The Protector

by Stormi Lewis

“It is not their doing,” warned the center figure. “It’s the living forcing their way in. He is to blame.”

  Jack jerked his head up once more, and his stomach dropped as if he was riding a roller coaster that had just plummeted towards the ground.

  “What does he want?” shrilled another figure on the right towards Jack.

  “It’s not possible,” Jack whispered to himself.

  “What does he WANT?!” screamed the figure again at Jack.

  “Our daughter,” Jack said, shaking his head into focus. “That is why my wife and I remain on this realm.”

  “We must force him to stop!” screamed another figure.

  “Let him have the girl!” demanded another.

  “You cannot!” hollered Jack as he reached out his hands in his plea. “If he gets her, all realms will be destroyed,” he added quickly. “He follows no rules, let alone respects those in place. No one will be safe. Not even you,” Jack asserted.

  “No one can harm us!” boomed another figure.

  However, the center figure tilted his hooded head in what Jack hoped was consideration of what he was telling them.

  “He will not stop once he has our daughter,” Jack said slowly. “You know her powers. If he can control her, not even death is safe.”

  Arguing erupted before him shaking the ground and nearly knocking Jack off his feet, but he remained steady with his eyes locked on their hooded figures.

  “This is NOT our mess!” one finally declared.

  “You brought this upon us!” yelled another. “You fix it!”

  “How am I to do that?” asked Jack in desperation.

  “It is not our concern,” rumbled another.

  “He will break the rules,” pleaded Jack. “It may take breaking them to resolve this in return,” Jack warned.

  “Then pay the price when all is done!” boomed another.

  “Please!” begged Jack. “If we’re to break the rules to save you, should we not be spared?”

  “We have already spared you once!” demanded another.

  “The counsel has spoken!” announced the last figure on the left. “You are dismissed!”

  The black figures began to fade away. Jack noticed the center figure remained in hesitation before disappearing with the others. Jack could only hope that it was the one that understood fully what was to come. He could only hope that maybe it would come to favor his wife and his own fate when all was said and done.

  First, Jack needed to talk to an old friend without breaking the rules. There was no need being punished before Sophie could be saved. Jack turned on his heels and ran into the darkness ahead of him.

  Sophie woke up just in time to change trains and head to Nashville, Tennessee. She made sure to get caught on the occasional camera to help direct the current blood hounds that hid somewhere behind computer monitors watching her every move. When they could see her that was.

  Sophie smiled her Cheshire grin to herself. She bought two tickets and headed for the ladies’ rest room. She brushed her hair in the mirror and waited patiently for the train to board.

  The ticket master held out his hand once she stepped on, and Sophie placed the ticket for Montana into his hand before she headed to the back of the train. She quietly slipped off undetected through the back door, and boarded the opposite train on the platform to find her usual seat in the back. No need to show them where she was headed before she could actually get there.

  Sophie pulled out the paper with the random sentences scribbled on it. She knew them all, yet she did not know from where exactly. She scanned her memory of the billions of books she had read over her lifetime only still to remain blank on their origin.

  Frustrated, Sophie folded up the piece of paper and put it back into her bag. An unusual chill ran down her spine. Something else had happened to her recently, but all she could remember was a statement:

  You must not go anywhere without a door….

  Seemed like an odd thing to have stuck on her brain. She had only ever seen a door before passing through to see memories or visit her parents when they were able to come to her. Sophie shook her head and shoulders to shake off the unwanted chill, leaned back, and rested her eyes. It was a long ride to Nashville, and she had to make sure she got caught on as many cameras as possible before she disappeared to head to New Orleans. Sophie wasn’t sure what was coming. Something told her to rest as much as she could. So, she did just that.

  Ben surprised himself when he was the first to arrive in New Orleans, but then again, he had been the closest when they received James’ text message. Ben knew he would be in charge of finding them a place to hide out at since this was not a preplanned scheduled stop, so he scouted for the best location to keep them together without being detected.

  He was proud of himself and felt like he was getting quite the hang of this “living life on the run.” Although, he was pretty sure his future job offers wouldn’t quite feel the same way.

  Ben also worried when it came to Tina’s job. He was sure breaking into the Buffalo office would carry great consequences for his wife, but Tina had insisted that she had it all covered.

  Not that he regretted helping Sophie. She was the sister Ben had never had. Their sacrifices would never outweigh hers of keeping them all safe from the douche bag man with the cane. Ben knew that, and never complained.

  He was also very excited to see his best friend find the love of his life finally. Hellen had done such a number on James. Ben hadn’t cared for her since the beginning, but you can’t tell love where it should go.

  Ben believed deeply in fate and knew that heart break led James to Sophie. She was the best fit for James, even if he wasn’t eager to admit it in the beginning. Ben just hoped that they would outlive all of this so James and Sophie could settle down and be a family like James always dreamt about.

  James never mentioned the ring in the bag. Ben already knew it had been in there for a while. He also knew that James was respectfully waiting for Sophie to catch up to his feelings, which Ben agreed was best for everyone.

  However, there were things about Sophie that even Sophie didn’t realize herself. The girl had been genetically altered. Ben just wasn’t a hundred percent sure how exactly. She mentioned receiving a ton of shots as a kid, but the alterations that he had noted couldn’t have happened through simple shots alone. Her DNA had been altered completely, and that could only have happened during gestation.

  Ben hadn’t discussed his suspicions with his wife. That was because he knew he didn’t have to. Tina saw what he saw. She trusted Ben to get to the bottom of it and let them know what he found out.

  However, Jessica Harris was a ghost that couldn’t be tracked. There was no way of knowing Sophie’s past, because only Jack’s scholarly accomplishments were recorded. An impressive amount at that, but too many things didn’t add up.

  Ben knew it was driving his wife just as crazy as it was him. Clearly animal genes had been added to Sophie’s own makeup, but Ben had no idea how many had been added, or to what extent. There was no tracking down Jess to ask her what she knew, yet he wondered if it was by the man with the cane or some other sick soul that they may not even know about.

  Ben shook his head and checked into the Olivier House Hotel. In the heart of the French Quarters, the hotel was a deep red wine color with white doors and black shutters to protect it against oncoming hurricanes. Three stories high, with white laced balconies and large green plants hanging over each door from the outside. Once in the room, he pulled out the burner phone and texted the address with nothing else and pressed send.

  Ben looked around and appreciated the security that the inner brick walls provided against passing storms. The hotel had survived everything thrown at it since 1836, and the carpet and furniture looked like it hadn’t been upgraded in decades based on the floral patterns. It should be easy to hide in plain sight in the French Quarters on a holiday that gave them perfect cover by hiding behind masks.

  He knew
exactly what James was up to. Ben was well aware of the doctor’s annual national convention. He was also aware that this was most likely Sally’s idea more than Roger’s, however, it would be a great place to locate some people that might be able to give them answers to Sophie’s origin.

  In the meantime, Halloween would be here in two days, and they would need dresses, suits, and masks. Ben grabbed his wallet, put the hood of his jacket up to not only hide but fight off the chill, and went to search for suitable costumes.

  Tina beat James to the hotel. She knew Sophie would arrive last. Knowing Sophie, she most likely headed somewhere other than Atlanta, Georgia to give them more space between the blood hounds and them. Tina was curious where she chose to go that allowed her enough time to get back to them. She was also curious to know what James had up his sleeve to be changing course in the middle of the game.

  Tina saw Ben’s bag and shook her head before putting her own on the bed. They had two separate rooms again, so Tina explored her own surroundings. She had never been to New Orleans.

  Although living on the run was stressful, it was an excuse to get her traveling again. Since she had started working at the FBI, traveling hadn’t been much of an option outside of her yearly summer trip to the Moore’s.

  Tina slumped down on the bed. Thinking about the FBI made her a bit sick to her stomach. She remembered the day she had been recruited, well before she was due to even graduate college. Tina had always been a wiz with whatever her fingers touched. Puzzles were her specialty, and the FBI drooled over that fact.

  She had finally felt like she belonged with her lab crew, instead of being a complete outcast for being way too smart for her own good. Ben and James had been the only ones to never allow her to feel like an outcast when it came to her overactive brain.

  Tina spent most of her childhood making sure the other two clowns stayed out of trouble. Ben had been really shy back then, minus his time with James. James was the only one that seemed to break Ben out of his shell instantly. Tina had to earn the right.

  Tina of course had feelings for him, long before he was ready. However, she had patiently waited for him to catch up. She knew from their first accidental kiss that they would be together for life. She also knew she would always be ahead of the boys, maturity wise, and so Tina bit her tongue and waited for Ben to realize what she had already known since they were six years old.

  Tina had never been more thankful than when he finally did. They dated through most of high school and remained sweethearts as they both excelled through college ahead of the typical schedule of most college students. Everyone had given them grief for getting married so soon, but when you know you’ve found your soulmate, why wait? Their wedding was small, intimate, and the best day of her life.

  She only wanted the same for James. Nevertheless, when he settled for Hellen, Tina had to do the most faking she had ever done in her life. That girl was nothing but a spoiled brat. Hellen put up a good front. However, in the end, all she wanted was to spend someone else’s money even though she had plenty of her own.

  Hellen used people until she was bored. Luckily for James, she grew bored before he was stuck with her for life. It’s just a shame she purposely waited until their wedding day to let him loose. Tina would never forgive her for the heartbreak she caused James.

  Like her husband, Tina knew fate had bigger and better things for her friend. She had no idea it would come in the package of Sophie. Tina was surprised that it took no thinking about throwing away everything she had worked for to help Sophie out, but that was the power of Sophie. She never asked Tina to. Tina was fine doing it all the same.

  She also knew of the engagement ring James hid in his bag for her. This was the family she had always wished for the four of them. Tina, like the boys, were waiting for Sophie to come to the same conclusion.

  It wasn’t Sophie’s fault, though. The girl had been through more than any of them would ever be able to imagine. Tina’s heart broke more for Sophie than it did for herself and her silly FBI job.

  Sophie was special. Ben had never told her exactly how special, but Tina knew it was because he was still trying to piece his own puzzle together. No normal human could do half the things Sophie succeeded at.

  She heard what no one could hear. She moved like a cat more than a human. She was faster at everything she did, both mentally and physically. Tina had never struggled to keep up with someone mentally before. Sophie had been the first to give her a run for her money. Tina knew there was more to discover about how special Sophie was exactly, but the bigger question was why and by whom?

  Then there was the issue with the key they had found. Tina realized long ago that Jack was also a very intelligent man. Definitely giving Sophie an added advantage over most on normal circumstances. Then again, so many things didn’t add up about her own puzzle.

  Why give Sophie something to carry for life that wasn’t complete? Was she not supposed to carry it the whole time? Or was it supposed to be a bargaining chip during desperate times? Or did Jack not have enough time to complete his plans before he was murdered?

  Despite her best efforts, Tina didn’t know much about the man with the cane. He didn’t seem to be the kind of man that gave up. At all. And he clearly wanted Sophie more than anything.

  For Tina, too many questions remained unanswered. Jack was extremely smart. Too smart for his own good like Tina. Surely there was more to this puzzle. She just hadn’t found the other pieces yet.

  Jack also knew the man with the cane would never stop coming for Sophie. Tina knew that Jack had Sophie altered out of love. She couldn’t blame him for that. He had designed her to specifically survive anything thrown at her, but Jack also made sure it wasn’t an obvious alteration either. Sophie still took time to heal, which would help keep her undetected by a typical doctor if she landed in one’s hands.

  Tina suddenly felt exhaustion consume her. She laid back onto the bed and found darkness once her head hit the pillow.

  Tina was shocked when she opened her eyes to darkness minus the wooden door before her.

  “Open it,” she heard a strange female voice call to her.

  Tina hesitated, and looked around but saw no one.

  “You’re safe,” the voice called to her softly. “Open it,” the voice repeated. “For Sophie.”

  Tina reached out and opened the door. Instantly, she was engulfed by a flood of bright light. She covered her eyes and waited for them to adjust.

  “Hello, Tina,” a shadow figure spoke as it stood before her.

  “How do you know my name?” Tina asked in frustration, unable to focus on the figure before her. Her eyes seemed to be taking forever to adjust.

  “I know you, because you help to keep my daughter safe,” the female voice said softly as Tina felt a soft hand reach out and remove Tina’s hand from her eyes. A beautiful woman, who was the spitting image of Sophie in so many ways, was smiling back at her.

  “Jess?” Tina said in much disbelief. Clearly, she was having an intense dream, or she had officially lost her mind.

  “Yes, Dear,” Jess replied softly.

  “How is this happening?” Tina asked as her brain tried to rationalize what was happening.

  “Let’s just say that occasionally even death allows us to help the living,” Jess smiled back at Tina and headed to the kitchen that seemed to appear out of thin air behind her. Tina slowly followed her.

  “Is this about the key?” Tina asked. “I’m working as fast as I can, but all we found were random sentences that don’t seem to go to anything.”

  Jess shook her head as she poured hot water from the kettle that had started to whistle out of nowhere. “Jack did always love his puzzles,” Jess chuckled.

  Sadness fleeted across her face for a split second before being masked with another smile. This one less genuine.

  “Why am I here?” Tina asked, sitting down at the table before her as Jess set down a cup of tea for each of them. Jess held her cup to her
lips and blew the steam away.

  “Because something is coming that I don’t think even Jack and I can help her conquer, and we’re going to need your help,” Jess said with a now weary smile.

  “Is it the man with the cane?” Tina asked with renewed focus.

  Jess noticed no one had spoken his name, and knew it wasn’t her truth to tell so she just simply nodded.

  “Who is he?” Tina questioned.

  “A very mad and determined man that will stop at nothing until he has Sophie under his control,” Jess said with much anger in her voice.

  “WHO is he?” Tina tried again.

  “He will let you know soon enough,” Jess said as her eyes glazed over to emptiness.

  “Why not just tell me?” Tina demanded in frustration.

  “Because there are rules, and I have already broken one. I will not get a second pardon, and Sophie will pay the price,” Jess said sternly. “Do you want that?”

  Tina looked at the untouched tea before her. “Of course not,” she resigned.

  “Jack gave her his own puzzle pieces to help keep her safe,” Jess continued, trying to sound less harsh. “I know you’re the puzzle queen, so be sure to solve those for her and help her with the tools she needs.”

  “You didn’t have to pull me into…this,” Tina stated waving her hand at the dream kitchen that currently surrounded her. “I would have done that anyway.”

  “I know, Honey,” Jess assured as she lifted her eyes back up to meet Tina’s. “That’s not the only reason why you’re here,” Jess said looking down at her tea again.

  Tina stared at the ghost before her and knew whatever was on Jess’ mind was big enough to scare her. Dead or not. And if it scared death, it had to be serious. She remained quiet and waited for Jess to confess whatever she felt she needed to.

  “Something really bad is coming. I’m not sure what exactly, but it’s going to take all of you to help fight it,” Jess continued. “Jack and I will do what we can from our end. Although lines have already been drawn, I’m doing my best to blur them and get you more assistance,” Jess rushed on. “Jack is looking into the specifics to see what he can figure out in the meantime.”