Chapter 1 The Souls Journey            by David Rey Echt

U nexpectedly, I began rising up and away from my body. Gently at first, with the subtle presence of a brightness that seemed to be with me. Then, without effort, I began climbing higher and higher. The illumination that was all around me intensified. The speed of my ascent accelerated. The light became ever brighter as I moved higher and higher. I flew at an astounding rate, faster than any plane could fly, and all the time the light kept increasing in intensity. I had never before seen or experiencened anything that bright. Yet it didn't hurt me in any way. I was fully conscious and awake in the dream, yet I was unable to think. I was without the ability to even construct a thought. I was moving without any effort toward the light. The light had no center or outer boundary; it seemed to be everywhere. Within me and without me. 

I n an instant, a thought emerged into my awareness, like a bubble rising from a pool of still water. It wasn't even a thought; it was an impulse, almost a feeling. I was afraid. It was that deep sort of fear, like when something jumps out at you from the dark. There's no time to think—just primal fear. My reaction was very much like that. Maybe it was fear of the unknown. 

T he next thing I remembered was waking up, but I knew I hadn't been dreaming. I was conscious yet in a dreamlike state the entire time. I opened my eyes and looked around. I saw the knotty wood frame of my cottage and the tie-dyed sheet that I used for a bedroom door. I was there in the safety of my cottage. I could hear the creek across the road through the bedroom window, and I felt the reassuring warmth and comfort of my bed. 

I sat up slightly, carefully resting on one shoulder, trying not to make any noise. I wanted to tell Laura about what had just happened, but I didn't want to wake her. She looked so beautiful in her restful slumber. I looked at her with her long dark hair so shiny, like silk, her face the image of perfection. With her light, clear complexion and naturally dark eyelashes, she didn't need any makeup; she turned heads walking into a room. I was in love with her. 

A cool, spring breeze blew through the open window, pushing one of the shutters closed. She stirred, drew a deep breath, and slowly opened her deep blue eyes. She looked disoriented, as if she didn't know where she was. Laura looked at me incredulously. "Where am I?" she demanded, for a moment she seemed half asleep. I think she thought I was a character in her dream. 

" You're at my place, babe!" 

S he shook her head and said, "Wow, that was really weird. I was dreaming when something woke me up." Then she turned on her side, facing me. She pushed her hair back over her shoulder and said, "I dreamt that you had moved away. When I realized you were really gone, I tried to find you, but it was too late. I was here at your place, and all of your stuff was gone. Then I was somewhere else. I remember asking, Where am I?" 

" I'm not going anywhere! Are you kidding? I love this place. I'd be crazy to leave. Besides, I could never leave you." Laura just looked at me and didn't say anything. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, as I usually could. So I changed the subject. "I had a really weird dream, too. Or at least, I think it was a dream." 

I described to her what happened, in as much detail as possible, but she seemed distracted. When I finished, she just looked away and said, "It sounds like you've been hanging out with that guy, you know, that guy who's always got a joint or two with him." 

" You must be talking about Ernie." 

" Yeah, him. What do you see in that guy? I don't want to be judgmental, but doesn't he seem like a loser to you?" 

" Well, Ernie is with Ellen, Ellen and I have been good friends for a long time." 

S he sounded annoyed. "I don't know what she sees in him. I mean, Ellen seems kind of normal, and he's such a loser." 

" Sometimes I wonder myself,” I replied wistfully. 

A s usual, Laura had to rush off to do something that was more important than being right here with me. I wanted to be that something, someday. I wanted to feel like I was important too. 

S he drove off quickly and I was left alone to think about what had happened. I didn't have a clue if it was just a dream or something more. But I was about to find out that my life was going to change soon in a way I could never have imagined. What happened to me that summer had only happened to a few others. The experience I had on that morning was only a foreshadowing of the magic that was to come. 
 
 

Order Now from Amazon.com For Amazon.com.uk
	B uy n ow