by Albert Long
There are six Tarrons. They are powerful; yet they cannot accomplish their goals without a leader—a prophesized Seventh Tarron,” Fozzley said. “Give us the boy,” Orin said. Fozzley ignored Orin. He put his hand on Miguel’s shoulder. “You are the one chosen to fulfill the prophecy, Miguel. You are the Seventh Tarron,” Fozzley said sternly.
Orin rose to his knees. “Remember her,” he asked Fozzley. With a wave of his hand Orin conjured an image of Magda, Fozzley’s beloved wife who he longed to be with. Fozzley gasped. He fazed lovingly at her perfectly round face, her thick eyebrows, her thin mouth, her amber skin, and her thick black hair. “It’s not her,” Mimi said. “But she…she…looks so…real,” Fozzley sobbed. “Perhaps,” Mimi said. Orin can’t bring the real Magda back.” “But the Supreme One can,” Fozzley said, looking at the ground. “You’ll be in for the battle of all time, if you dare try to capture me in trade for your wife,” Miguel said, turning his form to pure electricity. “You don’t understand,” Fozzley said. “I wasn’t sent to destroy you, Miguel. I was sent to stop the prophecy—your uniting with the Six. “Look at her,” Orin said. Fozzley thought about hid dear Magda. “Her last words to me were ‘there is no end to us’,” Fozzley whispered. “Matt,” yelled Miguel. “Make him take us to Matt, and I will go with the Soulcatchers,” Miguel said. “You can’t,” yelled Mimi. “Matt is a good soul. He really cares about being a guardian. I’m just a selfish rebel in the middle of a battle for all that matters. Maybe it’s best that I be removed as a potential asset for the Tarrons,” Miguel said. “I know where the one called Matt has been taken, Orin said, now fully sanding. Surrender, and I will lead Fozolorne to the boy,” he said to Miguel. “No” shouted Mimi and Jericho in unison. “I will stay here in the hands of the Soulcatchers while you, Fozzley, and Mimi rescue Mattt,” Miguel said. “Do as I say,” he commanded. No harm will come to me. If I am this “chosen one”, they fear me far more than I them. Besides, I’m sure that they do not want me to summon The Six for a battle,” Orin huffed to himself. Mimi, Jericho, and Fozzley took to the skies, awaiting Orin to join them. “After you,” Fozzley said to Orin. “Jordin, you and the remaining Soulcatchers keep the boy here. I will return shortly.
Fozzley, Mimi, and Jericho Orin ascended straight upward for several minutes, and then they headed west. I can sense his death trail—the Soulcatcher who took Matt, not Matt,” Mimi said. “Yes we’re on the right tracks,” Fozzley said. Back at the site where Miguel was being held by Clause and Melay, the skies grew dark. Just moments ago, not a cloud was in the sky. The ocean swelled. Six flaming balls of fire approached from the sky at supersonic speeds. “Supreme One, please no,” shouted Jordin. “The Six,” he screamed. Caroth, Krizel, and the others reigned down on the Soulcatchers. Jordin fell, and his boy disappeared. Melay fell, and her body disappeared. Clause was nowhere to be found, apparently abandoning his team to save his life. Miguel turned his form to pure energy and waited. The Tarrons landed, kneeled before Miguel, and sang. “At last our leader is among us,” Krizel cheered. “What is it that you want from me,” Miguel asked. “Your loyal subjects await your instructions, Caroth said. “You will need the proper training to master your powers”. “What of the earth-bound Angels and your desire to end their days or your plans to enslave all others on the earth,” Miguel asked. “There is much suffering in this world, Miguel,” Krizel said. The Sev…Six want to end that. Earth Angels have done nothing to make this world better. Children suffer every day. They have failed humanity. When we begin making the world better, we do not need their opposition or interference. Their destruction is the only solution,” Krizel said. “You eliminated all of the Soulcatchers,” Miguel asked. “Orin, Claus, and Fidex remain,” Krizel said. “If we are to save your friend, Matt, then we must go now,” Krizel said.
Miguel, knew he couldn’t defeat all of them alone. He had to save Matt. Becoming one of the Six did not appeal to Miguel. For now, however, he needed their help to free Matt. Miguel flew in formation with the Tarrons, following Krizel. He didn’t know what was to come next.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: WADING IN SOULS
“Where is he taking us,” Mimi asked. “There can be no other place,” Fozzley said. “We’re going to Climlos—the transitional place where souls are taken before they are judged and leave this world”. “I know you feel angry at me and betrayed. My mission was to be known only between me and the Supreme One,” Fozzley said. “I love all of you, and I have no intentions to harm you. I had to find Matt. Once I found you, him, and Jericho,” Fozzley said to Mimi, I knew that you were noble and good. I’ve spent every night since meeting you trying to figure our how to insure Miguel is not corrupted by the Six and that you continue your noble missions as the Shadow Guardians.
“A lot of people die every day,” Jericho mused, looking down at the line that was slowly moving to judgment and eternal assignment. “This must be Climlos, but there’s no sign of Matt,” he added. “They would have taken him to an isolation chamber before letting him loose to join the line of eternity,” Orin said. Jericho did not immediately see anyone he recognized. His heart beat a slight bit faster, thinking he might gaze upon Matt. “They only know that the Soulcatcher, Orin, is here. The rest of us are as the wind in their faces,” Fozzley said. “Pinapple juice,” offered Orin. “You must be extremely in need of an energy boost. Fozzley, Jericho, and Mimi gulped the pineapple juice. They all began to see double and felt out of control. “It was a trick,” Mimi said as she collapsed to the floor. Fozzley and Jericho were soon sound asleep beside Mimi on the floor.
When they awoke, Mimi found herself, Fozzley, and Jericho chained at the throat, ankles, wrists, and feet and were joined by many others in the same position. There was no sign of Fozzley or Jericho. There was a loud commotion from the front room where the group was being held hostage. Suddenly a winged woman—Selda—walked into the room. “She’s an Angel, “Misti” exclaimed. “You’ve never been the one to make an untimely entering, Selda,” Fozzley said. I like to wait until the situation seems impossible,” she snorted and laughed. “So Selda is an Angel,” Mimi said. Selda crushed the handcuffs holding Fozzley, Jericho, and Mimi with her fists. “Angel is so formal,” Selda said. “I prefer earth helper,” she laughed. “Let’s get going kids. The Tarrons are on their way here,” Selda said. “We can’t leave, Mimi said emphatically, one of our friends was captured and brought here, and we have to have him back.
Seven humongous thuds striking the ground and shaking the trees here announce the arrival of the Tarrons. “Miguel, I’m so glad you’re here,” Mimi said, whispering with her mind. Miguel did not know how to reply back, so he just smiled. Orin unsheathed his double edged flaming sword. Jordin, Clause, and Fidex soon joined his side. “You are not welcome here, Tarrons,” Orin said. “Nevertheless, there’s nothing you can do to make the situation more to your liking, is there,” Krizel said. “Release Matt now, or this entire place will be in chaos,” Miguel said. “As he commands, so it shall be done,” Caroth replied. The Tarrons formed a circle around the Soulcatchers and began battle chants. “Get the boy,” Orin instructed Fidex. “Our numbers are low now, thanks to the Tarrons and the Demi-Ghosts,” Orin said. “However, in time, we will be back to full strength, and we will never cease hunting you. Fidex came back, cradling Matt in his arms. He was limp and lifeless. “What have you done to him,” Mimi commanded of Orin. “He is only in a sleep. He will awaken soon, probably forgetting this ordeal,” Orin responded. “I knew we should have crossed him to the other side as soon as we got our hands on him,” Fidex lamented. Miguel reached for Miguel, and the Soulcatcher lay him in Miguel’s arms. “Tarrons, return to your home base, and I will join you there shortly. Guardians, gather around me. Soulcatchers, beware. Fozzley and Selda, go back to the city and wait to hear from us,” Miguel barked commands. Soon, everyone was off in the directions ordered by Matt. Jericho, Matt, Mimi, and Miguel flew out of Climlos, made the long trip back to New York and perched atop a hill overloo
king the western part of the city. Miguel laid Matt on a home-made cot, and Mimi held his hand—intermittently injecting small burst of energy into Matt.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: MIMI’s DELIMMA
“No, don’t you touch my sister,” Mimi screamed. “Molly”! “Molly”! Oh, my, please someone save her,” Mimi screamed. The door to the room burst open and Fozzley sat beside Mimi on her bed. “It was just a little dream, child,” Fozzley said. It wasn’t true. “It seemed more than real,” Mimi replied. “Molly is in trouble. I can feel it. She needs me. She needs all of us to help her. We have to go back to Maine as soon as possible and look in on her,” Mimi sobbed. Miguel, Jericho, Matt, and Selda came running into the room. “She had a vivid dream about her sister Molly being in trouble and wants us to go to Maine with her to check-in as soon as possible,” Fozzley said. “Something is terribly wrong,” Selda whispered to Fozzley. “I can feel it in the air,” she added. “OK, then, we go to Maine to check in on Mimi’s sister, Molly,” Miguel said. Within ten minutes, Miguel, Matt, Mimi, Jericho, Fozzley, and Selda were flying above the city on their way to Maine. When they arrived at Mimi’s house, they all entered through an ajar back door. A cat in the kitchen hissed and growled at the spirits. They went from room to room looking for Molly and her mother, but found no one home. The place looked like it hadn’t been lived-in for a couple of days. They went to Molly’s room. The bed was made, not a toy was on the floor, and there was no sign of Molly. Mimi began to worry. “Where could they be,” she asked rhetorically. Mimi walked outside, and the rest of the spirits followed her. She put her hand on a tire-track that her mother’s car left behind days earlier. “They’re in motel,” Mimi said sadly. “I know which one. Let’s go,” Mimi said.
“Jericho, Matt, Mimi, Miguel, Fozzley, and Selda were soon flying just atop the trees to a small hotel in the city—the only hotel in the city. “Let’s get a look at the registry and see which room their in,” Mimi said. She eased past the sleeping desk clerk and found her Mother’s name. “Room 112,” she announced. The desk clerk turned over and stared at Mimi as if he had seen a ghost. Then, just as quickly, he rolled over and continued his slumber. In room 112, the spirits hovered around the room, staring at Molly and her mother. They didn’t appear to be harmed. In fact, Molly’s mother was wearing nice jewelry, and Molly had on a rather flashy, brand new dress. Mimi touched Molly. She could feel the little girl’s kind, tender, compassionate spirit. She could also sense that something horrible was happening to Molly and that she felt that she had no protection to fight it. Mimi let go of Molly, then walked outside the motel room. The others followed her.
“I felt something wrong with her,” Mimi said. I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems like it has to do with my Mom”. “Anything out of the ordinary about them”, Matt asked. “Yes. Yes,” Mimi said. “Molly didn’t feel ‘innocent’ to me anymore. I also noticed that she and Mom were wearing expensive things that we never would have afforded when I was alive”. “Let’s just hang around for a while, follow Molly and her mother’s movements and see what’s happening here,” Miguel said. The seven of them stayed in the room all night, watching Molly sleep. “There’s no reason to feel like you’re burdening us,” Jericho said. “Any of the others would do the same for any other member of the team,” he added. “That’s very comforting to know,” Mimi said. “I feel like this team has been to hell and back, but we still survive,” she added.
“Look. They’re waking up,” Matt whispered. “You will be in a good mood today, and you will reveal what secret you are hiding about your life,” Matt whispered into their ears. “Funny, Matt,” Mimi said. Molly got out of the bed first. She went into the bathroom and took a shower and washed her hair. “You have an appointment in half an hour, girl. Get moving,” he Mother said. “Some middle-aged insurance salesman who says he went out with you once about three months ago. Sounds like premium bucks. Hurry up, you little slut,” her Mother yelled. “You know I love you, Molly, and I wouldn’t ask you to do this unless we had no other way. After the accident at the construction site crushed the bones in my leg, working was no longer an option for me. The government doesn’t give people enough to eat on, buy clothes, and pay rent. You’re my good girl,” she smiled.
Molly didn’t say anything in response to her mother. Instead, she asked if a red thong or no panties at all went better with a black skirt. Her mom chose the latter. Molly finished dressing and drank a carton of milk. “Gotta have my vitamins while I’m out there,” she said. “Okay, what’s this guy’s name and address,” Molly asked. “Do you have any rubbers,” she added. Here is his address, her mother said, handing her a sheet of paper. Here are some rubbers, her mother said, handing her a handful of the items.
“No,” Mimi screamed. “This can’t be what it looks like,” she added. “You don’t want to see this,” Matt said. “Let us handle it,” Miguel added. “How do you want it to turn out, Mimi,” Jericho asked. That’s your Mother, but she’s obviously not fit to raise your sister. If we take her away, they will put her in a foster home. If we leave her, this continues day after day,” Jericho said. “I say we kill the Mother,” Miguel said sharply. “That won’t solve the whole problem, Mig,” Matt said. “What will Molly do with no family on earth”? “Perhaps the answer lies not in life, but in death,” Miguel said. “If your sister died, we would know the exact moment and location, beating the Soulchasers by at least ten minutes. We don’t know if she would just be a normal ghost, or if she would have greater powers,” Matt said. “However, we would know that she was not suffering another day,” Matt added.
“No,” Mimi said. Nobody dies. Death isn’t the answer for either of them. Just use your persuasive powers and tell her to get a job, get off drugs, pay more attention to Molly, and be good,” Mimi asked Jericho. “Is that what you really want,” Matt asked. “Jericho’s powers don’t last forever, controlling the subject,” Matt added. “It will be long enough for me to decide what is best for Molly,” Mimi said. “Jericho...,” Mimi said. “Say no more. It’s as good as done,” Jericho said to Mimi. You three head back to Fozzley and Selda’s place. I’ll be along about ten minutes after you,” Jericho said. Miguel, Mimi, and Matt took to the sky and flew back to New York.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THE HUNT FOR FOZZLEY
The door to Selda’s apartment had been fried off the hinges by a great blast of fire. The front room was in shambles as was the rest of the apartment. No one had a doubt in his mind, a great shoot-out had taken place here. The children walked through the apartment, calling for Selda and/ or Fozzley. “I hear movement over there under than collapsed wall,” Matt said. Jericho went to the area, lifted the wall and saw a dusty feathery wing. He removed more debris, to find Selda lying on her stomach. She was bleeding and had a gigantic cut over her left eye. Jericho could see that it was already healing itself. “What happened,” Matt asked. “The Tarrons. The Tarrons. They were here looking for Miguel. They must have followed me and Fozzley home the other night. All six of them came, and Fozzley and I were no match for them,” Selda said. They knocked me out with a knee to the head. I don’t remember anything after that. I haven’t seen or heard Fozzley in this mess, so I assumed that they took him,” Selda said. “I don’t feel his presence here,” Mimi said. “They took him.” “Now, where do we go to get Fozzley from the Tarron’s,” Miguel asked. “We don’t,” Selda said. “The want to make a trade at 1AM this morning in the park—Fozzley for Miguel.
“Never play a game by the rules of a Tarron,” Selda cautioned. “Speaking as the best friend of one, I know how dastardly they can be—especially when trying to obtain an item of interest against another’s will. “So, we go looking for them, kick some tail, and bring back Fozzley,” Miguel asked. “That’s the plan,” Matt said. Selda brought each of them two bottles of pineapple juice, and they drank them. Soon, the group was in flight—Selda leading them.
The flight to the land of the Tarrons was long and tiring. When the group reached the remo
te island, skeletons of defeated enemies lined the streets—warnings to those who might dare cross the Tarrons. The group was hovering over the island, peeping for anything that might foretell where Fozzley was being kept. Seconds later, they were seated in the middle of a gathering of Tarrons. “So, Fozolorne does mean something to you,” Caroth said. “Where is he,” Miguel asked. “For anyone other than you, the answer to that question would have been met with instant death,” Krizel said. “Fozolorne is being brought to us at this very moment, ‘Seventh One’,” Caroth answered.