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This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “Distances” Down in the Dirt v213 (11/23) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology Instant Karma the Down in the Dirt September-December 2023 issues collection book		get the 422 page September-December 2023 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Closed Encounters with a twist

Althena Clark

    As the sun sank below the horizon, casting eerie shadows across the worn-out streets, Lily and Jake exchanged reluctant glances at the entrance of the abandoned gym. The creaking rusted iron door groaned in protest as they pushed it open, revealing a world frozen in time. Dust particles danced in the dimly lit air, while the scent of neglect assaulted their senses. The abandoned gym stood as a testament to forgotten dreams, its faded glory mocking their present situation.
    Lily muttered under her breath, her voice laced with sarcasm, “Great, just great. Couldn’t have thought of a worse companion for this wild goose chase.”
    Jake’s eyes rolled, a gesture of disdain, as he replied, “Believe me, the feeling is mutual. Don’t get in my way, and maybe we can get out of here in one piece.”
    Their eyes locked in a moment, fiery daggers of animosity flashing between them, before they shifted their attention to the dilapidated surroundings. Broken equipment lay strewn across the floor, cobwebs clung to abandoned treadmills, and shattered mirrors reflected their fractured relationship.
    The acrid smell of rust and decay permeated the air, mingling with the bitterness of their rivalry. The distant scurrying of rats echoed through the desolate hall, their tiny footsteps reverberating. Peeling paint and shattered glass painted a picture of desolation before Lily’s eyes.
    As they ventured deeper into the gym, the tension between them grew with each step. Suddenly, they stumbled upon a locked storage room, its door covered in layers of dust.
    “Perhaps this is where the treasure lies,” Lily suggested, her voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
    Jake snorted, his disbelief evident. “Yeah, right. Like there’s anything worthwhile in this dump.”
    Fueled by defiance and determination, Lily approached the door and gave it a forceful push. Surprisingly, it swung open, revealing a room filled with dusty gym equipment and forgotten memorabilia.
    Lily’s eyes widened with a glimmer of excitement. “Jake, look! There might be something valuable here after all.”
    Jake’s skepticism momentarily wavered as he surveyed the room. “Fine, let’s see if we can find anything worth our time.”
    As they rummaged through the artifacts of the past, their bickering subsided. Lily’s fingers brushed against a metal object hidden beneath a pile of old jerseys. She held it up, her eyes sparkling with triumph.
    “An antique pocket watch,” she exclaimed. “This could be worth a fortune!”
    Jake’s expression softened as he examined the artifact. “You might be onto something, Lily.”
    Lily and Jake continued their exploration of the storage room, their voices mingling with the dust-filled air. Suddenly, they stumbled upon a box tucked away in a corner, covered in layers of cobwebs.
    “What do we have here?” Lily said, her voice tinged with curiosity as she brushed away the cobwebs.
    Jake peered inside the box, his eyes widening with surprise. “It’s a collection of old letters.”
    Lily picked up one of the letters and examined it. “These seem like love letters. Look at the elegant handwriting.”
    Jake took another letter and read aloud, “My dearest Lily, every day without you feels like a lifetime. I long for the sound of your laughter and the touch of your hand.”
    Lily’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. “Jake, these letters... they’re from us. From a time when we were in love.”
    Jake looked at her, his expression a mix of nostalgia and longing. “I remember now. We were so young and full of dreams.”
    As they read more letters, memories flooded back, transporting them to a time when their hearts were intertwined. The letters captured moments of joy, passion, and shared dreams that they had long forgotten.
    Lily’s voice trembled as she whispered, “We let it all slip away, didn’t we?”
    Jake sighed, his voice filled with regret. “Yes, we did. But maybe this is a chance for us to reclaim what we lost.”
    Their dialogue became a reflection of their shared pain and the realization of missed opportunities. They spoke of the love they once had and the hope of reigniting it.
    “I still care about you, Lily,” Jake confessed, his voice vulnerable. “I never stopped.”
    Tears welled up in Lily’s eyes as she reached out to touch Jake’s hand. “I still care too, Jake. Maybe we can find our way back to each other.”
    They exchanged a look, their eyes filled with a mixture of uncertainty and determination. The letters had become a catalyst, a reminder of the love that had once burned brightly between them.
    In that moment, they made a silent pact to let go of their animosity and embrace the possibility of a second chance. The abandoned gym had become a vessel of reconciliation, carrying their hopes and desires.
    As they stepped out of the storage room, hand in hand, they knew that their journey was just beginning. The letters served as a bridge to their past, connecting them to the love they had almost forgotten.
    Their friends, waiting outside, watched as Lily and Jake emerged, their faces softened by newfound understanding. The friends exchanged puzzled glances, unaware of the emotional journey that had unfolded inside the abandoned gym.
    Lily and Jake walked towards their friends, their dialogue replaced by a comforting silence. They carried with them the weight of their past and the promise of a future that held the potential for healing and love.
    The sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the worn-out streets, as Lily and Jake, hand in hand, embarked on a new chapter of their lives, guided by the power of rediscovered love and the echoes of their dialogue etched in their hearts.
    Their adventure had transformed the abandoned gym into a backdrop for personal growth, illustrating the enduring power of unexpected connections. And as they stepped back into the world outside, their eyes briefly met, hinting at a future where rivals could become allies.

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