Fire Defender

by Rodney Hartman

  “My phone’s back at the house,” said Alec shrugging. “You know me. Now, what’s the news?”

  “Well, for starters, old buddy, there are cops everywhere,” said Scott. “Even the FBI showed up. They’ve got yellow crime-scene ribbon all over the place.” He glanced down before looking back up. “I saw them bring Grandma out. I’m really sorry. The whole town’s talking about what happened. I’m sorry to say there are rumors that she was involved in some kind of drug smuggling operation. Some of the locals are speculating that a cartel made a hit.” He glanced down at the ground again, moving a small stick to the side with the toe of his boot. Looking up he said, “So, what really happened?”

  Tess saw Alec look at her. His question was obvious. She nodded her head. “We’ve got to trust somebody,” she told him. “Scott’s your friend. If you think we should tell him, I’m not going to stand in your way.”

  The story of the rings came out over the next ten minutes. Alec and she knew little enough as it was. Between interruptions as the big jock asked questions, they told him what they could. A trip inside the cabin to show Alec’s friend the charred results of their practice attempt that morning convinced him more than anything that they were telling the truth.

  “When Dad and I heard the shots last night,” said Scott, “we went outside to see what was going on. Before we knew it, someone was shooting at us. By the time Dad and I were able to go back in our house and get guns of our own, it was all over. Everyone was gone. We went inside your house. It was a mess. We found your grandma. She was… Uh, Dad tried CPR, but it was too late. We found several blood spots on the stairs and in the kitchen but no bodies. We tried to find you. I checked the barn. I knew you got away when I saw the four-wheelers were gone.”

  “Did you tell the police where we were?” asked Alec.

  Tess thought the answer should’ve been obvious.

  Scott took the time to reply to his friend. Shaking his head, the big jock said, “No. I was interrogated for hours but just told them what I saw. They asked about the four-wheelers, of course, so I had to tell them we used them to go hunting. I told them we had lots of places in the mountains we used. I think they’d still be questioning me, but Dad got pissed and called our lawyer. Mr. Jacobs finally got us released.”

  “I’m still surprised they let you go,” Tess said. “I’d at least think they’d try to follow you.”

  Scott smiled. “Oh, they tried. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t in four-wheel drive jeeps. I think their car got stuck in the mud about twenty miles back. If I’m in a good mood on the way out, I’ll stop and give them a tow.”

  For some reason, Tess got the distinct impression Scott wasn’t telling them everything. “What are you leaving out?” she asked point-blank, never much for subtleties.

  Scott’s eyes turned shiny. He locked eyes with Tess before turning to Alec. “There is more. I’ve been kinda dreading telling you this part. There was a fire at the library last night. The building was destroyed. They, uh… I’m sorry, but they found several bodies inside. They hadn’t released the names before I left to come here, but I saw your aunt’s sedan in the library parking lot when we drove back from the police station. Dad went to her apartment to check on her, but she wasn’t there. A whole lot of police were. I’m really sorry.”

  Placing her hand on Alec’s shoulder, Tess said, “Alec, I…” She stopped grasping for something to say, knowing nothing would help.

  “Aunt Mamie?” whispered Alec. “Why her? Grandma and Tess had the rings. Why Aunt Mamie?”

  The answer was obvious to Tess. “The notebook. Your aunt was making a copy of her notebook for us. Whoever attacked the farmhouse must’ve gone to the library as well. They’ve probably got the notebook now. In all likelihood, they started the fire to destroy any extra copies that might have been there.”

  Shaking free of her hand, Alec walked over to the jeep and placed his head in his arms on the hood. Tess heard no sound, but she saw his shoulders shaking. The sight tore at her heart. She looked at Scott who shrugged, looking as helpless as she felt.

  He’s got no more idea what to say or do than me, she thought.

  After a few seconds, Tess walked next to Alec and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. A moment later, Scott’s big arm joined hers from the other side. The three of them stood that way until Alec’s shoulders stopped shaking.

  Raising his head, Alec looked at the tall pines surrounding the cabin. “Then it’s hopeless. Whoever killed Grandma and Aunt Mamie has the notebook. The only thing for us to do now is go to the police and turn over these rings. What else can we do?”

  A fiery heat rose in Tess from the pit of her stomach, and it wasn’t from her ring. “I’m not going to turn over on my belly and give up. They murdered Dad. They’re going to pay. I swear it.”

  “I didn’t say give up,” said Alec. “What are we supposed to do? We’re still in high school. It’s not like we have the resources to track down whoever did this on our own. We need to go to the police.”

  “Uh…” said Scott, his face turning pink.

  “What?” snapped Alec.

  Scott stared at both of them in turn before answering. “My dad said you might want to wait a couple of days before turning yourselves in. He’s trying to get some lawyers lined up for you.”

  “What do you mean by turn ourselves in?” said Alec sounding suspicious. “We’re just going to the police to tell them what we know. They’ll question us, sure, just like they did you, but I hardly think we need a lawyer.”

  Tess shook her head. Scott had hinted his friend could be a little on the naïve side at times. “We left the scene of a murder and haven’t been seen since. The police probably consider us suspects in the death of your grandmother.”

  “That’s crazy,” said Alec. “We’re talking about Grandma. I loved her!”

  “Nevertheless,” Tess said. “I think we should let Scott’s dad get his team of lawyers assembled before turning ourselves over for questioning. It might be weeks or months before we see the light of day once the police get their hands on us. At a minimum, they’ll take our rings from us. I doubt we’ll ever see them again.”

  “They can have them for all I care,” said Alec staring at his right hand. “All this ring has done for my family is cause a lot of grief.”

  Tess looked at her own hand, knowing he was right. What’s this ring ever done for me? she thought. Mom and Dad were killed because of it. I’ll probably be next. Maybe the best thing to do is to let the police have it and be done with it once and for all.

  An image of her dad as he lay on the cold metal table at the hospital’s morgue rose in Tess’s mind. It was followed by a memory of her mom shoving the ring onto her finger before telling her never to take it off.

  “This is my ring,” Tess said. “My mother gave it to me. She gave it to me for a reason. I don’t know what the reason is, but I swear I’m going to find out.” She looked at Alec. “I’m going to do it with or without your help. If you want to go to the police, then go, but I’m going to find out who killed my parents, and I’m going to make them sorry they were ever born.” Tess glared at both Alec and Scott, daring either of them to contradict her.

  “Uh,” said Alec turning to Scott. “I suppose it will be all right to wait for your dad to get those lawyers. We’ll spend the night here and then head down to the cave above Chimney Falls tomorrow. You can let us know what your dad’s found out when we get there.”

  Scott nodded. “All right, if you say so. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.” He glanced up at the sky. “In the meantime, I’ve got to get a move on. I don’t want to be on the trail after it gets dark. It’s scary enough driving through the mountains on that dirt road during the day.”

  “Understood,” said Alec. “How about helping us get the supplies out of the jeep and into the cabin? You can be on your way as soon as we’re finished.”

  Alec reached out and placed a hand on Scott’s shoulder. “You’re a go
od friend. You have been ever since I got to Covington. Thanks.”

  Slightly red, Scott said, “Hey, that’s what friends are for, right?”

  Tess saw the big jock look at her. “Take care of Alec for me,” he said giving her a wink. “I’ve always been the brains of the outfit. He’s practically helpless without me.”

  Alec snorted as Scott broke out laughing, then he began laughing too. Before long Tess found herself joining in. She let out all her emotions in the laugh. She had a sudden feeling it might be a long time before she ever laughed that way again.

  Chapter 34 – The Asset

  _________________

  The pickup with the goose-necked trailer pulled up outside the house just as the sun began to set behind the distant mountain range. Once the truck’s engine shutoff, a man in a black robe got out. He glanced around before looking at the gray-robed man standing nearby with two heavily-armed guards at his side.

  “Mr. Gray,” said the black-robed man. “I’m disappointed. Last night was a fiasco. I expected better from you.”

  The gray-robed man spread his hands. “My dear Mr. Black, after two hundred years on this world, you should know nothing’s ever easy. At least we have the old woman’s notebook.” Mr. Gray smiled. “It’s too bad our operatives were forced to kill her. The old woman uncovered some interesting things even we didn’t know. She might have been useful.”

  The black-robed man pursed his lips. “Her notebook will be enough. Ms. Red has the general location of the Fire Ring. Given time, she will pinpoint its exact location.”

  “I’ve no doubt she could do so given enough time,” agreed Mr. Gray. “Fortunately, that won’t be necessary. The girl has been using her ring. Her connection to the ring is growing stronger by the hour. We now know her exact location.”

  The pickup’s passenger door opened. Out stepped Ms. Red, her hood flying back to reveal her long green hair. “You do? How? Even my scrying spells haven’t been able to determine her position within ten miles.”

  Mr. Gray smiled. “You have never embraced this world’s technology, Ms. Red. You should learn to use it to supplement your spells. As it so happens, our operatives placed a tracker on the neighbor’s jeep.” The gray-robed man’s smile grew wider. “Actually, I had them place trackers on the vehicles at every house in the neighborhood. The boy’s friend drove to the location of the ring bearers this afternoon. One of our drones followed him. We’ve located the boy and girl in a cabin up in the mountains. Two of our imps are there even now keeping an eye on them.”

  The red-robed woman looked back at the trailer and then up in the sky. “It will be dark soon. When are we going to go get the rings?”

  Mr. Gray glanced at a watch on his left wrist, then looked back to address the black-robed man seemingly ignoring the green-haired woman. “We can launch an assault anytime you want. Colonel Harrison has a helicopter standing by. We can have a team at the cabin in thirty minutes. Do you want me to accompany them?”

  The red-robed woman snarled, baring her fangs. “I should be the one to go. I have been cooped up in this conveyance for three days. I need fresh blood.”

  “And that, Ms. Red,” said the black-robed man, “is precisely why you will be staying here. You have a tendency to let your hunger get in the way of performing your missions. Mr. Gray will lead the assault.”

  “What about you?” asked Mr. Gray. “Will you be accompanying the asset?”

  “No,” said Mr. Black. “Our adversaries press us in other places. I have spent too long on this part of the planet as it is. I am needed elsewhere.”

  The gray-robed man frowned.

  “You disapprove?” asked the black-robed man.

  Mr. Gray shrugged. “I was merely thinking that one of us must accompany the asset back to home base. Only a color can control it. I am scheduled to be overseas in two days’ time.”

  “As you shall be,” said Mr. Black. “Our dear Ms. Red will take the asset back to base.”

  The gray-robed man snorted, not bothering to even look at the red-robed woman. “She doesn’t even know how to drive.”

  The black-robed man’s face grew red. “Then send an operative with her to drive. Do not bother me with details.”

  Apparently nonplussed, Mr. Gray said, “Unfortunately, Ms. Red sucked every drop of blood from the last man that was alone with her. Most of our operatives know that.”

  “Then have Colonel Harrison assign two operatives,” said Mr. Black turning to the woman in red. “I want you to leave the drivers alone. You will ride in the trailer with the asset. Do I make myself clear?”

  The red-robed woman smiled showing her long fangs. “I hear you, Mr. Black.”

  The black-robed man stared at the woman.

  Slowly her smile faded until her long fangs receded out of sight.

  “Do not push me, Ms. Red. You are a valuable addition to our team, but you are far from indispensable. Now, do I make myself clear?”

  “I understand you perfectly,” said the woman. “Naturally, I shall do as you say. The Council placed you in charge.”

  “Yes,” said the black-robed man. “I am in charge. It would be best if you remembered that in the future.” He turned his gaze back on Mr. Gray. “What about our dear colonel? Are you leaving him in charge after last night?”

  Mr. Gray gave a tight-lipped smile. The points of his razor-like teeth barely protruded past his lips. “For now. He’ll be going on the helicopter with me to recover the rings. If he fails us again, I have an alternate leader in mind.”

  “Then I’ll leave that up to you,” said Mr. Black. “Don’t disappoint me again.”

  The gray-robed man nodded. “Oh, I won’t, Mr. Black. The rings will be ours before the night is over.”

  Chapter 35 – Something This Way Comes

  ____________________

  The last rays of the sun disappeared from the tops of the trees. Alec sat on the log bench near the left of the cabin’s door. Tess sat next to him snuggling close against his side for warmth. She shivered. The air was already growing cold with the setting of the sun.

  “Do you want to go back inside?” Alec asked. “It’s bound to be a lot warmer inside than it is out here. It’s actually colder than I would’ve thought.”

  With a shake of her head, Tess snuggled even closer.

  Alec instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “I like it just fine here,” said Tess. “It smells like smoke in there. I know we’ve got to go in eventually to sleep, but I’m content sitting out here for now. Besides, the scenery’s peaceful. I’ve got a lot to think about.”

  Pointing to the sky with his free hand, Alec traced a shooting star just visible in the evening sky. “Make a wish.” He noticed Tess close her eyes. He went ahead and made a wish of his own for good measure.

  Once Tess opened her eyes, she remained silent for several seconds. When she turned away from the sky to look at him, Alec thought he saw flashes of soft yellow. The flashes were nothing like the angry color he’d seen earlier that morning when the fire had gotten out of control.

  “What’d you wish for?” asked Tess beating him to the punch.

  Gazing into her golden eyes, Alec felt as if his soul was getting lost in their depths. He decided not to fight the feeling and continued delving deep into her eyes for several seconds before replying. “I wished that last night was all a dream. I also wished this moment sitting here with you, with everything being so peaceful, that it could last forever.”

  Tess’s eyes became shiny. She turned and stared at the darkening night sky for several seconds.

  “What about you?” Alec asked trying to take her mind off the troubles that undoubtedly lay ahead of them.

  After a couple of seconds, Tess turned to look at him. “You know, it’s funny. A week ago, the biggest thing on my mind was getting a good grade in Mr. Jenkins’s class. Then I met you, and things changed all of a sudden.”

  “I didn’t change them,” Alec said growin
g a little defensive. “It was the rings.”

  Shaking her head, Tess reached out and touched his cheek with her left hand. “That’s not the change I was talking about.”

  Eyes growing even shinier, Tess began caressing his cheek. Alec noticed the yellow flashes in her eyes grow brighter. The flashes remained soft, but they were definitely brighter.

  “When I saw you get shot last night,” she said, “I…” She stopped speaking, dropped her hand, and looked away.

  Cupping Tess’s chin with his free hand, Alec gently turned her head to look at him. “I’m all right. The ring healed me.”

  “This time,” said Tess. “I… You asked what my wish was. I wished for you to be safe. I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever cared about. I don’t want to lose you too.”

  “You won’t,” Alec promised trying to sound confident. “Look, I don’t know what’s ahead of us, but one thing I know for sure, whatever happens, wherever these crazy rings of ours take us, we’re going to be together. Our rings are connected.” He smiled. “Face it; you’re stuck with me. You might as well get used to having me around.”

  “I want your promise that you’ll be careful,” said Tess drawing so close their lips almost but not quite touched.

  “I promise,” Alec whispered as he closed the remaining distance between them.

  Their kiss was gentle at first, growing more heated with each passing second. Tess pulled him close as he wrapped both arms around her back and squeezed her tightly to his chest.

  Alec felt a warmth in his right hand flowing up his arm and throughout his entire body. He sensed a corresponding warmth in Tess’s ring do the same. The link that he’d sensed earlier connecting the two rings became stronger. As the connection grew, Alec felt his senses expanding. He sensed the world around him—a rabbit in the brush on the other side of the four-wheelers; a bear asleep in its den halfway down the mountain; a deer in a clearing near a mountain stream. He sensed something else, something far more sinister. The something was quite a distance away, but it was heading in their direction. Whatever it was, Alec felt sure it was something out of his worst nightmare. His heightened senses told him that whatever was coming was evil incarnate.