Sentence by Sentence is an experiment. It has only one goal: produce the first entirely user-generated novel, crafted one sentence at a time, by authors from all over the world. Stay tuned to the Story section, to read and write the evolving story, and the Updates section for polls, contests and news.


Chapter Two: Zachary


"My labor was so very long and difficult with Zachary, so very long and difficult that I had passed into another, brilliantly colored and brightly endowed world for a few minutes and experienced an intense and all enveloping light that seemed to be coming from a young boy."
Mia stopped, lost in her own memories, and then continued, "The young boy glowed brilliantly and resembled the little boy I had been dreaming about for nine months--the boy who would become my son--who now beckoned toward me smiling."
His colors changed from red, to blue, to a brilliant bright gold; I thought he was an angel.
I asked him if I were dying and he told me dying was my choice to make but there was no such thing as death.
Mia looked at me tentatively then, as if appraising how much to reveal, but chose to take the plunge, "The warmth that radiated from him was so tempting; I wanted to follow his beckoning smile, but something told me to stop and return for it wasn't the right time."
"I turned away from the radiance, but I have never forgotten the angelic look of that glowing boy," and now looking me directly in the eyes she continued, "and every day I am haunted by that face because; it is my son Zachary's face."
The next thing I can recall is the coldness of the paddles pressed against my chest, my body thrashing violently from the electric charge; they said my heart stopped for four minutes and thirteen seconds that day.
An eternity folded into those few minutes; not knowing when time stopped and started again.
I was so enthralled by her story and felt one with her, but I wanted to tell her my name.... and then tell her what I saw in her son and what I sensed she saw, for the sharing of these truths would produce something very special, for for a special web of light was about to be spun.
Suddenly I looked up and there before us stood Zachary.
Zachary had huge glassy black eyes that made him look distinctly bug-like yet handsome.
Then, his eyes shifted to brown, then a resplendent blue, like my own; his features melted away, and when a tiny freckle appeared on his neck I realized... Zachary was ME!
Right there before me he stood, clueless, his fate was mine, and I felt, somehow, I had to let him know.
Mia tapped my shoulder gently, "Excuse me kind Sir, you seemed so far away and lost in thought...I don't even know your name, but my son would like to meet you..this is Zachary," she said.
"Zachary," I said, "you know my name is Bishop because you can see from many perspectives very intensely because of the light you have, and for this I am profoundly moved and aware of the possibilities, but you know this, despite your youth, but your youth does not matter because of who you are and why you are here."
Zachary, in a humble and loving way, said, "I see simple things and how they can benefit man, and I do not go beyond the essential, for the brilliant light is such a joy, and it tells me I am young and to consider things that I have not considered."
I stared at this boy who spoke so eloquently, well beyond his years, and turning to Mia I asked, "How old is your son?"
Zachary is nine, he was born on the ninth day, of the ninth month,in 2009.
As Mia said those words the beauty and synchronicity of this time and place was so apparent to me.
It was so beautiful, a wide-eyed boy, an oasis of light in 2018, when nations worldwide are in great wars, Iraq having been decimated by an atomic bomb years ago, Iran invaded and wrecked, and now a never-ending war involving all nations, it seems, to see who will come out on top; now I look to this boy who suddenly appears on the scene to give us hope.
I am only 14, but both of us have something to look forward to and talk about, and I know our contributions will change a great many things.
Zachary now turned to us both and spoke, "And a Child Shall lead us."
He continued, " Our path in this world is an enigma, and part of the solution is a return to innocence, do you know what that means?"
Bishop, suddenly felt an all knowing, beautiful blue warmth from within; and Mia felt it too.
"Lead us where?" I asked.
Zachary began to speak but Mia interupted as she put her hand upon Bishop's face, "Your face only one hour ago was of a man, and although it is still quite handsome it has changed before my eyes to reflect the boy you are," and Bishop responded, " We all have many faces yet the world chooses who and what they want to see."
...and Zachary said,"and we will be lead on the path we choose to see."
"Hey, Mia and Zachary, it's time to go back to Killarney. You've been in this beautiful park so long - and with such a fine lookin' boy for company - that you've forgotten your Irish father," said Bram, and then added, "After all, I do have to go to work with all the other mechanics down by the river, you know; so come along, and bring your new friend."
"Mia, a little slip of the tongue, there; you know I ain't your father, but your husband," said Bram, a very tough and handsome looking bloke.
looking beaten mia stands while avoiding bishop's eyes.
Bishop realized that there was something being left unsaid, but when he reached with his mind he felt a wierd vibrancy that stopped his progress.
Even though Bishop was transformed over the last few years and could hear and feel emanations from both people and the signals constantly being sent through the air, he didn't understand the vibrant light shield he had encountered during this uncomfortable moment, but he thought it might be just a slight misunderstanding, and so he happily got up go go with his new friends.
Mia walked with her husband, and quietly whispered, "Bram, Bishop, this boy here, he can see it too--what I told you about Zachary."
Although Mia tried to be discreet, I heard what she said and heart Bram respond angrily, "Shut up about that foolishness; I told you the boy is normal; there's nothing strange about my boy."
Bishop felt wonderful things from Zachary as they walked behind Mia and Bram toward beautiful Killarney, a town filled with many wonderful memories, people, and views.
But their journey was not meant to be completed with ease.
Nonetheless whether it be easy or difficult, their journey was unfolding, perfectly as it should;and Bishop felt this so profoundly that Killarney was where he needed to be, and that Bram, Mia, and Zachary were especially important in this place and time, so he decided to forget about his family, his parents, his life, and move forward...to Killarney...and call this home for now.
Bishop sensed a brilliant vibration of love and light from Zachary; for Zachary was quite happy to be walking with his new found brother, companion, and friend.
This was an exquisite experience with his friend as they walked out of the beautiful, tree-filled Killarney Park, with the lovely lake, Lough Leane, and he anticipated and sensed greater events in the future as they walked toward Killarney toward Port Road, which had a few meandering folks walking along it.
Mia and Bram walked briskly ahead deep in conversation and intent on their destination; Zachary and Bishop followed more slowly behind as they absorbed all of the wonderful smells, sounds, and interesting faces along the way...there was so much to see!
As they approached Saint Mary's Cathedral with its stained glass windows and its great redwood tree, they were in awe; so they decided to walk see it up close once more, and as they did, they faced the wondrous sights of Killarney Park in the distance and Lough Leane, but suddenly, a brilliant arcing light mushroomed into the sky from a far distance and lit up everything, and when it did Zachary's face lit up as brilliant amber, and Zachary felt the heat and glory, while the effect on Bram and Mia was instantaneous and stunning.
Zachary and Bram stood there with astonishment and joy, while Mia and Bram lay unconscious.
Just as quickly as the flash of light came upon us, it was gone, and I stood looking at Bram and Mia walking ahead of Zachary and me and realized that what I just witnessed was not the present but the future, and I wondered what it all meant.
Again I heard Bram and Mia arguing, "I told you that Dr. Fisher was a quack; I don't know why you listened to him in the first place, and now this Bishop kid sounds just as crazy."
At this point I was unsure if my vision was days, weeks, or years away; and I didn't understand how that brilliant light had such a wonderful effect on Zachary and me and the opposite effect on Mia and Bram.
One thing I was certain of however, I knew Dr. Fischer somehow had a hand in all of this; that Zachary,me, and who knows who else, were connected so I was going to keep my mouth shut about Dr. Fischer and listen and learn when we got into town.
Bram turned and looking at me appraisingly asked, "Where are you from?"
"Originally from America, but I've been living in Ireland for about a year now," I responded.
Next Bram asked me about my family and if I had any brothers or sisters; I don't know why what came out of my mouth next did, but I lied and blurted out, "My parents are both dead."
Zachary looked at me as if to say, "Your secret is safe with me," because he knew I had lied.
"You poor lad...it was much too soon, but don't you worry.. the good Lord works in mysterious ways," Bram said, and I watched him bless himself with the sign of the cross; I could have debated the point but I didn't because I could tell that Bram suddenly felt sorry for me and being the good Catholic that he was he would not send me packing.
Now all I have to do is figure out the connection between Zachary and me and how Dr. Fisher was involved in all this.
Watch, listen, and learn; I'm sure the good folks of Killarney have alot to say.
It wasn't long before we arrived at the cottage where they lived, and they invited me to join them for dinner.
Bram went to work and Mia brought Zachary and me into town; she shopped at the local market while Zachary and I explored on our own.

58 comments:

David Dee said...

"My labor was so very long and difficult with Zachary, so very long and difficult that I had passed into another, brilliantly colored and brightly endowed world for a few minutes and experienced an intense and all enveloping light that seemed to be coming from a young boy."

dorothy said...

Mia stopped, lost in her own memories, and then continued, "The young boy glowed brilliantly and resembled the little boy I had been dreaming about for nine months--the boy who would become my son--who now beckoned toward me smiling."

Anonymous said...

His colors changed from red, to blue, to a brilliant bright gold; I thought he was an angel.

patty said...

I asked him if I were dying and he told me dying was my choice to make but there was no such thing as death.

dorothy said...

Mia looked at me tentatively then, as if appraising how much to reveal, but chose to take the plunge, "The warmth that radiated from him was so tempting; I wanted to follow his beckoning smile, but something told me to stop and return for it wasn't the right time."

dorothy said...

"I turned away from the radiance, but I have never forgotten the angelic look of that glowing boy," and now looking me directly in the eyes she continued, "and every day I am haunted by that face because; it is my son Zachary's face."

patty said...

The next thing I can recall is the coldness of the paddles pressed against my chest, my body thrashing violently from the electric charge; they said my heart stopped for four minutes and thirteen seconds that day.

Adam said...

An eternity folded into those few minutes; not knowing when time stopped and started again.

David Dee said...

I was so enthralled by her story and felt one with her, but I wanted to tell her my name.... and then tell her what I saw in her son and what I sensed she saw, for the sharing of these truths would produce something very special, for for a special web of light was about to be spun.

patty said...

Suddenly I looked up and there before us stood Zachary.

David said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
David said...

Zachary had huge glassy black eyes that made him look distinctly bug-like yet handsome.

Anonymous said...

Then, his eyes shifted to brown, then a resplendent blue, like my own; his features melted away, and when a tiny freckle appeared on his neck I realized... Zachary was ME!

Anonymous said...

Right there before me he stood, clueless, his fate was mine, and I felt, somehow, I had to let him know.

patty said...

Mia tapped my shoulder gently, "Excuse me kind Sir, you seemed so far away and lost in thought...I don't even know your name, but my son would like to meet you..this is Zachary," she said.

David Dee said...

"Zachary," I said, "you know my name is Bishop because you can see from many perspectives very intensely because of the light you have, and for this I am profoundly moved and aware of the possibilities, but you know this, despite your youth, but your youth does not matter because of who you are and why you are here."

David Dee said...

Zachary, in a humble and loving way, said, "I see simple things and how they can benefit man, and I do not go beyond the essential, for the brilliant light is such a joy, and it tells me I am young and to consider things that I have not considered."

dorothy said...

I stared at this boy who spoke so eloquently, well beyond his years, and turning to Mia I asked, "How old is your son?"

patty said...

Zachary is nine, he was born on the ninth day, of the ninth month,in 2009.

patty said...

As Mia said those words the beauty and synchronicity of this time and place was so apparent to me.

David Dee said...

It was so beautiful, a wide-eyed boy, an oasis of light in 2018, when nations worldwide are in great wars, Iraq having been decimated by an atomic bomb years ago, Iran invaded and wrecked, and now a never-ending war involving all nations, it seems, to see who will come out on top; now I look to this boy who suddenly appears on the scene to give us hope.

David Dee said...

I am only 14, but both of us have something to look forward to and talk about, and I know our contributions will change a great many things.

dorothy said...

Zachary now turned to us both and spoke, "And a Child Shall lead us."

patty said...

He continued, " Our path in this world is an enigma, and part of the solution is a return to innocence, do you know what that means?"

patty said...

Bishop, suddenly felt an all knowing, beautiful blue warmth from within; and Mia felt it too.

Anonymous said...

"Lead us where?" I asked.

patty said...

Zachary began to speak but Mia interupted as she put her hand upon Bishop's face, "Your face only one hour ago was of a man, and although it is still quite handsome it has changed before my eyes to reflect the boy you are," and Bishop responded, " We all have many faces yet the world chooses who and what they want to see."

patty said...

...and Zachary said,"and we will be lead on the path we choose to see."

David Dee said...

"Hey, Mia and Zachary, it's time to go back to Killarney. You've been in this beautiful park so long - and with such a fine lookin' boy for company - that you've forgotten your Irish father," said Bram, and then added, "After all, I do have to go to work with all the other mechanics down by the river, you know; so come along, and bring your new friend."

David Dee said...

"Mia, a little slip of the tongue, there; you know I ain't your father, but your husband," said Bram, a very tough and handsome looking bloke.

Tiffany hamm said...

looking beaten mia stands while avoiding bishop's eyes.

Tiffany hamm said...

bishop realized that there was something being left unsaid, but when he reached with his mind he felt a wierd vibrancy that stopped his progress.

David Dee said...

Even though Bishop was transformed over the last few years and could hear and feel emanations from both people and the signals constantly being sent through the air, he didn't understand the vibrant light shield he had encountered during this uncomfortable moment, but he thought it might be just a slight misunderstanding, and so he happily got up go go with his new friends.

dorothy said...

Mia walked with her husband, and quietly whispered, "Bram, Bishop, this boy here, he can see it too--what I told you about Zachary."

dorothy said...

Although Mia tried to be discreet, I heard what she said and heart Bram respond angrily, "Shut up about that foolishness; I told you the boy is normal; there's nothing strange about my boy."

David Dee said...

Bishop felt wonderful things from Zachary as they walked behind Mia and Bram toward beautiful Killarney, a town filled with many wonderful memories, people, and views.

Mikolaj said...

But their journey was not meant to be completed with ease.

patty said...

Nonetheless whether it be easy or difficult, their journey was unfolding, perfectly as it should;and Bishop felt this so profoundly that Killarney was where he needed to be, and that Bram, Mia, and Zachary were especially important in this place and time, so he decided to forget about his family, his parents, his life, and move forward...to Killarney...and call this home for now.

patty said...

Bishop sensed a brilliant vibration of love and light from Zachary; for Zachary was quite happy to be walking with his new found brother, companion, and friend.

David Dee said...

This was an exquisite experience with his friend as they walked out of the beautiful, tree-filled Killarney Park, with the lovely lake, Lough Leane, and he anticipated and sensed greater events in the future as they walked toward Killarney toward Port Road, which had a few meandering folks walking along it.

patty said...

Mia and Bram walked briskly ahead deep in conversation and intent on their destination; Zachary and Bishop followed more slowly behind as they absorbed all of the wonderful smells, sounds, and interesting faces along the way...there was so much to see!

David Dee said...

As they approached Saint Mary's Cathedral with its stained glass windows and its great redwood tree, they were in awe; so they decided to walk see it up close once more, and as they did, they faced the wondrous sights of Killarney Park in the distance and Lough Leane, but suddenly, a brilliant arcing light mushroomed into the sky from a far distance and lit up everything, and when it did Zachary's face lit up as brilliant amber, and Zachary felt the heat and glory, while the effect on Bram and Mia was instantaneous and stunning.

David Dee said...

Zachary and Bram stood there with astonishment and joy, while Mia and Bram lay unconscious.

dorothy said...

Just as quickly as the flash of light came upon us, it was gone, and I stood looking at Bram and Mia walking ahead of Zachary and me and realized that what I just witnessed was not the present but the future, and I wondered what it all meant.

dorothy said...

Again I heard Bram and Mia arguing, "I told you that Dr. Fisher was a quack; I don't know why you listened to him in the first place, and now this Bishop kid sounds just as crazy."

patty said...

At this point I was unsure if my vision was days, weeks, or years away; and I didn't understand how that brilliant light had such a wonderful effect on Zachary and me and the opposite effect on Mia and Bram.

patty said...

One thing I was certain of however, I knew Dr. Fischer somehow had a hand in all of this; that Zachary,me, and who knows who else, were connected so I was going to keep my mouth shut about Dr. Fischer and listen and learn when we got into town.

dorothy said...

Bram turned and looking at me appraisingly asked, "Where are you from?"

dorothy said...

"Originally from America, but I've been living in Ireland for about a year now," I responded.

patty said...

Next Bram asked me about my family and if I had any brothers or sisters; I don't know why what came out of my mouth next did, but I lied and blurted out, "My parents are both dead."

patty said...

Zachary looked at me as if to say, "Your secret is safe with me," because he knew I had lied.

patty said...

"You poor lad...it was much too soon, but don't you worry.. the good Lord works in mysterious ways," Bram said, and I watched him bless himself with the sign of the cross; I could have debated the point but I didn't because I could tell that Bram suddenly felt sorry for me and being the good Catholic that he was he would not send me packing.

dorothy said...

Now all I have to do is figure out the connection between Zachary and me and how Dr. Fisher was involved in all this.

patty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
patty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
patty said...

Watch, listen, and learn; I'm sure the good folks of Killarney have alot to say.

dorothy said...

It wasn't long before we arrived at the cottage where they lived, and they invited me to join them for dinner.

patty said...

Bram went to work and Mia brought Zachary and me into town; she shopped at the local market while Zachary and I explored on our own.