Cloud Riders by Don Hurst Read Free Book Online Page B

became a whisper and faded away. “Make it happen."
    The place between remembrance and dreams blurred. Paul studied his mind-image of the big fat horse. He tried to envision the unicorn his dad had perceived. Same cloud, two perceptions, two realities.
    Far away, Maken's voice came in a dream murmur. “The horn, Paul. See the horn."
    Maybe, Paul figured, there existed no old guy named Maken Fairchild and he had conjured him up in his parallel-imagined-life. This would mean his life existence came from inside a dream. Perhaps this part of it would all go away when he woke up.
    The murmur came from behind a far-off cloud, more thought than voice. “If you invented Maken Fairchild, you must have the ability to imagine your horse growing a horn."
    Paul's eyelids remained closed. His concentration became a laser beam trying to see the fat horse's horn.
    The voice surrounded his mind. “Realize the possibilities and magic will happen. It is from the imagination all perception originates."
    "Easy for you to say,” Paul said. “I mean, you're like my dad. You know everything and tell me about it in little bits and puzzle pieces. So you tell me mud is blue and all browns disappear from my life. Like Vicki. Gone.” Maken made about as much sense as his algebra teacher. Paul continued anyway. “I could turn a cloud into Vicki and she could tell me how come you know so much and me so little."
    "Allow your mind to express what it will. Question and see all the blue mud it desires. Flow with it. Feel yourself drifting into a daydream. As you imagine, so it is. Drift into it. Leave behind expectations and see the life you desire. Live it as real and it will become your reality.” Although still faint, Maken's voice came to Paul with absolute clarity.
    Paul stared at the cloud formation in his mind. The horn. He could see it! His concentration had created a different view of the same horse form. The horn had been there all along, waiting for him to bring it into his reality.
    Energized into a reverie existence, his horse cloud became a unicorn to mount within his imagination and ride off into a new unexplored life. He participated in two lives, one of Earthly capture, the other of imagination. He became an escaped prisoner, soaring free of limitations.
    Far away, hardly audible, Maken spoke. “You will soon meet my good friend Reshape. Reshape will guide you."
    Paul opened his eyes. He soared above earth, riding his magnificent cloud unicorn. The breeze moved his hair, yet he didn't feel cold nor heat. The excitement of the moment captured all his thoughts. He rode a heavenly rollercoaster through dreams, and he could reach out and grab stars and put them in his pockets.
    He was Superman, then Batman, then both. He performed in a spiritual circus; became every superhero who ever existed. The music of the life-carousel sounded from inside him, danced with his mind until pure joy erased all the negatives of life replace by this spark of pure bliss he would forever remember and cherish.
    "This is the one place I can be forever free,” Paul whispered. “I believe. I believe."
    Isno purred from atop a small cloud beside Paul and his ride. The cloud kept pace with Paul's unicorn.
    "Wow, Isno. That has to be the best jump you ever made."
    In Paul's new world, fear of heights no longer existed. No steam escaped his mouth, as it did outdoors on Earth's frosty days. The freedom of his ride brought tears to his eyes, and he laughed so hard his sides hurt. Never before had he felt so liberated.
    "Hey, Isno. Bet you never thought you'd be taking a trip like this with me."
    "Human Paul me hear?” Isno answered in a purring voice.
    Paul's eyes widened. “Yes, I hear you, Isno. Excuse me, but how long have you been able to speak?"
    "Yesterday since."
    "You mean ‘since yesterday'."
    "Why say?"
    "That's just the way it's said, Isno.” Paul saw no understanding in his cat's demeanor. “We have certain ways we speak. You are mixing up the order