The Crystal's Curse

by Vicky de Leo

  Lrence nodded his understanding. Walking over to check the coordinates on the portal, he said, “I think we can still stop him.”

  “What’s your plan?” asked Remnr.

  “In order to change the past, Erik transported back forty years, directly to the old beam up site. I’m going back further in time and intercept Erik before he can beam up to the station. Remnr, I’ll transport to your portal first and go on from there. Once I’m gone, you dismantle this portal so Erik can’t come back and try again.” Lrence opened a drawer and took out the gun he had taken from the guard in the cave. He stuffed it into his belt. He stepped up to the portal. The faces of his friends were grim. This was exactly the kind of thing that their parents warned them about.

  Remnr stood. “Even if you succeed in stopping Erik, we don’t know what the consequences will be.”

  Lrence threw up his hands. “What do you want me to do? We can’t just stand here and do nothing. It can’t be worse than what he’s planning.”

  Remnr nodded. He put his hand on Lrence’s shoulder, as he climbed into the portal next to him. “Lrence, are you sure you can do this? If you hesitate, we all lose. If you give him any chance at all, you’re dead. He’s a better shot than you are.”

  Demitri struggled to stand. “Maybe I should go. I know I can kill him.” Kafra rushed to steady him as he swayed.

  Lrence smiled at his intrepid friend. “Thanks. But this is my job.”

  Leaving Kafra to tend to Demitri, Lrence and Remnr transported to Remnrs’s portal so Lrence would have some place to return to once he took care of Erik. Remnr grabbed one of his crystals to transport back to disable Lrence’s portal. Remnr’s parting words were, “For once in your life, don’t talk. Just shoot him.”

  Lrence set the coordinates to arrive at the beam up site several minutes before Erik. He materialized in an empty antechamber. The Watchers established the equipment in underground caves whenever possible. Looking at his watch, he estimated that he had approximately twenty minutes before Erik showed up. He saw two technicians coming toward him. He flattened himself against the wall trying to blend into the shadows. If he wanted to preserve the timeline, he couldn’t afford to be seen. Another technician joined them and they stopped and talked. Lrence glanced at his watch as the minutes ticked by, willing them to move on. Finally, they all turned and left down another corridor. Once they were out of sight, Lrence ran.

  Only when he actually reached the beam up chamber, did he began to hope he still had a chance. Following Remnr’s instructions, he went to work disabling the transporter. It was a simple task that should have only taken five minutes, leaving him five minutes to get into position. However, the screws on the access panel were rusted and refused to budge. Sweat poured off his face and into his eyes. He wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. The screwdriver slipped from his hand. He looked around to see if the noise had attracted anyone’s attention. Picking it up, he tried again. Finally, the screws turned and the panel opened. Taking the wire cutters from his pocket, he had only to cut a sufficient length from the red wire so that Erik could not easily reattach it. He clipped one side of the wire and then repositioned to make the final cut when he heard Erik.

  “Lrence, I’m impressed. You’ve learned to lie very effectively. I almost believed that you had lost that third crystal.” He pointed his gun directed at Lrence’s chest. “Step away from that transporter.”

  What now, Lrence thought. Cut the wire, or shoot Erik? Erik couldn’t see the gun that lay directly in front of Lrence. Would he have time to grab it, turn, and shoot, before Erik could shoot him? Or should he cut the wire that would strand Erik on earth, knowing that Erik would kill him the minute he did? He closed his eyes and squeezed the wire cutters just as he heard Erik fire. The bullet slammed into his shoulder, knocking him back. The cutters fell from his hand, but he managed to keep hold to the loop of red wire and tuck it beneath him.

  Erik howled in fury when he realized that the transporter was inoperable. He stood over Lrence, the gun pressed against his forehead.

  Lrence closed his eyes. He heard the shot, but felt nothing. After a minute, he opened his eyes. Erik was lying on the ground with Remnr standing over him.

  “What are you doing here, you’re supposed to be back dismantling my portal,” demanded Lrence.

  “You’re welcome,” replied Remnr, reaching down a hand to help Lrence up.

  “Relax. Demitri convinced me he could handle it. He and your sister seemed to think you might need some back up.” He ripped a length from his shirt and handed it to Lrence.

  Lrence stuffed the wad into his shoulder to staunch the bleeding. “Thanks.” Looking down at Erik he asked, “Is he dead?”

  “Not yet, but at the rate he is bleeding, it probably won’t be long.”

  Lrence knelt down beside Erik. “I’ll get him back to Kafra. He tossed Remnr the loop of red wire. Since you’re here, you can fix the transporter. We don’t want anyone in this time line stranded here.”

  Holding on to Erik, Lrence twirled the crystal. Back at Remnr’s portal, he managed to call Kafra and Demitri, telling them he had Erik, who was seriously wounded, before collapsing on the floor. Weak and dizzy, he couldn’t stand long enough to set new coordinates. Grabbing Erik by the shirt, he drug him out of the portal. Lrence didn’t want him to die if he could prevent it. He took off his shirt and wadded it up, placing it over Erik’s wound. He laid his own body across him to hold it in place and temporarily stop Erik’s bleeding. Then he passed out.

  Chapter Thirty

  When he woke up Kafra was leaning over him. She smiled. “Remnr transported both you and Erik back here to your house. Now lie still.”

  Turning his head, he saw Erik lying on the metal table. “Is he dead?”

  Remnr answered. “No, he’s still alive. He’s too mean to die. He woke up when I got him here screaming that we were all traitors. Demitri had to depress his carotid artery until he passed out so Kafra could administer a sedative.”

  “I’m giving him blood and keeping him unconscious until he’s strong enough to operate on.” Unable to hold it in any longer, tears rolled down Kafra’s cheeks.

  Lrence looked up at her. “I’m not dying, am I?”

  A tiny smile lifted one corner of her mouth. “No, but you could have. It’s probably the only time in his life that Erik missed. Don’t ever do that to me again.” Tears welled in her eyes again. “It’s bad enough that Joshua’s dead.” She put her face in her hands. “It’s all my fault.” She turned to Remnr who held her while she sobbed.

  Remnr said, “Kafra explained what happened and about the boy. I’m sorry. Please tell her she couldn’t have known what Erik would do.”

  Lrence took her hand in his. “He’s right. For a moment, I thought you convinced him. I would never have guessed he could be so cold and heartless.” He could see that his words made no difference.

  Demitri hobbled over and stood next to Lrence. “You saved him. Now what do we do with him?

  It was a good question. They had neutralized Erik for the moment and preserved the time line, but that was hardly the end of their problems. How was he going to tell Sam, Maria, and Sara that Joshua was dead? The crushing guilt washed over him again. He sat up.

  Kafra tried to push him back. “Hold it. You’re lucky. The bullet went through, missing anything vital. The way you heal, you should be back to normal in a few days, but you still need rest.”

  Pushing her away, he stood, swaying only a little. When he felt strong enough, he walked over to a locker, and donned a lab coat, checking to see if the length hid the bloodstains on his knees. When he turned back to them, he said. “I have a favor to ask. We promised each other that we would never go back in time to try to change things. I’d like you to let me out of that promise. So far, all we have done is to preserve the previous time line. Now I want to go back and change the time line.

  Anticipating him, Remnr said, “You want to go back and save the boy, don’
t you?”

  “Yes. I want to go back just one hour. I realize that we can‘t anticipate other consequences, but surely nothing earth shattering happened in the last hour. In any event, I am willing to risk it, but I won‘t unless you all agree.”

  Kafra looked at Lrence and saw the determination in his eyes. She nodded and then looked at the others and said, “Please. I don’t think I can live with his death on my conscience.”

  Demitri who had always been the most daring of them, readily agreed. “Erik’s already taken enough lives. He shouldn’t get another.”

  Lrence looked at Remnr. Remnr was the one who always thought things through carefully. It was due to his planning and attention to detail that had made their defection succeed.

  Remnr frowned. “We haven’t ever tried it. We really don’t even know exactly how it works when you deliberately change the past, especially one we just lived through. If you intercept Erik. . . . I assume that’s your plan?”

  “Yes, I want to get to him before he enters the house and before he calls Vicki. As far as the Watchers knew at that point, he had already disappeared. That way we protect Vicki as well.”

  “So once you prevent Erik from entering the house, at what point does the new reality begin?” Remnr continued.

  “I don’t know. I guess once it becomes impossible for the old reality to repeat itself.”

  Demitri spoke up. “You plan on killing him this time?” He looked delighted with the prospect.

  Lrence shook his head. “Of course not, we aren’t murderers. I want to prevent a murder not just exchange the victim.”

  Demitri looked disappointed. “I wouldn’t exactly call this one a victim. How do you plan to stop him then?”

  “I just want to incapacitate him. Kafra, Do you have something I can use to knock him out for about an hour?”

  “Sure. I can give you a hypo that will react instantly and keep him out for a couple of hours. All you have to do is sneak up and jab it in. He’ll go out like a light,” she replied.

  Lrence looked at Remnr, but waited patiently for him to make up his mind.

  “You really won‘t do it unless I agree?”

  Lrence sagged, but said simply, “I won’t break our trust without your permission.”

  Kafra looked stricken, but held her tongue.

  Looking at Kafra, Remnr shook his head. “Fine, go ahead I’d rather disappear than have to look at that face for the next hundred years.” Then he smiled at her.

  She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him all over his face. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She jumped up and began preparing the hypo.

  Lrence looked at Remnr and raised one eyebrow. “Is there something going on here that I don’t know about?”

  Demitri answered, “Where have you been? They’ve practically been living in each other’s pockets for months now. Don‘t tell me you haven’t noticed the cow eyes they make at each other.”

  Remnr looked embarrassed, but just shrugged.

  Lrence sat down. “I guess I’ve been too involved with my own life. Now that you mention it, until this last week, I haven’t seen either one of you for a long time.” He tried looking like the outraged relative, but couldn’t manage it for long. He laughed and clapped Remnr on the back. “I should have noticed how much happier she seems. I think it’s wonderful.”

  Remnr relaxed.

  While Lrence was readjusting the coordinates on the portal, he said over his shoulder, “You and Demitri should surge back to where you were when Kafra called. I don’t want anyone caught in transport. Kafra can stay here and watch this Erik. As soon as I have the other Erik in tow, I’ll come back here, reset the coordinates, and drop him where he won’t be able to hurt anyone anymore.”

  Kafra handed him the hypo. “Where do you have in mind?”

  “I thought he’d make a good Viking. If they don’t kill him, he should fit right in.” Everyone laughed.

  Remnr put his arm around Kafra. “That’s a good plan with one exception. I’m going with you. In case you don’t succeed, I’ll be your backup. We can’t afford to take any chances. Kafra, can you prepare one more hypo? ”

  Demitri strode forward. “Two exceptions, your place is here with Kafra making sure this piece of trash stays put. I’ll be the backup. No one is leaving me out of the fun stuff this time.” He reached for the hypo. When Kafra handed it over, he said in a much softer voice. “If anything goes wrong, at least this way you’ll be together.”

  Kafra reached up and hugged Demitri whispering, “Thank you” in his ear. He blushed.

  Lrence stepped into the portal and Demitri crowded in next to him. It was a tight fit. Lrence inserted the crystal. He set it so that they would appear in the park to avoid alerting Erik. Once there, they hurried down the street keeping to the shadows. Hidden in the bushes next door, they watched as Erik parked the black car in front of the house. Before he reached the front porch, Lrence sprang out.

  Erik heard him and turned to look. The gun pointed directly at Lrence. He stepped back in surprise, but kept the gun leveled. “Lrence?”

  From the other side, Demitri moved quietly behind him and jabbed the needle in his neck. Erik collapsed immediately. Demitri threw him over his shoulder and said, “I’ll meet you back at the house.”

  Lrence nodded. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door. When Joshua answered healthy and alive, Lrence couldn’t help grinning. He stepped inside, put both hands on Joshua’s shoulders, and then hugged him.

  Joshua returned his hug, confused by this sudden show of affection. Stepping back he said, “Lrence, what are you doing here?” He looked around Lrence. “I thought we weren’t supposed to be seen together because of Erik.”

  Still grinning, Lrence clapped him on the shoulder. “I just wanted to tell you in person that you don’t have to worry about Erik anymore. The Watchers have called off the hunt. You’re safe.”

  “You’re kidding! How? When?”

  “I promise, I’ll call you tomorrow and give you all the details. Right now I’ve got to get back and wrap up a few loose ends.”

  Joshua looked puzzled, but just said, “That’s great. I can’t wait to hear how you managed that. Thanks, I’ll let everyone know.” He watched as Lrence took the crystal from his pocket, rotated it in his hands, and disappeared. “So that’s how it’s done.”

  Stepping out of the portal, Lrence faced himself standing in the lab next to two Kafra’s and Remnr. It was a strange thing to see yourself as others see you instead of the mirror image that he was used to. They stared at each other, each wondering which of them would remain.

  The Kafra with the torn shirt approached him. “Demitri wanted the honor of dropping Erik off in his new home. As soon as he left, our Erik disappeared. I thought we should tell the past us what we did so whoever was left wouldn’t worry about Erik anymore once one set of us disappears. I was afraid that we wouldn‘t remember any of it.”

  In any other circumstances, that sentence would make absolutely no sense, but Lrence understood perfectly. Remnr had gone upstairs and explained the situation to the Lrence and Kafra still living in the previous time line and their reasoning for going back in time. They couldn’t resist coming down and meeting themselves.

  Demitri stepped out of the portal. He clapped the Lrence in the lab coat on the back. “Now that was fun. I wish I could be there when he wakes up.”

  As soon as the hour was up, the former Lrence disappeared. The torn shirt Kafra and Remnr also disappeared. But Demitri remained. Kafra had been right to be concerned that she would not remember the events that had transpired. It seemed only the people who had actually surged back in time, retained memories of the former time line. Kafra picked up the phone and called Remnr to make sure he was all right. He answered on the second ring and she let out a sigh of relief asking him to come as quickly as possible. Lrence and Demitri filled him in on what had happened. Kafra was able to reassure him that he was the one who had explained the necessity
of their actions to her himself.

  The next day Kafra called Sam and Maria to explain that it would be safe for them to resume their old identities. Two days later, using their new identities they booked a flight into Guatemala. Once they reached the site, they switched back to Sam and Maria Carson, packed up their gear and their old passports that Erik had left sitting in their tent, and flew back to Washington D. C. to file their report on the dig. Being out of touch for three weeks wasn’t unusual for them. No one had gone looking for them or even knew they were missing. Sam reported that they found an unusual niche with intricate carvings. He included the story from the Elder and Maria’s translations of the glyphs leaving others to speculate on its use.

  Finally, Lrence called Vicki. “We intercepted Erik. He won’t be coming back. The less you know the better. Let’s just say that he’s truly living in the past now.”

  Epilogue

  Joshua and Sara drove to Washington and visited Sam and Maria several times. When Sam and Maria came to Boston, Joseph hosted a reunion party including Helen, Lrence, and Kafra. Hearing that Remnr and Demitri had a hand in apprehending Erik, he asked Lrence to invite them as well.

  On a balmy summer evening, everyone gathered in Joseph’s back garden. Mrs. Stewart had been cooking all afternoon. One table boasted several salads, including potato, macaroni, pasta, and green salad. Baked beans simmered in a Crockpot next to foiled wrapped baked potatoes and fresh rolls. Joseph and Sam manned a grill loaded with marinated steaks.

  Lrence stood off to the side watching. He never told any of the earthlings about Joshua’s death or going back in time. Kafra and the others knew what had happened from being told, but only he actually remembered. He remembered every detail, Joshua‘s blood on his hands, the life seeping from his body, and the overwhelming consciousness of guilt that he had been the one to set all of the events in motion that resulted in Joshua‘s death. He was glad no one shared those memories. In addition, he didn’t want Helen wondering why he didn’t do the same for Harry. There was just no way to explain, anymore than he could explain why he returned the crystal to Joseph. He just felt that the day would come when Joshua was going to need it. He looked up as Joshua approached him.