by Alexie Aaron
“Murphy and I will take first watch,” Cid said.
~
“There’s a light on in the hotel bar,” Carl reported. “She must have found a flashlight. I thought you went through the supply closets and took them all?” he asked Cyryl.
“Maybe she had it on her. She was in her room when we started the slamming doors,” he reminded the men.
“Ah, she’s probably getting a snoot full. Dutch courage, my ma used to call it,” Carl informed them.
“Seems racist,” Ray commented.
“Now look who’s gone all PC,” Carl said. “My ma was a bit of a racist,” he admitted.
“Are you two through?” Cyryl asked. “We’ve got to set up the chick’s next scare. I’m thinking of rattling some chains.”
“She’s a ghost hunter; that’s not going to fool her.”
“Fake ghost hunter. They’re all fakes.”
“Cyryl, that bar is haunted. I saw what whatever’s in there did to the bartender.”
“Well then, maybe we’ll leave the resident ghosts to take care of our problem for us. Anyone for a game of chance?” he said, pulling a deck of cards out of the desk drawer.
“Not using Carl’s marked cards,” Ray said. “There’s a fresh pack in the bottom drawer.”
“These are marked?” Cyryl asked, holding one to the light. “They look harmless to me.”
“Well, appearances can be deceiving,” Carl said and pointed out the slight change on the back of each card. “No one expects the obvious anymore. Just like no one would imagine that under that hotel is a fortune in copper.”
“Or that a whole group of ghost hunters would perish inside of it,” Cyryl said slyly. “After this weekend and the bad press to follow, the Corporation is going to beg me to take the ski resort off their hands.”
~
Mia opened her eyes, momentarily confused by where she was. She lifted her head and rubbed her neck as she studied the face before her. Ted wouldn’t win any contests with his looks, but Mia loved every freckle. She rarely got a chance to study his sleeping face. The Ted she lived with was animated all the time. He only slept after she fell asleep and woke most times before her.
Mia put her hand to his forehead and was pleased to find that the fever had broken. She lifted the blanket off, and aside from some seepage, the sutures she’d fastened out of the wire were holding. They wouldn’t be comfortable and would hurt like hell to remove, but for right now they would have to do.
“What’s up, Doc?” Ted asked.
Mia pull the blanket back and leaned over her husband. “You’re going to live. I’ll have to cancel my wedding to Dupree, again.”
“Sorry to put you out, pumpkin.”
Mia leaned over and kissed Ted tenderly. “I’m sure you could do with a dose of pain reliever.”
“Could, but don’t. I need to keep this brain functioning. Jake may have a plan forming, but he’s going to need me to execute it.”
“You’re not getting up.”
“Can I sit up?”
“Yes, as long as you don’t move around too much. Let me wake Mike to help you off the table.”
Ted caught her hand. “Not just yet. Mia, I know the sacrifice you made for me, for us. I wanted you to know that, even if you turn into a goose, I’ll still love you.”
“Gee, that’s good to know. A goose… I never thought of that,” Mia said, visibly concerned. “As long as I’m not a chicken.”
Mia looked around the room. Between her and Murphy, they had destroyed the once beautiful mahogany bar. The back of the taps were exposed to the room, as were the sink and small refrigerators. The tables had been moved out of the center of the room. Cid had assembled the computer station in the corner booth where Richard had spent so much time. Burt was poring over some blueprints in the booth next to Cid. Mike and Audrey had laid claim to the long banquettes against opposite walls. Mia hated to disturb Mike, but the sooner she got Ted off the table, the safer he would be.
Mia gently laid her hand on the investigator. She intended to shake him, but instead, she read his sleeping form. He had two broken ribs and a large mass of bruising that was impeding his left lung. Mia gently pulled the covers down and pulled up his shirt. She carefully moved her hand over the broken ribs and started them mending. Next, she took her fingers and gently swirled them along the bruising. She smiled as the angry purple and blue turned into an ugly yellow brown.
Mike giggled and opened his eyes. “Mia, what are you doing?”
“Stuff,” she said and moved her hand lower.
Mike caught her hand. “Mia, I assure you all is well in that direction.”
“It’s your funeral,” she said, stopping.
“It will be both our funerals if Ted sees where you were going,” Mike hissed.
“Ted’s awake. Can you help me to get him off the table and over to the booth? I’d ask Cid, but I suspect he’s not strong enough yet.”
Mike sat up. “Sure. Do you think there’s a coffee machine somewhere in that mess?” he asked.
“I imagine so. I’ll look after we move Ted,” Mia promised.
“How are you doing? You must be exhausted.”
“Oh, I’m feeling it a bit. I’ve asked my body to do things it’s never done before.”
“Oh, I love it when you talk dirty to me, Cooper,” Mike teased. He got to his feet and took a deep breath, surprised that his sides no longer hurt so much. “You do good work.”
“I’m afraid I can’t completely heal you. Time is going to do that,” she said. “Speaking of time, I wonder, what time is it? My cell’s dead.” Mia held the phone up and shook it before jamming it back into her pocket.
“I’d say it’s time to get a watch,” Mike said, looking at his wrist. “Five thirty A.M.”
There was a rumble of thunder in the distance and the sound of rain hitting the high stained-glass windows of the bar.
“Damn, I was hoping to get down the hill before the sun came up,” she said. “Maybe at the height of the storm, I’ll try it.”
“No you won’t,” Mike said. “Too dangerous, and I need you here. I can’t defend this crew by myself.”
“Murphy…”
“Murphy will insist on going with you. Give us a few hours to plan. With the minds in this room, I’m sure we’ll figure something out that doesn’t include risking our biggest asset.”
Mia wanted to argue with him but found, she didn’t really want to go out into the pouring rain.
Together, they moved Ted off the table, and Mike assisted him over to the corner booth. He slid in beside Cid who looked up at the three through bloodshot eyes.
“Time for you to get some shuteye,” Mike insisted.
“I will after I update Ted on what’s what,” Cid promised.
Mia left them in order to hunt for a coffee machine, and upon finding it, she was pleased to discover that John had a large store of coffee and bar snacks in the cupboard underneath the coffee station. Mia set up two pots, one with normal coffee and one that Ted would appreciate. She found a box of instant creamer and sugar packets. She poured the regular coffee in a carafe and grabbed some mugs. For Ted, she did her best to supercharge a large mug with sugar and creamer before pouring in the super-strong brew. Lifting the tray, she made her way to the working PEEPs.
Burt watched Mia cross the room with the heavily-laden tray. She would never be graceful, but she was strong. She set her tray down in front of him.
“Coffee?”
“Please.” He was about to tell her what he wanted in his coffee when she automatically put the right amount of everything in, and as if she was reading his mind, she said, “There are some things I’ll never forget.”
“Thank you, Mia, me too.”
Mia walked over to what she called the geek booth. “Okay, nerds, here’s something to keep you awake.”
Ted smiled as he tasted what Mia created, having had to make do with the instant creamer. She handed him some painkillers. “Ch
ase them with the coffee. You’re going to need them.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ted said and tried to wait Mia out, but she wouldn’t leave until he took the pills. She even had the audacity to have him open his mouth to make sure he swallowed the pills.
She walked over to where Mike had settled himself and slid in the booth with the remaining coffee. The two of them sat in companionable silence for a while.
“You’ve got feathers on your back,” Mike said finally.
“I’m sure they’ll fade as soon as I learn to control things. Now these,” Mia said, taking off a glove and holding out her wrist to display the two black feathers on the underside, “aren’t going anywhere.”
“What are they?”
“Scribe feathers. They identify my family. My grandfather is Orion.”
“I bet that came as a surprise.”
“Yup. You see, the facts are that you and Burt coming to the hollow didn’t start anything that wasn’t going to happen anyway, so put those fears away. As Popeye was fond of saying, ‘I yam what I yam and that’s alls that I yam.’”
“But, Mia, you’re so much more. Don’t forget that the best part of you is your ability to forgive and see things from the perspective of all creatures, big and small.”
“Thank you, that was very kind. Any idea on how we’re going to get out of this situation?”
“Once we get the geek squad to get around to providing us with good info and backup, I think that we need to go on the offensive. I figure the only reason they haven’t come in and shot us is that they are under the incorrect assumption that you are the only one left alive. The storm that is approaching will keep them occupied for a while, but after it lets up, they are coming to hurt you, Mia. We need to be prepared for them. How long until our injured can safely be moved?”
“That’s the big problem, Mike. I may have jump-started the healing process, but they are human males and will heal at a human’s pace. I think, aside from them using their brains, we can’t count on them in a fight. You’re stuck with me, Murphy and Audrey.”
“Two amazons and a ghost. Well, that certainly increases the odds,” he joked. “Where is Murphy?”
“I imagine he’s scouting things out. He wasn’t here when I woke up.”
“Probably Cid sent him out for some intel. I’ll wait until he comes back before trying to get to our rooms to pick up some needed things.”
“Audrey and I can do that. You stay here and protect the nerds,” Mia insisted. “Make a list of what you need. I’ll wake Audrey and ask the others what they can’t live without.”
Mike nodded.
Mia left the table and walked over to wake Audrey. “Audrey,” Mia said as she gently nudged her friend.
“Morning, Mia. Do I smell coffee?”
“Yes, I’ll grab you a cup while you wake up.”
“Where’s the ladies…”
“Better let me go with you. I haven’t checked it out yet. Mia walked over and grabbed a flashlight from the equipment bag and met Audrey on the far side of the bar. They walked down past the men’s room to the door displaying a stick figure representation of a female. Mia opened the door and was pleased to find a fresh-smelling bathroom. It had two stalls. Mia insisted Audrey go first while she kept watch. “The last place you want to be trapped in is a stall.”
Mia stared in the mirror while Audrey took care of business. She caught a glimpse of the faint black lines moving on her back. “Stop, please stop,” she said.
“I would, but I’ve never been good mid-stream,” Audrey said from the stall.
“I’m sorry, I was talking to the tats on my back.”
“Seems to me that Angelo’s don’t show all the time. Perhaps he can help you to hide them.”
“I know the answers to a lot of things can be found by spending some time with Angelo, but I’m not ready. My marriage is still not as sound as it once was. My son needs my attention. And above all, I’m scared.”
Audrey flushed the toilet and exited the stall. She washed her hands silently. She turned to Mia and said, “I know I don’t have the same concerns, Mia, but after my husband first started beating on me, I lost something I have yet to find again. I used to be so brave.”
“I think you’re brave,” Mia said.
“But, Mia, that’s because I’m around you guys. When I’m on my own, I’m still quite skittish. When people rush at me, I cringe. I expect the blows. I went to counseling, but I’m still not the girl I was. I’m thinking, I’ll never be the same again.”
Mia didn’t know what to say. “I guess we have to learn to appreciate the women we are now.”
Audrey smiled. “Exactly. The woman who saved us in that cavern, not thinking for one moment that she was putting herself in danger, is a wonderful, special person, I’m so glad to know.”
Mia smiled sadly. “I’m not a very good friend to you, Audrey. I’ve been all wrapped up in myself and my problems. I’m sorry.”
“I’ve never felt neglected,” Audrey said honestly. “I know that if I did have a problem, you wouldn’t let anything stand in your way to help me. I know this here,” Audrey said, patting her chest. “You’re my hero, Mia.”
Mia burst into tears. Audrey joined her, and the two clung together for a few moments and let the tears fall.
When they had comforted each other, the two broke apart and washed off the tears. Audrey insisted on Mia taking off her shirt.
“I think it’s time we face what’s here,” Audrey said.
Mia did as she was asked. She turned around so Audrey could see first.
“Oh my, it’s absolutely fierce,” she said. “Turn around, and look in the mirror.”
Mia did and viewed the black lines that moved into the shapes of feathered wings that moved across her shoulders and down her back. “There goes swimsuit season,” Mia joked.
“Try this: wish them to be hidden,” Audrey suggested.
Mia did so, but they remained.
Audrey frowned. “There has to be... What about if you tap your wrist?”
Mia did so, and the wings fluttered. She quickly tapped it again to stop that.
“Damn, I’ll think on this for a while,” Audrey promised. “But now, we have more immediate things to take care of.”
“You’re right,” Mia said, pulling on her shirt before she went into the stall to take care of herself.
“I’ve got it!” Audrey proclaimed.
Mia flushed, walked out, and looked at Audrey. She was jumping up and down.
Audrey walked over and grabbed Mia’s wrist. She placed Mia’s unfeathered wrist over the other and separated them. She twisted Mia around. “Look!”
Mia did, and the tattoo was gone.
“How?”
“Orion and Angelo did this,” she said and demonstrated by putting her wrists together, “just before they sprouted wings. So I figured, it may also bring the wings back in too. One-button service, sort of.”
“You’re a genius.”
“No, just observant.”
“Gee, all this time I thought you were only checking out their packages,” Mia accused.
“Well sure, but you can only look so long,” she said, blushing. “Now try it. Give me wings, Mia,” Audrey said, pulling Mia’s shirt off.
Mia tapped her wrists together. The tattoos emerged. She stroked the feathers on her wrist and felt something moving out of her.
Audrey saw the wings emerge. She quickly grabbed and held the straps of Mia’s bra together so the wings would not be pinned. She took a clip from her hair and secured the straps before standing back and smiling. “Oh my god, they are beautiful.”
Mia stared open-mouthed in the mirror. She looked at the luminous off-white wings and recognized them. They weren’t birdman wings. She was staring at angel’s wings. “What if I can’t put them back?” she asked.
“Rub your wrist, and then tap the two together like before,” Audrey instructed.
Mia did as she was told, and the wings d
isappeared. “Well, that was most unexpected,” Mia said.
Audrey took the clip off Mia’s straps. “I suggest you wear a racerback bra and top.”
Mia wiped the tears from her face.
“Did it hurt?” Audrey asked, concerned.
“It felt odd, but it wasn’t painful. Magic is seldom painful,” Mia said. “Audrey, can we keep this between the two of us for now? Ted’s been through enough.”
Audrey nodded. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
Mia hugged her friend. “Now let’s get out there. Mike’s probably thinking we’re up to some lesbian things in here, we’ve been gone so long.”
Audrey laughed. “If he only knew…”
Murphy was standing in the hall. Mia stopped and let Audrey walk by her. “Are you alright?” she asked.
“Are you?”
Mia nodded slowly, and then she grasped Murphy’s hands and said, “I’m starting to accept my fate, Murph. I’m going to be alright. I still have a choice.”
“The storm is keeping the men in the security shack. Time to get prepared. They are armed.”
Mia nodded. “Lead the way.”
Murphy looked at her. “Get your shield and sword.”
“I think I better leave them for Mike, just in case. Audrey and I have you to protect us,” she reasoned.
“Okay. Hurry,” he said.
Mia rushed over and handed the scabbard to Mike, showing him how to remove the shield and sword.
“Mia, I don’t know how to use this,” Mike protested.
“Did you never play with wooden swords as a kid?”
“Yes, but…”
“It’s the same thing, but this is the real deal,” she said seriously.
“Okay, I’ll do my best. This shield may stop a bullet or two,” he said, looking at it.
“We’ll be back as soon as we can. Where’s the list?”
He handed her the combined list and read off the items according to room number. Mia stuffed it in her pocket and ran over and kissed her husband goodbye before she met Audrey and Murphy at the door.
Mike looked at the men he had been left to defend. Ted had Curly moving around after he’d turned his phone into a localized Wi-Fi hub. Cid was working on small wormlike machines. They had a lens at the end of them.