by J.R. Bowles
CHAPTER 60
Thomas followed behind Michael and Billy as they left Melrose Avenue. Michael looked down at the drawing Clarets had provided. They stood in front of an abandon lot surrounded by the remains of a brick wall which had crumbled over the years.
“This looks like it.” Michael said. “This is the administration building in front. Apparently the area we are looking for was detached. There were several buildings, six in all, I believe, and they were spread out pretty far apart. It was strange how they all caught fire at the same time.”
“It's not what I expected.” Billy said looking at the lot over grown with weeds, brush, and trees.
“The Star is right in front of us. Looks like the mountain runs directly down to this lot. Anyway the area we want should be further back that way.” Michael gestured.
“There's a path over there.” Billy said as he climbed the wall. Chunks of brick broke beneath his feet.
“Come on Thomas.” Michael ordered as he followed after Billy. Michael paused after he crossed the wall to ensure Thomas would follow. When he was satisfied he would follow he fell in behind Billy's lead.
They walked through the skeleton of what must have been the hospital. The structure must not have been very large compared to present day hospitals. Billy didn't feel the magnetic pull that the other two felt. He watched their faces and could tell they were experiencing some kind of connection with the place. He wondered why he was involved. He was even younger than Morgan but her parents had prepared her for this. Until he had met John he had never given much thought to God or even religion. Why was he connected? Had meeting John just been a coincidence. It didn't make any sense. Morgan had been put in to the empty chakra spot. Had it been predestined that he was to fill the other empty center? Was it possible it had only been a coincidence? He shook his head as he thought about it. There were just too many things bringing them together for any of it to have been mere coincidence. He just didn't know.
Through the years of neglect the grass and thistles dominated the hilly terrain. They followed along a well-worn path which kids must have used for bicycles or trail bikes. White and bull pine thickly grew all around them and it was peppered by smaller oaks. The grass thinned as the pine trees thickened. A blanket of pine needles smothering it.
“I thought this was going to be obvious... out in the open.” Billy said as he bent over to keep from hitting his head on some of the overhanging tree branches.
“So did I.” Michael said as he glanced around to check on Thomas.
“Do you think we will know the place where the center opening will take place when we see it?” Billy asked.
“I hope so.” Michael said.
After several minutes of walking the trees overtook them, looming overhead, blocking out most of the sky and inhibited their view of the Star on the mountain.
“I don't know about this.” Billy said just as they came to an open space. Billy stopped and Michael walked right into his back. Thomas stopped just short of doing the same thing to Michael when he heard Billy grunt from the force.
They were there. There was no need to question if it was the correct place. They could feel it. The energy that radiated from the area was peaceful and inviting.
The ground was bare in a circle about thirty feet across. The rich dark soil was naked of even a single blade of grass. In the center of the clearing was a large limestone that jutted up conspicuously to form a natural flat bed. To them it appeared to be an altar. Scattered throughout the area were discarded beer cans, soda bottles, condoms and paper. The area was popular.
Michael pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket and a trash bag and began to clean up the area.
“You think of everything, don't you?” Billy said to Michael as he began to help with the cleanup. “I'll leave the rubbers to you since you've got the gloves.”
Thomas just stared at them as they rapidly cleaned the area. He had many mixed feelings about the area. Warm, cold, peaceful and nervous, he felt them all. Dear Lord, why did he have to be involved in this? What was he supposed to do now? What could he do except put his faith in God?
