"The Famous Billy Olson"
by
Justin Chase Mullins

The valley that is Billy Olson radiates a ghostly essence. It could be the inner pain that comes from his shattered heart and taunts whoever sees it like the moon does to man. Or when his inner tears cry they could wrap around whoever senses it like a blanket of death. He has never been sorry for the choices that he had made. Silently he dares anyone to make a mockery out of the self-proclaimed famous Billy Olson.

Every second of every day Billy thought of making a name for himself. Billy is a dreamer and someone who thinks constantly. Billy is unable to express his thoughts out loud because he doesn't want to look like a fool. Some would say that Billy has it made. His father works for one of the top law firms in this side of Kentucky and here in 1903 most boys would wish for a wealthy father.

All that Billy has ever wanted was to be famous and to matter. After much self doubt and to the aversion of his father Billy left home. He knew not where he was going, but only that he needed to act on his dreams for once in his life. The only things that Billy brought on him was the horse that he rode, the clothes on his back, and a large knife. A few days after he left home Billy grew tired of eating grass. So he drew his large knife and butchered the horse and roasted the meat by fire. A few days later he would pay for his cruelty since his journey is now by foot.

Billy's once fashionable attire is now just a glimpse of the splendor that it once was. The wear and tear of walking has eroded his black shoes. To Billy's good luck a couple of days later he came across the remains of what he guessed was a drifter. All that remains is the bones and his black boots. Billy's had a mixed reaction of sorrow and excitement. Billy looked down at the ground and noticed that there is a large hole at the top of his shoe. So he lifts his right foot in the air and checks the bottom of his shoe and discovered that the bottom is almost worn off. He sits down and removes both of his shoes. He learned that his white socks are caked with blood, due to the blisters on his feet. So Billy does what he has to do; he puts on the corpses boots. They are two sizes too big but they're countable at least. "If only this poor sap had clothes. I could get rid of my sweaty shirt and my stiff blue jeans. Maybe some lucky guy already got his clothes? At least I have the boots. Ha-ha," laughed Billy Olson.

Billy uses his survival instincts and notices that all he's seen in days is decaying land to decaying land. The effects of the journey and, most of all, the barren weather conditions have harmed Billy mentally and physically. More and more each day Billy realizes this is no longer a quest for fame. It is a quest for survival. As the sun glares against Billy's eyes he says to himself, "I have not seen anyone in a week. At least a week ago I could work for food and water. But-But now I just eat what I can find. It doesn't matter if it's insects or what. I've just gotta eat." said Billy.

It has been days since Billy last tasted water. In fact he is so deprived that the saliva in his mouth has began to vaporize into dust. "I need w-w-w-water," mumbled a dehydrated Billy Olson.

A few hours later Billy glances down at the ground and realizes that he's standing in a puddle of muddy water. The stench of the water nearly knocks him down and he hesitates. Just to be safe he viciously smacks himself across the face to see if he is truly awake. To his liking and now aching face he realizes that this is actually water mixed with mud. Billy did not hesitate one bit; he got down on all fours and dipped his head into the pig-trough like substance. As he slurped the muddy water it ran down his stubbled face "This water…wait…I mean mud is covered by flies and god knows what. It is not even fit for the livestock. I-I hope that I do not get a disease. Wait what is going to happen? I die? Hah," said a sarcastic Billy.

In that puddle Billy's reflection could be seen. Like a nightmare that has came to life, he discovered that his once ravishing looks were no longer so ravishing. He turned his head to the right and noticed that his face is bombarded by a heartless attack of grease, grime and unforgiving acne.

As Billy began to panic he openes his mouth and the dryness from his lips ached like vinegar poured in a cut. As he finally opened his mouth he was shocked to see his once pearl white teeth, stained as if he had drunk the urine from a dog.

"If there were women around here…I would surely not get anyone of my liking unless she needed the money which I no longer had, or if she were just completely bored." uttered a pessimistic Billy Olson.

Billy knew that he had to find help soon. He was still on that muddy surface and as he began to stomp off he stumbled face first into the mud. Instead of getting angry Billy began to laugh insanely and said, "I-I at least have a facial now. Maybe that can take care of my acne."

The effects of his fall had ravished the black hair he once cherished into something comparable to cow dung. After few hours Billy began to notice that the ground that he is walking on crunches with every step he takes. He compares the sound to walking on insects. Billy tried to take a deep breath but learned that his nose was also caked with the dried mud. A thought dribbled from Billy's mind "I wonder what my dad is doing back in Lexington? I gave up a life that most young men would be envious to have. All for what? To finally pay attention to my thoughts and dreams? It is all my fault and I doubt that I will ever see home again."

Not a second goes by that he doesn't regret leaving home for this selfish crusade of fame. On a rare night he could almost hear his father's soothing voice telling him to never stop living or breathing. He even acknowledges the voices that echoed in his mind as a progression of his insanity. Though the self-proclaimed Billy Olson knew that the madness has not made a mockery out of him yet.

In this flat and barren land Billy notices something that resembles a house in the distance. As he walks closer he realizes that it is a house. A since of urgency enters his mind. In some ways he figured this house might hold the key to his survival and quite possibly his fame. Billy tries to smile and notices his lips are still chapped. He moves his dry tongue out of his thirst deprived mouth and carelessly uses up the last of his saliva to moisten his grimy lips. Proudly he tucks in his grimy shirt and runs his cracked fingers through his sweaty hair.

"This town has to have food and water. I have to look like a man of wealth and fame. I know that my fame will find me and maybe it already has. Oh my God! I am talking to myself." Said the desperate Billy Olson. Billy now stands at the outskirts of this settlement. He moves his eyes and to his surprise there is only one house. The house is in great ruin. Billy feels uneasy about this place as an eerie sense of silence echoes throughout this town. Billy cautiously yells, "Hello…? Can anyone hear me? I guess not."

Billy admits that the house is a great palace of wealth compared to the road that he has traveled. As Billy approaches the house he realizes that it is no longer a palace and quite possibly a shack. Maybe it's the lime green color or just the fact that it gives him a bad vibe. A famished Billy Olson craves a drop of water. He hopes that this house will be kind. As he begins to walk up the steps, he considers these steps as a stairway to heaven. As he puts his full weight on the first step it collapses due to a termite-infestation. Billy growled, "And the house wishes to be a pain in the butt. The termites, oh the termites, as ugly as them little suckers may be, I still would eat one in a New York minute."

Billy is at the top of these three steps and standing on the empty porch. He reflects on the past and says to himself," It seemed like yesterday I was at the confined of home and with the blink of an eye I have let my dreams get the best of me. Maybe I shouldn't go into this house but what's the worst that can happen?"

As he steps into the dark house, a sense of dread runs down his spine. The sunlight shines through a broken window and lights up the left side of the room. Billy takes baby steps as he walks one foot at a time. "I wonder if the floor is going to collapse like the step outside? I better be careful," said Billy.

Billy notices that the house is without any furniture or signs of life. He begins to leave the house all together until he hears this sound. It sounds like a door opening and closing. He realizes that there is not any doors in the house. "What in the world is that? It sounds like it's coming from the corner; let's hope its food," said a hungry Billy.

Carefully Billy squints his eyes and looks towards the dark area of this one room house. He makes out a figure moving back and forth. The sweat runs like a fountain down Billy's forehead. He tries to confront this noise but the lack of refreshment has dried his throat to where the words would not come out.

A few seconds later he cleared his throat and said in a startled voice, "W-W-Who's there? Are you friend or foe? Please reveal yourself," said Billy.

Suddenly more light came into the room and Billy shockingly saw an old man rocking back and forth in a chair. The old man grinned like a rat and Billy noticed that his teeth are as black as tar and that he resembles an Amish man with his long white beard. His black beady eyes gleamed in the dark. The stench of the old man's long brown jacket makes the house smell of rot. Billy nearly throws up when he sees that the old man is not wearing a shirt, and realizes that he must be famished due to the fact that his ribs are visible. Billy thought, "Finally a rival to my filth and grime."

The old man kept rocking in the chair and did not notice Billy. He pulls out a large rusty knife and began peeling a rotten apple. Billy's first reaction was to rip the apple out of the old timer's hand and satisfy his hunger. He is hopeful that gramps will share. "Hello, ummm." said Billy

The old man snarls and says in a sinister voice, "Come away from the door and come to where I can see ya? You were going to ask for an apple weren't ya?"

For the first time since his days in Kentucky, Billy was scared. In fact he was beyond terrified of this odd creature. The Old Man has a voice like no other that he has ever heard.

"Look Mr. Old Guy I do not want any trouble. I am just passing through and looking for food and drink. So…I will just be on my merry way."

Billy starts to back peddle but stops and decides not to run from his fears. To face the impossible and to accomplish his dreams of being someone. "I-I can not think of the last time that I have eaten." But, when that time was I do remember eating a rotten cherry. And that was the last real delicacy that I've had. Would you please share that apple," said a proud Billy.

The old man doesn't think anything of Billy's cry for hunger; in fact he is amused by it and he suckles the last few remains of the apple. At once the blood in Billy's veins began to boil with a sense of pure hatred that he has never felt.

Now the amazing ideas that Billy had were replaced by the need for survival and to make the old man pay. "My God man, I have traveled for so long that I don't know what day it is. I don't know where I am nor do I really care. All that I really want is something to eat," said Billy.

The old man jumps out of the chair on his hands and knees. Blood begins to pour from his brittle mouth and he crawls like a dog after Billy. "Oh my God…" said Billy.

Billy turns for the entrance without the door and begins to run for the porch for his life. But, he forgets about the termite infested steps and he trips over the bottom step. He tries to get up, but the extreme pain of the fall keeps him from it. Billy has injured his right knee in the fall and the old man stands over Billy laughing evilly.
Without notice the sun no longer shined and the Old Man said, "You won't be eating but I sure will, I'll tell ya that much."

Billy had vivid flashbacks of his youthful childhood all the way up to his present state and realized that he is about to be butchered by this ungodly creature. "Go ahead and eat me- the dreamer. Whoever you are…whatever you are, I hope you enjoy yourself," said Billy.

The Old Man begins to make a sucking motion with his mouth as if he was going to swallow Billy Olson whole, but then he stopped and said, "You are the dreamer and oh what I dream."

The sound of flies buzzing can be heard and Billy is smothering due to being face first in the mud. He takes his two hands and does a push up to get himself out of the predicament. Billy stands facing the sunset and looks around to see where he is. He can see miles of decaying land and comes to realize that he is at the mud puddle that he fell into earlier. "What is going on here? That's it…yes, right. I must have hit my head to hard or just passed out due to dehydration. There is not an Old Man, there isn't, I just know there isn't." said Billy.

Billy begins to pull at his hair, and laughs hysterically. Apparently the Old Man took more then Billy's life, he took his sanity. In this wasteland the dreamer who always dreamed is condemned to a lifetime of his nightmares.