by M. J. Sewall
“Like we are?” Ariana said, “None of us think we’re heroes. We’re all scared, Cody.”
“You were the one that sacked the earthquake guy. How did you even know we were there?” asked Katie.
Cody’s brow furrowed. “I’m not sure. I just knew. Someone gave me a weird note from Zacke that day at school, and then during the game I saw a green glow behind the bleachers. I just felt something, like a spidey-sense or something. So, I ran. That night… I wanted to kill that guy.”
“I feel the pull too,” said Zacke, “Especially when I’m around you guys.”
“Yeah. Me too. But I feel like something’s missing,” said Katie.
Lucas said, “Right! Each time we almost get the truth, something interrupts us. I feel like we’re in that show ‘Lost.’”
“What do you mean?” asked Cody.
Lucas said, “Like, John says ‘I’ll tell you everything. Just come with me and I’ll explain.’ Then, bam, something crazy happens, and we don’t learn anything.”
Zacke laughed, “Man, I don’t know what story we’re in, but I want out.”
“That’s just it. It’s kind of cool to be able to do this stuff,” said Ariana, “But, mostly I’m just scared. I’m not afraid to admit it. Anyone else nervous about being ‘activated’? Does that mean more of this, but worse? More guys coming after us? What do they want, anyway?”
Katie said, “I’m not sure. John says they want to recruit us. They tried with me. I was so stupid. Anyway, I can remember a few things from past lives, I guess, but only flashes. Like it or not, only John has the answers.”
Cody said, “Yeah, but I feel like John isn’t telling the whole truth.”
“Why?” asked Zacke. Secretly, he was thinking the same thing.
“Just a feeling.” Cody changed the subject. “Why are you all here? To convince me to come with you?”
“John did ask us to talk with you, but I’m here for me. I feel like we need to be together to get the answers,” said Lucas.
Cody shrugged. “Okay. I guess. What’s the plan?”
Lucas said, “John wants somewhere more secluded. Tranquilo Point should be pretty deserted on a Sunday.”
“I haven’t been there since I was a kid. That’s where the ship wrecks are, right?” asked Katie.
“Yeah.” said Lucas, “It’s only a few miles outside of town, so if anything happens, we can get back to our houses fast. Plus, hopefully, those guys can’t find us without their finder.”
“They found us at the mission,” said Ariana.
Katie said, “I’m so sorry about that. I know they’re the bad guys now. I’ve changed all the settings on my phone. I won’t even bring it tonight, just in case.”
Lucas said, “I think we should all leave our cells in the car, turned off, just in case.”
“What if they captured that ‘finder’ guy again? He can track us,” said Lucas.
“Who are we talking about?” asked Cody.
Zacke explained, “Oh, that right. He left before we met up. The brothers were using a guy to find us. That’s his talent. He escaped them and was on our team, but he bolted.”
“Why?” asked Cody.
Ariana said, “No one knows. John was confused about it too.”
Katie steered them back to the plan. “So, we’re all going, right?”
“Ok, but I have to be back by ten.” Ariana shrugged, “My mom’s freaked out that I’ve been out so much. I’m running out of excuses.”
They all laughed. Lucas said, “Yeah. It is weird to have these talents, but still have to come home on time.”
***
John picked them up, and they headed a few miles west of town. He drove past the small train kiosk where he’d entered town, continuing down the road to another beach.
Tranquilo Point sits at the spot where the very long California coast takes a significant bend to the right, resembling a lazy elbow. Meaning “point of tranquility” in Spanish, the name is ironic; it’s anything but.
Most people imagine warm, sunny beaches year-round in California. On the Central Coast, the temperatures are mild inland, but ruled by fog and wicked winds at the sea. The water is choppy, the surf uneasy. An infamous undertow sucks swimmers out to sea, to a likely death.
If a person walked out only a few dozen feet into the sea, the Pacific Shelf drops off, plunging hundreds of feet down; a steep canyon just under the water. Only a few feet from shore, there be monsters. Beautiful, majestic blue and grey whales migrate, but there are also many Great White Sharks. Tranquilo Point is beauty mixed with treachery.
There was nobody there on a Sunday in September, so they all found a quiet spot and started a fire. It was still daylight, but the fire had a purpose.
John addressed the group, “Fire can be a focal point; it will help your subconscious relax, bringing the warrior to the surface. The experience will be different for all of you, and this may take a few hours. Those that have ancients in them will hopefully awaken them. Those that are new births may get in touch with your inner talents. Let your minds open.”
Zacke smiled. “Are you our Obi-Wan or Yoda?”
“That reference I get.” John smiled back. “But none of you are Jedi… yet.”
***
The two men from the Sect arrived, ready to transport the books to the next station. They drove a rusty freight truck that had been painted over many times to cover the rust.
It backed up to small ancient loading dock. The freight door shrieked in protest, reluctant to be rolled up. The men donned their lead lined gloves and entered the basement. Pete unlocked the thick plastic container that housed the ancient books.
David watched them carefully load the books, one by one. They were all wrapped in heavy blankets, each woven with what looked like metal threads. They carried each book up the stairs one by one.
“You sure I can’t help?” asked David.
Pete answered, “No, sir. These must be handled in a very special way. The knowledge can slip out. Any little glimmer that gets back into the River could travel through the whole consciousness and end up with the wrong people. In fact, it would probably be wise if you leave until we’re done. Why don’t you go next door and get a soda pop or something? Just give us a little while.”
David thought that was a good idea. He made his way up from the basement, averting his eyes from the ancient books of magic. His thoughts turned dark at the memory of the lost years with the brothers. Dark magic, that damned charm. He imagined using his other talent on the elder and the brothers so many times, but hope had faded over the years with that charmed weight around his neck. David wondered if they even knew what his other talent was. He hadn’t used it in so long, he wasn’t sure if it worked any more.
Better not think of them, not now. David tightened his thoughts, headed to the convenience store next door. David was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he failed to notice the televisions behind him, until he bumped into one. Dead for so many years, they were little more than props now. They still had screens, almost like mirrors.
An image flickered into existence on the dusty television screens. The three station attendants were too busy to notice that Elder Zamma had appeared in each of the screens. The building’s bay door was open, and the faded wooded sign announced
Bird’s Eye TV Repair - 336 West Ocean
The elder didn’t see who had focused him on this screen. The football boy? he wondered. Zamma had barely slept, casting constant spells to connect with anyone to open a window in Sea Valley.
The elder had been opening random windows in and around the small city, hoping to get lucky. Without their finder, Zamma used every spell he knew to locate his enemy. Now, he was viewing the repair shop. His luck was improving. He wished he could thank whoever has inadvertently helped him.
Zamma froze as he saw the men with curious gloves, carrying something that looked very important. He picked up his cell phone and made a call.
At the convenience
store, David decided to splurge. He bought a Slurpee and a hot dog, thankful for the money John had given him. He felt another pang of guilt about leaving as he watched the TV repair shop from the convenience store.
David nearly choked on his hotdog when he saw the convertible pull up to the TV repair shop. He recognized the car, of course. He dropped the hot dog.
The brothers got out of the car.
***
On the deserted beach, they sat in a circle around the fire, and dusk was just threatening them with a pink glow through broken clouds. John got more wood from the back of his newly rented SUV and went back to the spot.
The tar on his feet and the cold September winds reminded him that he was on a California beach. Only chilly ice plant and tufts of scrub grass littered the otherwise sandy beach. They had all brought light coats or sweatshirts.
John had instructed them to bring something from their earliest childhood, but had not indicated why. They all had backpacks, and Cody pulled out a six pack of beer.
“Whoa! Hey. no booze dude.” Zacke said, “I’m training to be a cop.”
“It’s beer, not booze. Beer’s no big deal.” Cody replied, “You gonna turn me in?”
John said, “No, Cody. You’re only sixteen, and you need a clear head. Please put it in the car.”
Cody shook his head, “Fine. Forgot I was with children. Be right back.”
“Why is he being such a jerk?” asked Ariana.
“He’s scared. We should all be scared. I saw what those guys really are in some crazy memories,” said Katie.
John said, “They are very dangerous men, but you are stronger.”
“I don’t feel like it,” answered Ariana.
“That’s why I asked you to bring something from your childhood. It is a physical link back to your earliest days in this life. That will bring you closer to the last life you lived, and closer to your ancient,” John explained.
Zacke asked, “But you said some of us are, like, new. Right?”
“Yes,” said John, “But we can only know for sure when the ancients are awakened, or not. This will also help the new births to bring out any other talents you have. We’ll need that when we meet the brothers again.”
“Who are those guys, really?” asked Ariana.
“They are Caron and Sazzo. They are very dangerous ancients. I’ve battled with them over many lifetimes. Some of your ancients will have fought them as well. They work for an elder named Zamma. Luckily, the Elder is scared to leave his room, much like a hemophiliac that’s afraid to bump into anything.”
Ariana looked confused. Lucas explained, “Hemophiliacs can bleed to death really easily if they get hurt.”
“Oh,” said Ariana. “Really?”
“Yep.” Lucas smiled. Ariana smiled back.
***
The elder Zamma was shirtless in his Italian home. He examined the old relic-inflicted wound in the mirror. The gash had stopped bleeding years before, but it had never fully healed. It felt tender to the touch and reminded him of the day he got it. He rubbed his finger across it and felt the special charge; like touching a tongue to a battery. He knew this would be his last body. Unless he could find the right spell, the one book that might help.
He had called the brothers in California nearly fifteen minutes before, to alert them to the shop he’d seen. The boys should already be there, what is taking them so long? he thought, just as his phone rang.
“Are you there yet? I can’t see you.” Zamma looked into his mirror, scanning the scene.
Ehrhardt answered, “Yes. You’re sure this is a station? I don’t mind the killing, but it’s still daytime here. A busy convenience store is next door. It may be tricky.”
“I don’t care,” answered Zamma, “Do what you must and get those books.”
Derek said, “The Sect has been neutral for years. What are they doing in this small town during a breakout?”
Zamma let his impatience show. “I don’t know. The Sect bastards have gone silent. Call me when it’s done. I’ll watch as much as I can from here.” The elder clicked his phone to end the call.
He put on a fresh shirt. New pain came as the shirt brushed the wound. Zamma returned to watching the unfolding scene from his mirror, through the television screens. There were only so many angles he could see. He would have to trust the brothers, again.
***
Back at the station, Ehrhardt and Derek had cornered two of the men on the stairs. The silenced handgun made them fall before they realized they were shot. A package dropped out of each of their hands.
“Brother! We’ve finally found a station. The old man was right.” Derek laughed at their good fortune.
They made it past the two bodies and down the stairs when a shotgun blast came from the corner. They both ducked and Ehrhardt came up, pistol aimed.
“Stop!” Pete said, a zippo lighter already lit. It was inches from a pile of books next to Pete. They saw the red plastic gas can at his feet. “You kill me, and these books all burn to dust.”
Derek scanned the scene. “All we want is the Vitaeizicon. The rest of the knowledge can go back into the River. Burn the wrong book, and you die.”
Pete laughed, “I know you’d kill me anyway. Drop your gun, or I burn them all.”
“We don’t need guns to end you.” Derek smiled. “Zmija mhirizhonga cuska. Zmija mhirizhonga cuska. Zmija mhirizhonga cuska.” A horde of serpents came into being with the incantation, slithering down the steps into the basement.
“Screw being impartial.” Pete came into the open and let the lighter fall. He pumped the shotgun at the brothers.
Ehrhardt got a lucky shot off, and the lighter flew across the room, the flame snuffed out by the quick action. Derek ducked just in time, Pete’s shot made splinters exploded from the door trim over him.
Pete said “shit,” as the dozens of snakes lunged for him. He managed to get another round off before Ehrhardt shot Pete twice in the chest.
Pete fell, and the snakes covered him. There were cobras, rattlers, asps, and a dozen more varieties of slithering things. Ehrhardt’s aim had been good; Pete was dead before he hit the floor. His face disappeared under a mound of serpents.
Derek went down the stairs and inspected the books. Unwrapping the bundle, he said, “It was a bluff. No gasoline on the books.”
“There’s gas in this can,” said Ehrhardt. “Better make use of this. I’m sure I hear distant sirens already.”
They bundled up the few books that were left. Ehrhardt recovered the lighter he’d shot, shocked it still worked. They poured the gas and lit the blaze as they escaped up the stairs. The snakes had faded, the fire now engulfed Pete’s station. The room caught quickly, and the smoke was thick even before they made it out.
The sirens got louder. Derek spotted Elder Zamma’s image in the old stack of televisions. They indicated the books, and Elder Zamma smiled. His image winked out and they left the station building.
Ehrhardt said, “Let’s check the truck for more before the police and firemen come. Hurry.”
Ehrhardt went to the truck as Derek unwrapped the bundle in his hands. The title said Vitaeizicon in ancient script. He turned it over and unlocked the clasp. The back binding was thicker than the front. Derek traced his fingers across the ancient metal clasps. He smiled, then wrapped it up again.
“There are three more here,” said Ehrhardt, carrying his heavy stack to the car.
“Brother, a good day.” Derek eased the car onto the street, driving slowly to avoid suspicion.
A few customers had come out of the convenience store, the smoke next door was very thick. Hidden from view, David’s anger flared. They have the books. The Sect crew surely dead, his escape plan was gone.
He had to get to John. He looked at the sky, and thought briefly of unleashing his other talent, but the brothers had already driven away. He was powerless and alone. The smoke billowed out of the building. The sirens were nearly there.
David spo
tted Pete’s beat up old truck and hoped the keys were in the cab. He got in and the keys fell from the visor. He peeled out, using his special talent to locate the others. The beach. He accelerated, heading west on Ocean Avenue.
***
The bonfire lit their faces. They sat, trying to concentrate. Katie opened her eyes and stared out. The sun had mostly disappeared behind the ocean, outlining the ghostly skeletons of the shipwrecks.
“I’m surprised they’re still out there. When did they crash, like the ‘30s or something?” asked Katie.
Lucas was about to answer, when Ariana said, “’20s, between the World Wars. Seven ships; battleships, destroyers, all went aground in the heavy fog. After they rescued as many sailors as possible, they just left the ships there to rot.”
Lucas seemed impressed. Ariana smiled, “I know stuff, too.”
John sighed, “Again, focus on the first time you remember seeing your object; how you felt. Now imagine a door is opening behind you. This door leads to who you were before.”
“We’ve been at this forever. I still don’t see anything.” said Zacke.
John bowed his head. “Listen. I know it’s frustrating, but activating your talents is not easy. We may work at this for hours, then two days from now, one of you might activate overnight.”
Cody slurped his can of soda, and kept his eyes closed. The warmth flushed through him. His head felt a little lighter, but he saw nothing in his mind. His memories turned to his dad, but he shut that out and took another gulp.
It had been well over an hour, and John sensed they were all holding back. “The hardest thing is to let go, to give over to something that’s bigger than yourself. Wipe your mind of all your thoughts. Focus on the object, then the door to the past.”
Cody snickered.
Ariana frowned. “Something funny?”
“Sorry,” said Cody, giggling, “It just sounds like we’re at some cheap hypnotist show or something. Sounds kinda Vegas.”