THE HERMITAGE - CHAPTER ONE

A young man knocked on the hermitage gate.  And old man went to the gate and asked, “What is wanted?”  
“I want to know why there is life, and how it came to be?”  He said.  “My name is Tom.”
The old man chuckled empathetically, and thought to himself, “another young Intelligence.  He has not yet realized life’s secret.  He’ll make a good gardener, cook, or dishwasher, perhaps for many years, even a lifetime.  “Welcome,” said the old man.  “Join us for a meal.  My name is Nemesis.”
Tom joined a dozen men of various ages.  After dinner they sat in the garden, some rolled cigarettes, while others sat motionless with their eyes closed. Tom broke the silence and asked, “How come some of you smoke?”
Hearing the question a few of the sages went into coughing fits and grumped away.  Nemesis laughed.  He was too old to rebuke the upstart.  He’d save that for the younger sages who will be merciless.  “We call them ‘Stay Sticks,’ ” said Nemesis.  You’ll learn why if they let you remain here.”
“Thanks, but no thanks,” said Tom.  “I just came for the answers about life.”  
Though Nemesis smiled fatherly like, he wanted to take the kid over his knees and thrash the shit out of him.  What an upstart he thought.  Then he smiled at his avatar’s thoughts of mayhem, and said, “I will tell you, but it is  better for you to experience it for yourself.  We can teach you how to do that, whereas telling you will just create another belief, and belief is not knowing.”
“I’m OK with belief,” said Tom.  “It’s not like anyone actually knows the truth.”
With that said had Nemesis had not been in charge of his avatar, it would have jumped up and choked the living shit out Tom, but instead Nemesis laughed, and said, “You’re welcome to stay the night,” and he walked away.  He was only slightly astonished at this new set of avatars life had unleashed on Earth.  
“The trickster, ever full of wonderful surprises,” thought Nemesis as he retired for the evening.  “Let’s see what shit life has in store for tomorrow’s adventure.”

CHAPTER TWO