BLACK VELVET ROSES

by Marianne Spitzer

  She shone the light around and didn’t see anything. He must have heard something I didn’t. Maybe it’s the river. We should keep moving. Kellie thought.

  Randy and Cole yelled in unison again. Rufus barked twice. The sound magnified inside the tunnel.

  “Did you hear a dog bark?” Cole asked.

  “I’m not sure. It could be anywhere out in the field.”

  “Let’s yell for Rufus this time,” Cole suggested.

  Randy held the light and it shone into the opening. “Okay, one, two, three, ‘Rufus.’” They heard his name echo and hoped it carried in case they were in there.

  Rufus barked twice again, jumped up wagging his tail, and ran further into the tunnel. He saw or heard something, she thought as she followed him.

  Randy looked at Cole, “Was that Rufus?”

  “I don’t know. It sounded like him.”

  Kellie followed Rufus into the tunnel and something blocked the tunnel several feet ahead. It was a water pipe. She mumbled, “We must be near the river. This water pipe is carrying water to the water plant. I can’t get over or under it. It’s back to the cave and the other tunnel.”

  Rufus pulled on her pant leg as she turned and walked back to the tunnel. “Stop it. We can’t go that way. Kellie had no idea Rufus was trying to tell her they were walking away from the voices calling his name.

  ########

  Randy and Cole called Rufus and Kellie’s name several more times, but didn’t hear anything. They listened and called again. This time all they heard was their echo. “I guess it was a dog in the fields somewhere. It sure sounded like Rufus. Wishful thinking,” Cole said.

  Randy’s cell rang. He heard Claudia’s voice. “Where are you? I believe I heard Rufus bark. I had a vision of Kellie and the dog walking through a stone tunnel. It’s dark, but she has a small light. Then I heard a dog bark twice.”

  “We thought we heard Rufus, too after we called Kellie’s name into a cave opening near the river.”

  “I’m sure you’re right which means she’s lost in the maze of tunnels. I was only able to see her in the tunnel. There weren’t any above ground landmarks to help you. I also know the shadow is hanging around the house laughing at the police efforts to find her. I have placed an invisible shield, if you will, around both of you and the shadow has no idea what you are doing. You don’t have to whisper or hide. The shadow won’t see or hear you. Keep looking.”

  Randy looked at Cole, “She hung up, but she’s sure we did hear Rufus. We have to keep looking.” He explained about the shadow while they continued their search.

  ########

  Cole called Hunter and gave him an update. He walked into the kitchen and told Taylor what he knew.

  “Kellie’s in the tunnels by the river. Claudia said she was underground. Uncle Mike is looking in all the wrong places.” She stood, placed her left palm on the table, shook her healing right hand in the air, and said to the officer, “I have been sitting here for hours and the phone hasn’t rung once. It wasn’t a kidnapping for ransom. Call my Uncle Mike now and tell him she’s in the tunnels or I will and believe me he won’t like what I say.” She sat back down in her chair and crossed her arms.

  The officer left the room to call Detective Stellion.

  Hearing Taylor’s rant made the shadow nervous. If they shift their search to the field they may find her. She has to die first. He would do his own search.

  When the officer returned with Detective Stellion’s reply, Taylor was ready to throw something. “He won’t find her in a building basement anywhere. She’s out there.” Taylor pointed out the patio door to the fields.

  “Sorry, Ma’am, the detective was adamant. He doesn’t believe a shadow or a human hid Kellie in the river caves. He isn’t going to waste time searching there.” He sat back down and checked his equipment.

  The shadow laughed knowing they wouldn’t find her now.

  ########

  Kellie and Rufus made it back to the large opening she had found earlier. “Okay, boy, this time we take the left tunnel.” She shone the light down the tunnel, but it turned a few feet in and she couldn’t see much. “Okay, here we go.”

  Rufus led the way and disappeared from Kellie’s view. She called him to stop and found him waiting around the first bend. The tunnel turned again and they followed it for about one hundred feet when they ran into another water pipe.

  Rufus crawled under the pipe with little effort. Kellie decided to give it a try. She made it pulling herself along on her stomach with less than two inches to spare. Rufus tried to help by pulling at her hand, but succeeded in pulling off her glove. She laughed and slipped it back on once she was on the other side of the water pipe.

  Kellie stood and brushed the dirt off the front of her. “Well, Rufus, looks like we’ll get further this time. Maybe we can find another cave. It could lead us to the river caves and freedom providing we’re going in the right direction.”

  They moved forward while Kellie held onto the wall for support. This part of the tunnel wasn’t as wide as the other and she felt a bit more trapped.

  ########

  Cole found another opening and he and Randy called out to Kellie and Rufus. Rufus barked several times and jumped forward. Kellie knew he heard something, but she didn’t. This time neither Randy nor Cole heard Rufus.

  Kellie felt lightheaded and sat down. She took a deep breath telling herself it was nerves. She was scared. Her heart was beating too fast and causing her to feel lightheaded, that’s all it was. No, it was more. What is that? I’m hearing voices or I’m going crazy, she thought. Claudia’s voice echoed in her head. “You can call on your own power when needed.” What’s that supposed to mean? Did I hear her or am I imagining it? I don’t have a power. This stress is getting to me.

  “Let’s start again. Maybe we’ll have more luck.”

  The tunnel twisted and turned. It felt as if they had walked for at least an hour when Kellie’s flashlight shone on what appeared to be metal. A closer examination proved her first thoughts correct. “Look Rufus, I think this is a storm drain of some sort and there’s a door.”

  The door was a square approximately two foot square and the same distance off the ground. A large metal handle appeared to be what kept the door closed. Kellie reached out and touched the drain. She didn’t feel rushing water or hear any strange sounds. Trying to open the door by pulling on the lever proved useless. It wouldn’t budge.

  “I hope it isn’t locked from the other side,” she said looking at Rufus. He pushed his nose into her hand again.

  She pulled off her boot and hit the drain with it. “It sounds hollow. If we get the door open, I don’t think we’ll drown. It hasn’t rained in some time. There’s no way it’s full.” Pushing her boot back on she mumbled, “How do I open this thing?”

  Randy turned to Cole, Did you hear that? It sounded like someone pounding on metal. Maybe it’s Kellie.”

  ########

  The shadow spun around on the patio. He felt Kellie was calmer, almost happy. Could she have found an escape route? Impossible! He had to find out and see her for himself. Flying across the field to approximately where she was, he dropped into the ground and disappeared. The shadow felt the vibrations and wasn’t happy.

  He flew through the rock to where Kellie and Rufus were trying to find anything to help them open the door.

  Claudia’s voice sounded in Kellie’s mind again. “You’re strong. You can fight on your own.”

  “Fight what?” she said as Rufus began to growl.

  Kellie turned to face the shadow. Not here, not now. I can’t run. I’m trapped. Her mind raced with fearful thoughts.

  The shadow spun. Kellie braced herself for an onslaught of soot, but instead the shadow threw what resembled a lightning bolt at her. It exploded near her feet and Rufus whined.

  Three more bolts flew at her but missed. He’s playing games, dangerous games. She thought.

  He aimed a bolt directly at Rufus and
threw it. Kellie’s anger flared. She stepped in front of Rufus, put up her hand and said. “Enough.” The light that emanated from her hand stopped the bolt in mid-flight and it dropped to the ground.

  The shadow was not about to give in and threw three bolts at Kellie. She held up both of her hands and said, “Back.” The three bolts turned and hit the shadow. He disappeared.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Randy’s cell rang. He put it on speaker so Cole could also hear Claudia. “Kellie is near water. She is also fighting off the shadow. He has found her.”

  “How can she fight alone? She needs more strength.” Randy kicked a stone into the river.

  “She has enough on her own now. The problem is that she isn’t aware of it. If she becomes angry enough it may come to her. Being attacked alone underground by the shadow may be enough to bring it to the surface. That’s all I see at this point. I’ll call later.”

  Claudia hung up before Randy could say a word.

  “That woman works fast,” Randy said. “We have to keep looking for an opening. If Kellie loses her battle we all lose. I pray Claudia’s right and she finds a way to tap whatever power she has within her.”

  ########

  Kellie stared at the spot the shadow had occupied. “Do you think it’s gone forever,” she looked at Rufus. Rufus pushed at her hand again. “Yes, I know. I’m surprised, too that I was able to toss that light from my hands. Do you think it might help us get into the storm drain?” Rufus barked.

  She grabbed the handle with two hands and used every ounce of physical strength she had while trying to summon a power she didn’t understand. Light began to emit from her hands and the handle moved. She pulled and it unlocked the door. A hard yank on it opened the door that led into a large drainage pipe.

  “I did it, Rufus. We’re going to be free.” Rufus barked and yipped. He jumped up on Kellie and licked her face. For once she didn’t tell him it was wrong to jump on people. He must be sensing her excitement.

  Kellie looked into the pipe. There was a small stream of water at the bottom moving to their left. She mumbled, “If the water flows to the left, the drain must begin somewhere to the right. I hope I’m correct.”

  “Are you ready to go? You can walk. I’ll have to crawl. The pipe is only about four feet wide. Let’s get you in first, Rufus.”

  Worried about his leg, she kneeled in front of the opening. “Okay, boy up.” Rufus began to climb on Kellie’s back. When she felt his rear paws push off and heard a small splash, she knew he had made it into the pipe. She stood and looked into the pipe. Rufus was standing on all fours and not whining.

  “Well, here goes, watch out, boy.”

  She pushed herself forward into the opening with both hands. A few kicks in the air, one connected with the door frame. She dropped feet over head into the pipe. She landed on her back.

  It knocked the wind out of her, but nothing hurt. She rolled over and got on her knees. Rufus ran a few feet ahead and barked. “Okay, you lead the way.”

  ########

  Detective Stellion couldn’t sleep. He paced his house from one end to the other. Calling the station led nowhere. A similar response was given to him by the officer inside Kellie’s house. If it wasn’t a kidnapping, what was it? A call to the jail assured him Drew was still locked up. Desperate, he tried Cole’s cell. Cole explained all that had happened and what Claudia had said. He thanked Cole, but still believed they were on the wrong track. Claudia had to be a quack. How could she have visions of Kellie underground with a shadow made of soot? “This is more insane than Old Man Malone coming back from the dead,” he shouted waking Rita.

  She rushed into the room, “What’s wrong? Is it Kellie?”

  “No, dear. I’m sorry. I let out my frustration too loudly. I didn’t mean to wake you. Let’s go back to bed.”

  ########

  Randy’s cell rang again. Claudia’s message was quick. “The shadow found her. She won the battle, but not the war. She’s in a small amount of water. Find her. She’s going to get cold. I think you’re headed the wrong way.” She hung up.

  Randy related Claudia’s words to Cole. “How can we be going the wrong way? We have two other options. One leads off into the town for miles and the other to Main Street. She certainly isn’t going to end up in the river unless she comes out one of these tunnels. She has to be headed this way. If she headed the other, we have lost her forever in the maze under the town.”

  “No, we’re going to find her,” Cole said as he found another opening.

  Both men yelled and yelled into the opening. Hearing nothing in return, they moved down the riverbank hoping to find an opening large enough for them to enter.

  ########

  Hunter and Taylor had fallen asleep in Kellie’s living room. At six, a new uniformed officer arrived at the house to relieve Wally. Cole had promised to call Andrea, but he let her sleep. When the sun woke her, she was frantic. Cole had been out all night looking for Kellie.

  The sun also woke Taylor and the only thing that kept her from screaming at the stranger in the kitchen was the fact he was in uniform. “Good morning, I’m Officer Jim. I relieved Wally.”

  “Good morning,” mumbled Taylor. “I’m going to make some coffee. Would you care for a cup?”

  “No thanks,” he held up his travel mug. “I filled up before I left home.”

  Taylor sat at the table and looked at the phone. “I know why no one has called, but my Uncle Mike will never believe me. I’m sorry to say you’re wasting your time here.”

  “Possibly, Mrs. O’Neil, but it’s my job.”

  “Please call me Taylor. Everyone does.” She tried to smile as she heard the coffee begin to fill the carafe.

  She heard her cell ring and hurried to answer it, but Hunter beat her to it. “It’s Andrea. She wants to talk to you.”

  “Of course she does,” she smiled. “That’s why she called my phone.”

  “Hi Andrea, no nothing here either. I did get a little sleep, too. Sure, I’ll tell Hunter. Are you going to work? Me either, if you get bored come over to Kellie’s. We’ll keep each other company. Bye.”

  “What am I? You need Andrea for company,” Hunter grumbled.

  “You need coffee. There’s fresh in the kitchen. You’re grumpy because you’re worried and you miss Rufus.” She turned to walk to the kitchen.

  “Not fair, I’m worried sick about Kellie.” When Taylor turned and looked at him, he added. “Okay, I miss Rufus, too. I do need coffee.”

  He followed her into the kitchen and met Officer Jim.

  ########

  Kellie said to Rufus, “We’ve been up all night. Let’s take a little break. I wish I had some food to give you.” Rufus had been lapping a bit of water from a small stream in the pipe. Kellie had tried to scoop some into her hand, but it wasn’t deep enough. She did manage to get a few drops and licked the water from her hands.

  Trying to find a way to sit and relax without getting wet was a challenge. Her knees were soaked. She didn’t want to become wetter since the air was getting colder. Kellie found a spot and Rufus nestled next to her. Both drifted off to sleep. She had no idea how long she was asleep when a noise woke her.

  Kellie couldn’t believe the shadow was back. It stood in front of her and spun. It threw a bolt at her. She threw up a hand and stopped it. The shadow tried over and over becoming angrier with each failure. Kellie was growing tired and the shadow knew it could take advantage of her.

  It threw one bolt at her and a second one at Rufus. In her attempt to keep both of them safe, her cell flew out of her hand, hit the pipe wall and landed in the stream. She tried to retrieve it, but a bolt hit it and she watched her cell burst into flame. It was her only chance of getting help if she could get a signal. Anger burned in her. “Is that the best you can do, Gordon? I’m not afraid of you.”

  Spinning again, the shadow stopped holding three glowing bolts in its hands. It spun again. The three had turned into one large bolt.
Taking aim, the bolt flew directly to where Kellie knelt. She threw up both hands and said the only words that entered her mind, “Burn and die.”

  The bolt turned back onto the shadow. This time it didn’t disappear. It caught fire and Kellie watched as the fire encircled the entire shape. After a few moments, the shadow crumbled to the floor of the pipe and continued to burn.

  An unearthly screech echoed in the pipe. Kellie covered her ears. Rufus whined and pawed at his ears. The shadow’s flames died out and Kellie noticed a thin black liquid moved in the stream of water.

  She moved as far away from the stream as she could. Rufus straddled the stream. Kellie knew his instinct told him it was something to avoid. As Kellie watched the liquid disappear from view, she felt a sense of peace come over her. “I think it’s gone for good this time, Rufus.” He walked up and licked her face.

  After a few minutes to regain her composure and catch her second wind, she said, “Let’s keep going. It’s beginning to feel colder. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m wet from the stream or we’re near an opening.” She kicked her incinerated cell down the pipe. “At least we still have our flashlight.”

  ########

  Randy’s cell rang. He hit the speaker button. He and Cole could hear Claudia, “Kellie defeated the shadow. It’s gone. She’s safe from it, but she’s still lost. I feel you are getting further away from her with every step. I had a vision she will be found and she’ll be near a hole. Find her.”

  Claudia clicked off. Randy dropped the cell back into his pocket. “How can we be going in the wrong direction if Claudia thinks she’ll be found near a hole? The only holes are here along the river. Let’s keep going. We’ll make better time now that the sun is up.”

  Cole and Randy found more openings along the river. Some were big enough to fit in, but the tunnels were too narrow to follow. They spent over two hours entering and leaving cave openings that took them further and further away from town.