Valo

by Jonathan Kuiper

“No of course not.”

  “Save driving without a license and not being of age,” Luza added.

  “You’re not 16?” Birchard asked.

  “It doesn’t matter how old she is,” Riley challenged the others.

  “It might to them,” Luza pointed at the cruiser.

  The police officer put his blinker on to turn left. He would be driving right by them.

  Keira’s breathing amped up and she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

  “I’d like to see you relax,” Keira said as she looked straight ahead at the light.

  The car made the turn.

  A mustached, middle age man drove the Ford LeSabre. His eyes were covered by a shiny pair of sunglasses. He gnawed on a tooth pick as he turned the steering wheel.

  “No problem. Just smile.” Keira grit her teeth.

  “He won’t stop,” Luza said.

  Birchard focused on the car. “Scratch that.”

  “No, not now,” Keira’s voice wavered.

  The police car came to a sudden stop. The brake lights came on and the car backed up.

  “What is he doing Riley?”

  “I have no idea. Just be cool. Roll down your window. He’s doing the same. Smile,” Riley insisted.

  “I will,” Keira said faking a smile.

  “Did you hit something back there?” The officer pointed at the hood of the truck.

  Keira froze. Riley was quiet too. Luza was quick to lean across the seat.

  “Yes, we hit a deer,” she yelled.

  “That’s explains the light then and your fender.”

  Keira snapped out of her trance and turned to the police officer. “Yeah it happened so fast. It was dark.”

  “You can’t be driving on the road with a broken headlight.”

  “We’ll head over to the shop right now,” Keira smiled.

  With a nod, the officer lifted his foot off the break and the cop car vanished from view. Keira might have stayed at the intersection longer, had a copper colored Peugeot behind her not blared their horn.

  “Let’s go. All clear,” Luza yelled

  “All clear? What does that mean?” Keira asked.

  “I don’t know. That’s what they said on the television,” Luza shook her head. She looked at Birchard for support.

  “Sounds official to me. Good thinking Foxy.”

  “Yeah,” Riley agreed.

  “Now I have to drive to an auto body shop to get the truck fixed,” Keira frowned.

  “Why?” Luza said.

  “Because I said I was going to.”

  “Yeah and I’m sure he’s going to check right up on us.”

  “She’s right. I think we’re okay. Once we get out of town, there shouldn’t be any problems. You’re not really going to stop are you?” Riley sighed.

  “What if we get stopped again?”

  Riley shrugged. “We tell them we’re on our way to your dad’s for him to fix it.”

  “Okay,” Keira took a deep breath. She loosened her grip on the steering wheel slightly.

  “We are going to eat right? I mean, you must be so hungry. Especially now after this stressful moment it would be wise — ”

  “I’m not stopping because you need to fill your pie hole Luza, but because I need to get some air.”

  “Fine, whatever.”

  “It’s okay I’ll pick through some garbage for you.” Birchard chirped.

  “Garbage? What do you think I’m a fox or something?” Luza looked surprised.

  “True Foxy. My bad, but we can’t be picky can we?”

  “We need a map too, to get our bearings and figure out how to get to Moosehead,” Keira added.

  “You don’t have one in the truck?”

  Shaking her head the teen flipped on the blinker.

  “Why are you stopping already?” Riley glanced over to Keira.

  “I need some air and I can get a map here.”

  “There’s no food here,” Luza whined.

  “Shut up about the food. I’m sure they have a vending machine. You can use the change in the glove compartment.”

  “Change? Vending machine?”

  “I’ll show her. Can you behave for a moment?” Riley looked at Luza.

  She stuck her tongue out at the boy.

  “You’re like a little kid now.”

  “Should I respond to that comment Red Eye?”

  “I wouldn’t. I think those are fighting words.”

  “My thoughts exactly. I’ll figure it out myself.” Luza focused on the parking lot.

  Keira pulled the truck off the road into the very narrow parking area for Intervale Scenic Vista and rest stop. During any other time of the year this would have been a busy spot, especially with the view that looked out on to part of the Presidential Range, specifically Mount Washington. The highest mountain, east of the Mississippi river, loomed in the distance with a white cap from fresh snow.

  The teen parked the truck in the first available space and jumped out.

  “She’s in a rush.” Luza nudged Riley.

  “Give her some space,” Riley was concerned. He wanted to chase after the princess, but after doing a quick scan of the parking lot, decided she would be fine. There were no other vehicles in the lot and the cemented two-story building with wooden framed glass doors, appeared safe enough.

  “Where is this glove compartment?” Luza asked as she opened the passenger side door.

  “Right here stupid,” Birchard poked at the dilapidated box with his nose.

  “I’m not stupid, stupid. How would I know what it is?”

  “You seem to know a lot of things why would this be any different?” Birchard added.

  “That’s a good point, he’s a smart one isn’t he my prince?”

  Riley wasn’t amused. He flipped open the box and a row of quarters rolled forward.

  “Take those. You’ll figure out the rest. Sometimes Princess, I just want ...”

  “To what? Love me forever and ever,” Luza chuckled as she grabbed the quarters and exited the truck.

  He didn’t bother to respond. Riley sat silently in the truck.

  Luza looked suspiciously at him but her stomach was calling. “Let’s go Red Eye to this machine thing. Do you think they’ll have Cheez-Its?”

  “I don’t see why not. Do you think they have any worms or fish?”

  Chapter 4

  Closing his eyes, the boy zoned out their conversation. His heart was beating faster than he cared to admit. He knew they had made it this far, and now he finally had a chance to process what happened.

  Lowering his head, Riley took a deep breath. He saw himself running into Bilal. What a desperate moment, one that had been so close to going wrong. He couldn’t fathom how he had been able to get up when Bilal left him on the cold stone floor, bleeding out of his chest. It took all of Riley’s strength to cover the wound and apply enough pressure so he could transform.

  Even as a deer, it hurt to move, let alone walk or run. His mother had told him what he would need to do and what would happen had he failed to get up off that ground. How Bilal was still standing after Riley drove his antlers into the hunter’s side was beyond him.

  Yet it had been enough. Keira had transformed and they were now one step closer to fulfilling the prophecy. Riley kept his eyes closed tight but lifted his head as he heard a Bronco pull up beside the truck.

  “It can’t be,” Riley whispered.

  He opened his eyes and looked over at the light blue two-door Ford Bronco. Riley saw a larger in size older gentleman with a head full of white thick hair, open the driver’s side door.

  Trying not to stare, Riley watched the man carefully. He noticed the empty soda cans, the pile of candy wrappers, and several torn open Slim Jim boxes in the weathered interior. The old man left the Bronco running.

  “One of these days someone is going to steal his car,” Riley said under his breath.

  While he was fixated on the man, and relieved it wasn’t Bi
lal or anyone else to be overly concerned with, Riley decided it was time to stretch his legs and check on things. They were not even a fifteen minute drive from Diana’s Baths, so feeling safe wasn’t an option quite yet.

  Watching the old man swing open the glass paned front door, Riley looked around the empty parking lot one more time. He noticed clouds moving in over Mount Washington and a distinct chill in the air.

  “Weird,” he said as he opened the door.

  “I’m telling you put the money in first,” Birchard squawked.

  “Why I’m taking advice from a bird is beyond me.”

  “Beats me, since you know until a few hours ago you were an Arctic fox. Sure Foxy, what do I know since I’ve watched people do this thousands of times?”

  “Thousands huh? I thought you lived on the lake?”

  Riley poked his head around the corner of the open foyer and noticed Luza fumbling with the loose change while Birchard lectured her from his perch on the top of the snack vending machine. There were two other machines. One older machine was for coffee and hot chocolate, with the cup dispenser included, and the second was a Coca Cola machine. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed an attendant observing the dynamic duo.

  “I’m not there all the time.”

  “Whatever, Red Eye. Just tell me where to put these coins and how many.”

  “Princess,” Riley interrupted. “Four coins should be enough to start. There’s nothing in that machine over a $1.00.”

  Luza’s head spun quickly to look at Riley. Her hair almost floated with the movement.

  “Thank you.” She looked back at Birchard, “Was that so hard? Sure you’ve seen this done before.”

  “Just get something I like,” Birchard added.

  “I’m not sharing with you. Get your own money.”

  Riley laughed at the exchange. He left the pair to their purchase and cut in the other direction where the stairs led down to the lower level and the bathrooms. There was still no sight of Keira.

  Purposely Riley walked down the circular cement stairs. The recessed lighting made it even brighter than he anticipated as he squinted with each step to the lower level.

  The hallway for the bathrooms were directly at the bottom, while the exhibit area on the history of the Mount Washington Valley and the Presidential Range were to the right with massive windows looking out onto Mount Washington.

  He looked casually over to the exhibit and saw no one, not even an attendant.

  “Where is she?”

  Ever so faintly, he could hear Keira’s whimper down the hallway. Her cries echoed softly from the bathroom stall that she was sitting in.

  Unsure whether he should wait for her, Riley hesitated but thought better of it and proceeded down the hallway. He saw the open doors for the men and the women’s bathroom respectfully.

  Keira’s crying grew louder.

  Hoping no one would see him, Riley took a step towards the bathroom door and was about to enter when the old gentlemen walked out of the men’s room.

  “What are you doing?” he mumbled.

  Riley ignored the man. He took another step into the women’s room.

  “Hey creepy boy, the bathroom’s right here.”

  He didn’t know if he should turn around but when the man’s arm reached out and grabbed onto the collar of his sweater, Riley didn’t have a choice.

  “If you got to go, do it in here. That girl doesn’t need your help.”

  “Maybe she’s a friend of mine,” Riley batted the man’s hand off his shirt.

  “Or maybe she’s not. Maybe you’re why she’s crying.”

  “I didn’t make her cry. I want to make sure she’s okay.”

  “I’m not going to let you do it.”

  Riley glared at the man. “Really? How do you suppose you’re going to do that?”

  “Don’t act all big now, boy. I’ve dealt with you ruffians before.”

  “Clearly not, because you left your Bronco running, you idiot.”

  The man’s cheeks puffed out. Riley didn’t realize he was significantly undersized compared to the old timer who was easily 250 pounds and well over six feet tall. He didn’t even have time to react when the man slammed him against the wall between the two bathroom doors.

  “I should beat the snot out of you right here, right now boy. First you try to sneak in there and get a look at that girl and then you insult me.”

  “She’s my friend. Let go of me, or you are going to regret it.”

  It took all of Riley’s strength to not transform.

  As the man’s right arm wound up, Keira cried out from the bathroom stall, “It’s okay. He really is with me.”

  “It’s your lucky day,” the man loosened his grip slightly. He turned towards the bathroom door. “Are you sure honey? I can take care of him right now if you want me to.”

  “Please don’t. He’s okay, I promise.”

  “Can you let go of me now?” Riley fumed.

  Lowering his fist from Riley’s face, the old man released the boy.

  “You better know your place next time.”

  “Yeah whatever you say, old timer,” Riley pushed the man away and took several steps into the women’s bathroom.

  “Keira may I come in?”

  “I suppose. What are you doing here anyway?” Keira asked softly from behind the stall.

  The old man gave Riley a parting look. He put two of his fingers up to his eyes and then pointed those same fingers back at Riley. Annoyed, the teen waved his arm in the air and blew the man off.

  Riley stepped further into the bathroom and leaned against the wall across from Keira’s stall.

  “I was looking for you after making sure the two animals figured out the vending machine.”

  Keira giggled. “That’s funny. Don’t let her hear you say that?”

  “We’re all animals I suppose. Just imagine learning to walk again. That’s what Luza’s going to have to do.”

  “Or learning how to control what’s inside of me,” Keira said as she unlocked the bathroom door.

  “It’s only been a matter of hours. It takes time.”

  The teen opened the stall door and looked curiously at the boy. She wiped the fallen tears from her face and sniffled.

  “I could hear what happened. Why didn’t you just transform?”

  Riley smirked. “Let me show you.”

  He led Keira out of the bathroom and to the hallway where the exchange occurred.

  “Would you have?”

  Keira looked at the tight quarters of the hallway and then the two open bathroom doors.

  “You can’t just transform because someone is messing with you. There are consequences. I wouldn’t have fit in this area, or maybe barely. Then what happens? I can guarantee you the police would have been called.”

  “Yeah, but —”

  “Part of me wanted to. But there has to be some restraint. I can’t just change every time someone is messing with me. It’s not even fair.”

  “I don’t know... certainly, if given a good reason, it should be okay.”

  “Have a seat,” Riley motioned to a pair of chairs that looked out onto the Presidential Range.

  The black-haired girl followed the boy down the hallway and to the waiting seats. She looked around the open foyer, glancing over the exhibit, and then turning back to Riley.

  “There’s so much at stake that changing form just to deal with an old man would be foolish.”

  “You sound like my dad.”

  “Thanks, I guess. Really he didn’t know who or what he was dealing with. It’s different than say Bilal, a trained killer.”

  “Yeah, I suppose.” Keira looked downward and shuffled her feet. “But even that, was it fair?”

  “Don’t beat yourself up over it, Keira. You had no choice. He wasn’t going to let you walk out of there.”

  “It doesn’t make things easier. I felt good taking his life. Am I supposed to?”

  Riley gently bit do
wn on his lip and looked over at the princess. “I never had to take a life before. I imagine if I did, it would be for the right reason.”

  “Wait, never?” Shocked, Keira looked straight at him.

  He shrugged. “Just because I know what I’m doing, doesn’t mean I have walked that path. I’m sure the time will come when I have to.”

  “I wanted to kill Carrie today.”

  “Don’t we all?”

  “I’m serious. She baited me and I was so close to acting on it.”

  Riley smiled. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

  “Aside from me being a killing machine, why are you glad?”

  “A killing machine huh? That’s sort of funny. Now if you had managed to take her out, I promise you wouldn’t have survived the rebuttal.”

  Keira wanted to know what Riley meant by “rebuttal.” As she looked to clarify what he said, a loud crash came from above.

  “Luza!” Riley yelled. He jumped up from the seat. “Come on, we got to go.”

  “How do you know?” Keira looked up at the stairs.

  “I know.”

  Riley bolted up the steps with Keira close behind. He saw the vending machine knocked over onto the floor. There was broken glass and food scattered everywhere.

  “Are you serious?” Keira shot a glance to the front doors and then back at the scene.

  “This doesn’t seem right.” Riley listened carefully to the sounds around them.

  “What?”

  Keira couldn’t figure out what was going on. She followed Riley out the doors and into the parking lot where they found Luza and Birchard sitting on the bed of the truck.

  Riley was relieved to see that the Bronco and the old man were gone. For a second he thought he was going to have to contend with that issue on top of everything else.

  “What happened?” Keira said in a very firm tone.

  “Nothing,” Luza said as she ate two Cheez-It crackers.

  “Nothing at all,” Birchard repeated. He disappeared from view and came up with several gummy worms in his mouth.

  “Nothing at all huh? I don’t buy it. Do you, Riley?”

  “Not so much.” The boy looked at the pair. “How else would that machine have fallen over?”

  “You’re not our parents so get off it,” Luza replied.

  “You’re also not some little kid Luza. What are you like 17 in human years?” He motioned to Keira. “We have to get out of here before someone calls the police.”