by Dale Mayer
When the notebook and pen were handed back to her she gave a nod, “I’m glad you’re celebrating her life here. She died surrounded by people who cared, and that’s more than many of us get.” She turned and walked out. Back outside in the fresh air she stood still for a moment and stared up at the sky. She whispered out loud, “There was no way law enforcement training ever prepared me for shit like this.”
She heard the rumble of laughter from Jericho somewhere in the vicinity on her right. Maybe not, but you did great.
She shook her head and pulled out her phone. The call came through seconds later. “What do you want, Travis?”
I want you to stop hunting him he said abruptly.
She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Travis, we’ve been over this. You know I have to. It’s the only way for this to be over. Most of the time you’re on board with the plan,” she added humorously.
Don’t. It’s not funny anymore. I think the list of names are people he’s considering killing – but hasn’t made a definite decision. In your case, I think he just made one. And just like that he disappeared.
“Dammit, Travis, get back here. You can’t just drop a bomb like that and disappear.”
But apparently he could because he was no longer around. There wasn’t even a sense of him being there.
What did he say? Jericho asked.
She quickly relayed the new information, adding, “But he didn’t back up his comment with any proof. If he had any he didn’t tell me.”
Stefan’s voice ripped through her mind making her gasp in shock. She bent over and almost fell to her knees.
Jesus, Stefan, stop that, she cried.
Well if you’d open the damn door I wouldn’t have to do it this way, Stefan said, anxiety in his voice. You saved Anna once. We need you to help her again. Etheric form is fine.
Tavika stumbled to her feet. “What’s wrong with Anna? She’s in the hospital safe and sound. Right?”
Not quite. We need you at the hospital. Now!
*
They raced back to her truck parked across from the warehouse. They’d head to the hospital from there. In spirit form.
Somehow Jericho beat her to the hospital and strode into the private children’s wing ahead of her. Obviously something was going on. He also knew neither Stefan nor Dr. Maddy were going to be here in person. Then again he and Tavika weren’t either.
At least not all the time. He was stopped by a nurse wearing a name tag. Carmen. He quickly identified himself. Her face cleared and a big smile lit up her eyes. She led him over to the far corner where Anna lay still, sleeping. He leaned closer. No, not sleeping. Damn. He turned to the nurse.
Stefan didn’t give us much in the way of details. What’s wrong with her? He was relieved she could hear him. Only in one of Stefan and Dr. Maddy’s facilities would this be normal in any way.
“Her silver cord is getting fainter. She’s gone away and come back. Stefan and Dr. Maddy don’t think she’s got more than a day. And then she’ll disconnect.”
Jericho winced. It happened. At this point there was very little he could do to help her. Any idea why Stefan thinks Tavika can help?
The nurse shook her head. “No, but I trust both Dr. Maddy and Stefan. They said she was required to bring Anna home.”
Long clipped strides walked toward them. Even in spirit form he smiled. It was hard to miss her approach.
Well I’m here but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. Why would you guys think I can help?
Stefan’s voice echoed gently between the three adults as he said, Because you need to go into the abyss and follow her to find out where she’s hiding and coax her back home.
If the situation weren’t so serious Jericho would have laughed at the look of shock on her face. Her jaw actually dropped open.
But…
No, Stefan said sternly. You have the capability. You do this all the time. The only difference here is you need to follow her deeper. In fact, this will likely be easier than what you are currently doing.
That’s not exactly the same thing. She shook her head. I can’t do it. She turned to walk away.
Jericho raced behind her. What’s the matter, Tavika? You do go into the abyss all the time?
She refused to look at him. This woman who just faced down dozens of angry teens and single-handedly got them all on her side was now scared of going into a place where she’d already been many times.
He grasped her chin gently and tilted her head so he could look at her face. And saw the terror inside. His heart ached. He might not understand this struggle, but it was obviously major for her.
Tavika? Why is this so difficult?
*
When opportunity struck one had to act.
Hell, it wasn’t his fault they’d driven way the hell out here and parked close to the river. He’d put a tracker on her truck. It was imperative he find her when he was ready. Of course his mind was immediately working on possible scenarios.
But when they came racing back as if about to tear out of the lot – only to have the truck just sit there – he’d been stunned. He’d even gone for a walk to see what the hell was going on.
It was like they were sleeping.
Or maybe drugged?
Still it was a gift.
One he had no intention of turning down.
Chapter 35
She knew she should’ve gone home instead of jumping free while sitting in her truck. They hadn’t thought that through. She’d never done this stuff from anywhere but home.
Leaving her body to come here in spirit form was already hard enough, but these requests, they were like blows to her system.
She took an unsteady breath and said, I don’t know if I can. You’re asking me to go into her psyche. I could kill her. Don’t you see that? To go in there…that’s where I went twenty years ago. No, it’s impossible.
He’d hate her after this. No way he wouldn’t. It was hard to live up to the admiration and respect she’d seen growing in his eyes. She wanted those badly. After a lifetime of scorn and derision they were music to her soul.
But to ask this of her… Besides, there was no way to do what they were asking. Even if she went deeper it didn’t mean she could go inside the poor girl and find her.
Hell, no one would have been able to find Tavika back then. She’d had to come out alone. And she almost hadn’t. There was no way she could help Anna at this stage.
Dr. Maddy’s voice whispered through her mind. Yes you can. I’ll help. We have to save Anna. And if that means you have to greet that little girl who is still hiding in your own little locked away space, then that’s what we need to do. You knew this time was coming. No, we didn’t expect it to be today, but for the sake of another little girl who has already been through enough, please try.
Not fair. Dr. Maddy had already done so much to help her. How could she turn away from a request to help someone else? She bowed her head, raised both hands to cover her eyes. She should be out hunting killers. Not trying to track down silver cords in the abyss.
Have you ever seen cords in the abyss? Dr. Maddy asked.
Tavika opened her eyes and lifted her head. Maybe that’s what those lines had been that she’d seen. I have no idea. I see a lot in there. Most I haven’t understood.
It would be nice if we could talk later. I’d like to learn more, Dr. Maddy said simply.
Tavika turned back to where Carmen stood at Anna’s bedside. It was impossible to think she could do something the famous Dr. Maddy couldn’t.
Oh, it happens all the time, Dr. Maddy said, a note of humor in her voice. We can’t all know everything. Inasmuch as we would like to try.
Her feet dragging, Tavika slowly turned her attention to Anna’s bedside. Carmen’s face glowed with happiness. She said, “Thank you so much for trying.”
And if I fail?
“Then we still thank you for trying,” Carmen said firmly. “Life isn’t always about succ
eeding. We often learn more through failure.”
And she stepped back giving her room, Tavika sat down on the side of Anna’s bed. She wasn’t sure how to begin.
Did she need to go home first? Normally she was in her body when she started these trips.
There was a hell of an audience here, something she wasn’t terribly comfortable with. She was used to moving her hands as needed, and her actions would look comical to those watching. Not to mention impacting her ability to do what she needed to.
Forget about them, Dr. Maddy said. They will have questions as to what you are doing, but they can wait until afterwards or not at all if you aren’t up to answering them. It’s not about you or them. It’s about –
– Anna. Right.
Tavika took a deep breath, released it on an exhale and entered into the abyss. She tried hard to use minimal hand motions and to shrug off the sense of being watched. Dr. Maddy was right. This was about Anna. But she was also out of time. To make this as fast as possible she waved away the clouds and dove straight downward. Wind brushed past her face, blowing her hair, lifting the strands as she dove deeper and deeper. She could hear the faint gasps of those who watched her, knowing they were seeing something freakish. It didn’t matter.
Focused now, she kept going. When she thought she was far enough she opened her eyes, looking for and finding the blue dots. She had to make sure she didn’t slip into the same place she’d been taken to last time. She had no wish to see that dark, cold room ever again.
There was a faint outline on the right. She closed her eyes and chased after it. The clouds moved in between, but with gentle firmness she moved them away. She’d never done this so fast. The descent was almost headache forming. She took several more deep breaths trying to acclimatize to the altitude in this weird space as she sifted through levels.
She tried hard to control the boom but knew the people around her were still feeling the waves as she dove deeper and deeper and deeper.
She dared not go looking. Dared not lose focus. She opened her eyes again and took a second to find loose strands. For a moment she thought she’d gone past where she needed to be. Having done that once and gotten lost, she knew getting back safely was one hell of a nightmare.
But no, it was there. She twisted slightly and followed the blue strand. She slipped continually lower. Finally, she was above the city looking down. And froze because right below her was the hospital.
Where Anna lay. Where Tavika sat.
Surely that couldn’t be right?
Stefan’s voice surrounded her inside and out, the essence of his words sliding through her. It’s right. Keep going.
She’d trusted everyone so far so there was no point in stopping now. She closed her eyes and shot like a beam down the blue as far as it would go. There was an odd sensation of going through something cold and hot. She opened her eyes to see herself hovering right above Anna’s body. Her own sat in front of her. Shocked, she didn’t know what to do.
She’d never seen anything like this.
Once again warmth surrounded her. She could hear Stefan urging, Keep going.
Shuddering, hating the fear rippling at the edges of her energy and the shock of this bizarre scene, she closed her eyes and let her soul fall all the way down. As far as it could.
When she opened her eyes again, it was to feel warmth, like a cozy hug surrounding her, except she was once again in total darkness. She looked around, grateful it wasn’t the same room. It smelled different. The shadows a different form, color. But where was she?
It was like there were dark cotton balls everywhere. She blasted energy out so she could see and all the cotton balls moved back out of the way.
Anna was curled in a tiny ball, her form thin and indistinct. More spirit than body. More faded than substantial. Not like the first time she’d seen her. Why would she choose to be here?
It took a moment to assess the differences between the two spaces, the room where Anna was found and this one, and she realized that this room was warm and the other had been cold. The other full of fear and pain. Here there was a sense of comfort.
And it felt safe.
That’s why Anna was here. She felt safe. Protected from all the horrors of the world. Tavika sat down and lifted Anna into her arms and just held her. This time, instead of her arms going through her, her energy blended with Anna’s and the hug became a two way energy exchange.
Anna snuggled in close.
If she’d had someone come to her in this form when she’d been held captive, Tavika knew she’d have stayed there too. It was too difficult to return to the land of the living. There was so much pain, anything was better than remembering it. Which was why she hadn’t. She’d locked her memories down and refused to open them.
But she had grown up and made something of herself. And now maybe with Jericho she could make something with him.
She wanted that for Anna.
First, she had to get her to come back out of this space. Anna, you can’t stay here.
Anna shook her head, little bits of energy flaring off of her as she did. Why? Because people who love you are waiting for you. There’s a much better life than you’ve been able to have so far ahead of you. If you stay here you’ll die. You’ll fade away and never come back. You’ll never see your mom or dad again. Or have a puppy. You’ll never be able to dance, sing, or swim.
Doesn’t matter.
So what does matter? Laughter? Ice cream? Cookies? Your mother’s hug?
She sent me to him. It’s her fault.
Tavika winced. And she’s very sorry. She didn’t know he was a bad man. She feels horribly guilty. It’s breaking her heart to see you lying in your bed like this.
He’s a bad man.
Yes. He is a bad man, but he’s been picked up by the police and he’s in jail. He will never get out. This bad man will have a very bad time in jail. It still doesn’t stop your mom from losing her little girl who she loves very much.
She could feel more than see Anna’s response. You love your mom, don’t you?
Anna nodded. Do you want to see your mom cry for the rest of her life too?
This time Anna’s headshake was even stronger.
Good. Then let me take you home. When you wake up your mom will be there to hold you. And she’s never going to let you go.
She could feel Anna’s small arms creep up around her neck and she whispered, Okay.
Tavika wrapped her up tight in her arms and blended her energy as much as she could with the little girl’s and in her mind she wished Anna back into her body.
There was a soft whoosh followed by an odd landing.
With her arms suddenly empty, Tavika opened her eyes, wondering why the hell anybody would trust her to do something like this. She had no idea what she was doing and could do irreparable harm.
She could kill this little girl.
And just like that Anna’s body appeared below her. She watched in shocked joy as Anna’s body shifted on the bed as her soul realigned. Her mother came rushing across the room, tears streaming down her face, joy breaking across her features.
Instantly she sat down and snatched up Anna’s hand. Carmen stood at her side, tears in her eyes.
Beside them stood a beautiful man who radiated a strong golden energy. Stefan? He turned to look at her directly and smiled.
It was him. Tavika slowly lowered down so she stood at Stefan’s side.
In her mind he said, You did a great job, Tavika. Never doubt yourself.
She snorted. You have any idea how badly I could have messed that up?
He smiled. A heart with pure intention will always rise to the top.
She shook her head. You live in a golden world, Stefan. Reality is a lot different.
She turned to look for Jericho. There was no sign of him.
Where is Jericho?
Stefan frowned. No idea. He was here.
Just then a twisting grinding pain took a hold of her. Jesus.
Tavika arched, her spirit spinning out of control but consumed by pain. She didn’t know what was happening. Dear God, Stefan, what’s going on? Something is wrong. Help.
She screamed, a sound that seemed to go on forever – until a blow to the side of the head stopped it instantly.
And she went unconscious.
*
The scream was a sound he never wanted to hear again. He couldn’t even begin to recognize it. But the tone was one he knew well. That was Tavika’s voice. He struggled to reach for her. Only to realize the scream had ripped through his mind.
She was no longer beside him.
What the hell happened? He cast his mind trying to figure out where he was versus where he’d been. They’d been speaking with the group of kids, Sarah’s friends. And then Stefan had said they were needed to help Anna. They raced out to the truck, and given the urgency, they stayed and jumped free from there.
Tavika had been worried she wouldn’t be able to go into the abyss if she wasn’t in her natural surroundings, but he’d reassured her several times this was something they could do from anywhere.
Something clamored for attention. He was moving. The truck was moving. Rolling downward.
What the hell? The truck slammed into something hard and he heard splashing water. With a horrible knowing he watched as the truck sank in the river with him in it. His hands and ankles were tight. He sent out a warning to Stefan.
Stefan, I’m in trouble. Tavika is missing. I just woke from spirit walking at the hospital with you. I’m in the truck where we left our bodies, but she’s not here and the truck’s sinking into the river. I’m not even sure what river. We were parked around…he struggled to remember the address. Then it came to him – the warehouse district at First and Wicker. She’s been kidnapped. While we were helping Anna somebody was helping himself to us.
