Chapter 5 - The Truth/Half~ Haven

A loud beep was heard as the plane was finally to their destination. “Alright, we’ve arrived; let’s make out departure from this soulful journey.” Sira announced as she put her zip-up back on. It was almost covered with black spots, but it didn’t bother her at all.

With a big breath, then a heaping cough; Ezell finally stood from his relaxing chair and stood next to Sira as she walked towards him. “Sweet…Though one question…” He looked around, seeming to see nothing but thick fog. “Where is the damn door?” the man chuckled laughter as it started a chain reaction to Sira.

“Aw I…I don’t even frickin know…” the woman laughed as she started to look as well, she started to half-stepping in front of her as she reached out. Sooner or later, she lifted her foot over the stewardess who decided to take her nap for the day. “Watch your step, you hear me? I said watch, your step.” Sira laughed as guided on laughing about innocent nothings.

“Damn, do you ya’ll always do this?” Ezell asked as he followed, looking at the sleeping girl with her thumb in her mouth. He could say he was honestly stoned, and still baking.

“Yeah, it’s kinda nothing special her-Oh neat! Found the door!” She raised her hand for a high five, but quickly put it down due to no one can actually see clearly in the fog. With a turn of the hatch door, with a firm push she opens the hatch door, thick fumes of smoke tunneled from inside. They both covered their eyes as the sunlight shines through the growing nooks, “Take a look at that view…”

Ezell removed his arm from his eyes to reveal what Sira was talking about, only a second later his mouth was suddenly agape with awe. Everything was tuned out, seeming as only silence can be heard while he took everything in.

Gold. Was almost all he could see, as far as the eyes could see; from the wooden houses to stone mansions that seem to float on golden clouds, trims of gold layered on the things like they were grown from the clouds itself. Some buildings even looked like it was built decades to centuries ago, and they still look like they can hold for lifetimes. The dark yellow hue filled the sky only to the brink of space, in which faded into blank white. Only thing that wasn’t mainly riddled with gold were the gardens around every house, which seem to be kept in peak shape by their owners. Tulips, cherry blossoms and roses here and there, even chrysanthemum petals flew through the gentle breeze that brushed across the man’s face. However, only one plant seems to stand out the most out of every one that was seen. Yes indeed, the marijuana plant stuck out tall from every abode by its quantity of spread, from the exotic colors to the invading smells. He could even see some gardeners enjoying their gardens peacefully, either with a glass or with the garden itself. Sira totally didn’t have the words for this place, but Ezell did.

“Whoa…” The man smiled as he stood from the top of the stairs, something inside him just felt good for just looking at a view. He didn’t notice Sira calling him for a while as she looked at him from top of the entrance of the plane. He slid down the exit stairs and stumbled towards Sira, noticing had the same problem with walking as before when they were in Limbo, “My bad…Didn’t know this place would be…This.” He spreads his arms wide as he provided evidence of his gawking.

“Yeah Yeah I know; it brings me back as I looked out on that horizon too. Ya didn’t have to drool though.” Sira smiled as she nudged him with her shoulder. As they both made it to the same familiar car. Ezell turned to her with a raised brow, Sira answered “They make the same…models. Hey, I love this car dangit...” As she opened the door for both of them, the shine of gold trim glimmered throughout the interior. Sira revved the engine a little after starting the car, making it purr like a kitten “How can you not love that engine?” she asked as she looked at the kid a little while longer and notice his mind was completely into this place. “Hey, you know we’re not really running on time or anything.  If you’re not so eager to see your dad, we can grab a bite to eat or-“

“We can?!” He quickly turned to her with an excited pitch in his voice, and then coughed as he reverted back to normal “Hah, yeah I can eat.”

“Hah, then it’s munch we shall receive. I got a hunger pain to challenge thunder!.” She grinned with a smitten smirk as she began her way down the golden stone road.

With their car parked, they hopped out the car in front of an outside eatery called ‘Mind Readers.’ As soon as they stepped on the sidewalk, smiles and a heap of greetings were sent their way, not from just one but from most that passes them. Ezell was surprised since he didn’t even know these people; he couldn’t help but smile and return the favor. He even gave one person dap as he followed Sira into the eatery entrance. The restaurant had ‘good vibe’ music echoing through the speakers, had most of its patrons nodding their heads and clapping their hands. If the main goal of this restaurant was to please their customers, they were doing a haven of a job. Sira led him passed the counter and sat them to a booth, she slid down into her booth and there were neither menus nor waiters tending at all. “Wait, don’t we have to order at the counter we just passed?”

“Not at all, you aren’t gonna believe what this place shtick is! Now what are you feeling for the most?” She says eagerly as she looked around at the happy people, eve returning waves from people that she knew.

“Lemme guess, they are going to read me my order before I ask it? This place is called “Mind Readers” for a reason.” Ezell smirked as that wasn’t hard to clue at all. But out of all that, his hunger pangs were kicking him in the gut. Man, what would hit the spot at the moment…
“Nope, it’s even better. Right on cue!” She said as she spotted the waiter coming with entries of food. Ezell gasped as the food that was placed on the table, was exactly what he was craving!
“Son of a, okay now that is amazing…” Ezell said as he looked at something that imitated the crafting of his favorite diner! “This is Waffle House right here!” He looked at both women and then picked up his fork as he added “But does it taste—“He pick up a scoop of his favorite hash browns and took a bite. His eyes went wide as his taste buds metaphorically…exploded. He couldn’t help but speak with his mouthful as he grabbed another fork-full “This is! But, it’s even better!” and placed it in his mouth.

“Yup…The freshest it could ever get.” Sira said as she and the waitress nodded in unison as they watch the man pig out in his space.  

“Oh my-This is delicious!” he mouthed after he took a bite of his favorite Texas sandwich.

“It’s an Orgasm in your mouth right?” Sira smiled as she peered on, not even eating her food yet.

“Oh you had done set me up! No you didn’t just set me up!?” Ezell said as he pointed at her, while he paused his eating.

“Hehe, yes. Yes I did.”

“And you! With the assist!” He pointed at the waiter who was nodding as well with a grin on her face.

“Not really, but she played it well didn’t she?” Sira said as she left a hand out for the girl to high-five as she walked away. “THAT’s the shtick; once you get that perfect plate in your head, here it comes. That’s ‘Mind Readers’ for ya.” She waved her fingers in front of her face trying to set a mystery effect in the man’s inebriated eyes.

“Wow…This place is great, but man it’ll be better if they had” Ezell didn’t get to finish his sentence when suddenly a large box of seasonal cut fries landed next to the first plate, then a tall pitcher of apple juice; ice keeping it cool. The man looks up at the waiter who just vanished a second ago, and coming back with greatness. “Okay, now you’re just trying to get on my good side. You succeeded gratefully. Thank you.” The woman blushed, and suddenly her halo began to glow as she bowed. Funny that he didn’t notice that before. He began to look at every patron in the restaurant, seeing most of the people seem to be sporting halos while the rest aren’t. After a few seconds of finishing the food in his mouth, he asked Sira “Hey, how come some people have halos?”
Sira stopped her gloating smile, and realized that was a thoughtful question and good nonetheless. “Ah, yes. Those that have halos are actually here, by misfortune or death by old age. The rest however, are just like you and me friend: Are the “Greater Angels”… The one born of Haven” She took another bite out of her food and continued. “You see, Haven has similarities as Limbo, but also differences as well. When you’re born of Haven, you grow till your prime and stop aging, but still age in power and knowledge if we see fit. When humans die and come here, they grow to their prime and quit aging, and that’s it. Ergo the wings and such…If they’re already passed their prime, they can either choose to live here at that same age or just go to the greater plane beyond this one.” She pointed upwards as she picked up a French fry. “Unlike Limbo though, human appearances don’t alter. That’s only if you were born in Haven. When human die and go to Limbo, they turn into their inner self-thus the horns and that entire-losing sense of self exedra. However, the ones born of Limbo are what we call “Greater Demons”.”

“Ah.” Ezell nodded, realizing that Humans are actually based off ethics of instinct with Humans. Even more detail on “other beings”, not trying to overthink too much. “So there are just more than humans in the world, Beings of Limbo, and of Haven. Humans who go to Haven can’t die of old age, Humans who go to Limbo form into inner devils. Though what if humans can’t determine right from wrong?”

“Karma seems to come into play then, what goes around comes around. That’s the learning process. Though some don’t learn…- were getting away from the subject. There are entities of Haven that are not of Earth, or Limbo. So expect that, and there are entities of Limbo that are not of Earth, or Haven. You and I are children of Aires, but you my friend are very special though…” The fry acted as an interpretive dancer as she spoke.

Ezell raised an eyebrow as he continued eating. Man this was a lot to take in, and even more amazing to find out that he’s rare to this woman. His thoughts were just a simple man out to survive, though Sira thought otherwise. So he just called her bluff, “So I’m a nice guy with a big dick. What’s your point?”

“Eh, not what I had in mind Big shot. But it’s all the more reason to tell you who you really are!” She finally put the fry in her mouth and grabbed another one. Then she hesitated as she looked up at the sky as she thought “Though, this is a touchy subject…and we should wait for your father to tell you…Yeah we should.” She smiled as she just took a swig from her tea.

“Arghhh! You just settled a whole conversation with yourself! How can you just “cliff” me like that?!” Ezell leaned backwards in his chair as he looked away.

“Well that’s how some decisions get decided, plus I’m a great conversationalist. Am I not?” She chuckled as she raised a brow herself.

“Indeed, very informant...” Ezell said as he scratched his exhausted head, but continued to iron out more wrinkles of life. “So, if there is a greater plane beyond this one, is there a greater one beyond Limbo too?”

“Well yes-Hell. The only one suitable to tell you about that is your Dad, he kinda knows a lot more about the greater plains than I do...You were just saying that to set something straight in that head of yours… That means you talk to yourself too sometimes!” Sira gasped sarcastically as she leaned a bit forward.

“Well I am a good conversationalist, ain’t I?” He said as he relaxed a little in his chair, and then turned to the native as she gave a gaze back.

“Well, it is nice to have something in common…” Sira muttered a little as she carried on, not taking her eyes off the man. Her bottom lip slowly brushed against her top jaw as she turned trying to hide a slight blush-y smile. “I’m kinda glad that we do Ezell.”

A smirk dwelled on the man’s face as he stared, “Call me Eazy, that’s my father’s name; and I don’t want us being confused…” Yeah there was tension going on between them, though he wasn’t the type to chase.

“I don’t think I can confuse you with him though…You guys are both hilarious but I doubt I get you two confused with each other.” Sira said as she began to take a drink from her glass.

“Ah I see, so, technically speaking here…How old are you?” Ezell raised a brow with a smirk

“I think the learning lesson is done here…” Sira said with a stern look at her plate, signifying that was a wrong question to ask.

Ezell winced as he muttered a jingle idly, trying to forget he asked one of the infamous women “peeves” and I guess in her position, it’s got some mileage on it.

After a while of gathering their doggie bags of the short leftovers, they find themselves on the golden tinted road again. Ezell looked out the windows as he tried to count the people who didn’t have halos, but the terrain suddenly changed as the city was behind them. The sunset view was majestic as they drove through large valleys, aiming straight for a forest a few miles ahead. He looked throughout the spread of trees that seem to surround him, noticing some were broken in half and chopped to the side. The man also seems to notice the deeper we get into this forest, the steeper the hill became. Soon they were driving slanted through a forest of broken trees, the looked back to see if there was a view of the open valley; no avail since the sunlight was pretty much moonlight now. They’re secluded from the city, he began to wonder why.  

As the thoughts began to grow, they were suddenly grown to an abrupt halt as a loft appeared in his vision. He sighed of relief as we were finally here, now he could finally stretch his legs! “Finally, I thought for a second we had to go camping…” He stretched as the car slowed to a stop in front of the house; he got out and took a breath of that fresh air. He did like the quiet thing though, no sirens, no neighbors, just peace and quiet. He could finally feel his high coming down, and with glances at the woman, it seems her effects are gone as well, since her eyes and effects were back to normal.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with camping…Though a soft bed is better than a sleeping bag. C’mon.” As they walked towards the door, Sira went through her keys and began to unlock her door. “Always gotta be safe.” She smiled as she opened the door and motioned the man to enter. Going ahead to look around, noticing the house seem to be rather empty she announced. “Hm, it seems your father isn’t here; I think he isn’t back from a job. Make yourself at home, fridge’s there, bathroom’s there…There’s an empty room down that hallway-last door, you can use that as a place to crash. I suggest you get some sleep.” She said as she dropped her keys on the counter and slugged to another room that was another story up.

Before the girl got a chance to open her door, Ezell called out “…So what am I exactly gonna do here Sira?”

“Train, so that way you’ll be prepared for what’s ahead of you. That’s why I insist on sleeping...Good Night Eazy.”  She slugged her way into her room and closed her door.

“Training huh, two a days all over again…” Ezell said as he took his doggie bag towards the room he was pointed towards. He opened the door; the room looked more spacious than his room on Earth, even sported its own bathroom. He dropped his bags on the bed and entered the bathroom yawning, he was in fact tired. He opened his eyes wider to focus on the symbol on his eye, but the hue was gone. After the essential test of the facilities, he jumped spread eagle on the new bed he was offered. Smiling due to the feeling as this wasn’t a pretty bad place-damn great even. He wondered if he could ever get used to this, ‘Probably not’ the man chuckled as his sight was getting blurrier by the second. Pretty soon he was out like a light.

~~~

The next morning felt even greater to Ezell as he woke up yawning, the sunlight shines brightly in the window; lighting the room with less effort. He noticed he didn’t take off his clothes, and he didn’t bring anything to change. “Aw Geez, great thinking man…” He slugged off the bed and went towards the bathroom to freshen his face up. After a couple of douses, his stomach made him crave the food he previously tasted. Without a moment’s notice, he grabbed his doggie bag and went towards the kitchen. His ears picked up a familiar woman giggling as the smell of eggs and bacon reared its ugly head into the man’s nose. ‘That’s even better!’ He thought as he was nearing to where the smell came from. As soon as the kitchen was in view, he stopped to notice Sira cooking eggs, though someone else was behind her: Right behind her; spooning even. She was sporting a loose long T-shirt, possibly not hers. As Ezell seem to recollect, realize, and observe as the man turn around as soon as he heard another step from the distance.

“Hey-um Good Morning!” The random man said as he laughed nervously. He had the some of the same facial features as Ezell when he smiled, the one where his eyes fully closed when he grins. They had almost a spitting image if it wasn’t for the man’s crew cut that he rubbed. This was his father. He noticed it when he smiled, and he’s definite they both know with the awkward look on their faces as well as his.

Reconsideration can rear its head in the nicest of ways can it?