Victor Dark. Blaine Sims

comprises genuine Cowboys. He dislikes pickles, mushrooms, and onions. Pizza, quesadillas, and pork round out his favorite foods. His brand of choice with beer is Yuengling, but he’s gained a taste for sake. Victor likes most genres of music. His favorite groups are the Eagles, Disturbed, and Rage Against the Machine. As with Andrei, a large part has to do with specific songs. If the words and composition strike a chord, it matters not what person or group is singing. Rap is not a particular choice of his, and it was not of Andrei’s.

      The two would spend time at Andrei’s apartment viewing DVDs of the group Andrei was a fan of and they made plans to attend, along with Angel, a concert the next time they rolled into town. Andrei’s suicide ended the idea. Victor found Andrei sophisticated and knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics. If a person were willing to listen with an open mind, they could learn a lot from Andrei. The man had a habit of distinguishing between his opinion and truth whenever he entered discussion. One subject he shared with Victor was he had a belief years ago the United States would develop a system to detect a ballistic missile pre-launch stage. The U.S. now has the capability and defensive system in place.

      A tenet Andrei held dear and which resonates with Victor is the belief he’d rather be alone and right than wrong in an adoring crowd. There is a lot of truth in these twelve words. The two were deliberating the tradition of celebrating Christmas. While Victor held to the conventional belief, Andrei’s thoughts caused him to ruminate, as Andrei could trigger people to do, and amounted to the following.

      If the celebration of Christmas is to recognize Jesus’ birth, then it is erroneous. The Lord Jesus was not born December 25^th. The Bible is explicit in its omission of a date. We know, according to the Holy Book, shepherds were in the fields to watch their flock at the time of His birth. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea they would have been in the fields. This would have been unlikely. In addition, Jesus’ parents went to Bethlehem to take part in a census. These censuses were not conducted in the winter months as temperatures often dropped below zero and roads were in deplorable condition.

      Therefore, to consider the referencing of the date Jesus was born as December 25^th goes against the Bible’s teaching of, “Though shall not bear false witness.” To “witness” is synonymous with authenticate, endorse, and recognize.

      If a person states, “A date isn’t important. It’s the fact we’re celebrating His birth,” then why don’t we celebrate His birth every day? Why is a specific date, and wrong one to boot, set aside? Forbid we forget the day of His birth. Let’s set aside a day to celebrate it. Yes, forbid we forget. Like we forget the other 364 days a year.

      For those who rejoice every day, give praise; among other things, you see the light, and the narrow-mindedness of man-made creations is not lost on you. A man-made creation to appease and please each other with gifts and tidings of joy when there is none; to lie to children about Santa Claus, only to mock them years later for their belief, and if they are lied to about the existence of this being, why should they not believe they are being lied to when taught about the blessing of Jesus and God? The Bible is full of references to lying and its abhorrence by the almighty Creator. Among them, Leviticus 19:11 —Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. Proverbs 6:16-9 — These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift running to mischief, a false witness who speaketh lies, and he who soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 19:9 — A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who lies shall perish. “Peace on earth; good will to men?” Where? When?

      One thing for sure Andrew Ruchkin had a knack for doing was to make people willing to think, well, think. He could make the most obstinate person reflect on their belief if they were truthful with themselves. Most people are not.

      Although neither were fans of fishing for sport, they decided to go angling for a change of pace. Andrei commented it made him reminiscence of the days he’d take his son, Cody fishing. The biggest pleasure for Victor was the freshness of open salt-water air and time to clear his mind, along with the company of a friend he treasured. No fish were caught.

      Andrei as a child

      Never expressed, he looked upon Andrei as a father figure in ways. The sentiment was not mutual. He considered Victor a ‘little brother.’

      Since he met Andrei and got turned on to Ninjutsu, photos, and posters of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, 34^th Grandmaster of Ninjutsu, and Stephen K. Hayes, the first western practitioner of the art, adorn the walls. Statuettes of Geisha girls cover his dresser. His wardrobe is casual.

      Dr. HatsumiStephen K. Hayes

      Short, Victor is a five-foot, three-inch, 135-pound adult. Of medium-dark complexion, jet-black wavy hair covers his scalp and several tattoo etchings display on his body. His dominant characteristic is he embodies ying and yang. At thirty-five, he’s a whirlwind of opposites. Complex; carrying on a discussion often results in a state of confusion for the other participant. Sometimes, it’s as if two different topics are being deliberated.

      Victor thinks himself stoic. He’s been through a lot in his 30-plus years and is dressed and ready for whatever comes next, willing to meet it head-on. Little does he know.

      Passionate moments occur throughout his on-again-off-again relationship with a female, Fortune. They enjoy pleasure and quality times together, interspersed with periods of adversity. As a youth, Victor never learned how to swim. He had no exposure to pools, lakes, ponds, or the ocean. On an outing with Fortune, the jaunt entails a trip to the Atlantic Ocean. What was to be a fun-filled learning experience proved unfortunate. The chap underwent stings from a school of Jellyfish so painful and foreign to him he thought he was attacked by sharks. A return to the water fails to take place until later in life.

      Poor luck precedes or follows good luck in their world. The day Victor receives news of this gal’s tragic death in an airplane accident is hard on him. She was his first genuine love.

      Skeptical of modern scientific principles, he believes in conceptual theory but feels something is missing. The biggest riddle is within. He loves animals and nature, and animals love him in return. Give Victor a chocolate éclair and he’ll follow you around like a puppy.

      Chapter Two

      There is no laughter, no joy, for Victor and his siblings as children. Mournful sorrow fills their souls like water overflows a cistern on a rain-soaked night. Cries of anguish and shouts of horror permeate life for them.

      Victor has difficulties in elementary school. A lack of social skills causes impediments in his academic and communal development. A smart lad, he struggles with advancement. He wants in common sense and conceptual awareness abilities. Don’t we all?

      In 2^nd grade, Victor has the hots, in the way little boys are capable, for his teacher. He delights in hearing her say, “Much, much better,” when he shows improvement. At first, during the semester, it’s rare when the opportunity arises for her to speak those words. With added attention, it increases as the year and Victor progress.

      The 3^rd grade proves difficult for the boy and he regresses. His parents separate, with his mother being awarded custody. Victor prefers being with dad. He feels closer to this man being his son and an unknown connection preoccupies the child. It will be years before he’s told of the special link.

      When Victor is eight, a moving van appears at the house three doors away during the summer. The next day, he spends a lot of time there. Victor mentions his new little playmate and friend to his brothers and sister, who are content, as it spares them his incessant interruptions with annoying questions. He describes her as cute for a girl, smart, and into all kinds of fun stuff the two enjoy together. They interact well and understand each other.

      When school starts, Victor is