LeOmi's Solitude

by Curtis, Gene

  “Your Grandma works quick. I just barely stepped into that shop there on the corner, you know where. The place is basically the turnstile for all the information that filters into this city, and lo and behold, those two sleazers were already in there rousing up that same info that you requested.”

  LeOmi smiled over to Bekka. “She came through.”

  “Yeah...how about that?” He opened the drawer of his desk and went to grab something but jabbed himself with whatever it was.

  “Sergeant, my sister did retrieve the Sumerian Journal. But, as you know it was taken from her.”

  “Yeah, that is what she said when I spoke to her at The Celtic Wheel. It is just that some things just don’t add up.”

  “What things?”

  “I can’t quite put my finger on it yet, but if you get a chance to ask her, you let me know.”

  Bekka said, “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

  Polaris sat down in his chair, “She left already.”

  “She left the hospital? But we were just there and we left my dad there with her.”

  “Yeah, the old biddy informed me that she couldn’t make her stay in the hospital if she wanted to go.”

  LeOmi and Bekka stood to leave. “It seems that she woke up not long after you two left. Maybe she didn’t want to talk to you either.”

  “I tried to get her to wake up, but everybody did that shushing thing. Now I’ll probably never get to talk to her.” He kicked a pile of papers on the floor. “She was there with a whole room full of ’em, and she couldn’t even remember what any of them looked like. Like I said, something don’t add up.”

  “I’ll let you know Sergeant.”

  “Good. Talk to her tonight. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Maybe she’ll tell you more than she told me.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Wow, pleasantries.” He looked wide-eyed at her while wrapping a tissue around his finger.

  “It looks like that private school is good for you, kiddo.”

  * * *

  When they were outside of the Police Station, LeOmi pulled out her cell phone. She was going to call her father and she found a message left for her.

  “Sister safe. Back at school. I’m home.”

  Bekka said, “I don’t blame her, I would rather be at The Seventh Mountain’s healers too.”

  “Me too. I want to go back to Grand-Mère’s to thank her if you don’t mind.”

  “Do you think that she will let you thank her?”

  “I have to try.”

  Bekka held out her sleeve and they were at LeOmi’s grandmother’s house in an instant. The lights were out and there was no answer at the door.

  “It seems obvious that she doesn’t want to be thanked.”

  “Yeh.”

  “Let’s get back to school. We need to check a few places.”

  LeOmi checked at the healers, Bekka checked the chapel house in Virginia and Ruby’s room.

  Ruby was gone.

  * * *

  The coneys were crawling all over them, as if they knew that they had a rough day.

  “I was thinking, maybe I could help you look over your mother’s Journal. Maybe you missed something.”

  LeOmi reached into Aaron’s Grasp. “Be my guest.”

  “And the translation.”

  “Once again, LeOmi reached into her invisible storage compartment and produced the replica.”

  The coneys vaulted up the Olive Tree. “You guys are growing up”

  “Kayleen said that they should be old enough by the end of the summer to be released on their own.”

  “I know. I try not to think about that.”

  “I know, but they need to establish a life of their own.”

  “Well, maybe this is the life they would choose.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe their life is amongst their own kind. Hey, did you know that there are notes in the back of this Journal?”

  “Yeah, but they are just about the Ruby Knife.”

  “Ruby the knife or Ruby the sister?”

  “Huh?”

  “You read this and didn’t make the connection.”

  “It can’t be Ruby, can it? That’s ridiculous.”

  “Rule number 999,000.7. Put your emotions aside, they can inhibit your senses. I know that it’s hard, but sometimes you must suppress them in order to make rational and productive decisions. Now listen...”

  “My jewel, my Ruby….

  A Garnet of Crimson,

  Clearly to maroon and desert.”

  “Due to the cryptic nature of this Journal, I would have my doubts also, but how can a knife maroon and desert? Then she wrote ‘Clearly’ as a reference to maroon and desert. To me it seems that she felt, daughter was like mother.”

  Bekka handed the Journal back to LeOmi so she could read it again.

  “Can you trust your sister?”

  “Of course.”

  “Are you sure?”

  LeOmi stared up into the tree. “What do I know about her?”

  “I did wonder why Ruby didn’t put the Journal into Aaron’s Grasp.”

  “I just figured that she didn’t have time.”

  “A Magi can find the time.”

  “You’re right, it doesn’t make sense, and it doesn’t make any sense for the entry to be about the knife. But… well, I don’t want it to be that.”

  “I know. Well I guess tomorrow, we will go and see the Sergeant.”

  “I guess it is also time for the Sergeant to see this Journal and tell him how we got the receipt and retrieved the Sumerian Journal–well mostly how.”

  “Well get some sleep. Tomorrow is another big day.”

  * * *

  Once again, the coneys were left in their cage. LeOmi had wired together four old trapping cages and cut holes into the tops and bottoms so that the coneys could easily travel from level to level. The base was still her dad’s old trunk and the top was a big wooden box that one of the Emerald’s had brought to complete the multiple layers of the Nightingale Floors.

  LeOmi had added lots of rocks and old branches for them to climb on and they still had their heating lamp if they were cold.

  Kayleen would check on them from time to time to make sure that they had enough food and water, and that they didn’t get into any trouble.

  Bekka was early. “The first stop should be Grand-Mère’s house.”

  This time they went into the house, but it appeared to be empty. LeOmi left a note pinned to Hannah’s message board in the kitchen. It was simple. It just said, Thank you Grand-Mère.

  “I wonder if Grand-Mère will even look at it at all.”

  “Well at least you tried.”

  The next stop was to meet the Sergeant. He had arranged to meet them near the river, Valentine Street.

  He was standing under a tree, smoking a cigar.

  Bekka waited a short distance away as LeOmi approached him.

  “So your Grand-Mère is still not talking?”

  “Well, not Grand-Mère, but I have learned a couple of interesting things.”

  She showed him the Journal and told him about the receipt.

  “This Journal really doesn’t answer any questions, it just piles more on.”

  “I know.”

  “Does this mean that she knew her death was about to occur?”

  “She must have felt that it was at least a possibility.”

  “A good possibility.”

  “She had never included us in her–other life. So it must have been evident to her that we were the only ones she could trust.”

  “Why isn’t anything ever easy? Every clue leads to more questions.”

  Well, there is something that I have to tell you. You may already have a copy of it in my mother’s case folder.”

  He stepped over to his car and motioned for her to get in on the other side. The folder was in a box between the seats. It was considerably thicker than it had been the last time she saw it. He opened it, flipped through and she poin
ted to a hand written request for the release of the body to the funeral home.

  “Look at the crest.”

  “Well, well, well.”

  He took out his lighter and compared the two. “By this crest, it looks like your family goes back as far as Hammurabi,” He snickered.

  “What about any of that other info that we need? Do you think that she will come through on that too?

  “Still nothing from her on that.”

  “And she hasn’t mentioned anything else?”

  “I can barely get her to look at me, much less talk to me.”

  “Okay, okay, there is another thing. I spoke briefly to your father yesterday. I had this package for him, but he told me to give it to you.”

  His hand covered hers as she took the evidence bag. Stamped across the top in bold letters it said, RELEASED.

  “You know what this is don’t ya?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you okay with this?”

  “Yes Sergeant. I am. Thank you.”

  “More pleasantries. Gee, what’ll be next?”

  * * *

  The weeks went by. Letters were sent to Grand-Mère and to Ruby, but there was no answer from either of them.

  LeOmi had also written to her father, and he had answered.

  Please, keep the Ruby Knife, as long as it doesn’t bother you. I think that you are supposed to have it. She would have wanted it that way. Use it for good.

  I can see that you will be a wonderful Magi. It is in your nature to be the best. Even if you cleaned the stables, you would clean them better than anyone else, and I would be proud of you.

  If it’s all right, I will see you at your next Flags Match.

  Remember, God will bless a pure heart.

  Your loving father.

  Chapter 15

  Moral Choices Beget Moral Influences

  Mr. Diefenderfer’s field trip, to the museum was geared to introduce students to the study of artifacts, their uses and the skills that are required to operate them. Part of a Magi’s training is to be able to use available artifacts in Magi duties.

  Mr. Diefenderfer and Mr. McGraw addressed the students, “This is…Quintus McGraw…the Keeper of Artifacts…and…curator of this…museum. You will browse…this museum…and select…an artifact…that interests you…When you have made…your selection…let Mr. McGraw know…he will turn the artifact…over to you…for study…You must…keep the artifact safe…You will have…one month…to complete your study. You are required …to log in your notebook…the methods…and means…that you take…in every individual step…in the process…and progress…of your study. Your notebooks will be graded…not only on your conclusion…but…the means…and methods…of your progress... By all means…be careful down here. The artifacts…cannot be replaced...Also…the labyrinth opens…once a day…on that wall…at an unpredictable time... No person…not even one…has ever returned…from it.”

  * * *

  LeOmi and Bekka had spent some time together in the museum and there was one artifact that she was very interested in. It was a thin piece of amber that would fit in the palm of a hand. If you looked at a person or animal through the stone, you could tell whether they were lying, being aggressive, hungry, sleepy or cold. This was a piece that had been studied extensively; there was even a chart and diagrams to instruct the user.

  LeOmi was the first person in line to check out her artifact, so she found a corner close to the office door that had a relatively clear view.

  The museum was huge. Students scattered, looking at display boxes and pulling out artifacts and attempting to use them. Mr. Diefenderfer was assisting students but Mr. McGraw was, not surprisingly, practically running when cases were opened and artifacts were in the hands of Magi-in-training.

  LeOmi saw a flash of green light and Mr. McGraw ran to a student, Katie Steurward, and said, “You must have full respect for the objects.”

  Katie was with a few of her friends and she handed the artifact to the curator who carefully gathered the metallic ball, about the size of an apple, into his cloak. As he placed it back into the case it flashed green again.

  “This uses the natural oils in your skin to generate an electric spark.” As he placed it back into the case he pointed to each word as he read.

  “Do not handle this object without gloves.”

  As he straightened he said, “Have you been eating a lot of avocado?”

  Katie said, “Guacamole dip,” while holding her slightly red and welted hand up.

  “It is just a light burn, come to the office, we will take care of that.”

  Katie and Mr. McGraw went into the office and Mr. Diefenderfer followed. The smell of hot avocado lingered in the air.

  “Hey! Check it out. The wall has disappeared.”

  A crowd formed behind Mark Young to follow where his finger pointed. The labyrinth…the hole to oblivion had opened.

  “Oh, how fascinating!” said Rodger Ulysses, a book worm from Amethyst Tribe, to Kyle Jernigan, also an Amethyst. “I have always wanted to see that.”

  Every student in the museum crowded towards the wall that had a hole in it.

  Others rushed forward and LeOmi heard someone say, “Quit pushing.”

  Ralph Lawrence lurched out of the crowd and hurdled headlong into Mark.

  He fell headfirst into the open doorway. The velvet rope and poles followed him through the hole.

  Chenoa yelled, “MARK!”

  LeOmi saw arms that tried to grab him before he went through the hole, but he was gone.

  Mr. Diefenderfer’s strong hand had grabbed Ralph’s shoulder, steadying him.

  There was no sound of his falling, no clattering of poles, nothing except the darkened opening where the wall once was.

  Everyone stood helpless.

  All eyes were on the hole in the wall, hoping that Mark would crawl back into the room. It didn’t happen.

  Mr. McGraw ran from the office and stood in front of the hole with his hands extended out as to take the place of the velvet rope and poles.

  “Quintus.” Mrs. Shadowitz’s calming voice echoed from the entrance, releasing everyone from the horror of what had just happened.

  “Quintus, we must get these students out of here. We need to evaluate what we can do.”

  Mr. McGraw seemed in shock, and then he began clapping his hands, “You heard Mrs. Shadowitz children, gather your belongings and exit the museum.”

  “We must…act quickly...You three…” Mr. Diefenderfer pointed to Chenoa, Nick and Jamal, “Stand vigil here…I will…set planning…in motion.”

  He turned to look at the rest of the class. “Everyone else…leave the museum…at once…We must…make room…for the rescue team.”

  He turned back to Ralph, “Ralph…what…happened here?

  Chenoa grabbed Ralph by the collar. “What have you done? You are one sick puppy.”

  “I didn’t do anything. Somebody pushed me.” Ralph put his arm up to block Chenoa from hitting him.

  “Who pushed you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Slone Voif stepped out of the crowd. “I pushed him. I was just horsing around.”

  “You stupid idiot! Do you realize what you have done?” Slone had a slight smirk and stood with his arms folded across his chest.

  “We must notify…the Council of Elders…at once...There is no hope…for any rescue…until tomorrow…when the doorway reopens.”

  LeOmi kept her distance, tucked into the corner. She held the amber stone up looking through it. Everyone had a red tint, almost as if they were glowing embers in a fire, except for Ralph, his image through the stone was gray.

  She held the amber stone up looking at Ralph as he made his way out the museum door with Slone close beside him. Slone showed no remorse, in fact by the evaluation sheet on the amber stone, he was giddy. At the exit, they separated, Ralph left the museum and Slone followed the far wall, past the office and out of LeOmi’s sight.

 
; Mr. McGraw was herding students towards the door, “LeOmi, gather your things.”

  “Please, may I stay? I might be able to help.”

  “As long as you are not in the way.”

  LeOmi went towards the wall searching for any opening or any clue as to how to get Mark out of the labyrinth.

  Chenoa, Jamal and Nick were doing the same thing at different parts of the museum.

  Suddenly Jamal yelled, “I can hear him, sort of. At least I think it’s him.”

  Everyone in the museum gathered around Jamal, gratefully listening.

  Mr. Diefenderfer bowed his head. After a moment he said, “Yes…I believe it is him…I would estimate…that time is passing…twenty…or twenty-five…times faster…in there…If that is true…one hour…out here… is equivalent to…one day…in there…approximately.”

  Nick said, “That means that it could be a month, for him, before the door opens again.”

  LeOmi listened, only hearing partial thoughts, but it was Mark all right.

  I know he has to survive; there is much for him to do.

  * * *

  In the museum, preparations for a rescue were being mounted. Mr. Diefenderfer returned with the Council of Elders, a few instructors, and a few counselors. Tim and Gerod were among them, with Tim leading The General by his reins.

  “I don’t know…if this…will work…We are going…to try…to communicate…with Mark…through…The General…Mark can transmit…his thoughts…and feelings…to people…through…Rooack Dabar.

  Anyone could read Mark’s thoughts, if they were close enough and he wasn’t trying to prevent it. Mark could see what The General was seeing if he was close enough.

  Gerod and Mrs. Shadowitz sat up a large paper tablet on an easel in front of The General. Mrs. Shadowitz wrote on the paper:

  We are here.

  We can hear your thoughts.

  We understand the time difference.

  Hang on.

  We have plenty of food for you.

  Do you have broken arms?

  Warm clothes,

  Better light.

  You are all right.

  Anything else?

  LeOmi and everyone in the room could feel that Mark realized Divine intervention might be his only hope. He got to his knees and started praying. Everyone that The General could see was praying, too.