“‘Did you know, Jack, that your mother and father once visited my village long ago?’ Genovene suddenly asked me, completely catching me off guard.
“‘Wha-a-at?? Th-they did??’ I gasped. For the moment, I forgot all about the fish. ‘When was that??’
“‘I believe it was twelve years ago,’ she said. ‘I was just a young girl then. But I remember them both clearly, as if it were only yesterday.’
“‘Tell me about them...please!’ I begged her. I knew so little about my parents, despite the stories my grandfather, as well as my uncle and aunt had told me. I probably looked like a starving puppy begging for table scraps to her, but I desperately wanted to learn everything I could about them, no matter where it came from.
“‘Well, I only met them once,’ she said. ‘So, I didn’t know them personally. I do remember both of them being really nice people. Your mother, as I recall, was a pretty, sweet, and intelligent woman, while your father was quite charming and witty, as well as very handsome.’
“She turned and looked at me, slowing down her pace as she did so. She smiled compassionately at me, for I couldn’t hide my hurt and sorrow given the fact I missed my parents terribly. I appreciated her gentleness in telling me this information about my folks. But, there was something in the way she looked at me—something barely discernable in her eyes—that told me she hadn’t revealed everything she knew about my mom and dad.
“Genovene reached back and gently took my hand before turning her attention to the shoreline on the other side of the pond, picking up her pace slightly, which I absently responded to. Nothing more was said between us until we reached the shore and were back on the path again. In the meantime, I let my thoughts drift back to the fish I’d encountered a few minutes before. It was more of a hungry look it’d given me, I finally decided. Very hungry.
“The gravel path lasted for another hundred yards or so, steadily heading uphill until it ended at the foot of a large rock formation with a grand staircase cut into the middle of it. She led me up to the staircase, pausing briefly at that juncture before continuing our ascent.
“‘Once we climb the stairs before us, we’ll be on the final walkway to my village’ she said. ‘We should be there in the next few minutes, Jack!’ She was filled with such enthusiasm, such girlish giddiness, as she wrapped her arm inside mine. Lifting her gown slightly, she began walking up the stairs with me drawn tightly to her side. I was again distracted enough to think of nothing else, including the fish, the recent mention of my folks, and the growing heaviness of the talisman in my pocket.
“As soon as we reached the top of the staircase, we stood at the edge of a long corridor of colossal trees. I thought these mammoths were quite similar to the giant redwoods of northern California I’d seen in pictures, although these trees were much more unique. Genovene called them carnacs, and they were completely green. They sort of reminded me of giant stalks of broccoli and they soared almost two hundred feet above us with trunks that were easily twenty to thirty feet in diameter.
“The path resumed once more, but it was now a smooth floor of polished white marble. It gradually widened along the corridor, allowing the necessary space to accommodate the breadth of the massive trees, whose long lofty branches formed a connective canopy across the corridor. Long slender vines and Spanish moss hung down from these branches. What really captured my attention, though, was a pair of magnificent golden gates less than a quarter of a mile away.
“‘There’s the entrance to my home, Jack!’ said Genovene as she pointed to the gates. ‘See, I told you it wouldn’t take long!’ She literally beamed with excitement, so much that for a brief instant I could’ve sworn she actually glowed! For the first time, I felt a little freaked out about all of this. I mean, the enormous trees, the gates, and now her unearthly appearance—not to mention the incredible tower and all. It seemed like I’d stepped into some children’s storybook. I immediately rubbed my eyes, and then thanked God when I looked at her again. She appeared normal, and I believed my eyes had somehow played a trick on me.
“I remember I was still staring at her when suddenly something scurried up the tree next to me. I turned to look, but whatever it was disappeared before I could clearly see it. Then, it happened again. Only this time, whatever it was scampered across the marble floor on its way to the other side. It quickly vanished behind the trunk of one of the carnac trees.
“Genovene directed my attention to the treetops, where at first I didn’t notice anything unusual. Once my eyes adjusted to the corridor’s dimness, I spotted a pair of nest-like huts perched high up in the trees. In each sat several miahluschkas, their hooded faces shrouded as they watched us move closer to the village entrance.
“‘How’d they get up there?’ I asked.
“‘Like that,’ she advised, and then pointed to a nearby tree. A pair of miahluschkas scaled the tree from the ground to the very top at incredible speed. She next pointed to the treetops just beyond the pair I’d already noticed. More miahluschkas were swinging from tree to tree using the vines that hung down from the highest branches to propel themselves. Like agile tree monkeys they moved effortlessly. I watched another one descend from its hut to the floor in a matter of seconds.
“‘They’re really amazing!’ I told her. I scarcely could believe they possessed such incredible agility.
“‘They’re the only guardians we’ve ever needed out here,’ said Genovene. ‘They’re able to swoop down on any unwelcome intruders when needed.’
“I remember how this puzzled me. ‘That’s a little hard to believe,’ I told her. ‘Obviously, I see how quick they move. Don’t you think anyone with a gun could mow right through ‘em?’
Despite their unusual athleticism, I couldn’t picture them stopping a fierce intruder unless by sheer numbers alone.
“‘You’d be surprised, Jack,’ she said. ‘The miahluschkas have very sharp teeth and claws. I’ve seen them tear apart a pack of wolves before. It wouldn’t be a good idea to underestimate our little guardians.’
“She smiled and playfully winked at me once more, but I could tell she meant for her words to be taken very seriously by me. I hoped I hadn’t offended her. Meanwhile, more and more miahluschkas came out of their hiding places while she continued to lead me closer to the village entrance unperturbed. I looked up toward the treetops and saw the hut-like nests were becoming more abundant. The miahluschkas’ shrill calls to one another echoed loudly throughout the corridor, which made me consider further Genovene’s warning.
“The twin gates soon came into clear view. Each one was spectacular in its own right, rising more than two hundred feet into the air and stretching at least half that wide across. The crystal wall encircling the village was just as tall as the gates, and behind the wall, I could see some of the village buildings shimmering in the sunlight. I truly wished Grandpa and Jeremy were there to see this with me, I was filled with such wonder.
“‘Is it not marvelous, Jack?’ she asked.
“‘It’s totally awesome!’ I agreed.
“She nudged me forward until we stood directly in front of the massive gates, and then she led me up a short flight of marble stairs that brought us right up to them. I moved up to the left gate and touched it. The gate was warm, but not like I expected it to be, gleaming as if it absorbed the sunlight. I let my fingers caress the soft metal and the lines and curves of the intricate designs covering the gate.
“As I let my hands follow and trace the gate’s designs, I looked up and noticed three sets of huge rings, that resembled door knockers, attached to the gates from between twenty and eighty feet above my head. I wondered what they were intended for, since only a mythical giant would be suited to use them to open or close the gates.
“Genovene stepped over to me and asked me to take my talisman from my pocket. I noticed that the designs on it were the same as those on the gates.
“‘Your talisman is a key to the gate before you,’ she told me, whispering softl
y in my ear. ‘We’ve taken great pains to make sure our glorious village remains a secret. Only a select few ever get to see it. Can you imagine the stories you’ll have to tell, along with experiences the vast majority of people will never share with you? You’re truly special, Jack. Enjoy the moment. It’s your special day. Now, come follow me.’ She pulled away from me, holding her talisman as she walked over to the right gate and stood directly beneath the huge ring on that side.
“‘Take your talisman and come up here to the other gate. Then, wait for my signal,’ she instructed. ‘As soon as I count to three you must put your talisman into the slot located below the gate’s handle.’ She followed my progress with her gaze as I walked up to the left gate again and located the slot, which was nearly a foot above my head. I pulled my talisman out of my pocket and looked over at her. She regarded me seriously. ‘Remember, the talisman is your only ticket to gain access to everything that awaits you beyond these gates,’ she admonished. ‘So, be sure to insert it into your slot at precisely the same instant I put mine in.’
“‘Okay,’ I told her. I remember I tried to slow my breathing so that my excitement wouldn’t get the better of me.
“‘One...Two...Three!”
“A single ‘click’ sounded as both objects were inserted into the gate. With a loud groan, the massive gates of gold slowly opened. We backed up out of the way, and the bright glow from the village poured out into the corridor, completely bathing us in golden light. Genovene gently took my hand and led me just inside the village entrance. For the moment we just stood there, surveying the surreal beauty of the village while the gates slowly closed behind us.”
PART IV
The Golden Village
“Agent McNamee, I do believe I’m ready for another Coke,” said Jack.
“Sure, no problem.” Peter stood up and moved over to the small refrigerator and opened it. “Let’s see...there’s still three left after this one, but I’m sure I can get more if we need it.” He removed one of the cans and brought it over to the table.
“Have you heard enough, yet?” asked Jack after he opened the can and took a healthy swallow. “I’ll be more than happy to shut up about this shit if you’d rather.”
“No, don’t stop,” said Peter. “You keep forgetting that I want to hear your entire story. I know you’re thinking most folks would consider this stuff as crazy, but remember I’m not your average audience.”
“Well, I need to advise you that some pretty intense stuff is about to come your way, which may prove to be a lot harder to digest—even for you,” Jack advised. “My personal involvement may make it really tough to share everything with you, Agent McNamee. But, I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Good. Let’s hear what else you’ve got.” Peter relaxed back into his seat once more.
“All right,” said Jack. “Once the gates closed behind us, Genovene and I started walking along this golden road. A variety of shops lined both sides of the road amid tall juniper trees and mature magnolias. There were a number of weeping willows as well, with golden park benches beneath their shade.
“Many of the buildings stood several stories high and were made of marble, with snakes, dragons, and other critters etched in gold upon their walls. The buildings tapered inward on each level as they towered upward, similar to ancient structures in South America and the Far East that I’d once seen in pictures. Each of the inset doors, window shutters, and even the shingles on each roof appeared to be made of gold. Some buildings had symbols that were completely foreign to me etched above their doorways.
“The area was filled with beautiful women and men that were unusually tall. I remember they laughed loudly and traveled together in small groups, as I watched them come and go from the shops closest to us. The language they spoke seemed stranger to me than the one spoken by the miahluschkas. I asked Genovene if they were part of her family.
“‘No, they’re not,’ she replied. ‘The people you see around us are the caretakers of my village. You’ll see them everywhere today.”
“They were all nearly seven feet in height and would surely be a basketball coach’s dream. But they’d seem pretty strange to most folks. They all wore colorful robes and tunics, and a ton of gold jewelry. Olive skinned, their long braided hair was so dark it looked purple. Their eye color was like most folks—you know, everything from gray to brown, but flashing with a luminance unlike what you’ll normally see. Despite their exceptional height, the villagers’ movements were surprisingly graceful.
“‘Are you getting hungry, yet?’ Genovene asked me.
“‘I am a little,’ I replied.
“‘Good, I’ve got just the thing for us!’ she said. ‘There’s a candy store just ahead. Come on!’ She enthusiastically pulled on my hand, intending to lead me over to the shop closest to us. But I resisted her. I didn’t budge at all.
“‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
“‘I don’t know... I’m thinking I should get back home, Genovene,’ I told her. ‘Grandpa’s probably wondering where I am by now. He’s pretty good at figuring things out.’ Truth is, I’d been fine up until a moment before, when a feeling of terrible dread suddenly overwhelmed me. I could’ve sworn I’d also heard a soft voice warning me that I mustn’t stay—that I should leave immediately.
“‘Nonsense!’ she declared. She seemed hurt by my words. ‘Shame on you, Jack Kenney, for not trusting me yet! I told you earlier your grandpa would be busy for a while, and that you’ll be back home long before he comes looking for you. I know you’re dying to see the rest of my village, so what’ve you got to lose? You’ve already come this far!’
“Her lip quivered as if she might cry. Perhaps she also sensed the invisible presence nearby, for she gazed beyond me and squinted angrily as if trying to focus in on something difficult to see. My apprehension suddenly dissipated as quickly as it had first come over me.
“Genovene seemed relieved, and soon was back to her vivacious self. But I couldn’t help wondering about it. Was something trying to protect me? If so, from whom or what? But it was like that inner voice we all ignore at times, then wish we had paid attention. Know what I mean?
“She didn’t give me long to think about this, invading my personal space once more. With a naughty smile she eyed me seductively and slid up close to me, her breasts pushing against my right collarbone and shoulder through her gown. “‘Jack’, she whispered. ‘If you really want to leave, you can. I’d be sorely disappointed, but I won’t stop you...won’t you at least first accompany me to the candy store? You’re hungry, right?’
“I nodded this was true.
“‘Come share a small treat with me,’ her voice as soft and sultry as the mythical Siren. ‘After that, if you still would rather not stay, then I’ll take you back home immediately. Should you decide instead to continue your visit here a while longer, I’ll make sure you have the time of your life.’
“I was finding it harder to hide my arousal. She giggled softly and stepped away from me, giving me the space only a small part of me wished for. She turned her back and extended her hand for me to take. Once I took her hand in mine, she led me to the candy store, swinging her hips back and forth ever so slightly. ‘What would it hurt?’ I told myself, ignoring the dangerous compromise my hormones were forcing upon my ability to reason clearly.
“The candy store was an elaborate two-story structure, whose walls were encrusted with a variety of dazzling gemstones that stood out sharply from the white marble walls and gold trim on the building’s outside facade. Above the shop’s front door was an enormous gold ring with an even larger ruby glistening on top of it.
“I recall how I just stood there, not believing what I was looking at. The garish decoration looked an awful lot like the strawberry sucker I’d pulled from my pocket yesterday while swinging from the tire-swing. It wasn’t half-melted like that sucker and at least a thousand times bigger.
“‘Come on in, Jack!’ Genovene said, pulling me up the s
tairs and through the building’s entrance while I continued to stare at the huge ornament above us. She locked her arm around mine, and before I could protest further, we were already standing inside the store.
“The internal décor was just as garish as its outside facade. In a way, it reminded me of the ‘Mrs. Smith’s Candies’ store at a strip mall my grandfather had recently taken me to in nearby Demopolis, only it appeared as if someone had dipped all of the metal components and wooden furniture in gold. The walls and counters appeared to be made from the same brilliant white marble used on the building’s exterior.
“The ceiling was embossed with elaborate designs that were once again similar to the talisman I’d carried earlier. A unique system of running lights that were lavender, green, and white in color stretched along the border edges separating the walls from the ceiling itself. I followed the lights with my eyes, trying futilely to trace their exact path, while a tall dessert chef dressed in a gold and white outfit worked hurriedly behind the main counter pouring fresh chocolate into a large vat.
“‘What you see before you is the finest chocolate in all the land,’ Genovene purred softly. ‘Go ahead...pick something that looks good to you.’ She pointed to a vast crystal display case, which was loaded with a wide variety of chocolate candies, cakes, and cookies. I figured I’d try one of these items and then be on my way back home.
“After a moment’s deliberation, I pointed to one of the fudge cookies sitting near the bottom of the case. The chef stopped what he was doing and quickly moved over to the case. Within seconds, he’d reached in and grabbed the cookie and handed it to me, wearing the warmest of smiles on his face. Before I could even say ‘thanks’ to the chef, Genovene beat me to it.
“‘Thank you, Kolarre,’ she said. ‘I would like one of those as well, and then that will be all.’
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