by RL Edinger
Andrew crept along the dimly lit hallway of the third floor. Not a soul was in sight and he hoped that was a good thing. Andrew had tried several doors and found them to be unlocked. There were only four doors left to try. Andrew grasped hold of the door knob of the first one and gave it a twist. It was not locked. He tried the next one and it was also unlocked. Andrew quietly crossed over to the other side of the hallway. A sense of disappointed and doubt set in for a second as Andrew reached for the door handle. He gripped it firmly for fear of letting go and gave it a turn. It was locked! Andrew knelt down and reached inside the long coat. Andrew retrieved his lucky lock pick set that he had remembered to take from his duffle bag on the train. Andrew inspected the lock and removed the necessary picks.
Talia was lying in the bed when she heard some sounds coming from the door. She quietly slipped off the bed and over to the door. Someone was about to come inside, so Talia readied herself for an attack. Whoever it was; was going to get the surprise of their life. Talia heard the click in the lock and she poised for her attack.
Andrew slowly opened the door and stepped inside. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught some movement. Andrew immediately dropped to the floor as a fist swung to hit him. Andrew kicked out his foot and knocked the person to the floor. He jumped on them and pinned the person down.
Talia saw the door open. With all her might she swung her fist at the person, but instead, struck only air. The next thing Talia knew she was on the ground and the person had managed to pin her down.
Andrew took off his hood when he saw it was Talia.
“Andrew!” Talia squealed with joy.
Andrew offered Talia his hand. She took it.
Talia threw her arms around Andrew and squeezed him tightly.
“Okay,” Andrew announced that it was enough.
“What? Talia babbled. “How did you get here?”
“I will fill you in later,” Andrew said putting the hood back on. “We need to get Kara.”
They left the room.
Ana woke to find herself bound to her bed. She was pissed. How could a private investigator from Bayport, Wisconsin manage to out wit, out smart and out fight her knights? Apparently she had underestimated Andrew Knight as an adversary. Years ago during a training session Ana had dislocated her right wrist. Now any time she wanted to, Ana could dislocate it. Though it was painful, it was the only way to get out of her bonds. Ana closed her eyes and gave her wrist a sharp twist. She grimaced at the sound of her bones slipping out of place. With her wrist limp, Ana slipped out of her bonds easily and sat up. Now came the part she dreaded, putting her wrist back in place. Ana howled when she snapped her wrist back.
Ana quickly untied her feet and jumped off the bed and over to her walk-in closet. She undressed and immediately put on her knight’s garb. Ana slipped on her long coat and strapped on the scabbards that held her custom made, pearl handled, swords. They were a gift from her father when she took over as leader of the Knights of VanHelsing. Ana strapped on the belt with crossbow and arrows around her waist. Andrew Knight and the others were not going to get away. Ana walked out of the closet and closed the door behind her. She immediately unlocked the door and left her room.
Ana took off in the direction of the third floor to stop Andrew from setting Talia and Kara free.
Kara was lying on the bed when she heard the door open. She didn’t even bother to get up at first.
Finally, Kara sat up. She saw Talia being escorted in the room by one of the Knights.
“What do you want from me now?” Kara demanded.
“For all of us to go home,” Talia answered.
“We’re prisoners,” Kara retorted.
“Do you want to or not?” He removed his hood.
“Andrew!” Kara couldn’t get off the bed fast enough. She jumped on him and they both fell to the floor. Kara smothered Andrew with kisses.
“Okay,” Andrew pushed Kara off. They stood up.
“How?” Kara asked with curious eyes. She looked around. “Where is Nick?”
“We need to find Wyatt and get the hell out of here,” Andrew said. He put the hood back on, “I will explain it all once we get out of here.”
The three companions walked out of the room and went off in search of Wyatt.
The lower floors were quite opposite of the third. There were several Knights about and it made Kara and Talia very nervous. Andrew had come up with the cover story that he was taking them to be interrogated. They must have believed him, for the others left them alone.
As they walked along, one of the Knights followed a few paces behind. Either they did not believe the cover story or it was for another reason. Perhaps they wanted to make sure that Andrew did, in fact, take them to the interrogation room.
Andrew was aware of them being followed. He whispered for the girls to remain calm and just keep on walking. They did as Andrew instructed and remained silent as they walked along. When they reached a side passageway, Andrew told them to head in that direction. Andrew had them press up against the wall when they had gotten to a bend in the passageway. When the Knight that was following them reached the bend, Andrew struck! Within seconds he knocked out the person and had them on the floor. Andrew removed the person’s hood to reveal it was a young man who looked to be no more than seventeen or eighteen.
“That’s Wyatt,” Talia blurted out, but immediately covered her mouth.
“Holy crap,” Kara added. “Now what?”
“He must have recognized Talia and decided to follow us,” Andrew surmised. “Otherwise he had no reason not to believe our cover story.” Andrew said disappointedly. “Unfortuantely the only way out of here is by helicopter, and none of us know how to fly.”
“I know how to fly,” Kara announced. “I have my pilot’s license.”
“You do?” Andrew and Talia said at the same time.
“Like yeah,” Kara repeated with a head bob.
“So how do we get Wyatt and us out of here?” Talia looked to Andrew.
“We make a break for it,” Andrew answered. “Andrew knelt down and lifted Wyatt over his shoulder. “Let’s go.” Talia led the way to the to the helicopter area as the others followed.
The full moon was just peering over the majestic mountains. Ana was getting angrier by the minute. When she got to the third floor, she discovered that Andrew had already freed Talia and Kara. The next person he would search for was Wyatt. Ana smiled that there was no way out of all the knights at Gothica Andrew would be able to locate Wyatt. Ana walked over to the window and cast her gaze upon the moon. She could almost feel the light as it fell upon her. Ana closed her eyes for a moment to draw it in as if it was an elixir for her soul. She opened her eyes again and that’s when Ana saw Andrew and the others on the helicopter pad. Ana cursed and departed the room at a full run. There was no way she was going to let them escape.
Kara opened the door and climbed in the pilot’s seat. She began the preflight sequence. The whine of the rotors coming to life filled the night air. Andrew slid the side door open and put a still unconscious Wyatt inside. Talia stood beside Andrew, keeping watch and soon her fears were realized. A small army of knights were approaching their position with Ana in the lead. Talia shouted at Andrew, but the wind and the noise from the rotors drowned her out. She watched in terror as Ana and the knights loaded their crossbows. Talia gave Andrew a shove and when he turned, Andrew saw the army of knights.
“Get inside!” Andrew tried to push Talia to the open door. She instead spun around and faced Andrew to shield him. As each arrow struck, Talia moaned as her body jerked. When it was over, she lunged forward and Andrew caught her in his arms. Her eyes looked hollow as she stared up at Andrew.
Talia brought up her hands and gently, lovingly and cupped Andrew’s face. She drank in the sadness it showed.
“Do you know what true love is Andrew?”
“No,” Andrew’s answered, tears clouded his eyes.
Talia strained as she rose u
p. She drew closer. Andrew and Talia’s lips came together in one last, tender, loving kiss.
“Sacrifice,” Talia whispered as their lips drew apart. Talia was gone.
“Andrew!” Kara screamed. “We have to go!”
Andrew ignored her and gently laid Talia down. He finally turned to look at Kara. “Get out of here.” Andrew closed the door as Kara was still screaming at him to get in.
Kara saw Andrew gingerly lay Talia down and let loose the belt and drop it to the ground. Her eyes widened in further disbelief as Kara saw Andrew withdraw the twin swords from their scabbards. Kara kept shouting at Andrew. She couldn’t believe that he was going to take on Ana and her army of knights. They were trained killers! Kara was crying so hard she could barely see the instrument panel. She wiped her eyes and grasp hold of the throttle and the engines roared to full power. She would take off and then circle back to pick up Andrew.
The helicopter started to rise to the heavens. Kara turned the helicopter about and she saw Andrew, who was just about to attack. That’s when Kara also noticed the knights on the parapet above. They were loading wall mounted ballistas! Just as she turned the helicopter, they fired the first volley. Six highly deadly bolts rushed towards the helicopter. Kara forced the helicopter lower and they harmlessly flew by. Kara saw them make adjustments and reload for another volley, so she headed towards the valley and trees below. A second wave screamed towards the defenseless helicopter. Kara felt a sudden violent shudder, pieces of metal and black smoke shot past the side windows. They had hit the rear rotor! The controls went heavy in Kara’s hands. The helicopter was spinning as Kara tried to gain control. The trees and snowy ground drew closer and closer!
Ana couldn’t believe that Andrew was going to charge their position. She ordered her knights to remove their belts and make ready for Andrew’s attack. He was truly a fool to take them on. These were the best of all her knights; her elite guard. Ana let her belt drop as well and drew her own blades.
Andrew gave his battle cry and jumped up into the air. As he came back down, Andrew hit the first two with devastating kicks. Their heads snapped back with a sickening sound and they flew to the ground dead. Andrew landed and with his swords struck two more even before they could raise their own swords in defense. Andrew was in a fight to the death. The anger raging inside Andrew made him strong and unstoppable. The clashing of steel and the sounds of cracking bones echoed across the walls of Gothica. Two more knights charged into the mêlée. Andrew twirled about and drove his blades into their chests. Blood flowed and covered the grayish stone of Gothica. Andrew smashed and kicked his way amongst Ana’s elite. Finally, the last knight tumbled down and joined the rest of his fallen comrades. Andrew stood tall amongst the bloody and broken heap. He looked up in the sky just in time to see a barrage of steel tipped bolts fly towards the helicopter. Andrew recoiled when one of the bolts slammed into the rear rotor. It exploded, sending pieces of metal flying amongst streams of black smoke. Andrew saw the helicopter plunge towards the forest below.
Ana stood still. She was in shock. Andrew had defeated her knights; her very best! There Andrew stood victorious amongst the bloody heap he had created. Andrew Knight had to die!
Ana readied her pearl handled swords and charged at him. Andrew was distracted and it gave Ana the advantage. She was nearly upon Andrew and flew in the air and smashed into his back. Andrew sprawled to the ground. Ana brought both blades down but Andrew rolled over and blocked with his own. He jumped to his feet and swung at Ana, who blocked and twirled with a spin kick. Andrew blocked and drove his blades at Ana. She blocked with one and attacked with the other. Andrew met each with his own. Ana spun and hit Andrew with a powerful kick to the back. He fell forward, dropped, and rolled to his feet. Ana, with her blades ready to strike, rushed towards him. Andrew was ready. With one sword he slashed through the flesh of Ana’s leg and with the other, thrust it into her shoulder. Ana stumbled and let loose her swords which clattered to the stone ground. She rolled over to see Andrew towering above her.
“The Knights of VanHelsing will live on,” Ana was defiant. She closed her eyes and waited for Andrew to strike her down. Andrew rendered Ana unconscious instead with a blow to the head.
Hours later, after the battle with Ana and her knights, Andrew finally had the courage, and took Talia’s body into his arms. He looked up and searched the parapets. There was no sign of any knights. Andrew carried Talia inside the castle. He ascended the stairs to the third floor of Gothica and looked for a place to lay Talia’s body.
Andrew soon found an unoccupied bedroom chamber. He opened the door and stepped inside the room. There was a beautifully adorned canopy bed. Andrew walked over to the bed and laid Talia on her side. He swallowed hard and grasped hold of the first arrow. Andrew breathed deeply, emotionally for several seconds. His hand trembled, and Andrew closed his eyes as he removed the first arrow. For each arrow Andrew took out of Talia, the anguish and tears built to an emotional crescendo. And as the last arrow was withdrawn, Andrew slumped to the cold, harsh floor. He stared at the bloody object in his hand for a moment, and tossed it away. Andrew pulled himself up and pulled back the covers. He gingerly rolled Talia on her back. Andrew drew up the covers to her waist and folded Talia’s arms across her chest. It looked as if she were only sleeping.
Andrew tenderly kissed Talia’s lips. He would come back for Talia’s body and bring her home. Andrew knew that her knights would search for Kara and Wyatt. Andrew hoped he wasn’t too late.
The passageways of the Gothica were empty. Andrew walked alone, a shadow of his former self.
Chapter 15
Andrew drew into the clearing among the forest and was met with a strange and unexpected sight. It was a graveyard of rusted heaps of war birds from the past. And there among those deteriorating carcasses was the newest addition, the black helicopter. It was still relatively intact and rested on top of a cargo plane. He was amazed that somehow Kara had managed to land the helicopter.
Andrew scanned the snowy ground. There were several boot prints that came in from the north, the direction of Gothica castle. Andrew followed them until he was at the cargo plane. It was at the plane that Andrew saw two more sets of boot prints. He crouched down to examine them more closely. One set was not as deep as the other. That must be Kara’s. The others must be Wyatt’s, for they were deeper. Andrew deduced that Wyatt was injured by the way his left boot dragged as he walked. Also, Andrew saw a perfectly round hole next to the boot print. Wyatt had to use something to support his injured foot or leg.
Andrew rose and began to follow their tracks. When he was some distance from the cargo plane, Andrew saw that the knights picked up the trail and were following Wyatt and Kara. Andrew continued on until all but the knights’ tracks disappeared. He could see that the knights continued their search in the surrounding woods. Andrew stopped. He deduced that the knights’ thinking was only one dimensional. They would assume that Kara and Wyatt would continue on through the rough terrain in order to escape. So therefore, the knights’ would simply search for them until they finally would just give up. However, Andrew thought that if Wyatt was injured, there would be no way for him or Kara to do that. Kara and Wyatt would have to find some place to hide and wait out the knights. It would have to be some place close by. Andrew turned and ran back to the war bird graveyard.
Andrew stopped at the set of tracks by the cargo plane. This time he knelt down and examined the boot prints more closely. A slight smile spread across Andrew’s lips as he came to a realization. Both sets of prints were made by the same person. Andrew further deduced that first one set of booth prints were made up until they disappeared. Then Kara grabbed a stick and used it to support her as she walked backwards. That was why the other set was deeper and the stick mark was next to them. Andrew stood up and walked over to the side door of the cargo plane. The door was slightly open. Andrew leaned closer and peered through the crack. He saw a taught string rigged to the door. Andrew stepped
aside and flung the door open. An arrow flew safely past him and buried itself in the snow. Andrew jumped inside the plane and tucked and rolled as another arrow zoomed overhead. Andrew sprung to his feet and blocked a kick meant for his face. He grabbed the person’s leg and pushed them down.
“Kara!” Andrew called out. The attack ended.
Kara jumped up and threw her arms around Andrew. She gave him a full, on mouth, fervent kiss. Andrew gently pushed her away.
“Sorry,” Kara apologized. “It’s just that I thought they had killed you, and with the crash and all, well, I just got carried away.”
“It’s okay,” Andrew reassured her. He came up to her and put his arms around her. Kara rested her head on Andrew’s chest. “I thought you were dead too. But we’re okay now.” Kara looked up at Andrew, “How did you know we were in here?”
“I followed your tracks,” Andrew answered.
“If you did, then…” Kara started to say.
“Don’t worry your rouse worked on the Knights,” Andrew reassured. “They believe that you two are somewhere in the forest.” Andrew glanced down at Kara, “By the way that was pretty ingenious of you to make both sets of tracks.” Andrew now looked around the interior of the cargo plane. There among the deteriorating wooden crates, was a sleeping area made up of old parachutes and canvas tarps. That’s where Andrew saw Wyatt, who hadn’t woken up during all the commotion.”