Drakon_Awakening

by Erik Schubach

  She ignored the question then pressed on with her questioning. “No changes in coordination or reflexes? Have your senses become more acute?”

  My blood ran cold. What did she know about it? I shook my head and replied carefully, “No. I don't see what my accident has anything to do with what happened tonight.”

  Without warning, she forcefully threw her small, metal encased notepad that she was writing in at me. My hand shot out and caught it mid flight as I blinked and everything was bathed in the purple red sheen. All the colors around me were brighter, and everything was much more sharper.

  I looked at the notepad in my hand. Shite. She had me. She snatched the notepad from me. “Cut the bullshit, I'm here to help.”

  I squinted at her as I felt that weird blink and my eyesight returned to normal. “You aren't really a cop are you?”

  She chuckled a little. “I am, just not the kind you think.” She unclipped her badge from her belt and passed it to me. “Special Agent Quinn Trask, FBI. On special assignment in a joint Interpol task force.”

  I just stared at her then her badge. “Jaysus. What does the FBI want with me?”

  She deadpanned. “To keep you alive.” The tone was ominous, then she continued, “What happened tonight wasn't a mugging, he was trying to kill you. It is a miracle you survived, this man is dangerous.”

  I looked at her in shock. “Who is he and why would he possibly want to kill me? I'm just a mythology and folklore researcher ya know.”

  She shook her head. “We don't know. All that we know is that all across the globe, eight people have experienced shocks from shards of what is called the Fire Stone. They were experiencing odd physical effects from the incident. Days after each incident, six of them were found dead. Their hearts cut out of their chests by some sort of exceedingly sharp blade.”

  I gasped. “The... curse? I thought those men were just missing.”

  She shook her head. “You're an educated woman, you don't believe in curses, do you? No, Interpol hid the deaths because they didn't want the international community panicking over a merciless international serial killer.”

  I understood that, but my eyes flared in anger. “The least you could have done was to warn any researchers of the threat!”

  She shrugged. “And tell them what exactly? Excuse us, but if you experience a shock from a shard of that crystal you are examining, please inform us so we can protect you from a crazed serial killer? How would you have reacted to that?”

  It was my turn to shrug. “Aye. I understand that. But I still don't like it. It's as if you are dangling us for bait... wait, you said eight, so there are two poor saps out there that this madman is comin' fer?”

  Her confidence seemed to waver for a second then it was back like a shield. “We had thought only seven. We weren't sure about your incident with a shard since it was so massive and investigators said it was a power system surge. Plus all the other victims were men. So we have devoted all of our resources on following Doctor Miller in New York.”

  I squinted. “Does he know?”

  She shook her head sheepishly. “No.”

  I snapped. “I knew it. You're just using him as bait!” I slapped the side of my bed in anger to punctuate my point.

  She nodded. “I suppose we were, but we have had eyes on him at all times until we were informed of your attack. I landed in Denver tonight so I could visit with you at the museum tomorrow, to see if your research could shed some light on what is motivating the killer since it appears tied to the Fire Stone you are studying.”

  Then before I could say anything she asked, “So Doctor O'Connell, just how did you survive an attack from a man that has killed six men and four highly trained Interpol agents?”

  I opened my mouth, but she held up a finger. “And please, no bullshit, nothing you say would shock me at this point. Step me through the attack.”

  I closed my eyes for a second and tried to keep calm. Should I really share what I think happened? Even I don't know if it really happened. Would I wind up dissected on some government autopsy table as some other researcher's project? I trusted this woman for some reason, even though I still wasn't sure if I liked her.

  Then I opened my eyes and began. “Well I was heading back to me car after picking up some coffee and a danish.”

  She nodded as she took notes. I found it odd she wrote on paper instead of a computer or tablet. “And where were you parked?” she prompted. “The assets on the scene say they haven't locate your car.”

  I blushed as I replied, “Maggie is parked at the far end of the alley.”

  She started reaching for her phone. “Who's Maggie, we can get a unit over there right away to get her.”

  I held up my hand to stop her, blushing again. “Maggie is me car.”

  She slipped the phone back into her pocket and asked, “What the hell were you doing parking down in an alley? That's almost begging to get mugged!” Was that actual concern in her eyes?

  I didn't make eye contact with her. “Well that alley is sorta me home until the grant money comes trough in the next couple days.” I wanted to crawl into a hole, I was embarrassed. I hadn't even told my co-workers.

  A firm hand on my arm made me look at her. There was that trace of compassion in her eyes again. Maybe she's human after all. She reassured me. “Don't sweat it Doctor, we've all had unavoidable situations in our lives. Go on... you were heading back to your car...”

  I nodded. “Right. I was headin' back to Maggie and I caught some motion out of the corner of me eye. When I looked I couldn't see anyone, but I heard a bottle get knocked over. That put the fear into me and I called out to see if someone was there. Then I heard him breathing and saw him behind a dumpster.”

  She looked up. “How far away was he? Was there a light in the alley?”

  I shook my head and smiled sheepishly. “No. No light. He was maybe forty feet from me. Didna I mention... something odd happened. I was a wee bit terrified, and suddenly I could see as if it was broad daylight. I could see, hear, smell far better than I should have. I wrote it off to adrenaline. It was like daylight to me, I could hear his breathing and see him trying to keep out of sight. There was this odd familiar smell of spices.”

  She actually smiled a little at that. “No, you forgot to mention that part.”

  I smiled back, gaining a little confidence. “Well there you have it, its done said now.” I grinned at the look she was giving me then continued, “Well he stepped out. He was a big bloke, maybe six foot one or two. He was in pretty good shape judgin' by the muscles I could see through his tight pants. He was dressed all in black with one of them motorcycle masks, ya know... like the dirt bikers use. So I didna get a look at his face.”

  She nodded. “What did you do then?”

  I had to hold back a snort, was she daft? “What do you think I did? I dropped my coffee and ran fer Maggie fer me dear life.”

  She had an almost cute grin at that as she snorted and continued writing. She looked back up at me to continue. I closed my eyes, the next part would prove to her I was off my nut. “I tell you, hand to the lord, I was running faster than I had ever moved in my life somehow. But even at that, he caught me by me arm. I was so terrified, I just wanted him to let go, so I spun and struck at him. It must have been an adrenaline induced hallucination, but I swear me hand was on fire as I struck the man! He went flyin' backward like a fecking rag doll, tumblin' across the ground. I could smell burning flesh, it almost made me gag on the spot.”

  Her eyes went a little wider than before, and she said, “Fire? The others were either water or rock according the the surviving Interpol agents.”

  Something clicked in my head. I blurted, “Fire, water, earth. Elementals! Elementals are mentioned in the Fire Stone scrolls!”

  She stared at her notes for a second then looked back up at me and tilted her head, prompting me to continue. I told her of the fight that ensued and how I felt so graceful and instinctively knew how to fend the ma
n off. How I had escaped, and tried to call 911 as I ran out of the alley. Of him striking me with the knife. I motioned to the clean slice on my blouse.

  I stopped for a moment. “I swear, he hit me with the blade, but he didn't cut me. There were...” I stopped. She put a hand on my arm and lowered her eyes to meet mine, nodding slightly to encourage me. “I swear on me Ma and Da, I had red scales on me side where I shoulda had skin, like they protected me somehow.”

  I absently ran my finger along my bruised skin through the cut in my top. I glanced down, the bruise was a sickly brownish yellow now, as if it had been healing a couple days. I looked closer then hid it when she leaned in to see what I was looking at.

  I took a quick breath and finished. “He was on top of me ready to drive that fecking antique knife through my chest when that clerk came out and got his attention. That was my chance, I punched the man in the chest and he went flying off me and skidding across the ground. The sirens were approaching fast, and the guy ran off. He must have drugged me somehow, right? I was just imagining things.”

  She didn't say a word, she just stepped closer to me and brought her hand toward my side. She tilted her head asking permission. I closed my eyes, and her warm hand was gently cupping my side she was looking through the tear at the bruise. “This is almost healed.” She said more to herself than to me. She traced a finger gently along the bruise then withdrew her hand.

  Shite, my girl crush is back! She took my hand and looked carefully at my fingers. Then suddenly straightened up not letting go. She grabbed a little plastic bag from her back pocket with her other hand. Then with her pen tip she flicked something from under my fingernail into the bag. “Looks like you got a piece of him Doctor O'Connell.” She said happily.

  I rolled my eyes. “Oh hell, Myra if you please. I was just a wee bit perturbed with you fer sending away my friends.”

  She nodded. “Myra then.”

  I nodded back and asked, “And what should I call you?”

  “Special Agent Trask.” The betty was serious.

  I nodded. “Quinn it is then.” She visibly cringed. I took some smug satisfaction in that.

  Her look suddenly got cold and serious. “Well now that we know he is out there, and that he is after you, we'll need to take you into protective custody.”

  This just raised my ire. “You'll be doing nothing of the sort! I'll be doing me job at the museum!” She was about to argue but I cut her off, “You say it is all tied into the Fire Stone somehow. I am the leading expert on the stone. So my team translating the scrolls is the best chance we have of uncovering why this maniac is targeting people who are studying it. You need me Quinn. Don't you go denying it now!”

  She nodded in resignation with crooked grin as she said, “That's some temper you have Myra.”

  I tilted my head with a smile. “Why thank you.”

  She snorted. “It wasn't a compliment.”

  I corrected her, “Yet that's how I choose to take it. Now, if you please. Can you send in me friends on yer way out Quinn?”

  She squinted her eyes. “Fine. But you are stuck with me for the duration. When you aren't at the museum, you'll be at a safe house with me.”

  I rolled my eyes at her and said, “What a joy that will be. Are we done for now?”

  She nodded and opened the door and called my co-workers in but stood in the 'prime' spot, watching everything with hawk-like attention. I noticed her quietly speaking into her cell phone as I was being discharged... again.

  Henry asked, “You aren't coming in tomorrow, are you? You need to rest.”

  I quickly dismissed him. “There'll be none of that talk now. I'll be there bright and early. Most likely with Special Agent Trask here unless I can ditch 'er.”

  Henry just shook his head as he left. “Damn frustrating researchers.”

  James gave me a smile and left, Mei hugged me tightly then rushed after James, “Hey egghead, wait up, you're my ride!”

  And just like that I was left in the room alone with my apparent babysitter. She shook her head. “You should really listen to Doctor Arnett. You've just been through...”

  I cut her off. “Not you too Quinn. So now what? You drag me away in cuffs or whatever you tin badges do? I need to get Maggie first, all me clothes are in her.”

  She looked a little amused. Don't go smiling now woman, I'm trying to keep my mad on for you! “I already called it in, and she will be waiting at the safe house. I followed her out, she kept herself in front of me a half a pace and to my right. Her head turning every which way at all corridor intersections and open doors. The way her right hand didn't seem to swing as she walked kept me glancing at her holstered gun. This lass is a serious professional. Oddly, it was keeping me more aware of my own surroundings, as well.

  She led me to a typical dark 'company issue' SUV. Then we were on the road. My head snapped up to the rooftops. She looked over at me. “What is it Myra?”

  I shrugged. “Nothing, I just feel like there are eyes on us and I just thought I saw a movement in the shadows. Just jumpy from the attack and imagining things.”

  She shook her head and replied, “No, I saw it too. But don't worry we have other agents flanking us.”

  She drove a seemingly random path that even backtracked a couple times before driving into a two car garage at a little brick building near Cherry Creek. I noticed Maggie was in the other spot as the automatic garage door closed.

  Quinn waited for me to grab some clothes and my iPad from my car, then led me through a door into a fairly bland apartment. “Stay here,” she said as she looked in all the rooms before returning. “Ok, it's all clear. Take the room at the end of the hall, do not open the curtains. I'll take the first room. There are agents on the street. Get some sleep, you'll need it.”

  I squinted. “Miss Demanding much? Just when I was startin' to think you were human.” She had that slightly amused smile again on her face.

  I prepared for the night then headed for the back room, she was still in the living room peeking between the drapes as she spoke quietly on her cell. I must say, I really felt safe with her there.

  I reminded myself to call Ma and Da in the morning to let them know I'm ok. I don't want them finding out about the attack through the grape vine. I was asleep within moments of my head hitting my pillow.

  Chapter 5 – Scrolls

  I had a bad dream, reliving the attack. My eyes snapped open, and I realized it was morning. I shook the bad dream from my head, and I stretched in the bed. I had almost forgotten how good it felt to sleep in a proper bed. I realized my side didn't ache at all as I unwrapped my ribs, the bruising was gone.

  This bedroom reeked, I don't remember it smelling this bad last night. I sighed and got up everything was bathed in that purplish red.

  I heard Quinn in the living room already, she was whispering into her phone. Shite, I could hear her arguing with someone, it sounded personal, but I couldn't shut off my hearing. I looked into the makeup mirror sitting on top of the dresser and gasped.

  My eyes were red and oval shaped with black slits where I should have pupils! The shock caused the slits to widen slightly more for a second. A semitransparent membrane wiped quickly across my eyes. I just stared into the mirror, trying to block out Quinn's argument with what I guess was her boyfriend. “No... you knew this about my job when we first started dating... no... no, this is how it will always be... don't be like that... what? Well then I choose the job, it is important! I... no... fine. Just know that you were important to me too. Yes... ok, I'll get my stuff the next time I'm in town.”

  What a jerk, didn't he know she was saving lives? She may be infuriating, but she deserves more than dumping her on the phone. I clenched my fist, my ire was rising. Then some flickering got my attention. I looked down, and my arms were on fire! I gave a surprised yelp. I didn't feel the heat from the blue and yellow flames at all, and my nightshirt wasn't burning.

  A moment later the bedroom door burst open, and Quinn wa
s there, gun drawn. She must have heard my yelp. She took everything in at once, and her arm faltered with the gun a bit. Then she slowly holstered the gun as I stood there, staring at my arms that looked like they had a thick sheath of fire around them, ending in two claw shaped apparitions.

  Beneath the flames, my fingers had long claw-like fingernails that shimmered like polished metal. I looked between them and Quinn as she approached slowly holding her arms up and her face turned slightly away. “Are you ok Myra? Damn I can't get much closer, the heat is searing.”

  I shook my head. “I... I don't rightly know. I had a bad dream, and I wake up like this.”

  She nodded. “Ok, maybe just calm down a little and concentrate on the flame? Make it go away?”

  I held up my hand and concentrated on the flame, it flared a little. I... felt the flame? A wisp jumped up from my hand. I looked at it and willed it, and it moved around. I held up my other hand and made the fire jump between my hands. This was impossible.. it was... amazing. I glanced at a stunned Quinn. Oh, right. I concentrated and the flames just vanished.

  I looked at my hands, they looked like I had claws on the ends of my fingers. I concentrated and watched those dangerous looking nails retract back into me. I looked at her with a nervous smile. “Jaysus! What's happening to me Quinn?”

  She was shaking her head as she stepped up to me and gently grabbed one of my hands to examine it. Her scent filled my nose. It wasn't unpleasant at all. In fact, it sort of... I blushed. Such thoughts Myra! Her voice knocked me out of my thoughts. “I don't know Myra. Did it hurt?”

  I shook my head. “I nary even felt it. Is that... was that like elemental control over fire? This is impossible.”

  She had a sly grin on her face. “Those awesome eyes would beg to differ.”

  I spun back at the mirror and saw those red animal eyes. I concentrated, and the world became less sharp to all my senses. My eyes became their normal sparkling green. But then I was suddenly afraid. “What are you going to do? Report this? Oh lordy, I'm going to be dissected on a table somewhere in Area 51!” I backed away from her, reclaiming my hand as my own.