Tapestry of Worlds : Part One - The White Raven Awakens

by Hadley Thorne

  Confused and frustrated she was surprised when at the end of the night, he had asked her for a ride to his hotel. She had agreed to as soon as she changed into something more comfortable. He looked surprised when she returned wearing a pair of yoga pants, flip flops and a long-sleeved Margaritaville t-shirt and her hair in a messy bun. She on the other hand was surprised to see him smuggling a six pack of beer under his tuxedo jacket. They had sat in her car drinking the beer, laughing, listening to old 80's and 90's music and talking til the first birds started singing welcome to the dawn. That was when with trembling fingers, he had brushed a stray strand of her hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. Electricity coursed through her. She had thought for sure he was going to kiss her. She knew he was going back to Birmingham first thing the following morning and she might never have the chance again. So, she caught the side of his face and turned him to look at her. They sat like that for a moment too long and the next thing she knew they were kissing. It was slow, deep and it touched her soul. The big soldier was so gentle, it was as though he thought she was going to break.

  She did not know if it was her or him who had ultimately made the call to action, but it happened and when it did. It was not fireworks. It was nuclear fusion. Up until that moment, she had thought Ransom was not interested… but, oh that kiss. Wow. No words were shared between them but when he stood to get out of the SUV, she saw his knees buckle. He was as weak-kneed as a teenager and had stumbled trying to regain his balance. Now she was the one elf struck. Later Z had told her that when Ransom had first asked about her his description had been, "Becca's friend - you know the China Doll -has black hair, red lips, electric eyes - looks deadly." He might not have shown it, but he had been just as intrigued by her as she had been by him.

  Crap she thought pulling herself together -quickly she sent Millie the text to come on up to the cabin. While she waited, she reviewed the maps. There were directions to some supply caches, and instructions for her to wait no more than three days for him unless he told her differently. The first thing she was to do was to get the footlocker out from under the bed. It contained a ham radio, firearms, and ammo. If after three days she had not heard from him, she was to find a location 25 miles away from the city and preferably in the national park or somewhere with land backing up to it and on the morning of the fourth day to head to that location. Given those parameters - he would find her.

  Chapter 16

  Unhooking the doggos, Erika spent the rest of the time waiting for Millie, Hermit, Tanna, and the others by exploring Ransom's hunting cabin. The cabin was really two separate buildings connected with wrap-around decks built on pylons twenty feet off the ground so it would not flood when the river was up. Ransom had been spending a lot of time fixing the place up. The larger of the two buildings had an open floor plan with a kitchen-living area and half bath and loft where his master was with a full bath, and the second cabin was two bedrooms featuring bunk beds and a bathroom. Originally it was going to be a place he could bring his ranger brothers where they could kayak, hunt, fish, and just chill out, but he was now planning on living out here full time when he finished up with the National Guard. She had been thrilled when he started to make upgrades making the cabin more inhabitable and less… well… off gridish. Of course, he still had his solar panels, generator, well water, and SHTF contingencies, but she would be more comfortable spending the summer here. Or at least she was.

  She wondered when this madness would cease, and her mind trailed over to Wren's warning of the war coming. Not for the first time, she asked if it was less metaphor and more reality. It seemed like these last few months were taken from the pages of a sci-fi or fantasy novel rather than the evening news. She tried not to think about what it could mean for Ransom. The two of them had gotten closer than she ever intended these last few months, and what she had readily accepted at first about his job was becoming a source of frustration and resentment. She knew going into this that getting too attached had a high chance of ending in heartbreak with his profession. But here they were, she sighed. She knew he was her forever man and from the letter - he felt the same way. She just wished she could see a future together, but her own fate was hidden from her, and Wren would say nothing.

  A short woof made her thoughts fade as she heard the SUV on the gravel that made up the drive at the house. Looking at herself in the mirror, she forced a smile on her face and went downstairs to meet the others. Opening the door, she was taken back, their energy was off, and everyone looked shocked.

  She shot Hermit a questioning look, he shook his head, "Sis, we are screwed. In addition to the riots and looting, the state health department reports hundreds, maybe thousands of people have died showing no symptoms of the virus. People are on Facebook ranting about chemical warfare; bodies are lining the streets." Millie had tears in her eyes as she spoke, forcing herself to have an even tone, "It's true, as we speak National Guard troops are on their way to Chimneyville. The entire state is being quarantined."

  "Quarantined? Doesn't that mean no one out or in?" she asked, her throat suddenly dry, "Even military personnel?"

  Hermit dropped his eyes, unable to meet hers, "I am sorry, sis, but not until they figure out what is going on."

  Erika felt her knees buckle underneath her as she dropped what she was holding. Fighting back the tears, she tried to put on a brave face for her friends, but her hands trembled. Hansel nuzzled her hand seeking a pet, while Gretel bumped her with her nose. "Well," she started, unable to keep her lip from quivering before giving them a tight-lipped smile, "With Becca and Z back at their place up north, Velvet, and Buck with Roxi in Fort Rosalie, and Wren and the Professor missing, I guess it is just us."

  They unloaded the vehicle in silence. As they finished up, Erika placed a cooler in her Tahoe and handed Ethel a Glock 17 and some 9mm ammo. "It's not nearly enough for all you have done for me and my family," she told the black woman, giving her a tight hug. "You and little man always have a place with me. Your mom and pops too." The two women just stood there, hugging one another, mourning Erika's mom, the times' uncertainty, and the twisted things that were to come.

  Waving as Hermit drove off with Ethel, Erika fought back the feeling of loss that was ebbing in. She knew if she gave way to the pain of losing her mother that she would not be worth a damn, so she pushed it down. Slowly she climbed up the steps, leaving the dogs to investigate all the smells in the woods surrounding the cabin, and joined Millie and Tanna. The two were sitting at the antique oak table, making an itemized list of their supplies.

  "How is it looking?" she asked, sitting down with them.

  "Looks good," Millie sighed, pushing herself back from the table. "Even without Ransom's stores, we have enough food for the four of us and the dogs for 6 weeks. With his stuff, we are good for a few months."

  Erika nodded; she had not told them about the stashes he had placed around the city. Not to be duplicitous, but she knew that they did not have it unless it was in their hands. They did not need to count on those stores. They were in case of an emergency.

  Their plan was to stay here and wait for Ransom. It was perfect for their needs - close enough to Chimneyville, they could make a run to get things but isolated enough that random people were not going to show up. It was close to the river, had a spring-fed well, and was operated off-grid. The perimeter of the property was fenced, and there were security cameras throughout the property. When she first found out, she thought he was a little paranoid, but with everything that had occurred this last week, she was happy to have the additional security.

  While they waited for Hermit to return, she showed Millie and Tanna how to use the security system and manipulate the cameras to zoom in and out of a spot. The three agreed that they would take four-hour shifts to watch the camera, and if anything, suspicious happened, they would wake someone and take the dogs to investigate. Everyone had their own space with it being decided Tanna would take the sofa bed in the main cabin with Erika. M
illie was reluctant and protesting, but Erika shot her a look. When Tanna went to the kitchen, she told her to remember what her husband had done to her and be gentle. Hermit was after all a male. And after something like that, a strange male was probably the last thing she wanted to cohabitate with. Anyway, Tanna and Hansel were bonding, and the big shepherd had taken to sleeping close to her. Ruffling his ears, she bent down to kiss his nose. The big oaf always knew who needed his love the most. Millie had looked surprised that it had not occurred to her sooner than Tanna might not love their Hermit like they all did. Hermit had the smoothest, easiest energy of any man they knew. He liked women, but he was very asexual energy-wise. Often gay men thought he was into them, and the same happened with women. But for the most part, Hermit kept to himself. He had told them once he gave his heart away, it would be forever, and until then, he was holding it safe for the right woman.

  It was close to midnight when Hermit returned. He had driven down the gravel road without headlights. "It is scary out there," he had admitted when the girls questioned him about it. "I know this sounds crazy, but I would have been back sooner, but I swear I was being followed. I don't know why, but I had this nagging feeling that I shouldn't come straight back, so I did some mud riding on some back roads, went down to the river by the professor’s, and did everything I could until that feeling was gone." Listening to Hermit describe his ride home from Ethel's parents, Erika felt a chill run up her spine. The chills of truth, at least that is what the professor used to call it. Shuddering, she suddenly felt very cold and tired. She made her excuses and went upstairs to get some sleep. Tomorrow they had plans to scout the perimeter and take the johnboat upriver.

  Laying down in the bed, she held Ransom's pillow close and fell asleep, wishing it were him.

  Chapter 17

  The first rays of daylight were filtering through the bedroom, casting a golden hue on everything. Erika nestled into the body of the man lying next to her, his strong arms wrapping around her, holding her closer. A smile spread across her face as she felt him gently brush a strand of her hair away from her face. Goddess she had missed him, she thought, wondering when he had come in and why had not the dogs woken her. The rumor in his unit was he was like a Korean ninja, but she knew better. It was his tiger's influence on him.

  "Little Bird," his throaty voice whispered velvet in her ear, tickling her. "Wake-up." She groaned and snuggled deeper into his arms. "Little Bird," he urged, his throaty voice taking on a serious tone. "Erika!" She snapped awake. In the dark shadows in the corner of the room stood a black wolf watching her with a pair of glowing amber eyes. Frantically she scrambled to the head of the bed searching for Ransom. The wolf stood, its inky black fur, raised, teeth showing. Not taking her eyes off the massive beast, her hands searched for a weapon to use against it. Finally, she found her phone. The wolf was crouching and then leaping at her. She flung the cell phone and screamed, "Be GONE." The phone flew, electricity spinning it. It made contact with the wolf mid-jump, and the wolf disintegrated into soot and shadow—the smell of sulfur and singed fur cloyed at her senses.

  She was wide awake now, drenched in sweat. The palm of her hand hurting as though she had scalded it. Turning it over to look at her palm in the moonlight, she was amazed to find it hot to touch. She got up and went to the bathroom, turning on the light she examined her palm. It looked as though she had burned it.

  Putting on a robe over Ransom's boxer shorts and old worn-out Army t-shirt, she went downstairs to find both dogs with Millie watching the security cameras. She went to break a piece from the aloe vera plant in the window before coming to stand beside Millie doctoring her hand.

  Millie turned to look at Erika, "Hey, you ok? Sounded like you were struggling up there."

  "Yeah, I just had a bad dream," rubbing the aloe on her hand, she explained, "Must have burned my hand earlier when we were cooking." She said, showing the burn.

  "Ouch, girl - that looks like it hurts," Millie told her, taking the wounded hand in her own and studying it. "By the way - these cameras are great. Me and the fur kids actually saw a big black dog wandering around earlier."

  All color drained from Erika's face. "Was it a dog, or was it a wolf?" she asked, her voice small and controlled, everything rushing through her head at once.

  "Well, there aren't wolves in the state, so it would have to be a dog. Too big for a coyote or a German shepherd. Hell, this thing must have been a mastiff mix, it made Hansel look snack-sized."

  Erika suppressed a shudder, "Millie, why don't you go get some rest. I am wide awake now."

  Stifling a yawn, Millie looked at her, doubtfully, "You sure."

  "Yeah, babe, go on. It is not long to daylight now, and that dream has me stirred up." She walked Millie out, watching the woods. Grabbing a flashlight, she stepped out on the deck and shined it in the woods. When the first birds of the morning began to sing, she went upstairs and pulled on a pair of old jeans and some snake boots before leashing Gretel. She left Hansel to guard Tanna, where she slept on the sofa, and quietly crept down the stairs.

  Gretel's hair was standing up from her tail's tip all the way up her back in a straight ridge as the dog began to sniff the ground. Excitedly, she searched around half dragging Erika with her as she followed the trail. Erika searched the ground, seemingly looking for something. The girl and her dog walked a game trail down to the river, there Erika found what she was looking for. A large wolf track, and yes, she knew the difference. The print was double the size of Hansel's. Slowly she stood up and looked around the woods and then back on the forest floor. "Seek," bending down, she whispered to Gretel as she took the leash off. Like a shot, Gretel was gone, cutting through the woods. Erika tracked her through the overgrown brush until they had circled around coming up on the cabin's backside. Gretel was sitting quite impatiently, hyper-focused on something she had hit upon. There at the foot of a large oak tree directly outside her bedroom was a patch of scorched earth. Turning her palm, she looked at her hand, slowly rubbing her fingers together. She reached down and put her hand on the spot, a searing pain went through her mind's eye as she saw in a flash, the face of the man, Felix and then he was gone. Dumbfounded, she stood there for a moment, soaking it all in. She began snapping her fingers, and after about the fifth try, sparks jumped from her fingertips. "Fuck me," she uttered, surprised. Biting her lower lip, she realized she could have just been half asleep and seen the wolf outside the window, right. She did recently get tested for a traumatic brain injury and disappeared for a week and had no recollection of what had happened to her. "Yeah crazy - just keep it to yourself," she said.

  Chapter 18

  The Cabin – 1 Week Later, July 6, 2020

  Erika placed the map on the table and tapped a section highlighted in yellow with her finger, "I think we should plan on heading here in a few days. I checked the land records and the majority of the land surrounding it is for hunting - one or two farms over here, but they appear to be family-owned so I don’t think that will be an issue." She pointed to a creek feeding into the river, "We can cut across here. It will probably be marshy, but we should be fine on foot."

  Excited, Hermit clamored as he snatched the map from the dark-haired girl. "Wait a sec," Looking at the girls with a grin, he thumped the map with his finger, "I am sure this is where the ruins of the Old Point Pleasant Plantation are."

  Erika stole the map back from him, looking closer, "Here?" she asked pointing to a section on the map.

  In a hoarse whisper, Tanna commented, "I thought that place was underwater, and the only way you could see it was by boat?"

  Millie, peering over Erika's shoulder, "I remember hearing about it. Isn’t there a legend or something about there being a buried treasure?”

  "All mostly true," Hermit commented excitedly. "The story goes Old Man Pleasant, rather than surrender his home to the Union Army on their march to Chimneyville, had one of his slaves load up a wagon with all of his wife’s jewels, his gold and silver, and al
l his worldly goods, and drove it deep into the swamp. There he had the slave dig two holes and buried his treasure. Then he shot the slave and buried him in the other hole before getting back into the wagon and drove back to his house. This is where the story gets sketchy. One version has the man's brother killing him and burning the mansion down, and the other has a slave revolt occurring and the slaves killing Old Man Pleasant and burning the place down. Either way - the plantation burned down, Old Man Pleasant was killed, and his treasure vanished. When they built the reservoir, it flooded the area, except the old homesite. Last I heard the columns and what was left of the old slave quarters is still there – or at least it was…. You follow?"

  Slapping him on the back, Erika beamed, "Yes."

  Tanna shrugged her shoulders and whispered, "I don't understand - why can't we just stay here."

  Erika frowned, "Here is good for now, but we can't stay long term because people will start going door to door. We need to be settled somewhere before that happens so we can get our supplies moved without attracting attention." She absentmindedly stroked Gretel's fur for comfort. "Trust me, Tanna, I don't want to leave either, but it has been a week and Ransom isn't coming. He told me to leave after three days and I waited seven. My instructions were to get to someplace off the beaten path and hole up. And well… these ruins are a forgotten place that people won't consider looking."

  Hermit nodded in agreement, "It is a good location. It is sided by the river, a marsh, and hunting lease on three sides, and the fourth backs up to hundreds of acres of national park forest.”