by Gary Starta
One day earlier
“So, what are you doing this weekend?”
George Rainey ignored the question the first two times it was asked. He was struggling among a swarm of cars all intent on exiting Washington University for the weekend. He also hadn’t expected anyone to ask about his weekend plans or for that matter, if he planned on taking his next breath. In one of those cars to his right, was the new transfer student, Sheri Scott.
Something about Sheri ignited George’s flight or fight response. He certainly didn’t want to fight her. She seemed confident and besides he would rather have pleasant relations with the statuesque blonde. As far as flight goes, that was quite impossible at the moment because of traffic congestion.
With no other choice, he answered. “I’m heading home to my parents to spend some time before my weekend job.”
George blinked in frustration. What an uninteresting thing to say. Maybe it would bore her and she would drive away to find others more suitable to her party nature. In a way, it would be a relief. George always equated beautiful looking girls with trouble.
But Sheri didn’t appear daunted. She smiled and squinted in the late afternoon sun.
“Well, do you have time to grab some food or beers?”
George smiled on the outside but felt his body quiver with unease on the inside.
“Sounds like a plan.” He tapped his hand on the steering wheel. It activated his phone. “Give me your phone number.” He gestured with an imaginary phone to his ear. “So, I can call you.”
She shouted her number and George punched the numbers with care as if he were unlocking a safe filled with the secrets of the universe.
“Okay, that’s better.” George said when the two were electronically connected.
“I know a great dive called Alisha’s. How about we meet there?”
“Sure. I’ll GPS it. If you get there before me, order me a Beck’s.”
George tapped at the beer bottle until Sheri showed.
“What’s the matter? Didn’t think I’d come?”
Her voice was raspy and alluring.
“I didn’t know what to think. Usually my weekends are pretty boring.”
“Oh. I hear there’s a lot to do in this area.” She sipped at her beer. “I am interested in that sun worshiping group that meets around here. Do you think we can go sometime? Maybe tomorrow, I think they meet at sunrise.”
“Oh. No. I can’t. I have to work.”
“Too bad, but I understand. I just wanted to see what the fuss was all about.”
George smiled. “I know. There is quite a following on the Internet.”
“Maybe it’s not so good to follow others anyway. It’s good to be your own person. Don’t you think?” She chugged at her beer. “I mean I wouldn’t want a professor’s private views influencing my education.”
“I guess.” George’s eyes darted around the bar. In that instant, an image of Professor Zheng popped into his head. Chao-Zing Zheng told him she often frequented this establishment. It would be more than awkward to be seen with the brand-new transfer student. Of course, seeing your professor outside of class would always be weird. It’s why George hadn’t attended any Organized Dissonance meetings in the past. The professor was also uneasy about advertising any involvement with metaphysical subjects and with good reason. George had promised Zheng he would never betray her confidence in him.
“Expecting company?” Sheri laughed.
“No. Do you want food? I was looking for a waitress.”
“I’ll peruse the menu.” After a moment, Sheri spoke.
“I find Professor Zheng fascinating. I think she is a pioneer. And one day, I see science and the metaphysical merging. It’s just a matter of time.”
George wondered why Sheri was entertaining such thoughts. He also was curious as to how she would even know what the professor’s personal beliefs were. At the same time, the woman just made a declaration that professors shouldn’t be influencing students with their personal beliefs. He realized at the moment he was about to take another sip of his beer that he should proceed with caution. Perhaps this student wanted to cause trouble for Professor Zheng. It made sense if he considered the school board’s position. Would they employ a spy? Playing along with her game, George asked why she believed celestial bodies had such an impact on human behaviour.
“It’s been proven time and time again throughout the centuries. The ancients believed in a sun god. Look at Egypt. They had RA. He was said to give the breath of life via a solar wind. It caused an effect with the, the…” Sheri paused as if she forgot the word for ionosphere. Any astronomy student would be more than familiar with the term. She also spoke as if she were reciting a script. It made George feel antsy again and set off his urge to take flight. He felt his face betrayed his distrust. Sheri attempted an awkward rebound by citing the full moon’s effects. “Did you ever want to bark at the moon, George?”
“Not really but I know what you mean. I believe in that as well. But I’m not sure what the professor believes. I think her goal is to present a broad spectrum of information and let the students decide for themselves.” George was proud of his answer. It rolled off his tongue with ease and did little to damn his favourite teacher. Or so he thought. Because in that instant Sheri smiled and her eyes sparkled as if she had gleaned something she hadn’t known before.
Shit! Maybe admitting the professor’s stance on anything metaphysical is dangerous. George wanted to slam his fist up against his head. He also wanted to run yet he didn’t. He was attracted to Sheri and allowed this go against better judgment.
After an hour or so of conversation, George settled the tab. As they left, Sheri reached for his hand and kissed his cheek.
“What was that for?”
“For the company and refreshments of course, but truth be told, I’m kind of lonely. And, I did notice the way you glanced at me in class.”
George blushed. Sheri squeezed his hand tighter.
Without asking or thinking George led Sheri to his car where they proceeded to make out. Everything about this seemed wrong: the questions about metaphysics and the interest to attend a sunrise Saturday meeting but especially how quick Sheri was to become intimate with a socially awkward astro-nerd. All George could think about as they kissed was: this woman is out of my league!
*
Chao-Zing thumbed through her contact list. She had texted Professor Zack Simmons on the night she met him in DC. It was the special ‘real’ first date with Kevin. It distracted her momentarily and she stared ahead eyes unfocused.
“Hey, are you sex-ting other men?” Kevin rolled over to meet her unfocused gaze.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
He yawned. “Not to worry. It’s not time to rise and shine yet if you get my drift.” He winked. “Besides unconventional dating means I’ll never question you about ‘dating’.”
“Okay, enough BS. I want to contact Professor Simmons.”
“Oh, you mean, Zack? We’re on a first name basis. I took him aside at the last sunrise meeting and grilled him about his ‘interests’ in metaphysics.”
Chao-Zing’s eyes widened. “You didn’t! Where was I?”
“I guess in the ladies’ room. Anyway, I think he’s sincere.”
“You were worried he was like the people on the school board?”
Kevin nodded affirmatively. “Maybe a little bit jealous too, but in an unconventional way.”
“I guess you had good cause to snoop.” She kissed his forehead.
“I guess I wasn’t being very unconventional after all.” Kevin scooped Chao-Zing into his arms. Why don’t you talk to Zack at the next meeting?”
“Because,” Chao-Zing said, tapping Kevin on the nose with her index finger, “that’s nearly a week away and I want to see if the good professor has any equipment to measure electromagnetic activity. I’d also like to begin my study ASAP.”
“Well, remember I came up with the idea.”
“Really? Do you have a clue as to how to measure EMP activity?”
“No. Make your call.” Kevin frowned but it Chao-Zing saw it was an act.
“You mean text.”
“I mean forget I ever said anything.” Kevin rolled over away from the professor.
Chao-Zing smiled, victorious.
*
Professor Simmons, excited about Chao-Zing’s request, arrived the next day with a magnetometer. Cupping both hands about her face, Chao-Zing squealed with excitement.
“How can I ever thank you?” A sudden surge of panic instructed Chao-Zing to take note of her neighbourhood. “Come in. Come in, please.”
“I hope I didn’t cause trouble coming to your house. I just thought we should begin the measurements right away and not in front of the group.”
Chao-Zing nodded. “I appreciate that. It’s why I couldn’t request the equipment from my university.”
“I suspected as much. You indicated that there was a problem with you and your school board over astrology. I can sympathize with your situation.”
Chao-Zing laughed. “I didn’t indicate that to you, I unburdened my soul on you and I apologize.”
“It would appear you were carrying this weight with you for some time. I tried to give you a hint that Hofstra might be more sympathetic with your cause. But that wasn’t true. Actually, I’m in the same boat. I consider myself an Egyptologist.”
“Oh.” Chao-Zing said. She wasn’t certain whether this was a good thing or not. Egyptologists often sided with mainstream science and dismissed the ancient’s regard for gods, the sun and the planets as superstitions when in reality nothing could be farther from the truth. She believed the way ancients chartered the course of the sun undoubtedly represented a death and rebirth cycle. The Egyptians weren’t as enamoured with death as they were with cycles, including a rebirth of the soul.
“I know what you’re thinking.” Simmons cleared his throat. “But don’t worry. I am also quite interested in the sun and its cycles as I informed your boyfriend. In fact, you would be a fool to ignore it.”
“You’re referring to solar flares.” Chao-Zing felt her face flush not because of the topic but the way Simmons referred to Kevin as her boyfriend.
“Yes. In particular, X-class flares because they can take out our communications system. It seems most of us live with our heads in the sand too afraid to admit there’s a threat, or blissfully living in ignorance. Either way, our civilization could disappear. I believe the ancients used the positioning of the pyramids to warn future generations of cataclysmic dangers. It would seem we aren’t in anyway advanced or smarter than our predecessors, despite our technological achievements.”
“Well, this instrument is appreciated, technological advancement or not.”
Simmons nodded but appeared distracted. “You want to know why I attend these meetings, Professor Zheng?”
“Please call me Chao-Zing.”
He smiled with his eyes. “I believe people make an impact on our solar system and the other way around. I would like to see if we can impact the sun just the way Timothy claims it is impacting him.”
Chao-Zing sighed. “I am glad we met. It seems we are kindred spirits.” She paused and her eyes casted downward. She wondered about her ‘chance’ meetings with Timothy and Kevin. Were they mere coincidences or did they serve a greater, unknown purpose? She felt compelled to acknowledge Simmons’s concerns. “Do you think we will need to make an impact?”
Simmons patted her on the shoulder. “I think it’s good to be vigilant, that’s all. Now why don’t we go measure Timothy’s sacred spot.”
Chapter Fourteen
“We’re definitely recording sizable fluctuations in EMP.” Zack Simmons walked back and forth over the same course of ground holding the magnetometer with great care.
Chao-Zing stood with mouth open. Maybe there really is something to this patch of ground which pulled Timothy out of bed. She realized as soon as she thought the idea it was radical and theoretical. There wasn’t much science behind it. But if the magnetometer could reveal a strong EMP specific to the circled patch of barren ground, Chao-Zing believed she could connect it to why Timothy’s system had been altered via frequency and thus more susceptible to the sun’s cosmic influences.
“What could this mean, Zack?”
“There could be an ore deposit affecting this area specifically. Or,” Simmons scratched his cheek, “there just might be some metallic junk buried here.”
“Seems like we need to find out; the sooner the better.”
Simmons raised a hand. “Hold on. We can’t go digging this property up, at least not without permission. From what you’ve told me about Timothy, I think he might have a say in the matter.”
“Why would he object?” Chao-Zing stood with hands on hips.
“He may have been affected in a certain manner from this specific spot. That effect might be altered if we were to reposition whatever contents are down there.”
“You mean he might lose his connection? But that seems to be coming from the sun ultimately.”
“We better ask him. Remember, I respect the metaphysical but I’m also confounded by it. I just can’t understand how he’s being affected in particular. Maybe it’s something between him and the God’s green earth, so to speak.” Simmons continued to gather readings while Chao-Zing fumed in silence. This study was a violation and she felt angrier at herself than Simmons for allowing it to happen.
*
Knock. Knock. The raps on the door were demure. For a minute, Timothy believed it was Lou Ann returning home. Maybe she forgot something.
“Oh, it’s you.” Timothy gasped in surprise.
“I need to talk with you about something. I know it’s still kind of early.” She waved a hand. “I can leave and come back later.”
“No. No. No. Sit down. This is a good as time as any to talk.”
Lori scanned the room. Helena bounced onto the couch to greet her.
“If you’re worried about Lou Ann, don’t be, she’s at work.”
“I feel like an idiot. But I’m going to feel like a bigger idiot if I don’t alert you of something which could bring you great darkness.”
“My, my, great darkness; well, that certainly warrants a discussion. Want coffee?”
“No. I better get this off my chest. The sooner the better, that’s what my conscience keeps telling me.”
Timothy gathered a cup of roast and took a seat opposite Lori and the cat.
Lori removed a stray strand of black hair from her eye. “What I’m going to tell you is probably going to anger you at first. But then…I hope you’ll see it’s for the best.” She exhaled. “Do you remember the meeting where the cop came?”
Timothy nodded. Helena meowed.
“I think I know who called the police. It was a woman named Kate Sizemore.”
“Right, and who is she?”
“This is where you need to have some patience. So hear me out.”
“Helena and I are waiting with bated breath.”
Lori smiled weakly. A pause ensued. Timothy felt his body sag and he scratched his head. His heart then began to pound noticeably. Whatever this woman was going to unload on him wasn’t a joke. The woman appeared to be on the verge of tears.
“I did some searching and found her posting on Lifestream. Her profile contained no picture but a list of interests. She was adamant about posting negative rants about Organized Dissonance.”
“Okay, I get that.” Timothy leaned closer and clasped his hands. “But what has this got to do with me other than an angry citizen against our cause?”
“It’s about Lou Ann. She left the room in an awkward manner before that meeting. I have a gut feeling she was the one who made that call.”
“So, wait. You’re implying that Lou Ann is this Kate Sizemore?”
“Yes. You could check her phone. I bet her call record will reveal that I’m right.”
Timothy shook his
head slowly. “I don’t know. I can’t go prying into her phone. Do you have any other suspicions?”
“A women’s intuition if you like. I know Lou Ann is Kate. I just know.”
“Thanks for alerting me, but…” Timothy started to move off his seat.
Lori shook her hand at him. “No wait. I haven’t told you about her interests.” Lori recited her profile by heart and emphasized the entry about drunken karaoke. She implored Timothy to mention singing in a roundabout way and see if Lou Ann/Kate took an interest. If Timothy could swing a date at a karaoke bar, Lori surmised they might have a better chance of revealing more about her past with a few drinks in her.
“This is so devious. Maybe I should come right out and ask her.”
“No. It would be too easy for her to lie.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve had an acquaintance like that. They had no conscience and could lie.”
“I’ll see what I can do in a ‘roundabout way’.” Timothy made air quotes with his hands.
“I think it’s for the best.” Lori bit her lower lip.
“Is there something else?”
“No. Not right now. I think I better go.”
A knock interrupted.
Timothy observed Lori with interest. She nearly flew off the seat.
“Shit.” Lori spoke in a hushed tone. “Is it Lou Ann?”
Timothy parted the curtain to see. “No. It’s Chao-Zing.”
“I’m leaving. I’ll take the side door out.” Lori scrambled out the door glancing pleadingly at Timothy. “Here’s my number.” She left a card on the kitchen counter.
Timothy waved his hand. “Okay, good talk. I’ll look into that.” In that nanosecond of time, Timothy’s stomach flipped. He was angry that he might have been duped but also felt as if there was more to the story, and maybe he was being tricked in some other way, possibly the butt of a big cosmic joke.