by Lynn Landes
"No, what I need is to see Jake," she states looking at Seth, hating herself for hurting him.
He goes perfectly still, then turns and leaves without another word. Jake returns a few minutes later to see Heather struggling with her shoes. "Seth said you wanted to see me,” he says bending down to pull off her shoe.
"Thank you, Jake I need to give you something. Consider it a gift. Can you hand me my bag please?"
"Heather you really don't have to give me anything; I was just doing my job,” Jake says uncomfortably.
"Right" turning around Heather pulls out the package from the ceiling in her apartment and holds it out to Jake. "I need you to hold onto this and keep it safe for me."
"What is it?” he asks hesitating. "You know what, never mind. I don't want to know," He continues taking it and putting it in his pocket. Watching her sway on her feet he says, "You need to sleep. You will have a guard posted at all times, in case you need anything."
Stepping outside he is not surprised to find Seth waiting for him. "I will take first watch" Jake says.
"Last time I left her with you, she was attacked; I don't think I trust you with her, Jake," he says stepping into his space.
Looking up at his friend, Jake asks him "Are you stupid, and blind? She's crazy about you!" he says glaring at him. “She's just too terrified to admit it, Seth. She's in trouble, what happened in that cave was just the tip of the iceberg."
Running his hands over his face Seth is frustrated. "I was there too, Jake. Whatever she did in that cave changed me. I have been seeing things that I've never seen before," he whispers. "I want her to trust me and tell me what the hell is going on!"
"Once we are on the plane, you will have the time you need to talk to her," Jake says. "Try to get some rest Seth; you’re going to need it. She's a handful, and she's trying to protect you."
"While she's busy protecting everyone else, who is looking out for her?" Seth asks.
The first shift passed uneventful, Seth relieved Jake around two am. Seth intended to keep it professional and keep his distance, but he found that he couldn't do it. Leaning over her, he covered her with his jacket, and watched with a smile as she curled her good hand up in it and sighed. Mine, he thinks. That's what she is; now he has to convince her.
Feeling much more optimistic, he turns to go back to his post and sees a shadow moving in the room. Keeping his body between Heather and the shadow he watches as it takes the shape of a man with a black hat and long black trench coat. It has no facial features except red glowing eyes. Pointing his shaded finger at Heather, she starts to struggle in her sleep. Grasping her hands around her throat she fights for breath as though being strangled, Seth launches himself at the shadow only to hear a scream as it blows to mist. He lands hard in the hallway, and twisting around he watches the Shadowman reform and fade away.
Heather is sitting up coughing with a hand on her throat, staring at Seth with horror filled eyes "What have I done to you?" Dropping her face to her hands, she cannot look at him.
"Heather, tell me what's going on," Seth says looking at Jake as he comes running in.
Curling up on the cot with a cup of hot coffee in her hand, Heather looks at the men in front of her. They were looking to her for answers and she is not sure how they will react. "It will be easier for me to show you, take me to the morgue. I need to see Craig's body" she says standing up.
"NO!" they say in unison.
Heather holds up her hand and marches over to the two giants. "Like it or not, you need answers, and I am sick of being attacked! Take me to the morgue before they come back with more!”
"Fine" Jake says, "but we have to be quick I don't know how I will explain this." Jake leads the way out the back door into another hanger. Seth follows sticking close to Heather. The frigid air in the room is a welcome relief. Four wooden coffins are lined up with American flags folded on top of each. A name is carved into the foot of each one. Looking around Heather feels sad at the loss of lives but honored to be able to help these lost souls cross over.
"Seth I need you to sit on the floor and hold me. No matter what don't let go. Jake you will be on guard, please don't let them take my body," she whispers to him.
Sitting on the floor of the small room, she leans back against Seth and closes her eyes. She immediately feels the rhythm of his heart beating with hers. Smiling softly she hears his intake of breath and she knows he is with her. Rising out of her body she looks down at the scene below, she see Jake standing in shock looking at them and the coffins in the room. Then she hears a noise and follows it down to Craig's box.
Seth is watching and he feels Heather's breathing slow and her body goes limp. "Heather" he asks shaking her, he looks at Jake. "What's happening?" he asks starting to panic.
Jake whispers "It's okay, I can see them. It's amazing, she’s talking to Craig."
Frustrated Seth looks down at Heather and wishes he could be with her. To his astonishment he feels a snap of electricity and with a jolt finds he has lifted out of his body. His limbs feel heavy, unable to move he watches Heather.
Craig is standing near his coffin, shaking his head no and looking at Heather. "Are you an Angel? I can't leave yet!” he says desperately backing away from her. "My wife Samantha needs me, were having a baby."
"I know Craig, I'm so sorry but your time here is up. She will be taken care of, I promise. Your family and hers are with her. She won't be alone." To Heather's shock Seth moves forward and Craig smiles. "Cowboy? What are you doing here! Are you dead too?"
"Not yet" he smiles. Imagining his legs moving he finds himself stepping closer. "Craig you need to listen to Heather, Sam wouldn't want you to be lost in between. She is so proud of you; she wanted you to know that she loves you." Tears fall freely down Craig's face as he listens intently to Seth. Putting his hands on the man’s shoulders he says "You have a son, Craig. He will grow up knowing that you fought for those who could not fight for themselves and he will be proud."
"A son!” he whispers in awe. "I wish I could see him before I go," Craig says.
"Craig" Heather says stepping forward "the gift of this life is that death is not the end. It is only a step to another place, you will watch your son grow and when it is time you will all be together again."
Looking at Seth, Craig says "You make sure my boys okay. Look after Sam for me and tell her I love her." Seth nods.
A soft light appears glowing in the distance flickering like the flame of a candle. Turning to look at it Craig's face fills with joy. With each step he takes the flame grows taller, flickering and waiting. From inside the shape of a woman appears; she waits as all Mothers do. Stepping into the arms of love, Craig finds peace.
Holding Seth's hand to anchor him, Heather watches the light fade. Seth turns to her and says with awe, "Tell me how you did that!" Laughing Heather can't believe how well he's taking this. "I will but not here. Seth to get back to your body you just..."a vibration ripples through Heather’s body. Panicking she says, "They are coming!"
Thinking only of his safety she pictures a shield of pure white light around his body. She steps away dropping his hand and sends him back to his body with a mental push.
With a jerk Seth opens his eyes to see Jake staring at them."That was incredible!" Jake says.
"I have to go back, they are coming and she's alone!" Panicking he stares at Jake. "What's coming Seth"
He begins to feel the vibrations in his body, small at first. With his arms still around Heather, He looks at Jake asking "Do you feel that?"
With a small nod, Jake says firmly "You have to go back."
Heathers body jerks back against Seth and he looks at his friend in horror as she starts to buck in his arms. Closing his eyes he tries to port back, but finds a bright white shield locking him in place!"
"Jake you have to go! She is blocking me! Damnit Jake, Help me!" he cries holding her convulsing body in his arms. "Tell me how!" Jake asks.
"Picture her in your mind,
Hurry Jake!" he says as more vibrations ripple in the air around him.
Jake closes his eyes as an electric pulse ripples around him causing the hair on his arms to rise. A rush of cool air sends chills over Jakes body. Looking up he sees Heather frozen in the air, eyes wide open, and her mouth open in a silent scream. Small demons are attached to her like leaches, feeding off her spirit.
Glowing with a golden light, Jake is done feeling like a victim, he reaches for a current of electricity and pulls a beam of light free. Testing it he imagines it flowing and radiating with a powerful white light. Adjusting his grip he holds it like a whip.
"Okay time to play." He whips it around and snaps it in the air. At the first assault some of the creatures drop off with a squeal. Jake strikes with a loud crack them as they flee, bursting them into particles of light. The remaining leaches drop off and come toward him, flowing together to form a larger demon.
With a smile he lashes out with his whip, encircling the demons head. With a fierce jerk of the whip he severs the head splintering it into a cloud of ash. Heather drops to the ground landing on her feet, weak and exhausted she looks at him and says "Now, that’s what a Keeper does Jake!" Laughing Jake says "You’re going to tell me everything!"
"To return to your body; just think the thought and you will return," Heather says. "Let’s go, Seth is going out of his mind with worry," Jake tells her.
Thinking of Seth, Heather feels his arms tight around her once more. Taking a moment she savors the sensation before opening her eyes. "Okay cowboy, ease your grip I can't breathe."
"You ever pull a stunt like that again Heather and...” Seth whispers in her ear squeezing her. The sound of voices reminds them of where they are. Helping her they hurry back to Heather's room, Jake turns to Heather saying, "Our flight leaves in two hours for Germany. From there you have a flight to California."
"Jake the bag I gave you, will you go get it?" Heather asks quietly. Exhaustion is taking over, but they need to know what's really going on. "Of course, I'll be back," he says hurrying away.
Seth closes in cornering Heather. Gently he lifts her chin so he can look into her eyes. "Do you have any idea how you made me feel back there? Why is it that you trust Jake but not me?
"I won't apologize Seth. I couldn't stand it if you were to get hurt because of me." Her eyes plead with him to understand. "This is new territory for me." Leaning down he captures her mouth, slipping his tongue into her moist heat. Reaching up she strokes his cheek deepening the kiss and she is startled at her body’s heated response. Seth growls; wishing for more privacy and time to show her how he feels. Heathers breaks off, trying to back away, breathing hard she says, "Please Seth we can't..."
Refusing to let her push him away he says "Yes We can, I need to taste you," he coaxes her with his wet tongue. Burying a hand in her hair he pulls her head back and swallows her protest with his mouth.
Pushing at his chest, Heather feels tears prick her eyes. In a few hours they would go their separate ways and her heart would break. Seth feels her shutter and lets her push him away. Leaning in he sees the tears in her eyes and says "Heather, this pull between us is so strong. I know you feel it too! Why do you keep pushing me away?"
Jake walks in and says with a grin "Should I come back?"
"No, Yes!” they say simultaneously. "I brought your bag back," Jake says still smiling.
Blushing Heather grabs the bag and walks over to the cot. "Okay; James, the friend I have been staying with disappeared a few months ago. One night he came in so excited about the day’s discoveries. He showed me some pictures of a small opening, it was an undiscovered cave. Not only did they uncover a room full of stones, but two large clay pots filled to the brim with coins. Lots of other various pots as well, some broken, some not and lots of artifacts. It was the smaller stones that had caught my eye. Some of the larger stones were being carefully preserved, as well as the coins and artifacts. The smaller stones were considered not as important."
Heather takes the black bag and carefully pulls out three small stones. Getting on her knees in front of the cot she places them side by side with the inscriptions facing up.
Feeling the men move in behind her she continues. Reaching under the cot, she pulls out another bag. Placing three more identical stones she lays them side by side beneath the first three.
"You stole them?" Seth asks bewildered.
"Technically, yes I did but I have a very good reason. These stones are what are known as the Stones of War. James knew they were important but not many people can read Ancient Aramaic." Looking at her Seth asks, “Can you?"
"I don't have to read it to know what these are. I have been told stories about these since I was little, by my grandfather," Heather responds
"James was in charge of our group. We were instructed to make three dimensional images of each stone. The stones were sorted on tables by size. With close to five thousand stones the images began to blend together, so James broke us up into three groups. I was assigned to work the smaller stones. This one caught my eye," she says pointing at one stone.
"I was not alone in my discoveries. James started to realize what we had found. These other tablets belonged to a library of Old Testament teachings." Reaching for Seth's hand she rises up, and excitedly continues. "The stones were almost identical, word for word in some cases, to Old Testament teachings. They were written in multiple languages Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Sumerian, Acadians, the list goes on!"
"James grew more excited and began asking questions, but the local government just wanted us to do our job, not ask questions. He was warned multiple times but he didn't listen. I tried to talk to him but he was determined that the world should know about this," she said.
"Heather why would the government care about this?" Jake asks. "It would be great for tourism and the local economy, a boost for this area."
"Maybe because it challenges their religious beliefs, I don’t know," Heather responds.
Seth tugs her hand and asks her, "What happened to James?"
"James must have asked the wrong question because soldiers came in and we were told to stop immediately. They confiscated all our computers, cameras, 3-D imaging lasers, all our data, even our cell phones. They were escorting us from the site and James grew livid. He lost his mind, screaming, yelling, knocking over tables and they attacked him. During the chaos I grabbed the stones. They took him away, and we were told our work visas were being revoked.”
"As soon as I got back to my apartment, I hid the stones and planted a decoy. I was worried that I would be targeted because I lived with him. It turned out to be true, the next night, the soldiers came. They tossed the apartment blind folded me and then, you know the rest." Seth pulled her closer, needing to touch her. "Heather what is this gift you have?"
"And how did you recognize it in me, does everyone have it?" Jake questions her. Sighing and looking at the clock Heather says, "I can tell you what I know, but we are out of time. My flight leaves soon." Turning she wraps the stones up again tucking them back into her bag.
"You mean our flight leaves soon," Seth says.
Jakes laughs saying "Real Smooth cowboy” jabbing him affectionately in the arm. Confused Heather turns and stares at Seth as he explains, "I changed your flight with the General’s help and you will be flying with us to Germany. I was hoping for more time with you. You seem to get into trouble when you are alone."
"That's an understatement. You are a magnet for trouble." Jake says. Hope blooms in Heathers eyes, and smiling she walks into Seth's arms. "You have no idea how much this means to me, Thank you both."
Twelve
Grabbing his duffel bag Jake finishes packing. “Time to go home,” he thinks as he packs up his personal laptop. "Damn where is my flash drive," he mutters looking all around, grabbing it off his bunk.
A knock has him turning around, standing in the doorway is a fellow airmen, "Hey Jake the Master Sergeant wants to see you ASAP."
"On my way” J
ake replies as he grabs his gear and drops it outside in the hall and heads down to the offices.
Once outside the office, he knocks and waits for permission to enter. Looking at the clock, he is wondering how long this will take because his flight leaves in an hour.
"Come on in Jake," Master Sergeant Scott Davis greets him, "Jake we received a call from your family regarding a personal matter, you may want to sit down." Jakes heart stops for a moment.
"I arranged for you to Skype with your family on my computer in ten minutes, take all the time you need son," he says as he turns the computer to him, and leaves.
Jake waits unsure what's going on, thinking his parents are not getting any younger maybe something happened to one of them? He presses the call button and waits for the connection.
A huge smile crosses his face when he sees both his parents on the screen. "Hi Guys," relief shutters through his body until he looks closely at his Mother. It's obvious she has been crying, her eyes are swollen and her nose is red. Glancing at his Father his smile begins to fade. Doubt coils in his stomach ready to strike, as his dad says "Jake we have some bad news," taking a breath he continues "your car was found totaled on the parkway and Elsbeth," his voice breaks up as he looks at his wife; "I, I, can't ..." he whispers.
His mother states "Elsbeth was driving, but when they found the car, she was missing. Blood was found at the scene and animal tracks" she drops her head trying to get through the conversation. "But no body, the police are doing everything they can..." she says looking at her husband.
"I'm on my way. Look at me both of you!” he says, "Beth is fine; we will figure this out together.” His father’s eyes brim with tears, "they are trying to close the case Jake. They think the animals....that we will not recover her body."
"I won't let that happen. How long has it been?” he replies thinking of the fastest way to get home. "Five days. Jake, hurry home," his mother says crying openly.
"I will, I love you both. I will call you when I am stateside," he responds breaking the connection. Jumping up Jake jerks the door open and grabs his gear, he heads to the airport.
