"Better do what he says,” Arnold said to Steven and John. They obeyed, cautiously sliding out of the car. Steven managed to signal the to the two boys to lay low and remain silent as he stepped out of the vehicle.
"I said put your hands up,” the man ordered more forcefully. “I'll shoot you where you stand. Don't matter one way or another to me."
The three men stepped out from behind the pickup truck, laughing. “Nice going, Zeke."
The three advanced menacingly toward them, rifles aimed from the hip.
"I believe we have the matter of a toll to settle with you gentlemen,” the largest of them said. He cocked his rifle. “Don't we?"
Arnold was trying to figure a way out of their dilemma. It didn't look too hopeful, he had to concede. They were purely at the mercy of men who would not give a second thought to killing them on the spot. What consequences did they have to fear?
The large man was face-to-face with Arnold. He had instinctively pegged Arnold as the leader.
"How much money you got on you, buddy?” the man said, no longer smiling but hovering over Arnold threateningly.
Arnold stared the man down, not answering him.
The man leaned into Arnold's face and yelled, “I said, how much money you got?"
Arnold smiled at him. This enraged the man. He turned away for a second and then swung around, smashing Arnold across the face with his gun butt. Arnold fell to the ground in pain and Harold instinctively started to bend for his shotgun, but the large man had his rifle pointed at him before he could make the move. He moved quite gracefully for a man of his size.
"Don't get any ideas, mister,” he growled at Harold, who stopped in mid-motion.
The man stood over Arnold and said, “Now, let's try this again. How much money you got?"
"Fuck you!” Arnold managed to grunt, grimacing in pain. A large gash was spilling blood from his forehead.
"Now, that ain't hospitable,” the large man said. He drove his heavy boot into Arnold's side, causing him to grunt.
"We can do this all night, Mister, if that's what you'd like."
"Leave him alone!” Ray said, with more bravery than sense.
The man raised an eyebrow in amusement. “You want some of what I just gave him, little man?"
Ray's face indicated his regret at his fast tongue, but he wasn't going to back down. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Well, if you think a guy your size needs to prove he can beat the piss out of a little guy like me, go for it."
"Naw. I think I'll just fuckin’ shoot you.” He raised his rifle and took aim at Ray, who felt the blood rush out of his face.
At that moment, a brilliant white light glowed just to the left of him. Susan materialized out of the light. She seemed to glow in the darkness. “Leave him alone,” she said, with a voice of gentle command.
"What th.... “the large man's jaw fell. He lowered his rifle absentmindedly. His eyes were wide with fear. “What are you?” he managed to sputter, his voice trembling.
Susan said nothing. Her eyes bore into his, although her face showed no animosity.
The large man recovered his composure quickly. This was just a woman dressed in some silly robe, after all. “Listen, little lady, this doesn't concern you,” he said condescendingly to Susan, who raised an eyebrow and cocked her head slightly at the remark. Then just the barest hint of a smile came to her lips. “You think something's amusing, bitch?” the large man said, clearly angered by the smile. “I'll wipe that smirk off of your face.” He took a few steps toward her, with his hand drawn back as if to slap her with the back of his hand.
Ray stepped between them. “You aren't going to touch her, bubba,” he said, his eyes meeting the large man's coldly.
"I thought I told you to shut up, little man,” he growled. He put out his hands to grab him. Susan thrust her right hand toward the man, who flew backward as if pulled by a rope. He got up on one knee, shook the cobwebs out of his head, and got back to his feet, his face a mask of pure rage now. “Now, that ain't playing very nice, little lady,” he glowered. “Maybe you need to learn to appreciate a good man like me.” He began to unzip his pants. He pulled out a thick, hard penis. “Maybe you need a little of this,” he smiled, cradling his engorged member in his hand.
Susan shook her head and said, “You really shouldn't have done that.” She gestured toward the man. The zipper rapidly closed, pinching his penis between its teeth. He screamed out in excruciating pain as he bent over, clenching his bleeding organ.
Ray, Arnold and Harold had to laugh.
Harold tried to take advantage of the distraction. He knelt down to grab his shotgun and turned to fire at the man covering them from behind.
"No, Senator Bennett!” Susan called out. “That is not the way.” She pointed at him, and before Harold could react, the shotgun was hurled out of his hands. He stood there, a look of surprise on his face, his hands still posed as if holding the shotgun.
Things happened in a blur after that. The man behind them fired two quick shots at Harold. Susan pushed her hand toward the path of the bullets. They stopped in mid-air and fell harmlessly to the ground with two metallic tinkles. The rifle flew from his hands in the same motion. The large man was still writhing in pain on the ground. The zipper was resisting his efforts to release it. The two men in the truck both took quick aim at Susan and fired simultaneously. She raised her hand, stopping the bullets a foot from her face, and at the same time hurtling the two men backward through the air. Their rifles went flying too, landing about twenty feet from them. They both looked at her in shocked disbelief. One scrambled on his hands and knees to recover his rifle. As he reached out to pick it up, Susan propelled it away from him. He attempted to pick it up several times with the same result, before he finally gave up.
Susan walked over to the large man who was in the grip of his zipper and said, “You have a lot to learn about women, sir. I'll bet your dance card fills up real fast.” With that, she made a small circular gesture with her left hand, and the zipper released itself. The man cried out in relief. “What's your name?” she asked him.
"Zeke,” he answered painfully. “Zeke Bartlett. These are my brothers."
"Well, Zeke Bartlett. Here's what I want you to do. You and your brothers are going to go back to your truck, get in, ride away, and not bother anyone ever again. You think you can remember that?"
Zeke glared up at her, contemplating whether or not to rush her and overwhelm her with his physical strength. After a moment, his male pride got the better of him and he attempted the move. He leaped at Susan, who reacted instantly, throwing him no less than twenty feet through the air, without making any real contact with him.
"Do we have a learning disability here?” she said to Zeke, in a tone of mock disappointment, shaking her head.
Zeke Bartlett looked at her from the ground, shaking his head in dismay and anger.
"Now, Zeke, please repeat to me what I just told you, just so we have no misunderstandings, okay?” she said sweetly.
After a moment, Bartlett relented, “We're going to get in our truck and drive away."
"And what else?” she said, as if drilling a child learning his multiplication tables.
"And not bother anyone ever again."
"Very good,” she said, clapping her hands together with delight. “Now go!” she ordered firmly. They obeyed, scrambling for the truck like four men who had seen a ghost. Within a few seconds, they were screeching their tires down the road back toward town.
Susan walked over to Arnold, still lying on the ground bleeding profusely from the gash in his forehead. She knelt beside him and placed her hand gently on his forehead. The gash closed instantly. Within moments, there was no sign of the wound, except for the fresh blood that had been flowing from it a moment earlier.
The pain left him completely. He looked up at Susan with gratitude and a trace of awe in his eyes. How radiantly beautiful she is, he thought. Like an angel.
"Thank you,
” he said. She nodded in acknowledgment.
"Let me help you to your feet,” she said.
"No. I can do it,” Arnold said as he stood up. “Who are you?” he finally asked.
"Don't you recognize her, Arnold?” Ray smiled. “It's Susan Morgan."
Arnold's eyes lit up in recognition of the name. “So you're the famous Susan Morgan. You're the one who is descended from the original Jesus, aren't you?"
"Yes,” she responded. “I am."
He took her hand in his and said, “I want to thank you for coming to our rescue. I thought we were goners there for a minute."
"You were,” she said, her eyes twinkling playfully. Her eyes then met Ray's.
"Susan,” he smiled, reaching his arms out to embrace her. She stepped toward him and accepted his embrace, offering her own in return.
"Aren't you getting a little old for this sort of thing, Ray?” she said playfully. He laughed.
"You look amazing, Susan,” he said as he looked her over. Then he grew serious. “I just found out about Angelino and the others,” he said, his eyes carrying deep sympathy for her as he took her hand in his. “I am truly sorry."
"Thank you, Ray,” she said, patting his hand gently.
By this time, Steven and John had retrieved the two boys from the car. Susan noticed them. “Why, Doctor Hamilton, Doctor Barber. Imagine finding you in the company of these scoundrels,” she laughed. “I hardly recognized you."
"Don't rub it in,” John said with a wry smile. “All of us have seen better days."
Susan knelt down so she could address the two boys at eye level. “And who are these two brave young men?” she smiled at them.
"That's Rashi Omani and Jacob Goldstein,” Harold said. He had taken the role of protector for them and felt it natural for him to speak out in their stead.
"Did you say, ‘Goldstein', Senator Bennett?” she said, with surprise.
He nodded.
She addressed the young Goldstein boy. “Is your father Rabbi Samuel Goldstein of Israel?” she asked him kindly.
He nodded his head. “Are you an angel?” he asked with awe.
"No,” she smiled sweetly, “But I have some good news for you, young man. Your mother is safe with my friends back in a city called Indore, in India."
Jacob's eyes lit up widely and he smiled broadly. He looked at his friend happily and said, “Did you hear that, Rashi? Momma's alive!” Jacob caught himself as the news only drove home Rashi's loss. “I'm sorry, Rashi,” he said. “I forgot."
Susan looked at Harold quizzically. He motioned her to step away from the boys. He explained how they had discovered the boys and the circumstances of the death of Rashi's parents. Susan nodded, watching the two boys as her heart broke with pain for them. Her eyes moistened as she thought of what they must have been going through ... how lost and frightened they must feel. “They were very fortunate it was you who found them,” she said to Harold. “You were kind to take care of them."
"What else could I do, ma'am?” he said evenly.
"A lot of men wouldn't have bothered in your situation, Senator. God smiles upon you."
He bowed his head in thanks for her blessing.
Susan spoke so they all could hear her now. “So, what are you gentlemen doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"
"We were heading for Colorado, Susan,” Ray explained. “We figured it was a good place to get away from the madness which has taken over the rest of the country."
She nodded in understanding. “Yes, that's a good idea."
"We were going to go to your cabin, Ms. Morgan,” Steven said. “Ray figured you wouldn't mind."
"No, I don't mind at all. In fact, I would have insisted had I been around for you to ask,” she smiled.
"Ms. Morgan,” Arnold said. “I have to ask you ... how did you find us here?"
"I was simply led here, Mr. Wills. That's about the best explanation I can give you.” Then she thought her answer over for a moment and amended it slightly. “No, that's not right. It's more like I was guided here.” As she said that, she looked at Jacob Goldstein. She was beginning to understand. She looked down the road in the direction the Bartlett brothers had driven. She closed her eyes for a moment and placed her hand on Ray's Toyota. A blue-white glow emanated from her hand, engulfing the automobile for a moment. “You will be safe on the rest of your journey,” she said confidently. “I think it would be best if I took the boys with me."
Harold began to protest automatically, but caught himself. Despite Susan's apparent confidence, he didn't know what other dangers they might encounter on the rest of their journey to Colorado.
Susan stepped over to the two boys and stood between them, taking each of their hands in hers. “Come. There is a mother who is going to be very happy to see her son again.” She smiled down at Jacob and winked at him. He grinned broadly back at her. A flash of white light enveloped them, and they were gone.
Chapter 32
SUSAN KNOCKED ON Gertrude Goldstein's door. “I'm sorry to intrude, dear,” she said gently, “but I have someone here who would like to see you."
"I don't want to see anybody,” Gertrude wailed.
Susan smiled. “I think you might be willing to make an exception this time.” She stepped to the side, revealing a cleaned up Jacob, who was beaming like a lighthouse.
"Jacob!” the older woman exclaimed with joy. “My God! But how...?” her eyes carried happiness and confusion.
"Momma!” Jacob interrupted his mother's confusion and ran into her arms. She pulled him close to her.
"Jacob, my sweet boy.” Again tears flowed, but this time they were tears of pure happiness and relief.
Susan closed the door quietly and slipped away, allowing them time to savor their reunion. It wouldn't bring Samuel back but it would certainly mitigate her grief. Perhaps Mrs. Goldstein would realize she needed to be strong for his sake. That would be good for her. She had been allowing herself to become consumed by her own grief.
Everyone seemed more light-hearted somehow, now that the boys had been found. Raji and Terianna resumed their playful banter. Even Maribella was smiling again, although her smile was tempered with melancholy. As much as one could share in the joys of others, it was not really enough to make the pain of one's own loss go away. Nevertheless, she seemed to be finding some happiness in talking with Rashi. They hit it off in that magical way two people sometimes do. They laughed together over in the corner, playing some game they had invented off the top of their heads.
Raji walked over to her and said proudly, “Susan, you have just done a wonderful thing. Thank you, on behalf of all of us. It is nice to hear the sound of children's voices again."
Susan did not respond. She had only done what had to be done. How odd, though, that she had been led to find them, just at the moment she had. Odder still was the coincidence of Rabbi Goldstein's son being found by Ray and his companions. She smiled at herself. Coincidence? Not likely. She no longer believed in things like luck or coincidence. Those were just easy ways to disavow accountability for one's choices. She was guided to find Jacob by something ... or someone, she was certain of that. Nevertheless, whatever the forces that conspired to put her where she was most needed were, she could not deny the sense of lightness and happiness she was feeling. She felt so very young and alive.
"I'm going to go for a walk,” she chirped to Raji.
The night air was cool but comfortable after the heat of the day. A dazzling array of stars brightened the night sky. Susan would never again take the sight of those stars for granted. They always filled her with a sense of wonder and awe. Never did she feel more united with that force which had come to be called God than when she allowed her awareness to merge with the vastness of space. The finite yielded to the infinite until neither concept ... the finite or the infinite ... fully contained the breadth and depth of existence. Totality was the only concept that even began to approach the truth, but even that was a pale and clumsy representa
tion of the physical mind for portraying the boundlessness of the soul.
Feeling light and almost playful, Susan walked with a bounce to her step, almost skipping along the streets of Indore. She greeted everyone she encountered with a cheerful Hello and a smile, which seemed to elicit the same sense of happiness from each of them automatically. If we do, indeed, create our own reality, she mused, then the reality I'm creating at this moment was a most joyful one.
Soon, she found herself standing outside the Holy Temple which had been the scene of Nicole's “conversion,” the night she struggled with the demons that attempted to control her. She stopped short, as the memory of that night rushed into her consciousness. She was filled with a sudden sadness. How she missed that sweet soul Nicole. How she missed all of them.
She opened the door to the temple and entered it slowly. All the candles at the altar and the torches along the walls were lit. Odd, she thought. No one had visited the temple for weeks yet not a trace of dust was to be found. The air was clean and well-ventilated, devoid of that musty odor one usually encountered when entering a building which had not been occupied for a period of time.
She walked up to the altar. The golden crown and staff were no longer there. Only the wooden chalice remained. Then she saw something she had not noticed the last time she had been here. On the floor, a series of smooth, shiny white stones, each about two feet square, were arranged in a circular pattern. At the center of the circle was another square, apparently made of pure gold. A series of gold inlaid arcs and lines ran between all of the stones, forming an intricate lattice-like pattern.
Her attention kept coming back to the stones. They were polished to an almost mirror-like luster that made them capture the candlelight and torchlight in a dazzling manner. How beautiful they are, she marveled. She walked around the outer circumference of the inlaid circle, her attention riveted on the intricate pattern. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed it the last time she had been there. It seemed to command her attention, so dominating was its design.
"Beautiful, isn't it, Susan?” a familiar voice spoke to her.
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