Borderland

by Jennifer Seet

  It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkness in the room. “Lou,” she called, “Are you in here?”

  No answer.

  Betty peered into the quiet, waiting for a response.

  None came.

  Her eyes began to pick up images. Scanning the room, she saw something that caused her to gasp and let out a bone-chilling scream…her husband collapsed in a heap next to the nightstand. His complexion was pale white and she knew without checking that Lou was gone.

  Feeling faint, she grabbed the doorknob tighter for support. Shaking her head to dissolve the dizziness that was threatening to overcome her, she made her way over to him. Kneeling down, she grabbed his hand, still warm, and massaged it tenderly, wishing her touch would bring back life.

  She put her ear to his chest, heard nothing.

  She brought his hand up to her lips, placed a kiss on his fingers, and tasted the salt from her fallen tears.

  In an instant, their life together flashed before her eyes and she was moved to place another kiss on his forehead.

  Wrapping her arms around him, she lifted him gently into her lap, silently rocking back and forth until an eerie calm came over her. She had conquered her outward grief only to be left with tears that stained the very depth of her soul.

  * * * * *

  Awakening from a deep slumber, Harry Parker heard the faint shrill of a siren in the distance.

  Being in a hospital, you hear them all the time, he thought, but his insight told him it was for someone he knew, and it wasn’t good.

  He tried to shake the feeling growing inside, gnawing away like a cancer spreading throughout his body. Sometimes he dreaded his intuition. He couldn’t just turn it on and off like water pouring from a faucet. No, once it commenced, he had to deal with it.

  If people were aware of his talent, they’d always want to know what it was like to be psychic. He’d tell them that it was like having all the pieces of a great novel but not knowing the ending. It was like spending all this time and energy reading a book, coming to the climax and then, it just stops there.

  That didn’t do it for most people. They’d look at him like he was crazy and shake their heads in disbelief. Maybe they thought he should experience something more explosive or have an earth-shattering revelation that would change the world if anyone else knew it. Often, they would walk away still trying to figure it out.

  Harry remembered one incident that had happened almost twenty years ago. All day he had an impression that someone close to Travis was in peril. He tried in vain to conjure up a more vivid image, or garner more details, but it just kept playing over and over in his mind-someone close to Travis would be harmed. He saw water and a fiery impact, but no other clues as to what it meant. He didn’t sleep well that night, agonizing over whether he should say anything. Finally, he made the decision to tell Travis about it.

  But, before he could even broach the subject, Travis informed him that his cousin had been killed in a plane crash over the Pacific Ocean the day before, about the same time that Harry was having the startling images.

  His cousin had been a fighter pilot in Vietnam, and since the War, had worked as a flight instructor for the Air Force Academy. He and a student were both killed during a training mission when their plane erupted into flames as it hit the water.

  Planning to attend the funeral, Travis told Harry he was leaving him in charge of the office until he returned.

  Harry stood there in shock, aware that he had had another premonition. Over the years he had had several of these forewarnings and learned that most of the time he should trust his clairvoyance.

  That’s why he felt so concerned about the wail of the siren in the distance. Dread invaded his body, enlarging until he thought he would burst from the fright. His nerve endings tingled with electricity. He tried to will away the fear, but it kept building like huge waves during a hurricane, growing and swelling into insurmountable walls of water that hang in the sky, never crashing into the shore.

  But, he couldn’t shake the feeling.

  A picture flashed across his mind. He grew tense, rigid with certainty now, the certainty that someone was dead. He could see the body as he tried to make out the surroundings. They looked familiar but he wasn’t sure. Concentrating harder, focusing on the details, he recognized his room at the motel! And, as soon as he accepted reality, Harry knew that Jake had claimed another victim.

  * * * * *

  “He has to be stopped,” a voice spoke out in the darkened room. “You know that don’t you Harry?”

  Eyes moving rapidly, he tried to locate the voice, squinting in an effort to bring things into sharper focus. The hospital room was shady, just bordering on dusk. The setting sun streamed in through the window causing shadows to spawn, creating a subterfuge of friendly visitors, inhabiting the sterile environment. Finally, he was able to make out the reality of one form, now bathed in light, Travis!

  “He doesn’t have much time left. His mind is slipping away, but now is when he is at his most dangerous.”

  Harry lay back on the pillow, grappling with the fact that he was speaking to a dead man! It had happened before, but still caused shivers up and down his spine.

  “You have to help, Harry.”

  Shaking his head side to side, he didn’t speak, but only lowered his chin to his chest.

  “You have to do it! If you don’t, she’ll be his next victim. He has plans to make her kill herself, but you can’t let him do that!”

  “What can I do? I’m old, sick, not much help to anyone right now.” He stared at the ceiling, feeling helpless.

  “Please, don’t give up. I can help you.”

  “It’s not that easy!” he yelled.

  Then, footsteps echoed down the hall, and he was certain the nurse had probably heard him.

  “Never surrender.”

  Harry thought of his Mother. She always said that. She also said that he and Travis were a team, that they could trust each other. Funny how we never listen to our parents because we think we know so much more than they do. Then, when we realize the truth, they’re gone.

  His mother, though, never left, and always gave him good advice.

  He heard the footsteps approaching closer and closer. Harry nodded to Travis, silently indicating he would help. Nothing else was needed. A bond that had been there for a long time was sealed forever; their friendship transcended time, space, life and death.

  “Mr. Parker,” a timid, shaky voice spoke up from the hall.

  Harry recognized it but knew it wasn’t one of the nurses. He peered into the darkness, straining to see who was speaking. “Yes,” he answered.

  “Would it be alright if I came in for a minute?”

  Where have I heard that voice before? Whoever it was had tried unsuccessfully to stifle a sob.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s me, Betty Gleason.”

  He looked over at the figure standing in the dimly lit doorway, “Please, come in.”

  She walked in, grabbed onto the chair and sat down, her hands gripping the arms, knuckles gleaming in the dark.

  Through the dull light of the lamp on the nightstand, Harry could see the tear streaks on her cheeks. “Whatever is wrong, Mrs. Gleason? Why are you crying?”

  She reached for a Kleenex from the box on the table, “It’s Lou.” Trembling, her hand shook as she tried to wipe her nose with the tissue. “He’s dead,” she blurted out, finally giving in to the grief. She feverishly swiped at the tears forming in her eyes, an impossible task, but she tried anyway.

  Harry reached over and took her hand, “Oh my God! What happened?”

  She could see the shock on his face but was compelled to ask anyway, “I don’t know. You tell me.” Questioning and defiant, she was not sure what to believe.

  “Why, what do you mean?”

  She saw the hurtful expression that came over his face and instantly regretted her accusation.

  He just doesn’t look like a
villain, she thought. I can’t believe that he had anything to do with Lou’s death. Here he is lying in a hospital bed, gravely ill himself. Why did I say that! Why do I think he would know something!

  Betty thought about it and decided to trust her gut. “I’m sorry, Mr. Parker. It’s just that…do you recall telling me about the face in the window of your motel room? Remember? You said you saw a face.”

  Harry took his time before answering, “No…I don’t recollect... Why? Did I say that?”

  Truly perplexed, he did see a face but couldn’t remember telling her. If he did, he was afraid to admit it right now. He didn’t want her to become involved. There was too much danger. Best to leave her out of it, he decided.

  She stared at him for a long time, disappointment evident. “No, I guess I was wrong.” She wanted to know what happened and was hoping Harry would shed some light on it. Obviously, he didn’t remember anything.

  “Listen, I’m sorry Mr. Parker. I’ll leave you alone now; you need your rest,” Betty patted his hand and turned to leave the room.

  “Please,” Harry said.

  Betty stopped and waited for him to continue.

  He wanted to tell her but changed his mind at the last minute. He just didn’t want anyone else embroiled in such a frightening experience.

  “I’m so sorry about your husband. He was a good man. I…I just wish there was something I could say or do to help you.”

  She could see he was visibly upset. He seemed sincere, but was holding back. She wasn’t sure what and hoped to find out. But for now, she had too many other things to do.

  I shouldn’t have come, she thought. Poor Lou!

  All of a sudden the emotions came flooding to the surface again. I have to get out of here! Giving his hand one more pat, she left the room hurriedly before dissolving into tears once again.

  If she had glanced back, she would have noticed Harry looking at her, worried, confused…and caring.

  Harry laid his head back and thought about the mounting tragedies. How can I help Logan? I have to get out of here before it’s too late! He’s already killed two people. How long before he gets to her?

  Trying to push himself up out of bed, exhaustion overcame him, and soon he fell back into a fitful, drug-induced sleep.

  * * * * *

  “They’re all in here,” Tom announced, as he opened the wide door into the barn.

  Dust particles flew up, momentarily clouding Logan’s vision. She was still confused as to why Tom’s “family” would be waiting in the barn for them.

  He stepped back, allowing her to enter ahead of him, and the pungent earthy aromas hit her nose before she could adjust her eyes to the darkness inside.

  Tom waved his hand toward the corner closest to the door. “Here they are! Millie! Sam! Come meet Logan,”

  She focused on the spot where he was pointing and saw two majestic animals standing proudly in their stall. Both horses perked up their ears and moved forward at the sound of his voice, jostling each other in an attempt to be the first to welcome the new visitor.

  “They’re beautiful, Tom,” gently stroking first Millie’s, then Sam’s nose.

  The two horses basked in the attention. Millie snorted and edged forward, wanting another pet. Sam moved his head up and down, in response to Logan’s caressing fingers. Neither seemed afraid or shy in the presence of this stranger.

  “See, they’re not afraid of me. I’m not such a bad person.”

  Tom agreed, “I think you’ve made a couple of friends.”

  Watching the interaction, he was satisfied that his two “buddies” liked her. Briefly, he thought about Alex and wondered what had happened to cause him to growl like that. Oh well, he shrugged, everything seems to be fine now.

  He glanced down and noticed that the door to the stall was scratched. Huh, that’s strange. Looks like they’ve been pawing at the door. Wonder why?

  The two horses shook their heads, flicking the flies buzzing around, and enjoying Logan’s touch.

  But nearby a sinister presence suddenly materialized in the hidden recesses of the barn, far enough away not to attract the humans’ attention but close enough for the animals to immediately sense danger.

  Their ears perked up and their bodies tensed. They turned their heads in unison to the center of the barn. Sam reared up in fright and Millie beat her hooves against the stall door, both in a panic.

  Logan backed away, shocked and frightened by the swift change in their mood.

  Tom grabbed the reins, but neither of them thought to look toward the center where the horses’ attention was focused.

  “Whoa,” Tom said. “Calm down old girl; come on boy. You’re alright.”

  He reached to stroke their heads, but Sam and Millie reared again, bucking up and down, tugging at the leather straps.

  Jake moved in and out of the shadows, just enough to taunt them and still be invisible to Tom and Logan. The horses stamped their hooves, jerking their heads back, agitated by the entity they both knew was there.

  “It’s okay. It’s okay,” Tom tried to reassure them.

  Sam and Millie started to calm down as Jake evaporated and retreated far enough away from the barn so as not to upset the horses further.

  “Must have seen a mouse or something.”

  He looked over at Logan; her head was nodding in agreement, but her face registered doubt.

  Tom continued to stroke the horses until he was sure they were under control. Their ears twitched and they whinnied alarmingly. Distracted, he watched them for a while, but worried about Logan too.

  She seemed to accept responsibility for what happened. It’s strange that Alex, Millie and Sam would all three be spooked by something while she was here. It hadn’t happened before. Maybe they sensed nervousness. Maybe she doesn’t feel that comfortable around animals. She did say she didn’t have any pets, he remembered. Animals can sense when people are flustered. They get a little skittish when someone’s not totally relaxed.

  That must have been it, Tom decided.

  “Yeah, they’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, they’re alright. It was probably just a mouse.”

  Finally, she began to breathe a little easier, “Okay, but I want you to know that I don’t usually have that effect on animals…or men.”

  He chuckled and grabbed her by the hand, “Come on. Let’s go to the house for that dinner I promised.”

  He looked back to see Millie and Sam moving around the stall, still bothered by their behavior.

  * * * * *

  Jake waited a few miles away and when Logan and Tom were out of sight, he reappeared, wreaking havoc on the horses. Millie and Sam began beating at the stall, cowering back, eyes bulging. Their frenzied stamping caused blood to trickle from their hooves. They moved in circles, kicking the sides of the stall. Wounds opened and blood flowed freely. They bucked and tried to jump out but Sam collapsed in a heap on the floor. His chest heaved up and down and his breathing became more erratic. Millie, afraid to leave his side, circled him, kicking her legs, lashing out at the terror.

  Alex lingered in the doorway, cringing, howling. He felt it too. His heart beat wildly in his chest. Heavy streams of saliva oozed from his mouth. On the sides of his lips, tiny bubbles of foam began to form. Feeling trapped and powerless against the ghostly foe, he collapsed in a whimpering mass, shivering, pressing his body against the door, defenses not only down, but gone. No longer would he be able to face much adversity again. Cowardice would be a part of his life from now on.

  * * * * *

  Inside the house, Logan stood in the middle of the living room, soft music playing. She liked the comfortable, rustic look and feel of the furniture. It made her think of how much her own parents had enjoyed their cabin here in Brown County.

  Framed family portraits on the mantel caught her attention. Nice, she thought. The one in the middle was of Tom and a beautiful young woman. He had his arms wrapped around her, cheek to
uching cheek, both playfully grinning for the camera. In the background Logan noticed the same hills, same clearing where he had taken her on their hike yesterday.

  Tom slipped into the room and turned the volume up on the CD player. Music flooded the house, drowning out any outside noises. “She loved that place too.”

  He handed Logan a glass of iced tea and continued to stare at the picture.

  “She’s beautiful.”

  He took a sip of his tea, smiled and said, “Yeah, she is, isn’t she.”

  Deep in thought he didn’t realize that Logan was staring at him. He was captured in the memories of Jenny.

  Heaving a big sigh, breaking concentration, “Hey, you ready to eat? I’ve made some great chili. You do like chili don’t you? I guess I forgot to ask. Of course, I could make something else if you don’t…”

  Putting her hand on his arm, “I’m starved and I love chili.”

  “Let’s eat then.” He guided her into the kitchen. “You can set the table while I serve the chili. Do you like crackers or bread?”

  A fine mist took shape in front of the fireplace. It watched the couple conversing as they prepared their meal. If anyone had been in the living room, they would have seen it grow solid and recognized it immediately. It was the same young woman in the photograph on the mantel.

  * * * * *

  “Great chili! My compliments to the chef.”

  Tom pushed his chair back, “There’s more if you’d like.”

  “No thanks. If I eat another bite, I’ll explode!”

  “That’s too bad because I made a strawberry pie.”

  “You’re kidding! You make dessert too?”

  “I try. But if you’re not hungry now, maybe we can have some later. Would you want to help me feed the horses instead?”

  “Sure, lead the way.”

  He put his hand out to help her up. When they stood facing each other, she had a compelling desire to kiss him.

  He was looking into her eyes, waiting.