My childhood home has always been and will always be my sanctuary, my stronghold and the foundation to my sanity. After the death-defying escape from the Great White shark and Killer whale it is only natural that I would find myself back home, gazing through the sliding glass door to the backyard beyond. Although the scene before me may appear desolate to most - a bland patio separated by a giant crack with a single weed growing in the small chasm - I am comforted by the space and overjoyed to be back. Adding to my happiness is the company of my brother and father who flank me on each side. At first glance all seems right with the world but slowly a feeling of annihilation creeps into our bubble of comfort and once again the certainty of our deaths is near. A giant earthquake will shatter the world apart and all will be lost in the dark void of the earth’s inner core- of this I am sure. Validating my fears is the appearance of a strange, old man who predicts the coming of an apocalyptic thunderstorm, essentially the beginning of the end. But this cannot be true, it is still and quiet outside, the sky is clear and blue…
The four of us walk outside to investigate and are immediately stifled by an unbearable wall of heat radiating from the cement floor. It’s as if the underworld is alive and struggling to break free of the constraints separating our two worlds and consequently ensuring our safety. We are paralyzed by the dread of this understanding and stand like a collection of idiots in the middle of the patio, too dumb and preoccupied with our fears to notice the dark and ominous storm clouds roll in…
In a brilliant flash and a tremendous clap of thunder, a bolt of lightning strikes the ground precisely on the long crack separating the patio and lights the hideous weed ablaze. Being fueled by the copious amount of gas building up underground, the weed continues to burn like a torch declaring the end of the world. The earth trembles and if something doesn’t happen soon the evil underneath will be unleashed and all will perish in its wake. Suddenly, the sky opens up, releasing a torrential downpour, extinguishing the flame. In mere moments, the storm blows over and we rush inside, leaving the black and crippled skeleton of the weed behind us…
I am met by relief and joy inside for once again I am safe within my sanctuary and my mom is back! Clear as day her exclamations sound from the kitchen, “I CAUGHT THEM! WE ARE SAVED!” Rushing to the kitchen I find my mom standing beside a towel laid on the ground between the cooking island and the stove. I lie on the make-shift mat and gaze on the linoleum, tiled floor at three small, circular shadows that appear to be floating underground. It doesn’t take me long to discern what I am looking at…
Our kitchen covers the ocean where the epic battle between the whale and shark took place. Far below us is the magical unicorn horn, which has the two beasts in its grip, holding them transfixed and conquered. We won! Relief once again washes over me but once again it is short live…
Suddenly, the shadows begin to grow and the two denoting the whale and shark materialize on the floor in the form of rocks. Curious, I pick one up and it now appears to be an ancient crustacean from the sea but the form is continuously changing as the object continues to grow. Soon I have two adorable aardvarks lying in front of me. I am immediately captivated by the eyes of the female; they are the eyes of my lil puppy Sarah, the love of my life. I am overjoyed, truly at peace and know with certainty that the world is no longer going to end.
What an awesome conclusion to an amazing dream. Please write a book.
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