The Blood Gardener (The Dark River Book 2)

by Michael Richan

  Plasma? Derick wondered.

  Look! A said, and Derick turned to see where A was pointing. Straight up, above the twisting cloud, were more stars. It reminded Derick of the most brilliant display of the Milky Way he’d seen as a child, when he visited his relatives in the country, sleeping outside with cousins on clear, dark nights. The constraints of the building, which he knew must be fairly narrow at this height, were gone — just stars, as far as the eye could see.

  In the middle of the display, directly above the twisting blue mist of the funnel cloud, was a large, dark circle with no stars. His first thought was that it might be a black hole, but he knew that wasn’t possible. If it was a black hole, everything would be sucked into it — they wouldn’t even be alive. Still, seeing the round, dark circle with its lack of stars, black hole seemed the perfect description, even if it wasn’t astronomically correct.

  What is it? A asked.

  I don’t know, Derick replied. Should we check it out?

  A lifted out of the observation area and into the open chamber. They were twenty feet above the cloud, slowly rising toward the dark circle. A stopped when they were just feet from it.

  Derick looked down. The view was incredible; energy surging down through the blue funnel below, the clouds slowly swirling around it. It almost made him want to jump, to descend into the funnel. He instinctually knew it was a suicidal notion, but the beauty of the spectacle was mesmerizing and inviting.

  He turned to observe the circle. It was twenty feet across, completely devoid of light. Nothing reflected off its surface; in fact, he wasn’t sure it even was a surface. It was just — nothing. The absence of anything.

  Then he noticed the edge of the circle. It was defined, like a border. It reflected the light from below, very faintly. The thin edge of the circle was made of something.

  Take us closer to the edge, A, Derick said pointing, and A moved the trance to the right, stopping inches from the empty, flat surface.

  Now he saw the edge up close, its rounded features looking eerily reminiscent of something he had encountered recently.

  I’ve seen this before, he said to A.

  Where?

  I’m trying to remember.

  Do you feel it? A asked.

  Feel what?

  The tug inside, A replied. It’s pulling us in.

  Derick stopped and examined how he felt. There was indeed a pulling in his chest, not unlike the feeling he had just before a portal took him over and transported him to a place inside the Dark River.

  But portals don’t have edges like this, he thought, returning his gaze to the curved bend of the hole’s threshold.

  Then he realized what it was.

  It’s a fold, Derick said to A. That’s where I’ve seen this before.

  But it’s a circle, A replied. Not a line, like the one in Osanna’s house.

  Yes, Derick replied. Somehow this one has formed a circle.

  Does that mean it still connects to somewhere? A asked. Like Osanna’s fold?

  I don’t know, Derick replied. He turned to look at A, who was staring back at him.

  Is it safe? A asked.

  I don’t know that either, Derick answered, looking at A. He knew what A was thinking, as he was thinking it himself.

  I can feel it pulling me, A said.

  Derick thought of their bodies; his corporeal one back in his trailer, waiting for him to return, and A’s Dark River body, waiting with his incorporeal self in Fulton’s conference room. Would they be able to return if they passed through this new, unusual fold? Would they be permanently cut off from their physical aspects? Maybe it was time to stop, to return to Fulton and try to assimilate all of the new information they’d gathered. Trying to determine the use and purpose of the giant funnel cloud at their feet would certainly give them plenty to do.

  Perhaps necessitating another trip here, he thought. Fulton sneaking us in again, just to find out where the fold takes us.

  Then he watched as a panicked look washed over A’s face. The kid began to drift toward the fold.

  A! Derick said. Move away!

  I can’t! A replied, his eyes widening. He outstretched his arms toward Derick. I can’t stop it! Help…

  Suddenly things accelerated, and Derick watched as A was rapidly sucked into the fold. He felt the trance around him begin to close, following A.

  A! he screamed. A was gone. He felt the momentum of the collapsing trance pulling him forward too, and for a moment he considered resisting it until his concern for A trumped his fear. He had to find the kid. He couldn’t leave him on the other side of the fold, alone.

  As the outer edge of the trance hit his back and pulled him toward the darkness, he surrendered to it completely, and felt himself falling upward.

  Chapter Twelve

  He felt more alive than he’d ever felt in his entire life. Every cell of his awareness was tingling, vibrating with energy. As he focused on his new surroundings, he felt strong and invincible.

  A? he asked, seeing the kid hanging in the air. Below them was the slowly swirling funnel cloud, and to their sides the endless stars. He twisted his neck to look up and behind him; there was the circular fold, dark and silent.

  It went nowhere, A said, looking around. We’re still right here.

  Derick scanned the surroundings. The feeling of strength and power radiating through his body felt magnificent, and he wondered if A felt the same way. Something is different, he thought. Something is missing.

  No observation rooms, Derick said. This isn’t the same place, A. There’s no observation rooms.

  A looked around him, at the places he remembered the windowed rooms to be. You’re right! he replied. They’re not here! But everything else is the same. The stars, the cloud.

  Let’s see what we can find out about this place, Derick said.

  Which direction? A asked.

  Toward the stars.

  A moved the trance, pulling Derick along. It seemed to go on and on, and A picked up speed. After a while the funnel and fold were far behind them.

  I get the feeling this goes on forever, A said.

  I think you’re right, Derick replied. There’s nothing out here. Let’s go back.

  A reversed course, and they were soon back at the funnel. Derick looked up at the fold.

  Well, we know what happens if we go up, Derick said.

  We go back through the fold to the other funnel cloud, A replied.

  Correct, back to LeFever’s. But where we are now, this can’t be LeFever’s. It’s somewhere else. Let’s try going down.

  Into the cloud? A asked fearfully.

  Let’s avoid the funnel, Derick replied. Go down over there, where it’s just mist.

  Derick felt himself pulled as A moved the trance, and soon their feet were hanging inches over the swirling blue fog.

  You sure? A asked.

  Derick laughed. I’m not sure at all. How about you?

  I’m a little scared, A replied.

  Me too, Derick answered. We’ve come this far, though. Might as well see where we are. That was the whole point of this.

  OK, A replied, and they began to lower into the mist. After a few moments they descended into an empty room, dimly lit. A large bed was against one wall, and Derick noticed a pair of pants draped over the back of a chair.

  Someone’s bedroom, A said.

  It looks that way, yes, Derick replied. Let’s keep going.

  A pulled the trance through the closed door and into a hallway. They passed more doors. Should we go in them? A asked.

  Let’s head toward that open area, over there, Derick said, pointing toward the end of the hallway.

  When they reached it, they saw a staircase winding down to a lower level, and walkways that ran around the opening to a hallway that continued on the other side.

  Do you hear that? A asked.

  No, I don’t hear anything, Derick replied, straining his ears. What do you hear?

  It’s coming
from down there, A said.

  Let’s find it, Derick said. Go slow.

  They descended into the opening, dropping from the top floor to the bottom. Two large archways appeared at opposite ends of the area, and Derick could see plants and trees in the distance through either opening.

  I don’t think we’re in the Dark River anymore, Derick said.

  This is the real world? A asked excitedly. Why isn’t it bright?

  Derick could see a faint orange tint on the plants outside. I think it might be night time, he answered. Or dusk.

  Now Derick could hear the noise A had heard — voices, coming from one of the openings.

  Let’s go that way, Derick said, pointing toward the sound of the voices. Don’t rush. Be ready to head back upstairs quickly if we need to.

  OK, A answered. There was a mixture of excitement and fear in the kid’s reply.

  As they approached the large archway, more of the plants and trees came into view. A magnificent banyan tree was growing in the distance, its leaves and branches reflecting the last of the diminishing light. Dark mounds disrupted the ground around it; Derrick thought they looked like graves, and he wondered if they were in some kind of cemetery. Then he heard laughter, and turned to his left.

  Three people sat on a porch, resting in chairs, interacting with each other. Each had a drink in hand. They seemed to be having a good time.

  Can they see us? A asked.

  I don’t think so, Derick replied. But they might be able to sense us. Move closer, but not too close.

  A pulled the trance down the steps and into the yard, then circled back toward the people so they could observe them. They hung in the air about six feet off the ground, just over the porch’s railing, watching the three. An older man sat at one end, laughing as he listened to a story being told by a woman with wild, chaotic hair, who sat at the other end. In the middle was a middle-aged man who was also listening attentively to the story. They seemed completely wrapped up, unaware that they were being spied upon. The woman was relating an incident about her son, and the two men were finding it incredibly funny.

  A was becoming bored, but Derick was fascinated with the three. They seemed warm and outgoing, like three old friends having a party, enjoying each other’s company. It was a brief moment of normality he’d not experienced in a while. It made him want to meet them, to know who they were.

  Why this? A asked, looking around. Seems odd.

  Derick pulled his gaze away from the three, and turned to look at the dark mounds of earth out in the yard. Let’s go over there, he said to A, and the trance drifted toward the tree’s base.

  These aren’t normal graves, Derick said. That’s not dirt on top of them.

  What does it mean? A asked.

  I have no idea, Derick answered. I’m tired of saying that, but I honestly have no idea.

  Can we explore the rest of the house? A asked.

  Sure, Derick replied, and they drifted back to the archway. A led them through various rooms; a kitchen, a library, a large drawing room. When they entered a room filled with glass cases that contained hundreds of objects, Derick stopped A.

  Do you know what these are? Derick asked.

  Stuff, A replied, looking into the cases at the various items.

  Not just stuff, Derick said, joining A to look at the bizarre and oddly shaped objects. These are River objects. Special items with powers.

  Like your Haas Box? A asked.

  Yes, like that, Derick said. If we weren’t in the River right now, they’d look like something else entirely.

  Really?

  Yes, Derick answered.

  You mean this thing would look like something else? A asked, pointing at an object that looked like a long, thin cigar, with orange tendrils rising out of it, waving in the air.

  Exactly, Derick replied. That thing might look like an ordinary pen. Or a cup.

  A began scanning the other cases. They have a lot of them.

  Yes, Derick replied. This isn’t an ordinary collection. This is massive.

  Just then someone came into the room; it was the old man from the back porch. He walked to the center and began turning slowly, scanning the room.

  A moved back to Derick’s side. Does he see us? A asked.

  I don’t think so, Derick replied. But he may sense that we’re here. Let’s circle around behind him.

  A moved the trance, and the old man turned to follow them as they shifted.

  “Who are you?” the man asked. “I know you’re there.”

  Should we talk to him? A asked.

  Not yet, Derick replied.

  “Show yourselves!” the old man demanded. “If I have to, I’ll get my shotgun!”

  Derick felt A’s hand grabbing the back of his shirt, and he turned to face the kid. He was hunched over.

  I don’t feel so well, A said, holding his stomach.

  Take us up, straight back to the fold, Derick said, and felt himself rising as A lifted the trance through the ceiling of the object room, the old man raising his head to follow them. They passed into another bedroom and then into the attic, where the blue mist of the swirling funnel appeared. The round, black spot empty of stars was in the sky over the funnel, and the trance drifted quickly toward it and then through, emerging into the other side, where the glass observation rooms hung on the sides of the large, open chamber.

  Straight through the building to the conference room, Derick said. Don’t stop for anything.

  My stomach feels weird, A said, doubled over.

  I’m guessing the uralga’s wearing off, Derick answered. We’ve got to get back before it does. Keep going, A, don’t stop.

  They slid diagonally through rooms and offices, the contents a blur. Derick didn’t try to see details; they were moving too quickly, and his head was full of what they’d just seen on the other side of the fold. He found the rapid movement disorienting, and it was beginning to make him sick, so he closed his eyes.

  Within moments the motion stopped, and he opened them again. Fulton was sitting across from him at the conference table, and A was in the chair next to him. He waited for A to open his eyes, but A seemed asleep. He reached out and shook the kid, and saw the child’s eyes flutter open, rolling to focus on him. A then leaned forward and threw up on the table.

  Fulton moaned. “I’ll go get something to clean that up,” he said, rising from the chair and leaving the room.

  Derick put his arm around A, trying to comfort him. Does it still hurt?

  Nope, A replied. I feel better.

  Fulton returned with a wad of towels and he and Derick mopped up the mess.

  “What did you find?” Fulton asked. “Did you make it to Level 1?”

  “Maybe,” Derick replied. “Hard to say.”

  Fulton looked excited, then disappointed. “How about Level 2?”

  “We needed more time to explore,” Derick answered. “A became sick and we had to come back.”

  “Well, now you know how long you’ve got with a single mouthful of uralga,” Fulton replied. “You could take more and maybe stay in the trance longer. What did you see? Tell me!”

  Derick looked down at the papers and folders scattered on the desk, trying to summarize what he’d just experienced. “I’m not sure I know myself!” he replied.

  “My turn,” Fulton said, standing up and dipping his metal tweezers into the tin to extract another blob of uralga.

  A moaned.

  “Sit back down,” Derick said to Fulton. “You said it wouldn’t hurt him, but it’s made him sick.”

  “A side effect of it wearing off, that’s all,” Fulton replied. “He should feel fine now.”

  “You’ll get your turn when A says he’s ready,” Derick replied.

  Do I have to? A asked.

  No, you don’t have to, Derick replied. But we’ll need some of his uralga if you and I are going to trance again, together. I doubt he’ll give us any if we don’t give him his turn.

  A consider
ed his options. Alright, he replied. What do I have to do?

  Take him around wherever he wants to go in the building, Derick replied. If you can, try to avoid the circular fold. Don’t take him through it, OK?

  Alright, A replied.

  Come back as soon as you feel it wearing off, like last time, Derick said. Don’t let him keep you longer. Just come back regardless of what he says.

  A nodded.

  “OK,” Derick said to Fulton. “He’s ready.”

  Fulton stood again, lifting the uralga from the tin with the tweezers.

  “Oh, and Fulton?”

  “Yes?”

  “Tell him where you want to go, but when he’s done, he’s done, got it? This is a one-time shot, so make it worthwhile.”

  “I intend to!” Fulton said, extending the uralga to A’s mouth.

  “And I expect a supply of uralga from you, too.”

  “I’ve got plenty here,” Fulton replied, dropping the blob into A’s mouth.

  A swallowed it down quickly, and Derick sat guard over their bodies as Fulton searched for something that would free him from his LeFever obligations.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Bernstein told me they searched your house,” Franklin said, chewing down a bite of waffle. “I swear to god I didn’t know anything about that.”

  “Do you know what they were looking for?” Derick asked, wondering how Franklin would answer. He wanted to keep his routine with his friend, even though he was suspicious. It gave him an opportunity to try and pick up on what Franklin might have known, while maintaining an air of normality to those who might be watching him.

  “He didn’t say. I’m guessing they didn’t find anything, or we wouldn’t be sitting here right now, waiting for bacon.”

  “How long does it take to cook bacon?” Derick agreed.

  “Do you know what they were looking for?” Franklin asked.

  “I presume the pair of bloody snips used to maim those people,” Derick replied.

  Franklin paused. “You’re kidding!” He looked genuinely surprised. “What, a setup?”

  “I’m pretty sure,” Derick replied.

  Franklin’s eyes began moving back and forth. “That would mean Henderson and …” he paused. “They got you involved to…” He stopped and looked up at Derick. “I hope you know I had nothing to do with it.”