by Mark Boliek
Chapter 13
Arthur laid down in the backseat of the big blue car. The engine hummed and rain poured down, slapping against the canvas roof with a symphonic beat that lulled him to sleep.
JT looked back at Kali's father and wondered what he dreamt about. He had too much thinking to do to sleep himself. Technically they were on the run, but he felt confident that the government would not waste resources searching for a harmless patient who escaped from a hospital. Who knows, maybe Arthur had admitted himself and he could have left at any time anyway.
JT did not worry. He knew the Munch had come to Maryland to take Kali since she was the steward of the key. He could only guess how the evil man knew that, but it was the only way the villain could get back into Bruinduer. He thought quickly, hoping that the Munch would not hurt Kali. He remembered a dream with his grandfather on the deck of the Mary Maid telling him that people could relinquish their power in many ways. He could not relinquish his power by thinking about the worst, about what harm might come to Kali. He just hoped he could get back to Warhead Dale before anything terrible happened.
The weather turned thick. The water painted the windshield so Michael could hardly see in front of him. Luckily they managed to make out the sign for an exit that had lodging.
“I just can't see anything right now, JT. I've got to stop,” Michael said as he gripped the steering wheel.
JT agreed without dispute.
The room, a normal hotel room, contained two double beds. JT cuddled up on a borrowed cot. Arthur had not said much of anything when JT and Michael helped him into the bed. They had exchanged glances, wondering if they should undress their guest, but decided to lay him down and cover him, fully dressed.
Michael flipped channels, unable to find a show he would watch.
JT reached for his grandfather's journal. He felt warm underneath the blankets. Despite the unmistakable smell of a hotel room—some mixture of cleaner and dirt—he actually felt comfortable. He rubbed his fingers over the journal’s leather cover. He couldn't imagine the adventures it must have seen. For the last couple of days, he’d thrown it about, much like he had treated his cane in the beginning, when he did not know what it was.
He still wished he could remember what was written in the pages, but he felt the book was a part of his past, a very important part.
“Find September 16th, 1946,” Michael suggested, still clicking the remote as the TV screen flashed. “There you will find a very important day.”
September 16, 1946
There are no words to describe what I have experienced—the realism, the majesty, the horror, the pain, the adventure.
This world known as Bruinduer is probably the most important find in archeological history. I have no idea where to start my story. The only observation I am able to express is that, undeniably, God exists. How can I even begin to explain the experience of entering this magical land? The answer is more of an intangible-tangible knowledge. I know that is cryptic, but I have no other words.
Kwaida, the God of Bruinduer, is no God of Bruinduer. He is God, of this I have no doubt. What else could he be? There are stories of how the tribe that created this land bound an Essence to do their bidding. I have come to believe that story developed over time to give mankind more credit than they deserve. For man would have none of the knowledge needed to create a world. The variables are infinite. But that does lead to a question; why then would God create another world for a select group of people? One can only guess and guessing God's reasons is futile.
Those paragraphs only begin to tell the story. Anyone going through the door from Bruinduer back into our world of origin would find the same adventure and questions leading to the answer: God.
The Munch had no idea what to expect. Evidently he believed that this would be a world he could control, much like our earthly world, where men, despite their unlimited vanity, find out that they have no power at all. All control rests in the creator.
I may be biased, for all I know I may be wrong, but I know what I experienced, what I felt. Kwaida moved his heart. Kwaida moved my heart. He reconciled good and evil, bringing us together. I do not know why. My only wish now, as I return into this world I know, full of destruction, is that the same will also be true here. May God heal our hurting planet.
JT read on through the night. Every once in a while, he glanced up at Michael, who sat staring at the TV. The tension in his face as he changed channels told JT that his friend knew exactly what he was reading.
It made him even angrier that he could not remember anything. He glared at the ceiling and tried to catch hold of some sort of memory, tried to catch the amber haze he experienced at Warhead Dale and in Triton.
He looked at Arthur sleeping peacefully, soundlessly. Once again, he imagined what might be going through the scrambled mind of Kali's dad. Whatever horror or peace he found, he did not show any emotion.
He focused on the pages before him. Could it be true that Billy was actually God? The real God? The one Gregory and Louise talked about on the farm?
He read about his grandfather’s battles against the Munch in the land of Bruinduer. Ol' Captain Luke described a land, much like the jungles of Africa, with temples and cities made of pure gold. He told of endless pits of despair and a large valley much like the deserts of Godwin and Triton where wars took place. The old man told of hunting the Munch within Bruinduer and how many of his men died.
JT read about Kwaida guiding Luke, showing up in the most unexpected places as a rock or a bird. He remembered how Billy came to him as a rat when he was in the Triton pyramid. The story was all too familiar.
He also read about how the Munch expected his God to show up as some great vision or strong, invincible force and how he sacrificed many people to make that happen. He also read how the Munch worshipped and praised Kwaida, holding many festivals and creating large temples, like cathedrals, to win his favor. When Kwaida seemed to ignore his pleas and sacrifices, the Munch became more impatient and more and more wars ensued. More and more people died. The Munch built and destroyed cities, trying to impress Kwaida with each attempt, only to fail.
JT glanced at Michael. He’d fallen asleep.
JT flipped through the pages. The information was almost more than he could fathom or even try to process. One question percolated in his mind. If he knew these things when he was fourteen, then why, in any world or any state of mind, would he even consider entering a world he could never control? A world that held such atrocities?
He thought of Michael. Bruinduer could give him anything he wanted and, for some forsaken reason, it was worth the price to him. The earthly world just might be the same.
The night lingered. The sounds outside of the hotel shifted JT's thoughts to what was taking place in the world. Certainly there were people in more pain than he; he could not stop thinking about their suffering. Were his problems trying to get to Kali in any way, shape, or form more important than anyone else's concerns at that very moment under the same moonlight?
He laid the journal on the table beside him and fell asleep.
What seemed like only a second later, a grinding, hollow voice startled JT. “Wake up, sleeper.” The cold air stung his legs. He sat straight up and gasped for air. The crispness of each breath dried the back of his throat.
The room was quiet. Both Michael and Arthur lay peacefully bundled in their beds with not a worry in the world. JT realized though that their situation might change dramatically by the end of the day; he could not possibly know where he would end up by the time the sun set. So many things can change in the afternoon.
He woke up his traveling partners and, after exchanging morning pleasantries, they got ready to go.
When Arthur sat up in his bed wearing yesterday’s clothes, Michael and JT repeatedly asked him if he needed anything. He said nothing, staring straight ahead and rocking back and forth.
Michael laid the key on the dresser and they left, piling into the big old blue car and h
eading toward Athens Eden.
JT, with his constant carsickness, tried to look at his grandfather's journal. He wanted to ask Michael what the rest of the book said, however, Michael was known not to tell JT the truth, so he kept his mouth shut. Arthur didn't say a word the entire time. Every once in a while, he would grunt as he moved, but nothing understandable.
With no conversation, JT fiddled around with the radio knobs and found a country music station. To his surprise, he fell asleep with his head against the door.
JT's mind swam. He had wedged his body into the passenger's seat as comfortably as possible. Now he lay in between sleep and consciousness, so, if he were dreaming, he did not know. He heard a deep voice in his head, but he did not think it was Billy. But he could never be sure.
“This reporter has never seen anything like this before. This is the second time in the last few days that snow has fallen at the beach and what makes this so remarkable is that the snow only falls within the confines of town. No other areas are affected.”
Another voice rang out. “What do you know about the weather in Maryland? Is there any connection?”
“It is hard to say,” the deep voice answered. “We have talked to the weather service and there is no clear-cut answer. Basically, they will not comment until they have time to do more research.'
“What is the government saying?”
“Much of what we are getting from the weather service—nothing.”
“Well, I just don't know what to say, but what I do know is that authorities in Athens Eden are asking folks to be very careful. They also state that the weather may be unusual, but it is a very nice snowy day here at the beach—and only the beach. So, in honor of the occasion, here is a little tune for you winter wonderland lovers.”
“Wake up!” JT heard. His eyes snapped open. “JT, wake up, it happened again and that can only mean one thing—the Munch has come back to Athens Eden.”
JT sat up. As the big old blue car rolled inside the town limits, he saw that one foot of fresh snow covered everything.
“Oh, wow,” JT said.
Arthur placed his face near the window and looked, his breath fogging the glass. The snow blanketing the ground and covering the trees sent a cool breeze through the cracks of the car door. Though the snow was beautiful to the eye and the air was fresh to the nose, JT knew something sinister was behind this winter paradise.
Police lined the roads, checking in with those who came in and out of Athens Eden. The big old blue car slowly stopped in front of the police officers.
“Where you boys coming from? Do I know you?” The officer stared in curiosity at the strange trio in the big blue car.
“I don't think so, sir,” Michael answered in the lowest tone he could muster. His right arm trembled. From that, JT knew Michael recognized the police officer.
The officer paused for a minute, thinking, then waved them on into Athens Eden. “This snow has been strange the last few days. We are advising folks to stay indoors and only travel if they must.”
“Yes, sir,” Michael said.
The officer paused as Arthur faced in his direction. They could almost see the light turning on in his brain when he recognized the former pillar of the community. He took a startled breath, then looked down. In the end, he simply stepped back and waved them on, as though it would be too much trouble if he said anything. “Go ahead and go, but get to where you're getting quick.”
“Okay,” Michael answered. The big blue car rolled down the snowy street with a grumble.
“We gotta go to the diner and check on Linda, JT. I just don't like this at all.”
JT nodded. Hundreds of thoughts passed through his brain, but he knew that the Munch had come back to Athens Eden and it was obvious to him that the villain was in Warhead Dale.
Children played in the snow outside the houses they passed. Everyone appeared to be happy about the weather, everyone except the authorities. Some roads were blocked, forcing Michael had to navigate through some back roads where people recognized Michael's big blue car. Like before, they stopped to stare at him with disapproving eyes. Michael and JT concentrated on the road, choosing not to notice. Soon they pulled into Linda's diner.
When they stepped out of the car into freshly laid snow, the chilly air smelled different, not as salty—fresh.
When they entered the diner, the silver bell overhead chimed and the smell of warm food filled the air. Jenny hopped off a stool and ran toward Michael, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him gently on the cheek.
“What the—?” JT mumbled. “Really?”
He felt a tinge of envy. He had felt close to Jenny in the time they spent at the courthouse and, in some way, he had hoped that she felt the same. He knew his heart belonged to Kali, but his selfishness was getting the better of him. He wanted to feel happy that Michael had finally found someone, but jealousy still nagged at him.
Jenny hugged JT, which felt great. Then she let go, taking Michael's hand. The envy returned.
“Is this Kali's dad?” Jenny asked.
“Yes,” Michael answered. “I didn't think it was a good idea to bring him back here, but JT wanted it.”
Arthur sat down at the counter.
JT felt angry. “I don't know why I snuck him out of there, but—“
“You kidnapped him?” Jenny shrieked. JT hunched his shoulders and squinted at the sound.
“Calm down,” JT snapped. “I just acted; I don't know why I grabbed him. He wanted to come. He actually talked to the lady blocking the door and she let us by.”
“There was a lady blocking the door?” Jenny's voice rose even louder.
“What in the—?” Linda Peterson appeared from the back kitchen. “Arthur? Arthur Logan? Is that you?” Linda rushed over to Arthur. Arthur’s head perked up; he smiled and began rocking a little faster.
“It's so good to see you!” Linda exclaimed.
Arthur reached his hand out to Linda and took hers. He nodded as they both smiled from ear to ear.
Linda stayed with Arthur for a minute, then went to Michael. “What is he doing here? You know he does not need to be here, right?”
“I know. It was JT,” Michael retorted. “He's the one that snuck him out of the hospital.”
“It wasn't like that, Lin—“ JT tried to defend himself.
“I don't care what it was like. He needs to get back to Maryland. Kali is going to be furious when she finds out that he's gone.” Linda was firm in her statement.
“Well.” JT paused. “I am pretty sure that Kali is here in Athens Eden.”
“Really? Where?” Linda became agitated.
“That's a good question. I mean, I have an answer, but I'm not sure you want to know.” JT sat at the counter beside Arthur.
“I know all about that house, JT,” Linda began, sniffing with a bit of assertiveness. Though no one was at the counter and nothing had spilled, she wiped the top with vigor.
JT had no idea what to say. “Well.”
Linda wiped the counter a little quicker, then moved to the tables while he thought.
“If you do know about the house and everything that goes along with it, then you know some bad things might happen.” JT tried to be a cryptic as possible.
Linda stared at Arthur, pointing toward him with her rag. “Yeah, JT, I know. I wish you'd just tell me what is going on—if anyone deserves it, it's Arthur.”
JT nodded. He had no idea why he would hide anything. “It's Kali. She's been taken by a madman called the Munch.”
As soon as JT mentioned Kali, Arthur made some sort of grunting noise and pointed his face to the ceiling.
Linda wiped even harder, breathing heavily. “I assume—and I wish I was wrong—that this snowy weather is because of all of whatever is going on?”
“Uh-huh…yeah.” JT coughed. “I think that would be a safe assumption.”
Michael and Jenny tensed, waiting for Linda’s reaction.
“What are you going to do ab
out it?” Linda asked, once she caught her breath and made her way back behind the counter.
“Try to get her, I guess,” JT answered.
“Well, so what are you guys doing here? You have something you need to be doing now, don't you think?” Linda stared at JT. JT took a deep breath.
“You wanna come?” he asked. His voice cracked.
“Me? Oh, no. I'm not going to that house. No way.” Linda began to wipe the counter again. “And you're not taking Arthur, either.”
Arthur took Linda's hand and stopped her from wiping. His face was still blank, but his eyes were alive. “I'm going.” He managed to say the words, though they came out slow and spitty.
Surprised by Arthur's reaction, Linda looked at him the way the hospital receptionist had. She saw something in his eyes that reflected and explained his seriousness.
“Well…okay,” Linda answered very quickly.
“I'm going, too.” Jenny spoke up.
“What?” Michael began. “No! It's too dangerous.”
“You don't think I can handle it? Is that it, Michael? You couldn't figure out how to find some of those documents in the library, but you still helped. Are you saying that I can't handle whatever's happening in Warhead Dale?” She shook her hand out of Michael's, pushed him away, and crossed her arms in disbelief.
“What I meant—“ Michael started, but JT interrupted.
“Michael, just stop. She's going. No way around it. I know from experience.” JT remembered Kali scolding him when he asked her not to go into battle.
JT asked Linda to make them a parting meal; they would leave in the morning. They had fun while they prepared, pushing the gravity of the situation to the back of their minds. They knew they would need a good meal and good night's rest to be ready for whatever faced them, wherever they came out on the other side of the mahogany door. For there was no doubt that they would go to Bruinduer in the morning.
JT didn't talk to anyone as he climbed in the bed in the back room of Linda's diner. He felt like an astronaut preparing to go into the unknown.
Michael left, taking Jenny and Arthur to Linda's house for the evening.
JT was all alone. Somehow in a little bit of his soul, he liked solitude. It was the only place that made sense sometimes. He did like Michael's company, but being alone to ponder his life and where he was going—because he could never remember where he had been—gave him comfort. There was no one he had to impress, just him, his thoughts, a forgotten past, and a journal he could barely understand.
He realized that Captain Luke hunted for the Munch, but what was the larger picture? Had his grandfather stumbled on something that the old sailor couldn't understand, either? And Billy was God? The real God?
His grandfather’s writing was cryptic at best and gibberish at worst. Ol' Captain Luke had wanted others to read it, but to what end?
JT unbuckled the old journal and pulled the lose pages out, shifting through the familiar pictures. His grandfather had a life well-lived, without a doubt. He turned to the first page and read the words, “Dear Reader…”
Then he quickly flipped to the back of the book, to the last entry. There was a clear beginning to the story, so surely there would be an end.
April 15, 1984
Dear James,
I am sorry that I have failed you so. For some reason I thought that my own fortune and searching for the mahogany door was more important than you.
I want you to know that, though you may never forgive me for what I have done, I wish and hope that you be the reader of this journal. I know it is not much and I know you are not mentioned in the pages of the story until now, but it is all that I have to offer in return for a chance of forgiveness.
I do love you, son. I just never knew how to show it. I have found that God's love is not for me only, but for me to share His grace with you. The adventure would have been priceless with you by my side, but, sadly, the price of this adventure will be a sum I cannot repay.
Please show JT the real way to be a father. Make sure he is in whatever adventures you may decide to embark on, by your side and not in spirit.
The door is yours, my son. Learn to use its power to show JT that God does exist, for, at this time and in this place, I have only actually seen Him there. But be careful, too, for God is sovereign. He does as He wishes. Always remember that.
Allow me to correct one thing; I have seen God in this world, if not in flesh. I forget sometimes and I am sorry for that, but I have seen God in your eyes.
Whatever happens, you will always be in my heart.
Always,
Dad
JT shut the journal. He did not know what to think. He wanted to remember, but he felt helpless as always. What was he doing?
Kali, he thought. I have to get to Kali. A tear rolled down his cheek. Why was life so full of uncertainty?
He fell back and turned off the lights. As he had on so many dark nights, he stared out the window toward the sky. The moon showered its beams on him, lighting up the white snow and outlining the entire town it seemed. He wished the world could stay like that—still, peaceful, beautiful.
Before long his eyes shut. Something waited for him behind his eyelids, something named Billy.
