Fairy Tales for the New Millennium

The prism of crystal that hung from the rearview mirror in the sports car started to twirl. It’s gyrations increased, catching the illuminations of the dashboards lights, casting out to every angle in the car. Reds and yellows gave way to greens and violets, as the leather and cloth interior caught the rainbows. The sound of many waters, entwined with the vibrance of the colors. Thomas’ head dizzied. Too much visceral input tightened his throat and loosened his bowels. He quickly grabbed for the spinning globe and disconnected power to the car. Spent ashes of rose and aqua dangled in the air. Thomas quickly batted away what he construed as carcinogens from his face. The odor of agony suddenly screamed into the interior of the car. Rotted meat, rubbed with honey, saturated every surface. Thomas pulled on the door handle, desperately in need of some fresh air. The handle locked in place, refusing to lift. He reached over the passenger seat for its door handle, which was as solid as the driver’s side. Panicked, Thomas grabbed for his right shoe, beating furiously at the window with the rubber sole. Electricity filled the Ferrari’s cabin. Thomas’ close trimmed strawberry blonde hair and goatee stood on end. Thomas whimpered softly, his eyes closed as he gathered strength for a final assault out of the car.

“Fear not.”

The gagging smell had vanished from the car, replaced by the comfort of line-dried linen. Each snap from the breeze relaxing Thomas’ tethered muscles.

“He is the first and the last. He is he that liveth and was dead.”

Thomas opened his eyes tentatively. To his right sat the apparition he had witnessed in his bedroom the week before. Fire framed his face. His eyes, the intensity of molten lava. The face chiseled into rock as he spoke.

“And he holds the keys to Heaven and Hell. And behold!” The angel augmented, filling every space within the sports car. His booming voice absorbing all the matter that was. “He is alive evermore!”

Thomas cried softly. His hands clenched to the sides of his forehead. A soft whisper from behind Thomas spoke, lightly stroking Thomas’ clenched scalp.

“Humanity has evolved. Which is in the tune to the universe of all, what comforted and led the old is ash now.”

Thomas turned in his seat to view the reassuring hand. Iris less orbs glowed in a wave of dancing long silken hair. Thomas screamed loudly. His hands pulling viscously at his ears.

“Silence!” The angel beside him commanded. The heat of his mandate leaving Thomas mute as he stared deadpan out of the front windshield. The hand behind him resumed the nurturing stroke, softly cooing.

“The Lord, our God has chosen you, Thomas Atley. Concerning the works of men, by the word of his lips. There shall rise an evolving covenant. There are many now that need to be united. It is your blessing, Thomas Atley to record this delivery.”

Thomas turned his head to view the angels that accompanied him in the cherry red Ferrari.

“Uhh...uh...” Thomas speed indexed through his psyche for a place this might fit in. “Are you guys real?”

Thomas reached out his fingers to the flaming shingling that billowed atop of the front passenger’s head. In the heat of it was health. Intelligent, inflexible and whole. Thomas desperately grasped deeper into the angel’s mane. It’s energy drawing the clawing mothers and allergies from the marrow of his skeleton.

“ENOUGH!” The angel met Thomas’ eyes as his coiffure tinged red and burnt the tips of Thomas’ fingers.

“OWW! Okay I’m sorry. A little too forward.” He blew on the tips of his injured fingers. “Are you sure you have the right Thomas Atley? This is LA. There must be a couple dozen Thomas Atley’s”

“You are the blessed.” The soft spoken angel in the back seat answered.

Thomas reached for the door handle, “There’s got to be some mistake. I’ve never been a very religious man.”

“You have been chosen.” The yet unspoken angel acknowledged from the back. “I am Jerome. I will be your patience and sorrow throughout your sojourn.”

Thomas studied the Hawaiian printed angel. His long blonde dreadlocks fell about his shoulders. Crystal blue eyes danced across his rosily tanned face.