Chapter 16: One Moment of Heaven
Shirley prepared for her escape. She realized that with the unsustainable light, she had all the attributes of a familiar. During the past forty-eight hours, she practiced with what was available in the asylum: first a roach, then an ant, and then back to human form again. It became easier each time.
She had a plan of action; Uktena had been right about his inability to get to heaven, but she could. In that meeting of the minds, she had instantly realized what needed to be done.
In a split second, reality could change—in one moment, one blink of the eye, one lucid thought, one infinitesimal grain of recognition. I dream of lifetimes before me, not knowing if they’re my own. I keep dreaming, keep seeing, yet … my dreams have been coming true. The stories that grew from my dreams are coming true. Do I dare speak of them? Do I dare heed the call and give them life, as they have given me life? Do I expose myself to public ridicule and condemnation, or do I keep these dreams for my own madness? I wonder even as I think this. I know that my words will change the consciousness of human existence; that is not an ego-driven summation, but a statement of fact. So it is visualized; so it shall materialize.
In a few days, my life will change dramatically. I’ve seen it—parts of it—and I know that even though I fear the future, I must proceed and act upon what it is I have been called upon to undertake. I must strive for it; I must reach out and do what I must. Too much rides on the completion of these tasks laid out for me. I must reach for the void of the outer realms that I am bequeathed to, for in those realms, I will change my destiny and become what I never was before. I must do this for myself and for everyone around me. Life will never be the same—not even my afterlife. Heaven’s realms, or the great halls, the akashic records—everything will be changed for the millennia with my actions.
Am I humanly capable of carrying out such a feat? Will I be cast as some tinfoil-hat-wearing nutcase? Look where I am now. But those who have come before to make straight the path had the same insight that I have. They knew the odds; they could see the consequences of their actions; and they forged a new destiny not by their will, but by the will of God.
The outer door to the high security wing of Eastmont Hospital swung open; Dr. Caspar Gavorkian entered the cell with another doctor. “Good morning, Shirley,” Gavorkian said. “There is someone here to see you. I would like to introduce you to Dr. Jeb Bello; he’s here to transport you to a different hospital.”
Shirley tried hard not to react. “Dr. Jeb Bello: psychiatrist extraordinaire who works for black ops!” She stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “He’s come to take possession of me.”
“Good morning, young lady,” Dr. Jeb Bello greeted her. “Dr. Gavorkian was good enough to explain your situation, and I believe I can help you.”
“Yes, I believe you can.” Shirley winked at Dr. Gavorkian. “I’m all packed and ready to go, Dr. Jeb.”
“Now, don’t give me a hard time!” Dr. Jeb Bello suddenly shouted. “We might have to sedate her, Dr. Gavorkian.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Shirley answered. “Put me in a straight jacket, or hand cuff me. I’m willing to leave with you; I did not say I cannot, will not, or shall not!”
Bello eyed Shirley suspiciously, and Gavorkian spoke up: “It will not be necessary. She has joined the other patients in the social hall and has been our best patient.”
Shirley was allowed to dress in a white outfit that fit her, and they brought her paper shoes to put on. She looked and felt a mess, but now was no time to worry about how she would appear in public.
They all went into the office to fill out release forms; Dr. Jeb Bello filled out a new set of commitment papers.
“Dr. Gavorkian! Dr. Gavorkian!” The security guard had come into the office. “Shirley’s father is here to pick her up!”
Shirley looked up, startled. Her father? Her parents had no idea where she was. She actually started to cry. “Papa?”
The security guard allowed the visitor entry and brought him to the office, where they were filling out Shirley’s transfer papers. Eagle Flying By stood in the doorway.
Shirley ran to him and gave him a big hug. “Oh, Papa! I’m so glad to see you. Thank you for coming for me.” Shirley’s face crinkled up, and she cried loudly.
“Excuse me … Mr. Cohen?” Dr. Gavorkian looked at Eagle Flying By. He looked Native American: dark skinned, white haired. “We were just in the process of transferring your daughter.”
“Yes, er, aah … we are taking Shirley to a hospital in Colorado,” Dr. Jeb Bello stated.
“Well, I will come along,” Shirley’s father stated. “I will act as her guardian.”
Dr. Jeb Bello looked at the old man, all flustered. “Well, there’s no law against it,” he mumbled.
The three of them left the hospital through the front door. An ambulance was waiting.
As soon as Shirley walked through the front door of the hospital, she easily turned into the catbird who had allowed her his physical form a few days before.
Eagle Flying Bye took the cue and sailed into the heights. Dr. Jeb Bello had walked out of the hospital with the girl, a guard on each side of her.
They all stood there, perplexed, not mentally registering what their eyes had told them. Bello screamed at the guards, “Don’t let them get away!”
The guards did not react, however, because they didn’t know where the two had gone.