by J.R. Bowles
CHAPTER 30
“Bernie,” Zolar called. “Wake up, Bernie.”
“Oh, man, what was that?” Bernie slumped further down in the hotel armchair.
“That was our Jackie, wasn't it,” Bernie stated flatly, an admission of the obvious.
“Yeah.” Zolar cleared his throat. “She was the throat. It should have been the spleen, but the throat was next.” He shook his head in disbelief.
“Do you think she's okay? I mean, they won't kill her afterward or something?”
“She's okay,” Zolar reassured him. “That's the spleen opening that's the dangerous one. That's the opening of the destructive power of the universe.”
“Why didn't she tell us what was going on, when she called us?”
“I don't know—unless she didn't know what was happening. I just don't know.”
“When you say the spleen's the dangerous one, what do you mean?”
“The key to opening the spleen, the person used, will be in danger of dying. The spleen is destruction but it's also the greed center. It is the cycle of life and death. It creates but also destroys. Like birth and death. It is centered on the greed factor of all beings. The true definition of greed is desire. Whether it's desire for wealth or just the desire for living. All existence stems from greed.”
“Wait a minute; you're telling me greed is desire?”
“Yes, basically it is. If there was no desire then nothing could exist. Greed is analogous to many things. All greed stems from selfish motivation.”
“Living is a selfish motivation? You lost me there.”
“Our life energy attaches to these shells we live in. It's hard to explain. It's like telling you sugar is sweet, and then trying to explain what “sweet” is. Until you experience it, you can't truly know what sweet is.”
“Okay, I'll accept it for now.” Bernie shrugged. “You said the spleen is dangerous; well, this was the third opening, so that only leaves four more―and there's still you and me. That means one of us could be in danger.” Bernie jumped out of the chair as the realization seemed to hit him. “Damn it, why didn't you say that before? You let Jackie leave, knowing good and well she could have been hurt or killed. Damn you, what the hell were you thinking of? Why didn't you tell us before?” Bernie's face was red; had clenched his fists by his sides. He was on the verge of punching Zolar.
“Are you finished?” Zolar asked calmly; his brows rose in exasperation. “If it was to be, it would be.”
He paused, watching Bernie's reaction. “Don't you see? It wouldn't matter what we do; the openings will occur. I thought the spleen would have been next, but somehow the throat was opened. I don't know how, but someone changed it. But it was only the time of the opening which changed.”
Bernie opened his mouth to interrupt, but Zolar waved his hand in dismissal of any protests and continued.
“There's only one thing that can change this now. Since the very first center was opened, nothing can stop the events, unless someone kills the Avatar, our Mr. John Star.” Zolar mused for a moment. “Well, I guess Jackie knows our Mr. Star now. What I wonder is when will we see her again. But John Star cannot be easily killed. I know it can happen–I just don't know how, and with each opening it will become increasingly more difficult to accomplish.”
“Do you think Jackie will even call us?” Bernie grasped at that aspect of what Zolar had said. All of his anger had been defused with the question.
“I don't know, but I don't see why she shouldn't.”