Red-Line: The Shift (Volume One)

by J. T. Bishop

  Neither Declan nor Leroy said anything.

  “Can we do that?” asked Hannah. “Can we work on him while he’s connected?”

  “Whatever you do to him, you do to her, and vice versa,” Leroy answered.

  Hannah considered that. “Well, throwing something warm on him shouldn’t hurt. We have an electric blanket.”

  Leroy and Declan both looked at each other again, and Declan shrugged. “I don’t think it would hurt.”

  Hannah started to leave the room but stopped as she neared the door. She hesitated.

  “What is it?” asked Leroy.

  She stared over at him. “We have to think of a way to get him back, Leroy. If this works and she starts to generate the kind of heat she did before…”

  Leroy finished her sentence. “She’ll boil him alive.”

  Hannah said nothing as she walked out of the room.

  **

  DECLAN SAT BY the bed while Hannah adjusted the blanket over Ramsey and Sarah. She had been monitoring both of them since the morning, with little to no change in either of them during the last eight hours. Restless with waiting but unable to do anything else, Declan listened to Leroy’s raised voice from the other room. Leroy had finally called to update Morgana on the situation, and he’d been talking to her for over an hour. If Leroy’s booming voice was any indication, the conversation had deteriorated.

  Declan tuned him out as Hannah finished and joined him by the bed. “Any change?” he asked.

  “Not really.” She stretched and rubbed her tired neck, looking as if her rest from the previous night now felt light years away. She watched the sleeping duo. “I suppose that’s good news. They’re not getting any worse.”

  “Maybe.” Declan didn’t seem so convinced. Leroy’s voice reached them again. “I’m beginning to think Leroy may be in worse shape than those two,” Declan observed.

  “Yeah, well,” answered Hannah, “at least the conversation won’t kill him.”

  Declan made a brief chuckle. “You don’t know Morgana very well.”

  Hannah threw a confused glance at him just as Leroy stormed into the room.

  He dropped his phone onto the side table. “That woman is the most irritating, difficult, unpleasant, annoying...” He paced as he tried to think of another adjective.

  “Aggravating,” Declan interjected.

  “Yes, that too,” said Leroy.

  Hannah tried to help. “Exasperating?”

  Leroy agreed. “You have no idea.”

  “Conversation went well?” asked Declan.

  Leroy huffed and sat down with the two of them. “She’s coming over here.”

  “What?” Declan sat up at that information.

  “She wants to see what’s going on and talk to the two of you.”

  “How delightful.” Declan scowled. “That’s all we need right now, to be interrogated.” He sat back. “When is she coming?”

  “Tomorrow,” said Leroy, rubbing his eyes. “She’s calling an emergency council meeting now. They’ll be in session for several hours, no doubt.”

  “Tomorrow?” asked Hannah.

  “Yes,” answered Leroy, hearing a strange tone in her voice. He leaned over to look at her. “Why? Does it matter?”

  She studied him and then the couple in the bed. “No, I guess not. We should know by then, though, don’t you think? About how this is going to go?”

  Leroy didn’t answer. He shifted in his seat as his focus returned to his friend and Sarah, still in the same position as before. “Yes,” he said, his voice haggard. “They’ll either be better or worse.”

  “Or dead,” Declan interjected.

  Leroy tensed. “I think that would cover the ‘or worse’ part.”

  Declan met Leroy’s angry face. “Sorry,” he said. “Guess I’m just a little strung out.” He stood. “I’m going to take a walk, check out the house again.” He left the room as Hannah and Leroy looked on.

  “He cares more about him than he lets on,” Hannah said after Declan left.

  Leroy continued to stare at the empty doorway. “He does,” he said in response, then moved his gaze back to the bed. “They both do.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  * * *

  RAMSEY SHIVERED IN the darkness. His vision no longer necessary, he acted on feelings alone. He’d remained in this state for an unknown amount of time. Time, in fact, had become an unnecessary factor. Ten years or ten minutes could have passed and he would not have known the difference. Since merging with Sarah during that unknown period of time, though, he had developed the ability to sense her shifting energy. When he felt her falter, he gathered and utilized his own strength to brace her, and when she showed signs of initiative, he’d ease off, allowing himself time to rest before he began again. The cold sapped him as the give-and-take process continued, but she seemed to have stabilized, and he endured the consistent stabs of shivering. Thankfully, her temperature didn’t continue to lower. As time passed and his fatigue grew, he ignored it and pushed forward, regardless of his limitations. He understood the ramifications of his actions, but he refused to stop. He’d committed himself to her protection, and he would see it through to the end.

  He felt her energy shift again, and he acted to bolster her, but his reaction time had slowed and his need to recover from these periods of activity had increased. He recognized that his own physical and mental needs were growing, and the time he had left to assist her dwindled as his own energy capacity diminished and weakened. If she didn’t come around soon, then it would not be long before they both succumbed.

  Unexpectedly, her period of rest ended and he took a much-needed break as she picked up some strength and took the reins back for a bit. He hoped the next time he was needed, he’d have the fortitude to step in. He took a moment to steady himself and relax his mind. Even though he didn’t move physically, the strenuous mental exertion made him feel as if he’d spent hours lifting weights at the gym. He allowed himself a moment to disengage, and without realizing it, fell asleep as his body finally gave in to its needs.

  Another amount of time passed, and he awoke internally. Delirious and confused, he forgot where he was until the familiar feel of her presence returned. Groggy, he reengaged and attempted to jump in and help, certain he’d been out too long and she had weakened again. Surprisingly, though, her energy still maintained its previous levels. He assumed that he must have been out for only a few short minutes, and he waited for her to return the reins to him, but time continued to pass with no change from her. As he waited, his disorientation diminished. Adjusting to the current conditions, he became aware of two things; first, Sarah’s strength had improved dramatically while he was out, and second, he was no longer cold. In fact, he was starting to sweat.

  **

  HANNAH SLEPT FITFULLY on the floor. She had remade the pallet by the bed, and even though Leroy had tried to convince her to return to the other bedroom to sleep, she had insisted that he needed the rest more than her. He had been up the entire previous night. She told him to take a break, that she would keep an eye on Ramsey and Sarah. Despite what she’d said, she’d gone to the kitchen for a glass of water around one a.m. only to find Leroy sacked out on the couch. She debated waking him and making him move to a more comfortable spot, but she doubted he’d listen to her. At least he was sleeping, she figured.

  After announcing another round of surveillance around the house and property, Declan had disappeared again around midnight, and she had not seen him since. Now, hours later, as she watched the first glimmers of light appear, she closed her eyes and hoped to sleep for maybe one more hour. She’d heard nothing from the two in the bed. There’d been no change when she’d checked on them a few hours ago. She considered getting up again to see how they were doing, but her body refused to comply. She closed her eyes again, telling herself she would get up in a few minutes and make a cup of coffee.

  Hannah was surprised when she opened her eyes and full daylight appeared to have ar
rived. Bright sunshine filtered softly into the room. She must have slept for at least another hour, maybe more. Glad that she’d at least managed a little more rest, she emerged from her cocoon on the floor. She stretched, trying to remove the kinks from her back and shoulders, and massaged her neck. She looked at the bed and saw what she’d seen before—Ramsey and Sarah, one wrapped around the other.

  Hannah started to walk toward the hallway to find her way to the kitchen when something caught her eye. She looked closer at the couple in the bed, specifically Ramsey. As she neared, her eyes widened. She suspected what might be occurring, so she quickly grabbed the covers and pulled them off the sleeping duo. Shocked, she saw Ramsey’s skin and clothes glistening with sweat and Sarah’s skin blushing bright red.

  She took a few steps back in disbelief. Her vocal cords frozen momentarily, she could say nothing. But her paralysis was short-lived. “Leroy!” she yelled when she found her voice. “Come here! Quick!”

  A few seconds passed before Hannah heard the rushing footsteps. Leroy appeared at the door, looking disheveled and slightly disoriented, with Declan, obviously nearby and picking up on Hannah’s anxiety, right behind him.

  “What?” Leroy asked, somewhat breathless. “What is it?”

  When Hannah didn’t answer, he looked like he was about to yell at her for almost scaring him back to death, but Declan’s voice stopped him. “Look.”

  Leroy followed the gaze of both Hannah and Declan and his eyes widened.

  “I’ll be damned,” he said, gaping. Ramsey lay soaking in sweat, and Sarah’s skin had regained its bright red tint. “He did it. He’s bringing her back.” Despite the obvious complications, Leroy smiled.

  Hannah didn’t share his enthusiasm. “Excuse me, but this is not a good thing, Leroy. If we don’t get him away from her, she’s going to kill him.”

  Leroy’s smile dropped, and he took a moment to think. He asked Declan, “Any ideas?”

  Declan’s expression did not suggest confidence. “I don’t know,” he said, “You’re the Protector.”

  Leroy’s brow furrowed. “I was a Protector. Past tense.”

  “Just the same,” Declan answered, “you’ve still got more experience than me.”

  Leroy studied the duo in the bed. “I guess we don’t have much to lose. We have to try and get him away from her.”

  “But you said that would kill him,” Hannah stated.

  “This is already killing him. Look at her. She’s heating up fast.” He paused, thinking. “You said the water helps her?”

  “Yes,” answered Hannah. “She probably needs it now, but we can’t put him in with her, not unless you want Ramsey soup.”

  He frowned at her. “Thanks for that visual.”

  “Sorry, but I think I got my point across.”

  “Quite well, thanks,” interjected Declan. He turned toward Leroy. “What’s your plan?”

  “Well,” Leroy answered, “it’s pretty basic, actually. We shake him, yell at him, and try to get him to come back.” Leroy watched Declan for confirmation. “Sound good?”

  Declan considered it. “Pretty simple, but it works for me.”

  “Okay, then,” said Leroy. “Let’s give it a try.”

  Both he and Declan moved around to the side of the bed where Ramsey lay.

  “Are you sure you two know what you are doing?” asked Hannah, moving to the edge of the bed.

  “We have no idea what we’re doing,” Leroy answered. “I think we’ve established that.”

  Hannah sighed. “Sorry. I know. I’m just a little ambivalent about this plan of yours.”

  Leroy didn’t disagree. “You and me both, but unless you’ve got a better idea…?” He waited for her to answer.

  She watched both Leroy and Declan, but she could only shake her head in response.

  “Then here goes,” said Declan. He shifted his attention to his stepbrother. “John?” he said, leaning down, “Can you hear me?” He placed his hand lightly on Ramsey’s shoulder and shook him. “John?” he repeated. “It’s Declan. Come on. We need you to come back to us.”

  “Sherlock?” said Leroy. “It’s Leroy. Get your butt back here. You’ve done your job. She’s back. Now disconnect and get away from her. She’s going to cook you to death if you don’t.” He paused before continuing in a louder tone. “Come on, Sherlock! Don’t be so stubborn.”

  “John,” Declan continued, shaking him harder, trying to provoke him. “I always knew you were stupid, but this time you’ve really outdone yourself. Now get back here so I can tell you what a fool you are.”

  “Sherlock? Sherlock, can you hear me?” Leroy sat on the edge of the bed. He tried slapping his friend’s cheeks to get him to regain consciousness, but Ramsey showed no reaction. His damp hair was slick and plastered to his face as sweat beaded and trickled down his neck.

  Both of them kept up the verbal harassment for several more minutes until Declan stopped Leroy. “Wait,” he said as Leroy continued to try and wake his friend. “Leroy, stop.” Declan grasped Leroy’s arm. “This is not working. We’re going about this the wrong way.”

  Frustrated, Leroy gave up and listened. “What do you mean?”

  Declan looked at Sarah, lying peacefully next to Ramsey. “It’s not John we should be talking to. It’s her.”

  Leroy stood, focusing on Sarah. “You think?”

  “Yes. Think about it. She’s the one coming around. She cares for him. If she realized what she was doing, she would let go of him. We just need to get through to her.”

  Leroy nodded. “We have to consider one possibility, though,” he added. “We could make it worse.” He looked at Declan. “If she’s unstable and reacts to us as if we’re a threat, it could speed things up.”

  “I don’t think we have a choice,” said Declan. “We don’t have any other options. We have to take that chance.”

  Leroy agreed. He took the lead and leaned closer to Sarah. “Sarah?” he said gently, but with force. “Can you hear me?” He shook her lightly. “We need your help. Sherlock’s in trouble.” He shook her harder. “He’s attached himself to you, and we can’t get him back. We need you to let him go. Can you hear me?” He continued to shake her, but there was no reaction.

  Declan tried as well, speaking softly as he moved to her side of the bed and sat down. “Listen, Sarah,” he said. “I know you can hear us. I need you to use your heightened senses and understand what’s happening right now.” He reached out with his hand and encircled her wrist. He almost pulled back when he felt her intense heat run up his arm, but he stayed with her and reached out very gently, trying not to scare her or cause her to react defensively. He directed his own energy, sending it carefully up her arm and into her body, hoping to get her attention without causing more damage. He said nothing as he continued this tactic, anticipating that this might be the best way to communicate with her. Leroy stepped back and let Declan take the lead.

  Declan moved closer to her. His instincts told him to take his time, and he continued to send soft waves of energy through her. In return, he could feel her energy spike, and he knew it would be unwise to startle her. She felt heavy with the force building within her, and if she erupted…well, there was no telling the damage she could do, and not just to John.

  “Sarah.” He tried speaking to her again, probing deeper as easily as he could. “It’s Declan. You can trust me. I’m just trying to reach John. Can you find him for me?” He waited and felt for her reaction. Nothing happened. He probed deeper with his mind. “Sarah,” he repeated, “I need you to hear me. We’re running out of time.”

  Again, he waited but received no response. Getting impatient, but still maintaining control, he tried again, sending an even bigger jolt through her. This time, he was rewarded with a response from Sarah—a slight movement, as if she felt his energy.

  Encouraged, he kept going. “Sarah, I know you felt that. Don’t pull away from me.”

  Hannah watched with concern from the side of the
bed. “Careful, Declan. We don’t need you hurt, too.”

  “Believe me,” he responded, almost whispering, “I’m going as slow as I can.”

  “Is she responding?” asked Leroy, watching intently from his own vantage point.

  “I think she stirred after the last attempt. I think she’s aware of my presence.”

  “Keep going. And hurry. Sherlock’s looking a little ragged.”

  “I’m going as fast as I dare to, Leroy. No need to poke the bear if I can avoid it.”

  “Well, you can’t. Poke a little harder. I have a feeling we don’t have much time left.”

  “We don’t,” said Hannah, with her hand on Ramsey’s forehead. “He’s burning up.”

  Declan sighed, debating with himself how far to push his luck. He focused back on Sarah. He gathered up some more strength and, hoping she would not retaliate, sent a powerful jolt up through her arm and into her chest and midsection. “Sarah!” he said, almost yelling.

  A force rushed back at him and hit him square in the chest, and he was shoved off the bed and through the air. He hit the wall hard, and the air rushed out of him as his lungs contracted. He leaned sideways and fought to suck back in the air he’d lost. Declan expected some reaction from Leroy or Hannah as he tried to raise himself off the floor, but he was dismayed to find that they were both completely ignoring him.

  “Hey,” he wheezed, “you two want to give me some help here?” He tried to stand but fell back down on the floor as a wave of dizziness hit him. He looked up to see both Hannah and Leroy crouching on the ground away from him. When the dizziness cleared and his vision refocused, he saw that they were both leaning over his brother, who now lay on the floor by the bed, away from Sarah.

  Leroy finally stood and came over, then kneeled next to him. “You did it. He’s away from her.”