Jimmy was a quiet sort of guy. He always seemed happy but inside he was everything but. From the outside you would think he had everything going for him. He had good friends, a family that loved him, and a girlfriend whom he loved very much. He had a problem though. He loved to bend the truth.
For instance, just this morning he told his mom that he had already taken the trash out when she called. He was really playing video games at that time and had been all morning. He did take the trash out a little later but a lie is a lie.
Yesterday he told his best friends that he couldn't go to the movies because he had to finish his chores. The truth was he had already seen the movie. He did have one chore left but he didn't have to take out the trash until the next day. That's when the trash men came to collect it.
His girlfriend wasn't immune to it either. In fact he has lied to everyone he wass close to. Not big lies but white lies. Lies that are really more like bent truths than lies. Most of the time his intentions behind them were good though obviously misguided.
One would think that this practice would not be harmful but fate sometimes has other ideas about what is right and what is wrong. Jimmy was soon to find this out first hand.
He crashed into bed that Friday night exhausted from playing outside with his friends. The next day he was awakened by a strange noise. He looked around the room trying to figure out what could have caused it but soon fell back asleep.
"Just a few more minutes." He thought to himself.
"Jimmy!" A loud echoing voice called to him.
"Go away dad I'm trying to sleep!" Jimmy screams angrily.
"Jimmy!" the voice calls again.
"OK fine I'll get up." Jimmy complies as he opens his eyes.
He is astonished to find that he isn't in his room any longer. His eyes dart around the room looking for the source of the mysterious voice. It appears that he is in a cave of some sort. The walls were slimy and he could smell a musky odor that resembled that of wet dog, only worse.
"Who's there?" Jimmy stuttered slightly afraid. "What do you want with me? Why did you bring me here?"
"Foolish child." The voice called sternly, "I didn't bring you here. You were sent here."
"Why?" Asked Jimmy.
All of a sudden Jimmy heard the sound of chains breaking. A low growl fills the air as the sound of claws scratching the cave floor get closer and closer. Jimmy could tell that this creature was huge. he was afraid but he couldn't move.
"Because you lie too much!" The creature yelled as it finally appeared from a dark corner of the cave.
Jimmy scooted backward and tripped over a dip in the cave floor and began to scamper toward the wall. The creature had him cornered now but he knew even if he could get away there was no way he could outrun such a humongous creature. He said a short silent prayer asking for forgiveness. He hadn't realized his lying had become such a problem.
The creature raised it's giant paw with claws extended and ready to strike. Jimmy felt that it was the end but just before the creature struck a tiny ball of extremely bright light blinded the creature. For a moment it even blinded Jimmy. The creature ran back into a dark tunnel just as the light began to fade.
"It's about time you got here." The little ball of light scorned. "He's gotten loose now. Had I been a moment later he would have torn you to shreds."
"As if this day wasn't weird enough already." Jimmy mumbled. "Now I have to deal with an angry fairy."
"I am not a fairy!" The tiny ball of light retorted. "I'm kind of your guardian."
"Kind of?" Jimmy responded very puzzled. "I think you did a great job so far. Now how do we get out of here."
"Well, that's where the kind of part comes in. You have to find your own way out of here but first I need to give you something."
"So what are you waiting for?" Jimmy snapped.
"Over here." The tiny ball of light called as it flew to a dark corner of the cave. "This is yours."
There in the dim light of the creature was a sword and a suit much like those of the super heroes in the comic books. It was solid white and laced with red on the edges there were no sleeves but there appeared to be some sort of armor that hung over the shoulders underneath the fabric.
"Oh no." Jimmy responded. "There is no way I'm wearing that!"
"Suit yourself but here in this realm you are known as 'The White Lie'. The only superhero strong enough to defeat the beast you just had the pleasure of almost being eaten by. However you have no power without wearing it. That sword there would be more like a toothpick."
A scream is heard echoing from a far tunnel in the cave and it catches Jimmy's ear.
"Stephie!" Jimmy yelled frantically. "What is she doing here you... you... light bulb?"
"All those that are close to your heart that you've been dishonest with are here."
"Oh brother." Jimmy says as he dawns his new uniform, "This is going to be a long day"
Jimmy takes off in the direction of the screams. The little ball of light stays with him giving him enough light to see his way. He draws his sword as he nears an opening to another large room in the cave. He can smell the beasts foul odor as he creeps along the outer wall in search of his sister. It wasn't long before he spotted her up ahead chained to the wall in a slight recess.
"Jimmy!" She shouts joyfully as she spots him. "I'm so glad to see you but you should get out of here. There's a huge beast out there somewhere."
"I know," Jimmy replied, "and it's my fault you're here. If I hadn't lied to you and everyone else about something none of us would be here."
"You?" Stephie said as if he had just told her he grew another arm during the night."That can't be. You've always been the most honest person I've ever known."
"Well, I had gotten into a habit of bending the truth a bit. like yesterday I told mom I'd taken out the trash already when the truth was I was just about to take it out."
"What lies have you told me then?"
"I can't remember. I've been trying to think of what it was but nothing comes to mind."
"No matter what happens little brother I still love you. I always will and nothing can change that."
"I love you too Stephie." He said as he wraps his arms around her. "I'll figure out how to get us all out of here. Don't you worry."
At that moment Jimmy began to here the beasts claws running on the cave floor. They were getting closer and closer until it suddenly stopped. Jimmy couldn't let go of his sister. He was heartbroken that he had brought her here with him.
"Awe isn't that cute?" The beast snarled. "But you'll never make it out alive dear Jimmy!"
Jimmy spins around quicker than the average human can blink and unsheathed his sword. He looked the beast straight in the eyes and then began to swing. The little ball of light flew up to the top of the room and let it's lite shine bright enough for Jimmy to see how to fight. The beast matched Jimmy blow for blow. Claws against steel filled the cavern with a beautiful melody.
The beast seemed to have the upper hand as he knocked Jimmy's sword aside and sliced his arm with one of his claws. Jimmy screamed out in agony but kept fighting. He continued matching the beast blow for blow but he couldn't keep up. The beast landed another blow to his leg. Jimmy knew he was in trouble if he didn't think of something fast.
He ran from the beast to give himself a little time to think and to give his arms a little rest. He decided on a hail marry and ran straight for a wall. The beast had him cornered now but when Jimmy reached the wall he kept running. With a burst of strength and speed Jimmy flipped around kicked off the wall and swung straight at the beasts head. The beast raised it's paw in defense but seemed to be afraid at what it had just witnessed because it ran off into another dark tunnel. It had left something behind however. Jimmy had chopped one of the beasts claws off.
He ran back over to his sister.
"Jimmy!" His sister yelled when she saw his arm and leg. "Are you alright? You're bleeding!"
"I'll be fine." He reassured her. "They aren't that deep."
They talked for a little while about life in general. He hadn't seen his sister in a good while because she had moved with her husband across the country. They only got to see each other a few times a year when they came to visit. It was then when he finally remembered the lie.
"Do you remember Ricky's surprise party?" Jimmy began.
"Of course I do." Stephie replied, "I was so happy that you were able to make it. Even though you did forget the cake"
"I didn't forget it. I was on my way with the cake but I had to make a quick stop. The cake was ruined. I went back to the bakery and had them make a new one but obviously it wasn't gonna be ready in time for me to make it to the party so I went. I told you that I had forgotten it and secretly sent mom after it a few minutes later."
Jimmy saw a smile creep across his sisters face but before she could say anything the chains fell from her wrists and she faded away like she were never there. Jimmy knew what she was going to say. He could almost hear her cheerful voice reassuring him. He also noticed that the wounds on his arm and leg had healed. He knew then what he had to do.
He didn't linger long. He knew the beast was out there somewhere just waiting to attack and he had to rescue the rest of the people he inadvertently sent here. He set off through a nearby tunnel the little ball of light leading the way.
"I should tell you more about the beast." The little ball of light said as they walked. "His only desire is to kill you. If he succeeds then you will cease to exist. Then he will live on in your place."
"Don't you worry." Jimmy reassured the little ball of light. "The only one that's gonna do any dying is him if he gets in my way again."
After walking for what seemed like hours the tunnel finally widens into another great cavern. He is once again greeted by the smell of that foul beast. He could hear its claws scratching the ground as it came to meet him.
"It's about time you got here." The beast taunted. "Your mom has been waiting for you."
"Mom!" Jimmy shouted his voice full of worry.
"Don't worry Jimmy." The little ball of light said calmly "He wouldn't harm her. If he had the chance he'd have everyone locked in here. I'll shed some light on the situation"
The little ball of light flew up to a high spot in the middle of the room as before. Jimmy, with a stern look on his face gave the beast an ultimatum.
"Out of my way or the next thing you'll taste is my steel piercing through your heart."
"You?" The beast laughed. "I seem to remember you were the one that nearly died last time we met but if you insist I'll be glad to end you right here in front of your dear old mom."
"Bring it!"
Jimmy leads the offensive with a thrust as he unsheathes his sword but the beast was quick to block. Jimmy turns and with a speed the beast hadn't seen from him before cuts his paw. The beast quickly retaliates with a fierce blow with his paw sending him flying across the room. Jimmy gets back up barely fazed at all and charges again jumping just before he reaches the beast preparing for a vertical slash like before but the beast whips around and bashes him with his tail.
"Not this time Jimmy boy' The beast taunts as Jimmy flies against the wall.
Jimmy takes a moment to catch his breath before charging again slicing away at the beast. The beast matches him blow for blow but his claws are starting to wear down. Jimmy sees the effect his sword is having and makes another strong blow. The blow seemed to have affected the beast but it gave one last swing. Jimmy dodged it jumped up and sliced the beasts arm. It then ran off again into a dark tunnel.
Once the adrenaline wore off Jimmy collapsed to the floor. Being hit twice and slammed into a wall had taken more of a toll on him than he had realized. There beside him lies another of the beasts claws. When Jimmy saw it a smile came across his face and he struggled to his feet. He walked over to where his mom was chained using the sword as a crutch. She appeared to be unconscious.
"Mom." He said gently while brushing the side of her face with the back of his hand.
She began to move with the sound of his voice and the touch of his hand. She looked up at him with a smile on her face. She tried to hug him but had forgotten she was bound by the chains. He embraced her with a hug as if he hadn't seen her in years.
"Jimmy!" She spoke with an excited tone. "I thought you would be bound up somewhere like me. The thought had me worried sick. I didn't know who had brought me here or what they wanted but I couldn't help but think I wasn't the only one of us that was brought here."
"It's my fault we're all here mom." He admitted. "I haven't been entirely truthful to you. Like the other day when you asked me if I had taken out the trash I really hadn't done it yet and when I sent you after Ricky's cake I didn't forget it I just had to have another one made because I ruined the first one."
Just as before the chains fell from his mothers wrists and she faded away. Jimmy felt much better now and could once again walk under his own power. He thought for a moment as he saw a trail of blood leading down the tunnel the beast had ran into. Once he looked around the room he saw another tunnel leading in a different direction.
"I think we better go this way for now." He said to the little ball of light as he walked toward the other tunnel. "I'm more concerned with freeing the rest of the people I've imprisoned here than I am with the beast."
They started down the tunnel and before long the came to another open space with other tunnels leading out in different directions. He saw his dad chained to a far wall and started running toward him. When his dad noticed him he had a look of shock on his face.
"Jimmy?" His dad said in dismay. "Of all the people that could've sent me here you were the last one I would've expected. You've always been so trustworthy."
"I know dad but white lies are still lies. I never realized how caught up in them I had become. Wait, you know about this place?"
"Yes. I was sent here myself as a child. I was a terrible liar but this place taught me the error of my ways."
"Wow, I never knew. Hey maybe you can help me find my way around since you've been here before. I could tell you the truth and your chains would pop open but then you'd disappear. Maybe if I do this."
Jimmy unsheathes his sword and strikes at the chains a few hard times and they finally break. He looks at his dad with a smile and slides his sword back into it's sheath.
"So dad which way do you think we should go next? I'm trying to concentrate on getting everyone out of here. Then I'll deal with the beast."
His dad looks around for a minute and smells the air around the tunnel entrances.
"That way leads back to the beasts lair." He said as he pointed to tunnel to the right. "The other two lead to other rooms like this. The one on the left is most likely a dead end so I say we head that way first."
Jimmy nods and they head into the tunnel. As they neared the next room the tunnel began to get smaller and smaller. The entrance to the room was barely wide enough for Jimmy to squeeze through. Jimmy was horrified when he finally got into the room. It was so small there was barely enough room for him and the prisoner whom he loved very much. His girlfriend was chained to the wall much like the others but Jimmy knew she hated small spaces.
"Sarah." he said with a small voice as he touched her cheek. "Sarah it's me wake up."
She began to stir and she looked up at him with a tear in her eye. He leaned down and kissed her gently.
"It's ok I'm here now." He said wiping the tears from her eyes. "I know this must've been hard on you. I"m sorry I put you through this."
Sarah couldn't speak because she was crying but Jimmy continued.
"Remember when we were out walking by the river and you thought something was bothering me? Well, there was something bothering me. My best friend and I had just gotten into a huge fight the day before. The things he said to me were really bothering me. I didn't realize how important it was for me to tell you the truth then. I promise I will never lie to you again."
He wraps his arms around her and squeezes her tight. As the chains fall from her wrists she puts her arms around his neck for just a moment before she fades away. Jimmy squeezes back through the entrance to the tunnel and meets back up with his dad on the other side.
"That beast is going to pay!" Jimmy shouted. "He didn't have to torture her like that."
"You do realize that you were the one that did so." His dad said. "Her knowing you were hurting and not being able to comfort you in your time of need was like torture to her."
Jimmy knew he was right but it still made him angry. With a quick word he told his dad the truth.
"I knew where the remote to the TV was. I was just in a hurry to meet up with my friends."
Within moments his dad was gone. There was nothing left in that tunnel but the bits of metal that were around his dad's wrists. He suddenly felt very alone. Still he pressed on. Once he reached the room he was in before. He stopped for a while to think. He could only think of three other people he had lied to. His friends.
"They must be down this tunnel." He thought to himself as he walked into it.
Then and only then would he face the beast again. This time it would be a fight to the finish. Jimmy knew that he could win so he pressed on walking as fast as he could towards his friends. He entered the room and to his relief they were all there.
"Boy am I glad to see all you guys in one place. I feel like I've been walking in this cave for days. OK the truth is I could've gone with you to the movies the other day but I had already seen it."
To his shock they didn't disappear nor did the chains fall from their wrists. His friends just looked at one another and then back at Jimmy as if Jimmy had lost his mind. Before any of them had a chance to speak Jimmy spoke up again.
"I know what I haven't told you yet. Yes I did think it was rude of you guys to intrude on my date with Sarah the other day. Yes, yes I did think it was stupid for us to go to that abandoned building outside of town."
To his relief the chains finally popped off their wrists and they faded away. Now all that was left was to destroy the beast that had brought him here. He could smell fresh air coming from a nearby tunnel but he knew the beasts lair was the other direction. He could smell a hint of that foul odor in the air. He took that tunnel and began to walk. It was a long winding tunnel that seemed to go on for days but he finally came to a room.
To his dismay it only branched off into other tunnels but he knew exactly which one to take. The smell was strong. Before he moved on he decided it would be a good Idea to mark the tunnel that he came from so he could find his way back to the cave entrance. He took his sword and made a gash in the wall next to it. Then he carried on to the beasts lair.
Once he entered the tunnel he knew that this would be the last time they fought. The beast also been preparing himself for battle while Jimmy had been rescuing the rest of the people in the cave. His claws had grown back and he adorned them with a thick metal. His wounds were beginning to heal and he felt confident that Jimmy would fall. He growled deeply as he saw the light from the little ball that had been following Jimmy getting closer and closer.
Jimmy was again horrified once he entered the beasts lair. He not only saw the beast with his new improvements but the entire cave wall was covered in what looked like prison cells. In each one was a person. Jimmy recognized some of them. They were from his high school.
"Like what you see Jimmy?" The beast taunted. "This is your image. What you want everyone to see about you. Lets face it Jimmy you're afraid of the truth. You'd never tell them who you really are."
"I'm afraid of nothing!" Jimmy said as he charged at the beast.
They matched each other blow for blow but Jimmy was careful to keep the beasts claws on the other side of his sword. He knew what it felt like to have them taste his flesh and he wasn't about to let that happen again. He noticed the beasts improvements and that he would have to think of another way to get the upper hand this time. His mind begins to turn as he thrusts and parries.
"There has to be a way to get past his defense." Jimmy thinks to himself.
No matter what Jimmy thinks of it seems the beast has an answer for it. The beast was as ferocious as ever but Jimmy was confident. He displayed skills in swordsmanship that he never would've believed had he been watching himself fight. The beast nearly slashed Jimmy's arm as the fight drug on but it was Jimmy who took first blood. He slashed the back of the beasts paw. The beast roared in agony and Jimmy got an Idea.
It wasn't long before Jimmy had his chance. He grasped his sword tightly and as the beast slashed at him he jumped back and pinned it's paw to the ground. Without a moment's hesitation he parried the beasts counterstrike with a well timed kick giving him all the time he needed to retrieve his sword and plunge it into the beasts heart.
The beast let out a gurgled roar as it fell to it's side and then to it's back. Jimmy was quick to jump up and retrieve his sword returning it to it's sheath. He jumped down and once again took a look around the room at the hundreds of prison cells. He took a moment to reflect before he understood what he needed to do. He walked over to the center of the room and with a loud voice he began to speak.
"Listen up everyone. I know you don't understand why you're all here but I have one thing to say. I am a Christian! I know when most of you had looked at me in the past you didn't see it. I never denied it when you spread rumors of my impurity. I didn't lie to each of you with my mouth but it was my actions that were so untrue. Worst of all I lied to myself. I began to believe the lies I'd been living rather than the truth. I'm not the inconsiderate jock I've been pretending to be. I don't care about my image. If you guys decide to make me the most unpopular guy in school from now on then so be it. I have to be true to myself from now on."
Once Jimmy finished speaking the room was filled with the sound of prison cells opening and within moments the cave was empty. The beast drew one last gurgled breath as he began to take a dramatically different shape. Jimmy ran over only to see himself staring back at him.
"A lie is a powerful thing Jimmy." The little ball of light said. "Even the smallest can have the greatest effect. There is no such thing as a white lie. Now that you've learned this you are no longer The White Lie. You are a soldier of the truth. I will help you make the right decisions but I am a gentleman. If you refuse my help then my light will begin to fade as you hide me from everyone as you did before."
The little ball of light was no longer just a tiny ball but it had grown to the size of a person and it was so bright Jimmy couldn't look at it.
"Thanks for helping me. I'll be sure and listen from now on. I'm just glad that I was given another chance."
With that Jimmy walked back to the tunnel he had marked that led him back to the entrance to the cave. He walked for what seemed like an hour before he reached the outside. At the mouth of the cave was a field of beautiful flowers spread out through a sea of gentle grass. Jimmy began to walk through it smiling as he took in all the beauty. His eyes began to grow heavy as the smell of the flowers seemed to make him drowsy. It wasn't long before he was curled up in the grass sleeping like a baby.
When he woke up he was back in his bed. He threw back the covers and jumped to his feet. It was Saturday. He remembered everything from the cave but he counted it as a dream. Nevertheless he was a changed man. From that day forward he never told another lie. Neither with words nor with actions.
He looked in the mirror and something caught his eye. Leaning against the nightstand was the sword he'd used to slay the beast. He could also see the scars left behind from the beasts claws but when he turned around the sword was gone. He looked back at his arm and there were no scars. It was then he heard a still small voice.
"Remember."
