She sank to the floor wishing she had just done as she was told in the first place. That she hadn’t made waves. At least then she would be blissfully unaware.
“If you won’t tell me what is going on or why you are doing this to me, can I at least know your name?”
“A crustacean inside a vast ocean. A whisper lost in a canyon. I am no one in the grand scheme of his design. A follower of his righteousness.”
He couldn’t just say no?
The phone was ringing again. It was Detective Riddle. Jak had gotten in a habit of pulling over every time the phone rang. Stealing herself for the worst. After the last call, she was afraid of her body’s response.
“Finally, I was starting to think you were ignoring my calls.”
“Sorry. We had an incident here. Your friend left a surprise at the house.”
“Is everyone okay?”
“Not why I’m calling. We received a message from our girl.”
“And?” Thank goodness.
“They couldn’t make sense of it.”
“What do you mean? How do you know it was her then?”
“It came from her phone number. Her name was in it too.”
“What did she say?”
“Help thanx bull.”
“Thanks bull. That’s it?”
“We tried tracking it again, but the phone was turned off once the message was sent. Either he took it or she was trying not to get caught. We think it’s some kind of code. No idea what it means. Any guess?
“She spelled thanks?”
“No, TX.”
She searched her mind. What could it be? TX is definitely not thanks. Sam didn’t use informal words. She is from Texas. Maybe it was something she had said about her past. She was sure the message was for her. But what did it mean? TX? Did the phone autocorrect?
“Anything?”
“Hold on. I’m thinking.” Why pressure me when I’m trying to think? You couldn’t figure it out, but I should in a matter of seconds. Focus, she scolded herself. What is in Texas? Bull and TX. Well, there is the bull at Saddle Up. They got it from Texas. She turned the truck towards Peoria and gunned it.
“She’s at Saddle Up.”
“What? Where did you get that from?”
“Trust me. That is where she was when she sent the text.”
“I need more than that to deviate units from the search. Especially after…”
She didn’t know what he was hiding from her. What exactly had happened to the grandmother or why Riddle disconnected suddenly, but this she was sure of.
Cops. Why couldn’t they believe you? There were always a million questions wasting time. She wasn’t going to wait for them to catch up.
“They have a bull they got from Texas. It’s where we had our first date. Stewart works there, he would have keys. That is where he took her.”
Why did Stew take her there? To a public place. When he could be found, discovered. It doesn’t make sense. He couldn’t keep her there long. People would be arriving soon to set up for the nightly patrons. She realized that whatever he is up to, it is going to happen soon. Why won’t this stupid putt-putt go any faster?
XXVIII
Jak parked on the street as usual. There was a male leaning into the back of a tan wood panel station wagon up the street. Station Wagon. She remembered the Detective stating that Stew’s grandmother had a station wagon.
Then lighting struck, bringing a splash of color to the gray matter. She had seen this car before, she was sure of it. It was the very car that nearly hit her when it sped out of twin towers garage. The day Sam… That son of a… If I had just hit him that day, none of this would have happened.
As she neared, she heard Stew talking to himself. She moved lightly, careful not to scuff the ground or make any sudden movements. This could be her only opportunity. Praying he was distracted long enough for her to get by. There was no way of knowing if he was working alone.
Sneaking a peak at the alleyway to confirm no one was guarding the door. How likely is Stew to having an accomplice, anyone that would actually stick by him? She went for it, backing down the alley to ensure she wasn’t followed. Her heart thrashing. She had never had fear or adrenaline like this before. The fire department had made her immune to many phobias. Her hand reached out, please let him be alone. With a small tug, she found the door unlocked. There was no point in dragging this out. If she stayed outside, she could be discovered. If he had a man inside, she was dead anyway. You have to! The door swung freely. She hoped to get in fast enough to surprise anyone on the other side, possibly giving her a fighting chance.
Scanning the bar, only one figure stood out. The same one that always dominated any room. Their eyes locked immediately. Somehow, she found the will to look around again. Finding no one, Jak raced to Sam’s side.
“Are you alright?” There was no movement. No acknowledgement of her presence. They had to hurry before he got back. “Sam, talk to me.”
“Jak?”
It wasn’t real. She couldn’t believe it. It can’t be true. She must be imagining Jak again. Her mind was playing tricks. Had he drugged her? She had such vivid dreams lately, both good and bad. The nightmares seemed to take up her every waking moment, perhaps her subconscious had needed an escape to survive.
“We have to hurry.”
She felt the rope loosen around her wrists. Never in her fantasies had she felt such relief. Emotionally, sure, but not physically. With the bondage dispersed, Jak reached for her wrists to check the wounds. That was when she knew, the moment Jak’s hand touched hers. Even through the pain and hunger, her body knew that touch anywhere. Those beautiful teddy bear eyes stared back at her. Could it be? Her hand reached out, though it hurt to move. She was so tired, weak. Her fingers made contact with the strong jaw and a slight smile appeared.
“Is it really you?” Her hand slipped away with the slam of a door.
* * *
The trips were never ending. He was getting behind. The ceremony would need to start on time. Shifting the gas cans onto his hip. Stewart grabbed the door, using his legs and back to hold it for himself. If Samantha had been more cooperative, she could have helped him. Just one more thing grading on his nerves. For an angel she sure is a pain.
It’s all right, everything will be okay after… He dropped the cans when he looked up and saw her there. It isn’t possible. Rubbing his eyes. Trying to clear the image of Jak standing beside Samantha.
“It can’t be. You’re dead. How are you here?”
There was no response, as if he had never spoken. He was certain he had said it out loud. Radiant light shifted behind Jak’s gallant stance, as if she were the hero of this story.
“You can’t have her!” He yelled at the ghost. A demon spirit come to prevent her rising.
Stewart lifted his improvised torch. Striking the match that would ward off the evil spirit. Swinging it wildly in her direction.
“You can’t take her demon. Be gone from this place.” Why did he have to put the holy water on the other side of the bar?
Samantha finally seemed to understand the danger of the situation and started backing away from the apparition. He watched in slow motion as she tripped over a bale of hay. Falling back, hitting her head against the bar. Could he get through the phantom in time to save her?
Before he knew what was happening, Jak lunged for him, knocking the torch away. It fell to the floor, setting the bar
ablaze with all three of them in it. Jak slugged him in the gut. How had she taken such a physical form? To be present on this plain of existence was mystifying enough.
He doubled over but knew all he needed was one good hit. If Jak could harm him, he didn’t see why he wouldn’t be able to inflict the same amount of pain back on her. That’s all it would take to get free of this Dybbuk, one good swing. He had heard of such a thing possessing those of the living but a deceased host, was it even possible. Clearly it was, as she was here before him.
Scrambling to his feet, he looked for his opening. Jak was undoubtedly faster than him. Landing multiple blows in rapid succession. His hand went to his nose to wipe away the blood that tricked down his chin. Stewart smiled, knowing this was but a test of his faith. Of his will to carry out such a holy task. If the phantom had thought the small ineffectual fists would deliver any significant damage, she was wrong.
Finally, he landed a punched and Jak stumbled backwards. While it was dazed, he rushed to Samantha’s side. She was still lying peacefully, unconscious on the floor.
He picked her up and placed her on the bar, his makeshift pyre.
“Now you will feel the touch of God. The fire will scorch the land and leave only the pure behind. You will be cleansed.” Grabbing the holy water to anoint the chosen vessel. His ear twitched when the floor creaked and he automatically turned towards the sound.
* * *
Jak swung the metal gas can with all her might. Pray to hit her mark. To end this once and for all. Thankfully, Stew fell to the floor with just one blow.
The fire was spreading to the bottom side of the bar. Stew had positioned straw beneath it, probably doused with gasoline. The entire club would be gone in minutes. She had to hurry. Flames licked at her arms as she reached for Sam. It was impossible to lean across, to pick up her love. Yelling, trying to wake her. It was no use; she couldn’t be heard over the roar of the flames. Sam wasn’t going to rouse from her slumber.
Finally giving up her attempt to reach Sam through the searing heat, Jak took a few steps backwards. With a running start, she was able to hurdle the wall of flames. Landing on top of the bar. She knelt down, to sit Sam’s motionless form into a seated position. Wrapping one lifeless arm over her shoulder, Jak was able to hoist Sam onto her back.
There was no time to waste. The fire was reaching her ankles, heating the flesh to a boiling temp. She jumped through the flames, landing on the floor with a thump. Glad the old floors had not weakened enough for them to fall through. The momentum nearly threw Sam from her back. Jak’s hands gripped tighter, holding on with all her might. It wasn’t that she couldn’t lift the slumbering woman again, but it would take more time to leave the rubble and Sam already had a head injury. They made it to the door and thankfully into some fresh air.
Jak carried Sam outside, refusing to stop until she reached the sidewalk. Her fingers automatically slipped to the slender neck. Breathing easy as she realized not only did Sam have a pulse but she had normal respirations. Her celebration was short lived as she realized what she had to do, that her job wasn’t done yet. Jak’s eyes strayed back to the flames. She couldn’t leave Stew in there, no matter what he had done.
The door flung open with a swift kick. Jak pulled her shirt over her nose, in an attempt to filter the air. There he was, right where she left him, lying on the floor next to a roaring fire. She used the sleeve from her coat to pat out the small fire that was just starting on his shirt. If she didn’t get them out of here soon, both would inhale too much smoke to make it. Jak was able to get his arm around her neck, the same as she had with Sam.
Unlike before, when she tried to lift, her legs shook. Her lungs burned with every inhalation. She couldn’t keep trying. He was just too heavy for her to lift alone. It simply couldn’t be done. Not when her muscles were strained and she couldn’t take a breath. Muscles needed oxygen too, without it they would become rigid and unyielding.
She was utterly drained but unwilling to admit defeat. Refusing to become the killer, she now knew Stewy to be. Jak grabbed under his arms, latching her hands together across his chest. Lifting, like a reverse squat, her legs strained beneath his weight. His heels dragged, causing more friction. She could only move him a couple feet at a time.
With each step, Jak’s feet slipped out from under her. The resulting fall kept taking the breath out of her. The shirt slipped from her face. If she put Schneider down, to correct it, she wouldn’t be able to lift him again. The added strain making her breathe deeper. Poisonous gases burned her lungs. Her vision was becoming hazy around the edges. She could barely see the door through the smoke, which was thick as a fog. They were almost there.
Try as she might, she just couldn’t lift him anymore. The dead weight was dragging her down. She was gasping for air. Begging for strength, for any shred of hope. Her foot was caught beneath Stewart and she couldn’t get free. She wasn’t going to make it. It was too much. The room was blurred. Her legs were no longer responding. She commanded them, but they didn’t obey. She pushed at Stew, but still couldn’t move. Jak fell to the floor. Anticipating there would be the slightest bit of air left near the floorboards. Of course, she would get no relief and the room was fading more and more. She watched the smoke swirling above her. Billowing around the door. They were out of oxygen.
There was a sudden burst of flames, like an explosion. She knew it could only be a few things. Her sight and mind too lost in the fog to find the correct answer. A flashover would ignite everything in the bar. The room going up in a blaze of fury, leaving the both of them to be consumed by the flames. The heat had found a new fuel source, perhaps a gas line. She prayed for the last, that it was a backdraft. Someone was attempting to enter the superheated space, with any luck someone that would anticipate the direction of the blast.
Her last thought, as the world ceased to be, was of the first time she had seen Sam. Watching the smile that danced in her eyes as they exchanged blows in a game of wit. Of the last night they had spent together. It was all she could do to not fall to pieces and beg Sam to be with her forever; to smack her the next time she tried to leave. She could spend forever in that one perfect moment. Who knew, maybe she could.
There were three Jak’s when she opened her eyes. All a little ill-defined and all of them were retreating from her position. Unable to do anything other than watch and wait for her return. Was it a fleeting dream? She had so many drugs in her system, she didn’t know what was real anymore. Had Jak simply dropped something? Was she retrieving it from the car?
Everything started to come back when she saw the smoke. Instead of returning to her, Jak disappeared down the all too familiar alley and into the fully engulfed bar. Jak? Where are you going? I’m here! Does she know I’m here? Don’t go in there! The sirens could be heard closing in on her. She tried to get up but only succeeded in digging pebbles into her disfigured wrists. She waited for the paralyzing pain, but it was nothing compared to her pounding head. Unfortunately, she was getting accustomed to blinking back the encroaching haze. Was it from the pain? Had he drugged her again? Her head hurt too much to try to sort out what was going on.
She looked around frantically, searching for her kidnapper. Where is he? Was Jak really there or had she dreamt it all? Am I dreaming now?
An officer appeared as if from nowhere. The flashing lights bouncing off the snow she didn’t know she was lying on. Her voice too horse to speak. She couldn’t sort out what was real. Was she in the bar that now seemed to be swallowed up by an angry flame? Her heart was racing again, not because of the pain but from fear. The smoke was seeping through the door and Jak had yet to emerge.
The officer was asking if she was injured, but she didn’t know the answer. She was damaged in a way she couldn’t express. Instead, she pointed toward the door. Only managing to draw his gaze to her mangled arms.
She pointed again, hoping he would actually take the hint. Follow the instructions screaming in her mind.
“Are there people inside?”
Sam tried to shake her head, but it hurt. What is wrong with my head? There were so many possible answers. Why did she even bother asking anymore?
It must have worked. There were people hastening in the direction of the smoking door. Firefighters rushing forward to fight the blaze, to save the girl, to win the day. Sam attempted to monitor for any sign of Jak. However, the officer was persistent in his questions. Fireman repeatedly blocking her view. Paramedics swirled around her, poking and prodding. Taking her vitals, look
ing in her throat. What did they think was in her throat? Jak was in the fire, not in my mouth. Go find her!
Wait! No! Don’t take me! Sam was hoisted onto a gurney. They were trying to haul her away, to have her evaluated. You can’t! I need to know that she is safe. It was no use; she was not strong enough to stop them. As the stretcher turned to align with the rig, she saw his car. That cruddy station wagon. Where is he? Was he hiding in the crowd? Pretending to have called it in, instead of being the cause. She searched the crowd, desperately taking in every face.
The sky was spinning and the medics were trying to hold her down. She couldn’t keep fighting. Couldn’t get them to understand. Couldn’t make time reverse to a day that made sense. Her body was giving in to the exhaustion. Wiping everything before her from the face of the earth. Soon there would only be fluffy clouds or nightmares. No! Wait! You’re making a mistake!
XXIX
There was a faint beep, followed by a nearby voice. It was too hard to open her eyes, the lids too heavy to lift. Jak raised her hand to rub at them. The instant she touched her head pain shot through her, stabbing into her temple. The pressure in her head was unbearable.
Finally forcing her eyes to move a fraction of an inch. The light that greeted her was blinding. Two luminous orbs floating above her. Why is it so bright? The beep chimed again.
“Sorry, let me turn that down,” The voice came as the lights dimmed. She felt a hand take hers. Still unable to move enough to see who it was. Feeling the enormous hands that clutched to her, dwarfing her long fingers. Rubbing at the knuckles in a caring way her mother once had. When she was sick with pneumonia and they didn’t think she would make it.
When her eyes were at last able to focus, she searched for the voice. For anything familiar. To know where she was. As always, Mike was by her side, looking after her. Keeping her safe. A pillar of support.
“What’s going on?” Her throat ached. “Where am I?”
“You’re in the hospital.”
Volunteering Your Heart Page 17