by West, Shay
“What exactly is a ‘Mongol’?”
Alex rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. They had studied about the Mongols in history class last year. She knew her friends didn’t have her gift for memorizing anything and everything about history, but she thought that some of what they learned would stick.
As they walked to the car, Alex tried to explain about the Mongol people and their history. She stopped after a few minutes; it was clear Jennifer couldn’t care less about hearing about Mongolia.
Rock music blasted Alex’s eardrums as soon as Jennifer turned the key. Alex watched Jennifer bob her head up and down, and tried to figure out who the band was. Jennifer must have seen her perplexed look.
“It’s Skillet. I saw a video someone posted on Facebook and totally fell in love! The lead singer is smokin’.”
“I’ll have to check them out when I get home!”
“I bought two of their albums on iTunes. Seriously awesome music.”
Alex made a mental note to download their music when she got home. She could download as much as she wanted as long as she gave her mom money to cover the purchases.
“So what’s going on with you lately? I mean, the way you’re acting with Beau is totally lame! He’s a jerk and he’s never going to ask you out, Alex. And if he did, it would only be to make fun of you or something.”
Alex didn’t answer right away. Jennifer’s words hit home like slaps to the face. The problem was, she didn’t know why she was suddenly infatuated with Beau Johnson again. It was like he had somehow crawled into her brain and heart and infected her with thoughts of him.
Why should I even give him the time of day? It’s not like I don’t have a boyfriend.
Thinking of Drake only added to the misery festering inside her. It wasn’t right treating him badly, but she couldn’t help it. Part of her didn’t want to speak to him, afraid he would be able to see right through her, see her feelings for Beau. Alex wanted to run away so she wouldn’t have to deal with any of it.
“I don’t know what’s going on! I know he’s a jerk and I know he would never notice me in a million years but for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about him! Ever since that whole thing with Catelyn went down, he’s all I think about.”
“It’s bizarre, Alex, seriously. You haven’t thought about him for like a year or more, and now all of a sudden you’re a freshman all over again.”
Alex groaned and rubbed her eyes. “I know! Let’s just drop it, okay? This whole thing will probably go away soon. At least, I hope it does.”
“Maybe you should take some aspirin and make sure to drink plenty of fluids.” Jennifer laughed sarcastically.
“You’re hilarious, you know that?” Alex pointedly ignored Jennifer as she pretended to be engrossed in something on her phone.
“Sorry, all right? I was just kidding. You were the one making it sound like you had a cold or something that would go away.”
Alex put down the phone. “Why do boys have to be such a pain? Why the hell does he have to be in my head anyway?”
“Don’t ask me. I never understood what you saw in that guy anyway. Sure he’s easy on the eyes, but so is Drake and he’s totally into you!”
“I know,” Alex mumbled miserably.
“Are you not into Drake anymore? I mean, it’s cool if you don’t like the guy and want to break up. But if you still like him, you need to just put Beau out of your head or at least pretend he doesn’t exist when Drake’s around.”
“I don’t know how I feel! I’m all mixed up inside.”
“Well, duh! I know that! But what are you going to do? You can’t just keep ignoring Drake. It’s not cool, Alex.”
Alex knew Jennifer was right about Beau. She closed her eyes, trying to force her brain to spit out the reason why she was all of a sudden over Drake and why this renewal of her obsession with Beau. She forced Drake’s face to materialize in her mind, hoping she would feel something, anything to indicate what she should do.
Drakes face changed to that of a young Irish lad, blue eyes dark and full of mystery. Warmth spread through Alex’s chest. Why can’t Conor be real? Her mind wandered to the other boys she had met in her travels, the ones she felt a strong and deep connection to. I just don’t feel that same connection to Drake.
“If I tell you something, you have to swear on your life you won’t tell anyone as long as you live.”
Alex could see excitement in Jennifer’s eyes. The girl loved a juicy secret.
“Of course I promise. Haven’t I kept quiet about your traveling thing?”
Alex nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Here’s the thing: when I traveled back in time, there was someone. A guy I felt I knew better than anyone in the world. It was like we belonged together forever. I guess I just realized I don’t feel that way about Drake.”
“Geez, Alex! You’re a junior in high school. Why are you thinking about the rest of your life? Do you really think you’re going to marry your high school sweetheart and live happily ever after? Get real. Now is the time to have fun, not meet your future husband.”
“I never said I was planning on marrying anyone—”
“Then why are you talking about these guys from the past like that? They are long dead anyway so what’s the harm in dating Drake or anyone else and having fun?”
“I don’t know. Maybe part of me is hoping I’ll run across someone like them in the present time. I’ve met someone special every time I’ve gone back so far.”
“I think you’re taking this way too seriously. And do you really think Beau is this special guy? He’s nothing but a jerk and he’ll never respect you or be your friend, Alex.”
“I never said I did! I just don’t feel for Drake what I felt for those other boys.”
“Those other boys aren’t here, Alex.”
“I know that! You just don’t get it. I felt something strange and wonderful when I was with those other guys. It’s hard to stay with someone when they don’t make you feel like you want to feel.” Alex tried to put her emotions into words but she was afraid Jennifer would never understand.
“Then you’ll likely end up alone, Alex. I think you’ve convinced yourself about those guys from the past. What do you think? That their spirit is being reincarnated too? Sounds a little too good to be true if you ask me.”
“I don’t know.” Alex groaned in frustration. The words she spoke did sound ridiculous and yet she couldn’t help how she felt. “Why else would the connection feel the same?”
Jennifer sighed loud enough to be heard over the stereo. “I don’t know, Alex. I’m not an expert. Just seems kinda harsh to treat Drake like crap when he hasn’t been anything but nice to you.”
“Is that really it? Or are you afraid James will break up with you if I dump Drake?”
“That’s ridiculous, Alex! I couldn’t care less if you break up with Drake.”
Alex rolled her eyes. She knew Jennifer well enough to know she was lying. Her face flushed and her voice got all high pitched and cracky. “Maybe I will then.” Alex tried to sound confident in her decision rather than pathetic and miserable.
Jennifer stomped on the brakes outside Alex’s house. “Do whatever you want.” Jennifer looked at Alex expectantly.
“I don’t want to fight with you—”
“Forget it. See you tomorrow, okay?”
It was clear Jennifer wanted the conversation to end and Alex out of the car. Alex mumbled good-bye as she grabbed her backpack from the backseat, slamming the door a little harder than she normally would.
Jennifer sped away, peppering Alex’s legs with dirt. She stood there for a minute staring open-mouthed as Jennifer’s Pontiac sped away. Her chest constricted and tears filled her eyes. She hated arguing with any of her friends but she hated arguing with Jennifer the most. While she and Amy got along fine, Alex knew she and Jennifer shared a special bond that went even beyond their sharing of Alex’s secret.
She walked into the house, thankful her mom was
still at work. She didn’t want to discuss her day at school or to have her mom ask why she was upset. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about her problems with boys with her mom.
She’d never understand.
Alex stumbled to her bedroom amid a haze of salty tears. She had never felt so alone in her whole life. Everything had been so good, and all of a sudden, things were falling apart. Her best friend was mad at her, she no longer wanted Drake as a boyfriend, she didn’t understand why she was having thoughts about Beau, and she didn’t know what she was going to do about the evil Traveler.
She curled up in the fetal position, cradling a pillow against her chest and let the tears fall. Sobs wracked her body so hard her bed shook. Alex wished there was someone she could call, someone she could talk to about the torrent of emotions tearing her apart. She knew the Traveler would eventually succeed in killing her unless she could find the strength to kill him first. Facing her own demise was enough to send her over the edge into panic and hysteria. Lost and alone, desperate and afraid, Alex sent up a silent prayer to a being she wasn’t even certain existed.
Please God, I need help! I can’t face this man alone!
***
Alex awoke groggy and confused. She wiped her eyes and looked at the clock on her nightstand. Mom should be home in an hour. Her eyes felt heavy and tired. She walked into her bathroom to freshen up. If her mom saw her like this, she’d demand to know what was wrong.
As Alex stared at the reflection of her blood-shot hazel eyes, the image shifted to that of the Mongolian girl. Alex’s breath came faster as her arm raised of its own accord. She tried to fight the urge to touch the mirror but to no avail. Her fingers made contact with the mirror, which now felt like syrup, thick and sticky.
Terror and pain raged through her body. Her mouth opened involuntarily in a silent scream before the blackness took her.
CHAPTER 35
“HEY MARK, you heading state-side soon?”
Mark turned to face the man who had spoken. “Yeah, Tom, heading to the airport in about an hour. Going home for a couple weeks. You?” He waited for Tom to catch up then matched his pace to that of the other man.
“I’m meeting the family in South Dakota. Always wanted to spend some time in Deadwood.”
“You guys gonna visit Mt. Rushmore?”
“Of course! Wouldn’t be a trip to South Dakota without it.”
“You can go further north and hit Devil’s Tower on your way to Deadwood,” Mark suggested.
Tom snorted. “Um, I have no interest in seeing some giant rock sticking out of the ground.”
“What are you talking about? Have you ever seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind, man?”
“Yes, and I still have no desire to see a giant rock sticking out of the ground.”
Mark rolled his eyes. “You’re killing me here.” He gave Tom a sideways glance. “Are you sure you’ve actually seen the movie?”
“Once. A long time ago with my dad.”
“Well, that’s your problem! You need to see it as a more mature man to be able to appreciate the utter and complete awesomeness of that movie.”
“Sure, buddy, whatever you say. So what about you? Any big plans?”
Mark shrugged. “Not anything as big as yours. Karen’s neck deep in the stores at the moment, even with her sister’s help.”
“Man, I could never run a business.”
“I hear ya! I leave all that to Karen and pretty much stay out of it. I have no idea how any of that works and don’t really want to learn, to tell you the truth.” Mark chuckled. “I’ve also been recruited to take my niece out driving as soon as she gets her permit.”
Tom laughed so hard he nearly bent double. “Oh man, do I feel sorry for you! I remember taking my kid sister out driving. Total nightmare.”
“Alex ain’t so bad. She’s smart, way smarter than other kids her age. And the poor kid’s had it rough. Old man’s a dead beat, ran out on her and her mom a few years ago. Figure it’s my job to step in as a father figure.”
“You’d be a really good dad.” Tom gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. “Look, I gotta go report for duty. See you when you get back.”
Mark continued to the barracks. His superior officer, Max Poder, wanted him to inform Lane Stygian that he was to report at 1400 hours for debriefing. Although life in the military usually suited Mark just fine, he had to admit he hated errand duty. He would rather be out in the field on some covert mission gathering intelligence for the military than running around delivering messages.
I’m one of the most highly trained and dangerous men on the planet, and yet here I am, a glorified secretary.
He pulled open the door to the barracks and stopped to let his eyes adjust. At this hour, the building was empty except those poor souls who pulled night duty and therefore had to sleep during the day. Mark walked softly so he wouldn’t wake anyone. He found Lane’s bed, which was located at the far end of the room.
Mark reached down to gently shake him awake and pulled back his hand as soon as he noticed the man’s eyes were open and he didn’t appear to be breathing. Mark reached out to gently shake him and pulled back his hand with a hiss.
“Wake up! We need a medic here!” Mark grabbed Lane and dragged him out of the bunk.
Guy must have had a stroke.
Mark vaguely heard the scrambling sound of the men in the barracks shouting for a medic. He checked for a pulse and his heart sank when he couldn’t feel one. He tilted Lane’s head back to begin doing mouth-to-mouth.
The guy’s cold! He’s gone already.
Mark refused to listen to this voice in his mind and began the process of CPR. Another soldier joined and began doing chest compressions.
Suddenly, Lane coughed and sputtered, groaning in pain. His eyes opened wide and he gazed around in confusion.
“It’s okay, man. You’re alright. Medics are on their way. Just relax.” Mark’s pulse race and his legs were shaking so badly he couldn’t stand. Every fiber of his being cried out that this man shouldn’t be alive. Mark had enough medical knowledge to know that if a body was as cold as Lane’s had been, they weren’t going to be resuscitated.
And yet here he was, color perfectly normal, body a healthy 98.6 degrees, looking like he had just been taking a nap.
“What the hell is wrong with you? What did you do to me?”
“I found you in your bunk all cold and stiff and I thought you’d had a stroke or something. Actually, I figured you were dead but I did CPR anyway.”
“Well, I wasn’t. I have a condition...”
Mark waited for Lane to finish the sentence. When he didn’t Mark said, “A condition? What sort of condition?”
“Nothing you’ve ever heard of.” Drifter stood and pushed Mark aside. “You can call off the medics. I’m obviously fine.”
“I really think you need to be checked out. I may not be a doctor, but I know enough to know that with as cold as you were, not to mention the no pulse thing, you shouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“Just drop it, will you?”
“No, I don’t think I will! How do you pass the annual physicals?”
“Poder knows about the condition as do most of the medics. Just because I didn’t go around announcing it to the rest of the base doesn’t mean no one knows about it.”
Mark crossed his arms over his chest. “So Poder knows about this? Really? So if we were to go to his office right now, he’d tell me it’s nothing to worry about?”
Drifter smiled. Mark noted the smile never touched his eyes.
“Of course he would. In fact, let’s go see him now, shall we? If I’m not mistaken, you were waking me up because I am to report right about now, yes?”
Mark clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, trying his best to read the man. “Sure. Let’s take a little stroll.” He motioned for Lane to take the lead.
As the pair walked back to Max Poder’s office, Mark tried to gather his swirling thoughts.
He had never believed in ghosts, ESP, magic, life after death, angels, or anything he couldn’t see, touch, smell and hear. His mind struggled to make sense of the anomaly walking in front of him.
He was dead. Lane was dead and now somehow, he’s walking and talking.
The walk to Poder’s office took far less time than Mark had hoped. He wasn’t sure what to say to his superior officer about the strange incident.
Drifter knocked on Poder’s door and waited for the voice to tell him to enter. Mark followed the man into the office, hoping he would have something somewhat intelligent to say when Poder asked him what he was doing there.
“Everything all right gentlemen? Mark, aren’t you supposed to be on leave?” Max Poder sat in his black leather chair smoking his cigar, filling the office with acrid smoke.
“Yes, sir. Just have a little trouble to report.”
“Oh?” Poder placed the stack of paper’s he’d been holding on the desk, giving the two men facing him his full attention. He steepled his hands under his formidable chin.
“Well, it’s sort of hard to explain. Lane says he has a medical condition that renders him lifeless. I walked in on him in this state, did CPR for a couple of minutes, and he came back to life.” Mark blushed when he thought about how ridiculous he sounded.
“Ah. I had hoped to keep this a secret.” Poder sat back in his chair with a smile on his face. Much like Stygian, the expression never reached his eyes. “He does indeed have a documented condition. It’s none of your concern.”
“Mind elaborating on exactly what this condition is, sir?” Mark tried hard to maintain a tone of respect for his superior officer.
“As a matter of fact, I do. It’s none of your concern. The medical staff is aware of the situation as am I.”
Mark opened his mouth to protest but closed it with an audible snap when Poder raised his hand.
“I’ll hear no more on the matter. You’re dismissed.” Poder picked up the pile of papers again, signaling the end of the conversation.
Mark looked at Lane and back to his superior officer. It was clear the pair had a secret they didn’t wish anyone else to know.
