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DISTANT LIVES

By: Jaime Clough

7 January 2001

This short story takes place after the end of Theresa’s newest story, Almost Human Part Two (Cyberspace Ace):

From somewhere far away, Sohkarra could hear people talking about her. She knew she should answer in order to alleviate their fears, but couldn’t seem to find the will to do so.

She, along with Paul, would be accused of taking an innocent life. In spite of the fact that they had been trying to help Trynia. In her own mind, she could easily be convinced of it now. Maybe she was guilty and in light of such, had no right to return to the world of the living. It may be that everyone would be better off without her. Her and her way of getting caught up in things that sometimes worked out well; sometimes not. Like this latest incident that had sent her to this blessed land of oblivion. She knew that Trynia would never want anything to do with her again. Had her role in all of this been worth it?

Besides, there was something so peaceful in the quiet void she now found herself in. Like she was the only one in the universe. Here there was no one speaking to her of her duty, no one asking her to choose between Ace and JaKal. No one wanting to hurt her because of who she chose to be with. No more pain. Only a quiet kind of peace.

She could still hear them. Ace was trying to call her back. She couldn’t even bring to mind a feeling of concern for his worry so wrapped up in the silence was she. No, she was determined to stay in this place of solitude. No more would she concern herself with the world of KISS, her afterlife, or those involved with that. This new place was too good to pass up.

Then as she was beginning to really get into this new feeling she sensed a new presence. Silently she cursed that not everything had been left behind. It seemed that some things were going to follow her no matter where she was. Including this thing she looked upon as a curse more than a blessing.

"Who is there?" she called out. How dare anyone disturb her solitude here. This was the first place she had found such solace where she could do as she wished with no interference. Now here was someone to disturb it. "Go away whoever you are. I have no wish to be disturbed here." She said this rather crossly.

"Whoa, hold it lady," came the voice. It was a pleasant, smooth sounding voice. "I only want to talk to you for a moment or two. It’s been quiet here for way too long. I hear you‘re just the one to liven it up."

Sohkarra looked at the image coming at her. It was of a man in his late 30’s, perhaps early 40’s. She could immediately tell that he was very handsome with long dark, yet full and curly hair. As he came closer, she knew he looked familiar. Where had she seen him before? She couldn’t recall. It was there in her mind somewhere, but she couldn’t for the afterlife of her remember.

The stranger was also dressed in tight clothes such as she had seen pictures of KISS during their non-makeup days wear. Was this one associated with them somehow? If only she could remember where she had seen him. Surely she should remember one as handsome as he was.

He was also smiling, which was a trait Sohkarra could identify with. A very engaging smile it was too. She felt herself smile back at him. "Who are you stranger?" She asked, her voice now less sharp.

"You know who I am Princess. You have always known" he answered. "Just as I know who you are."

"We’ve never met before." She countered him. She knew he spoke truth, but would not let him have the victory so easily. "I would have remembered one such as you."

That made the man smile wider. "We never met in person, though I wish we had." Then his smile faded, as he seemed to remember something painful to him. "No, unfortunately, I contracted a really bad disease and was forced to leave those I loved behind. Unlike you, I had no choice in the matter of coming here before I was ready."

Then it dawned on the Princess. "You're Eric Carr, aren‘t you?" She asked. Indeed she had seen many pictures of him around the offices. Ace had pictures of him from the time when the two of them had been honored at the Rock Walk of Fame together. His parents had helped in the presentation. Yes, Sohkarra knew who he was now. Everything she had ever heard about him had made her wish she could have met him. He was portrayed as a person with a wonderful sense of humor and all around nice guy.

"Yup, that’s me," he told her. "I told you that you knew who I am. You’ve met me; just sorta indirectly." He reached for her hand as in greeting.

"Yes, I guess I have." She answered as she allowed him to take her hand. "Ace has spoken of you often. He still harbors feelings of affection for you. He also stays in touch with your parents. I have had the privilege to hear some of your music that Bruce Kulick gave to the world. You were very good. A true lost talent." She said the last part with a true feeling of loss and sense of what could and should have been.

"Aw, gee ma’am," Eric would have blushed if he could have. "I sure do thank you for your kind words."

Sohkarra cut to the chase. She knew this encounter could not have been by chance. Nothing ever happened to her by chance, but rather by the designs of others. "Why have you come to me here?"

That also sobered Eric. "I’ve come to help you find your way back to our friends and your life."

"That will not be necessary." She answered him. "I find I like it here quite well. Here there is no pain or demands upon me. I can find my inner peace here. Something I have not felt since I reawakened in this new time."

Eric came up to her then. He appeared as solid in body as she; no longer a cloudy apparition. She could see for the first time the merriment in the eyes, the sureness of his step. She could see in his eyes all that had endeared him to many while he lived. How ironic it was that one as talented as he should have been taken so early. Not only was his talent deprived the world, but his sense of humanity as well. This man who had cared about everyone, no matter who they were. He had found time to speak to all and lend a kind word. It was easy to understand why everyone had loved him in life.

They spoke of many things. His memories of his time on Earth. Her memories of her time of reawakening every 100 years since 1525BC while in search of her brother’s spirit. Things she had never told anyone else not even Ace. But those were things that she instinctively knew he would understand about.

He shared with her his fears about death when he had found out that he had cancer that he felt he couldn’t show to anyone lest they worry more than they already did. These were also things he had never shared with anyone else before. It was like each had found a kindred spirit in the other; each had seen and experienced things that only those familiar with both life and death. Things they could share with no other.

They also shared their thoughts on their respective association with KISS. Eric made her laugh as he told her of the practical jokes he would play on them. How one-up-man ship was the name of the game. A better joke had to be played than the previous. That was something Sohkarra could definitely appreciate. She herself had a more than healthy sense of humor. They agreed they would have made a formidable team in the joke department; the damage together they could have wreaked.

The Princess shared her dilemma concerning Ace and JaKal. She also spoke of her injury at the hands of one of Ace’s obsessed fans. When she went to show Eric the injury, it was mysteriously gone. The result of where they were, Eric told her.

Each listened with the insight only they could share. But there was more that needed to be said. Eric got right to the point.

"I want to tell you, first and foremost," he continued, "that I appreciate all that you have told me. Something told me that you were going to be a saving grace with Ace. He was definitely headed down a bad path. You pulled him back He took your words and actions to heart where he wouldn’t with us." He was silent for a few moments.

Sohkarra put her hand to his arm. "Go on." She urged softly. "I know you have more to say."

Eric smiled at her. "You are perspective for an imp." He told her. "I knew I would like you."

"Ace told me what a smooth talker you could be when you wanted." Sohkarra smiled back at him. She couldn’t help but wish they had known each other while he had lived. They would have gotten on very well together.

Then she heard him continue. "You know that I have no choice in being here. But you do." He took her arms in his hands as he spoke to her. "I do not possess the power to return as you do."

"What do you mean?" Sohkarra asked. She wasn’t all sure she wanted to hear what he would say next. "I have been sent here as well. I‘m not sure I wish to hear anymore of what you have to say."

"It doesn’t matter now what you want lady. You have to go back." Eric told her frankly. "Your body is still very vital and strong. You have not my reason for being here. You must go back. This place cannot be used for escape. It is too permanent for that. Especially when life is too brief as it is."

Sohkarra shook her head. "NO!" She cried out. "I have no reason for going back. I made a terrible mistake in judgment. That is why I’m here now. I wish to stay!"

"Who says it was a mistake?" Eric asked. He was still holding onto her arms so she could not turn from him. "You helped a friend in need. No one can fault you for that. Even if your friend doesn’t see it that way now. It was one of the many things I always liked about you; the way you care for others, your compassion."

She looked at him in puzzlement. "What do you mean? You and I never met before today." She asked. "I didn’t come here by choice. But rather was injured somehow during the conflict with Ace’s Jendell."

He smiled at her. "Oh, that is where you are very wrong lady." He told her. "You see that is one of the things with being here; I can still see everyone who I was close to in life. I can’t interfere in any way, but I see them nonetheless. I cheer them on or cuss them out from here; be it good or bad. So you see, I knew who you were even before the Jendell thing. I know how much you mean to Ace as well. I‘m rooting for him in winning your heart."

"You talk too much," Sohkarra grumbled. Why was it that everyone seemed to know more about her than she seemed to know about herself?

This comment made Eric laugh out loud. "I’ve been accused of that on more than one occasion." He answered her. "By lots of people." Then he turned serious once more.

This was one thing Sohkarra feared. She liked his sense of humor he had already shown her. She didn’t want to deal with anything serious that would require a decision from her. Especially about going back. She still treasured the sense of freedom and solitude she felt here. No worries or responsibilities. "I can well believe that." She told him saucily.

"That is the spirit I’ve come to expect from you Karra." He said to her matter of factly. "But I’ve got to tell you that I still think you need to go back. Ace needs you. You’ll find your way out of this darkness to make a decision concerning him and JaKal. It will be one that will affect you in more ways than you can possibly imagine."

"How could you possibly know that?" She asked. In the background she could hear Eric’s music, ’Somebody’s Waiting’ playing. Music he had made before his death that had only just found its way to the public, courtesy of Bruce Kulick. She’d heard it before, but now she listened with different hearing. The song was no mistake. It was meant for a purpose. She knew now that he was right. She had to go back.

Eric took her in his arms and together they swayed to the lovely melody.

As they danced, Eric spoke to her softly to the melody. "When it’s all too much for you to go on, just turn to me, I’ll be strong."

Then as quickly as it came, the music was gone. Eric didn’t let go of her even as she pulled away slightly to look into his handsome, yet peaceful face. "I don’t know why, but I believe you."

"Believe me princess." He answered. "Now that you know of me, let me help you. I can at least be a source of comfort in the dark nights."

"That is what Ace says too." Sohkarra said sadly. "I never fully believed him."

"You will find your way there Karra." Eric repeated. "I can’t provide the same physical comfort Ace can, but something more. A speaker of and to the soul; your soul. I know you of all people can understand that. Listen with your heart and I‘ll be there. Just as I know you‘ll be there for me if I need you."

"I understand." Sohkarra answered. "Meeting you has more than made up for the pain of what went before. I am honored for the opportunity."

Eric released her only to bring her hand to his lips to place a light kiss to the back. "No, it is I who am honored. If you hadn’t cared the way you do, we never would have met. It was a stroke of true fate." He said sincerely. "But now our time is short. I must go."

"I know you must." She answered. "I will return. To what I’m not sure, but I will go back. In the meantime, is there anything I can do for you?"

Eric was silent for a moment. This would be the chance and the person he had waited so long for. Through her with her amazing powers of the mind, he would finally have the chance to communicate with all his family and friends one last time to let them know he was all right and happy. He hadn’t had the chance to see them all to speak to say goodbye before he had passed away back in 1991. Surely there could be no wrong in this one simple request. But it would have to wait a while longer.

"Yes, there is." He answered. She looked upon him with interest as he went on. "When this is over and things are as normal as I know they ever get, would you allow me to speak one last time with my family and friends?"

Sohkarra was not surprised at his request. Indeed she could help with such. "I would be well pleased to serve as a channeler to you." She said sincerely. "It’s the least I can do for you. I know that they love you still and have missed you greatly. Especially your family. You have but to call to me when you‘re ready."

Eric now was the one with a misting in his eyes. "Thank you princess." He said quietly. She would have said more to him, but he quickly had his humorous look back and was patting her on the backside. "Back with you now. You’ve got work to do!" There was no more time for words for now.

The next thing she knew, she was awake. Much to the relief of the people in the room. Ace, in his excitement, grabbed her to him in a fierce embrace of relief. "Karra! You’re back! I knew you wouldn’t leave me!"

She still couldn’t see or focus real well. She heard a male voice she didn’t recognize speaking to Ace and whoever else was in the room. "I’ve never seen anything like it before." He said. "No one has ever come back from something like this."

"You don’t know my Karra." Was all Ace would say.

FIN

*The song "Somebody’s Waiting" comes from the Bruce Kulick produced CD, Rockology. It’s not used with permission, but rather because it seemed to fit right into the theme of this short tale.