by J. R. Bowles
“Yeah,” Billy agreed. “It's not completely words but more a comprehension of an image the word creates.” He shook his head as if he was trying to comprehend what he had just said.
“I think all of us are now linked.” Michael said “whether we want to be or not.”
This time no heads bobbed but they each responded yes mentally.
Michael smiled in response then said, “the last center to open is Lamb, and it should happen in Roanoke.” He paused again awaiting their reaction but they waited for his explanation.
“From what I can tell,” he continued, “the source of our centers is like my own center, Billy and my center,” he corrected himself. “The source is like the first center’s opening and each one of us needs to be there for the last center to open. It will take all of us with our keys vibrating in unison. Well, I made flight reservations for all of us to Roanoke.”
“Thank you.” Billy said, looking around at the solemn faces. “I had the feeling it was going to be necessary but I wasn’t sure. Just sort of a feeling and I didn’t know how to bring the subject up and I certainly don’t have your revenue. Must have cost a fortune.”
Michael waived his hand in dismissal at the mention of money and stated, “It’s only money.”
“Only money, to you, but I’m in the military. We don’t exactly get paid that much.”
Michael understood what Billy meant. It hadn’t been that long ago when he wondered how he was going to get his next bottle of wine.
“Well anyway,” Michael continued, “I thought I would check with all of you just to see if you were in agreement. I also made extra reservations for Mindy, Rudy and Azid because each of them have taken part in at least one of the openings and I figured they probably have gathered some of the energy from those openings. Plus with two substitutes I thought the extra energy would probably help out. Since Azid’s death I guess I won’t need the extra ticket.”
Sounds logical to me.” Morgan said. “You might aught to keep the seat you had for Azid. You never know when there might be somebody else brought into the opening tonight.”
“I guess you’re right.” Michael responded.
“What time do we leave?” Jackie asked.
“We will leave at ten and should be there by one tomorrow afternoon.” Michael answered.
“Want to play some cards with us?” Bernie shuffled the deck. “Help me keep an eye on Jackie and Billy, so they don’t cheat. Probably using telepathy.”
Michael smiled and stood up and stretched. “You’re probably right there but I guess I had better go back and watch over the good Reverend.”
“If you need somebody to relieve you let us know,” Bernie offered.
“Thanks, I’ll let you know.” Michael said as he headed for the door.
“Hey Michael,” Morgan called, “are you going to be here with us at the time of the next center? I have this feeling John and Zolar won’t be back until after the opening.”
Michael turned and nodded in agreement. “I think you’re right. I had the same feeling. It’s a strange feeling, like something most unusual is going to happen. I just hope they are all right. I’ll call you about eleven and check and see if they’re back. If they’re not I’ll need one of you guys to give me a hand and bring Lamb with me. I really don't want to leave him alone during the opening. Besides I was going to slow up on giving him the sleeping drug. I want him to be a little alert.”
“Are we going to be able to talk him into going with us tomorrow?” Morgan questioned.
“I don't know if we can talk him into it but he will go, even if we have to put him in a sack and tie him to the outside of the plane. Without him there will be no opening.”
“That's a for sure.” Billy said.
“Well, I'll see you latter.” Michael said turning the door knob.
“Wait a minute, how about Jamal?” Jackie said.
“I'll call him around ten. Give him a little more time with his grief.” Michael said and shut the door behind him.
“Well now,” Bernie said rubbing his hands together and then clasped them and pushed them palms out to pop his knuckle joints. “Let's play some more cards.”
“Might as well,” Jackie sighed.
“How about a little strip poker?” Bernie grinned wickedly.
“Yeah,” Billy chimed in. “Two girl, two guys, good odds.”
“I don't think so.” Jackie slapped at both of them playfully.
“I'm game.” Morgan grinned so wide her dimples appeared.
They all turned and looked at her but Jackie was the one who finally said something. “Morgan, I'm shocked. What would John say?”
“Hey, wait a minute, I had sex with him I didn't marry him. I saved myself for him now I'm ready to cut lose. Besides I've turned down hundreds just so I could save myself for him.” She paused and sighed visibly and added with sweet smile, “Although he did cause me to see fireworks.”
“That's putting it lightly.” Jackie said and they all laughed.
“Besides, Bernie said strip poker, not carnal knowledge.” Morgan said.
“With Bernie they're they same thing.” Jackie said as she jabbed Bernie in the side with her elbow.
“Ouch!” Bernie yelped. “Women, you can't live with them ... .”
The rest of them chimed in “And you can't live without them!”
“Unless you're Rudy.” Billy said as he poked Bernie in the other side of his rib cage.
“Ouch!” Bernie complained. “What is this pick on Bernie day.”
“Well are we going to play strip, or what?” Billy asked hopefully. “I'm game too.”
“Okay,” Jackie said in agreement, “but I promise you I am going to cheat.”
“You ladies have to take off some clothes before we start so we'll all have the same number of articles starting out.” Bernie protested.
“That's what you think,” Jackie said. “I told you I plan to cheat.” She chuckled and the rest of them joined in.
“Oh! All right.” Bernie pouted. “Beggars can't be choosy, but I deal first.”
CHAPTER 53
They heard colors when the flag was respectfully lowered but continued their bowling game until the sun was beyond the New Jersey skyline. The three of them walked silently in the humid night air, past the Chief's townhouses, and past the Bachelor Officer's Quarters. The base theater had a poster up advertising a movie which had ran the civilian circuit six months ago and had already been released on video.
They paused at the edge of the golf course and stared in the distance at the shadow of an old fort. Several of the most brilliant stars twinkled faintly through the miasmal vapor of the city's lights and heat.
“The door to get into the tunnels is on this side of the fort. I'll show you.” Becky said, as she headed out onto the golf course.
“See those trees,” she pointed, “it's just past there.”
“Do you have a flash light?” Zolar asked.
“I have a couple of maglights.” She opened her purse and pulled out a couple of hand size lights with a magnifying lens over the bulb. “Don't turn them on until we get into the tunnel.”
The fort sat on top of a small hill. It looked more like an old castle, complete with moat, but now the moat was dry and was covered with well manicured grass. They climbed down into the moat until they came to a wall of gray granite.
In the dim light John and Zolar couldn't tell exactly what Becky was pushing on but a small hole appeared near the ground.
“You have to crawl in.” She said as she hiked up her skirt and got down on her knees. John and Zolar followed in the same fashion.
After they squeezed through the hole they were able to stand up.
“You can turn your lights on now. “ Becky suggested through the blackness of their surroundings.
The maglights proved to extremely adequate as they flipped the switches.
Upon inspection John found the tunnel was of the same gray granite blocks as those
exposed to the exterior world. Becky pushed her foot against the stone which had allowed them in and it slid back into it's niche.
“This way,” Becky said heading down the long corridor of gray stone.
“Here,” Zolar offered his light, “you're leading the way.”
“I don't need it.” She answered.
Zolar and John glanced at each other as they followed into the still quiet cool man made tunnel.
“I can take you to the entrance of the chamber but I cannot enter.” Becky said.
“Why?” John asked.
“It is considered the chamber of knowledge of good and evil, since I am neither, I respect those entities and will not interfere by allowing them to draw upon my energy when the center opens.”
They walked on through the narrow spaces passing several other open door ways leading to other areas. Finally Becky stopped and again placed her hands upon the cool granite. This time a wide door opened gapping from floor to ceiling.
“This is as far as I go.” She said as her voice shift back into the crisp chimes of Kumara.
“Wait a minute, how do we get out of here? Are you going to wait for us.” Zolar questioned nervously.
“I won't wait. Just remember when you leave this door take a right and continue straight. When the tunnel stops dead, kick the bottom center stone and you will be back to where you started.”
Zolar flicked his light onto his watch. “It's only ten, what do we do until midnight?”
“Wait.”
“Will we see you again?” John asked.
“You may.” She answered and her body began to fade until she was no longer there.
“I didn't use to believe in ghost stories.” Zolar said facing the opening.
“Me neither. You first.” John gestured with his maglights.
“Me? You're the main man.” Zolar countered, feeling slightly skittish.
John held his light up and focused it through the opening. “Another corridor. Looks like a patch work quilt of brown stones.”
“It's a lot cooler in here.” Zolar murmured shivering slightly and followed John.
The tunnel appeared to have been built at an earlier time than the one they had left. The width was so narrow their shoulders occasionally brushed either one wall or the other. The floor felt as if it were on a decline as they proceeded further along. They made several sharp turns as they went further down until it opened into a large chamber. The walls of the chamber were built from a pale unidentifiable stone. It the center of the room was a hole about three feet in diameter.
Shining their light's around John was the first to speak.
“Here's the wall she was talking about.”
There on a mountain was a five pointed star painted in red. At the mountains base was a crude drawing of seven people gathered around a white figure lying on a slab of stone.
John felt himself shiver as he stared at the drawings. Zolar walked around the pit and stood by his side.
CHAPTER 54
Jamal and Mindy had joined the others waiting in the hotel suite for the next center to open. Michael managed to get the Reverend Lamb to come of his own accord. The preacher was still groggy from the drugs but sat quietly watching the group.
Bernie was still complaining because Jackie had backed out of playing strip poker. He tried to joke about her backing out but down deep Jackie could tell he had been disappointed. She hadn’t been offended by his attitude but surprised herself that she actually thought his mood was sweet. He was still sulking. Billy just sluffed it off. In his short time in the Coast Guard he had seen more than most people dreamed of doing in their entire lifetime.
Mindy sat smoking one cigarette after the other while petting the kitten. She had talked Jamal into helping her give it a bath and he had actually enjoyed it. It had helped him to quit thinking about Azid. While they had been bathing the kitten, she suggested to Jamal that he should name it. It took her several minutes but after a while she managed to convince him to call the cat, Azid, in memory of his friend. Of course Jamal had thought it was entirely his idea.
Morgan, Jackie, Billy and Bernie continued to play cards. They had offered to start a new game of rummy so the others could join in but everyone else had declined.
“That must be Rudy.” Michael said in response to the knock at the door. “I told him to join us. I think everyone who has been involved with the centers should continue to be in on them, if at all possible. I hope nobody minds.”
Most of them murmured it was a good idea or no problems and Bernie said, “to bad Zolar isn't here. He'll miss his girl friend.”
Bernie was the only one chuckling when Rudy entered. Jackie gave Bernie a scowl and a mental reprimand telling him to behave.
“Hi,” Rudy greeted them somewhat grimly. “Michael told me what was going on today. I really don't want to be a part of any of this.” Rudy sat down in one of the arm chairs near Michael.
“It's just a little after eleven, what are you doing until this next center, or whatever you call it, opens?”
“We're just waiting Rudy.” Jackie smiled at him as she felt his nervousness. “Do you want to play some rummy?” She added in hopes to set him to ease.
“No thanks. I'll just wait.” Rudy said as he drummed his fingers on the arm chair. “Michael I'm sure you didn't tell me everything, I mean not that you are hiding anything but I wasn't able to speak to you very long on the phone. What I was wondering is, if it's possible, if you wouldn't mind, could I ask a few questions?”
“Certainly Rudy, like it or not you have become involved in what's been occurring.” Michael said. “I don't think anyone objects.”
“Not at all, Rudy, I think we all still have a lot of unanswered questions.” Morgan said folding her cards.
“Okay.” Bernie said as he, Jackie and Billy laid their cards down. They pulled their chairs over to the living room space where the rest of the group sat.
“Ask away.” Jackie said.
“I understand there are these centers and they're some kind of things in the body and they are all connected to Mr. Fleuric. Seven of them, is that right?” Rudy watched as several of them nodded agreement. “We're getting ready for another one to open at midnight and that's your friend Zolar?”
“That's all correct, Rudy,” Morgan said realizing he wasn't sure what to ask but was curious. “Zolar is the next center. He's the sixth center to be exact. The Reverend, there is the next one after that.” She pointed at Thomas who seemed to be trying to listen and understand what they were saying. “Zolar is the intellectual center. The center which is focused around the pineal gland.”
Rudy grinned. “I like the penis gland.”
“Pineal, pineal,” Bernie interrupted. “Well, actually it's the intellectual center but to be more precise, or at least what I gathered from Zolar when he told us about all of the centers, the pineal gland is more closely connected to the intuition. And that's what we're waiting on.”
Rudy grunted. “It was a joke, I’m not that dumb. So, what’s the purpose of all this?”
They looked around the room, each one wondering if one of the others would take that question. After several moments of quiet Billy took the lead.
“We're not sure. It's was apparently planned by someone but all we have is fragments of information. Seven births took place on the same day and here thirty years later these centers are opening. To what end this activity is taking place none of us are sure. We are hoping after the center opens tonight we will have a little more information.”
Michael looked at Rudy. “That's why you need to go to Roanoke with us tomorrow. I'm sorry if it all came at short notice. I really do apologize for bullying you into going but you got yourself involved by your own action when you followed us down to South Ferry. The night Jamal's center was opened.”
“By the way, Rudy,” Billy said. “We've been talking today and we have a suspicion Azid' s death was somehow connected.” He paused for Jamal's reaction.
&nb
sp; “What do you mean?” Jamal spurted out quickly.
“Jackie, Morgan, Bernie and I,” Billy began, “have come to the conclusion. There's been several deaths in the hotel and then the incident with the car, we think they are connected. It could be coincidental but we're no longer sure that there is even such a word as coincidental. First you had the clerk in the lobby killed. Then the man on the elevator and the car that hit Azid. But Azid lived but now he's been found mutilated.” Billy paused and watched the pain on Jamal's face. “I'm sorry Jamal, I know how painful this is but you have to admit all of this is insane.”
“I know,” Jamal said. “I had Jackie kidnapped. I knew she was somehow connected with the coming of the Messiah. Of course, I thought the Messiah was going to be black. I've had to do a lot of reevaluating of my own beliefs these past few days. Ever since my center was opened, I've felt different. I don't know how to describe it. It's like I am a piece of a jigsaw puzzle.” He paused and glanced at Mindy. “I don't feel the hatred that had been festering in me. I still feel resentment towards people being treated unfairly. Even the way people treat you Rudy, and your kind. I don't like your sexual preference but I don't hate you for it anymore. And I don't hate all of the whites like I did. Rudy you had a double dose of my hate. One for being white and the other for being a ... ,” he paused and stopped himself from saying fag and finished with, “gay.”
Jamal then turned to Jackie and with his most sincere tone he said. “I'm sorry Jackie for kidnapping you and what we might have done to you.”
“I understand Jamal, it's a screwy world.” Jackie answered. “What were you going to do to me?”
“Use your imagination.” He answered.
“Oh, I guess I suspected that.”
“Getting back to your question, Rudy,” Billy interrupted, “we're all just strangers to each other. We're not sure of the purpose of what is happening but we know tomorrow we will know. We hope we gain a little more understanding after Zolar's center opens.”