He looked down at his cell phone and read a text from Devin that read: GIFT DELIVERED, looked back to Rebekah, and carried on briefly with the conversation before he was interrupted by a television news broadcast on the overhead flat screen.
"What a shame." Rebekah turned toward the television. "The house exploded. I can't believe it. You know... a lot has been going on around here since you left. Now it's getting worse."
On the television, news reporter Adam Shelters reported, "I've talked with Winston Cunningham, chief of the fire division, and Jacki Trollier, police spokeswoman. This area is officially declared an arson, quadruple murder scene. There are many people out here tonight, but apparently no one has seen anything. Again, this is the home of Detective Donald Krane of the Warwick City Police Department, his wife Donna, eleven year old son, and nine year old daughter. There is still no clue as into the whereabouts of the family, although the law enforcement officials suspect the family was in the house due to their vehicles being present and no response to multiple calls made to the detective and his wife made by friends and family. It is a tragedy folks..." lowering his head to read from a piece of paper, then looking off camera to introduce a, Chelsey Winchester, as a Behavioral Analyst and criminal profiler. Her hair was a dark brown and shoulder length. She had Brown eyes, and dressed as Rebekah would be in her high school years, but looked to be in her mid to late twenties.
"You two related?" Surbenét joked.
"Funny." she returned, sarcastically.
"... Similar situations have continued for over a decade," Chelsey's story continued, "Men, women, children, and entire families... Most of those that went unsolved are more than likely to have been done by the same person or persons'. It maybe an occult group. We need help to locate the people responsible, and rid the streets of their terror, which by reason to believe that some of the organizations affiliates are incarcerated now for related crimes but have yet to be implicated of any additional, possibly threw a vow of silence." she finished.
"I believe," Adam began. "... Ms. Winchester is right. There is a corrupted society within our city. We will keep you posted as we work diligently to help expose the culprits. Remember, the red `X` marks the spot, along with the fires. This criminal mischief has been going on for a decade folks, and we're tremendously baffled for clues, ready to take any information you have concerning these incidents... From the once pleasant and peaceful Claudine Commons section of Warwick City, This is Adam Shelters. Reporting live."
"This is too much..." Surbenét pushed his plate to the center of the table. "Let's get out of here. It's getting late and there's a killing, arsonist out there..."
"Oh, since when have you been worried." she laughed as they both left the booth.
Back at the front door, he let her walk ahead of him to open the door herself. There were people standing around the Porsche truck that, now, had a bow tie ribbon across the hood, cheering happy birthday, which she immediately blushed to, and tears of overwelment grew in her eyes. Then, Surbenét held her from behind tightly and whispered in her ear, "Happy birthday."
Devin politely opened the driver's side door, revealing the massive amounts of roses and flowers that filled the entire vehicle from the front passenger seat to the storage area in the rear.
"It's beautiful." she got into the driver's seat. "I love it. Where are you going to sit, honey?" questioning Surbenét.
Surbenét said, "I'm taking your old car." then turning to Devin, "You want to take my truck?"
"Naw," he answered, "I'm going to ride with these three." thumbing over his shoulder to Hollywood, Vegas, and Victoria.
"That's fine." he turned to Rebekah. "I'll take your Mercedes and catch up."
"Yeah," she said. "Well don't black out on this one." sarcastically grinning with a wink of the eye.
"The keys, 'Bekah." he replied, ignoring her comment.
CHAPTER 7.
"The time is near. We must be diligent." whispered the voice of Neka threw the darkness. "You must stand up to fight and conquer the beast. You must learn to use your alchemist captivation to see threw this cloud of treachery."
"It's cold," Surbenét cried. "I can't see. Where... Where am I?" breathing heavy.
"Calm yourself. You're frightened, and that, animals can sense. You must calm yourself... and fear her not... Only then will you be able to see clearly. She will challenge you... and you will not be ready."
He calmed himself and then began to see the cold air that came from his mouth, the grass around his bare feet, and the scenery becoming clear.
It was the sounds of a waterfall in the near distance.
He saw the trees, hills, and then the sun rising from behind a mountain. He started rotating, looking for Neka. "Where are you?" he looked at himself to see he was wearing an all black, t-shirt and slack ensemble.
"I am here." she answered, sitting on a large stone, in her white gown, in an open area, sun rays shining threw the trees onto her.
"What's going on," he asked, walking to her. "What's happening to me? Where am I? And where the hell are my shoes?"
"You are near Mount Everest."
"Mount ever... How... This is another dream! I'll wake up soon. Wake up Surbenét," he said. "It's just a fucking dream."
"Oh," she cut in, "This is very real. A dream to any other than you... This is your reality. Another reality. Where the enemy will stop at nothing to destroy every part of you. We are at war!"
"At war! What's happening to me?"
"... She has been winning. Your blood. I have not all the answers!" Neka calmly explained.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your bloodline. Your people. Your destiny... now she has an unborn. You mustn't lead her to..." she paused and looked up. "you must stay away fr..."
He cut in, " Who are you talking about? What's wrong? And what war? I have visions..." he moved closer. "As a child demoralized. vivid night terrors. I seen you. Before I was even born. You were pregnant since my eight birthday, and until I was fifteen. You never age. Is everything just being made up in my mind... Tell me. Tell me what it is that I must do so I can put this all behind me." he walked toward her, angered.
A brisk wind erupted, followed by a defining howl. Neka and Surbenét looked up. The sun was briefly blocked out; and lowering his head, Neka was gone.
"Stand up to her." her voice echoed. "This is her way of torture."
His feet grew cold, and when he looked down he was standing on snow. He looked ahead and seen all the wild animals of the wilderness charging his direction. From rabbits and foxes to bears and mountain lions, the wind continued to blow. Only it was warm with so much force. Branches hurled his way and trees in a further distance fell from place, all being followed by a raging fire.
He dumbfoundedly took many backward steps and then turned to run for his life.
The animals took their turns passing him; just as Keelium, Christian, and Devin did many years ago.
He began to get tired and slowed down. The animals were far ahead now, and the crackling noises of the woods being burned down had ceased. There was only the strong wind and a sound that he had never envisioned or heard in his entire life. It sounded not too far, but the wind was very strong. When he slowly turned around, in the air, blocking most of the sun was the near-completely shaded figure of a dragon. Although he could hardly see it, it was very much similar to a prehistoric Pterodactyl; only from its nose to the tip of the tail were bone spikes that protruded from its greenish brown leather skin. The animal looked at him then lifted its head to let out a vile scream that rumbled the ground, for it was more baritone than trumpet. The color of the sky went from blue to a dark maroon, and as Surbenét stood there paralyzed in fear and wonder. The beast slowly flapped its massive wings waiting for him to make a move. He waited until his strength was regained and his courage to grow a little more then ran threw the woods, but was stopped shortly by the many sets of yellowish green eyes surrounding him from the darkness of the wilde
rness. He turned up to the winged monstrosity, which was yet to budge. That's when he clenched his fists and taunted the winged serpent, "What are you waiting for? Kill me already." he yelled.
The dragon attacked him, hollering a blaze of fire out of its mouth. Surbenét gasped as the fire headed his way, fast. Then as the flame consumed him. It became blue.
"Aaarrrggghhh!" Surbenét yelled as he awoken, his face wrapped in between his forearms and biceps, rolling toward the edge of the bed.
"Surbenét!" rushed Rebekah, reaching out to him, grabbing at his arms to help keep him from falling.
He forcefully pushed her back, and when he turned to face her, she jumped back screaming at the top of her lungs, grabbing at her sheets, covering her naked body, scrambling to get out of bed.
He hurled his body in the opposite direction, and his physical form metamorphosed into a jaguar that leaped off the edge like a wild animal. With his back turned, he landed on all fours. Then he stood erect as himself; his head turning toward her and his eyes lighting up florescent greenish yellow.
Rebekah made her way for the cordless phone that was on her dresser top. As she attempted to grab the phone, he leaped from the other side of the room, grabbed it, and smashed it with his hands.
She ran.
He looked on growling.
As she made her way half way down the stairs he followed. She jumped down some of the steps, and at the bottom she heard him calling out to her.
"Rebekah! Help me." he cried.
She stalled, shaking rapidly out of control. Then began to cry and shout, "What's wrong with you! You’re... This can't be... It's not real." she collapsed at the foot of the steps. Her tears hit the floor as her head was lowered, and she softly began weeping, "I don't know what to do... I'm sorry... I don't know what to do... I'm sorry."
His voice was heard into her ear, "Don't be..."
She briskly turned to him. His eyes were glowing. Then, he growled like a wild dog, revealing sharp fangs and said, "I know what to do." and attacked her.
Surbenét and Rebekah both lay in the bed, underneath her black silk sheets. He lay on his stomach waking up to look toward her, then headed for the dark restroom. By the time he was done pissing and washing his hands, he looked in the mirror to see his eyes still glowing. He closed his eyes tight, only to reopen them and see that there was no change.
He punched the glass, shattering it, waking Rebekah. She rushed to his aid, but as she made it to the door, he came running out past her, grabbing his clothes, heading down the steps. She shouted for him to come back, pleading to understand what the wrong was. He stopped only to put his clothes on rather abrupt, asked of her forgiveness for the interruptions, and left. Rebekah, still standing in the nude, looked at the clock to see the time 3:03am. Then looked to the restroom to see that the light's were off.
8. Thursday July 12, 2012 - Island Gates Manor
Surbenét drove to Fayetteville, North Carolina. The ailment in his eyes was more like an incredible gift. He had gained night vision, though he had still picked up a pair of shades from out of Rebekah's Mercedes center console.
He made his way onto his stonewall, 100 million dollar, 180-acre, connected private community as the sun came up. The entrance gate was shut, so he used his passcode to enter. The property was set up in sections of luxury apartments, condos, and townhouses. Most connected. The front was of small ponds, large fountains, gazebos, and plenty of plants and flowers. A rare to see, adding the stone sculptures of goblins on roof tops, knights and wild animals attractively spread threw-out the lawn. He drove under a brick walking bridge toward the back of the land, where you could see plenty. Two community sized pools, more gazebos, separated guest houses, man-made waterfalls, and horses beyond a wooden fence in the distance. The surrounding area was filled with hunting woods. All still a part of his land. He made his way into a large garage and into the lavishly laced hallway of the main building. He passed by chandeliers, paintings, stoned sculptures, and large vases filled with plants. He walked to the last vase in the hallway and lifted a plant to smell it, looked around and called out, "Magenta! Dr. Magenta Purves!" with no answer, "... I'll be in the library!"
The library section was a giant thirty-foot, cylinder shaped room with two exits and a platform elevator with a Staircase spiraling around it. It was positioned toward the east of room; leading to it's two other levels;
All of the more important video and literature was kept on the third level.
He looked up at the top to see there was a sun roof with a stone perimeter that had markings of a compass. Only it was missing the east and west. He looked back ahead of him to see two male Doberman pincher's. He didn't move.
The past came back to haunt him, he thought. Only this time he wasn't sleep.
Someone blew a kiss and the dogs ran. He decided to follow the dogs; but cautiously. The closer he walked to the exit, the air seemed to get thinner, and it felt like the room was closing in on him. "Hey!" he said.
From the other side of the wall came the blade of a samurai sword toward his face. He bent his back just barely avoiding the attack, losing his shades, reaching in his back area to retrieve a semi-automatic. The sword lodged into the wall with his shades in between.
In the face of his would be assassin, Surbenét looked forward, gun pointed with his finger on the trigger.
It was Magenta; in shock and disbelief.
"Holy shit!" she exclaimed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here. The dogs ran off an..."
"Magenta!" He lowered his gun calmly, frowning, but relieved, "Magenta! It's okay. No one’s hurt. Damn. You almost got me."
"I said sorry, sweetie." she replied, grabbing his crotch. "This is a huge place. Don't have to go anywhere. Everything you need is right here."
"When'd you get the dogs." moving on, with the inside joke to himself.
"Not too long ago. But their also very well-trained. Listen to every command by voice recognition."
"So there YOUR dogs? Only you control them?"
"Well, no one else has been around, so, I guess so. They won't do anything unless I command them to. The girls with Dorchester has a kennel with a training facility." she stared into his eyes, "Hey... didn't you say something was wrong with your..." she was cut off but continued to get the rest out simultaneously with his outburst of 'oh shit! my eyes! Don’t look at me!' "... eyes when you called this morning?"
He put his hands over his face.
When he was done, she asked, "Why, your eyes are fine. That's your way to leave work, huh?"
He assured her that something was wrong with his eyes but never told her what, pulling his hands from them, walking with her to her doctor's office within the house.
She took him into an exam room and ran a series of tests on him which proved nothing was wrong with his eyes.
Still unsatisfied with the 20/20 results, he insisted that she send him elsewhere. A surgeon outside of the country to have his eyes changed. "Under radar? I'd rather not have anyone know what I am about to do."
"Surbenét, your eyes look just as mesmerizing as when we first met. Are you alright?"
"Who, Where, and how soon, Magenta?" he muttered.
She was calm, "His name is Doctor Andrew Edin. From England. He resides in France. Not far from the Mont Blanc Estate. I can call the pilot and have the helicopter fly you to the private jet now, if you like?"
"No. I'll leave in the morning since you are the only one here." he started walking from the room.
"What's wrong?" she was concerned.
"It's a long story, Magenta. Long story." he walked out, "... and keep those hounds away from me." he came back, jokingly serious. "Magenta! The sun roof compass in the library... You notice it?"
"Yeah. What about."
"It's different. A compass has the eight directions, right? Or at least the four main ones. This only has six. East and West are missing. Does that mean anything to you?"
"Yeah. It means the contractor never fin
ished his job."
"You got me." he smiled on his way out, "I'll be in the library if you start to miss me."
"Whatcha studying?"
"Altered States of Consciousness Advanced."
"Surbenét. Is there seriously something about you that I just haven't figured out yet, or need to know?"
"There's something that we don't know about everyone. However, I ask myself the same question. Some people say that the mind is a terrible thing to waste. I say the mind is a terrible thing." he turned to leave again. "For the second time in twenty-four hours, someone questioned my major. I was so wasted, I barely remember college."
9. THE RECIPROCAL - Warwick City
Devin and Dorchester met with Reuger and Able in a private booth at the exclusive The Reciprocal gentleman club. The purpose was to tell Evolution that they were concluding the street operations.
Kitten and Diamond walked in. They wanted to figure how much money would be lost. They weren’t fond of the idea at all, and left the booth, which made it quite evident that there was going to be a problem.
"We still exchange everything but the dope shit." Was Dorchester's proposal. "I suggest that Evolution should too."
"Who the fuck are you!" fired Reuger. "You don't make those decisions!"
"Well, the fuck if I just did on X-caliber's behalf. This bickering..."
Kitten argued, "This meeting is terminated, boys. Let's go."
Devin stood, "We need to finish this!"
Able reached for his side-arm. Dorchester and Reuger stood simultaneously, grabbing their guns. Able turned to Dorchester. Reuger and Able were aiming their guns at Dorchester.
Dorchester aimed at Reuger. Devin pulled his gun. Aimed it at Able.
Kitten pulled her gun. Aimed it at Devin.
"You motherfuckers 'ill never get outta here alive..." Dorchester started, "You think everybody that works for us gonna let you just walk otta here!"
THE WICK OF WAR: Absolution Page 3
