Welcome to Endo the night. I'm Narri your guide on today's excursion down a
twisted path. Be careful not to get lost, be it dark or light.
It's easy to lose your way. Are you ready, then let's begin.
See you on the flip side. Traveling through familiar countryside, Cannon McLeod
watched through the train window, deep in thought. The vibrant blue of the
sky and the bright reds, yellows and oranges of a lovely autumn splashed along
the sides of the tracks like an impressionist painting. He'd longed for home,
but in some ways he felt as though he'd never left it. So much
in his life had changed. However, even though he knew this route well,
he still felt somewhat out of place. Love has a way of doing
that to a Personson. His grandmother once told him. At the time,
he hadn't understood her wise words. One look at Audrey Mason changed all that
in an instant. He knew everything changed when they had that chance encounter while
he traveled for work. Finding love never entered into his plans, and falling
in love with Audrey certainly complicated everything he thought he knew about life. Audrey
brought an immediate light to his otherwise narrow existence. The sound of her voice,
the scent of her perfume, and the vitality she exuded intoxicated Canon.
He'd never met anyone like her. She makes me feel more like me.
A chance meeting at a place neither expected to be brought them together. Once
they started talking, they didn't want to stop. Bumping into a stranger who
feels like a good friend is amazing, Yes, amazing. As Cannon stared
out the window, the blue sky reminded him of her eyes. I don't
think I'll ever go anywhere without something reminding me of you, Audrey. He
pictured the moment he met her in his mind. He could hear her voice,
sultry yet sweet. Their first conversation lasted hours. They walked around the
park where they met until nightfall, followed by dinner out, then a drive
to a scenic overlook to stare at the stars. Even the stars shine brighter
when I'm with Audrey. Their initial meeting turned into days, then weeks.
Canon admitted that he neglected his work, and his bosses had every right to
be angry when he returned nearly empty handed, but Audrey was all he could
think about. She's all I'll ever think about. Their connection, undeniable to
both Canon and Audrey, drew them headlong into an intense love affair. Inseparable.
They allowed themselves to be vulnerable. They each had their own reasons,
but vulnerability never came easily in the past. I feel safe when I'm with
you, Canon, I know what you mean. I've spent my entire life
guarding myself against the world, but with you, I only want to share
everything about me. Given that feeling of total freedom to be oneself, they
shared details about themselves that no one else ever knew. One night, as
they held each other under the multitude of stars that twinkled in the dark sky
above them, their conversation turned to their work. Audrey was a child psychologist
at a local school district. The pay is decent and I have summers off,
but my biggest reward is helping the kids. So many of them carry
burdens no one their aige should have to, and then they lash out in
the classroom. I help them work through their anger issues and their trauma.
My mom was a school counselor in Chicago for years before we moved to the
country and she became a stay at home mom. She'd love you. You're
both so much alike. Funny you should mention it, but I know my
family would love you too. I don't go back to Montana as often as
I should, but I miss it. They'd probably never want you to leave
once they met you. Tell me about your family. Well, my mom
is an artist. She has her own gallery. My dad is a civil
engineer. I have three brothers, Todd, Matt, and Travis. They're
all older than I am. I also have a little sister named Emily.
For the next hour, Audrey told him funny stories from when she grew up.
Her sense of humor and adventure were infectious, and both were qualities that
immediately attracted Cannon to her. You told me you're a scientist. Tell me
more about that. Well, I study the environment and take notes to see
if I find any information that could help preserve our ecosystem. So you're an
ecologist of sorts. I've always loved animals and the environment. Growing up in
Montana, it was hard not to fall in love with nature. The winters
are brutal, but the views are incredible and the summers are stunning. My
family went to Montana one summer on vacation when I was about nine. Ah,
just think we could have met each other back then. Her eyes sparkled
at the thought. Yeah, that would have been great. Cannon stared at
the sky. You're awfully quiet. Did I say something wrong? What are
you talking about, Audrey? Well, you haven't said anything for five minutes,
not a word since you said it would have been great to meet as
kids. Was it that long? I'm sorry, I was just daydreaming.
I guess about what that would have been like. He leaned over and gently
kissed her. No need to worry. I'd love to have had you in
my life all this time. Time. You're the most remarkable person I've ever
met. She smiled and ignored his strange silence from a moment before, and
they spent a magical night together. Cannon's eyes searched the view outside the train
for any sign of something he didn't recognize. Nothing caught his eye, and
he knew he was on the same route he traveled home a thousand times.
His thoughts returned as they probably always would to Audrey. Their days, weeks,
and months together were the happiest of their lives. I don't want to
jump the gun on this. But I can see us growing old together with
our grandchildren and great grandchildren, playing in our yard and sitting in our laps.
Her blue eyes looked up into cannons as they lounged on a blanket at
the same park where they met. His heart leapt. There's nothing I want
more than that. Every fiber of his being wanted to anchor himself to Audrey.
He could see the life she described, and it brought a bittersweet smile
to his lips. Audrey sat up. You sound like you don't think it's
possible, though, Canon, there's something you're not telling me. He opened
his mouth to protest. No, Canon, it's true. I've felt it
for a long time, and I've given you time to tell me on your
own. I'm done waiting. I want answers. He set up, but
hunched his shoulders over, trying to give himself more time before he had to
face her. Canon. I deserve to know, yes, you do.
He sat straight and looked into her eyes, searching for forgiveness. I should
have told you from the beginning, but I haven't wanted to risk losing any
moment with you. What's the truth? Her voice was no longer sultry and
sweet but defensive. I know you've been lying to me. I haven't lied
to you. I just haven't told you the whole truth. She sat silent,
waiting. This is going to sound impossible to you. Everything I've told
you is true. My family lived in Chicago and then moved to the country.
I went to Montana when I was a boy. I didn't accuse you
of lying about those things. But those are part of the lie, even
though they are true. Canon enough of the riddles and wordplay. Tell me
what's going on. He took an anxious breath and took her hand in his.
My Chicago and my Montana are not the same as yours. I don't
understand. It's hard to but hear me out. I told you, I'm
a scientist, an ecologist of sorts. Audrey nodded. She took shallow breaths,
and her heart rates sped. I am a scientist, and I was
sent on this mission mission. Yes, I was sent here to study and
learn what I could, even though I haven't done my job while here,
I was supposed to collect data to take home. He paused, and they
watched each other's faces while each tried to navigate this conversation. My home isn't
exactly like your home, but in some ways it's exactly like yours. Audrey
stood to walk away. Don't go. I told you to stop with the
word games. Damn it. I want answers. I've given you everything I
have, and this is the best you can give me. I thought better
of you. Canon. He reached for her hand and stood, you're right.
I need to just tell the truth. Our worlds are parallel universes.
We are happening at the same time, most likely even in the same space,
but neither is aware of the other universe. Normally, you exist here
and I exist there. I was sent here to prove a theory, and
I have. You exist and I exist at the same time, but in
a different yet same place. He put his arms around her, and she
looked away. I don't expect you to understand it at all. I don't
understand it at all. I don't think even the professors who sent me here
completely understand. All I know is that I'm here and I love you.
But you can't stay, can you. You can't have a life with me?
Ever, His face winced in pain. No, I can't. You
should have told me before I fell in love with you. Audrey, you
know is well as I do, that neither of us could have stopped our
love. The moment we saw each other, we knew. Tears rolled down
her cheeks. Slowly, she nodded, you're right, We've always known.
She held him. What now I have to go back? No, I
have to. I don't want to. I can feel it. Though part
of me is crumbling. I can't explain it, but part of me is
coming apart. I'm being stretched too thin remaining here. I don't want to
leave you, Audrey. If you want me to stay here, I will
for whatever time I have left. His sobs broke her. She held him
and smoothed his hair with her hand. I believe you. You have to
go back, though I could never live with myself if I chose for you
to die. They clung to each other, tears mingling with tears. I
will never forget you. You are my very heart and soul, I swear,
Audrey. I will work to find a way to come back to you.
I know I'll never love anyone else. No matter where we are,
you will be the only one I love. Come back to me if you
can, She stepped away from him as he stood broken in front of her.
Go Canon, you need to go. I'll never forget you. She
turned and walked away as the autumn leaves swirled down around her in a gust
of October wind. After watching her go, Canon looked out at a place
he loved and would miss. He pulled a small device from his coat pocket.
It resembled a detonator with a button eye at the top. He twisted
the knob, the button sprang up, and he pushed it while clenching his
eyes tight. Audrey's face was all he saw as he spun through the mysteries
of time and space, finding himself in the laboratory at the university where he'd
begun his journey. After a few weeks of debriefing, he was granted a
leave of absence. Now sitting on a train heading through a place that was
both home yet never would be again, he closed his eyes and cried,
thank you for joining me. For this episode of the Into the Night Anthology
podcast. Written by Caroline Giamanco, narrated by Nari Quak, Theme music by
Nico Rodriguez, all other original music, sound design and editing by Omenhawk Studios.
You can find our links in the show notes. Into the Night is
on your favorite podcatcher, so make sure to like, subscribe, and leave
a five star review to help other excursionists to join us. I'll see you
next time, and remember, whether in the shadows or in the daylight,
all twisted paths lead you into the night. Into the Night Anthology is a
creative typo entertainment production