The Cheesecake (Going Home)

Walternate Universe AAGM-44
                     Alpha-1
                             GGMA-53
                     ROO-92

“Put more pressure on the wound” Beta-2 said but WAE’s hands were soaked in blood
A bullet had found its way into his chest through the Magnificent suit and it looked severe
“I’m sorry” WAE muttered, but the Exiled only smiled looking at him and then at us
“I get to go home and see them” he muttered then whispered something into WAE’s ear
 
WAE moved his hands and the blood started flowing even more through the suit
He propped up the Exiled as the rays of light hit his face watching his last sun rise
The Master, the Magnificent, Beta-2 and I stood close by, in complete silence
Watching him take his last few breaths, our deaths then the Exiled closed his eyes

“He meant his parents” WAE said as the morning light shone on the Exiled’s face
Then Alpha-1 appeared looking at the destruction Beta-2 had dealt just an hour before
“I’m sorry” Alpha-1 said when he saw the Exiled as WAE got up and we all stood silent
Looking at his face, our face, like a mirror, there on the steps to the palace door

A few hours later we were back at the Alpha-1 teleportation station south of the Citadel
All of us were interviewed by investigators as to the events that had just taken place
Then I overheard some saying that the Dictator would be prosecuted by the courts
And as the investigator closed the file the last thing he said “time to turn in your brace”

TOTO was at his usual station, the lines on his monitor showed a happy face
“Glad you made it out OK” the robot said, “I’m going to miss you buddy” I replied
I took one last look at the marvel of the human potential of science and technology
But when I stepped through the portal it was not the world where I reside

It was afternoon in some small town I didn’t know or recognize
When suddenly WAE emerged out the corner of a store walking up to me
“What happened?” I asked but all my Alter Ego could do was give me a sad smile
“I have his brace” he said “I need to show you something, come with me”

We put on some disguises and teleported to a local shop in that small little town
“Master Bait and Tackle” WAE said “You know these guys have a sense of humor”
When we walked in we were greeted by an old man and his son and to my surprise
It was the Dictator’s alternate, in this world he was Jim, and his son Jimmy Jr.

The young man was about eighteen, maybe twenty years of age
WAE talked to them about finding the best fishing spots in the nearby lake
We then teleported about three miles down the road to a local diner
WAE said “the old man recommended this place for some really good cheesecake”

A young waitress came up to us and as I was about to speak I noticed her name tag
“Clara,” WAE spoke “my brother and I would like a slice of your finest cheesecake”
I was stunned for a second and that’s when WAE said to me “To punish the Dictator
The Exiled brought the children to a parallel universe, to a decent man, for heaven’s sake”

We sat in that diner, exchanging stories about our parallel paths and lives
Understanding more about ourselves and the choices we each have made
“It’s time to go home” my Alter Ego said as he looked at his watch
“Sometimes we have to find our path” he said “no matter how far we strayed”

When the portal opened the alternate covering me came out very upset
“I don’t know how you do it 92” he said “this is one insane world”
“What?” I asked and he responded “your wife, she threatened me…”
“Relax bro” I said to him laughing “she’s crazy, but that’s my girl”

I went to shake hands with my Alter Ego but instead he hugged me
“Take it easy and if it’s easy take it twice” he said all hard-nosed
I was finally home, in my own bathroom, looking back I waved goodbye
“Let’s go fuck some shit up” WAE said to the other as the portal closed

…

I checked on my children then got into my warm bed next to my sleeping wife
As she cuddled up to me I thought of my alternate versions and their universes
Falling asleep I thought of ducks, of geese, of bad soldiers chased by zombies
Of socks and moons and of all the dreams I can capture in endless verses


365 Unique
780 Total