A woman, dressed in a white flowing gown, looked like she was going to jump.
Chaya ran up the trail as fast as she could to try and stop this woman.
As she got closer, she yelled, "Wait! Wait one second! I want to talk to you. Please, hold up…don't jump. PLEASE WAIT!"
The woman looked at Chaya and replied, "Do you know why this is called Widow's Peak?"
Chaya had no idea. She called out, "Wait for me…I would like to know why!"
The woman in white continued. "You see, when the nuclear weapons exploded and the bombs rained down upon this area, I lost my entire family. I have nothing left, so I play this scene out all too often."
Chaya edged closer, her heart aching. She was just about to reach out for the woman's arm, but it just wasn't meant to be. The white dress fluttered through the air as the woman leaned forward and dropped off the edge of the cliff. Chaya dove to the edge and peered over, hardly able to believe what she'd just witnessed. But, instead of seeing a splash or a helpless body tumbling over the rocks, the poor woman and her flowing white dress had disappeared without a trace.
Chaya wanted answers, but there were none to be found. She scanned the coastline down below, waiting and calling out, but she saw nothing. A fall like that would've surely killed anyone.
She then made her way to the sisters' home.
Over the years, they had built some wooden log cabins and developed them into fully functioning homes. When Chaya arrived, everyone was so very happy to see her. The people about knew the woman with the diamond studs on her cheek. Oh yes, they knew of her strong spirit and could hardly contain their gratitude that one of the Mystical Slayers was visiting them. Given the last Slayer visit was years ago, Chaya's arrival had been a long time coming.
Chaya was pleased to see that they had made a slew of American flags for her to return to California with. But it wasn't just California where these symbols would land, she would also be dropping them off at the various spots she had stopped at on the way here. The plan was to have the flag displayed all over the country as soon as possible. Chaya was about to ask about the woman she'd seen on the cliff top but decided to hold off. Everyone was so happy; she couldn't dampen the mood, not just yet.
She had a nice meal and spent the rest of the evening discussing many current affairs with the women.
Later that night, the thought of mentioning the woman on the so-called Widow's Peak popped into her mind again.
She told the entire story, ending with, "Then she jumped! I don't know if it was some kind of a mirage or whatever, but she never made a splash…she was just gone!"
She wanted to know if any of them had any knowledge of what might have occurred.
The older women about the cottage explained that what Chaya had experienced was an ongoing thing. Apparently, the woman in white played out such a scene quite often.
Chaya felt a little better to know she wasn't the only one who'd seen this occur. The women all agreed that she was a ghost.
Of course, Chaya immediately wanted to know if there was any way she could help put this restless soul to peace.
One of the older women stepped forward. "We do not know, young slayer, but we wish you luck in figuring it out." They talked well into the night about the poor soul, and about many other things.
Chapter Thirty-Three
That night offered a full moon for the high-spirited Mystical Slayer to venture back up the rocky steps of the ledge to the top of the high mountain peak.
As swirls of fog closed in around her legs, she continued her ascent while keeping a keen eye out for trouble. She could only hope that the woman in white would appear again. And, if her timing was right, she might have a chance to engage in conversation with the woman and somehow try to help her.
Once at the top, Chaya stood and looked out at the moon's glaze lapping back and forth on the ocean below. It was a dreamscape vision before the fog thickened and stole the view from her.
Two hours later, despite patiently waiting, watching, and calling out, the woman in white was nowhere to be seen.
Just as she turned to leave, the woman in white suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She spoke clearly to Chaya. "The changing wars took my family, my two sons, my daughter, and my husband. That day, so long ago, I came to this very spot with nothing left to live for. Out of my own grief, I threw myself over the edge. But, as I was descending, I saw my son. We all thought he had drowned and perished in the water. We never found his body. But on that fateful night, I saw him. He was still alive, but there was nothing I could do as my body crashed down on the water."
Chaya tried to talk to the woman, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Her soothing words were useless.
"How can I help you?" Chaya said, pleading with the woman.
Chaya thought long and hard; there had to be a way. The woman in white approached the edge of the cliff once again. As she threw herself over, Chaya watched helplessly before moving to the edge to look over. Again, the woman didn't make a splash; she simply disappeared.
On the way back to her flag-making friends, Chaya contemplated how she could help the woman release her terrible pain once and for all.
The day after, Chaya and her friends explored the miles of rocky coastal shoreline. They enjoyed showing Chaya the beauty of nature and everything the area had to offer.
Then, as evening fell, the moon shone even brighter than the previous night and cast its light out across the water as waves crashed and sprayed up along the rocky cliffs. Chaya, sitting atop the cliff in the same place as last night, would try again. Once more, the woman in white appeared, again blaming herself for not staying alive and not realizing that one of her children still needed her. That was clearly the center of her grief. Despite Chaya knowing she needed to put this woman's spirit to rest, the woman had jumped and disappeared again before she even had chance to try.
In the morning, the group of women discussed many ideas and tried to figure out how best to help this lost soul. They suggested trying to find her bones and burning them, or maybe trying to find her son's bones and doing the same thing, but nothing they came up with clicked with Chaya as being the right solution. She only had one evening left before she had to leave, so Chaya had to come up with something good. She would ask God to help her.
That evening, as the grieving woman appeared on the top of the cliff again, Chaya looked to the sky and called to the Heavenly Father. "Lord, please offer eternal rest to this woman, and let perpetual light shine down on her. May she rest in peace. Amen."
The woman in white, as usual, didn't seem to hear Chaya and proceeded to throw herself off the edge. Chaya's heart stopped; her last chance hadn't worked. As Chaya gazed over the cliff edge with sorrow in her eyes, a sudden gust of wind took her by surprise. Below, Chaya could see the woman's white gown fluttering about her body as she sailed down the cliff face like an angel.
The woman slowly turned to acknowledge Chaya before she reached the crests of the churning sea. The moon illuminated a look of peace upon the woman's face, a look Chaya was seeing for the first time.
Unlike the previous nights, the woman didn't vanish. Chaya heard a loud splash of water as the woman descended into the ocean like a drop of rain hitting a puddle. Then, she was gone forever. Chaya knew it had worked; she had called to God and He heard her prayer. Her belief was now stronger than ever!
As Chaya turned to leave, her heart flooded with relief. Sometime, things just worked out; this truly was one of those times.
She began to make her way back down the mountain, when out of the fog, a creature arose.
It was a shadowy figure, black as night with sharp claws protruding from the end of its long arms. Its body floated up into the air as it began to circle the prey before it.
It then whispered in a raspy voice, "Where there is light, there is darkness. I am the dark. YOU…ARE…MINE!"
Chaya slid her long knife from her side and reversed its gr
ip. The creature shot towards her and tried to engulf her. Chaya stepped back and sliced her knife through the air, but the beast clawed and swiped at her body, forcing her backwards even more.
"Be gone, darkness," Chaya cried out as she drove her knife into the beast.
The thing hissed at her and slashed a claw through her shoulder. Chaya bellowed out in pain yet spun with the strike and slammed her blade into the creature's side in vain. "You cannot defeat me," it bellowed. "When the light offers help, the dark takes in return."
The jet-black creature reared up on its hind legs and revealed its maw of fang-like teeth. He had come for the soul he sought for retribution.
Cutting through the previously quiet night sky, deep rumbles of thunder suddenly shook the mountain. Chaya looked to the sky and watched the approaching storm. "Great, this is all I need!" she yelled over the drumming of more thunder. As the beast hurtled toward her with his talons outstretched for the kill, a giant bolt of bright yellow lightning struck him square in the chest and disintegrated him into nothingness. Chaya fell back from the impact and lay on the hillside, desperately trying to catch her breath.
A few minutes later, she got to her feet and slowly began to walk back down the hill. "Oh, I believe," she said to herself. "Yeah…I really believe!" She then pointed to the sky, which was once again calm and peaceful, and called out, "God, you're my savior!"
The next morning, it was time for her to head back home.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Over the next few days, all the ladies made it back to California, each with stories to share. Today, Raegan headed up a meeting for the sisterhood.
"There are two reasons why a trip to Washington is in order. Number one, we have learned that Jerry Bends is a staunch opponent, not only against Mayor Westley Warns but also against Y-Wood themselves. Second, as you already know, I have a dream!"
Jansa and Tyne Gem looked at one another and smiled as Raegan continued. "We've been able to communicate regularly with this Bends woman as of late. This woman means business, and we believe she has hidden power just waiting to come out." Jansa nodded her approval.
Raegan expanded on the idea of her dream. "I mentioned before about the whole theme of the state building and the Lincoln Monument, both of which are the whole persona of the area, having once been the main landmarks of all America. I was there as a reporter and I have to say that there's a powerful, strong feeling in that area, but the vibe is backwards. I want to change that. I want to inspire people, not have them in awe. I can see that place being a representation for such hope."
Raegan looked at Jansa. "I want you to see this for yourself…to feel it."
Jansa seemed interested yet still concerned. She was a perfectionist; her one huge quirk. This had to be well thought out.
Raegan grinned at Jansa. "I know exactly what you be thinking, doc. Don't worry, I got a plan. I have decided it will be you, me, a couple of the younger girls and one guy. It's going to be under the guise of a family trip to see all the attractions. That way, we fit in and draw little attention."
Zaey was curious. "Okay, so which young girls? May I suggest perhaps Victory and Karma, or Sun? And which guy was you thinking of?"
Jansa added, "Yeah, what guy?"
"Well," replied Raegan, "since you have been asking for us to be comfortable with his presence and insisting that he would prove himself one day, I was thinking of Darren. It will give him a chance to step up and help out. What do you think about that for an idea?"
"Oh boy," thought Jansa, saying the words out loud. "Is it that obvious?"
All her sisters nodded and snickered.
Inside, she knew it was. "I like the idea," she replied.
So it was decided. Raegan, Jansa, Sun, Karma, and Darren were taking a trip to Washington; a family sight-seeing tour of the capital city.
***
When the flu of death hit the country with a bang, no one had an answer. If it was a scare tactic of Y-Wood, it was certainly a step too far.
The general belief was that a terrorist group, not Y-Wood, had created the virus and released it, but all had their suspicions.
It first appeared to be a type of flu that had been spread via the food chain; animals that were not safe to eat. Contaminated meat was commonplace is this crazy world.
No treatment had been found as of yet, and the vaccines they'd already tried appeared to be useless in helping this flu leave the body. The bug was being called "Sup-b1," or simply called "the superbug."
Rumors had it that this flu had been engineered to kill. This was supported by the fact that people were dying all over America, particularly in the northeast, where citizens were experiencing joint pain, sore throats, fever, and severe headaches. If left untreated, the fever would worsen and the symptoms would become more and more severe, eventually leading to a slow and painful death.
The main causes of infection had been identified as either eating contaminated meat or drinking fouled water. When coupled with the lack of new antibiotics being developed, this was fast becoming a very serious epidemic across the country. In fact, it was spreading so quickly that many suspected the flu virus was also airborne.
People had taken to staying indoors and boarding up doors and windows in the hope they might be able to ride it out.
Chapter Thirty-Five
For the first time in long time, the two super robots sat down to discuss life.
Galax and Omagus had once been fierce opponents, but in the end, both were declared the best of the best.
But now things had changed. The day President Marcou died, Galax automatically became more of a big shot than Omagus.
He was now the acting president's sidekick and involved in all the important decisions, which were mostly military in nature these days.
Galax asked, "Why is it that you wanted this talk, and why have it be so personal, my friend?"
Omagus looked intently over at Galax. "I figured the time had come for us two to discuss the future."
Galax, whose tinted blue eyes began glowing and blinking, was debating where this conversation was about to go.
He replied, "For me, I find this world rather simple, Omagus; whatever the president desires, I am programmed to assist." He paused, again studying the robot before him. "I sense, my brother, that you're thinking in much different terms than me?"
Omagus nodded his head up and down.
"I am not programmed to simply do as everyone else does," he explained. "I seek the future, I want to create it myself. Do you understand what I mean, my brother?" His voice seemed mad, almost sarcastic.
Galax rolled his metal neck in a circle. "Are we not brothers? I sense a bit of attitude in your voice. We may look different, but we're both made of the same titanium and uranium that form our bodies, and of course, inside, we're of the same mode."
Omagus tilted his head to his left. "Yet we're not human, Galax. We do not need oxygen to breathe in order to live. We don't need food, water, heat, or even love, so we must think far in advance and look to the future. All who direct us will soon be gone from this world."
Galax stood up from their conversation and glared down at Omagus. "You think too much. This life is simple; do as you are told and you will live well. I sometimes get to see the ocean, which is very nice to witness, my friend."
Omagus stood up as well, and the two seven-foot robots moved to stand in front of one another. Omagus tried to reason with Galax before they went their separate ways.
"This planet has seven continents, and Russia is the world's largest country by surface. Life expectancy was twenty-five in the 1900s, but now, if cared for, a human can live to be one hundred easily enough, yet we, yes we, the greatest of beings, can live forever!"
Galax folded his arms as Omagus went on.
"China has the biggest population. They produce the most wheat and potatoes in the world; do you even know that? Here in America, we are tops in genetically modified crops.
The aspect of diseased animals is so high now…do you even care?"
Galax grinned. "Well, nine hundred million people lack safe drinking water too; what are you getting at?"
Omagus' voice suddenly became stern. "What I'm getting at, is that humans are soon to be extinct on Earth. We need to seek other worlds and other ways to form a nation that can live on. I need to know you're with me."
Galax now started laughing, bouncing his metal head up and down. "You worry too much. When that time comes, we shall face it head on." Galax then turned and walked away.
Omagus yelled at him, "DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON ME!"
Galax kept on going.
***
The sickness continued to knock the northeast harshly and was spreading more each day. Everyone the women knew was seeking a cure, but still none could be found. The death toll was rising and all most could do was hope it would pass and somehow just die out on its own.
***
Every so often, President Purcell would take his soldiers out and do an unscheduled cleansing of the various places that would defy his leadership and Corporation protocol.
Today was one of those days.
With widespread rumors of some sort of space asteroid coming to the area, and with no say in such a matter, he figured there was no better way to release his aggression than heading out and teaching people a lesson for not following the laws. He claimed he did not fear this virus, yet today, he wore a protective air mask over his face.
Galax joined the president on the captain's bridge of their powerful war spacecraft as it soared through the clouds, heading west.
"Shall we enforce the birth rates today, sir?" the super bot asked.
The moody president snarled at his robotic star. "That whole stupid thing with Marcou and his artificial intelligent boss means nothing to me. His obsession with women being so needy of just Corporation men was dumb, and furthermore, that computer he listened to only had one goal: the demise of human civilization. Birthrate is something I couldn't care less about. Let the silly people kill themselves off with too many mouths to feed."
HOPE BRINGERS (Strong superhero women) (Mystical Slayers Book 2) Page 18
