The Healer: First Touch

by Amy Clapp

  "Thirsty?"

  "Yes," Varick laughed loudly, screwing the top back on his bottle.

  Varick and I looked across the lake for a moment. We saw a sailboat, the white sail stark against the blueness of sea and sky. A freighter moved slowly along the far off horizon.

  Varick spoke first. "I like coming here. The fresh air clears my mind." Varick brought his knee up and rested his left arm on it. I was distracted by his heavy tattoo. I traced the lines and patterns up the length of his arm with my eyes.

  "Uh huh," I murmured absently in response.

  "And the waves," Varick continued, his voice nostalgic and wistful. "The rush the wave makes as it crashes onto the beach and then how the lake reclaims it, sucking it back out to its depths."

  I stopped staring at Varick's arm, instead staring at his profile. His face was hard, his jaw flexed. He stared out at the waves, the light breeze blowing at his hair.

  "I could watch those waves forever."

  Varick looked so forlorn. I had an overwhelming urge to throw my arms around him and hold him close. Instead, I looked down at my hands clasped around the water bottle in my lap. "I know," I answered softly.

  He spoke again, telling me more about how he came to find me, how he watched over me since my birth, and how he had saved me from the fiery car accident that claimed the lives of my parents.

  I stared at him, astonished with what he was telling me and how freely he was sharing this information.

  "I know you have something you want to ask me...about that night," Varick said as he stared out at the waves on the lake. "I wish you would just ask me."

  I bit my lip hard enough that I tasted the metallic flavor of blood. There was a question I wanted to ask him about that fateful night. A question that burned in the very core of my soul. But I was afraid to ask it.

  Varick turned to look at me. His eyes were cloudy and stormy. "Just ask, Jacey." His face was still hard, stone like.

  "Why didn't you save them too?" I said softly, my voice catching. I fought to keep my tears at bay.

  "Because I only had time to save you. Only you. You were my responsibility."

  "I know. But could you have saved them?"

  "I don't think so." Varick turned his attention back to the water. "Everything happened so fast. I was watching you, as I did all the time. Your mother needed to go to the store for something and of course your father insisted on going along to protect her and you."

  I swallowed hard, staring intently at Varick, silently urging him to continue. I wanted to know more about the night my parents died.

  "Your father was driving just outside of town, on his way to Oakton. I followed them on my motorcycle. I don't think they knew I was there." Varick smiled ruefully.

  "All of a sudden a dark cloud loomed ahead of them. It was massive; it completely blocked the road. Before your father could react, the mist slid under the car and picked it up. The mist lifted the car high in the air and threw it back on the road."

  My breath caught in my throat as I pictured the terrifying scene. I already knew what the mist was. Varick didn't need to tell me.

  I was suddenly very cold. I raised my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them, my water and granola bar completely forgotten.

  "I skidded my motorcycle to a stop and smashed through the back window of the car. I can still smell the gasoline that was leaking all around the vehicle."

  "My first priority was you. You were awake and crying. But you didn't appear injured. That's when your father grabbed my arm. My English was very broken still, and he spoke to me in our language. Your mother was either already gone or very close. He told me to save you. To always protect you. And not to hesitate."

  Varick looked at me. I stared back, blinking back tears.

  "And so, I grabbed you, ripping the car seat to pieces in the process. I jumped from the vehicle and heard your father thank me, just before the car exploded into flames. I don't think I could have saved them. I just didn't have time. As I sped away on my motorcycle with you tucked in my arm like a football, I heard the Fury scream and howl. It was furious that I had you. It didn't expect me."

  Varick looked back at the lake. "I brought you back to Oma and Opa. It was hard to tell them what happened because my English was still so weak, but they seemed to understand." Varick picked at something on his knee.

  "I'm sorry, Jacey," Varick said, sighing sadly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save your parents."

  I looked at the lake and took a deep breath. The breeze blew on me, picking up a stray hair that had escaped my braid, blowing it across my face. I was sad still, but somehow I felt better, relieved that I finally knew what had happened.

  "Thank you, Varick," I finally said, turning to look at him. I placed my hand on his arm to console him. My heart quickened as the electric current passed from his bare skin to my palm and up my arm. Varick placed his other hand over mine.

  I smiled lightly. Cocking my head to the side, I said, "Varick, what did you do all those years waiting for me to grow up?" I tried to ignore the intense feelings his touch created inside me. My heart was beating quickly. I deliberately slowed my breath in order to slow my heart. It didn't work.

  Varick smiled, his eyes lightening. The storm contained within them cleared. "I waited...for you." We talked freely and easily now that the tension was gone. Varick told me about the different times he had saved me or protected me in the past and I recalled the events, actually seeing him in each memory now.

  We continued talking as the orange sun seemingly slid into the lake. I felt so content talking with Varick. Conversation came easily along with smiles and laughter and we both lost track of time as the sun set and the moon started its ascent.

  Varick was in the middle of telling me a story about when my stubbornness almost got me in trouble, when he stopped suddenly. He sat totally still, only moving his eyes around.

  "What's the matter, Varick?"

  Varick waved his hand in the air to silence me. He was listening. He definitely heard something, and from his actions I didn't think he liked what he heard.

  Varick abruptly stood and thrust his hand out towards me. "We have to go. Now." Varick's words were soft but urgent. His eyes were wild, filled with anticipation and dread. I grabbed his hand and let him yank me to my feet. We started down the sand dune as fast as we could safely go in the diminishing light. I was glad I had put my flip flops on earlier since Varick hadn't waited for anything before pulling me down the hill. He looked nervously around us then turned to look at me. "Come on. Hurry."

  His eyes scared me and I felt my heart pumping adrenaline.

  When we got to the bottom of the sand dune, Varick didn't stop. He pulled me along after him toward his parked motorcycle. I was vaguely aware of a sea gull shrieking above us. At least I thought it was a sea gull.

  My heart hammered in my chest and I could feel myself shaking. "What is it, Varick? What's the matter?"

  Varick stopped and looked me in the eyes. He still held my hand in his.

  "It's the Fury. It's here."

  My stomach flipped and I felt dread sinking inside me, filling me with sickening fear.

  -Seventeen-

  We hurried toward the parked motorcycle. But before we reached it, a loud growl stopped us in our tracks. The guttural growls came from behind us. Varick stopped and turned to face the noise. He pushed me behind him and I cowered at his back, grateful for his courage.

  "Too late," he muttered wryly.

  Varick's stance was rigid. He had one foot in front of the other and his legs apart for balance. His tattooed arm he held out in front of him, hand flat as if to stop whatever was coming for us. His other arm was back, holding me behind him, his body shielding me. He was so still, he barely seemed to breathe. His head was cocked slightly toward the direction of the sounds. It snarled again and Varick tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me closer to his back.

  I peeked over Varick's shoulder at the wood line butting up next
to the sand dune we had been sitting on. It sounded like the growls and snarls came from there. The snarling and growling became more intense, more fierce. I felt Varick's body tense, prepared to react, to protect. I felt as if my heart would burst through my ribcage at any second. More snarling could be heard from the trees, but nothing emerged. The woods were dark. I shook with fear, burying my face in Varick's back to steady myself. We waited for the creature to show itself, me shaking uncontrollably and Varick stiff and rigid, poised to fight.

  I took a chance, lifting my head to scan the area, looking for anyone who could assist us. But we were completely alone. The parking lot was empty except for us and Varick's motorcycle. Even the ranger booth was empty. How convenient. Too convenient actually. The snarling turned my attention back to the wood line. The sounds were louder, closer. Varick remained still.

  I saw the yellow eyes of the beast first, glowing in the shadows of the woods. Varick saw them too and I thought I head a rumble reverberating through his chest, an answer to the beast's call to fight. At the sight of the yellow eyes, my heart raced faster in my chest and blood pounded in my ears.

  The creature stepped out of the shadows, its large, furry paw crunching the stones and sticks on the path leading to the parking lot. The creature took another step and its massive body came into view. It was larger then a dog, but smaller then a grizzly bear. Coarse black fur covered the beast down to its large paws, where long shiny claws protruded. It snarled, exposing sharp yellow fangs. It slowly approached, one slow step at a time, growling and snarling angrily.

  "Varick..." Fear tightened my chest, making it difficult for me to breath.

  Varick's arm tightened around me, keeping me pinned behind him. The muscles of his tattooed arm tensed and flexed. "I won't let it get you." His voice was low, but the fierceness of it could not be mistaken. Varick's hand was still extended in front of us as if he was commanding the evil creature to halt. I couldn't breathe. Fear consumed me.

  The creature threw its head back and roared. Groaning, I covered my ears with my hands, desperately trying to shut out the frightening noise. Varick still didn't budge. The beast took another step towards us. It lowered its head, crouching on its powerful hind legs to attack.

  "Varick," I choked through the fear, my eyes wide.

  "Come on," Varick goaded the creature. "Come on." But Varick still didn't move.

  The creature's yellow eyes moved from Varick to me. My blood ran cold. My intuition screamed at me to run and flee. I tried to step back away from the beast, away from Varick. Varick felt the movement, and his hand clamped onto my waist, a steel vise holding me in place.

  "Don't move," Varick said between clenched teeth. "That's just what it wants you to do."

  The creature threw its head back again, letting out a ferocious roar; saliva dripped off its fangs.

  I covered my ears again, squeezing my eyes shut as well. A sob escaped my throat as the fear and anxiety became overwhelming.

  I felt a rumbling from Varick's body and lifted my hands from my ears to hear more growling, this time coming from inside Varick. I was so afraid I thought I would be sick. I tired to choke back the bile that rose in my throat.

  With a ferocious growl, the beast leaped at us. Its front paws were extended, sharp, black claws prepared to rip into our flesh. I stared in horror at the beast; all I could focus on was the razor-like fangs, glistening with saliva and glowing yellow in the twilight.

  I wanted to scream, but like the nightmares I'd had countless nights before, I couldn't even squeak.

  Everything seemed to be in slow motion as the creature flew towards us. Varick pushed me back. I stumbled, sliding back onto the asphalt of the parking lot. Varick brought both of his arms in front of him to catch the beast. He bent his legs at the knees, bracing himself for the creature's impact.

  With a loud snarl the beast plowed into Varick. Grunting from the force of the blow, Varick's body swayed with the momentum of the impact. Gasping loudly, I scrambled away from Varick and the beast, still seated on the asphalt.

  With a loud grunt, Varick threw the creature back towards the wood line. It slammed into a tree, cracking the tree in half. The beast righted itself and roared in protest. Its back paws dug into the soft earth, giving it extra power as it snarled again and charged. Varick stood his ground, raising both arms in front of him again.

  The beast hit Varick, this time plowing its massive shoulder into Varick's midsection. Groaning from the impact, Varick dug his fingers into the beast's fur, holding on so it couldn't push him away from me. The creature snarled ferociously and whipped its body back and forth, trying to throw Varick off. But Varick held on, taking care to stay clear of the beast's fangs.

  The beast yelped as Varick punched it in the snout with his left arm, while his right was still entangled in its fur. He hit the creature again and again, and it snarled with each blow. With a loud roar, the beast threw its body to the side, whipping Varick off his feet and throwing him a few yards away. Varick's body hit the asphalt with a thud, but he rolled gracefully to a crouched position, prepared to attack the beast again.

  My eyes focused on Varick. The beast roared again and I turned my head towards it, my attention refocused on the evil in front of me. The beast's head was lowered, its snout almost touching the asphalt, saliva wetting the ground. It slowly advanced on me with glowering yellow eyes.

  "Varick!" I screamed, as I desperately scrambled away from the beast. I felt the asphalt stones grab and tear into the flesh of my palms as I tried to get to my feet. The beast roared again, dropping me back to my knees. I crouched low to the ground, covered my head with my arms, and screamed.

  The creature yelped and I stole a peek under my arms to see Varick wrestling with it. I had a flashback to the nightmare the previous night of Varick's lifeless body lying at the feet of the Fury and the black dog with yellow eyes advancing on me. "No!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face. My shoulders shook with sobs.

  Grunting and groaning came from the mass of black fur and human skin rolling on the asphalt in front of me. I couldn't tell if the noises were coming from Varick or the beast. Getting up on my knees, I watched in helpless fear, so sure my nightmare would come true. I brought my hands up to my angel's pin and covered it protectively. "No, no, no," I sobbed over and over, shaking my head side to side.

  Then I heard the sickening sound of a bone snapping. I sucked in my breath, my eyes wide with fear. I waited anxiously to see who the victim would be, sure that it would have to be Varick, who was so much smaller then the massive creature. Both Varick and the beast stopped struggling and pulled away from each other slightly. A loud roar of pain echoed around us. I was still unsure who was injured. The beast lay on the asphalt, grunting and groaning, wriggling in pain and misery. I started to breathe slowly again when Varick slowly stood. Then he again held his arms in front of him toward the beast, palms forward. Although Varick's back was facing me, I could see his shoulders heaving up and down as he recovered from the fight.

  It startled me when I heard Varick's voice in my ear. His voice sounded tired, but had an edge of fierceness. "Are you alright, Jacey? Are you hurt?"

  I looked at the beast at Varick's feet. It was licking at his front leg and attempting to drag itself back into the woods and away from Varick and me.

  "Jacey. Are you hurt?" Varick's voice was more urgent, but he kept his attention on the retreating beast.

  "Varick, I'm fine," I answered, my voice wavering still with fear. My palms were just starting to burn and tingle from the asphalt scraping against them, but I didn't bother Varick with that.

  The dark creature heard my voice. It snapped its head toward me, the yellow eyes locking onto mine. With a ferocious roar, the creature rose up off the ground, its paws dangling in the air as it stayed suspended. With a puff of smoke and black mist, the beast morphed into a shrouded creature covered in a heavy black cloak, the yellow eyes glowing inside the darkened hood.

  "It's not over ye
t," I whispered to Varick.

  The Fury shrieked loudly, angrily. Varick tensed, every muscle flexed. "Zamcat apalut michow qualpip mitow feowie," Varick spat at the Fury, his hands stretched outward to prevent it from coming closer.

  At the sight of the Fury in what I could only imagine was its true form, I froze, my knees feeling like they were connected to the asphalt. "Varick," I whispered.

  "It's alright, mia Helsoka," Varick's voice was soft and soothing in my ear. But his body did not reflect the same.

  The Fury shrieked again, lifting its shrouded arm toward me. As it extended its arm, the dark, heavy cloak slid back, exposing yellow bone shaped into hand and lower arm.

  "I wonder...have you ever had to fight two Protectors at once?" A strange voice drifted over us, interrupting the Fury's shrieks, coming from where Varick's cycle was parked.

  The Fury turned toward the voice, shrieking loudly.

  I also turned. A man dressed in a short sleeve black shirt and black dress pants stood leaning up against a sleek black Audi parked next to Varick's motorcycle. I hadn't heard or seen the Audi drive into the parking lot, and the light was diminishing quickly, so I couldn't make out any details of the strange man.

  The Fury's shrieking brought my attention back to it.

  The man in black sighed. "If you insist...." His voice was deeper than Varick's and sounded quite bored. It had a heavy accent that I couldn't quite recognize. I turned back to the man, curiosity now replacing my fear. He stood up rubbing his hands briskly together in front of him and began to walk slowly toward where Varick and the Fury had squared off. I looked to Varick. He never moved; his attention still pinned on the Fury in front of him.

  The Fury howled angrily again as the strange man stood next to Varick.