The Trip - Chapter 2

The fog hung heavy in the air as I tried to survey my surroundings. Rocks jutted out from all angles, rising sharply into the murky greyness. What to do? Feeling the temperature drop I zipped up my jacket, sat down and lit up a cigarette from a packet I didn't know I had. Where the hell was I and more to the point how the hell did I get here? My mind was blank but strangely I felt quite calm, as if being in this place was perfectly normal. I was positive that I had sat facing downwards and yet I was still looking up. In fact there didn't seem to be an option to go any other way. Onwards and upwards ' isn't that what they say? Standing once more I was aware that the crackle of my burning tobacco was not the only noise I could hear. Stones were being displaced under foot.

I found what I assumed was a path and chose to follow it. Someone must have been here before or there wouldn't be a path and nor would the strange rock piles, that seemed to be designed to keep you on track, be there either. Still the noise persisted but the air was so thick that I could not see further than a few metres in front of me.

"Why are you here? came a voice from the darkness.
"I don't know, I replied earnestly.
"You must know. People don't just happen upon the top of the world. No, no, this won't do.

The fog melted away and the figure was soon within touching distance.

"Are you a faun? I asked unsurprised.
"Yes. My name is Palotai and who, Sir, are you?

I racked my brain but it was no good, "I¦ I don't remember. Sorry. I tagged the last word on for fear of looking stupid in front of Palotai who was clearly my intellectual superior although, in truth, I was beginning to get a touch pissed off with the asking of such hard questions. Any sign of gloating and I would be having words with our Mr Palotai, I told myself.

"Nevermind, come with me, the faun sighed. They were to be the last words he ever spoke to me.

The sky was now a brilliant blue as we approached the summit, the sun rising but not quite yet in view. Everything was silhouettes. Palotai stopped and beckoned me to continue. Passing him I gave a customary nod of thanks and strode on to a large pile of rocks which somehow I knew was to be my destination. Walking around to the far side I looked up and there he was. Dressed head to toe in a sharp grey suit, his black shoes sparkled in the sunlight and the red handkerchief in his breast pocket was immaculate. He had white hair and a beard which were both neatly coiffured.

"You are lost my son.
"I am, I said but something was troubling me about him. "Look I don't want to be rude or anything but have you always been in that?
"I have.
"Come off it, how did you get up here in a wheelchair?
"It was easier than people think. You should know ' you've made the same journey. Did you find it difficult?

Bewilderment filled me and, as if sensing that I had nothing to respond with, the man continued, "Will you be staying with us? There is much we can teach you.
"But I don't want to stay I want to go back to¦
"Back to where? he cut in.
"I don't know but I do know that there was¦ there was something before all of this.
"Indeed there was but to return you have to remember. You have to find your way back to that life. The return journey is always far harder.
"But where do I start? Is there anyone that can help me?
"Yes, there is one person.
"Where can I find them?

The man slowly reached into the inside pocket off his suit and pulled out a rather crumpled photograph which he handed to me. A lone figure stood on the paper. Male, probably late 20s, and unremarkable. Tall. Slim. Cropped brown hair. The face had a look of youthfulness still and was not troubled by too much stubble. The nose was pointed and the eyes green. He stood leaning on the side of a wooden garage that belonged to a thatched cottage. Neither the person nor the background meant anything to me.

"This is who I must seek?
"Yes.
"And will he be at this house?
There was no response other than a shrug. "In which case, I must go now. Can you tell me where to start?
"That, I can't. Remember though child that sometimes the hardest journeys involve no movement.
"Thank you for your help¦ Sorry I've just realised I don't know your name?
"Neither do I.

And with that he turned and quickly moved out of sight. At least it's a start I thought to myself and began my quest in the opposite direction.