by Lin Larson
“I guess if they’re going to be busy, I’ll find Mekka,” Sam murmured to himself. He gazed up at the second floor window and measured the distance to the nearby tree. He rustled the trees as he boosted himself up. He froze for a few moments as he waited to see if the house and men would notice the noise he was making. When sure that he was still alone, Sam climbed and swung over to the second story ledge and slid open the window.
Well, it’s being unlocked seemed a good omen. However, he climbed through fairly quietly, or at least he hoped so. He had to admit he’d been creeping around an awful lot lately. He would love to be welcomed again and come through a doorway, but then, maybe not to this house.
Sam lowered himself carefully into a bright orange colored bedroom. It was the little “Shirley Temple’s” room, Sarah’s room. He looked down at the sleeping child and smiled. The kid was going to be a knock-out someday, he was sure of it. She also had the sweet heart to go with it. “How could such twisted scum as Jensen have such a wonderful child?”
Sam softly passed the bed. He hesitated only to gently pull Sarah’s blanket up under her chin. “Really cute,” he thought. “You yearn for a child again when you see them like this.” Sam then continued his silent prowl.
Thoughts tumbled through his head. Where was Grandpa housed? Where was Mekka? How could Mekka be related to Silas Jensen? Mekka had such a fine daughter, Caroline.
He had just entered a darkened room when the lights suddenly played brightly over his eyes. Sam jerked around, stared, and gasped. “Caroline?” he whispered.
CHAPTER 20
“No, but I might ask who you are?” The beautiful lady said.
“You first,” Sam countered.
“But I live here.”
“Oh... Sam Stone.” Sam extended his hand. “I’m here to find Dr. Mekka. Less than
two days ago, a terrific young lady named Caroline Mekka died in my arms. You sure as hell look like her.” Sam’s eyes held a pain that was not lost on the young lady.
“Caroline’s dead? She was my twin sister. I’m Alex.” She leaned weakly against the wall as tears glistened in her blue eyes. “What happened?”
“I’m sorry… Alex, are you sure you can handle the details? She had a rough time. Silas Jensen didn’t help. Who is he to you?” Sam said quietly.
“He’s my husband.” Alex found a chair and sat. I loved him once. But he’s changed. He wasn’t always cruel like he is now. But, how could he hurt Caroline?” The tears began to roll down.
Sam knelt down beside her and held her hand. “Alex, I loved her too.” Sam turned from Alex, the resemblance shook him. He cleared his throat. “Who is the little girl? I met her on the plane here.”
“My daughter, Sarah.”
“She’s beautiful. Where’s Dr. Mekka?” He replied.
“He’s upstairs on the third floor. They converted the top floor for him, but I’m not allowed to see him. They brought Dad in two days ago.” Her voice broke. “I didn’t mean to cry.”
“Maybe we should both cry. Alex, something is very wrong. Let’s go talk to your Dad.” Sam stood and gestured towards the upper floor.
“Good idea.” Alex swept her wet cheeks with her hand. “I could use a Dad right now.”
Sam walked quietly down the hall with Alex. He kept seeing Caroline with her hair hanging softly about her face and the confident swing to her body as she moved. He thought of the way she tipped her head when she smiled. He missed her.
“You were going to tell me about Caroline’s death,” Alex said quietly.
“Later, please Alex.” Sam said as he stopped at the attic steps. “You put his bed in an attic?” Sam was puzzled.
“It’s not that bad. It’s all fixed up and very private. I do love my Dad, Silas doesn’t, but I do.”
Alex was angry now. She had tried so hard to get them to like each other, Dad and Silas, but Dad refused. Why he was finally convinced to give up his independence and move here, Alex was mystified. She was happy about it though, so why couldn’t she see him?
They arrived up the stairs. “Dad. Dad. It’s Alex. May I come up? Dad, are you busy?” There was no answer.
Alex turned to Sam. “Maybe he’s asleep.”
They entered the room as Alex spoke quietly. “Dad, I’m bringing up a friend of Caroline’s.” She turned towards the bed and suddenly stared at her father. Horror flooded her face. “What!” Alex stepped back, ready to faint.
Sam grabbed Alex’s arm as she crumbled and began to fall. He slid her into a chair at the side of the room and away from the bed. “Easy, Alex. Don’t cry out. I’m afraid I’ve seen this before. I was hoping I was wrong and that he was doing well. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, no,” he thought. “It’s not over.” Sam had definitely seen this before, but this time it was different. This time a brain was suspended in a huge chamber on a bed, with a maze of tubing leading to a computer in a small orange colored bedroom.
“What is this?” Alex sobbed. “Where is my father? That’s not him.” She jumped up.
“Shh, Alex. Quiet.” Sam reached out for her. He held her mouth as she began to sob uncontrollably. “Hush,” he whispered. “Please don’t make noise, they can’t find me here.”
Alex quieted. He removed his hand from her mouth. He eased her back into the chair and pulled up another for himself.
He spoke quietly. “Mr. Jensen and others are trying to preserve his thought processes, his genius, but what he discovered killed what he was and took my brother and Caroline’s lives. Do you want your father to continue like this?”
Alex shook her head as the tears continued to roll down on her pale cheeks.
“Help me to disconnect the machines and give him peace, Alex.” Sam said softly.
“No,” Alex tried to stand. “I don’t want him to die. Maybe he still feels and understands,” she whimpered.
“If he does, it will not be rational. He became as crazy as my brother did. The drugs advance brain intelligence, but in a twisted way, and kills the body. They also killed a lot of people in their quest.” Sam talked firmly and clearly, and Alex seemed to be listening.
“Alex, I’m curious. Who painted your daughter’s bedroom?” Sam hated to hurt her more, but he had to know.
Alex was stunned. “Silas, why?”
“Has he been giving her any medication?” Sam said softly.
“Yes, special vitamins. Why? Sam, you’ve got to tell me. Is he hurting my daughter?” The fear in her eyes was tortuous for Sam to see.
“I can’t be sure, but if he’s been giving her his serum as vitamins, she builds up a preference to specific bright colors in her surroundings.”
“What happens if she doesn’t have the colors around her?” Alex said.
“I don’t know.” Sam replied.
“Well, Mr. Stone, you are still alive and interfering.”
Sam and Alex whirled around.
“Silas, what are you doing to our daughter and my father?” Alex cried out.
“Alex, my dear, your father is continuing his work, and Sarah is my first truly young subject. She will be very grateful when she is older.”
“Silas, if she gets older! What if you kill our child? You’re crazy.” Alex said with despair.
“I am not crazy, just brilliant. I’m doing something great, and we will become rich beyond our dreams, darling. And Sarah will be super intelligent.”
“Why didn’t YOU take the medicine, Silas? You aren’t taking it, are you?” She said with total distain.
Silas stared at Alex. “I ah, I …”
“Because you’re afraid,” Alex snapped. “You would give it to your daughter instead. I hate you, Silas… I’m taking Sarah and hope that God is merciful and she lives. This monstrous research with my father ends now.” Alex picked up a chair and hurled it at the container holding the last remains of Dr. Mekka. “Father, I love you!” She cried out. The container shattered. Alex wildly slammed the chair again on the brain as it oozed in the g
lass shards on the floor and ceased throbbing.
Silas started to grab her, but Sam intercepted him and delivered his infamous right cross punch. “This is from Sean also.”
Silas fell into Mekka’s remains, and lay inert on the floor. Sam then walked over to the computer. He stared at it and began to removed discs and flash drives. He then stomped upon them and kicked apart the computer. “We need to destroy everything here. Perhaps we can then bury it all somewhere.”
Alex knelt down and yanked out the heinous tubbing from her father’s now deceased brain. She then took off her sweater and wrapped up the remains.
“What are you doing, Alex?” Sam said gently.
“I’m going to give him a proper burial.”
“Okay. Then let me take an extra minute with your soon to be ex-husband here,” Sam replied, as he rescued the discarded tubing and wound it tightly around Silas Jensen. “That should hold him. By the way, Alex, what happened to his face? I guess I only saw his good side when I was at the hospital site.”
“Silas was burned in the fire. He deserved it,” Alex replied bitterly.
#
The task of burying Mekka’s remains and the computer parts was completed in the shadow of the massive tree that Sam had climbed. Afterwards, Sam stared at the tree. “It seems to be watching us sadly.”
“Dad planted that tree when I was born,” Alex said. “He loved it. Thank you for burying him there for me and for Sarah.”
Alex knelt down and patted the soil. Tears rolled down her pale cheeks. “He’d like it here. I’ll miss you, Daddy. I love you.”
Alex took a moment and then turned to Sam. “Let’s go. Let’s get Sarah and get out of here. Either we go now or you’ll be watching me kill my husband. We can take my car,” she said.
“Good, because I came in a taxi,” Sam grinned and then grew serious. “Alex, your husband is a powerful and dangerous man. He may try to take revenge. Are you sure you want to leave and with me? I’m a wanted man. And your husband hates me.”
“I want and have to go,” said Alex.
“He may try to have us all killed,” Sam continued quietly.
“I know. He knows that I know how guilty he is. I have no choice. Also, I respect you, Sam. In the short time you’ve been here, I can see why Caroline fell in love with you. I trust you. If you’ll have us, we’ll go with you. I know we’ll be a burden though. I’m sorry.”
“I think you’ll be more of a gift than a burden…All right, get ready fast. I’ll check out your car.”
“I’ll get the keys. Then, will you carry Sarah to the car, and I’ll throw some things together quickly…Thank you, Sam”
“And you,” Sam said. “I’ll enjoy the company. Let’s go. By the way, would you like to travel to Utah first. I need to get my brother’s notes and computer. We must destroy them all.
“Whatever you decide is fine with me,” said Alex. “I’ve never been to Utah. It will be an adventure.”
“Good.” Sam said as he took Alex’s hand, and they walked quietly back into the house.
#
Sam, Alex, and little Sarah had traveled to Utah for a number of days and nights. They had traded the Cadillac on the way for a used car. It was a bit of a shady car dealer, who loved the Cadillac so much that he didn’t care if he got the papers for it. They picked out an old Buick, and Sam and Alex were happy to no longer have a car that Jensen could trace.
He parked a quarter of a mile away from the old family cabin. Sam left the sleeping Alex and Sarah in the Buick and walked alone over the last distance in the darkness. He hoped Sean’s journal was still here. Sam found the hidden key and entered the cabin. He turned on the light switch. The lighting played harshly on the rustic furniture. He walked over to the old bed and extended his hand to feel under the mattress. Fumbling for only a moment, he stopped. He had found it. It was still there. He pulled out the book of notes from its cache and ran his hands over it gently. He opened to the first page and then closed the book quickly.
It was better to not dwell on the past heartaches. Better to dispose of them now. He
crossed to the fireplace. Sam began to rip out the pages furiously until the tears began to well up in his deep set eyes. He shook away the grief and set his mouth in a thin line. He piled the pages together and lit them with a match. “For you, Sean. Rest now.”
The flames rose up into images in his mind that couldn’t be forgotten. He stared at the ghost of Sean as a little boy, sharing the tree house with his older brother. He remembered the shock and loneliness they’d shared after their parents’ death. He smiled at Sean’s excitement over receiving his Phi Beta Kappa award and later his research grant. He remembered Sean’s reassuring hand that reached out for Sam when his child died and when he had been broken by his war experiences and lost all hope.
Sam felt the pain in Sean when he thought he was dying. He saw Sean’s tortured eyes as he flayed with feeble arms and caught fire. Sam closed his eyes to this last image, then blinked in relief to see the fire lick up the last remnants of Sean’s notes. “Die Acceleration.”
Sam sat back. “Little brother. It was not all your fault. You just got lost. Now your soul is healing.”
Sam wiped his tears on his jacket. It was done The ghosts were disappearing. He woke Alex in the car and gently carried Sarah into the cabin and placed her on the bed. He rested his hand on her small soft forehead. She was cool and her breathing was regular. She slept with the innocent. She was young, she would be fine. He hoped that he had made it in time to help her.
Sam lay across the small bed next to Alex, who cuddled her sleeping child. He was near the warmth of humanity as it was intended. He was sick of death and nightmares. He wanted a normal life again. Perhaps he could still have it. Alex squeezed his hand. Time would still the terror and ache of the last few days, and he hoped he could continue just living. He’d stay with Alex, for now. Early tomorrow they would depart for a place and new lives.
He felt the breathing beside him of two sweet souls. Sam smiled, closed his eyes, and slept until the next day, a new day. That was his new plan.
PART 2: SANCTUARY
CHAPTER 21
Sam froze. He could almost see the eyes, but they were veiled in the semi-light. He knew the outline of the face, however. It had at one time been very dear to him. Now he cringed. “Sean, it’s you, what’s wrong?” Sam reached out and brushed the space. He touched a warmth. “You can’t be real, can you be, Sean? Why have you come? What do you want from me now” Tell me!” His voice had risen to a shout, and he was shaking.
“Sam, stop it, you’re hurting me. Sam! Wake up.”
Sam stopped. The shadows of morning now bathed Sean’s face and remolded it into a different shape. “Alex? What the…? Where’s Sean? He was here.” The sweat had beaded on his forehead and crept around his beard.
Alex was gathering her composure now. “Hey,” she brushed his beard playfully, “scruffy old man of the mid-west.” Sean’s gone. He’s not coming back He wouldn’t recognize you if he did. By the way, you’re going to be late for your 8 o’clock class, Professor Sinclair.”
“Sinclair, hum,” Sam’s confusion was clearing. He felt relieved. “I guess I’ll resume this scruffy old geezer’s happy mundane life. He started pulling himself up and out of the twisted mass of bedding.
“Scruffy old geezer, my eye. You are feisty for your age,” said Alex. She twinkled with giddiness, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and perched on top of him. “I could devour you here and now, but your students would complain. Their mysterious hunky heartthrob would be gone.”
“Let’s not project too much. Deep down they probably detest me. I crucified some of their essays.” Sam grinned.”
“No! Really? Even sexy Heather’s heartfelt exploration on passion in pornographic literature?” cooed Alex teasingly.
Sam laughed. “Even nubile Heather’s.”
Alex started kissing his chest. Sam flipped her over and pinned her
down. “Listen lady, you’ll make me late.” He kissed her quickly, then bent again to really enjoy her. He came up, finally, and took a deep breath. “Your sweet little youngster just might walk in.”
“My darling child is already at school slaving over her desk, but I understand. All right, get off of me, you big brut, or you may attack, but make up your mind. But remember, I can arouse you to passions that Heather has never read about or lived through.” She smiled wickedly.
“Oh, really, let’s find out.” Sam leaned forward. “On second thought, give me a rain check. I am really late.” He heaved himself off of her slight frame.”
Alex was beautiful, he thought. She was so like Caroline, but also different. He was beginning to enjoy those differences. Caroline was straight-forward, Alex – more playful, but both were and are terribly sexy. He regretfully headed for his shower as he talked. “Thanks for waking me, my lady. I never did trust alarm clocks. This fresh country air and stillness makes me want to sleep forever.” The last lines were muffled by the roar of the water.
Alex sat on the edge of the bed. She felt warm and safe. It was all too perfect. She tried to hide from that twinge of guilt. Was she enjoying their seclusion too much? Should they have shouted to the world about their past? No, it was too dangerous. They were wanted by the people in power. They knew too much.
Thank God for Ben, Sam’s publisher. They’d have been caught, if it hadn’t been for him. When they’d descended on Ben that following night like battered humanity, he had welcomed them, wanted to help, and patched their wounds. He had also refurbished their wrecked lives with new identities and looks.
Alex now had her short brown, bobbed hair. She liked it now. It had taken some getting used to at first. She’d had always been fiercely independent, despite being a twin. She had enjoyed attracting men with her blonde mane. Now she was someone else, who enjoyed blending in. Occasionally her old style had slipped through though, like with Sam on the bed. But now it was back to being sedate Jill, wife to Professor Sinclair and mother to daughter Lizzie? Sam wondered. Was he a coward to hide in this little university town that was hidden so beautifully in the middle of Midwestern cornfields. Why did he leave Jensen alive? Was it a mistake? Jensen was crazy and ruthless. Would he let them continue to be loose ends? Would he decide that Sam and Alex would be too dangerous to his plan? And what would be the plan now? Could Mekka and Jenkin’s scheme rise from the ashes? Sam’s head was spinning. He turned the water to cool.