Past Lives - Part 7

Past Lives is a collaborative writing project which features creative and clever stories from bloggers around the world. Our story starts with a fictional Australian character called David. As a last ditch effort to resolve his phobias, David goes through Past Life Regression (PLR) therapy. Join us as we follow David's past life journey through different times and continents.

If you are just joining us, please read Part 1 of the story and follow the links at the end of each story to learn where David's journey takes him. Please note that you will be traveling to different blogs as each author adds their story.


Henry from the roof- “Hey boss! Don’t stand right under it! Move outta the way. Please, Boss! If it drops…..”

Zane- “Shut-up! Get that thing off of that rope right now!

Henry- “As you wish, Mr. Zane.”

CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop!

Dr. Harlowe switches off the video.
"David, is this too upsetting for you? It's been over a week since your last visit and I hope you are rested and have been thinking about your progress."

David has a stunned look on his face. He can't speak. He stares at the blank monitor where he witnessed himself reliving a traumatic death.

"David? Are you alright?"

David blinks and clears his throat. "Yes, Dr. Harlowe. I'm fine."

"Have you been able to understand how some of your phobias may have rooted in your repressed memories?"

"Um.. yeah, I guess." says David. "I can easily see where my fear of being trapped or tied up came from."

"You sound as if there is more we haven't touched on. Can you share your feelings right now? What else is bothering you? Talk to me David."

"Well Dr. Harlowe, there's the water thing. I thought if I joined the Navy it would get me over my fear of water. I am confused by it. I love the ocean. I am intrigued by it's beauty and mystery. Yet, you couldn't get me to swim in it on a bet. Same goes for lakes and even swimming pools."

"What scares you about swimming pools?" Harlowe asks.

"It's the thought of swimming near the drain and getting stuck." David replies almost as if he were talking to himself.

"Lets explore that a bit more this session, shall we?" Dr. Harlowe dims the lights and begins regressing David to a time when he was traumatized by water.

David starts to panick and choke.

"David...listen to me...DAVID....go back further...a little earlier..."

Davids breathing slows and he's calm.

Harlowe: "Tell me...what is your name? I would like to know how old you are and what year it is."

"My name is Seth Wilkes. I am 14 years old. The year is 1864 and I live in New Bedford, Massachusetts with my mama, little sister Victoria and Grammy. Two months ago mama agreed to let me set sail on the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship. I have always dreamed of working on a whaling ship. Cap’n Morgan is my uncle. He says I’m too scrawny to ever be first mate but I can be his cabin boy. He even let me bring Lilly, my Australian shepherd along. She has a heart shape right on her forehead. That’s why mama said she knew we were meant to be together, I have the mark of a red heart on my arm. Grammy says it’s from an angels kiss.

I am old enough to learn a trade. Ever since Daddy died, Grammy said I would have to be the man of the house. I had polio when was little so now I walk with a limp. Mom says I am lucky to be alive. She says what I lack in size I make up for in heart. I hope I have a good heart. Mom says Daddy died because his heart just wasn’t strong enough.

My family has a long history in the whaling business. Uncle Morgan says whales are primarily hunted for their oil, which is used for lighting and lubrication. Uncle says that oil from New Bedford lights the world, making our city one of the richest in the country! Since nearly half of the world’s whaling fleet is based along the coast of New England it is only natural that I follow in the family tradition of whaling.

We have been at sail for 6 weeks. So far I am adjusting to being at sea okay. I got real bad sick the first couple of weeks. All the crew just laughed at me every time I had to run from the dinner table to get sick. Lilly didn’t get sick at all. She stays right by my side. Uncle forbids her from his cabin because he has his dumb fat cat Manny in there. Lilly wouldn’t hurt Manny but Uncle spoils that cat something awful. It’s my job to clean up the quarters and that includes Manny’s quarters. He has a fancy purple satin pillow he sleeps on. When Uncle sits by the fire in his velvet red chair, Manny is always in his lap.

I have a bed made up in a little room just off Uncles room. It’s real small and doesn’t have a window so I don’t stay in it much. Sometimes I just sleep down below with Lilly in the store room. It’s warm in there and smells like home. The smell of flour always reminds me of Grammy’s homemade bread. How I would love a piece of her hot bread smothered in honey right now.

The worst part of being at sea is First Mate Obed Hendrix. He has a monkey that rides on his shoulder. He got it on one of their trips to Tahiti. The monkeys name is Simon. Lilly hates Simon. She barks at him every time she gets the chance. One time she chased him all over the deck and everybody laughed except Obed. He told me if I didn’t keep her away from Simon he would toss her overboard. Obed and Simon are just alike, mean and ugly! Obed makes me clean up after that horrid beast. Simon will throw poo at you if you aren’t careful. Uncle just laughs and says it keeps the crew entertained. Just wait until Simon throws poo on uncle, he will certainly have a change of heart!

I heard tale of a ship that was crushed to pieces by a bowhead whale. That whale is found in the Bering Sea. We are headed there now. It’s said there are so many whales being slaughtered there that the sea turned red.
Uncle has always hunted the east coast for the sperm whale. It is mostly sought after because of the quantity of oil it contains and because it floats when it is killed. The ship has many functions and one is to serve as a mother ship to a fleet of smaller whale boats that 6 men row out to kill the whale and drag it back to the ship. It also has a brick oven used to melt the whale blubber which is then stored in vats. Below we also store thousands of pounds of whale bone to sell when we get back to port.
Tonight after dinner Lilly got after Simon again. Simon started it. Lilly was minding her business chewing on a piece of whale bone I gave her. Simon jumped down from the cupboard and snatched it right from her mouth. Lilly knocked the cake off the table that was for desert. Everybody was mad at Lilly. Obed said if she didn’t get locked up he wouldn’t be responsible if she disappeared. I decided to sleep in the store room with Lilly. I don’t trust Obed.

*THUMP*
All of a sudden I awoke from sleep by this awful noise. It scares the bajeezus out of me. Then…*bam* there it is again. I hear men swearing and there are boxes and bottles falling from the shelves. What is happening? Is it a whale?
The ship is tossing and crashing hard. A keg of ale is rolling toward us. I grab Lilly and try to reach the door. Just then another huge crash and water is filling the room. I scream. A shelf has fallen and trapped me. Lilly is swimming toward me. I can’t move my arms. I’m trapped. Water is rising to my neck. Mama…all I can think of is mama…and Lilly……."

To read PART 8 in David's journey, you will be travelling to Rocksnowhite, in Romania. David's next PLR Session is in the next couple of days so check back to find out where his past life journey takes him.
If you would like to contribute a story and join in David's journey, please email lillyslife@gmail.com