LeOmi's Solitude

by Curtis, Gene

  “Thanks. What’s your name?”

  “Vince, Vincent. Vincent DuBose.”

  As soon as his feet were on the floor of the museum, he collapsed into Cap’n Ben and Krisa’s ready arms.

  “Did he say DuBose?”

  “I think he did. Common enough name.”

  “That’s true, but you do remember that Grand-Mère is a DuBose.”

  LeOmi wasn’t sure whether it was Mark or the next person that called the name, “Carlyle Humphries.”

  LeOmi and Jesse watched as the couple ahead of them gently gathered Mr. Carlyle Humphries into the blanket and carried him off to the next of the farthest beds.

  “Jospheph Sumpters.” The man said his name as he looked into Mark’s eyes.

  Chenoa and Nick had the blanket ready and LeOmi and Jesse each grabbed one end of him as he fell asleep.

  “Martin Dumont” was the name they heard as they walked to the farthest beds.

  LeOmi and Jesse looked down at Mr. Sumpters and tried to evaluate what kind of person he was and where he came from. Was he a Magi, was he a worker or was he someone who had accidently fallen into the labyrinth somehow. The main thing they realized was how bad he smelled.

  “Can you imagine, years and years without a shower?”

  Jesse said, “I can now.”

  There was a huge line of volunteers, but everyone moved at a good pace and the process was quick and efficient.

  In about an hour, six hundred people entered the museum and immediately fell asleep.

  Mr. McGraw was acting as a go-between among all the groups, “It took eight hours for three hundred to go in and one hour for six hundred to come out.”

  Mrs. Shadowitz responded, “By my list, it took some of these people hundreds of years to see the light of day again.”

  Mark called out, “Mrs. Shadowitz.” She peered into the hole in the wall, “How many are we missing?”

  Mrs. Shadowitz looked at the tally, “About thirty of the Rescue Team have not returned. We can only guess at the number of other captives.”

  “I am going back down to find out what the problem is, see you soon.” The staff was withdrawn and the wall solidified again.

  A large amount of Healing Ward personnel had come into the Museum just after the first captive’s foot hit the floor.

  The three hundred reserved Healing Ward personnel had been notified were told that the casualties were minimal. Only a small group remained, and they would be relieved as shifts changed.

  “Most of you may go. The Healers can take it from here. Mark and the others will return shortly, and we have a sufficient amount of additional volunteers standing by to accommodate. Thank You.”

  Everyone applauded and then began to leave.

  LeOmi and Jesse headed for the exit. “Come and see me when you get a chance.”

  “I will.”

  * * *

  Instead of The Quarters or the Olive Tree, LeOmi went to the alcove where Slone met with his group for free lunch and discussions. Slone had already begun one of his little talks.

  “Our own lives might not be as adventuresome and romantic, so we create other fantasies that satisfy our wants and longings to become, let’s say, ‘special’.”

  He paused and looked around the group.

  “Some people are destined to rule an empire. Then there are some who are destined to take out the trash, and of course there is more than one way to rule an empire…or take out the trash.”

  LeOmi made herself a sandwich and grabbed a bottle of water before grabbing an empty chair and sitting in a corner near the doorway.

  “Of course LeOmi, most people are special in one way or another. They just have to find their specialty.”

  Slone walked over to LeOmi, and put his hand out. She didn’t take his hand but she stood.

  “Would you rather rule an empire, or take out the trash? One or the other, which would you choose? Don’t be shy; everyone here has answered this question. You are among friends.”

  She looked around at everyone there. There were new faces that she had not seen at the practices or at other meetings in the alcove. She stopped when her gaze fell upon the girl that had brought the big wooden box that was the top layer of the Nightingale Floors.

  Gail. That was her name. Or was it Gwynne?

  “Whichever serves the purpose.”

  “Good answer LeOmi.”

  Chapter 16

  Don’t Be Too Compassionate

  “Guess what’s on the Island.”

  Jamal asked, “Can you see them?”

  “Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright, in the forests of the night.”

  “Tigers?”

  “Yep. They look hungry too.”

  “Is there another animal?”

  “Just more tigers. What are they going to put with tigers anyway?”

  “Good point.”

  Krisa yelled out, “Emeralds, over here.”

  The pep talks were getting shorter, everyone knew what was expected of them, but they always began and ended with the most important part, giving thanks to God.

  LeOmi’s finger was still pointing up in the air when she heard the call of “Noon,” come from the highest level of the mountain and signaling the ballista’s first launch of the game. First team was away and in the running for flag number one.

  LeOmi could still see the shape of Charlie Goodfellow on the uppermost level of the mountain. Charlie Goodfellow was called the Keeper of the Time for The Seventh Mountain. He also taught Astronomy but it was like these were two different people to LeOmi: the academic teacher and the evasive aborigine Keeper of the Time.

  The first time LeOmi had ever heard him was just after she had gotten out of Benjamin’s car upon arriving at The Seventh Mountain. He was a mystery to her from the very beginning, a phantom or not so phantom voice that sounded from time to time. What made the quest to find him even more difficult was that he didn’t call noon and sunset every day, just Flags Matches and special days, and the definition to special days was kind-of vague so it was often a surprise to hear him shout, “Noon.”

  Amethyst, Sardius, Sapphire and Emerald were the teams for this match, and Amethyst tactics had been honed into a fine tool. They let the other teams capture the first few flags as they observed and planned their strategy. Then they were like ravenous wolves, gobbling up all the flags.

  Krisa, Emerald’s Flag Team Captain said, “Well, it looks like we have to make a play for the bonus flag now, before the Amethyst team goes after that too.”

  Chenoa said, “Well it is funny that you should say that, because they are making their play now.”

  Emerald’s Fourth Flag Team watched in disgust as the Amethyst team made their way to the Island’s stone pillars surrounding the moat.

  Krisa sent Third team over but, one of the Amethyst Flag Team had already climbed on the top of the stone pillars. Emerald’s Third team had disrupted Amethyst’s plan stranding one Amethyst Team member on the top of the outer ring.

  Unfortunately the distraction had won Amethyst the flag point and now there was only one chance for Emerald to win the game with sunset fast approaching.

  Krisa said, “Okay, Fourth Team. You’re up. I hope your plan works. Make us proud.”

  The ballista let loose the flag. LeOmi on Fireball and the entire Fourth Team barreled out on the field towards the flag. Mid way, the newbies separated and went toward the Island.

  For a week they had been working on the secret construction of a stretchy rope. A rope that was within the parameter of the rules, but that had elasticity tendencies.

  The plan was to use the stone pillar as a launching point and just like Chinese Checkers; LeOmi would jump from place to place until she was at the goal. Unfortunately that goal was surrounded by a herd of about fifty tigers.

  Nick, Chenoa, Jamal and Cap’n Ben were all on the other side of the moat with mirrors shining the late evening sun reflections onto the tigers and the rocks around LeOmi. LeOmi’s gymnastic s
omersaults and balance beam mount and dismount courses at the Naval Base were a big plus.

  Cap’n Ben said, “Confuse-a-cat tactics really work.”

  Nick said, “Use the unexpected and even the most basic animal instincts are paused just long enough to get the upper hand.”

  “Uh oh, here they come.”

  The announcer, as usual, directed everyone’s eyes onto the bonus flag action. All three of the other teams started coming towards LeOmi.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it. LeOmi Jones for the Emerald Team is dizzying to watch. Those tigers don’t have a chance.

  “She has her rope and there she goes with that Tarzan, or should I say Jane, trapeze acrobatics. She knows just where to hold that rope to get just the right amount of spring. But look out LeOmi, the whole field of players is coming your way, all except Rebecca Kerr who is still stuck up on the outer ring with no way to get down. Oops, now even she is headin’ your way.”

  Nick said, “Okay Cap’n Ben, I think it is time for the secret weapon.”

  “It is a fine, calm day. It ought’ a work.”

  Cap’n Ben, Nick, Chenoa and Jamal removed a sack from their saddlebags and each had a shoebox size sifter with a set of fan blades that worked by a crank. They attached the bag to the top of the sifter and started cranking out clouds of flour on the approaching teams. It got in their eyes, in the hair and on their horses, there was coughing and there was just enough commotion so that no one knew who was who or where the flag was.

  LeOmi tied the flag to the rope and lowered it down to Chenoa, at least it was supposed to be Chenoa; everyone was covered in white flour dust.

  “Yah!” That was the cue for the entire Emerald team to race back to the corral.

  The announcer exploded, “Everyone is chasing the person with the bonus flag and there is a fog of dust trailing behind the lead horses re-covering everyone behind them.

  “Ah, now that the dust has blown off her, I can tell that it is Chenoa Day that has the flag and she is so far in the lead that no one has a chance to catch her. I think it is safe to say, Congratulations Emerald you’ve won again! The old Fog of War trick really paid off.”

  * * *

  Saturday afternoon practice couldn’t be anywhere near the Island because of the Flag Match. But whenever the Island was unavailable for training and Ruby Tribe was scheduled to play in the Flags Match, meetings were held in the alcove. Once again, Slone was already into his talk when LeOmi arrived and as usual she grabbed sandwich fixings of turkey, cheese and bread and a bottle of water. Then she pulled a chair close to the doorway and sat down.

  “Loyalty: I expect it from each and every one of you. Have you ever heard of the word donnée?”

  Many of the group shook their heads.

  “It is a French word for something ‘given’, sometimes used to refer to a basic relationship. Many of us have had relationships with our teachers that could have been call a Donnée and Paidion relationship.”

  Slone looked at several in the crowd, “Some of you still have this type of relationship with one of your teachers or a parent or sibling, but I want you to think of me as your donnée and I will think of you as my paidion—my charge whom I will train.”

  Some of the newcomers stirred in their seats.

  LeOmi said, “Out with the old and in with the new, hey Slone? My trainer spent every spare minute with me. Are you willing to do that?”

  “I believe one of his sayings was ‘Discipline is the human character through applications of principles.’ Didn’t he?”

  “Why yes, he did.”

  “Well, don’t you think that he would want you to become the very best that you could be? Discipline and application.”

  “Yes. How do you know about my trainer?”

  “Henry Ben Franklin is widely known for his skill in teaching and his fighting abilities from his youth. Didn’t you know that?”

  LeOmi ignored his question and said, “This group of ours, what do you call us, Summus?”

  “Summus, yes. It encourages our members to strive for the highest. Surely you understand that concept. Sometimes LeOmi, your lack of trust is like a brick wall. You have to learn to…”

  “You two argue like an old married couple.” said Ruby as she stepped into the alcove.

  “LeOmi we must go, our grandfather has awakened from his rest after his rescue from the labyrinth.”

  * * *

  Together, Ruby and LeOmi went to the Museum.

  LeOmi halted Ruby at the entrance of the museum.

  Vincent DuBose sat on the side of his cot, waiting, Jesse was kneeling by the cot trying to speak with him.

  Many of the other labyrinth victims were awake, with family standing near.

  LeOmi said, “So, he is related to us?”

  “Yes, Jesse told me that you both saw him emerge from the labyrinth.”

  “Emerge, yes. Does anyone know how he entered the labyrinth?”

  “That is what we are trying to find out.” Ruby walked to Vincent DuBose cot and LeOmi followed.

  He spoke with a heavy Cajun accent, “Oui, yes, Un clothes, comprenez-vous?” It was hard to distinguish his words.

  He couldn’t take his watery eyes off Ruby as she approached. He kept reaching for her and trying to have her do as he said.

  “Go, un vêtements. Rapidement!”

  Ruby evaded his grasping fingers.

  “Attention everyone, I am Theresa Shadowitz, Chief Elder of The Seventh Mountain. We are delighted that you have been rescued from the labyrinth. Many of you have been imprisoned for many years and have gone through horrors that we cannot know. Our healers are waiting to examine and talk to each and every one of you before you leave the grounds of The Seventh Mountain. Please stay where you are and rest. Hot food is en route. An attendant will be with you shortly.”

  There was a guard posted by their grandfather’s cot and others were positioned randomly throughout the Museum.

  “Jesse, can I speak with you, Ruby and LeOmi over here?”

  They followed Mrs. Shadowitz over to the office, “It would seem that your grandfather may have been an uninvited guest to the Museum.”

  “Uninvited?”

  “Yes LeOmi. Our records do not state any reason for him to be here and he will not answer any of our questions. We must have some questions answered before he can be released from our care.”

  Ruby asked, “Our care? Do you mean the Healing Ward or the Mattaraw Prison?”

  “For now he will be held at the Healing Ward as will most of the rescued. Once we have more of the labyrinth’s occupants awake, we will have more knowledge and our path will be clear.”

  “You do mean prison.”

  “He will be accountable for his actions. Whatever they may be.”

  Ruby stomped from the office and slammed the door. She didn’t go to her grandfather. She made her way out the Museum exit. He watched her through his glassy eyes and rose as to go with her, but he was stopped by the guard.

  Mrs. Shadowitz sadly shook her head after Ruby’s exit and said, “Sometimes you just get carried along by the storm. Hopefully that is what has happened here, but until we know, we must proceed cautiously.”

  * * *

  The Reports Room was full of people. There were tables sat up all around the walls and chairs placed in groups.

  A small woman with a clipboard approached LeOmi, “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No, I wonder if I might speak with Mr. Gunnison.”

  “Of course, LeOmi Jones isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just a moment.”

  The little woman, the size of an eight year old, pointed to an empty chair and walked towards the cubbyhole. She was writing on a sheet from her clipboard. LeOmi followed her. As soon as she reached the cubbyhole she held up the paper and a hand reached out and took it.

  “Thank you Roberta.” Gunnison stood up from the other side of the wall.

  “Ah, come around Miss
Jones.” He pointed to the doorway.

  “Which reason are you here for?”

  “Vincent DuBose.”

  “Yes?”

  “Well, what does your file say about him? There is obviously a file or else you wouldn’t be guarding him.”

  “Deep breaths Miss Jones.”

  LeOmi’s back pack was squirming as she followed him to his desk.

  “Vincent DuBose, native of New Orleans. Worked at New Orleans Ship works, disappeared about twenty-five years ago.”

  He closed the file, went to a crate and picked up a bag that was sealed and numbered.

  “While the rescued were asleep, they were bathed and given fresh clothes.” He held up the bag, “This is your grandfather’s clothes and articles that were removed from his person.”

  LeOmi took the bag and went to open it and he stopped her.

  “Please do not open that. You know what that smells like. The contents are listed here and it is a clear bag. Just look through it.”

  There was tattered clothing and a signet ring. Before she turned the ring, she knew what the crest was.

  “Enlighten me Miss Jones.”

  “I just recently found out that this is my mother’s family crest.”

  “I see.”

  There was more fidgeting in the backpack.

  She asked, “What do you see?” She leaned in across the desk and said, “Enlighten me.”

  He leaned in to her and said, “This is a signet design of the Neo-Phylum, placed prominently on your mother’s family crest.”

  “My mother’s family.”

  “The same family that you lived with for two years after your father sent you away.” His voice had risen as he spoke and they were no longer sitting. There was silence in the room behind them.

  Mrs. Shadowitz stood in the doorway. “I thought you might come here. Let’s have some tea, shall we?”

  As they walked through the room most of the receptionists were working on their duties but some stared as LeOmi walked by. She defiantly stared back.

  All three were silent until they entered Mrs. Shadowitz private office, one flight up from the Reports Room.

  “Well, I think that went well.” Gunnison said.