Langston 1

Matea Langston
Professor Engelbrecht
English 001, MWF 1-2:50
16 September 2015
Illusions
I could feel the dryness of my mouth and the cracking of my lips. Sand whipped around
me and I could feel grains fall from my eyelashes into my eyes, scraping them with excruciating
pain. The sand was so hot it burned the soles of my feet through my thin moccasin like shoes.
Contrary to the common view of deserts being flat, this one had hills tall enough that you could
see for miles once you got to the top. My legs quivered, ready to collapse under my weight at
any given moment. My whole body ached as I inched forward, the wind working against me.
I need to find help. I thought. If I dont find help soon, Ill die.
I take my phone out of my pocket to make another useless check for service. Nothing. I
trudge on looking for any sign of life in this barren wasteland. That was when I saw the stark
white, glimmering building against the bland background of tan dust. It had wide elongated
windows with thick panes. I couldnt see much of the detail in the windows since it was a bit
aways but its bright, transparent colors outlined a picture of what looked like Jesus.
It must be a church. There has to be a priest or nun or someone inside.
I start to force myself to walk faster, I pick up one foot at a time, each step becoming
heavier and heavier. My head was pounding, everything inside of me was telling me to give up. I
could hardly breathe and I felt like I wasnt making any progress no matter how far I walked. I
looked up to see how far away the church was, and before I knew it, it was right in front of me.
Its doors were tall and pointed at the top and outlined with baby blue trim. I grabbed the handles

Langston 2

and push the heavy door as hard as I can but I couldnt manage to get it open. It was like
someone was keeping it from opening.
Please, Help! I cried. Please just open the door!
Im sorry but Im afraid I cant do that. I heard a barely audible, but familiar voice say
to me.
Why not? What kind of church are you? I said, not even having enough energy to get
angry. I leaned back and slowly slid down the splintered door. I could barely stand to knock
anymore with my dry and peeling knuckles. I laid down and thought,
Just for a moment. Ill rest just for a moment. Then I slipped into a dark and deep sleep
for much longer than a moment.
***
Youre lucky to be alive Miss Bradford. The doctor said to me as I scanned the vast and
sterile room. Not only did you land in a place so far away from everyone else that skydived, but
you were faced with grave conditions. When we found you were practically dead.
What was with the church that wouldnt let me inside I asked
What church are you talking about? The doctor seemed puzzled
The one I fell asleep by? I should have been there when you found me?
We never found you by a church Miss Bradford, you must have been having delusions
from dehydration. The doctor said to me. How vividly our minds could trick us cant they?
He says just as the whole room morphs from a hospital building back to the desert.
I lift my head from the sage smelling sand to find a church nowhere in sight.