by Alexie Aaron
“I want to apologize for my part in fucking up your life. I want to assure you that you did nothing wrong when you opened your heart to all of us males who needed someone to see beyond the geek and the nerd. To see us as heroes and, in doing so, made us heroes.”
Burt stopped the tape and reached for the plastic case. He stopped. He pressed record again.
“This just occurred to me. What if something I did caused me to come back in time? And if so, I brought you all back with me? The last thing I remember is Audrey making us all put candles on the cake. What was I thinking about when I blew out my candle? I think… NO! I was thinking of this place and how great it would have been if all of us were here investigating it. Shit. If my wish brought me back, you’ve all been pulled back too. Maybe you’re on your way to rescue me… This joy almost balances my dread. Because if we’re all back in time, we’re changing the future. Oh my god, bebe, I fucked up. You and Ted will meet but too early. Shit, did I just fuck up all the good things?
“One darker thought. What if it wasn’t my wish? Why would I think of this place after all this time? What if this is a major trap? A drama to be played out in the isolation of Smoky Hill River Valley. You without wings and other powers. You’d just have the ability to see ghosts… But you have the knowledge of what to do. Are you here? Have you already been corrupted, or worse dead? What has my hubris brought? I’m going to end this tape now and work on getting out of here. Maybe I can warn you.”
Burt turned off the tape. He placed it in the plastic case. He also reached over and pulled over the small Tupperware container. He dumped the graham crackers into his handkerchief and placed the tape in the container and sealed it. He placed another tape in the recorder and set it to record before he let the fatigue take him. He pulled the blanket over him and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Mia listed all the things that were basics for a paranormal investigation. She and Murphy conferred and thought that perhaps Glenda would donate an old two-barrel shotgun that Murphy found in her barn. Ted and Cid were put in charge of refurbishing and adapting it to shoot rock-salt cartridges, which Mia packed herself after having Cid and Ted promise not to shoot each other.
“Salt and iron are available. Holy water isn’t, but that’s more of a demon thing,” Mia said.
“I’ve got Mike outside gathering all the rusted bits of equipment. Maybe we could fashion some weapons?” Glenda suggested.
“Whatever you can provide will be more than we started with. Ghost 101 says, when you interrupt the energy flow with iron, the ghosts go back to where their power sources are and have to recharge. But the more you use, let’s say, iron, the quicker they become immune to it. So, switching off between iron and salt may be a good idea.”
“How does Mr. Murphy handle all these deterrents?”
“The best thing is not to shoot him with rock salt or stab him with iron.”
“I know that. I mean how does he fight his own kind?” Glenda clarified.
“Oh. He has a spectral axe. This is a weapon that he died with in his hands. Murph is most effective.”
“Normally, do you carry so many weapons?” Glenda asked.
“No, but we have them handy. Most paranormal investigations are pretty tame. I’m just being over prepared because of the nature of what we may be facing.”
“Why does it have to be a hospital for the criminally insane,” Glenda moaned.
“I’ve been asking myself that very question,” Mia said.
“Come up with any answers?” Glenda asked.
“Not the kind you’d want to hear,” Mia apologized.
~
Wyatt and Nordin had just finished communicating with a very interesting demon. Sticks was a prepubescent demon - the right time to bind him to a marriage contract. Wyatt had seen a lot of surface earth demons, and this one was smarter than his years. The natural demons of this earth were an honorable race. Sticks was no exception. The only time these demons got out of hand was when the fallen messed with them, or when the human race cried victim when they wanted the things that demons had natural rights to, like gold and gemstones.
Sticks had established himself in a large park in the upper, interconnected oak branches. His branchlike appearance made camouflage easy.
“Sticks, do you have a moment?” Wyatt had called up into the trees.
The demon looked down, his oval face scrutinizing his caller. He sniffed the air and asked, “What do you want, fallen?”
“Just an interview. It’s about a possible mate for you.”
Sticks moved carefully down the branches. He didn’t venture out of the shadows of the grove because of the time of day. He didn’t like to attract too much attention. Attention brought priests, and he didn’t need that headache.
Wyatt looked up. “I may be adopting a daughter, and she’s a human-demon hybrid. I’d like to know how you feel about these fleshy creatures?”
“They are soft and need to be handled carefully.”
“Have you been promised yet?”
“I have no family to act on my behalf.”
“That’s a shame.”
“It is what it is,” Sticks said. “When you become her father, come and talk to me.”
“I will.”
“May I ask you a question, fallen?”
“Yes.”
“How come you aren’t thinking of betrothing this human-demon hybrid to a human?”
“Humans are weak; they won’t protect her like she should be protected. Also, they will break her heart. No one loves as deeply as my future daughter.”
“Set up a meeting, and I will consider her as my mate,” Sticks promised.
“All in all, I think that went very well. Sticks won’t be ready for mating until long after Mia has exited this world, but he will protect her,” Nordin said.
“But he has no family. It’s the families who keep the other demons from taking advantage,” Wyatt said.
“You’ll be her family. There is great respect for you.”
“Nordin, you’re a kind man, but I know that a fallen who has spent a hundred years hiding in the body of a nasty greedy old man isn’t thought of highly.”
“I have always prided myself on being able to judge a man, sir, and I have the utmost respect for you. It isn’t easy being the second to fall.”
“I fell because I considered Lucifer my friend. I didn’t exactly agree with his politics. Nor did I agree with tossing him out of Heaven.”
“Mia reminds me of you, Mr. Wayne. She’s a fence-sitter who’d rather just live a peaceful life, but she’s also a fighter. If she doesn’t find the candle in time, she’s going to have a hard road ahead of her.”
“Excuse me,” Orion’s voice came out of the darkness. “Mr. Wayne, may we have a moment of your time?” he asked, dropping down in front of the demon. Orion tucked his wings back behind him.
To either side of the small birdman dropped Nicholai and Angelo. They kept their mighty wings on display.
Wyatt prepared himself mentally to lose his host’s skin to battle the birdmen.
Nordin put a restraining hand on his master’s arm as he said, “Sirs, could you not have made an appointment? This is hardly the place for a meeting. There are children about,” he scolded.
“You call these drunken college kids children?” Nicholai questioned.
There was a rustling overhead, and before anyone could move, Sticks dropped down in front of Wyatt. “Leave the old one alone. If you have to fight someone, fight me,” he said with the bravado of a young warrior. He flexed his hands, and his fingers grew to sharp lethal thorns.
“Please!” Orion pleaded. “I’m not here to fight. We just need some answers to a few questions, and in exchange, we will share information you may not have. I believe you’re acting on my granddaughter’s behalf.”
“So, you finally got that far.” Wyatt rolled his eyes.
“What right do you have to act as her protector?�
�� Angelo spat.
“Enough!” Orion ordered. “I’m asking the questions.”
“Mia came to me after finding herself in an intolerable position,” Wyatt hedged. “She asked for my help. I gave it.”
“Is she here? May I speak with her?” Orion asked.
“I don’t think that information is safe to give. You see, there are Other exterminators about.”
“I feared as much,” Orion said. “I have a horrible story to share but not here.”
“I will welcome you into my home, but your goons…”
“I’m sorry for the youthful exuberance of Angelo. Nicholai knows his manners and will keep Angelo in line. I think it’s important for you to hear Angelo’s story too.”
“Mr. Wayne, I will come with you to even the numbers,” Sticks volunteered.
“Nordin, what do you think?” Wyatt asked.
“I think I better put the pot on to boil. It’s going to be a long night.”
~
“I know everyone wants to go now, but I must insist you spend the night here,” Glenda said. “We can’t be navigating the woods in the dark. That’s what stupid kids do in the horror flicks. We all know what happens to those stupid kids. We’ll get an early start. If anyone has parents to call, now would be a good time.”
Ted rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen to make a call.
“Mia, you can call before me,” Cid offered.
“I don’t know how to get in touch with them. We don’t have an answering machine,” Mia said. “Anyway, I’m supposed to be at chess camp.”
“Wouldn’t they want to hear from you?” Glenda asked.
“They’re too distracted. I think they care, but you couldn’t prove it by the last twelve years.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. With Mike, I tend to be a little firm. I want to know where he’s going, who he’s going to be with, and what time he’s going to be home. Being both parents is hard, but I think he turned out alright.”
“He’s a special person,” Mia said.
Ted came back and stopped Cid before he called. “Remember, I’m staying with you, and you’re to tell Candy you’re staying with me. If she notices the car gone, tell her your mother had the dealership pick it up for a tune-up before the warm weather.”
Glenda leaned in. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. As far as I’m concerned, the parents know what’s going on.”
Ted came back in and sat down next to Mia. “I was working out the math on the range of the rock salt. If I cut down the barrels, the spray will be wider, but there will be less chance of the weapon locking up.”
“It’s a sound theory, but it’s not our shotgun.”
“Hell, I haven’t fired that since 65. We were overrun by deer. I didn’t shoot a deer, but the noise kept them out of my cornfields.”
“Murphy has a problem with deer eating his little trees in the future. Cid made him some covered mangers so he could feed the deer and they wouldn’t eat his seedlings.”
“Ugh, feeding deer just increases the problem,” she said. “Mr. Murphy!”
Murphy appeared.
“Let’s you and I talk about deer control.”
Murphy looked over at Mia and gave her a look of “Why me?” before he followed Glenda into the kitchen.
Ted slid his arm around Mia’s shoulders.
Mike walked over and took Ted’s hand off Mia’s shoulder. “Not in my house, lover boy.”
“We’re married.”
“Twenty years from now. Right now, you’re both stupid little kids. Mia, you could really do better.”
Mia started laughing.
“What did I say?” Mike asked, puzzled.
“Nothing that can be explained unless one is on a therapist’s couch,” she said.
Cid came out of the kitchen. His face was beaming. “I did it. I successfully lied to Candy. I think she had a hangover and just wanted to get off the phone. She’s having a party tomorrow night and asked if I can stay at your house,” he said to Ted.
“Whatever, dude, my casa is your casa.”
“If I’m going to be bright tomorrow, I better hit the hay,” Cid announced.
“I’ll show you two boys where to sleep. Come on, lover,” Mike put a firm hand on Ted’s shoulder. “Let go of Mia’s hand. Seriously, I’m going to start calling you Octopus,” Mike complained.
“You know I’m going to be taller than you,” Ted warned.
“Kid, you’re going to be taller, smarter, and somehow actually get this marvelous young lady to marry you. But right now, you’re a smart-mouth punk whom I shall endeavor to save Mia from.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Mia said.
“Mia, someone has to look out for you.”
“Ted’s a good guy, Mike.”
“I’m a good guy, but when I’m around my girlfriend, I’m not thinking too clearly,” he admitted.
“Thank you for being gallant,” Mia said.
“Okay, troops,” Mike said, addressing the boys. “Up to the third story.”
Mia watched them climb the stairs before she got up and gathered her equipment and tidied the living room.
She picked up her stuff and walked outside. She used the light of the ever-increasing moon to find the car. She put the equipment in the back of the station wagon as Glenda had instructed earlier. Glenda would drive Cid’s mother’s car while Mike drove the wagon. The farm had an old truck which Mike used but claimed it was a gas guzzler. It was parked on the other side of the wagon. Mia, who had always been interested in vehicles, walked around it, checking out the 1990’s idea of a sturdy truck.
She heard the screen door slam and looked over to see Mike striding across the yard towards her.
“I was just admiring your truck.”
“It’s old, but it gets me from point A to point B. It’s not much to look at, but it’s all we can afford.”
“Before I forget, if this all goes upside down and we’re left in this time, there are three books in the attic of your mother’s Lund family home. Two in a dresser in the attic, and a third tucked in a secret room at the end of the attic space. They have pictures of flowers in them. They can be auctioned off for hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you wait, even more. There is a ghost there now. You may want to go in daylight.”
“Why are you telling me about this?” Mike asked. “Aren’t you going to be there?”
“It’s just a precaution,” Mia said. “Mike, I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. If we don’t find Burt in the next two days, or if he doesn’t have the candle to break, then my life changes drastically.”
“Why? Wouldn’t you follow the same path?”
“My path, with a few exceptions, was filled with pain. A pain I would endure for the sake of the future of humanity, but it’s impossible to retrace steps when there are so many variables to consider. Plus, in my timeline, there are deaths that I can stop from happening.”
“That would definitely change things.”
“Yes. For example, how could I stand by and watch a woman hang herself in the hollow or three teenagers be abducted and slaughtered by demons for thinking they found an abandoned treasure trove, but actually belonged to a demon family. Later, I will pay restitution for this crime. It almost killed me. Ted and my conception of our first child was orchestrated by an entity who rules Purgatory. The timing had to be perfect to bring into this world a sage who will counsel the world through very difficult times. I’m sure that’s out of play now. So there won’t be a Brian or a Varden. If I don’t fix this, I will lose my children.”
“Couldn’t you have more children?”
“I know you’re young and don’t understand. Mike, you can never replace a child.”
“Will you go back home?” Mike asked.
“I don’t know. Probably, just to return Murphy to his trees. Maybe Wyatt Wayne will offer me sanctuary until my body changes. You see, Mike, I’m going to end up with wings. No matter what I do,
I end up with wings. It’s genetic. Also, I have demon genes, and as I grow, the genes become an alternate personality that… well… causes a lot of problems. But if I’m raised by demons, well, maybe I’ll have an easier life.”
“I don’t need to know any more, Mia. We’re going to find this Burt and make him break that candle,” he vowed. “One last question. Why did you marry that goof upstairs?”
“His love of comic books, graphic novels, and the like, help him to see me not as a freak of nature but, in his words, ‘something wonderful.’ I need his counsel and love to see myself as a superhero and not an assassin. His, Murphy’s, and Burt’s attention stop me from being a bitter person. He brings laughter into my life. Prior to him, there was little joy.”
“But you have him now…”
“Too early. Instead of an adult who’s already made his decision to become a paranormal investigator, he’s a child with a possibly wondrous future ahead of him. I’m not going to stand in the way of that,” Mia vowed. “And there is something else. Promise not to tell? I don’t want to frighten the boys.”
“What?”
“Demons have a second sense that alerts them when they’re being hunted. It allows them to pick up house and move in order to avoid any confrontation. I’ve been feeling hunted. If I fail in my quest, I’ll lead the hunters away from you guys.”
“Why, when we can help you?” Mike asked.
“I can’t chance any of you getting hurt because of me.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you, your mother, Ted, Cid, and Burt. I may be a child in your eyes, but remember, I have lived a life full of adventure and love. Love never dies, remember that. Also, beware, loving someone too much can kill you when the love vanishes. This happens too when they die or cease loving you, but your love for them never dies.”
“Dangerous like Romeo and Juliet?”
“Romeo and Juliet?” Mia mumbled. Her eyes snapped open and she almost toppled backwards as the two daggers appeared in her hands.