Chapter 4 the Stairs

    Terrified at what he may see, he slowly pulled his pant leg up in order to examine his wound.  Not only was he concerned about not having the proper supplies, but also that he was unqualified for such an operation.  Understanding his weaknesses, he always knew that the medical field was not his forte.  Blood, guts and gore had never appealed to him.



    Opening his eyes, so he could get a better look at the wound, he was on cloud nine when he realized the bullet had only grazed his leg and not entered.  Still there was a wound, and he couldn’t take care of it; the best he could do was clean it with the shirt he wore earlier. 

Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, now he had to worry about his injury and what would happen without the proper medical attention.  Sitting there wondering if there was anything he could do, in his stairwell to aid his injury. 

   

    Not able to think of anything, he decided he might as well try another destination, maybe he could find something useful.  After all even on a cruise ship, they probably would have had a first aid kit.  Inhaling a breath of determination or perhaps courage, as he stepped up, he couldn’t believe he was actually standing in his bedroom, and was never more thrilled to see his room before.  Taking in all the sights, and relishing everything he couldn’t believe how relieved he was to return home.  Right away he grabbed the first aid kit he kept here, and right away went to doctoring his injury as best as he could.  Cleaning, applying antibiotics and bandaging up the wound allowed him peace of mind.  Just then he thought he heard someone outside, running to his window and looking out he saw Jarron, his good friend and neighbor who lived a couple homes down, walking back to his car. 



    With a great sigh of relief, Craig opened the window and yelled for Jarron, but he didn’t appear to hear him.  This confused Craig, because he was right in his yard within shouting distance.  Unable to count the many times over the years he had done just that and yet nothing.  Without thinking, he began to make a dash for the door to catch Jarron before he left.  When all of a sudden he heard a huge noise almost like a locomotive, and looked up to see a mammoth tornado crashing threw his home, destroying everything in its path.  Now he realized how things could get worse, even though he wanted more than anything he had ever wanted in his life to be home again, this was not the kind of welcoming home he wanted or could stand at this moment. 



    Upon reaching the landing, he realized the sound which had been blaring had ceased, stopping him in mid motion approximately halfway down the stairs.  Relieved that his home wasn’t completely destroyed and he thought it a blessing, and yet he was right back to where he was a moment ago.  Being trapped in his stairwell somehow didn’t seem quite as unusual as it once was.   

         

    Sitting down where he stood, he thought about what he should do next and how to actually get back to his home, the one which wasn’t destroyed in the tornado.  Then he got to thinking, “Wait one moment, maybe there is a possibility that perhaps, I am back home and I might be back in my living room, if I go through this door.”  Not wanting to rush to quickly to find out, because his last destination, he was shot and he didn’t feel like going through that again.



    Thinking about what he has been through so far, he wondered, if there was some possibility that he might be back in his quaint home, far away from the stress and strain of these adventures, he hadn’t asked for but was somehow thrust into nonetheless.  Even though he was curious to see if he actually was back at his home, he was still in no hurry to jump into another one of his dimensions.  If he was back home, it would always be there, but if he was wrong and he had to go through another quest, it would just have to wait until he was good and ready, and to be truthful he wasn’t sure just when that would be.



    Jarron couldn’t understand where Craig could be.  Normally he would have seen him by now, but he must have had some place important to go.  He hoped everything was alright and Craig wasn’t having any problems.  Getting back into his car, still watching Craig’s home to be sure he wasn’t home after all.  Showing some concern over his slight absence, Jarron didn’t think too much about the whole thing, as he drove away.



    Still hanging on to his sanity by a thread, Craig considered what he had to gain, by proceeding through the doorway and what would he profit from remaining where he was.  In the end, he decided nothing ventured nothing gained, and made his way through the door, and into the answer to his prayers, it was his living room.



    Thrilled beyond words, but he couldn’t rejoice in his revelry, as he was again shocked to see all his relatives dressed very nicely and appeared to be very sad.  Walking up and saying, “Hey how’s it going dad, Aunt Mary, Uncle George.” 

It was at this moment he realized they hadn’t even acknowledged him entering the room.  His father said, “I was just by here to see him the other day, who would have known he would die so soon.”   



    Craig’s jaw hit the floor, as he heard what he thought he heard, not believing his own ears he asked, “Excuse me, can I ask you to repeat what you just said?”



    Aunt Mary weeping sobbed, “I was coming by here to see my favorite nephew this weekend, and I couldn’t even conceive that he would be gone.  I guess it’s true that you should always tell your loved ones you love them everyday since you never know if you will see them again.” 



    Even though he heard it, he still couldn’t accept it, besides she didn’t actually say his name, maybe they are talking about someone else.  Wanting to convince himself, that it was someone else, he continued trying to talk with them.  Having no luck with this, he continued to listen for anything that may help him find out who they maybe talking about.  They never did say his name, but some things they said left little doubt it was him they were referring to. 



    Alas this destination may not have had the urgency of all the others, but somehow he still felt as though he couldn’t leave this realm soon enough.  Just before he went into his stairwell he thought enough to take his medicine kit and a gallon of water after he used the bathroom.  Storing his stock pile just inside the door on the floor, in case there was some need for it.



    As he closed the door behind himself, he was again reprimanding himself for not stocking much more needed items.  There was no way for him to know exactly what he might need in each case, but the more items he had the more likely he would be able to adjust and make do.

Dreading what he had to do, slowly he climbed the stairs only to find himself in the jungle surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.  The first thing he noticed was a banana tree, and just beyond that an apple tree which got him thinking about he could use something to eat about now.  Sure the banana tree was closer, but he really didn’t care for bananas too much.



    Somehow he knew he was going to regret it, but he had to eat, so he made a mad dash for the tree and began to pick apples.  Trying to stash a few inside his clothing for later, and then he picked what looked like the best apple he ever saw, and took a bite.  Munching down on its simplest of juiciness, and swearing that it was the best tasting apple he had ever had.  He was wondering if it was simply because he was so hungry, or was it really that good.



    At that moment he heard a sound he didn’t care to hear, glancing up from his meal he saw a huge lion approaching from the direction of his stairwell.  “Oh great it had to play out the worst case scenario, that lion couldn’t possibly come from that way so I could get back to my stairs.” 

Watching carefully and looking to see if there were anyway for him to get passed the lion.  The king of the forest slinked slowly toward Craig crouching as he approached and Craig had to do something and quickly.



    Giving it no further thought, he climbed the tree quicker than even a monkey could and was out of reach of this furious beast upon its arrival.  Naturally he didn’t give up that easily, he casually lay down and watched his cornered foe.  Craig was really surprised at his agility climbing this tree; you would have thought he was a natural.  However truth be told he hadn’t spent much time in trees at all, so his dexterity was surprising to say the least.



    The lion stood a moment, watching Craig scramble up that tree as if he was stumped also.  Once Craig was settled at the height of his choosing, the lion sauntered over to the tree, and as he did Craig began to wonder if lions could climb trees.  As he saw the lion put his front paws on the tree he didn’t wait around to see. 



    Looking over toward the banana tree considering whether he could jump over to it, and then he thought if he didn’t and the lion could climb he might be a meal.  If he tried and fell the lion would be having lunch.  However if he were to make it over to the banana tree, then he would be close enough to the stairs and would have a better chance of making to said stairs.  Indecisiveness was something he couldn’t afford at the moment and he just had to leap. 



    Launching his petrified body across the gap was an understatement to his emotions, as he grabbed at its branches trying to keep from falling to the ground.  Never before had he tried so hard to succeed at something.  Coming to a stop he peered around trying to locate the lion and find out what he was doing.  Craig was rather relieved to see that the lion hadn’t moved, and was just sitting there looking around. 



    Craig was considering if he slid down to the ground, would have enough time to run to his stairway or would he be an appetizer.  There wasn’t much else he could do; he had to get to the stairwell.  Sliding down the back side of the tree, hoping the lion wouldn’t notice and give him more time.



    Now was the moment, he couldn’t even waste time by seeing were the lion was, he just bolted at top speed for his sanctuary.  Never had he moved as fast as he was running, and yet still without looking he could swear, he felt the lions breathe on his back.  Craig knew he was on his heels because he heard the movement gaining on his pitiful lead.  Praying that this animal was either tame or that he would be able to by some miracle, make it to his stairs before it was too late.  Thinking of nothing but somehow being able to escape the lion’s grasps and remain unscathed.