[Jenna's] Gang of Deadheads

by Paul Atreides

  “Not wrong, no. She’s … strayed from procedure and wishes us to adopt a new way of doing things. Perhaps it’s best if I let her explain.” With a small wave of his hand, Nancy stepped out of the shadows and stood beside him.

  She looked from face to face, around the circle of cloaked figures who would one day become her peers. She clasped her hands to steady her nerves. “Jason sent me to observe an individual who passed suddenly, to measure his potential for harm. I understand those whose death is sudden can be … difficult, and they sometimes pose the greatest challenge. As I reported to Jason, Marvin showed little penchant for real trouble. But later he made a serious threat to the fiancée he’d left behind.” She lowered her gaze to the ground and paused for a moment. “As Jason moved to take him, I intervened.”

  A chorus of gasps and murmurs only the dead could hear drifted across the expanse.

  The representative from Eastern Canada stood and threw back the cowl of her cloak, which swirled with the suddenness of the motion. “You dared question the authority —”

  The man who’d disputed Antonia’s sincerity earlier now challenged Jason. “It appears she might be better suited to Teresa’s sect, Jason. We can’t have weakness among us; we can’t allow evil to go free.”

  Nancy’s head jerked up in surprise at the earnestness of the attack. “I apologize. It may have been wrong. But —”

  “If you knew it was wrong, why did you do it? Is this man still wandering around unguarded?” he demanded.

  Jason interrupted what threatened to become an inquisition. “Please! Let her continue.”

  Nancy raised her voice above the din. “I asked Jason to show him what would happen if he went through with killing his fiancée. Look, I know it’s never been done before, but it seems to have worked. Marvin is a good man, his desire to kill was out of love and loneliness. Nothing more. If I’d been wrong, Jason would have completed his duty.” Nancy looked to him for confirmation, and he nodded.

  “Didn’t that make him unstable?” a new voice inquired.

  “It could have,” Jason replied. “And it certainly wouldn’t work for all.”

  Yet another voice rose and demanded more details. “You’re not telling us everything.”

  Jason looked directly at Nancy.

  Not wanting to meet their anger, Nancy moved her gaze to the rustling leaves overhead. “I showed him.”

  “You showed him what?” Antonia asked in a soft, but strong voice.

  “What he wanted would be delivered in time. He needed to be patient,” Nancy explained in a low whisper.

  Contentious grumbling rose from the group. One voice stood out among them and demanded punishment.

  “We may know the when of the demise of the living, but we do not interfere! It’s not allowed, Jason. You know this.” The Keeper from southern Mexico pointed at him. “This cannot be allowed to continue.”

  Shouts of agreement echoed among the group until Jason again raised a hand for silence.

  “She may be young,” Jason said, nodding toward Nancy. “But, she’s strong. I need her. My capacity … my strength to contain what I’ve gathered is weakening. The time will come soon when you will have to accept the distribution of my burden. It’s difficult at best to find replacements. Her way may help us all to extend our time.”

  “What do we do when we’ve been deceived?” The Keeper from the northern regions of Mexico raised his arms with a sweeping gesture around the circle. “You know it can happen. How do you know this one, this Marvin, hasn’t been clever enough to do so? If you’re as close to your end, as tired and growing as weak as you say, can you tell us for certain he hasn’t?”

  Nancy placed a gentle touch to Jason’s arm. “I’ve kept close watch on him. I will make the guarantee.”

  Jason sighed. “I didn’t realize it would be this complicated to reach an agreement among us to at least try this new approach. I see that was in error. Then this discussion should be saved for another time.” He slowly looked from one concerned and anxious expression to the next. “Right now, we face a far more serious issue.”

  “What could be more serious?” the young woman from Eastern Canada asked, and mumblings again swept across the glen in a flurry, like gatherings of fall leaves being scurried along by a dark wind.

  Jason waited for the buzz to settle before he spoke again. “A boy has been killed and the perpetrator was not taken. This is —”

  The circle of robed members’ voices broke into a cacophony of queries.

  “Why?”

  “Who is the offender?”

  “How has this been allowed to happen?”

  When the questions moved into the realm of accusations of collusion and finger pointing, Jason stepped forward, his voice booming with ultimate authority. “The boy’s death was purely an accident, I can assure you, though he brought it upon himself by his own act of atrocity.”

  “Atrocity,” spat out in disbelief.

  Moving to the center of the conclave, Nancy stood in passive invitation. “Since you appear to question that, I can show you the boy if you like.”

  The Keepers of Mexico moved forward and a handful of others formed a line. The first locked eyes, his stature grew as he moved to engage Nancy. The moment his arms encircled her, Brandon leapt forward with hatred so black, the Keeper withdrew and shuddered. Returning to his spot on the perimeter, he announced with a tone of respect. “I hope you’ve got a solid grip on that one. I don’t perceive a need for the rest of you to look, but see for yourselves if you must.”

  “Was it this Marvin you so vehemently defend that took the boy’s life?” a new voice challenged as Nancy returned to her place beside Jason.

  Nancy’s shoulders straightened to quell her rising anger. “No.”

  “Yet, why do I feel you had something to do with this, and that you’re hiding something from us?”

  “Perhaps, because I witnessed his death, though it shouldn’t have happened the way it did, and I now hold his evil at bay?” In a subtle movement, Jason placed a hand to Nancy’s side and she drew strength from his touch. Concerned for his well-being, she turned a subtle glance in his direction. He gave a slight nod of encouragement and permission. Nancy’s voice rose with strength and a newly possessed authority. “But hiding something? I’ve got nothing to hide from you. Though I could relate the event, maybe you should hear it from the one who’s responsible for his capture and subsequent safekeeping.”

  Jenna, Diane, Connie and Carla all stepped into the clearing to surprised whispers that echoed among the small open space, adding to the sounds of the quivering leaves above. Each stood with her shoulders squared and head held high, and met the stunned but angry glare of each member of the Council.

  “Is someone going to speak, or are you all going to stand there in silent defiance?”

  The girls turned to Jenna, who rolled her shoulders to steady her nerves and then began. “I witnessed Brandon following a young girl. At some point he lured her behind a store and attacked her.” The scene playing out in her mind renewed Jenna’s anger and her voice became harsh and shrill. “He backhanded her, tore her blouse, and pinned her against the building. When I moved in, his —”

  “You entered his body?”

  “By mistake. To free her from his grip and lead her away. That’s all I ever intended do when —”

  The council members picked up on her words and spoke at once, talking over one another. The words snarled and hurled around the circle, voices rising to be heard.

  “You’ve done this before?”

  “These women need to be dealt with, now.”

  “It sounds as if she plans to continue, with or without permission.”

  “What do you hope to accomplish, interfering in such a way?”

  “It’s becoming evident you hold a total disregard for our rules.”

  “Jason, what do you intend to do?”

  Connie and Carla cowered at the attack, and Diane froze. But, Jenna, unable to co
ntain her emotions shouted, stunning the Council to silence. “Stop it. Do you want to know what happened or do you just want to make accusations?”

  The opportunity to add strength to the truth of Jenna’s statement made Nancy smile, and she interjected. “The boy was aware. When Jenna stumbled into him, he saw me. He threatened me.”

  Diane spoke up. “That’s when I managed to get the girl to safety.”

  Jenna continued in her own defense. “I didn’t intend to hurt him. My intent was to stop the attack. That’s all, plain and simple. He struggled to use me, I panicked trying to get free of him.”

  “What do you expect of us?” Antonia asked.

  “Permission to save lives,” Jenna stated flatly.

  “How?”

  Jenna looked to Nancy and Jason who stood silent, waiting for an answer as much as the others. Diane spoke in her stead. “By getting victims to safety. We enter their bodies, and by leaving their attackers behind, help them escape. We take them to shelters where they can find the assistance they need. They don’t know how they managed to escape, but they’re appreciative of the help being offered.”

  A man to Jason’s immediate right spoke for the first time. “Why should we concern ourselves with them in such a manner?”

  Jenna opened her mouth to answer and Jason intervened. “The first time I came across Jenna getting involved, I stopped her. It took less than two weeks before the same man struck again. This time, the man died and the woman’s life was saved. Yet, the whole second incident could’ve been avoided.”

  A confused and competing counterpoint chorus of debate sprang to life. Speculations of the positive and negative aspects shot across the circle in all directions. If asked, Jason would have voiced his approval of Jenna’s intentions. Instead, he allowed the argument to rage on, expecting it to wear itself out before he could succeed. He closed his eyes, let his mind venture out until the one he sought answered his request. He smiled as she appeared.

  Teresa’s diminutive frame shimmered into view at the center of the circle, voices paused in mid-word, and an utter silence of awe and reverence fell upon the whole island. Living creatures halted; songbirds and owls stopped their calls; insects ceased their labors. An aura surrounded her body, a brilliant radiance glimmering from her aged countenance. Her smile never wavered. Turning from one face to another, her kind eyes invaded, digging deep into the members’ minds, and calm settled over the circle. She clasped her hands in front of her, bowed her head for the briefest of curtsies toward Jason, and then spoke in a soft, assured voice.

  “Jason’s told me of your issue. I must say that any one of you who cannot see the innocence of the women standing here before you, cannot understand their intention of good, has spent too many years on this council.” She bent her gaze to a particular member. “You claim Nancy, and the rest of them,” she said, motioning to the group of women still standing nearby in the center of the circle. “That they might be better suited for my work. I thank you for your suggestion, Marcus, but my sect hardly needs help. We have no burdens. Our charges are as light as the air, less than a grain of sand; each one at a peace you probably couldn’t imagine.

  “I know Jason agrees, though no one has asked for his opinion. If you would bother to think this through, you’d see that Jenna and her friends are helping you. Don’t you understand that preventing evil from happening is more effective than taking those who would perpetrate it? Perhaps, it’s a step toward redemption?”

  Teresa turned to him. “Jason, I don’t need to consult with my members. As the Head of my Sect, Jenna, Diane, Carla, and Connie not only have my blessing to continue, they also have my permission to recruit others to their work. Since we agree, Jason, the World Council gives its consent. Though, if I’m right,” she said, and gestured to Antonia, “you are about to lose at least one member of your sect to Jenna’s new one.”

  Jason smiled and bowed to her.

  -33-

  Not everyone was pleased, but not a single member of the sect dared to defy the wishes of the two most powerful Keepers. The figures that made up the circle, following Jason’s lead, knelt in deep reverential bows. Moments later, when they rose, they discovered a small inner ring. Jenna stood with Teresa and Jason, their hands clasped and heads bowed. The three glimmered like celestial bodies. The entire glen brightened, but now the shadows of tree limbs danced upward from the light emanating from within the three.

  “What are they doing?” Carla whispered.

  Diane shook her head, but smiled. “I don’t know, but my guess is that our girl is going to be very different when this is over.”

  The three heads slowly turned upward, the glow increasing in intensity, their necks craned backward until they faced the night sky, as if the power of the stars rained down and flowed into them. When they again faced each other and opened their eyes, the light that had once belonged only to Teresa, now shone in Jenna though it was much less pronounced; a slight aura surrounded her. The fierce intelligence of Jason’s gaze now inhabited hers.

  Jason spoke, but his words were unintelligible to all but his two counterparts. To the others, the ancient language reverberated in a series of clicks and short whistles. “You have accepted a position of authority and the Council welcomes you. You have been given power over others on our plane. I’ll caution you to use great care. With the authority we give, you now bear a fearsome responsibility. Misuse them and they will be stripped from you.”

  They turned to face the others and Jason spoke again. “You are witness to the expansion of the World Council. Jenna now heads a new Sect. Her power is a combined ability — equal to mine, equal to Teresa’s. Those who follow her shall be given authority to protect the living as she has done, as she instructs. Let your regions be made aware.”

  Teresa bowed her head and gave the slightest of curtsies. Jason acknowledged it with a small bow and the two figures dissipated. With their departure, the sounds of night returned to the island.

  -34-

  “Holy mother of Mary!”

  Marvin jumped from the couch and rushed toward Jenna so fast he plowed halfway through her before he stopped.

  Four days after she’d snuck out, Jenna stood enduring Marvin’s tight hugs and sighs of relief. “Marv, stop. Let go. I told you everything would work out. You just never trust me, do you?”

  “I was worried, so sue me.”

  “Marvin, if I still worked for a law firm, I’d sue your ass for smothering me to death,” Jenna said, breaking free with a laugh. “It’s so late, I’m surprised you’re still awake.”

  “So who could sleep?”

  “Careful, there. You sound like your mother.”

  “Sorry.” He backed away to arms’ length and studied Jenna.

  “What? I’m fine. See?” She did a slow spin for him.

  “I see that, but something’s different. I can’t put my finger on it, but something is way different.”

  Jenna waved him off. “You’re imagining things. How about a glass of that wine you stashed away a few weeks ago. Is there any left, or did you drink it all while I was gone?” She made her way to the balcony doors and paused. “Oh, and get enough glasses down for everyone. They’ll be here in a couple of minutes.”

  Marvin couldn’t quite figure out why but he didn’t question her, and cast a quizzical glance in her direction before he set glasses out and opened three bottles of wine. He poured a glass for Jenna and grabbed his own from the coffee table on his way out to sit with her. “So, tell me. I want to hear everything. How did you convince Jason and the council, or whatever, to let you go? What did they say?”

  Jenna reached over and took his hand and gazed out over the city for a moment. “When everyone gets here, I’ll explain everything.”

  Beside Marvin’s total relief, the reaction of the other men was mixed. Davy, busy with the increasingly detailed plans for the wedding, was happy the hard work he’d already put in wouldn’t go to waste. Mike and Tommy were pleased it turned o
ut on a positive note, and were especially happy for Marvin’s sake.

  Though Colleen was, of course, relieved “their girl” had made it back safe and sound, she was so proud she kept marveling at the accomplishment. with Patrick echoing the sentiment. “You’re a marvel, that’s what you are.”

  Jenna laughed and gave a wave of her hand. “Oh, go on with you.”

  Tickled that Jenna would remember to mimic her gesture of modesty, Colleen smiled. “Well, you are. Isn’t she, Patrick.”

  “Oh, that she is,” he agreed.

  Through it all, Tommy couldn’t resist lurching around the room, chasing after everyone. “Cool! You guys will be like Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”

  ***

  It took months for Marvin to adjust to this new Jenna. She would leave at the oddest times with no explanation. She’d just be gone. When she returned, sometimes, to Marvin, she’d seem to carry a new burden; other times, there would be a smile on her face and he’d see a slight shimmering glow surrounding her. But the brightness she’d acquired in her green eyes on the trip to Michpicoten held firm.

  Word spread quickly about the new sect of Keepers. They felt no need to remain in self-imposed shadows as Jason’s members did. Though none could escape a direct command, Jason’s sect preferred to blend into crowds to minimize their efforts.

  When Jenna appeared anywhere, deadheads would smile in awe at the strength of conviction she displayed. The sect became inundated with applicants, though many didn’t pass the test for various reasons. Either they couldn’t grasp the ability to control the living without detection, or their motivation to be included was misplaced. Yet the number of members increased at a steady rate, fanning across continents. Jenna found herself deputizing (it was the only word she could think of) more and more men and women. With Nancy’s increasing authority and help, Jenna appointed some to head regions and instilled them with the necessary power over the dead.