The Hidden Paths to Power

by D. A. Smith

  “My daughter is seventeen. She’s a senior in high school and I’m not sure we’ll have the money to send her to college. Megan’s an honor roll student. It’s one of the things she got from her admiration of you and is aiming for a scholarship. As you know, those aren’t guaranteed, no matter how hard you work for it.”

  Doriane asked, “How is your son feeling after almost, not having his tuition paid?”

  “He was spitting mad because this semester is very important for the computer aided drafting classes he takes. Greg is in school for architecture and goes to an expensive school.”

  Doriane responded, “I can help you but you’ll have to figure out a way around your husband’s pride. Can you get your friends to buy you out of your share of the store?”

  “I’ll have to. I was planning to anyway but we needed to take care of this man’s visit first. I’ve also had to work up the nerve to tell them.”

  I interjected, “If you think of them as friends then don’t insult them. Barbara stepped up to your defense, when the others wanted to go the legal route. That’s why you saw us and not a lawyer with papers for a lawsuit. That would’ve left you in an even worse tailspin.”

  Sheila was on the verge of tears from the stress, “I’ll talk them as soon as this is done. How can you help, Kim?”

  “I can pay this man off but if I do, you need to do some hard thinking. I can’t help with your children’s education. Greg may be forced to transfer to a less expensive school. I realize this might put him in a less favorable position, when it’s time for him to seek employment, but the responsibility starts with Derek, and you shoulder some blame too, by enabling him.”

  I saw a determined light blossom in her eyes, “If you can help us get passed this then I’ll do whatever I have to, to protect my children’s future.”

  I said, “It’s also yours to shoulder the burden, if Derek’s pride takes a hit for this.”

  Just then Megan walked in the house with two of her friends.

  I tensed because the girl looked a lot like my friend too.

  Doriane grabbed my hand, as the sudden tension became confusing to the girl.

  She recognized me instantly and was on the verge of turning bubbly with excitement.

  Sheila wisely got up and whispered in the girl’s ear. I don’t know what she said but it brought the excitement down to a tolerable level.

  Sheila whispered in the other girls’ ears too, as Megan hesitantly took a seat next to me, “I’m sorry. I’ve heard you on TV and what you say is inspiring. I should’ve guessed, you wouldn’t necessarily be relishing the reason you’re so well-known. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have that in your life.”

  “You wouldn’t want to. Can you guess how I feel, every time I turn on the news, and worry that, the next report is another person who died because of his obsession? I’m not against you admiring me but if you want to make me happier, support the silent cause. Your mom shared a little, about your determination to get a scholarship. I like that reaction better than the bubbly excitement just because I’m in the room. I didn’t do anything to be famous for, except garner the attention of a boy, who’s willing to turn to murder, because of that attention.”

  “You’ve done some. The way you turned a horrible situation, into the strength to face down the media, and call them out for their bad behavior, is worth admiring. To see you also putting some effort into helping to catch him and showing concern for everybody helps.”

  I gave her a hug, “I’m sorry for my reaction but I wonder if anybody has compared the way you look, to the pictures of Megan Donahue. Except for a few differences, you could be her sister.”

  Her eyes widened, “Then, I’m doubly sorry for my reaction.”

  “It’s okay but watch yourself. If you’ve been paying attention to the reports, anything that is a connection me, stirs his obsession up. He knew Megan Donahue too. I don’t have any cameras following me at the moment, so I don’t think he’s seen this place. If he ever finds reason to come to this neighborhood and sees you, it may bring a reaction from him.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Helping your mom out of jam.”

  Megan turned to her mom, “You didn’t ask for help, did you? You know how dad’s going to react.”

  Sheila’s eyes caught fire, “It’s time your father puts the needs of his family ahead of his pride or his whims.”

  Sheila asked Megan’s friends to go home, as she didn’t want too many witnessing.

  Doriane and I went out to our car to wait.

  The first person to come, was the man they were worrying about. He was a white, muscle man, with a bald head that moved with purpose up to the front door.

  Doriane got out, “Your business dealing is with me now.”

  He ran over to put his mean face, in my teacher’s face. I was tense but Doriane was calm and steady.

  He asked, “Who the fuck are you?”

  “The person who is going to pay Derek Hampton’s debt, for the sake of protecting his family. You are going to accept this arrangement or the officials for the poker tournaments will find out you’ve been playing in illegal games. I was a dealer at one time, so I know they have rules about professionals engaging in these things.”

  “What’s to stop me from breaking you in half right now, to keep you from squealing?”

  “Please try then we can have a civil conversation.”

  I was amazed, as the man tried to swing, but Doriane proved her words about studying with a master in Japan for a decade.

  His fist came around but Doriane slipped behind him and punched three nerve clusters that had him doubled over in pain in a moment.

  Doriane said, “I can make the pain go away, if you promise to behave like the grown man you are.”

  “I promise.” Doriane pushed on two other pressure points and the man relaxed then stood up straight, “How do we do this?”

  “I don’t have to cash on me but if you follow, I’ll have it for you in less than fifteen minutes. Do I have your word that once the money is in your hand, this is the end of it?”

  “I’m only interested in what I’m owed.”

  Just then Derek came up the street. His brown hair was mussed and his face was bleeding, like he got into a fight. He matched the picture I saw in the house.

  I got out and walked up to him.

  He recognized me too, “What are you doing at my house?”

  “I’m connected to the woman, your wife bought the store from. Her friends asked for our help when the store was showing a loss. Kim has a fondness for that store and doesn’t want to see it go under. We discovered the theft and came to deal with it personally, rather than let her partners turn it into a legal battle. You know how strong I am and you know how your daughter feels about me. Don’t think, I won’t turn that strength on you, if you allow your pride to interfere with common sense in this case. Kim is going to pay your debt to that man. You have to do some soul searching and figure out what your priorities are.”

  He slumped at that moment, showing he was hurt more than he let on, “I went to demand the return of my money, from the man I thought was my friend; the one who brought that man to the game. We got into a fight. I think he cracked a rib or two.”

  “So, now you’ve just piled onto the money problems, as you now have to seek medical treatment. Do you see now, what your pride and selfishness is costing you and your family?”

  His eyes misted up and let me help him into the house. I left him to the care of his family, told Sheila what I said to him then went back to the car.

  Doriane pulled away, as the white guy in the van behind followed.

  We got to her bank just before it closed and she managed to get the money.

  Doriane had the man follow us back to the store and gave it to him there.

  My teacher said once the man verified the amount, “I hope this ends any further need, for us to have anything to do with each other, Mr. Campbell.”

/>   “How did you know?”

  “As the woman standing next to me knows very well by now, you have to be careful what you do, when you have a face others have seen on TV. The next time, you might meet someone less willing, to let you off the hook.”

  His brown eyes became speculative about that as he drove off.

  We went inside.

  The four women were busy helping customers as they waited for word.

  Doriane told them all what was happening in a private conference in back with me watching the store. I knew enough to push the right buttons on the register.

  When the women came out, they each had tears.

  Barbara said as we were getting ready to go home, “I wish she had felt more confident in her friendship with us. We would’ve helped her.”

  Doriane responded, “I think she knew that, but shame makes people do things that just piles on the shame. Sheila also loves her husband enough, to care about his pride to some degree. He knew this was his problem but hadn’t been taking into consideration the cost to his family. He’ll have to make some lifestyle changes and maybe convince his son to go to a less expensive college. It might be hard for a little while but if he makes those changes, I think they stand a good chance of recovering.”

  “Thank you, Kim. We’ll juggle our finances so we can buy her out.”

  We went home and after a slow round of passion to balance us, I laid with my head pillowed on her chest and detailed everything I did with the Robert Vincent situation. I also shared what I learned about the murders in the house.

  After I confessed, I said, “I’m ready to put an end to this so we can disappear. Can you think of a way, to put enough pressure on Samuel Perkins, to give up the name of the person he sent Robert Vincent to?”

  “I’ll think about it. We need to deal with Ryan but more importantly, we need the story of you and him to fade into the background. I’m sifting through everything you did and the part that bugs me, though it isn’t because you made a mistake, is the risk you took to save Ernie. I understand why you did and applaud the reason because it shows, you’re thinking of future consequences. It bugs me because I’m afraid of losing you. The spirits will react before they let you expose us.”

  “How will they react?”

  “I don’t know. Normally, they’d leave it to us guardians to handle, but they’ve taken a special interest in you. That’s why you have the gifted wood. I can’t imagine they’d take it well, if you were the one who risked exposing us. If your timing had been any less perfect, Ernie would’ve seen. I believe the spirits might take personal exception to it.”

  “That’s why, I want this to end. Unfortunately, I came into this with a public profile hanging over me. It’s only gotten worse since we’ve been hunting because of the need to keep Harold involved. If you can’t get Samuel Perkins to give you the name then maybe, he can get a message to whoever is leading them. They either give up Ryan or he’s bound to bring all the guardians down on their heads. They have to see it. They may think he’s controllable but this obsession is going to lead him to try something else, like he tried in Rocky Pines. He may try for something worse that may tip the balance too far before any response can come to repair it.”

  “That may be the right tactic here, as disgusting as it is to have to make deals with dark users. We’ll have to keep investigating if they aren’t willing.”

  “The next thing we should try, is finding the family of Ryan’s mother. They may have more details than they think they do or are willing to share in a taped interview.”

  “You also have some traveling to do, if you’re serious about being ready to move and adopt a new name. You’d never forgive yourself, if you didn’t see your parents and grandparents at least once more.”

  “If I take the time to do that then while I’m gone, will you look for Ryan’s aunt and grandparents?”

  “Yes and I’ll try to find the right leverage, to make Samuel Perkins agreeable, to at least get a message to Ryan’s mentor. This needs to end as soon as possible.”

  “We may have to set it up, so Ryan never gets caught by the police. We can’t afford for this to turn in a major, publicized trial. I’d have to be there to testify, therefore providing more opportunity to be on camera.”

  “At the same time, we should try to provide Harold with proof, Ryan’s been dealt with. It can’t be our first priority but if he has some proof, he could ease the fears of the public and provide less need to look into it further.”

  I made my plans and two days later, I traveled to Florida where the bulk of my extended family resided. This was where my parents lived before my father was transferred to the Denver field office, shortly after I was born.

  I spent a relaxing ten days with my family and, though checked as frequently as I could get away with, didn’t feel one blip of dark magic near me.

  The issues with Ryan picked up the day I was traveling back to Denver.

  I silently cried as I was traveling, to release my emotions about having to leave my family behind.

  Without saying it straight out, I told my family that, if the police couldn’t catch Ryan soon, I may have to disappear for good. I said I’d try to warn them but, if I couldn’t, they’d always be in my thoughts. It was hard but they understood.

  As I was getting off the plane, I saw many people rushing to find TV’s to watch and pulling out their laptops, for some major news event that was occurring.

  My brown eyes widened to their fullest when I managed to find a TV without a huge crowd around it.

  The news was detailing the crash of a plane, bound from Philadelphia to Denver.

  What had my eyes stuck open was, the crash had been caught on camera, and showed a freak twister appearing, just as the plane was taking off.

  As I was watching, my phone rang, “Hello.”

  “Deana; it’s, Harold.”

  I was scared about the tone of his voice, “Please don’t tell me one of my friends was on that plane.”

  “Erica took herself out of witness protection and was coming to visit you. That was the flight she was on.”

  Something in me hardened because I knew where that twister came from. Fortunately for Doriane and me, the news was simply calling it a freak weather occurrence.

  I replied, “If you know how to contact her parents, tell them I’m so sorry. I have to go.”

  I hung up and finished my travels home.

  I fell into the arms of Doriane as soon as I was in the house and cried for two hours letting it go.

  After calming, I asked, “Were you able to find the leverage necessary to get Samuel Perkins to help us?”

  “I didn’t need to. When he saw the crash, he was able to put the puzzle together. He knows Ryan’s about to bring the wrath of the guardians down on this area. He still wouldn’t give me a name but he’ll get the message through.”

  “What about Ryan’s family?”

  “I tracked down the aunt. The grandparents passed away a few years after the events at the school. The toll caused them to wither away fast. The aunt is only mildly better. She feels the same way as you do when she watches the news. Every time a body shows up that’s connected to Ryan, she gets more depressed. His cousins are seriously worried about their mom.”

  “You’ve already talked with them?”

  “Not yet. I got this from the person who helped me find them. I managed to talk to one of Ryan’s old neighbors. She was a friend of Ryan’s mother. They were close enough, the neighbor had become friends with Sylvia Gilpatrick’s family. Margaret Smalls has been respecting their wishes to stay out of the picture but had also been staying in contact with Paula Dennison; Sylvia’s sister. Margaret was reluctant but agreed for the sake of seeing an end to this, to help me get in touch with Paula. She’s expecting our visit anytime.”

  I was in the mood for some aggressive sex that slowed to sweet, as I found my balance again. When we were done, I slept by her.

  My next vision began.


  Ryan must have really pissed off his mentor, for them to have this conversation away from their shielded residence.

  They were standing in a park I didn’t know but the auburn-haired woman was really laying into Ryan, “…told you what would happen, if you risked bringing the guardians down on us again! This time you’ve upset the balance enough that I can’t help you anymore!”

  I heard her use three words that caused Ryan to double over in pain. I wasn’t versed it the language of the dark ones then she continued, “I wash my hands of you. Because of you, I lost a semi-useful student. Robert will pay for failing me. You are no longer welcome in my circle. If you attempt to return, that little guest I left in your stomach, will make you wish you never heard of me. Samuel, who is the only one of ours anywhere close to here, will not shelter you. I wouldn’t try going to him. He’s older than I and has a few more unpleasant things he’ll try on your bones if you do. You’re on your own and the guardian helping Ms. Boller is far too strong for you. I hope she gets her money’s worth for your hide.”

  “T…” Ryan felt his guts twisting again before he could say anything.

  The woman bore down on him with more wrath, “We’re in an unshielded location, you idiot! Do not speak my name, unless you want me to do the guardians work for them! I want you alive, to give me and my brother, time to be as far from your incompetence as we can get. I also want you to know, I’ve broken the power in your casting room. That will prevent you from causing too much trouble before you’re caught.”

  Ryan had tears of rage but knew he didn’t have the skill to challenge the woman. She walked away and Ryan attempted to follow but was on the ground again clutching his gut.

  I looked on him and felt nothing. I didn’t feel any remorse for what he was enduring but felt no rage or disgust anymore either. I just wanted this thing to go away.

  Ryan was no longer under the protection of his mentor. He had no mentor anymore. He had no casting room anymore so that meant the stronger spells were out of his reach, until he could build a new one. He could still kill people but without his mentor shielding him, finding a safe place to hide would be tough. His face was too well-known. He’ll have to expend a lot of energy just disguising his appearance.