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    Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1).: The Reality Escape Commitee, #1
    Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1).: The Reality Escape Commitee, #1
    Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1).: The Reality Escape Commitee, #1
    Ebook118 pages1 hour

    Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1).: The Reality Escape Commitee, #1

    By Paul H. Trembling

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    About this ebook

    The Reality Escape Commitee exists to offer you, the reader, an opportunity to leave your current existence behind and go somewhere new. To experience a different reality.  For that purpose, we have here published the Minutes of a recent meeting, in which nine different realities are documented.  Some of these worlds may seem very different from your own.  Others may seem more familiar, at first.  It is hard to say which might be the the most frightening.  However, the Commitee would remind all travellers that these realities are not your own, and that you can return at any time.  Almost everyone does.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherYearning Blue
    Release dateOct 16, 2013
    ISBN9781497758575
    Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1).: The Reality Escape Commitee, #1
    Author

    Paul H. Trembling

    Paul Trembling began making up stories in his head before he could even read - let alone write!  Since then he has been many things - a seaman, a missionary, a janitor, a CSI, etc. - but he has always been a story maker.  It's a habit he has never been able to break, and has no intention of trying. Paul currently lives in Bath, England with his wife Annie and a fluctuating household.

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      Book preview

      Minutes of the Reality Escape Commitee (Volume 1). - Paul H. Trembling

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

      My thanks to Alison Apperley, for the use of her artwork in the cover design.  Alison produces a range of excellent art, and she can be contacted at: alison.apperley@googlemail.com

      I also want to thank Jenifer and Mandy for their encouragement, advice and assistance in smoothing out some rough edges and correcting my mistakes!

      And especially, and always, my thanks to my wife, Annie, for her patience with a husband who spends so much of his time exploring other realities!

      Original art by Alison Apperley

      Opening Remarks

      As Chairman of this Committee, I call the meeting to order.

      Before we address the first item of business, I would like to open the meeting with a few general remarks.

      Probably everyone has wanted to escape from reality at one time or another.  The real world may be dark and dangerous, or lonely, or just boring – but for whatever reason, we dream of somewhere different, somewhere better.  A different reality.

      And there are many possible routes one can take.  Some are dangerous and to be avoided – the escape offered by drink or drugs (for example) is destructive. 

      Others may be no more than a moment’s daydream – inspired, perhaps, by a glance in a shop window or something seen on TV.  I’d like to be there – To drive that – To wear that and so on.

      For some, this may be sufficient.  But many of us would like a more prolonged escape.  We want the chance to go deeper into another reality, experience it more fully, get to know it better.

      Perhaps the Reality Escape Committee can help you with that.

      This collection of realities offers you a chance to escape, if only temporarily, and to experience other lives and other worlds.  Some will, at least superficially, be similar to the reality you are familiar with.  Some will be very different – and yet you may still find something there that you can relate to.

      This is one of the wonders of Reality Escape:  it may not change your world, but perhaps something you see or experience in your travels may give you new perspectives on or insights into that world.

      At the very least, you will enjoy a short break from the more mundane aspects of life!

      One word of caution, though.  The Committee seeks to facilitate your escape to other realities.  It does not guarantee that those realities will be pleasant.  You may find aspects of them disturbing or shocking.  But bear in mind that you can return to your own world at any time.  Nearly everyone does.

      Without further ado, let us proceed to our first item of business ...

      APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

      Business meetings are amongst the more unpleasant aspects of our reality, and are often avoided whenever possible.  But some meetings can be very difficult to get out of.

      ––––––––

      Patrick received the note on August the first, ten days before his thirtieth birthday.  Ten days, in fact, to the exact hour.  His mother had been delivered at seven thirty five a.m., and when he went downstairs for breakfast at eight that morning, a small envelope was waiting on the kitchen table where he normally ate.

      It was not unexpected.  He had known this moment would come.  Had known ever since the matter had been explained to him.  Yet the sight was still like a blow to the stomach.  Breakfast forgotten, he sat down, staring fixedly at the envelope.  Willing it not to be there.

      The envelope stubbornly continued to exist.  A small square of good quality, cream coloured paper.  With his name written on it in ornate copperplate handwriting.

      Patrick Horatio Darleuen.

      There were noises upstairs.  His wife, Grace, getting up.  Mark, their son, was still sleeping soundly.  It being the school holidays, he would probably sleep in till lunchtime.  But Grace would be down shortly, and she would want to know about the letter.

      He had never told her the family history.  Not that part of it.  Now he would have to.  But not just yet.  He had to come to terms with it himself first.

      Reluctantly, he reached out and picked the envelope up.  The paper felt as expensive as it looked.  Thick and heavy, almost like card.  Taking a deep breath, he picked up a kitchen knife and slit it open.

      There was just one sheet of paper inside.  The same quality as the envelope, the same perfect handwriting.  Just two sentences.

      "You are required to attend The Hall for a meeting of the Darleuen Family at midday, Monday August the Twelfth.

      No apologies for absence will be accepted."

      Not sentences, he thought.  A sentence.

      Grace was coming down the stairs.  He hastily slipped the envelope into his pocket and busied himself with the kettle and the toaster.

      Morning, love! she called out entering the room.  Not got that coffee ready yet?

      There was a smile in her voice and on her lips that brought an instant response from Patrick, as it always had.  Grace was so well named.  She had a quality to her that always lifted his spirits and brought him hope.  Even now.

      He turned to her kiss and brushed a strand of dark hair from her forehead.

      She tilted her head to the side and gave him a searching look.  What’s wrong, Pat?

      She was like that.  Totally in tune with his moods, his feelings.

      I, he began, and his voice trailed off.  Even now, he didn’t want to put it into words, as if that would make it worse.  As if it could be worse!

      He took a deep breath. I have to go somewhere.  On Monday.  A week next Monday, actually.

      She frowned.  But that’s your birthday!  Your thirtieth!  You’re not going anywhere – I’ve made plans!

      He shook his head. Fear and grief bubbled up in him, making it hard to speak.  I have no choice.  He pulled out the envelope and handed it to her.

      Where did this come from?  The post hasn’t been yet – and in any case, there’s no stamp, no address!

      The people who sent this don’t need stamps.

      She opened it, scanned the brief note.

      The Hall?

      Over on the Welsh Borders.  It’s the ancestral home of the Darleuen Family.  Was.  Hasn’t been lived in for – oh, hundreds of years.

      So why do you have to go there now? And what’s this ‘Meeting of the Family’?  I didn’t know you had any family.

      He shook his head.  I don’t.  That is, no living family.

      Right, I get it, she nodded.  You’re meeting the ghosts of your ancestors.

      Something like that, yes.  Only – I won’t be coming back. The sob broke through his voice. I’m sorry, my love.  So sorry.  I should have told you before.  I should never have let it get to this.

      She put her arms round him, hugged him tightly.  Well, then, you can tell me now.  She stepped back, suddenly business like.  I’ll make the coffee.  You sit down there, and get ready to talk!

      As ever, her calmness worked on him.  He sipped the coffee, stared into her eyes, and the dread that had gripped him receded a little.

      You know my Dad died young? he began.

      She nodded.  You never wanted to talk about it though.  I didn’t want to press you for details.  I could tell how much it upset you.

      Well, he died on his thirtieth birthday.  So did his father.  And his. And so on.  For the past six hundred years, no male of the Darleuen family has lived a day past thirty years.

      Her eyes widened.  Pat, that’s – that sounds ...

      Crazy? he nodded.  One reason why I didn’t tell you.  But it’s true.  And all documented, if you need proof.  I’ve got a book, a sort of family scrapbook.  And it’s full of these things.  He indicated the letter.

      The story is that it started with one Walter Guy Darleuen, who, in about 1420 or so fell ill.  He had just turned thirty, and was dying. Allegedly, he made a pact with the Devil.  Walter would receive immortality, and the Devil would get his son.

      Grace’s eyes widened.  He offered his own son?

      "Or his son was demanded

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