Book of Dreams

by Traci Harding

  ‘No …’ Kyle almost stirred.

  ‘No what, baby?’ She slid down closer to him.

  ‘F —’ He stirred again, and his eyelids raised for a fraction of a second to reveal his dark, blurry eyes. ‘Fe —’ was all he said before sinking into a deep slumber once more.

  ‘No fear?’ Zoe took a guess as to what Kyle was trying to convey. Even in this state he could manage to be supportive and Zoe really appreciated his effort. ‘I promise.’ She kissed him, in the hope that like Sleeping Beauty he might be stirred by the kiss of true love — but no such luck.

  Although Matt was disappointed at not being able to sit in on the court case, he was still going to get his exclusive afterwards, provided there was a trial at all today. He was a bit worried at first that the TV station, who had given him time off to fly to Queensland and attend the case, would feel ripped off if they discovered that he’d missed most of the hearing. However, Zoe had vowed to fill him in on everything.

  Matt was on his way from the hotel to meet Rex at Brisbane airport and help keep Ivan under control, in case by some miracle they could still use him as a witness. Matt took his mostly unconscious mate with him to the airport.

  In the hope that Kyle might come around, Matt tried to encourage conversation when his mate started to babble.

  ‘T — two.’

  ‘Nah, it’s only about nine-thirty,’ Matt replied.

  ‘Teams …’ Kyle’s head rolled to rest on his other shoulder.

  Matt wasn’t too sure what to make of that. ‘Are you talking cricket? Football? I’m not too sure what’s on today. Hey, hold on, you hate sport!’

  ‘No!’ Kyle shouted loudly, his eyes opening wide for a second as his body stiffened. ‘Felix!’ His eyes closed and his head dropped as he continued to mumble. ‘Stop … Matt’s …’

  ‘We’re nowhere near Felix.’ Matt looked around at the highway they were following to the airport. ‘He’s back up north, editing,’ he explained, realising that his friend was now snoring again.

  The girls spoke briefly to the press on their way up the courthouse stairs and then escaped the commotion when security cleared their way to the foyer.

  ‘I do love the way the press refer to me as Ms Nura-Jirrand,’ Kimba commented to Zoe, having handled the media masterfully.

  Kimba was quite the rebel in her private life, but as a professional she saw being able to dress up and play power games as all part and parcel of beating the enemy at their own game.

  ‘I’m —’ Kimba’s phone rang and they stopped their journey up the interior stairs to take the call. ‘One second … hello?’

  Despite the holes Nivok had shot in their beautiful plan, Kimba was still confident that they’d somehow win out. She’d waited forever for this day in court and nothing, but nothing, was going to destroy her belief that it was the will of the Great Spirit that they be victorious.

  Zoe stood back to give Kimba some privacy to speak, and noting the commotion on the stairs outside the glass entrance doors she guessed that her uncle had arrived. He spoke to the press briefly to say he was confident that justice would be done today. When Zoe looked back at Kimba, the expression on the face of her defence counsel had been transformed from determined to devastated.

  Kimba closed her mobile and shoved it in her pocket. Reaching into another pocket she retrieved a tissue to stem her sudden flow of tears.

  ‘What has happened?’ Zoe asked gently. Aware that Kimba was very good at suppressing her emotions, she knew the news must be dreadful to have upset her to this extent.

  ‘Felix’s studio went up in flames last night,’ Kimba said, still in shock. ‘Destroyed, along with everything in it.’

  ‘How is Felix?’ Zoe ventured to ask, as Kimba had vagued out.

  ‘He died on the way to hospital.’ Kimba stated this rather more serenely than expected, as she had spotted Nivok’s party entering through the courthouse doors.

  If looks could kill, James Nivok would have been dead on arrival at court. Both women, still in shock, glared at him as he passed, eyes like daggers and revolt in their hearts and minds.

  James blew Zoe a kiss and waved to her before he moved on up the stairs to the courtroom, with all his cronies and advisers in tow.

  ‘By sundown, that smug grin of his will be redundant,’ Kimba vowed. ‘The slaughter stops today.’

  When Matt got Zoe’s call, they were just piling Zevron into the back seat of the car. Rex got in to sit beside their captive, leaving Kyle in the front passenger seat.

  ‘What’s up?’ Matt asked after updating Zoe on their progress.

  The news of Felix’s death sent shock waves through Matt’s body. He may not have known Felix long, but he’d planned to get to know him a whole lot better. He was a good man and shaping up to be a good friend. ‘How is Kimba?’

  ‘She’s a rock,’ Zoe replied, ‘as always.’

  ‘Fuck!’ Matt exclaimed, as the revelation hit him. ‘That’s what Kyle was mumbling about before. Two teams! He must have meant your uncle had sent two teams north, one to deal with the Turramulli and the other to take care of my footage.’

  ‘Oh, my God!’ Zoe had her own revelation. ‘Kyle tried to tell me too. He wasn’t saying ‘no fear’. He was trying to tell me that Felix was in trouble.’

  ‘Well, Felix isn’t the only one Kyle has expressed fear for during this delirium of his.’ Matt walked further away from the car, so that Ivan wouldn’t overhear him. ‘I thought Kyle was just having a few nightmares about people he knows, because he’s also been calling out to Tim and Bargi. If there are two teams of hitmen up north and Tim’s only taken care of one —’

  Zoe gasped. ‘Tim and Arika could still be in danger. I’ll call Tim right now.’

  ‘I’ll worry about Tim. You get your arse into court,’ Matt demanded, albeit in a friendly fashion. ‘And don’t worry about Tim and Bargi. They’re more capable of dealing with danger than the rest of us put together.’

  ‘We could really use Kyle though.’ Zoe’s concern and longing were apparent in her tone, although she tried to downplay it. ‘How’s my lad doing?’

  ‘Well, even unconscious, you’ve got to figure that Kyle isn’t lying idle.’ Matt wanted to say something encouraging. ‘We both know he has contacts beyond this world, and I feel he’s up to something in that head of his.’

  ‘Magic happens … right?’ Zoe picked up on where Matt was coming from.

  ‘Especially where Kyle’s concerned,’ Matt agreed.

  ‘Our luck can turn just like that!’

  Matt heard the click from Zoe’s fingers. ‘Done,’ he granted, feeling that their situation couldn’t really get much worse.

  He was pleased that Zoe seemed to be in better spirits when he said goodbye. Matt dialled Tim’s number straight after he’d hung up from Zoe. The recorded message informed him that Tim’s phone was unattended or out of radio range. ‘Damn it!’ He climbed back into the car.

  ‘What’s wrong with Mr Wizard?’ Ivan referred to Kyle, as having lost the glamour of ignorance Kyle had cast, Ivan now remembered everything Kyle had put him through. ‘Not even the supernatural will stop my boss.’ He chuckled with delight.

  ‘Gag him, will you?’ Matt beseeched Rex and handed him some gaffer tape that was in Matt’s all-purpose car repair kit.

  ‘Won’t that look mighty funny, him sitting there gagged?’ Rex pointed out.

  ‘Shove him in the boot then,’ Matt suggested. ‘Half the seat folds down, so you won’t attract any attention.’

  The tape was across Ivan’s mouth before he could protest.

  Rex was well bearded and Ivan, usually clean-shaven, had whiskers from his stay with the local clan, which the industrial strength tape would rip out by the roots upon removal. ‘Look on the bright side,’ Rex teased. ‘When this comes off you won’t need to shave for a week. Better than wax.’

  Matt tried again to raise Tim by phone, while Rex shoved Ivan headfirst into the boot and closed the seat behi
nd him. ‘I sure hope Tim’s battery ain’t dead.’ Matt figured Tim had made a few long-distance calls that morning.

  ‘There’s a black spot in the shadow of the mountain, so if Tim’s there he won’t have reception,’ Rex explained.

  ‘Great!’ Matt tossed Rex the phone. ‘Keep trying anyway.’ He turned to Kyle, being held upright in his seat by the belt. ‘I have to tell you, Kyle, the situation is not looking good. I can’t warn Tim; his phone is dead. I don’t want to guilt you out or anything, but we could really use your help right now.’

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  NATURAL SELECTION

  This was so damn frustrating! He didn’t seem to be able to get anyone to hear him.

  Since the hunters downed his guide, Kyle had been using the crystal ball Crystaleyes had given him to zip around with Kyron in the causal world, and warn those close to him against the tragedies unfolding in the north. Kyle had talked to Zoe in her sleep, but she’d forgotten everything when she woke up. Unfortunately, none of the living were acknowledging him. Kyle’s will and influence over physical matter had proven to be as useful as his own physical matter. It was the same with Kyron; it seemed they’d been locked out of the physical world and were only permitted to witness the events unfolding there.

  I’m working on it, Matt. Say it! Kyle was beside himself and completely disgusted. He couldn’t raise the slightest word of comfort from his unconscious body’s lips. Come on, say it!

  ‘Hmm bur in m —’ Kyle’s physical person responded when pushed.

  That’s going to make him feel so much better! Kyle gave up trying to make a connection and so did Matt.

  To Tim? Kyron queried.

  With a nod from Kyle, reality spun around and Kyle was standing on the flat land outside Arika’s forest, looking towards the mountain, as a sole runner approached; it was Tim.

  If anyone is going to hear me it will be you. Kyle projected his thoughts with all the will and imagination that he could muster: Nivok sent two teams of hitmen up here. I suspect those teams are meant to meet in this place to serve the eviction notice that Nivok and Ivan failed to enforce twenty years ago.

  Tim’s sprint slowed as the entrance to Arika’s oasis came into view, but he gave no indication that he might have heard Kyle.

  It seemed his father was as deaf to his warnings as everyone else, so Kyle walked alongside Tim into the thicket-tunnel. The Matong Bargi Arika was the only hope Kyle had left of making himself heard. Kyle observed his father closely, feeling proud to walk alongside him at last. You turned out to be a much better role model than I ever imagined … I can’t wait to get to know you better.

  ‘Don’t confuse the issue now,’ Tim mumbled.

  Kyle was startled. You can hear me!

  ‘Just shhh!’ Tim insisted, holding his head.

  This is not your subconscious speaking. It is your son! Kyle understood that Tim might not be able to tell one from the other.

  ‘If it is my son, then he will know we have no time to delay,’ Tim stated reasonably and kept walking.

  But didn’t you hear my warning?

  ‘I heard it,’ replied Tim.

  Kyle was confused by his attitude. Do you want to die?

  Tim stopped and looked about, thinking that his subconscious was not usually so blunt. ‘Equally as much as I want to live,’ he said honestly and walked on.

  As intensely emotional as Kyle found the reply, he did understand it. Tim was torn between his desire to be with Alex and his wish to be a father to the son he’d just found. The thought of losing his father, when he now admired him, aspired to know him and be like him, really tore up Kyle’s feelings. And yet, having tasted what true love could be like, it was equally heartbreaking to keep anyone from pursuing such bliss.

  Kyle raced ahead of Tim, hoping to grab Arika’s attention before his father got her distracted. Matong Bargi! He addressed the old woman’s carcass, nestled in the same tree and position as the last time that he’d seen her. She hadn’t moved a muscle.

  Matong Bakkare.

  Kyle turned to find the young spirit form of Arika standing behind him, and beside his great-grandmother stood his equally youthful mother. Mum! He’d never used the word, nor sought a mother’s embrace, but both seemed to come naturally in this instance.

  My precious one. Alex hugged her boy tightly, stroking his hair and kissing his head.

  I can’t believe that BOTH my parents are here just when I need you most! He nearly choked on the sentiment engendered by the realisation that his parents were great people who cared about him deeply. It’s a dream come true. Kyle thought that his physical form would surely be shedding a tear as he looked at Arika, thankful for the part the Book of Dreams had played in this reunion.

  Your father has a big decision to make today, Arika explained, and he’s going to need the two of you to help him make it.

  What’s happening? Kyle looked from one woman to the other, alarmed, and yet he knew the answer.

  Hush now. Arika made this sound more like advice than a command. Trust in the divine order and listen. She turned to address Tim, who had taken a seat before Arika’s old, empty shell.

  ‘Once again I have come seeking your aid, Bargi,’ Tim began.

  I have been watching all as it unfolds, and all that I can do has been done, she told him and Tim suppressed a sigh of disappointment. I am not permitted to influence outcomes; that is for a clash of wills to determine at the right time. I may only use my abilities to manipulate circumstances, and I have left no stone unturned in my final masterpiece. Much can happen in a moment … I would not fear for our cause unnecessarily if I were you.

  Tim could hear the cheeky smile in the old woman’s tone. ‘Then I trust in your word as always, Bargi.’

  The defence took their seats in the courtroom. Many of their key witnesses were still missing.

  ‘This is going to be the shortest case in history if something doesn’t give,’ Kimba muttered quietly to Zoe, who was checking her mobile again.

  ‘No messages.’ She closed the phone, frustrated. ‘What is going on out there?’

  The two girls gazed at each other, trying not to appear disheartened. ‘Why does this feel like the final scene from “Thelma and Louise”?’ Zoe tried to make light of their tragic situation, but her nerves were starting to make her feel a bit queasy.

  Kimba cracked a smile. ‘We ain’t going over that cliff, honey,’ she promised Zoe, as the court was called to attention.

  Rising, Zoe spied a strange little otherworldly creature sitting on the judge’s bench. It was only in Arika’s abode that Zoe had ever seen such a creature in a wakeful state, and she rubbed her eyes to be sure she wasn’t imagining things. No, it was definitely there, and it was the same little creature to which Zoe had gifted her bracelet, the day she’d learnt the sad truth about the history of the mountain they were now trying to save. In fact, the wee beast proudly wore the bracelet around its neck, and as it noted Zoe’s attention on it, it winked at her.

  Before the judge entered the courtroom, it was explained to the court that the judge previously chosen to preside, and several other judges, had been taken ill and so a replacement had been assigned.

  Zoe immediately looked at her uncle to see if the news made him smugger than ever — he might have had something to do with this change in the proceedings. It was a pleasant surprise to find that James Nivok was looking decidedly annoyed as he grilled his counsel about the change.

  Well, this is an interesting development, Zoe thought, hoping that her uncle had paid off a judge to no avail. Back on the bench, the wee creature dangled its feet over the edge, swinging them merrily as it chuckled with delight.

  ‘All rise! The Honourable Judge K. Rupert presiding.’

  Every jaw in the courtroom dropped as the replacement took the bench, for Judge K. Rupert was a middle-aged female, her skin a deeper shade of black than Kimba’s.

  Zoe looked at Kimba, who had never worn a smile so large as now, a
nd James Nivok had never appeared more devastated. ‘Things are looking up.’ She looked back at the wee creature watching over the proceedings from the judge’s vantage point, and mouthed the words, thank you.

  You have greater concerns this day, Arika told Tim, as if he already knew this. I await assassins who have been sent to finish me off, and you must not be seated with me when they arrive, or you WILL be killed along with me, Tim … I have foreseen it.

  Tim closed his eyes and a great weight seemed to lift from his shoulders; it seemed the news of his imminent death brought the sweetest relief to him. ‘I will stay and protect you, Bargi. You know I will.’

  Arika was heard to laugh with great affection. You are certainly an original for your breed, just like my dear Lance, and I treasure your devotion dearly. But you cannot stay on my account, she said, well aware of Tim’s desire to join his wife, in spite of his love for his son. It is important that my time in this world ends now. It is meant to be, and you must not prevent it.

  ‘If that is your wish, Arika, I will respect it,’ although Tim really couldn’t bear the thought of losing her counsel, ‘but what to do about my own plight … that is a harder question to answer. I love my son. I want to live on and teach him and support him, because I did not have the chance to do so in the past. However, Kyle has come so far on his own that his wisdom will soon outgrow any that I can offer.’

  No! Kyle reacted, but was silenced by a gentle shake of Arika’s head. The look on his mother’s face conveyed that she understood it was hard for Kyle, but Tim had to make this choice himself.

  ‘When I consider another twenty years without Alex. Another day even!’ Tim shook his head, unable to find the words to express his pain. ‘The last twenty years without her have left me little more than a walking corpse, whose spirit has perished for want of release. I know Alex will wait for me. I just don’t think I can stand being in this world without her for much longer.’