Heckel Casey

by James Hoch

  "Jerky, get down," I ordered, knowing full well that the cat would ignore me.

  "She's fine," Sela said stroking her back as Jerky curled up into a ball. "She's very comforting."

  "Yeah, she has that effect on people."

  "To answer your question…um…my Dad happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

  "How so?"

  "He made the mistake of going into our little town a few miles down the road without any protection. He forgot his rifle that day. He also didn't tell me he was going. By the time I figured he had left, things had already gone very bad."

  "I'm sorry," I said, getting up to put a few more logs on the fire.

  Sela went on to explain that she pedaled her old bicycle as fast as she could to go find him. As soon as she got into town, it didn't take long for her to find him.

  "A group of men, I guess about four or five, had my Dad tied to a telephone post. They were taking turns throwing a knife at him. He was covered in blood. I screamed at the men to stop. One of them started to run toward me. Instantly, I shot him as well as the other three. I ran to my Dad. He was already dead. I untied him and set him down. His hand was balled up into a fist. I spotted a chain dangling from one end. I opened his hand. A small gold cross on a chain was pressed into his palm," Sela said touching the pendant on her neck. "He must have been getting it for my birthday or something. I sat there and cried for hours before dragging his body to a field. It took me the rest of the afternoon to bury him."

  Jerky got up, crawled up her chest, and licked the tears streaming down. It made her laugh.

  "I'm so sorry. That must have been…very…traumatic," I said putting my hand on her shoulder.

  "I remember being so angry and out for revenge, but also very afraid. I was ready to kill anyone who crossed my path or simply walked into my front yard. That's when I became obsessed about my defensive perimeter. I put up the crosses and spears then. I just didn't know what to do."

  Jerky continued to nuzzle up into the crook of her neck.

  "If she's bugging you, just push her off," I said.

  "No, she's fine. I love having a cat around. We used to have a bunch of them on the farm here."

  "How long ago did your Dad…um?" I stammered awkwardly.

  "Oh, I guess close to a year now."

  Sela wiped her face and took my bowl. "Would you care for any more?"

  "No, that's fine. It's best to ration good food like that," I said.

  She left the room and a few minutes later came back with a box of Fig Newton cookies. My eyes got huge. She laughed at my response.

  "Cookie?" she asked, sitting back down on the couch.

  "Oh, my. Manna from heaven? Where in the world did you find these?" I asked, reaching into the box. I inhaled the cookie's aroma as though I were a wine taster sampling a fine Cabernet.

  Sela explained that she found a case of them at that same warehouse.

  After an hour or so chatting about each other's past, a large stretch of silence occurred and we both just stared into the dying embers.

  Sela broke the moment. "Heckel is a very unusual name. Is that a nickname or what?"

  Clearing my throat and stifling a yawn, I answered, "Nope, that's my real legal name and yes, it is very unusual. I can thank my mother for it. Heckel is the name of a really expensive and top-of-the-line professional bassoon."

  She looked over at me with a smirk and one eyebrow raised as if to beg for more.

  "My mother was finishing up college. She was a music major and a damn fine bassoonist. She was hoping to land a gig in a good orchestra. After she graduated, she did the auditioning circuit, met my dad and had me. She had been saving money to buy that expensive instrument that cost more than a car, but when I came along, they needed the money and her dreams of owning that fine bassoon ended. I think it was my dad's idea to name me Heckel. My mom thought it was poetic justice or something, I guess. Later on, I asked her about why my name was so weird. She would just smile and say, 'you are the song of my life.' As a young snot-nosed kid, I'd crinkle up my nose, shake my head and run off. My dad explained the whole thing to me when my mom was dying of cancer. After that, I really loved my name. It is indeed unusual, but also very special."

  Sela smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. "What a great story and you are right. Heckel is a very special name. What a wonderful way to remember your mom as well."

  Her smile and pat on my shoulder made my insides warm. "Most people call me Heck. You know like…what the heck are you doing? Where in the heck have you been? I get that a lot."

  She laughed. We continued talking until well after midnight. I could see at one point that Sela's eyes where getting heavy.

  "Hmm," I said, trying to stifle a yawn. "It's late."

  "Let me get you a few blankets and a pillow. Is the couch here all right?"

  "It definitely beats the ground. My back will think it has died and gone to heaven."

  Sela put her hands on her hips, frowned and chastised me. "There will be no dying on my watch."

  I put up both my hands in capitulation and told her that she was absolutely right. There would be no dying in Iowa. She shook her head defiantly and walked into her bedroom. A few minutes later she came back with a sheet, two blankets and a large fluffy pillow.

  "I really appreciate this," I said, taking the bundle from her. She leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek.

  "Sleep well. I really enjoyed talking with you this evening," she said blushing. It's been a very long time since I could trust someone and…um…let them into my life. Oh, and I couldn't forget Jerky." The cat had positioned herself on top of the couch so that Sela could pet her.

  I looked at the both of them and felt a warm sensation spread over me. "Looks as though I have two protectors now."

  Sela said good night again and started walking to her bedroom. Jerky jumped off the couch and followed her. I started to protest and Sela said that it was fine. Jerky turned, bushed out her tail and I swear it looked as if she had a grin on her face.

  I made up the couch, took off my dirty clothes and lay down. The soft light from the dying embers functioned as a night-light and it was very comforting. My last thoughts for the day turned to Leonard and his sacrifice. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Leonard. You were a good friend. You're at peace now and I'm sure united with your wife. Thank you for everything you…" Sleep finally took over.

  Chapter 7

  In the middle of the night, I woke up and started recalling events in which Madeline's power seeped into Washington. It did not take long for her to infiltrate into the ranks of the powerful. She had her hands in everything. As Director of Homeland Security, she had a line to one of the most powerful men on the planet and had become fast friends with the president. And he was a popular president. The American public adored him, which helped in Madeline's gaining trust with people across the country. So, when the first of many tragic events started taking place, she had his support and cooperation as well as that of the American people. Madeline usually just had to come in after the destruction and mop things up. Of course, she always looked good, both figuratively and literally.

  That first incident, the Super Bowl, was a work of genius. Watching close to seventy-five thousand people kill each other over a silly game was…well, difficult to put into words. Of course there were all the people around the world watching the Super Bowl who had their own personal little meltdowns.

  Needless to say, Madeline's office was heavily impacted by the tragedy. From that moment, the sequence of events was set in motion and the office of Homeland Security became inundated with one problem after the next. Of course, Madeline remained calm, cool and in control. It looked like things were being well taken care of, but in reality chaos was inching its way into every fabric of society and the world's population.

  When summer came, it was one tragedy after another. The news reporters couldn't keep up. It was as if a dam of ruination and horror had burst, leav
ing misery and despair to follow.

  "Ah, the road rage," Madeline said, looking out the window and fondly remembering the first reports out of Los Angeles. "There was another stroke of brilliance and erudition. If I could reach my back, I'd pat it."

  William came in with a restrained look as if he were a mouse who just got away from a prowling cat.

  "What is it?" Madeline asked.

  "The president just reported on the news that the vice-president committed suicide."

  "Really," she said, picking off lint from her sweater.

  "The good news is that he is preparing to announce a replacement and the buzz on Capital Hill is that you are on the short list."

  "Interesting." Madeline stifled a yawn, but inside she knew it was the next step in the plan. She felt the power within build, and it felt like a generator in the first steps to an overload. Glancing down at her fingers, she noticed a red spark ignite between two of them.

  William furrowed his brow and with a look of trepidation asked, "Are you all right?"

  The power continued to seethe within her.

  "Miss Madeline, your face is changing. You look…"

  The energy wants to be let loose. No, it wants to kill, Madeline thought.

  "William, I suggest you leave immediately, or I won't be responsible for my actions."

  "Miss Madeline, your eyes are turning red," William reported as he slowly backed up to the door.

  "I'll be fine. Leave now," Madeline shouted. "Go!" William shrank back with fear. He spun around and grasped the doorknob. His sweaty hand slipped repeatedly off the handle. He gasped in relief as the door opened, and he bolted from the room.

  As soon as he left, Madeline felt the first twisted bolt of shearing red heat flash from her eyes. In shock, she turned her head at the last minute, deflecting the energy blast to a nearby sofa. The old Victorian settee was immediately reduced to a pile of smoldering ashes.

  Madeline giggled and then laughed heartily. She stood up from her desk, walked over to a full-length mirror and examined her image.

  "You awesome bitch. You rock. No one dare mess with you!"

  Chapter 8

  It felt like I had slept for days. At first, I totally had forgotten where I was. As I opened my eyes, I could see rays of sunlight streaming into the room, making patterns on the rug in front of the couch. Swirls of dust danced on the rays. I shut my eyes and was ready to go back to sleep when I heard a sound in the kitchen. It was a familiar sound, one I had not heard since…well, I can't remember. I sat up, stretched and yawned.

  After I got dressed, I shuffled into the kitchen. Instantly, I smelled bacon and eggs. I nearly fell over.

  "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Sela said as she turned a strip of bacon.

  With my mouth open, I must have looked like the village idiot. I stood there in complete awe.

  She didn't say a word, just busied herself preparing breakfast.

  "I hope you like scrambled eggs."

  "You have eggs? You have chickens?" I babbled in disbelief.

  She just smiled and continued cooking.

  "Okay, this is unbelievable. My mouth hasn't salivated like this…oh, heck, I don't…"

  "Just relax and enjoy," she said, handing me a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and several hard crackers.

  "Sorry, there's no toast. I haven't found any yeast for a while to make bread."

  "No need to apologize. This is a feast," I said excitedly as I sat down at an old round oak table. I waited for Sela to join me. Jerky was purring loudly over by the counter. She was squatting in front of a large bowl of food. It wasn't just ordinary cat food. It was a mix of scrambled eggs, a few bits of bacon and some other scraps I didn't recognize. The cat, judging from the volume level of her purring, was clearly in the same food nirvana as I was.

  Sela sat down and asked me to say grace. Now that took me by surprise. I stumbled, cleared my thoughts and was about to say that I forgot how, when I remembered what my mom always said for the blessing. I cleared my throat and said the prayer of thanks. "Bless us, O Lord, for these Thy Gifts which we are about to receive from Thy Bounty through Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

  "Amen," she said softly and picked up her fork. "Dig in."

  A large lump welled up in my throat and a tear gently inched its way out of the corner of my eye. I sighed heavily and picked up my fork.

  "You all right?" Sela asked, putting her hand on my arm.

  "Just a little emotional, I guess."

  "Nothing that a bit of warm tasty eggs can't fix," Sela said smiling.

  That first taste of eggs sent wave after wave of pleasure. I closed my eyes and leaned my head slightly backward as if I were in some sort of hypnotic trance. I let the forkful of eggs sit on my tongue so that every taste bud could dance over the mound of eggs. Who would have ever thought that the incredible, edible egg would taste so remarkably fantastic? It was as if I were tasting lobster or filet mignon for the first time. I finally swallowed. Each subsequent bite was savored to the fullest.

  "Did you sleep well?" Sela asked as she mashed a few crackers into her eggs.

  "Like a rock. My back was particularly happy. How about you? I hope Jerky didn't hog the bed too much."

  "She kept my feet warm," she said, looking over at the cat. "Um, do you have any plans?"

  I shook my head, waiting to swallow a huge mouthful of food. "Not really. I just want to make it down to where it is warm for the winter. My goal is to eventually reach the coast of Oregon."

  "Why there?"

  Staring out the window at the blue sky, I shrugged my shoulders and confessed that I had no real reason. However, I explained that I just felt drawn to the area. "For about a year, there's been something inside me that keeps nudging me along. No, it's been more like a push."

  "Interesting. Any chance you'd…"

  A large rock came crashing into the window, breaking our conversation. Sela was up in a flash. Grabbing a rifle, she went to the front door. Looking around the room, she spotted a pair of binoculars. "Hand me those," she commanded.

  Passing her large Brunton binoculars, I whispered, "You said you haven't had any visitors in a while."

  "Correct. Hopefully, I can scare them off," she said, looking intently out the window.

  "See anything?"

  She didn't respond at first and then very slowly and softly announced, "I see three large assholes." She raised the rifle, looked through the scope and fired. A scream rang out across the front yard. She fired again. I grabbed the binoculars and saw two men running down the road.

  "They're gone," I said confidently.

  "They're never gone," Sela replied with a worried tone. "If they smelled food, they'll be back. Shit. This isn't good."

  I tried to assure her that everything would be fine and that she definitely scared them off. My efforts at calming her down didn't work. She stood in front of that window for hours. I cleaned up the kitchen and peeked into the front room every so often.

  Sela remained vigilant. Finally, toward noon, Sela stood up, opened the front door and went outside, still carrying the rifle. She walked around the whole house. I was amazed at how focused she was.

  For some odd reason, Jerky didn't seem too upset about the commotion earlier. She discovered a well-used porch swing and was settled in for a nap. It was a warm, sunny day. The temperature was undoubtedly in the low 80s, but a cool breeze swept lightly across the porch. At first, I was nervous about being outside, but after being assured by Sela that all was well, I sat next to the cat and dozed off. When I woke up, Sela was sitting next to me with a rifle lying at her side and Jerky curled up in her lap.

  "You okay?" I asked.

  "Yup. I am now. Good nap?"

  "Yeah, I slept like a log. I never get a chance to have a good nap."

  We sat in silence for a while just staring out at the front yard. An occasional large black bird would perch on one of the crosses. That pleasant breeze slowed down and it was getting hot.

&nb
sp; "Do you always get this…um…scared?"

  "Not scared, just cautious."

  I nodded my head slowly and smiled at her. We sat there in silence for the longest time as the afternoon sun started to ease its way onto the porch. It seemed as though she were deep in thought. I tried to initiate several conversations and each time she just grunted, that is, until I asked, "Do you believe…um…in evil?"

  Sela looked at me as if I had sprouted a third eye in the middle of my forehead. "Come again?"

  "Evil. Do you believe in an evil force or existence?"

  "Absolutely. We've been up to our asses in evil for a very long time. Why do you ask?"

  "I believe that evil is at the root of this shit we are in, and it has a name." I went on to explain about Madeline, and how I discovered what she has been doing.

  She nodded her head deliberately and with much assurance she said, "I know that person. As a kid, I remember her being at my school for a while."

  "Go on," I urged.

  Sela recounted a story of Madeline working at her school for only about a few weeks. She explained that she was visiting all the schools in the area under some pretense. "I think she was giving demonstrations or something. I have no memory about what it was except that she was left alone with us and-"

  "All the kids in your class were…um….hypnotized or something," I said interrupting her.

  "Exactly. I remember looking at my classmates and they all had their eyes rolled up into their heads. Madeline was speaking softly. I couldn't understand what she was saying and didn't know if she was speaking English. I think my basic survival instinct kicked in and I ran out of the room to the nurse's office. When I got there, I threw up, which bought me a ticket home. I never said anything to anyone. I've kept that memory firmly locked away."

  I put my arm around her neck to comfort her. For the next two hours, I narrated all the information I had on Madeline Blackwell, all the way up to the death of Leonard.

  Quietly, Sela said, "We need to go tonight."