CHAPTER THREE


The air was heavy, Scott felt himself struggling to breathe. He knew he must be in the hospital because he heard the nurse above him somewhere. Why was he trying so hard? Scott began to relax, he let his muscles loosen and he felt himself sinking into the bed. Everything was so peaceful, so quiet.


The light behind his eyelids swam back and forth, getting darker. It was a dark room to a tired traveler, appealing to his exhaustion. He felt the picture envelope him, dark fuzzy blackness. It was so comfortable, he liked it. He felt warm. Faint at first, a small white spot came out of the darkness. It seemed to expand and push the blackness away. The white-gray mist kept growing until it surrounded Scott. He felt let down. He could feel that something was meant to happen. He looked around and saw ground below him. He felt himself standing and walking. It was foggy.


Scott looked down at his feet. No pain. He shook his arm, no IV. Scott felt energy surging in his veins. He strode along, feeling good. Breathing was easy! He looked around. It was cloudy, but the clouds were lifting. A beam of sun shot through the mist. Hills became visible, dark and indistinct at first, but clearing as the mist lifted. The hills were covered in rich green vegetation. Scott turned his head, his eyes drinking in his dream-like surroundings. He was walking along a dirt road in a valley, the hills on all sides of him growing larger in the distance. A river ran on the right of the road, and willows and cottonwood grew around the banks. It was still misty, but the temperature was rising. The sun shone onto Scott’s back. As he walked forward, birds chirped, a gentle breeze rustled through the cottonwoods. He could see large outcroppings of rock jutting from among the trees on the hill. As he walked, the road got bigger. There was a large group of trees ahead. He could see people standing around, some with their hands in their pockets, others talking on cell phones. They all seemed to be waiting. As he advanced, Scott could see picnic tables. There were a lot of people, but no one appeared to be doing anything. Oh, there was at least some activity. Scott looked out across the grass, almost like a park. Children were running and playing.


As Scott walked onto the grass, a tall man with piercing, dark eyes looked up from where he was typing on a slim laptop. He was the only one sitting at the tables. He looked very distinguished, and was very well dressed. Over six feet tall, with jet black hair combed impeccably back across his head, along with a quaint little ponytail.


He gazed at Scott, stood and walked energetically across the grass toward him. His face was smooth with a prominent nose, and a thin forehead. He reached a muscular arm out and pumped Scott’s hand in a firm handshake. “I see you’re new here, let me show you around.” His accent was rich and deep. A tingle went up Scott’s spine. He could feel the man’s incredible energy. With one large arm, he reached around Scott in a friendly but overpowering gesture. He turned Scott towards the road. “The people by the trees don’t have a clue.” The man sounded so confident, so much smarter.


“Yes,” Scott sputtered. He felt compelled to agree with this man. “Why are they just standing there?” He felt like a small child being pulled by a large uncle. He looked up timidly.


The man threw back his head and laughed; a deep, bubbling laugh. “Ohhhh, hahaha, you mean you don’t know?”


Scott squirmed. He felt stupid. “Uh, no.” He looked down. Strange. Should he know?


The man pulled Scott closer with his bulging biceps, and spoke in a conspiring whisper. “It’s because they don’t know what I know.” He looked down charismatically. “Oh, don’t feel bad, it’s my secret.” He pulled Scott forward. “That’s why I wait at the park. I’ve seen many, many people come through there.” He loosened his hold on Scott now that they were walking along the road. “When I saw you, I instantly knew you were better. So young, and obviously very smart.” He smiled at Scott. “I pick the brightest and best first.”


Scott felt uncomfortable. He didn’t want to seem stupid. “Thanks, I’m honored.”


The man looked at him, bemused. “Honored?” He laughed. “Oh no…” His voice was playful but firm. “You got it all wrong. You deserve this, it’s yours by right.” He patted Scott on the back. “You have a lot to learn, but you’ll do.”


Scott looked up at the man wonderingly. “What’s your name?”


“What’s my name?” He sounded dumbfounded, then chuckled. “You want to know a secret?” Scott nodded. “I haven’t been asked that question in a long time, not many people ask.” He winked. “Once I show them what I have, they forget all about me and become obsessed.” He held up his hand, “Not that that’s bad, of course, but it is nice to get noticed from time to time.”


“So what’s your name?” Scott asked again.


“Well, what do you think my name is?” He peered at Scott, eyes twinkling. “Should I guess your name?”


“Try,” said Scott frustrated. “If you can’t guess it the first time, then you have to tell me your name.”


“Okay then,” the man muttered. “Very demanding, but that’s good.” His voice trailed off. “Well, let me think.” He seemed to be enjoying himself. He twisted his head suddenly. “It’s Scott.”


Scott felt shocked. How in the world did this man know his name? He was sure he’d never seen him before.


The man grinned. “Lucky guess?”


“No, that’s my name!” Scott said, bewildered. “Do you know me?”


“Maybe yes, maybe no. Like I said, lucky guess.” The man was very intriguing.


“What’s your name?” Scott demanded.


The man cocked his head so his dark hair fell forward. “Oh, but I don’t have to tell you. I guessed your name, now you need to guess mine.” His voice was rich.


“But I couldn’t possibly know,” protested Scott.


“You can call me whatever you want. How’s that?” The tall stranger smiled. “Teacher would be good, because you have much to learn.”


Scott felt subdued. “Okay, Teacher.”


“That’s good, that’s good!” The man couldn’t hide his grin. “Let me show you what you can have!”


“Okay,” Scott said.


Ahead were two roads. One was smoother and swung gradually to the left. A group of bicyclists sailed by smoothly down that road. One man in a biking suit raised a hand and smiled as he passed.


“Beautiful day.” And then he was gone, speeding away.


Scott continued to look around. To the right, another road went up alongside the mountain and disappeared behind some trees. Scott could see it going up the side of the mountain.


“Aww, Don’t look at that road,” the Teacher muttered. “Wrong road.” He pointed down the road the bikers had sailed. “Look there.”


Scott strained his ears. He could hear honking, and he could smell engine exhaust coming up from the valley.


“Come this way.” The Teacher beckoned. He led Scott out between where the road split, and helped Scott climb a large boulder that lay between the junction. From on top, Scott could see both roads much better, the road going up the mountain on his right, and the paved road going down into a valley on his left. He saw brake lights on the left for what seemed like miles and miles and could hear motorists honking. A thin haze of smog hung over the huge traffic jam.


“Want a better look?” The Teacher smiled and held out a pair of binoculars. Scott took them and looked down at the traffic jam. He could see a man standing on his van roof, looking down the road, trying to figure out where the traffic jam ended. Scott thought he looked stressed and frustrated. He also saw the same bikers from earlier walking their bicycles along the side of the road. “Don’t look at the road, look ahead.” The Teacher reached out and bumped the binoculars with a long finger.


Scott moved his eyes where directed and saw distant high-rise buildings through the haze. He strained to see, “Is that smog? I can’t see.” He put the binoculars down. “Why is there such a huge traffic jam? I don’t think I like that road.”


The Teacher laughed and swung his ponytail with a whoosh. “Just goes to show you how popular the road is! You would like that road, especially since I can get you in the fast lane.” He pointed. “See, to the far left.” He pushed the binoculars to Scott. “Take another look.”


Scott lifted the binoculars again. He could see an empty lane to the far left. It was barricaded off with a concrete wall, with guards armed with rifles standing by its only gate. Some people were looking wishfully over the wall from their cars in the traffic jam.


“That’s my V.I.P. lane.” The Teacher puffed out his chest. “I found that my highway was so popular that I had to get a lane made just for me and my friends, because traffic is such a drag. So many people go down this highway that it would be bumper to bumper and near impossible without being in that lane.” The Teacher pointed. “Watch the gate now.”


Scott peered through the binoculars. A green Porsche with a young blonde in it drove up to the gate. A guard walked to her car. She reached out and handed him a small black card. He swiped it in a reader and the gate opened. She drove through and accelerated down the empty lane, passing hundreds of stopped cars in seconds.


“You see, only those with my access key can get in that lane.” The Teacher turned to Scott. “I might consider offering you one.” He paused and reached inside his leather jacket, pulling out a thin stack of black cards. With a poker player’s flair, he counted them in his long fingers. He raised his eyebrows. “It depends.” He leaned back against the rock, smiling when he saw Scott look with longing at the black cards. He slid them back into his jacket. “What are you interested in?” His voice held an edge of mystery. “Girls? Or lots of girls perhaps?” He smiled knowingly. “Money?” He reached inside his jacket again and this time pulled out a fat roll of large bills. “I’m an easy-going guy.” He stretched. “Thinking about what I said earlier, I think I was wrong.” He smiled benignly. “I think you are honored.” His eyes were large as they bore into Scott. He glanced over his shoulder, almost with a hint of anxiety. “Lets get you down to the road and get you hooked up then, shall we?”


Scott began to nod. The big man reached, took him by the arm, and began walking toward the road, dragging Scott with him. He seemed to be in a rush.


All of a sudden, a man was on their right. He radiated a pleasant confidence. Scott turned his head from under the Teacher’s shoulder and gazed toward him, looking at his deep brown eyes.


The Teacher grew agitated. “Come on now.” He pulled on Scott’s arm. “We’ve no time to waste.”


The man on the right touched Scott on the shoulder. Scott turned, forcing the Teacher to stop.


“He’s not interested!” the teacher barked.


The man stood his ground. “I haven’t heard him say that,” he responded solidly.


He was also tall, and wore elegant yet simple clothing, quite a contrast to the gaudy black leather that hung from the Teacher’s shoulders.


“Tell him you’re not interested,” the Teacher commanded.


The other man stepped forward. “Let Scott find out himself, you know the rules.”


The Teacher let go of Scott’s shoulders grudgingly. “Make it quick,” he hissed at Scott sharply. “My time is limited, and I have few black cards.”


“My name is Michael,” the man said. “Were you told there was another road?” He looked concerned.


Scott was confused. “I saw another road, but no, I haven’t been shown it.” He twisted to look at the Teacher.


“Do you know how hard it is? As opposed to my road?” the Teacher retorted.


“Have you shown him the end of your road? As opposed to my road?” Michael responded. “Or was it hidden in the smog?”


The Teacher shrank back. “Unfair!” he spat. The Teacher looked at Scott. His face seemed to convey pity, but it made Scott’s hair stand on end. “I can guarantee you that you will have no fun if you follow that road.” His eyes became silky black. “I can guarantee I have your best interest at heart. I want you to have fun!”


“Fun or true joy?” Michael stepped forward, “Tell him the truth.” His voice was firm.


“Fun,” muttered the Teacher, stepping back again.


Scott stood between the two. He looked back and forth between the Teacher and Michael. The Teacher stood, chest heaving. His leather jacket hung from his frame and large rings covered his clinched fi st. He unclenched when he saw Scott looking. Scott turned back to Michael, who stood solid. His eyes hid nothing and his hands were open.


“What is true happiness anyways? You’ve never even known true happiness. Is it even real? Go with what you know, Scott.” The Teacher’s voice was persuasive.


Scott looked back at Michael.


“Look to me,” said Michael.


Scott stood for a second. Why hadn’t the Teacher shown him anything about the other way? There was something about him that made Scott feel very uncomfortable. But then again, he hadn’t seen Michael show any VIP lane or talk of girls.


He turned back toward the Teacher. “I’m going to go with Michael. You do not want to tell me where your road ends, so I don’t want to go on it.”


The Teacher turned, a look of hate on his face. “Okay, you ungrateful rat,” he snarled. He reached into his jacket and flung a black card to the ground, stomping on it with his black boot. “I can see I was wrong, you are very stupid, with no regard to your future. I have no time to waste on someone like you.” He turned and walked furiously away.


Scott and Michael stood in the road, watching the retreating figure.


“I’m very happy you listened.” Michael stepped back. “You will be able to see for yourself where his road goes.”


Scott watched the Teacher disappear in the direction of the park.


“Are you ready to see the other road?”


Scott nodded. “I’m just a little shaken up, but I think I’m ready.”


“If you need to rest, we can.” Michael pointed to a smooth mound of grass at the bottom of the mountain road. “That’s a good spot, out of the road.”


He looked at the road he was standing in. “I haven’t seen any traffic.”


Michael shook his head. “The Teacher kept it clean while he showed you his road, but now this is not a safe place for you to be.” He led the way to the small grassy knoll. Scott followed behind. Just then he heard a screeching sound. As he looked back toward the road, an eighteen-wheeler hurtled around the road and sped down into the valley.


The two began to walk up the road. Scott looked around at the hillside, which only seemed to ascend. On one side of this road was a deep precipice, and the other was a high hill, which turned into a high, rocky cliff as Scott and Michael progressed. Scott gazed down the side of the mountain. He could see the valley far below, and the distant haze from the freeway. Scott pointed. “I still can’t see where that road goes, all I can see is a lot of haze and a few big buildings.”


Michael was quiet. His eyes swept across the panoramic view. “You’ll understand.” He paused. “Soon.” He turned up the trail. “I have someone I want you to meet.”


Up ahead, a red truck was parked on a dirt pullout. The truck looked familiar to Scott. Where had he seen it before? Scott began to remember. It was his uncle Matthew’s truck! The truck he had learned to drive in when he was a teenager. That Ford held a lot of memories. Scott remembered riding to work with Matthew in it. Of course, that was all before his uncle’s death. He hadn’t seen the truck since he left Alaska, but here it was, parked in front of him.


Scott ran up toward the truck. He banged on its side. “Uncle Matthew! Uncle Matthew!”


The door to the cab swung open. Matthew sprang out and caught Scott in a big bear hug. For a second he squeezed him, then held Scott out at arm’s length and surveyed him. “So good to see you.” He wiped his eye. “You’ve grown into quite a man.”


Scott stared back at his uncle. Red beard, blue eyes, big beefy frame. The top of his plaid shirt was un-buttoned, showing a glimpse of his hairy chest. Same Carrhart pants, even down to the steel-toed boots. His uncle hadn’t changed a bit.


“There’s someone else you should meet, I’ll reckon she’s a tad more pretty then your old uncle.” Matthew chuckled. He turned Scott back toward the truck. A young woman stepped out of the truck. She looked at Scott and smiled.


“Janet?” Scott gasped. He stumbled forward. They caught each other in an embrace. Her brownish-gold hair brushed against his cheeks. Her brown eyes glowed.


“Hi, Scott.”


Scott stood in a happy daze. He hadn’t seen these people for so long. It was so wonderful being with Janet again. A wall of feelings had been unlocked inside of him. He hadn’t felt so good for a long time. It was good, very good to feel love again.


“We need to start driving. We can get reacquainted on the road.” Matthew was smiling. “Why don’t you, Michael and Janet ride in the back, and I’ll drive my truck.” A minute later the truck began to bounce up the road. In the back, Scott clutched the side, squinting through the wind down into the valley. Janet was next to him, her hair blowing, and Michael sat across from them.


“What a strange freeway,” Scott mused.


Janet looked where Scott was pointing. “It shouldn’t be called a ‘Freeway,’” she said. “A toll road is more like it, and the price cannot be any higher.”


Michael spoke. “Can you see, Scott, more of where that road ends?”


Scott peered over the side of the truck. He could see a dark gorge. He looked away. It made him dizzy, it was so far below. As the truck continued to climb, Scott kept glancing over the side.


“The road is getting more narrow. What if it gives way?” Scott looked at Michael with fear in his eyes. Janet glanced apprehensively over the cliff. The truck’s tires were inches from the edge, advancing forward at a crawl.


The cliff’s edge fell hundreds and hundreds of feet to the gorge far below. The truck stopped and Scott felt the truck shudder as Matthew set the E-brake. He shut the engine off and left the keys dangling in the ignition. Scott watched him crawl across the seat. He couldn’t get out on his side without jumping off the cliff.


“The road is too narrow. We need to walk from here,” said his uncle as he squeezed between the door and the rock. “I can’t drive any further without rolling off the cliff.”


He reached back inside the cab and tugged a backpack and water bottle out. “Carry some water and a jacket.” He tossed Scott a windbreaker. “Stay close to the wall, the other side is crumbling away.”


The four started walking away from the truck. Clinging close to the cliff side, a stiff breeze pelted them with small pieces of sand. Scott shivered even with his coat. If he didn’t trust Michael and his uncle, he was sure he would have turned back. It was getting foggy ahead. Scott glanced at Janet, who seemed calm and focused, her attention directed to the path ahead. Just watching her calmness slowed his thumping pulse. If she wasn’t afraid, then he shouldn’t be either. Scott looked back up the trail. Through the fog, two figures moved toward them, and they passed by quickly, without even looking up to acknowledge them.


After they passed, Scott climbed up to his uncle. “What if they take the truck?” he asked in a low voice. “You left the keys in the ignition.”


His uncle took a deep breath. “I don’t need it anymore. It’s all right Scott. We can’t use it up here.”


Scott tugged at his uncle’s sleeve. “Why do we have to leave so much behind?” He paused. “Why continue up this road?” He looked at his uncle, his eyes full of questions and fear.


“Why wouldn’t we go up this path?” Matthew acted like Scott was asking him a silly question, “It’s the only path worth taking. It goes somewhere I want to be.” His uncle spoke with longing in his voice. “Come on, stay close.” He turned and continued on the trail ahead.


Scott followed in silence, deep in thought. An abrupt noise from below echoed up the mountain. The sound of a diesel engine starting a few thousand feet below. “They’re taking your truck,” Scott hissed. “What should we do?”


Michael held up a hand. “Quiet.” The four stood listening, the rumbling engine revved and Scott could hear a popping sound as the E-brake released. It sounded like the truck was moving away from them. The horn’s distinctive honk rattled up the mountain, a sliding sound, and then a loud bang. Scott stepped toward the side to look.


His uncle caught him by the shirt. “Careful.”


Scott leaned forward. A thundering sound continued to echo. He could see the red truck tumbling like a broken tin can down the side of the mountain, a cloud of dust rolling behind it. It banged and splintered until it came to rest below by a large boulder. An eerie silence replaced the thundering fall. Scott stood shocked. The truck had just slid off the cliff. The group stood in hushed stillness, looking at each other. Matthew turned with Michael and began to walk.


“Come on, Scott, we must go.” Janet tugged at Scott’s arm. “We can’t stop for anything now.”


Scott nodded. “Okay.” He followed Janet, just looking over his shoulder once. This time he couldn’t see behind him anymore, the fog was too thick.


As they continued, the path became narrower and narrower, until the group was forced to lean against the rock wall for balance. Once Scott hit his toe on a small loose rock. Several seconds later he heard it make a slight “dink” far below.


“Careful” murmured Janet. She glanced back at him.


From far below, the sounds of a carnival drifted to Scott’s ears. He could hear raucous voices making vulgar jokes, and several low, heavy beats. There was laughter, mingled with cursing and cries of bitter disappointment. It made Scott more anxious to stay on the narrow, difficult trail.


Along the wall, red cords appeared. They hung to Scott’s waist height, swaying in the air.


“Hold on to the cords,” shouted Matthew “They’ll be able to hold your weight.”


Scott watched Janet walk in front of him. She held the cords as she inched her way up the trail. Scott looked at a cord, and tugged at it. He wasn’t sure it would hold him. He kept leaning against the cliff and inching forward.


“Scott.” Janet turned to look at him. “You have to hold on to the cords, otherwise you’ll fall. They’ll hold your weight just like they’ve held those who’ve gone before us.”


Scott nodded. He grasped the cord in his hands and gave a tug. His stomach turned. The cord held. Through the fog, Scott could only hear her voice. Only Janet’s back was visible now, against the edge of the wall. He loosened his water bottle from his belt and took one last chugging gulp before he tossed it into the fog. As the group began its final ascent, Scott felt his feet slipping on the edge of the path. An icy fear gripped him. He grasped a red cord, thinking he would fall, but then he didn’t. The cord held.


Up ahead the fog began to clear. Scott could see a chasm. It was like the trail ended on the edge of a great canyon.


“What now?” Scott yelled shakily. The rock wall was ending, and on all other sides he could not see past the dark clouds below.


“Hold on to the red cord,” yelled Matthew. “You’ll fall if you don’t.”


About forty feet across the chasm was a plateau. It was green and there was no fog. It looked bright and safe.


“We have to swing across.” yelled Matthew. “Follow me.” He wrapped his cord around his wrist and looked back into Scott’s eyes for a second.


Scott saw no fear. With as much spring as he could manage, Matthew leaped from the cliff side. Scott watched in fascinated horror. Then Matthew sailed over the canyon and fell into the grass. He rolled over and waved. “It works!” he yelled.


Janet gripped her cord. “You’ll be right behind me, Scott, right?” She looked at Scott.


“Yes.” He nodded “I’ll be right behind you.”


Janet took a deep breath and launched herself away. A few seconds later, she had swung to safety. Matthew grabbed her as she swung past him and the two fell into the grass. Scott gripped his cord, feeling dizzy. He looked down. He could see the sides of the cliff disappearing into darkness. He felt sick. He jerked the cord. It felt loose.


“What’s it secured to?” He shook as he spoke. He turned to Michael.


“It will not fail.” Michael put a firm hand on Scott. “The cord is attached to a rock that cannot be moved. Just hold onto it. I have a work for you that you cannot do yourself.”


Scott stood, sweating profusely, by the edge of the cliff. He had never felt so frightened before.


“Are you coming?” Janet called from across the cliff. Scott looked across. She was waving from the grass. “Trust the cord please, Scott.”


Scott wrapped the cord around his wrist. It felt so flimsy, but there was no other way. He closed his eyes for a second, then leaped. His legs shook as they left the ground. He felt his heart pound in his throat. He was falling, no, swinging, into the chasm. The air whistled around him with a chilling sound. He opened his eyes and the wind made tears come. He wasn’t swinging up. Scott felt disappointment so keen it made his body ache. He was swinging into the cloud and he felt himself lowering. No! No! NO! He wanted to be on the plateau with Janet and Matthew.


He kicked his legs. Go up. Go up, his mind frantically screamed. He pulled on the cord. It was unwrapping. Why wasn’t it holding him up?