Dawn of the Knight: The Lance Rock Chronicles Volume 1.

by Robert L. Beck

  Chapter 16

  Wednesday morning soon arrived and because it was an in-service day, there was no school. I decided that this would be a good opportunity to do a strenuous, physical workout. Stacy had admonished me to mind my own business and I would comply. I would keep to myself the rest of my stay with them. Exercising would be one way to keep my mind and body occupied. Also, I hadn't engaged in any weight-lifting since arriving in the States, and I was feeling lethargic because of it. I had brought my own set of stretch bands with me on the trip, but I decided to try out the exercise equipment in the den. Fortunately, Stacy was also off today and she made a hearty breakfast for all of us that included bacon, eggs, pancakes, and French toast. After breakfast I asked her if I could take her up on her previous offer to use Teri's equipment and she gave her consent.

  "You can work out in the morning and stay cool in the pool this afternoon," she remarked. "The weather report is calling for record heat today—triples digits!"

  When AJ heard that I was going to exercise, she asked if she could join me. As a gymnast, she was conscientious about staying in shape all year round. I was happy to have her company. Shannon, on the other hand, was acting moody toward me. She's probably still irritable about my confrontation with Keith last night, I thought.

  "Let's do warm-up stretches first," I suggested to AJ. "You first help me stretch and I'll help you. That way it will give us time to digest our food."

  "Okay," she replied.

  As we were prepping ourselves, Shannon came into the room, walked over to the desk, and then turned on the computer. While assisting AJ, I could see Shannon out of the corner of my eye watching us from above the monitor. AJ was wearing shorts and I remarked matter of factually, "You have beautiful legs, AJ. They're both muscular and shapely."

  "Thank you," she replied while flashing me a happy smile. I noticed Shannon roll her eyes and shake her head slightly.

  "I'm going to start out with push-ups," I said. I got down on the floor and pumped out a quick 40. "How much do you weigh, AJ?" I asked.

  "Around 110 pounds. Why?"

  "I want you to lie on top of my back while holding onto my sides with your hands."

  "Cool," she replied while smiling.

  I lay down on my stomach and she laid herself down on top of my back.

  "This is fun," she remarked while giggling as I counted out 25 more push-ups. I could hear Shannon fidgeting in her seat. AJ began to tighten her grip on my sides and I began to chuckle.

  "Hey cut that out!" I exclaimed. "I'm ticklish in that spot!" While ignoring my request, she continued to squeeze hard until I finally collapsed on the floor laughing. As she rolled off while laughing playfully, I heard Shannon mumble something under her breath.

  "Let's do it again!" said AJ.

  "Nah, I'm going to do bench presses using this machine here. Let's see, the maximum plate weight is 250 pounds. Can you balance yourself on the top weight by holding on to the bar where the cable goes through that pulley? That should bring it up to 360 pounds."

  "Can you bench press that much?"

  "I've previously pressed over 400 pounds."

  "Wow! That's awesome!" she exclaimed while climbing up and then holding on to the top bar.

  I gripped the bar and began pushing up. I did six repetitions, four times in a row.

  "You are strong!"AJ remarked.

  "I've been exercising my muscles a long time. Strength comes not only from building muscle mass, however. It also comes from strengthening tendons and ligaments, too."

  For the next hour I did an intense workout on every major muscle group until I was fully pumped and completely exhausted. AJ worked out along side me, albeit her routine was not as intense or as thorough. Amazingly, Shannon stayed at the computer the whole time keeping an eye on us.

  For the cool down part of my routine, I decided to do a Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan form. As I went through the movements, Shannon stared at me with a look of fascination on her face. After I was done, AJ asked, "Can you teach me how to do that?"

  "Sure."

  "Remind me why you do this again?"

  "Remember what I told you about Tai Chi? It has health benefits as well as combat applications. It helps circulate your 'chi,' or your internal energy. Come over here and stand in front of me."

  She complied, and I stepped up behind her while lining my arms up with her arms and my torso with her torso. I slowly began to move through the form while guiding her hands and helping her mimic my actions. She began to playfully laugh. Then she quickly turned around and faced me while flashing her eyes and smiling broadly. All at once Shannon snapped, "That's enough AJ! Exercise time is over! I'm sure you have homework or something else you have to do!"

  "But that's not fair! We weren't doing—"

  "You know what mom said about you two. Now leave!"

  While fuming, AJ stomped out of the room. I turned to Shannon and glared at her while slowly shaking my head in disgust. “You didn’t have to…” But she ignored me and got up from the desk. Then she walked past me out of the room while being completely nonchalant. I went back to the family room and laid down on the couch to rest and ride the endorphin high that comes from having done a strenuous workout.

  A couple of hours later as lunch time approached, Shannon came into the room and said, "Keith is coming over to eat lunch and go swimming. Would you like to join us?"

  "What for?" I sarcastically asked, "So I can have a front row seat to you two making out in the pool?"

  An incredulous look came over her face. "Why do you always have to be like that? Do all Canadian boys act as ignorant as you?"

  "Actually," I replied while getting up and continuing my sarcastic tone, "My mentor taught me how to blend in with different cultures and environments. Since I've stepped off that plane I've done my best to act like a typical American boy!"

  She stared at me and asked, "Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

  I said nothing.

  "Have you ever even dated a girl?"

  My eyes glanced down at the floor.

  "I didn't think so. Your mentor should have spent less time teaching you how to blend in with different cultures and environments, and spent more time working on your social skills!"

  "Why would you think I would even want to join you and Keith in the pool? The guy hates my guts."

  "I thought you could invite Reina over. I was just trying to be friendly and polite. And Keith does not hate your guts." She turned and started to walk away.

  "Hey, Shannon?"

  "What?" she snapped while turning about to face me.

  "About Keith; How well do you… ah… really know him?"

  She walked up to me and while staring into my eyes, asked, "Lance, why are you trying so hard to act like you care about me? In four days you'll never see me again."

  "Yeah, you're right. Why should I try to care about you… or your family?" I turned to walk away. She touched my arm and said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound…"

  But ignoring her, I pulled my arm away and walked over to the den. Then I sat down at the computer desk.

  I have to get out of here when Keith comes over, I thought. A fight between us is going to be inevitable. I'll end up putting him in the hospital, or worse. They would never forgive me. They might even have me arrested! But where can I go for a couple of hours? I doubt neither Stacy nor Shannon will let me borrow their car.

  A short time later the door bell rang. Shannon answered it. She had changed into a white bikini. As I gazed upon her, my hormones enthusiastically applauded their approval. A bathing suit like that was designed for only two reasons: to accentuate curves and highlight a tan. On Shannon it was doing both those very things—magnificently! Keith entered the house and hugged and kissed her. I felt envy burning in my heart. He commented on how hot it was outside. I was feeling the heat of jealousy inside and out of desperation; I decided a 24 kilometer run would do the trick. It would get me out of the house and eat up a good two hours. B
y the time I came back, he might be gone, or so I hoped. I'd done many such runs up in North Bay. All I needed to do was plot out a course around the area and commit it to memory. It took about 10 minutes on the computer and I had my route mapped. I walked into the family room to retrieve my running shorts and sneakers. After changing in the bathroom, I walked over to the kitchen. Stacy was at the counter preparing lunch. Shannon was standing by the kitchen table and Keith was sitting in a chair behind her rubbing suntan lotion on her back with his eyes fixated on her behind. All three turned to look at me when I entered the room.

  "Mrs. Muller, do you have any Gatorade or other electrolyte beverage?" I asked.

  "No, I'm sorry. I don't."

  "I'm going out for a run. I'll be back in a couple of hours."

  "Can I come with you," AJ asked, now walking into the room.

  "Not this time."

  "A couple of hours?" asked Stacy in alarm. "What do you mean you're going out for a run? It's lunch time. How far are you planning to go?"

  "Twenty-four kilometers. It's about 15 miles."

  "Lance, you can't be serious!" she continued. "You haven't eaten any lunch, you had a strenuous work-out this morning, and it's a record hot day outside!"

  "Do you have any bottled water?" I asked.

  "No. Listen to me. It's too dangerous to run in this heat. I'm sure you haven't even properly hydrated yourself. I don’t care what kind of shape you think you’re in, your body won't be able to handle it. I'm not going to let you go."

  I turned to leave but she held my arm. "Why are you doing this?" she asked.

  I glanced over at Keith, pulled my arm free, and then continued toward the foyer.

  "Lance, I asked you a question!" said Stacy while following after me.

  "Let him go," remarked Keith. "If he wants to fry what's left of his brain, what do we care?"

  Shannon gave Keith a harsh look and followed after her mother.

  "LANCE!" shouted Stacy.

  I stopped and turned to face her.

  "I know why you're doing this," she quietly said under her breath. "Believe me, I know. I have personal experience in the dark side of jealousy. Please, don't go on this run. It's insane. Stay with us." She put her hand on my arm and I saw an expression of deep compassion in her eyes. I looked over at Shannon and she too, had the same compassionate look of concern. I glanced past both of them to Keith sitting at the table. He sneered at me, blew me a kiss with puckered lips, and then flipped up the middle finger of his right hand. I brushed Stacy's hand off my arm, turned, and then walked out the front door and straight into an inferno!

  A red flag warning began to wave in the back of mind, but I ignored it and started my run. There was an incredibly hot, dry, wind blowing in from the east. After one mile my shirt, shorts, and socks were completely soaked in perspiration. I had never experienced such heat before in my life. Where was the usual cooling ocean breeze? I thought. It was as if the blistering, fiery, flames of hell had descended on Santa Barbara, sucking the moisture out of everything! I noticed I was the only one on the streets. There was not another soul to be seen anywhere. At the eight mile point I began to experience a severe headache and muscle cramps in my legs. It was the onset of dehydration. The sun was continually beating down on my head and the hot wind made me feel like I was running inside an incinerator. Common sense dictated that I stop and seek help. But then I pictured the mocking I would receive from Keith. I also pictured the lecture I would receive from Stacy. No, I would keep going and see this through to the end—proving to them I could do it. At the 10 mile mark, I began to feel slightly dizzy and my skin was dry. I was no longer perspiring. Still I continued, while forcing myself to press on in what Stacy had rightly described as "insanity." I reached up and touched my head. It was way too hot. I was beginning to succumb to hyperthermia. I came to an intersection and I became confused. I couldn't remember which way to turn. I stood there trying to focus. Then I remembered, and I continued running. I estimated I had two miles left to go. Now my head felt like it was going to explode! Each step was laborious. My heartbeat was starting to accelerate to a dangerous rate. The cramps in my legs were painful! As the dizziness increased, I steadied myself while trying not to faint. My mouth was as dry as sun-baked sand and the thirst was maddening. My breathing was abnormally rapid as well. I had to get out of the blistering wind. I glanced up at the street sign. Suddenly, I bent over and put my hands on my knees while trying to vomit, but nothing came up. A car pulled up alongside of me. The driver rolled down his window and asked, "Son, are you okay?"

  "I need to… I need to get to…" and I gave him the Muller's street address.

  "You're almost there. Just turn this block and go about halfway down it. Hop in my car and I'll drive you."

  I shook my head no. "Thanks," I whispered hoarsely. I was less than a football field away. I had made it! I had survived two hours of running in hell. I vowed never again to be as reckless or foolish. He drove off and I took a step and almost passed out! I managed to maintain my balance and then I slowly walked in the direction he pointed. There was a park on my right. There must be a water fountain there. No. No time to lose if there isn't, I thought. Must keep going… I'm almost there. I turned the corner and became even more alarmed because I was now starting to hallucinate! I imagined I saw AJ running toward me with an expression of terror on her face! As she was about to fly by, I reached out to grab hold of her. Expecting to latch on to nothing, I was astonished when it was actually her!

  "Where… are you going?" I weakly asked.

  She tried to wrest herself from my grip while trying to kick me between the legs as well!

  "AJ, it's me."

  "Run!" she cried. "They came! They came! Run!"

  "What… are you talking about?" I gasped.

  "They came!" were her only words.

  Tearing herself free of my grasp, she continued running down the street. Something had traumatized her! Panic began to set in my mind as I wondered if I had lost touch with reality. I briefly considered trying to chase after her, but I had no idea where she was going. I also had no energy left to run. It was all I could do to try and drag myself back to the house. I stumbled on. As I neared it, I saw a black, late-model Lincoln Town car parked in front. Its motor was off and its tinted windows were up. In this heat, I knew it had to be unoccupied. I also noticed that Keith's Audi was nowhere in sight.

  I decided to enter the house through the outside door that led directly into the garage. Then I remembered the Muller's pool in back with all that cool refreshing water to drink and swim in. I attempted to make my way toward it. However, I immediately collapsed onto the ground instead, overcome by dizziness. I crawled on all fours toward the shade provided by the roof overhang. The momentary relief of being out of the sun provided an opportunity to ponder what next to do. If there was danger in the house as AJ had warned, I couldn't allow myself to be caught off guard. Someone was inside; whoever "they" were. I needed to approach with caution.

  I stood up, stumbled toward the garage, and then I slowly and quietly opened the door. While peering around the interior, I neither saw nor heard anyone. As I crept inside, the cool air felt like heaven on my superheated skin. My thirst however, was still maddening, and it took all of my willpower to control myself. I walked over to the Ferrari and I leaned against it. Now succumbing to dry heaves again, I bent doubled over and I tried to vomit. My muscles were aching and my head was spinning. I glanced over at the workbench in front of the car and noticed containers of both anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid sitting on top. Which would be safer to drink? I thought. After staggering toward them, I picked up the container of washer fluid. I unscrewed the cap and poured the contents over my head while covering my eyes with my hand as best as I could. This cool liquid provided additional relief.

  Having somewhat recovered, I crept to the door that led to the hallway and then cautiously opened it. I could hear voices coming from the direction of the dining room. While si
lently sneaking into the hallway, I made my way over to the living room with the air conditioning providing even further relief. Then I dropped face down onto the floor and quietly crawled to the corner of the wall while peering around the edge. Sitting 25 feet away at the dining room table with their backs to me were Shannon and Stacy. Shannon was still wearing her bikini. Although my view was partially obstructed, I could perceive some men sitting directly across from the girls. These individuals appeared to be eating, drinking, and conversing happily. There was nothing inherently dangerous about what I was observing, but I decided to wait a little longer.

  Everything's fine here, I thought, after about a minute. The encounter with AJ must have been a hallucination due to the effects of dehydration and hyperthermia. Right now, AJ's probably up in her room or somewhere else in the house. These men are either friends or relatives. I forced myself up to a sitting position and was about to stand up and cry out for help when one of the men said, "Your name's Shannon, right? Come over here and sit on my lap."

  Shannon did not respond.

  Again he said, "Come over here, sweet baby doll, and sit on my lap."

  Still she made no attempt to move.

  He then screamed, "COME OVER HERE NOW, OR I'LL BLOW YOUR MOTHER'S HEAD OFF!"