by P A Minyard
Mother, Father and Jonathan extend their well wishes. We all look forward to seeing you at Christmas. And yes, even
Duff is welcome to stop by for a visit, although I’d rather you not let him know I said that. Do take care of yourself.
All my love,
Beth
Daniel placed the letter in his lap on top of the others. He was in the rocking chair near his bedroom window, gently pushing himself back and forth with the heel of his left foot. His pipe still hung from his mouth, even though the tobacco had burned down more than an hour earlier. He couldn’t sleep. A nervous energy raced through him, and he turned to the letters for comfort as he so often did in the past.
The house was dark and quiet. Daniel listened to Duff’s resonant snoring in the guest room down the hallway. He placed the pipe on the windowsill and began rolling up the sleeves of his shirt but a dull ache in his chest made him pause to catch his breath. He stood up from the chair, letting the letters fall to the floor, then grasped the scar with his right hand.
“The wound has become a scar, and now the gate calls to you,” Bernard said as he stepped out of the shadows.
“Confound it!” Daniel called out, frustrated that his guardian had caught him unaware once more. “Don’t you ever knock?”
“As your power grows, so will your skills,” the angel said. “I will not be so foreign to you in the coming days.”
“Why are you here?” Daniel asked as he composed himself.
“I promised you I would return when the gate opened. You are ready to cross.”
A bright light shone in front of Daniel, and then his bedroom door was replaced by a gate. Though frightened by its appearance, he was oddly drawn to it.
“Then what?” Daniel swallowed hard.
“Evil spurred the blade that took your life, so evil shall be taken by the mark it left behind,” Bernard explained. “The scar shall open as if by a reflex, and will take a demon’s power unto itself.” He pointed to the light.
Unnerved by Bernard’s proclamation, Daniel looked down at himself and then back at the gate. He slowly approached the wall of light. His heart began to race as he reached out to touch its brilliance, fully expecting his hand to hit the door. To his amazement, his arm passed through to his elbow. “Truly, I am in over my head,” he thought. He could feel the cold night air on the other side even as he still stood in his bedroom. Daniel looked back, hoping for encouragement from Bernard, but his guardian angel had already exited the room. “Dream or madness? There’s only one way to find out.”
He walked through the gate into a Union encampment. It was night and very few stirred, save the guards on patrol. Tents were lined up neatly across the camp. Daniel walked along a row at the front where the officers were usually stationed. He could see his breath in the chill of the air and feel its sting upon his skin, but he did not lament leaving his jacket behind. It struck him as odd, but only momentarily. He came upon a private clutching a bottle in his hands. He panicked at the sight of Daniel. Alcohol was forbidden to the lesser ranks.
“It’s but to keep me warm, sir,” the private fumbled.
Daniel motioned for the lad to hand over the bottle. He held it to his nose. The sickly pungent odor invaded his nostrils. There was no mistaking the latest batch of ‘Oh! Be joyful’. A wry smile crossed Daniel’s lips, and he took a generous swig. The concoction burned his tongue and throat as it passed through, and he couldn’t help but grimace. He handed the bottle back to the private, who stood dumbfounded as Daniel walked away without saying a word.
The dull ache to his chest had returned as he approached the infirmary. He heard coughs and moans from within. As he went to look inside, a tall, gangly soldier with a grizzled beard and scarcely any hair pushed past him, knocking him to the ground. The soldier walked out of one of his shoes, moving quickly away. His legs were bowed and he weaved to and fro as if his torso could barely be supported.
Daniel shot to his feet and chased after the soldier. He caught him up and spun him around. Daniel was aghast at what he saw. The man’s face was gaunt and his eyes were sunken. There looked to be nothing but bone beneath the sagging skin. Daniel thought it was like looking at death.
“Never have I seen such a wretched thing,” he said.
“I don’t like you either,” the soldier replied. He smiled wide and his eyes turned black as night, and his form looked more and more like that of a skeleton. He pushed Daniel to the ground once more with little effort and continued on his way. Daniel was stunned. He had seen that wicked turn upon the face of the colonel who took his life. He scrambled to his feet once more and rushed to the soldier, tackling him from behind. He pulled at the soldier’s coat, turning him over to face him once more.
“You are nothing but bone and flesh,” Daniel said in excitement. “How is it that you have the strength to push me around as though I weigh nothing?”
“You trust your eyes far more than they deserve,” the demon laughed. The noise was so guttural that it seemed to emanate from hell itself. Daniel’s hands shook in terror, though he dared not release the demon. It struggled to free itself but Daniel tightened his grip. Instinct took over; instinct Daniel didn’t know he had; instinct he had only recently gained. His eyes closed, and his head tipped back as the scar on his chest opened. In a brilliant flash of blue light, the scar took the demon’s power unto itself. The jolt snapped Daniel back into awareness. He watched as the demon’s body slowly faded into nothingness before his eyes. He looked down at his empty hands. His body shook from the adrenaline coursing through his veins, and he struggled to catch his breath. Daniel’s mind was racing.
“What the blazes just happened?” he thought. He knelt on the ground as fever overtook his body. He was dizzy and nauseated, and without warning, began to vomit blood and bile uncontrollably. The waves of sickness came and went for nearly 30 minutes. After it passed, he lay upon the lush, cool grass, exhausted and soaked in sweat. The gate opened again no more than six feet away, but he could not rise to his feet. He had to crawl through. Once back in his room, he passed out on the floor near his bed.
The next day, Duff rose early and went to check on Daniel. He was amused to find his friend face down next to the undisturbed bed.
“Why wasn’t I invited?” he chuckled. He pulled Daniel’s boots from his feet and hoisted him up on the bed. The faint odor of alcohol emanated from Daniel’s mouth as his head rolled backward. Duff saw the letters scattered across the floor, so he scooped them up and neatly placed them on the dresser. Daniel’s mother had thoughtfully left an extra blanket draped across the back of the rocking chair. Duff quickly threw it over his friend, covering the night’s escapades.
He left, closing the bedroom door behind him. He paused to formulate a plan. He would have to explain Daniel’s absence at the breakfast table. He went to shave and make himself presentable. Duff was a handsome man and he knew it. His thick, wavy, reddish-blond hair, soft-brown eyes and well-groomed mustache made him respectable to the men and desirable to the women.
As the family rose one by one, Duff initiated his plan. He distracted each in his own way, engaging Mr. Parker in conversation or helping Mrs. Parker in the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. Beth and Jonathan were the last to join the table. Duff kept them so entertained they almost forgot about Daniel.
“Where’s Daniel?” Mrs. Parker asked as she served the fried eggs. “Jonathan, would you please check on your brother?”
“There’s no need for that Mrs. Parker,” Duff said, working his magic. “I mean you wouldn’t want to embarrass him now, would you?”
“Embarrass him?” Mr. Parker asked.
“I looked in on him earlier and could barely rouse him. He’s far weaker than he wants any of you to know, and I believe our trip took quite a bit out of him as well,” Duff sighed. A thoughtful look washed over his face as he spoke. “The doctors told me there will be times when he’ll need extended periods of rest, particularly if he’s overexerted himself. He
may never fully recover. He didn’t want to tell you because he didn’t want you to worry.” Then he reached over and patted Mrs. Parker’s hand.
As the day wore on, Duff increasingly clung to the excuse he’d made for Daniel’s continued unconscious state. The family had already begun deferring to him about Daniel’s condition, so when they asked, he’d smile and speak with confidence. “I’ve seen this before,” he’d say. “It’s just like the doctors said it would be.”
The night seemed to last forever. Duff could barely sleep. He tossed and turned so much that the bedclothes were a shambles by morning. He went to check on Daniel as he had done the day before. Daniel had not moved from the position Duff had placed him in. Duff grabbed Daniel’s shoulders and shook him soundly. The abrupt, jarring motion brought Daniel to his senses.
“Where’s the fire?” Daniel barked.
Duff released him, slightly embarrassed by his actions.
“Thank goodness you’re awake,” Duff sighed, and fell back on the bed, facing Daniel.
“What’s all this about?” Daniel asked.
“You’ve been asleep for almost two days,” Duff replied. “The next time you have a drink, the least you can do is share it with me. Clearly, you can’t handle the indulgence just yet.”
Daniel paused before he answered. “You look terrible,” he said.
“I didn’t get much sleep.”
“You were worried about me.”
“That’s not true,” Duff said, clearly flustered. “My only concern is for your poor mother. She was beside herself with grief over your weakened state.”
“I see — ever the chivalrous gentleman.”
“Of course,” Duff said. But his inability to look Daniel in the eyes told him otherwise.
“Sorry to have troubled you,” Daniel replied.
“Well, you should be,” Duff said. He was exasperated, and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Go back to bed,” Daniel said. “I’ll see you in a few hours at breakfast.”
Duff stood up and walked away sheepishly. He closed the door behind him as he left the room.
Daniel found a clean shirt and tried to straighten his appearance. The sweet smell of fresh biscuits wafted from downstairs; breakfast was almost ready. He felt Bernard enter the room this time. It was as if someone was watching.
“You are surrounded by love; a gift that not everyone has,” Bernard said, stepping out of the shadows.
“It really happened, didn’t it? What was that thing I faced?”
“It was a demon,” Bernard answered, “but one whose power was quite lacking. He was searching for a new persona to devour.”
“I don’t understand.”
“They hide themselves as if human,” Bernard continued. “Some merely kill their victims, then assume their identity. Others — more powerful demons like the one who killed you — consume and possess the body of their victim, dressing themselves in the skin.”
Daniel shuddered and his stomach turned. “Will I become violently ill every time I take their power?”
“There has always been distress and discomfort in the early stages of a Beloved’s development. Your body needs time to adapt as it assimilates the power.”
“And yet this demon had very little power to give,” Daniel replied.
“As your own power grows, so will your capacity,” Bernard answered. “You must learn to walk before you run.”
Daniel nodded, hesitant to pursue the line of questioning. He still struggled to take in the recent events.
“Duff thinks I was drunk. What does my family think?”
“They think that you overexerted yourself and were in need of rest. Your friend has quite the talent for stories.”
“He can be very charming when the occasion arises.”
“And compassionate,” Bernard replied.
“Yes, he seems to have let his guard down of late,” Daniel agreed.
“I will delay you no further,” Bernard said. “Your family is eager to have you in their company.” Then he turned to walk away.
“And the gate — will it open again?” Daniel swallowed the lump in his throat.
“The gate will call you when you are ready.”
Bernard slipped back into the shadows and disappeared.
Jonathan was in the kitchen helping his mother pack his father’s supper. Daniel came in and joined them. It had been a week since his return, but Jonathan still beamed every time he saw his older brother.
“Heading down to the foundry?” he asked.
“Yes, Father will be waiting,” Jonathan answered.
“May I join you?”
“Do you think that’s wise?” his mother asked. “It’s a long walk. Won’t you get tired?”
“If I slow Jonathan down, he can run on ahead. Right?”
“Sure,” Jonathan replied happily.
It was still light outside as they walked down the road. Daniel kept his pace slow and steady, never overtaking his brother.
They were silent at first, simply enjoying each other’s company, but halfway to the foundry, Jonathan found it difficult to remain silent.
“You must miss the excitement of battle,” he said.
“It’s really more chaos and terror than excitement,” Daniel answered.
“But you’re a hero! You saved men’s lives.”
“And many gave their lives along the way. I never felt pride or accomplishment after a battle, only relief that there were men left to count.” Then Daniel put his arm around Jonathan’s shoulders. “You don’t really want to hear about war, do you? Tell me — what are they teaching you these days at school? How to tackle bullies?”
“Nothing quite so useful, I’m afraid,” Jonathan answered. “Reading, writing and arithmetic, just like you learned, although my penmanship needs work, at least that’s what Miss Turner says.”
“I doubt she holds it against you.”
“She’s always been nice to me.”
“And the young ladies in class, are they nice to you too?” Daniel asked.
“I suppose,” Jonathan said, blushing.
“Well, if you want to impress them, you need to study hard and apply yourself.”
“That’s what Father always says.”
“Well, sometimes he’s actually right,” Daniel laughed.
When they reached the foundry, Robert rushed out to meet them. Jonathan watched them shake hands. Robert and Daniel had been childhood friends and hadn’t seen each other in years. When he turned 18, Robert had left town to find work, only returning home after being wounded in the war.
“It’s good to have you back,” Robert said as he pulled away. “I’ve not seen your father this cheerful in some time.”
“You look well, Robert,” Daniel replied.
“Well enough, I suppose.” Robert glanced down at his bum leg.
Daniel felt suddenly self-conscious about his own promotions and triumphs. “You’ve been such a help to my father,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough. He wouldn’t have all this without you.”
“He’s been very generous to me,” Robert said.
“You’ve been there for him when I wasn’t. I won’t forget that.” Robert looked down at the ground as if he were embarrassed.
“Are you keeping my foreman from his appointed duties?” his father called out from the forge.
“By all means,” Daniel answered.
Jonathan rushed over to his father and handed him his supper.
“Maybe we should head home,” he said, looking over at Daniel.
“Would you like to ride back?” his father asked. “Please take the horse.”
“There’s no need for that when I’ve got Jonathan to guide me,” he said, and motioned for his brother to come along.
Daniel wished Robert and his father a good night, then returned with Jonathan down the road they had come. He slowed his pace more than on the trip to the foundry.
Jonathan became concerned. “Are y
ou sure you want to walk?” he asked. “If you wait here, I’ll return with the horse.”
“I’ll make it just fine,” Daniel assured him. He was proud of his little brother; proud of how concerned he was for the welfare of others. “Do you look after Beth with such consideration?” he asked.
Jonathan hesitated. “You know she’s sick,” he said.
“Mother told me. She also told me you help her to bed each night.”
“She gets tired, like you,” Jonathan said, looking down at his feet.
Daniel placed his arm around Jonathan’s neck.
“Thank you, Jonathan. It’s good to know that we can count on you.”
When Jonathan looked up, Daniel was beaming at him.
6
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Daniel waited patiently for everyone to go to bed. He felt certain the gate would call on him that night, and the long walk he took with Jonathan earlier in the evening would be an honest excuse for being lethargic the following day. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before he felt his chest tighten, signaling that the gate was about to open. He stood in his bedroom near the door when the light shone. He crossed through and found himself in a large city. There were people walking the streets, and the sky showed it was nearly dusk. Women who saw him nodded, and men tipped their hats to the young Union officer. He smiled and bowed his head accordingly. He noticed they were bundled up against the cold, even though it didn’t seem to bother him. The sights and sounds of the city were enough to warm his heart. Daniel walked past the local bakery and could smell the sweet odor of fresh baked goods wafting out of the door as it opened and closed for customers. And the lively cheers and conversations emanating from a nearby pub were clear invitations to share a pint.
He kept his eyes open for anything out of the ordinary and walked a fair distance along the streets before the dull ache in his chest returned.