Forbidden Fruit

What was it Orin?? What was out there?

What did you see?

A door.

A door? Into what?

This cement building.

You got much farther than me. I only made it to the well.

I paused there. I seemed drawn there. But something else pleaded within me to go on.

Praise Jesus.

What?

Praise Jesus, Orin. Jesus has saved Hershel and brought him back to us.

What are you talking about?

Orin, I don’t like your tone.

I was so close to the handle, then I was emerging from the fog…

But Jesus did not bring me back, did he mother?

I kept hearing the flapping of wings, but the rolls of fog was coming, parting as if by magic, like the lifting of the red curtain…

Orin…

And I kept thinking, Orin saw this too! My brother. In the land of our father. Then I saw the building, I…I didn’t know what to think, clearly warning signs…

But I didn’t see what you saw, Hersh. And I didn’t come back ok, right Ma?

The door seemed to hum, vibrate…maybe machinery? or like power lines…

Orin!

For moments, when I was walking, there were silhouettes of people. I yelled, but no one answered, no faces materialized…

I didn’t! I came back half fucking dead? What is this place? You know! Tell me! Tell US! Where is our father? What is OUT THERE??

Orin, did you smell anything? I remember bread baking, or something yeastful…

Quiet now. Or I will quiet you. You may be a grown man, but you are still MY SON. ENOUGH! You do not make DEMANDS! who are you? to disrespect me…

I was scared when I was there. but suddenly that feeling faded. And I just felt tired. I…I dont think I should have gone, I…

But I’m dead, Ma. I’m dead inside.

I feel dead inside.

The Need For Ms. Delia

What were you thinking?

Just that I might…get a better look. From up there.

Hersh. This is serious. You can not let this happen. You are letting it suck you in. It’s like an infection.

I don’t know what the hell you are talking about, I just thought it was a peculiar color. I was concerned. I…

Hersh? stop.

What.

Stop this

What??

Stop trying to go out there!!

I’m not!

We are stuck here.

And he is there!

No no! you don’t know that!

Where else could he have gone???

It shouldnt matter anymore!

It fucking does!

No! I went. I am the oldest, I did it. knock this shit off. Or I will pummel you till your goddamn kidneys bleed. I’m fucking serious. you will die.

Fuck off ORIN!

I will kill you or it will kill you. You pick.

You are so full of shit, fucking jealous. Momma STILL holds it against you. never had we had such aftermath as we did the day you fell into that goddamned cursed ABYSS. Yes ORIN, I looked it up! That’s what it fucking is. selfish bastard! you knew I was still here…

HERSH!

Horizon Siren Song

I finished it yesterday.

Good, I think I will use that in the stable. It’s strong.

Yea. Horizon is looking yellow today, huh?

I hadn’t really noticed.

Why did you want to go there so bad?

Go where?

Wherever it is you went. When you went into the fog that day…

That was years ago.

 So?

I don’t think we should talk about this. Momma would be upset.

She was very upset when you disappeared. Even more so when came you back.

I know. You’ve told me.

And you were so sick…it was challenging to care for you both.

I’ve apologized. You tell me, what else can I do? I’m sick of this conversation.

What happened that day?

Hersh…

You can just tell me.

I don’t think you really want to know.

Is it that bad? What’s it like?

If you want to know, then you go yourself! DAMN.

Oh sure. I’ll just run right off. Like you. Fuck off.

I’m sorry, it’s just not…something I can explain. Ok?

Orin?

Yes Hersh…

Why did you come back?

I didn’t. That was another choice I was denied.

One For All

Momma?

Yes Hershel…

Orin is awake.

Oh?

Yes.

How is he?

Not really talking.

I hope we can help him. I will pray very hard. And you should too. We will pray very hard and save Orin.

Whats wrong with him?

If he can be saved…

Momma, whats happening to him?

Perhaps you should run and get Delia.

NO. No, Momma. I can handle things. We don’t need her here again.

Still, she can help us pray.

I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to leave you and Orin here. With no one.

That’s true. My smart boy.

Yes Momma.

You will never go where Orin went.

No, I wont Momma. I never wanted to. But where did he…

Its time for chores, Hershel.

But Momma…

Go. That’s enough now. Bring the water. Don’t forget the goats.

Yes Momma.

Bang Bang

I dare you

No way, I’m  not doing it, Momma would kill us.

How is she gonna know? Come on.

No, go fuck yourself, Orin.

Come on Hersh, it’s no big deal. Just to the edge of the field.

NO!

But it’s never glowed like that before, maybe Momma would want us to check it out. It could be like a surprise of sorts.

Yea, surprise! Momma will beat our asses.

Hersh…

Let’s go play robots in the barn. I will even do the hay for you. Ok?

That’s ok Hersh. It’s ok to be scared.

I’m not! Don’t look at me like that. I’m not scared asshole.

Ok. I’m going to finish this row, then I will do the hay. Why don’t you go back to the house? Momma could need help with her bath.

Aint nothing out there anyway…

Go ahead. I’ll be up when I’m done. Maybe we will have time and I can teach you to shoot.

Really? Oh man, ok Orin! I’m going right now.  Bang bang! Pow! Take that! Bang…

Clinging Guilt

You were back out there again, weren’t you?

No.

I can tell you were, so don’t lie.

I’m not, I wasn’t.

The fog is sticking to your coat. And I can smell it…

Momma, the fog is outside and I have been outside. That’s all. The asparagus is in, the melons…

Orin?

Yes Momma?

Are you listening to me Orin? Look into my eyes…

Yes Momma.

You must stay away from there. I don’t want to lose my bestest boy, do I?

No, Momma.

So you will stay away, wont you?

Yes, I will.

Good. I don’t want to have to lock you up. Go help Hersh with the fencing, alright? I’m thinking a pie to go with supper. Maybe peach…

Something After This

There is nothing after this.

Yes there is.

Not there isn’t.

I can see it. The end of the street right there. One can turn at least 2 ways.

How do you know that? Momma Lacey says there is nothing after this.

I know what she says.

Well then…

But Momma Lacey needs us

For what? You are crazy.

Who works the fields, Hersh?

We do.

Who cooks and cleans, Hersh?

I guess we do.

What does Momma Lacey do?

Momma takes care of us.

No, she doesn’t Hersh, we take care of her.

Shouldn’t we, you ungrateful bastard?

Yes, she is our mother, but we have free will.

So?

So we should have been asked, given a choice.

How do you know you weren’t?

Simple. I’m here.