Head in the Clouds

Forest throws the phone out the window, and quickly exits the parking lot. He doesn’t care about the phone, or going home. He gets on the highway and doesn’t stop driving, until he reaches the next town, eighty miles away.

Night is falling by the time he reaches a hotel. After getting a room, and parking the car, he pauses and gathers his thoughts. He’s angry at himself for tossing his phone, but it can be replaced.

Getting his head around what has happened isn’t easy. And, he thinks, what has really happened? Has anything actually happened, or is this a result of the unknown condition?

He was in another town at a hotel, with a perfectly fine house, eighty miles away. Albert is there, but Albert can go one night without water. The thought of upside down Albert causes his pulse to increase. He decides to quit gathering his thoughts and get some rest.

In the Clouds

The room is modern with a tv and two beds, too bad Albert couldn’t be here he thinks, as he surveys the room. It has everything needed for a healing respite. He closes the door after putting the do not disturb sign on the door knob.

He doesn’t own a tv, so, it’s a new experience having one in his room and he clicks it on. Infomercials greet him happily, and he clicks it back off, remembering why he doesn’t own one.

Walking over to the window he pulls back the curtains to see the sky. It is mercifully empty, except for the clouds. No hallucinations, so far. He feels a small measure of relief, and for the first time today, begins to relax.

Turning from the window and moving to one of the beds, he sits down and kicks off his shoes. The events of the past 24 hours have left him feeling drained, and ready for rest. The hope is a peaceful night’s sleep, and then tomorrow, make a doctor’s appointment.

He wonders if Albert will also need a doctor, then quashes the thought, best not to feed the hallucinations.

Head in the clouds

With nothing to watch on tv, and no Albert to talk to, he decides sleep is the best option. He hadn’t slept at all the night before, and it was fast catching up to him.

The hotel has an indoor pool and a bar with a lounge, however, he has more interest in the complementary towels by the bathroom door. A shower before bed would ease his nerves.

The towels are fluffy and warm as he carries two to the bathroom. He flicks on the light and stops cold.

His phone is laying on the edge of the sink. It’s flashing a recent message. It’s a pic of the thing from the clouds, holding Albert, in the hotel lobby. The message says:

“We’re here.”

^{Previous Stories}

^{A Break in the Clouds}

^{Behind the Clouds2 – Albert Talks}

^{The Home Depot}