by Jamie Davis
Dean thought about what James had said. Did he have to be so reasonable? Dean wanted to think of him as a monster and not some benevolent leader who took good care of his community.
“What about the next time?” Dean asked.
“What next time?” Brynne countered.
“I heard you when I came in,” Dean said. “You were talking about this as a response to The Cause. So what will happen the next time someone steps out of line with an Unusual? That’s what you all are worried about, right?”
“It is,” James said. “There are some in our community who think we should be more actively defending ourselves against attacks from The Cause. The attempted execution of Freddy was what woke many of the community up. He is well-liked in the Barrens. There’s a fear that we will be exposed and openly hunted as we were during the middle-ages before we went completely underground and lived in hiding for the last several centuries.”
“That won’t happen,” Dean said. “This is America. You can’t just hunt people because they’re different.”
“Can’t you?” Rudy said, leveling his gaze at the paramedic. “It wasn’t all that long ago that, in parts of this country, the death of a person of a certain color was looked upon as no different than killing an animal. What will those same closed-minded humans do when they see there are monsters and nightmare creatures living among them now?”
Dean was uncomfortable because he knew they were right. Even now, more than fifty years after the civil-rights movement of the nineteen-sixties, there were strong racial tensions in the United States. That tension boiled just under the surface in some places and boiled over when racially-charged situations occurred. What would happen when a whole new minority group was exposed living among them? He just shook his head.
“This program is proof that those racial and prejudicial undertones are changing,” Dean said. “We are giving Unusuals medical care right alongside humans. It’s working.”
“But we’re not doing it openly, Dean,” Brynne said. “It’s all hidden from their view because of what they might say or do if they knew the truth.”
“You know if can’t stay hidden forever,” Dean said.
James nodded. “There have been times when the secret has been exposed in history. Some places and times were more enlightened than others in their response. Our fear is that in the current American xenophobic outlook towards foreigners, there will be a political backlash. Right now, only the President, House and Senate leaders, and national security and military leadership know about us. It is a closely guarded secret. I presume that the same or similar is true in other modern countries. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“We can’t risk having something blow up here in Elk City exactly because of the successes of the Station U paramedic programs,” James continued looking from Dean to Brynne to Rudy. “Do you understand, Rudy?”
“I understand and I’ll do my best to control the pack,” the werewolf said. “You should know there are those who want us to patrol and search for Zach and all his accomplices.”
“I would like nothing more than to do that myself,” James said. “I’m afraid that we can’t afford the public outcry, and the back-channel outcry that would happen if we did that. I’ve assured the police chief, and the mayor, that we will abide by all laws and rely on their investigation to progress to a successful conclusion.”
“I certainly hope they do so soon,” Rudy said. “Eventually, The Cause is going to attack somebody who can defend themselves. And if they do defend themselves, it will likely be in a spectacular fashion. When that happens, all hell is going to break loose. Speaking of which, I need to check in on a few of my more hot-headed pack mates to make sure they know I’m watching them. Shall we go, Boss?”
James nodded in agreement. He leaned over and kissed Brynne goodbye, nodded to Dean and followed Rudy out the door to the parking lot.
Dean waited for the door to close and said, “I still don’t know what you see in that guy.”
“He grows on you,” Brynne said. “I didn’t think much of him at first either, but I’ve seen him working with his people and he cares deeply for them. It was that interaction that showed me what he was like under all the brooding vampire exterior.”
“If you say so,” Dean said. He felt like he needed to change inside. He wanted to be more like the kind of guy that Ashley thought he could be. She thought it was important that he and James come to some understanding. Maybe tonight was a beginning of that. He was included in the plans and the back-channel discussions for a change. They had listened to him, and been patient with him when he didn’t understand something.
He still didn’t like James much, but he was starting to feel something else. It took him a while before he recognized it as a sort of respect growing in him for the vampire’s leadership and restraint. It couldn’t be easy to stand by and let the humans take over the investigation and protection of his community. He and his other leaders were certainly powerful enough to deal with a problem like The Cause on their own. Of course, it would be a bloodbath, which would be a win for The Cause and a loss for the Unusuals. James understood that and was working hard to keep a rein on his followers, and let the regular human channels of justice work through the problem.
Dean’s thoughts shifted back to Ashley, as they so often did since they’d started seeing each other. There was still the feeling she had expressed that he was somehow supposed to be the lynchpin of this situation’s resolution, and that James would also be involved. It was annoying she wasn’t able to tell him more. But she didn’t communicate directly with her higher powers. At least not like Dean and Brynne did over the radio to dispatchers. All she could tell him was that he and James needed to get along, and that he would need her support through all that was coming. It was the fact that he hadn’t reached the conclusion of this quest yet that made him most nervous. He was starting to think that something awful had to happen first. Something even more awful than what had happened to Freddy or the restaurant. Something that was going to happen soon.
Chapter 43
The next several nights had a few chest pain calls, a couple of respiratory distress calls, and a mummy who needed rewrapping with fresh bandages. Dean chuckled to himself as he thought back about that last one. He had certainly come a long way to think that fixing the bandages on an ancient Egyptian mummy was a normal EMS call.
The work was followed by a few days off that coincided with a break for Ashley, so the two of them took advantage of their time off to leave town for a few days. Ashley wanted to go to a mountain lake a few hours away to the west. She had a nurse friend who had a cabin there that they could use for a few days. Dean was looking forward to a break from the tension in Elk City. Everyone, including all the paramedics, waited for the next attack by The Cause. Local police were trying to track Zach and the other arsonist down, but they had no luck so far. It would be good to get away from Unusuals and work for a change.
On his first morning off Dean looked around his apartment and double checked his duffel bag. He had his razor and other essentials, a couple of changes of clothes, and a pair of swim trunks. Ashley was picking him up in her MG, as she insisted his pickup truck was not appropriate for a vacation road trip. His phone pinged, and he glanced at it. Ashley was downstairs in the driveway. He grabbed his wallet, duffle, and phone. He locked the apartment door behind him and headed out to meet his girlfriend for a much-needed trip away.
———
He had to admit that traveling in the small vintage sports car was a joy. The top was down and the sunny day made it perfect travel weather. He looked over at Ashley. She insisted on driving, saying that no one but her had driven the car since she bought it new over forty years before. It reminded him that she was older than she looked. The funny thing was that she didn’t act that way. She had a joy for life and a vivaciousness that matched her apparent mid-twenties age, rather than her near immortal age. He supposed that her joyful response to everyday livi
ng was part of what drew him to her. She was the most down-to-earth person he had ever met, which was strange given her true nature was anything but down-to-earth.
He watched her as she headed west on I-70. Her ponytail was pulled up through the back of the baseball cap she had put on which served to keep her hair from blowing in the breeze as she drove. The nursing lamp logo on the front of the cap fit her as well as any sports team’s logo would. Her sunglasses covered her green eyes, but he could imagine them twinkling with delight at being out on the open road. It was difficult to talk with the top down, but he didn’t mind. It was nice just to enjoy the view as they drove, listening to Ashley’s choice of what she called “Classic Road Tunes” on her phone plugged into the modern car stereo system she had installed in the dash.
He had to admit the songs were awesome for their road trip. The current tune was Tom Cochrane’s “Life is a Highway.” That seemed particularly appropriate. He was on a highway in his life right now, and he was driving it, though sometimes it seemed to be driving him. He thought of what life had driven his way recently in the way of Ashley, Brynne, his new career, and the unique patients he had the privilege to care for. It wasn’t what he had expected, but it was certainly something he was glad to have in his life now.
Ashley flipped up the turn signal, and Dean looked over as they exited the highway. They were at the exit for the lake and should be at the lakeside cabin soon. He didn’t know what to expect, but Ashley had said they’d have all the comforts of home. It was rustic in its setting only. That was fine by him. He had never understood why people camped when there were perfectly good hotels nearby. He enjoyed the outdoors but didn’t look forward to sleeping there, at least not when there was a place with a solid roof and walls nearby. He watched as they drove down into a mountain valley, and he could see the lake, reflecting the sunlight in the distance. Their cabin was on the lake itself, and was supposed to have a boathouse with a couple of canoes and a small fishing boat with an outboard motor. They were going to have a great time here.
After about ten minutes, she turned the car down a tree-lined road that turned into a gravel lane at the end. A moment later they were pulling up to a quaint cabin set among the tall pines that bordered the lake. Dean looked around as he got out of the sports car. It was cooler in the shade of the tall trees. It was quiet, too. The soft pine needles that blanketed the ground meant their footsteps made virtually no sound as they walked from the car with their bags, to the front porch of the cabin. There were a few wooden chairs on the porch facing the lake, and he saw that they were positioned to watch the sun setting over the lake in the evenings.
Ashley put the key in the lock and opened the cabin’s front door. She giggled a little with delight as she walked inside and spun around, her hair flying out behind her as she turned. “This is perfect,” she announced. “I so needed to get away for a few days.” She reached over and pulled Dean to her embrace. Dean dropped the bags he was carrying and wrapped his arms around her.
“We needed to get away,” Dean agreed, planting a kiss on her lips.
“Yes,” she agreed, “We did.” She broke the embrace and pulled him towards the stairs. “Let’s check out the upstairs. There’s supposed to be a skylight in the bedroom.”
Dean was barely able to reach behind him and push the door closed as she tugged his arm to follow her up to the bedroom. “Shouldn’t we grab the bags and bring them with us?” he asked as he followed her.
“You can come down and get the bags later,” she laughed. “I have plans for you first.”
Dean shrugged and left the luggage behind. He wasn’t about to argue with her. He liked it when she had plans for him.
———
It was getting dark when Dean returned downstairs to get their bags. He padded across the darkened room grabbing their two bags, his gym duffel bag, and her small wheeled carry-on suitcase. He snagged her purse and his cell phone from the counter, too. He paused to lock the door and look outside. He stopped when he saw gathering of forms in the shadows of the trees. They looked human, but all were facing the house as if waiting for something.
“Uh, Ashley?” he called.
“What, Sweetie?” she answered from upstairs. “My purse is down there on the floor near my suitcase I think. Can’t you find it?”
“I found it,” Dean said. “I’m talking about the guests we have out front.” He heard her walk across the wooden floor above to the front windows. Dean watched as the gathering forms outside all looked up suddenly, and one smaller figure in the group, a child he thought, pointed up to where Ashley must be looking out the window.
“Oh, I see,” he heard her say. “I’ll be right down.” He waited in his shorts, standing there watching the crowd of about fifteen outside. They weren’t doing anything, just standing there watching the house. It was kind of creepy. He turned as he heard Ashley come down the stairs. She was putting her hair up in a ponytail again, and she had pulled on her jeans and her t-shirt though she hadn’t put on her shoes. She tossed Dean his t-shirt and pants.
“Here,” she said. “Get dressed and we can go out. This must be a reception from the local Unusual community. I wasn’t sure who all lived up here, but they are likely traditionalists, so leave the talking to me.”
“Is everything ok?” Dean asked as he pulled on his jeans and slipped his t-shirt over his head.
“Oh, it’s fine,” she reassured him. “They’re most likely the Dryads and Naiads of this valley, the forest and water nymphs, and based on their simple clothes, have probably been living up here in these mountains for hundreds of years. They must’ve seen us arrive, and I didn’t mask my aura, so they probably recognized me right away. I just need to talk to them and introduce you. That’s all.” She opened the door as he finished zipping up his pants. “Shall we?”
Dean nodded and followed her out onto the porch of the small cabin. When they emerged, the group in front of them bowed. A young girl came forward with a bundle of fresh-picked wildflowers. She handed them to Ashley, her eyes wide and then scampered back to stand behind a woman who must be her mother. A man next to the woman stepped forward.
“Greetings, Eldara,” he said. “I am called Thomas. We are honored with your presence among us. Please tell us the reason for your visit and we will endeavor to assist you in your mission.”
Dean watched as Ashley smiled and raised the bundle of flowers to her face, inhaling the fragrance. “My mission here is to enjoy the peace of your forest, vale and lake,” she said, looking at the trees surrounding the cabin. “It is truly a beautiful place. You are all to be commended for your excellent stewardship.”
The group bowed. Dean realized they must be in awe of having a being of their myths among them. He wished he could see the light, or the halo, or whatever it was that supposedly surrounded her. It must be beautiful.
The little girl tugged on her mother’s dress, “Will she tend to Zora, Mama?” She looked from her mother to Ashley.
“Hush, child,” her mother said and then returned her attention to the Eldara standing in front of them. “I apologize for the child’s impertinence, Eldara. She does not yet know her place.”
“There is no need for an apology,” Ashley said kindly. “Who is Zora? If there is something I can do to help, I will try.”
The dryad woman bowed. “She is my eldest daughter, Eldara. She was caught as a tree was felled by humans. Her injuries are severe.”
“Wait here,” Ashley said to the group. “I will go with you to see her and do what I can to help her.” She turned to Dean and gestured for him to follow her back to the cabin as the group waited under the trees outside. Once inside she spoke.
“Dean look upstairs and see if you can find a first aid or emergency kit. This is the vacation home of an ER nurse, so I’m sure she has stocked up on some supplies somewhere. I’ll look down here.” She started towards the bathroom under the stairs while Dean headed up to the bedroom. He arrived at the top of the stairs to what
was essentially a loft above the first floor of the small cabin. There was a small built-in closet against the far wall, and he checked there first. It was empty other than coat hanger hanging on the rod, and a few spare blankets on the shelf inside. He turned and checked under the queen sized bed in the center of the room, as well as in the chest at the foot of the bed. Other than a few more blankets, a pillow, and some DVDs, there was nothing.
“I found the first-aid kit!” Ashley called upstairs. Dean came back down.
“There was nothing upstairs but a few blankets and a spare pillow,” Dean said as he returned to the first floor.
“Erin is an old trauma nurse,” Ashley said holding up a zippered gym bag. “I knew she would have squirreled away a disaster kit, or medical supplies of some kind. Everything we will likely need is in here. Come on.”
Dean followed her out the door as she returned to the group of Unusuals clustered in front of the cabin. She walked up to the little girl still holding onto her mother’s skirts and knelt down to the girl’s level.
“Will you and your mommy take me to see your sister?” Ashley asked. “My friend and I will do what we can for her, if it is within our power.”
The little girl curtsied, smiled and grabbed Ashley’s hand, starting to pull her off into the forest away from the lake. Dean followed the group of Unusuals gathered around them as they walked through the woods down a small path Dean could hardly see as the sun started to set. He was a city boy and was sure he would get lost out here on his own, so he stayed close to Ashley and the little girl as they hurried off down the trail. He couldn’t help but think this was the way every horror movie started.