by J. R. Bowles
“Hey that was suppose to be my line.” Bernie protested.
“Aren't you guys ever serious?” Jackie swatted at both of them.
“Life is one big practical joke. God is a comedian and everybody’s afraid to laugh.” Bernie said in humor but they all became quiet.
“I take it you found the place.” John broke the quiet as he looked at Michael and then Billy.
“Sure did. No problems.” Billy answered.”
“Did anyone think to bring some light it's starting to get dark?” Morgan asked.
“Got it covered.” Michael said as he reached into a bag and started handing out small flash lights.
“I've got a light.” Zolar said as he held up the Maglight that Kumara had given him.
“Me too.” John said pulling the small maglight from his pocket.
“Aren't you two fancy-smancy.” Billy said as he took one of the flashlights from Michael and checked to make sure it worked.
“Let's go.” John said solemnly.
Sally Ann ran over and grabbed John's hand and smiled up at him.
“You said I could.” She reminded him of his promise.
“My pleasure.” He said gently as they all headed down the sidewalk following Michael's lead.
It was a somber group walking two by two. Sally Ann was holding tight to John's hand using her other one to cuddle the kitten against her chest.
The sun had settled below the mountain top and the nights purple shadows grew bold.
As they walked their eyes drank in the evening hues. Their sense of smell tasted the fresh air and rich soil. They sensed a form of pity for the great southern city of Roanoke as she laid dying from the economic starvation of the time. Dusk came to rest in the Shenandoah Valley snuggled in the rich haze of the awesome Blue Ridge Mountains.
Ahead of them peering down stood the great Star of Mill Mountain. A man made image designed and built in the hay day of the city. It had perhaps been the vision of someone's dream, that developed the garish imitation of a Hollywood fantasy.
Unlike New York, Roanoke's lights were not as severe. The stars in the sky twinkled down on them, not from the haze of smog but from the distortion of the valley giving up her heat.
An audible gasp of expectation traversed the group as the Star blazed on in brilliant white. A sigh of hopeful expectation passed the lips of several of them in their reluctant desire that it shone white and not red.
The street lights were far between and an occasion passing car illuminated them in their evening sojourn. The distant barking of a dog and the rhythmic chirping of crickets broke the stillness of the night's air.
Michael and Billy paused in front of the abandon woods.
“This is it.” Michael said as he turned to face the others and then pointed. “Over there is the easiest place to cross the wall.”
“Good.” John said as the group began their crossing. He knelled down to Sally Ann. “Honey, Mindy's going to watch you now, okay?”
“Okay, Mister John.” She said hugging his neck and kissing his cheek.
Mindy approached and took Sally Ann's small hand forcefully and squeezed a little harder than she intended.
“Ouch!” Sally Ann protested.
“I'm sorry, I guess I don't know my own strength.” Mindy apologized while gritting her teeth.
John stood up and faced Mindy. “You take care of her, okay.”
“Certainly.”
“You should head on back to the hotel now. This is a fairly peaceful part of the city, I don't think you have to worry about any danger.” John ordered.
Order me? Mindy thought, I will make him suffer, but she answered sweetly. “Good night everyone. Sally Ann tell everybody good night.”
“Night.” Sally Ann responded.
Mindy and Sally Ann walked away from the group in the direction from which they had came. Sally Ann occasionally turned to look back at the group. Even through the shadows of the evening they could tell she was not pleased and almost appeared frightened.
John was the last one to cross the wall and paused on the other side of the wall.
“Michael would you and Bernie come here a moment.”
“Sure John, what do you want?” Michael asked as Bernie fell in behind him. Bernie slid his hand into his pocket making ready the hypodermic.
“Billy, since you've been here why don't you lead on and we will catch up with you in a minute.” John directed.
“Sure boss.” Billy replied as he flicked on his flashlight toward the well worn path.
John stood for a few minutes collecting his thoughts as the illumination from the other's flashlights passed out of sight. Michael stood facing John with Bernie on Michael's left and slightly behind him.
Michael finally became impatient and broke the silence. “John, I'm glad you called me aside. I wanted to talk to you about something.” He paused and looked at Bernie as if to indicate he wanted a little privacy.
Bernie didn't know what Michael wanted but wasn't about to loose his vantage point. He stood clasping the needle.
John nodded at Bernie in hopes he was ready and spoke to Michael to gain his friends complete attention.
“Michael!” John said sharply, “I've been talking and ... .” At that moment John nodded to Bernie and reached out and embraced Michael's shoulders with his hands. He held on tight to Michael's muscular arms. Bernie pulled the needle out from his pocket and with years of sure footed knowledge injected Michael's arm.
It was over before Michael knew what had happen. His first emotion had been shock and before his mind could register anger a hazy cloud of fatigue began to envelope him.
“Why?” He mummered groggily as his legs began to give out. Bernie helped John lower Michael to the ground and leaned him against a tree.
As Michael's mind began to fade he tried to protest. He had to remain conscious. Why had John done this? He had to remain conscious, he had to, he had to meet his detective. Clarets' secretary had finally called him back. She had been upset and kept repeating that Clarets was bringing someone that had to talk to Michael. No matter what he did he had to meet this person. He asked her who it was. She had told him that the phone connection that she had with her boss was poor. They were on a plane en route to Roanoke but he had specified that at all cost he must talk with Michael before midnight. Michael told her to tell Clarets they were leaving the hotel at nine and if he arrived past that he would be here. She had asked him for directions but he told her to tell Clarets it was at the sight of the old Shenandoah Hospital. He would know where it was. Clarets had been the one that had provided Michael with the location.
Michael silently protested as the sleep enveloped his mind. “Why John, why?”
“Thanks Bernie.” John turned to follow after the others. “I guess we should try to catch up with the others.”
Bernie fell in behind John as they located the path the other's had taken.
Mindy had walked silently leading Sally Ann for over five blocks. Enough time had passed she thought. We can turn back. She stopped abruptly and turned jerking Sally Ann to follow her.
“You're hurting me.” Sally Ann protested while trying to pull her hand free from Mindy's grasp. Sally Ann held tight to the kitten protecting it from the sudden change of direction.
“Shut up, you brat. We're going back there.” Mindy warned.
“But Mr. John said we're 'spose to go back to the hotel.” Sally Ann reminded her.
“You're with me now. You will do what I say. Do you understand? It is time for us to return.” Mindy said heinously.
Sally Ann didn't say anything and quit struggling with Mindy. They walked rapidly on their return trip. Sally Ann stumbled several times with Mindy's tight grip being the only thing that kept her from falling.
They approached the abandoned woods and Mindy maneuvered them over to the easiest access over the wall. Once over the wall Mindy pulled a small light from her pocket that she had prepared for this purpose. Scanning the area
her light fell onto Michael's sleeping body.
Maybe I should take his energy now, she thought. She walked over to stand at his feet. She kicked at his shoe to see if he would stir. Satisfied that he was unconscious she decided to collect him later. After she had disposed of the others. It would be much more pleasing to have him awake and make him suffer. His agony would be her pleasure. She pulled Sally Ann along with her as she found the path the other's must have taken. Soon as she located where the other's had stopped she would take care of the child. She smiled as she relished the thoughts of the agony the brat would have to endure before taking her energy.
Sally Ann stared down at Michael and smiled to herself in the dark. Mindy pulled at her to follow. She snuggled Azid close up under her chin to protect him from harm.
As Mindy and Sally Ann passed out of sight a car stopped in front of the woods.
“This is it. My secretary said Michael would be waiting.” Claret said to the old man sitting beside him as he climbed out of the car. He went around to the passenger's side to assist his passenger.
The older man accepted the assistance of Clarets young strength and was led over to where the wall was crumbling.
“Wait here.” Clarets said and headed back to the car's truck. “I'll get a flashlight.”
The old man stared after Clarets as he pulled the pouch he had been holding close to him. When Clarets returned he climbed over the wall and helped the elderly gentleman over.
“Are you sure you had to come? Wasn't there anything I could have done?” Clarets asked as the man stabilized his feeble limbs after crossing the wall.
Clarets paused and flicked his flashlight on in the direction of the path. “Over there. I guess they must have went down the path, over there.”
“Be still.” The man warned.
The night air brought them the hidden sounds of the nocturnal life. The man inhaled deeply and turned. He pointed his finger and began walking over to where Michael laid.
“Here.” He said stopping in front of Michael's unconscious body.
Clarets pointed his light on Michael and quickly moved to assist his benefactor.
“How did you know he was here?” Clarets asked.
“If you come to know the night as you do the day, then you learn what should be there. When you know what should be there you will find that you're are able to feel what shouldn't be. I could feel him.” He explained.
Clarets placed his hand behind Michael's head and shook him trying to rouse him to consciousness.
“I don't know what they gave him but I don't think he's going to wake up anytime soon.” Clarets said placing Michael back against the tree and stood up.
“Let me.” The old man said as he reached into the pouch he was carrying. He felt around blindly in the dark for several moments and then pulled his hand out. He leaned down as close as his feeble spine would allow him and poured a powder out of a smaller sack into the palm of his hand. He pursed his lips and blew the powder into Michael' s face causing Michael to breath it in.
“Ei-ah-ka-oh.” The man chanted repeatedly.
Michael began to cough and wheezed to clear his lungs from congestion. He groaned and reached for his head. His eyes popped open and he looked up at the two men standing before him. Slowly he identified one as being the detective Clarets. Although he had spoken with Clarets frequently he had not seen him for years but he quickly recognized him even through the weak glare of the man's flashlight.
Michael slowly stretched and stood with Clarets assistance. Michael then gazed upon the elderly man who had only moments before been leaning over him. The man's hair was long and white, peppered with strands of gray and black. It had been pulled back and held in place with a band pulled over his head. His skin was a thick brown, deeply etched from age and years beneath the sun. His clothes appeared to be made from some kind of animal hide. The man was old and Michael concluded he must be a Native American.
“Are you okay?” Clarets asked.
“I think so.” Michael answered shaking his head trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind.
“This is Chesaka. He's the shaman for the Cherokee Nation.” Clarets introduced.
“Please to meet you sir.” Michael offered out his hand. As he began to wonder if the man was in some way related to Mindy.
“Thank you.” Chesaka said accepting Michael's hand. “I am Mindy's grandfather.”
Michael stood there quietly and suddenly realized he didn't know how long he had been unconscious. He stuck his wrist watch under Clarets flashlight to check the time. Good, Michael thought, it's still early.
Let's sit down on the wall over there so Chesaka can rest.” Clarets pointed. “He can rest while he tells you about his granddaughter.
They sat down while Chesaka began the story of how Mindy had been one of the centers but she had become self-centered and had been replaced by Morgan.
John and Bernie entered the clearing where the limestone altar stood. The others were milling around nervously waiting for them.
“Where's Michael?” Jackie asked.
“He won't be here tonight.” John answered. “I felt, and I talked it over with Billy and Zolar, that just the eight of us should be here for this opening.”
“Well what do we do now?” Jackie asked as she lowered her self to the ground. “We've still got over an hour until midnight.”
John looked around the group, not knowing what to say.
Zolar came to his rescue. “Since it's the Reverend's opening tonight I would suggest it's his show. Speculating about what happen last night before my center opened, I think he may have some knowledge to impart upon us.”
“But he's a preacher.” Billy protested.
“And tonight's center is the spiritual center.” Zolar explained. “It's opening of the pituitary.”
“Thank you.” Thomas acknowledged Zolar's recommendation. He had his Bible pulled against his chest as if it gave him the warmth and strength he needed for endurance. “I believe in the Lord God and if this is to be my fate then I will pray that he gives me the strength and wisdom needed.”
“Wait a second.” Zolar interrupted. “Last night John and I discovered a drawing and concluded that it was to be here. That's why John said that he thought that only the eight of us should be here. There was the red star and a man lying on an altar. Around the man was seven figures. Before Thomas starts I think we should assume those positions.”
They looked around at each other as if to ask one another, why not.
“Where do you want us, Zolar?' Bernie asked.
“Like this.” Zolar began pointing out positions. “John lie down on your back on the stone.”
John walked over and sat down. Feeling somewhat awkward he reclined on the stone. The hardness of it seemed to fill the contours of his body and had a slight raise at the top that lifted his head like a natural pillow.
“Billy you're next.” Zolar said. “Since you where the first center and the Solar Plexus, you should be right here.” Zolar pulled Billy around and stood him on John's left side beside his abdomen.
Zolar then walked over to Morgan and guided her to stand on Billy's left. “Morgan you're next. The Sexual Center should be right here.”
“Okay, Jackie, you are the Throat Center and although you should have been the fourth center to open, you were third. Come here and stand on Billy's right side at John's throat.” Jackie stood up and moved to where Zolar had indicated.
As they stood there they felt uncomfortable staring down at John.
“Jamal, you're next. If you will go around to the other side. You are the Spleen Center and if you will locate yourself at John's mid section.”
Jamal quietly moved around and took the place Zolar had indicated.
“Bernie, you're next as the Heart Center stand to Jamal's left at John's chest. I'm next as the Intellectual Center. All right, Bernie, no wise cracks.” Zolar said as he stood on John's right side at his face. Bernie did not comment, he didn't feel
like joking for a change.
“Reverend, you're next as the Spiritual Center. Stand there above John's head.” Zolar pointed.
“This looks about right.” Zolar said looking around at the others. Their faces were dark with shadows and etched with worry.
“Since we have some time before midnight I think you can sit down.” John suggested.
They all sat down on the ground as John had suggested except Thomas and he remained standing. He felt energy. He felt inspired and he had a captured audience. He felt sure the Lord was ready to guide him.
All of them were quiet for several minutes in anticipation of what Thomas might say. Although they were of different faiths and beliefs he had been specified the Spiritual Center and they felt what ever he said would be important.
As they waited for him to began John asked pointing up to the sky. “Look at that star there above us. Look how brilliant it seems. It's red. Does anybody know what star it is?”
They all looked up. They easily located the star John was pointing at because it was a brilliant magnitude, shining red, clustered by several fainter stars.
“It's Sirus.” Zolar said. “It's called the Dog Star.” Zolar's mind reeled. The dog star! The red star he had seen on the chamber's wall had not been the one on the Mill Mountain but had been a real star in the sky. Dog Star! He felt his heart leap. The word dog backward was god. What did it mean?
The Star on Mill Mountain suddenly went black. Even John could see it with his peripheral vision.
They gasp when it suddenly reappeared shining down in brilliant red. Each of their minds leaped in surprise. They became still, staring up at the red omen.
It was Morgan who broke the silence that had fallen on them. “We were taught, as above, so below. What happens in the material world also happens in the spiritual world.”
A general uneasiness slowly engulfed the group. The Reverend Lamb silently whispered a prayer for strength. When he cleared his throat the group jumped from being startled back from their thoughts.
“Please Lord help me,” Thomas prayed. He randomly opened his Bible and shined his flashlight down at the passage John 1 and began to read.