Trapper

What angle should I play? Pondering what his game plan might be, Robert worked himself into a hostile attitude, and decided he would go on the offensive in his encounter with Osborn later in the day. Satisfied I was prepared to undertake whatever Osborn could dish out and then some, I closed my eyes attempting to relax and reclaim some essence. Shortly after falling a sleep, Robert was startled by a shrilling noise out side his office door. He sprang to his feet, marched over to the door swung it opened and peered out to see what the disturbance was, nothing. There was not a damn thing around, or anything that appeared abnormal, now what, I am hearing things he thought. Observing the time, he concluded it was best if he went out got a bite to eat, and mellowed. Concerned he might execute some idiot maneuver with Osborn, he would later regret eating seemed a logical choice. Returning to the office after an extra long lunch, Robert strolled past Mandy’s admin location informing her he was back, and to have her warn him when Jay Osborn arrived. Robert, I would gladly warn you on his arrival but, before she could finish her statement, I interrupted with, but what. He is here early and already in your office, she whispered pointing toward my office. Oh shit I mumbled as I headed for my office.

Penetrating my office, I witnessed a short fat bald man sitting in my chair utilizing my phone. Wrapped in an obsolete pinstripe suit that appeared two sizes to small, and draped around his neck was tie so wide it caused the knot to protrude out the size of a baseball. In addition to the baseball size knot, it only reached half way down his chest. He Looked up at me, positioned his hand up as though it was a stop sign, warning me not to enter. Acknowledging his gesture, Robert was even more determined to penetrate his office, and he did. Claiming squatters’ rights to one of his unoccupied chairs, he sat and glared over at Osborn. Ending the phone conversation abruptly, disgust shooting from his eyes the fat man stood up. I am Jay Osborn, he gloated, and I assume you are Bob Ericsson. I learned long ago when you assume something it normally makes an ass out of you, and no my name is not Bob Ericsson, it is Robert Ericsson, Robert sarcastically noted. Well Robert, I believe you know why I am here a red faced Osborn retorted. I am not much of a conversationalist so I will cut to chase.

Now Friend, swallow so you may depart. Robert trembling with fear, took the cup from the table lifting it to his lips, he began to ingest it. The taste was the first detail to kidnap his thoughts, it was warm and sweet, and it reflected a smooth texture without any after taste. Robert found the drink appealing and downed what was remaining. With the last swallow of the drink Ojibwa captured, Robert sat quietly savoring the succulents of its flavor. In a matter of minutes Robert, experience a light-headedness and joyful disposition. Looking about the cabin, it contents became fuzzy and distorted; a spinning sensation took possession of Roberts mind educing a slumbered state of being. Robert transitioned from a physical state to spiritual one initiating his journey.

Robert found himself stranded on the ledge a cliff overlooking a deep canyon. In the canyon, a hundred feet below raged a turbulent river, agitated by several jaded rocks. Above him a vertical wall of rock to smooth for ascending, leaving him isolated. Robert had no visible means of escape; death appeared to be his only viable option. Robert stood quivering, knees weakening by the minute, thinking soon they would collapse and he would die. He must attempt something but what, he pondered. I am alone here, who cares if I die or not, no one. Across the ledge from Robert, nested a golden eagle feeding it vociferous eaglets, this scene captivated Robert; he was on the fringe of death, yet life just beginning a few yards away. Robert then observed an image of his children gathered around a table, floating just out from his reach; each had their mouth open like the baby eagles, screeching for food. Robert desperately attempted to comfort them but could not they were out of his reach. Soon the screeching turned to crying and eventually to silence, one at a time each of the children withered into the form of a leaf, and floated toward the canyon bottom. This devastated Robert; at a critical time of need, they put their faith and trust in him, he abandoned them. Shortly after the haunting images of the children were expired, Rikki appeared entombed in a vault; she was in great despair acknowledging the cries of her children, yet unable to attend to them, a prisoner of the vault. Just out of Roberts, reach was a key to the vault door; if he could grab it, he could free Rikki from the vault that entombed her allowing comfort to her and the children. It was to no avail; Robert was unable to reach the key, Rikki’s vehement plea for help fell on infertile soil, she ultimately abandon her trust in her husband and surrendered to her predicament, doomed to dwell entombed the remainder of her life, invoking the children to survive unattended. This too had a profound and amending impact on Robert. The fact his wife maintained faith, and trust in his help, he letting her down was more than he could bear. Yet suffering from the detrimental image of an imprisoned wife, Robert discovered he was standing fact to face with his own image. The image was identical to him in everyway, with the exception of color; the image was black and white exhibiting black tears rolling down its cheeks. Robert faced the battle foretold him by Trapper. Suspended out over the canyon was Robert’s image with nothing below it for support, it just floated there. In one hand, it held the key for Rikki’s release and in its other a pouch labeled, devotion for the children. It motioned Robert to battle, the winner influencing the destiny of all three Robert, Rikki, and the Children.