by B. N. Toler
I remain frozen like an ice sculpture. Turning around would mean facing the blood healer. “So if I go with you, you will leave him alone?”
“You have my word.” His deep voice sends chills down my spine and a shudder moves through me.
I stare at Thomas through the beaded curtain and wonder what I should do. Should I warn him somehow? Surely he will come to my dreams if he can’t find me, and I can tell him to find my brothers and his child so they can all be together. I should have told him when I had the chance. Maybe he would’ve come with me, and we would be far away from here.
“Fine,” I growl and turn back to him. “I need to change.” My head spins and I feel as though I may collapse. The realization I will never see my family again is too much to take in.
“No, we go now.” He grabs a long trench coat off of the couch and drapes it over my shoulders. It smells of cologne and I pull it over me as if it will somehow protect me from everything that is happening.
“Can I at least say goodbye?” My voice cracks with emotion.
“No.” He pushes me through the beaded doorway, and I stumble over my four inch heels. He motions for his two goons sitting behind Thomas to follow.
Thomas briefly turns as they get up, but it’s not in my direction. He turns back to his drink.
As we make our way to the front hall to exit, Kieffer stands and eyes me suspiciously. “You okay, Aldo?”
“She’s fine. You will not remember seeing her leave, okay?” After the blood healer touches Kieffer on the shoulder, Kieffer nods and steps aside.
Getting from the club to the car is a blur. I almost don’t remember it. My life is over. I’m going to be killed or even worse, turned into a blood healer. But no matter what, my family is safe. They will be safe, I keep repeating to myself over and over in my mind.
After about an hour, I realize that while I’ve been lost in my own world of despair, I haven’t paid attention to where we are going. I slide up and gaze out of the window, clenching the sides of the trench coat around me.
The two goons sit in the front seat, staring straight ahead. The driver is a bald, black man who reminds me of the guy from the movie, The Green Mile. The guy in the passenger seat is white with short red hair.
“We’re almost there,” my abductor says softly.
“Where are we going?” I swallow what feels like a giant, dry cotton ball in my throat.
“Some place safe.” His eyes fixate on me.
I glare at the man who has taken me away from what I spent the last five years searching for. I could have made Thomas come with me. I was hurt and stubborn, so I left and didn’t tell him the thing that I couldn’t bare him not knowing which was he has a child. I put myself out in the world of the unknown hoping to find him, and he was there all along, trying to stop me.
My poor child. I failed. I failed everyone and now I will never get to touch my child, my brothers, or Thomas ever again. I could be halfway to my family right now. They are safe, I remind myself over and over again. My head pounds, and I rub my temples to ease the pain.
The car pulls off of the road onto a gravel driveway. Dust flies up along a field of tall grass against the pitch black back drop of night. The driveway seems to go on forever before we pull onto pavement again, and then we stop in front of a large farmhouse with a plantation-like porch. My door opens, and I slide out slowly, still feeling like I might pass out. Mr. Green Mile shuts the door abruptly.
“Interesting,” my abductor mumbles to himself as he stares at the house. He turns back to me and gives me a curious look, before clearing his throat and saying, “Follow me.” He walks up the stairs to the porch and opens the front door. What’s so interesting about it?
I stand motionless for a moment, my immense fear cementing me to the ground. Everything is happening so fast.
“Go,” the red haired guard orders.
I listen hard for a moment, but cannot hear the sound of energy, which tells me the two guards must also be vampires or blood healers. My four inch heels feel like cinder blocks as I move up the stairs and approach the front door.
“Are you hungry?” the blood healer who has abducted me asks.
I shake my head.
He leads me down a short hallway with white walls and ebony wood floors towards a staircase. I follow him up the stairs while Red follows behind us. We enter a bedroom on the far right of the top floor, and Red closes the door behind us, leaving me alone with my abductor.
The room reminds me of something you would see in a magazine. The four poster bed is made with white plush bedding and French doors lead out onto a balcony. It’s a far cry from where I’ve slept the last few years.
The blood healer sits in an eggshell colored arm chair by the bathroom, eyeing me like I’m some exotic creature. His finger taps idly on the edge of the arm rest. “I know it’s going to take some time, but you will come to accept this life. It’s not so bad.”
I stand still as a statue, refusing to speak, but gasp when he stands abruptly and approaches me. His size, once again, seems to swallow every spare inch of space in the room. Is he going to bite me?
He lifts my chin with his finger, forcing me to meet his eyes, and smiles softly.
In this light he doesn’t seem as dark and dangerous as he did at the club. Here, he looks handsome and young, but his manner makes him seem older. His hair has loosened from its slicked back hold and falls freely, accentuating his already pulchritudinous face. He leans in, and I prepare myself for the worst. I close my eyes and say my goodbyes to the human world. When he gently unties the strings of my mask, his head is just above my shoulder, and his cool breath caresses my neck. After he removes my mask, he pulls my black wig off, and my long brown hair falls down.
He stands back. “Much better.” He nods. “My coat please.” He holds his hand out and waits for me to remove the coat he had draped me in at the club, the one I had been holding onto for dear life all the way here.
No, not my coat? Is he going to make me get naked?
“I’m waiting.” He quirks an eyebrow.
I pull the coat off and throw it at him, tears falling like rain down my face as I do.
His face is expressionless, but his eyes cascade down my body as I stand before him in my bra, garter belt, thigh highs, and heels. I might as well be naked because I’ve never felt more exposed or powerless in my life. This man, er—blood healer has all the power. But his eyes are a window to his thoughts. His body and face reveal nothing, but his eyes say more than I’m sure he intends. He likes what he sees. He likes my body.
I cringe inwardly as I close my eyes and pray for him to leave.
“Here.”
I open my eyes to find a tissue in his hand. I take it from him, avoiding eye contact.
“I’ll leave you to settle in.” He goes to leave, but turns. “I almost forgot.” He begins to unbutton his shirt, and I back away unsure of what he’s doing. “You can wear this to bed tonight.” He slides his black shirt off, exposing his massive upper body, muscles defined and incased by flawless skin. He holds the shirt out to me, and I take it with trembling hands. “I’ll have clothes for you tomorrow.”
I look away without responding.
“Anything else?”
“What is your name?” My voice is husky from crying.
“Rhett.”
“Rhett what?”
“Rhett Mason.” Silence echoes briefly. “Good night.” He stops just outside of the door. “Oh, and don’t try to escape. The property is heavily guarded.” He shuts the door and leaves me to myself.
I peel off all of my clothes and pull on his black shirt, smelling of clean linen and cologne. I climb into the large, soft bed and collapse into sobs, crying myself to sleep.
My dreams unfold differently tonight. My field does not appear. I take this as a sign that I can’t hide from the dismal circumstances I am in. Instead, I find myself in a large white room with a dome. My eyes squint, the white blare of the room is so bri
ght and almost blinding. A fitted white dress covers my body, my hair is pinned up in a French twist, and I’m wearing heels. The quiet of the room consumes me; I’m numb, mostly by the events of the evening. I gather my dream is only creating an image of how I feel. Empty. Blank.
“I went through this as well.” A voice from behind me causes me to jerk quickly, thinking it may be Thomas, but I find Rhett wearing all white. I don’t respond at first, trying to force his image out, but I can’t.
“It’s okay, Aldo. I’m really here.”
“You’re a dream walker?”
“Among other things.” He shrugs. “You see, I can walk a dream and take over it all at the same time. I created this room.” He gestures a hand at our surroundings.
Another tidal wave of defeat washes over me. I’m as helpless in my subconscious world as I am in the real world. This is my place to hide and work things out, and now I have to share it with Rhett, who can invade and change it at his disposal.
“Why are you here?” I allow the numbness to override any other emotion.
“I’d like us to come to an understanding.” He positions himself in front of me. I turn my head because I hear pounding. I walk away from Rhett, to follow the sound.
“Aldo! Aldo!” I break into a slow sprint, following the sound that is now mixed with the clicking of my heels.
“Thomas!” I yell as I reach a tall mahogany door.
“Aldo, let me in!” he yells through the pounding.
“What have you done with him?” I hiss at Rhett as I pull frantically at the door knob.
“Calm down, Aldo. He’s fine, let me explain.” Rhett appears beside me instantly. “I told you we should not pretend we don’t know certain things about one another. You see, I know what your talents are beyond healing. I also know that your friend, Thomas, can walk and shift in your dreams. You see, he is on the outside of your subconscious right now. I’ve locked him out.”
“How?” I ask confused. I didn’t know I could lock people out.
“Our current location is quite appropriate, don’t you think? Imagine this large round dome is your subconscious built with strong steel walls. Thomas stands right outside of this world. I gather he has always had permission to enter at his discretion?”
I ignore his question, trying to figure out how he’s controlling everything.
“Well, Aldo.” He steps towards me. “If I am to keep my end of our agreement, than you must sever all ties with Thomas. I can’t have him chasing us.”
I stare at the heartless abductor. I knew in the back of my mind Thomas would come, but I never intended to tell him where I was for his own protection. It seems yet another blow to my world that Rhett is telling me I will have to lock Thomas out indefinitely.
A tear glides down my face, and Rhett wipes it away with his finger. Cold vibrations run across my cheek. I glare at him. “Can I at least speak to him one last time?”
“That’s not possible.”
“Aldo, what the fuck is happening?” Thomas yells as his banging becomes more aggressive.
“Here.” Rhett waves his hand and there is a piece of paper and a pen before me on a desk. “You can write him a short letter to say goodbye, and I strongly suggest you discourage him from trying to find you. I will allow you this one thing as a token of trust. I can be your best friend through all of this or be your worst enemy.”
I sit down and pick up the pen with a trembling hand.
“Make it quick.” He nods and walks about twenty feet away.
I stare at the blank piece of paper, trying to summarize in my head the novel I want to write to Thomas.
Dear Thomas,
I am gone now and I will not return. You must go on with your life. You will never be allowed to enter my dreams ever again. I’m sorry, my love. Do not follow me or try to find me. If you love me, you will do this for me. Goodbye Thomas.
All of my love,
Aldo
I catch Rhett’s eye. I realize maybe among his other gifts he could know exactly what I wrote on this letter. I decide not to write anything about my family, just in case. “Do you know what I wrote?”
“I don’t.” He holds up a hand. “Scouts honor.”
“So what now?’
“Now, you create a key and show it to me.”
“A key?”
“Yes.”
I wave my hand and hold out a long black skeleton key, like you would find to an old farm house door, in the palm of my hand.
“Now close your hand around it and close your eyes.” Rhett directs me and I follow his orders. “Repeat after me. This key is the only key to the door that will allow Thomas into this world.”
I repeat his words through a cracked voice and tears while the echoes of Thomas’s frantic fist pounds on the door tug at my heart.
“I will lock the door.”
I repeat his words again.
“Now seal your letter in an envelope that glows. It’s dark where he is. You will slide it under the door for him. Then you will lock the door and give me the key.”
I pause my crying, appalled at his cruelty.
“Are you ready?” He ignores my reaction.
I follow him to the wooden door in the wall.
“I’m holding the door closed, but you have to lock the door yourself to permanently keep him out.” I hold up the key and stare at it.
“Aldo, is that you?” Thomas speaks through the door. I swallow hard. “I’m sorry, sweets. I’ll go with you. I swear. Please let me in.” His voice hangs with desperation.
Rhett rolls his eyes.
I want to scream at him, but refuse to give him the satisfaction. Instead, I slide the letter in its glowing envelope under the door.
“What the—” Thomas says as I hear him tear the envelope open.
I slide the key in the key hole and lean my head against the door, biting back sobs. You have to do this, Aldo. Lock it.
“What?” Thomas shouts. “Aldo, I’ll find you. Tell me where your brothers are, we’ll find you together.” He bangs on the door. I have to stop him before he says too much.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Rhett growls.
I ignore him.
“Let me in, please. I’m begging you.”
“I love you,” I whisper, and with a twist of the key, the door and dome disappear, and I am in my field by the lake. The plush green grass is soft beneath my bare feet, and the sun billows down beautiful rays of golden warmth. I’m wearing a different white dress now, and my hair is down, cascading over my shoulders.
“The key, please.” Rhett stands beside me, his hand extended.
I kiss the key, my last kiss to Thomas, and place it in his hand.
Rhett nods. “I’m going to leave you now. Good night.” He walks away and disappears. I wonder for a moment, if he’s still here. I cry for hours, until my subconscious goes dark and I dream of nothing.
I wake the next morning, and sense another presence in the room. Not through energy, but that feeling you get when someone is staring at you. The woman from the gas station sits in the arm chair where Rhett had sat eyeing me the night before. Her blonde hair is pulled tight in a ponytail, and she wears a black suit similar to the one she wore the night I first saw her. The suit fits her well, cut sharp to fit her petit figure. Sunlight streams in the room, washing her face in soft morning light, confirming that she is a blood healer. Just like Rhett.
I wait for her to speak, but the silence that stretches between us only increases my discomfort, until she suddenly stands and stalks to the door.
“Rhett had me bring you clothes.” She nods her head in the direction of the bathroom. “Shower, wash all of that make up off of your face, dress and meet us downstairs,” she orders coldly and walks out.
I lie back down and close my eyes. If only I could escape back to my field in my dreams. Unfortunately, I have to face this world. I force myself up and make my way to the bathroom. Two shopping bags sit on the floor in front of the sin
k. I pull out the articles of clothing, picking a pair of jeans and a white V-neck t-shirt to wear. They’ve even provided me with a couple of bras and underwear. I shower, taking my time, trying to delay the inevitable. In the bags, I also find a brush, deodorant, and a tooth brush which I am grateful for. After I finish, I make my way to the bedroom door and open it slightly. I can see down the hall to the stairs, but there are no guards.
Slowly, trying not to make a sound, I inch my way to the stairs. The house is silent as I descend down the stairs, but soft whispers emerge the closer I get to the bottom. At the base of the stairs, I make my way back towards the rear of the house and follow the sound of the voices. Rhett and Sarah sit opposite of one another in the kitchen, and they both stop speaking upon my entrance.
“Good morning, Aldo.” Rhett smiles cheerily, as if we’re best friends. I nod acknowledging him, and walk towards the table where he motions me to sit. “You remember Sarah, of course?”
“Yes.” I nod again, but Sarah ignores me, lost in a distant stare.
“Please sit.”
I’m placed at the end of the rectangular table with Sarah and Rhett seated on each side of me. A plate of eggs, bacon, and toast waits on a place mat with a glass of orange juice.
“I haven’t eaten real food in years, but this was pretty standard for breakfast back in my day.” Rhett smiles. He is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt today, somehow making casual look stellar. It reminds me of Thomas momentarily and I have to swallow the urge to cry.
I quickly sip my orange juice in an effort to mask any expression that might give my almost breakdown away.
“So, Aldo, tell us about yourself.” Rhett leans back and eyes me with curiosity.
“What would you like to know?” I stare down at my food.
“Well, what is your favorite color?”
I screw my face at the ridiculousness of the question. “Green,” I shrug, annoyed.
“How profound, green is the color of energy. Of life and fertility.” He smiles as he looks at Sarah who stares straight ahead with no emotion on her face.
“Sarah’s, favorite color is black.” He leans forward. “Guess what that means,” he dares me, his eyes widen with humor as if making a joke.
