The Moore’s Tea

Brian and Stephanie Moore live next door to Seigh. They were archeologists that frequented South America quite often. Most of the time their house was left vacant, and Seigh would get the pleasure of signing for any small packages that would arrive, ensuring their safe keeping, until the Moore’s came home. This particular weekend, they returned and invited Seigh over for some tea. Seigh had seen Brian coming up the driveway as he looked from the window of his kitchen, washing the dishes. Before Brian could ring the antique doorbell, Seigh opened the door with a package, already in hand.

“Oh, Hey Seigh, how are you doing this afternoon? Too funny, I was just stopping by to see if any packages came for us. Looks like you already know what I was stopping by for, though.” Brian said this with an undertone of sarcasm, which Seigh ignored. “Also, the real reason I’m stopping by is that Steph and I had wanted to invite you over tonight. She has some interesting tea that she’d like for you to try. So long as the kids aren’t around, adult stuff, I’m sure you know what I mean.” Brian had said with a wink and a smile on his face.

“Uh, well Sure, that actually sounds like a pretty nice break away from my usual routine of chores. Plus, I could finally get to see all the stuff you get delivered. I’m sure you have some pretty unique things over there. What kind a tea we talking here…hmmm…?” Seigh asked with a jokingly raised eye-brow.

“Its called ayahuasca. Certain tribes in South America use it in rituals to cleanse the spirit. Steph and I know you are a bit of a loner, but you have always been nice too us and we figured you might enjoy spending some time with some folks outside of work and kids. It‘s a fun experience and we like to share good times with friends; and neighbors.” Brian said.

“Sounds like it could be a good release, it’s been awhile since I’ve hung out. There’s been a lot on my mind that I’ve been wanting to reflect on. I’ll be over around five, how’s that sound?” Seigh asked.

“Whatever time is good for you, is good for us. Just give a knock and we’ll be there.” Seigh was excited for the first time in a while. Aside from his kids, he mostly kept to himself and the Moore’s were good neighbors, when they were home. It would be nice to finally get to know them a little better. Now at least he could have a little chance to get to know someone outside of Mark. He gave his kids one last call on the phone, and told them he loved them, for the last time.

Seigh hung up the phone and began his walk to the Moore’s. On the way out of the driveway he willed the rhododendron flower towards him, so he could give it a sniff. He walked down his driveway and the fresh smell of honeysuckle on the wind caught the attention of his scent. The honeysuckle bushes lined the homemade fence that wrapped the property. He turned and admired his home from the front before making his way towards the Moore’s. He made his way down their driveway and thought it wasn’t nearly as pretty as his yard, a little more over-grown, but their job kept them away, so they caught up on yard duties later in the spring. He passed the big oak at the center of their front yard and walked up the steps. He knocked on the door and Brian answered with a smile.

“Hey Seigh. Glad you could make it, c’mon in. I probably should have told you earlier, but we invited a few of our friends over, as well. You’re kind of the guest of honor tonight. Everyone is out back, we are going to light a fire soon. Would you like a bourbon, vodka, beer or wine?” Brian asked, and Seigh was reluctant to have a drink, but thought that it would help loosen him up around the extra company, and was now craving everything Brian had offered.

“I’ll just have a scotch, with ice please.” Seigh looked around the living room at the paintings on the wall, they were all of a behemian nature; and conflicted with the modern decor arrangement of the living room. He was particularly fascinated with the mummified remains of what looked like a child, encased in glass. “What’s this?” He asked.

“That is what we like to call ‘Little Charlie’ it’s over 500 years old. The Incan civilization in South America, as well as many other cultures, made sacrifices, and mummified the remains. This is probably the youngest sacrifice ever found. To me it suggests the brutality of humans. That they could do something like that to such a small child is nearly incomprehensible to me. But, it was a different time, and maybe this young one here was a God to them. If only ‘Little Charlie’ could speak. C’mon, I’ll introduce you around.” Seigh walked away with the shivers, like he knew Little Charlie. He pondered, while he followed Brian across the living room, through the sliding doors and out the back of the house.

They made their way out back and Seigh was actually shocked to recognize Lanya. He hadn’t seen her since she and Mark had gone on a couple of dates a few years back. Her skin was the silver night’s reflection off the lake, the dark water on the surface matched the darkness of her. She mimicked the night and was incredibly beautiful. The whites of her eyes shone as brightly as the moon, and behind them was the happiness he remembered of seeing her in the sun.

“Hey Lanya. Small world, wouldn’t you say?” Seigh asked in a confident way, yet the hint of joy was in his voice.

“Well, long time no see. Where have you been hiding yourself?” Lanya asked, equally surprised.

“Next door, actually. I have my hands full with Mike and Darling most of the time. Weekends they see their grandparents though. I usually work, but I decided to take the weekend off for myself, and lo and behold…here I am.” Seigh was smiling, he was happy to see her. She always made him smile the few times he met her, he knew they shared a connection, but those times have gone by, now may be their last chance.

“Well, that’s a good thing then. You ever had this tea before?” Lanya asked.

“Cant say that I have.” Seigh said, nodding his head.

“Well you just stick next to me then. It can be quite a wild ride.” She said this and put her hand on his shoulder, there was an instant connection that they both felt in this gesture. Both their eyes met for a fractal of time, and together they understood existence.

“Ok. So who’s everyone else here?” Seigh asked. He recognized a couple people from the neighborhood. He never really knew them, but had seen them around. The other three were unknown to him.

“Over there, is Daryll and Janine Mapp. They worked with Brian and Stephanie on a couple projects, from what I know. Over there are a couple of locals that work on their digging crew. They are also volunteer fire fighters when they are in town. Busy little bees. The fat one is Alan Fitchetola, and the skinny one is Mark Bruce. Good guys for the most part. That other person over there I only met briefly. I‘m not sure what he does, but he seems like a nice enough fellow. He doesn’t talk much, but he was all smiles when I was introduced to him. His name is Erik Dunn.” Lanya said pointing everyone out with her eyes and a nod of her head.

“How did you end up here?” Seigh asked. Completely giving her his undivided attention, but not particularly caring about who was who.

“I’ve known Steph and Brian for years. After what had happened with you at The Pick, I started to do some research about…well…that. What I had ultimately stumbled upon was a concept known as HSP. It kind of evolved from something named the Indigo children, back in the late eighties. It all kind of began to make sense to me after what Mark had told me about you. Steph and Brian were a part of a research team that had disbanded years ago. They never gave up their passion to dig for an explanation on how minds work. Long story short, I happened to tell them about you. I guess they put two and two together and, as you said…’lo and behold, here you are’. Hence, you being the guest of honor tonight.” Lanya said with a smile, she was delighted from the feeling standing beside him gave her.

“Everyone, gather ’round. We are about to begin by lighting the fire. First, I would like to thank you all for coming out tonight. Most of you know what this ceremonial practice is about. But tonight, we have a special guest. As it turns out, our neighbor of many years, Seigh Poore, is a former attendant of the Indigo House, that Stephanie and myself had the pleasure of having fund out digs. With any luck, tonight he may be able to grant us some insight into the minds of these gifted people, we know as Indigoes. There are indigoes now that remain scattered around the globe. The search for them has been far and wide. They like to remain reclusive and mostly keep to themselves. Thankfully, Seigh was able to steer clear of many of the misguided routes that these gifted people tend to take. But, has also spent many years away from the Indigo House. So with his consent, I would like to continue.” Brian indulged everyone with his speech and put Seigh a bit on the spot. It was more to avoid the bond of good neighbors that Seigh accepted. Lanya touched his hand and it settled his nerves, putting his mind a little more at ease. Not to mention the fact that she was the prettiest lady he had ever seen. To feel accepted by someone was something new to him, as well. Breaking away from distraction he gave his consent by smiling and popping up a thumb.

“Ready when you guys are.” Brian made his way towards the fire pit and lit it. The fire was slow building flame, and it looked very nice, when coupled with the view of the lake. Stephanie had begun passing around some tea as everyone sat down around the young flame. Seigh stayed close to Lanya and with some hesitation began to sip the ayahuasca. It was bitter, but it had a small hint of mint behind it, which would take away the flavor of root. They all sat quietly, sipping their tea and admiring the calm brought on by the night. Before Seigh knew it the cup in his hands was empty and the visions of his once private world were escaping from his mind; making their way into the fire. Everything around him disappeared, what stood before him was the figment of a valkyrie that he recognized as his grown sister. This recognition was not that of a physical famiarity, it was a felt recognition. This was the final imagination he remembered her having of herself, when they played all those years ago. She looked worn, but beautiful. She had wings that almost looked metallic and she was saying something, but Seigh couldn’t hear it.

Seigh continued looking at her, as she was grasped by a gauntlet that shared its color with gold. The arm it was attached to looked as if it was a flowing liquid. It seemed to move and bend with everything around it. The spots of armor that did have color shared the same richness of the gauntlet. A red cape flowed behind him and the helmet he wore had horns that curved around the back of his head like a ram. Behind her, he could see the field from his dreams, burning in the distance. He saw too, a grim form of himself running towards her. He saw Himself get picked up and thrown into the air by a giant rock. Leaving his imaginary sister in the hands of this monster. He felt her explode in a final fit of rage that was meant more to protect his doppelganger, than out of any strike against the figure that was clenching her.

Instinctively, Seigh walked into the fire to help protect his sister. He was lost in his world now. The people around him remained unaware of what was truly Happening. They did however find the enlightenment they were looking for the next morning. When they had all come to, what was left of Seigh was a smoldering pillar of ash where the fire had been lit the previous night. It remained upright, as if he just stood there and burned alive without a struggle. No sign of pain nor a frantic wanting to be put out. The police would later deem it as a suicide.

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