Men of the Cave (Symbol of Hope Series)

by Burgess, Marisette

  I rubbed my eyes and shook my head. This couldn’t be true. He’s making up stories, isn’t he?

  He sighed but continued, “Rumors and tales about us began to circulate the city. The Emperor summoned us to appear in front of him, and declared that our story was truth after investigating us. We were very popular and for what we did, were heroes of Christianity. We did not notice that we were not aging. About five years after our awakening, we realized we were not aging at all. We had to leave before people became suspicious. We faked our deaths and left the city. They canonized us as Saints. They call us the Seven Sleepers, even though we have never physically died. I know that the men we were, and the spirits we had been, before all this happened; are still buried in that city,” he swallowed remembering something very painful.

  “Seven Sleepers? There are only five of you.” He has to be making this up.

  “I have two other brothers. We parted ways a long time ago. We do not agree on how we should live our eternal lives,” he said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We five try to uphold good values. I can only say they walk a different path. As I said, we all buried the men we were. They often choose to misuse their powers.”

  “Whoa,” I chuckled, “Powers?” He’s just making it up as he goes.

  “Ah, yes, I forgot to mention. Along with immortality we were given special abilities.”

  “Like what?”

  “Max- Maximian can heal with his touch. Antony- Antoninos, can speak with animals. John- Joannes sees the future and Martin- Martinianus sees the past or present, but they can only do it when they focus together on an area or a person. Sam-Sambatus my older brother can leave his body in spirit form and move around in a ghost like way. James-Jamblichos my younger brother can move objects with his mind. Me- Dionysius, I am fast,” he smiled.

  My head started to throb. I closed my eyes.

  “Are you all right Kasey?” he asked.

  “I don’t know Dion. Your story is the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard. How can you possibly think I’d believe you?”

  “Here I shall show you. I am so fast I can run on water.”

  He jumped into the ocean below us. I screamed after him, “Don’t…” his body glided down like a kite and fell with a splash into the water. He swam slowly accelerating until he emerged, like a speedboat. As if running on dry land, he ran away from the rocks on top of the water. My heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst through my chest. I gripped the edge of the wall I was sitting on with all my might. He stopped for a second, turn, and headed back in my direction. Dion approached the rocks and like Spider Man climbed up the cliff in seconds. He sat beside me barely damp.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  I looked at him. What is he? Can I trust my eyes? Or him?

  “Kasey, you are looking at me as if I am some kind of a demon.”

  I didn’t know what to think. The pressure in my head traveled down my body and through my arms. My view of Dion turned black and white, like an old movie. Sounds were distant and blurred. Then blackness.

  7. Dion A Monster or A Knight

  Thank goodness she fainted backwards so I could catch her in my arms, or that could have gotten tricky. Her body drained of color resembled a corpse. My stomach knotted. Lifting her close, I ran. The surrounding scenery sped by me as I passed at an accelerated speed. In a few seconds, I opened the red wooden door to our home.

  “Maax…,” I screamed, hoping my brothers were back at the house. Antony and John came out from the kitchen. Max and Martin raced down the stairs.

  “Set her down,” Max ordered.

  I placed Kasey on the black leather sofa. Max’s medical bag sat on the glass coffee table waiting for us. Martin and John had probably envisioned her here. I stepped back allowing Max the room he needed, but stayed close to her legs. His hand rose inches above her body, it illuminated with a bright yellow glow. Then he scanned her body like an x-ray machine.

  “She will wake in a minute or so. Her blood sugar is low and her body went into shock. She needs to eat and drink something when she wakes,” he stood.

  “I shall bring her a plate of fruit,” Antony headed for the kitchen.

  “Thank you,” I called out.

  “What did you tell her?” Max asked serious.

  “She knows,” I answered.

  “I cannot believe we were this careless.” He looked at John and Martin. “Next time we need to make sure the grounds are secure,” he ordered.

  “We are sorry Max,” Martin said.

  “It is done. Dion can handle this.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Call me when she wakes.” He left toward the kitchen.

  “He is really upset,” John said.

  “I wonder if it were someone other than Kasey, if he would have reacted the same way,” I sighed.

  “He will come around.” John winked.

  I smiled back at him, relieved. The twins headed for the game room. I threw myself onto the other sofa. Her fleshy color returned. She looked peaceful. I knew it was silly for me to worry, but what did she think of me, now? Every time I look at Kasey, I question whether I made the right choice to stay in Deia when John and Martin saw her in my future. Max suggested that I leave, running from my fate. How could I flee from the person God has intended for me? This unexplainable power and pull between us. I will never leave her now. The unbearable image of her haunted face before she fainted, tortured my thoughts. I was a monster to her, an unnatural being.

  Kasey groaned and turned. Her eyes fluttered open. I stayed silent. A flicker of panic crossed her face when she realized her surroundings. She rose with a sudden pop. I went to her side and gently pushed her body back down, “You should not sit up quickly or you could faint again.”

  With an expression of concern, she did my bidding.

  I smiled attempting to calm her. “How do you feel?”

  She pondered the question.

  “Where am I?” she asked in a hoarse voice.

  “In my house, on my sofa.” I sat on the coffee table across from her.

  “I had the strangest dream. I think... you could walk on water.”

  I chuckled. “I did not walk on water.”

  She exhaled a sigh of relief.

  “I ran.”

  Her eyes widened. Was she frightened of me? She shook her head and rubbed her temples.

  “You need to eat something.”

  As if on cue, Antony and Max entered the room. Antony brought over a plate with assorted fruits and a glass of water.

  “How long was I out?”

  I held the plate in front of her. She ignored it.

  “A few minutes, how are you feeling?” Max reached down, and lifted her wrist to monitor her pulse.

  Her body stiffened. She tightened her arm to her side giving Max resistance. He ignored her. The wrinkles between her eyebrows pronounced, she looked uncomfortable. She didn’t answer.

  Max placed her wrist back down. “I would advise against getting up too soon. You need some water and food in your system. If you stand up you might collapse again. Rest here a few more minutes and eat something.”

  I met his eyes they furrowed.

  “Thank you Max,” I said.

  He nodded then went upstairs, Antony followed. I offered Kasey the glass of water. She took it but still looked quite nervous. I placed my hand on her head and lightly rubbed her forehead with my thumb. She inched back at my approaching hand, and tensed her body from my touch. She removed my hand from her forehead.

  “Try to relax no one is going to hurt you. I promise.”

  Kasey swallowed and her eyes glistened. She did not believe me.

  “Here, please take some fruit.”

  She nodded but her hand trembled as she reached for an orange slice.

  “Wh…what happened and how did I get here?” she whispered.

  “You fainted after I showed you…well…my ability. I carried you here. Are you alright?”
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  “No!” She ate the orange and took a sip of water.

  “Do you have any questions?” I asked.

  “Questions! Of course I have questions! I just watched you run on water! I don’t know what to think.”

  Her cheeks turned bright red. I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she allowed it.

  “Please try to calm down. I will tell you anything you wish to know.”

  “What are you exactly?” She swung her legs down from the couch.

  “An immortal.”

  “All immortals have special powers?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many are there?” I saw the distress in her eyes.

  “Many, but we do not have an exact number. There is no census for us. We tend to keep to ourselves.”

  She rubbed her eyes and let out a big sigh.

  “What are you thinking?” I asked.

  “You’re extraordinary,” she blurted.

  “Oh, really!” I smiled.

  “No I didn’t mean it like that…I mean …well,” she blushed and half smiled, “What I meant was this is extraordinary, it’s unbelievable. You are like humans with super powers.”

  “Oh,” I exaggerated an expression of disappointment.

  “I think I should get home. I can’t imagine what I’m going to tell the Castillo’s,” she said and grabbed a strawberry off the plate.

  “Do not worry. Max spoke with them. They know you are here resting. We said you had a family issue that upset you and over worked your body.”

  “Still, I have to work tonight.” She took a piece of tangerine.

  “Of course. Whenever you are ready to go, I will be happy to take you.”

  She appeared calmer.

  “Would you like a tour of the house?” I asked to test whether she could support herself on her feet.

  Her eyes squinted, “I suppose I could.”

  I stood and reached my hand out. She failed to make eye contact with it, but took my offer. Carefully she stood.

  I waited, “Are you light headed?”

  “No… no I’m good.” She stepped forward.

  “I think the twins are in the game room.”

  I took her through our pristine kitchen that opened up to a room with no windows. Our game room consisted of a big flat screen TV with five black leather recliners. John and Martin stood in sword fighting positions playing Samurai Warrior on the game system.

  “Kasey this is where John and Martin spend most of their time, normally.”

  The boys paused their game.

  “You mean not out in a field sword fighting?” she asked.

  They laughed, “You were not supposed to see that. That is the other thing we like to do.” John said.

  Uncertain, she stumbled on her words, “Wh…which one was murdered?”

  “Murdered!” John repeated, amused. “Sounds violent.”

  “It was him.” Martin pointed to John, “And I do not think the term murder applies.”

  “Martin usually loses.” I chimed in.

  “You will have to catch our re-match. It was my off day,” John sulked.

  “I have a question,” Kasey began.

  “Ask away,” I said.

  “Why did he pretend to be dead?”

  “When we get stabbed through the heart by a blade our bodies are immobilized. Our spirits stay trapped in our bodies until the sword is out. Only when the blade pierces through our hearts do we lay dormant otherwise the blade does not affect us. Our bodies instantly heal back to normal,” Martin answered.

  “That is how I knew. I was dormant but still aware within my body. I saw you approach me and could do nothing. Martin left me there to get some water…”

  “Hey, you did the same thing to me last week. At least I didn’t wait ten minutes to pull it out.” Martin shoved his brother’s shoulder.

  John continued ignoring him, “As soon as he returned and pulled the sword from my chest we came to find you.” John shook his head.

  “It is our only weakness, we cannot die or get hurt, but we can be trapped until we are freed.” I let her know.

  “Do you feel any pain?” Kasey wondered.

  “Yes, we feel the pain, but only briefly,” I answered.

  “Not that you would really know,” John grumbled.

  “What does he mean?” she asked.

  “Dion is the best. It is difficult to defeat him in a duel, due to his speed,” Martin spoke well of me.

  “Interesting,” she smirked. “How old were you guys when you died?”

  “John and Martin are forever fifteen, I am twenty, Antony is twenty three, and Max is twenty-five.” I answered.

  “What about the other two brothers?”

  I let out a big sigh, “Sam is twenty one and James is seventeen.”

  “Don’t people notice that you don’t age?”

  “Good Lord, she is going to be a billion questions for the next few weeks. Good luck Dion.” John plopped into his recliner.

  “I’m sorry, I have so many,” she said.

  “It is quite all right, I expected as much.” I gestured for us to exit the room.

  “If you have any more you want to ask me Kasey, catch me some other time and I shall fill you in.” Martin offered. The boys resumed their game.

  She followed me out.

  “Would you like to go upstairs?” I did not want to take her home, yet. She walked by the coffee table and grabbed the plate of fruit, “Sure.”

  “Would you like anything else? I could find something in the kitchen?”

  “Nope this is fine.” She followed me upstairs.

  Our second floor consisted of a t-shaped hallway with six bedrooms equal in size. We started to pass the first two rooms.

  “What room is this?” Kasey asked as she entered the battle area.

  “This is our weapons room.” I answered following her. “We have all types of swords, daggers, arrows, and shields in here from various time periods. Most are authentic.”

  “No kidding,” she muttered under her breath. “Do you all battle like gladiators?”

  “Yes, it was the ‘in’ thing to do when we were living. We enjoy sparing. It helps to know you cannot hurt your opponent.”

  “You don’t consider yourself to be alive now?” This confused her.

  “To live is to die. We are incapable of dying therefore we are not truly alive either.”

  “Interesting, what do you like to fight with?”

  “I like dagger fighting. You have to be quick with sharp movements. This one, the mid first century Roman Pugio Dagger is my preference.”

  Taking the fourteen-inch long dagger off the wall, I slide it out of its iron-plated sheath. Then I swung it in fancy circles and laid it out in front of her so that she could hold it. Kasey took the sword with gentle hands. She treated it as if she were going to break it.

  “It’s light,” she said.

  “It weighs two pounds.”

  “Tell me about it,” she asked.

  “The blade is an hour glass shaped metal with a sharp tip. There are engraved lines that run from the tip to the edge of the grip handle. The handle is metal coated with gold. The t-shaped handle has a ball at the end inlaid with rubies and emeralds. In the middle of the part you grip you can see a lion engraved into the gold.”

  “It’s beautiful.” She admired the intricate details on the handle.

  “It is the dagger that killed Julius Caesar,” I mentioned coolly.

  “Uh…you mean this type of dagger is the kind that killed him, right?”

  “No, I mean that is actually one of the blades that went through his body.”

  The complete petrified look on Kasey’s face alarmed me.

  “Take it! Take it!” she squealed.

  I took it quickly and placed it back in its sheath.

  “Are you mad? Why isn’t that in a museum? I can’t believe you have this. You mean this actually killed Julius Caesar?”

  “Yes, we take pleasure in
collecting rare and valuable items. Since we are time travelers, we tend to have an advantage over human archeologists. We have relics all around the world in our different houses. That is how we are wealthy. We barter and sell antiques.”

  “How many houses do you have?” she asked, astonished.

  “Twenty-seven.”

  “Oh my God! How did you get the dagger that killed Julius Caesar? Wasn’t that before your time?”

  She impressed me by her knowledge of history. “We met once a descendant of Caesar who hid the dagger amongst their belongings. This person discovered our truth and since we could live forever they sold it to us for a hefty price, so that we could preserve it.”

  “This is incredible. I would love to see the artifacts you have.”

  “Perhaps one day we will go and see all of my twenty-seven houses,” I flirted. She blushed and turned from me.

  “Come on let us go see Max.”

  She stepped out the door. As I turned off the lights, I heard her gasped from the hallway. Immediately, I stepped out to her. She stood like an ancient Greek statue.

  “Dion!” She screeched in a whispered voice.

  Layna, Antony’s black panther strutted down the hallway.

  “Oh, that is Layna. She is Antony’s friend. She has made herself at home with us.”

  Layna stopped in front of us and looked at Kasey.

  “Layna this is Kasey, she is a friend of mine.”

  Kasey looked at me as if I were mad. Layna shook her head.

  Antony came around the corner. “She says your mad Dion if you think the human is going to pet her like a pussy cat.”

  Kasey looked at Antony astounded.

  “Really. She is capable of that type of higher level thinking?”

  Layna let out a puff of air, and then walked down the stairs. Antony snickered.

  “What did she say?” Kasey asked.

  “Oh, brother,” Antony replied with a smile.

  “Kasey, Layna is not a pet. She is literally a friend. Animals are similar to humans,” I said.

  “Layna is one of the most gifted feline minds I have ever met. She and I got along instantly. I met her in South America, and she was utterly bored with her mundane jungle life. I offered her to come with us and she has been a friend of the family ever since. We could not get rid of her even if we tried.” Antony explained then followed Layna downstairs.