WE #25 CK

     "Not all is as it appears. Nothing is real... yet everything is real. But the important thing is to sift the illusions from reality." Diego listened to the old man mumble, but mostly he was daydreaming. Father Irving had been labelled as the town lunatic, but Diego didn't mind. Some days, his eyes were brimming with stories. Other days, quiet delusions would escape his lips. And on rare occasions, Diego would pocket a cookie to carry home after one of his visits. Diego liked Father Irving. But there were days he would wonder what those delusions meant.
                                   ~
     It was a Sunday afternoon and the clouds were congregating together into a giant mound. The ocean waves smashed angrily into the sand, dismissing even the most adventurous of surfers from its grasp. Diego gazed from the shore, completely at home with the stormy weather. He remained motionless as the wind combed through his midnight-stained hair. Growing increasingly ominous, the cloud mass was suspended threateningly as Father Irving appeared on the scene.
     "Diego! What are you doing here? It's too dangerous for you to be out."
     "What are you talking about? It's just a storm. Nothing to be scared of, Father Irving." As soon as the words escaped the boy's lips, however, a massive crash was heard nearby. Father Irving pulled the boy aside.
     "It's not just a storm, Diego. You need to get out of here. Quickly!" Diego wondered if this was another one of Father Irving's delusions, but he stayed quiet nonetheless.
     "Come with me," Father Irving urged, guiding the boy towards the ocean surf.
     "Wait! I thought you wanted me away from the ocean." Diego spoke, inquisitively.
     "It's time you learned of what I have spoken." And with that, he yanked at a foamy crest, revealing a perfectly dry world beneath. Diego couldn't believe what he was seeing.

     "Go on. And hurry!" Diego started for the world beneath the watery curtain, but caught a glimpse of an army of malevolent creatures headed for Father Irving.
     "Father Irving, what is going on? Who are you really?"
     "I am a wizard, Diego."And with that, the glossy waves crashed over the boy's head and Father Irving disappeared from his sight.
     Diego arrived on a serene island after journeying through various caverns beneath the sea. The earth seemed so peaceful, almost at ease. The cloudless sky was a stark contrast from the stormy beach he had surveyed only hours before. Yet, the boy felt concern for Father Irving. He may be a wizard, but even wizards need a little help now and again. Diego attempted to peel the foamy waves from the sand as Father Irving had done, but it was to no avail. All he could do now was wait.