“Yes,” he said, taking a long sip. “That’s exactly what I saw. That’s what killed Frank and Roy and I’m sure the others too. Where did you get that picture?” asked Gene with a renewed intensity.
“It was taken from images we found scribed on cave walls in a series of catacombs in Livorno, Italy. It’s a long story, but these were created by Egyptian slaves and are at least forty-five hundred years old.”
“Wait a minute,” said Don, now losing his patience. “Am I supposed to believe that my men were killed by some monster? Gino, what the hell are you saying here?”
“I’m saying that’s exactly what happened. Do you see now why I didn’t tell you earlier? I saw it with my own goddamned eyes, and I don’t believe it! How can I expect anyone else to?”
“Gentlemen, I think we’ve heard enough for now. I think you both need to hear what we have to say, and then it will make more sense to you. This won’t be easy to hear, but you have to. Man’s time on Earth is almost up, and I’m not sure we can do anything to stop it.”
Chapter 8
Kirby proceeded to tell Don and Gene the entire story, from the discovery in Livorno to the secret of Khaheet and the Great Pyramid. He talked for at least two hours with little interruption and could see that the two men were silent with disbelief. Don, especially, was having a hard time grasping that his men died at the hands of a creature and not some mining disaster. Part of him was happy it wasn’t any failure of his, but he kept coming back to the alternative, and his spirits would fall back into guilt and anger.
“So you see, gentlemen, this proves that the story is true. How could it be coincidence?” asked Kirby.
“So we’re just supposed to sit back and let this happen?” asked Don. “What if we tell the military what we know, maybe they can…”
Gene put out his cigarette in the now-full ashtray. “Look, I’m telling you the military won’t do shit! The ranks have become full of bureaucratic political types, and by the time you got to somebody who would listen, it would be too late. Oh that is, if you weren’t put in a mental institution first. That’s part of the reason I got out when I did, and I have it from good sources that it’s worse now than ever.”
“So what the hell do we do?” snapped Don, sounding panicked.
“I’ll tell you what we plan to do,” said Kirby calmly. “I don’t believe it’s coincidental, us meeting like this. We’re planning an expedition through the caverns to trace the route back to the Great Pyramid and into Khaheet’s hidden chamber.”
“That’s crazy!” snapped Don, now totally worked up.
“He’s right,” said Drew. “It’s totally crazy.”
“No, it’s not,” said Gene softly, causing everyone to stop and stare at him, including Kirby, who knew what he was saying had to sound absolutely insane.
“What are you talking about, Gino?” asked Don.
“I’m talking about faith, Donnie. You didn’t see what we’re dealing with here. If there’s even a chance to stop this thing, I agree with Kirby; it’s at the source. In the Special Forces we’d be dead without our faith in the higher power of God. It got us through things that would make most men crumble. I also believe, as Kirby does, that we’re all meeting for a reason.”
“What reason is that Gene?” asked Cait through a yawn as the fatigue of the long day started to catch up with her.
“I’m supposed to help you; I know it in my soul. I don’t know how, but I just do.”
“Think about it,” said Kirby. “What are the odds we’d find at the heart of the second disturbance an expert in underground survival? Someone Drew had already met, skilled in something so unique that maybe no other man in the world would have that knowledge. Someone who has seen these creatures with his own eyes—otherwise he may have never believed us. If this isn’t fate, then I don’t know what it can be.”
“It may be fate, but what are we going to do?” asked Cait. “We may be running out of time here,” she said, fighting back another yawn.
“Forgive me,” said Gene. “I’ve been terribly rude. Why don’t you all stay the night here. I have plenty of beds upstairs. There’s plenty of food, and I even have some extra clothes in case you need to change. We can decide what to do in the morning after you’ve rested up. Poor Cait looks like she’s ready to fall over.”
“He’s right,” said Drew. “We haven’t slept more than a few minutes in over twenty-four hours. I say we take him up on his offer.”
“Yes, I agree. I also agree with Gene that he is meant to help us, and we can discuss that in the morning. Don, would you mind coming back for us in the morning?” asked Kirby.
“Hell with that. I’m staying too. You people scared the shit out of me already; no way am I driving back alone now.”
Everyone had a good laugh at Don’s expense.
“That’s my buddy Don—never afraid to be afraid,” said Gene, still laughing. “The bathroom is over there, and the beds are upstairs. Please make yourselves at home, and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
The next morning arrived, as most did in Quicks Bend, to the sound of birds singing and the soft, cool breeze blowing the morning fog off of the river. The curtains swayed gently as the wind blew in through the small windows and into the loft area, which was just one large room with four beds on either side of a small wooden pathway. As Cait stirred awake, she couldn’t believe how comfortably she’d slept, feeling the cool breeze on her face most of the night from the small window she’d propped open. As she looked around, she realized that everyone else must have already awakened and gone downstairs. She could smell the scent of cooking bacon coming up the stairs. She quickly removed the makeshift pajamas Gene had provided her, which were nothing more than a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. She dressed and headed downstairs to freshen up before seeing the others.
As she walked into the kitchen, she could see Don, in a large white apron, cooking over a large griddle that sat at the edge of the kitchen. Her father sat at the table drinking coffee and talking with Gene, studying the pictures from Livorno scattered out across the table.
“Ah, my girl. I’m glad you were able to sleep.”
“Yes, apparently I was the only one. Where’s Drew?” she asked.
“He asked if he could borrow a fishing pole, and he went down to the river about an hour ago,” said Gene. “If you walk down the steps outside, he should be wading out in the river. It’s shallow enough to walk out pretty far. There are shorts in the upstairs dresser if you wanted to join him.”
“Thanks, Gene. I think I will.”
“Don’t be long, dear. Don is preparing quite a feast here,” said Kirby.
“Yeah,” said Gene. “It isn’t often I get his fat ass to work for me.”
“Don’t laugh, Gino. With the mine shut down, I may need a job. Short-order cook would be just the thing,” said Don as he mixed a large batch of scrambled eggs.
“Except that I don’t pay more than minimum wage, Donnie. And a medical plan? To use your words, fuggetaboutit.”
Gene and Don had a good laugh, and Cait smiled as their banter continued back and forth. She changed into the shorts Gene had given her and walked down the narrow concrete steps that led to the river’s edge. She scanned the water and could see Drew far out by a small island that split the river in two. She waded into the cool water carefully, trying hard not to fall due to the slippery, smooth rocks under her feet. She looked around at the beautiful mountains that surrounded her, and it reminded her of a place that she and Tom had visited several months before he died. No matter what the circumstance, she always found something to bring back memories of Tom. She didn’t know if this was good or bad because it inevitably led to sadness and made her regret recalling the memory in the first place. She often wondered if she’d eventually spoil every memory she’d ever had of Tom, and then there’d be nothing left but the dark void of his loss.
By the time she finished her thought, she was only a few feet from Drew.
“Hey,” said Cait nonchalantly, still unsure where things were with the two of them.
“Hey, yourself,” responded Drew defensively, waiting to see who would let their guard down first.
“This place is so peaceful, isn’t it? I haven’t slept that good in a long time,” she said, diffusing the tension between them.
“I used to come to a place like this when I was a young boy. My brother and I would wade out and fish for hours. When we’d get back, our stringers would be full of catfish. My father would clean them for us because we hated doing it—thought it was disgusting. My mother would fry them up in this big steel frying pan and make corn fritters to go with them. I can still smell it; there was nothing better in the whole world than a day like that. I long for it now that we might not have too many days left,” he said as he drew the pole back and cast his line into the cascading rapids.
“Sounds like we both have memories we’d like to relive,” she said, feeling a safe vulnerability around Drew. “Tom and I used to stay at a little bed and breakfast in New Hampshire. The scenery looked just like it does here. It was so beautiful. But that seems like a lifetime ago now.”
“You don’t talk about him much. Maybe it would be a good thing for you to share it with someone. Then you can be done with it once and for all. If you always keep it bottled up, you’ll never be able to move on.”
“You’re right,” she said, looking down into the water. “I’ve let it eat me up inside, and now we might not have many tomorrows left. I’ve been foolish.”
She found Drew’s company soothing and always had on some level. He had a way of centering her emotionally. Even when she was lost in despair, it was he who would bring her back to a place where she could function and get through the day.
“We’ve all been foolish at some point,” he said. “I know you’ve been through a lot, but I think you have to start looking at what you have instead of what you don’t.”
“I know you’re right. You also have to start looking at what you have,” she said, pointing to his fishing line, which was being pulled farther down the river. All at once the pole bent down sharply from the force of the large fish.
“Oh, man. It’s a big one! Quick, put your arms around my waist, so I don’t lose my footing. This thing weighs a ton!”
Cait followed Drew’s instructions, placing her arms around his waist as if in a lover’s embrace. She felt free from her painful emotions for the first time in a long time. The scenery and fresh air had some effect on her state of mind, and she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity. She began to tickle Drew under the arms as he wrestled with the giant fish.
“Cut it out. I’m going to lose it!” he shouted through his laughter.
She continued relentlessly tickling him. As he began to squirm away from Cait’s grasp, the large fish escaped from the hook, causing Drew to slip back and plunge into the water. As he stood up quickly, he lost his footing on the smooth rocks and once again went under. He finally pulled himself up, steadying his feet in the slow-moving current. He ran his hands through his dripping brown hair and could hear Cait laughing hysterically.
“Pretty funny, huh?” said Drew, smiling and pulling a large piece of green moss from his head. This only served to make Cait laugh harder. He balled it up and threw it in Cait’s direction. It struck her in the face, causing her to lose her footing as she fell screaming into the cold water. She fought to regain her footing in the swift current, but she seemed to have a much harder time than Drew as she fell again and again. When she finally righted herself, she could see him doubled over laughing.
She used her hands as a squeegee, pushing the green moss and water from her hair and spitting small pieces out of her mouth.
“Here, let me help you,” said Drew, reaching out his hand while still giggling. She took it and used a quick move to once again throw him down into the water. As he began to fall, he pulled the back of her shirt taking her down again too. They both pulled themselves up, laughing hysterically, eventually ending up in each other’s arms. With little thought from either of them, they embraced and kissed passionately, releasing all of the hidden emotions that had been suppressed for years. She had feelings for Drew that she’d denied for so long. She enjoyed the softness of his lips and the feel of his muscular back as she ran her hands up to his shoulders. They both lost track of time and were only brought back to reality by the faint calls of Kirby’s voice, which was barely heard over the rolling sound of the water flowing over the rocks As they released their embrace, Drew looked into her eyes, and for the first time in many years truly he felt she was free from her pain.
“We have a problem,” said Drew, looking around.
“What would that be?” asked Cait softly as she stared into his eyes.
“I seem to have lost Gene’s fishing pole.”
They both burst out laughing as they trudged back up river to the cabin. They dried off and could smell the bacon, eggs, and fresh coffee as they sat at the kitchen table.
“All right, everyone, prepare for some of the best food you’ll have outside of any greasy spoon for at least a mile,” joked Don.
“Thanks so much for this,” said Cait politely. “And to you as well, Gene, for the hospitality. I’m absolutely starving.”
“No need for thanks. By the way, how was the fishing?” he asked.
Drew and Cait smiled across the table at each other.
“Oh, it was great,” said Drew. “Until I lost a big one.”
“Ah, the famous fish story,” said Kirby.
“Yes, except in this story, the fish got away with Gene’s fishing pole as well,” said Cait.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that,” Drew said, looking sheepishly at Gene.
“That’s all right, Drew. As I recall, you did well in the survival course I taught. Maybe the next lesson needs to be fishing, and lesson number one: don’t lose the damned pole!”
Everyone had a good laugh at Drew as they ate mounds of eggs, bacon, and toast. The mood was light, and they all seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. The room was filled with polite conversation, the constant banter between Don and Gene, and no discussion of the mission ahead of them. It was almost as if they all knew these would be the last peaceful moments they’d have for maybe the rest of their lives.
Cait sipped her coffee and felt the cold chill of the invasion into her mind. She felt him announce his presence, letting her know he was with her.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon, Cait,” said the voice in her head. This time it was the voice of Adrian Valente, not some unknown entity. She was sure now that he was the timeless creature that held the key to the fate of humanity. She dropped her cup, spilling what was left of her coffee on the table as she fell deeper into the dream state. She saw Adrian standing before her, summoning her to him.
Drew ran around the table and knelt down in front of her, shaking her gently. He was the only one who knew what was happening.
“My dear, are you okay?” asked Kirby.
She fought to bring her spirit back to Quicks Bend on hearing the voice of her father.
“Cait, look at me,” said Drew urgently.
“I’m here now. I’m okay.”
“It’s time. You have to tell him!” he said.
“Tell me what?” asked Kirby, tenderly holding her hand.
She looked at Drew, knowing he was right.
“I’ve been having what I thought were nightmares ever since we found the catacombs in Livorno.”
“What kind of nightmares?” asked Kirby.
“They were more like experiences involving him,” said Cait, pointing to the creature on the pictures sprawled out on the table. Drew had deduced what Cait meant by experiences, and he wanted to spare her the discomfort of
having to describe this to her father.
“The bottom line,” Drew interjected, “is that we think he’s communicating with Cait through these dreams.”
“Is this true?” asked Kirby softly while holding Cait’s hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you, and I really wasn’t sure until now. The man who carried me out of the catacombs was Adrian Valente. He also paid me a visit right before we left for the States. I’m sure of it now; he’s the creature.”
Kirby looked like he’d aged thirty years in an instant. His enthusiasm always allowed him to present an aura of youth, despite his age, but with the threat to his daughter, he looked pale and weathered.
“Why you? Oh, God, why you, my dear, sweet daughter?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t want you to worry. I think there’s more to him than the pictures we’re seeing. I can’t explain it, but I feel humanity in him that I didn’t see at first. Almost like he was hiding it from me and, I think,” she paused for a moment, “from himself.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Drew.
“I’m not sure yet, but I’m going to meet him again when we get back to Italy.”
“You can’t! I won’t allow it!” said Kirby with a desperation that neither Cait nor Drew had ever witnessed. Typically, he was always calm and deliberate in everything he did and never conveyed anything but control and rationality.
“It may be the only way we can get answers,” she said. “If I do have some connection to him, I’m the only one who can get those answers, so you have to trust me.”
“She’s right, Kirby,” Drew interjected. “We have to trust her.”
She knew how hard it was for Drew to say those words. He’d tried to protect her when the dreams started, and she knew he’d never want her to be in any danger. She wondered now if there would be a chance to have a relationship with him or if they were out of time.
“I trust you, my dear. I always have. You’ll look after her, Drew. Won’t you?”
The Awakening Page 8
