The Emerald Tablet: Omnibus Edition

by JM HART

  “Is it always this hot in Australia?”

  “It’s hot, but not usually at this time of year. Queensland wears that crown,” Kevin said.

  “What happened here?”

  “There was a fire a few days ago; some assholes with petrol bombs. They stole our bikes and left us for dead,” Tim said.

  “And that’s when the wall first appeared,” Kevin said.

  The guys pushed their bikes over the flat anthill, yards away from where Shaun had been waiting for them two days ago. They came out of the bush and a dead dog lay in the gutter. Its head looked like an exploding watermelon and it had begun to rot.

  “This place gives me the creeps. Why do you hang out here?”

  “It’s not normally like this,” Kevin said.

  They silently continued on. Not a single car passed by, and only one kid coasted down the street on his board.

  “Where is everyone?” Jade asked.

  “The virus,” Kevin said.

  “It hasn’t hit this bad at home — well, it didn’t appear to be this bad. We always seem to have some massacre happening anyway, some degraded moron taking innocent lives. Maybe we have been infected for years and it’s like bamboo.” She stopped and put her hand over her mouth. She couldn’t believe her own attitude. “That was very obnoxious of me.”

  “Ob — what? and what’s bamboo got to do with anything?” Tim said.

  “Nasty, I was being really nasty.” She rolled her eyes. “Bamboo is invasive; it proliferates above and underground — seen and unseen — spreading to unwanted areas. It’s tough to eradicate, like a nasty virus spreading unseen through our bodies. Lucky your name only has three letters,” she said to Tim. “Oh, sorry, that was nasty too.” She pressed her fingers against her head as if it hurt.

  “It’s been pretty crazy lately,” Kevin said, looking sideways at her, confused at the sudden change. “We thought the virus would pass us by, but it hasn’t, it has created millions of psychopaths.”

  “In the emergency waiting area last night, we watched a man break his wife’s arm so she could see a doctor. Kevin foresaw it, and charged at the man. He was too late and copped a backhand.”

  Jade looked at Kevin, trying to see his face. He tilted his head, letting his fringe drop into his eyes, and looking down at the road. He stepped up his pace and stared at the road ahead. He reminded her of the way she had been before her mom went missing. She’d always tried to hide behind her hair, in case someone saw how she really felt.

  *

  “Hey, retards, yeah you! I want to talk to you.”

  Kevin looked up. Across the street Shaun swung his legs over the side of the roof.

  “Why are you walking in the middle of the road? Who’s the girl? She looks pretty messed up.”

  “Run,” Tim said.

  They bolted down the road and around the corner, turning off at Stewart Avenue. Along Kevin’s street red and blue lights reflected off the windows and he could see a police car parked out front of his house. Kevin went to run inside, but stopped. Suddenly he was filled with dread. He became worried for his family; he was scared something had happened. It brought back the memories when his grandparents died.

  Kevin and Tim stood shoulder to shoulder. “Shit, dude, what the hell’s going on?”

  Kevin focused and searched inside the house with his mind, feeling for the emotions. “It’s about us. Your mom is in there too, she’s crying. Kath’s pissed off and she’s holding Molly who is crying. Let’s go.”

  “It’s about us?” Tim said. “I feel like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.”

  Jade looked at Kevin suspiciously. “Why would you think you are in trouble?”

  The trio walked up the porch. Kevin watched Jade let her hair down to cover her face as he opened the front door. Everything happened so quickly. Alex ran to him and wrapped his arms around his legs. His mother started yelling at him. He looked at his dad who was showing a school photo of Kevin and Tim. The scent of sage and lemongrass wafted past him, he felt relieved. Nanna is here.

  Tim’s mother was on the sofa with a box of tissues. She jumped up for joy at the sight of him. The tissues fell off her lap as she raced over to Tim and held him tight. His faced was buried in her chest and Kevin thought Tim would suffocate if she didn’t let him go soon.

  Nobody had noticed the barefoot girl beside him. Kevin was worried Jade would run. He could sense her hiding, peeking into the room, watching his mother yelling at him. He was embarrassed, his face turned red. She was rough and squeezed his shoulders demanding to know where they had been. Kevin had never known her to touch him aggressively, but supposed it was as close to a hug as he was going to get.

  As soon as the boys walked in, Molly had settled down. Kath gently placed her in the playpen and laid the bunny rug over her before making her way to her brother. She pulled him from her mother’s clutches and pretended to be glad to see him. She hugged him, and whispered in his ear. Tim’s mother pulled him back into a bear hug as soon as Kath let go. Crying and thanking God for returning her son.

  Tim’s voice was muffled as he yelled, “Ma, I can’t breathe.”

  Kevin tried to wriggle out of his mother’s grip, but she wasn’t letting go yet. Daniel stepped in between Kevin and Callie and hugged him. Kevin wanted to collapse into his arms and cry. He wished his dad would never let him go. Keep it together, he said to himself, feeling his body ready to drop. He stepped back and looked up at his dad and quietly said, “We found a girl. She’s at the front door and won’t come into the room.”

  “What?” Daniel looked up, saw Jade and was at her side in a few strides. He looked back at Kevin, then guided Jade gently into the room.

  Everyone looked at Jade as she entered the room, concerned at her appearance. “Where have you boys been?” the policeman asked, quickly moving to Jade. “And is that blood in your hair?” He pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket and examined her head. “There doesn’t seem to be any wounds. Did these boys hurt you?”

  Jade just kept staring at Kevin’s mom, and his mom looked at Kevin with a dumbfounded expression, then she looked at Jade, confused. What are they both thinking? Kevin wondered.

  “But how the …?” Callie walked over to Jade and pushed her hair away from her face. Kevin watched Jade stare at his mother, her eyes filling with tears. His mom pulled Jade into a reassuring embrace and comforted her. He himself hadn’t felt that from her in a very long time.

  Kath leant in between Tim and Kevin and said as loud as she dared, “You’ve been gone for nearly three days.”

  Kevin and Tim didn’t understand what was happening, but they both knew the police had to go. “We’re scared to walk the streets with so many psychos wandering around,” Tim said, drawing their attention. “So we went bush. That’s when we found Jade. She had fallen down an embankment. It was getting dark and we were lost so we made camp. The next day we started out together when the sun came up and kept walking; we were going in circles and extremely thirsty. I thought I was going to have to drink my own urine. Luckily, we found the fire trail, though home was still far away and it was getting dark. We had to stop for the night for fear of getting lost again.”

  Kevin looked at the adults, wondering if they thought Tim believable. What was the part about drinking his urine? He is mind-blowingly nuts.

  Kath spoke first. “So why did you take the bikes?”

  “That’s not important,” Tim said.

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Kath said.

  “Now you two, stop your bickering,” Tim’s mom said.

  Kevin wondered why the hell Tim was making up a story. He looked at his friend and raised his hands slightly as if to say, what gives?

  Daniel cleared his throat and shook the officer’s hands. “Well, mate, it looks like all is accounted for and then some. My wife obviously knows the girl. We’ll see she gets home safely.”

  The policeman pulled his leather gloves from his pocket and turned to Kevin and Tim. “You guy
s are right to stay off the streets. The infected are outnumbering us these days, but stay close to home. Don’t go hiking till this is over,” he said, tilting his head towards the street.

  Daniel and the policeman walked out of the room. “I’ll be off then. A word of advice — The army will be moving tomorrow and there will be roadblocks in all capital cities to prevent people from leaving. Sixty-mile perimeter north, south, east and west and the docks are staying closed. Most people won’t even know they have been boxed in. Orders are, shoot to kill. You didn’t hear it from me.”

  “Seriously, that bad, huh?” Daniel said.

  The policeman pulled out his sunglasses. “Well, it’s happening. All the action at the moment is over at the hospital, which you’re probably well aware of. So many people infected. It’s crazy.”

  “Any sign of a vaccine?”

  “No. No vaccine, no antivirals, and antibiotics are useless. The suicides are the worst. Heartbreaking — whole families sometimes. The world is going to hell. This job is getting harder every day. I am tired of meeting people when they are having the worst day of their lives. I’m glad it has turned out well on this occasion. You take good care of yours, keep your boy on a leash for a while. I think it’s time I put in for some leave, if you know what I mean.”

  “Thanks, officer.”

  “Call me Bill.” They shook hands again.

  *

  Kevin wondered when his mom would let go of Jade, then Callie pulled back and held her at arm’s-length. Jade started sobbing.

  “Jade, how did you get here? You’re safe. It will be alright.” Callie pulled her back into her arms.

  A waterfall of long, black hair fell forward and hid Jade’s face from him. Kevin watched his mom protectively putting her arms around Jade again. How did his mother know her name, and how does Jade know my mom? He had so many questions. He went over to Tim. Before he could say anything Tim’s mom shuffled him out of the room and to the front door.

  “Home with you, boy,” she said.

  “You stink,” Kath was saying as she passed Kevin. “Where have you been? I don’t believe a word of your story.”

  Tim blurted out. “Ah, we were really helping Shaun. Mr D said to steer clear of Shaun. That’s why we didn’t say anything.”

  Kevin didn’t know what to do or say. What the hell was Tim up to now?

  “Who?” Tim’s mom asked.

  “Shaun, a friend of ours.”

  “Yeah, right,” Kath said. “Since when has Shaun Grady been a friend of yours?” She placed her hands on her hips. She cocked her head and raised her eyebrows, daring him to answer.

  Daniel walked over and tilted Kevin’s head slightly back so their eyes met. He couldn’t look away. “Is that true? You should have called. We were worried. Don’t ever do that again — is Shaun alright?”

  Kath looked confused as she watched Daniel speak to the guys as if he knew what they were babbling on about.

  “He, his head …” Kevin wasn’t as quick as Tim in coming up with compelling stories and felt uncomfortable. “Shaun’s head was hurting pretty badly and he didn’t want to go back to hospital. We stayed until his dad came home. I thought Tim called his mom and she called you guys.”

  “That’s right,” Tim said, grinning at Kath. “But I thought Kevin called you, Mr D, and you called my mom.”

  Kevin tried to keep his emotions under control and he knew his dad was doing the same, knowing they were playing him. He was just as confused as everyone else about Callie and Jade. Kevin felt something was going on; he sensed it, and he knew someone would have to explain eventually. Right now, he was grateful they didn’t question him any more.

  “Is there anything else you want to tell us?” Daniel said.

  “Sorry,” Kevin said. Daniel gave him a look of disbelief.

  “Come on, Tim, let’s get you into a bath.”

  “I’m fifteen, Mom. I don’t do baths.”

  Callie let go of Jade, but kept her close to her side as she said to Tim’s mom, “Sally, if you like you are welcome to join us for dinner. Kath has the magic touch with Molly.”

  Kevin looked at Molly sleeping soundly in her playpen.

  “Thanks, but we’d better head off. Don’t want to be out after dark. The storm clouds look nasty. Lord knows we need rain, but those clouds don’t look ordinary. I’m just glad the boys are back.” Callie followed them to the front door. Moths were dancing around the porch light.

  “By the way love, the smell of the lemongrass and sage,” Sally said. “Very humbling, nice choice under the circumstances.”

  Callie smiled and nodded in thanks, waving and closing the door behind them.

  Tim shoved his head around the doorframe and shouted to Kevin, “Call me,” then quickly pulled his head out of the way of the closing door.

  “I don’t have any aroma oils in the house. I’m assuming that’s what she meant.” Callie shook her head in confusion. “Anyway, Daniel, can you get dinner ready for Molly and Alex. We can have dinner and talk once the little ones have gone to bed. Kevin, go shower. You can use the main bathroom and Jade can use my en suite.”

  Kevin and Daniel looked at each other, not knowing what was going on or why she was being so nice. They both replied, “Sure.”

  Kevin looked at his mom fussing over Jade. How does she know Jade’s name? I didn’t tell her? Jade hasn’t spoken. He was aware that his mom’s behavior had nothing to do with him. He walked upstairs to his bedroom to get a fresh set of clothes when there was a knock on his door.

  “Kevin, can Jade borrow a shirt and your green cargoes, please,” his mother asked.

  “Sure.” Jade stood behind his mom and it was difficult for him to make eye contact with her. Her head was lowered, her eyes were swollen from crying. “Is Jade alright?”

  “She’ll be fine,” Callie said.

  “Mom, how do you know her name?” He passed her some clothing.

  “Get yourself cleaned up and then we’ll make our own pizzas and chat.” She closed the door.

  He heard his mom say, “Let me get this straight. You were swimming, knocked out, drugged and kidnapped? And you’re wearing short shorts? That’s not like you, Jade.”

  3

  Pestilence’s fusion: Sophia. Scotland.

  The time had come to travel south. Hiding in the highlands and meditating was over, although it had given Sophia and Casey time to connect while the universe aligned the stars. The essence of the forest was comforting, the sound and the freshness of the stream healing, and the view of the valley from the cabin was enlightening, but it was time to go. They were lucky to have stumbled upon it. Father McDonald and Sophia said their goodbyes and the eagle circled above them as they walked out of the forest.

  Worn denim jeans, a beard, messy hair, a black t-shirt and a sports coat helped to disguise Father McDonald. He no longer wore his collar. He carried his Bible in his inner-left breast pocket. The days were still warm, the evenings cool, but summer had begun to fade. Ten o’clock at night and the sun had finally settled over Scotland. Depression hung over the city of Glasgow. Under the darkness of night they entered the town, and took a seat in the corner booth of a small cafe, keeping their heads low.

  They watched the television, seeing angry protesters in London demanding the fall of the monarchy. The next images were angry protesters in Rome surrounding the Vatican, demanding the removal of the Pope. From his balcony he appealed to the people before him to help each other, to love their neighbor, and promised they would find peace. They ignored his pleas, demanding he perform a public exorcism, claiming their loved ones were possessed by the devil. He tried to reassure them, advising them to stay in their homes and not to travel; the government would find a vaccine. Ceremoniously he released two white doves, the sign of peace, and the crowd went silent as the birds took flight. Then suddenly a burst of cheering rose from St Peter’s Square as a crow swooped in and attacked the dove, dislodged white feathers drifting on the wind. A seagull j
oined the crow to attack the second dove. The cheers grew louder as the doves started to fall and the crow continued to peck at the Vatican’s symbol of peace.

  Horrified, Sophia and Father McDonald continued watching images from across the world of people lining up outside the churches, synagogues and mosques. “The people claim their loved ones who have been infected have become possessed by demons,” the reporter announced from behind the safety of his desk, then broadcast the next set of horrific images across the screen. Homemade bombs hurtled through the air, exploding on the White House lawn.

  Father McDonald looked over at Sophia. Tears were streaming down her face.

  “Let’s leave here,” he said, holding his hand out to her.

  They shuffled out of the booth as a picture of a younger Father McDonald and a young Sophia was splashed across the TV screen. The reporter accused Father McDonald of being a pedophile who had kidnapped Sophia, a young orphan girl, after shooting his parishioners.

  They were both horrified and hurried from the cafe. The streets had become scary, so they looked for another place to eat and hide. The last cafe had stolen a little more of their light, and Sophia could see Father McDonald was weakening. They moved on, looking for a decent place that was open. They walked down dark narrow back streets that stank of urine and alcohol. Sophia kept away from the building walls, staying in the middle of the roads afraid of what might reach out of the shadows. A light was switched on up ahead, revealing three steps to a back door. They looked for a place to hide. Sophia stumbled over a pair of legs; the owner didn’t flinch, not a sound. Sophia picked herself up. The door opened beneath the light: a silhouette, then a tall man emerged carrying a bag of trash, cigarette dangling from his mouth. He put down the garbage, inhaled on the cigarette and as he puffed, the smoke floated up to the light and the moths. He looked down into the alley, stepping in their direction.