In the last episode Ikeda shared with the group more detail about the planet’s now certain demise. You could tell by the expressions on their faces that everyone seated around the table with Ikeda was in various stages of processing this horrific news.
Keep in mind -- the group was only hearing descriptions of a truth that Johann saw with his very own eyes during his last jump in time fifty years into the future.
We are coming to an ever-rising arc in the storyline now that will culminate at SteemFest in Amsterdam on November 12th! I’m ecstatic to have this opportunity to share this book (my first born novel) with you and cannot wait to share the plot twist in the very last episode.
The copy that I read from in Amsterdam, will be printed out on parchment, autographed, and auctioned off to the highest bidder. All proceeds will be donated to support SteemFest.
Welcome to today’s episode of Alarm Clock Dawn! Join me again on Monday for the next episode.
Ikeda paused for a moment in reflection. His kind eyes showed true concern, and the words he uttered next would stay with the group for the rest of their existence.
“This physical world that seems so real is not true reality. It is only a path to enlightenment. This life is nothing more than what we make of it. No matter what goes on outside of us, we have the freedom to choose how we react to it. No matter what is stripped away, remember always that the freedom to choose remains right here between our ears,” Ikeda said as he pushed his tiny finger towards Bear’s broad forehead.
“What are you saying, Ikeda?” Bear asked.“Should we just carry on like everything’s okay?”
Ikeda held up one finger. “I have just the thing for this occasion.” He went to a cabinet near the entrance of the cave and pulled out a clay jug and cups. He came back to the table, uncorked the jug, and filled each cup generously to the top. “Let’s first have a drink,” he said as he held up his cup and took a long drink of this pungent, cloudy liquid. The rest of the group raised their glasses.
Evelyn took a sniff, scrunched up her nose, and pulled back from the cup. Adam took a few cautious sips as he began to feel lightheaded with the warmth of its smoldering after-burn.
Ikeda’s eyes closed and his face slightly pursed as he emptied his cup. “As testament of what I’ve told you is the truth, the government will soon begin to gradually release bits and pieces of this news, but to avoid mass hysteria, they will greatly downplay its seriousness. The plan they will communicate will be a massive public works program that will begin to house citizens in underground shelters and convert more eco-domes to grow crops under the artificial sunlamps. You will be told that it’s merely a passing planetary cycle that will only temporarily disrupt life, but through hard work and perseverance you will somehow ride out the storms and survive until some shred of normalcy is regained.”
Evelyn broke down. “I can't even imagine the storms worse than they are today. How could anyone consider this life normal?”
“Now, now, dear. I agree, this is no way to live.” Ikeda put his hand on her shoulder. “The blunt truth is that considering the dramatic nature of the coming planetary changes, the odds of anyone surviving, even down here in the caverns, is close to zero.”
Ikeda filled their cups again and raised his glass. The rest of them at the table followed. The second cup went down a little easier than the first. Ikeda smiled as a single tear ran down his wrinkled face. “Words can’t express how much I’ve enjoyed my time with these children. They are so innocent, so pure, and they’ve taught me to see many things in a new light. I have been away from my own people for many years, but your people have given me more comfort than you realize—companionship, conversation. You’ve made this very old man feel young again. I’ve treasured each moment.”
It seemed to Adam that something was amiss in Ikeda’s usual calm and peaceful demeanor. His face grew tense as though a cloud of worry had come over him, and he began to pacing back and forth around the table.
“Ikeda, you’re holding back,” Evelyn accused. “Please, tell us the truth. All we’ve ever known our whole lives have been half-truths and deception!”
Ikeda looked at Evelyn and paused as though he was searching for words. “My dear, you’re right. The truth you deserve and nothing less. This old man possesses the burden of many secrets. These need to be told, but you must understand that where I come from we live according to ancient and strict laws that prevent me from sharing the full extent of these secrets.”
Ikeda paused, as though something within him made him hesitant to go on. “I must tell you over the last four decades a very small group of people on your planet, blinded by selfishness, power and greed, have constructed a system of control using propaganda and brainwashing to such a degree that my people have never seen before. The majority of society exists within a prison of invisible bars, and it has been done so ingeniously that on the surface you truly believe you are free. My people have watched in horror and frustration as almost everything of substance, almost everything that makes you human, has been stripped from you and replaced by sorrow and an unending hunger for material things. They left you with a huge void in your souls. You try to fill it with drugs, food, sex, material things. Naturally, after a while you realize nothing works, and depression sets in. And when it does, they give you drugs to numb you, to dull your pain and allow you to continue to unwittingly play your part.”
Ikeda continued. “Still, despite all this, against all odds, still some of you began to awaken—to rebel.”
Adam saw a great look of concern begin to well up in Ikeda's face. “By using the time machine, without your knowledge they have greatly accelerated your demise to such a degree that the Quiet Rebellion movement will not have sufficient time to turn the tide of this society and regain balance back to your planet.”
Ikeda put his cup down on the table. “Now, take some time to digest what I've told you, and if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them. If, in your hearts, you don’t believe what I’ve told you, that’s okay, but please don’t be angry with me. This old man is not in the condition to handle any more negativity or anger.”
“Will you tell us more about your people?” Evelyn asked.
“Dear, it is best to seek moderation in all things. We've all had enough of the drink. We must be on our way. It is sometimes better to show than to tell. Follow me.” With a glimmer in his eyes, Ikeda rose quickly to his feet.
Tune in every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for new episodes of Alarm Clock Dawn! The final episode including a ENORMOUS plot twist will be read by yours truly live at the first annual SteemFest in Amsterdam on Saturday, November 12th.
Alarm Clock Dawn is the first novel of a trilogy. The sequel entitled, Truth Is Stranger, will be published in the Spring of 2017.
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