Tangled Webs

by Bibiana Krall

  Our spooning moment came to an end when Elisa pulled over a chair to sit between us. My buxom friend beamed and gave me a quick wink.

  “We can’t have anything happen to our Nora, Johanne. She is the star of our clinic. Her hands give massages that heal the soul and warm your muscles. Why, she’s famous here in Fell. Everyone lines up to see her and Miss Olgie. She saved me…”

  I gave a quick shake of my head to Elisa to not say any more. She took my hint and smiled, sipping her cup of mocha. Johanne cocked his head slightly, intrigued by Elisa’s remarks.

  “Ja, I’ve heard of this clinic. The plant executives think your spa services are first class. They’re encouraging all the employees to utilize your wellness packages. I will be going myself.” His gaze was resolute, as if he were slowly undressing me. I could feel his skin next to mine, embracing me, touching me…His hviske was intense, drawing me in. I had not felt this type of intrusion before.

  “Sorry, Doctor. Nora caters exclusively to the female clients. If you go you will have Olgie’s hands soothing your ills.” She hawed and slapped Johanne’s knee, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically.

  His hand instinctively reached for his joint and started rubbing it.

  “You are welcome to come to our clinic anytime, Johanne. I think you will be impressed with our operations. We use the methods and recipes from the ancients for our cures.”

  “I’d love to see it. Will you be there tonight? I have much to do at the plant for the remainder of the afternoon—in fact, I must depart soon. Would nine o’clock be too late?” His hand once again covered mine, giving my fingers a squeeze. The connection we had felt exhilarating.

  “Ja, that would be fine. I have a break around then. We try and keep flexible hours to accommodate the workers on shifts. Just ask for me at the desk. They will come find me.”

  Johanne rose from his seat and shook Elisa’s and my hand, giving us a polite bow as he departed the bakery. We watched as he donned his knit hat and raced off to continue his run.

  “Well, that’s a cracking crash if I ever saw one. Tell me, did you step in front of him on purpose, Nora?” Elisa teased, poking her finger into my ribs. I winced from her jab and rolled my eyes, trying not to blush. I loved my friend dearly but she had the strength of an ox and the subtlety of one too, at times.

  “No, I did not. I was thinking about your lingonberry scones, which by the way, I have not seen.”

  My friend smacked her forehead and went to retrieve the forgotten treats. I used her absence to calm myself down, inhaling deeply. Elisa placed a plate in front of me that included a pot of clotted cream and preserves. We both munched on the scones in silence for a moment. The excitement of the crash had jolted our appetites.

  “Takk, Elisa, for shooing those people away. With the shock of the collision, I couldn’t deflect their whispers. They were ganging up on me.”

  My friend placed her hand on my knee. “I could tell, Nora. You had your hands squeezing your ears and eyes shut tight. I knew you were overwhelmed.”

  “It’s getting harder to manage the intensity and frequency of the hviske with more and more plant workers streaming into Fell. All of us at the clinic are noticing it. Anna had to move in with me—she couldn’t take being in town anymore, even at her tier. I might add, she’s having a real problem with the hatch door.” I giggled, thinking of her beet-red face from earlier this morning.

  “Ach, I don’t blame her one bit on that. I don’t know how you can live so high amongst the trees, Nora. Climbing that steep ladder stair up to your lair every day would be too much for me. I prefer to keep my feet on the ground, takk you very much.”

  “Some of us don’t have much of a choice, Elisa. Besides, I like living amongst the branches. You see so much—the night skies are exquisite, the birds and animals entertain me to no end. They are the kind of neighbors I like—friendly, but they keep their distance.”

  “The mirrored walls conceal your habitat quite well, Nora. If a stranger walked into town, he would never guess there was a dwelling in the tree line.”

  “It’s my hope I can keep it that way. Otherwise, I fear I will have to become a crone and live high on the mountains away from civilization.”

  Elisa sent me packing to the clinic with a large box of baked goods to share with the staff. My emotions were running full spectrum—worry and angst of the intensifying whispers and an unexpected warmth in my heart for the new doctor.

  It was a strange experience for me. I typically didn’t let my feelings run rampant. Control was important to a healer of my level. This was something new, testing the boundaries of my ancient abilities.

  I dropped off the box of treats in our employee lounge, much to the delight of those working the late shift with me tonight and walked down the hallway to my massage chamber to prepare for my appointments. As I passed Olgie’s office, I flinched when I heard her call my name. Reluctantly, I backtracked and stood in her doorway. I had a feeling this was not going to be a normal, chitchat exchange.

  “Come in, Nora, and close the door behind you please.” She motioned for me to sit in the leather, high-back chair by the fireplace in her office.

  “I don’t have much time to chat, Olgie. My first appointment is in thirty minutes. I’m running a bit behind on my schedule.” I unwound the scarf from around my neck and folded it across my lap. The warmth from the fire felt pleasant.

  “I’ve reassigned your first appointment, Nora. Bjorn will be covering for you.”

  “You didn’t need to do that—I can be prepared in no time.”

  “I heard about what happened in the park, Nora. I’m concerned about you.”

  “It was an accidental run-in. I didn’t see him…”

  “I’m not talking about the collision with the young doctor, Nora. You let the hviske of the dodsones get too close to you.”

  “I fell, Olgie. Bystanders came to see what happened. I covered my ears and closed my eyes.”

  “If Elisa had not come when she did you’d be in bad shape, Nora. You know this. When a crowd of festering dodsones converge, it can be ruthless. It will take any path it can to escape its mortal confines. We felt your panic here, child. Why do you think Elisa came bounding over to you so quickly? We sent her in.” Olgie reached over and put her hand over mine.

  “The frequency and intensity of the whispers are getting to be too much for me to handle, Olgie. It’s all I can do these days to keep them from devouring me when they congregate,” I muttered. A lone tear made its way down my left cheek, splattering onto the scarf on my lap.

  “Ja, we haven’t much time. The ancients of Moder Jord have spoken. The discord on the planet is rising out of control. This power plant has set in motion a rebellion that will not end well.”

  I glanced over at my mentor. Her face was set, filled with the determination to follow through with our mission as she stared into the flickering flames. I knew she had thought of all the possible ways to bring about needed change. In the end, there was only one, final solution. Its time was growing near.

  “Olgie, how did you know about Johanne, Dr. Arnes? He’s new here to Fell. He just started his position with the plant less than a day ago. He’s coming here tonight for a tour. He seems very interested in our clinic and practices.” She turned to me, her mouth opened.

  “He’s coming here? Tonight?”

  “Ja. It’s just a tour, Olgie, He knows that the plant encourages the wellness packages we offer here.” I didn’t tell her about the electric connection I had felt with the young doctor. It had been so long since the warmth of a man’s touch had stirred my heart.

  “Nora, you must listen to me. This could be dangerous. We are too close now to risk exposure. We must follow through with our plans to placate the earth spirits. Your hviske is essential.”

  “It can’t hurt, surely, Olgie,” I pleaded. “He’s very nice. I felt a connection with him. I can’t explain it. I’ve never wanted a man so much.”

  “Child, don’t
you know? His name is Arnes. Think, Nora. The plant is Jantzen Arnes Nuclear. He’s not new to the plant---he’s the eldest son of the owner. They must suspect something.” Olgie raised from her chair and paced around the room. I had never seen her so worried.

  “Olgie, please. He can’t be a threat. I felt his hviske. It was sweeping me away in an embrace that sent electric pulses throughout my body. It was good, Olgie. Pure. Our attraction was like nothing I’ve experienced. I felt desired. Protected.” I rose from my chair and stood by my leader, taking her hand in mine. Surely, she could see this was different.

  “Oh, Nora. My sweet girl. That is the most conniving of the hviske from the dodsones. The whispers that lure your heart and soul with false promises of being as one. Their web of false platitudes will embrace you, and slowly squeeze the healing spirit from you until you are nothing but a dried hull. These are the most wicked of the hviske.”

  “You’re wrong, Olgie. He’s different, I know it. Surely, he must be.”

  “His father is getting ready to activate a plant that will ravage the waters and surroundings of the fjord. It is just the beginning of more desecration to come. Our way of life is at the breaking point, Nora. We’ve seen this time and time again. There is only one way to end this destruction. We have been thorough. You know what must be done.”

  I walked down the hallway to my massage chamber and tucked my coat and backpack into the closet. I lit the sage candles around the room, deeply breathing in their healing fragrance. My heart was heavy and a wave of weariness enveloped me. I had felt the spark of an attraction that had been absent for so long. I knew there was nothing else for me to do than follow Olgie’s directive. The cogs of Moder Jord were in motion. Two mere beings caught up in attraction would stand no chance.

  I made it through my appointments, massaging away the tensions from my guests. Most importantly, I unleashed the voids of their dodsones, the movements of my hands unshackling them from within. I knew it would not be long now. Promptly at nine, the intercom to my room buzzed. It was Marta at the reception desk.

  “Dr. Arnes is here to see you.” My heart raced for just a moment when I heard his name.

  “Ja, takk, Marta. I will be right there.” I looked into the mirror and started when I saw my face. A shadow covered my eyes. I knew that my hviske shields were up. I dared not indulge my desires.

  I made my way down the hallway and into the lobby. Johanne was standing, looking at our garden area where our herbs and plants were grown hydroponically. He had taken off his coat, holding it in his arms. His jeans were tailored perfectly against his slim frame. The cashmere turtleneck clung to his chiseled chest and arm muscles. The golden curls that lay against his forehead earlier were swept back in a sexy wave.

  It was all I could do to not run my fingers through his hair.

  His eyes lit up when he turned and saw me. He came over and reached for my hands. He kissed my cheeks, first left, then right. The smell of his cologne was intoxicating.

  Marta took his coat and we began our tour. We started in the garden area run by my cousin, Anna. The rows of herbs and healing plants hanging from suspended bulbs filled with spring waters stretched row after row.

  “This is quite impressive, Nora. I had no idea you had all these plantings.”

  “Over one hundred varieties of ancient herbs and roots. They are dried, made into syrups, capsules, balms, oils, natural remedies---all the offerings that improve the spa experience of our guests. At every visit, our clients receive customized combinations and brews. We want our guests to be rid of that which causes discord to their psyche and body.”

  Our next stop was the mud baths and hot pools, bubbling with fragrant waters and soothing sludges for the guests who had appointments this evening. They were filled with clients relaxing in the warmth of the healing waters and muds that would extract the toxins from their bodies.

  We peered into the glass window where we viewed the hot yoga guests. They moved from position to position, stretching their torsos and limbs, breathing in the sweltering air. Sweat beaded on the yogis’ foreheads as their bodies released the elements that broke one’s harmony and chi.

  “You have an impressive clinic here, Nora. I can see why all our employees have utilized your services over the years.” Johanne’s icy, blue eyes gazed into mine, drawing me to him. I turned away and continued the tour.

  We walked silently down the hallway until we reached my massage room.

  I hesitated for a moment before I turned the handle and opened the door. The candles flickered in the dimly lit room—the sage fragrance permeated the air.

  Johanne followed me into the chamber, closing the door behind him. He stood directly behind me. I could feel the warmth of his breath against my neck.

  “I would like to have a massage, Nora. Would you do that for me?” He whispered.

  I stood still for minutes—paralyzed by my desire for him. I motioned for him to go over to the platform bed.

  “Disrobe please and slide beneath the top sheet. I will prepare the ointments.”

  Turning away, and standing by my work table, I mixed oils and lotions with the herbs I knew fit Johanne’s needs. I waited until I heard him slip beneath the sheets. I carried my concoctions over to the side table by the bed.

  He lay face down, his body covered by the white sheet. I tucked it in around the angles of his body, my fingers tingling when they touched against his flesh.

  I folded the sheet down to his waist, exposing his bare back. I rubbed the first ointment in my hands, warming the oils to release the power of the herbs. I held my hands above his shoulders for a moment and closed my eyes before I lowered them onto his skin and began the methodical movements that kneaded the tissues up and down his spine.

  He moaned as I pushed my hands deeper into his muscles.

  The current running from my fingertips to his body was electrifying. It took all of my concentration to work the path of his tissues. I felt my resistance slipping away, folding into the hviske of his dodsone.

  At first, I was ecstatic, feeling our energies unite. The more I kneaded, the stronger our connection. The hviske tentacles slowly squeezed me, sucking my life breath from me. The attraction I had felt to Johanne was unmasked and I became paralyzed, this time with terror.

  “Olgie,” I screamed. I couldn’t pull my hands away. The grip of his dodsone was unrelenting in its hold. I knew I could not fight the pull of the dark energy much longer.

  “Olgie!” I shouted with the last of my breath. I was fading, being pulled into a void I could not resist.

  In the distance, I heard the door to my chamber bang open. The ground quaked and roared as Olgie placed her hands over Johanne’s body. I heard the crack of bones as arms folded around me pulling me away from the massage table. When I could open my eyes, I saw Elisa had wrapped me in a protective embrace. We stood in silence, looking over the now lifeless body of Johanne.

  “Takk,” I muttered, bursting into tears. Olgie placed her arms protectively around Elisa and me. I sobbed until there were no more tears, safe in the arms of my kindred spirits.

  Two days later, I stood with my Hviske Sirkel on the top of the hill overlooking the nuclear plant. We held watch as the jorden crumbled beneath the giant towers, collapsing them and their machinery into the cavernous bowels of the subterrane.

  The roar of destruction echoed miles across the artic waters, sending ripples of Moder Jord’s displeasure around the globe.

  We stood silent until the last puff of steam disappeared into the sky. We turned and made our way back to our humble town.

  The villagers of Fell disappeared into their habitats, slowly petrifying into the waters, plants, the stones, the geyser steam, and for me, the trees whose branches blew in the Arctic winds. I watched the earth and the beauty of the surroundings until I was no more, absorbed into the hviske sone of the trees.

  There I would remain, until next time, when man would enter the area again, determined to ravage the land fo
r some new infringement to the natural order.

  The ancients of the earth watched and waited. When that time came, we would once again be loosed to serve and obey the hviske of Moder Jord, bringing to life once again, the town of Fell.

  In a secret chamber beneath the United Nations building in New York City, the heads of state from countries around the world watched a video of the destruction of the nuclear plant and the prefab buildings that had been constructed the past decade.

  The plant, buildings and inhabitants of Fell imploded from view. All that was left of the town were the remnants of the original, wood buildings that had been preserved for hundreds of years. The only movement was a single sign swinging from a rusted chain in front of one of the withered doorways. It read: Bakeri…

  “What have we witnessed, gentlemen?’ All eyes turned to the secretary-general.

  “This is the third time in three hundred years the town of Fell has destroyed the attempts of modernization. The Vatican has confirmed it with their Chronovisor. This is no longer considered a random act.”

  The chamber quaked violently as the world leaders attempted to exit. Panic and disbelief filled the air as they heard the rumble of an ancient voice project over the intercom.

  “Leaders of the Earth, be seated…”

  * * *

  Slutten

  Falmouth

  “The murdered do haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts have wandered on earth. Be with me always – take any form – drive me mad! Only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you!” -Emily Bronte

  Widow’s Walk

  by Bibiana Krall

  Abigail Dickerson checked the address twice and set the coordinates in the map on her smartphone.

  Landing at Logan a few minutes before, the Charles River and city of Boston glimmered beneath the brilliance of an idyllic, autumn afternoon.

  Her long-term car rental was more basic than what she owned, but the compact automobile would get her around Falmouth. After that she didn’t have a plan, hoping that this adventure would be easy, but knowing that it wouldn’t.