Visions of Something

Two men sit out behind a small house after a long day of work.  Taking greedy swigs from bottles, they sit silently.  Earlier, an offer to listen was made and now the decision on whether the other man would share anything hung in the air between them.  It was quiet for a long while longer before the younger of the two finally spoke up.  “There's something that's been stuck in my head for some time now.”

“What sort of thing?”

“Well, I don't know exactly, but something; an animal, a creature, or maybe something else.  It's bright and has these eyes… there's something about this, something, something not right.”

A chuckle escaped from the other man before he could stop himself.  He cleared his throat in an effort to downplay it.  “Well, where did you see this thing?”

“I can see it right now.”

The other man leant forward with interest, searching, “What, where exactly?”

“Not like that, but in a way.  Have you ever stared at a bright light for a little too long and then afterward you can still see its outline even with your eyes closed?”

The older man nodded, concern visible on his face.

“It's sorta like that,” the man continued.  “I can see it in my mind in this bog-like place that is miles and miles away.  I've never been, but I can see it so clearly as if it were the home I grew up in.  I can't stop thinking about this place and this thing.  It's like it's got a grip on me.  I think I have to go there.  Maybe, I'm meant to be there.”

“Hogwash, you're probably just tired.  Go home, get some sleep and forget about it.”

“Look, I'm serious about this.”  He shot up, out of his chair sending it careening backward along with his bottle which shattered to pieces on the patio.

“I’m sorry, I didn't mean to… it's just this thing in that place.  I can't stop it.  It remains as if superimposed on top of everything.  Each day it grows and I see a little less.  Nothing can clear it from my head.  I don't know why, only that it is out there, waiting for me.  You can forget about it, but I can't.  Just know one day when I don't show up for work that I'm probably there at that place with this something.”