Summary

"The Slide" is a narrative about characters dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophic event, with elements of fantasy and personal relationships interwoven into the story.

Abstract

The story titled "The Slide" unfolds with a chapter named "Aftermath," where characters experience surreal and profound moments, such as Farha's vision of love and unity amidst a serene landscape. Meanwhile, Nikos, Maria, and Sofia face imminent danger as they escape their home, which is consumed by flames, using a hot-air balloon that takes them towards a place beyond the Slide. Six months later, Farha, who has been in a coma, shows signs of consciousness and recalls a family's escape in a balloon, which is later confirmed by a nurse. A year on, Farha awakens from her coma to discover that her loved ones, including her Uncle Tem, have been working on her recovery, growing her a new spine. The narrative also touches on the loss of a character named Alexis, though Farha appears to have no memory of him. The author hints that the story is ongoing and expresses gratitude for the readers' support.

Opinions

Farha's experiences are depicted as deeply emotional and transformative, suggesting a connection between her inner world and the fantastical elements of the story.
The author conveys a sense of urgency and fear through the escape of Nikos and his family, highlighting the severity of the situation they are fleeing from.
The use of a hot-air balloon as an escape vehicle evokes a sense of adventure and alludes to the "ancient Oz stories," which may imply a journey to a strange and wonderful land.
Farha's recovery process, including the medical advancements like the regrowth of her spine, reflects a hopeful perspective on the potential of technology in healing and restoration.
The mention of Farha's lack of memory regarding Alexis introduces an element of mystery and raises questions about the impact of trauma on memory.
The author's direct address to the readers indicates a personal relationship with them and an appreciation for their engagement with the story.

The Slide

Chapter 9 | Aftermath

Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash

Pain?

Yes, pain.

Nothing… Floating in the dark. Oh, so that’s what it is. No pain. Papa, is that you? Each of them blurred, surrounded by translucent vibrant eggs of light — pulsing.

Farha was in repose in tall green grasses, waving in a warm breeze, listening. The grasses and the orchard trees were laughing, giggling as if tuning up with an orchestra of small murmurs, getting ready. Apple trees bent their branches down low, laden with fruit, ripe, sweet, red apples. Each tree glowed in a warm golden light.

She rolled over, laughing. A young boy was there without clothing, his deep brown skin seemed familiar to her hands. He touched her so lightly and she knew she belonged with him. They kissed, a long sweet luxurious kiss. Their bodies blended together in love. A sphere of golden light with two infants inside rose from their ecstatic bodies into the sky. The sphere drifted in a spiral over a hill and was taken upwards into a fountain of light.

That was so pleasant.

A sweet hum filled the air.

Nikos, Maria, and Sofia

“No, this way, this way, this way,” Nikos teetered at them like a chirping bird.

“But Papa, if they’re coming. We need the mine shaft to get out.“

There was a rumble deep within the mountain.

“Too the roof!” he shouted.

They scrambled up the stairs toward the conservatory on the roof.

An explosion shook the house. Flames shot up from below and consumed the parlor, library, and kitchen.

They ran out into the frigid air on the open conservatory. The balloon was tall and seemed to be pulling the sky down. He helped them through the side hatch and climbed into the balloon’s sphere behind them.

“It is just like the ancient Oz stories,” Nikos shouted as his wife and daughter released the lines and the electromagnetic anchor. The mechanical winch pulled it into the base of the sphere. Nikos opened the helium tank values, and the balloon shot upwards into the night sky.

Maria wept as she looked through the portal at their feet. The house was exploding beneath them.

“When we get high enough, we’ll be able to fly over the rainbow into the land beyond the Slide,” and he kissed his child on the forehead and his wife on her lips. They hugged one another.

Six months later

“They are safe,” Farha smiled, eyes closed and darting beneath her lids, then: “Oh no.”

As the giant bird circling on high she watched the balloon and the sphere rise high in the sky and drift over the Slide. Lightning bolts released upwards all around the sphere of the balloon. Then it disappeared.

Tem woke. It was mid-morning in the convalescent facility. A nurse entered.

“We heard her voice on our monitors. But she is not out of the brush yet,” he said.

“Do you know what she said?” Tem asked, looking down at her battered face and burnt skin.

“No, it is recorded and we will enhance it if necessary.”

Tem listened to Farha’s voice and those five words many times and wondered what she meant.

One Year After

Tem sat on the chair with a book next to Farha, who had been in a coma for almost thirteen months.

Tem began the new book. It was the book on geomancy that she had stolen from his library with her trickery. “I’d give anything to hear that trickery in your voice again,” he said.

Nothing. No response, just the sound of her breathing without machine support and the sounds of the monitors.

“Geometry, The Grid of Earth, a Study of Geomancy,” Tem read the title to her, remembering her rebellious young spirit.

He read the dedication, forward, and preface.

“I thought you hated geomancy,” she said.

“Oh, praise be the stars, you’re conscious,” Tem stood, leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“Spinal injuries?”

“Hmm, that’s your first question?”

“I can’t feel my toes or move my legs, so that’s a good question.”

“When you spoke about 6 or 7 months ago, Mila and I commissioned a medical lab to grow you a new spine, or at least a partial one,” Tem said matter of fact.

“Uncle Tem, why that’s a miracle.”

“Not really, labs have been re-growing body parts for at least a hundred years. I’m sure you know that.”

“No, I mean you talking with Mila.” Mila Izem — Farha’s Aunt, ex-wife of Tem.

“Yes, a lot has changed between us. And it’s because we both love you so much.”

“How long have I been asleep?” Farha asked.

Two nurses, two techs and two doctors entered the room.

One Month Later

Farha returned to her bed after an hour of physical therapy to Tem, who was awaiting her.

“Is it too upsetting to talk about the loss of Alexis to the Slide? That’s why you haven’t mentioned him at all?”

“Alexis? Alexis who?”

“Alexis your beloved.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know any Alexis. Never did.”

End of Part 1

Obviously the story is not yet finished. And I have started an article on my process in writing Part 1, which departs from my usual methods of approaching fiction.

I thank you for bearing with me and for your support.