Ninth Lord of the Night

by Diana L. Driver

  “Who’s Itzmana?”

  “The great creator god. The god who gave us writing.”

  Zack fell silent. Maria began to say something else and he cut her off. “Drop it, okay? I don’t want to hear any more of this.”

  “Sure,” she nodded. “All right.”

  “Thanks,” he said.

  Maria sighed. “Sometimes I don’t think before I speak. There are some things I need to explain to you.”

  “What things in particular?”

  “The macho stuff. Do you know what the word ‘macho’ means?”

  “I suppose, manly or something isn’t it?”

  “Its more than that. In Latin America ‘macho’ is a male attitude that women have less value than men. Men are stronger and more intelligent. Women are subservient. I’ve been fighting that attitude all my life.”

  “But, weren’t you born and raised in the U.S.? Your dad doesn’t think that way does he?”

  “No, my dad’s great. It’s my mom and her family. Not the Maya, the Ladino ones.”

  “Ladino?”

  “In Guatemala any person who isn’t Maya is ladino, even people who are born Maya. If they leave the village and discard traditional Maya clothes then they are ladino. The Maya treat them like they are outcasts. Deserters. Anyway, whenever I visit Mom’s ladino family in Guatemala City, or they come to see us they bring their macho attitude with them. They expect my mother and me to wait on them hand and foot. I can’t stand it, and I hate to see my mother treated like she’s less than a person. You saying Sam made you feel macho pushed all the wrong buttons. Anyway, I’m sorry.”

  “Forget it. It’s okay. But, what about the other things you said? About that night when you got so scared?” Zack wasn’t going to let her off so easily.

  “I don’t understand why that is such a big deal to you. If anyone else had been with you wouldn’t you have done the same thing? Wouldn’t you have tried to comfort them? I got scared and felt dependent on someone else for protection. I don’t like feeling helpless and dependent.”

  Zack stopped, put his hands on her shoulders, and looked her in the eyes. “But, it wasn’t anyone else, Maria. It was you. It was me. It made me feel good to be there for you. Special and important. I’ve never felt like that before.”

  “Everyone needs to feel special and important, Zack. That’s not just a ‘guy thing’.”

  “I didn’t say that!” he argued.

  “Yes you did. Think about it.”

  He didn’t agree with her, but he didn’t want to fight anymore. “All right,” he said, “let’s just drop it.”

  They’d reached the compound. Maria went to her room in the main house and Zack headed for his bungalow. He opened the door and stood there, shocked by what he saw. His belongings were strewn about the room. The mattress was half off the bed, the pages from his books littered the floor, and the drawing that he’d been foolish to leave in plain sight was missing. So, it seemed, was the tarantula.

  Chapter Fourteen

  He picked up his broken CDs and dropped them in the wastebasket in the bathroom. Then he gathered the pages of his Frommer’s Travel Guide and the Tikal guidebook and stuffed them back between the book covers. He glanced out the window and saw Josh skimming leaves from the pool.

  “Hey, Josh,” Zack called. “Did you see anyone messing about in my room?”

  Josh shook his head. “Is there something missing?”

  “No,” Zack replied, “Stuff just got moved around a bit. Never mind. It’s okay.”

  But it wasn’t okay. His favorite CDs were ruined, his books torn, his clothes gone through, and his personal privacy breached. He tossed the clothes in a pile and once again called out to Josh, “Hey! Where can I do my laundry?”

  “Just take them to Mrs. Sanchez and she’ll do them for you. There are baskets in a room by the side door along with a pencil and a tablet. Put the clothes in one of the baskets, write your name on a piece of paper, and leave it on top. When she’s finished she’ll put them back in your room.”

  “Thanks.” Zack scooped up the clothes, took them main house and left them in a basket like Josh told him to do. Afterwards, he made himself a sandwich and took it, some chips, and a bottle of soda back to his bungalow.

  The wadded-up map was the only thing missing. Obviously, the mustached murderer had been in his room, looking for the map. The guy had probably never expected it to be out in the open and had wrecked the place before bothering to look at the crumpled up piece of paper.

  All things considered, it wasn’t such a bad thing that the murderer had the map. Now, Zack had nothing to fear from him and besides, after this last vision, Zack didn’t intend to go back out to the ruins. He’d been out there twice, and each time something weird had happened. He could spend the rest of his time in Tikal sitting right here in his bungalow or swimming in the pool. To hell with the Maya holy book.

  He finished eating and settled back on the bed. There wasn’t even the slightest hint of a breeze coming in the windows. He got up, opened the door and took off his shirt before settling back down on the bed, his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling and listened to the sounds of the rippling water as Josh continued scooping debris from the pool.

  He heard Kyle’s voice as the back door of the main house squeaked open. Presently he saw Kyle on the small porch.

  “Hey,” Zack called out. “You just getting back?”

  Kyle came to the doorway, followed by Samantha. “Yeah, why?”

  “Just curious,” Zack said.

  Samantha pushed in front of Kyle and leaned against the doorframe. “My, my. Don’t you look comfortable?”

  “What’s up?” Zack asked. She looked exotic in her green canvass jungle hat, her off-the-shoulder embroidered Mexican blouse, and bluejean cutoffs.

  “Hope you don’t mind that I’m checking out your brother,” she said. “What a hunk.” She pushed off the doorframe, brushing past Kyle.

  Kyle frowned at Zack, but didn’t move.

  “Well?” Zack asked, “How was it?”

  Through the open door Zack could see Josh still standing by the pool, looking in their direction.

  “What? How was what?” Kyle asked.

  “The trip to the ruins. Wasn’t that where you guys were?”

  A look of relief spread over Kyle’s face. “Fine. It was fine,” he said.

  “What did you think I meant?”

  “I don’t know” Kyle said, his face red. “Nothing.”

  Josh started to walk off.

  “It was neat as a matter of fact,” Kyle said.

  “I bet Sam makes a good tour guide,” Zack popped off. “What exactly did she show you?”

  “Nothing, we were just looking at the ruins. Anyway its none of your business so butt out.”

  “Sure,” Zack answered.

  “And, stay away from her.”

  “What?” Zack asked.

  “You heard me. Stay away from Sam.”

  “Wait a minute. You were the one out at the ruins with Samantha. Not me. Don’t get on my case.”

  “Just don’t get the wrong idea about Sam. She’s not what she seems so you stay away from her. Leave her alone.”

  Zack’s spirits lifted at this new development. This sounded like paranoia. Also known as the beginning of the end. “For your information I’ll see anybody I damn well please,” he said. “If you can’t hold Samantha’s interest then that’s your problem. Not mine.”

  Incensed, Kyle flew across the room and slammed his fist into Zack’s jaw. He was just about to land another punch when Josh came running in and grabbed him around the waist.

  “Knock it off,” Josh ordered, pulling Kyle back.

  Kyle relaxed and Josh let him go. Kyle shook his hand and stomped out, Josh following behind him. Zack gingerly touched his jaw and grimaced, hoping Kyle’s hand hurt as much as his face did.

  Zack closed his door and stretched back out on the bed. Events were happening too fast
for him to absorb them. He felt like he was canoeing down a white river unable to see around the next bend. He and Kyle had always been rivals, but they’d never come to blows before and he had never seen his brother so livid. The visions, the murderer, and now Kyle’s rage were new experiences that he didn’t know how to deal with. One thing ended, but before he could relax he was hit with something else.

  Tension was thick that night at supper. He wondered if Maria and Sam could feel it. Probably. Anyway, he was glad that there were only the four of them at the table. Josh, Linda, Clifton and Dr. Collins were out at the site. Dr. Collins was worried about the thefts and Linda was worried about her dad. Bruce and Dusty were also missing, and no one knew where they were. Mrs. Sanchez said she would save them some supper and they could eat whenever they came in.

  “I like you better without your shirt,” Sam teased. Maria glanced at her and then at Zack. Sam stretched back in her chair, reached into the pocket of her shorts and pulled something out.

  “Here, Zack. Catch this,” she said tossing a small object in Zack’s direction.

  It was a small gold earring in the shape of a circle with an arrow pointing to the upper right, the Egyptian symbol for man.

  He tossed it back, unnerved by the look on his brother’s face. “No thanks,” he said. “I don’t need it.”

  Samantha grinned. “No, I bet you don’t.”

  Kyle grabbed the earring from her hand. “Let me see that.” He glanced at it, shot Zack a disgusted look, and threw the earring back at Sam.

  Unperturbed, she kissed Kyle on the cheek. “Oh, does the little boy feel hurt? I’d have given to you, if you wore an earring.”

  Without a word Maria got up from the table and left. Her plate still filled with food.

  “What a party-pooper,” Sam said.

  “Maybe she has the right idea,” Kyle said.

  “Get me another beer, Kyle. Please?” Sam asked, her eyes wide and innocent.

  Kyle glanced at Zack. “Sure,” he said.

  “Maria seems a little miffed with you,” Sam said to Zack.

  “She’s not,” Zack answered. “She’s just tired. We had a good time this afternoon.”

  “You were with Maria this afternoon?” Her eyes widened in surprise. “Bet that was as much fun as the time I spent with your brother.”

  “It was okay.”

  “That’s what I thought,” she stated, wrapping a lock of her red hair around her finger. “I heard how you got that bruise on your chin.”

  Kyle set the beer down on the table with a thud.

  “It was nothing,” Zack said. “Just a little brotherly spat. We have them all the time.”

  Kyle sat back down. He put his arm around Sam’s chair. She shrugged it off. “Kyle?” she whined. “Aren’t you tired?”

  “No,” he answered.

  “How about you Zack?” Sam purred. “You don’t look tired at all, in fact, you look rested and full of energy.”

  But he was tired, tired of playing this dumb little game. Sam was giving his brother the brush-off and Kyle was too big a jerk to realize it.

  “I’m finished.” Sam pushed her plate away. “I’m going to my room. If anyone can come up with an interesting activity then you know where to find me.”

  Kyle waited until she left, then blasted Zack, “I told you this afternoon to leave her alone. Why can’t you just do what I tell you?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Zack retorted. “Give me a break. Anyway, you don’t have the right to order me around. Face it Kyle, because it’s obvious. Sam’s not only dumping you, she’s actually dumping you for me. Better get used to it.”

  “That’s a crock. You think you can take whatever you want, do whatever you want, and to hell with everyone else. You ruin everything you touch, and every chance you’re given.” Kyle stood up and leaned over the table. Zack smelled the beer on his breath. “You spend your time getting into trouble and someone else always has to bail out your butt.”

  “I do not spend all my time getting into trouble,” Zack protested, getting to his feet.

  “Could have fooled me. Who was it that got jailed for grand theft auto? Wasn’t that you Zack? Sure it was. You give my family a bad name.”

  “Back up a few spaces,” Zack demanded. “What do you mean by your family? Isn’t it my family too?”

  “Not hardly. Your mother was some dumb bitch who got herself knocked up and didn’t want you. Wasn’t being abandoned by one mother enough for you? Now, you’ve ruined my mom’s life, too.”

  “What?” Zack was shocked. “You can’t possibly believe that.”

  “You heard me,” Kyle hissed, hate in his eyes. “You bastard.”

  Kyle did believe it. Zack’s right fist caught Kyle off balance. He staggered back against the wall. Dishes fell and shattered to the floor as Zack scrambled over the table, trying to keep his advantage. Kyle was on his feet in an instant. Blocking Zack’s swing with his left arm, Kyle gave him a solid undercut to the stomach. Zack doubled over and Kyle shoved him down to the floor.

  “Get up!” Kyle shouted. “Get up you frigging bastard! I’ve been wanting to do this for a long, long time.”

  Zack reached out and grasped the table leg. Slowly he pulled himself up.

  Clifton stood in the doorway. “Stop it!”

  Zack pulled his arm back, fist clinched. He stepped closer to Kyle. Clifton moved between them, planting his palm against Zack’s chest.

  Zack, stop it,” Clifton demanded.

  Zack dropped his arms and backed away.

  Clifton glared at him. “What’s this all about?”

  “Ask him!” Zack yelled. He stormed out of the room, pushed the front screen door open and slammed it hard against the wall. For a moment he stood at the edge of the verandah hitting his already bruised fist against the railing and staring out into the darkness.

  “Are you all right?” Maria asked. She’d been sitting in chair underneath the window. He didn’t answer and she got up and came to him.

  “You heard it all, didn’t you?”

  “I think everyone heard,” she said.

  “I don’t guess it really matters. Everyone probably knew I was slime to begin with. Kyle just confirmed their suspicions.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Sure it is. I stole a car and broke up a marriage.”

  “You broke up a marriage? Somehow I don’t think you have that much power.”

  “Yeah, right,” Zack said. His brother’s words really bothered him. Bastard. Kyle had actually called him a bastard, and according to the definition in the dictionary, Kyle was right. Once again, Zack slammed his fist against the post.

  Maria cradled his fist in her hands. “Zack, please don’t.”

  After a few seconds she asked, “Did you really get arrested for stealing a car?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why? To go joy riding?” Quickly she added, “Never mind. I’m, sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  Zack sighed. “No, it’s okay. But, it’s not as bad as everyone thinks. Then again, maybe it is. Maybe I can’t judge.”

  He took Maria by the hand, led her down the steps of the verandah, and over to the red truck. “Let’s talk in here,” he said, opening the door for her.

  “You don’t have to tell me,” Maria said.

  “It would be nice to be able to tell someone.”

  “Then I’ll glad to listen.”

  He climbed in the driver’s seat and inhaled deeply while staring out the windshield. “I used to have this friend named Fletcher,” Zack said. “His dad was a drunk. A real jerk. When we were little, Fletcher would come to school covered with bruises. I never asked him what happened. I guess I just always knew. And Fletcher knew I knew. When we got older, Fletcher started running away from home and spending the night with me. I thought my mom and dad knew about it and just never said anything.” Zack shook his head as he continued on. “I guess they didn’t know because about two weeks before Super Bow
l Sunday Fletcher was in my room, sleeping on the floor. Around eleven my mom comes in, throws a fit, and tells him to get out. She says it’s a school night and that we don’t have permission for him to spend the night. Before I can even reason with her, Fletcher’s out of there like a shot. Later, I found out that he’d spent the night behind a garbage dumpster at a Jack in the Box.”

  Maria let out a soft compassionate sigh. “I’m sorry about your friend, but what does this have to do with stealing a car?”

  “I’m getting to that. On Super Bowl Sunday I was alone in the house. Dad had taken Kyle out of town to the game. Mom was with some friends from work, watching the game at their house. Fletcher shows up right after halftime, his mom with him. They were scared half to death. Fletcher’s dad was pissed off about something. Probably that his team was losing or some dumb ass thing like that. I guess Fletcher was fighting back this time, because when they split his old man was going for his shotgun. They could hear him cursing from a block away. Fletcher’s mom had some friends in Topanga Beach. Do you know where that is?”

  Maria shook her head, “No, I’m not familiar with California.”

  “It’s on the ocean. Between L.A. and Malibu. Fletcher pleaded with me to drive them to their friend’s house in Topanga Beach. I knew it was a long drive, but how could I say no? Dad had left his car at the airport so I took my mom’s Mercedes. I drove them where they wanted to go. It took almost seven hours. I suppose I should have stopped somewhere and called home, but I didn’t. When we got to Topango Beach Fletcher’s mom was taken to the hospital. Fletcher and I spent the night in the waiting room. Afterwards, we crashed at his friend’s house. I slept in the next day and didn’t start home until after lunch. Fletcher’s mom had a couple of broken ribs, and a broken collar bone.” Zack’s voice broke. He could feel tears in his eyes. He paused as he fought to regain control, tightening his grip on the steering wheel and continuing to stare out the window. This next part was difficult to talk about.

  “Zack? What? What happened?”

  “Mom didn’t get home until late. She waited a couple of hours, and then called the cops. Mom didn’t report me as a missing person. She didn’t mention me to the cops at all. She reported her car as stolen. She just reported her precious Mercedes. When the cops arrested me in Malibu, they didn’t believe me when I told them I was driving my mother’s car. They locked me up and I sat in jail for two days until my dad came and got me out.”