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E – Elections

Edward was tired, not physically tired, but emotionally drained. It was the year 2028, and another major election was coming up. He had spent the last three years listening to all the promises and plans of the upcoming candidates in all government areas: local, state, and federal. And Edward was tired.

From experience, he knew that most of the promises were empty ones. Whatever the candidate promised was based on their political party. The candidates refused to accept that some opinions from an opposing party were viable choices, even if, as individuals, they knew the other party was correct. 

Each candidate claimed they were telling the truth. To listen and believe an opposing candidate would have dire consequences. They all had facts to back their positions, some real, some fake. 

In reality, some of what was shared had merit. Some of what had been shared and promised in previous elections had been attempted and even accomplished. But, far more was tripe, memorized rhetoric, with unattainable results. 

We needed a different system of government. Oh, how Edward wished that would happen in his lifetime.

Edward lay back in his comfy recliner, turned off the TV, put on noise-canceling headphones to block out the sounds of cars racing through the neighborhood, and even put on his sleep mask to block out all the light in the room. He just wanted to get some uninterrupted rest and let his mind go blank (which was hard to do). 

He was startled by a tap on his shoulder. He removed his mask and headphones and looked around to see who had tapped him. There shouldn’t have been anyone in his house. The problem he discovered was that he wasn’t in his house. The house was similar to his own, but the furniture was very different. One could say it was futuristic, which it was. 

“Sorry to have startled you,” a familiar voice behind him said, “but I thought it was time to give you some of the answers you seek.” 

Edward quickly got up, turned around, and stared at the person facing him. 

There in front of him, stood a man, about the same height as Edward, with the same color eyes, much grayer hair, dressed in a one-piece jumpsuit style of clothing. This person was at least 90 years old but looked very healthy. 

“Who are you? And where am I?” Edward questioned. 

“I am from the future,” was the man’s first response, “As to who I am, I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon enough.”

A crazy thought entered Edward’s mind, but it was so ridiculous he let it pass. 

“You want to know whether the political structure in your time will change in your lifetime? And the answer is yes.”

“How will that happen?  I see no way the political climate is going to get better.”

“You think as many did, and without the disaster that took place in the twenty-first century, you would have been correct. But major disasters that threaten the globe can bring people together.”

Edward wasn’t sure what the man standing before him was talking about. “We have a major disaster looming. There’s climate change, misinformation about pandemics, pollution, poverty, and wars for possession of land, to name a few. These have been happening for years, and there has been no change. Things only got worse. How can one disaster change all that when nothing else seemed to work?”

The reply was simple. “That’s because this disaster was not even anticipated until it happened.”

“And political parties and their opposing views and information. How does one correct that?” Edward asked.

 Another simple response: “This was easily remedied because there are no more political parties. The only party that exists now is the Human Party. All views are listened to, and all facts are verified and accepted, both in the United States and all the countries of the world.”

This had to be a dream. There was no way anything like what was being described could actually exist. 

“I know you doubt this is the truth. I would share with you the world I live in now, but alas, I’m not permitted to do that. You need to trust me, or should I say you need to trust yourself, for you will be a big part of that change. And it starts now.”

This was a bit much for Edward to take. He sat down again, closed his eyes, and tried to focus on what was said. He had more questions to ask, but when he opened his eyes again, he was back in his recliner, house, and time. 

He never saw that person again. He had a suspicion about who that person might be, and if he’s right, he has about fifty more years before he find out if he’s correct. 

As for now, he had things to do. How does one get their name on a ballot?

D – Darkness

This continues the story Back to Selat. You may want to read that first if you haven’t already. 

——-

It was easy to find my way back to Selat, for I had used the portal numerous times while trying to help all the captured and freed characters remember their stories. I landed in the center of the main street in front of a storefront. I noticed that there was no light inside or outside the store. The sky was dark—no sun or moon, no stars, just darkness. 

I used my flashlight to look at the sign over the door that read, “ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE. LIMITED SUPPLY” This was where I first met the Caretaker of Selat. It was the right place, but what was going on? 

I entered the store and went to the front counter. I rang the bell on the countertop. Its sound rang pure and echoed through the room. 

A familiar voice called out, “Ask your question.”

I shined my flashlight on my face and asked, “Do you remember me?”

Usually, when one went to the caretaker, they were only allowed to ask three questions and had to pay for the answers. I had to make sure that the caretaker knew who I was since he had waived all limits and costs for me as a reward for all the help I had given saving Selat the last time. If he didn’t remember me, I only had two questions left to find out anything and would have to find a way to pay for the answers. Hopefully, I hadn’t just wasted a question.

After a moment, he responded, “You are the teller of tales, the savior of stories, the loved of Selat. Your visit was not foretold this time; however, your presence is needed. What brought you to our kingdom?”

I explained to the caretaker the events that preceded my arrival: the meeting with the mystic, the cryptic message that help was needed, that I was supposed to seek out the caretaker, and that something had happened to Red Riding Hood. 

The caretaker verified everything that I said. Red Riding Hood was indeed missing. Since then, darkness had covered the kingdom with what was assumed to be an evil spell. 

“Has Necroma returned?” I asked. 

“Not to our knowledge,” the caretaker said, “However, it would appear her dark magic has.”

“What do you expect me to do? Are there any clues?”

“Your task is whatever you feel is right. You might want to discover what happened to Red, why we live in darkness, and restore what was. Without light, all living things eventually die.”

According to the laws of Selat, the caretaker is not allowed to give direct help to anyone. He does have to oversee its inhabitants and ensure that the life of story continues, so he couldn’t summon me to be there himself. So even if he knew where Red was or how the darkness came, he could only give me hints, similar to what transpired between the Mystic and me. 

He continued, “There are creatures in Selat that are directly involved in all the events that have transpired. One might want to look into stories containing a missing character or causes of a darkened world. Time is short.”

Before I could respond, the caretaker was gone. I could no longer feel his presence.

Again, I was given truthful information—at least, I assumed it was since I trusted the caretaker—but not enough information to solve what I was called here to do.  At least it was a start.

I decided that the first thing I would do was go to Red’s grandmother’s house. Maybe there was a clue there that would help. 

To be continued in F – Fox