Restless Highways

by Melissa L. Webb

  Ray turned to return to bed, when a series of thumps occurred. He looked at the ceiling above his head. Someone was on the roof.

  Moving quickly, shaking the doubt from his mind, he hurried through the house. Tearing the front door open, he ran down the steps, turning to look up at the house before him. He steeled himself for a confrontation. “Hello?” he called up to the roof. He could see no one, but knew they were up there, hiding out of sight. “Get off of my roof before I call the police.”

  He waited, hoping the threat would be enough to discourage whoever it was. He heard a scraping as something skittered across the shingles. “Get down now!” he shouted, not caring if he woke up the neighbors.

  Several shapes moved into view and stared down at him, curiosity dancing in their eyes.

  Ray grit his teeth as he looked away. Raccoons? That’s what woke him up? He stormed back in the house, angrily twisting the lock into place. Trying to steady his racing heart, he moved through the house. How could he let something like raccoons freak him out? He wasn’t some scared girl who jumped at every noise. “Stupid animals,” he muttered under his breath as he returned to his room and shed the jeans once again.

  Making a mental note to call an exterminator in the morning, he crawled back into bed. He’d teach those furry little intruders a lesson. They picked the wrong man to wake up.

  He closed his eyes, but knew sleep would be a long time coming.

  With a sudden pressure on the foot of his bed, he felt something slither up the blankets towards him. A gasp froze in his throat as hot breath coated his face.

  “That was a great distraction, wasn’t it?” a voice hissed above him.

  Ray screamed in terror as the intruder reached forward, coating the room with the evil it carried.

  What The Fates Decide

  The two old men sat at the table and sipped at the hot coffee in their mugs; both sets of eyes eagerly scanning the room for something to talk about. They spent so much time together that there really wasn’t much to say anymore.

  “So, how are things on your side of town?” one of them spoke, dusting the crumbs from his beard.

  “Oh, you know. The same as always.” the other replied, pulling his jacket tighter around him in an attempt to fend off the chill creeping into his bones. “Why do you keep it so cold in here?”

  “This is perfect temperature, my friend. It’s not my fault you keep your place so damn warm.” He stared at his guest with concern in his eyes. “It isn’t healthy keeping the heater on all the time.”

  The other sighed. “So you’ve told me a hundred times before.”

  They sat in silence, sipping now and then at the coffee, desperately trying to think of a topic they hadn’t already discussed to death. The silence drew on as their minds raced. What was left? Was anything really worth talking about anymore?

  “Oh,” the bearded man said, rising up stiffly from his chair. “I have something to show you.”

  His companion’s eyes lit up, thrilled by something new on this visit. “What is it?”

  “It’s some sort of game,” he said lifting a box from a shelf on the other side of the room. “I thought it might be interesting.” Coming back to the table, the bearded man sat the box down between them.

  The visitor’s mouth turned up in a slow grin as his eyes caressed the container before him. “What is it about?”

  “Every path is filled with choices, yet ultimately they all lead to what the Fates decide,” he told him with a shrug. “That’s what the back of the box says.”

  “Sound like it could be fun,” his friend replied as he opened the lid and began rummaging through it. “It’ll give us something to do.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “Hey,” he spoke, looking at the directions in his hands. “It says it includes a whole world of mortals to play with.”

  “Hmm,” the ancient bearded one said as he studied his counterpart. “This might take a while to figure out.”

  The red-skinned man shrugged as he scratched absently at a horn. “Well, we do have eternity to play around with it.”

  Black Days and White Knights

  The blacktop glistened ahead of him as the moonlight danced across the rain-soaked road. Darkness lay thick at the edges, blotting out the woods beyond.

  Shifting the pack he was carrying, Hunter looked around. Something was following him. It had been for the last several miles. It slinked through the night, weaving in and out of the shadows. “Who’s there?” he called.

  A slight rustle disturbed the trees in front of him.

  “Come out and face me,” he demanded.

  A shadow dislodged itself from the others blanketing the trees. Slipping forward it glared at him with glowing red eyes. “Feeling a little lost, Knight?”

  Hunter frowned, taking in the form before him. “What do you want, Ry’ell?”

  The wispy image of the God of Death stepped closer. “There’s no point in continuing this. You will lose.”

  Hunter stood his ground. “Good will always prevail in the end. Always.”

  The god chuckled. “You are such a foolish boy. Even after 500 years, you have learned nothing.”

  “I’ve learned enough. I know we’ll find a way to defeat you.”

  Ry’ell remained quiet, studying the young man before him. Finally, he spoke, “You could be free. This doesn’t have to be your fight.”

  Hunter folded his arms over his chest, glaring at the shadow. “Oh, yes it does.”

  The God of Death seemed to sigh. “Why do you cling so desperately to the past?”

  He looked away, tears in his eyes blurring the road before him. “Because I love her.”

  “Love? Love is a useless emotion reserved only for the weak.”

  “You’re wrong about that,” Hunter told him. “Love makes you strong when you have nothing else to live for. It’s the most powerful weapon I have, but…I wouldn’t expect you to understand that.”

  Red eyes flickered as the god spoke, “That’s the problem with your kind. You think you’re so much better, when in reality, you’re just another bug to squash.” Ry’ell withdrew, his shadow merging with the others around it. “Walk away while you still have a chance, Knight,” he said, the words echoing as he faded back to his own reality.

  Hunter stood there, staring at the darkness in the trees. He was used to the games Ry’ell played. He’d been dealing with them for the last 500 years. Shifting his pack once again, he continued on, letting the god’s words slip away from him. He didn’t know where he was headed, but he wouldn’t let the tormenting slow him down. He knew his place in this world and a few bitter words from the God of Death wasn’t going to change that.

  It felt good to be moving on. The weariness leaving him more and more with each mile he ventured. The Time was soon. He could feel it. The cycle was about to begin again.

  Sighing, he stepped over a puddle, his leather motorcycle boots thudding against the blacktop. It would be good to get back into the game. These in-between times were killing him. The world just didn’t feel right when She wasn’t in it.

  He wiped at the moisture invading his eyes and took a deep breath. He had to remain strong. Falling apart wasn’t going to do anyone any good. He had already been there and done that. It was time to be the Protector once again.

  Hunter stepped off the road as a set of headlights shone before him. Holding up his hand, he tried to shield his eyes from the blinding lights heading his way. A black jeep pulled onto the shoulder of the road, stopping before him.

  Squinting into the glare of headlights, he sighed. His days of isolation were over. Once again, they had found him. Reluctantly, he headed out of the beams of light towards the passenger side of the jeep. He waited patiently as the window was rolled down, leaning on the door, taking in the sight before him. “Hey, Ray.”

  His older sister smiled warmly at him. “Hi, Hunt. Long time, no see.”

/>   Nodding he looked at the blond behind the steering wheel. “Cedric.”

  “Tell me something, little brother,” the man spoke. “Why do you always insist on disappearing? Do you really think shutting yourself off from everyone is really what little red would want?”

  He shook his head sadly. “No, but she’s not here to stop me, now is she?”

  Raven frowned at the pain in her brother’s eyes. “Give it a rest, Cedric. He’s entitled to a few years by himself every now and then.”

  Hunter smiled slightly at her. “It’s not like you couldn’t find me anytime you wanted to.”

  A knowing smile ghosted across her lips. “Very true, dear brother. I always know where you are.” She motioned to the backseat. “Get in. We have a lot to talk about.”

  With a sigh, he opened the backdoor sliding in and tossing his pack next to him. “So, tell me, how close is it to starting again?”

  Cedric’s eyes met Hunter’s in the rearview mirror as he pulled back onto the road, turning the jeep in the direction they had come. “Very close. Her mother could go into labor any moment.”

  His eyes widened. “You mean you’ve already found her?”

  Raven nodded. “Yes. The next battle will be fought right here.”

  Hunter looked out at the dark woods around them. “Where is here, anyway? Last time I checked, I was somewhere in Ohio.”

  “Still are,” Cedric said as he motioned to a mileage sign on the side of the road. “Welcome to Night Oak, our new home.”

  Hunter studied the sign telling him it was only five miles to town. So this was the place he’d meet her again. He just prayed it wouldn’t be the place he’d have to mourn for her once again. He leaned back into the jeep’s seat. “Are you sure it’ll be her?”

  Raven turned and looked at him. “Have I ever been wrong, Hunter? This baby will be our girl.”

  He closed his eyes, memories of his wife floating to the surface of his mind. Her fiery red hair, her breathtaking smile, her soothing touch. “Princess,” he whispered, the word escaping his lips in a sigh.

  “Don’t worry, the time will come for her to be back in your arms,” Cedric told him gently. “First, we just have to make sure she is born.”

  Hunter opened his eyes, all pleasant thoughts instantly fleeing. “What do you mean? That’s never been an issue before. She’s always been safe until the time of Battle.”

  “We don’t understand it, either,” Raven said. “But something’s going on.”

  “Why would he wait 500 years before changing anything?”

  Cedric sighed. “Who knows? Maybe he’s grown as tired as the rest of us. All we know is he’s changing his tactics, starting with making his presence known before the birth.”

  Hunter frowned, worry blazing in his chest. “There’s no way he’d hurt her now. He needs her.”

  “We don’t know what he’d do,” his sister spoke softly. “Maybe he has a new plan.”

  He shook his head, remembering Ry’ell’s words. “He wants us out of the game.”

  “Well, that’s one thing that’s never going to happen,” Cedric growled as he pulled into the town.

  Raven glanced at her husband, then her brother. “Something happened, didn’t it?”

  Hunter nodded. “Yeah. I had a talk with our favorite God only moments before you two arrived.”

  Cedric glanced quickly over his shoulder. “What did he want?”

  “He tried to talk me out of sticking around. He gave me an out if I wanted it.”

  Cedric pulled the jeep over in front of an old brick building and turned around to face his brother-in-law. “The God of Death gave you a way out? What did you say?”

  Hunter just looked at him. “What do you think?”

  “He is definitely up to something,” Raven said, getting out of the Jeep. “I just wish we knew what it was.”

  Cedric got out as well. “I guess we just have to go find out,” he said and crossed the sidewalk. Pushing open the glass door in the front of the building, he disappeared inside.

  Hunter got out, staring up at the old brick building. “This yours?” he asked, glancing at his sister.

  She nodded. “Home, sweet home. When the time’s right, we’ll put in an occult shop.”

  “Raven’s Nest?” he asked with a smile.

  “Of course.”

  He looked around him, taking in everything. “I like it, Ray, except…” he said and motioned to the street. “It could use some trees.”

  “I think we can arrange that,” she said with a grin following her husband into the building.

  Hunter stood, staring into the night, taking in the feel of the town around him. He liked what he felt. It had a wholesome quality. He could imagine himself settling down here, starting a family. It what they deserved. He wouldn’t let them take her from him this time. He refused to watch her die once more.

  Sighing, he turned and headed into the building. He stared in awe at the space around him as he headed deeper into it. It was a hell of a lot more room than the outside suggested.

  “Not bad, right?” his sister asked from behind him.

  He turned to face her, smiling slightly. “Expansion enchantment?”

  She shrugged. “Why not? It gives us plenty of room.”

  “I’ll say. You could fit ten stores in here.”

  “We just wanted to make sure there was enough room for all of us,” she told him with a grin as she pushed through a door in the wall. “Come on, I’ll show you to your part of the building.”

  Hunter shook his head. “You’re always watching out for me, aren’t you?”

  “Of course. What kind of older sister would I be if I didn’t?”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome,” Raven said, heading through another doorway. Suddenly she stopped, her legs growing shaky underneath her.

  Her brother was at her side in an instant. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded weakly, taking a deep breath.

  “You had a vision, didn’t you? What was it?”

  Raven looked at him. “She’s in labor. They have her at the hospital,” she whispered as a shiver traveled through her body. “The people with her. They are not human.”

  “What? Is this happening right now?” Hunter asked her.

  “I don’t know.”

  “It’s time,” Cedric called as he came through the door. “My sources at the hospital say Dr. Taylor just brought his wife in. The baby is on its way.”

  Hunter nodded. “We know. Raven just had a vision.”

  Cedric looked concerned as he came closer to his wife. “What did you see, love?”

  She looked up at him. “The Princess is in danger. I saw…” Suddenly her eyes rolled back in her head as her knees gave out.

  Cedric caught her before she could go down, holding her tightly to him.

  Hunter watched his sister closely. “Raven, what are you seeing?”

  Letting out a deep gasp, she found her legs as her eyes refocused on the men in front of her. “They’re not going to hurt the baby,” she spoke, her voice sounding raw. “They’re going to take her.”

  ***

  Pulling the jeep up outside the hospital, Cedric looked at his wife. “Do you think we’re in time?”

  “Of course, we are,” Hunter growled, getting out of the backseat. “I won’t settle for anything else.” Turning, he looked at the others as they joined him. “Ry’ell is not raising the Princess in His name.”

  “Damn straight,” Cedric agreed as they raced through the hospital entrance.

  “Can I help you?” an elderly lady spoke from the check-in desk, as her eyes drifted over them in slight alarm

  “We don’t have time for this,” Hunter whispered.

  Raven patted his arm and walked over to the desk. “Hi. Our friend is having a baby and they said it would be fine if we just went on back. You don’t
mind, do you?” she asked, smiling brightly.

  Blinking, the women returned the smile as she sat back down in her chair. “No, of course not. You go and see your friend, dear. Take as long as you like.”

  “Thank you so much,” she said, heading past her husband and brother.

  “You know I don’t like you influencing people,” Cedric spoke as they caught up to her.

  She shrugged as she walked. “What else was I supposed to do?”

  He frowned but didn’t say anything more.

  Heading down the hall, they stopped as they came to a crossroads. “Which way do we go?” Hunter asked looking around.

  Raven shook her head, peering down the hallways. “I have no idea.”

  Cedric looked at them. “Well, we can’t just stand here all day. We have to pick one.”

  Hunter shook his head. “If we pick the wrong one, we’ll be too late.”

  “Hunter, if we stay here, we’ll be too late.”

  Looking at his sister, Hunter asked, “Can you see anything that might help? Anything at all?”

  She shook her head, frustration in her eyes. “No. Nothing.”

  Letting out a deep growl, he looked around them. They were losing time here. Time they didn’t have. He had to find her. He wasn’t going to let them take her.

  “You’re here about my daughter, aren’t ya?” a voice called from behind them.

  They quickly turned, their eyes taking in the source of the words.

  A woman walked forward, almost hesitantly. “I know you’re here about my Kathy. I could feel something coming for weeks,” she spoke softly, turning to the man standing behind her. “See, Jim, these are the people I dreamed of.”

  The man looked from them to his wife, wonder in his eyes. “Stella, my love, you never fail to amaze me.”

  Raven stepped forward. “You dreamed of us?”

  The woman nodded. “Yes. For some time now. I keep dreaming that someone I love is in danger and you save them.”

  “That’s what we’re here to do,” Cedric assured them. “We believe your granddaughter is in danger.”

  Jim’s face lit up. “It’s a girl?”

  Hunter stepped forward. “Yes and she will be very special.”