Cursed Days

by J. M. LeDuc

  “What kind of company?” Seven asked.

  “Sharks. Hammerheads, and lots of them.”

  “This might be a good time to turn around,” Bishop Jessup gasped. “The ark has been missing for over three thousand years. What’s another day or two?”

  “Stand your ground,” Brent ordered. “Both of you.”

  “What do you see that we can’t, Colonel?” Seven said.

  “The sharks are organized, like in a school.”

  “Great, so we have smart sharks. Even more reason to leave and come back another day,” the Bishop said.

  “That’s just it, Bishop, Hammerhead sharks don’t travel in groups or schools.” Looking back at Seven and Bishop Jessup, Brent said. “With slow movements, remove and ready your weapons. I’m going to try something.”

  Brent, with tentative motion, swam into the fray of the school. The closer he got, the more frenzied the sharks became. They started to dart to his left and right as he made his way into an open area. A Great Hammerhead, the most dangerous of all types, came darting toward him and body slammed him as it swam by. The sheer force of it caused Brent to lose his balance. As he tumbled backward he lost grip on the air canister that was in his mouth.

  “Colonel, get the hell out of there.” Seven’s voice was panicked. “If that shark wants to attack, all the ammo we have collectively won’t even slow it down.

  Brent slowly picked himself up off the ocean floor, readjusted his face mask and reached for another air container. He pulled the tab and placed it in the air tight opening in his face shield.

  “I’m alright,” he said. “If he wanted me dead, I would be gone already.”

  He made his way to the front wall of the cave. In front of him were three small openings. The same three he faced when trying to gain access to Ferric’s mansion during the rescue of Maddie and Chloe over a year ago. Brent let some air out of his buoyancy compensator and knelt on the cave floor. The sharks no longer darted back and forth, but circled him in a controlled fashion.

  Seven and the Bishop crept forward until they could see Brent from their position. “Colonel, they look like they’re biding their time. Waiting to go for the kill.” Seven said. “This isn’t worth it. You need to back out of there.”

  “No can do, Sev. If I back out, they will know I’m not the one and attack.”

  Bishop Jessup freaked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Easy, Bishop,” Brent whispered as if the sharks could hear and understand him. “Don’t you think it’s odd that hammerheads would school down here in the cave. They don’t normally travel in packs and there is no food down here. . . ”

  “Then what are they doing here?” the Bishop interjected.

  “They’re guarding the ark. They are God’s best natural defense against someone trying to steal it.” Brent continued to kneel on the floor and eyed the three openings. Every once in a while a shark would break off from the pack and swim into the holes on the left and right side. When they did, a different one would come out.

  “Watch their movement. They’re switching off guard duty. Amazing,” Brent said.

  Seven watched the movement and knew Brent was right. “We’re going to make our way to you,” he said.

  “Slow and deliberate,” Brent said. “If you make any quick movements or show signs of fear, they will think you’re the false guardian and they will attack.”

  “God help us,” the Bishop mumbled as he followed Seven.

  All three knelt side by side. The sharks again darted left and right, dive bombing between them and swiping them with their dorsal fins.

  “Stay calm,” Brent said. “They’re testing you. Wait for them to again swim in a circle before making any movement.”

  A few minutes later the sharks once again started to circle them. The Great Hammerhead always in the lead.

  “Now what?” the Bishop asked.

  “Now we figure out which hole is on the right side,” Seven answered.

  “If we choose wrong, we’re finished. We’ll be dead before we take our next breath,” Brent said.

  “If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn’t work,” Bishop Jessup trembled.

  “If you liked that one, you’ll love what I’m about to say.”

  Bishop Jessup looked at Brent. “What’s that mean?”

  “It means, which ever hole we choose, you need to lead the way in.”

  “What!”

  “Bishop—this is no place for fear—the sharks can sense it and will attack at our weakness.” Brent hesitated as the Great Hammerhead came barreling toward them. At the last second, it veered upward and swam over them. Regaining his thought, Brent said, “A priest must touch the ark, before anyone else. If either I or Seven attempt to swim in either cave, we’re done.”

  “And if we choose wrong?” the Bishop asked.

  “Then we’ll say nice things about you at your funeral,” Seven said sardonically. “Man, how I wish I could dip tobacco down here,” he added.

  “All business, boys,” the Colonel ordered. “Bishop, which hole do you think is the one on the right?

  Quiet filled the cavern as he studied what was in front of them. “Logic tells me it’s the one to our right, but, I don’t think we can look at this logically. I think we have to look at it biblically.”

  “What do you mean, padre?” Seven asked.

  “The Book says that Christ will sit on the right side of the Father. He sits on the right from God’s perspective. Assuming that reasoning can be used here, then the hole on our left would be the one to enter.”

  “Would you stake your life on it?” Brent said.

  “This is no time for twenty questions. You asked what I thought. That’s what I think.”

  Brent agreed. Looking to both of the men who were at his sides, he said. “We need to approach as friends, not enemies. Put your guns away.”

  Both did as ordered.

  “Bishop, you’ll lead and I’ll follow. Seven if you see any sharks dart into the hole or see any sight of blood, you are to go for the center hole. That will take you to the pond behind the Inn.”

  “But. . . ”

  “No buts. That’s an order. Understood?”

  Seven closed his eyes and nodded. “That’s an affirmative, Colonel.”

  “Good, now let’s move forward, Bishop.”

  “Have I told you two how much I enjoy traveling with you?”

  “Oh good, his sarcasm is back,” Seven said.

  Bishop Jessup slightly inflated his buoyancy compensator so he was hovering over the ocean bottom. Using his hands to pull himself forward he eased his way toward the hole. The Colonel was right on his heels. The closer to the hole they got, the more frenzied the sharks became.

  They began to swim faster, bumping into them with more force with each pass.

  Brent could hear the Bishop’s breathing become panicked. He sucked faster and harder with each breath. Without the solid footing underneath, Bishop Jessup was being tousled about by each brushing. The more he tried to right himself, the more freaked out he became.

  Grabbing the Bishop by the ankle, Brent helped to steady him. “Lift both arms like your flying, and listen,” he said. He waited until he saw his arms go out. “Good, now hold that position and look directly at the sharks as they pass.”

  Because of the hammer shaped heads, the shark’s eyes were spread wide. This made their approach seem as if they were zig zagging as they swam. It made them appear even more ominous in appearance. “You need to be the alpha dog. The one in control. The more they sense your fear, the more they’re going to toy with you.”“You call this toying? They seem ticked,” the Bishop replied.

  “They’re testing you. Fear or retreat will cause them to become more aggressive.” Brent lifted his feet off the floor and hovered. “Float
. Think shark, not human. You need to be one with the environment.”

  “That’s just. . . ”

  “Quiet, and do it.”

  Brent let go of the Bishop’s feet and watched. “Slow your breathing and stare at them. Take control.”

  The sharks, beginning with the Great, started to slow their approach and stopped hitting them as they swam by.

  “Use a dolphin kick and move into the mouth of the cave.”

  “Did you have to say mouth,” the Bishop said.

  They swam in unison into the opening. As the water around them began to clear, Brent could hear the excitement build in the Bishop’s breathing. “Oh my god,” he said.

  CHAPTER 74

  Brent kicked and floated next the Bishop Jessup. In front of them were two sharks circling what appeared to be a water tight box sitting on a pedestal.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  “I think so,” Brent said. “With authority, move towards it.”

  As the two moved further into the cave, the sharks moved aside and let them approach. Up close, they could see two wooden poles covered in barnacles on either side of the box. Bishop Jessup reached down and picked one up. The silt cleared and gold could be seen glistening off the wood.

  “Seven, move to the mouth of the cave,” Brent said. “We’re going to pass the poles back to you.”

  One by one, they passed the poles back and felt Seven take them from their grip. When both were removed, Brent said, “Seven take the poles and swim into the center opening. It will open up into a larger space. When it does, head for the surface. You’ll pop up in the pond where Fitz and Jefferson will be waiting. Pass them to them and wait for further orders.”

  Seven held each pole in the center so they didn’t drag the bottom and did as he was ordered. As he moved, the sharks parted, giving him room to swim. He swore they bowed their head in reverence as he passed.

  “Alright, Bishop, this is the time we’ve been waiting for,” Brent said. “Swim to the back of the cave, behind the box. Keep your hands on it at all times. Be in control.”

  The Bishop did as he was told. He reached out and touched the front of the box and slid his hand along it as he swam into position. The two guarding the ark gave way and let him pass. Brent moved forward until he was in front of the ark. He then reached out and laid his hands on the box.

  “On your count of three, we gently lift the box off the pedestal and begin to swim out,” Brent said.

  They both moved their hands along the sides of the box until they were under it. Brent waited for the Bishop’s command.

  “One, Two, Three,” he said.

  On his mark, they slowly lifted the box. They could hear cracking sounds as it broke free of its barnacled footing. Once free, they began to retreat out of the hole. Back in the main grotto, the sharks seemed to form two lines as they moved between them. They made their way to the center hole and the Great Hammerhead broke ranks and swam up to them. It circled each of them, rubbing itself against them as it passed. Like a cat would do at your ankles.

  They stopped and looked at it as it made one more pass. Knowing its job was finished, the Great led the others out of the grotto and back to sea. With the sharks gone, the two moved a bit faster into the opening and then into the pond.

  “Seven, I need you to come back down and get the pedestal from the hole we just came out of. Once this box is on land, we cannot let it touch the ground. It must be placed back on its stand before we can proceed.”

  They watched their friend descend and swim past them. Moments later he swam by them carrying the pedestal.

  “When you have passed it to our brothers, give us the word and we’ll surface with the Ark.”

  Once on dry land, they all stood around the box and stared in silent humility. Brent ran his hands over and examined the box.

  “It’s amazing how water tight this is.”

  Jefferson dropped to his knees and looked closer. “Colonel, was your great-grandfather in the Navy?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Each board and joint that make up this box are coated with a sealant only known to the Navy. It’s used on water drops.”

  The other members of the squad came from the other branches of the Armed Forces, so they stared at Malcolm with curiosity.

  Reading their faces he continued, “The Navy will seal each box of equipment dropped over or near water with a special epoxy that can stay water proof for years in case of a loss.”

  “That explains how the ark can remain dry, but now what?” Seven asked.

  “Why don’t we just open the box here and make sure the ark’s inside?” Jefferson asked.

  “No,” Brent said, “There is only one place holy enough to open it.”

  “There are steel loops in the front and back of the box on both sides,” the Bishop said. “They must be for the poles.”

  Brent reached down and picked up a pole and slid it through the loops. “Bishop, you’re in front. Fitz, take the back. Seven, you and Jefferson carry the pedestal.” Brent trailed off for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. His eyes glazed over for a moment. He rubbed the fatigue from them and reopened them. Vision and mind clear. “Put everything in the basement of the Inn.”

  Once in the basement, they placed the box on top of the heavy marble stand. “I want an armed squad member to stay with it at all times,” Brent said. “Call Scarlet. She has the first four hours, followed by Jefferson, Seven and myself.”

  Colonel Venturi looked Sergeant Fitzpatrick square in the eye. “I know you’ve shown your allegiance, but until you have undergone a complete Psych eval, you are relieved of duty as of now. I’m headed back to HQ to check on my wife. You can walk with me.”

  Fitz came to attention, saluted and followed his commanding officer into the Endowment tunnel.

  CHAPTER 75

  Four days later, they gathered inside the Holy of Holies. No one but the Bishop and Brent had ever been inside before. They looked as if they were witnessing an oncoming tornado. Excitement and fear. None of them could believe their eyes. The tabernacle had again transformed into something more spectacular than before. The walls were again full of scripture, but now they were adorned in gold.

  On the altar sat the Arks of the Endowment and Enlightenment as well as the sword of truth. At the foot of the altar laid the sword of the darkness, not worthy to be placed on top.

  In front of the altar stood the stone pillar on which sat the box that was pulled from the ocean depths.

  Brent turned to Bishop Jessup who was dressed in his vestments. “It’s time to open the box.”

  The Bishop nodded, stood in front of the box, said a prayer in Latin and blessed himself with the sign of the cross. The rest did the same. Brent placed a chisel at a corner seam which they earlier decided was the hinge pin to the box. Bishop Jessup took a wooden mallet and lightly tapped the head of the chisel driving it in between the wooden planks. With a load crack, the seal gave way and all four sides of the box fell away to reveal the Ark of the Covenant. They stood, speechless at the splendor.

  The Ark made from Chitin wood and blazoned in gold leaf sat before them. Outlining the top of the ark was a row of small angels. All were on their knees. Their wings were spread wide so the tips were touching. A closed loop. There were thirteen on the front and back side and eight on either end. In the middle of them there were two large angels facing each other. They had their wings out in front, again touching. Their wings formed the Mercy Seat as told in the Old Testament.

  Chloe, the historian and archivist removed a small camel haired brush from her pocket and swept the centuries of dust from the ark. Doing so revealed etching similar to those on the other two arks.

  Brent waived the Bishop closer, “What does it say?”

  Pad and pencil in hand, Bishop Jessup began to copy what he saw. He knew it wa
s written in Hebrew. Therefore, he copied from top to bottom and right to left. He used his gift of languages to read what was written.

  All will be revealed when this last piece of the puzzle is placed next to its brothers

  Do not attempt to open until the puzzle is complete and

  Truth is revealed.

  “It will take me days to carefully remove all the accoutrement and the gold filigree from the ark and place it with the other pieces. Until then we do nothing,” Bishop Jessup said.

  Brent opened his mouth to speak, but something caught his eye. Over the curtain was a new etching.

  The Cursed Days which began in the garden ended for

  all those who have trusted their lives to my Son. But even

  to The Chosen, hardship must fall for destiny to be played out.

  A chill ran up Brent’s spine as he read the words. He did not want to spend another moment inside the Holy of Holies and opened the curtain to leave. As he pushed it aside, it tore slightly and thunder roared inside the tabernacle. No one spoke of which they read.

  CHAPTER 76

  Another three days passed before Bishop Jessup gave word that his task was completed. The directorate of the SIA stood around a table inside the Holy of Holies. The altar now held the rows of angels and the mercy seat. On top of the table sat the three pieces of gold leaf. Each had been meticulously extracted from each of the arks. They were laid out like pieces of a puzzle with an inch of clearance between them.

  The Bishop was so busy that he did not hear or feel the presence of the others. When he finally looked up, he was startled to see his brothers and sisters.

  Brent broke the silence. “The pulpit is all yours, Bishop.”

  He nodded, complete exhaustion shown through his excitement. Eyes bloodshot and dilated from the dim light. Sweat, new and old clung to his cassock and skin. He licked his cracked lips and asked for a drink of water.

  Maddie handed him a thermos. “Do you mean tell me you have had nothing to eat or drink in the past three days?” she asked.