by Dave Hazel
“Great. Just get in touch with me when you get back and we’ll start on it whenever you say,” Dave said and looked happy to be the one selected to give it an attempt. “In the meantime, I’ll do some research while you’re gone and put some stuff together.”
“You don’t have to,” Mykal replied and reached under his parka lying on the seat. He laid a large manila envelope on the table top. “In here is my personal journal. It has almost a day by day account of everything that happened. Some stuff in there will make people look bad so I wanna okay what you do before you put it out.”
“No problem,” Dave gasped in disbelief. “I’ll go through it and I’ll write a compelling story and we’ll edit it together when you return.”
“Good, and I’ll tell you what Dave. My second trip back to Towbar’s world had even more bizarre stuff happen. There is easily a second book there that will blow people away as to what happened to us and I’m gonna go back into Towbar’s world tomorrow or the next day.”
“Great, and I promise you, I’ll do it the way you want it done, cuz I’m not a writer full time. I’m doing this sort of as a hobby. So if you’re not happy with what I put together, I’ll gladly change it or let you have a professional do it for you. I’m not greedy so if you’re not happy with it, I will--”
“That’s fine, that’s fine,” Mykal cut him off. “Since I’m going to do this, I need you to do a great big favor for me or I’m gonna have to change my mind,” Mykal said and placed his hand on the envelope that contain his journal. “This is super important. Now, you can keep the ten thousand dollars, but I really need you to do something for me.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“I’m not playing games when I say don’t screw me on this,” Mykal said and for the first time Mykal came across as a serious individual that could pass for a cold blooded killer. “Do not open this,” he said and pulled out a sealed envelope that was sealed like the two he gave to Pam to put into separate safety deposit boxes. “With the money I gave you I want you to go to a bank and open a safety deposit box and put this in there and forget about it. I’m not playing games, if you screw around and open this up it will cost you your life and the lives of all those near and dear to you. Do you understand me?” Mykal asked and stared into the wide eyes of his ‘new friend’. “You won’t have to worry about me, but the government. And you know you can’t beat big ol’ Uncle Sam. Do you understand me?”
“Yeah, I guess. I would never open it if that’s what you say. But am I going to be in danger for taking this?”
“No. Just put it in a safe deposit box and leave it there. Forget about it. But,” he said firmly and paused. “If I die, then open it and read the instructions. Now, set that aside,” Mykal said to change direction. “I will let you put out my book after I help make sure it’s the way I want it to be,” he added and tapped on the large manila envelope that contain his hand written journal. “But this one,” Mykal said and tapped the heavily taped package. “This one is for my protection, and the less you know, the better it is for you. Don’t screw me on this and don’t ask what it’s about and you will be just fine. There are two others like this in different places.”
“I promise once I put it in a safety deposit box, it will be forgotten until you say or until your death,” Dave said and visibly gulped.
“Good. Now I’m not trying to scare you, but if you screw me you’ll be causing trouble and danger for yourself the likes of which you can never imagine,” Mykal said and noticed the concern cover Dave’s face. “But the great news for you, the flip side of that if you will, if you put it in a bank safety deposit box as I ask, there will be a bonus for you bigger than that other envelope you just put in your pocket,” Mykal said referring to the ten thousand dollars. “I don’t know how much people get paid for writing books, but I’m sure it would take a hellova lotta books to sell to get you what I just put in your pocket and what I’ll give you afterward.”
“Oh yeah,” Dave laughed. “You don’t get paid a great deal of money when you’re a no name author.”
“You may be wondering why would I trust you, basically a stranger to me? Well, I’m pressed for time and I can’t let anyone know I’m here and if you play straight with me I will make it financially rewarding for you.”
“That is fine with me,” Dave seemed to gulp again and looked like he wondered what he got himself into. “I have no reason to go against what you ask and once it is in the safety deposit box, I’ll not have a need to think about it again unless, like you said, something happens to you.”
“Well good,” Mykal said and held out his hand to shake. Mykal knew the mentality of people back home in western New York. Their ‘word’, their ‘name’ and their ‘honor’ were extremely important. Plus Mykal hoped the reward of cash and the opportunity to write his highly sought after story would be motivation to keep Dave loyal to him. “Let’s talk a little more about back home. I once knew a girl who lived on 24th Street named…”
CHAPTER TWENTY 12/20/1983
1. Tuesday, December 20th 1983
0928 hours, Home, Minot North Dakota
Mykal was saddened that he had to say goodbye to Pam. He hugged her tightly and she started to weep. “I’ll try to make my stay there as short as possible.”
“But you told me you don’t know how long that will be.”
“I know,” he replied and started to laugh because she had been paying close attention to everything he told her. “I’m not gonna kid you honey, I’m gonna have to help Towbar win his war.”
“Mykal, I want you home with me and the boys,” she whined.
“I know, I know. And I wanna be here, but I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for Towbar. If it wasn’t for Towbar honey, I woulda died six months ago and we wouldn’t be having this discussion right now. I owe him.”
“I understand. I’ll stay with my folks and wait,” she said with a pout.
“Good, and remember, I was never here. It’s very, very important.”
“I understand. Does it have anything to do with the very strange reports of what happened at the Ramada Inn?”
“No,” he lied and shrugged. “What happened again?”
“Well, I’m not sure,” she answered and pulled back to look into his face. “I started to tell you about it yesterday. At first they were saying there was a shootout or something and there were several dead bodies. A friend of mine works there, but she wasn’t on duty when all the strange things happened. It was odd because some were saying there was this big shoot out and up to twenty people were killed. But no one ever heard a single gunshot or saw any of the bodies. One of my friends Lisa told me, supposedly someone did see bodies, but then no one knows who saw the bodies, and then supposedly someone saw pools of blood everywhere in the hotel, but nothing has really been said about it in the paper or on the news.”
“So what could I have been involved in?”
“It’s just so strange, that’s all. And you’ve been so secretive about being here. I just--”
“No, no, no. Hold on. I’m being secretive because no one from Towbar One knows I’m here except for Towbar. If everyone knew that I came here they would want to come back. If the families knew that I came back they would want to know where their loved ones are. That’s the only reason I can’t let anyone know that I’m here or that I’ve been here,” he lied.
But you haven’t even allowed the boys to see you.”
“I can’t take a chance that they’ll say something,” he gasped. “And I know they’re just little kids, but if they say something to your parents and if your parents say something then…well, you get the picture. Believe me, only hugging and kissing them while they’re sleeping has been hard on me.”
“I guess so,” she said with a playful pout.
“Besides, that stuff at the Holiday Inn sounds like--”
“The Ramada Inn,” she corrected him.
“Oh yeah, the Ramada Inn,” he said to play dumb. “Anyway, from eve
rything you told me it all sounds like a hoax or maybe someone is pulling a big prank.”
“But why would someone do something like that at this time of the year? Christmas is just a few days away. Lisa said some of the people are terrified to go to work.”
“Yeah, it sounds more like a hoax or a prank. Anyway, changing the subject, did you get the stuff I asked for?”
“Yes I did,” she said with a happy and triumphant smile.
“Great. You’re the greatest honey,” he said and kissed her. He knew his closest friends would be more than grateful for the surprise that he had in store for them. He looked at his watch. “I should be getting a phone call any minute and then I’ll have you take me to the Jeep.”
“Do you really have to go back?” She moaned playfully though she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep him here or even change his mind.
“Don’t do the sad face to me. That’ll make it that much harder for me and you know I don’t have a choice.”
“I’m sorry.” She gave an exaggerated pout.
The phone rang. “Okay, I want you to go start the car, because I might have to say some things I don’t want you to hear. Like I said earlier, it’s for your own protection.”
“Okay, okay,” she said. She rushed to the door and grabbed her coat on the way.
“Talk to me,” Mykal said when he picked up the phone.
“Jill here,” Percy said through the phone. “Everything is a go. We are seeing eye to eye on everything. We want you on the team. We want to be on the same team and not on opposing teams.”
“Is that from the top?”
“That is from the very top. I am to explain to you, since we never knew your character we were fearful of taking chances. Now that we understand your character is impeccable we need you on our team,” Percy said. He talked in circles in the event there were other listeners, the phone being bugged, or the call was being recorded by Mykal.
Mykal felt apprehensive to say things that could possibly incriminate himself as well. “Okay good, I’m glad they see my character is impeccable,” he paused while fingering the ring that gave him so much power over them. “I just want to be sure that since I’m replacing team members, it won’t be a problem for anyone else who might not like the fact that I’m on the team now, since I replaced the other team members,” he said referring to the Untouchables he killed.
“No! As a matter of fact, your skills demonstrated that you are far more qualified, and any good team needs to continually strive to move forward and not be concerned with looking backward. Does that make sense?”
“What about my requests to assist my team mate in his struggles?” Mykal asked referring to more resources to help Towbar in his war.
“There should be no issue there, but the question was brought up as to the arrival time of the Package. Can it be delivered any sooner?”
“Do they doubt that it is coming?” Mykal asked.
“Well,” Percy hesitated to find the right words. “I wouldn’t say there is a doubt, but, rather a concern.”
“Do you doubt me, Jill?”
“No, I have no doubts. But I have to satisfy management.”
“Well if there wouldn’t have been mismanagement to begin with, there would never have been a problem now,” Mykal scoffed.
“Point taken. Understand,” he paused for a moment. “Upper management really needs that Package delivered. And they--”
Mykal cut off Percy. “As you know, I’m going back as soon as we get off this phone. Once I assess the situation I’ll come back with my recommendations for the support, and I will hand deliver the Package.”
“Is there anything that can be done to speed up that process so the Package would be delivered today or overnight?”
“I need to know, are there any old team members waiting for me when I return to the field of play?”
“I don’t know what you mean Myk?”
“William was an old team member. He was there, so are there any others there on that side waiting for me when I return?”
“No, no. None whatsoever. We didn’t want to run the risk of there being a mishap or a miscommunication.” Percy answered. “Only one player was sent into the game. I know I led you to believe there could have been more, but that was to keep you on your toes.”
“I’ll tell you what I’ll do. Since I’m on the team, I’ll leave the Package here as an act of good faith. You can come get it right now. If I come back and suddenly there is no support for my team mate, or I find out I’m not really on the team since the Package has been delivered, then there will be a repeat of the last incident.”
“Say no more,” Percy stopped him. “I give you my word. You must understand from our point of view there are other benefits to having you on the team. You can rest assured there will be no double cross, no dragging of our feet to help your team mate. We desire only a clean, harmonious, and profitable - to both sides - type of working relationship. And that is straight from the top. Let’s work out the logistics of delivery of said Package. I will make sure it is delivered to the proper owner as soon as it is in my control. Now where and when…”
2.
As Mykal made his way through the Pass, past thousands upon thousands of Towbar’s soldiers, past camps of Dwarven warriors who were mingling and becoming friendly with the “hoomins”, Mykal’s heart ached. His mind focused on his good-bye kiss to Pam and the tears rolling down her face. When he was lost on the other side of Towbar’s world he remembered how he longed for his last kiss and hug with her to be longer. He made sure he held her tightly and kissed her lovingly and longer than his last good-bye. He declared his love and devotion to her repeatedly because he knew there was the possibility he might never see her again. He didn’t want to have any regrets about saying his goodbyes to her this time. He wished this would be over soon so he could spend some quality time with her and the boys. He knew this was hard on her, but it was extremely tough on him as well.
Mykal thought about his arrangement with Percy and the President. “If they go back on their word and deceive me I’ll keep my word and I’ll rip them to pieces,” he said with anger. He gave up his only leverage by allowing Percy to retrieve the precious Package. “I’m not going to think about it,” he told himself. “Percy got a taste of what I’m capable of.”
Mykal drove to the area where his closest friends were camped. He could spot Towbar from a long distance away due to his height. Towbar stood with several people from Towbar One and several people from his world. There were also a few Dwarves standing in the group. Mykal assumed the gathering consisted of military leaders.
When Mykal caught sight of the US service men he suddenly wondered if Captain Diaz survived. If so he wondered how he was holding on. He felt bad for not taking Diaz with him back to the real world to a hospital, but he knew the problems that would have created. He started to feel guilty that Diaz may have died. Mykal knew he would blame himself for using Ski’s religious explanation to trust in God, though he, himself, had never been a church going religious man, so trusting in an invisible God didn’t really make a great deal of sense. ‘I used Ski’s God thing as an excuse not to get Diaz the medical help he needed.’ Mykal brooded with regret. ‘Man, I hope he didn’t die cuz of my selfishness. I really like Captain Diaz. He’s a good leader and a good guy.’
Amid all the military vehicles and personnel, Towbar saw his face as the Jeep moved toward them. “My friend!” The giant yelled out and gave a big smile. “Mykal has returned,” he shouted with a booming voice that stopped all activity. Towbar’s rare smile on his face grew until he laughed with happiness.
Mykal looked slightly embarrassed when everyone in the area stopped what they were doing and watched his approach. Many moved to greet him as if he had been gone for a long time.
Major Chick rushed to his door, and Mykal looked stunned to see Captain Diaz walking behind him with a limp. “Myk, we’re glad you’re here,” Chick said with a smile and stopped himself from hu
gging Mykal. He extended his hand.
“What in the world is this?” Mykal asked with a happy smile while he looked at Diaz and shook Chick’s hand. “I thought you were gonna,” he paused and changed his thought. “You didn’t look too good when I left.”
“It’s amazing what happened with him,” Chick answered first. “A medical anomaly. Unheard of. I will let him tell you,” Chick turned to Diaz.
“Yeah, really, explain,” Mykal said while eyeing Diaz as he moved closer. “I gotta hear this.”
“Honestly, it’s an answer to prayer,” Diaz testified. “It is a true miracle. That’s a quote from the doctor himself. I agree, it’s a miracle,” Diaz said with an ‘I told you so’ look. “The doctor who examined me said on first look he thought I would be dead before the day ended, but to make a long story short there are no internal injuries. None whatsoever! The way the doctor explained it to me, somehow all my organs just moved out of the way of the arrow and the arrow just passed through without doing any damage. Twice! Both arrows had not pierced any organs. The way the doctor described what he saw when they opened me up was, it looked as if invisible hands gently pulled my organs aside and placed the two arrows inside me. Nothing inside my body was damaged, only the flesh that had been penetrated. The doctor said, though he is an atheist, a Higher Power had to have slowly pulled my inside apart to allow both those arrows to penetrate. When I told him I was struck by those two arrows at two different times, he said it just couldn’t be. The doctor admitted that they did more damage to me when they opened me up to take out the arrows than what the arrows actually did upon entering my body,” Diaz said and couldn’t contain his happy laughter. “No one has ever heard of such a thing.”
“Wow! You gotta be kidding me.” Mykal gawked.
“No, God truly protected me. So the really amazing thing is, either God parted my organs like the Red Sea when the arrows struck, or because I was really hurt, the arrows did serious damage to me and God healed me of any injury before the doctors opened me up. Either way, it is a miracle of God. There is no getting around that,” Diaz exclaimed and continued to laugh.