by Ralph Smith
“David, how long have you known me? I’m not one to gossip.” She stated firmly.
“This is Sarah. We’re getting married, and I couldn’t wait to come, and tell dad.”
Aurora gripped his hand tightly to steady herself. She had been prepared for a charade but had not expected this. She felt a flutter inside, her face suddenly hot, and realized she was smiling.
"Oh my, David, that is wonderful news," Eleanor said, her voice at ease again. “I had no idea you were seeing anyone. You never mentioned anything.”
David pushed back from the counter and put his arm around Aurora. “We met last season at a livestock auction. Her father is a farmer too, and I proposed to her this weekend. Can you believe she accepted?” He said with a smile.
“How lovely, Sarah you are a lucky girl. This young man is extremely kind, and I have never seen anyone as attentive to a patient here as he is to his father. I’m sure he will take excellent care of you.”
“Thank you. It was all so sudden, but I couldn’t resist him.” Aurora said putting her arm around him, and squeezing. Then she looked up at him and smiled.
Not wanting to risk any unnecessary conversation that might uncover their charade David said. “We’re going to head up. I can’t wait to tell Dad.”
Eleanor stood unexpectedly, and asked, “Excuse me, but I have to ask, what is in your bag dear? It’s rather large for a purse.” She had a cold gaze on her face, and again, he saw the shadow rage in her eyes.
“I made him a throw for his lap. I thought, sitting all day, he might get cold from time to time.” Aurora reached into her pack, and pulled out the corner of a knitted throw from his mother’s things to show her.
Eleanor looked at it for a moment, and then gave a small smile. “As thoughtful as he is I see. You two should be quite happy together. Enjoy your visit.” Eleanor said then sat back down in her chair.
“Thank you Eleanor. We’ll be sure to say goodbye on our way out.” David said as they walked off. He marveled at Aurora’s quick thinking.
Once on the elevator he pulled Aurora to him, and she fell into his arms. Aurora was unsure what he was doing, and was still unsteady from his talk of marriage, but once in his embrace, she didn’t care. He placed his cheek next to hers and whispered into her ear. “I hope I didn’t offend you with my talk of marriage.”
She managed a small “No, I was just surprised.”
He whispered back to her “I felt we needed something big to distract her, and you were brilliant.” Her face flushed at his compliment, and she was glad he couldn’t see it. “There’s something wrong here. I saw a shadow behind her eyes twice. I think we’re in danger. Remember what I said, and stay close to me. Whatever happens, we must not be separated.” At those words, she regained her composure. She nodded her head against his letting him know she understood.
He let go of her, and they turned to face the doors, instinctively clasping hands again. Since they were only going to the second floor the elevator stopped a moment later, and the doors opened. With the slightest apprehension, they moved into the hallway. He knew they were in danger, but didn’t know how much. He was uncertain whether or not his ruse was going to work. He only hoped it would get them in and out, without any trouble. He walked down to the recreation room where the patients were this time of day. The door was open, and as they approached the room, they saw the giant orderly, Gordon. Gordon was a mountain of a man. He stood a full head taller than David, and had to weigh 200 pounds more. He was mostly muscle, just the kind of person to help keep a crowd in line.
“Hello there Gordon, how are you doing today?” David asked in a jovial tone.
Gordon stood, and looked at the two of them. ”Eleanor said you were on your way up.” Gordon said in a low gruff voice. He looked the two of them up, and down, and David felt a twinge of annoyance as he lingered on Aurora. “Your father’s over by the window.”
He made eye contact with David, and the shadow was there behind his eyes, too. David put his hand on Aurora’s back and gently prodded her into the room. He scanned the room to see if he could spot anything else out of the ordinary, and he noticed the other two doors. They were undoubtedly locked, but there, nonetheless. As they made their way to the window, he spotted his father with his back to them. Seeing him sitting there, a shell of the man he was, always made him feel a pang of pain at his core. This time was no different. He walked up to his father, and moved around in front of him “Hi Dad. How are you today?” He asked even though he knew he would not get an answer. “I brought someone to meet you.” David looked at Aurora, and saw that her eyes were bright, and she gave him a sad smile. She moved around in front of his father, and knelt down to look at him.
David had his hand on his father’s as Aurora looked up into his face. "David, look," she said urgently.
He saw a single tear running down his father’s cheek. David knelt down to look into his father’s eyes. He was shocked to see a battle raging between darkness and light, and his father’s light was fading. David sat frozen for a moment then stood abruptly. Reaching down for Aurora’s hand, he helped her to her feet.
“Sarah, why don’t you show Dad the throw you made him?” Unsure what he was doing, Aurora reached into her pack without hesitation and pulled out the throw. She gently placed it on his lap, and after she had arranged it to her satisfaction, David said, “Sweetheart, let’s take dad out for a stroll in the fresh air. With your new throw on his lap and the sun shining, it’s a perfect day for it.”
She looked at him for a clue, but he offered nothing. “That sounds like a wonderful idea,” she said. David reached down, unlocked the wheels of the chair, and then turned it towards the door with Aurora close by his side.
When Gordon saw them coming he stood up. “What are you doing?” He asked in a gruff voice.
“I’m going to take my dad outside for a little stroll so we can talk in private. Perhaps Eleanor didn’t tell you, but Sarah and I are getting married, and I want to tell him all about her, but a little privacy would be nice.”
Gordon stood there looking at him. David knew he wasn’t a rocket scientist, and he could see that Gordon wasn’t sure what he should do. Deciding to press on while he had the advantage, David pushed the chair forward past Gordon, Aurora right at his side. As the elevator doors closed, he saw Gordon heading their way. David leaned over as if to kiss Aurora, and whispered in her ear. “We have to hurry.”
When the elevator doors opened he strode straight for the exit. Then he heard Eleanor call after him. “David, what do you think you are doing?”
David stopped, and turned keeping one hand on the chair. “I’m just taking Dad outside for some fresh air so I can tell him all about our plans.”
Eleanor moved out from behind her desk and made a beeline straight to them. “David, I don’t think it is a good idea for you to take him outside. We don’t want him to get sick now, do we?” Not only did he see the darkness swell in her, but he saw her face, as if for the first time. Her skin was like a sickly mask covering something hideous, and evil underneath.
David was thinking fast. He knew they needed to get outside as soon as possible. “He has the throw that Sarah made for him. That should be enough.” David said in as casual a tone as he could muster.
“Why don’t we check with one of the doctors?” Eleanor spluttered trying to stall him.
“Eleanor, I have come to this facility every week for the past 6 years, I signed my father into this facility so he could have the best care, and I pay for him to stay here. Are you suggesting that I would do anything that would jeopardize him?” Eleanor was at a loss for words. David pressed on “I know everyone here has his best interest in mind, but this is the most significant part of my adult life, and I want to share it with him. Now we are going outside for a brief walk on a beautiful sunny day, and if you delay me any further, I will have to reconsider if he belongs here.” Eleanor stood there fuming. She knew she couldn’t stop him by herself. David turned
and moved quickly to the door. As he, Aurora, and his father stepped outside, he could sense them coming. Gordon, Eleanor, and a second orderly were rushing to catch them.
For a moment, David was terrified. He didn’t know how he was going to save his father from these beasts. He had promised to protect Aurora, and instead he had brought her here, placing, not only her life at risk, but her very soul. He had acted foolishly, and they may have to pay the price. Then his fear turned to anger at those who were threatening them. As his fury grew, it drew power into him from all around them. It felt like a charge of static electricity coursing through him, and his mind became clear. He heard the door open behind them as their pursuers hurried to catch up.
David paused, and bent down as if checking the wheel. As the three of them began closing in on them, in one fluid motion, David, pulling one of the daggers from Aurora’s boot, turned and plunged it into Gordon’s chest. He let out a horrible howl like a wild beast, and suddenly began convulsing where he stood. The other two stopped dead in their tracks looking at him. Gordon began writhing, his arms flailing as he seemed to be deflating in front of them. Without hesitation, David turned to the other orderly, and, seeing the same shadowy rage in his eyes, grabbed his head, and pulled it down bringing his knee up to meet it.
Eleanor moved towards David, raising what was now a claw like hand preparing to strike. Aurora did not waste a moment and followed David’s example thrusting her other dagger into Eleanor’s chest. Her scream was even worse. If it had continued, they thought, their ears might have bled. The other orderly was reeling from the blow that would have deprived any normal person of consciousness, but he began to regain his senses. David reached inside his jacket, retrieving another knife, and plunged it into the beast’s heart.
In a matter of moments, all three of them had shriveled into hideous creatures wailing in torment, and then they exploded into fragments of shadow, and disappeared. Aurora stood, poised to strike, scanning for any more attackers. David reached down, grabbed the knives, handing her two back, and sheathed his own.
“We have to hurry. Let’s get to the car quickly.” His hands shaking, he pushed his father as fast as he dared, and once at the car, opened the passenger door. “Please sit in the back behind me.” He said to Aurora, who did not question him, but climbed quickly into the car. David easily lifted his father’s frail body, and set him in the seat, fastening the belt to keep him in place. He rushed back around, and in moments they were on the road. His fear for his father and adrenaline were the only things keeping him going.
“How did you know they were demons?” Asked Aurora.
“I’ll explain when we arrive. We can’t talk now. We have to hurry.” Aurora didn’t argue. After what just happened, she realized he knew something she didn’t. She put her hands on his shoulders, and her comfort steadied him. She was a hardened warrior while David had never experienced real battle before. If not for her touch he thought he might vomit, but he had to hold it together for his father’s sake.
David was driving as fast as he dared without risking attention or getting them into an accident. They couldn’t afford a moment’s delay. They finally saw the road to the farm, and when he turned onto it his father began twitching.
“Hold on Dad we’re almost there.”
Suddenly his father’s head turned towards him. A hideous growling hissing voice came out of his mouth. “You are too late boy. You will not make it I will finish him.”
David shouted, “No!” He placed his hand on his father’s chest. It was agony, the pain was threatening to knock him unconscious, but he had to hold on. The voice screamed, and howled as his father’s hands clutched at his arm, trying to pull his hand away while struggling against the seatbelt. It took every ounce of his strength and will power to hold on. It was all he could do to guide the car where he needed it to go. He could see it just moments away, the perimeter of the seal. He braced himself as they crossed it. He barely noticed Aurora, still clutching his shoulders, as an explosion of light and sound filled the vehicle. He could see a wall of light passing through the car as they crossed over the line. As it washed over his father, the beast was thrown back out of him, screeching as it exploded into fragments. He jammed on the brakes, and the car skidded to a halt. His hand fell as the car stalled. He just barely made out the sound of Aurora’s voice as he slipped into unconsciousness.
***
Aurora fumbled with the door trying to get it open until she figured out how to pull the right lever. She did not panic, she never panicked, but she was frightened. Getting out of the car, and pulling open the driver’s door she quickly pushed David’s head back, and put her head on his chest. She could hear the steady beating of his heart, his chest rising and falling, and she knew he would be all right. She quickly went around to the other side and opened the door. David’s father was pale and looked terrible. Again she placed her head on his chest, his heartbeat was extremely faint, and his breathing was weak. She stood up placed a hand on his chest and forehead, and closed her eyes. Shutting off all thought and slowing her breathing, she reached out for her gift. She could feel it fill her as it had done so many times before, then she released some of her power into him. Almost instantly he began to moan. She withdrew her hands, and in a soft voice said, “You’re going to be all right.”
His eyes still closed, in barely a whisper he breathed out “David.”
She leaned in and said, “He’s all right. Try to relax. We’re safe now. I’ll be right back.”
She rushed up to the house, passing Rusty who was standing nearby, and appeared to be surveying the perimeter. She opened the front door and dashed back to his parent’s room. She went in and pulled down the covers on the bed. She knew that it would be difficult to get him inside, and didn’t want any unnecessary obstacles.
Hurrying back to the car she unbuckled David’s father. She grabbed his left arm and pulled him out onto her shoulder. Because he had been so sick for so long, he wasn’t as heavy as he could have been, but it was still a struggle for her. She carefully made her way up the steps of the porch, and was cautiously moving through the doorways, trying not to bump him against the jamb. As gently as possible, she laid him down on the bed and let out a sigh. He moaned slightly, and his eyes opened just enough to see her. He breathed out weakly, “Thank you.” Then he drifted back into unconsciousness. She placed her hands on his heart and head, and reached out again for her gift. It told her that he was all right, now he only needed rest and food.
Already winded, Aurora wondered how she was going to get David inside. Scrambling to the door, she was amazed to see him stumbling out of the car, and grabbing the door for support. She darted to him and grabbed his arm.
“Hold on,” she said pushing her shoulder up under him for support.
"I can't see," he said with a hint of desperation in his voice.
“It’s alright, you’re safe now. It is going to be all right. Just hold on until I get you inside.” She pleaded.
“My father” He croaked, “I couldn’t find him.”
She struggled against his weight “He’s fine, he’s inside resting now. Just a little further” she said as they made it to the steps of the porch. She had to use her free arm to pull on the railing for support, and with some difficulty they managed to make it up. Stumbling forward, she barely made it through the door. When she reached the sofa, she tried her best to slow his fall. Once he was down, she rolled him onto his back, and got his legs up so he wouldn’t fall off.
“Lie still now, you need some rest. I’ll be here watching over you.” She placed her hands on his head and chest, and with the little strength he had he moved his hand to hers. Calling her gift she released some power into him, and felt his muscles slack. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his forehead, he was going to be fine.
She pushed herself to her feet and slumped into a nearby chair, taking deep rhythmic breaths to slow her pounding heart. She knew the seal would protect them, she had seen w
hat it would do to any threat that tried to cross it. She sat there staring at him, watching his chest rise and fall. She had been fighting this battle for 10 years now, and would have been caught entirely unaware, yet he saw things she hadn’t. He knew what to do in the face of things she was sure he had never seen before. No longer alone, and with someone who could, and would at any cost protect her, caused a swell of emotion inside her. She reached up, and wiped a single tear from her face. She needed something to do while she waited, something to keep the feeling of helplessness at bay. She decided they would need some food when they woke, and she wanted to be ready.
Rusty had come inside, and was lying on the floor watching over David, seeing the dog there was somehow comforting. She made her way to the kitchen, and realized finding what she needed would probably be half the battle. She only ever cooked for herself with a single pot, and over a campfire. So she decided that she should start with something simple. Yes, he had some fruit and cheese in this box that kept things cold. She pulled on the handle, and saw a puff of smoke like hot breath on a cold day come out of it. She knelt down to look inside, and was amazed at how cold it was. There were all sorts of things in there that she didn’t recognize, but then she saw some apples. Looking further, she found a block of cheese, and decided that was a decent start. She placed them on the counter and shut the door. She was about to pull her knife out of her boot when she noticed a wooden block filled with knives. She inspected a few, until she found a shape she liked. Then she remembered that he had some dishes to put it on, and started opening doors and drawers until she found them. She also found some glasses, and realized how thirsty she was. Drawing a glass of water from the tap, and taking a long drink she thought, that of everything she had seen in the house, water in the tap was the best. A canteen or basin was warm, and not usually fresh.
She cut up the apple and some slices of cheese. Then she found the bread and carved off several chunks. She felt that this would be enough to take the edge off when they woke. Then she saw the teapot, and a glass jar with the bags in it he had used. She took the pot, and put some water in it, and placed it on the stove where he had warmed it. Looking at the dials on the stove she wasn’t quite sure what to do. She inspected the dial and saw Hi, Med, and Low. Then she thought to herself that they must indicate how much fire comes out. She turned it to Hi, and heard a low hissing sound, but there was no flame. Curious, she looked a little closer. She could smell something, like perfume. It was unpleasant, so she leaned back. Wondering what she was supposed to do, she was startled when she heard,