Alvin to the Rescue

Alvin came noisily into the room complaining about school like he did every day. "I hate having to go to school. It's so boring and they start yelling at you if they think you're not paying attention. And don't even get me started on the foo…." Simon cut in sharply, "Some people enjoy school because it's an easy way to get away from annoying people." he hinted at Alvin then continued, "And as for the food, I'm sure that even Theodore would agree that he's had worse. Like when we were younger and Dave hired that baby sitter named Ashley who was terrible at everything. Now stop complaining and let me meditate in peace. Is that too much to ask from you?" Alvin chimed in, "All that you've done with your free time for the past month is meditate. Do you really think that it's going to help? I think it's just a load of mumbo jumbo." Simon gave him a harsh look and Alvin departed from the room.

Simon pulled out his phone and started playing trance music as he sat back down and began to meditate. He had been so close to inner peace many times, but every time that he got close something or somebody, primarily Alvin would interrupt him and he would lose his peaceful composure. Simon thought to himself, "I think this the day it'll finally happen. I hope that nothing and no one will disturb me." Simon closed his eyes and continued to clear his mind and focus on a speck of light that grew stronger the closer he got to inner peace. The whole reason that Simon had started meditating is because of Alvin. At school Simon had four out of five classes with Alvin and Theodore. He didn't mind having classes with Theodore because he hardly ever said a single word and never got himself or Simon in trouble. Alvin on the other hand, never stopped talking and when Simon would try to quite him he would get in trouble with the teacher. The stress had been building up for years and at first listening to trance music helped greatly. Now the music barely does anything but set the mood for Simon to get lost in knew that meditation was only a temporary solution and one day he would have to find another way to cope with Alvin's childish behavior.

He sat on the floor and closed his eyes. Soon he found himself locked inside his mind exploring the depths of reality. Usually when he got this far something would happen and he would be brought back to reality. The light started to engulf Simon as a feeling of tranquility washed over him. He knew that any minute he would be brought back to a cold and cruel reality. Suddenly the light faded and Simon was left in total darkness. Simon was confused as to why he didn't come back to reality. It was then that he realized that he was trapped in his mind alone and afraid.

Back to the bed room

Alvin had barged into the room wanting Simon to help him with his math homework. Alvin got annoyed when there was no response so he began to shake Simon. Alvin accidentally fell on top of him. Simon hit his head on the wooden floor with a loud thud. Alvin started to worry when he couldn't make Simon wake up. Alvin began to worry so he ran out of the room and found Theodore in the kitchen making a snack. Alvin stated in a frantic tone, "Theo, I need your help. I think that I hurt Simon. I accidentally fell on top of him trying to get his attention and now he won't respond. I think I might of hurt him pretty bad." Theodore didn't say a single word. The two boys ran upstairs and found that Simon hadn't moved an inch which worried them both. Theodore stated, "Simon thought something like this might happen so he gave me some instructions on how to bring him back. I have to hold one of your hands and one of Simon's hands and you have to hold his other hand while we meditate. He said if we do this we'd be able to enter into his mind and bring him back." Alvin gave Theodore a puzzled look, but decided to go along with the plan not knowing what else could be done. Alvin and Theodore sat down on either side of Simon and formed a circle.

Alvin found it surprisingly easy to drift into the astral state. He and Theodore were able to enter into Simon's mind after a few minutes of deep concentration. Once inside, they walked down a dark and wide corridor. They started yelling for Simon and would hear nothing in return. They decided to stick together so they wouldn't get lost in the vast space they were invading. They continued to walk for what seemed like miles before they decided to stop and rest.

Simon heard what he thought was the desolate voices of Alvin and Theodore far off in the distance. Simon started to move towards the sounds to see if he'd went crazy or if what he was hearing was real. After a few hundred feet he started calling out. "Hello, please tell me that I'm not crazy. Please tell me that you're here. I don't want to be here anymore." Simon fell to his knees and started to cry. He thought aloud, "I'll never get out of here. It's pointless to even try. I just wish that I could be with my brothers again. As much as Alvin has annoyed me over the years I still love him. I couldn't imagine my life without him, or Theodore. I'll never forget the time that he thought the boogie man was hiding in his sock drawer. We spent three months convincing him that the boogie man isn't even real. If I don't get out of here I'll still have my memories of Alvin and Theodore."

Alvin heard what sounded like sobbing and exclaimed, "I heard something coming from this way, follow me." They began to run to the sound once again. Alvin tripped over something and Theodore fell on top of Alvin. They looked to see what it was. It was Simon that they had tripped over. Alvin noticed that Simon was crying and questioned softly, "Did I hurt you Si? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Simon interjected, "No, you didn't hurt me. I was just thinking that I'd never get to see you or Theodore again. You may be a pain in the neck and annoying, egotistical, and self centered, but I still love you none the less. I wouldn't trade you or Theodore for anything in the whole world. I just want to go back home." Theodore chimed in, "I hate to break up this family moment, but how exactly are we supposed to get out of here? Your instructions only told me how to get into here." Simon thought for a moment and responded, "We have to find the light. Once we find the light we step into it and it will bring us back home." Simon gave a loving look to his brothers and stated, "I'll never take you two for granted again, especially you Alvin."

The three brothers got up and started their search for the light. They walked for hours until Theodore excitedly stated, "I think I see something up ahead. I think it's our way out!" Simon ruffled his hair and said, "Great job Theo. We'll be out of here in no time." Simon continued, "Am i wrong or does it look like the light is moving closer to us?" Suddenly the three were surrounded by the gleaming white light. They walked through it back into reality. Simon made a promise to himself that he'd find another way of relieving his stress. Alvin proclaimed, "I know that I haven't always been the best older brother, but I promise that I'll try to be a better brother for you and Theo. I don't want to push you back into that dark place again. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have both of my brothers. I'm sorry that I pushed you so far Simon. I never meant for anything like that to happen." Simon hugged his older brother and responded, "It's okay Alvin. I guess that I just take you and Theodore for granted far too often. I promise that I'll try to be more understanding to you." Theodore joined in on the hug and stated, "I'm glad that you two made up. Now can we go and get something to eat? All that running made me hungry." Alvin and simon laughed and headed downstairs to get something to eat with Theodore. Simon thought, "I hope that they didn't see or hear any of my thoughts when they were inside my head. That's the last thing that I need them to know. I have to keep those feelings locked away. Nobody can know about them."

The End?