Finest Argument: William Zhang

Finest Argument

written by William Zhang (Year 10)

An unusual encounter

“Please! You have to believe me!” Galiath declared, “they’re real! I saw them myself!” — b —

John Galiath knelt outside, on the cold, rough, stoney floor, hands desperately bashing against the closed sliding doors of the poorly cared for and largely forgotton Matheson

Institute of Biological Science. His research papers, drowning in nearby puddles, begging for approval. Many people shot quick glances whilst passing by. Some, out of pity. Others, of confusion. Most, of digust, or simply, disappointment.

A tall, broad shouldered, intelligent looking man by the name of Dr Morrison, known to be the head scientist of the Matheson Institute, walked from behind John and patted his shoulder’s twice.

“Sorry lad, but you’re completely out of your mind! No one would believe you even if they wanted to! Not even me.”

Dr Morrison swiped his keycard against the entrance lock. The red light above the doors beeped twice and flicked green, and he entered the science building, the doors slowly shutting behind him, and Galiath, still kneeling. As the doors met, the sound of the collision echoed incessantly in John’s ears, a sound that would haunt him for eternity. Embarrasement, anguish, melancholy, all emotionally developed through the simple display of the doors shutting and the light, flicking red. Rejection. — b —

Galiath reflected upon his memorable encounter exactly a year ago…

It was a frosty night in Richmond. John Galiath nuzzled his face into the warmth of his thick Dr. Who scarf that looked like a Tom Baker original. He switched off the lights inside the late 1800’s brick warehouse whose asbestos roof had recently been replaced with carefully selected frosted panes of glass that would control UV levels. He walked out of the entrance into a narrow cobblestone lane that was completely silent apart from his own footsteps that could be heard echoeing against the side of brick single fronted Victorian homes and turned right, progressing down a long narrow street, eventually reaching the end and entering a world of commotion.

John weaved his way impatiently between the slow moving patrons who were deciding which of the myriad Vietnamese restaurants along Victoria Street offered the best Pho. He glanced

over the crowd, looking hopefully for the side street that led to his small rundown weatherboard. As he stepped awkwardly around a young couple who suddenly hesitated, his eyes were immediately drawn to a blonde women in her mid 20s who was sitting in a bar across the street, appearing to be expecting someone. She was wearing a sparkly Forever New dress, her lips, coated with a layer of crimson rose coloured lipstick, her long, curley hair was let loose, swinging effortlessly about. An older drunk man in a slightly disheveled suit approached her, attempting to flirt and maybe secure her number, however, the woman’s expressions clearly showed she wasn’t impressed, nor interested. Galiath didn’t need his PhD to work out that this situation wasn’t going to end well. Harsh personal experience had taught him that already, and he felt sorry for the man knowing what would undoubtedly lead to uncomfortable self-reflection. Galiath quickly looked away, hoping he wasn’t caught staring, and continued walking hastily towards the street leading to his estate.

Turning into Horby Street, he noticed the two familiar gum trees on the edge of the lonely park that stood in between him and his home. They were swaying, seemingly dancing to the music blasting out in the chaotic street he was grateful to have left behind. Galiath’s stomach constricted. Even after walking through the gloomy park unscathed many times before, he couldn’t help but feel slightly anxious, knowing this was ‘hookup’ and ‘junkie territory’.

In broad daylight, the park was a safe haven, a place of relief. Like a cosy living room, it was bright, warm and welcoming. Birds sang as they perched on the wooden benches during warmer seasons, drinking out of puddles in the uneven bitumen path when it was wet. But at night, the park was an enigma and unpredictable. A whole different universe that Galiath would never understand. Frightening and elusive.

Even realising the potential danger, he was seduced by the silence and the loneliness which characterised the crepuscular park. An escape from society, where he could gaze up, searching for the occasional star on a particularily clear night, where it was bright enough to overcome the light pollution that constantly layered over the whole city. In the refreshing quietness, he filled his lungs with oxygen, bringing his thoughts to life.

Galiath entered through the rusty, metal gates and walked down his usual path. A luminous glow shone dimly behind a large rock a couple of metres ahead that was surrounded by a patch of overgrown bushes.

Anyone who was passing by during the day would’ve missed it, but the night’s dimness had revealed the presence of the strange light. He cautiously crouched to the ground and slowly shuffled towards the anonymous glow, a shell crab exploring a potential new home. He carefully brushed away the leaves and twigs in front of him, that may have given away his presence. As he got closer, his heart rate, rose, realising that the light was actually coming from some unearthly-like creature.

“Could this be?” he wondered.

Eventually, he was close enough to clearly make out the shape of the creature. Galiath looked around, seeking validation. Time seemed to stop. Before him was a small figure, flat irregularshaped that was stuck tightly to the back of a grainy rock. Its pale, green skin (if skin was the right term to describe it) was beautiful, reflecting marvellously in the moonlight. It had what took the shape of a protuberant eye, but only one. John did not dare to move, attempting to steady his breath, unable to believe that this was the same creature which had visited his lab the previous year. His eyes met with the creature’s. A sudden complex range of emotions seemed to be revealed in its single eye, suggesting to Galiath that it was friendly, yet dangerous. It seemed curious, but also lost. At that moment, but only very briefly, he felt a connection to the strange life form, as if it understood him. Moreover, in some strange way, he felt as though he and it were alike. Soon, his own feelings became conflicted and even the most discrepant of emotions – excitement, fear and curiousity became indistinguishable. The extra-terrestrial being detached itself from the rock, and stuck out an arm-shaped extension, touching Galiath’s leg. He could feel his leg hairs being brushed over, his muscles gradually tensing. The creature felt moist and slimy, yet John’s leg remained dry. Galiath grinned. “Yes. This feeling. I remember now! It was just like this!”

As it ceased to explore his body, Galiath was almost immediately struck with a desire to explore the creature himself, to touch it again… just once more.

“No. Don’t leave! Not again!”

He reached out his hand, just scraping the top surface of the creature’s head. Soon after, he was struck with fatigue. His vision began to blur. He fought hard, trying to maintain his senses, but eventually submitted.

“I was right…” he thought, his entire body incapacitated.

Smiling, he stumbled backwards. His surroundings faded. Only darkness remained.

Tantalising, eerie, other-worldly. Oh yes, all of that… but, he knew it was real.

Or did he? —•