by M. J. Sewall
He was sitting in a chair, and rose slowly as they entered. Ariana walked up, wary of the men she didn’t know. John’s smile made her feel a little better. “Hello,” he said, “I’m John. This is Pete, and this is David.”
“Um. Hi.” Ariana got to the point. “Can you tell me what’s happening?”
John nodded with some difficulty, the pain still an issue, “Yes. But I’d prefer to talk to all five of you at once. My new friend David here is very good at finding people like us.”
Ariana let her frustration show. “What does that mean? Why can we all do these things? Sorry, can I just get some answers now?”
John sat down again in his chair. “Of course, please sit.”
“I’m sorry. I nearly forgot you were shot. Are you okay? I’m just frustrated.” Ariana admitted. “And scared.”
John smiled, “Of course. I wish last night hadn’t gone so badly. I wanted to reach you all first. Anyway, some answers; you are all special. There is a struggle between my people, the Amartus, and the others, the Rageto. You might say it is a struggle between good and evil, but that would be too simple. The talents you feel growing, your special talents, are shared by only a select few people. It’s my job to help you fully develop them.”
Ariana brow wrinkled. “What if I don’t want to develop them?”
“That could be difficult,” John said, “When people like us get together, our power gets stronger. But the other side, like those two men last night, they want to use your talents for very bad things. They give you a choice: join them, or die. You need to develop your talents to protect yourself.”
“Will they come after my family?” asked Ariana.
John said, “No. Not directly. The core of who you are has been there since you were born. Without knowing it, the place where you live has been filling with protection all your life. It’s kind of like your castle, deeply defended by your innate talents. You and your family are safe in your own home. They can’t touch you there.”
“Thank God,” said Ariana, as if she’d been holding her breath. “If any of my family got hurt because of me…”
“They won’t,” John reassured, “Would you both come with us, to find the others?”
Both Lucas and Ariana looked at each other and silently agreed.
John looked at Pete. “Another favor?”
Pete held out the keys. “I figured you’d ask.”
They left, and allowed David to guide them around town. They found Katie first. She lived just at the edge of town, on a road that wound through two hills. They stopped at a park near her home. Lucas went to Katie’s door.
Katie was surprised, “Oh, hi. What are you doing here? How did you find me? I’ve been waiting for responses to connect online.”
Lucas said, “The sword guy has a friend that can find people fast. Oh, the sword guy is named John, by the way. They want us together so they can explain what’s going on.”
Katie replied, “Oh. Um, okay I guess. Let me get some shoes on.” she left Lucas at the door and slipped on her shoes as she texted.
First, to her mom:Out with friends.
She kept it short, knowing that they’d want her at the hospital. The next text was to Derek.
Katie: They’re at my house. Want us all to meet somewhere. What should I do?
Derek: Go with them. Tell us where.
Katie: Ok
She finished her text and headed for the door, putting her phone away. Katie said, “Let’s go.”
Three of the five teens in the old white truck, they pulled up to a house at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by trees. They parked across the street, just in view of the front door. They watched as Lucas knocked and a woman with dark hair answered the door.
He had been distracted, but David glanced over to see the lady at the door. David went white, “No. No that can’t be.”
“What’s wrong?” asked John.
David nearly yelled, “No! This is impossible.”
They could see Cody at the door now, talking to Lucas.
David lost control, shaking, “No. No. No. No.” he muttered to himself. Suddenly he bolted from the truck, running into the trees away from the road.
“What on earth?” said John. He got out and ran after David. Lucas and Cody both saw the commotion across the street, but couldn’t clearly see what was happening.
John looked for David among the trees, calling his name. He didn’t shout, since he had no idea why David would act this way. John thought maybe David had felt the brothers lurking around, “David?” he said as loud as he dared.
David stepped out from behind a tree, “Stop, John. I won’t help you anymore. I’m leaving this city. You need to get all of them out of here, now. You can’t let the brothers find them.”
“What are you doing? What happened?”
“Get them out. Now. It may already be too late. Don’t follow me, John.” David ran through the trees, gone. John looked up the hill where the teens were, then back to where David had fled. Shaking his head, he reluctantly got back to the kids.
“What just happened?” asked Ariana.
“Our finder just left,” said John. He went to their new addition, “Hello, Cody. I’m John. We have a lot to talk about. Will you come with us so I can explain everything?”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Cody, “After last night I need answers. Why did your friend leave?”
“I don’t know, but we need to find Zacke another way.” John said, looking back where David had run off. “Does anyone know where Zacke can be found? We can’t wait until Monday when school starts.”
“They cancelled school for the whole week because of the earthquake,” said Katie.
“He works at Ocean Burgers,” offered Cody. John nodded and they were on their way.
In the back of the king cab truck, Katie was furiously texting.
“Boyfriend?” Ariana said in the back seat.
“Oh,” said Katie, putting her phone away quickly. “Not really. Just a guy I know.”
“Is this ‘Derek’ cute?” asked Ariana, smiling, trying to make conversation.
“Are you spying on me?” Katie said, angrier than she meant to be.
“Oh, sorry. I just saw the name.” Ariana shrugged. “I didn’t see what you typed or anything.”
Lucas broke in, hoping to ease the tension, “Hey John. I’m not getting flashes anymore. Why?”
“Yeah, me either,” said Ariana, “I thought you said when we’re together, we’d be stronger.”
John clarified, “You are. And the flashes will return. Some of you may even be able to read minds at will, eventually. But it always starts with the physical talents first. You are all tuning into the River. But it’s like a journey. The talents grow stronger, but the flashes go dormant for a while. On this journey, the mental aspect is in a dark tunnel right now. The flashes will stop for a while, while your physical talents get sharper. The River knows your mind can only take so much. The mental talents will return once you’re activated. I’m here to make sure you’re ready for that.”
“What if we’re not ready?” asked Ariana.
“Sorry, but I’d like to wait until we’re all together to answer all your questions.”
They arrived at Ocean Burgers. They parked around back. John shifted in his seat, and winced at the pain, sorry he had moved so sharply. “Cody, would you do the honors and get Zacke? If he can’t leave work, tell him to meet us there. This would be a good time for all of you to check in with your parents and let them know not to worry.”
“Okay,” Cody said, as he headed toward the front of the building. The rest of them got out to stretch their legs in the empty parking lot behind the restaurant. John got out of the old rusty truck slowly, to check his bandages.
He saw some of the teens call their parents, while others merely texted. If their parents only knew what they were up to. John knew this was the hardest part, the beginning. They will have to decide to start keeping more and more from those
they love. John would have to be careful how much to share. The road forward would be strewn with nothing but trouble for all of them.
Cody walked in and scanned for Zacke. As usual, it was busy and he got in Zacke’s line. Cody finally got to the head of the line, “Hey. Zacke, right?”
Zacke snapped his head up, “Oh. Uh. I didn’t feel you. I mean see you…”
“Yeah, our new friend just explained why. Sorry I missed you at school on Friday, I got your note too late. Then the game happened. I wish we could have officially met some other way,” said Cody, “But I need to tell you to meet us at the mission after work. What time do you get off?”
“Six. But I need to talk to you now.” Zacke called over to a co-worker, “Hey Sarah, it’s time for my break. Can you take over?” Victoria was busy at the other end of the open kitchen, but looked over, a little concerned.
At the far end of the counter, Zacke asked, “Dude, what is going on? Have you talked to the others since last night?”
“Yeah. They’re all outside.”
Zacke looked around, “You all shouldn’t be here. Those guys know I work here. I’ve been watching for them my whole shift. Oh crap…”
Just then Cody and Zacke saw the two men walk in. They didn’t get in line, just started scanning the restaurant.
Zacke pulled his visor down and grabbed Cody’s arm, leading him around the counter to the back room.
Victoria noticed, and said, “Zacke! You know the rules about visitors.”
The two men must have heard her and spotted the boys. The brothers weaved through the tables and chairs.
“Sorry, Victoria. It’s an emergency,” said Zacke, as he pulled Cody toward the break room. “Watch out for those guys.”
Victoria turned to see the two men approaching. Derek and Ehrhardt began to casually walk behind the counter.
“Whoa guys.” Victoria put her hands up. “You can’t come back here.” She put herself in front of the swinging doors.
Derek said, “Oh hello miss… Victoria,” he saw her name tag, “This is Officer Lang and I’m Officer Sommers. We need to talk to those boys.”
“Why?” she asked, noticing the quiet one rub his head.
Derek smiled, “It’s about the stadium collapse at the high school.”
“That was an earthquake,” said Victoria.
“Yes,” Derek replied smoothly, “but some of the team’s equipment went missing during the confusion. We think these boys might have seen something.”
Victoria crossed her arms. “I need to see ID, please.” The quiet one showed silent anger, and she thought the man’s face was scarred, maybe recently healed cuts? She didn’t trust them. But the blond one, Officer Sommers, produced an SVPD badge. It had a strange green tint to it. But she doubted anyone would fake a small city’s police badge.
Victoria said, “Alright, I guess. This way.”
In the break room, Cody and Zacke furiously discussed their situation. That came to an end when they saw the brothers.
Cody said, “No!” and instinctively threw up his hands in front of him. The fluorescent bulbs overhead shattered, throwing the room into darkness. With no windows, it was very dark until a door was opened, the silhouette of Zacke and Cody running out the back.
The two men brushed off the glass and rushed to catch them. The back door swung shut automatically. Ehrhardt cussed in German as he fumbled for the handle.
The boys burst into the sunshine, and heard the German saying something as the back door closed. They kept running, just as they saw the old truck pull up. John yelled, “Hurry, get in!”
Cody jumped into the bed of the truck and Zacke tried, but caught his foot on the tailgate. He jumped again, and was sure he would tumble to the pavement. At the last second Cody grabbed his arm and pulled him in, closing the tailgate. The truck tires squealed and the smell of burning rubber filled their nostrils.
The back window of the truck exploded.
At the back door, Ehrhardt aimed the silencer-equipped gun again, but Derek stopped him. “No brother, we need recruits. Not dead teenagers.”
“Hey, Officer dick!” a shout erupted from behind the brothers.
Derek wheeled around and was hit with a sloshy wet slap across the face. The wet mop enveloped Derek’s head and he went down. He clutched at his eyes, yelling. Ehrhardt grabbed the girl’s arm, forcing her to drop the mop. Ehrhardt screamed, “What did you do?”
“It’s bleach water.” then Victoria slipped from his grip and ran for the door. It closed as Victoria shouted “I’m calling the real cops!”
Ehrhardt pulled his gun again and might have fired into the back door of the restaurant, but his younger brother was still screaming. “Argghh! Brother, I can’t see!”
Ehrhardt saw the hose and turned it on.
Derek took the water hose and ran it over his eyes, “Go around and get the car.”
“We won’t catch them now,” Ehrhardt said, putting the gun back in his hidden holster.
“I know, damn it! I need to get back to the house for my eyes, another damn healing spell. Katie will lead us to where they’re going. I better not be blind for the rest of this body’s life! Hurry brother!”
CHAPTER NINETEEN - MISSION
John deftly handled the old truck, wondering how he would explain the window to Pete. Luckily the safety glass had shattered into tiny fragments. No one was hurt.
“He shot at us!” Katie said, carefully picking glass out of her hair.
“Yes, he did. Is everyone alright?” asked John.
“I’m okay,” Ariana spoke first.
John called to the bed of the truck through the ragged opening, “Cody? Zacke?”
They were panting after the near miss, and the harrowing jump into the back of the truck. “We’re good.”
“I know this is all scary. After today, you will all be better armed against whatever comes.” John asked Ariana, “Are you sure no one will be there?”
Ariana nodded. “Yes, the mission closes at four. I’m a docent every summer, the ranger will let us in. Should be deserted.”
They had driven just outside of town, to the historic old Spanish mission.
“Alright,” said John, “Is that the road?”
“Yeah.” Ariana confirmed, “There’s the back-way in. Take that service road all the way up the hill, then we can walk down into the mission.”
John drove up the long winding road. Along the way were brown signs announcing that they were on the Camino Real. Ariana pointed the way and they ascended the small hill. They were met halfway up by a truck going the opposite direction.
The driver rolled down his window, “Sorry sir, park’s closed.”
“Hi Doug,” said Ariana with a smile.
The ranger smiled back. “Oh, hey Ariana. How’s your mom?”
“She’s good.” Ariana pointed to John, “This is a friend of the family. Can I give my friends a private tour?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” the ranger said, “I’m meeting my wife in town for dinner. Will you watch the place for me?”
“Yeah Doug.” she said, “of course.”
Ranger Doug tipped his hat, “Have fun folks. You should have about an hour of light left.” He drove on, and they parked at a make-shift gravel driveway on top of the hill.
“Why are we here, anyway?” asked Katie.
“To unlock your talents. And now that we’re all together,” John promised, “I will answer all of your questions.”
“It’s about time,” said Cody, “No offense, but I really want to know what’s happening to me.”
“Me too,” said Ariana.
They all got out of the truck and walked down the hill into the mission complex.
“Ariana, lead the way. Ask anything.”
Katie started, “Who are you, really?”
“My name is John. My true warrior name is Pentoss. My true self was born a long time ago in a country that no longer exists. This body is thirty-seven years old.”
>
“What do you mean true self?” Lucas asked.
“All of you are 15 or 16 years old, and have talents. A few of you are new births. Meaning that this is the first time, you are a blank slate. Whatever talents you have are totally new and not tied to any ancient warrior. The rest of you are ancients, re-births. Your talents were born a long time ago. I’m here to help you find out which one you are, and help you activate your talents.”
Zacke asked, “So, some of us are re-incarnated, some of us aren’t? Is that what the symbol on your back means?”
John looked puzzled at first, then remembered that Zacke was there the night he was shot, “My tattoo is the symbol of a re-birth. The great River is like a consciousness running through humanity. There are different philosophies about how and why it exists. But we know that knowledge flows through it, unique talents are born from it.”
Ariana asked, “Is it like being born from heaven, or hell?”
John answered, “What we are, is not easy to label. Like Shakespeare’s line ‘there is more in heaven and earth than is dreamed of in our philosophy.’ It’s a fight between light and darkness, to be sure. But I wouldn’t label it good and evil, or heaven and hell.”
“The ancient warriors come from this river,” asked Lucas, “but live inside us?”
“Yes.” John elaborated, “Think of the river as a repository. Things go there to rest, and return when they are needed. A warrior born with special talents grows up, is fully activated, and chooses a side, The Amartus or the Rageto. When that body dies, the essence of the warrior goes back into the River, then is re-birthed into a new life. Usually around age 16, the warrior makes themselves known.”
“Yeah, you could say that,” said Lucas, “But what is a ‘true death’? One of those guys said that.”
John drew his short sword from the scabbard on his back. They all stopped, a few of them stepped back. “No reason to be afraid. This is Gwirionedd. It’s a welsh word that roughly translates to truth. This is a relic. Only a relic can give a true death. When someone is cut with a relic, that warrior is prevented from returning to the river. This life will be their last. If you are killed with a relic, you and your warrior die a true death.”
