Dragon Fire: Episode 165

Sunbeams streamed in through the large open windows of the meeting hall. Across the stone floor, long oak tables were positioned at each wall, and in the center of the great room rested two round tables where sat the royal council.

Seated at one of the tables, Aric patiently waited as eight of the twelve council members discussed the state of the kingdom and the affairs of King Alidus. The king usually attended these meetings, but after another night of sleepless rest, he had sent Aric in his place.

“Rumors of the king’s sleeplessness are reaching the ears of the people,” Lord Callius announced.

“The king has not slept peacefully since Zulagareth was destroyed and the kingdom cleansed,” Lord Valnari added.

“I have heard reports of a growing threat in the east,” Lord Callius warned, “of an army that marches towards Ethion. It seems it grows every day and seeks only to destroy the kingdom.”

“We must make ready!” Lord Valnari demanded.

“The king’s army can repel any force! The walls of Ethion have not fallen since Lord Ashblood reclaimed it from the Children of Dusk,” Lord Odival reminded them.

“But a kingdom may fall when the people lose faith in their king,” Lord Penicus pointed out.

“There must be something that King Alidus can do to assure the people of his leadership,” Lord Odival said.

“It has been two seasons since young Prince Alidus was crowned King of Ethion. The people are beginning to fear for their safety,” Lord Valnari said. “We must assure the people that their king has not gone mad but is in fact more dedicated to their safety and protection than ever before.”

The oldest of the council pounded his fist on the table until the other members grew quiet and turned to listen.

Brushing aside a strand of white hair, he ran a finger through his long beard as he peered at the council with his one good eye.

“Lord Sectivius,” Aric said, “if you have something you wish to say, we are listening.”

Lord Sectivius stood and said,

“I have been lord over my people and ruler of Eastcliff at the base of the Hammerstrom Mountains long before any of you were born. When the king’s subjects grow uneasy with the head that wears the crown, one simple observance always unites them.”

The other lords at the table waited for Lord Sectivius to continue.

“The Ceremony of Avenia,” Lord Sectivius said.

A silence hung in the air for a moment before the members began to voice their objection.

“The king is too young!” Lord Odival insisted.

“The people will not be pacified so easily!” Lord Callius shouted.

“What if the king is killed by this invading army or by an assassin’s blade before the ceremony is complete? The kingdom will be without a ruler!” Lord Valnari warned.

“My lords!” Lord Sectivius yelled. “My lords!”

Lord Sectivius pounded on the table until silence prevailed.

“The Ceremony of Avenia has always brought the people together in joy, uniting them under the king’s rule. To face these rumors of an invading army, we must unite the people!” Lord Sectivius insisted.

Finally, Aric asked,

“What is the Ceremony of Avenia?”

“The king chooses a queen. At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, he changes his name to show his loyalty to Ethion and her people, as well as the lands within her borders,” Lord Sectivius explained.

Aric considered this for a moment then said,

“I will consult with Alidus. In the meantime, I must ride to Acimeth and speak to the king about this invading army.”

“Forgive me,” Lord Jorixius said. “I have been silent until now, but I must protest. Why do we entertain the king’s cousin? If I may add, he was fathered by Nesmoru who at one point tried to take control of the city!”

“Why must we entertain anything he says?” he continued.

Aric whistled and answered,

“My father was a traitor. He raped my mother and left her to die. This is true. But when he murdered King Lanidus and seized the throne, how many of you tried to stop him?”

The council grew quiet.

“I am the only one at this table whom King Alidus trusts completely,” Aric said.

Suddenly his cougar Tolora hopped up onto the table and walked around in a circle before settling down in the center with a wide yawn, showing the council what real teeth looked like.

“If that is a problem, you are free to speak with my advisor,” Aric added.

Most of the council members watched Tolora with concern, but Lord Sectivius was unimpressed.

“Leave me to speak with the duke alone,” Lord Sectivius said.

The other council members moved away from the table and hurried out of the room.

Lord Sectivius reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of dried meat. Tolora caught the scent and at once trotted over to him. As Lord Sectivius fed her the meat, he gently stroked her soft fur.

“You spoil her,” Aric said.

“She is a beautiful creature,” Lord Sectivius replied, “and because she has to put up with you, she deserves to be spoiled.”

“You can come out now, boy,” Lord Sectivius said.

King Alidus stepped out from one of the darkened doorways.

“I am king now,” Alidus said. “You cannot call me boy.”

Lord Sectivius looked at Alidus and said, “I knew your mother when she was younger than you. I will call you whatever pleases me.”

“Do you think the ceremony will work?” Alidus asked.

“It always has,” Lord Sectivius said.

Alidus considered for a good while then finally said,

“Let us proceed then. My people need to know I am dedicated to keeping my father’s kingdom strong. I will not falter in my responsibility.”

“I will see to preparations,” Lord Sectivius informed.

“And I will travel to Acimeth to speak with the king about rumors of this army,” Aric said.

“You will not travel alone,” Alidus said. “I wish to know what threatens my kingdom.”

“While you are away, King Alidus, I shall protect the throne,” Lord Sectivius promised.

The Prophet of Starfall: Episode 97

Nathan stood in the hospital parking lot enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face as a cool breeze blew past. The wail of sirens in the distance filled the air and announced to all newcomers that Burnt Hill was under siege. Jericho and Connor, upstairs apologizing to hospital staff for the damaged wall, had found the Chief Executive Officer to be more than gracious.

“We are well insured,” he had said. “You don’t run a hospital in Crescent Bay without insurance.”

Nathan breathed deeply, trying to calm his nerves. He struggled against a sudden uncontrollable fear of what was coming. Even if the timeline ran correctly, he had no idea what changes had been made because of his interference.

As he closed his eyes, he felt Elizabeth approaching.

“Nathan, are you okay?” she asked.

“Not really. No,” he answered.

She walked around in front of him and took his hands.

“Look at me,” she said.

Nathan didn’t want to look in her eyes. He couldn’t shake the image of her death scene, the death he had prevented when he first arrived in Starfall. If he wasn’t careful, he would confess what he had done.

“Stop hiding things from me,” she said.

She squeezed his hands and insisted,

“Open your eyes!”

Nathan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. Her eyes were filled with love, fear and concern all at once.

“You take so much on yourself,” she said. “Please let me help you.”

Nathan felt his eyes filling with tears.

“Nathan, what is it?” she asked with worry in her voice.

Nathan searched for the right words.

“There’s just so much that has happened,” he said. “Most of it is good.”

“But?” she asked.

“There’s something out there. Something that threatens to destroy everything,” Nathan warned.

“A creature or a person?” she asked.

“Neither. It’s the weight of decisions made,” he said. “The consequences of those decisions.”

“What decisions?” Elizabeth asked.

Nathan didn’t answer.

“You’re still hiding things from me,” she complained. “I can’t help if I don’t know what I’m fighting.”

“Where I’m from, there’s an author named Robert Louis Stevenson. He once said, ‘Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.’ Whether or not my intentions were noble, I’m afraid the consequences of my actions will catch up to me and rip away everything I have,” Nathan confessed.

“What do you mean everything you have?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you mean literally or figuratively?”

“I mean everything I hold dear,” Nathan said looking into her eyes.

Elizabeth grew quiet and stared at him for a moment.

“Is something going to happen to me?” she asked.

“Something already did,” Nathan said.

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked. “Was it before or after we met?”

Nathan was about to answer when Jericho walked up.

“Hey, guys,” he greeted.

“Connor Floyd has agreed to help us with Pinstripe and Shadow Leader,” he said.

“I spoke with Cassandra, and she agrees we should try and end this war peacefully. While Connor and I go talk with Pinstripe, why don’t you two speak to Shadow Leader?”

“I don’t know,” Elizabeth said hesitantly.

“That’s fine,” Nathan said.

Elizabeth was surprised by Nathan’s sudden agreement.

“Awesome,” Jericho said. “Before we go, Connor wants to head home and change clothes. Cassandra will try and keep the peace while we work on a peace treaty.”

Jericho smiled and after a pause added,

“All right. See ya.”

Jericho hurried off leaving Nathan and Elizabeth alone.

“Shouldn’t we keep an eye on him?” Elizabeth asked.

“If everything goes according to plan, we won’t need to. If the timeline is messed up, we won’t be able to do anything to stop him just yet.”

“Stop him?” Elizabeth asked.

She looked in the direction Jericho had left.

“By stop him you mean the Shaman, right?” she asked.

“Yes,” Nathan said with hesitancy.

Elizabeth studied Nathan for a moment.

“Ever since we started working together, I developed this little twitch in the back of my mind. I can almost tell when things are about to get really bad,” she said.

“Right now, I’m getting a major twitch. I’m almost afraid to ask this.”

Again she looked in the direction Jericho had left.

“We’re going to have to fight him, aren’t we?”

“If everything goes according to plan,” Nathan said, “yes.”

“And if it doesn’t go according to plan?” she asked.

Nathan sighed heavily then answered,

“Yes.”

Elizabeth considered Nathan’s words then asked,

“What’s the difference?”

“Either way, we’ll have to fight him,” Nathan said.

“But?” Elizabeth pressed.

“But in one version, hundreds of thousands of people may die,” Nathan said, “and I don’t know why.”

Elizabeth stared at him speechless.

After a moment of nothing but the sound of the wind and distant sirens, Elizabeth said,

“I’m beginning to regret asking you to share.”

* * *

Pinstripe sat at his office desk staring out the large window as people in the street below moved about their business, trying to scratch out a living.

“The Shadows,” he fumed. “Always trying to take what is rightfully mine!”

His personal assistant stood by the desk nervously waiting.

“Sir,” he said.

“What?” Pinstripe barked.

“The two men are here,” he said.

“Good!” Pinstripe said. “Show them in.”

The doors to his office opened, and the two men who had joined him at the hospital walked in. With multiple broken bones, both men struggled to stand. Pinstripe knew they should be in the hospital, but right now he was only concerned with answers to his questions.

Slowly he walked over and stood in front of the men.

“That was unpleasant,” Pinstripe said.

“We’re sorry, sir,” one man said.

Pinstripe held up a hand to quiet them.

“I’m no more interested in your excuses than I am your names.”

Pinstripe removed his sunglasses and wiped them clean. Then he slipped them back on and walked over to the window.

“You were hired for one reason,” he said, “and you failed. Jericho picked me up and tossed me through the wall like a child throwing away a broken toy.”

“You were to keep that from happening. As a result, I have been damaged. Granted the damage is not permanent, but my suit was ruined and for that, someone has to pay,” Pinstripe said.

He turned back to the two men and added,

“Don’t worry. I won’t dock your pay or hurt you. You’ve been through enough.”

As he placed his hands on each man, he added,

“In fact I plan on taking away your pain.”

The men opened their mouths to scream but found they could make no sound. Instantly, their bodies turned gray, shriveled, and fell to the floor in a pile of dust.

Pinstripe brushed off his hands and said,

“Get someone to clean this up.”

Dragon Fire: Episode 164

The wind picked up, embracing the mighty oaks and sending their leafy branches into a rhythmic sway. Suddenly, a shower of leaves broke free to perform elegant pirouettes in perfect unison.

In the distance, a light rumble sounded just as a small hand wrapped its fingers around one of the lower branches. It was the hand of Rilar, a small boy from the nearby city of Oakmouth. His father worked as a castle guard. Rilar found life in the city boring. Even the castle grounds failed to amuse him. He found his joy in escaping from the castle past the guards at the city perimeter into the woods to climb the great trees. His favorite was a large oak taller than any other in the forest. Ever since he could reach the lowest branch, he had climbed up to the top and looked out over the land. On a clear day, he could even see as far as the city of Ethion.

His thoughts always drifted into daydreams of great adventures fighting monsters, slaying dragons, and rescuing a beautiful princess. When he felt a stirring in his shirt, he laughed as Emer his pet lizard crawled out and jumped onto his shoulder.

Rilar smiled at Emer and said,

“Look at all of it. One day I will be a great warrior. I will slay monsters and dragons. The king of Ethion will welcome me to his court where I will be praised as a hero.”

Emer looked up at Rilar.

“Do not worry,” Rilar said. “I will bring you with me.”

Rilar smiled at the thought as he watched the trees sway in the wind and rain.

Suddenly, he heard the voice of a young maiden calling him.

Rilar tucked his feet up and pressed himself against the tree as hard as he could.

“Rilar,” the maiden called again.

Rilar did not stir.

The maiden kept calling out as she wandered through the trees. Soon she was right beneath the tree where Rilar was hidden. After a few moments, the maiden grew quiet and Rilar heard only the wind and rain. Turning to Emer, he whispered,

“That was close.”

Suddenly, something soft and moist hit the side of Rilar’s face. When he reached up and touched the spot, he discovered that he had been struck with a blackberry.

“Where did that come from?” he wondered.

When he was struck again, he cried out, “Oh!”

The young woman beneath the tree laughed with delight.

“Did you think you could hide from me?” she asked.

“Jacylnor!” Rilar complained.

Pulling another blackberry off the prickly shrub, Jacylnor fired it from her sling.

“Stop!” Rilar complained.

“Then come down,” Jacylnor said. “You are not supposed to be climbing trees, let alone outside the city’s protection.”

“The city is boring,” Rilar explained.

“What about your studies? You know they are important,” Jacylnor pointed out.

“I am going to be a great warrior,” Rilar said. “I need no books for that.”

Jacylnor laughed,

“Is that so?”

“Yes,” Rilar said proudly.

“And I am going to slay monsters and dragons. Everyone will love me.”

Jaclynor laughed at Rilar’s youthful spirit.

“Well, great warrior, for now come down here and let us get to the castle. Mother is not feeling well.”

“The queen is sick?” Rilar asked.

“Yes. We must hurry,” Jaclynor insisted.

Just as Rilar began climbing down, Jaclynor heard movement in the forest trees.

“Rilar, stay up there,” she whispered.

Sensing the caution in her voice, Rilar stopped descending and watched Jaclynor as she turned away from the tree.

Something massive was in the forest, cracking the trees in its path as it moved toward Jaclynor and Rilar.

Jaclynor reached for her knife and held it up as she stepped back, bracing her back against the tree.

“A ram,” Rilar called out. “A big one.”

“Stay in the tree!” Jaclynor ordered. “Do not move!”

A great ram with brown fur and orange eyes pushed its nose through the trees. It stared at Jaclynor for a moment then snorted and took a few steps back. Jaclynor’s father had trained her to hunt, and together they had stalked and killed their share of wild animals. But this ram was over ten feet tall, much larger than any she had ever seen.

“Quick! Climb up!” Rilar cried out.

“Stay up there,” Jaclynor ordered, “and hold onto something!”

Jaclynor closed her eyes, concentrated, and began whispering something as the ram lowered its head and began digging its hooves into the ground.

As it snorted and began its charge, Jaclynor continued whispering until the ram was almost on her. Then her eyes flew open and she called out,

“Parturi!”

A clap of thunder rang out and a jolt of transparent energy exploded from her mouth, sending the ram flying backwards through the trees.

Rilar lost his grip, fell nineteen feet, and hit the ground with a loud thud.

Crying out in pain, he held his broken arm.

Jaclynor hurried to his side and sat down.

“Do not move,” she insisted.

She closed her eyes and began whispering again. As she spoke, flowers began to break through the soil and burst into full bloom, filling the small clearing in every direction.

Rilar felt his arm tingle and go numb. Then his entire body became warm and his arm began to itch.

Jaclynor stopped whispering and slowly opened her eyes.

As she stood, every flower withered away and died.

“How is your arm?” she asked.

Rilar looked at his arm. He could see that it was no longer broken.

“How did you do that?” he asked, jumping to his feet.

“My father taught me a few tricks before he died,” Jaclynor said.

“King Sabin knew magic?” Rilar asked in surprise.

Jaclynor smiled and put a finger to her lips.

“Yes, but you must not tell anyone.”

Rilar smiled and nodded in agreement.

“Let us go before that ram returns,” Jaclynor said.

She took Rilar’s hand as they hurried out of the woods, headed for the city walls.

The Prophet of Starfall: Episode 96

John Paul Lincoln slipped then caught himself as he hurried down the stairs three at a time. He exploded out of the hospital door and ran into the parking lot. Suffering from a mild panic attack, when the sun and fresh air hit his face he began to calm down.

Back in Connor Floyd’s hospital room, when he wished for someone to throw out Pinstripe and his men, Lincoln had felt a rush of power like an electric jolt run through his body a moment before Jericho tossed them out the hole in the wall.

Lincoln rested his hands on his knees, bent over, and breathed deeply as he tried to calm his nerves.

“Did it happen because they wanted to or because I ordered them to?” he wondered.

“Freeze!” someone shouted nearby.

Lincoln hurried in the direction of the voice. A trembling hospital security guard was pointing a gun at a man lying prone on the ground.

The man had a cut on his lip, and the guard was swiping at his bloody nose.

“Are you two okay?” Lincoln asked.

“No!” the man on the ground growled. “I came here to see my daughter, and this maniac clocked me.”

“Don’t lie!” the security guard snapped. “You work for Pinstripe! I’ve seen you before!”

“Please,” Lincoln said. “Everyone calm down.”

Lincoln bent down and reached for the man’s leg.

“What are you doing?” the man asked, trying to move away.

“It’s okay,” Lincoln said.

Lincoln gently rested his hand on the man’s leg, and in a moment the man’s cut lip was healed.

“How did you do that?” he asked.

“You’re that healer,” the security guard said. “I seen you on the news. You’re that Shaman.”

Lincoln smiled as he stood and placed a hand on the guard’s shoulder then watched as the guard’s broken nose healed.

“Thank you,” the security guard said. “Now call the police while I keep an eye on this one.”

Lincoln decided to try something.

“Stop!” he ordered.

Instantly he felt the same jolt of electricity as both men froze.

He looked down at the man on the ground and said,

“Stand up and give me your name.”

The man stood, not bothering to brush himself off, and said,

“Norris.”

“Why are you here, Norris?” Lincoln asked.

“I’m supposed to follow Jericho and the Prophet. Make sure they don’t go to Shadow Leader.”

Then Lincoln turned to the security guard and asked,

“What is your name?”

“Boone,” the guard answered.

Lincoln decided to test the limits of his control.

“Boone, give your gun to Norris.”

Boone handed over his gun.

Lincoln stared at the two men for a moment then looked around to see if anyone was watching.

“Norris?” Lincoln said.

“Yes, sir,” Norris answered.

Lincoln considered his next words carefully then said,

“Shoot yourself in the shoulder.”

With no hesitation, Norris pressed the gun to his left shoulder and pulled the trigger.

The gunshot rang out as the bullet tore through Norris’ shoulder.

Norris stood perfectly still as blood poured from the wound.

“Norris, give the gun back to Boone and lie down.”

Norris did exactly as he was told.

Once Norris was on the ground and Boone had the gun, Lincoln said,

“Boone, this man tried to grab your gun, so you shot him in self-defense. Now. . . .”

Lincoln trailed off, uncertain how far he wanted to go with this. Once he decided, he pointed to Norris and ordered,

“Boone, kill him.”

Without a thought, Boone shot Norris once through the head.

Lincoln could not believe it had actually worked. Now he needed to wake up Boone. When he thought about just how to do it, he remembered a hypnotist’s act at his seventh birthday party. After making the guests do silly things, he would snap them out of their trance.

“Wake up!” Lincoln commanded.

Boone snapped out of the trance with a look of confusion. When he saw the gun in his hand and Norris lying dead, he panicked.

“What happened?” he asked. “What did I do?”

“I saw everything,” Lincoln said. “This man works for Pinstripe. When you tried to arrest him, he reached for your gun. You shot him in self-defense.”

Still confused, Boone said,

“I don’t remember any of that.”

“Boone,” Lincoln said.

Boone looked into Lincoln’s eyes.

“That is exactly what happened,” Lincoln said. “You clearly remember it happening that way.”

Boone stared blankly for a moment then recognition washed over his eyes.

“That is what happened,” he said. “This guy almost broke my nose in the process.”

Lincoln watched in fascination. Boone’s mind was creating false memories and connecting them to old ones.

Lincoln couldn’t help but smile as he thought,

“A man is dead. Sure. But he was a criminal, and more importantly, now I have a way to end this war once and for all.”

* * *

Victor Vine sat peacefully on a couch in the rec room watching a kids’ show as he struggled to deal with the trouble he had experienced earlier that day. He longed to be discharged from Bluebell Mental Hospital, but if his nightmares persisted, he knew the doctor would not sign a release.

The piercing sound of a horn jerked him out of his thoughts. Victor looked up at the television screen and saw a clown with startling red hair and big shoes wearing a Captain Bonkers chain mascot as he tossed confetti at the audience of screaming kids. Victor laid his head back and let his mind drift. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

He had not been asleep long when the sound of gunfire woke him. He jumped up off the couch and hurried over to the window. Outside he saw that a crowd was rioting as they swarmed over the police and hospital staff like ants attacking an intruder.

“What’s going on?” Victor asked, turning away from the window.

When he looked around, the room was empty.

“Where is everyone?” he yelled.

“They’re gone,” a voice said. The voice sounded familiar, like his own.

“Where did they go?” Victor asked.

“They’re all gone. Destroyed,” the voice said.

“Who are you?” Victor asked.

“I’m the voice in your head. The voice you stopped listening to long ago.”

“Why is everyone gone?” Victor asked.

“Because of him,” the voice said. “He changed everything. Altered the past and now the future is growing worse by the second.”

“Why am I the one seeing this?” Victor asked. “Why not someone else?”

“Because you are connected to him,” the voice said. “Correct his mistake and save the future.”

“Connected to who?” Victor yelled.

When the voice didn’t answer, Victor yelled again,

“Who?”

Suddenly the wall collapsed and the crowd outside rushed in, rage filling their empty eyes.

Victor snapped awake. He was still in the rec room, asleep on the couch. When he looked up, he saw that the clown show was just ending.

He got to his feet and walked over to the window. Everything was quiet, peaceful.

He sighed with relief but couldn’t forget what he had seen. Or heard.

“Correct his mistake and save the future,” he repeated.

Unsettled: Episode 78

Donahue pulled to a stop outside Green Harvest, a small shop near Greenway Park.

“What is this place?” Randi asked.

“A health food store,” Donahue said. “They don’t sell junk food or anything processed. All healthy, all natural.”

“You’re sure the juice box came from here?” Randi asked.

“This is the best place to buy healthy organic snacks, herbal teas, gluten free and low sodium food. They don’t sell meat. Only vegan food with no animal testing and all natural,” Donahue explained.

“Sounds like a fun place,” Randi said.

“My wife loves it,” Donahue said, getting out of the car.

Randi winced for a moment then slipped out of the car and followed Donahue toward the shop.

“Plus I’m pretty sure this is the place where our killer bought that juice we found,” he added.

The detectives waited for traffic to clear then crossed the street.

When Donahue pulled open the shop door, Randi was hit in the face with the strong smell of patchouli.

No one was minding the cash register.

“Wait here,” Donahue said and started searching the shelves.

After a few moments just as Randi was about to hit the bell, Donahue said,

“My wife has been looking for this. She is going to be so happy.”

“Is anyone here?” Randi called out.

“He’s probably in the back,” Donahue suggested. “Ring the bell on the counter.”

Randi tapped the bell once and waited. When no one appeared, she rang it again.

Suddenly the door to the back opened and a tall thin man with a long braid and bushy beard walked out. The hem of his faded t-shirt didn’t quite reach the waistband of his shorts, and his bare feet slapped on the tile floor as he made his way up to the counter.

When he reached the counter, he looked at Randi for a moment then said,

“You are not like the other children Mother Earth sends to me. You must have just begun your journey to healthy eating. Let me be your guide to a younger happier you.”

He reached out and took Randi’s hand.

“I am Rain. What is your name?” he asked.

“Detective Miranda Lawrence,” Donahue said, stepping out from behind the shelves.

Rain’s shoulders dropped. He looked out the window then back at Donahue.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his demeanor changing along with his voice. Hunching over, he spoke with an aggressive tone.

“Meet Kevin Two Toes Foster. Former accountant for the Drakos crime family.”

“Two Toes?” Randi asked.

“Birth defect,” Foster said.

“What are you doing here, detective?” he asked Donahue. “I ain’t done nothing wrong. I’m clean. Swear on my mother.”

“Kevin, your mother shot at officers who came to arrest you,” Donahue said.

Foster shrugged and answered,

“What can I say? She’s got spirit.”

“I need your help, Kevin,” Donahue said.

“I’m way ahead of you,” Foster said. “The special soap your wife has been waiting for finally showed up. It’s in the back.”

“Already got it,” Donahue said. “I’m here for something else. You let a killer in here.”

“Whoa!” Foster said. “I ain’t got nothing to do with no killer. I’m clean.”

Donahue stared at Foster for a moment then said,

“I believe you. But I’m almost certain he came here.”

Randi held up the juice box.

Foster took a pair of glasses out of his shirt pocket and examined the box.

After a moment he said,

“Yeah, I sell this stuff. It’s a rip off. Ninety percent apple juice.”

Foster handed back the box and added,

“That was my last one, too. I got more on the way.”

“I need to see your security footage,” Donahue said.

Foster raised his hands.

“I don’t have security cameras in here. My customers prefer their privacy.”

Donahue looked over at Randi and said,

“You know I hear Carl Costigan took over as head of the family when Mr. Drakos retired. I wonder what he’d think if he found out that Two Toes Foster was still alive.”

“Big Carl Costigan?” Randi asked. “I hear he fed some guy’s family to a wood chipper. Made the guy watch.”

“Seriously?” Foster said.

“I need to see that footage,” Donahue repeated.

“Look. The footage ain’t going to help you. Someone broke in and wrecked the system a week ago. But good news is, I remember your guy. He bought some Kava tea and my last juice box. Paid ahead for more. Said he wanted them shipped to his place,” Foster explained.

After digging around under the counter, Foster came back with a piece of paper.

“In fact, he called this morning and changed the address,” Foster said.

When Donahue and Randi saw the address, Donahue said,

“This is the address for a warehouse.”

Foster raised his hands,

“Look, I got people who literally buy imported dirt. I don’t ask no questions.”

Donahue considered the address again and said,

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Foster said. “Hey, next time don’t be so loud. Last thing I need is somebody from my old life finding me. I hear things about Big Carl, and he scares me.”

* * *

Across the street in the darkness of a narrow alley, Truman Wicker watched the two police detectives following the clues his father had told him to leave.

There had been no sign of the vigilante, and these two detectives were close on the trail.

Just then his cell phone rang. He removed it from his pocket and answered without checking the id.

“Yes, Father?”

“How is the hunt coming along?” Thaddeus Wicker asked.

“No sign of the vigilante, but two detectives are close on the trail,” Truman said.

“We weren’t hired to kill two detectives,” Thaddeus Wicker pointed out. “If they get too close, deal with them. We’ll blame it on the same person. Let me know if it comes to that. I’ll have to rework my killer’s profile.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it,” Truman said.

The call ended and Truman Wicker put away the phone.

As he watched the detectives for a moment longer, he heard a voice behind him say,

“Don’t worry.”

Truman felt a cold shiver run down his back. The voice was his own. As accurate as if it were a recording.

He slowly turned around. Standing behind him was a figure dressed in dark clothes with a black hood covering his face.

“I’ll take care of it,” the figure said in Truman’s voice.

His hands trembling, Truman reached for his gun, but before he could get it, the figure lunged at him.

When he tried to scream, the only sound was a whimper just before everything went dark.

Dragon Fire: Episode 163

The sun slowly crested over the peaks of the Silver Mountains. Beams of fresh morning light fell upon the straw dwellings, polished stone streets, and cool clear rivers of Witherwell Falls. The city was older than civilization itself, and its first citizens were said to have been brought there by Ehderdrago. For thousands of years, the city had been closed off from the rest of the world, and legend was that the buildings had risen from the ground like the brilliantly colored trees and flowers that surrounded them. During the day, the streets were filled with the play of children, the sweet smell of baked goods and the laughter of good friends. At night the glow of fireflies and flaming torches bathed the city with light, overcoming the darkness. In these cold mountains, no ill will prevailed, and unsettled differences were taken outside the city walls and transformed into peaceful resolution.

Rays of sunlight fell upon a modest house and the thin curtain that hid a maiden inside its walls. When a gust of wind pushed the curtain aside, a small bright blue bird flew in through the open window. As the bird perched upon the corner bedpost and began to sing, the sun followed the creature inside, bathing the sleeping maiden in its warm light. She slowly awakened and shaded her eyes against the light. Suddenly, she sat up and laughed.

“Today is the day,” she exclaimed.

Quickly she threw off the bed covers, lifted a small box from the table beside her bed, and carefully examined it.

“It must be perfect,” she thought.

She could barely contain her excitement as she placed the box back onto the table and hurried to dress.

Soon she was out the door and running barefoot down the street to one of the tallest houses in Witherwell Falls. Giddy with excitement, she knocked upon the door. As she waited for an answer, she carefully put down the box and smoothed her windblown hair.

“Everything must be perfect,” she thought.

When she knocked a second time, the door slowly opened and an old woman raised her eyes to see who the visitor might be.

As she looked at the maiden, the woman’s blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. She wore a rough linen scarf wrapped around her head and a course, plain-woven gown. She was Valkovian, a household servant, but to the maiden, she was much more.

“Siennevas,” the old woman said. “Ethesius is not here.”

“But Ephianene, it is his birthday,” Siennevas said. “I have brought him a gift.”

“His father and I are having a celebration in honor of his birthday, and Ethesius wanted to be alone before everyone begins arriving,” Ephianene explained.

Siennevas frowned in disappointment at not finding him home.

“I wanted to be the first to give him a gift,” she said.

Ephianene leaned in and whispered,

“He thinks I do not know where he goes, but I always know. Look for him on the dome roof of the tallest building. He climbs up there and looks at the clouds.”

Siennevas smiled and bowed,

“Thank you, Ephianene.”

Siennevas turned and ran through the streets. She knew exactly where to find Ethesius. When she first met him, she was intrigued. She had never seen a Valkovian before and had been enamored with him, following him wherever he went. The first time Ethesius had climbed the building, he was only eight years old, and Siennevas was right behind him. Soon she would be sixteen, and Ethesius was going to marry her. He had not said as much, but Siennevas knew they were meant to be together.

At last, Siennevas reached the building. This was an important place where the elders met and made decisions about the fate of the city.

She carefully tucked the present into her gown and reached up with both hands to take hold of the wall.

“Siennevas!” her father shouted.

Instantly she let go of the wall and waited for her father. As head of Witherwell Falls’ city council, he expected his daughter to follow strict behavioral guidelines. Climbing buildings certainly fell outside the code.

“Father,” she said. “I thought you were in meetings all day.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked, crossing his arms and scowling down at her.

“Nothing, sir,” Siennevas answered. “I was simply looking for flowers.”

“To give mother,” she added.

Her father stared at her for a moment then said,

“Well when you see Ethesius, wish him a happy birthday and tell him to stop climbing this building. It is not safe up there.”

Siennevas smiled her sweetest smile and rushed to kiss her father.

“Thank you, Father,” she said.

“You are welcome, my dear,” he said.

As soon as her father was out of sight, Siennevas began climbing the side of the building.

Her hands were trembling with anticipation at seeing Ethesius. She imagined his reaction when he opened her gift. He would smile and she would reach out and give him a kiss. It would be their first.

At the top of the smooth dome roof with hands behind his head and feet crossed, Ethesius lay staring up at the clouds.

His long silky hair was black with a purple hue, and his eyes had a soft violet glow. Like all Valkovians, his gem had a colored energy that ran through his body and affected every part.

Just as Siennevas climbed over the last ledge to reach him, she called out,

“Happy birthday!”

Ethesius rolled to his side and watched her as she came near.

“There is going to be a celebration this evening,” he said.

“I know,” Siennevas said. “I wanted to give you my present first.”

Her face glowing with joy, she waited for Ethesius. Seeing the anticipation in her face, Ethesius asked,

“What?”

“Stand up,” Siennevas whispered.

“What did you say?” Ethesius teased.

“Stand up,” Siennevas insisted. “I will not give my gift to a boy lying down.”

Wearing an open vest, Ethesius stood and faced her. Siennevas watched in wonder as he stretched, tightening his chest.

“What have you brought me?” he asked.

Spellbound, Siennevas kept staring at him.

“Siennevas?” Ethesius called.

“What?” she asked, snapping out of her daydream.

Just then, Siennevas slipped and fell from the roof. She screamed but her fall was stopped suddenly.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that she was wrapped in a thin purple energy. Ethesius held out his hand and his eyes glowed brightly. Lifting her into the air, he slowly lowered her to the roof just in front of him.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice soft.

“I did not know you could do that,” Siennevas said.

“Neither did I,” Ethesius replied.

Siennevas dropped the present and kissed Ethesius, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

The Prophet of Starfall: Episode 95

Nathan watched as Connor Floyd sat up then worked his legs over to the edge of the bed. Caroline tried to hide her fear as her husband struggled to stand. While the nurse encouraged Connor, Elizabeth readied herself to grab him should he fall.

Seeing the concern on Caroline’s face, Connor reassured her,

“I’m okay. Really.”

“Honey, please let them help. If for no other reason than to make me feel better,” Caroline pleaded.

“I really am feeling better,” Connor said. “Honestly. I think I feel better than I did before.”

“It’s the change in your DNA,” Nathan said. “You’re going to feel more energetic and stronger than you’re used to.”

“Make sure you learn how to control your new abilities,” he added, staring at the door.

Elizabeth could see that something was bothering Nathan. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, the door opened.

Jericho walked through followed by a stranger. Something about the man reminded Elizabeth of a cult leader. When she looked at Nathan, she saw that he was pale.

“Everyone okay?” Jericho asked.

“I’m fine,” Connor said, “but no one believes me.”

“Are you injured?” the stranger asked.

“Not anymore,” Connor said.

“Jericho,” Elizabeth asked nervously,” who is this?”

The man smiled and extended his hand.

“John Paul Lincoln.”

Elizabeth didn’t take his hand but said,

“Pleasure.”

“I’ve heard of you,” Caroline said. “They call you the Shaman.”

Lincoln looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry about that,” he said. “I don’t know why they call me that. It’s just ever since this gang war started, I’ve been using my powers to heal people and keep the body count low.”

“Powers?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m a healer,” Lincoln explained.

“He healed the cut I had on my head,” Jericho said.

Growing increasingly uncomfortable around the stranger, Elizabeth looked over at Nathan. Without saying a word, he shook his head no.

“How many people have you helped?” Caroline asked.

Lincoln considered for a moment then said,

“A hundred.”

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief.

“Maybe a hundred and fifty thousand.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. She knew his answer was bad but didn’t know why.

“That’s so noble of you,” Caroline said.

“Very honorable,” Connor added.

“I just hate to see this place ravaged by a battle between egos. Two people can’t settle their differences, so they fight each other like animals and the innocent get caught in the middle,” Lincoln said.

“We can help,” Jericho offered.

“I spoke with Shadow Leader,” Nathan said. “He just wants Pinstripe taken down and arrested. He doesn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“He should step back and try for a less hostile approach,” Caroline suggested. “His people have been harassing me just as much as Pinstripe’s men.”

“Violence is not the answer,” Lincoln said. “We must find a way of peace.”

“I could not agree more,” Pinstripe said, entering the room with two men flanking him.

Everyone stared at Pinstripe. His skin was pale white, and he was dressed in his trademarked pinstripe suit with sunglasses that covered his ice blue eyes.

“All I ever wanted was to become a successful businessman. Now I’m the head of my own casino. I own several nightclubs, and some street rat is trying to take over my property.”

Pinstripe took off his sunglasses and looked about the room with his strange eyes.

“A lot of familiar faces in here,” he said.

But when he saw Connor, he added,

“And a few new faces.”

“What do you want?” Jericho asked.

“I come in peace,” Pinstripe said, raising his hands.

“I’m surprised you even know what that word means,” Elizabeth insulted.

“I just want to talk,” Pinstripe explained.

“Then talk,” Jericho replied.

“I agree with you,” Pinstripe said. “This war is hurting more than it is helping. I just want it to be over.”

What do you propose?” Jericho asked.

“A simple team up,” Pinstripe said.

“You help me stop the Shadows, and in return I’ll help rebuild whatever has been destroyed,” Pinstripe said.

“Instead of stopping them through violence, why not try and peacefully work out your differences?” Lincoln proposed.

Pinstripe slowly walked over to Lincoln and studied him for a moment.

“I’ve seen you around,” Pinstripe said. “Always helping but never getting involved.”

“I don’t like violence,” Lincoln said as he flinched and backed away.

“That’s because you’re no good at it,” Pinstripe said. “Since the day I returned from the dead, I have been stronger and more powerful than ever.”

As he turned and shrugged, he added,

“At least I think I am. I don’t really remember much about myself before the day I died.”

Looking over at Nathan, he said,

“But I’ll bet you know. I’ve heard of you. The strange visitor who showed up one day and changed everything. Criminals are running scared, second guessing everything they do. It’s tough to get away with anything when there’s a guy who knows everything.”

Returning to his men, he asked,

“What’s it like being a god?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Nathan answered.

Pinstripe smiled and said,

“It’s an amazing feeling.”

“You’re not a god,” Nathan corrected, “and yes, I know who you were before you died.”

Pinstripe shrugged and returned,

“Doesn’t matter now. I’m better than I ever could have been.”

He slipped his sunglasses back on and asked,

“So will you help me stop Shadow leader?”

Jericho clenched his fist and asserted,

“I’ll stop this gang war, but I’m not taking sides.”

Pinstripe sighed and said,

“If you’re not with me then you’re against me.”

Frustrated, Lincoln demanded,

“I wish someone would just throw you and your men out.”

Instantly, Jericho’s eyes flashed yellow and he reached out to grab Pinstripe by the neck. Lifting him in the air, he tossed him through the hole in the wall. Before Pinstripe’s men could react, Jericho seized each of them and threw them out, right behind their boss.

A moment after the men disappeared through the hole, Jericho looked around confused.

“What happened?”

Startled by Jericho’s behavior, Lincoln excused himself and fled from the room.

“Why did you do that, Jericho?” Caroline asked.

“Do what?” Jericho asked. “What did I do?”

“You threw Pinstripe and his two guards through the hole in the wall,” Caroline explained.

Elizabeth stepped up close to Nathan and whispered,

“This is because of him, isn’t it?”

Nathan nodded.

“And let me guess. Things are going to get uglier before they get better.”

Again Nathan nodded.

“Terrific!” Elizabeth whispered.

Unsettled: Episode 77

As the sun slowly awoke to the new day, its glorious colors of red and orange spread through the morning sky like wildfire. Sunlight broke through the clouds and bathed Coldwater in light, driving away the darkness. On a rooftop nearby, Nick Woodman smoked a cigarette and watched the Ambassador Hotel. His orders were clear. Find and eliminate the members of the Freedom and Family League. Locating them had not been difficult. Woodman had spent most of the night studying the layout of their hotel floor. The open windows and floor plan would make his job quite easy. He had set up his equipment on top the building opposite the hotel’s north wall.

While he watched the sun come up, he decided to challenge himself. He would wait until all the league members woke. He ground out his cigarette, dropped the butt into a plastic bag and picked up his rifle.

Getting on his knees, he propped the rifle on its stand just as one FFL member rose from the bed and walked over to the window.

Lights inside the hotel room began to come on as more guests awoke. Woodman counted twelve FFL members moving around in the room. Just as he took aim on the first of his twelve targets, the lights in the building suddenly went out and the room was swallowed up in darkness.

He looked up and down the street and saw that the only lights out were those of the Ambassador Hotel. Woodman reached inside his bag and removed a night vision scope. In a second, he had attached it to the rifle and was once again watching the FFL members in the room.

After he counted all twelve members, he spotted something in the room he couldn’t identify. Standing perfectly still in the corner was a figure. Judging by the build, it was a man. He wore a jacket with a hood that covered his face.

“Who is that?” Woodman thought.

No one else in the room seemed to notice the mysterious figure. Some of the FFL members shined their cell phone lights around the room, but every time the beam came close to the man in the corner, he moved just out of the way.

Although Woodman had heard rumors of a vigilante called the Black Dog, he figured they were just urban legends. Pushing the question out of his mind, he took aim on a member who was looking out the window.

Just as he was about to pull the trigger, the man in the corner grabbed the FFL member and pulled him back away from the window.

“Is he protecting them?” Woodman wondered.

Putting down the rifle, he switched to the laptop connected to his remote rifle and positioned it for a clear shot. But just as he pulled the trigger, the shadowy figure grabbed the man and moved him out of the way, sending the shot into the wall.

Hysteria broke out and Woodman tried to get a clear shot as every member of the FFL panicked. While some hit the floor, others began running in circles trying to escape, but to no avail. During his surveillance, Woodman had sealed the doors and windows shut so they couldn’t get out of the room.

He put down the laptop and sent a message to Heath.

“About to complete the FFL job when some hooded figure started taking them down.“

Woodman waited a moment before a text came back.

“That is the Black Dog. Get out of there at once! Return to original assignment.”

Woodman dismantled his rifle and put away his equipment. Leaving the rooftop as clean as when he arrived, he quickly made his way down the stairs and exited the building.

* * *

The light from the morning sun slowly dried up the glistening dew formed from the night before.

Standing in the middle of Greenway Park, Donahue looked at the thin stone walkways running through the park, weaving artistic patterns through the grass. The centerpiece of Greenway Park was the large live oak with branches large enough to walk on. Each tree spread its branches far across the park, sometimes touching the ground before rising again.

Tied to the trunk of the oak was another dead body.

Crime Scene was already busy at work while Donahue looked over his notes and considered a possible connection between this victim and the previous one.

Both were college students. Both were blonde and attractive.

Coldwater was a place where the rich and famous built their summer homes. Most every citizen of Coldwater was considered beautiful, well beyond the standards of mortal men.

While his partner Detective Randi Lawrence talked to onlookers, Donahue examined the note left by the victim’s killer.

“The unrealistic beauty standards are killing our children and our futures. Kids starve themselves, pour garbage into their bodies, and spend thousands on products that can’t do much for them. All so they can look like some celebrity who has spent hours in a chair being primped and dolled up by professionals. I will not stop my crusade, my mission, to free our minds from the ball and chain ideals set forth by Hollywood and by the modeling industry of glamour magazines. Our children are depending on us to save them so they can have a future. I won’t stop till the world changes.”

“Same old drivel,” Donahue said.

He didn’t believe for a moment that this was some beauty obsessed serial killer. There was a connection. He just wasn’t seeing it yet.

Detective Randi finished her questioning and hurried over to Donahue.

“Her name is Joanna Fullmore,” Randi said. “Full time student studying Molecular Biology. She was grabbed leaving class, strangled, and strung up here on the tree.”

“Anything else?” Donahue asked.

“We got the killer on security camera,” Randi said. “Not enough to id him, but we got the murder on video.”

Holding up an evidence bag containing a juice bottle, she added,

“The killer dropped this into a trash can at the edge of the park. Guess he figured no one was watching.”

“The cameras are new,” she continued. “The killer probably didn’t know they had been installed.”

Donahue studied the bottle then said,

“I know this bottle. It’s a unique blend of 100% fruit juice sold only at a few stores. There’s one nearby. My wife loves the stuff.”

“What do you think about the security video?” Randi asked.

Donahue looked at her and asked,

“What do you think?”

Randi thought for a moment then said,

“I don’t know. Something feels off.”

“Exactly,” Donahue responded.

“It feels almost like we’re being told a story by someone who wants us to think this is a serial murder when it’s really something else.”

“What do you want to do?” Randi asked.

“Until we have more to go on, I guess we follow the breadcrumbs.”

Donahue held up the bottle and said,

“Let’s head over to the place nearby that sells this.”

Dragon Fire: Episode 162

Part III

The Prodigy

Three days of rain and the earth flowed in rivulets, filling the holes in the village streets and splashing against the carriage wheels. Granous walked the perimeter of Ethion’s outer wall. A season had passed since Prince Alidus saved the kingdom and was crowned King of Ethion. Since that day, palace guards at the wall had been doubled and daily patrols of the outer wall were forthcoming. Granous had bet his week of night patrols against Willdor’s palace sentry duties and had lost. Now he would be walking the outer wall for two weeks. Suddenly a crack of lightning and a clap of thunder caused Granous to stop abruptly in his steps. For a moment, he stood still trying to settle his nerves. When he resumed his pace, he spotted something by the outer wall less than five feet from where he stood. Lifting the lantern above his head for a better look, Granous saw a small hole at the base of the wall. With his hand on his sheath, he walked over to the hole to examine it. Bringing the lantern down by the hole, he got down on his hands and knees. Inside the hole, he saw only darkness. He stood up, removed his sword, and plunged its blade into the hole several times.

Ghost stories ran wild through the streets of Ethion. Granous had heard stories of monsters living below the castle in the catacombs upon which the castle and city rested, stories of ghostly soldiers rising up to overthrow the king and people being taken from their beds at night and dragged down into the depths screaming until they were fed to the monster that lived below. The catacombs beneath Ethion terrified him, and he was prepared to kill anything that climbed out of the hole in the wall.

When he turned over his sword to sheathe it, he suddenly screeched and dropped the weapon to the ground with a wet thud. A large black spider crawled upon the blade and moved away. Granous hated bugs, especially spiders.

After taking a moment to compose himself, he reached down to retrieve the lantern. Just as his hand touched the ring, a spider larger than the first crawled around the side of the lantern and up one of the panels. Granous jerked his arm back in horror and disgust.

“It is just a spider,” he said, trying to calm himself. “Just a spider.”

Granous reached down slowly and grabbed his sword.

“Do not move, vile creature!” he commanded.

The spider stood still as Granous raised his sword.

Before he could swing the blade, Granous felt something moving on his left shoulder. Trembling with uneasiness, he slowly turned his head and saw a spider on his shoulder and two more on his arm.

Dropping his sword, he ran in circles, screaming as he helplessly flailed his arms in a desperate attempt to rid himself of the spiders slowly covering his body.

* * *

As the rain continued to pour, Granous’ lantern and sword lay in the mud, spiders moving across them in black waves.

Something from inside the wall began moving, twisting and contorting its body as it pushed its way through the hole. Once it was through, it slowly stood in the figure of a man, and his arms and legs returned to a natural position. Wearing only pants, he brushed his wet curly hair off his forehead as something under his skin moved and shifted, like an awakening child under a blanket. After a few moments, he grew still. Turning to face Ethion’s castle, he looked up at the turrets and proclaimed,

“Your prison will not hold me forever, brother. Soon I will be free, and your children, your precious creations, will pay.”

He reached down, picked up Granous’ sword and lantern and walked away, leaving Ethion behind.

* * *

Drovath stood under the awning looking out at the rain.

“What is wrong?” Erin asked.

“There is something out there,” Drovath said. “Something ill tempered.”

“Your eyes play tricks on you, Drovath,” Erin insisted. “Come to bed. It is the fourth watch.”

Drovath stood for a moment longer then turned and followed his wife inside.

“Perhaps you are right, Erin,” Drovath said.

Bolting the doors, he followed his wife upstairs, settled into bed, and blew out the candles.

Soon the rumble of the storm and his wife’s warm body sent Drovath into a peaceful sleep.

And as he slept on, his bedroom door slowly opened and a man’s bare feet walked across the floor. Without a breath of a sound, the man from the wall watched Drovath and his wife sleep.

After a moment, the man’s skin began to move. From beneath his pant leg, a large black spider appeared. Soon it was joined by a second then a third spider until the floor was covered. Crawling over each another, the spiders made their way toward the sleeping couple. When they reached the bed, they began crawling up its legs.

All the while, the man stood and gazed at Drovath and his wife, watching as their bodies moved in slumber.

The Prophet of Starfall: Episode 94

As he looked around, Jericho’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What in the world was that?” he asked.

“One of Pinstripe’s men. Connor Floyd’s handiwork,” Nathan said.

“Wait a minute. Isn’t he in a coma,” Jericho asked.

“Apparently not anymore,” Elizabeth answered.

“We need to get up to Floyd’s room,” Nathan said.

“First, let me deal with Pinstripes’ men. I’ll meet you up there,” Jericho said.

Two steps and Jericho leapt off the ground, flying in a high arch before landing on the other side of the hospital.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around Nathan and flew straight up to the hole in the third floor hospital wall.

Wearing a hospital gown, Connor Floyd sat up in bed. His hair and beard had been neatly cut and maintained by his wife Caroline.

She looked both scared and elated that Connor was awake, but Connor was confused about what was happening.

“Who are you two?” he asked Elizabeth and Nathan. “What’s going on?”

“It’s okay, honey,” Caroline tried to assure him. “They’re here to help. This is the Prophet and. . .”

Caroline looked at Elizabeth and apologized,

“I’m so sorry. I forgot your name.”

Elizabeth smiled and said,

“Don’t worry about it. You’ve been through a lot.”

She turned to Connor and extended her hand.

“Elizabeth Hayes.”

“And I’m Nathan Nichols,” Nathan said.

“You’re the Prophet?” Connor asked.

“I can see the possible future,” Nathan said, “so yes.”

“Can you explain to me what’s happening?” Connor asked.

“Everyone is born with a special gene. Some are dormant while others are active,” Nathan explained. “This gene allows people to do extraordinary things.”

“The meta gene,” Connor said.

“That’s one name for it,” Nathan said.

“I wasn’t born with abilities,” Connor said, “so what just happened?”

“Your coma, combined with the power outage, put your system in shock and forced your body to fend for itself, triggering the meta gene,” Nathan explained.

“So I have super abilities now?” Connor asked. “Just like that?”

“You’ll need to learn to control them, but yes,” Nathan said.

“Any idea what powers I have?” Connor asked.

“Your body can adsorb kinetic energy. Anything that hits you, whether it’s a fist, a bullet or a truck, will lose its kinetic energy the moment it touches you,” Nathan explained.

“When that guy hit me, my chest felt tight, like someone was sitting on it. Then I felt something else, kind of like a sneeze. The next thing I know, the guy’s gone and there’s a six-foot hole in the wall,” Connor said.

“Your body will absorb only so much before the energy will release. Over time, you’ll learn to focus it, to channel each strike into a blow that can be used on your opponent.”

“This is a lot to process,” Connor said.

“How do you think I feel,” Elizabeth laughed.

Pointing to her wings she added,

“These started growing when I was eight.”

“I heard of a guy who can’t look at anybody because his eyes will kill them,” Caroline said.

“Great,” Connor said. “I’m a part of monsters and killers now.”

“Not all of them are evil,” Nathan said.

“You could always use your abilities for good,” Elizabeth suggested.

In frustration, Connor said,

“I just want my life the way it was.”

“I’m afraid there’s no going back,” Nathan said.

When Connor started to protest, Caroline stopped him.

“Honey, I’m just happy you’re awake. Let’s focus on that.”

Connor looked at Caroline and his face softened.

“You’re right.”

Then he smiled at Nathan.

“I’m sorry. I should just be happy I’m alive.”

“Everything is going to be better now,” Caroline said.

Nathan kept his expression neutral. He knew better. Connor’s life was never going to be the same.

* * *

Jericho landed on the opposite side of the hospital from Connor’s room. When his feet hit the concrete, the pavement cracked. Looking down at the damage, he apologized even though no one was around to hear him.

When he turned, he spotted the emergency room.

“If any entrance needs to be cleared, it’s that one.”

With a steady stride, he headed for the emergency room doors. Just as he expected, two armed men were standing guard.

As Jericho approached, one of the men said,

“Sorry, sir. No one is allowed in or out of the hospital until Shadow Leader’s siege of Burnt Hill has been ended.”

Jericho decided he’d try diplomacy first.

“But I need to get inside,” he said.

“Sorry. This is for your safety and the safety of the patrons, doctors, and medical staff inside,” the man said.

“Please?” Jericho asked.

One of the guards grew frustrated and marched up to Jericho. Placing a forceful hand on his chest, he said,

“Pinstripe’s orders. Now for your own safety, leave!”

Jericho looked at the man’s hand then looked up and met his eyes.

“Well I did ask nicely,” Jericho said.

When Jericho grabbed the guard’s hand and squeezed, the man screamed in pain as he heard his bones breaking. Then Jericho grabbed his shirt and threw him into the parking lot.

The second guard looked at Jericho in disbelief.

Jericho met his eyes and asked,

“Now can I enter?”

His mouth agape, the man dropped his gun and ran off.

Jericho turned and said,

“He didn’t even say goodbye.”

When he looked over at the man he had thrown, Jericho saw that he was lying very still.

“Oh no,” Jericho said, hurrying over.

He checked the man’s pulse and was relieved when he found that he was alive.

“I’m so sorry,” Jericho said.

Jericho knew better than to move someone who was injured. He had made that mistake before and was chewed out by an EMT.

“Wait right here,” Jericho said.

When he turned toward the emergency room entrance, he suddenly stopped. Standing before him was a tall man with a narrow frame and long arms. He had medium length brown hair, the same shade as his cardigan sweater, and a well-trimmed beard.

His kind eyes reminded Jericho of a youth pastor he had once known.

“Is everything okay?” the man asked.

“No. This man has been hurt. He’s alive, but he’s not moving,” Jericho explained.

“What happened?” the man asked in a soft soothing voice as he stepped past Jericho and knelt down to check on the man.

“He. . .” Jericho trailed off, embarrassed at his mistake. “I’m afraid I hurt him.”

“It was an accident,” Jericho said. “I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay, my brother,” the man said.

He closed his eyes and held his hands over the body.

“Everything will be. . . , ” the man began.

The man’s hands began to glow, so brightly that Jericho had to look away.

When the glow faded, the man added,

“All right.”

Then he stood and waited.

Suddenly the injured man opened his eyes and turned his head.

“What happened?” he asked.

“You sustained an injury, my brother,” the man told him. “You are better now.”

“You’re a healer,” Jericho said.

“That is correct,” he said. “Everyone has been calling me the Shaman, but you may call me John. My name is John Paul Lincoln.”

Lincoln extended his hand and Jericho took it and thanked him.

“It was the least I could do.”

Lincoln noticed the cut on Jericho’s forehead.

“You are injured as well,” Lincoln said

“It’s just a small cut,” Jericho said.

Lincoln’s hands glowed for a moment, and Jericho felt a warm sensation run through his body. It reminded him of the warm feeling he had as a child when he would drink hot chocolate on a cold day.

“It may have been nothing,” Lincoln said, “but it is gone now.”

“Thank you,” Jericho said, checking his forehead.

“Those of us who can help should do so,” Lincoln said with a smile.