Tearing The Shroud (24 page)

‘It’s a reward.’ He sighed.

‘If that’s the case, you deserve the whole menu, bud,’ Flea said.

‘By the way,’ Knife said, ‘that was about the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.’

‘Me, too,’ Julie said. ‘But it was nothing like the movies.’

Vincent smiled. ‘Yeah, it wasn’t very pretty. Especially when he squeezed me like a lemon.’

‘But then you just...well...ate his face.’ Julie tittered. ‘I never expected that.’

‘I bet he never expected it, either,’ Flea said.

‘Yeah, pretty sure none of us did,’ Knife shook his head.

Vincent sighed. ‘You wanted to see my martial arts; I just never figured it would be like this.’

Chapter 21

Dinner with the Gang

They walked to an empty table, plates of Sloppy Joes in hand. Vincent pulled Julie’s chair out. She smiled at him. ‘Thank you, sir.’

‘My pleasure.’

‘Because you can peek down her top,’ Flea said.

She shrugged. ‘Hey, injured fighters get extra perks.’

‘Then this shiner was worth it.’ Vincent grinned.

‘Somebody, punch me, please,’ Flea said, prompting snickers from the group.

As the laughter settled, Vincent stared at his plate.

‘The food too much for you, big guy?’ Flea asked

‘No, this is actually good. It’s just...what’s happening tonight.’

They fell silent. ‘I know. I feel the same way, bud,’ Flea said. ‘I just cover it with banter. Defense mechanism.’

Julie put her hand on his. ‘We’ll be with you.’

‘All the way,’ Knife added.

Vincent smiled. ‘So, let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we — ’

‘Hey, now,’ Julie said. ‘If you’re gonna get all scriptural, pick something upbeat.’

‘Sorry, black humor.’

Vincent glanced around the caf. In the last four days, Emily had adopted an overly cloying attitude with him — having the truth revealed might have been easier to take. ‘So, anyone seen E.T., Emily, and Mike?’ Vincent asked.

‘They went out tonight,’ Julie said.

‘All three of them?’ Knife asked

‘Yep.’ She nodded. ‘Rolled tacos and movies. Emily is finding that being nice has its benefits.’

They ate quietly for a few moments then Knife cleared his throat. ‘Do you suppose the fight was connected with everything else?’ He looked around the table. ‘I mean, who knows what’s coming?’

Vincent nodded. ‘Yeah, I haven’t said anything, but that’s another reason I’ve been so preoccupied.’

Flea set his fork down deliberately then folded his hands. He spoke quietly, his voice intense; ‘Enough evil exists in this world for us to connect the dots if we try. Sure, it could happen, but we can’t focus on that. If we do we might as well lie down and let them win.’

Julie nodded thoughtfully. ‘You’re right. Even if that creep was part of it — how’d that work out?’

‘Pretty painfully,’ Knife said.

‘He’ll be eating through a straw,’ Flea said before taking a drink.

‘Sucks to be him,’ Julie said.

Flea snorted and grabbed his napkin, bringing it to his mouth. ‘In the middle of a drink?’

Julie smiled. ‘If you’re going to lob softballs like that...’

Flea shook his head. ‘Beaten at my own game.’

Vincent nodded. He had to be on the offensive. ‘I’m lucky to have people like you around.’

‘Darn right you are,’ Flea said. ‘Especially me.’

‘Nah,’ Knife said. ‘I’m the key factor — pre-med, ya know.’

Julie looked at them each, slowly licked her lips, and lowered her chin. ‘You think so?’

The guys froze.

‘I think she’s got us there.’ Flea rubbed the back of his neck.

‘Can’t argue with that.’ Knife shook his head.

‘Toss in the cleavage, and we’re cooked,’ Flea said.

Vincent grinned and said, ‘You just feel free to unleash that look anytime you want.’

They all laughed then ate quietly once again.

Knife put up his hands. ‘Gang, I’m sorry to sound like the naysayer tonight, but Vincent, are you sure you want to do this thing? I know everything felt right last week, but what if Coleman, or any of them, aren’t what they claim?’

Vincent started to answer, stopping with his mouth open. It didn’t sound right, or feel that way, but…

Julie dropped her voice and leaned forward. ‘After everything we saw and Vincent heard — how can you even think that?’

‘He has a point,’ Flea said.

‘You too?’ Her eyebrows shot up and she sat back, crossing her arms. An uncomfortable silence enveloped the table.

‘If...’ Vincent sighed and started over. ‘I know what you’re saying. We have to at least consider both sides — I’ve been doing that for the last week. But if I don’t go through with it, and something happens...’ He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t live with myself. Could you? Either of you?’ He pointed his fork and Flea and Knife.

Knife raised his hands. ‘I’m not backing out on you.’ He looked at Julie. ‘But I had to ask.’

She uncrossed her arms and blew out a long breath. ‘This thing has me all in knots.’

Flea smiled and sniffed. ‘Glad to see I’m not the only one.’

‘So, when should we head to the room?’ Julie asked.

Vincent shrugged. ‘How about after we finish? I mean, who knows what time is, their time...there.’

‘Well put, Vincent.’ Flea raised an elastic eyebrow. ‘Look out, Shakespeare.’

‘Sounds good,’ Julie said. ‘I’ll grab some scrubs and meet you. Not that I didn’t appreciate your weird Kung Fu guy shirt — it
was
comfortable.’

‘Plus, you looked way better in it than I do.’ Vincent grinned.

‘Way,’ Knife said.

‘Way
way
,’ Flea said.

‘Okay, okay. I get it.’ She giggled.

Flea gulped the last of his drink. ‘Ah, that’s good. Everyone ready?’ They nodded. ‘Well then, like the Duke says, “Courage is being scared to death — but saddling up anyway.”’

As they walked toward the door, Knife said, ‘John Wayne, what a philosopher.’

Julie’s laugh spread to them all as they opened their umbrellas and turned to the dorms.

The Key

Julie studied her Botany, Knife did Math, Flea prepped for an audition, and Vincent read American Lit. The wooden die sat on the desk near him. Life had to go on. Waiting to be possessed? You might as well get some studying done.

Vincent saw the die move, and looked at the clock — 10:02. His pulse took off like a rabbit. ‘Here we go, gang.’

‘Already?’ Knife asked.

He stared at the unmoving piece of wood. ‘Or...not?’ He turned to them.

‘It moved.’ Flea pointed.

Vincent looked back; everything looked the same. ‘Maybe we’re just jumpy.’

As if on cue, the die did exactly that.

‘Let’s get ready,’ Julie said. ‘Flea, grab the gaming candle.’

‘Fire it up?’

Vincent nodded. ‘Good idea. They use candles, so maybe it’s important.’

‘You got it.’ He jumped up and pulled it from the closet. ‘On the dresser okay?’

Vincent looked around the room. ‘That’ll work.’ It had a large mirror mounted on the wall behind it. ‘The mirror will help cast the light.’

Knife handed him the lighter as Julie darkened the room. A warm glow emanated from the three flickering flames. Vincent put his hands on his hips. Something wasn’t right. He looked around until he saw the die; it was the center of what was happening.

The center of things.

The center
.

He picked it up.

‘Shouldn’t you leave it alone?’ Julie asked.

‘I think it’s supposed to be in the middle of the room,’ Vincent said.

‘How?’ Flea asked.

‘I don’t know, I just...know. Ya know?’

Flea laughed nervously.

For no reason he could explain, Vincent squatted and rolled the die. It tumbled from his hand...and never landed. It stopped a foot above the rug then started moving in a large circle. They stepped back to give it room. The circle tightened, and the speed of its rotations increased; tighter and faster it moved.

Vincent laughed. ‘I knew it.’

‘What?’ Knife asked.

‘It’s seeking the exact center of the room.’

The die found its place and spun, whirring like a top. The pitch of the whir changed, lowering, becoming a buzz then a hum. The final pitch sounded like a person softly singing to himself.

As before, silver light started to emanate from it. As the light grew, the hum changed, becoming an airy tune that brought a sense of wellbeing. They knew there was nothing to fear. The die rose and came to a stop at waist height. The light spread upward and outward, forming into a shape of some sort. Vincent moved around the die, to Julie’s side, facing the window.

She offered her hand but he shook his head. ‘I don’t know what will happen.’

She nodded and smiled softly. ‘It’ll be okay.’

‘It will.’ He smiled back. ‘Julie...’ He looked into her beautiful eyes.

‘Yes?’

‘Whatever happens, I want you to know I love you.’

Her eyes brightened. ‘I love you too, Vincent.’

They looked at the light, Flea beside Vincent, and Knife by Julie, facing whatever came together. The form took on definition, about three feet across and seven feet high; the edges grew sharp; it stopped expanding and seemed to solidify.

A silver shimmering door stood before them. It had no handle, just a tiny dark square near the middle. The die suddenly stopped spinning, though the haunting melody continued. The wondrous little object pivoted sideways and slid into the hole.

The keyhole. The die had been the key all along.

It turned to the left with a soft click as the door unlocked.

Chapter 22

The Meeting

The Matriarch nodded. ‘It comes.’ She stood and walked to them. ‘You should make ready, Coleman.’

‘I don’t see anything. How do you know?’ he asked.

‘I just know. Tonight, though, I’ll only witness the event.’

‘What?’ Jolie asked.

‘Previously, the Divine worked through me, and I thought this night would be the same.’ She shrugged. ‘It seems I’m wrong.’

‘Then how will he...how will — ?’ Sari asked.

‘A way will open, and soon, but the Divine has provided other means. Coleman will know the path once it appears.’

He hugged Sari.

‘You’ll succeed, Coleman; return to us when you do,’ she said.

He turned to Jolie, and they looked into each other’s eyes; he brushed a lock of hair from her forehead and they kissed tenderly. He wanted to do this and knew to his depths it was the right thing. It was also his duty and he’d never shirked one yet. At the same time, he wanted nothing more than to stay right here with the woman he loved. She turned, sitting on a pillow with her legs extended as he lay down with his head in her lap. ‘Sari, come near, we should be together for this,’ Coleman said.

She knelt next to Jolie, placing her head on Jolie’s shoulder. They smiled down at him. ‘We’ll see you soon, love,’ Jolie said softly.

Coleman closed his eyes...and stood up.

He stepped out of himself and smiled at the touching sight; it looked like a tableau of some tragic death. A vertical sliver of light split reality at the center of the room and spread, forming a door directly beneath the orb. A moment later, there was a light click. The Way was open. He stepped to the shimmering barrier and lifted his hand.
Could it be this simple? Open a door and walk through?
He looked over his shoulder one last time; they still stared down at his body. Even the Matriarch didn’t see what occurred but her lessons echoed in his mind, ‘It is your Journey, Coleman.’ She was more right than she knew.

He touched the metallic-looking door and found it warm and soft. He pushed and it swung open soundlessly. On the other side of the Shroud four people stood in a room lit by the glow of candles.

The door swung toward them.

‘Do you see everything? Its him, but… Wow! It’s his spirit too! ’ Vincent said in a reverent tone. On the other side of the opening Coleman stood before him, but
through him,
Vincent saw Coleman laying on the floor with his head in a woman’s lap, her long dark hair spilling down around her face. Another leaned her head on the shoulder of the first and gently stroked his arm. The woman who communicated with Vincent before stood nearby.

‘Yes,’ Julie said. ‘He’s lying on the floor.’

Vincent pointed at Coleman’s ethereally transparent form. ‘But he’s standing right here.’

‘We can’t see that, bud,’ Flea said.

‘I wish I could see it, but I’m with them. I got nothing,’ Knife said.

‘I guess only I can then.’

Coleman started to walk through the opening and came up short; a barrier still separated them. Vincent saw Coleman’s lips move, but his voice sounded in his head.

‘Yes, I can hear you.’

Vincent stepped toward the opening.

Coleman’s brow furrowed.

Vincent raised his hands in the air as if surrendering, putting them opposite Coleman’s. He couldn’t feel a hand, just a flat, soft surface. The dice had felt the same when he’d chosen them in Mr Brown’s shop.