When I was eighteen years old, I saw something I still can’t explain. Actually, I saw and did a lot of things I never quite grokked.
The one I want to talk about right now – the event came to me last night, a sudden flash of recollection while I was working on something else entirely – took place in a graveyard. It was one of a couple such field trips with those particular friends, possibly even the first – this was almost thirteen years ago, so forgive me if it’s just a little hazy in parts. The cemetery was hilly and a little old fashioned, with several large stone angels and little mausoleums, winding paved paths and a few rest areas with benches. On the far side was a field with a great tree to one side, and the property was blocked in by walls of trees that hid the realm of the dead from those yet living. Those of you who read my novels some day will recognize it … it left quite an impression on me.
As I said, the north east corner of the cemetery was open, and it seemed to us that we could see a huge, shimmering dome of light there under the moon. One of my friends, the oldest and most experienced of us, said it looked like a portal of some kind. Of course we went to investigate. Wouldn’t you?
What happened next I’ll never forget.
As we approached the dome a figure of light, some seven feet tall, stepped out. My older friend went up to greet it, while the other two of us stood and stared in awe. We could hear it talking – or, perhaps more accurately, we could feel it talking – but only she could understand it.
Our friend came back to us, another figure stepped out of the dome of light as the first moved back toward it. They and the dome of light vanished.
It was relayed to us that the portal had been closed because something that wasn’t supposed to come through … well, had.
I don’t know what the dome of light really was. Portal to another world is semiplausible, all things considered. I don’t know who or what the figure of light was – we never even speculated on that, honestly. We had no data. I don’t know what it actually said to my friend – not that I doubt her, per se, just … well, I couldn’t hear. When it comes right down to it, I don’t know what happened that night.
I don’t know what happened that night. All I know is what I saw. But I saw the dome. I saw the dude-of-light. I saw dome and dude vanish. And shit like this is why I’m hesitant to dismiss anything out of hand.
Gods and demons? Sure. Your last incarnation was a cat? Okay. Talking to gods, demons, or cats? Plausible. Fairies and dragons? Well … I’ve sure seen some strange shit that might be best explained that way. Otherkin? Who am I to say who you are or aren’t; or who your parents are or aren’t? Cause, damn, don’t I get some funny looks when I try to tell this story just as it is, even when I don’t even try to provide an explanation for it.