her to stay away from the room. She stared back at him feeling her own fear take hold of her. “Petes, I have to find out what’s in here.” Carly entered the bedroom with Petie on her heels. Stopping dead in her tracks in the middle of the room, she let out a shocking gasp as she viewed the shape. Her eyes strained to concentrate better on the figure standing in front of her bedroom window. “What the hell is this? What are you doing in here? I’m calling the cops.” She went for the phone, but something stopped her, almost like a force. The figure looked Carly up and down taking in her full appearance. A pair of emerald eyes glowed in the dusk-lit bedroom. Carly froze. The eyes of this being captivated her. There was something calming yet disturbing about those eyes. The figure finally responded to her frantic exclamation. “Wait.” The word was simple and spoken with eloquence. Something about the sound of the voice made Carly feel the need to listen. It was a soothing voice that had an odd calming effect on her. Carly studied this being further as the light from the window revealed her shape more clearly. She was quite attractive: high cheekbones, smooth, olive skin, full lips, raven hair and luminous green eyes – an odd combination, different but intriguing. This figure continually eyed Carly back. They stood in silence, eyes locked on each other. Carly was unnerved by this situation. She didn’t know what to think of this…this in front of her! She tried to hide the fear in her eyes. Strangely, she felt that somehow this was not her first encounter with this … with her … with whatever she was. The figure informed her, “I mean you no harm.” Carly walked closer, looking a little leery. She said nothing, but seated herself on her bed. Something about the figure let her know she was in no danger at the moment. The figure spoke to her. “There is nothing your authorities here could do to me anyway.” Carly replied quickly. “What does that mean? How did you get in here? I locked the–” “I’m not like you,” she cut in. “Locks of metal cannot hinder me.” Carly stared at her in awe. “Then what are you?” She looked around the room trying to see any way that someone could manage to get in. She felt the oddest sensation, like she should run, but dared not leave at the same time. “Did I leave my window unlocked?” The figure laughed. “No. You’re a smart woman. You wouldn’t leave your apartment unlocked.” She paused to smile at Carly with the compliment. “I’m a friend and that’s all you really need to know about me.” Carly showed skepticism. “You’re a friend I’m unaware of and I also feel I deserve to know more than that.” She twisted at her blonde locks, a habit she needed to break when her nerves were preyed upon. The figure’s eyes widened, “Oh, I’ve always been around.” Her expression showed a small victory in the knowledge. She shared with Carly a kind, seemingly all-knowing smile. “Do you have a name?” Carly asked. “Call me what you wish.” The beautiful figure avoided answering the question and wore an aloof expression. “I’d rather call you by your name.” Carly bit at her bottom lip, another nervous habit. She was not enjoying this game playing. “You know my name,” the figure replied. Carly looked puzzled. “No.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t understand this. Why are you here? What is this? Tell me your name!” Feeling irritated, chill bumps popped out on her fair skin. She could feel the slow, chilled breeze moving, swirling around this presence. At this moment, she felt odd, quite odd. The figure smiled. “You named me … more than once.” The emerald eyes looked to Carly for her reaction to this revelation. Carly’s eyes showed shock. What does she mean by being named more than once? “What?” Carly exclaimed. “Now this is really getting a bit bizarre! You’re starting to freak me out. Are you from another planet, just a figment of my imagination, or what?” The being let out a small giggle which only frustrated Carly further. “Perhaps you could say I’m from another planet.” She squint her eyes and continued, “You called me Isabelle–Issie for short–once upon a time.” Carly looked stunned, her jaw dropped and her eyes grew wide. She traveled back in time in her mind searching her memory for the familiar name. She glanced around the room and then back to the stranger before her. “Issie?” A look of realization and astonishment showed in her expression as she repeated the name as if she weren’t quite sure. “Issie?” She stared harder at the figure then asked, “Am I dreaming?” She shook her head in bewilderment as if she could shake this crazy dream out and the situation before her away. It’s my imaginary friend all grown up! “You are very much awake, Carly,” Issie answered. Carly felt a twinge of nausea as the apparition, or whatever, spoke her name. She stammered out a response, “This isn’t real! I’ve just been anxious and taking some Valium lately and this … this is all in my head.” She was pacing now. “Wow, I really am screwed up.” Saying those words out loud made Carly realize she could be losing it. She suddenly felt overwhelmed with incredible emotion. Memories crept back from her childhood; memories filled with this … this image of Issie. Issie stood silently gazing at her as if she felt it, too – as if she were reading Carly’s mind and sharing the memories. Carly rubbed her forehead, “Issie … didn’t I make you up?” Issie could tell from her expression that she had evoked the appropriate memory she had intended. She revealed her cool smile as if to say, “I told you so,” and replied, “You gave me my name. Now do you remember?” Issie raised a raven brow to accompany her smile. Carly, trying to convince herself that this was an illusion said, “You … you’re imaginary. You were an imaginary friend I made up when my parents were divorcing – this … this … isn’t real. Okay, I’m freaking out … I’m hallucinating! I take my dog out for a walk and come back to my childhood imaginary friend standing in my apartment. Okay, I’m nuts ….” Her heart felt like it was being flung about in her chest because this was not normal. This just couldn’t be happening! She felt panic rising in her. How can I be making up my imaginary friend now? Why am I doing this now? How can I be projecting this image from my mind? How?