Organ Reapers

by West, Shay

  “Unless we can stop Master Kelhar, the killings will continue. You must believe us.”

  “I believe you about that, just not about the other crap.”

  He glanced at the two in his rearview mirror and saw Keena wipe a tear from her eye and clutch her pack to her chest even harder. I refuse to feel sorry for these murderers.

  The ride to the empty lot the perps disappeared from didn’t take long. Eli parked the car and exited, his senses on alert in case the two men were hiding in the area. There were several patrol cars nearby, and he could hear the muffled sound of voices coming from the nearby buildings as the officers searched them from top to bottom.

  “All right, show us what you got,” Eli said as he leaned back against his car.

  Tani looked around at the other officers and whispered, “Are you sure you want us to do this in front of all of them?”

  “Why shouldn’t they know?”

  “Your kind doesn’t seem to do well with strange phenomena.”

  I can’t believe this kid is being sarcastic with me.

  “Just send the officers to an adjacent building or something,” Ava said.

  “Don’t get irritated with me,” Eli said, his own temper flaring.

  “I just want to see this, to finally have an answer, and here you are, being your usual stubborn self.”

  “I’m being stubborn?” he asked incredulously.

  “You could easily send those officers away. You’re just being difficult about it.”

  “I just don’t—”

  “Please, stop! We risked our lives coming here to find help, and all we found is mean people who would rather lock us up than listen to what we have to say. If you don’t help us, the murders will continue, I promise you that,” Tani said, coming between him and Ava.

  Eli had to give the kid props. It took guts to stand up to someone that stood taller than you by about a good foot and a half. But Tani refused to back down, meeting Eli’s gaze with a glare of his own.

  “Fine, I’ll send them across the street. Happy now?” he shot at Ava.

  “Thrilled,” she said through clenched teeth.

  He made a call with the radio ordering the cops to a building across the street. Most of them got into their vehicles and drove out of the vacant lot, but he could still hear some in the buildings, searching for the perps.

  It’ll have to do.

  He leaned back against the side of the car and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do your thing.”

  Keena glanced at Tani, who gave her a slight nod. She opened her pack and took out the five stones.

  “It’s just like the one I found,” Ava whispered.

  “Why are you whispering?” he asked.

  She glared at him. ”I don’t know. Don’t people always whisper when stuff like this happens?”

  He laughed. “I honestly have no idea. This is my first ‘stuff like this’ I’ve ever done.”

  Keena arranged the stones on the ground, checking the markings before she placed it in a circular pattern. She stepped back.

  Suddenly, a flash of brilliant white light nearly blinded him.

  ***

  “What do you mean, you failed?” Master Kelhar asked.

  “The Enforcers of that world came just when we found Tani and Keena. They gave chase, but they have the ability to coordinate an attack like I’ve never seen. They had us surrounded. It was either return or be captured,” Cees said.

  Master Kelhar wanted to scream at the two men to return and complete their mission, but he held his tongue. He didn’t know enough about this other world; perhaps it was impossible to get their hands on the defectors.

  “Since we can’t get them back, we must have a watch on this chamber at all times, is that understood? You two will take the first watch. At no time is this room to be left empty,” Kelhar ordered.

  Cees and Saxon nodded. Kelhar could see the relief plain on their faces. He had never known Cees to be afraid of anything, not even that time he had taken on a dozen armed men who thought he would be an easy target to rob. Kelhar smiled. Those men had been in dire need of my healing services.

  Master Kelhar walked back to his chambers, his silent attendants following close behind. He was disappointed Cees and Saxon had been unable to bring Tani and Keena back. Fear gnawed at his belly, making him walk faster than his usual sedate pace. He wasn’t sure what damage those two could do, but he didn’t want to find out.

  If we can’t bring them back, we’ll apprehend them if they dare return home.

  CHAPTER 30

  THIS IS NOT HAPPENING!

  Eli shielded his eyes from the glare coming from the area covered by the stones. It was taller than him, maybe as much as ten feet, but only as wide as the area set by the stones. He peered into the light—don’t go into the light!—and was astounded to find that he could see some kind of shadowy shape on the other side—poltergeist!—but he couldn’t make out what it was.

  Keena calmly walked around the perimeter and picked up the stones, placing them carefully in her knapsack.

  “The gateway will only remain open for a few more seconds before it collapses,” Tani said.

  In a blinding flash, the gateway disappeared, leaving the empty lot in its place. There was no evidence there had ever been anything there.

  He gave a start when he realized Ava had been speaking to him and he hadn’t even heard a word she said.

  “What’s that?”

  She laughed. “I asked if you believed now.”

  He couldn’t say anything and was surprised he even had the capacity to nod his head. His brain was working to come up with some rational explanation for what he had just witnessed, but it was failing miserably.

  It was a gateway to another damn world!

  Tani and Keena merely stood off to the side and let him process this information. He was glad for the quiet; he didn’t think he could handle anyone speaking to him or touching him for the moment. He imagined this is what people felt like when they claimed they saw aliens or ghosts. Shit, maybe they really do see that stuff.

  Part of him didn’t think it was fair that he was being forced to rethink everything he thought he knew. The world was centered in reality and yet he had just peered through a portal into another world.

  “What was it I saw through the gateway?” Eli asked.

  “Probably the machinery that powers it,” Tani answered.

  Eli nodded like it made perfect sense even though he had no idea what Tani was talking about.

  “Why don’t we get out of here and go get something to eat? I bet you two are starving,” Ava said as she walked up behind Tani and Keena.

  Food. That was simple enough. Normal. It took several tries for Eli to open the door.

  “Maybe I should do the driving.” Ava came around to the driver’s side of the car.

  Eli nodded and let her into the driver’s seat. It spoke volumes as to his state of mind that he was agreeing to let her drive. He always drove; it was his thing. Eli knew he’d never be able to navigate out of the empty lot, let alone in busy traffic.

  “How the hell are you so okay with this?” Eli asked when they got onto Federal Blvd.

  “I already mostly believed them. Besides, you should see my yaya when she’s—”

  “Your who?”

  “My yaya, my grandmother. Anyway, she practices what you call voodoo.” She glared at Eli when he laughed uncontrollably. “It’s not as weird as you might think. She didn’t sacrifice any chickens or anything, but she always had holy water and incense and would pray to the saints every day.”

  “And what about you?”

  Ava grinned. “I pray to the saints, but I don’t use the water and incense, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “I guess I just always pictured it as some dude with dreadlocks running around with voodoo dolls, cursing people and hurting them,” Eli said.

  “You’ve obviously seen way too many movies. Most people that practice voodoo are pra
ying to God for the same things everyone else does: health, long life, prosperity. They just go through the saints rather than speaking directly to Him.”

  “I can see why you had an easier time believing them.” He shot her a glance from the passenger seat. “Hey, you wouldn’t ever, I don’t know, curse me or anything would you?”

  She turned slowly and smiled, but it never reached her eyes. “Don’t piss me off and you’ll never have to find out.”

  Eli wanted to laugh, but his partner was dead serious. Don’t piss her off. He noticed that during the exchange the two in the backseat hadn’t said a word.

  “You two are awful quiet back there,” he said.

  “We do not mean to be rude with our silence. We just didn’t understand most of what you were saying,” Tani said.

  “I can’t imagine how strange this must all be for you,” Ava said.

  “You have no idea,” Tani mumbled.

  “So what’s the plan?” Eli asked.

  “I thought we’d stop by the store, grab some food, and go back to your place for dinner and conversation. A very long conversation,” she said while glancing at Tani and Keena in the rearview mirror.

  Eli directed her to a small local market close to his house. He hated shopping in big stores. All the people crowding the aisles made him want to scream in frustration. He instructed Tani and Keena to stay in the car.

  “Why can’t we bring them with us?” Ava asked.

  “They stick out like sore thumbs. Until we can get different clothes for them, it’s best to keep them on the down low.”

  “Let’s stop by my place and grab something for Keena. I’m sure she’d rather wear my stuff than your old sweats and T-shirts.”

  Eli agreed and they walked through the store in silence, both trying to absorb what had happened in the empty lot. That, and it wouldn’t do to have the few customers in the store overhear their conversation about gateways to other worlds.

  “So what are you thinking for dinner?”

  “What are you in the mood for?” she asked.

  “I’m more worried about what those two eat.”

  “The food in their packs looked normal enough: dried meat, cheese, and bread.”

  “Why don’t we feed them something they’ve likely never had before? Really impress them,” Eli suggested.

  He led the way through the aisles, hoping the store would have all of the ingredients. He really didn’t want to stop by another store on the way to Ava’s. He was anxious to get Tani and Keena alone so they could talk about their story. Their true story.

  Ava followed quietly while he grabbed the ingredients. Thankfully, the store had everything he needed. He took the heavily laden basket to the counter.

  “Ah, Mister Eli, long time no see.”

  Eli greeted Mrs. Hinsung. She looked to be about a hundred years old, but had the energy of a toddler. She was always here when he came in. He wondered if she ever took a day off. Mr. Hinsung would be wandering around, stocking shelves or in the back office working the books. With as few customers as he saw in the store, Eli was worried he would come by one day and it would be all boarded up.

  “Been busy keeping the city safe,” he said as he took items out of the cart one by one and laid them on the counter.

  She glanced around him and smiled at Ava before glancing back up at him with a knowing wink. “You no tell me you have lady friend.”

  “Mrs. Hinsung, this is my partner, Ava Aguilar.”

  “She too pretty to be a police officer.”

  “That’s nice of you to say, Mrs. Hinsung,” Ava said, blushing.

  “This a lotta food for two people,” Mrs. Hinsung noted as she filled a paper sack.

  “We’re having some of the other detectives over to the house to discuss the case we’re working on,” he said.

  “You work that case with the Butchers, yes?” Mrs. Hinsung asked.

  “That’s the one. We think we’re close to making a break.”

  “Good thing, too. Streets not safe.”

  He paid the bill and handed one of the bags to Ava. “Thanks, Mrs. Hinsung. See you soon.”

  “Next time I see you with lady that’s not partner. You need a nice lady.”

  Eli groaned inwardly as he waved good-bye over his shoulder.

  “She’s sweet,” Ava said as they walked to the car.

  “She’s a busy-body.”

  “Oh, she’s just a nice old lady who worries about you, is all.”

  Eli grunted in lieu of a response.

  When they reached the car, Eli and Ava handed the bags to Tani and Keena, then climbed into the car. Eli took the driver’s seat this time. He felt he had enough control of his mental state to drive to Ava’s.

  He kept the talk light, wanting to wait until they arrived at his house to really delve into the deep stuff. Ava didn’t live close to him at all, so it was quite a drive to the other side of town. Should have thought about going there before we went to the store.

  He stayed in the car and watched as Ava ran up the steps to her building. He loved the old homes in this area of town. Most, like Ava’s, had been converted into several apartments, but they still had the original stonework, moulding, windows, and other items that gave them character. Eli’s house wasn’t as old as these, but it wasn’t one of those cookie cutter homes either. Vicki had nagged him to move into a house in one of those new subdivisions, but he’d refused. He hated how close together the houses were, and there was no yard to speak of. Most only had dirt and rocks. He liked a home with character, with a yard, mature trees, and flowers.

  Ava returned in moments wearing jeans and a T-shirt and carrying a rather large tote bag filled with items.

  “How did you get all that so quick?” Eli asked as she got in the car.

  “It’s my get-away bag.” At his look of confusion she continued. “I always keep a bag packed with clothes and overnight stuff just in case, you know?” she raised her eyebrows suggestively.

  “Ah, I see.” He scratched his chin. “Do all girls have one of those?”

  “Beats me. All I know is this little bag has saved me from the embarrassment of not having a toothbrush or clean underwear.”

  Eli turned around at loud whispers coming from the backseat. At first glance, it looked like Tani and Keena were arguing about something.

  “You two aren’t fighting are you?” he asked as he turned the car on.

  Tani shushed Keena and cleared his throat. “We were wondering what those things on your face are called and where we might obtain some of our own.”

  “You mean these?” Eli asked reaching for his sunglasses.

  “Yes. We assume they are to protect your eyes from damage from the sun. We tried to buy some, but the woman said we needed to go to somewhere called a bank and get the right coin.”

  “They’re sunglasses and they are not only to protect from the sun, but they also look cool,” Eli said as he looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror.

  “What does one’s appearance have to do with the temperature?”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. It’s like talking to toddlers or something. Adult toddlers. “We’ll get you some tomorrow.”

  Eli took the highway back to his house, shaving off some time. He kept glancing in the rearview mirror to see Tani and Keena’s expressions as they drove on the elevated roadways. Their eyes were big and they held hands the entire time, whispering and pointing out the windows.

  How strange this must all seem to them.

  Now that he had seen the truth first-hand, he saw their reactions through a different set of eyes. They were genuinely scared and awed by this world and probably wished they had never come here. But come here they did. They came to find help to stop the people on their world from ever coming here to kill again.

  But they killed people.

  Eli didn’t want to listen to that voice in his head. That voice was Logical Eli, the one who didn’t believe in fantasy worlds and such nonsense. That El
i wanted to see the guilty punished.

  But New Eli thought perhaps the world wasn’t quite that black and white. He didn’t deny that Tani and Keena had killed, but they had also sacrificed a lot to come here, that much was evident from their interaction with the two men who were here to take Tani and Keena back.

  Whoever sent those men doesn’t want these two on this world.

  That made Eli wonder if it was indeed possible to somehow shut down the gateways and prevent any more people from being killed.

  CHAPTER 31

  WHEN HE ARRIVED at his house, Eli put the groceries on the kitchen counter, then went in search of something for Tani to wear. Eli was much taller and broader than Tani, so anything he had would be much too big. It’s either that or the kid goes naked. He joined the others in the kitchen.

  “I’ll start dinner. Ava, why don’t you show these two how to work a shower? Tani can use the one in my room and Keena can take the one in the hallway. Oh, and check in the hall closet. I think I have an extra toothbrush.”

  Eli unpacked the grocery bags, wishing he could be there for Tani and Keena’s first introduction to modern plumbing, but the curry dish he was making needed to cook for about an hour, so he needed to get it started. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, and set to work on chopping the onions and mangos.

  In a few minutes, he heard water running from both bathrooms. He had a large hot water tank, so he wasn’t worried about them running out of hot water. Ava came into the kitchen with a smile on her face.

  “You should have seen those two! I had to explain how to use most everything. Poor kids. Only thing they knew was the bar of soap.” She laughed. “They think you’re some sort of royalty since you have this huge house all to yourself and a magic storage area for hot water.”

  “Should I make them bow?”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have told you that. Have another one of those?” she asked, pointing to his beer.

  “In the fridge. Help yourself.”

  He busied himself with dinner, trying to formulate a plan of action in his mind. He had about a million questions he wanted to ask and not a lot of time to ask. There was still the little matter of the continuing murders and what to do about them. And he supposed Tani and Keena would have their own questions.