SNIPER ATTACK

Awareness walks to the end of the corridor and takes the handle to the door and turns it.

“This one.” He says as he opens the door and walks in.

They find themselves in the middle of a jungle. Sounds of birds and monkeys can be heard as they walk carefully down the narrow path before them. Unbeknown to them there are two of King My Way’s snipers lying in wait for them. The names of the snipers are What If and If Only.

The two Snipers formulate their strategy on how they would ambush Awareness and his companions. What If locates a subtle hiding place in front of his targets and If Only positions himself behind them. As the three unsuspecting preys step into the kill zone What If gets off a dart and hits Awareness in the stomach.

“Ugh!” Awareness grabs his stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Enlightenment asks.

“I feel butterflies in my stomach.” Awareness answers, “What if I fail to accomplish what Origin expects of me?”

“You know you’ll do fine.” Enlightenment smiles.

What If gets off another two shots and hits Awareness in the each foot.

“Oh! I think I’m getting cold feet” Awareness shivers. “I can’t go through with this.

What if we get lost in this place and never find our way out? What if we wind up wandering in this place forever?”

Awareness turns around and starts to walk back. Just then If Only gets off a dart and hits Awareness in the hand.

“Oh rue the day that I ever took on this assignment”. Awareness bewails “If Only I would have told Origin ‘No.’”

Enlightenment and Illumination each take Awareness by an arm, turn him around and head him back on the path.

What If shoots two arrows that hit Awareness in each leg.

Awareness hesitates, “What If King My Way knows better than Origin and what if we are interfering?”

“You understand that isn’t true!” Illumination exclaims.

If Only shoots an arrow and hits Awareness in the back.

“If only we were back in the Land of New Beginning.” Awareness pines, “I’m so homesick.”

It is then that Enlightenment realizes that they were under attack.

“Quick Illumination,” he says “Shield Awareness with your body from behind and I will shield him in front and we will turn our light up so we will blind our attackers.”

Illumination immediately does as he is commanded and they shield Awareness with their brilliance blinding What If and If Only until they are out of range from any harm.

Awareness and his two servants run for cover. Awareness is weary with pain. His wounds are bleeding and he needs to find rest. They come to a clef in a rock along a jagged cliff that Enlightenment notices just off the path ahead. The three duck into the shelter to give their selves rest and give aid to Awareness’ wounds. Struggling to catch his breath Awareness asks his two companions.

“Why didn’t the suit of armor protect me from being wounded by the darts and arrows?”

From out of the darkness of the cave comes an unexpected answer, “The suit was only designed to protect you from mortal danger but not to keep you from experiencing the emotional effects of your wounds.”

“WHO’S THERE?” Awareness shouts.

“Fear not it is only I, Insightful.” The voice echoes back. “I am one of the inhabitants of Castle Glade that has not yet been discovered by King My Way and his evil hoard.”

“How is it that you know so much about the suit of armor belonging to Victor, son of Origin, Almighty Lord of the Land of New Beginnings?” Awareness asks.

“I have the ability to see and understand the inner nature of things.” Insightful replies with confidence.

“Well then explain to me in detail why the suit did not protect me.” Awareness commands.

“Every arrow and every dart carries an experience with it. Pain is not an enemy but a friend. Pain is your teacher. That which doesn’t kill you will only make you strong. That which doesn’t destroy you will only make you wise. Pain will make you more in tune to your environment. Pain will reveal your mortality. Pain will introduce you to Compassion and make him your friend. Yes, it is good that you felt the darts of the enemy and it is good that you have experienced the arrows of your adversary. Do not lose faith in your armor but do not think that because you wear it that you will not experience the pains of this place.”

“I can see you have a clear understanding of the inner nature of this suit of armor.” Awareness replies with respect. “I wonder if you would care to join us on our quest to find the Wounded Child. We could sure use someone of your ability.”

“You do have a keen intuition of discovery. I foresee the beginnings of a great friendship.” Insightful praises Awareness. “Rest here while your wounds heal and we will become better acquainted.”

Out on a limb wrapped around a large branch in the form of a great snake, Hardly Noticeable watches the entire attack of What If and If Only on Awareness and his companions. As he slithers down the tree he transforms into his hideous form and addresses the snipers.

“It appears that your weapons were ineffective.”

“It appears so my lord,” What if answers. “What If King My Way learns of our failure.”

“If only I would have been more accurate.” If Only bewails.

“Well what is done is done.” Hardly Noticeable replies, “We will…”

As Hardly Noticeable speaks with What If and If Only he is interrupted by a hologram of King My Way appearing in the midst of them.

“Where are THESE intruders?” the king snaps abruptly.

“They have escaped O Wretched One,” Hardly Noticeable answers.

“I am surrounded by incompetence.” The king replies with disgust. “Call for Distraction. Have him prepare a snare for them. I want them out of my way.”

“As you desire my king,” Hardly Noticeable bows.