Whispers From the Past

by L. S. O'Dea

“Carla!” He couldn’t let Bruno return to this house.

  Kim crawled into the carriage and then he backed inside.

  “Put him here.” She patted the seat next to her.

  He gently lowered the Guard onto the seat. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Hugh, wait,” yelled Kim.

  He ignored her, hopping out of the carriage and meeting Carla in the yard. “Jackson’s hurt. Bru—”

  “What happened?” Carla’s eyes darted to the carriage.

  “Jethro’s home.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “Yeah. Bruno’s coming back for me. He can’t go to the house.”

  “Hugh! Hurry up,” shouted Kim.

  “Got it.” Carla shoved him. “Go.”

  “Take us to the hospital on Signature Avenue,” said the other Almighty who was standing near his Grunts.

  “No.” They’d be turned over to the authorities if they went there. “Go to Hamston Street.”

  “Which house?”

  “I’ll tell you when to stop.” He was betting Jackson’s life that Dr. Kalper was home and would see them, but going to the hospital was out of the question. They might save Jackson for the moment, but Jason and the Council would hang the Guard later.

  The other Almighty gave the directions to the Grunts and they both climbed into the carriage.

  Jackson’s head rested on Kim’s lap. The robe had fallen off during the trip out of the house, so he pulled off his shirt, tucking it around the Guard’s wound. Jackson moaned.

  “Stop whining, you big baby. You’re going to be fine.” Her fingers skimmed across his cheek.

  He sat on the seat across from her next to the other Almighty.

  “I’m Dave Davies, but everyone calls me Davies.” The other Almighty held out his hand toward Hugh.

  He shook the man’s hand. “David Davies? As in the son of Albert Davies?” With his brown hair, round, friendly face and eyes that sizzled with intelligence, he looked like a younger version of Albert and that meant he wasn’t telling this guy anything. In one way or another, Albert Davies owned all the council members.

  “Yeah, but my dad died three years ago.”

  “Oh, sorry to hear that.” He wasn’t. The man had been rich and had used his wealth to corrupt.

  “Thanks.” Davies studied him. “The beard helps, but I’d know your face anywhere, High Hugh Truent.”

  “I don’t use the title anymore.” Apparently, he was going to have to trust this guy, at least for the moment. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Hugh.” Jackson turned toward their voices. “Where’s Hugh? Is he okay?”

  “I’m right here. I’m fine.” He grasped Jackson’s hand. They’d better hurry. Jackson’s shirt was drenched in blood and his hand was clammy. “You saved me.”

  “Owed...you...one. Debt...paid.” Jackson closed his eyes, his face going slack.

  “Jackson. Jackson!” Kim shook him, an edge of panic in her voice.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” He jerked on the Guard’s hand. “Your debt is not paid. You owe me more than one.”

  Kim took his queue. “Jackson, you’d better open your eyes. Do you hear me? I’ll never forgive you if you die on me.”

  Jackson wouldn’t hold out much longer. He looked out the window. They were traveling fast down small side streets. “Where are we?”

  “My Grunts know all the shortcuts. We’ll be at Hamston Street in a moment.”

  “Kim.” Jackson’s eyes opened a crack. He raised his free hand and she lowered her face, meeting him halfway. “Lo...ve you. Al...ways...”

  “I love you too.” She kissed his hand. “Always have. Always will.”

  “That house up ahead. The green and brown one,” he said.

  Davies instructed the Grunts and they pulled into the driveway. Hugh started to get out, but Davies stopped him.

  “Let me. You’re...well, you...and you’re not...” Davies waved his hand at Hugh.

  “Yeah, okay.” He was shirtless and covered in blood.

  Davies jumped out of the carriage, jogged to the house and pushed the doorbell. After a few moments, Dr. Kalper opened the door.

  That was enough for him. He stood lifting Jackson’s legs. “Get his arms.”

  Kim grabbed Jackson under the shoulders. “But what if he won’t—”

  “He’ll see us. I’ll make him see us.” He didn’t care if he had to hold a knife on the good doctor. Kalper was going to save Jackson.

  He backed out of the carriage. Jackson wasn’t light and it didn’t help that his leg was still sore from digging out the tracking device let alone the knife wound in his shoulder. Somehow, he managed to get out of the carriage without dropping the Guard as Kim struggled with the weight. Davies and Dr. Kalper ran over to help. Davies pushed Kim out of the way and Dr. Kalper helped him.

  “This way,” said the doctor as they entered his house.

  They carried Jackson to a back bedroom, placing him on a bed. Kalper removed Hugh’s shirt, revealing the knife that still protruded from the Guard’s stomach.

  “I wasn’t sure if I should leave it or pull it out,” he said, feeling kind of stupid now.

  “You did the right thing. No telling what it nicked.” The doctor put his hands on the knife. “Get the gauze and some towels.” He nodded toward a cabinet on the side of the room.

  Davies retrieved the items, handing them to the doctor. Kim knelt by the bed, her face by Jackson’s ear, whispering words of love and prayers and anything else that spilled from her heart. Kalper began ordering Hugh and Davies about, sending them to get this or that while he worked on Jackson. Hugh made sure that any trip outside of the room was made by him. He didn’t trust Davies and if the other Almighty left the house he and Jackson would have to leave and right now, the Guard couldn’t be moved.

  Finally, the doctor stood wiping his hands on his pajama bottoms. Jackson who’d passed out a long time ago was deathly pale, but his breathing was slow and steady. Hugh took that as a good sign. He and Davies helped the doctor gather the soiled linens and equipment. Kim curled up next to Jackson on the bed. Hugh picked up a blanket from a chair in the corner and placed it over the two before the three of them left the room.

  “He’s one lucky Guard,” said Kalper.

  “Thank you.” He held out his hand.

  The doctor took his hand in both of his. “I’m sorry about your mother. She was an exceptional woman. I wanted to come to the service but I was in surgery.”

  “Thank you,” he said again.

  The doctor glanced out the window. “One of you should move the carriage. My neighbors are used to me having strange visitors but since”—his eyes fell on Hugh—“it’s you, it’s probably better we don’t draw any more attention than we already have. When that’s done, I’ll take a look at your arm.”

  “It’s fine.” Hugh touched his shoulder and winced.

  “I’ll decide that,” said Kalper.

  “I’ll take care of the carriage.” Davies headed for the door.

  “I’ll go with you. My shoulder can wait.” He followed the other Almighty.

  “I’m not going to turn you over, Hugh.”

  He shrugged. Words meant nothing.

  “You can probably fit the carriage in the garage,” said the doctor. “You may have to move a few things and it’ll be tight, but it should work.”

  He turned to Davies. “After you.”

  “You aren’t a trusting one, are you?” asked Davies as they went outside to the carriage.

  “Do you blame me?”

  Davies laughed. “No. I guess I don’t.”

  The doctor opened his garage from inside the house. The Grunts helped them move some boxes and then pulled the carriage inside.

  The doctor closed the door and headed back into the house. “There’s another bedroom in the back. The beds are big. They’ll be perfect for the Grunts.”

  “They can stay out here with the carriage,” said Davies.

  Kalper st
iffened as he turned to face Davies. “If you want someone to sleep in my garage, it’ll be you.” He pointed to the Grunts. “They’ll sleep in the back bedroom on the beds.”

  “Okay. Sorry.” Davies held up his hands, amusement in his eyes. “Your house. Your rules.”

  Kalper nodded and they followed him inside.

  After taking care of Hugh’s shoulder, Kalper said, “One of you can sleep in the other room with the Guard. There’s a cot in the closet and one of you can sleep on the couch. Your choice.” Kalper headed down a hallway. “There’s food in the kitchen and some extra clothes in the bedroom closet.” His eyes fell on Hugh’s chest. “Help yourself. I’m going to get a few hours of sleep before I have to see patients.”

  “Thank you again, doctor,” he said. “If you ever need anything...”

  Kalper paused at the door to his bedroom. “Win this war, Hugh. That’ll be thanks enough.”

  “When can we move him?” He needed to get Jackson somewhere safe and in the middle of suburbia was not it.

  “I’d say give him at least a week, but you don’t have that kind of time.”

  “We should leave as soon as possible for your sake as well as ours.” Every moment they were here, they and the doctor were in danger. Any one of the doctor’s neighbors could’ve seen them and then there was Jethro. There was no telling what he’d do.

  “Give him at least until tomorrow night. I’ll prepare some supplies for you to take with you when I wake.” The doctor stepped inside his bedroom and shut the door.

  Davies was already stretched out on the couch which left the floor for him because there was no way he was leaving the other Almighty out here alone. Even though he was exhausted and they had a rough couple of days ahead of them, he’d never rest unless he could get Davies to go into the bedroom. Then, he could sleep against the door, knowing the other Almighty couldn’t escape. “Why don’t you take the cot in the other room? It’ll be quieter in there.” It was weak but he wasn’t sure what other argument to make.

  Davies snorted. “I don’t think so.”

  “Why?”

  Davies opened his eyes. There was humor mingled with disgust in his gaze. “I guess you haven’t realized that I was on a date with Kim. We’ve been dating for a while now. I thought it might be getting serious.”

  “Ouch.” He grimaced, but he was glad for Kim. Davies was a known playboy. He was a bit surprised Kim had even gone out with him.

  “Yeah. I guess that’s over.” Davies closed his eyes and put his hands under his head.

  “Don’t know if this makes it better or not, but I don’t think you ever had a chance.”

  “That really doesn’t help.” Davies opened his eyes again. “But, you’re right and I think that deep down, I knew that.” He grinned. “That’s why I was so attracted to her. It isn’t often I don’t get what I want.”

  “That must be nice.” He sat on the floor.

  “Not really. No challenge.” Davies rolled onto his side. “You don’t have to watch over me. I don’t take after my father. Well, I do in some ways but I don’t have ties to the Council.”

  “I’m sure you inherited all your father’s businesses, being the only child.”

  “I did, but I let my cousin manage most of them.”

  “Not into the work thing, huh?” He had less and less respect for this guy.

  “I see my reputation precedes me.” The humor was gone from Davies’ tone. “Believe it or not, I had my own business before my father passed. I haven’t relied on his money since I graduated from college.”

  “Sorry. I assumed...” Perhaps, he needed to give this guy the benefit of the doubt. People changed. He was proof of that.

  “That’s okay.” Davies’ gaze relaxed. “I earned my reputation and I don’t regret it.” He smiled again. “I had a lot of fun being the rich boy with nothing to do but party, but that gets old.”

  “What kind of business do you have?”

  “I have several. I invest in small businesses. That’s how Kim and I met. I’m the financial backer for the coffee shop where she works.”

  “That’s risky.”

  “It is, but I wanted to prove my father and everyone else wrong. Plus, I enjoy watching others break out on their own. There are a lot of talented people in this world but under our current government most aren’t given a chance to do anything except what their families have done for generations.” Davies tipped his head. “Besides you and a few other geniuses, of course.”

  “So, you’re telling me you’re on our side.” He wasn’t buying that. This man could lose a lot if they won the war.

  “I’m impartial. I have plans in place for either outcome. Being prepared is one lesson I did learn from my father.”

  He nodded, trusting the guy a little more, but not enough to leave him out here alone. “I’m sure you have a lot of work to do tomorrow. The bed in the other room has to be more comfortable.” He stretched out on the floor, making it clear that he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Davies sighed. “I like you Hugh, but there’s no way I’m going into the room where my ex-girlfriend is sleeping next to her ex-lover who is soon to be her current lover.”

  “Can’t say I blame you.” He met Davies’ eyes and grinned. “I’ve never felt anything but friendship for Kim and I don’t want to be in that room.”

  “Then, enjoy your sleepless night.” Davies rolled onto his back and closed his eyes.

  Hugh stared up at the ceiling. Being in that room with Kim and Jackson would be wrong, intrusive. They were in love and they always would be, no matter how hard they fought it, but what about him? Trinity was supposed to be at base camp but knowing her, she may not have stayed. Had Jethro been telling the truth about her and him? Had the two of them spent time alone? Had she mated with Jethro? Anger and doubt tumbled over each other in his mind. Jethro had been her first crush, but that was all it was, a crush. She should realize that if Jethro had felt anything real for her, he wouldn’t have ignored her, but males could be deceiving and females could be foolish, especially young ones. He pushed away his doubt. Jethro was lying. He had to be. Trinity was stubborn and hot headed but she wouldn’t have done anything with Jethro without talking to him first.

  CHAPTER 24: JACKSON

  JACKSON FELT LIKE he’d been worked over by Gaar. The only bright side was the soft, warm body curled up next to him. He didn’t have to look to know it was Kim. He recognized her scent and the feel of her. Araldo, he’d missed this. His mind tried to focus on what had happened and where he was but her hand moved on his chest and nothing mattered but her and him. Right now, he didn’t care that she shouldn’t be in a bed with him. It was quiet and they were alone. It’d be perfect if it didn’t feel like his stomach had been torn apart.

  “Are you awake?” she whispered.

  He hesitated before answering. If he remained quiet she might not move and he could pretend this was all there was in the world. Him. Her. And a bed.

  “Jackson?” She leaned up, worry in her voice.

  “Yeah, I’m awake.” Reality had arrived. He tried to sit up, but she pressed down on his shoulder, holding him in place.

  “I’ll get the doctor.” She crawled out of bed.

  She was dressed in a pair of dress slacks and a nice white shirt, or it had been white before it’d been splattered with blood. A lot of blood. His blood. Memories poured through his mind in splashes. He’d been in the woods near Kim’s house. He’d convinced himself it’d be the perfect place for Trinity to hide, even though deep down he knew she wouldn’t do that. Trinity would never hide. She’d know they’d worry and search for her, but the only other option was that something bad had happened to her and he refused to believe that. Plus, he’d wanted to see Kim. Life was short.

  He’d been following the Remore Guards, staying far enough away that they didn’t catch his scent, when he’d seen Hugh captured by Carla and her pack. It’d been hard not to rush in to help his friend, but he’d watched and everyt
hing had been fine until...

  “Wait,” he said.

  She hesitated, her hand on the doorknob.

  “Hugh? Is he alright?”

  “Yes.” She headed back over by him. “He came here with us last night.” She sat on the bed. “Don’t you remember?”

  “Some. Carla and her pack escorted Hugh and Bruno to your house.” He looked at her, but she was as confused about that as he was. “You mom let them inside and Bruno left a few minutes later. I should’ve gone to the house right away.”

  “This wasn’t your fault. It was Jethro’s.” Her eyes were like blue ice.

  “But if I’d been there...” He’d waited until Carla and her Guards were in the barn and then he’d taken a longer route to the house so he wouldn’t disturb them. He hadn’t wanted to confront Carla. It’d been a stupid reason to wait and it’d almost cost Hugh his life. “As soon as I saw your brother, I got there as quickly as I could.” He’d raced through the forest and yard, not caring if anyone saw him but... “I was almost too late.” Jethro’s Guard had been climbing to his feet, so he’d slammed the guy’s head against the wall and then he’d seen Jethro. Hugh had been pinned to the floor and Jethro was ready to slice his throat. He’d yanked Jethro off Hugh, never imaging the kid would stab him. By the look on Jethro’s face, he’d been just as surprised. The rest of the night was nothing but images and feelings. Pain. Kim crying. More pain and then nothing but blackness.

  “But you weren’t too late. Hugh’s fine.” She kissed him softly on the lips. “You almost died.”

  “But I didn’t.” A tear trailed down her cheek and he kissed it away. “I’m fine.”

  “You are not.” She started to slap his shoulder and stopped. “You almost died.”

  Her voice cracked and he tugged on her hand, pulling her close as she sobbed against his chest. He was in so much trouble. He wasn’t sure he was strong enough to send her away again.

  A few minutes later she sat up, wiping her face. “I’m going to get the doctor and get you something to eat.”

  “Bring Hugh back with you.” At her quizzical look he explained, “I need to tell him about Trinity.”

  “He doesn’t know?”