'Buckle Up'

Zalena removed her black hood to uncover luminescent, green eyes. Her mission was clear, but she could not do it alone. Zalena's presence cast a shadow upon the different versions of the woman she was sent to help in the middle of a dense forest deep in the woman's mind. "What's a soul, a higher self, to do as she watches her human go through it, time and time again?" She thought.

Zalena wasn't one to sit back and watch things unfold. She was a warrior and when the time came to fight, on instinct she was always on her feet. She had dipped her way into the woman's mind to reveal her true strengths, for she knew they would be exactly who this woman needed to meet to pave the path; to continue the mission. Slowly, but surely, they started to appear. Zalena honed in on the first one:

A spitting image of the woman's father from the attitude to the fiery aura: Little Tom. with one leg dangling and swinging about with her other leg propped up on the ledge of a half brick wall covered in moss; remnants of a building that once was but was no longer being overcome by Mother Nature. She wore ripped high rise skinny blue jeans, black and white high top converse, a black Def Leppard crop top tank, a red and black flannel wrapped around her waist, and a backwards black baseball cap while her long brown hair fell all around her back and shoulders. She twirled the pink bubble gum from her mouth with her finger acting oblivious. This version of the woman resonated arrogance and recklessness. Zalena wanted to keep a close watch on this one; as needed as Little Tom was, she was also unpredictable. Little Tom's aura was fiery making anybody near feel like they needed to walk on eggshells in her presence or else she may explode. Zalena took Little Tom's energy in and was taken aback; making Zalena feel as if she'd just been singed by a hot flame.

Some rustling came from the woods to the left revealing,

Aran, with her brown, braided pigtails on either side of her face, her green eyes reflected the color of the forest as she slowly surfaced from the dense brush of the woods in her hiking gear; a firm yet careful grip on something in her hand. She was cheerful and serene. It was no doubt due to the serotonin boost and Vitamin D from being surrounded by Mother Nature for so long. Not far behind her,

[Jasmine] stalked gently and cautiously from the green forest; ferocious, yet calm but definitely reluctant. Jasmine: an ancient, wild tiger that hunted the deep green forest, yet her eyes were the same as the others, just a different shade having a hint of yellow in them. She licked her bloody lips seemingly to have just had a tasty meal. Scars covered her body hinted at numerous stories of survival. She let out a low growl from her throat, but it was so low it was almost as if it was simply a vibration in the air. She kept fierce eyes on Zalena as her massive paws slowed to a stop as the two of them joined the group.

Close to Little Tom was,

Mayhem. When Mayhem developed in the crevice of this woman's mind, she was uncovered amongst the rubble of total destruction from an eventful chapter. The discovery happened while watching a psychological thriller film, Fight Club; as the woman watched Fight Club She watched Project Mayhem make her way out of the aftermath of the destruction, yet feeling flabberghasted when She realized this character wasn't a part of the movie, but her own. Project Mayhem, in the movie, was a plan to anihilate modern civilization once the adrenaline rush was lost fighting within; thus the fighting proceeded outward. She reverberated strength of all kinds. She wore an all black fitness outfit, including the same black cap Little Tom wore but front ways with an opening for a high brunette pony tail in the back. Mayhem's mind fixated on fitness almost 100% of the time in an attempt to tame the chaos that swirled inside. Mayhem with hunter green eyes, walked right up to the screen and looked directly into this woman's eyes startling the woman. She blinked once and Mayhem was gone, but born into the woman's reality, nonetheless. That was just a glimpse, way before Zalena decided on coming down to Earth, of what was to come.

Mayhem kept her head bowed down with her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall next to Little Tom with a reserved demeanor. Although the woman thought Mayhem was created while simply watching a movie, Mayhem had always existed as Zalena did.

Something about Mayhem: She was quiet. Never uttered a single word. She spoke in actions. And when she decided to speak in her language of actions, she did it in a way that enticed the ones listening to hear her loud and clear. Mostly, by the time she sent a message, the listener would have rather not heard; for her actions spoke in volumes and could be deafening; leaving the listener absolutely dumbfounded. She was always careful and strategic with the way she moved; proving to be a very crucial piece to this puzzle.

Something about her silence was always daunting though. As scary as she seemed, clad in all black, this version; this persona of the woman was always meant to be on the team. Which is why Mayhem was chosen to come down to Earth with Zalena to help her. She was Zalena's first companion on the mission. She was strong and cunning. Zalena gave her the choice, but she opted out of leading. By the time it came down to it, Zalena was already headed for the driver's seat-- gripping the steering wheel; Willing her do what she was always meant to.

Mayhem stood nearby Little Tom with hunter green eyes under her hat, but her energy was diverted ever so slightly, yet enough for anybody paying close attention to see that her attention was on Squid.

Squid was an eight-year-old little girl in an overworn Halloween costume; Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Her ruby red slippers were snug on her feet in her blue and white picnic striped dress. Her braided brunette pigtails fell against each shoulder. Squid's eyes were different than the others because of one thing: they were innocent.
They hadn't seen what the rest of them had experienced already. Her eyes were big and dark green with freckles plopped across her cheeks and nose; much like the random placement of the stars in the sky.

Squid played around the brick wall, gathering any and all flowers she could find; discovering joy in her lonely playtime. She kept her distance from Mayhem though. Unlike the rest of the reflections of the woman, who feared Mayhem's capabilities, Squid was not scared of Mayhem at all. In fact, there was a hint of disappointment in the air. Something unfolded between the two and Mayhem would spend the rest of her existence trying to make it up to her.

One thing was for certain with how closely Mayhem watched Squid's every move: She was extremely protective of her.

My question is,

Was it because Mayhem was in constant chase of Squid's acceptance and love? Or was it because of the deep, core desire of Her to have always wanted to be a mother, and Squid, simply existing as an innocent child? Knowing what Mayhem knew about her and everything she's been through and will go through, Mayhem held on tightly to this reflection of her. Desperately wanting to save the woman's childhood. For this would be the last year, at eight years old, Squid would remain this innocent and free version of Herself, before She changed forever.

Squid started coughing from smoke that eased its way into her atmosphere from the right. She looked over at the edge of the forest to see an emerald green hammock swaying. In it, lay Blaze, blowing O's, reminding Squid of Alice In Wonderland's Caterpillar blowing smoke and asking Alice, "WhO are yOu?"

Squid pinched her nose with strong disgust on her face, "That smoke smells like a skunk... A mad one."

You could always find Blaze somewhere in the forest under a hung beanie on her head, drifting away into the high and whatever book lay flat in her lap. Blaze's eyes were red and low as she pulled another drag on her joint. Little Tom pulled out a stone from her pocket and swung it to try and hit Blaze in the head but missed and took out the bud at the end of the lit J, just missing the whole of it.

"Missed you too, Little Tom," Blaze said condescendingly while relighting her joint.

Little Tom now with an elbow propped up on her knee roller her eyes and scowled in annoyance.

Although all versions were very much so aggravated by Little Tom's presence and looked upon Zalena with questioning eyes as to why she was present, Blaze and Little Tom did not get along the most due to their obvious differences; mostly due to Little Tom's resentment with Blaze's lack of an emotional tug of any sort. Blaze was the version of the woman that overcame Little Tom. She was the calm to Her storm. With the mixture of Her parent's emotions, it created the storm deep within Her. Eventually, she took it upon herself to figure out how to inhale correctly; past the sadness, the anger, and the anxiety. Blaze's aura was gentle like the forest breeze brushing past the leaves on the trees that danced in the sky overhead.

And for that, it had become Little Tom's mission to agitate Blaze any chance she got, doing her damnedest to get a rise out of her in any possible way, but to no avail. Little Tom would grow irritated with her failed attempts time and time again due to Blaze's laid back and easy-going demeanor. She went with the flow of life, much like a steady creek hidden in the forest, and that interrupted Little Tom's tornado of destruction.

Blaze lived by a certain philosophy: 'Live and Let Live,' or in other words, 'To Each Their Own.' She remained completely unbothered by anyone else, but herself.

As Squid continued gathering, away from the smoke and Blaze, she came upon a black combat boot. She slowly looked up and saw a version of Her that seemed extremely confused. She wore thick, dark rimmed glasses, spandex black leggings that had the appeal of leather, with a flowy, green quarter lengthed shirt that was held tight around her chest by a snug leather jacket. This woman appeared a bit nerdy. She hugged a laptop close to her. Her long brown hair in one braid hung over her left shoulder. She looked around awkwardly at the rest of them as they did her, and she stuttered,

"I-I-I don't know what I'm doing here."

Squid, with her gentle, sweet self-looked up at this woman's thick rims circling her eyes and stuck her hand out with a bright smile in an attempt to introduce herself, "Hi, I'm Squid! What's your--

But before she could answer,

Zalena with intense eyes darted in their direction. Causing them to pay attention.

Finally, Zalena had everyone's eyes on her. She scanned each one slowly, validating. Feeling out the energetic level existing in this circle of reflections.

Zalena was a natural born leader, and she had an automatic response from others to follow. It may have something to do with the energy that emit off of her; all the different versions Zalena just met could feel her energy, and it told them that Zalena had high intelligence on a deeper, unknown level. It wasn't comprehendible, but Zalena's confidence made them trust her; Zalena was certain and sure of herself. For that, they trusted her guidance. She respected them and hoped they would do the same in return. When it came down to it, they all needed each other. Her energy brought silence amongst the group at last.

Her eyes like a pendelum swing moved from left to right; circling every version of this woman with her energy; making sure each one brought satisfaction in her selection. With the utmost confidence, severity, and authority in her voice she said but one thing:

"Let's go."

First was Little Tom. Little Tom hopped down from the brick wall.

Something the other versions forgot to remember about Little Tom: She was brave. And she'd always be first in line. She approached Zalena closely with her chin up and a smartass grin on her face while smacking her gum attempting to instigate Zalena, in which Zalena duly noted, but remained calm. Yet Zalena knew Little Tom was someone she'd have to tolerate for the mission. Jasmine and Aran went next. Then Thick Rimmed, Blaze, followed by Mayhem with Squid trailing at the end. Zalena stayed at the frontline.

They walked along a yellow brick road in this deep green forest. Overhead were even deeper blue skies. Mayhem's eyes dialated as she looked up to the blue hue. The color was haunting for her. It either meant everything or nothing to her --- Before Mayhem could think another thought she heard a loud shout in her mind,

"HEY!!!"

Mayhem looked over to where the energy pulled at her to see Zalena's luminescent green eyes turned hunter green reflecting her own, striking an arrow right into Mayhem's mind right over Little Tom's shoulder.

With a scowl from Zalena and a snap up of her wrist the sky went a matte black with glitter for stars. Zalena was speaking Mayhem's language in actions and Mayhem heard her loud and clear. Mayhem had this look of avoidance and dismay on her face. She knew Zalena was not an entity to mess with, for she was almost alien. And she was very serious about her mission. The blue skies had a hypnotizing effect and Mayhem, of all of them, would get enthralled by the color.

Zalena dug her black matte claws deep in Mayhem's mind where her green eyes were like daggers to the forefront of her every thought. Zalena's telepathic existence was so intense she had to purposely induce control so the individual she was communicating with, in such a way, did not lose their mind and go insane at the mere existence of her in the realm of their brain. Mayhem turned her head hard to the left to provide a physical example to Zalena that she had enough and understood. Zalena side eyed her hard as she turned back around and went forth, retracting her claws and mental arrow.

"I'm getting sleepy..." Squid said with a drawl while rubbing her right eye.

They continued on the path in the dark green forest until it swerved into a massive tree trunk with a half-moon shaped wooden door at the base. Someone was pounding hard on the wooden door and rattling the doorknob from the other side. The atmosphere was now calm and dark; yet an overwhelming ominous feeling filled the space between them and the door. Fireflies flashed around the door causing Squid's eyes to light up.

Almost as if on cue, the fireflies flew away leaving the door to them. Zalena, moving like the flow of a workday, steady and surely, swerved out of the way as the rest did until Mayhem reached the door and with one blunt kick, knocked the whole door in sending wood planks all over the ground. One by one they made their enterance.

Zalena first, she looked down next to the broken wood planks and saw Me in a black and green striped dress, barefoot and in shock looking up in amazement being held up by My forearms from the hardwood floor. Zalena gave Me an acknowledging look with hard and intense eyes. Me being "the woman", The "She" they were appearing for, and continued up the spiral staircase.

Next Little Tom walked through, with arms crossed and a wise ass smirk on her face, she looked Me up and down as she smacked her gum. Something instinctive in Me wanted to backhand her, but I didn't. I just shook my head and muttered "Ooo" under My breath as Little Tom did very little yet just enough to test My patience. Satisfied, she grinned with crossed arms as she trotted up the stairs.

There was something cocky and confident about Little Tom that drove most people nuts, but if you caught her in the middle of a second, you may just catch a glimpse of the golden heart inherited from her father lurking behind her eyes. That was something Blaze had accomplished during her first real smoke session. Within her first high she discovered that with her over thinking mind, she could speed up her thought process just enough to make it feel as if, mentally, she slowed down time enough to analyze moments in the middle of a second that most people overlook; subtle hints that give clues. As strange as it is, marijuana taught her much about life. As did psychedelics on occasion. But that's a whole different realm; a whole different experience: A story for a different time.

Jasmine approached Me, and I was almost certain I was about to be eaten alive by this extremely large beast, but instead she knuzzled her cheek against mine sharing a wholesome, unconditional energetic feeling of love. Jasmine then darted up the staircase after Little Tom.

Then Aran, with her forest green eyes, bright with knowledge and wisdom; she had Mother Nature wrapped around her aura. Aran hunkered down with a slight smile and eyes to reveal something in her hand: A four-leaf clover. Aran tucked the four leaf clover behind My ear then ran up the staircase after Jasmine,

"Hey, wait for me!

Jasmine don't maul Little Tom!"

Wait up!" And her voice echoed out after them.

Awkwardly, a black combat boot suddenly appeared before Me. I looked up to see Thick Rimmed gripping her laptop. She gave me a weird, tight smile. Looked forth left and right, itched her head in confusion, and walked up the spiral staircase.

Then the smoke came, and following the smoke came Blaze with red, low green eyes through the doorway. She gave me a nod up and raised her eyebrows, gesturing if I would like to take a hit.

"Just one," as I touched her finger to grab the joint, I felt an intense rush through my finger, which made us both look up at each other in curiosity. I ignored it, and took a long drag. I must be extremely high already to be meeting different reflections of myself; what's another hit?

Blaze giggled and head up the way taking the joint and the smoke with her.

Mayhem came through and her energy felt like hitting a brick wall; her presence was all at once. Never was eased into existence; one moment wasn't there and then was. Her atmosphere felt that of steel. She peered down at Me. Curiously, with an apologetic look in her eye. Then, her eyes went hard and determined as she refocused and ran up the stairs after the others.

Lastly, but most definitely not least, Squid. She twirled in with her sunshine aura, gave me a kiss on the cheek, then handed me the flowers she had plucked. California Poppies. And I, uncontrollably, drifted out of consciousness and into a deep sleep as my head slumped gently against the wood floor.

The next thing I knew I was waking up in my hammock in the middle of Clegg Gardens where I frequently went to connect with Mother Nature on the trails. I had a book open in my lap. The cicadas were loud and had always been music to my ears. A woodpecker worked at a tree causing an echo in the distance. An owl's hoot was near, but far. I always set up my hammock somewhere out of the way. Somewhere out in the open where I can view my surroundings, yet remain in peace, for even though I could see them, they could not see me. Unless they were actively looking.

"Crazy dream," I shook my head trying to shake the feeling and the thought of what transpired in my brain just now.

I rolled up my hammock and gathered my weed and book and made my way up and out of Clegg. My shadow grew quickly under the setting sun. Usually, it would be me chasing the sunset in Clegg when I'd go on my runs, but this evening it felt like it was chasing me.

I made my way to my car in the small gravel parking lot across the road and as I buckled up, something vivid green caught my eye in the rear view mirror.

A four-leaf clover peaked out behind my right ear.