Sentinel - Progression Series 08 Fathers and Sons

by Beth Manz

  Stephen moved up beside him and ran his fingers over the same area. "No, what?" he asked excitedly.

  "Listen," Blair whispered. Silence descended as the men did as Blair instructed. After a few seconds, Blair said, "Hear the water dripping? That forms stalactite. I was in a cave once that was rich with iron content. It had this delicate curtain of stalactites and when they were tapped, they produced different tones, like musical chimes."

  "You think we could find that here?" Stephen asked.

  "You never know."

  "Then let's go," Stephen said enthusiastically.

  They walked a few more feet before coming to a fork in the caves. Jim moved out in front, shining his light down each tunnel, his sentinel eyesight able to see far into the darkness beyond.

  "How do they look?" Blair asked from beside him, adding his light to Jim's.

  "Both look clear to me," he said, knowing Blair would understand just how far he was seeing.

  "Do they hook up again?"

  "Can't tell from here."

  Blair looked up at him. "So which do we choose?"

  "Both," Stephen said from behind them.

  Jim glanced at his brother. "Both?"

  "You and dad take the tunnel on the left and Blair and I will take the tunnel on the right. We'll each walk for half an hour and if the caves don't meet up by then, we'll turn around and come back here. At that point, we can compare notes on what we saw and choose the best route."

  Jim looked at his dad, who had been virtually silent since they entered the cave. "What do you think, Dad?"

  "I really don't see the point in splitting up," he snapped. "As far as I'm concerned, a cave is a cave. If you've seen one, you've seen them all."

  "That's not really true, Mr. Ellison," Blair countered softly. "Each of these caves is distinctive. We could find formations in one that are breathtaking and absolutely nothing down another. It's just-"

  "Fine," William broke in sharply. "Let's just go. I'm tired of standing around debating this." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and marched down the left tunnel.

  "Are we having fun yet?" Jim quipped dryly, watching his father's retreating back.

  "Let's just all go with him." Blair started toward the left tunnel but Jim grabbed his arm stopping him.

  "No. We do what Stephen suggested. You two take the right tunnel and we'll all meet back here in an hour."

  "Jim-"

  "One hour, Chief. And don't make me come looking for you." With that, Jim jogged away, leaving his guide and his brother behind. It took him only a few seconds to catch up to his father. He easily fell into step beside him.

  "You're just bound and determined to make this trip miserable for everyone, aren't you?"

  William glared at him out of the corner of his eye. "So are you getting to know your brother? Feeling closer to him?"

  "Don't start, Dad."

  "Don't start what, Jim? Don't start telling the truth?" He stopped walking and turned to face Jim head-on. "This is exactly the kind of thing I was worried would happen, only I expected Stephen to be with me, not you." He shook his head in obvious disgust. "Instead of you getting to know Stephen, your brother is getting to know Blair."

  "Good. I'm glad he is," Jim shot back. "I'm glad my brother and my best friend like each other."

  "Fine. Then maybe when this trip is over, Blair can move in with Stephen and freeload off him for a while."

  "Freeload?" Jim bit back the venomous response that came to mind. Keeping his voice as level as possible, he replied, "Blair pays me rent. He has since the first day he moved in. But even if he didn't, that would be my business, not yours!"

  "So I should just stand by, watch my son be taken advantage of, and say nothing?"

  "How am I being taken advantage of?"

  "That kid is a master at manipulation. You just can't see it."

  "You've got to be kidding! Blair is the most open and honest person I know. If you would just-" He stopped speaking, because as he stared into his father's angry eyes, he knew there would be no changing his mind. "This is pointless. Let's just see where this thing goes and hook back up with the others." He started walking again, leaving his father to make his way after him.

  Blair trailed his light ahead, moving the beam over the uneven ground. "I think we got the better deal," he said, his light picking up small amounts of water trickling down the sides of the cave walls. "I think we might just run into those stalactite I was telling you about."

  "That'd be great," Stephen said from beside him. They walked a few more feet, then Stephen suddenly spoke again. "Blair, can I ask you something?"

  Blair glanced at Stephen out of the corner of his eye, uncertainty churning through him. What does he want to ask? Something about his father? Jim? He really didn't want to get into some deep conversation right now, but couldn't see an easy way out. "Sure," he finally said, trying his best to sound upbeat.

  "Um, do you really make up the names of the places you've visited?"

  Blair laughed, relieved by the innocuous question. "Only when it comes to my cooking." He gave Stephen a conspiratorial grin. "Some of the things I cook are from recipes I've picked up in my travels. But others are just things I've always wanted to try and--well, some of the spices and things can be very... potent."

  "In other words, you sometimes stink up the loft."

  "On a pretty rather regular basis actually. And your brother has always wanted to kill me when I do." He shrugged one shoulder. "But then, when I started to tell him the stuff was from some exotic location and I put a story to it, he seemed to get less upset about the smell. So I just kind of kept it up. I figured he knew I was lying about some of the stuff I told him. I just didn't know he was checking up on me." Blair smiled and backhanded Stephen on the arm. "I can tell you right now, he's never going to hear the end of that!"

  Stephen chuckled. "So, is that what you guys were talking and laughing about last night?"

  Blair's heart lurched in his chest as he thought about some of the things he and Jim had discussed. "You could hear us?"

  "Not what you were saying. Just your voices." He smiled at Blair. "I was happy Jim had someone to share his tent with for a change."

  "Yeah, Jim told me the same thing," Blair said softly. "I just can't believe you guys didn't get to share a tent as kids."

  "I know it probably sounds silly but I wish--just once--that I could have shared a tent with Jim. You know--big brother and little brother facing the wilderness together." He shook his head. "Too late now, right?" Glancing down at his watch he said, "We've hit the time limit. Let's head back."

  The two men walked back together but to Blair, something had changed. Stephen had changed. His admission to Blair had seemed to bring on a despondent mood. He didn't seem as excited about the caves or the things Blair pointed out as he had been only minutes before.

  He's thinking about Jim. Thinking about everything he missed out on.

  Blair knew he was right. But he also knew that it wasn't too late. Jim wanted a relationship with his brother and it was now crystal clear to him that Stephen wanted the same thing.

  They arrived at the meeting place but Jim and William were nowhere in sight.

  "You know, Stephen," Blair said as they stood waiting. "You and Jim could bunk together tonight if you'd like. I could share the tent with your father."

  Stephen laughed, clapping Blair on the back. "Now I know you're a good friend to my brother," he responded, smiling widely. "Offering to stay with our dad after how he's been treating you? Now that's friendship!"

  "Hey, man, it's a legitimate offer. One night in a tent with your father won't kill me... unless he smothers me with his pillow while I sleep." He raised an eyebrow at Stephen. "Maybe I should rethink this."

  "No need. I'm not going to take you up on the offer."

  "Stephen-"

  "It's okay, Blair. Really. You stay with Jim. I'm sure there'll be other camping trips. Besides, I'm not eight years old anymore. I think th
e time for that whole 'tent sharing fantasy' has passed." He glanced at his watch before shining his light down the left tunnel. "They're late."

  "Yeah, I noticed that, too" Blair said, adding his light to Stephen's. "Jim!" he called out, taking a few steps into the tunnel. His voice echoed around them briefly, then it was gone, replaced by silence. "Jim!" he tried a second time, even louder. Still, no answer...

  Stephen looked at his watch again. "They're not that late. I guess we shouldn't really worry yet."

  Blair nodded, but as he continued to stare down the dark tunnel, he couldn't help but worry. Because Jim was late and that just wasn't like him. He's been zoning for the last two days. You should have gone with him, watched his back. Blair bit his lip at the thought and turned to face Stephen.

  "Listen, I'm just going to take a quick jog down this tunnel, see if I can find them." He swung his pack from his shoulder and dropped it at his feet. "You wait here in case they show up from some other direction."

  "You think they found a side tunnel or something?"

  "Could be," Blair said, truly hoping that's all it was. "But I want to be sure nothing happened. I won't go too far." He turned to leave, but Stephen caught his arm before he could step away.

  "Blair," he began, his expression solemn. His gaze flicked beyond Blair, to the black tunnel Jim and William had taken. Concern furrowed his brow. "Just... be careful," he said finally, locking his gaze on Blair.

  Sandburg smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry. I'll find your dad and your brother."

  Stephen nodded. "If you're not back in half an hour-"

  "Then go for help," Blair finished for him. "Don't come find us. Go for help."

  Uncertainty clouded Stephen's eyes. "Just leave you guys here?"

  "It's the best thing you could do," Blair said simply. "But believe me, Stephen, it won't come to that. I'm sure it won't. Jim and your father... they probably just lost track of time or got sidetracked. I'm sure they're fine."

  "You're probably right."

  "I know I am." Blair flashed his light down the tunnel again. Still nothing. He glanced at Stephen one last time. "A half hour," he said and started jogging in the direction he had last seen William and Jim.

  He moved as quickly as he could through the oppressive darkness of the cave, using the light to scout the ground ahead, looking for flaws in the flooring that might trip him up. His heart pounded heavily in his ears as he ran, not so much from the workout but from the fear that now threatened to choke him. With each pounding step he took, he became more and more convinced that something horrible had happened to the two men.

  Then he heard it--William's frantic voice calling to Jim. Dammit! Blair increased his stride and ran around a corner, finally finding what he'd been looking for. Jim and William stood just a few feet away. William's flashlight lay on the ground, uselessly pointing away from them, obviously discarded in haste. His hands gripped his son's upper arms and his eyes were wide with fear. He shook Jim, called to him, pleaded with him. But Jim didn't move.

  Jim was zoning.

  The sentinel stood stiff, his flashlight still gripped in one hand. His gaze stared off beyond William, at a point only he could see. His breathing was slow, almost non-existent.

  Blair approached the two men slowly, not wanting to startle William. "Mr. Ellison?" he whispered, stopping beside Jim.

  The man's wild gaze shifted to Blair. "Something's wrong with Jim," he said, his voice rushed, panicked.

  "I know," Blair said simply. "But I can help him."

  William's brow creased in confusion. "What? No." He shook his head. "He's been like this for almost half an hour. It's like he can't see me or hear me. I think-"

  "Mr. Ellison," Blair cut in, drawing the older man's attention away from Jim. "I can handle this. I can."

  William stepped back from his son, slow realization dawning on his face. "You know what's wrong with him. You're not surprised by this!" He took a step closer to Blair, and even in the dim illumination afforded by the flashlights, Blair could see the anger in the older man's eyes. "What have you done to him?"

  "Nothing," Blair breathed out, surprised at William's accusation. "I didn't do anything to him." Blair glanced up at Jim briefly before returning his attention to William. He had no time for the man's anger or paranoia. "Go back to Stephen," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "He's waiting at our rendezvous point and he's going to go for help if someone doesn't show up soon. I'll take care of Jim."

  "What's wrong with my son!" William demanded, ignoring Blair's instructions.

  "Please, Mr. Ellison! Just go! I can help Jim, but I need you to go!"

  William took one last look at Jim before scooping up his discarded light and starting down the tunnel, heading back toward Stephen.

  Blair waited until William Ellison's light had completely disappeared from sight before he turned his attention back to his partner. Setting his flashlight on the floor, aiming it upward to give him some light, he moved in close. Jim stood just as he had been since Blair first found him, barely breathing, not moving.

  "Jim," he said, pitching his voice low. "Come on, man, I need you to come back." He gripped his partner's arms, holding tightly. "Your father thinks I did something to you and I think he's going for the cops right now. So unless you want to see me in jail, you'll come back."

  The light Jim held slipped from his hand and thudded noisily on the packed earth floor of the cave. The sentinel took a deep, gasping breath. His legs buckled and both men went to the cave floor, landing hard on their knees, Blair barely managing to keep Jim upright.

  "You're okay, man. You're okay," Blair soothed as Jim looked around him warily. "We're in the caves... hiking, remember?"

  Recognition flooded Jim's expression. "Chief?"

  "Yep, it's me."

  "My dad--"

  "He's gone. I sent him back to meet up with Stephen. But he was with you when you zoned, Jim. He saw you zone, man."

  Jim looked down at his partner, confusion creasing his brow. "Where'd you come from? How'd you know I needed your help?"

  "You guys were late coming back. After the last few days, I just figured..." But the words trailed off as a slight movement caught his eye. A second later, William Ellison stepped from where he had hidden himself in the shadows just a few feet from where Jim and Blair now knelt. His gaze locked briefly with Blair's, and in that single look, in that fleeting instant, Blair saw all the man's fear for his son. And all his hatred for him. Then he turned, the moment broken, and walked away.

  "Oh man," Blair breathed.

  "What is it?"

  Blair looked up at his partner, his throat suddenly dry. "Your dad," he said thickly. "He never left. He's been here the whole time...watching us."

  /

  /

  /

  Jim moved quickly through the tunnel, trying to catch up to his father. But William had a good head start and still wasn't in sight.

  "What were you doing, Jim, when you zoned? Were you and your dad arguing?" Blair asked from beside him, working hard to keep up with the fast pace the sentinel had set through the dark tunnel. "Was it about me again?"

  "We'll talk about it later," Jim answered shortly, straining to listen, trying to see.

  "No, now. Tell me now." Blair stumbled over the uneven flooring.

  Jim reached out and caught his arm, keeping him upright. "Sandburg, stop looking at me and start watching where you're going. You're going to fall and break your neck."

  Blair pulled out of his grip. "Then stop chasing your father and tell me what happened."

  Jim stared down at him. "Yes," he bit out. "We were arguing about you. Happy? My dad was going on and on and I didn't want to hear it anymore, so I tried to tune it out. I focused on the sound of water dripping in the distance and then...I was gone."

  "Great. That's just great!" Blair shook his head, his voice strained. "Jim, we have to solve this problem with your father. This is not going to just go away."
/>   "I know that. And I will. As soon as I catch him, I'm going to talk to him. Explain what happened."

  "How? How are you going to explain what he just saw?" Blair stared up at Jim, his eyes wide, anxious.

  "I don't know yet," he admitted reluctantly. "Let's just catch up to him and I'll figure it out."

  They started walking again, their pace more manageable for Blair. Soon, they came to the place where Stephen waited--alone.

  "What's going on?" he asked. "Dad came back here and just walked right past me. I think he's leaving."

  "Dammit," Jim ground out. "Come on. Let's go."

  The three men made their way out of the cave and headed back to the camp. Jim took the lead, allowing no time to rest or even slow up over some of the more difficult terrain. However, when they finally arrived back at their campsite, they found that William had packed his gear and taken off.

  "You two wait here," Jim said. He turned and jogged down the trail his father had taken--the trail that led back to the parking area and the rented Jeep.

  He caught up to his father easily, William moving slowly through the woods as he picked his way back to the Cherokee. Jim ran around him and stopped in front of him, blocking his way.

  "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

  "Leaving," William bit out.

  He tried to move around Jim, but the sentinel moved with him, preventing his escape. "Don't do this, Dad. Talk to me."

  "Jim, I don't know what's going on with you and Sandburg and frankly, I don't think I want to know anymore. I'm going to go to a local motel, stay there for the night and try to sort things out in my head. I'll pick the three of you up tomorrow at the original time we planned."

  "Dad--"

  "Get out of my way, son," William said, his tone making clear that there would be no further discussion.

  Quietly, Jim stepped to the side of the trail and allowed his father to brush by him.

  Jim watched him go, knowing there was nothing he could say to change his father's mind. How can I explain what happened in the cave without telling him exactly what I am? What Blair is to me? Turning, he started back to the camp, his pace slower this time, his heart filled with renewed anger at his stubborn father. When he arrived, he was surprised to find Stephen and Blair packing up the gear.