Jack James and the Tribe of the Teddy Bear

by J. Joseph Wright

  Pud waved, showing his teeth. “Hi!”

  Ben stood with a start. “What the—you can talk?” he gaped at Liz. “They can talk?”

  She nodded. “Among other things.”

  “Whoa. So many strange events all at once,” he rubbed his forehead. “Where’s Jack?”

  Liz took his hand. “There’s no time to explain. We’ve got to get you out of here.”

  “Liz, tell me. What happened to Jack?”

  “It’s a long story,” Liz said. “We’ll explain later.

  “Did Davos get him?”

  Liz looked confused. “How’d you know?”

  “I’ll explain that later. Let’s get outta here!”

  Ben addressed the huge guy. “Ed, you coming?”

  “Naw,” Ed waved. “I’d just slow yuh down. You go ‘n do whatcha gotta do.”

  The pod erupted. Inmates crowded their small portholes, peering and shouting. Some demanded to be set free. Some bemoaned their jail experiences. Some just yelled. Ed addressed the cellblock.

  “Quiet! Don’tcha know who this is! This is Ben James!”

  The dissent died down.

  “The inventor?” someone asked.

  “That’s right. The inventor. And he needs ta go help his family. Yuh know what that’s like? Ta have yer family need yuh? Well his family needs ‘im. So give ‘im a break and let ‘im go. Is that too muchta ask?”

  Silence. A cough. Someone started clapping. One person at first, then two. Another joined them, then more. Soon it seemed every occupant in the block was applauding. Amelia saw Liz squeeze her husband’s hand. She leaned and whispered, “Ben, come on. Let’s go.”

  As Ayita and Pud led them to the door, Deputy Morris flinched side-to-side.

  “He’s snapping out of it!” Ayita yelled. “Come on!”

  “Can’t you just hypnotize him again?” said Amelia.

  “Not yet. We can’t give someone the eyecatcher when their already under the spell.”

  Morris massaged his temples. His spirit clothes took on a twinge of pale orange.

  “Forget him,” Liz commanded. “We’re outta here!” she ran into the hall, scanning left, then right. She took Lily’s hand and shouted to Ben. “Come on!”

  Both Tanakee retook the lead. They seemed to know the way out. Amelia sprinted behind, catching up with Liz and Lily at the heavy, solid door leading to the front processing area.

  “Open it,” Liz said. Ayita shrugged and pointed to the control room where Ronny still hunched on the floor and Kevin sat at the computer with a glazed look. Liz ran to the steps. “Open this door!” she yelled.

  Kevin remained still. “I can’t open it.”

  “Then who can?” she demanded.

  “Nobody move!” Morris ordered. He held Ben with one hand while pointing a large, black pistol at Liz with the other.

  FORTY

  THOUGH HIS BACKPACK SCRAPED in the mud, Jack managed to squeeze through the small hollow under the lonely fallen timber. At last, he stood and brushed off his cheeks with the backs of his hands, the one clean part remaining on his entire body.

  Whoosh!

  His ears rushed with a powerful sound neither here nor there. He tried to ignore it, yet it demanded to be heard. He knew it wasn’t coming any closer. It didn’t get louder or softer. It simply remained constant.

  His sight adjusted and the sun appeared different to him somehow. Must have been the heavy mist blanketing the forest, condensing in fine, moist droplets. He breathed in the dampness. The noise drummed hard, threatening to overtake his consciousness. Then a wind, sharp and warm, blustered past. He stepped back, blown over, nearly. The blast of air parted the thick fog layer, a curtain opening to reveal a scene so magnificent, it stirred Jack’s imagination.

  A waterfall, and not just any waterfall, but one which seemed to go up forever. It had a lost, hidden allure, tucked away in a forgotten corner of the world few humans had ever beheld. How many people had been there, standing in that very place? Not many. Then he understood what Teresa had meant. This waterfall, not that tiny trickle under the fallen log, marked the entrance to the home of the Tanakee, the entrance to Wind Whisper Woods.

  He walked to the water’s edge and let the spray wash him off. He opened his mouth. A clean, pure taste. The falls crashed onto smooth rocks, worn by centuries of erosion, forming a deep, azure pool. It was almost tropical, so clear and blue. He wanted to dive in, clothes and all. Almost did. But he couldn’t. Too much at stake for a leisurely dip. His Tanakee friends were in terrible danger, maybe Amelia and his family, too. Everything seemed to be going from bad to worse. And without Takota, he knew he had no chance.

  He noticed a path along the falls. Hoping Takota had taken the same route, he followed it into the mist. Near the top, out of breath, he stopped and gazed down, letting the steamy air penetrate his skin. Mossy boulders lined the edge where the river fell in a torrent of vapor. The darkness beyond told of the canyon’s abrupt depth. He stepped with caution, keenly aware of the precipice below.

  Ready to find safer ground, he continued up the path. It cut through chiseled basalt, carved by patient, strong hands long ago.

  The sound of the falls gave way to other noises. Strange noises. Wails from no animal he’d ever heard. Not a bear, though loud enough to be one. Almost human in its inflection, it rippled through the forested valley sharp and quick. Then it stopped. Jack shuddered. The hair on his forearms stood on end. He remained motionless, though he knew he needed to escape the clearing.

  Movement. Behind him. He twisted and found nothing. Then he heard more rustling and twigs snapping. The ground trembled. Something heavy hit the forest floor. He looked again, convinced someone was behind him. Still nothing. He inspected the other direction, then again, spinning and spinning, trying to catch whoever, whatever…

  Something touched his arm and he took off sprinting, not knowing or caring where the trail led. He ducked under a branch and almost fell, catching himself with one hand.

  Thump—Thump! Thump—Thump!

  Heavy, rapid steps behind him. The undergrowth burst with sound. Crackling and pounding and smashing. Jack moved his feet faster, trying to gain speed. He slipped in the dew and fell on his face. He wanted to dig a hole right there and bury himself with the roots and worms. He wanted to become the ground itself and disappear.

  His chest pounded with each heavy footstep. He rolled over, deciding it better to see his attacker. Growling, snorting, teeth gnashing. The forest seemed alive with malice. His heart wanted to give up. He had to cover his ears. Then the turmoil stopped. He lowered his hands and listened. Nothing. Not even the murmuring of the waterfall. No birds. No insects. Nothing.

  As he caught his breath, a giant shadow darkened the sky over him. Suddenly, he changed his mind. He didn’t want to look, though morbid curiosity had him peeking through scrunched eyelids. A massive figure stood above him, at least ten feet tall. At first, he saw just eyes. Large, dark, radiating power, as if they envisioned things he never could. Then he saw the rest. A domed, sloped head and a wide nose with giant nostrils. It had thin lips that curled over a set of ragged, yellow teeth.

  And hair everywhere.

  Jack blinked again and again at the fur covered beast. A Bigfoot? He refused to believe it. Must have been a dream, his imagination running wild yet again. Then the wind changed directions. An acrid wave hit his nose, assaulting his sinuses. He coughed, overwhelmed by the bitter scent.

  “Man,” he sputtered. “You stink!”

  The Bigfoot hurled its massive arms in the air and let out a roar that rustled the leaves and penetrated the woods for miles. It lifted a foot over Jack and clenched its teeth. He knew it wanted to crush him. One firm stomp and he’d be a damp spot on the ground.

  Before the Bigfoot finished him off, something small and quick jumped from the trees. Noiselessly, the tiny object landed on the Bigfoot’s skull. The beast dropped its leg, missing Jack by inches, and flailed its huge hands. The little
thing ducked and swerved so fast it was a blur. Then it paused, and Jack saw Takota’s frown. Jack didn’t blame him. Who would want to fight that big, ugly, smelly thing?

  The Bigfoot swung again. Takota scurried down its neck, causing the blow to miss him and connect squarely with the giant animal’s own cranium.

  It only became angrier.

  It reached behind, snatched and flung Takota to the brush like an insect. Jack had no indication where he landed. Then a group of saplings shook. Tall grass stirred. Takota rushed out of the bushes, standing between Jack and the huffing hulk.

  “What are you doing here!” he yelled.

  “I came to get you!”

  “Jack, I told you. I can’t do it. I can’t…”

  “Takota! Watch out!”

  The Bigfoot kicked again. Jack felt the force of its leg brushing past. It didn’t get him, though. Somehow Takota had shoved him out of the way, then scrambled up to the monster’s ear.

  “What are you doing, boy!” Takota shouted. “Down, boy! Down!”

  The hairy goliath refused to obey. It snarled, exposing its canines, then swatted. Takota darted and the blow landed on the side of the Bigfoot’s own jaw. Dazed, it regained ferocity quickly and searched while Takota crawled from neck to shoulders, then from chest to stomach. The monster slammed a fist. Takota dropped to the ground, and it walloped itself in the gut.

  “Oooooffff!” it doubled over.

  Takota leapt onto the beast’s shoulders and yelled again.

  “Stop it! Do you understand! Down, boy! Down!”

  It snarled and flicked Takota off its shoulder. Takota rolled to his feet. He sprinted to Jack and took his hand.

  “RUN!”

  “What’s going on?” Jack did his best to keep up. The ground rumbled behind them. “I thought you said those things were your friends. Loyal as dogs, you guys said!”

  “They’re supposed to be. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. Bigfoot aren’t supposed to attack Tanakee!”

  “Maybe it’s me,” answered Jack. “It doesn’t like me, and it doesn’t like you because you’re helping me.”

  Takota responded by running faster and urging Jack to do the same. The crashing and pounding behind them grew louder. The Bigfoot gained on them with each step.

  “Come on! Come on!” Takota pressed. Jack’s legs felt on fire and his knee folded under his weight. Before he fell, Takota leaned into him, keeping him upright. The overwhelming din of the Bigfoot in pursuit ceased, replaced by a chilly silence. He and Takota glanced at each other, then they both stared up.

  CRASH!

  The Bigfoot hit the forest floor in front of them. Takota stood firm, a fraction of the behemoth’s size. He charged with the force of a cannonball into the humongous animal’s ribs. The Bigfoot reeled back, ejecting an ear-piercing howl. It plucked Takota from its fur and threw him. The little fellow coiled and landed on his hind feet. Glaring, he cracked his neck, and attacked again. He struck the massive animal at the waist, causing it to stagger back once more. Jack cringed when he noticed the two battling creatures were moving dangerously close to the cliff’s edge. The roar of the falls became deafening.

  “Takota! Watch out!”

  He knew it was too late. His protector had already made the next move. In two mighty bounds, he sprang high, dropping onto his opponent. Blinded, the ten foot tall brute flailed and stumbled, disappearing over the precipice and taking Takota with it.

  FORTY-ONE

  DEPUTY MORRIS’ SPIRIT CLOTHES alternated colors swiftly. It seemed to Amelia he was still feeling some effects from Ayita’s eyecatcher. That didn’t stop him from wrenching Ben’s neck while he glared at the crew of unlikely rescuers.

  “I don’t know what’s going on, but you’re all under arrest,” he gestured at Lily and Amelia. “Even the kids!”

  Ayita stepped in front of Amelia. Morris pointed his pistol at her.

  “Now y-you just s-stay away from me, you hear? You all s-stay back, you f-freaks!”

  Pud inched up and joined Ayita. They squinted at Morris. He sheltered his eyes with his elbow.

  “No you don’t. Not this time, you little monsters! Fool me once!”

  “Let’s rush him,” Ayita elbowed Pud.

  Pud rubbed his hands. “On the count of three.”

  “Wait! Don’t do it!” Amelia held them.

  “Quiet! All of you!” Morris kneed Ben in the legs, prodding him forward.

  “Just do what he says,” Ben advised.

  “That’s right,” Morris reached the steps to the control station. He stopped and twisted Ben’s wrists. Ben groaned in pain.

  “Honey, no!” Liz lurched at them.

  “I said don’t move! You people,” Morris pointed at Pud and Ayita. “And whatever you are. You’re all in big trouble. Assaulting a police officer, criminal trespass in a county facility, aiding and abetting a known criminal in an escape attempt—you’re looking at a lot of time, all of you!”

  He put his foot on the first step. “Now, nobody better get any bright ideas. I’m gonna—UHHH!”

  Ronny lunged from above and bashed Morris with a fire extinguisher. Morris crumbled to the floor.

  “That’s what you get for clubbing me,” he patted the back of his head. Amelia was amazed. His spirit clothes were so vibrant.

  “All right!” Liz shouted. “Your eyecatcher’s still working on this one!”

  Pud shrugged. “But, I didn’t put it on him. I put it on him,” he pointed at Kevin, staring into a computer screen.

  “But, if you didn’t…” Amelia held Ayita and Pud away from Ronny. She studied him. “Why’d you do that? Why’d you help us?”

  Ronny stooped and took the gun from Morris. He stood, pulled out his wallet, and showed them a picture of a little brunette girl. “You see her? Her name’s Celeste. She’s my angel. My baby. I’d do anything for that girl,” his voice choked. “Doctors said she had a rare form of leukemia. It could have been cured, but the treatments were too expensive. Insurance won’t cover experimental procedures. Do you know what it’s like to have to sit and watch your little baby die?”

  No one answered.

  “We didn’t know what we were going to do. Until the night of that school board meeting. I was on duty, working crowd control. Celeste wanted to go, so my wife took her. She’s fascinated by science, and she’d heard of you, Ben James. She knew you from the news, and she wanted to see you and hear what you had to say. So they watched you demonstrate your machine and,” he choked. “And doggonit if she didn’t feel better. I don’t mean a little better. I mean really better. That night was one of the first nights in forever that she actually slept. Normally, the medication had her so sick she couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat much, either. Until that night. After that night, she started eating again. Eats like a horse now. Her mother and I can’t believe it. The doctors can’t believe it. Complete remission. The cancer is almost totally gone.”

  Liz gasped with her hands over her mouth. “That’s so wonderful!”

  “Yeah,” Amelia agreed. “But how does Ben’s machine figure into the whole thing?”

  Ronny smiled. “That’s what I asked, too. At first. Then I started hearing about the others who were there that night and had similar experiences. All kinds of people have been helped, cured, had their lives enriched in one way or another as a result of just being in the same room with his machine,” he beamed at Ben. “I don’t know what kind of gizmo you’ve invented. I don’t care. All I know is that it does great things, and you shouldn’t be in jail. You should be out helping others.”

  He bent down again, took the handcuffs from Morris’ belt, and clicked them tight on the unconscious man’s wrists. Then he reached into his own pocket and produced a set of keys. Jingling through them, he found the one he wanted and unlocked the large door.

  Their way out.

  “Wait here. I’ll make sure it’s safe,” he peeked inside. “Okay. All clear. Come on,” he led them to the hall. From th
ere, it branched left to the processing area, right into another sector of jail cells, and straight toward the garage where they’d first come in.

  “In there, in there!” Liz pointed. “The car’s in there!”

  The door to the garage opened. Zeke, the tall, burly man Pud had knocked out, stumbled into the hall. Red and puffy, he stopped when he saw the would-be escapees. His bloodshot scowl widened. His mouth dropped.

  “Breakout in progress!” he yelled, then repeated. “Breakout in progress!” he pulled his handgun from its holster. Ronny jumped him and he fired into the ceiling. Amelia heard shouts and hasty footsteps coming their way.

  “Come on! Come on!” she led everyone past the two wrestling men and into the garage. Ronny managed to trip Zeke to the floor. Then he sprinted in behind the group and slammed the door.

  Zeke pounded, yelling something indecipherable. Ronny leaned with all his substantial weight. “You’d better get out of here, quick!”

  “I’ll drive! Here, you need to start working on this,” Liz placed the O/A in Ben’s hand as he got into the passenger seat.

  Amelia helped Liz put Lily in the back. Then she climbed inside and made sure Ayita and Pud made it in with her. Liz jumped into the driver’s side. She turned the key and slammed the transmission into reverse, stepping on the gas pedal. The tires squealed and smoked. The car crashed through the garage door.

  They backed up fifty feet before another squad car attempted to get in their way. Liz cranked the wheel, went onto a sidewalk, then through the main perimeter fence into an area of heavy gravel. The Crown Victoria hopped and jerked, yet made it out of the rough road onto smooth pavement. Liz didn’t hesitate. She took a left and gained speed, putting as much distance between them and the county lockup as possible.

  “Is everybody okay?” she brushed the hair from her forehead. “Lily? You all right?”

  Lily sat, gaping at her mother. “Mommy! I didn’t know you could drive like that!”

  “Yeah, well don’t expect it every day.”

  Ben eyed her. His smile grew larger. He giggled, then laughed out loud.