“No, Julien. Never give up. Never accept. She will never trust you again; you are right about that. You will be like us now…like Lettie and me. Sarah is like a severely abused dog; she will always do her job and she will remain beside you, but she will never again wag her tail when she sees you.”
“So then, why do I not give up?” Julien asked.
Lind sat up a little straighter, “Because there is a way. There is always a way.”
“I don’t see it.” Julien reached for the nightstand drawer and winced.
Lind leaned forward and opened it, removing Julien’s cigarettes and handing them to him.
Julien lit one immediately then glanced down at Jessica, “Can you open that?” he pointed to the wall.
Lind got up and opened a window, letting the cold air in, “It’s snowing again.” He came back to sit beside Julien, “You know you shouldn’t smoke around her,” he pointed to Jessica.
Julien took a long drag and held up his cigarette, “This is the least of her problems now. I never did, before we ended up here.” He laughed then closed his eyes. The mixture of pain medication coursing through his veins, mingled with the nicotine, soothing his addiction, and his body relaxed.
Lind sat back down beside him, “You know, she wasn’t always like this. At times, I still see her innocence,” he nodded toward Jessica’s sleeping body, “she was like your little girl once.”
“What happened?” Julien asked; his voice, increasingly groggy and low.
“Don’t worry, she didn’t just…evolve to this. At one time, she too, was controllable…teachable. Lettie came up with the game. She taught her to transfer it to the bones; she seemed to like sharing the game. She was so young and moldable then. We told her, she could only play using the bones, to keep her from ever playing alone. Oh, sure, there were slipups…tantrums and such, but, for the most part, she cooperated and kept to the rules Lettie gave her,” he shook his head, “but as she matured it grew more and more difficult to harness her…gift. Lettie was hard on her, abusive at times…”
Lind seemed to lose himself in his memories; Julien patiently waited for him to continue.
Lind drew a breath and sighed, “Your little one will be fine, Julien. She’s in far better hands.”
Julien perked up; his voice louder, “Better hands? She is here! She is in the very same hands now. I am hardly permitted to be with her. I will never again be the influence in her life.”
“Now wait,” Lind held up his hands and glanced nervously at the door, “I have an idea.”
Julien laughed, “You have an idea? I do not think so.”
“Yes, yes, now hear me out. Others have gotten away.”
“I cannot risk it. I cannot risk what she will do to Jessica.” Julien’s eyes grew heavy again.
Lind reached into his pocket and produced the bone, “She found yours, but she didn’t find this one.”
Julien stared at it, held up before him, “No. She will only bring us right back to her.”
“Julien, this could be your last chance. She’s angry. You saw what she did to your little girl. At least try. Try to get the hell away from here. The only reason you are here now, is Arlette. If she had never taken your little girl, if she had never brought Sarah back, you would still be at home.”
Julien’s mind reeled, muddled by pain, medication, and weeks of despair, he tried to rationalize; if he took them back to New York City, she would bring them right back. However, if he took them back to their ninth anniversary, they could do it right this time. Do it all over again, and Jessica would be born, as she was meant to be; healthy and unharmed.
This is your chance…
You have learned from your mistakes.
Julien looked at Lind, “What if you win?”
“Then you have to trust me.”
“And when Arlette finds out?”
“I will handle Arlette.”
Julien smirked, knowing how little power Lind had over the woman.
Trust him?
Maybe this is a trap.
Julien asked, “Why are you doing this?
“Because I can’t watch this happen any longer. I cannot be a part of what they’re doing here. It must end. It must now, once and for all.”
“And you will handle Arlette and Sarah? How? What has changed?”
Lind looked at him, “I have changed.”
Julien could see the determination in Lind’s eyes.
There is no scheme or trap here…
He is being truthful.
Julien eyed him, “You know she will kill you too.”
“Oh, she could, but she hasn’t yet. One good thing about Sarah…she doesn’t like change and she is very attached to life as she knows it…and the people in it,” Lind shook his head, “but we won’t have to worry about that any longer.”
Julien narrowed his eyes, “What do you mean? Why do you say this?”
“That is my concern, not yours.” Lind held up the bone before Julien again, “Here is your chance.”
What is the difference?
Make the wish…
One final wish.
At the very worst…
She brings you back.
This will be your very last attempt…
The final wish…
If it does not work…
Then you accept.
But what for Jessica?
What if there is retaliation?
What life is this for Jessica?
If you do not make the wish…
If you do not succeed…
Soon…
…there is no Jessica.
Not as you have known her.
The medication, now in full effect; Julien couldn’t think clearly.
“What will you wish?” Julien asked.
“You know better. You know the rules of the game. You have to trust me. I know what needs to happen for you.”
Julien’s mouth went dry. He cleared his throat, “You do?”
“Julien, you’re fading. Stay with me now.” He shook him.
Julien groaned, “I don’t want to stay here.”
Lind glanced at the doorway again. He began to panic, “No, you don’t and that’s the point. Now, Julien, stay awake. Make your wish.”
Julien reached up, but his arm felt heavy and dropped back into his lap. He tried again and missed then tried once more.
Lind took hold of his hand and helped him to grasp the bone.
“That’s it now, make your wish.” Lind shook his wrist hard, “Wake up, Julien. Make your wish!”
The room, now spinning around him; Julien began to have second thoughts. Drunkenly, he shook his head in protest.
Lind took Julien’s wrist and steadied him to the bone.
Julien felt the bone in his fingertips and strained to concentrate and formulate his wish; he quickly drifted off.
Lind shook him again, “Wake up!”
Julien opened his eyes and saw the bone in his fingers.
Lind asked, “Are you ready? Do you know your wish?”
Julien closed his eyes and thought back to that day. He remembered leaving the building and waiting for Matt. He tugged at the bone and felt Lind’s resistance.
Tink!
Lind looked down at the larger half in his own grasp.
“Come on, Julien. Get up.” Lind pulled back the blankets and Julien whimpered.
Lind slid Julien’s legs off the bed and sat him up, “You’ll start to wake up, if you sit up…that medication isn’t that strong. You have to get up now. Right away.” He patted at Julien’s his face, “Take your little girl and go. Your car is at the mouth of the driveway waiting for you. The road shouldn’t be bad; Billy made a pass with the plow a few hours ago.”
Julien shook it off and got to his feet. He stumbled to the side, held on to the bed then steadied himself.
You cannot drive in this way.
Wake up!
This is your chance.
Do or die…
<
br /> This is your chance.
Julien staggered around to the other side of the bed and slid his hands beneath Jessica. With his daughter scooped up into his arms, he braced himself, trying not to weave.
This is a mistake…
This is your chance!
He stumbled then regained control, then moved to the doorway to squeeze past Lind, who stood watching the hall.
Julien stopped, “Rachael? I have to get Rachael.”
“You can’t go in that room. Just go. I’ll get Rachael and send her out to you.”
Julien started to protest and Lind silenced him, “Julien, don’t be a fool. Save your daughter. I’ll get Rachael. You get to the car.”
Julien looked into his eyes. Never in his life had he placed so much trust in the hands of a stranger. He nodded and hurried to the stairs.
Still groggy, he slid along the wall holding tight to Jessica. She began to stir his arms.
“Shhh, Jessica. Everything is okay. We’re getting out of here,” he reassured her.
Jessica looked around in the dim morning light, confused. They passed behind Jérome who, without Sarah’s control, remained silent and motionless.
Julien fumbled with the doorknob for a few precious seconds; the door swung open. He kicked the screen door and bolted down the porch steps.
Snow came down around them. The cold air made him more alert. Jessica bounced in his arms, Julien moved as quickly as he could across the property; his lungs burning with each breath. With more than two-hundred feet between the house and his car, he wasn’t sure he would make it. He turned to look back to the porch, desperately waiting to see Rachael running out behind them, but they were alone.
Lind slowly turned the knob. The creaking sound of the bedroom door gradually inching open, filled the room where Sarah and Rachael slept. He slipped in, sneaking along Rachael’s side. He glanced at Sarah, sound asleep then bent down over Rachael. He gently shook her arm and her eyes shot open in an instant. She panicked and pulled away from him, pressing herself against the wall beside the bed; her eyes wide and manic.
He shushed her and glanced toward Sarah once more, “Be very quiet. You have to come with me.”
Rachael looked over at Sarah. Reluctantly, she followed Lind.
She walked close behind him into the hallway, whispering, “What’s the matter? What’s wrong? Is he okay?”
Lind turned around, abruptly trapping her between him and the wall, “Julien is in the car with Jessica. Go as you are. Get out there. He’s waiting for you.”
Rachael looked up at Lind, stunned and confused.
Lind continued, “Rachael, there is no time. Just go!” he whispered sternly.
Lind took her arm and ushered her to the steps; Rachael stumbled in the chaos.
“Go!” he insisted, and turned away from her.
Rachael ran down the stairs at top speed, dashing through the living room behind Jérome and straight through the open front door. She sprinted across the porch and into the icy snow, barefoot.
Lind hurried back to Julien’s bedroom for his medical bag. He knelt on the floor beside the bed and removed a glass vile then quickly filled a syringe with fluid; all the while keeping one eye on the door. He stood and held the syringe up high, examining it in the moonlight. He depressed the plunger; liquid squirted into the air. He rushed from the room then stood outside the door where Sarah slept. He brought up the syringe, readying himself. His hand trembled violently and he did his best to hold it steady. He entered the room and moved quickly across the floor.
Lind stood over Sarah as she began to stir. He aimed for her arm and brought his hand down hard.
Sarah’s eyes snapped open and she caught his wrist in midair. Lind’s knees buckled and he hit the floor as the syringe dropped from his hand to Sarah’s lap. She snatched it up then sneered at him. She tightened her grasp on his wrist and began twisting it back. Lind’s eyes grew wide as he attempted to right himself against her enormous strength. Sarah glared at him, enjoying the fight for a moment, then jammed the needle into his eye.
Lind cried out in agony then thudded to the floor.
Sarah stepped over his limp body and headed for the stairs.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Matt stood at the bathroom sink, shaving in the mirror. Nicholas climbed up onto the lip of the tub; one tube sock flopping around and half off his foot. He slipped and grabbed the shower curtain to save himself then giggled manically.
“You’re gonna break your neck and I’m gonna get blamed for it,” Matt warned.
“Daddy, is your plane gonna crash into Chicago?” Nicholas asked, still concentrating on his balance and bracing himself with the curtain.
Matt stopped shaving and looked at his son in the mirror, “No! Who told you that?” He rinsed the razor, “Did Matthew say that? Is that what your brother told you?”
Nicholas nodded and jumped down into the empty tub with an echoing thump.
Matt dried his face and turned to sit on the edge of the tub, “I can honestly promise you…swear even, that I will not crash into Chicago,” Matt pulled his five-year-old onto his lap, “maybe over Ohio, but not Chicago,” Matt said with a very sincere tone.
Nicholas looked into his father’s eyes for a moment then smiled, “Daaaddyyyyy!” he whined.
Matt attacked him with tickles and Nicholas squealed.
From the kitchen, Lily hollered, “Nicholas! Get back in here and eat your friggin’ cereal!”
Matt’s eyes grew wide and his expression exaggerated, “Shhh! See…? Now you’ve done it.”
Nicholas stifled his laughter and drew his fingers across his lips, pretending to zip them shut.
Matt glanced at his watch, resting on the back of the toilet, propped up against a basket stacked with toilet paper.
“She’s right. Go finish your breakfast and I’ll be out in a minute.” He stood Nicholas up and patted his bottom. “Scram, kid.”
Nicholas started to walk away then stopped in the doorway to look back at his father, standing at the sink once again.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Bon voyage.”
Matt looked at his son, “Thank you. Where did you learn that?”
“Joolien.”
Matt smiled, “And you remember that? Very good.” Matt placed his razor and extra heads in his toiletry bag, ready for his trip.
Nicholas asked, “Will you tell him that, when you see him?”
“…’cause the only French I know is, Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, and I’ve known your Uncle Julien a lot longer than you.”
Nicholas repeated, “Will you tell him I remembered that today, when you see him?”
Matt paused, “Today? When I see him at work, you mean? I’m not going to work, remember?”
Nicholas held onto the door frame and swung his leg, back and forth, as far as he could kick and swing, while nodding in agreement, “But when you see him today though.”
“Yeah, Nick, I will…okay? Now go eat your breakfast.” Matt placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, pushing him ahead as they left the bathroom.
Nicholas stood watching him slip a belt into the loops of his pants.
“Tell him I said I’ll see you soon.”
“Nicholas,” Matt sat down on the bed and looked at him, “What are you talking about? C’mere,” He pulled Nicholas closer, “You know we’re still looking for your Uncle Julien…”
“But in my dream you went to get him, but then I’m not born anymore,” he paused, “but that’s okay, Daddy, ‘cause I’m born again later.”
Matt, his mouth agape, stared at his son, now spinning in circles playfully making himself dizzy.
“Nick, stop, look at me…look at Daddy. What the hell are you talking about?” He grabbed Nicholas’ arm, “You’re creepin’ Daddy out here. Knock it off. Listen to me,” he looked his son in the eyes intently and held up a finger, “You promise me you aren’t going to mention a word about this dream stuff to
your mother, okay?”
Nicholas, unsure if he might be in trouble, nodded slowly.
Matt sat staring at him for a moment. He rubbed at the little boy’s hair and gave him a hug, “Let’s just keep that dream between us men, alright? Ya got it?”
Nicholas nodded then turned away, galloping from the room.
Matt sat gawking at the empty doorway then shook his head and laughed to himself, nervously. He did his best to shrug it off.
Lily appeared in the doorway, startling him, “Why are you just sitting there? If I’m dropping the boys off at school on the way to the airport, we have to leave in like, five minutes,” she scowled at him, “no time for sitting around, Matt, let’s go.”
Matt jumped up, “I’m done. I’m done. I’m just waiting for you.” He returned to the bathroom to grab his toiletry bag then slipped it into the suitcase. He zippered the case and slid it off the bed.
“You know it’s snowing, right? I saw on the news last night…” Lily folded her arms.
Matt cut her off, “Flurries, Lil, it’s not gonna amount to anything.” He placed his suitcase by the door and went to his dresser for his wallet.
“Do we need to stop at the bank? Do you have some cash?” she asked.
“I’m fine, Lil. All-expenses paid, remember. Company credit card too.”
“Did Nicholas tell you about his crazy dream?” she asked.
Matt paused then looked at her to quickly read her expression, “Yeah, crazy,” he laughed and shook his head. “I’m waiting for that kid to whisper, I see dead people. Maybe we should get him a crystal ball and some Tarot cards for his birthday.” He came close to her and kissed her cheek, “We can set him up with a wagon at some freak show.”
Lily smacked his arm, “Don’t say that.”
“What? He’s cute; he’d make a mint and I can retire. You can get your nails done every day.”
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