by Lee Magnus
“They didn’t let you through?”
“No! That’s the funny part. They let us through. They couldn’t stop laughing at this American who they beat up and took sixty dollars from. I guess they didn’t feel like we were a threat – just idiots.”
“Why would he risk all that if he wasn’t sure he could beat them?”
“Who knows. Maybe he could’ve beat them. If there is one thing your grandfather knows, its people. I think he did it on purpose and he knew they would let us through after they felt like they humiliated him.”
“I would have freaked.”
“Like I said, he was an amazing man.”
She remained silent on that last comment. Trey settled in the seat for the rest of the westerly drive on I-66. She exited the interstate highway, turned down several narrow-paved roads, then ended the drive thirty minutes along a gated overgrown path with dense forest on both sides.
“We’re here,” she said.
“Where’s here?” he asked.
“Follow me,” she said getting out of the car.
He stumbled out after her into the cool night air. An owl hooted in the distance. Frogs and insects played a moonlit symphony. A pulpy aroma comforted his heart.
“Where’re we going? What about my mom? Oh my god! She can’t go back to the house!”
“She’s with Kathy. She’ll be ok.”
“Kathy? She’s just a crazy old woman,” he said.
“Kathy is more resourceful than she looks. Your mom is in good hands. Plus, there’s nothing we can do for her here.”
“What are we doing again?” he said as they approached a dilapidated well.
“We have to get to Africa.”
“Africa!” he cried. “How does driving us into the middle of nowhere gets us closer to Africa? And why Africa?”
“There are other ways to travel,” she said.
“What do you mean?” Trey asked getting a little excited. “Are you saying this old well is some sort of portal? We just jump down in it and it’ll take us to Africa?”
“If you jump down that well, the only place you’ll be transported is to the hospital. That’s just an old well.”
“There it is,” she said squatting next to a carved stone protruding from the ground a few paces away from the well. She produced a small metal object from inside a blue locket dangling from her neck. The locket was decorated with a single white daisy flower.
“What’s that?” he asked looking over her shoulder.
“A key.”
After bending and twisting the key into a triangle within a circle, she said, “Hold onto me.”
“What?”
“Just grab my shoulder!” she cried impatiently.
After he gripped her shoulder, she closed her eyes then said, “You may feel a little weird when we land.”
“Land? What?”
She took a breath, then touched the metal object to the stone.
Whomp, Whomp, Whomp Trey felt in his ears as the pressure around him become unstable. His body twisted unnaturally, like he was an orb of silly putty being spun by a toddler. He lost his stomach in a sensation of falling then an abrupt acceleration forward came to a sudden stop.
Trey fell onto his hands and knees. He slowly raised his head, braced himself with one arm, then shielded his eyes from the bright sunlight then looked back down.
“I think I’m gonna puke,” he said looking at the dry cracked ground. His throat grasped for moisture. “That was intense,” he continued. “It felt like my insides were trying to get outside.” He lurched, attempting to hold back the lasagna from a few hours ago. He released several hacking coughs but didn’t vomit. “Oh my god. That was terrible. Let’s not ever do that again.”
“You’ll get better. Don’t worry.”
“What was that?”
“It’s sort of like a teleporter.”
“Really? How does it work?” he asked regaining his wits.
“I form this key into the shape of the diagram on the stone located where I want to be. See there?” she pointed to an inscription on the stone at their feet.
“And you just touch it to the stone?”
“Yes….and think about where I want to go.” she added. “That part is important, especially if you get the shape wrong. You have to be careful with this magic. You certainly don’t want to be fluxed out.”
“Fluxed out?”
“Yeah. Sort of like being stuck in the middle. I’m not sure there’s a way out. You just keep flowing without landing anywhere. The key also powers the portal. Without it nothing would happen.”
“How did they get here?”
“The ancients placed them thousands of years ago, I believe in preparation for Khaitu’s immortality ceremony.”
“The ancients? Are they the same as the Order?”
“Yes. The same.”
“This is all so cool. My science teacher would freak out if he knew teleportation existed. He’s studied it for years.”
“A science teacher you say? I would like to hear more about him. Sounds like an interesting guy.”
“Yeah. I think you’d like him.” He looked at her carefully then said smiling, “He would definitely like you.”
She smiled at his compliment.
“Where are we and why is it so bright?” he said continuing to squint.
“Egypt,” she said placing the key back in the locket. “It’s mid-morning here.”
“This is so awesome! I can’t believe I just teleported to Egypt! Wait until Marcus hears about this!”
“I think we just keep this between us for now,” she said then turned away from the solitary stone protruding from the arid desert floor. “Let’s keep moving. We have questions that need answers.”
Trey rose quickly, instantly retook a knee then said, “Wait, I think I’m gonna be sick.” He hung his head ready to gag. “Nope.” He tried to force steadiness through his body. “I’m okay,” he said hesitantly. “Maybe just another minute,” he finally said cautiously.
Trey regained his feet, briefly wobbled unsteadily then they slowly hiked North on a paved road toward buildings in the distance.
“In that story you told me about Grandpa, you didn’t get to Costa Rica by plane did you.”
“No. We didn’t.”
“Why didn’t you just port straight to Nicaragua?”
“There isn’t a portal there. Usually the guardians of relics stay close to portals, but it was an important meeting that our guardian couldn’t miss. In hindsight, we realized that it may have been a trap to separate him from a quick escape with an elaborate political attack to cover their real intention.”
“Ah. Got it,” Trey replied but didn’t really understand the basis for her explanation but understood they were after the relic.
Shortly after taking to the road, a car stopped just in front of them. The driver jumped out and ran towards them. Trey stepped back, ready to defend himself. Lyza stood motionless.
The driver knelt in front of Lyza. With his covered head lowered and an arm bent above his head showing a tattoo of a long shield with wavy lines he said in Arabic, “I am Alain, how may I be of service?”
Trey looked at her with an anxious expression.
“We need a plane, and I need to make a stop in town,” she replied in Arabic.
“As you wish,” he replied, then opened the door for Lyza.
“This is Alain. He will help us,” she said.
Alain made a brief call and then spoke to them in Arabic.
“What’s going on?” asked Trey to Lyza.
“Alain has a friend with a plane, but first, we must visit the Phoenix after we get some rest.”
“A plane? For what do we need an airplane? You have a lot to explain lady.”
She cut her eyes and gave half a smile at him.
They arrived at an off-white stand-alone wood paneled building in a tiny town. No one was there.
“We’ll be safe here. There’s a room in back a
nd a shower. Go get some rest. I’ll be out here if you need me.”
“Trust me. There’s no way I’m sleeping after all that.”
“You need the rest we have a long day. So please try.”
Trey washed off, then laid down in a soft queen-sized bed. The shades were pulled tight cutting off all but a sliver of light probing the room. After spinning the day in his head, he drifted off to sleep.
He woke to Lyza speaking with someone in the other room. Trey groggily snuck to the door to listen.
“Are you sure it was Don’s office? I mean, we haven’t heard from him in so long. Why would he keep it from us?” he heard Lyza say.
“I don’t know, but you need to check it out. There must be something there to draw the Phoenix’s attention,” said a high-toned male voice.
“Do you think the Phoenix knows we know about the office?” asked Lyza.
“Most likely. I’m sure he was involved in relaying the info. He probably didn’t find anything and hopes we do,” the male voice replied.
“Don and the Phoenix worked closely together. Do you think Don told him?” asked a squeaky female voice.
“No. I think Don kept it completely to himself. If he told anyone, it would have been Karim,” Lyza replied. “I agree we need to see what’s there, but Trey cannot be included any further.”
“But the prophecy! All the other signs are here. He is in the line and must go on,” the male voice asserted.
“He is just a boy, Karim. He does not belong here,” Lyza said in a more forceful tone.
Karim pleaded, “I am certain it is him! I know it’s been many years, but I’m sure of it.”
The squeaky voice added, “If I’m right, which I usually am, we have to see how it further plays out. Keep him close, protect him. No one else is more capable than you.”
“Thank you for your vote of confidence Malory, but I cannot take him were I’m going. We don’t know what’s waiting at Don’s and the Oasis is too dangerous.”
“My sources say Don’s is clear and we have men in the Oasis. They’ll be watching and ensuring his safety. Both of your safety,” said Karim.
“I appreciate your help but please just keep them out of my way. I won't be responsible for their lives.”
“I’ll inform them to keep their distance.”
“I believe someone is eavesdropping our conversation,“ said Malory.
“Trey. Please join us,” said Karim.
Trey cautiously entered the room to find Lyza, a moderately sized black skinned man in his forties and a brown-headed woman in her late thirties who looked to be of Persian descent. Alain could be seen through a window outside, rocking peacefully in a chair on the front porch.
“Trey, come meet a very old friend of mine. This is Karim. If there’s anyone on this planet you can trust, it’s him. He’s sort of like your grandfather – he helps us protect the artifacts and relics.”
“Trey! It’s you!” he said jumping up from his chair. Trey grunted to release pressure from a powerful hug. He winced when a small rod-shaped reddish-brown tinted metal charm attached to a neck chain pressed into his cheek leaving a faint impression. “It has been so many years. This is truly amazing!” When he noticed Trey’s stand-off expression; Karim glanced quickly at Lyza regained his composure, released the embrace then grasped Trey’s hand in one hand and arm in the other. “Lyza has told me much about you and your recent encounters. She says you are a very competent young man.”
Trey had the feeling he met this man before – there was an instant connection. Lovers would call it love at first sight, but this was different – more on a friend-level than that of a father/son – like he has with Marcus. He felt comfortable in Karim’s enthusiastic hug and wanted to further explore the connection. However, he kept these feelings inside considering he’d never actually met him before. Had he?
“Thank you, sir. It’s nice to meet you too,” he said guardedly.
“This is Malory,” said Karim.
“Hi Trey,” she said without leaving her seat.
“Hey,” he replied with a low wave.
“You were asleep for nearly two hours. We have one stop before we visit the Phoenix so we must be leaving soon,” said Lyza.
“Who’s the Phoenix?”
“He’s a connected businessman that helps us when it suits him,” Karim replied. Trey detected obvious ambivalence.
“Karim, be nice,” Lyza retorted. “You’ll meet him soon enough,” she said to Trey.
“Hungry? There’s plenty in the kitchen,” offered Karim.
“Actually, I am a bit hungry,” he said, understanding the hint to remove himself from the room. “I’ll leave you all to your conversation.” He then walked into the kitchen where he heard lowered murmuring but couldn’t make out any of the words.
He made a turkey sandwich with mustard and lettuce while looking out the window onto boats floating down the Nile in the distance.
“I’m really in Egypt,” he said to himself. “This is completely nuts.”
“Ready to go?” called Lyza.
“Yeah. I’ll just bring this with me,” he said holding a drooping sandwich.
“You better grab a plate,” she smiled.
They walked back into the main room to join Karim and Malory.
“Be careful out there Lyza,” said Karim. “Stay close to her, Trey.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll keep her in sight.”
“And Trey,” Karim said. “Take this. Always keep it on you.” He handed him a small gold coin about the size of a quarter. He then smiled and said, “You never know when it’ll come in handy.”
“Uh, Thanks,” Trey said as he took the coin from Karim’s hand and placed it into a zipped pocket.
“It is so good to see you, Trey. I hope to see you again soon!”
“Uh, you too, Sir,” Trey said uncomfortably.
As Allain turned south, Lyza noticed Trey rubbing his cheek, “You okay?”
“Yeah. Karim’s stick thingy necklace pressed into my face when he hugged me. It’s nothing. You called him an old friend. He doesn’t look much older than you. Like when you said you and grandpa go way back, I think you have your words mixed up.”
“Maybe so,” she said cutting her eyes at him and brandishing a gorgeous white, smile.
“Are we going back to the portal?”
“Yes. We must go to Shanghai.”
“Yes! China! This is so cool!”
Donald Smith’s Office
Alain drove them most of the way to the portal before the sand began to deepen.
“Allain, please wait here for us. We shouldn’t be more than an hour and a half.”
He held his hands together and nodded in acceptance.
Lyza knelt beside the stone. She blew away a thin layer of sand before removing the metallic key from her locket. She bent it into a crescent moon with an embedded half circle then looked up at Trey.
“Oh yeah,” he said as he lowered to his knees and grasped her shoulder.
“Are you ready?” she said smiling.
“You know it!” he said with a big nervous smile – unable to contain his delight. His smile faded as he rubbed his stomach.
She touched the key to the stone – the crushing Whomp Whomp Whomp consumed them.
Trey’s insides twisted, his mind blurred and then everything was eerily calm – and dark. Trey fought back the urge to vomit. A crack of light shone through the underside of a far door. A seal must be loose, he thought.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
“Stay here while I find the lights. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Shanghai portal. I think,” she said as she walked away, ”they are over here.” Her diminishing voice withered with the passing distance from each echoing footstep.
Trey shielded his eyes from the brightness that soon followed. The room was completely empty – not a desk, chair, window or coffee pot. The only thing, besides the woman and kid
was the smooth black stone barely protruding from the center of the white floor as if it were a misfit replacement for a broken tile.
“Let’s go, Trey,” she said urgently.
He followed her out of the dark wooden door onto a busy sidewalk. The warm moist air stuck to Trey’s face reminding him of a time his mom took him to the popular city streets of Washington D.C. on a late summer day. A light breeze blew the reminiscent memory away before he could wrap a longing emotion around it.
Trey looked back at the thick door close behind him. He felt uncertain about stepping too far away from a reliable exit.
They turned left, traversing Old City Shanghai by foot. The colorful pagoda style structures with distinctive upturned roofs looked like enormous cubic bulls while other roofs formed smooth concave transitions. The few blocks they walked were decorated in large buildings interspersed with congested narrow alleyways. People of all nationalities occupied the streets and sidewalks laced with newly constructed buildings – some fancy Chinese style fraternizing with old Chinese heritage complete with hang-dry laundry outside of windows in some cases.
“Does everyone drive scooters?” Trey asked as they passed a lineup of various colored motor scooters parked street side opposite to various open-air businesses selling everything from bead jewelry to live food.
Lyza replied to Trey’s fantastic expression with a smile.
They were greeted by a small queue at the ticket machines as they turned into the modern metro station decorated in sterile white columns and overt cleanliness. A woman’s voice methodically repeated information in Mandarin. A man in an overcoat pulling a rolling piece of luggage bumped into a teenager submerged in his phone. The teen turned and spouted, most likely insults, at the overcoat man’s back, but Trey couldn’t understand the language. People mulled about waiting to go home or possibly a local hot spot.
The rude overcoat man pushed past them through a glass door that separated passengers from moving trains.
“Jerk,” Trey muttered. The man paid no notice of his comment.