Hell's Gate: Awakening - Book One

by C. A. Greyson

  Daniel stared between the two of them and then finally spoke, “Do I need to ask the obvious?” Celeste turned her face to him, “Hmm?” She asked. “Who the hell is Orihime and Tentei?” Celeste gaped openly at his ability to pronounce the words. She smiled warmly at him, realizing that he would have no clue about the old tale. “It’s a fable about two star crossed lovers,” she explained, “Orihime, daughter of Tentei, the Sky King, wove beautiful cloth along the bank of Amanogawa,” Daniel scrunched his face in confusion, “The Milky Way,” Celeste clarified. “Ah,” he said.

  She smiled and continued, “Lord Tentei loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it as beautifully as she could. However, Orihime was sad that because of her hard work, she could never meet anyone and fall in love. It was her most desperate desire to find someone to fill her loneliness. Concerned for his daughter, Tentei arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi, the cowherd star, who lived and worked on the other side of the Amanogawa. When their eyes met, they instantly fell in love and married shortly thereafter. Once married, however, Orihime no longer would weave cloth for Tentei and Hikoboshi allowed his cows to stray in Heaven. In anger, Tentei separated the lovers across the Amanogawa and forbade them to meet. Orihime became devastated at the loss of her husband and begged her father to let them meet once more. Tentei was so moved by his daughter’s tears that he allowed the two to meet on the seventh day, of the seventh month once a year, as long as she agreed to work hard and finish her weaving. The first time the lovers tried to meet, however, they found that they could not cross the river because there was not a bridge. Orihime cried day and night until a flock of magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings, so that she could cross the river. It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the festival in honor of the two lovers, the magpies cannot come and the two lovers must wait until another year passes to meet.”

  Daniel made her blush as he listened to all of her words and sat quietly for a moment. “That is one of the most beautiful stories I have ever heard, yet very sad,” he said. She nodded, “It was one of my favorites as a child.” Celeste turned her head to Matilda, “But, what does that have to do with the paintings? None of that was depicted in the story.” Matilda grinned at her and answered, “You noticed, clever girl.” Celeste thought for a moment about the story, she knew that it was taken from the Chinese fable of The Jade Emperor, instead of Lord Tentei.

  It was called The Weaver Girl and The Cowherd. The difference with the Chinese tale was that the boy was a lowly cowherd and had stolen The Jade Emperor’s daughter, Zhinu’s, magical robes while she came down to Earth and washed near the river.

  In the Chinese fable, the cowherd hid the beautiful robes and claimed that he did not see them when Zhinu asked if he knew where her clothing had gone. After the cowherd, who was quite smitten, proposed to her, Zhinu agreed to be his wife. Several years went by and they had many children, she had fallen in love and was happy. However, one day Zhinu stumbled across the robes. She missed her father terribly and decided to put them back on and visit heaven.

  The Jade Emperor was so angry when he found out, that he forbade her return and separated the two lovers across the Milky Way. Zhinu pleaded with him, and The Jade Emperor decided to take pity. Once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month, he allowed them to visit each other. There were differences in the story, but there was nothing in the paintings that looked remotely like the tales that Celeste had known and grown up on─ aside from the Zodiac creatures that resided with The Jade Emperor in heaven.

  She looked to Matilda and frowned, “I know of the Chinese story and the differences between the two fables, but nothing rings a bell about what the paintings depicted.” Matilda folded her hands in her lap after brushing non-existent crumbs from her apron. “That is a story that has been told wrong for centuries,” Matilda explained. She said it almost dismissively, as if talking to a young child that wouldn’t understand what she was saying.

  Celeste looked up at Matilda, “Well, there are many different versions─” “That were all handed down throughout the years by a bunch of gossips,” Matilda said firmly. “Celeste, if there is anything you must have learned by now, it is people’s fascination with bending the truth.” Celeste was about to answer, when her phone went off in her purse. She sifted it out and stared at John’s number. Celeste wanted to scream and throw the phone across the room, but instead she let it drop back into her purse. She didn’t have time to talk with him now─ besides there were more important things to take care of. She would give John a piece of her mind later.

  She glanced at Daniel and then turned to Matilda, “Fairy tales aside, I’d completely forgotten what I came here to ask,” Celeste said, “Have you, by chance, seen Lain recently? Her foster parents reported her missing. I saw her Saturday, but I haven’t seen her since.” Matilda looked hard at Daniel from across the table. Finally she spoke, “You a cop?” He nodded, “Yes, but I’m on the girl’s side. I don’t think those people have any right having kids. Honestly, I just need to know she is okay.” He shifted and leaned forward, “Legally, I have to tell them if she is and ask that she be returned to her guardians.” The look on Matilda’s face nearly made Celeste choke on her tea. She looked like she had rancid garbage held under her nose. I don’t blame her, Celeste mused. No one liked those people. “Well, I can’t say I like it, but I’ll cooperate─” Matilda pointed toward Daniel, “On one condition.” Daniel cocked his head to the side like a confused puppy. Matilda walked over and sat in the chair next to him. She placed her feet on his lap and grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Rub an old lady’s bunions?” she asked wiggling her toes. That did it. Celeste lost it so hard her sides ached from the laughter. Daniel was looking to her like a lost child. Poor guy, he didn’t understand how sly Matilda could be.

  Daniel joined in the laugh and shook his head. “You two are something else,” he said. When he didn’t reach down, Matilda crossed her arms and eyed him expectantly. “Wait, you really─” “Damn right I do, boy,” Matilda interrupted. “Get to work, especially on the right one. The floors kill my feet in this house.” Celeste had to give him credit, he didn’t complain and got straight to it. “Wow, is that all it takes? I want one too,” Celeste joked. Daniel ignored her and kept rubbing, his face bright red. Matilda sighed in bliss. “Now let’s see…” Matilda paused for a moment, thinking. “Yes. The girl stopped by here and stayed Friday night. I offered to make her breakfast, but she had something she needed to take care of on Saturday morning.” Daniel looked up at Celeste and she nodded at him. “Yes, she came by my house early Saturday afternoon to take her lesson,” Celeste said.

  “Have you seen her since Saturday morning?” Daniel questioned. “Afraid not,” Matilda said. She sounded disappointed. She had a feeling that Matilda would take the girl in a heartbeat, if she could. Matilda removed her legs from Daniel’s lap and patted his leg. “The only thing I can tell you is if I hear from her, I’ll call and let you know. I might not like her foster parents, but I’d rather her have a roof over her head than nothing.”

  * * *

  12 mitsuko

  Scott stared from the twentieth floor as his assistant droned on the daily numbers behind him. He watched as a plane circled the city, no doubt on its way back in from a long flight. It wouldn’t be long until his annual trip to Tokyo. He wasn’t ready. Then again, he never was. His mind traveled to Kotone and her gentle smile and kind heart. Had it really been ten years? His eyes flicked to the pictures cycling through on his digital frame. It was their first honeymoon in Hakone. Mt. Fuji was clear and crisp in the distance. Kotone was sitting on the floor with the big glass windows open, her back turned toward the camera. Her long hair came out from beneath a flowery sun hat and her flowing white dress reached to her ankles.

  The mountain always gave her peace, and each summer they returned to the same onsen. They had beautiful traditional inns in Hakone. The hot springs that flowed by the bath house was
refreshing in the cold mountain air. As they became wealthier, Scott offered to take her to nicer ones. However, Kotone would have none of them, she was very insistent on it being that same one. It was their first place. He could feel her warmth. He had removed the next pictures, they hurt too much.

  “So, the numbers would suggest that we buy into fluffy little pink bunnies and sail them to the Andromeda galaxy.” Luci finished.

  Scott turned to her in bewilderment, “What?” Luci let out a sigh and set down her tablet. “Scott, are you okay? You’ve spent the last twenty minutes grunting at me and staring out the window.” He cracked a half smile and scratched his head, “sorry, Luce, have a lot on my mind this morning.” She reached out and touched Scott’s arm. “It’s understandable. You didn’t have to come in today. I think people would understand.” He pulled away from her grasp and sat behind his desk. “That was ten years ago, most people don’t understand after three weeks, let alone ten years.” Scott clicked on a few files and pulled up his schedule for the week. “It’s old news to them,” he added.

  Luci sat in front of his desk and stared across at him. Her closeness lately was putting him on edge. She was undoubtedly attractive, with her blue eyes and dark brown hair. She looked especially lovely in her red blazer and black slacks today. Luci was slender, but still had curves. Every guy in the office had tried to ask her out at some point. For whatever reason, she had said no. He was beginning to understand why. And he didn’t like it.

  “Scott, it’s your daughter’s birthday and the anniversary of your wife’s death. I think I can handle today, just go home and─”

  “And it’s a week before we go live with Tokyo. I appreciate your sentiment, Luce, but I need to be behind this project if it’s going to happen.” She went to speak, but he cut her off, “Yamamoto-san is very picky about who he talks to. You know that.”

  Luci interjected, “Yes, but─”

  “He is especially not fond of women,” Scott said. She puffed out her cheeks and folded her arms. He chuckled and shook his head, “Sorry, kiddo. But you know I’m right,” he finished. “The sad part is I know you are.” She stood and turned to leave, “I’m beginning to not have a fondness for men.” She quipped. “Luci─” she was halfway across the room, moving toward the double doors that led out of his office. “Wait, what about my─” she was out the door before he could say it. “Schedule,” he finished lamely. He really needed to learn more about this couth thing.

  * * *

  John growled and chucked the phone across the room. What the hell was going on? He had been trying to call her for the last couple days. Normally Celeste picked up on the first ring. When he checked her house, it looked like she had come home. Her car was in the parking lot, but she was nowhere to be found. He paced the floor, chewing on his nails.

  “You really shouldn’t do that,” the quiet voice sounded from above. He broke into a grin and looked up to the woman at the top of the stairs. “Hey, sorry, did I wake you?” John asked. Mitsuko shook her head, her soft waves bouncing over his shirt. It looked lovely on her, but then again, everything did. She descended slowly, her figure transparent in the white cloth. He averted his eyes and tried to focus on the statue by the door.

  It was his first Japanese-inspired piece since the shrine maiden a few centuries ago. He hated making such a creature with his hands, considering the evil nature behind the beast, but it was the cost and the creature demanded tribute. He would have to do more to bring attention to the statue, probably donate it to the Japanese Gardens in order to appease the Spirit’s thirst for vanity. If that’s what it took, so be it. At least it would buy him more time. Not just him, the entire world. He needed to keep the awakening from happening. The Nogitsune might not have been pleasant with Celeste when he shifted as John, but at least it did the job.

  Mitsuko stood on her toes, kissed John on the cheek, and then skipped into the kitchen. “Did you get a hold of her?” she called over her shoulder. He watched as she grabbed milk and pulled the cereal down from the pantry shelf. “No, I wasn’t able to. I’m starting to worry. Do you think it could have started again?” Mitsuko looked up and smiled, her green eyes sparkling. “No dear. If she had, I would have sensed it. Besides, Doctor Heisman seems to think she is doing just fine.” He nodded stoically and crossed the room. His arms wrapped around her and he breathed into her perfumed hair. She always smelled like spring, all the flowers blending together into one unknown scent. She sighed and melted into him. Mitsuko turned to John and pulled his face to hers. Their lips locked and he groaned as he lifted her to the counter.

  * * *

  Scott reached for his phone as his car was pulled around. Celeste would get the surprise of a lifetime for her birthday, it was a big year. He knew what she loved, and he was determined to see her smile again. Really smile. He walked around the silver Mercedes and the door opened. A shimmering shoe, and red silk emerged from the side and he looked up to see Luci smiling.

  He was starting his apology, when Luci put her finger to her mouth and smiled, shushing him. “I’ve already made all of the arrangements, your flight leaves Monday morning at six-thirty a.m., your live session with Tokyo starts at six p.m., and dinner with your daughter is at seven-thirty. I’m having the house decorated and arranged accordingly, and Dr. Heisman believes that she is ready to remember.” Scott, taken back looked to Luci with a newfound respect, “Well, it seems I should listen to you more often.” He extended his hand, “Forgive an old man set in his ways?” Luci nodded and gave a firm shake. “Go be with her, I’ll be around if you need me,” she said as she turned and walked away. He couldn’t help himself. That dress looked amazing on her, and he watched as she eased herself into the black sedan. He sat down and looked out of his rearview mirror as she turned the car onto the main road. Maybe it was time to move forward.

  Remembering what he needed to do, he picked up the phone and dialed John’s number. John answered on the first ring, “Hey. We’ve got a problem.”

  “Excuse me?” Scott asked. “What do you mean, we have a problem?” There was a short pause on the other end, “I think she discovered Mitsuko.” Scott slammed his fist into the dashboard. “Are you fucking kidding me?” John started talking, but Scott talked right over him. “Do you have any idea what you might have caused? For once, stop thinking about your feelings and realize there are other people living in this goddamn world,” he spat. “Listen, Scott, I’m sorry, I messed up. I didn’t realize it until I saw the dent in the front door.” Scott growled and John started talking frantically,

  “Mitsuko didn’t know, she was in a trance and she can’t help where she appears, you know that─” “Just. Fix it.” Scott interrupted. He hung up and gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white from the pressure. So much for a relaxing evening, he thought. He turned onto the main road and told his phone to call the one person he knew could help. It rang several times, before he heard the cackle on the other end. “I thought I’d hear from you soon.” Scott sighed heavily. It always came to this, same old story. “The tea is on, whenever you are ready.” He could feel the smile from the other end.

  * * *

  13 anna

  Celeste waved from the driveway as Daniel pulled away. He told her he would call her tonight after she finished dinner with her father. At least something had gone right today. She had been calm on the outside, but she was seething beneath. How could John embarrass her like this? He could have just told her he wasn’t interested anymore and leave her alone. Why did he even go to all the trouble of proposing to her? The whole thing was screwed up. The more she thought about it, the more it enraged her. Did he think I couldn’t handle the truth of him falling for another woman? Well, it was over and done with. As much as it was going to hurt, she needed to pull herself together and be there for Daddy tonight. She knew how upset he would be. She walked around the bend and froze.

  Anna smiled from the front door and gave a half-hearted wave. Celeste dropped her keys and stared
dumbly, unsure of what to say or do.

  “Hey,” Anna said.

  Celeste ran to her and swept her up in a hug. Sobs racked her body; she needed to feel something real. To the nine hells with what happened between them, she missed her best friend. Anna returned her hug, squeezing her gently. Celeste sputtered and finally found her voice, “I’m sorry, whatever I did, I’m sorry─” “Oh no, no, honey─ it wasn’t your fault.” Anna pulled herself away and smiled shyly. “It was all mine, I’m sorry.” “I was so worried about you, and Gabe barely told me anything,” Celeste rambled. Anna looked away and her lower lip quivered as she briskly rubbed her hands together. Celeste looked down realizing that she was in a thin hoodie and jeans. Celeste grabbed Anna’s hands and warmed them with her own, “Your hands are like ice,” she exclaimed. “I am so sorry, let’s go inside, let me grab my keys,” Celeste said.

  They removed their shoes and walked up the stairs to the living area. They slipped into the house shoes by the stairway and crossed the living room to the couch. She sat Anna down and then walked to the back returning with a blanket. She draped it around Anna’s thin shoulders and sat next to her. She had lost weight since the last time Celeste had seen her. She looked at Anna in the light and gasped. Her skin was pale and sickly. It looked as if she hadn’t seen the light of day for quite some time. Anna was dressed in a simple dark grey hoodie with skinny jeans and high tops. A black patch with a purple kitty face stitched on it was crossed over her right eye. Celeste beamed inwardly─ at least some things hadn’t changed. “Anna, are you OK?” she asked, resting her hand on Anna’s leg. “I mean, I know that you weren’t OK but I mean─ are you OK now?”