Fire Defender

by Rodney Hartman

  “As I can see yours,” said Grandma. “Our rings were activated when they touched the other day. I think that’s why we can see them now. I sense a line of energy between them that wasn’t there before. The connection between them seems to be growing stronger too. I’ve been sensing you all day. The feeling’s been faint, but it’s been there nonetheless.”

  Alec noticed Tess exchange glances with Grandma.

  “I haven’t been sensing you,” said Tess.

  Grandma smiled. “No, I suppose not. That’s not what your ring does.”

  Alec’s grandmother pointed at her right ring finger. He struggled to make sense of disappearing rings and whatever that implied.

  “This is the Ring Defender,” said Grandma. “Its sole purpose is to seek out and protect the seven elemental rings. I suppose to do that, it first has to find them. I think we activated the rings prematurely the other day. Assuming this is the time that was foretold, I believe I would’ve started sensing your ring sooner or later. I would’ve tried to seek you out before they found you.”

  “They?” Alec said. “Who are they? You said something about our relatives dying unexpectedly.” A thought had been growing in his mind. He voiced it now. “Are you talking about my parents?”

  “Among others,” said Grandma. “My father and all three of his brothers were killed during the war.”

  “The war?” Alec said. “Are you talking about World War Two? It was war, right? I’m sorry, but it happens.”

  Grandma looked at him for several seconds. “Yes, it does. But my father, your great-grandfather, was a drill instructor. According to my mother, he never left South Carolina. The military told my mother he committed suicide. She didn’t believe it then, and I don’t believe it now. Neither did Grandma Ocela. She passed the Ring Defender on to me the day my dad died. I never saw her again.” She glanced at Tess. “My son and daughter-in-law, Alec’s parents, died in a traffic accident. The police told us the brakes on their car probably failed and they ran off a cliff. Your mother died in a plane crash. You almost died as well. I don’t know if what you thought you saw tearing at the engine was real or not, but obviously something happened.”

  Switching gazes from Grandma to Tess, Alec noticed a tear forming in the corner of her eye. As he watched, she wiped at it with her right hand. He hurriedly looked away, taking great interest in the receptionist’s bulletin board.

  Grandma removed her ring again and held it out for all to see. “Mamie and I don’t know a lot, but what we do know is that there are those actively seeking the rings. Based upon our family history, they have been systematically tracking down and killing our bloodline for the last two hundred years. I’ve suspected they were hunting the other ring-bearers as well and doing the same to their bloodlines. Given what Tess has told us, I believe more than ever that’s true.”

  “You still haven’t said who they are,” Alec said.

  Mamie shook her head. “We don’t know for sure. During my research, I’ve found hints of an organization called the Council, but all I have is the name. What Myiata and I do know is that shortly after our father was killed, our mother left us at an orphanage under a different name. We never saw her again after that day. Myiata and I were adopted by a couple in Covington. We both met nice boys and got married. Our brother was raised by a family in Nebraska. We’ve only seen him a couple of times since we left the orphanage. Like I said, I tried calling him earlier today and couldn’t get through. I’m concerned.”

  “So, what are we supposed to do?” asked Tess. “Are you saying someone’s going to come after me? Should I be worried?”

  “Let’s not jump the gun,” said Grandma. “We’ve been safe enough here for the past seventy years. I think the two of you will be safe enough here for a while longer. In the meantime, I’ll be leaving town.”

  “What?” said Alec, Mamie, and Tess all at the same time.

  Grandma gave a tired smile. “Don’t sound so surprised. The task of the one who possesses the Ring Defender is to find the other elemental rings and protect them. The time of waiting is over.” She pointed at Tess. “I’ve obviously found the bearer of the Fire Ring. There are six others I need to find as well.”

  “That’s crazy,” Alec said. “Suppose you do find them. Then what?”

  Grandma shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t really know. I suppose I’ll bring them back here. I’ve grown more certain over the last couple of days that it’s no longer a waiting game. I was given the Ring Defender. The task falls to me and me alone. I have to find the other rings before they do.”

  In an attempt to use logic, Alec said, “It’s a big world, Grandma. How are you supposed to find them? And if there is this group of people you keep calling they, it could be dangerous. You should stay here where I can help protect you.”

  Grandma smiled at him. “You’ve always been the protective one, even when you were little. That’s not surprising. Alexander means defender after all.”

  Intent on not being sidetracked, Alec said, “It’s just a name. Nevertheless, you need to stay here so I can protect you.”

  With a shake of her head, Grandma made it plain what she thought of his idea. “First off, you can’t protect me. I’m the one with the ring that heals, not you. As for staying here, that would be a mistake. I believe the Council, if that’s who they are, will eventually start tracking Tess’s ring. If what Grandma Ocela told me was true, the Ring Defender can’t be traced. The other seven rings can. My ring will help me find the six that are still out there.”

  “Then I’m going with you,” Alec said unsure whether he really believed his grandmother’s story but determined not to let her go wandering off on her own.

  “No, you won’t,” said Grandma. “You’ll stay here, graduate high school, and leave for college in the fall.” She glanced from Alec to Tess and back again. “Besides, if you feel the need to protect someone, you can make sure Tess stays safe. Her ring’s been activated. Eventually, the Council is going to notice. They’ll probably come looking for her. Like I said, I think that’s still a while off, but I could be wrong. In the meantime, I’ll go find the other rings. Once I find them all, we’ll figure out our next step.”

  Alec shook his head. “I can’t let you go off by yourself.”

  Grandma placed the Ring Defender back on her finger before looking back at Alec. “Sure you can. Besides, it’s not like I’m leaving right away. I haven’t sensed any of the other rings yet. I wouldn’t know where to start looking. It could be months yet before I sense one. But when I do, I’ll be gone. I’ll be depending on you watching over Tess while I’m gone.”

  Tess drummed the fingers of her right hand on the table, looking at Alec and then at Grandma. “I can take care of myself. I don’t plan on sitting around doing nothing if someone’s gonna come looking for me. I’m not that kinda girl.”

  Grandma smiled. “No, I don’t suppose you are. You’ve got grit, Tess. You remind me of me when I was young. But if you stay here, I’ll be able to find you easier once I assemble the others. While I’m away, you can work on your ring’s abilities.”

  Tess stopped drumming her fingers. “What abilities? I’ve told you everything my ring does.”

  Aunt Mamie chuckled. “You’ve told us all you know it can do. The internet’s an amazing thing as long as you know how to filter out the junk. I’ve spent years researching the rings online. I find a bit of knowledge here from an old book or letter that leads me to a bit of knowledge there. Most of what I find is in the form of legends or stories in paranormal books and papers. Like I said, I’ve learned to filter out the junk. From what I’ve figured out, seven elemental rings were placed on Earth along with Myiata’s Ring Defender. In addition to your Fire Ring, there is a ring for earth, ice, water, air, blood, and moon. They each—”

  “The moon isn’t an element,” Alec pointed out. “Neither is blood.”

  Aunt Mamie stopped speaking long enough to look at him over the top of her spectacles. It reminde
d him of the way she’d looked at him as a child when he’d misbehaved.

  “Alec, I love you to pieces, but will you ever learn not to interrupt your elders?” said Aunt Mamie giving Tess a wink. “I didn’t say elements. I said elemental rings. None of the other things I mentioned are elements either. Now, do you want me to finish this story, or do you want to tell it?”

  From experience, Alec knew his aunt wouldn’t continue until he verbally admitted defeat. “You, Aunt Mamie.”

  His aunt smiled. “Then as I was saying, each of the rings has unique abilities. I haven’t learned specifics in my research because as far as Myiata and I can tell, none of them have ever been active. Myiata’s ring certainly hasn’t. However, I’ve learned enough to know that once the rings start activating, they will activate in sequence. A ring’s abilities will become more apparent as the time from activation increases. I believe Tess’s Fire Ring will make its abilities known to her as time goes by. Myiata’s ring will do the same.” She looked at Tess. “If you want, dear, I can help you try and figure out what your ring can do. It might take a while, but we have to start somewhere. In the meantime, you can continue with your classes and whatever kids your age do nowadays.” She winked. “You know there’s a dance at the high school tomorrow night?”

  Alec wasn’t sure whether Aunt Mamie was serious or not. From the look on Tess’s face, he didn’t think she was either.

  “Well,” said Grandma. “It’s eight o’clock. I think we’ve done enough damage for tonight. Why don’t we let things stew until Sunday? We can all meet for dinner at my place after church and decide on our next steps. Agreed?”

  Alec nodded, noticing Tess do the same. Rising from the table, he stuffed his left hand in his back pocket and prepared to say his goodbyes. His fingers encountered something. He pulled out a wrinkled card. Slightly confused, he read the words ‘Cynthia Jager. World Wide Enterprises.’

  “Oh, I almost forgot, Grandma,” Alec said. “Shirley asked me to give this to you. Someone was looking for you at the library Tuesday. Something about a missing relative.”

  Grandma eyed Alec. “Tuesday? And you’re just giving it to me now?”

  “I, uh…”

  Grandma laughed and took the card. “Teenagers. If your head wasn’t attached to your shoulders, I think you’d forget where it was. As it so happens, Shirley told Mamie and she passed the message on to me yesterday. I’ve been too busy to do any checking around yet, but I reckon I’d better make time given the circumstances.” She eyed Alec and frowned. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve been wearing the same pants since Tuesday?”

  Alec felt his face grow warm. Aunt Mamie and Tess’s laughter made it grow even warmer. “Hey, they’re clean. I, uh…”

  Tess laughed even harder. “Laundry aside, I really do have to be going.” She stopped laughing and pointed at the card in Grandma’s hand. “Uh, does this change anything? Are we still waiting for Sunday to meet again?”

  Grandma and Aunt Mamie exchanged glances.

  “I think Sunday is still soon enough,” said Grandma. “Let’s not start getting spooked by every little thing. You kids keep to your normal routine. Mamie and I will let you know if we find out anything.”

  Alec shrugged his shoulders and said goodbye before walking Tess out. Both Tess and he stood awkwardly next to her motorcycle as if waiting for the other to speak.

  Alec broke the silence first. “Do you buy all that? I mean about the mysterious they and the deaths of our relatives.”

  Tess shrugged before placing her helmet on her head. “I’m not sure. I might try talking to Dad and see if he knows anything.”

  Alec nodded his head. “Maybe I should go with you. We can talk to him together.”

  Vigorously shaking her head, a strange expression came over Tess’s face. “Uh, no. Dad isn’t uh…feeling well. Besides, I’ve got to go to work and relieve Mary now. I’ll try to talk to Dad when I get home tonight. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The obvious brushoff took Alec by surprise. He wasn’t able to keep the hurt out of his voice. “Okay. If that’s the way you want it. I’ll see you when I see you.”

  Tess’s face softened. “Look, err, Dad has…issues. It’s best if I talk to him alone. I’ll let you know if I find out anything useful.”

  Slightly mollified, Alec nodded his head. “Fair enough. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  With those words, Tess started her motorcycle, gave a final nod, and took off into the night.

  Alec watched her go. For some strange reason, he felt a sense of fear for her. He resisted an urge to get in his truck and chase her down. Control yourself, he thought. I don’t think she’s the type to appreciate a white knight coming to rescue a poor damsel in distress.

  Alec laughed out loud before climbing into his truck. He glanced over at Grandma’s sedan, knowing it would’ve made sense for them to drive together and just as sure she wouldn’t have gone along with the idea. She’s an independent cuss, that’s for sure.

  Pulling onto the street in the direction of home, he knew he had a long night of studying ahead. The ring thing is an interesting theory, but graduating and getting a scholarship is what’s important, Alec thought. I’ve got to keep my eye on the prize. Watching over my shoulder for some mysterious they isn’t high on my list of priorities. I have to keep things in perspective. There is no they.

  * * *

  The black van remained on the street after the truck left. The driver looked at his companion.

  “The female on the bike is the same one we followed last night,” said Mick pulling the collar of his coat tighter against the chill in the van. “Who do you want to follow now? The boy or the girl?”

  Cynthia sat in the passenger seat tapping the barrel of the large-bore pistol on her knee a couple of times before replying. “We already know the boy’s relationship to the old ladies. Follow the girl. I’ve got a feeling she’s the wildcard. I want to see if she’s going somewhere besides her trailer.”

  “What about the old women?” asked Mick. “I did some more checking today. They’re definitely sisters. They’re our targets, right? If we’re going to be following the girl, shouldn’t we order one of the other teams to follow the women?”

  Cynthia shook her head. “No. Our mission was to pinpoint the two old lady’s locations. We’ve done that. The blizzard has the colors and their asset stranded in Denver. They can’t get the truck through the passes. The weather in the mid-west is supposed to clear up Saturday. Colonel Harrison told me they should be here late Sunday. He says we’ll make our move then.”

  Mick pulled the van out into the street and headed in the direction the motorcycle had gone. The blanket over the cages in the back of the van shifted, exposing the imps inside to the light. Chattering from four of the miniature demons erupted from the cages. Mick jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Those things give me the creeps. Did we have to bring them again? It’s freezing in here.”

  Cynthia glanced over her shoulder. “They can see and hear things we can’t. They make great spies. If you’re going to continue working for the Council, you’d best get used to them.” She looked at her driver and smiled. “If you think they’re bad, wait until you meet one of the larger assets.”

  Mick visibly shuddered. “No thanks. These are bad enough.” He pointed at the fading motorcycle taillight ahead. “So what’s with the girl?”

  Cynthia twisted a silencer onto the barrel of her pistol making sure it was tight. She didn’t like using force unless necessary, but at the same time, she was a firm believer in being prepared just in case. “Colonel Harrison doesn’t think the girl’s important. He’s more concerned with the Ring Defender than the possible location of the Fire Ring. He’s a fool, but that gives us an opportunity to investigate the girl a little closer on our own. If we can find one of the rings ourselves before the colors arrive, it could mean a large bonus and promotion for us.”

  Mick didn’t look as certain. “I hope you know what you’r
e doing.”

  Cynthia smiled her smile. “Oh, believe me. I always know what I’m doing.”

  Chapter 16 – Only Darkness

  ______________________

  On the ride home from work, Tess took to the back roads hoping to trigger another night-vision episode like the night before. After twenty minutes riding around with nothing to show for her efforts except a few bugs in her teeth, she pulled to the side of the road. Shutting the cycle down and turning off the lights, she looked around. All she could see was the dark outlines of trees silhouetted against the night sky. The air turned suddenly cold. She shivered. Hearing fluttering overhead, she glanced up. She saw stars but no bats. It was too dark.

  So much for that idea, she thought. What good is a superpower if you can’t control when it comes and goes?

  Removing her right glove, Tess concentrated on her ring. The gem glowed soft yellow in the darkness. She tried willing the gem to flash green, red, blue, or any color besides yellow. Nothing happened. After ten minutes, she gave up.

  Feeling a little foolish, Tess cranked the cycle, turned on the lights, and pulled onto the road. As she shifted into second gear, a flash in her rearview mirror caught her attention. Looking over her shoulder, she noticed two headlights as a car pulled onto the road about a half-mile back.

  What was it doing parked on the side of the road, she wondered. I didn’t see it when I drove by that spot.

  All the talk about the mysterious they by Alec’s grandmother and aunt made her instantly suspicious. Twisting the throttle, she shifted into third, lifting the front wheel off the road half a foot. Cycling through the remaining gears in rapid succession, Tess leaned into a sharp curve doing seventy. After a few more twists and turns over the course of two miles, she hit a straight away and sped up until her speedometer passed a hundred. The road continued on for almost a mile before the next turn. When she got close to the turn, she slowed down and pulled off the side of the road, hurriedly shutting off her lights. She counted to thirty, watching behind her for any telltale signs that she was being followed. All she saw was darkness. She breathed a sigh of relief.