Aris Returns

by Devin Morgan

  The bites grew more and more demanding. She begged, weeping with desire. “Now. Please, now.”

  Long sharp fangs sank slowly, sensuously into a vessel at the nape of her neck. Glorious waves of feeling swelled inside of her each time he drew from her until her body abandoned itself, surrendering to the flame that consumed her. She cried out as a deep shudder convulsed her.

  Sarah was panting as she bolted upright in her bed. Her sheets were wrapped in a corkscrew around her perspiring body. She brushed the hair from her eyes with her fingers as she looked out her window at the city at dawn. After some long, deep breaths, she sighed and smiled as she leaned her head back on her pillow. She whispered a soft moan as she reached her fingers to softly and gently massage the back of her neck.

  CHAPTER 12

  Sarah always enjoyed having a girl’s night at her apartment. She delighted in finding new recipes to cook for her friends. Sometimes they were great and sometimes not quite edible, but she happily embraced the opportunity to experiment.

  “Look Sarah, I don’t know if I’m ready to get married and have kids. It’s not fair the way Bob’s putting the screws to me.” She reached across the table to spear a piece of tomato and a slice of cucumber from Sarah’s salad.

  “C, if you want salad, there’s a whole bowl on the kitchen counter, stay out of mine. And this marriage and baby stuff is between you and Bob. There is no way I would even think of sticking my nose in here. It’s just too personal.”

  “Some therapist you are.” Colleen rose from the dining room table, picked up her plate then walked to the kitchen. “Want some more wine?”

  “Sure. Sounds good. No work tomorrow. Yeah!”

  “By the way, about work, Carlos came into my office yesterday on time for our meeting and wearing a belt, if you can believe it. He’s even more articulate and was talking about a book he is reading. What the hell are you doing to him?” She brought the wine bottle back to the dining room, topped each of their glasses then placed it on the table between them.

  “Just the usual mumbo jumbo. He simply is a really good subject for hypnosis, the brighter someone is, the easier it is to work with them.” Sarah felt a little bit uncomfortable. She wanted to tell Colleen about the whole situation including her misgivings and her concern about the vampire saga but she couldn’t. Her professional code made it difficult to talk about him at all.

  “I mean he’s really changing. Funny thing is he wants to. He’s been talking about taking some night classes, about doing something with his life.” Colleen twirled her pasta into a huge roll on her fork then stuffed it in her mouth, talking the whole time she chewed. “Where’s Bonnie? I thought she was coming for dinner.”

  “She called just before you got here. She had to finish some client notes before she left the office.” As if at a signal, there was a knock at the door.

  Bonnie looked frantic as she entered the apartment. She rushed across the living room and closed the drapes, speaking as she moved. “I found a parking place out front. While I was parking, a guy was standing across the street staring up toward your window.” Her frightened eyes darted back and forth between Sarah and Colleen. “Sarah, he didn’t move. He just stood there like a statue. He scared me so I told the doorman to keep an eye on him.”

  Both Sarah and Colleen jumped from their chairs. As Colleen hurried to the window, she grabbed her bag, pulling out her cell phone. Sarah was already peeking through the opening in the drapes. She saw Carlos standing in the shadow of the awning in front of the building across the street.

  Colleen snatched the curtain from her and looked out. “What the hell? I’m calling Bob. I can’t believe it; he looks like he’s on drugs again.”

  Sarah grabbed the phone from her friend’s hand. “No. No police. He wouldn’t use. I know he wouldn’t. There’s something else wrong. I’m going down to see him.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Bonnie blocked her way. Ignoring their words, she pushed past them. “No guys. He wouldn’t hurt me. I’m going to see what’s happening.” Colleen and Bonnie exchanged a look of surprise, amazed at the reaction of their normally passive friend.

  She grabbed her trench coat, putting it on as she hurried down the hall. She spoke as she pressed the elevator button, “Don’t call anyone. I can handle this.”

  Her heart was pounding in her chest as the elevator doors opened. She raced across the lobby. “It’s okay Ralph, just a friend in trouble. Be right back.” She tried to smile as she made for the door.

  The traffic slowed. She ran across the street. As she approached Carlos, she noticed his eyes weren’t blinking, he hardly appeared to be breathing.

  “Carlos.” He didn’t move. She spoke louder. “Carlos.” Still he didn’t move or acknowledge her. “Might as well try to bring him back,” she thought out loud. “Carlos, one. Two. Three. Four. Five. Eyes open, wide awake.”

  He shook his head several times. “Where the hell am I? Sarah? What are you doing here?” He shook his head again. “Where am I?” There was fear in his voice as he spoke.

  “You’re fine. Carlos, you’re fine. You’re outside my apartment.”

  “How did I get here? What am I doing here? Sarah, what is happening to me?” His eyes locked on hers and she could see panic just below the surface.

  “I’m here and we’ll figure this out together.” She glanced up at her window. Bonnie and Colleen were glued to the glass. “Wait here. I’m going to clear out my company so you can come upstairs to my apartment. You can stay until you feel better.”

  “You’re not afraid of me?” He looked at her with sad eyes.

  “No, of course not. You’re fine. You’re just fine. Now, don’t move. I’ll clear them out then come down to get you.” She hugged him quickly before hurrying across the street.

  #

  “Was that Colleen Stevens I saw leaving?” He sat at the dining room table while she cleared the dishes.

  “Yes. She and another friend came for dinner. Are you hungry?” She paused before she removed her plate of uneaten pasta.

  “No thanks.” He had his elbows on the table, his head buried in his hands.

  “How about a glass of wine?”

  “No thanks, I haven’t had a drink since rehab.” His voice was muffled.

  She placed the plate on the table. She touched his shoulder gently. “Carlos, everything is alright. We’re in this together.” When he lifted his face, his expression was like a frightened little boy. “I won’t leave you. I’m here.”

  He stood, wrapping his arms around her. It wasn’t a romantic embrace but a necessary one. She held him for what seemed like a long time. His breathing slowly returned to normal.

  Reluctantly, he pulled away from her arms. “I guess I’d better go.”

  “Listen, why don’t you stay here tonight? I’ve got a guest room. The bed is comfortable. You are more than welcome.” She just couldn’t see him spend the night at a half-way house in his present condition. “I’ll have Colleen take care of the people at the half-way house tomorrow. Don’t worry about that.”

  “Are you sure?” His voice was soft as he spoke but the meaning was clear. “I won’t bother you.”

  “I know you won’t. It’s sort of my fault that you’re having these experiences anyway. Carlos, I don’t want you to feel you’re on your own.”

  He smiled.

  “Come on. I’ll show you the guest room. There’s a shower too, so if you’d like to clean up before you go to bed, you won’t bother me.”

  On the way down the hall, she stopped at the linen closet. She handed him a towel, one of the spare toothbrushes and the individual toothpaste tubes she kept for guests. She opened the door to the guest room and turned on the light.

  Stopping at the door, she let him pass. He turned to look at her. “Thanks.” That was all that he could say. “Thanks so much.”

  “It’s fine. Sleep well.” She shut the door. As she walked down the hall to her room, she whispered to herself, “Wha
t have you just done?” She shivered a little then straightened her shoulders. “What I’ve just done is I helped someone in need of a friend.” She went into her room, tucked herself in then fell into a deep sleep.

  #

  The harsh ring of her phone woke her. She looked at the clock. Six o’clock in the morning. Who was the idiot to call at six o’clock on Saturday morning? She reached for the phone.

  “What do you want?”

  “Nice way to answer the phone.” Colleen’s voice was angry. “What do you think I want? Are you okay?”

  “Of course I’m okay. Why are you calling me so early on my day off?”

  “Because you threw us out so you could bring a crazy guy into your apartment. When did he leave?”

  Sarah yawned, “He’s still here.”

  “He’s what?” The anger in her voice was replaced by shock and disbelief.

  “He’s still here asleep in the guest room unless this frigging phone woke him up like it did me.” She was grumpy and didn’t mind letting it show.

  “He stayed last night?”

  “I just said he’s in the guest room. I couldn’t send him back to that half-way house last night. He was exhausted. And miserable.”

  “Sarah, what’s going on between you two?” The concern in her voice was clearly recognizable.

  “Nothing, Colleen. Nothing is going on. He’s basically a good person and I am doing my best to help him find himself. That’s what you wanted me to do, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, sure but I didn’t mean for you to put yourself at risk. He’s been in trouble so much. I’m just nervous about your safety.”

  “C, I’m a big girl. I’ve been doing this job for a long, long time. I’ve never been accosted by a client and I don’t plan on that happening now.” She sat on the edge of her bed. “Thanks for worrying about me but I’m alright. Now, let me get back to sleep. Okay?”

  “I don’t know about you, Sarah. This hero business is way out of character. Sometimes I think you’re a little flakey.”

  Sarah laughed, “You’re calling me flaky? You? Honey, the word wasn’t invented until you were born. Now quit worrying. And good night.” She put the phone down on her nightstand. She slipped into her robe and quietly opened her door.

  “Might as well see if he’s still sleeping.” She tiptoed down the hall. She peeked into the guest room. He was gone. The bed was made and a note rested on the pillow. It read, “Thank you for everything. I’ll see you at session on Friday. You really are my guardian angel. Carlos.”

  She was sorry they wouldn’t have breakfast together. She told herself it was because she wanted to be sure he was alright. What other reason could there be? She folded the note, tucking it into the pocket of her robe. She went to her room, crawling back into her bed. It was strange but somehow the house felt empty without him. Now who was the crazy one?

  CHAPTER 13

  “Are you sure you want to go under today?”

  He pushed back in the leather recliner. “Sure. It’s the only way we’re going to get to the bottom of this. Come on Sarah. Deep sleep me.” Smiling, he winked at her.

  She had felt a little disconcerted when he walked into her office but just a moment with him and their previous comfort returned. She watched him closely as she spoke the usual induction to place him in a hypnotic trance.

  CARLOS HAVARRO, transcript, session 8, April 2

  I traveled many miles and many long weeks. I was able to run with the speed of a wild animal. I did not see another human being. I was grateful the burning hunger for human life did not return. When I thirsted, I drank from forest animals and they sustained me. I did notice that my skin grew more and more white as time passed and I also grew stronger; I was able to run incredible distances at inconceivable speeds.

  The clothing I wore kept me covered and warm, but it was simple, rough cloth. As I traveled it became worn and soiled. I longed for soft fabrics, rich textures. My clothes in the camp of Alexander were those of a soldier, but they were the finest cloth and leather that could be purchased. I remembered my life as a human. My soul was of an aristocrat, a warrior. None of that had changed, I still longed for the finer things. For the fight, the accolades. For blood spilled and now, for blood taken.

  The days turned cold and the nights frigid, still I traveled. I knew not where I was or to where I journeyed, only that I must keep moving. Slowly, quietly, the gnawing in my belly returned.

  Just as a cold, damp dawn broke through the blackness of night, I heard sounds from a great distance carried on the morning wind. A battle raged, I was sure of it; where there was battle, there were human beings and where there were humans, there was warm, pulsing blood.

  As I neared the skirmish, the smell of death surrounded me. I staggered and almost fell as the burning inside my core ignited. My eyes glazed over. I could not see, did not need to see. I was propelled through the woods by my hunger. The noise became a living entity as I burst out of the forest and into the fray.

  I fought like the devil I was. As I killed with my hands and my teeth, my clothes became saturated and slick with the drippings from my victims. I drank again and again and was satiated, still I fought. I killed in a frenzy. I pulled swords from dead bodies and battled on fighting my way toward a huge building on the horizon.

  Separated from the fray, seated on a horse surrounded by guards, sat a commander. His ornate uniform was still clean, his sword yet dry. I swarmed his protectors, killing and moving on until there was no one between me and the great man. An arrow flew, piercing his mount in the chest. Many arrows followed and the great beast lifted onto his hind legs bellowing, pawing the air. He fell to the earth in his death throes. Seizing the moment, I grabbed the commander and twisted his arms behind his back, holding him steady with my great strength. I looked right and left, not knowing what to do with my prisoner.

  “You there,” a voice cut the battle cry like a knife. “Bring Francis to me.” Like any good warrior, I responded to a strong command. I turned toward the voice. There, behind me, seated on a tall stallion, dressed in strange garb, sat a man, an officer by his stature and regal saddlery. “I say, bring him to me.”

  I pushed my prisoner through his dead comrades toward the mounted officer.

  “Are you one of my men?” We were surrounded by a cadre of men protecting the clearing where we stood. Still they fought like animals all around us, yet in the center of the circle there was calm.

  I was able to understand his words. I knew that his language was not my own and not from my time. Yet his desires were clear to me. I was wary of speaking to him should he learn what I was and destroy me.

  “Speak up. Who are you?”

  I went down on one knee and lowered my head.

  “I am Aris.” My words were clear to him, I knew not how, yet questioned not.

  “Rise Aris. Join my ranks. You have just captured the King of France.” He threw his great head back and roared in laughter.

  Taking hold of my hand, he swung me onto the back of his horse. “The Emperor will know of your courage.”

  “Bring this King with you to camp,” he spoke to his men. “Treat him well and do not allow his escape or all your lives will be forfeit.”

  He tugged the reins and his horse rose onto its hind legs then shot through the battlefield as if a devil were chasing it. And perhaps it was true as I was the one that rode on its rear haunches.

  “Sarah, I will not tell you any more stories if you do not breathe.” He laughed.

  She gulped air. “I didn’t realize I had stopped. Please go on.”

  “No, enough for today.”

  “But you must tell me, where are you? What year is it?”

  “I am in Pavia and it is the year 1525. I captured Francis 1st, King of France. And I surrendered him to Charles de Lannoy of the Spanish Imperial Army.” “

  But…”

  “No. Enough. Carlos is becoming restless. I do not want to do him any harm. He is my medium and as I share his
mind, I perceive he is a good man. Rather than cause him distress, I wish to aid in his healing as he is aiding in mine. So, it is time I take my leave. Farewell sweet Sarah.”

  “Aris?”

  Silence filled the room. The only sound she heard was labored breathing. She wasn’t sure if it came from Carlos or from her.

  #

  Stretched out in her bed, her legs were numb from the weight of her laptop. She set it aside and wiggled her toes. It was past two in the morning. She felt exhausted but she found out all she wanted to know about Pavia. “Wonder how they got Italy out of the name Pavia,” she questioned silently.

  Aris not only stumbled onto a battle that changed the course of history, he also had been the one who brought the change full course. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor of Spain imprisoned the French King in Madrid for a year. Francis finally signed a treaty and was sent back to France.

  “They fought three more times. Boy, Francis didn’t give up.” She read out loud to herself. “Well it paid off, he finally won. Wow. He beat Charles. And Henry VIII. That’s what I call a real grudge.”

  She closed her laptop then set it on the bedside table. Stretching her arms, she sighed.

  “Another late night brought about by Aris. I guess he was right. He is occupying my thoughts. All the time.” She switched off the light and lay down, bringing the covers over her shoulders. “No more. Absolutely no more. Starting tomorrow, Aris moves out of first place in my thoughts.” As she drifted toward sleep she realized it had been some time since she had seen her dream lover and her fatigued mind didn’t know if that was a really good thing or a really sad thing.

  CHAPTER 14

  “Man, if I get one more case I’ll never get to see Bob. I’m booked solid for the next week and a half. I’ve got paperwork coming out of my ears and there are at least a hundred million new regulations coming down or at least it seems like it.” Colleen took a huge bite of her hamburger. “Saul’s burgers are the best.”

  “There’s mustard on your chin.” Sarah ate the last tomato in her salad then put her fork on the plate. “What kind of regulations?”