My Sweet Loretta

In a moment, the room dropped at least ten degrees. Out of the shadows, a image of a horrifying face that was scarred and twisted with anger exploded across the room. The fog like face filled the ten foot room and stood nose to nose with me. It was a ugly face with horrible breath and stained teeth.

At the same time, images appeared in my mind. Vivid images of my body being shoved onto a huge spit and roasted across a huge fire. The image was so real that I felt the fire lapping up to my body and the sensation of my skin being burned off of my body. It was as real as if it was happening. My mind cried in the pain. In an instant, the image changed. Suddenly, my abdomen was being ripped open by a wild wolf. Its teeth tearing the skin and ripping out my intestines. I screamed from the pain,"

"What would you like for me to do to convince you that I am not alive," he asked with a voice dipped in fury.

"I believe you," I begged.

The images disappeared from my mind as quickly as they had appeared. The face disappeared into the darkness, and the room returned to normal. In fact, it was so normal, that I started to think that I had imagined it all. The thought only existed for a second before I decided that it was real enough. I did not want another demonstration.

I took a deep breath to steady myself. He continued as if nothing had happened.

"As my body died, my spirit filled with anger. I had suffered and anguished so much during the long night. Enduring unspeakable pain and torment to stay alive for that moment. All that I wanted was to say those three little words to my Sweet Loretta. At the moment of my reward, I was torn away from my body."

I listened intently.

"When my sweet Loretta arrived she was broken and in tears. I hovered in cavern ceiling space over my crushed body and watched. A deep angry overwhelmed me and filled my spirit. It was not fair. I had been cheated in every way imagined. I was even cheated out telling my lady how much she meant to me.. Looking down at Loretta, I decided that enough was enough. I would not leave her. I may never be able to talk to her again. She may never see me, but I would not leave. "

The tension built. His voice had become colder and harsher. My chill bumps were getting bigger. He continued in almost a scream.

"I told them that I would not go. Never. Never would I leave my eternal love. I looked downward and spoke the words that haunt me to this day. Loretta I swear on my father's name and my mother's soul that I will never leave you. In this life or the next. In death or life, I will remain until I can speak the words to you that I must say. The words that I will never say until we meet again."

I felt a coldness fill the room that made my hair stand. It was a vortex of extreme energy. It was a different feeling than earlier but just as powerful. After a minute, I asked my question.

"May I ask the gentlemen a question? Where is your Loretta now?"

The answer was slow in coming.

"She passed on to the other side. I was never able to fulfill my oath. I watched her and protected her, but I could not talk to her."

"I may be able to help," I said. "I have been thinking about your description of your ring. I may have a ring like that."

"Oh my friend, that is nice for you to say," he said. However, I have long given up hope for ever finding that ring again."

I pulled open my bottom drawer. I had a habit of picking up things on my vacations from antique shops. Most people buy their souvenirs from the tourist traps, but I bought my junk from the alley shops. I remembered that on one of my trips a couple of years ago, I had bought some rings. I found a bracelet of green stones and a ring of silver. Then, there in the corner, I found what I was looking for. It was a gold ring with a purple stone. I took it out and held it in my hand.

"I did buy this ring in Arizona a couple of years ago. It is from a different state than you lived. Does it look like your ring?"

"Oh Sir, I do not want to frighten you again. Could you toss it to me?"

I did as he asked and pitched the ring into the shadows.

"You found it!!!, " he shouted.

I was about to ask how he knew when the window of my studio burst open with a gust of wind. I scrambled to grab my papers from blowing all over the floor. When I looked up, I saw her. She was indeed a lady in any world or culture. In her long dress with a laced up front, she was a goddess to behold. The wave of her black hair laid softly on her shoulders. She was warm and filled with soft light.

"Hello my love," she greeted my visitor.

The dark shadows of the other side of the room shifted and out stepped a handsome young man. In his eyes were tears of a grateful man. Stretching out to his full height, he joined her in front of the fireplace.

"Loretta?" he asked. "Is that you Loretta?"

"Yes," she said. "It is time my prince. You have suffered long enough, come and take my hand and let me guide you to the other side. Come my darling and be with me forever my love."

"My Loretta, My Sweet Loretta, " he said.

"Yes darling," she answered. "It is time for you to come home."

"Shhhh, " he said.

Putting his arm around her narrow waist, he looked into her face.

"My sweet Loretta, I hereby fulfill my oath.. The oath that I made on my father's name and my mother's soul."

There was silence. I waited with tears in my eyes.

"I love you Loretta," he said. "My sweet Loretta, I love you more than life itself."

He broke in a sob of emotions as he spoke those sacred words to the lady of his life. He leaned his head forward so that he rested on her shoulder.

"I love you too darling," She said. "Now it is time for us to go home.

I sat at my desk as they held hands and floated across the room. Nearing the window, he stopped and looked at me.

"Sir thank you," he said. "Go and be your destiny. Your job here is done."


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