Vrin: Ten Mortal Gods

by John Michael Hileman

  I shook my head, confused. “--But they tried to kill me.”

  There was an awkward pause as she seemed to contemplate a hidden puzzle. Then her eyes focused past me. She sat motionless, staring at the silent television with her head cocked, as if trying to catch a sound from it.

  “That was before they knew,” offered Nan.

  I looked at her. “--What?”

  “Before they knowed you went back,” Hazel said, almost lucidly.

  I gave Nan a quizzical look.

  “Those men were not chasing you, they were following you, to get to us.”

  “And why would they want to do that?”

  “Because my mother knows too much about Vrin.”

  I tried to piece the riddles together in my head. “Wh-what's the bottom line? Are they trying to kill me or not?”

  “No.” Hazel looked up at the ceiling. “No danger. You impo'tant in Vrin.”

  I stared at her, dumbfounded. “--But I'm not in Vrin,” I said slowly.

  “Impo'tant in Vrin!” she blurted, shaking her head again. “Jes' don't remember!”

  “Remember? Remember what?”

  “Vrin,” she whispered.

  Again I stared. “But I’m not connected to the computer. I’m not in Vrin.” I was beginning to get very frustrated.

  Hazel’s eyes scanned back and forth rapidly. “When you sleep.”

  “Sleep?” I said, trying desperately to understand. “I don't think...”

  She gripped my arm and stared intently into my eyes. “You must-stop him.”

  I pulled away and looked desperately at Nan.

  “When you sleep you go back to Vrin,” she said. “You don't need the computer, and mom says you are supposed to stop a man who is trying to destroy it.”

  “It?” I squinted at her.

  “Vrin, the whole thing.”

  My brows furrowed. “O-kay...” I said with sarcasm. “Let me get this straight. You’re telling me, that when I go to sleep, I travel to the magical realm of Vrin to try to save it from an evil mastermind?”

  “Well it sounds stupid when you say it like that.”

  “It is stupid!” I stood up. “Wouldn't you think it was stupid if you were me?”

  Hazel piped up. “Not stupid. Not stupid.” She cocked her head slightly, hunched her shoulders, and looked up at the ceiling. “Impo’tant.”

  Nan reached out and placed a tender hand on her mother's arm. “It's okay, Mom. I'll explain it to him.”

  Hazel tapped her head lightly with her knuckles. “Okay, okay. Okay.”

  “Yes, Mom, it's okay.”

  “Okay. Good girl, Nan. Good girl.”

  Nan looked at me. “I know this is a lot to digest, and you're getting it thrown at you all at once, but please be patient.”

  “I don't mean any disrespect. But I came here to get answers. And this is not what I expected.”

  “Believe me, I understand your skepticism. I didn't believe it either, but I do now. I've seen things that would make your blood run cold.”

  I listened uneasily.

  “My mother, as I said, has autism. Are you familiar with autism?”

  “Yes. I've heard of it.”

  “Well, some people with autism can play the piano without ever being trained, others can figure out enormous equations in their heads-- things like that. Well, my mom can remember her dreams, and what lies beyond. That is where Vrin is.”

  I responded with silence.

  Nan placed her hands in her lap and straightened the fabric of her dress. “Can I get you a drink while we discuss things?”

  “Do you have tea?” I said, grateful to change the subject, if even for a moment.

  “Yes. Do you like herbal?”

  “That would be fine, but if you have Earl Grey...”

  “Yes, I believe we do have some Earl Grey around here. How ‘bout you?” She gave Sam a glance.

  He was sitting quietly on a chair by the door, taking everything in. “Any soda will do.”

  Nan turned up the TV as she passed by. “There's a lot to tell, but I don't think all of it is relevant to your situation.”

  I stepped up into the kitchen. “Perhaps we could address the most important question first. Why did those men want me dead?”

  Nan put a teapot on the stove. “You were in danger in the lab because they didn't know how much, if anything, you would remember about Vrin. They don't want any information leaking out. But since your escape, you have slept and returned to Vrin. They must know now that you have returned, and that you are still important in Vrin.”

  “Yes, so you've said, but what does that mean?”

  “First, let me explain what Vrin is, perhaps that will help.”

  “All right,” I said, incredulously.

  She paused, gathering her thoughts. “--There is a place we go when we sleep, a world that exists between life and death. When we sleep here, we go there. When we sleep there, we come here.”

  “Back and forth. ”

  “Yes. But it is extremely complicated. It isn't as simple as passing back and forth.” She handed a soda to Sam. “Everyone who believes and trusts in God, goes to Vrin. We believe it is the last human battlefield. There is a war going on in that realm which most are completely unaware of. However, it has devastating implications for eternity.”

  “But you said I go there when I sleep, and that I am important there. How is that possible, when I don't even believe in God?” As I said the words, I realized that I was unsure if it were still true. What had changed my mind, if indeed my mind had been changed?

  “I don't think you truly realize your connection with God.” Nan picked up a leather bound book and handed it to me. The cover read, DAVATA NOTRALS: The Holy Truth.

  I stared at it. “And what do you want me to do with this?”

  “Turn to the Book of Reason.”

  I hesitated, then cracked it open. “Where is it?”

  “Near the end.”

  When I got there, she flipped one page, then pointed. The verse read, “In those the last days, God rose up the prophet Tardin, who having the secret to The Circle, turned the tide of darkness. And God banished Kric' tu with Rath in flames.”

  “You are that prophet.”

  I looked at her in total disbelief, then held the book out. “If this thing is from God,” I said, letting out a cynical laugh. “Then why is wrath spelled wrong?”

  She smiled. “You cannot run from your destiny, Thomas.”

  “I'm sorry. This is all just a little too far fetched for me.”

  Sam interrupted. “I saw those men go through the walls, Dad. I'm ready to believe anything.”

  “Well I'm not ready,” I said, sitting down. Nan and Samuel stared at me expectantly. “Okay,” I said, “So let’s just suppose you're right, which I’m not saying you are, but if you were-- what does it mean?”

  “We don’t know yet,” said Nan. “We're hoping the code will tell us.”

  I blinked at her. I did not want to ask. I did not want to know. But the word came out anyway. “Code?”

  She reached out and took the book from me. “In this book, there is a hidden code that provides information about the future. Your name is in the code, and we are trying to find out what God wants us to do.”

  Again I stared, dumbfounded. “But what if I don't want to do anything? What if I just want to go back to my life?”

  “I don't believe God expects anything else from you, not right now anyway. You were only meant to bring us the code.”

  “But I thought I was important.”

  “You are important. But in Vrin.”

  “So they’ll leave me alone now?”

  She frowned. “I don't know. They may try to capture you. But I don't think they'll hurt you, now that they know you returned to Vrin.”

  That was hardly comforting! “What about my family?”

  She took the teapot off the stove. “They're not important.”

  Here, words could
not convey my frustration and turmoil. I put my head in my hands.

  She placed a steaming cup in front of me. “Everything is working out as it should, Thomas,” she said gently. “You just need to trust in God. He has a plan.”

  “Look.” I lifted my head. “I’m not a fairy tales kind of guy. This whole thing, although disturbingly convincing, is just a little too much. I’m not a prophet, and believe it or not, I have no interest in fighting fallen angels. I want my life back. I want to run my company. And I want to get to know my family. So, with whatever is going on here, I wish you well. But I would appreciate it if everyone would just leave me alone.”

  “I don’t know if they will leave you alone.”

  “Well I’m not going to fight them, and I’m not putting my family in danger.” I looked at her defiantly.

  She shrugged. “You may not have a choice.”

  “Then I’ll just have to find a deep dark hole to hide my family in and lay low till everything passes over.”

  She nodded slowly. “We’ve been living in the last days for over two-thousand years. It can’t be much longer.”

  I pushed my cup away. “I’ll give you a way to contact me, in case you to.”

  “I’ll let you know when it is safe to live your life again, Thomas.” She stared at me intently. “You’re positive you don’t want to be a part of what we’re doing?”

  “This isn’t my fight, Nan. This a war for-- religious people. I’m a man of science.”

  “Science and religion are not opposites.”

  “In my world they are.”

  She frowned, and I stood. “Come on, Sam, let’s go,” I said, starting toward the door.

  “Actually, Dad, I was thinking.” He looked at Nan. “Maybe I should stay here awhile, if Nan and Hazel don’t mind.”

  I looked at him, aghast. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I think one of us should stay close to what's happening, so if things start to stir up we’ll be prepared. Besides, I like all this mystery stuff. I want to know more.” He gave me a searching look. “If things get too crazy, I can always come join you.” He turned to Nan. “Would you mind if I stayed?”

  Her eyebrows rose. “It's pretty cramped in here, and my mom can be quite a handful. Are you sure?”

  Sam laughed. “I mean, here in Marathon, in a condo or something-- so I can help you.”

  “Alright,” she said with an approving smile. “As long as you follow my rules, and don’t go bringing any unwelcomed guests back to my doorstep.”

  They both looked at me for approval.

  I let out a long sigh. “I can’t tell you what to do, Sam. But I hope you won’t go doing anything crazy; we barely know each other, and that's a problem I was hoping to rectify.”

  Sam beamed. “So you really don’t mind? You’ll let me stay?” He looked at Nan, then back at me.

  Nan nodded.

  Reluctantly, I did the same.

  I stood staring at my son for a long moment, then walked toward the living room. “It was nice to meet you, Hazel.”

  “Impo’tant in Vrin!” she said, not taking her eyes from the TV screen.”

  I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Yes, Hazel,” I said slowly. “Important in Vrin.” I turned and looked at Sam again. He was suppressing a smile.

  “Come on,” said Nan, picking up her keys. “I’ll bring you back to shore.”

  “Thank you. I need a break. I’m definitely not ready for anything else.”

  Sam’s eyes reflected disappointment. “Do you think you’ll ever be ready?”

  “Sam.” My shoulders slumped. “I wish I could help, but this whole thing isn’t me. This is something your mom might do. She’s the one who fights the good fight, the one who struggles to make the world a better place. I’m an engineer, I invent things. I don’t...” I paused, looking for words. “I don’t battle the forces of evil.”

  His eyes turned soft. “You could.”

  I gripped his shoulders firmly. “I’m proud of you, son. You seem to be the best of your mother and me. Give me some time to rest and get my head screwed on right, okay? Then maybe we’ll see if I can be the hero.”

  He smiled warmly. “I’ll call tomorrow and give you an update.”

  “Okay, you do that, and keep your head down.” I gave him an awkward hug.

  Nan brought me back to the mainland where a cab was waiting near the canal. I struggled up the rusted, barnacle-covered ladder and stood up on the pavement. I looked back down into the little boat. “I’m sorry, Nan,” was all I said.

  The boat pulled away from the dock. “For what?” she asked. Then, not waiting for a reply, added, “You’ll come around, you just don’t know it yet.”

  The way she said it, it was hard to take offense. But what if I didn’t want to come around? Didn’t I have a say in the matter? What if I didn’t want to go on some crazy crusade for God? Was it wrong for me to want my life back? God had already taken twenty-one years without asking! I didn’t owe him anything. Whatever I was supposed to give back into the universe, I was sure I had already paid every penny. With interest.

  “You coming, mister.?”

  My eyes blinked as I turned to look at the cabbie. “Yes, sorry,” I said, opening the back door. I climbed in. “Homestead, please.”

  He tapped the GPS screen on the dashboard, and spoke the command, “Homestead.” A dollar figure appeared in the corner of the map. The cabbie put his foot on the gas, and the car took off like a golf cart.

  It didn’t take long to realize that sitting idle in the back of a cab for an hour and a half was a bad idea. Left with nothing to do but think, my imagination ran wild. Dark thoughts stepped on my chest-- making it hard to breath.

  Why did God have to pick me? I had everything a man could want. I was a captain of industry. I had an adoring wife, a perfect daughter, a son on the way. And I had earned every bit of it! I had paid my dues, and was on the threshold of enjoying the fruits of my labor! But in the blink of an eye, everything had vanished, leaving only this nightmare, this horrible cage of circumstances. --Why me? Why not someone who wanted to do God’s bidding? Sam’s face flashed in my mind. Was that it? Had God picked Sam? Was he the one God wanted? The more I thought about this, the more it made sense. He had my ingenuity, and his mothers philanthropy.

  I chuckled at myself. Was I actually beginning to buy into this craziness? It didn’t matter-- I still didn’t want to be involved. This was a matter for monks or priests-- or whatever. I wanted no part of it.

  I committed myself to not thinking about it, and instead stared out the window at the passing urban sprawl-- looking for all the ways the world had changed while I was asleep.

  Eventually, the cab pulled up in front of Andy’s. I paid with my fingerprint, and the machine bleeped happily. “Thanks, man,” said the cabbie. “Have a nice day.”

  “You too. Thanks.” I stepped out and looked up at the house. I had never felt so exhausted in all my life. On shaky legs I made my way up the stone walkway, then dragged myself up the stairs, and opened the front door. Annie and Rebecca were sitting in the living room.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked from the doorway.

  Annie stood up and came toward me. “They’re at a soccer game, the state finals. She looked past me. Where’s Sam?”

  “He stayed with Hazel.”

  Her eyes snapped up at me.

  “He’s fine,” I said. “Hazel has insight into what’s going on at the center. And Sam wants to find out everything he can.”

  Annie blinked. “Why didn’t you stay?”

  “I got all the information I wanted.”

  She cocked her head.

  “The answers are turning out to be worse than the questions.” I took her by the hand and led her to the couch. “Come, let’s sit down. I’m exhausted. Hi, Becca. How are you holding up.”

  “I’m fine, Dad. How are you? What happened?”

  “Well...” I looked at Rebecca, then Annie. “You know h
ow Solomon set up the computer to talk directly to the minds of the coma patients? And how he created a virtual world we could share?”

  They both nodded.

  “Hazel says I’m still going back to that world-- when I sleep.”

  Their jaws hung slack.

  “And that’s not even the craziest part. Hazel’s daughter, Nan, told me that it’s really a place between life and death-- a spiritual realm.” The word spiritual stuck to my lips as it came out.

  Rebecca was wide eyed as she touched her fingers to her mouth. “That’s incredible.”

  “If it’s true,” I said.

  Annie leaned in toward me. “You don’t believe her? Do you?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know what to believe. We got chased today, by men who Sam said walked through walls.”

  Annie and Rebecca sat frozen.

  “Nan called them the fallen ones.”

  Rebecca’s eyes grew even wider. “Like-- from Davata Notrals?”

  “Fallen ones, angels, demons, whatever you want to call them. Apparently Sam believes it, and I can’t blame him. It was all very convincing.”

  Annie’s became thoughtful. “The man I saw at the center, the one who spoke that strange language-- could he have been-- one of those?”

  “If what they say is true then, probably yes.”

  She stared at me. “Are we in danger?”

  “I don’t know. Hazel and Nan say we aren’t. Nan said they were only following me to get to them.”

  “Why?”

  “Well-- Hazel is special, she has autism. Nan says she can remember her dreams, and a spiritual place beyond her dreams. Apparently Vrin is in that place.” Annie looked incredulous. “I know it sounds crazy! I don’t want to believe it either. But Nan believes the fallen ones are after them because they know too much about Vrin.”

  A sudden fear flashed through Annie’s eyes. “And you left Sam with them?”

  “I don’t exactly have any authority over him. I wasn’t around to be his father.”

  She bit her lip. “I don’t like him being there.”

  “Well you tell him to come with us. Maybe he’ll receive it from you.”

  “What do you mean, with us? Where are we going now?”

  “I don’t know, someplace hidden, remote, a place no one knows about but us.”