Bear in the Kingdom

2nd day of the mushroom.

Feeling the soft press of the enter key didn't come as a new sensation to Peter. Nor the message confirming his email was sent or the ladder of ninety two still remaining in his inbox. His eyes needing a break, he peered over his desk and noticed a great bear; its gaze firmly fixed on Peter's eyes. Then he heard the words: “You - are dying”. Though no movement came from the bear's jaw. Ignoring the words, he moved to read the day's stock reports. Again the words: “You are - dying” and the bear, now so close, he could feel its breath upon his neck.

As he strained to look past the bear's head he caught - a reflection of himself - in the window. He got up guardedly and started to run. Past the King holding court in his gilded office. Past the bloated Lords on the floor below. Past the Peasants eating grass on the ground floor. Out the orbiting door, ripping off his shirt, feeling his chest hair stand erect in the winter air. And standing next to him once more, the bear, looking into his eyes. Finally turning its back, walking off- into the masses.

By ZeLee

The Man outside my window.

1st day of the mushroom.

At a window of a house there is a child who sits and stares, staring down onto the street. Where a man stands underneath a street lamp, his face obscured by night. She knows though, that he is smiling, waiting, patiently.

“It’s time for bed.” Mum enters the room. She takes her child by the hand and leads her to bed.
“But what about the man outside my window?”
“There’s no man. Now time to dream of the angels.” She kisses her child and leaves.

The house now lies in darkness. The child, still awake, can hear footsteps cross the pavement towards her house. Outside the door, the man sees no barrier, he simply enters. At the bottom of the stairs, he begins his rise. Outside the child’s door, he breathes slowly and enters.

He stands calmly at the foot of her bed. Staring. She is hidden under her cover. His arm slowly slithers round her leg. She tries to scream, but nothing escapes. She is dragged out of bed. She is pulled down the stairs. Out of the door. She claws at the ground, nothing works. Under the street lamp she finally screams.

By ZeLee