The Turner Chronicles Box Set Edition

by Mark Eller

  She sat on the couch beside Sarah, which made them very easy to tell apart. Sarah wore a sheet. Kit wore nothing until she saw the cab driver. Then she dove into the bedroom. Aaron smiled. The more he saw Kit in her altogether the less effect she had on him. He had almost felt nonchalant and uninterested when he first entered the apartment.

  Perk gave Aaron a half smile, quirked an eyebrow, and turned her gaze to where Sarah still sat on the couch with the sheet wrapped around her. She nodded towards the bags Perk held.

  "I hope the clothes Aaron promised us are in there," she said just as Kit returned to the front room wearing a blanket and a red faced glare. Aaron had to admit that she was getting much better at that glare thing. She almost had it down to an art.

  Somehow during his absence the two women had figured out how to turn on the radio. New age jazz filled the room. It was beyond Aaron how they had managed to do it, but they had. Of all the music he had heard in his life, new age jazz was his least favorite.

  "Did the best he could lovely," Perk said to Sarah, dropping a bag of clothing on the floor. Her eyes immediately fastened onto Kit. "Nice assets, Godiva, but you could use a body tan if you're going to run around in your altogether. Nothing worse than a sunburnt butt. By the way, my name is Kara Perkins. You can call me Perk. Don't ever call me Perky. Nothing about me is Perky."

  Sarah looked inquiringly at Aaron.

  "I told you manners are much less formal here," Aaron explained. "First name usage is common."

  She nodded and rose to awkwardly shake Perk's hand while still clutching her sheet. "I'm Sarah. Nature's beauty over there is Kit. I take it you are our savior. Please tell me you did not leave Aaron alone when he bought our clothing."

  "Mostly not. Some of it he did on his own. Must have been some party when you people lost all the ones you had on you."

  "I wouldn't call it a party," Kit said while riffling through the bags and pulling out clothing. She defiantly dropped her blanket, held up a bra and then looked down. There was a considerable difference in size. "I heard you sold these at the store. Really Aaron, I'm flattered."

  The artificial skin on her breast now exactly matched her real skin. Aaron somehow got the impression that Kit was still totally unaware of exactly what had been done to her. She knew because she had been told--but she did not know. It was probably best to keep it that way.

  "Here are some more," Sarah said. "Try this one on." She held up another bra. This one was a closer match to reality. "Aaron, show her how to put it on."

  Aaron put his hands behind his back. "Not on your life. I need to visit the facilities." He almost ran for safety. Fortunately he had been prepared for their ploy. He took a science magazine with him. According to the first article he read a woman named Dr. Wise was doing amazing things with nano technology these days.

  Forty minutes passed before he emerged. The three women were sitting on the couch, talking like old friends. All the goods were stowed away and the empty bags were folded. Kit glanced up at him and then turned her eyes away. She looked very nice with clothes on. Aaron hoped she continued the practice but he somehow doubted that she would. The woman was confusing, no question about it.

  "Perk says there's going to be a problem," Sarah said. "Apparently only registered guests are allowed up here, and she is the only one of us registered. How are we going to leave without attracting attention?"

  Aaron smiled happily. "Kit, can you remember this number?" He gave her his phone number. She repeated it back to him.

  "Good. Here's some change. Public phones take these nickels. Put the nickel in the change slot, wait for three beeps, and dial that number. If I'm here I will answer it. This way, if I lose you I won't worry about you and Sarah. Now, what is that number?"

  She repeated it. He had Sarah memorize it, too.

  "Okay ladies. Wait twenty minutes before you panic."

  Flicker

  He had somehow forgotten that Perk did not know about his Talent. The how and why of that particular explanation took a while to get through. She seemed less than believing about Isabella when he finished his tale, but she was unable to deny that he could do something strange since her butt was sitting in a cab, as were Kit and Sarah, and not on his couch. Throwing the cab into gear, she shook her head and drove.

  In retrospect, Aaron thought that he probably should have given all of them some warning before he transported them directly into the cab. Most likely, he would have done so if his two had not been doing such a good job of ganging up on him.

  While Perk drove he wondered if Sarah and Kit might be angry. Their faces appeared angry, but he was not sure if what he saw was actual and true anger. They wouldn't say. If fact, they were not saying anything. Not only were they not talking to him, they were not talking, period.

  So yeah, they were pissed.

  Of course Perk did not speak either. It was possible she was angry, or she might be contemplating this new addition to her world-view. On the other hand, he and Perk had spent a good deal of time not talking in each other's presence. Maybe she was just following through on habit.

  Eventually, Perk pulled into a very fine restaurant that boasted dim lights and a soft atmosphere. After Aaron handed over a modest tip to the greeter, they were given seats near the large front window where they could watch people passing by. Instead of looking out the window, Perk watched the three of them like they were strange life forms that had sprung from the ground at her feet. Sarah and Kit sat stiffly, holding menus in white-fingered grips.

  Since nobody seemed to be communicative Aaron ordered for everybody.

  "Aaron," Sarah said shakily right after the food arrived, "You are one of the bravest men I know. I will never make fun of you for being shy of horses again. Never. Now I have some idea of what you faced. I'm telling you, I have never been so terrified in my life. How did Perk keep that wagon from hitting anything? What made it go forward?"

  "Amen," Kit murmured, hands quivering as she raised her teacup. "I wanted to close my eyes and scream, but I was afraid to even do that much. I didn't want to miss whatever it was that killed me."

  Aaron was flummoxed. Not angry, they were frightened. How could they be scared of a simple taxi ride? It was a taxi, for God's sake. It wasn't as if the thing could turn around and tear a chunk out of them just for the hell of it. God invented horses to do that.

  Eventually, the women thawed out over food, and Aaron decided that things were going very nicely. He reached in his pocket and tossed Perk a gold coin. "Here."

  She caught it. "What's this for?"

  "I want to reserve your cab for the next week or two."

  He divided the rest of his cash money with Kit and Sarah so they would not be destitute if they got separated. After all, this was his world. They were the ones at a large disadvantage now.

  And then he suddenly realized just how lost Kit was. Quite likely, a good part of her acting frightened last night had not been acting. Many of her later actions could have been nothing more than an attempt to forget what had happened and what was happening to her. Then again, she could have just been getting back at him for the imagined slight he probably had not given her. Kit was something of an enigma. Maybe the true answer lay in a combination of different factors. Then again, maybe the woman was just pure contrary. She was a woman. Contrary was a natural part of her nature.

  Had Sarah been doing nothing more than comforting Kit this morning? Sarah was better prepared to deal with this change of worlds than Kit. She had spent many evenings talking to Aaron about the world she now found herself in. Before yesterday Kit had known nothing about it. She had known not one single thing of alternate realms and Aaron's Talent.

  A thought struck him. Did Kit know that Mister Moorehouse was dead? He had not mentioned it to her or to Sarah. Did Sarah know?

  Kit shifted in her seat. "Would the two of you think less of me if I confessed that I feel uncomfortable with so many men around us? I feel like I'm at some party where I don't belong."


  "Me too," Sarah admitted. "There are too many men. This much testosterone makes me wonder what I'm doing here. I'm sorry Aaron, but your world just feels unnatural. It has too many hairy faces."

  Perkins looked at them like they were crazy. "Are you two dykes? I'll have you know I love being surrounded by men. I think they are scenic, and they snuggle nice. It's only when you want to live with them that they become jerks."

  "Dykes?" Kit asked.

  "Yeah, you know, women who do it with other women."

  "Do it? Are you talking about sex?"

  "Well, yeah."

  Sarah and Kit gave each other wondering looks. "Of course we like having sex with other women," Kit finally said. "Most of us would have pretty lonely lives if we didn't."

  Perk picked her jaw up off the table. "You people are just too weird." The arrival of food broke the conversation.

  Aaron watched Kit and worried when they left the restaurant. Her actions seemed out of character. Sure, she was upset with Aaron, but there were other ways for her to get back at him. Was she trying to engage his emotions? Was she trying to give him cause to feel protective to ensure that he would not leave her here on her own?

  That hardly seemed possible. Aaron did not know her well, but he knew she was an independent and resourceful woman. However, he wasn't sure she knew that about herself. After all, her whole life had been spent on a ranch. She dealt with people only in small numbers. Conversely, Sarah had traveled during her early years. She had seen cities and fought in a war. She had--

  He stopped.

  A shield glittering around him, Eric stood in front of them. He raised a finger and zeroed it on the small group.

  "I am so happy to see you," he said cheerfully. "Melissa was not at all sure if her minor Talent could find you. Incidentally, if I see anyone look like they are even thinking of leaving my party I will do my best to explode you all. I can do that, you know. I've learned how. Melissa, please grab my lady love for me?"

  The Gargoyle stepped into view and grabbed Kit. "He was really disappointed," she hissed to Kit. "But don't worry. We will have you good and cold for him tonight." She grinned cruelly. "I get your heart."

  Kit curled her lip in distaste. "You stink."

  And she was right. To Aaron, Eric and Melissa looked worse for wear. They wore cuts and bruises. Their clothes were ragged, and they smelled worse than any sewer Aaron had ever run across. Still, their appearance and smell did not affect their mood. Eric wore a mean, happy smile beneath cold, dead eyes. The Gargoyle looked exactly as she had before, mayhem impatiently waiting to happen.

  Perk had no idea what was going on. She snarled and spun a sidekick into the Gargoyle, knocking Kit free from her grasp.

  Melissa raised a hand to Eric. "Mine?"

  Eric nodded. His finger jerked, and Aaron fell to the ground. Head aching, Aaron's vision became suddenly fuzzy. He rose up on one elbow to see Eric standing still, a smile on his face and his finger pointing. Sarah lay on the ground.

  "I would hate for you to interfere with my lady," Eric said just as Melissa leaped at Perk.

  Perk hit the Gargoyle a full two dozen times while the Gargoyle flailed at her. Aaron silently despaired of the unequal battle because Perk had no idea what she was dealing with. Using all the skill she had built up during years of lessons, she hit the massive woman half a dozen times in mere seconds. New cuts opened and fresh blood flowed down the Gargoyle's iron features, but it was no good. Perk eventually moved too close. The Gargoyle struck out another awkward blow, but this one managed to connect with Perk's blocking arm. Bone snapped.

  Perk gasped and backed away, but the damage had been done. The Gargoyle kicked out and a leg broke. Splintered bone tore through skin. Perk fell with a shriek, only to scream again when the Gargoyle stamped on her other leg and shattered it too. Perk tried to squirm away from the next kick, but she was too slow. The foot caught her in her back, sending her rolling twenty feet. She stopped, unmoving, her body unnaturally bent.

  People stared, horrified. Eric laughed and gestured with one hand. A woman fifty feet away split open from throat to waist. With a slight movement of a single finger Eric killed one man and then another.

  Aaron threw up. His face was wet with tears and his thoughts refused to solidify. "No. Please--no."

  Eyes narrow, jaw clenched, Eric did something, cast some force that struck Aaron's head. Opening his mouth, Aaron tried to yell, but then he suddenly could not move.

  Around them, people screamed and ran. The Gargoyle caught one man and ripped his head off. Eric killed yet another woman. "You see what we can do," he demanded. "Disappear on us and fifty people die tonight. One of you brought us here. One of you is going to take us back. I'll even make you a promise because I'm a forgiving sort. I'll let the person who takes us back live despite my brother being dead. Never liked him all that much anyway. Melissa, where is the other woman?"

  The Gargoyle looked around in confusion. She shrugged. "Gone," she rumbled. "Ran away." After scratching her head for a moment she pointed. "That way."

  "Get these two in the wagon. With your talent, we can pick up my girlfriend whenever we want."

  The Gargoyle grabbed Sarah and Aaron by the back of their heads and pushed them towards a car. Sirens sounded in the distance. Across the street, a man babbled excitedly into a cell phone. Eric was already behind the wheel when Aaron and Sarah were shoved into the back of the vehicle. Melissa got in with them and then the force holding Aaron immobile disappeared.

  "Which one of you is the traveler?"

  "We both are," Sarah quickly said. "It takes both of us. The power to move requires the elements of man and woman both. It takes time to build up the energy of it though. We transferred only a couple hours ago so it will be another day, perhaps two, before we can do it again."

  "Damn!" Eric slammed his hand on the steering wheel. "Well no help for it. Just have to hide you for a while." The car slowed and stopped in the middle of the road. Peering between the seats to look at the dashboard, Aaron saw that the voltage gauge showed a low charge.

  "Everybody out," Eric ordered. "It's time to change wagons. Remember, if you make trouble for us more people will die."

  He used the direct method to find a new car. They walked until Eric saw a vehicle with only one occupant inside and no one else close by. The Gargoyle approached the passenger door while Eric engaged the driver in conversation. Melissa easily tore the passenger door open, reached inside, and pulled the panicked man out. A quick twist of her hands killed him before she tossed him aside. Eric flicked his fingers, and the man exploded into an unidentifiable mass.

  "I'll have so much fun when we get back home," he said minutes later as they drove away. He licked a bit of something slimy from the back of his left hand. "I have no idea why I never learned this before. What's the matter, Melissa?"

  Aaron found it hard to believe Eric could tell something bothered the monster. She looked and acted the same as before.

  "You ruined the heart," she complained bitterly.

  "Hey, I lost my toy, too. You let her run away. Next time I'll try to save you something. Okay?"

  The Gargoyle nodded mutely, but her face was filled with childish hurt.

  Aaron tried to speak to Sarah, but she did not respond. She sat stiff and white, her fingers clenched into fists. He wanted to transfer out of there so badly he could taste the desire in the back of his mouth. He could have left in an instant except Melissa sat between him and Sarah. Unfortunately, he could not take Sarah with him unless he carried the Gargoyle along, too. Besides, he had brought these monsters to this world. They were murderers, and they were sick, and it was Aaron's responsibility to do something about the mess he had created. People had died because he was a coward. More people would die if he ran away with Sarah. He could not let that happen. It was his chore, but the thought of confronting either of these two made him want to throw up again.

  An hour passed before Eric stopped, pulling off the
road and onto a drive leading to a farm house. Aaron squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the owners would run. Minutes later he sighed in relief. No one was home. Sarah relaxed and started breathing normally once she realized that the car was no longer moving. Her color returned. Mouth firming with resolve, her eyes darted from one feature of the farm to another.

  "Aaron," she said after a few moments. "What is this place?"

  "It's a farm. Instead of using horses to plow they use those machines we saw in that large building. This farm is probably better than a mile square, and you can see that they only grow one crop. Those long stalks have ears of corn on them."

  Sarah nodded. "I suppose that would be an informative answer if I knew what corn is. Look, I want to go inside the building. I've never seen a home like that before."

  "You will sit on that bench until it's time to leave." Eric gestured toward a picnic table. "I won't have you wandering around."

  Sarah sulked. "I want to see it. What can happen if I just go look? Send Melissa with me, and I won't dare try to escape. Besides, you will still have Aaron."

  "No."

  Sarah's face turned hard. "You need me if you want to return to Isabella. Aaron can move you, but I choose the location. How would you like to find yourself on top of a mountain? The air can be really thin and cold up there."

  "I don't believe you want to just go look at the house."

  Frowning, Sarah gave him a dirty look. "All right, do you want me to be crude? I want to see the house because I have to take a crap, and in this world, people crap inside their homes."

  Eric smiled wickedly. "I'll turn my back."

  "Like hell you will. Just remember. You need my good will if you want to end up someplace short of the southern ice lands."

  The argument lasted several minutes but Sarah eventually won her way. Aaron was not surprised. As a rule Sarah usually got what she wanted.

  Before she left she took a moment to kiss Aaron. "Take care of Eric for me. I don't want him to go flying away while I'm gone." Walking proudly, she headed for the house with Melissa on her heals.