Archie was paralyzed from sheer shock. In front of him was something he could only describe as pure insanity. His eyes darted frantically, trying to make sense of what lay before him.
In the distance, countless floating islands hovered in the air. Each island had a rocky underside as if it was simply yanked from the ground and thrown into the air. The rocky bottom appeared as if it would fall apart at any given time.
Then, noticing his surroundings were covered entirely in shade, he looked up to find four enormous floating islands, with a smaller fifth island trapped between them. These five islands were connected by multiple rainbow-like bridges, with tiny black specks traveling along them.
As Archie stared at the floating islands, his heart raced, and his breath turned into short gasps. Unable to take any more, he quickly averted his gaze to the street level, only to find his situation had worsened.
All sorts of creatures roamed around the bustling street. Not all of them were human or even of Earth origin.
The beings ranged from towering giants, their bodies absorbing all light, with the only visible trait being their eyes. These eyes glowed a bright white, emitting a thin, dissipating mist. To short pixie-like beings, their skin a sickly combination of blue and green and ears sharp as knives. They hovered a few feet off the ground with a wing span that doubled their bodies.
While staring at these creatures, a loud ZZZUUMM, followed by a gust of cool, sharp wind, consumed Archie. A small silver spaceship sped by. It was shaped like a bullet and divided into three parts: a shiny silver point, a clear glassy middle section, and a silver rear section that blasted out a blue flame. The front and back rapidly spun, but the center stayed perfectly still. In the perfectly still section, people sat there manipulating their flying ships. ZZMMMM ZZHHUMMM. Two more unique-looking machines sped by.
Wha-what the hell was that?
Now covered by a cold sweat and fidgeting with his hands, Archie tried to find something familiar. His eyes landed on the marble walls, which had intricate gold designs lacing them.
That’s not right.
Then his eyes went to the ground. However, the streets were as strange as everything else. The ground lit up with different bright-colored paths; it looked like thousands of neon signs lined it. Each path had words bobbing above it, informing everyone where it led.
Noticing the glowing azure road that led to the building he had just come out of, he squinted to see what word was written on it. The road read 'Birthing Center.'
What?
Taking all the sights in, Archie’s throat tightened, making it impossible to swallow. His heart pumped so heavily that he could feel it in his head. His body shook as cold sweat poured from it profusely. Needing to find something, anything recognizable, he continued his search.
His eyes finally landed on an individual sitting against the marble walls. The person's face was distorted with desperation, their eyes dull and lifeless, their hands trembling. Archie watched as the individual pulled out a syringe and injected themselves.
Maybe that’s as close as I’ll get to normal, Archie thought.
Cleena threw her hands wide open as if to say, ‘Look at this world!’ After word, she exclaimed with great enthusiasm, “SEE! Now, do you get it?”
However, the young actor did not understand. He knew he had to escape, and after watching the drug addict, something clicked.
There has to be a way back.
Remembering there were words on the ground, he searched them.
Observatory? No. University? No. Museum? No.
Then, after reading about a dozen, he found one that sounded promising—glowing a crimson red, it read:
Portal.
The Crimson Road had a clear signal pointing travelers in the direction of the portal. Archie, seeing this, decided to follow the Crimson Road with his eyes.
The streets were populated only by living creatures; no scrap of litter, dirt, or grime was in sight unless it was on a person. No lamp posts, trashcans, or other typical street fixtures existed on these broad roads.
Instead, the roads were filled with a wide variety of glowing colored trails leading in various directions, and most living beings stuck to these paths like trains on a track. Whenever one light lane crossed another, it became striped with both colors.
While following his path, Archie thought to himself:
Alright, it goes straight for a bit, then turns left; I can do this. I. Can. Do. This
With a deep breath out, he steeled his resolve. Unlocking his frozen body, he got ready to bolt. Fleeing as fast as possible was the only option. There had to be a way to return to Earth, but Cleena certainly wouldn't show him.
Archie bolted. Throwing his body forward with his left foot, he felt the smooth, polished texture of the ground beneath him. His feet stuck to the surface, grounding him with every stride, and the rhythmic sound of his bare footfalls gave him a sense of excitement.
The fresh, cool breeze steadily streamed off his face. After a few short seconds, he made it to the crimson path. As he took more and more steps, his face dampened, and sweat began to roll down. He could have sworn he heard Cleena sigh to herself and say, “Not again,” but that didn’t matter. Archie was on his path to escape, back to Earth and Sophia. His stardom was just kicking off, and he did not want to miss a moment. He was determined to reach that portal and go home.
While lost in thought and imagining his freedom, he forgot himself until a loud humming noise from behind him grew louder and louder. He could tell that it would hit him if he did not dive to the ground right that moment.
However, upon diving against the surface, he could feel the sharp, burning sensation of his skin gripping it. Parts of him that were not covered by the robe were now red and raw. It throbbed with a stinging heat. Knowing all too well that it was sensitive to the touch, he carefully got up, hoping that the one who nearly beheaded him would not prevent his escape.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Watching it park, someone climbed out of the vehicle. A big, nasty-looking guy with an ugly smile on his face.
With a slight chuckle, shouted at Archie: “Better watch where you’re running; somebody might hit’cha if you don’t”
Carefully watching this guy, Archie prepared for anything. However, to Arches' surprise, this guy walked away from his vehicle and entered a building called “Ogoun’s Shebeens” on the opposite side of the crimson road.
A bar, huh?
Archie, unsure what to do, waited a few beats before continuing his journey. However, he did not continue running until after he passed the building. While eyeing the building, his fists squeezed tightly.
Then, knocking him out of his focus, he heard a breathy “There. you. are!” coming from behind him.
Recognizing it was Cleena, Archie began to sprint faster than before.
Seeing this, Cleena breathily yelled, “Just… A… Second!”
However, he did not listen or respond. Instead, he pushed himself as hard as possible. The wind blowing on his raw skin caused a biting pain, and if that wasn’t enough, sweat began pouring down his face and dripping onto the different burns, causing an unbelievable sting.
The air began to fill heavier. An unfamiliar energy hummed throughout it. It was something Archie had never felt before, but it assured him he was getting closer.
An hour later, his body was screaming at him from exhaustion. Caked with sweat, he turned to the next corner, and everything froze. He stopped and stared at what was only a short way in front of him.
That is it.
Seeing the portal, he immediately knew what it was. While the end of the road was a clear sign, the giant metallic rectangle with crimson-red energy swirling inwardly said everything it needed. It was the portal. It was Archies' escape. He was there.
With a deep sigh of relief, he said to himself, “I made it; I can go home now.”
Sophia, I am almost home. We can go to The Prime Cut Steakhouse and enjoy some wine over dinner. I’m sure I will get more roles, so we won’t have to worry about money. I am a rising star, after all. And gosh, what will you say about this crazy kidnapping story? Hell, I am not sure I can tell the police. I mean, who would believe this crap? It will still make for one hell of a story. Ooo, that’s an idea. I can play me, bravely risking my life to escape from my kidnappers. Hell, I know they will enjoy the church scene; it might even score me the sexiest man alive again.
“HALT.” A loud and imposing voice yelled.
This, in combination with a sharp point poking his chest, yanked Archie out of his fantasy. In front of him was an enormous monster of a person. His eyes piercing and intense, they bore into Archie.
The portal was just a few steps away. His home, his career, his life were so close. His fist clenched so hard that his knuckles went white, and his brow furrowed into a tight knot.
Without hesitation, Archie told the large man, “I need to get through. I was kidnapped from my home. Taken from my world. I won’t cause any trouble. Let me go back.”
Hearing this, the guard’s eye began to twitch. His already piercing gaze sharpened, and he ground his teeth before responding. “God damn, another new god spouting this nonsense. We get about five of you a day. Did your idiotic guide not teach you anything?”
Hearing this, Archie froze for a second.
Guide? Did he mean Cleena? She was spouting nonsense.
While Archie was thinking, another guard approached, and he was just as intimidating and massive as the first one. The second guard spoke, "Oh shoot, it's him again. Hey, I've already stuck this fella about three times before. He ain't particularly bright, but he sure does make for good target practice."
Hearing this, Archie froze. Sweat pearled on his face again; his breathing became heavy. His thoughts began:
Th-th-three times. St-stabbed. What is he. What is he talking about? I need. I need to reach the portal. I can make it. These guys are big. Big Means Slow. I can make it. I can do it.
The second guard continued."Y'all better watch out. He's fixin' to run; his eyes looked the same way before he took off the last few times."
H-How. How did he know? I. I still can do it. I have to do it.
Archie planted his left foot solidly against the ground and slapped the metal rod away. With a burst, he launched himself to the guard’s left.
Needing to know the guard's reaction, he looked behind him. To his surprise, the first guard barely reacted. It seemed that he did not care. That he was okay with Archie’s escape.
CRACK.
Archie heard the multiple load cracks before he could process what had happened. The ribs on his left side broke, all caving into his organs, and the right leg snapped between the kick's force and the ground's solidness. His breath fully emptied from his body as he slammed into the ground, sliding a few feet.
Pain flooded his mind, and agony spread across his face. For a second, everything froze as he tried to catch his breath. When he finally started breathing, it was shallow and agonizing. It felt as if he was being stabbed with every inhale.
The guard that kicked him walked up to him and set his right boot on top of Archie’s chest, right on top of the broken ribs. He pressed down, causing Archie to yelp in pain.
Archie begged in a breathy way, “Stop! Please Stop! Ahh! It hurts. I. just want to. Go home.”
However, the guard ignored him and instead spoke to the first guard. "You want the honors? Or should I take care of it?"
“I don’t enjoy stuff like that; I am only here for the paycheck, so do whatever you want.”
Archie went instantly pale as his face twisted in fear. Every muscle fiber in his body was as tense as a coiled spring. Archie’s helplessness was apparent as he asked himself:
Am I about to die?
The second guard turned back to Archie. Seeing Archie’s face in agony, a broad smile lit up his face as if he was doing his favorite thing in the world.
He spoke gently now. "Don't worry, son, I'll get you back. But you see, there's a heap of rules and regulations when it comes to goin' through that portal."
Confused, Archie’s mind raced, attempting to piece together the guard's words. However, cutting through Archie’s thoughts before he could decipher the meaning, the guard spoke.
"Ahh, you didn't catch on the other times, neither. Bless your heart." A twisted smile now lined his face."I can only send you back if you'd kick the bucket right away on the other side.” His boot became more heavy on Archie’s ribs. As if playing with his food, the guard slowly raised the spear above Archie’s heart and said, "I'll be seein' y'all tomorrow."
“SSSTTTTOOOOOPPP”
The second guard's fun was interrupted by a scream. Annoyed, he turned towards the scream to see a hot pink figure standing there.
Cleena.
While sweat beaded down her face, she tried to catch her breath. The guard responded, "Why should I? If you'd done your job right, I wouldn't be stuck doin' mine." He was right, of course.
Breathy, Cleena spoke, “He is... A new… God … He doesn't know. Any better.” A deep breath rushed out of her. “This is my fourth time trying to teach him, and the first time I made it here while before you did your job. Please, let me take him. If I do, I am sure he won’t bother you guys again.”
However, this guard wasn’t buying it. Maybe he really just wanted to kill Archie. Whatever his reason, anyone could tell by his face that he would not do what Cleena asked.
Believing his end was near, Archie braced himself.
“Ehh, just let the kid go; she has a tough job, you know.” The first guard who refrained from killing Archie spoke up.
A few seconds of silence followed as Archie's fate rested in this person's hand. "Fine, I was gettin' tired of takin' out this fool anyways." Then he turned to Archie, "Don't let me see your sorry self again." He removed his foot and headed back towards the portal.
A moment of relief followed by a moment of piercing pain washed over Archies' body. Cleena walked over to him and helped him up. Seeing Archie's leg, Cleena threw Archie's arm over her shoulder to support him.
Tears streamed down Archie’s face, mixing with the sweat and blood. His face screamed a mixture of pain and fear. He began profusely thanking and apologizing to her.
This continued for a moment until she signed, shook her head, and said, "You're one big idiot. If only you had listened to me in the first place instead of running off. We're just lucky that this time, I made it before it was too late."
What aspect of the world should be explored further?
