Empyrean: A Collection of Letters

Empyrean: A collection of letters

by

Garrison Garnett

Chapter 1

A Large Step

October 17, 1975

I’m not sure how or where to start. Dr. Sidney has been insisting that I journal for quite some time now and I have been putting it off. I guess now is as good a time as any. Here it goes. I’ve finally done it! I left him. He doesn’t quite know it yet, but I left him all the same. I am hoping that all of the bruises and scars will be a fading memory as I put this ocean between us.

The EL Santo, the ship I am currently aboard, is about half a day’s travel from Empyrean. I have been promising my brother a visit for well over eight months. Honestly he deserves better. His letters have been the only thing keeping me sane since he left. I have felt for a while that Rick and I were not right for each other. When I found out that Rick had been shredding my mail it was the last straw. I had not heard from Charlie in almost three months. Some people think that twins know when each other are in danger or hurt. As if they have some psychic connection or bond. But I’ve never felt that way about Charlie. He has never pinged on my twin radar, however I don’t think he’s ever been in serious trouble. Smart, funny, and cordial he always skated by and evaded real situations.

I will now take a moment to inventory my surroundings, that’s what Dr. Sidney taught me to do whenever I felt uncomfortable around Rick. He explained that I should use the technique whenever I am in an unfamiliar situation. I’m on a small fishing boat with a few dim electric lights. It’s nighttime. My watch says 11 p.m., but I feel as if it later than that. There is not much to see other than a sliver moon and some glowing fish off in the distance. I read about bioluminescence in one of the emergency room magazines. There are many wonderful scientific applications. The captain's mate doesn’t seem to share the same enthusiasm. Every now and again he points and grumbles, then the captain yells at him to man his post. I think they are portuguese. They were not completely thrilled with my accompaniment. He said “I only take supplies, no people”. Thankfully american dollars go a long way down. I was eager to get going and see my brother but the captain insisted that we leave at sundown so we could arrive at the island in daylight. He was very particular about that detail.  

I can’t wait to see Charlie’s new home and meet his new friends. I hope Sasha is nice, he really seems to like her. The next time I write, it will be full of great times and new memories.

March 15, 1975

My Dearest Twin,

You have no idea what you’re missing! I miss you deeply but you are missing this even more. Empyrean has turned out to be everything I thought it would be. This place is great. It’s happy. It’s inviting. It’s understanding. I’ve met a wonderful girl. Her name is Sasha. You two would make great friends She has deep blue eyes just like Ma.

Please don’t get mad at Rick, he was right. I needed to get out. I was leeching. Empyrean just might be the best thing that ever happened to me. I just wish you could see it.

I will write more soon. The dinner bell just rang and that nectar is calling me.

Take Care,

Charlie

Chapter 2

Day 1 on the Island

October 18, 1975

It is night one on the island and I can see why Charles fell in love with it. My boat docked at some point after one O’clock my time. I’m really assuming the time, since the cheesy timepiece that Rick gave me stopped working at some point in the night. That crummy piece of garbage can now call it’s new home, the ocean floor. Perhaps I am being too hard on him, it did get wet a few times. The captain said at one point, “The salt water can destroy fine machinery in the blink of an eye. I found all of his sayings to be very quaint and relevant.

I met two new friends on the dock. Gary was a polite and courteous gentleman. He refused to let me handle any of my bags. Wearing nothing less than a smile, he carried both of them all the way to the visitor’s cabin. We talked quite a bit and he most certainly blushed when I inquired about a girlfriend. He said no and that made me happy in a dreamy sort of way.

And then there was Sasha, she was everything that Charles had written about and more. Her smooth olive skin had yet to see a wrinkle, she had the most gorgeous blonde hair and big shiny brown eyes. I inquired about what sort of hair and makeup products she had stashed all the way out here. She insisted that she gave all that up over a year ago. I think she’s fibbing.

They informed me that Charles was currently out on a mission to secure supplies in the rainforest. In the meantime I met what they called “The Tribe”. I was very nervous to meet them. It seemed so secretive. The first thing I noticed as we made our way out of the forest was a few hooded figures off on the far edge of the circular clearing. Gary and Sasha paid no mind, they said I was seeing things. I suppose it was about a half-mile or so to the other end.

All in all, “the tribe” was a great group of people, we drank and ate in the great hall. I heard tales of the mighty and wise “Uncle Reverend”. There is a very large feast planned for two nights from now. He will be giving a sermon. I do look forward to dining with my brother.

*

May 23, 1975

My Most Favorite Betty,

I am missing you more than I ever could have imagined. At first your letters about Rick drove me insane with rage. But now I have learned about forgiveness. The lot you have chosen on this earth is your own. I wish you both the best.

Exciting news, I have a purpose now! The Uncle Reverend has given me a job. It’s not much but it’s a start. If I can show him that I am righteous and let my work set me free, he will find something more comfortable than manual labor.

May the peace of Empyrean reach your soul,

Charles

Chapter 3

Day 3 on the Island

October 20, 1975

Well it has been three days on the islan. I have yet to see my brother. They all play it off as if it is no big deal. I am beginning to feel that almost everyone here is a bit too stoned to care about anything. I’ve visited just about every shack and outhouse in Empyrean with the exception of the “Big House” and a few private dorms. They won’t show me outright where Charlie lives but i think I’ve narrowed it down. This “Uncle Reverend” will finally be appearing at dinner tonight and all of Empyrean will be setting up and attending. I think I’ll use that time to sneak in. 

October 20, 1075 
Evening

I guess this is what I had expected. There is not much here. A bed, nightstand, and a desk. I was completely let down at first. Nothing in this hut indicates that Charlie lived in it. The walls are bare, no clothes, no papers, no garbage. I stared out his window looking at his jungle for longer than I can recall. Where was he? How long had he been gone? When would he come back? Was he even alive? I began to spiral from the thoughts until I saw the scratch. A small knick in the wall just above the desk. That knick opened the door. 
Memories of our childhood caused my heart to soar. This had to be his cabin. We loved to play spy games. They would always land us in some sort of trouble. I would write codes with my pen in hard to reach places. He would do the same only, instead of a pen, he used a swiss army knife. 
Three good tugs and the desk budged from its place against the wall. 
That's when I heard the men talking outside the door..