“What you just said…about Martians and…and Mars…I started to remember something that…that happened to me not too long ago,” Jhahnahkan said with promise in his voice.
“I don’ know who ya are or where ya came from son, but yer really startin’ to freak me out over here,” Rex said with a bit of a quiver in his voice.
“I wish I could remember everything. I feel like something happened…or something is going to happen. I do not know. I still cannot remember.”
With his hands still up on his head, he stared out in front of the truck going down the dirt road; he pressed his first two fingers on the sides of his temples and focused his attention on Rex. Do you hear me with your mind? Stop the truck, he said with his mind.
Rex turned white and slammed on the brake and depressed the clutch on the truck, and brought her to a skidding stop. His hands tightly gripped the steering wheel, which turned his knuckles white. He slowly turned his head with caution and asked with a quiet voice, “What the heck did ya just do?” he paused for a moment and then continued, “How did ya do that?”
I do not know how I can do that, but I just knew that I could. I think there are more things I could do as well once I get my memory back, Jhahnahknan projected with his mind.
“Yer makin’ a believer outta me son, right here, right now,” Rex said, getting a big smile on his face. “Yesiree that is some pretty wild thing ya got goin’ on there.”
Jhahnahkan stopped and relaxed his concentration and smiled back at Rex, “I am not from here, but I think my ancestors did come from here a long time ago. I still do not know how I got here or what it is I am here for, but I do feel an urgency that I need to regain my memory so I can finish what it is I need to do.”
“Come on,” Rex said as he started moving the truck again. “I know just the person to take ya to.”
“I hope you are not talking about the sheriff or the Russell brothers.”
“Ohhh heavens no! I stay away from them as far as the east is from the west,” Rex exclaimed. “I’m taking ya ta see Kate.”
“Kate?”
“Yep, she is the local bartender in town. She knows this person who might be able to help ya.”
“Who is this person? Why do you think she can help me?”
“Kate says she lives in the desert. Kind of a recluse, keeps ta herself most of the time. Don’t come inta town all that much anymore… What was her name?” Rex thought out loud, “Yeah, the old woman’s name is Helen... Yeah, that’s it, Helen.”
“Helen?” Jhahnahkan exclaimed as he started to have another vision. He started to see himself in a dimly lit room, kneeling in front of an open box, holding something in his hand, and the word standing out on the page in his mind was the name Helen, and then the vision vanished.
“What’s the matter, son? Ya look like ya were remembering something again?”
“Yes,” Jhahnahkan said, “That name… Helen… I’ve seen that before. I saw it just for a moment, that name written down on something I was holding, but I do not remember much more than that. It seems too much of a coincidence.”
Just then the dirt road came to an end. Rex stopped at the paved road in front of him and said, “We’re almost there now. Kate’s place is just down the road now.”
Rex turned left and headed into the town, passing the sign saying ‘Welcome to Rosemont’.
He drove down the road, not paying attention to the posted speed limit of twenty-five, and passed the sheriff’s squad car that was parked off to the side of the road.
The Sheriff pulled out behind Rex’s truck and started to flash his emergency lights.
“What is wrong, Rex?” Jhahnahkan asked as Rex pulled over on the side of the road.
“Dagnabbit, that’s the sheriff I told ya bout. Just stay calm and let me do all the talking,” Rex said in a nervous voice.
Sheriff Matson got out of his patrol car and walked up to Rex’s window. Rex rolled down the window and asked, “What seems ta be the problem, Sheriff?”
The sheriff peered into the truck, looking at Rex and then over at Jhahnahkan and back over at Rex. He wore a round-brimmed hat and green shirt with his badge proudly showing on his protruding chest. His jaw was square, and his nose sharply pointed. “Who’s your friend, Rex?”
“He’s just some stranger I picked up off the side of the road. He had an accident and hurt himself. I was just taking him to Kate, thinking she could fix him up,” Rex said with hesitation.
“What’s your name, mister?” the officer asked.
“I do not kno…” Jhahnahkan started.
“He’s had quite a nasty bump on his head. I really should get him…” Rex began.
The sheriff stopped him short, “You’ll go when I say you can. Have you been sipping the bottle again, Rex?”
“Well… maybe earlier today… but I am sober as can be right now!” Rex exclaimed, looking away from the sheriff so he wouldn’t smell his breath.
“Okay Rex, step out of the vehicle. I need to see if you can pass a sobriety test,” Sheriff Matson ordered, “And you there mister, you stay put. I don’t like strangers coming into my town.”
Rex slowly opened the door and stepped out of his truck, and the sheriff escorted him to the back.
Jhahnahkan looked back to see the sheriff begin his tests on Rex. Jhahnahkan put his hands up to his temples again and concentrated on the sheriff.
Before he knew it, Rex came back to the driver’s side of his truck and opened up the door and climbed in as the sheriff’s squad car sped past them and raced down the road with his siren blaring and lights flashing.
“Boy,” Rex said with a smile, “what luck! The sheriff got a call about those Russell boys causing some trouble with some folks a couple of miles up the road.”
“You are welcome Rex.”
“Whattya mean? …Oh, I see… You did that?”
Jhahnahkan smiled back at Rex, “Yes, but we must move soon. He will find out shortly that it was not true. I planted the thought so we could get to Kate’s place.”
“Wow, I sure coulda used that trick a couple of weeks ago.” Rex laughed. “I don’ suppose ya can show me how ta do that, can ya?
“No, I do not think I can.”
“I thought so, but it was worth askin’.”
They pulled into a driveway and parked in front of a building that had a red neon sign that read Katie’s Roadhouse. Rex turned off the truck, pulled the parking brake, and rolled up the windows, as the two got out of the truck.
“Are ya okay to walk on ya own son?” Rex asked.
“Yes, I am rested now. I am feeling better now that Sol is setting.”
“That’s sun is setting,” Rex corrected. “Ya better not talk too much. Ya sound like a gosh dang foreigner.”
The two approached the building, which was red and had staggered vertical cedar slats running up the sides to the roof. The roof was pitched like an old barn and was covered with green moss. They opened the door to the bar and walked in.
The bar was filled with many patrons, most of which were regulars. Most everyone had a favorite seat. After all, they considered this their second home; for others, it was the only home they had.
The music that played in the background was mostly country western.
Rex took Jhahnahkan by the arm and led him to a couple of empty seats at the bar. As they rested on the barstool, a young woman approached.
She had red hair that was puffed up in front and was shoulder length. Her outfit consisted of blue jeans, cowboy boots, and a red-colored Western-style blouse that was tied in a knot in the front exposing her belly button. The name ‘Glenda’ was stenciled on a name tag, which was pinned on her right side. She chewed gum and talked at the same time.
“What can I get fer ya boys today?” she asked.
“Two drafts on tap. Put it on my tab, honey,” Rex answered.
“Sure thing sugar, comin’ right up,” she said with a lift.
Glenda turned and grabbed two s
chooners and filled them with the house beer, then turned back and placed them in front of the two, “So… Rex, who is the handsome feller ya brought in with ya?”
“He’s jus’ some stranger that was driftin’ on down the road,” looking at Jhahnahkan, and back, “Look like he needed a ride, so I stopped and picked him up,”
“Hmmm,” Glenda said as she sized up Jhahnahkan and noticed the dried blood on the side of his face, “we don’t get too many strangers here in town. What’s your name, sweetie?”
Jhahnahkan started to say “I do not know.”
Rex interrupted him and said in a whisper to Glenda, “He took a nasty fall and bumped his head. He can’t remember who he is right now.”
“Ohhhh,” she said, returning the whisper.
“We’re lookin’ fer Kate. Is she here tonight?” Rex asked, continuing to whisper.
“She ain’t here yet. Comes in in a couple of hours,” Glenda whispered.
At the other end of the bar, a patron called out, “Hey! Can we get some of that service down over here, sweet cheeks?”
“I’ll be right there love,” Glenda said returning a smile. “I’ll be back to check on ya boys later.”
Glenda wandered on down to the other end of the bar and began taking orders from the other customers.
The bar door opened and two very large men walked in. They were dressed in bib overalls and long john shirts with grease marks and holes in their sleeves. The two towered over everyone, pushing over six feet two inches each. By their looks, they were brothers, and even more disturbing, they appeared to be the Russell brothers.
Tim and Chuck Russell were their names, and everyone in the bar knew to give them a wide berth.
The two walked over to one of the pool tables that was being used by other customers and grabbed the pool cue from them. The players slowly backed away and returned to their table and sat down with their drinks.
The two men racked up the pool table and began to play their own version of pool. Nobody said a word to them and let them take over the bar as if it was owned by them.
“Rex,” Jhahnahkan asked, “why do they let them act that way?”
“Now don’ get no funny ideas in yer head. We need to stay as far away from them as we can. They’re no good and will pick a fight with ya if you just look cross-eyed at ’em.”
As they listened to the clack of the balls on the pool table, the two big men cased around the bar, looking for anyone or any reason to give trouble to someone.
“Turn around and don’ look their way,” Rex said quietly with his back to them.
“Why? I do not feel intimidated. I would like to talk to them to find out why they feel it is all right to frighten others.”
Rex pulled on Jhahnahkan’s shirtsleeve to retrieve his new friend from becoming a floor mop.
Tim looked over at a man that sat at a table all alone. He walked over and picked him up by the collar, “You… you stop starin’ at us. What’s the matter with ya? Ya stupid or somethin’?”
The man answered, “No, sir… I wasn’t looking at you. I was looking past you.”
“Don’ lie to me boy, or I’ll whoop yer ass!”
“Don’t hurt me, Tim. I promise I’ll not look anymore.”
“So you were lookin’ at me,” Tim said, drawing him closer to his face by his collar.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” the man said now almost in tears.
“Tell ya what mister, I promise not to pound ya inta the ground if you buy me all our drinks tonight,” Tim said as he pushed the man back down into his chair.
“Okay, okay, I’ll do it. I’ll put all your drinks on my tab,” the man said as he quivered in his chair.
“Okay, that includes the grill too,” Tim added, “Just so ya know.”
Laughing, Tim returned to the pool table to take his turn.
Jhahnahkan stood up and wanted to walk over to the two men, but Rex held him back again, “It’s not worth it. Sit back down before they notice,” Rex whispered.
Jhahnahkan once again sat on the barstool but did not turn from peering at the two brothers.
“I do know how to fight,” he said to Rex. “I can take care of these two bullies.”
“I know ya probably could, but they fight dirty.”
“Not as dirty as my brother fights,” Jhahnahkan stopped and thought real hard for a moment, “I remember! I remember I have a brother!” he exclaimed, “But that is all I remember, and that I took him in a fight recently, It is just a blur...”
“Take it easy there mister. You don’t need to get another blow to yer head,” Rex said with a reassuring voice, “If yer are startin’ ta remember things, just sit here and relax for a spell while we wait for Katie to get here.”
“I know you are right, but I do not like to see them acting this way. I will deal with them soon.”
The two brothers noticed Jhahnahkan looking their way, “Hey! Whatta you lookin’ at?” Chuck yelled across the bar, “Didn’t ya take notice we don’ take kindly to bein’ stared at?”
Rex pulled Jhahnahkan close to his mouth, and he whispered, “Now ya done it. We’re in big trouble now.”
“Relax Rex, it will be fine,” Jhahnahkan motioned with his hand as he got up and walked over to the Russell brothers.
“Yeah, you better come over here so we can whoop ya ass all over the floor,” Tim said as he set his pool cue down.
Jhahnahkan said no words to them as he approached.
“What’s the matter?” Chuck asked. “Cat’s got yer tongue?”
“Yeah, either that or you’re a dang gone mute,” Tim laughed.
Tim stood by Chuck with his fists clenched at his side, the other brother slapping the pool cue in the palm of his hand.
Jhahnahkan stood in front of the two and looked at each one in the eye, “You should not behave in this manner. You both need to stop what you are doing and start acting like civilized people.”
The two looked at each other and busted out with a big laugh.
“You don’ know us, do ya? Tim said, still laughing.
Chuck looked over at Tim, “But I think he’s gonna find out soon.”
The music stopped, and the bar quieted. It was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. Everyone’s eyes were on Jhahnahkan as he confronted the Russell brothers.
“Come on, bro, let’s take this pip-squeak out back and explain to him who we are,” Chuck said with a grin.
“This way, friend,” Tim said as he led Jhahnahkan by the shirt collar toward the back door.
“I knew something bad was gonna happen with them boys,” Rex said with fear.
“Ain’t ya gonna help him Rex?” Glenda asked.
“Heck no, Glenda, he can handle himself,” Rex said, looking at his friend being dragged out the back door, “’Sides, I don’ need any trouble from them boys. I got enough trouble without them addin’ to it.”
The three entered the back lot of the bar. It was darker since there were no lights. No one followed them out to see how Jhahnahkan would fair.
He stood between the two brothers. Tim was standing in front while Chuck stood behind still holding the pool cue.
“Now,” Tim said, getting closer to Jhahnahkan’s face, “we’re gonna do the beat-down on ya,” Tim continued and got louder, “You gonna regret the day you interfered with us. Get ready for the smackdown!”
While Tim finished his words, Chuck had already begun to swing his pool cue at Jhahnahkan’s back. The pool cue made contact and broke, making a snapping sound sending Jhahnahkan to his knees. Chuck tossed the rest of the pool cue away and picked Jhahnahkan up by his arms, pinning them back and protruding his midsection toward Tim.
Tim’s clenched fists pounded Jhahnahkan to the stomach one after the other, causing him to lose his breath. Chuck released his grip and grabbed his neck with his left arm, which seemed like the size of a telephone pole, and began to choke him from behind. Jhahnahkan struggled to break free, and when he could not
, something deep down inside of him started to well up.
His entire body began to get hot, and Chuck couldn’t hold him anymore. Jhahnahkan broke free and extended his arms out in front of him, and an almost invisible wave of energy exited him and sent Tim flying backward through the air nearly twenty feet. Tim landed flat on his back. His head struck the pavement, and he lay motionless.
A car pulled into the back lot and parked at the end of the building and someone watched from the driver’s seat.
Jhahnahkan turned to face Chuck, and he slowly moved backward in disbelief of what he just saw. The surge of anger began to well up within Jhahnahkan once more. His eyes began to turn yellow green, and he had a hateful look on his face. He extended his left arm out, and another wave of energy issued from him.
Chuck turned and ran as fast as he could to miss the powerful blow, but was not successful.
The rush of energy connected with his backside and sent Chuck soaring forward in the air.
Landing on the ground, he sprawled like a lifeless heap.
Tim collected himself off the ground and ran over and grabbed the broken pool cue and came after Jhahnahkan’s backside. He swung the stick and struck the back of his head, sending Jhahnahkan to the ground unconscious.
The two brothers ran scared, back to their bikes, as fast as their overweight bodies could take them. Firing up their Harleys, they sped off into the night.
Rex and Glenda heard the two motorcycles race off from inside the bar. They both looked at each other thinking the same thing—that Jhahnahkan was in trouble. They ran out the back door to find Jhahnahkan on his hands and knees attempting to get off the ground. They each took an arm and helped him to his feet and took him back inside the bar to a back room, where they could look at his head wound.
Clearing a table, they laid him down and sat his head on a cushion. Glenda tended his new head wound with gauze bandages from the bar’s first-aid kit.
Jhahnahkan drifted in and out of consciousness as he tried to lift himself off the table while Rex attempted to hold him down.
“Easy now son. You took a beaten from them Russell boys,”
Secret of the Crystal - Omnibus Edition Books 1-3 (Time Travel Adventure) Page 7
