Annabelle and Victoria’s blood pressure was low, yet their brain activity was high and erratic. While Katherine’s blood pressure was high and her brain activity was almost completely gone, as if she were brain dead. It was if they were asleep and dreaming, but there was no rapid eye movement. None of the doctors could explain it. Dr. Cline thought it would be best if they put off telling the parents for a few days of the complications of the catatonic sleep and the third girl, in hopes that they would soon awake.
On the third day Katherine awoke, but she was very confused, but not half as confused as the doctors were to become…
“We are sisters…” Katherine began to explain, “I don’t understand how, for my parents are not theirs and theirs are not mine… Yet they are. I possess my memories, and their memories, but never before have we met.” Dr. Cline tried to comprehend what Katherine was talking about. He knew that it was logical that they were sisters because he knew that Annabelle and Katherine had both been adopted. He did not know this third girl who remained unconscious, yet he knew that she must be their sister because she resembled them so closely. Could there be a psychic link so strong that it had kept them connected over the years, and that had finally brought them together here at the Institute. Cline began to question Katherine, but she could not answer the questions, and slowly she drifted to sleep, murmuring that never again would they be separated.
Chapter Nineteen
Within a few hours all three had completely awakened. They were understandably confused and scared after everything that they had experienced in the past and the memories that had flooded their unconscious minds.
The doctors wanted to separate them to run tests and ask questions, but they flatly refused to leave each other’s sight. They claimed to have been separated for far to long. Dr. Cline and Dr. Skinner agreed that perhaps if they used the evaluation rooms on the third floor that had windows but were sound proof they could question each girl individually without actually separating them for very long. The first tried to speak with Victoria but she would not talk. They had no idea who she was or where she came from.
Though the doctors were fairly certain that this girl was the one that had lived in Tennessee and that their patients had dreamed of. As far as the doctors knew Victoria never even talked to Annabelle or Katherine, not verbally anyway. And if they were communicating telepathically, there was no way to tell…
For a while Dr. Skinner spoke to Annabelle, while Dr. Cline talked to Katherine. All they could find out was that the stranger was their sister, Victoria, and that they could never again be separated.
Chapter Twenty
The girls knew but didn’t understand what had happened. Therefore they could not tell the doctors what was going on, because they themselves did not know how to explain there memories of the past centuries. All the memories that had flooded their minds had become so jumbled that there was no one place in which they could start to explain any thing that had happened.
Dr. Skinner suggested hypnotic regression to help them recall their past. The problem with this was that in order for the hypnosis to work was for the others to be in different rooms so that one’s memories would not influence the others memories when place under hypnosis.
After two weeks the girls finally consented to being temporarily separated, but no farther then the next room and only for a short period of time.
Part Two
Chapter Twenty-One
The story that you are about to read is about three sisters… A story that could possible predate the birth of Christ… yet this story has been ever continuing from that time to today’s time… For centuries they have been reborn and each time they were together. Until the late twentieth century, they were then separated for over sixteen years, but they continued a crude yet effective form of psychic communication. It wasn’t until they were finally reunited that the truth was revealed, not only to them but to those who have devoted their entire lifetimes researching this type of phenomena.
No other events have been recorded in such emotional detail. Perhaps no one will ever really know the true answers to the questions that most certainly will be asked about these that things have happened to these girls. We can only document what we have found in our hypnotic regression sessions with them. Because much of the general population does not understand psychological jargon, we have composed the lives of these sisters into story formats, so that everyone may see, enjoy, and be fascinated by the past lives of girls who are Together Forever. We first present you with the very beginning… The lives in which it all began centuries ago in the land of Great Britain. Doctor Alfred Cline and Doctor Samuel Skinner Schleswig Institute
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was soon after the Roman invasion of Briton that Gwynn, Corra, and Ariana were being considered as possible members in the Druid order of their village. The evening appeared to be settling down quietly from the day’s activities of the harvest when a great clamor arose from the southeast. It was the Roman soldiers that everyone had hoped and prayed would not come this far north. Their village was a small one and the battle for lives was short lived those who were not killed were taken as captives, to be returned to Rome as slaves. A few managed to escape into the forest and elude detection by the Roman guards.
After a week’s end the soldiers dispersed; three quarters of the men headed farther north to another village and the remaining troops began the return trip to Rome. Several weeks passed by as they traveled on foot, the soldiers being waited on by their prize catches. Finally they reached the sea were others stood guarding the ships. Another two weeks passed on water and finally they reached a port in southern Spain.
Two more weeks passed and they finally reached Rome. Another week passed and one of the soldiers came into the home where the women slaves were being held until the auction. “Tomorrow, at sunrise all are to be cleaned, wearing these dresses for the auction. Be in line oldest too youngest before I return.’ the soldiers voice boomed down the corridors. Ariana began to cry, because she knew that they would be separated. Corra held her tightly reassuring her that they would always be together. Gwynn talked quietly to another Celtic lady, which she knew quite well from a neighboring village…
“Many people thought that murder was a sin… God had made them what they were…” The Bad Place Dean R. Koontz “Tonight when that guard comes, the one that likes you so much, you shall give him what he thinks he wants. While you are disrobing him I shall take his dagger…” Gwynn did not like the plan and neither did Bridget, but they knew there was no other way to escape…
Later that night the sentry arrived at 9:00 to relive his comrade. As always he walked through checking to make sure that every slave was asleep (secretly hoping that one certain one would not be). As he finished his check, a soft Gaelic voice spoke his name… “Anton…” He knew immediately that the goddess Venus had finally answered his prayers and sacrifices. It was the voice of the beautiful Bridget. “Bridget?”
Anton spoke her name low so as not to awaken the others as he walked through the darkened building searching for her. “Yes, Anton, it is I Bridget of the Celts.” She whispered to him as he bent to where she lay. “Do not tease me slave woman, for tonight I may be like the rest of my comrades and simply take what I want.”
“Do not worry master Anton. I tease you not. I only ask that we go to the far end of the room where there are fewer people…”
Slowly they crept to the far corner of the room where Gwynn awaited them. Bridget began to carefully undress the roman soldier. First his heavy bronze breastplate and then his sword belt, which also held his jeweled dagger, fell to the floor. As soon as the belt touched the floor, the dagger was in Gwynn’s hands. Bridget and Anton came to the floor, slowly embracing each other in passion, or so the soldier thought…
For Bridget it was pure repulsion. When they had finally settled and Anton’s body laid on Bridget’s, Gwynn placed the dagger under his chin. Before he could realize what had happened Gwy
nn’s steady hand had severed the man’s throat. Bridget soaked the blood up with the soldier’s own tunic.
After they were positive that he was dead and that no one had awakened, they went to Corra and Ariana… “Hurry we must go.” Gwynn whispered to her sisters… No one spoke until after they reached the forest at the north end of the town…
“Where are we going Gwynn?”
A still groggy Corra asked. “To the northern part of Gaul or home to Briton if we can make it. We must hurry. They will know that we killed Anton and they will never stop looking for us, but if we can get far enough away perhaps they will give up, thinking that we died in the forest…”
Two hours after Anton began his shift, his relief arrived, but he found no Anton at the door waiting to be relieved. He searched the house and could find no one missing in the dim light of the lantern that he carried. Because Julius did not like the idea of awakening a commanding officer, he decided that it Anton might just be taking a walk, or perhaps fooling around with one of the slaves. So he went to the woods to have a look around…
“Stop.” Gwynn whispered. “Why?” Bridget asked quietly. “Someone’s coming. Hand me Anton’s sword.”
“You’re not going to kill anyone else are you?” Ariana knew that another man would die tonight if they were to escape successfully. “I may have to, if we are to survive.” Gwynn replied cold heatedly. Deep inside they all knew that the killing would never stop, not as long as they were in the land of the Romans. Their only chance for life was to return to their homeland, and join their people in the fight to keep Briton out of Roman hands. “Everyone split up and go into the woods. I’m going to stay here and find out who's coming!” Gwynn ordered.
They were alone in the darkness. The forest was lit only by the half moon. Gwynn felt sure that the person that was pursuing them would continue on the straight path that led to her place of guard. Suddenly she heard a muffled scream. “Oh Dear Goddess, please don’t let it be my sisters!” Gwynn thought to herself as she ran in the direction of the noise, the Roman’s sword poised to strike at anything. When Gwynn reached a cluster of trees, she saw Bridget’s body slumped over at the base of a tree. No one had to tell Gwynn that her friend was dead. She knew, but at this point she did not care as long as Ariana and Corra were safe she didn’t care who died.
As the Celt bent to kiss her friend’s forehead in a last good-bye, a man stepped out from the shadows. Gwynn knew that this was the murderer, for who else would be lurking in the forest at night. Because of the dimness of the night the soldier did not see the sword that Gwynn clenched in her hand. As she rose from her crouched position, Gwynn brought the sword up, slashing the man’s leg. He went down with a scream. Before he could compose himself, Gwynn drove the sword into his heart, silencing him forever…
“That was to avenge the death of my friend… and the death of my people that you took in Briton…” Gwynn spoke softly to the fallen Roman.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Several weeks later they were in the central part of what is now known as France. Finally they were safe, because the Roman’s had not yet been able to dominate the French people. Although they were outsiders, the French took them in as one of their own, if only to show disrespect to the Romans. Within a few days the girls decided that it would be safe to settle here until they could safe enough for the return trip to Briton. It was hard traveling by foot for long hours and having only wild berries, and nuts to eat, along with the occasional wild rabbit. Although the French did not worship in the ways that the sisters did, they still stayed and decided that this would be a perfect place to begin their work of conversion of the main continent. The first few months were hard for them. Even though they learned the language in only a few short weeks, they had to prove to the villagers they could work hard and would work hard in order to have a dry place to stay, even if this dry place was only a loft over the sheep or cows. They took odd jobs to get money for a place of their own. Among the odd jobs they took were sewing, midwife, painting (for Ariana was very good with portraits of people), singing, and whatever the people wanted (short of barmaids, for their previous training into the Druid order would not allow them to defile themselves in such a way).
Within a year the people were so fond of the sisters, and especially Ariana’s gift for art (her work was becoming well known all over the countryside) the villagers gave them a small portion of land at the center of town on which to build a house. In a month’s time they had not just a house but also a home. The villagers had helped them to construct the quaint cottage. On many nights you could find the sisters entertaining the villagers with stories about their homeland and their escape from the Roman guards and slave traders. Often the gathering would turn to tales of the Celtic gods and even thought the people did not realize it, they were losing their own gods and believing in the Celtic ways of life.
When it seemed that all was perfect, the Romans invaded Gaul. News of the invasion came from one of the villager’s daughters that had moved further south to be with her husband’s family. When Gwynn found out, she wanted to panic, but she knew that she could not, for if she did who would care for her sisters.
“Will we have to leave, Gwynn?” Corra asked her sisters. “I don’t know yet. The Romans may not reach this far into Gaul, so don’t worry about anything. We are safe here.” Gwynn reassured her sisters.
Gwynn had this intense feeling inside that they would soon be fleeing for their lives yet again. She also knew, thanks to a secret contact, that she and her sisters were still wanted for the murder of the two Roman guards, Anton and Julius. There was nothing she could do. Everything that they had was here. Then again, when this had started everything they owned and all of their friends and family was in a small herding village in northern Briton. Gwynn would wait until the last possible minute to tell her sisters that she knew that the Romans were still seeking them.
A few weeks later and the Roman Army had moved in to close for comfort. In order to protect their friends it would be time to move on. That night they told only their closest friends that they would be leaving and that it would be easier to go at night without the good-byes from the entire village. “But we don’t want to go. We like it here. Every one is so nice and think about how many have come to us wanting to know more of the gods of our country, some have even came to believe in them strongly.” Corra spoke up defiantly, all the while packing only what she could carry. “I’ve explained already that if the Roman soldiers find us we will be killed. The army is only five days travel from here, and our friends will not be able to hold them off indefinitely.” Gwynn said scornfully. She hated to leave also and Corra was making things worse.
By nine o’clock they were packed and left. No other words passed among them. Lucky for them the moon was full, so they could travel a lot faster on their trek northward. By midnight however they were exhausted…
“Do we have to go on? Can’t we stop and rest for just a little while?” Corra whined. “All right, but only for a few minutes.” Gwynn sighed. She knew that they were tired, she was to, but she couldn’t let that stop them from covering as much ground as possible, before the Romans overtook them…
Chapter Twenty-Four
They slept only for a few hours before the sun rose. As soon as the sky began to lighten, Gwynn was up cooking a breakfast of hot cakes, when she heard something… She looked cautiously around and saw no one. “It was probably just an animal returning to his den.” She though out loud. Another sound came from the opposite direction, and then another. The leaves of autumn were crackling underfoot of something that was much larger than a forest animal, and that left only humans. Luckily Gwynn still had Anton’s dagger hidden under her robe. Before she could get to it someone grabbed her by the neck…
“So we’ve finally found you and look here, the evidence we need you still carry his dagger. What kind of murderess carries a dead man’s weapon seven months after his death?” It had finally come the Romans had found them.
The soldier spoke softly so that he did not awaken her sleeping companions. Five minutes later his fellow comrades arrived and woke the sleeping girls.
“Wake up ladies. It’s time to pay for your transgressions against the Roman Empire and its people.” With a yank of the blankets Marcus uncovered the now awakened sisters while Aureilius held tightly to Gwynn’s arms and tossed the dagger into the bushes.
They knew what was going to happen… they always knew. but this time they would not let it happen. Together Gywnn, Corra, and Ariana concentrated all of their power and thought and with a flash of lightning the bodies of the Romans imploded. Bits of flesh flew into the trees and the blood from their bodies spewed forth like a geyser.
Even though they were safe for now, their garments were splattered with blood and they would be easily recognized as murderesses. Quickly they ran to the spring and washed their soiled clothes and bathed in the cold waters. They left their clothes on nearby bushes to dry while they returned to the campsite to dispose of the bits and pieces that was left of the Roman soldiers. They gathered large portions of flesh, which had not yet been scavenged by the wild creatures of the forest and burned them to ashes, then scattered the remains in the swiftly running stream. The armaments of the soldiers were gathered and buried under the pit that they had used for a campfire, except for the daggers which the sisters kept for extra protection and use in hunting.
They returned to the stream, dressed and left. Their destination was unclear. The only thing that went through their minds was that they had to get as far away as possible. It might even be best if they did not live near others considering what had just happened. They did not fully understand what had caused the death of the Roman soldiers, but they were grateful to whatever gods and goddesses were helping them.
Together Forever: A Druid's Curse Page 4