Dawn of Tomorrow

by Kevin Douglas

  The tree tunnel blotted out the hard rain and drops dripped and trickled through the branches. He flipped on his headlights, so he could see beyond the twists and turns of the road as it snaked its way to the Sullivan residence.

  This must have been what Evelyn was speaking of when she said, “Hope you’re not afraid of the dark.” He opened his window and the air was damp and cool. The rumble of the car’s motor echoed as if enclosed by the trees like a giant tent. He half expected the hoot of an owl to sound, completing this eerie setting.

  Leo finally reached a set of enormous twelve-foot gates. Ummm, she didn’t mention this. How will he gain entry? He did not want to stop for fear of sinking into the mud, but the road was not as soggy under the forest’s protection. He eased to a stop and contemplated how he would get the attention of Mrs. Sullivan. He turned off the car and thumbed through his iPhone to see if there were any more emails from the seller.

  With his engine off, he felt like he was trapped in a bubble. Every sound could be heard distinctly, the faint sound of rain hitting the canopy of leaves and pines overhead, the drip of water splashing down in small puddles on the ground, and the tick and crackle of his engine cooling in the damp air.

  Wind still whistled but now it was high up above sending the leaves rustling violently and the pines wheezing. The gates creaked under the wind, and to his surprise, he heard a faint hoot from an owl far away. This is so cool and freaky he thought. Ring, ring, ring went his iPhone, startling him half to death.

  Startled, he let out a brief ahh! Laughing at himself, he tapped the green iPhone to receive Sarafina’s call.

  “Hello, you, you scared me.”

  “Well,” she said, “I could always hang up if I’m so scary.”

  Leo laughed. “No, it’s okay, I’m just trying to pick up my book and get back home, but I’m stuck out in a super creepy forest.”

  “What kind of book are you getting?” She chuckled. “A book of spells and potions?”

  “I know, I wish. That would be sweet! No, it is just a geology book.”

  “Well it’s almost three thirty. You better get a move on if you’re still going to have dinner with me tonight.”

  Oh crap. That’s tonight. I knew I should have put a reminder in my calendar.

  “At…six o’clock, right?” Leo asked.

  “Lucky guess. Yes, we’re supposed to talk over that paper and the fall excursion with the group.”

  “I’ll do my best to burn rubber out of here and get back ASAP.”

  Something caught Leo’s attention. He thought he saw movement behind the vehicle in his side mirror, which made his nerves tense and his heart race.

  “Leo, Leo, umm Leo,” could be heard from the iPhone as he pulled it away from his ear. He turned his head around but saw nothing.

  “Sarafina, let me call you back,” he said.

  Leo ended the call with Sarafina still talking and focused his attention on his surroundings. He swore he saw something moving out of the corner of his eye. He sat, tense, staring off into the forest, wondering if his mind was playing games with him.

  Chapter 8

  Leo knew he had seen something but figured he probably overreacted. Probably just an animal, right? He remained on high alert as he fumbled around to open the glove box. Determined to find whatever he thought he had seen, he located his flashlight and temporarily blinded himself.

  “All right, Leo, this is stupid. You need to calm down already. You are here for a book for heaven’s sake. It’s not the legendary book of the dead guarded by an Egyptian curse.”

  He shined the flashlight out his open window, illuminating a sliver of forest and moved the beam around looking for anything that moved. He saw nothing.

  “This is crazy I’m getting out.”

  Just as he disengaged the door lock, he heard, “Hold it there, Krueger. You’re not setting foot in this forest till I say so.”

  Leo froze. The voice was loud and clear, coming from the trees beside him. He cleared the lump in his throat and debated shining his light on this phantom voice.

  Instead, Leo called out, “Hello, I am here to get a textbook.”

  “Is that so?” The voice replied. “All the more reason to sweep you over. I’ll call ahead, and Mrs. Sullivan will decide if your presence is required or approved.”

  “Sir, if you have my name already that means you are aware of my appointment with Mrs. Sullivan. What’s this all about?”

  “I know nothing of Mrs. Sullivan’s appointments, that’s none of my concern, but your plates were run the second you entered the forest’s edge.”

  Leo was totally confused now. Did he turn down the wrong road? No, the voice mentioned Mrs. Sullivan’s name.

  “I phoned ahead an hour ago. She knows I’d be here around this time,” Leo countered.

  “Sir,” boomed the man’s voice, “I suggest you shut your mouth. You better hope you’re on her list for today.”

  To show he meant business, the Phantom gave away his position as he emerged from behind a tree. He allowed his light to illuminate his large frame, dressed in full gear, with a black bulletproof vest and a MP5 strapped over his shoulder aimed at Leo. He flexed his bulging arms as he pressed his comms button again and spoke into his mic.

  “Sullivan, this is Fox One, position twelve. A Mr. Krueger is in dire need of your company. Should I send him packing?”

  This is too much. What the hell is going on? “Umm, I think I have the wrong address. I’ll be leaving now. Ciao.”

  Before he could push the ON button, his menacing interrogator growled, “Don’t even think of leaving yet. Unless you want your beautiful ride sprayed up.”

  A static break on his radio sounded and a woman’s voice came on. “Fox One, Krueger is approved. Let him through the gate.”

  Leo let out a sight a relief, recognizing the woman’s voice from the iPhone earlier.

  A frustrated Fox One broke his cover and approached Leo’s vehicle, “Negative Sullivan, package is mobile, remote sweep complete, but I need to pat this blue beast down.”

  “I am aware Fox One,” Mrs. Sullivan snapped. “I said stand down. What part of this order do you not understand?”

  “All right, ma’am, but if Mr. Sullivan “

  “Fox One, I oversee home base now. Dispense with protocol as I say, or you will be scrubbing latrines for a week,” Mrs. Sullivan commanded.

  Fox One ended the transmission, muttered under his breath, and then said, “Okay Leo you’re golden, for now. You’re lucky you didn’t come through when Mr. Sullivan is in the house. Don’t stray, head right in and park in front. Use the front door only.” He mashed the comms button on his radio again, “Position twelve, lower your guard.”

  Leo really was not sure if he even wanted to enter but was sure he did not want to banter with the guard again. He loved his car and even more importantly, he loved breathing. Leo looked ahead at the gate and noticed for the first time Sullivan scripted on the grillwork. The gate had lots of scrollwork and he thought he made out an open eye, like the one at the Halaby mansion gates…or was he imagining this?

  He heard a loud crackling sound as if the fence were electrified. The script and artwork lit up green for a second as the fence began to swing inward, nearly certain now that the symbol was an eye as it shimmered green for a moment longer than the name. Totally weird. It could be a common symbol around here, like the pineapple sculptures that symbolize peace and welcome in this region of the country.

  The gate came to a halt with a loud crack that reverberated like thunder. The pivot posts of the gate glowed green, quietly crackling and hissing when an errant raindrop struck them.

  “Oh, I so shouldn’t be entering,” Leo said to himself. “I’ll get my book and get the hell out of here as fast as I can.”

  He fired up his car and turned to see Fox One’s silhouette disappear into the woods, a phantom once again. He eased his car past the gate and looked in his rearview mirror.

  “Pl
ease don’t close, please don’t close,” Leo whispered. “Yep, great, of course,” he said as the gate automatically closed him in this dark, wet place.

  He drove down the narrow road, which seemed about a mile. He began to see the house through the trees. He parked in front under the semi round portcullis and he observed the mansion before exiting his vehicle. It was an old-style home with lots of gilded work maybe from the turn of the century. Semicircular balconies adorned the upper floors outside select rooms of the tan house. A strange color for a mansion he thought, but it did blend into the surroundings well.

  He stepped out of his car and approached the enormous double doors of the home that were up several steps. Gargoyles were carved in solid oak panels, crawling up, looking outward. Wow. I would love to have these.

  One of the gargoyle’s legs terminated as a large cast iron paw. He pulled back this knocker and released it. A thud on the outside turned into a boom beyond the door and echoed within the cavernous mansion, sounding eerily like a deep growl.

  Leo half expected the gargoyle to come to life as he waited, like Ebenezer Scrooge’s doorknocker in Dickens’, The Christmas Carol, only more terrifying. Even with all the strange and frightening events, he had to admit this was way cool. The gargoyle’s mouth slid down and open.

  “Holy crap!” He reached into his pocket and pulling out his keys, interlacing them in between his knuckles of his right hand, left hand curled into as fist at the ready by his side.

  “What is your name, sir?” came a voice from the gargoyles mouth, the sound emitting from a clever speaking hole in the door.

  “A British gargoyle, well I’ll be!” Leo blushed, feeling ridiculous, and nonchalantly put his keys away.

  “Leo Krueger,” he said, realizing his ninja skills were not yet needed.

  The door creaked and groaned open, revealing a massive dark room with two sets of stairs that paralleled the entryway, curving up to the second floor. A middle-aged man with dark brown hair and dressed in a suit stood in the foyer.

  “Take the fourth door on the left down the hallway and wait in the library.” He rested his hand on the butt of a handgun stuffed in a holster on his belt. “Don’t touch anything.”

  Leo began his journey to the library, the door shutting behind him and his footsteps echoing down the large hall on the wooden floor. He worried about the security in such a remote place as he passed each door, wondering what opulence lay behind them. Or secrets they wished to keep hidden.

  Chapter 9

  The fourth door on the left was wide open for him, and his noisy footfalls thudded as he crossed into the room. The only light in the dark room came from three traditional gas burning wall sconces; their burning flames casting an eerie glow.

  Tall bookcases along the walls were stuffed with books, creating an astounding sight. The room must have been fifty feet long and had a rolling ladder to reach the second-floor section of books. Each book looked in mint condition, clean and crisp with a sheen on each spine. Even in the dim illumination, somehow Leo could make out each one.

  “Mr. Krueger, nice to make your acquaintance,” echoed Mrs. Sullivan’s voice.

  Evelyn’s voice sounded strange with an almost electronic overtone. Leo surveyed the room but did not see her.

  “Umm, hel—hello, Mrs. Sullivan. Where are you?”

  The bookcase to the left of the stairs turned black then flashed to life to reveal the vision of a woman standing behind a desk in a study. The whole bookcase had turned into a screen of some sort. A live feed.

  “So sorry, I’m unable to address you in person,” she said. “Business is … very slow.”

  Not sure if she could hear, Leo spoke loudly, “This place is fantastic, you say business is slow, yet you’re unable to attend our meeting? …Sorry that sounded rude. I –”

  “Don’t be silly, no offense taken. When business is slow sometimes you have to dig down and throw a couple of logs on the fire and stand back and watch it burn and ride the warmth till’ winter. My competitors lately think it’s all right if they steal what’s rightfully ours. I’m sorry I’m boring you with all this chatter. You came for one of my books, your book now.”

  He thought he caught a smirk on her face, “Yes ma’am, I’d like to get it and be on my way. I have plans this evening.”

  Evelyn answered, “Yes, yes you do. Of course, let me show you the library and get your book. Each case is electronic and each volume virtual. You may search here if you don’t know the case number. It will light up and let you remotely view the item if you wish. Touch the spine and the book opens on screen letting you view each page full screen,” she explained.

  Wow, cool. This is awesome…but what’s the purpose?

  “I’m confused. I mean, if the books are all virtual couldn’t I sit at a terminal anywhere and view them.”

  She responded playfully, “I knew you’d ask that question. You have a very logical mind. There are more than merely books here, therefore this is a closed system contained only within this room. No remote access is granted, ever!” There was a brief pause as Leo soaked this information in. “And that brings us to your volume. It is a beautiful one and I hope it interests you,” she added.

  “Umm of course, I do require it.”

  “As do I. Anyways we are prepared to give you a digital copy of the text on a tablet provided by us,” she told him.

  “Hey now, I paid for the text. What if I wish to write notes in it? And how do I know I’m getting the entire book?”

  “You did pay for the text and that’s what you’ll get. It’s simply digital and I assure you it’s all there. The book is equal to the standard version and much more. With a little curiosity a man with your IQ will be able to discover more than just rocks and gems,” she added.

  Leo just wanted to get his book and leave, but he had to admit this was intriguingly awesome.

  “If you find it as interesting as we think you will, we can arrange for you to view the hard copy. The tablet containing the digital text is with the man who showed you in. He will give you fingerprint access to the device.”

  Leo paused thinking it over, “You mentioned a receipt. Will he have this for me?”

  “Yes Leo, it’s all on the device.”

  The image of the study faded away followed by Mrs. Sullivan right after. Is she using a green screen? Leo wondered. As he watched, the bookcase reemerged in place of where Mrs. Sullivan had been. He checked his iPhone.

  Crap! It’s already five o’clock.

  With his hour and thirty-minute, drive he was pushing to get to the restaurant before the food turned cold. He fired off a text to Sarafina with the news he’d be late. The room was so quiet he could hear each key click and the soft purr of the propane lamps.

  He headed to the library door, startled to see the doorman waiting in the hall, his back against the wall. He showed Leo to the front door where he gave him the device and calibrated his prints to allow access.

  “It’s all yours, sir. And Mrs. Sullivan wanted me to tell you Fox One doesn’t need to know about the tablet, so stow it away. Good day,” he said as he opened the door.

  Once outside Leo heard the door shut and latch behind him. He was surprised to see a very dark scene before him with fog hovering above the ground on the clearing and around his car.

  The forest edge oozed mist, thickening by the minute. The air was cool, so much more than when he first exited his car. Rain was still spitting as he walked to his car covered with mud all around the car’s bottom panels.

  At the cry of a loud caw, his eyes locked onto the top portion of the vehicle. Not one or two, but three large crows adorned his roof and hood. They walked atop it, squawking, and their clawed feet scraping on the metallic surface.

  An eerie presence, especially in this landscape but perhaps, just as importantly, they’re scratching his ride! “Get outta here,” he yelled, flapping his arms at them.

  The birds turned their heads sideways to see him better but did not
move. A hissing of air sounded followed by gas lamps firing up all over the grounds, creating the feel of a medieval castle. The illumination at the edge of the forest tinged the fog yellow and made the rainfall nearly invisible. A crack of lightening sent the birds scrambling. As they flew away, they disappeared into the fog.

  The creepy birds had spooked Leo and made him wonder even more about this place. He quickly unlocked his car, got behind the wheel, and fired up the engine. Before putting it in gear, he stowed his new tablet beneath his seat, honoring Mrs. Sullivan’s wishes. He felt dumb hiding what in effect was just a textbook.

  Why, he wondered? I mean Fox One is clearly, “by the rules,” but even so, it is his employer allowing Leo access to the book. Well, it had been Mrs. Sullivan that—and then it clicked. She must be allowing access to something Mr. Sullivan would not allow.

  Oh well, that is for them to worry about, not him. He put his car in gear and pulled out slowly into the fog, the rain still coming down.

  He thought he heard a humming noise as he pulled away, but then again, his car’s engine made it difficult to confirm. Having spent so much time getting to his destination and then in the mansion he was worried the road ahead with all the rain would be a serious issue. The car sunk down deeper as soon as he was clear of the entryway. The car’s wheels slipped in the deep mud, but he plowed on. He kept his foot on the accelerator sloshing his way through the forest.

  Leo hoped Fox One wasn’t going to be there to cause him problems, but who is he kidding? The man would probably be true to his protocol. Leo arrived only to find the gate shut, but this time he was trapped on the inside.

  He could honk and flash his lights, but he decided to play it cool. Leo felt like he was carrying a top-secret package. He did not want the Phantom getting all tough guy on him. If he found the tablet, Leo had the feeling Fox One would get all sorts of excited and he would not hesitate to tell Mr. Sullivan. He just wanted to get back to reality where sitting in class all day is his highlight. The only thing in class that is scary is forgetting to study for an exam, which he never did, of course!