One Cloudy Day

Albert is confiding in him. He feels grateful to be trusted and he is trying to pay close attention. He keeps losing track of what Albert is saying. This keeps happening. Something has changed but he can’t put his finger on it.

But it’s okay now because it’s the flight attendant. She wants to know if he is comfortable. He feels very attracted and wants to ask her for her number. Plus he’s certainly comfortable. He can’t remember where he is going, but he’s comfortable.

In fact, he is thinking about comfort when Albert begins talking again. It’s hard to disagree with Albert. Most of the time he’s right. Especially now that things are different. The words echo across Forest’s mind. Things are different.

One

The words echo and feel abrasive. Things are different. Indeed, things are actually very different. In fact it’s possible he’s missed something. He tries to look around but it’s just the sound of Albert’s voice. He’s going on and on about the thing in the clouds.

Forest’s eyes snap open! He looks around wildly! All thought is on avoiding. He instinctively curls his body into a protective ball. He is no longer on the highway. Nor is he in his car. He is somewhere, but not in his vehicle.

Sitting up, reveals a large, empty room. Additionally there is no furniture of any kind. In fact, it’s simply the floor, and walls. Three of them. Forest blinks but nothing differs. He sees three walls, and an open space into the clouds.

Cloudy

The rest of the area is a featureless blue environment. The walls are a polished blue steel material and no features line any of them. Furthermore, there are no windows or doors that Forest can see. Just some walls and open sky.

And Albert.

He quickly does a double take. Not only is Albert there but also he is still upside down. Forest stifles a mad giggle that tries to work its way from his clenched throat. None of this makes sense. Where the hell was he? He was beginning to feel indignation alongside his fear.

He knows he is with them now. Moreover, adding insult to injury, he hears Albert’s voice in his head. It’s as though Albert is speaking out loud:

“That’s right partner! We are celebrating our new digs! Hey! What do you say! Like the view?” Albert pauses, presumably to catch his breath, “What do you say Forest, old pal!? What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?”

Day

Forest hears a strange jittering, metallic sound. He could swear it’s a form of laughter. Furthermore, he is positive it emanates from the plant thing that was once Albert. With this in mind, he is wholeheartedly stunned, when one of the things from the clouds flies into the room with him.

It is a catch 22. He is trapped but not trapped. There is a way out, after all. However it involves a free fall. Forest knows it isn’t the fall that will kill him. It’s the sudden stop at the ground.

He stares at the thing. It stares at him. Forest is trying to anticipate the next move when Albert speaks up from the corner again.

“Glad you’re awake partner. Time to discuss a thing or two.”