Schizophrenic Poems, Short Stories, and Thoughts

1
What is that, Dr. Roberts? A map, to The Temple of the Sun God. Within, lies riches your eyes couldn’t begin to imagine. I found the map during my recent expedition into South America. It’s said to hold, among other valuable items, The Pan Flute of the Sun God. An ancient flute bestowed upon the People of the Sun by the Sun God. They say, that if you play the flute it will bestow great prosperity upon your lands., and heal your people. I have been searching for this flute ever since I herd of the legend as a child. My father, bless his soul, searched for the flute his entire life. Its been my life’s goal to finish my fathers work, and Toomy, this is the start of our journey.

Oh my dear Toomy, can you imagine the things we could accomplish with that flute. The museum would be famous, and I would be put in history books. The museum would be forever in my debt. We could go on book tours and television shows with the flute. What if we unlocked some hidden power within the flute, we could do anything and it all starts with this map, and a phone call to a travel agent. Toomy my pal, we are on our way.
I don’t know, Dr. Roberts, what if we do unlock a hidden power? Something really terrible could happen as well, you never know. Your fathers journal, it says there are puzzles and traps, caverns and rock walls. This could be an extremely dangerous journey. Not to mention the possibilities of animals and other natural things that could happen. Its not that I am afraid, I’m just saying, we should be careful.
Don’t be such a worry wart, Toomy. When have I ever let you down? Besides, what would you use the flute for? Honestly, I wouldn’t play the flute, I would be to afraid something bad would happen. I think I would just preserve the flute, some things are better left alone. I understand what you are saying doctor, but I guess I am just a little more cautious.
So we gathered our packs and gear, made the travel arrangements, and traveled to South America. We set off too find The Temple of the Sun God and to retrieve The Pan Flute of the Sun God. We left almost immediately after gathering our things. We wasted no time gathering supplies and water. Dr. Richards took her pet bird to a friends house, and we set off. First we had to arrive in South America, and make it to the jungle. After that, we needed to secure a guide. Preferably one with knowledge of the legend.
When our plane landed, Dr. Roberts, wasted no time. She gathered our things and a map of the area, and we set out. When we arrived in the jungle, the way to our first village was treacherous enough. We waded through waters, and I got the biggest leach on my leg, I had ever seen. Dr. Roberts laughed as she had to burn it off, of course, but the scariest thing was when she said…DON’T MOVE! And don’t make eye contact. I heard the biggest gorilla, off about 150 yards, right ahead. He threatened and charged, but as he didn’t see us as a threat, he eventually moved on.
We arrived in the village, where we met our guide, Miguel. He was a native to the jungle, and had a little knowledge of the legend. He was a hunter and trapper by profession, and he sold the pelts of the animals he killed. He would also sale the meat and make tools out of their bones. Nothing went to waste when Miguel killed an animal. He wasn’t very intelligent, but he was an awesome hunter
“Miguel, do you know where this cave is?” Dr. Roberts wasted no time with getting to the point. “Yes, that is The Cavern of Izrah, a holy place. It is said that many bad things happen in that cave.” Bad things or not, that is where we will find our next clue. I have plenty of ammo and first aid packs for the trip, whenever you are ready. We must reach the cavern quickly, weather is coming in.
If it hadn’t been for all our gear, we would have reached the cavern a lot sooner. These jungle pathways are nearly impossible to navigate. Along the way, Miguel killed a couple wild animals to eat. Honestly, I was so hungry I didn’t care what I was eating. The fish was pretty good too, Miguel really knew how to cook, especially over an open fire. That night, I ate way too much.
We traveled nearly all day before we got to the rock wall we had to climb. In order to get to the cavern, we had to scale a rock wall, the cavern was about 24′ up. Once inside, we navigated the rough terrain inside the cave. We where about an hour into the cave, when we saw the remains of a small cave-in. “Should we be worried about that?” I asked. “Well,” he said in a vague tone, “should be fine.”
We came across a strange door in the cave. It has three dials on it with animals on them. The doctor pulls out her fathers journal and turned to a page, looking deep in thought. “It says here, to solve the puzzle wrong and be doomed. Luckily my father already has the answer to the riddle. In order to continue we align the dials to, tiger, bear, eagle. All of a sudden a small chamber opens with an old compass inside.
On the way back out, we heard a rumbling in the cave. Like a collapse deep in the tunnel ahead. We tread carefully and quickly, just to get out before something terrible happened to us. If we got trapped in this cave, we would never get out. Luckily we where able to find a hole in the rubble, just enough for us to squeeze through. Miguel, said that we where lucky not to have died.
That night, outside the cave, I awoke to Miguel and Dr. Roberts talking outside the tent. I heard Miguel tell the doctor, that he thinks we are being followed. For the past two nights he said he had heard some footsteps outside camp, and had seen some shadows in the bushes. “Not to worry though, I am keeping a close eye on things. It was a little hard to sleep after hearing that, but I finally did.
The next day we woke up to a ransacked campsite. All of our things where thrown out of our packs. They had to be looking for the compass, said the doctor. I had it in my sleeping bag with me last night. Somehow I had a feeling something would happen. We will have to keep an extra eye out for these people. Miguel pulled out a gun and begs for them to come back.
Once all of our gear is back in order, we followed the compass, blindly I might add. It wouldn’t point north, and the needle would change directions. After what felt like days of effort and futility, and following that accursed compass, we had to stop and take a breather. We had been so excited about the flute we hadn’t been sleeping much at night. Disorientation began to set in, and we had to rest. It was dark by the time we got our camp set up, and we slept most of the next morning. When we got up, our site had been ransacked again, but still to no avail. The doctor still had the compass and journal hidden, as well as the map. Nobody was getting them.
We set out again that morning, following the compass. It seemed like we would never reach The Temple of the Sun God. After another day of hiking through the dense jungle, we finally made it. We have reached The Temple of the Sun God. It was an awe inspiring structure, covered in vines and statues, honoring the Sun God. When we walked up to the temple we saw the last puzzle we had to solve in order to gain entrance.
This puzzle was the same as the last one, but with different animals, and more to align. Dr. Roberts looked in her fathers journal once more, thinking hard. “Lets see, we have to align bear, snake, eagle, bear, snake.” Once aligned the temple shook with a thunderous rumble, as the door opened. We slowly entered, taking time to look for artifacts. There were old statues and vases everywhere, but that wasn’t what we where looking for. We where after The Pan Flute of the Sun God.
According to the journal, we must first navigate the maze deep within the temple. Through the back room we saw a stairway leading down, down into the bowels of the temple. Miguel lit a torch and began to slowly descend the stairs. Deep inside the temple was a, seemingly, never ending maze of lefts and rights. There where dead ends and circles everywhere, I bet we were in that maze for an hour or more, but at the end we saw it. Our prize at last, The Pan Flute of the Sun God.
This looks too easy, said the doctor, and as she slowly went for it…an arrow flew into her shoulder. As Miguel and I turned around, we saw our pursuers. They had followed us into the temple, and waited until we had the flute in our sights. As they held us at gun point, their leader went for the flute. As soon as he touched it, a ceiling tile fell and killed the other team.
Interesting said the doctor, as she opened the journal once more. “What do we do,” I asked the doctor. We can’t just leave it here, we need to preserve this flute. There is only one thing I know to do, “Toomy grab the flute, you are the only one here who can get it.” As I nervously reach for the flute a soft little tune came out of it. I put it up to my mouth and a vast array of lights and beautiful harmonies filled the temple. And then a beautiful wave covered the jungle and went all over everything. The beauty was absolutely stunning. Suddenly a room opened up with a number of priceless gems and artifacts. As we started for the treasure the room started to cave in around us, and we could only escape with the flute. Well, the flute and our lives.

1: The Mystery of the Harp

I was a slave once, a slave to my own demise. My mischievous and adventurous soul got me into a lot of trouble. It’s not that I was reckless and irresponsible, I just got bored easy. My grandfather is always trying to get me to learn more about my village history, but what was the point of history. There was deep forest and lush greenery, sounds of nature and beautiful music to be discovered. I was not one to sit still and take life lightly, but grandfather insisted I study more.

I lived in the Varak Village, deep in the forest. I loved to go out hiking and taking in the beauty of the forest. Even though grandfather told me how dangerous it was, I loved to sneak out and run around when he wasn’t looking. My favorite thing to do is to make music out of things in the forest. My mother taught me about music when I was just a young girl, and I loved her for it. If I had to choose, I would say music, was my passion.

The forest was the best place to be. I loved spending the day there when my grandfather would let me. The other times, he wanted me to study and learn about the village. He was the village elder and was looked up to and revered by everyone. I honestly admired him, and I wanted to be like him one day. He wasn’t just my grandfather he was my mentor. My grandfather kept journals about the village and its history, so that one day someone would keep the legacy alive. Although, I was the only one who knew about them.

I loved it when grandfather would tell me about the legends of the forest though. It made me want to go out and explore everything. I imagined myself out going on these grand journeys and going to places I had never seen. My grandfather was always afraid of me getting lost. Although, I had a pretty good sense of direction, and told him not to worry so much. He did anyway, just like any grandparent would.

One legend that I loved the most, was the legend of the mysterious harp, found in the Istan Cave. Grandfather was the only person who knew where the cave was located. And he, wouldn’t tell anyone where it was, because the legend spoke of a horrible curse. If the harp is played, grave and terrible things would happen to the village and its people. I didn’t believe it though, instruments where supposed to be played and music was supposed to be heard.

One night, i found a journal hidden in grandfathers room. I had never seen this one before. He had made me read a lot of them, but this one, I had never seen. There was a couple pages torn out, but part of one told the location of the Istan Cave. There was no holding me back, so I grabbed a light and snuck out of the house to go look for the cave. I had to play that harp and the cave sounded amazing. I couldn’t wait.

2: The Temple of the Varak

Grandfather had taught me to survive in the forest when I was young. I used to love going out and spending days at a time there. So, I was no stranger to being in the wild. I could survive for days off berries and hunting for small game. My grandfather used to be a great hunter and fisherman. He could survive anywhere. And he taught me everything.

It was about midnight when I went looking for the cave, it was about 10 miles from the village. A small hike for someone in my condition. I could practically run. I was an awesome navigator too. I could use the stars and signs of the trees to find my way. Plus I had a map of the general area I grabbed before I left, along with a few snacks.

I traveled through the forest for about a couple hours, when I came upon a 14 foot opening in a rock wall. I was beside myself with excitement. As I approached the opening I saw a vast room, full of gems and formations. The beauty was just absolutely breathtaking. There was the remains of an old campfire in the cave, but it was very old. I made my way in and started to have a look around this amazing cavern.

I looked for about 45 minutes, when at the back of this smaller cavern, was the harp. I didn’t believe my eyes. It was old and looked like it had been there for a century. It was antique looking and rusted, and the strings where surprisingly still attached. I didn’t think there was anyway at all for sound to come out of it .

But, I had to play the harp. I walked up to it and slowly placed my hands on the harp, and when I touched the strings, I felt a strange feeling come over me. Its like my hands knew what to play immediately, and I was powerless to stop it. I started to play, and instead of terrible things happening, a beautiful array of colors started filling the air. And, the more I played the more colorful it got. This went on for what felt like hours, but I couldn’t stop. The colors where just so beautiful.

I rushed back to tell grandfather about the harp, and that the legend wasn’t true. But, when I got back, something strange was happening. The entire village was in shambles and everyone was panicking. It was strange, it was like everyone in this once proud village was all of a sudden without their memories. I ran to grandfather to see if he could tell me what was happening, but it was the same with him.

The journal with the missing pages was on his desk and open to a page. I walked over and looked and saw a passage about The Temple of the Varak. Grandfather had written it in a hurry, I could tell. I remembered there being a legend of The Temple of the Varak. It was a holy place to our people, said to be the birthplace of our faith. And, the temple where my people used to hold ceremonies. If there was any place at all I could find answers it would be there.

I gathered some more food and water and put some supplies in a backpack. I set out on the journey to undo the curse of the mysterious harp. It was about 73 miles away from the village, and took me 3 days to find. But thanks to my grandfathers journal, and his map, I found the temple. It was a massive stone temple with stone wolves guarding the entrance. I walked reluctantly inside to find a impressive room. It was full of statues and symbols that the fathers of my fathers before me had built.

As I searched for answers, I came across a symbol I recognized from the journal. I found a stone tablet with what looked like some sort of writing on it I could barely read. But, it said something to the effect, that only a person of pure heart and intentions could undo the curse of the harp. It was vague, but I had to try something. So, before i left, I said the prayer of our faith and ask for help and forgiveness for playing the harp and went back to play it a second time

3: The Way Home

It only took me a little over 2 days to make it back to the cave. I was scared that I might had gotten the wrong tablet. My village, and my grandfather was in danger of loosing the one thing they held dearest, legacy. I made my way to the back of the cave and went back up to the harp, remembering the prayer of my faith. The music had changed and the colors where even more spectacular. I played the same fashion as before, not knowing what to play but the harp guiding me.

When it was over, I felt as if something had changed. I couldn’t tell what, but i felt it. I made my way back to the village, hoping and praying for some sort of miracle. As I approached the village I heard music and merry making of all kinds. It was a celebration, and the people where the happiest they had been in I couldn’t remember when. I couldn’t wait around though, my grandfather might be in trouble.

When I got there, I walked in to my favorite meal, and he had a smile on his face. We ate, and I told him about my adventures. He wrote down every detail in a descriptive fashion. Jotting down every detail as I told him. I think my grandfather and I finally saw eye to eye. Before I went to bed, he pulled me aside and had the torn pages from the journal. It was a tale of how my family placed the harp in the cave in hopes of protecting them from a terrible secret. My family started the faith of the Varak people on a lie. They placed the harp to protect the secret. The power had just grown out of control