The Stranger – Story

I wrote this several years ago. I found it tonight and have no idea where I was going with the story. It seemed fun and worth sharing.

“Time chases us all…and one day catches us,” he said to me as we sat at the bar. “We don’t notice it when we are young because our legs are strong and our steps are light.” The old man paused for a second to take a drink.

“As we age the grasp of time tugs at our ankles. It trips us and we start to stumble. We are not able to move as fast as we once did.” A remorse lay deep in his eyes as he spoke these words. “As we age further we reach the point where time has crawled like a bandit on to our backs. It weighs us down and seeks to steal the life we live.” He paused again, savoring the flavor of his last drink.

“It’s weight becomes so unbearable that we eventually break. We fall to the ground…and our time is gone on this earth.” His eyes were misty. Time was indeed catching up to him. His tired old eyes had seen many hard days I was sure.

Then, he turned and faced me. A wry smile coming across his worn face. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the man. I wasn’t sure if he was drunk or just depressed.

“But what if we could step outside of the reach of time?” he asked me quite seriously.

“Suspended in space where time could not touch us?” In a flash, his face began to look younger. Vibrancy filled his tired body. “To a place that never grows old, but is new with life every day?” He saw the puzzled look on my face, and I saw the earnest in his eyes.

In a matter of minutes the old man that stood before me was gone. I sat mesmerized at the man now before me. His hands were strong. He was tall in stature. His eyes burned with fire.

“There is such a place,” he said as he took a step closer to me. “I have been there many times.” He offered me his hand as a light started to glow about him. “I would like to take you there if you are willing to go with me.”

With no thought in my mind, but what was before me I took his hand. He pulled me slowly to my feet. And in a moment I will never forget, he took me to a place I have always wanted to be. A place that was designed for me. He took me home.