by G. P. Ching
“Kinesthetic intelligence?” Ethan asked Malini.
“It means she’s a whiz at acrobatics. I’ve seen her hit a bull's-eye with an arrow she shot while executing a full layout.”
“Oh.”
Lillian pointed to a list on the whiteboard. “Besides fatigue, here are other side effects we’ve logged within our Soulkeeper population: burning heat, freezing cold, nose bleeds, dehydration, migraine headaches. Have any of you experienced any of these or other symptoms?”
Jesse raised his hand. “If I try to disperse for more than five minutes, my molecules snap back together on their own, and it feels like I have the flu.”
Lillian nodded.
Samantha piped up. “When Bonnie and I join, if we stay together too long, we can’t always separate equally. Once it took us an entire day to get back to our normal size.”
“Interesting,” Lillian said. “As we practice, be aware of your body and know when you need to stop. I’ll be teaching you basic defensive skills so that even if your power wanes, you can get yourself out of a dangerous situation. Any questions?”
All five heads shook.
“Excellent. First training session will be in two hours in Room 115. Right now, it looks like we have a new student.” Lillian looked toward Ethan, as did the rest of the class. “I’ll get him settled in and we can make his acquaintance before we start.”
Everyone stood and waved their hellos on their way out the door.
“You must be Ethan,” Lillian said. “I'm Ms. Lau.”
He accepted her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Lillian stepped to the side and embraced Jacob. “Good to see you. Are you enjoying your summer?” She winked.
“Right, Mom. I love traveling all over the country fighting demons,” he said sarcastically. But then his face softened. “Actually, you know what? I do. I’m having a great summer.”
Lillian smiled. “I thought so.” She gave Malini a quick hug. “I need to talk with both of you once we get Ethan settled in. It’s important.”
“Of course,” Malini said.
She led all of them into the hall. “Ethan, come with us and we’ll show you to your dorm room. It’s in the east wing.”
“Mom, the place looks great. How did you get everything cleaned up so quickly? The grounds alone must have taken days.” Jacob eyed the polished brass room numbers to the right of each door.
“You know, it’s the damnedest thing. The school had its own…” She cleared her throat.
“Its own what?” Jacob asked.
“Maintenance system,” Lillian drawled. “The system stopped working when everyone left, but has revived with our presence here.”
Malini giggled. “What type of system mows the grass and clears away branches? You’d need a team of landscapers for that.”
Lillian smiled and shook her head. “You won’t believe it, Malini, but Eden is a garden and the Lord provides.”
Just then, a small man with a face like a monkey’s appeared in the foyer wearing green lederhosen and a tall pointy hat. He didn’t walk in the front door; he literally appeared out of thin air. Ethan leaped backward into Jacob.
The man removed his hat and held it in his green-stained hands. “Ms. Lau, the room has been prepared for the new student. Is there anything else I can do for you today?”
“Yes, please, Archibald, I would love it if you and the other gnomes took a long break before dinner to do as you please.”
Archibald flashed a set of ragged yellow teeth. “As you wish, Ms. Lau.” He disappeared as quickly as he’d come.
“Mom, what was that?” Jacob asked.
“Shhh. Jacob, be respectful. Who, not what. That was Archibald. He’s the head of the pod of garden gnomes that takes care of the school. They’ve been here from the very beginning. Besides getting the place cleaned up, he’s shared a wealth of knowledge about the school’s history.”
Malini nudged Ethan, who was still staring at the place Archibald had been. “Lillian, what were the gnomes doing this whole time? When Jacob found this place it was completely overgrown and left to rot.”
“Before Warwick left, he ordered the gnomes to take care of themselves until his return.” She lowered her voice. “The gnomes do exactly as you tell them. Exactly and nothing more.” She crossed the foyer leading the others into the east wing and up a spiral staircase.
Cave-like drawings covered the walls of the stairwell. One, a stick-figure boy riding a horse, caught Jacob's attention. White dots of paint shot out of the boy's palm toward black shadows gathered behind a tree. “Look, Malini. Neanderthal Soulkeepers.”
Malini stopped and perused the painting. “Not Neanderthal, Jacob, Native American. Look at the handprints on the horse. It’s domesticated. And over here, behind the rider, those look like stone dwellings.”
“This place really has been here a long time.”
Lillian cleared her throat. “This passageway is a progressive mural. Look in the upper right corner at the top of the stairs.”
Jacob followed her line of sight as they climbed. A peace symbol and a flower were spray painted in neon colors. Overwhelmed by the legacy of Soulkeepers that had come before, Jacob reached out for Malini’s hand. She squeezed it three times, a silent 'I love you,' their own personal sign language.
“So, how did you find the gnomes?” Malini asked.
“I didn’t. They found me. When I moved into Warwick’s office, Archibald came and asked if he’d returned. After my heart started beating again, I realized he wasn’t a threat. I explained Warwick was dead and that I had taken his place. The rest was just a matter of me asking the right questions.”
They reached the second floor landing, and Lillian opened the door for them.
“Everyone stays up here?” Ethan asked.
“No. Just the boys. The girls are on the third floor. For now, while Jacob is on the outside, it’s just you, Jesse, and Master Lee.” Lillian walked to the third door on the left and turned the knob. “Here we are. Room 206.”
The room was about the size of a college dorm with walls in the same stucco as the rest of the building. One window brightened the room from the far wall. A dresser, a nightstand, and a twin bed were the only furniture.
“I’ll warn you, the bed takes getting used to. Everything in Eden was designed to be at one with nature. The mattress is stuffed with leaves. We can get you a hammock if you have allergies.”
“No. It’s perfect.” Ethan walked into the center of the room and tossed his duffle on the bed. He turned a slow circle. “Is there a bathroom?”
“Down the hall. It's all geothermal and solar. Don't waste water or energy, unless you want a garden gnome to speak harshly to you. And trust me, you don't.”
Ethan nodded, staring into the room. “Yeah, a shower would be good,” he said absently.
“We’ll leave you to settle in.” Lillian ushered the others into the hall. “Class in two hours, Room 115.” She closed the door behind them, leaving Ethan staring out the window. “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine,” she said to Jacob and Malini.
Jacob wasn't so sure. The guy looked shell-shocked.
“What did you have to talk to me about anyway?” Malini asked.
“Not here. I have to check with Archibald. I just remembered I never specifically said to prepare food for Ethan and you two for dinner. They do exactly as you tell them.” She shook her head. “Meet me in my office in five minutes?”
Jacob and Malini nodded in unison.
Chapter 21
The Visitor
On the other end of Eden, Malini led Jacob into Lillian’s office. The shelf of geodes and gemstones from when Warwick Laudner walked the halls still cast colorful light across the desk, but Lillian had added her own personal touches. A framed print of Van Gogh’s Starry Night hung on the wall and a floral-patterned rug covered the floor. A picture of Jacob was taped to the side of a new computer, solar powered, Malini presumed.
“What do you think my
great-great-grandfather did with these stones?” Jacob ran a finger over the shelf in front of the window.
Malini hugged him from behind. “It probably had something to do with his gift. I don’t know for sure but my red stone enhances my abilities.” Releasing Jacob, she lifted a large amethyst geode. “I think these stones were tools, but we may never know for sure how he used them.”
Lillian walked through the open door, her long, quick strides guiding her to the leather chair behind the desk. “Archibald says Warwick used them to communicate with Soulkeepers outside of Eden. I haven’t been able to figure out how they work. We might need them. No cell service here.”
Malini took the seat across the desk from her, next to Jacob. The metal frame and hard pad reminded Malini of the chairs in the Paris High School office and judging by their split pea color, were probably made in the same year.
“So, what did you need to talk to me about?” Malini asked.
Lillian folded her hands. “You’ve made a mistake. I know you assigned me to run this school for a good reason, but I can’t do it anymore. You need to find a replacement.”
“What? But everything looks perfect. You’re doing so well!”
“And Laudner’s Flowers and Gifts has been closed two days this week. I still don’t know how I’m going to explain it when the Laudners come home from their cruise. I’ll have to say I was sick or something. I know this is more important, but we’re spreading ourselves too thin. I can’t pretend to help John run a business, while simultaneously running a school, and preparing my skills to fight off Lucifer.”
“I’m sorry, Lillian. I know I’ve asked too much. Maybe one of the new Helpers can become more involved. Let me think about it and get back to you.”
“Please do, and quickly. I needed help, yesterday. And to be perfectly honest, I never wanted this job. I’m a Horseman, not a Helper. I don't mind teaching the Soulkeepers about weapons, but running a school just isn’t my thing.”
“I know. I know, Lillian. Let me meditate on it. I’ll find someone else. But promise me you’ll hang in there until I do,” Malini pleaded.
Lillian sighed. “Okay. But not forever. I’m fine with going back to the way things were before we found Eden. I’m serious about this. I don’t want to do it another day. For you I will, but you better get to work on finding a replacement because I’m not sure how much longer I can force myself to do this.”
Malini nodded. “We should probably go,” she said. “I need to speak to Gideon and we still have three more Soulkeepers to round up. Abigail should have August and Bridget ready by now.”
“Of course. I’ll walk you out to the boat.” Lillian stood and led the way into the hall. “By the way, I heard from your Uncle John last time I was in the shop. He and Carolyn are enjoying their cruise. They send their love.”
Jacob grinned. “I’m glad it’s working out for both of us, but what are we going to do about them when they get home? I can’t make excuses forever.”
“Me neither, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Malini said.
A few minutes later, the three reached the edge of the jungle and stepped onto the dock. “Hey! Where’s the boat?” Malini asked.
Her eyes darted around the harbor. The boat's dark hull appeared at the gate on the horizon. It passed under the flaming swords and drifted toward them.
“Who else knows about this place?” Jacob asked.
Malini blew air through her nose. “No one.”
Lillian reached for her calf and pulled a dagger from a sheath there. She assumed a defensive pose as the boat docked and the sail lowered.
The bench seats were empty but there was a body in the bottom of the boat. A corpse? Pale but smudged in ash, the skin hung off the skeletal remains in a way that hardly seemed human. Malini jumped in and turned the head to face the light.
Dane.
Chapter 22
Jacob and Malini
Jacob watched Malini’s fingers feel for Dane’s pulse with a heavy heart. Dane’s pale skin hung on his skeleton, his body covered in cuts and bruises. He looked like a corpse.
“Quick! Help me get him up to the school. His pulse is weak and he’s dehydrated. I can heal him but only if we get some nourishment into his body,” Malini commanded.
Jumping into the boat, Jacob peeled off his T-shirt and tossed it over Dane's naked hips before gathering his friend into his arms. He was much too light.
Lillian reached forward to help Jacob out of the boat but he didn’t need it. The adrenalin coursing through his veins was help enough. He leapt to the dock and jogged up the path, unable to comprehend that the sleight weight in his arms was Dane Michaels. The first time he'd met Dane, he'd been intimidate by his size. Now, the stocky bully turned friend was utterly wasted. It blew Jacob's mind.
When he reached the school, his mom was already there, holding the door. “West wing, fourth floor. There’s an infirmary.”
Jacob bounded up the spiral staircase to the clean white room. Gently, he positioned Dane on one of the six hospital beds.
Malini rushed to his side. “He needs water.”
Lillian disappeared behind a divider and returned with a glass and pitcher. “I added some sugar. He needs the calories.”
“Good thinking.” Malini lifted the glass from Lilly’s hand and brought it to Dane’s lips, cradling his head in her left hand. “I’m going to give him enough healing energy to drink but I won’t be able to heal his body until he has enough calories inside of him to rebuild his cells.”
Dane swallowed a few gulps of water without opening his eyes.
“It’s going to take some time. We’ll have to take shifts. I’ll go first, until he’s strong enough to drink on his own. Jacob, you can go next.” She tipped the glass to Dane’s lips again.
Jacob nodded. “Maybe we can get Dr. Silva to mix an elixir to heal him faster.”
The room plunged into silence, Malini and Lillian exchanging glances.
“What?” Jacob asked.
Malini groaned. “If Dane is here, Lucifer must have gotten what he wanted.” Panic crept into her voice. “Dr. Silva must’ve—”
“No. She wouldn’t.” Jacob shook his head.
Lillian rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. “Yes, yes she would, Jacob. She’s always been a loose cannon.”
“And Ethan told us she was fighting with Gideon. We have to face the possibility that she gave up.” Malini’s eyes darted around the room, like she was searching for answers in the corners.
Jacob paced like a caged animal. “No. How could she do that? We can’t do this without her. We need Dr. Silva.”
Lillian placed her hands on Jacob’s shoulders. “We may have to. We may not have a choice.”
Malini took a deep, cleansing breath and let it out slowly, seeming to beat back her earlier panic by force of will. “Jacob’s right. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There might be some answers in the In Between. I'll go over as soon as I can. And we need to talk to Gideon.”
Jacob looked at Dane’s emaciated body in Malini’s arms. “I don’t think we can leave him yet.”
“We won’t, Jacob.” Malini's eyes welled with tears. “One thing at a time. Saving Dane comes first.”
* * * * *
The garden was dark by the time Jacob finished with his shift caring for Dane. He found Malini sitting cross-legged at the end of the dock, face tilted toward the tranquil waters. The moon was low, appearing larger than life on the horizon. Her dark silhouette was a humble contrast.
“My mom asked Ethan to help with Dane. She’s going to teach that defense class to the Soulkeepers, just in case. Plus, she needed to run the school. Did you know that the gnomes won’t eat unless she tells them to take care of themselves?” Jacob lowered himself to the wood beams behind Malini. At her level, he could make out the glint of wetness on her cheeks. She'd been crying. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “What is it, Malini?”
She swept her fingers under h
er eyes and cleared her throat. “I went to the In Between for guidance and to center myself.”
“Why are you crying? What did you see?”
Turning her body toward him, she slipped her fingers into his. “I can’t tell you.”
Jacob whispered into her ear, “I know you can’t always share the specifics, and you have to be careful not to upset the balance of nature or change the course of history, but, look at you. Your head is going to explode if you don’t talk about it. Can’t you tell me anything?”
Malini rested her head on his shoulder. “Before I became a Healer, do you remember when I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum with my parents?”
“Vaguely.”
“Well, did you know that his decision, the Civil War, resulted in the deaths of over six hundred thousand people?”
Jacob squeezed her hand. “No, I didn’t. I knew there was a Civil War, though.”
Malini snorted derisively. “You really should pay more attention in school.”
“I’ll start as soon as I think anything they teach us will save our lives.” He chuckled.
Her mouth tugged downward. “Even though so many people were killed, it was the right thing to do. Did you know a Healer was helping him? Panctu. I used to wonder what it was like for her to know her guidance would mean the deaths of so many. But it was the right thing to do. A Healer’s job is to guide people toward the greater good, no matter what.” A tear traced a sparkling trail down here cheek.
Jacob swallowed hard. “You’ve seen what we have to do and it means death, maybe for a lot of people.”
“Sometimes one person seems as valuable as a whole army of them.” She sobbed in earnest and Jacob pulled her into his arms.
Was it him? She might have seen his death or his mom’s and of course she couldn’t say. Doing so might change what was meant to be. The thought stuck in his throat, a swollen egg that made it hard to breathe. He tipped his face until his forehead met hers. “This is why God made you a Healer. Another person wouldn’t be as brave. We have to do what we have to do. I’ve died before, you know, twice. It’s practically a habit.”
