Golden Glories

by Gerald Lopez

  I did, and I noticed there were only scattered fires within the cemetery but golf carts and people were getting stuck in the ground.

  “Why are the golf carts getting stuck?” I said.

  “The ground is turning to mud,” Randall said. “Look toward the center and the pit of fire—that’s where the open treasure chest is located.”

  Those of us who had binoculars used them, and Alex looked through his camera.

  “It looks like that treasure is in the pit of Hell,” Forrest said. “I spotted the kids and the others safe in the treehouse.”

  “What’s your plan, guys?” I said to the boy nuns and Randall.

  “Randall went back home and got a long rope, if we need to use it to get everyone down from the treehouse,” Sister Mack said. “We figured we’ll throw them the rope, they’ll secure it, then shimmy down.”

  “We’ve got to get in there first without getting our golf carts or ourselves stuck,” Sassy said. “Some people are trapped in the ground up to their waists.”

  “We’re all still wet and that should provide some sort of barrier against the fire,” Alex said.

  “The fire is probably an illusion,” Granny said. “Not that it won’t give you a bad sunburn. I wouldn’t want to get stuck in that fence.”

  “Anyway,” Sister Joe said. “Here’s the plan. We soak ourselves in bottled holy water. We’ve got a bunch of it in back of our golf cart. And we load up our water guns, and haul ass into the cemetery while shooting at the baddies and the ground in front of us to keep it solid.”

  “Works for me,” I said.

  “It’s a plan,” Sassy said.

  “One change to that plan, if I may,” Nikki said. “We need to leave one of the golf carts out here in case the other ones get stuck in the cemetery.”

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  We headed to Randall’s golf cart and began soaking ourselves in the holy bottled water. Randall got in the back golf cart with Sassy, Nikki, and Jorri. The boy nuns stood on the back edge of our golf cart, water guns at the ready. Granny and Alex had a box full of blessed bottled waters with them in the back seat, and Forrest had his Super Soaker at the ready.

  “Everyone hang on tight,” I said. “I’m gonna floor it and not stop until we’re forced to do so.”

  “Go for it!” Granny said.

  “We’re ready back here!” Sister Mack said.

  “Here goes!” I said, and stepped on the gas.

  The ghostly, hooded monks and ghost priests turned our way and shot flames of fire at us. But Forrest and the boy nuns were fast and by the time I felt the heat from the fire it had turned into a smoky mist. Before we got to the main gate, the wrought iron fence stretched its long, finger-like bars toward us while Forrest and the boys were shooting at ghost pirates. An iron bar turned talon managed to grab hold for a second, before Alex and Granny splashed it with bottled water and it retreated. Things didn’t get easier when we were inside. I had to swerve to miss people or carts that were stuck in the mud. I skidded through a particularly muddy area and the cart spun right toward a huge flame. The flame dissipated before we got in it, thanks to Forrest and the boy nuns. But I was sweating something fierce. My focus was on getting us as close to the tree where the others were as possible. When the tree was in sight, I felt the back wheels getting stuck in the ground. I stepped on the gas, but the front of the golf cart started to rise.

  “This is close enough, I think,” Granny said. “Wet your feet or shoes with the holy water, then run for the tree,” Granny said.

  “We can’t all go up the tree,” I said, but some of our group can stand on top of that raised grave in front of the tree.”

  After using water on our feet we made a dash for it.

  “Granny!” Bogie said when he saw us. “Granny!”

  “I’m here, baby,” Granny said. “Is everyone up there, OK?”

  “Yeah, but I gotta pee!” Bogie said.

  “Just pee off the edge,” Granny said.

  “No,” Bogie said. “Antoinette might look.”

  “Don’t look, Antoinette,” Granny said. “Stand on the other side with your face to the wall so Bogie can go.”

  “Oh brother,” Antoinette said.

  Sassy joined us on the raised grave, while Forrest and the boy nuns shot at ghost pirates and tried to shoot two ghost kids who were running around us.

  “The others are back by our golf cart guarding it,” Sassy said. “They managed to get it on the concrete in front of the chapel, so it won’t sink and we can make a quick getaway.”

  “Sounds good,” I said, then looked at the pit to our left.

  People were stuck inside and screaming. The ground that surrounded the treasure chest looked like molten lava, and occasional flames shot up from it. The chalice was there, like we’d been told, but no staff. My guess was that the treasure from Russia really had been split up and hidden in two different places.

  “I have the rope to toss up to the treehouse,” Sister Mack said.

  “Julio, Buck!” I said. “We’re gonna toss up a rope. Tie it securely to something then lower the kids on it.”

  “There’s no fire on the tree,” Ginger said. “We can just walk down using the steps.”

  “We’ve been keeping the tree and steps safe by watering them down with bottled holy water,” Antoinette said.

  “Smart,” Forrest said.

  “I’ve got an idea!” Bogie said. “If we tie the rope to the far branch on this tree you can lower me down to the treasure. I’ll put the rope around the treasure and since I’m light you can pull me and it back up.”

  “That could work,” I said.

  “He could also get trapped down there,” Forrest said.

  “Not if we do our job and pull him up,” I said, then looked at the tree. The limbs were big enough for grown men to climb. While there were no big branches directly over the treasure there were some close enough that we could swing Bogie toward it. “How strong is your grandson, Granny?”

  “Strong enough to snag that chalice and fill his pockets with gold,” Granny said. “If The Organization is after that chalice, then it’s dangerous, and we can’t let anyone else get it.”

  “Granny’s right,” Sassy said.

  “I’m going up the tree,” I said. “Julio, Buck, and I should be able to deal with things there. The rest of you stay here and keep those ghosts and flames off us.”

  “Can you climb that tree barefoot?” Forrest said.

  “Better than a squirrel,” I said.

  “You’ll need this,” Sister Mack said, then handed me the rope he held. “Bogie can close the treasure chest, sit on top of it, then tie the rope to the handles on the sides.”

  “I’m concerned about how heavy the chest will be,” Forrest said.

  “Julio and Buck are there to help,” Sister Joe said. “I’m strong, I can go up and lend a hand too.”

  “Leave enough rope to throw us some,” Forrest said, “we can pull from here when the time comes.”

  “Will do,” I said.

  The climb to the treehouse was easy, since the steps were still in good shape. Once there I tried to find a path to the branch we’d be able to lower Bogie down from to the treasure.

  “That’s the one,” I said and pointed to a large branch. “I can straddle that branch securely while lowering Bogie and swinging him over to the chest.”

  “And the branch is big enough for me to sit behind you,” Julio said.

  “Why didn’t you ask me, Ginger, or that little person Sassy to go down to get the treasure?” Antoinette said.

  “Because I’m skinnier and lighter than you or them,” Bogie said.

  “Let’s get that rope securely tied round Bogie’s waist,” I said to Julio and Buck.

  “Hang on,” Bogie said.

  “Do you need a kiss for good luck like Mr. Brennan gets from his wife before he does his high wire act?” Antoinette said.

  “Yeah,” Bogie said, then turned
and slapped his butt. “Kiss that, crazy girl. Don’t be stupid! I need my bubble gum and water gun.”

  “OK, don’t go getting all upset,” Antoinette said, then handed Bogie some bubble gum and his water gun.

  Julio and I securely tied the rope to Bogie’s waist.

  “Let me refill your water gun with holy water,” Buck said, then took Bogie’s water gun and filled it.

  “Bogie, if anything happens with a ghost trying to grab you, I’m right behind you,” I said.

  “I’m not worried about any stupid ghost,” Bogie said, then looked at Antoinette. “Do it.” Antoinette poured blessed bottled water over Bogie.

  “Sister Joe and Buck stay here in the treehouse with the rope,” I said. “Julio and I will follow Bogie.”

  Sister Joe and Buck agreed. Bogie scrambled onto a branch and we followed. From where they stood, Antoinette and Ginger managed to shoot and take down some bothersome ghosts. There was even an aggravating ghost squirrel throwing nuts at us. But Bogie was a pro and quickly got into place. Even in our location above the pit we could feel the heat from below.

  “Don’t drop me when you start lowering me down,” Bogie said. “Antoinette, Ginger!”

  “What!” Antoinette and Ginger said in unison.

  “Keep those darn ghost squirrels off us,” Bogie said.

  “OK,” Antoinette said.

  “You got it,” Ginger said.

  “We’re lowering Bogie now!” I shouted to our team below, so they’d be ready with their water guns.

  Once I was securely sitting on the branch and had my legs braced, I looked back at Julio.

  “Ready,” Julio said, gripping the rope.

  “Give me a little of the rope at a time,” I said.

  “OK,” Julio said.

  “Now,” I said, then started to lower Bogie toward the pit.

  Streams of water from our team below hit the flames surrounding the treasure chest and they turned to smoke. Our team in the treehouse kept the ghosts at bay. Unfortunately, one or two people also headed toward the treasure, but they were caught by sudden flames of fire and screamed in agony. I did notice that they didn’t actually burn.

  Bogie had made it to the treasure chest, but then we had other problems. Two men had managed to make it to the chest as well, and one had pushed Bogie who tried to hit him back.

  “They’re too much for him,” I said. “I’m going down there. Sister Joe, come take my place” Once Sister Joe had arrived and I had secured the rope I gripped it with my hands and made my way down. I felt like I was back in boot camp doing the rope bit.

  When I got close to the treasure a man tried to shake the rope so I’d fall, but I held on tight. Bogie came to my rescue but a man grabbed him, and Bogie kicked him in the nuts bringing him to his knees, before jumping on the guy shaking my rope. Bogie bit the man hard on the leg, and the guy screamed. Then Bogie kicked him into the lava-looking stuff. I was down now, and fighting the man Bogie had kicked in the nuts. There were flames all around us, but water from our team kept the fire at bay. Other treasure hunters were heading our way, so we’d have to work fast. That was when I spotted Sister Mack in the pit fighting the people coming our way, while Sassy, Granny and Forrest continually shot at the fire around us. Buck did a Tarzan yell, beat his chest, then swung down on the rope to help in the fight.

  I closed the treasure chest, sat Bogie on it, then put the rope through both handles on either side and tied it.

  Looking back toward the tree I saw Sister Joe and Julio pulling Bogie and the treasure up.

  “Pull!” I said.

  They pulled while I tried to push and lift the chest and Bogie up. Buck fought anyone that approached us or the treasure.

  “It’s too heavy with me on it,” Bogie said, then jumped off the treasure chest.

  The chest Immediately went upward.

  “Jump on my back, kid, quick,” I said to Bogie. “Buck we’ve got to make a run for it.”

  “Go, Layton,” Buck said, “I’ll try to cover you two.”

  Bogie showed me his water gun then jumped on my back. As I ran, Bogie shot water at the lava and fire in front of us, while Buck fought against wannabe attackers. I kept my mind from focusing on the heat on the soles of my feet and looked straight ahead to the end of the pit. Right before we got to the end, someone grabbed my leg and I fell.

  The heat on my face was intense like I’d fallen face first into burning charcoals, but then I felt cool water and two arms pulling me and Bogie—who was still on my back, out. Granny and Forrest were doing the pulling, while the boy nuns and Sassy used their water guns all around us. Bogie was safely riding my back out of the pit.

  I must’ve been passed out when they loaded me and Bogie onto the back seat of a golf cart. My team revived me when they poured water over my face.

  Oh God, I thought. We still have to get out of here.

  Chapter 36

  Quick Getaway

  FEELING WELL ENOUGH to sit up, I asked a question. “How’s, Bogie?”

  “Wet but fine,” Granny said, while sitting in the front seat with Bogie. “We soaked him in holy water like we did you.

  “And Buck?” I said.

  “He got out right behind you,” Ginger, who was next to me, said. “Then he and the others managed to squeeze into the other golf cart.”

  “Hang on folks,” Alex said, from the driver’s seat. “As soon as they get our back wheels unstuck we’re outta here.

  I looked back to see the boy nuns pouring holy water around the wheels, while Forrest pushed the back of the golf cart.

  “The other golf cart already left with the treasure, Antoinette, Nikki, Sassy, Julio, Buck, and Jorri,” Granny said.

  The golf cart jerked forward suddenly. With no time to lose, the boy nuns hopped on the back of the golf cart, and Forrest jumped in the back seat next to Ginger. Alex floored it and we had a wild ride getting out of there. There were some crazy turns, and our golf cart almost tipped over once while trying to get away from ghosts and people. Meanwhile the boy nuns and Forrest used their water guns, and splashed bottled water on the ground and the ghosts. As we were going out the front gate, the iron bars of the fence grabbed hold of the back of the golf cart, but the boy nuns used their water guns to get us free. We were racing down the street then Alex took a sharp left turn, and I saw the others waiting for us with the golf cart we’d left outside the cemetery. We stopped and Sassy rushed our way.

  “There’s no time to waste,” Sassy said. “We’ve got to get downtown. Granny, you go with Buck, Nikki and the kids. Julio, head downtown with the boy nuns and Ginger. Jorri, pick up the others and meet us at the chapel.”

  Everyone quickly moved, and we were all headed out. Sassy sat in back with me, while Alex and Forrest were in front.

  “What’s happening downtown?” Forrest said. “More to the point, why did you mention the chapel?”

  “We’re not sure what’s happening exactly,” Sassy said. “There were a ton of messages on my phone from Charity, Pete, and Chip. It’ll take a minute or two for them to show up on your phones. It’s all the supernatural interference.”

  “Please don’t say the nuns have shown up,” I said.

  “Nobody was able to get a complete message through,” Sassy said. “Charity mentioned the staff and ghosts. Pete may have mentioned the nuns, it was really difficult to hear.”

  “What did Chip say?” Forrest said.

  I looked at Sassy, who didn’t want to answer the question.

  “The truth,” Forrest said, turning around in his seat to glare at us.

  “He’s scared,” Sassy said. “I heard him mention the roof or something like that.”

  “That’s where I told him to go if things got bad in the chapel,” I said.

  “Make the chapel our first stop, Alex,” Forrest said.

  “What did Charity say about the staff?” I said, as Alex swerved hard to miss an old person pushing an occupied wheelchair.

  “I t
hink she may have said she found it,” Sassy said. “But I don’t see how she could have—she was in the chapel.”

  “In a chapel full of staffs,” I said. “What better place to hide the real staff than amongst fakes?”

  “I’m more worried about our kid than any staff,” Forrest said.

  “Don’t worry,” Alex said, “we’re heading there as quickly as possible.”

  It didn’t matter how fast we were going, because when we got to the top of a small hill near the beginning of downtown, we were stopped in our tracks. There was a line of vehicles and people just staring toward the downtown area, unsure of what to do.

  “We can’t go through that in this golf cart, can we?” Forrest said.

  “No,” Alex said. There’s no way.

  Downtown Shiloh Key had flooded. The water would’ve come at least half way up the sides of the golf cart, and we would’ve been floating through downtown. Even worse, the water was the wrong color—a glittering silver.

  “No one’s going in or coming out of that,” I said. “Not when it’s silver in color.”

  “Is there a chance the chapel area is unaffected?” Forrest said.

  “No chance at all,” a man said, as he walked toward us.

  The owner of the shop where we’d gotten the dog statues was the one who’d spoken, and his wife was with him.

  “We left downtown using the street the chapel is on,” the store owner’s wife said. “And we barely made it. Besides having silver water all around it, the entire chapel was surrounded by ghost nuns with glowing eyes. Anyone that may have been inside is trapped there for now.”

  “Folks are also trapped inside the downtown hotels, and even in Poppy’s,” a man to the side of the shop owners said. “They did manage to get the chickens inside and to safety, so they don’t drown in the water.”

  “Hopefully Diesel’s keeping everyone calm and safe,” Sassy said.

  “She’s a soldier, so is her wife, and for that matter, Lily May’s mom was a military nurse,” I said. “They’ll be fine.”

  “And Chip and his classmates?” Forrest said, managing to stay calm.