I hear the ocean waves, softly in the distance, hitting the beach. Songbirds sing out under the shade of a few palm trees nearby. Laying on dry ruffled palm leaves, which crackle with each movement, I just continue to lay there stiff. I smell the ocean, but I smell more of me than the ocean. I smell of salt, sand, sweat and more from the weeks of isolation on this forsaken island. An island of paradise and hell rolled into one. Views of beauty during the day, but terror in the night. Bats, bugs, wild boar, don’t scare me, it’s the pack of dogs which scare me. They too are here on this, on this, God-Damned island.

During the day, the beastly dogs stay near the rocky hills on the far side of the island. Out-of-the-powerful rays of the sun at mid-day, near cool fresh water as it comes down the hill into a small creek and protected from ocean storms. The leader of the pack is a bitch, huge even when sitting, stronger than any dog I’ve ever seen and louder than angry cab drivers in a traffic jam.

When the sun begins to set is when my heart begins to pound louder and harder. I try to calm myself as I climb into the one tree I’m for certain the dogs will not try to climb. From atop the tree, on one of its largest branches, I sit and tie myself to the trunk. In the distance, as I sit alone in the dark, I hear the squeal of a boar. The squeal sounds become more intense and more of a scream made from a woman than a wild animal. As I hear the dogs bark peak to a roar, I then know it is almost over. I close my eyes waiting for the silence to return in the dark. After a few moments, the silence returns, it is over. The dogs had their fill for the night and return to their home. In the dark, I just continue to sit, continue to sit tied to the tree. Too nervous to climb down the tree in the dark and mentally too weak to take on what may come. So I sit, sit some more, until the breaking dawn unfolds. It is always the sun’s rays which stir me to move from my half sleep trance. Stiff, hunger and tired I climb back down the tree with the intent to lay down on my palm leaves. I lay on the palms, stiff and let my legs relax as I eat coconut and dried ants which I had left to bake in the sun the day before.

This is what my life has become, alone, isolated and fearful of the dark. Isolated and cut off from the world on a God-Damn forsaken island. Where I’m certain to meet my end either to starvation or to the dogs. One day the boar feasts will be over, my scent will be too strong to resist and they will find me due to hunger. Alone, my heart always races, alone my I feel more distant from anyone than ever before. I don’t see the point in going on but I resist to ending it because I faint to the thought of being chewed and digested. Will I be remembered, I ask myself, will anyone ever know what happened on this island? I tried to scribble on the rocks but always get frustrated. I have tried to build fires, but on a damp humid island getting dry wood is hard and keeping it going even harder. The smoke, unfortunately, just attracts the dogs and I’m too chicken to fight them. I hate this place, I hate myself for being so scared and I hate not being able to leave. I miss it all, yet…

Being alone was something I yearned for in the past, but that’s because I worked for the man. I worked so damn much and just wanted to be left alone from the grind. I was broken, I hated work, the people and their so-called fake ass coffee conversations. I become even more broken over time, unable to withstand working with them anymore. In the end, I broke down completely and don’t remember what happened. I only remember what they told me, I held them down, I yelled at them as they screamed, I yelled until there was silence. I don’t remember much at all that day but I remember what I was told when they left me here on this God-Damned Island. “May you forever be alone, be haunted by your guilt and may the hungry dogs to keep you in check. We will not be back.” They kept their promise; I lay alone, I hear rustling in the trees nearby.

There are 365 days of the year. On one of those specific days is a football game. A football game intensely played by both sides, a game with vicarious and fanatic fans, who refuse to talk to neighbors, cousins, and even family members who cheer opposite of their team. This particular football game is between the University of Alabama and Auburn. A game is so tough it has been dubbed the “Iron Bowl.” This rivalry is fierce and intense. Despite how much each side wants to, wish’s to, and desires to win. This rivalry wouldn’t matter without each other and its fans.

Although they are opposites, it is obvious they are connected. Each side talk’s with each other during lunch breaks about statistics, the strength of the team, the new recruits, and assistant coaches obtained. They even discuss how much money has been spent on their team's stadium, their head coach, training facility, and uniform contracts.

Economically, t-shirt designing, the selling creative collectables and memorabilia, and more has provided supplemental income for countless fans. Books have been written, movies, and even entire families save all year just to tailgate at the stadium. With each team's zeal for perfection they perform a spring time game to ensure they are on the right path prior to football season. During this game each team’s defense and offense play each other. Even though the teams are basically just practicing, the fan base comes out and actually fills their team's stadium.

But without the loyal fan base, without the rivalry, where would the money for a new stadium come from? Would recruits from various high-schools across the nation even want to go to school in Alabama? Would families actually make supplemental income by selling merchandise? Would fan's save all year just to go to the game? Despite the bitterness toward each team, the team's need each other, and the fans need each other. If opposites didn’t have each other, then this one specific day out of 365 would just be like any other day and like other football game.

It is exciting to be part of a new community, but it’s hard to fit in, when no one talks to you. I’m always invited (Finger Quote) but when I do show, I feel like how Larry and Kent felt when they tried to join the fraternity Omega Theta Pi in the movie ‘Animal House’. Bounced around from conversation-to-conversation, introduced to various guests and then somehow ending back by the door, rejected. Larry and Kent eventually found a Fraternity, but only because “Bluto” played by John Belushi said “We need the dues." As for me, just like Larry and Kent, I finally a found a group. Well, more like they found me, let me explain.

My name is Bob, Bob Marley, no not that Bob Marley. My parents were fanatics of his music, shall I say more? And if I had a say, in my naming, I would have chosen one a little more plain, maybe like Paul or John. Anywho, lets dive into it, I remember it well, it was Autumn. I remember the day before so vividly, I can tell you this much, because the details, of that day, will last with me forever. I remember everything, from even the wind rustling the bright colored leaves. My shoes cruncing the gravel path as I walked amongst the trees. I even remember closing my eyes, breathing deep, and taking in the crisp air. It definitly was Autumn, like a candle at the end of its wick, summer had flickered then faded away. I remember looking amongst the trees, the sun descending, hitting them with its enveloping rays. From the light, I remember the leaves glowing extremely bright. A moment, so perfect, no camera would have been able to catch this moment, no matter what you used. Forever cherished this moment will be and engrained into my memory.

It was after the sun had finally said its good-bye and twilight unveiled itself. Solemly, I looked around once more, almost like I knew what was going to happen later, I said a silent good-bye. Softly, as if on que, after saying good-bye, I remember the wind dancing fallen leaves near me.

Leaving, I remember opening the driver side door to my old beat down car, my breath visible as I started the engine, and put the heat on. Waiting for a moment or two so the engine could warm, I looked back once more toward the trees. Then looked down toward the dash, I shifted the car from park to drive. Inching forward, looking left and right, I pulled out and headed home. My car become was a place of solitude, it had been a place where I could go, and think without interruption. Heading home, I left the radio off, and just continued to think of how beautiful the those damn trees were.

Once home, I pressed my clunky garage door opener and watched from my car as the old patterned door went up screeching. Then moved the car inside the tight untidy garage. Once inside, I pressed the clunky garage door button again. Again, the old patterned door screeched as it shut. Shuffling between my car and semi-unpacked boxes, I reach the laundry room door and proceeded to take off my shoes. A habit, I learned from my time spent in Asia, in order to not bring in dust, germs and more. A habit I wished I had picked up earlier in my youth.

I walked through the laundry room, and into the kitchen. Quickly, after entering the kitchen, I’m was greeted by my faithful Labrador with love and affection. I tried to reciprocate the love and affection back by making us both ham and cheese sandwiches. Two for her and one for me, why the hell not I said to myself.

Later, after completing my usual getting home routines, I settled in to unwind with a beer in hand. It was at this moment, I remember my phone ringing and it was my boss Dan. Upon answering, Dan gave his usually fake salutation and went straight into discussing business. Dan was from New Jersey, slightly handsome, older, but cocky. He had risen in ranks quickly to become a boss. Dan was quick to take praise, but give none. Relentless, when senior management wasn’t around, and all smiles when they were.

How I ended up with him as my boss, I would always think to myself. I will never know, maybe it is was because no one thought I would complain. Before Dan, things were sailing smooth, then expenditures ran high and contracts changed. Causing rifts and shifts amongst the ranks. Older peers disliked change, they all said they a lot to lose, but I actually liked change, it killed the monotonous daily grind. Then almost overnight I landed Dan as my boss. Lucky me I said to myself.

Without taking as much as a breath, Dan continued on the phone. Placing the phone down on the coffee table, I put it on speaker, and let the task list continue. Listening, I ran my fingers over my face and through my hair. Calmly, I drank a few more sips of beer and finally said I understand. Upon hearing confirmation, Dan promptly ended the call, I was glad, but my mind was screaming the first four letter word I could imagine. There goes my weekend plans, I hated my job.

I had planned, that weekend, to go to the beach. It was not tanning weather, but windbreaker jacket type weather. I wanted to drive my truck onto the beach, start a fire, listen to the waves and drink some beer. All of this was going to have to change, in order to meet the demands of a boss I knew wasn’t going to assist, in any way, unless a senior manager would be working with us on this project. Thinking aloud, grumbling, I told myself to get started. I put my beer aside and started up my computer.

After reaching the point of exhaustion, I shut down my computer and then tried to shut down my body for the night. My eyes rested, my body rested, but like always then, my mind would just keep running. As I laid there, in the dark, I told myself things needed to change, I needed to change. Little did I know, my life would forever change the next morning.

The next morning, I woke up early for a Saturday, not because I wanted to, only because I had forget to cancel my damn daily alarm. Groggy, I had shuffled to the kitchen, and started a pot of coffee. Looking out across the lawn, I saw my dog in the front yard, I quickly became alarmed to the fact I must have left the side gate open again. I rushed outside to bring her in, still in my evening shorts and shirt, I shot out the door.

Now, this is the part where it gets confusing, because honestly, I don't remember. The last thing I remember, is yelling for my dog as she tried to cross the street and all-of-a-sudden it was dark, a pinch of pain, and a quick rush of light all around me. At first I thought I was in a emergency room. But I didn't see anything around me indicating I was in a hospital, it was bright room, a huge ceiling, window and a funny looking fella in a wooden chair across from me.

I asked what had happened, thinking he was a doctor or nurse, and asked if my dog was okay? Without hesitation, he answered back by saying my dog is doing fine, but we need to talk Bob. How did he know my name I thought to myself, maybe he had looked at my wallet or something. But I don't remember carrying my wallet with me when I ran outside. In fact, I really don't have any pain at all. I feel rather good. The funny looking fella across from was still looking at me, waiting for me to reply. Acknowledging him, I then asked "where am I?" "Well that's just it Bob, I need to talk to you so don't freak out. Most Non-Doms freak out after telling them." he then continued, "you see Bob, you're dead." I freaked out. "Dead?" I jumped to my feet and started to look around frantically, as if looking for the proof. I felt very much alive and even screamed at the man as I looked out the window. It was extremely bright outside, hard to see anything.

The funny looking fella again looked at me and started talking. "You're freaking out a little, that's normal. Trust me on this one Bob, you're dead." Looking down at his clip board, he asked "You're Bob Marley right?" I said "Yes." to his question while trying to settle down and then asked he knew that. Looking back at me, "Well, its right here Bob, its on my manifest list. Anyone listed on this manifest is dead and it is my job to greet you. My name is Jimmy and congratulations Bob, you made it to Heaven. You can relax."

"Relax?" I screamed. I freaked out again. Jimmy then, for the first time, showed emotion sadly knowing it was going to be a while before I settled down.

Chapter 2: Jimmy

Love to me has always been the feeling you get when you sit with someone and don't want to be anywhere else. Your mind sometimes wander, when talking to others, but when you're with the one you love, your mind stays put, focused and entrenched in the littlest of detials. Love adds value to the soul, to the mind and to the heart. Love is a feeling like no other, therefore words have tried over the centuries in capturing its full beauty but always fall short of its true splendor. Love is awesome.

Heavily lies the crown upon my head, people just do not know. Everyone wishes to be the King or Queen, but they just don’t understand. When one reigns, there comes joy and sadness. Joy when the kingdom is doing well and I give thanks to the people. When the kingdom is not doing well, sadness bestows upon everyone and I take the blame. Everytime I walk into a room, I feel judged by my own people. By the color I wear is liked by some and disliked by others. By the way I wave to some is not seen by others. Always people leave thinking I don’t like them because I stopped looking in their direction when I took my first step onto the stairs. Even my thrown is judged. Some say it is too tall, some say its too small. No matter what I do, I will always be judged. Even though, I am the final say and can be the judge. My people always watch, always speak whether I’m there, awake or asleep. The people always are moving and thinking. Their always either liking the current or looking forward to the next reign. Oh, how my time here is limited whether liked or not. Heaven only knows my true thoughts.

We arrived, just after 5 pm, in our short bed gray F-150, to the cabin we rented via Air BnB for the weekend. It was as described, a charming cabin on private land available and perfect for a family getaway. I felt lucky to have scored such a beautiful cabin, especially with such short notice, nestled within the mountain valley and next to small free flowing brook of mountain water.

Upon arriving and as usual, my wife, Jessica, went straight to the bathroom to relieve her bladder from a 2-hour trip from Seattle. I have always teased her about how she would always be the first to use the bathroom, before anyone, no matter the location. Jessica and I had been together for a long-time and had moved quickly past the honeymoon portion of marriage and dived head first into having kids, a dog and jobs. I have always thought of Jessica smarter than me when it would come to academic skills. But Jessica knew when it came to sense of direction, hiking, nature and many other non-academic skills I knew a little more than her in those particular skills and so we considered it as a sign we needed each other for each other’s skills.

Our son Ethan was extremely smart, in both skill sets, and lucky for us was somewhat of a little smart-ass who loved to play both of his parents at every opportunity. Skipping out on chores but telling me he was going shopping with mom, when only to find him hunkered down in his room on an online first-person shooter battle with his friends. But I can’t blame for trying, I grew up with the original of games an Atari. We couldn’t afford many games but loved the ones I had. And seeing how advanced we have become since the first Atari, I’m a little jealous of the graphics and watch my son play with amazement on how detailed even the trees on the games are, so I let him play on.

But that was the point of this trip, we have become so entangled with our personal lives, jobs, and games, we needed to spend some time together as a family. I had planned this trip out only two weeks earlier, after Jessica told me she had one more free weekend before she would have to work the next five weekends. So, after a little convincing, I coaxed into going on a short weekend trip as a family. I also had convinced her we should make s’mores, a bonus for me because of my sweet tooth wanted to rack in on the opportunity to cheat a little bit on my diet.

After a little bit of unpacking, we looked around at the cabin and property it sat on. On the dining table was a note from the owner. It mentioned how happy she was to have guests again at her cabin, mentioned local places a few miles down the road on where to get some snacks and specialty items we may have forgotten. But the weird part of the note said not to read the scary stories after dark. But soon blew it off as a way to get families renting the cabin in the mood for campfires and storytelling. After all it was October and Halloween was just a couple of weeks away.

Later, after warming up some frozen pizza brought from home, I sat down in the lounge chair in the main living space of the cabin. Just taking in the fact the three-of-us did it, we were finally all together jabbering back and forth, bellies full and actually having fun. But it was then I noticed something underneath the couch both Ethan and Jessica were sitting on. Down below, in that narrow little crack between the floor boards and bottom of the couch was what appeared to be a book.

So, from natural curiosity, I stumbled out of my chair and went over to the pick it up. I said, “Look at what I found under the couch.” While saying this, I turned the book over to the front cover. The cover page had been ripped off but replaced with a hand-written note saying don’t read after dark. While showing this to my wife and son, they thought I had planted it there while they were finishing off their portion of pizza and after I had used the bathroom. But I swore to them “I’m innocent, no look at what I found, seriously.” Maybe as a way to humor me, they just went with it and accepting that I had found the book but didn’t take too much interest in the book. Because Ethan was just telling his Mom he finally had found a girl he was interested in talking to but wasn’t sure how to proceed. Jessica took very this with great interest and had been waiting for Ethan to finally ask about to date and treat a girl.

As they spoke, I stumbled back to my lounge chair and with great interest started to look over the book I had just found. What a cool way to get a family in a spooky or Halloween mood by writing “Do not read the book” after dark on the welcome note and by planting a scary looking book under the couch with a hand-written note on the cover page saying “Do not read after dark” in red ink.

The sun had not quite set outside just yet, but after thumbing through a few pages, I thought to myself this would be good to bring out when we start our campfire and s’mores. What better way to utilize a fall weekend – family, campfire, s’mores, and scary stories. I felt like a good Dad, for all of this finally falling into place.

Once the sun finally set, I suggested to Ethan to let his Mom have a break from the conversation and let’s start the campfire. With excitement, we both walked outside and felt the crisp air hit us as we walked out. We could hear the mountain brook nearby but couldn’t see it. There were some leaves on the ground but many still in the trees for what little we could see. But within a few minutes, we found the stored firewood, and the used rock circle for fires. And within just a few more minutes and a couple of matches, we had a good size fire going outside. Just as we had the fire going, Jessica walked up with a tray of goodies and s’more making materials. She said, “Is anybody hungry?” Ethan and I then both smiled and looked back at her with glee.

As we all finished our third s’more, I thought it was a good time to finally bring out the scary looking book I had found and read some scary stories. At first, Jessica and Ethan said they were good and were both thinking about going in since the night had grown colder. But after a little bit of complaining and begging, they agreed to stay for a least one story.

With excitement I opened the book, with the title page and cover gone, I just read aloud the hand-written note “Do Not Read After Dark” and went to the first story on the first page. It was then things started to become strange, just as turned to the first page, the fire looked like it had taken in some fresh air and made the quick popping sound like as if someone had thrown another log on the fire. But thought nothing of it, even as the air continued to grow colder.

I read aloud the first words – Don’t go back to the cabin, hold tight to each other and wait out for the light. “Oh, this really is a scary story” Jessica said with a smile after I read aloud the words. With more interest we read on. Don’t go back to the cabin and now that you’re reading. You’re in danger. The woods are alive but the Cabin is not safe. No matter the danger, don’t enter the cabin. When the wind begins to blow, don’t enter the cabin. When the sounds become unbearably, don’t enter the cabin. Wait for the light, wait for the light and all will be alright.

With more eagerness and interest, we read on – You will feel cold, but not alone. You will seem lost, but you’re not far. You will think you saw something, but it really was there. Don’t go back to the cabin, no matter what you do. The earth may tremble and trees may fall, but no matter what you do, don’t go back to the cabin.

Just as I finished these lines, our fire started to grow dim and the wind started to pick up a little. Jessica said, “maybe we should go in or build a bigger fire.” I said with a spooky voice – “Ooo...Don’t go back to the cabin…Ooo.” With a grin Ethan said, “That’s actually pretty funny Dad.” But it was then with a gust, the fire went out. Luckily, I had my small pocket flashlight in my coat pocket. “It’s okay” I said, I will try to start it again. Jessica just wanted to go back in, Ethan remained either/or typical for a teen. But no matter how much I tried the matches would go out quickly or the wood would stay lit. So, with sad voice, I said reluctantly “Well, I think we will have to go to the cabin.” As I finished my sentence, the wind began to blow, causing the trees to sway back and forth with the branches brushing against each other. But the noise was different, instead of thinking we were hearing the leaves of each branch brushing against each other. It sounded like a growl. As the wind would pick up or slow, so would the growl.

Now Ethan was more interested in returning to the cabin than being the typical teen with an indifferent attitude and so was I. My intuition was telling me, we need to move, but my gut for some reason was telling me to listen to the story. Don’t go back to the Cabin. Jessica had about enough of it, enough of being cold in the dark and was a little nervous about the sound. So as a family we started to pick-up our remaining goodies, checked to ensure the fire was out and turned around to go back to the cabin. Without a warning, a low fog had started to engulf the cabin and with the fog came the growl again, but this time was louder and seemed closer. Ethan seemed a little scared but was trying to be brave in walking toward the Cabin with his parents. As his Dad, I knew I needed to be brave in front of him. I needed to show him there was nothing to be afraid of within the fog or outside of the cabin.

But this is where my concern started to pick-up, maybe the book is right, maybe we shouldn’t go back to the cabin I thought. But my family is cold, our hands are full of stuff, and there is a strange wind with a loud noise. WE need to get back to the cabin I thought and I’m scaring myself by believing the book.

But as we continued forward in the dark, the light of my flashlight was dissipating within the fog that now had engulfed the cabin and rolling toward. But as the fog rolled forward, so did the sound, so did the wind, the cold, almost as if something was trying to scare us in not to go back to the cabin. But I felt determined to get my family back inside into the safety of the cabin. But with each step the fog grew thicker. Jessica put down the lawn chair saying, “I can get this in the morning” and reached out to hold Ethan’s hand and walk right behind as if not to fall off of a path she couldn’t see.

As I walked forward with my family behind me, the fog was now the thickest fog I have ever seen. The sounds of the growl as the wind blew was almost as if something was right in front of us, maybe only just a few yards away. I then tried to walk left toward the cabin and then right, but no matter the direction the growl was still there. It was constant now and no matter where we walked it was there almost in front of us as if trying to repel us away from the cabin with its sound.

We finally reached the deck of the cabin and as we stepped onto the deck and faced the door the growl had stopped with the wind but the fog remained. I turned to face Jessica and Ethan and tried to make them laugh. “Well, that was interesting wind.” I said with a smile. They just glared at me blankly as if waiting for me to open the door. So, I turned back around, reached for the door and slowly turned the handle.

Whoosh!

The next morning, the cleaning lady arrived to change the linen and take out the garbage. The cabin was empty of its guests, but their belongings were still there, and amongst was the book sitting in the light but with its cover restored. The cover said, “Don’t Read After Dark” But this time, with the graphic picture of the family as if frozen in time. Blank faces, staring back and as if they were trying to open a door.