Empty Dreans and Emptier Hopes

Posted on Sat Aug 3rd, 2019 @ 8:23am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Mission 2: Heaven On Earth
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: After Final Farewll?
648 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Tumbleweeds blew across the dusty street as townspeople scurried to get off the street. Word had spread quickly, The Stranger that mysterious gunman and bounty hunter was in town. Curious eyes peered out from behind drawn curtains as the stranger walked down the street. His spurs jangled with every step he took. His hat was pulled down low over his face but even so one could see the stubble of beard and the unlit cigar clenched between his teeth. He approached and stopped in front of the Sheriff's Office door and stood looking at it then with what looked like a slow, sad shake of his head he turned away and walked up the street until finally sitting down on a bench.

What happened next was unexpected and never before seen by anyone at least anyone alive. The Stranger lowered his head and his shoulders shook. He took deep ragged breaths. The townspeople looked on in awe and surprise. The Stranger was crying! What could have caused the notorious gunman with a heart of stone and eyes just as hard to cry? Little did they know or even suspect, he cried over the loss of a friend more precisely the loss of a friendship. He didn't have many friends and he had just lost a good one and it was all his fault. A bitter, relentless enemy had wanted him to complete their revenge and had taken it out on his friend. who had pointedly told him it was all his fault. The torture and abuse they had suffered. His guilt weighed heavily on him, so much his chest hurt and breaths were hard to come by.

Finally after a few minutes he stood and with a final look at the sheriff's office he headed back up the dusty street...alone just as he had entered.

Reaching the arch Commander Gary Taylor stepped through leaving the Old West of the 1880's behind and spoke. "Computer end program." "Acknowledged." Came back the emotionless voice of the computer. "Do you wish to save program?" Gary hesitated only briefly before replying. "No."
There was nothing to go back to, no reason to go back. There was nothing for him here any longer. This had been a bad idea in a series of bad ideas. He had hoped coming here would alleviate his loneliness but in fact it had intensified and amplified it. Accentuating of how alone he was. With that he turned and headed back to his quarters.... alone again naturally.

Reaching his quarters, Gary went straight to the bedroom and laid down not even bothering to pull the sheets back or to undress, as he did he spoke, "Computer play Dream Weaver by Gary Wright." As the song began, Gary closed his eyes and prayed desperately for a miracle that his pain and guilt would somehow be washed away. However such prayers weren't likely to be granted, not for him and the sin he had committed in getting his friends hurt.

I've just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
Oh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Oh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today's pain
Oh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Oh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Though the dawn may be coming soon
There still may be some time
Fly me away to the bright side of the moon
And meet me on the other side
Oh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Oh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Dream weaver
Dream weaver