Rise of the Death Walkers (The Circle of Heritage Saga)

by Lawrence Nason Jr.

  I recalled the lonely nights I had lay in my own bed wishing that Jason was with me so I could hear his voice. I used my efforts at school to distract my mind and received acceptable grades. I rushed through a life that was there not really solid for me.

  I was going to refused to go to the Junior Prom but Mimi convinced me I should take part because it was an experience I should have. I had my cousin take me there to ward off the dozens of requests I received. My obsession with holding on to the love I felt for Jason was seen as an abnormal condition by my friends but I insisted that my Jason would return to me.

  The one time I was challenged about my obsession with Jason had come from a totally unexpected direction. I hadn't even known Diane Kirsty at the time she approached me. She made some off the wall comment to me about the foolishness for being in love with a low classed vegetable who was better off if he was taken of the machines and left to die.

  I knew that Jason’s comatose condition was only caused by the presence of his mind on another planet.

  My own savagery in that fight surprised me and the ensuing three week suspension from school and repeated apologies to Diane who was in the hospital for the same amount of time.

  Needless to say my parents were horrified at what I was capable of but understanding at the same time. How strange life can be Diane was one of my closest friends later but there were times where I was sure there were flicker of fear in her eyes when she looked at me. After her release from the hospital she had been terrified of me. Sometimes I scare myself with some of the moods I could get into.

  I graduated from High school in the middle of the class in placement and had accepted a partial scholarship to Canton Community college. My father got me the Corvette he had promised me.

  I was on my way back from class one night when my pager beeped. One look at the code my father sent me lifted my heart soaring to new heights. It was a code we had agreed on if Jason were to wake up. I punched down the gas and paid no attention to any speed limit. I ignored the police cars that were chasing me and headed straight for the reservation.

  Naturally the State Police called ahead to the reservation and passed the information on about the crazy woman in the blue Corvette who was heading their way. I was met by the chief of the reservation police, Tomas Grey at the border to the reservation. The state police cars stopped at the boarder as was customary and looked on in astonishment when the reservation police took up escorting positions around my car. I sighed because it was yet another situation where my father was going to have to use his influence.

  I stopped at the clinic and met my father at the door. "When Daddy?"

  He put his arm around me and escorted me into the clinic. "His brainwaves started showing increasing activities earlier this morning. He is not awake yet but all indications are there that he should wake soon."

  My heart was racing and tears were flowing freely and without shame. "Oh Daddy." I sobbed, "I am so happy he is finally coming back."

  "Calm down Katie. Do you think Jason is going to want a hysterical woman at his side when he first opens his eyes?" He pushed me in the direction of the ladies room. "Go wash your face before you go into his room." I hesitated when he pushed me. "Go Katie or am I going to have to go get Sam and let him loose on you?"

  My father always threatened to do that when I got out of control. Grandfather Sam and I were closer than anyone else in my family and he kept me in line with the same non nonsense attitude he used with Jason. "Daddy, that's not fair." I retorted.

  "Fair or not fair I won't have you blubbering all over my patient when he wakes up, so move along or I won't let you into the room." I knew he was not bluffing with that. I cleaned myself up and was at Jason's side fully composed when he first opened his eyes.

  Mentally the time I spent on Denastis was agreeable but I wanted to get back to my own planet and into my own body. I had become very attached to Moevin. She had explained to me that my training was far enough along that I would be useful in the war and I would be able to communicate with her for further sessions in real Earth time.

  She predicted it would be a few years before I would need to return to Denastis. I was now hyper aware of my mind. When I turned mentally inward and examined myself I was astonished at the complexity of the mind I possessed. The simple life forms were easy to access on Denastis and I had, with the help of Moevin, accessed the mind of a Denastis youth while I was there. The mind I had examined in him was even more complex than my own.

  I had asked why I could not access the mind of an older occupant of the planet and she had explained to me that the mind of the older was protected by years of training and I did not currently have the capability of understanding the complexities I would find there. Later perhaps but in a few generations my line would have progressed far enough to understand what was being seen.

  Another puzzle that had been partially answered was the draw that Katie had afflicted on me. I had been informed that Katie's mind was unique among humans and I had been forbidden ever to examine her mind. To do so could harm Katie beyond repair. She was the natural mate in every aspect to me but by far more important was the genetic code she possessed. She was the only person capable of producing the desired results in my line that were needed to progress the line properly. I had no objections to that because I could not have kept myself away from Katie even if I so desired.

  I opened my eyes and stared into the most beautiful face I ever remembered. "Katie." I whispered.

  "Jason? Oh Jason you came back!" Tears sprouted at the corners of her eyes and she reached out for my hand.

  I lifted my hand and was surprised it was as strong as it was. I looked at her and accused. "You have been spending far more time with me than you should have." I looked around for a calendar but I found none. "How long have I been..?"

  "It's November third, nineteen eighty-two and your nineteen years old." She filled in.

  "Three whole years?" I sat up with no problem but the room started spinning a little bit.

  "Yes, Love." She pushed me back down. "Lie still until Daddy has a chance to look at you."

  I looked at her and noticed she was still wearing the promise ring. "You're not married yet?"

  "Are you crazy?" she punched me lightly on the shoulder. "I can't get married when my husband-to-be is laying unconscious in a hospital bed. What kind of honeymoon would that be?"

  I laughed and caressed her hand. "Well you wouldn't have to worry about getting too tired I supposed." I looked around. "Where is everyone?"

  "I wouldn't let them spoil this moment for you and I." She punched the call button and the next I knew my grandparents, brothers, cousins and her parents were in the room. I smiled and looked around. "Where is Jenna?" I asked.

  "Pasche." My grandfather said sternly but when he saw the determined look on my face he sighed. "Mimi has done her best to maintain your sister’s mind at an attainable level but she is beyond our capabilities."

  I swung my legs over the bedside and was confused when I tangled the lines hooked up to me. "Can somebody get this stuff off me I have to see her." I looked at Dr. Grant.

  "Jason, be patient and let me examine you." I nodded and waited for him to do what he wanted.

  I looked at Mimi and asked. "Can she be brought here?"

  Mimi smiled and said. "Your grandfather anticipated you would be asking for her so we had her transferred here a couple years back. They were not helping her where she was."

  Dr. Grant stepped back and said. "Ok you’re fit as can be expected but you will use a wheelchair for the first few weeks until you have your strength back."

  "I feel fine." I stood up and promptly collapsed to the floor.

  "Lost something there Jason?" My grandfather asked dryly.

  "Ummm little help here?" I had thought I was stronger than that. Hands reached for me and pulled me up. "I guess I will have to listen to the Doc till I get back in shape."

  "When are you going to learn the doctor is always right J
ason?" Dr. Grant grinned at me. He looked at Katie and said in a comical tone. "And daughter I warn you now, you are not to rape Jason until I tell you it's ok."

  Katie blushed a deep shade of red. "The though hasn't even crossed my mind." she lied.

  "Sure it hasn't Katie." My grandfather injected. The room full of people burst out laughing.

  The wheelchair arrived and Katie helped me into it. She wheeled me out of the room into the room next to mine.

  "Leave me with her please." I saw Katie start to object and then when she saw my look she left the room.

  My sister had grown considerably since I last saw her. Her dark hair was waist long and her face angelic but empty somehow. My heart broke seeing the bruises on her arms where she had hurt herself. "My poor Jenna." I murmured softly. I moved closer to her and she began rocking. She was murmuring a song I used to sing to her. I joined in and softly caressed her hair. "My beautiful Jenna so lost for so long. Let me help you find the way back." She stopped rocking when I held her chin and gazed deep into her eyes.

  My mind reached out to caress her mind I began thinking soothing thoughts trying to coax her out of her protective shell. In my mind's eye I saw the wall she had built around herself and began to examine the wall for possible ways in. She continued to hum and look at me. I thought I saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes and I began to search every exposed aspect of the wall she had built.

  "Come home to me Jenna. I am waiting for you." The wall in her mind began to shake on its foundation. It was like she was trying to tear it down from within. "Come to me Jenna." I repeated softly.

  How much time passed I did not know but I began to see crack in the wall I reached in with my mind and peeled back layer after layer of protection. I began to see flashes of what little recognition she had managed to capture in the past four years. Colors and moving objects she had managed to retain in her memories. I peeled back several more layers of the barrier she had put up and then I began to see the faces she had recognized and see the questions she had formed in her mind.

  "Jason? Where was Jason?" this echoed in her mind repeatedly. I tore down more layers she had built up around herself. I had to find the triggering memory and help her deal with it. I spotted the first true break in the wall and I stabbed at it with my own mind. The first truly lucid memory hit me with the force of an explosion. I saw darkness and heard angry voices. As I sat there with her I caressed her and coaxed the memory from her. I heard the screaming and then silence from my mother and heard footsteps in the hallway. He was coming for me. My thoughts merged with her and I felt everything she had felt. I tried to inject soothing thoughts into hers but the panic was growing. I felt her scuffling backwards in the darkness in her room. He hand grasping for the only protection that her tiny hands had. The knife I had left to her. She screamed when the door was kicked open.

  I saw how he stood in the door with the blood from my mother on his hands. I was terrified at the sight of him. My hand gripped the knife tighter. Terror leaped to new heights within me as I saw him move closer.

  I knew what he was going to do and I vowed it would not happen...again. When he lunged my mind went blank and only instinct took over. I stuck the knife in his belly with the blade facing upward and lifted with all my strength. Something snapped and I was brought back to the present. "Oh my god I killed him! I killed him!" Jenna screamed over and over.

  Her hands suddenly clutched at my back as she screamed this over and over. I grabbed her hard and tried to comfort her.

  "Jenna. Listen to me it's all right you did the right thing." She was still screaming in a pitch that tore my soul asunder. "Jenna you have to let all the pain out."

  "You don't understand Jason I killed him! You were not there to protect me." Her accusations tore my heart apart and I had to somehow calm her.

  "Where are you Jason? Why did you leave me?" Her body began to shudder in convulsions and I had to do something the snap her out of it. I pushed her back and slapped her hard across the face. It stunned her and she seemed to shake her head.

  She saw me with full recognition for the first time and the dam broke within her. "Oh God Jason it was terrible! I killed him, but I had to do it!" Tears flowed freely now dripping on to my hospital gown.

  "I know baby. I know." I cried too now and folded her into my arms. "I left you all alone there and I am so sorry." Her sobs were quieter now and I looked up to see Katie standing in the open doorway with tears streaming down her face. She had heard everything that had happened and she rushed to the both of us and wrapped us in her arms. We sat there for a long time.

  The family stood in the hallway with shocked looks on their faces. I caressed my sisters hair as long as she cried. finally she pushed me back tears still streaming down her face and she said in a broken voice. "You came for me Jason. I knew you would come and get me out of there."

  After four long years my sister was back with me.

  Chapter 14 - The Wedding Dance

  Very often a man will wonder about his place in life and step back to review himself. I was doing this on the eve of my wedding. Was my life and the direction it was going what I wanted it to be? I was beginning to question my faith in myself and what I was destined to be. Could I honestly say I was happy with my position as future leader of my people? Was it proper for me to involve the woman I loved in this life and what could mean a disastrous end for myself or even her?

  I stood deep in the forest in the back of my grandfather's house and looked into the sky while I pondered these thoughts. Katie was happy beyond all belief about the wedding dance that was to take place in less than twenty-four hours. Myself I was unsure because I was questioning just who I was.

  My sister was still in the clinic and dealing with the frenzy which was still in her mind but she was talking about it now with my grandmother instead of blocking the world out as she had before. The mind is a fragile instrument and not as easily healed as we hoped it could be. All I had done was to release my sister from her own self imposed withdrawal. The scars of her experience would be there for the rest of her life. When I visited her she would smile from time to time but the haunted look in her eyes sent a pain through my heart every time I saw her. I wish I could go back and take what she had experienced onto myself. The torture I experienced would haunt me the rest of my own life and my mind was supposedly the best developed on the planet.

  The soft sound of footsteps in the forest dragged me out of my inner thoughts. I knew who it was before he stepped into the clearing where I sat.

  "Hello Grandfather. Did Mimi send you out after me?"

  My grandfather sat on the log near me and stared up into the starry night sky for a few moments before speaking.

  "I sensed that you are deeply troubled Pasche. We used to talk freely about things but you have changed greatly since you returned from your voyage."

  "Some things are not as easy to discuss Grandfather." I turned and looked at him. "I am not one to complain but I am beginning to feel the burden of my birthright. I am less sure of myself and question everything I am doing."

  "I see." He said and peered into the night sky. "Pasche the man who does not question himself and what he does in life is a fool. You need only to think back on your training and ask yourself; Am I doing what I was taught to do? If you do this then you will find the answers to your questions.

  The burden of your birthright is not one you need to carry alone. Your grandmother and I can help you carry this burden but we cannot make your decisions for you." He picked up a stone and began tossing it up and catching it in his hand.

  "What is truly bothering you Pasche?"

  I swallow a lump that had formed in my throat and replied. "Is it right for me to drag Katie into a situation that could be very dangerous for her? I keep thinking that the less she had to do with me the better. I love her and do not want to see her come to any harm."

  He smiled and chuckled softly. "The answer to your question is within the question you ask Pa
sche. You cannot be completely responsible for the safety of Katie for her entire life. Let's assume for a moment that you let her go back to her life and that she actually lets you send her away. What happens the first time she gets in a dangerous situation that is not avoidable? Can you stop a car from hitting her if you are not with her. Can you catch the ladder she is on when she falls from it? If you are not there you cannot protect her but if you are together then you can at least attempt to save her from any danger she might be in. You have said yourself that you love her."

  I thought for a moment about what he said. "Grandfather, I understand what you are saying but I am putting her into a situation where our enemies can target her. Before they attempt to control this world they will take out the watchers first."

  "This is true. We must uphold our sacred duty to ensure they do not take out the watchers." He tossed the stone onto the ground and stood up. "Follow me Pasche."

  I stood up and followed after him. "Where are we going Grandfather?" I asked him.

  "To the Circle of Heritage. Grandson. It is time you performed the ceremony to contact the spirits of the old. I believe the wisdom of your line will show you the answers you seek." He broke into a run and I easily followed him.

  We reached the Circle and sat down to begin the meditation required to perform the ceremony. I thought he was referring to the beings of Origan but I was wrong.

  The first being I consulted with was the man who had been chief at the time of our return to Earth.

  “Why did we choose to follow the path that was chosen.”

  He looked at me for a bit before he started.

  “Grandson many times removed. We could no longer bear the thought of not being able to fight the beings we had confronted. We lost so many of the people in our tribes. Young, old, the beings did not fear who they killed. We had to do something. When the people of Denastis came to us, we saw for the first time, a chance to not only protect our brothers and sisters. We also saw the possibility of defeating them and driving them from our world. We welcomed this chance.”