There are two people who can connect the dots to who I am, Seth Kadar and Eset. This would be easier if I knew her last name or if she even really exists, but I feel that she does, and she is out there waiting for me to show up. I know more about Seth, his selfishness and need for attention will make it easier to figure out who he is and his relation to me.

“Strange! How do I know he’s a selfish, attention-seeking prick?” I ask myself.

Guess I was right about the familiarity I sensed around him. Our connection may be what I need to break free from this curse. Since I knew about his obsessive need for attention, I will rummage through some of these magazines and peruse the gossip sites and other news outlets. I stretch my hand out over the mosaic glass coffee table with black metal bars. What I need is the company information he gave me earlier, knowing that anything I can find is vital. I delve through magazine articles and review miscellaneous documents. When suddenly the room becomes quiet, I stop as a euphoric intensity rush through me. Immediately, I can feel her presence surrounding me. Anytime I can go to where she is, but I need to find her here, on this plane. Tracking her down when I don’t even have a name is going to be more difficult.

I don’t understand how I can sense when she lands in the other place, I feel her and experience a moment of serenity after she heals someone. It doesn’t matter who or why, It’s the only time I don’t feel lost. I’m addicted to this feeling, the familiarity of being grounded I know finding her will lead me to find myself. Like a vacuum sucking life from within me, I could not catch my breath. The bleak hollow space left behind amid her absence was all it took to show me I could no longer reach her. Suddenly I jerked awake with a smack! I barely have time to stop myself from falling through that mosaic glass coffee table.

What was I doing…where am I… I was looking at something, but I am not sure what for. As I sit there collecting my thoughts I slowly piece together the reason I was searching frantically through all these articles. As the confusion clears, my pulse races, and my hands shake   I know what this feeling means, but I had hoped there was more time. I rise and run to the mirror in the bathroom. I stand there counting, coaxing myself to look in the mirror. Just one peek, that’s all it takes. I open one eyelid just a little for about a minute and peek at my hair, with a one big exhalation relax. Matthew is still here in all his golden glory. Matthew, Haden, and Dean; are all good-looking guys, I wonder if that means I was too. Well, at least nothing else has changed. I still remember everything that’s happened so far and I know my next step in my plan.

I kneel to gather up the scattered papers and open magazines when I see a picture of Seth and a woman, she seems familiar, but I can’t tell why. I have no memories of meeting her. I’m positive I’ve never seen her before. I picked up the magazine to get a closer look. The woman is beautiful but wrapped in luxury, sophistication, and poise envelope her, but it all looks fake, like it’s a costume. From her mahogany cropped pixie that grazes her sun-kissed shoulders, in every picture, she’s wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt or dress emphasizing her slender figure and ample cleavage. If I had to guess that is Seth’s doing, he did always act like a controlling piece of shit. It’s those eyes, her amber eyes give away who this woman is behind the mask, and that’s what grips me. I go to lay down the magazine when my chest feels tight and my breath catches. What’s wrong with me, this is weird I can’t tear myself away from her image. This must be significant, how can a woman I have never met have this strong of an impact? I stare at her image with the hope something from my memory pops loose.

“Ow, shit! What is happening?” I ask the photo.

The excruciating pain feels like someone is crushing my skull in, I curl up on the floor and close my eyes for some relief, but my head continues to pound relentlessly I need to get to the bed. I try to lift myself up and notice how slow I am moving; my body feels heavy. The moment I can no longer hold myself up, thump I hit the floor below, the last thought I have is will I remember anything when this is all over?

            I feel like I’m floating, I watch a man who is sitting tall and regal on a large chair made of stone, silhouetted in a pristine shine. He is dressed in what appears to be a loin cloth, and his bare chest is draped in gold and jewels. The room is wide and open, there is a large, long stone table laden with a multitude of different delicious-looking foods. Benches are propped up on each side. I watch as he rises to walk down towards the table, and the party follows behind. When he sits, I notice the grand intricate sandstone statues sparse throughout the room. I feel a whoosh rush past me, and when open my eyes. I am no longer looking on from above but sitting in front of table. Instantly the room goes quiet! I am confused why until he walks in and lays down a large wooden chest in the middle of the banquet. I look over at a broad man in a loin cloth and a gold amulet lying over his bare chest. I look around me and the other males are dressed in a similar fashion. I wonder why I’m wearing the same thing; except I do not have an amulet instead a gleaming amethyst ring sits prominently on my right hand. The man standing before me is my brother, our relationship is tumultuous at best or downright toxic. In fact, I thought he always hated me. How do I know that?  I smile at him ready to invite him to join us. When he speaks loud and clear for all to hear.

            “Brother, this a momentous occasion, I have brought you a new creation to celebrate.” He signifies as multiple men gather behind him carrying a large wooden box.

He is being sincere though, and he is contributing to the family, does this mean he is no longer angry with me? Well, the past should have no effect on the decisions of the present. I will accept his apology.

“Brother, your graciousness knows no bounds, for you to not only attend but bring your brother, my husband, this special gift. We are so thankful.” My wife responds in agitation.

My lovely wife seems upset, she never trusts our brother. She reminds me to not let my guard down, but he is my brother. Can he hate me so much to want to remove me permanently? We are family after all. I look over at my wife, she is beautiful, I am surprised that this woman is my wife. The gold wrapped around her slender body is offset by that long raven hair and creamy almond skin I imagine caressing, but one look at those striking green eyes, and my breath is shallow. I glance back to my brother, he is watching my wife closely as well, but he also looks in the direction of the other woman standing off to the side.

“Brother, this is a most delightful gift.” I speak. The large chest is made of wood, it has a big opening after my brother pulls the lid off. It looks like it has been made to match my size. I am intrigued by why something like this was created. Is it meant to help me with the journey through the afterlife? I cannot accept that everything my brother does is with bad intentions in mind.

“I am so joyous to hear that brother, give it a try. Lie down in it.” He insists.

I do not like the idea of lying down inside it, but all around me, I can feel the eyes following me. I slowly approach the wooden chest and step inside, my palms are sweaty, and I wonder if I should stop this. My brother encourages me to keep moving, I drop to my knees and look over at my beautiful wife and smile at her, take a deep breath, and lay prone inside the chest. It fits me perfectly; I can tell it was indeed created with me in mind. My brother moves toward me laughing, he looks down at me.

“Relax, we want the full picture.” He encourages. He looks down at me and smiles sinisterly as he lifts the lid my breathing picks up. The lid closes to hide the remaining light. When the top is sealed on, I notice a spinning grabbing hold. I can hear my wife’s slight stutter as she questions our brother.

“Brother, this is very entertaining, and my husband has cooperated with all. Is it not about time to move on to other things?” She asks.

My brother laughs and taps on the top of the chest.

“Oh, sister dear, brother wanted to try the chest. He is fine if you feel anxious come to me and I will hold you close.” He answers with a laugh.

Those are the last words I hear before everything goes silent. I feel movement around me when the box moves, I bounce around unable to hold my balance. That’s when I know I was tricked. I should not have given in to Set again. I yell, hit the top and bottom of the box, and try to push the lid open. Nothing works and the bouncing is incessant. I lay there not knowing when I will be able to get out, when abruptly the jostling stops. I listen for any noise, I hear birds and running water, but it’s faint. When I hit something, the impact is rough, but the box is not affected. There is a vague ceaseless rocking motion.

When I come to its dark and I can’t see anything around me, and I hear a subtle sloshing. With a start I look around, trying to find the sound. When my consciousness moves back into place and I recall where I am, I rise from the ground.

“What the hell was that?” I plead with myself.

I’m in shock, I have never experienced something like that. My brother tricked me, he wanted to kill me. My wife tried to protect me; I recognized her from somewhere, I know, but where? If only I could remember names, but it seemed like another place and time. Some of it is still unclear. I don’t know what that was, but I know I did not travel anywhere, it was not the same as when I went to that other place to see Eset. Still, an ominous presence lingers deep inside me. I had a brother who despised me, does he know what is happening to me now? As I unravel one mystery, I find another. I have more questions than answers. At least I’m still Matt, but I can’t tell for how much longer.