The Lodge

I don’t know how I ended up here, on the floor in the living room of number thirty-four. I’m not hurt or sick, just tired. Not tired like fatigued, but tired of this existence.

Staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts flit between my first day here and all of the events in between.

“The In-between”, that’s what this place is. It’s someplace in between our earthly plane and fucking hell. Come to think of it, this might just be hell.

These are my thoughts, my reality.

Coming to a sitting position, I take my journal in hand. Flipping back through the pages slowly, stopping here or there to read a passage, I smile at the memory. And then I’m back at the beginning.

With a sigh, I relive my birth—my first day in this fucking hell.

“Home, take me home!” I yell at the automated voice on the map app. Today started out great. I completed my exams, I interviewed at this amazing company, and now I’m lost. “You are offline.” the app states.

Gah! “I know I’m offline, take me back online!” I scream in frustration. A weird beep comes through on the app, before out of nowhere a car cuts me off. Swerving, to not backend them I regain control of the car before coming to a stop.

“Motherfucker!”

My adrenaline’s skyrocketed and so’s my anger. “You’re back online.” Says the app. If I didn’t need it I would have punted the phone across the car.

“You’re patient, you’re calm. You’re at peace.” I rattle off slowly. It’s my mantra to manage my episodes of anger. A few deep breaths and I’m back in control.

Resuming my journey to find my way home, I’m following the app when my phone dies. I don’t have a charger. “You’re patient, you’re calm! You’re at peace!” I run through the mantra quickly, knowing full well that it’s not going to do me any good this time.

Accessing my situation, trees line a neverending road. Taking a glance at the gas meter, I’m disheartened.

Well, I can drive on and hope that there’s a gas station nearby.

Two cars pass me and hope blooms. “Or, I can flag one of them down and get directions!”

Driving like a bat out of hell, I catch up to them and try to wave them down. A man and a woman. Getting their attention they don’t engage me.

“What the hell?” Waving at them again, I’m given a questionable expression before they speed up. “Really?”

Unwilling to give up, I catch up to the other vehicle. The occupant just looks at me with no expression and increases his speed also.

Uncomfortable with the exchange, I slow down and fall back.

I’ll just follow them. Hopefully, I’ll run into a gas station or something.

I’m just glad that I’m not out here by myself, at least I have some company.

“I don’t know for how long,” I state, with a glance at the gas meter.

Trying to power up my phone, I glanced down for only a second, when the sound of a horn blaring relentlessly scares the shit out of me.

It’s the man and woman, and I’m about to fuck their shit up! Mere feet from the rear of their car, I manage to veer off to the side just in time.

Regaining my composure and control of the vehicle, I don’t have time to ponder as to how we were just on a straight road with no turns, and now we’re in a subdivision.

Hallelujah, I found some help!

I’m out of the car, with an apology halfway out of my mouth— they’re gone.

Shrugging it off, I head to the nearest home and knock on the door.

When no one responds, I try two more times, before moving on to the next home.

I’ve been at it all day, and I’m beyond exhausted. “Hello? Is there anyone here?” I try again.

It’s just my luck to end up in an uninhabited suburb. Trudging back to my car, It’s getting late.

I’ve driven around this entire residential area and there’s not a soul here and no exit that I can see.

Resigned that I’ll have to spend the night in my car, I search it for any signs of food. A strong growl from my stomach stresses the fact that I’m starving!

“Hello, are you looking for a home?”

“Ouch!” I state from my head hitting the roof of the car. The stranger’s voice scares the shit out of me!

“Oh my god. Thank you for... weren’t you the guy... Never mind, I’m lost. If you could point me in the direction of the exit, I will be on my way.”

“What’s your favorite number?”

My favorite number?

“Look, I’ve been searching all day for a way out of here. If you could please just tell me where it is, I will be so grateful.”

“What’s your favorite number?” He inquires again.

Waiting expectantly for an answer, I note his odd appearance and think better of acting an ass.

Apparently, he’s a little off. “Thirty-four,” I state flippantly.

“Todays’ your luck day.” He says gesturing towards the house that I’m parked at.

“Did I just win a house?” I ask disbelievingly, and yet still looking around for the cameras, flashing lights, and confetti.

“Yes, welcome to Yonder.”