Cloud Riders by Don Hurst Read Free Book Online Page A

a wizard.” Maken chuckled. “I could be a figment of your imagination, a morsel of a leftover hallucination. A daytime reverie."
    "You look like a wizard I saw in the movies once, only he had a long beard."
    "Do you wish me to produce a beard?"
    Paul stared at the old man.
    "At the moment, the only important thing for you to know is, I am the teacher. You are the student, as was your father before you."
    Paul's eyes widened. “Sir?” He waited to see if he had Maken's attention. “I'm here because of my sister Vicki. She's missing.” He took the folded note from his pocket. “This says I'm supposed to come here. But the note is very old. How come?"
    Maken raised one hand and pointed a finger at Paul. Abruptly Paul's fear and puzzlement of the old man evaporated like a drop of water hitting the sun's surface, instantly replaced by hypnotic concentration.
    "Yes, I know in a general sense where your Vicki is. I do not know her exact location. However, I know how to show you the process you need to find her.” Maken paused and glared into Paul's eyes. “Have I confused you enough to gain your interest? You are in control of your own life and perhaps...” His voice lowered. “Vicki and the rest of this solar system."
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Chapter Seven
    Paul's Ride
    "Remember what your father taught you,” Maken said and paused long enough to allow his teaching to absorb into Paul's thinking. “What you perceive becomes your mind's life experience. Call it your Earth reality."
    Maken spoke about realities much as Paul's dad had over the years.
    "The next step, Paul, is the key necessary to finding your sister, and more. Understand there is another actuality, one parallel to Earth reality. You reach it through imagination."
    "But isn't my imagination a part of my Earth reality?” The words were out of Paul's mouth before he realized he said them.
    "I speak of Earth imagination taken to a new level."
    "The Twilight Zone?” Paul tried to joke and gulped, his flippant remarks on automatic.
    Maken seemed pleased. “Good! Think of this as being parallel—"
    "You already said parallel."
    "Think of it as your parallel-imagined-life.” Maken grinned widely. “Your life perception, on steroids."
    "Sir, did you teach Dad this same thing?"
    "Yes. Your father was directly involved with saving this planet you call your home."
    Paul held his breath, but not in time to stop his question. “Why couldn't he teach me?"
    "One sees what one sees, and this is your world. You do as you do and the why, if known, is your life map. Your father has been slowly readying you for this mission, as I taught him for his. You experience through what you see, hear, touch, smell, feel and imagine. Your father could indeed have taught you if not for the timing of this task you and only you must perform."
    "To save Earth, like you said he did?"
    Maken smiled and appeared to enjoy Paul's questions, so Paul quit asking them.
    "More. To save the solar system.” The old man's voice remained cheerful. “Paul, concentrate on the cloud you called a horse on steroids. Watch its subtleties as it ebbs and flows. It appears white, yet think of the rainbow of colors it contains. Brilliant yellows, gentle golds, blazing reds, magnificent blues, greens, violets, and oranges. Carefully analyze the cloud. Flow with it. Become one with your observation."
    Paul studied the cloud. His eyes closed involuntarily. He drifted into an unsure state, not certain of its cause, himself or Maken. In his mind the cloud changed. An oversized pillow transformed into an inverted openmouthed creature silently laughing.
    Maken Fairchild's voice drifted into his consciousness from a far off place within Paul's psyche. “Concentrate. What entity would you most enjoy riding?"
    "Dad's unicorn.” Paul had no awareness whether he spoke aloud or only thought he did.
    Maken's voice came closer and rolled into Paul's mind in a tidal wave of sound. “Make it happen!” His voice