Shantago III: The Rock of Tahguhl

by Penn, Nicholas

  Dr. Sheffield didn’t seem surprised at all about the grim news. He just nodded his head okay as he sat back in his chair, very calm and serene like. As he lit a cigarette, he spoke very solemnly to Jordan. “Well, we are all going to die someday. Look at yourself. You are infected, and most likely are going to die today. I’m not sure why you are wasting your last few hours with me. If I were you, I would enjoy the time you have left, at least until you lose your mind. According to what I’ve read and by the looks of your scaly skin––you are already dead.”

  This frightened Jordan, as he thought he’d have time to make it to the Rock of Tahguhl. While Jordan pondered on Scottie’s words, Dr. Sheffield spoke. “You could easily take the D syringe and end it right now.”

  Scottie had a devilish look as he uttered the words, “If you did, I wouldn’t stop you. I think I put enough poison in the D syringe to kill an elephant. It’s so potent that it should just make your heart explode in only a matter of seconds. Once the poison enters your veins…I’m sure it would be a quick and easy death.”

  The offer was very tempting to Jordan, especially since he’d tried to end it earlier today and failed miserably. But after a brief moment, he graciously declined. The thought suddenly came to Jordan that Scottie, even though he’d been affected, hadn’t shown any noticeable side effects. The medicine in the L syringe must slow the infection.

  “The only problem I’ve found with the life serum is that it’s only good for about twelve hours until the side effects come creeping back. I almost looked as bad as you when I woke up this morning, so I had to quickly whip up another batch. After the last of the medicine is gone, I plan on taking the D syringe to end it all, because frankly, I don’t want to turn into a monster.” Scottie then peered over at Jordan and chuckled a bit. “I’m sure you can relate to that.”

  Jordan took the hint, and as his mind went racing, this single thought wouldn’t leave. I would do anything to have twelve more hours. Jordan contemplated on the facts for a bit longer before asking, “Can you mix up a special potion for me?” Jordan spoke with some optimism.

  “Well, it’s not that easy. Sitting there in front of you is the last of the medicine, and I don’t have any ingredients to make more. It would take days to get the extra additives I need to duplicate the antidote. By then we would both be dead.” Dr. Sheffield’s attitude seemed to change as Jordan could tell Scottie was starting to give up on life and humanity. “Besides, I have nothing to live for, now that I know Jenna’s gone.”

  Jordan seemed disappointed in the response given to him. “Couldn’t we both just share the medicine? That would give us six hours each before we would feel those monstrous effects once again. See, I desperately need more time. There’s something that I simply must do before it’s too late.”

  Scottie said with a grin, “Good luck to you, sonny boy. By the looks of you, I think you will be dead within the hour, or at least a monster; heck maybe both.”

  Scottie paused for a moment before gazing into Jordan’s crimson-red eyes. With his lips curling, he spoke these threatening words. “So do you want to fight monsters? Do you want to kill and destroy the savage beast that’s consuming you? Then you must become one, because at the end of the day, somebody gets eaten.”

  Jordan didn’t quite know how to respond to that, and he knew time was running out.

  Looking up at the clock on the wall, Scottie placed the life syringe in his hand. “Now if you will excuse me, it’s time that I felt a little better.”

  Jordan was out of time. He had to make his move now. Jordan abruptly stood up from his desk and started speaking words like in a trance. “All good times, and all good friends, come to an end.” He then repeated himself over and over again as Scottie Sheffield had no idea what was happening.

  “Stop saying that!” Scottie said as he cupped his hands over his ears.

  “All good times, and all good friends, must come to an end.” The chant grew louder and louder each time he said it as Jordan climbed on top of Dr. Sheffield’s desk and put one hand around Scottie’s throat, grasping it tight. Jordan fiercely cried out in bitterness and hostility, “All good times, and good friends, must now come to an end!”

  Dr. Sheffield removed his hands from around his ears as a look of disbelief overcame him. “Jordan.” He paused for a moment, his breath ragged. “Just what… are you saying?”

  Jordan rapidly pulled out his pistol and shot Scottie, twice, at close range, right between the eyes. As Scottie slumped over dead in his chair, Jordan spoke like a crazed man while rubbing his head, trying to calm himself. He’d never killed a man before. “Okay, so you asked for it. You practically begged me to become a monster, and now, Dr. Scottie Sheffield… you’ve got your wish.”

  Jordan continued speaking to the corpse like he was still alive. With anger fueling his rant he continued, “Remember, at the end of the day, somebody gets eaten? Unfortunately for you, it’s now the end of the day and I am just that: a monster. By the way, I do have someone to live for, and her name is Piper, and I’d do anything possible to get to her. See, our love is a forever love, not a fleeting one. I would go to the ends of the earth to save her, and there’s nothing that can stop me from getting to the Rock of Tahguhl; not even you, good doctor.”

  With one swift kick, Jordan flipped Dr. Sheffield’s body out of his chair. He then took one of the Bunsen burners from the lab and turned it on its side, igniting the whole room in flames. As the flames grew higher, Jordan said in an eerie voice, “Ta-ta for now, old friend.”

  He carefully affixed both syringes in his satchel and quickly stumbled out of the classroom. As soon as he made it outside, Jordan hurriedly found just the right spot to shoot the serum. He grimaced in pain while he shot the medicine deep into his black-and-blue arm.

  The building just behind him exploded simultaneously as he was instantly free from the agony that consumed him. The antidote worked so rapidly that it was like a double shot of morphine being pumped through his system. The relief was immediate and his body started to feel normal again.

  Jordan’s misery was gone, both mentally and physically. His leg felt normal again and so did his ears. All of the growing crustaceans were gone and so was his paralysis. All of the sores and bruises that tormented his body were also suddenly erased.

  He briskly rushed over to a car window to see his reflection. All of the bitter white crustaceans had flaked off his ears. Jordan felt like a new man as he pointed to the sky, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Who hoo! I’ve never felt so good!” The only thing that remained the same were his crimson-red eyes, which were more bloodshot and cerise than ever. Talking to his reflection Jordan said with a sneer, “I guess when people see me now they will leave me the hell alone.” Posing with his pistol in the reflection, he finished saying, “For their sakes, they’d better.”

  Jordan suddenly remembered the other syringe marked D, for death. As good as Jordan felt, he could recall how awful his condition had been not that very long ago. He thought about it. Perhaps I’d better hang onto the D, just in case.

  Jordan placed the cap and syringe in his pocket. “Man, I feel great.” He patted his pants pocket a few times as he said in a sly way, “I like to keep my friends close, and my enemies even closer,” not knowing which one it might actually be. It was becoming clearer now that Jordan Brady just might be his own worst enemy.

  Unexpected Travelers

  As Jordan made his way out of town, he ran across an old lady sitting quietly, hidden there in the shadows. This woman dressed much like a gypsy. She had on solid gold hoop earrings, a colorful out-of-date dress that looked like it was a hundred years old, a yellow bandana, and many sparkling jewels on her fingers and around her neck. Her skin was wrinkled and very weathered. This lady no doubt was filled with years of knowledge and wisdom in her mind, body, and deep within her soul.

  As Jordan walked by she reached out for his hand. “Young man, what troubles you? I see a great disconnection within your sou
l. If you would like, I can read your palm. I’ve been known to ease people’s minds with my psychic abilities.”

  Her accent was not American. It was thick and smooth, possibly Hungarian or Russian. He had his suspicions about the rather eccentric lady, and was hesitant to engage with her.

  Jordan had come across her type before. He said, “No thanks,” and kept walking. He didn’t stop until she brought up some interesting facts about his life, such as his true love, and how she was lost. She then mentioned the revenge that he exhaustedly pursued.

  Jordan had never laid eyes on this lady before. He walked back to her as he wondered, “How do you know so much about me? You’d better tell me right now, old lady.”

  “Well, the heart doesn’t lie, my friend. See, the brain always tells the heart what to do, but it never listens. Yes, the heart is as stubborn as the Irish, but as pure and true as the sky is blue. I can see that your heart’s story is already written; it’s all over your face.” She then gazed into her clear crystal ball. “How long have you been searching for her?”

  “It’s been a while.” Jordan set his bag down in front of her as he continued. “I miss her so much, and my loneliness grows stronger each day that I’m without her. Long story short, I know where to find her now, and that’s where I am headed.”

  The little old lady held her crystal ball close to her face. “I see many dangers in your future, troubles that you cannot control. Yes, a tragic death looms near. As a matter of fact, I suggest that you give up on your quest… while you are still alive to do so.”

  She glared even closer into her crystal ball a little longer, pausing for several seconds before continuing. “I also see…” The woman sat there quietly like in a trance. Jordan didn’t like the sudden silence she gave, so he lashed out with anticipation, “Yes, what is it? What do you see?”

  She gave him an ominous look as she revealed the truth. “I see a monster.” She gawked intensely into the crystal ball one last time. “Yes, you… you are that monster!”

  Jordan had had enough. He simply refused to listen anymore, even if he knew deep down inside she was right. “Lady, I must be going now.”

  Jordan searched all around for his bag, which was no longer at his feet. Confused, he said, “It was just right here!” Jordan rummaged around the alley for a moment until he saw a man hiding, crouched behind a large dumpster. Jordan suddenly knew he’d been had. “You guys tried to roll me!” Jordan’s anger rekindled as he speedily jumped the man who had his satchel.

  The bag went flying in the air as the two fell hard to the ground. They wrestled each other, back and forth, each trying to gain dominance. Jordan had a slight size advantage over the smaller, older man, and his strength soon proved true.

  When the stranger stood up, he had in his hand a short knife, like a dagger. His face was covered in white crustaceans followed by blue-and-black bruising. This man was definitely infected.

  The guy struck Jordan without warning, cutting him deep on his forearm. The slash angered Jordan even more as he instantly struck the man with a powerful knee jab to the mid section, doubling the man over in pain. Jordan placed a hard kick right in the square of his back, knocking him on his face. This allowed Jordan to pounce, attaining the upper hand.

  They both wrestled for the knife until Jordan gained control. “Please, I don’t want to kill you!” Jordan shouted as he could see the fear lingering in the stranger’s eyes. Struggling further, Jordan pointed the knife’s blade downward and towards the newcomer. With a thick tongue the man replied, “We are all dead anyways.” Jordan forced the knife inches in front of the outsider’s chest as they pushed and pulled for each other’s life.

  “If you don’t kill me, you will die!” the intruder suddenly told Jordan. This time Jordan pierced the man’s skin, dead center on his chest. Jordan struggled to get the words out as he said, “This is your last warning. Give up and I’ll let you walk away. If not, I will kill you, I mean it.”

  The stranger then spit in Jordan’s face. “As I told you earlier, we are already dead.”

  Jordan had no choice but to finish him. He pushed the dagger down, penetrating the guy’s skin, right through to his heart. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Jordan whispered repeatedly as he pushed the knife deeper into his chest, twisting and turning the blade painfully.

  He quickly assured the dying man, “Shhh, it will all be over soon.” The guy started convulsing as blood spewed from his mouth, spraying Jordan’s face. The man slowly gave way to death while lying there in Jordan’s arms. After Jordan finished the job, he slowly pulled the knife out of the man’s chest, still taken aback at his feat. He rolled off of the man and lay quietly at first before crying a spell.

  While Jordan lay there in the street trying to collect himself, he wondered if it was all worth it. He’d never killed a man before today, and now he was up to two. How many lives have to end before I am reunited with my love? This thought pained Jordan, right to his very soul.

  Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the old woman, who was still trying to take off with his satchel. He hurriedly made it to his feet and went over to confront her. “I blame you for this.” He reached for his bag, taking it from her.

  Upset, the old woman replied, “See, I told you that you were a monster.” Sobbing, she screamed at Jordan, “You killed my son!”

  The lady ran over to the dead man’s side, holding him in her arms. She angrily shouted over across the alley way: “I curse you with a thousand curses for what you’ve done to us! I hope you die a horrible death!”

  He placed the satchel over his shoulder while shaking his head at the old lady with both sadness and pity. She continued to scream and mock him as he turned and walked away. In the back of his mind, this thought was bouncing around: “Some psychic ability; I bet she didn’t see that coming.”

  Jordan staggered only a few steps as he thought more about her screaming. He then made the remark, “Cursed? Ha. I’m beyond cursed.” While leaving the scene, he said in a low, somber voice, “Remember this? I am already dead.”

  Just an old Memory

  My heart, it’s dying. Poisoned by feelings I’ve never felt before. It pains me that I can’t remember your face without looking at this photo. Shantago closed his eyes and pressed her photo tightly against his chest as a single tear ran down his cheek.

  He continued as he wiped his sadness away. The good news is that all of this will soon be over. Right before they took my kingdom away, I got word that our enemy had been defeated. Don’t worry, my love, I am only temporarily removed from the throne. It is mine when I want to return, of that I’m sure.

  Shantago stopped for a second, turning to a large tree to continue with the conversation. Staying true to the “Toggle Handbook,” all that is left to do is make it to the Rock of Tahguhl. It’s there that I will reunite with you, my love, and we will spend eternity together in each other’s arms. Baby, I’m like a tattoo––I’ll always be there. See, our love is like a story book ending, for it’s as real as the feelings I feel.

  Having lived in the enchanted Toggle Forest for nearly a decade, he knew just what to watch out for. “Yes my flock, follow me through the forest and I will show you what a true king surely looks like. Once I have the queen by my side, nothing will stop me from ruling the world–and seeking revenge on those who disobeyed. Their random act of defiance will not go unpunished. That includes the backstabber, General Krylon. He will pay dearly… with his life.

  Shantago passed by many toggles that filled the forest. Sensing his approaching presence, many hid in tree trunks and logs. They were all too ashamed and scared to show their faces, knowing good and well that Shantago still had the power to end their lives.

  Shantago continued talking as he walked down the road towards the Rock of Tahguhl. Feeling that the end to his saga was now within his grasp, he started to skip a little, which put the former toggle king in a good mood of sorts. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Tonight, I will see m
y queen again.

  Doom! Doom! Doom!

  Jordan’s miracle drug quickly wore off, and all of his symptoms were returning at a rapid pace. His condition was almost full blown now. Jordan was hoping–praying–that he’d have the full twelve hours before the pain and agony returned.

  Jordan had newly opened wounds forming on his hands. A burning sensation, which blanketed his feet and ankles, was almost too much to bear. The once white-flaking patch on his ears was now widespread. His whole body suffered with pain in every stiff joint and muscle. His eyes were the same crimson red.

  Jordan soon came to a sign that read: Enter at Your Own Risk. This sign had a picture of a skull and cross bones under the word Enter. Nice touch, he thought as he made haste through the prickly bushes and thorny shrubbery.

  As Jordan made his way through the enchanted Toggle Forest, he noticed right away that things seemed very different than most run-of-the-mill woodlands. The very first thing that stood out to Jordan was how entangling the grass was. The thick, mossy-like grass had a dark licorice texture.

  The sticky marsh even had a candy aroma about it, which made Jordan want to take a bite, yet he refrained. No, he didn’t have time to stop for a snack. He knew that his true love was only a short distance away, and he could feel it. Besides, he’s heard before of swamps and forests having mysterious gasses and odors stored in pockets and in the beds of the bogs.

  What was even more peculiar was the feeling that random eyes were always watching him. Jordan suddenly remembered a vision that involved Piper walking through a forest in her evening gown, holding a lantern, and being very lost. In this fantasy he recalled several glowing eyes hidden deep within the forest, watching her every move. Piper felt very frightened as she walked in the woods. Jordan had the same feeling right now as he continued to walk cautiously down a jagged path.