Destiny's Gate

by Lee Bice-Matheson

  We were all herded into the main part of the church. As the minister approached the pulpit, I helped Delia to her seat in the front row and sat next to her. We held hands throughout the service. It felt great knowing I had helped her in a small way through her time of need, not only for her sake but for Dexter’s as well.

  It was not long after the funeral luncheon, in the basement of the church, when Delia stood and said she must go and collect her luggage. Dad insisted on driving her home and then to the local airport; however, Delia declined. I guessed this was something she needed to do alone. She waved goodbye through tears and great sadness, and I wondered when I would see Delia again.

  That night, Trixie dutifully stayed by my side and I felt overjoyed I had a new BFF (best friend forever). My grandparents retired early — no one could blame them. They had lost Dexter, their most trusted protector, or so they thought. Now it was up to Hanna and me to watch out for their best interests. My parents would be flying out the next day and would not be around to do anything else for them. Mom and dad were needed back in Italy and as much as I did not want them to leave, I knew they had to go. They said a heartfelt goodnight and I decided to take Trixie out for a walk on this dark, frigid night, accepting that no matter what the weather conditions were, dogs needed their exercise.

  As soon as we stepped out the back door, Trixie took off into the shadows. I was afraid she might hurt herself until Trixie returned with a stick in her mouth. Dexter must have played this game with her often. It was the best way to end such an emotional roller coaster of a day. I had to tussle with his playful dog to get the stick from her clenched teeth. Eventually Trixie relented and let me throw it for her. We played for half an hour until I felt frost-bitten, and had an ‘a-ha’ moment. Trixie must feel the same way too — her paws! After a bit of coaxing, I finally got her to follow me back inside and parked her on the kitchen mat. I found a raggedy looking towel in the hall closet and rushed to the dryer, threw it in to warm it up, and then wrapped it around Trixie’s feet. Hanna had placed an old, brown velour blanket next to the door, I assumed, for Trixie’s bed. It touched my heart that after all we had been through, she was thinking of the black lab. When I finally got Trixie to settle down on her new bed, it was not seconds before she jumped up and tagged along with me to my room. Her pleading, red flecked brown eyes convinced me to let her sleep on my bed. It was cozy. Perhaps she was my new good luck charm to prevent dark energies from haunting me.

  The next morning I rolled out of bed refreshed and energized until I remembered Dexter was gone. Funny how the mind can play tricks and make you think everything is as it was. I said a little prayer for the safe transition of Dexter to the Other Side. As I stretched, I was astonished to see the tanned face man with long black braided hair, and black vest and jeans, standing in my bathroom doorway. He was a spiritwalker and I did not understand what that was all about yet. Was he human, like me, or someone from the Other Side? I dropped onto the bed as he approached. Without words, I knew not to fear him, and the closer he drew near, the more peaceful I felt. He touched the top of my head like he was blessing me, and disappeared just as mom entered the room. She let out a gasp.

  “Paige, what just happened? You have a white feather on the top of your head. Where did it come from?” She placed her hand on her cheek in confusion.

  “I’m not sure, mom. Don’t worry. Probably something Trixie brought in last night — sorry...she slept with me. I don’t know where she is now.”

  “She’s in the living room, being spoiled by your grandparents. They love having the dog here although they’ll say it’s for your benefit.” Mom gave a half-hearted laugh.

  “Well, I’ve never slept better, so she must agree with me, too. How are you and dad about it?”

  “We are leaving today so we don’t have much of a say. As long as you are okay with it? Most of the responsibility will fall on your shoulders, Paige.”

  “I know. Forget the dog...I’m really sad you are going.” Tears filled my eyes and even I was surprised by it.

  Mom sat next to me on the bed, wrapping her arms around me. “Don’t worry, Paige, we’ll be back at Christmas. I promise you. I’m hoping for a week. We’ll have to see about your dad’s obligations.” Her eyes welled up.

  Dad waltzed in and announced, “I knew the two of you would be in here together! Let me join in.” He pushed us both back on the bed and sprawled on top of us, mainly on mom. We all laughed. “The Maddisons — together again! Don’t worry, dear, we’ll be back in less than a month. Don’t get all emotional today. Ummm…sorry. That was rather insensitive of me considering Dexter…” Dad trailed off.

  We had a moment of silence until Trixie burst into the room. She certainly had perfect timing. We slid onto the floor and surrounded her, sitting upright, legs outstretched in V-formation, our feet touching. It was a triangle of love surrounding Trixie and she was thrilled, as she rolled around on her back and one by one, we each gave her a belly rub. It was just what we needed...to honour her master.

  Later that night, as I reflected on the day and the embarrassing outburst of emotion when I kissed and hugged my parents goodbye, Trixie jumped up on the bed beside me and lay down with her back flat against mine. It was a comforting moment in troubled times.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Who is Trixie?

  The weeks crawled by towards the holiday season. I was given two major school projects: an English project, in which I had to demonstrate how the media constructs reality, and a Spanish project, in which I had to recreate a scene from a movie. I was not interested in either of these assignments; I had grown bored and anxious. Luckily, I had Carole to help motivate me to complete my work as we were on the same teams in each class; she was the calm in my storm, always optimistic and supportive.

  Peggy had taken ill, not long after my birthday, which bothered me tremendously. She was being monitored at home by her medical doctor. It then hit me; Camlachie was a smaller community with the added advantage that a family doctor made home visits. We were not allowed to visit Peggy, as the Norwalk virus was highly contagious. I sent telepathic messages and images to her, wishing her well and hoped she was receiving them. Most of all, I prayed she was not suffering too much. Peggy was a generous and fearless spirit and had helped many on their rightful paths. It was only fair that she be spared some of the more humanly afflictions, or so I hoped.

  The full moon mesmerized Trixie and I. We stared at the glowing ball of light, and I wondered if it was foreshadowing the night of the evil yet to come. One day, I absent-mindedly began to wonder what Trixie thought about. I snapped out of it — perhaps I was spending too much alone time with my closest companion, a dog.

  Blue-Eyes was elusive. I had not seen him again since the day my parents spied him sitting at the edge of the forest. There was nothing worse than imagining what might happen next, compared to what had already taken place since our move to O’Brien Manor.

  Curiously, I began to notice a change in Trixie’s behaviour. At first, I thought she just missed her masters, Dexter and Delia. She would often take off into the forest and not return for hours. What does she do in the time spent away from the manor? Trixie had also started sleeping by the kitchen door on the brown velour blanket. Perhaps she was learning her place within our family.

  It was mid-December, the 13th to be exact, and I heard drumming as I squatted and used the toilet. Next, I listened to a matter of fact voice: We’ve been expecting you, Paige. I looked around the room, thinking to myself, who is expecting me? The drumming grew louder and chanting began. Then I heard the voice state: You must be void of substance so you can vibrate at a higher rate to hear what you need to hear. Okay, I responded and finished up my business.

  As I washed my hands, I glanced up at the bathroom mirror and saw the reflection of the old man with the white braided hair. I had not heard from him in some time. He spoke hurriedly, Paige, you must begin to pray
each night for the safe return of your parents. It is very important. There are dark forces stirring... And then he disappeared. Woozy, I clutched the sides of the sink and began to feel dizzy and nauseous. I remembered there was only one given situation when my reaction was the same; a negative energy had somehow entered the manor. Gazing into the mirror, I was surprised when I saw Trixie’s reflection, her eyes were blood red. I whirled around, gasping for breath; her eyes appeared normal. She let out a low growl and I became paralyzed with fear; was Trixie not a friend to be trusted after all? She snapped at the air and then I saw it; a dark shadow had transformed. As Trixie snapped, it vanished. I ran over to her and threw my arms around her; she was just trying to protect me. She had saved me and I felt forever grateful. I had become accustomed to a lot of changes in my life over the past few months, but not to the earthbound spirits popping out at me whenever they desired.

  My grandparents asked Allan Brewer to move into the guest house, contrary to my opinion. As much as I had truly appreciated what he had done to save Carole and I over Halloween, I could not stop feeling that somehow he had connected me to the dark side of life. It also seemed to me that Allan was a forbidden love. He had confided to me that he felt at home living in the old dilapidated cottage, which I explained to my grandparents. They argued that it was no place for any human to live in the severe Canadian winter.

  Early one morning, I decided to see if Allan had settled in, with Trixie on my heels. Knocking on the door, I waited, shivering, wishing I had worn my tuque to protect my ears. I used my faux fur gloves to cover and warm them, thankful, mom had left them behind.

  A telepathic voice said, come in, Paige. I turned the door knob and stepped inside only to wish I had not. There before me stood several wolves assembled on each side of the corridor, as if waiting for my arrival. Trixie trotted in and lay beside me. Muffled growling began and I was scared they were going to attack her. Blue-Eyes strutted up the centre of the hall and rubbed noses with Trixie as she stood to greet him. I wondered if this could be the love of Blue-Eyes’ life? He once told me that we were connected for eternity. Perhaps not in the manner I had assumed. Blue-Eyes transformed into Allan, and Trixie shockingly transformed into a young girl with long black hair, white skin and beautiful brown eyes with red flecks. Allan introduced me to his stepdaughter. Initially, I could not process how a wolf and a black lab could be related, and as if reading my mind, Allan said, remember, I said stepdaughter. Trixie’s from a long line of wolves and wild dogs. And he insisted I leave it at that.

  “Paige, I’m glad you and Trixie are getting along so well. We made sure she stayed with your family to protect all of you. How are you doing, Trixie?” Allan turned to his stepdaughter and ran his hand along the side of her cheek. “You look great, angel.”

  “Thank you, daddy, I’m doing very well,” Trixie answered in a tiny voice. “Paige, I’m so sorry to deceive you...it was best you learned about me from my dad.”

  “Okay...Trixie, I just never imagined you were human. It’s so hard for me to understand any of this. Did you and Allan just reunite? I don’t understand? But in my world, this seems to be...well, my normal lately. You shocked me for a minute. No worries.” I returned a weak smile.

  “I’ve always known the whereabouts of Trixie. We’ve kept in touch while we were apart. I am not a neglectful stepfather, Paige. Besides she was in good hands,” Allan responded.

  As the three of us huddled in a semi-circle, I was aware the wolves had fallen in line as soldiers would do. Rows of three across filled the hallway of the guest house to the back door. It occurred to me that there was a dramatic increase in the number of wolves since Halloween and I wondered what the significance of that was; it made me anxious and edgy.

  Stealthily, a brown and beige striped wolf with a white face and one orange and one brown eye advanced. Allan commanded him to return to his place in line. The wolf’s ears were erect, his fur bristled, lips curled back, and snarling, as if he was arguing with Allan. Allan transformed into Blue-Eyes and stood stiff legged and tall with ears erect. This stance seemed to intimidate the other wolf and he returned to his spot immediately. I looked at Blue-Eyes imploringly and after a few yips to his daughter, Trixie announced it was time to leave. Before I could blink, she was again the black lab I had walked into the guest house with, her tail wagging. We exited and slammed the door shut behind us. Trying to forget the mental image of the wolves, I remembered when I had questioned whether or not Trixie had human tendencies on that dark night in the forest while playing fetch and smiled. Apparently, my perceptiveness had grown stronger. We raced home which was comical since there really was no contest between human and animal.

  As we approached the manor, I hesitated for further study. There was a stillness about it that disturbed me. The mansion looked the same as it always had, but there was no sign of activity within. Someone should have been milling about inside. Entering quietly through the kitchen door, I wandered into the living then dining room. Plates and glasses were left on the table — something Hanna would never allow, let alone grandma. There were no sounds of life. Trixie and I looked at one another then headed towards my bedroom. A note was taped to the door from grandpa: Paige, we decided to go into town and wanted you to come but could not find you! We’ll be back soon. I forgot how vast the manor was until I was left on my own; it was daunting. I was tired of this feeling of being out of control and afraid.

  Trixie and I jumped up on the daybed and I spoke to her as the person I knew she was. “What evil do you think I’m up against now?” I asked, awaiting an answer of some sort. Trixie did not telepathically answer me. I carried on and asked, “How am I supposed to fight this thing when I do not know what it is or how to fight it?” Again, there was no response.

  I lay down as Trixie jumped onto the floor below and mimicked me. She was on the front line, protecting me from anyone entering the doorway, and I felt safe. Perhaps she did understand me after all, in her canine form. I said a prayer for Peggy wishing her great health and strength, and another for my family and friends to protect them as well. Half asleep, I was aware Blue-Eyes had shown up and was speaking to Trixie; something prevented me from fully awakening to hear what was being said. Evidently, I needed my strength and dozed off. Next I heard Hanna calling my name and then letting out a gasp, as she entered the room. Allan and Trixie were in human form.

  “Allan, who do we have here?” Hanna asked standing tall, as if on guard.

  “Oh, Hanna, this is my stepdaughter Trixie.” Allan smiled at her and nodded towards Trixie.

  “Pleased to meet you, Hanna,” Trixie added, shyly.

  “You have the same name as the lab? That’s a coincidence. By the way, Paige, where is Trixie, the dog?” Hanna looked confused and ill at ease.

  “I don’t know. I just woke up. Maybe she’s in her bed by the kitchen door?”

  Hanna decided to find Trixie. Frantic, Trixie transformed into her canine form and trailed after her. It wasn’t long before Hanna called out, “She’s here in the kitchen, Paige. Not to worry.”

  I scrutinized Allan, wondering, how in the world did Trixie beat Hanna to the kitchen without being seen by her?

  Allan grasped my hand and sat us down on the bed. “Don’t worry about that now. You have to be very careful. I hope you are saying your protection prayers and holding onto the angel charm Dexter gave you? Do you still have it, Paige?”

  “Yes, it’s in the top drawer of my nightstand.” I opened the drawer to retrieve it; it was gone.

  Allan saw the distraught look on my face, and suggested, “Perhaps, you moved it and with everything that’s been going on lately, it would be easy to misplace it.”

  I recalled the day of the funeral and remembered I wore my navy suit. I bounced to the closet and sure enough, there in the pocket of my suit jacket was the angel.

  “Okay, carry her around with you at all times. Make sure, Paige,”
Allan stressed.

  I nodded. “What is going to happen? I’m afraid.”

  “Don’t worry, Paige. We’ll get through this together,” Allan said and caressed my hand. We looked deeply into each other’s eyes; my heart sped up and I had butterflies in my stomach. Allan leaned in and kissed me softly on the lips; it was otherworldly. Knowing someone could walk in at any second made me squirm. Allan, being the gentleman he was, stopped and made an excuse that he needed to leave. He paused at the doorway and said, “After all of this is behind us, you and I can have a relationship, but not now, Paige. We have to keep our focus on the reality of the situation.” He smiled and said, “Until we meet again.”

  My heart thumped so loudly, I worried Allan might hear it as he left the room. I ran into the bathroom and placed a cold cloth on my face while thinking, focus, Paige! Remember what Allan said — he is so right. Now is not the time for romance. He sure stirred feelings deep down inside that I did not know I had.

  I overheard Trixie saunter into the bedroom. Her paws clicked on the hardwood flooring, which seemed peculiar to me. I was stunned when I peered out. There was a black beast with glowing, yellow eyes, in the middle of my bedroom. How can this be? I slammed the bathroom door shut and locked it. Then I heard a voice, don’t show it any fear. It feeds off your fear, Paige. Get a hold of your emotions and slowly open the door, and walk past it like it doesn’t exist. Remember you have so many aiding you — Mackenzie, Conall, and their mother, Peggy, Carole, Grey Owl, your grandparents, your parents...the voice trailed off. I felt the love and started deep breathing to relax. When I opened the door, the beast was nowhere to be found. I felt certain its presence was the start of what was yet to come. With such a holy day approaching, how could this possibly be happening? Then it clicked; it was love that made me feel peaceful, unconditional love. That was the answer to fighting evil. Love conquers all! Had I not heard it expressed in so many movies and read it in so many books? I exited the bedroom and strutted down the hallway with a new attitude! Sick of being fearful and feeling ashamed, I resolved, those days are history!