A Life of Death: Episodes 1 - 4 Page 13

  “It’s not your time,” they murmured, “No, not your time,” “There is much to do,” “Carry on, don’t give up.” Then, a familiar Corporal’s voice added, “Ain’t your time. Ol’ Scratch ain’t ready for ya yet, boyo. Get up on them feet.” The voices disappeared as quickly as they’d come and were replaced by Paige’s concerned questions. A security guard knelt next to her, their hands pressed against my back. When my eyes fluttered to life, they sat me up on the floor.

  “Alex, are you okay?”

  “I… I think so,” I muttered, attempting to rid my mind of the hazy voices that had infested it.

  “What happened?” Paige wailed.

  “N-n-nothing,” I replied with a stern look.

  She tilted her head to the side like a curious dog, but said no more.

  “Do you think you can walk?” asked the dark skinned security guard. His hand was still plastered to my back in case I collapsed again.

  “I think so,” I replied, putting my words into action. Once up, I added with a chuckle, “It ain’t quite my time.”

  The man peered at me from under bushy eyebrows tinged with gray. He had probably been at this job for a long time. “You sure?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. You got a place to sit down for a bit, though? And maybe a drink?”

  “Sure… Alex, is it?” asked the guard as he led the way around a corner and into a back room.

  “Yeah, Alex.”

  “Well, I’m Sam.” He held open the glass door. “You can have a seat over there.” He waved his hand toward a small lounge, just large enough to hold the old couch and television within. “I’ll be right back with a drink. Soda all right?”

  I nodded and he disappeared down the hall. A moment later he emerged with a chilled can and added, “If there’s anything else you need, just let me know. All right, Alex?”

  “I will.” I popped the top and took a swig. “Thanks, Sam.”

  “No problem,” he muttered over his shoulder, sauntered through the doors, and back into the museum.

  Paige led me to the couch by the elbow. “So what really happened, another vision?”

  I plopped onto the worn cushion as though the world were weighing on me. “More than one.” Their deaths were clear in my mind, as though I’d just lived them. I had, in a sense. “It was awful… their lives… lost. And the women they loved were left behind. I saw their families, their children. I even remember spending time with their friends, just before they died, too. Whoever said war was honorable, or that they died honorably, doesn’t understand death. One guy gave the last of his strength to fight more. He got back up, to kill more people. He could’ve run, or hid, something.”

  “They were fighting for something, though, a greater cause,” Paige added as she settled next to me.

  “Yeah, they were fighting for their families, not some great cause.”

  “What else would they be fighting for? They want their children to live in a better world.”

  The soldier’s words whispered through my mind again. I had to do it, though. Take care of John and see that he learns to fish proper, like I would’ve shown him. He’s a strapping young lad, and I’m sure he’ll become the man we hoped. I’ll always love you. Had it all been for their children? Not all of them felt that way. I was sure of it, but others pushed on as far as they could go too, even when they made mistakes.

  “Maybe you’re right, but it was awful. There wasn’t anything honorable in it. And I’m not sure how I’m supposed to help them. After the visions, there were voices encouraging me to get up. I even recognized one.”

  “Oh yeah? Who was it, Coach Moyer?” she asked with a coy smile.

  “Nah, it was Corporal Jack.”

  “Who’s Corporal Jack?”

  “He was Able’s superior, the one who manned the Blakely.”

  “The Blakely?” Her confusion spread over her face.

  “The big gun at the front of the museum.”

  “Oh, right. I remember. I thought you might have seen something when we were standing there. You got this glazed look in your eye and didn’t respond the first few times I spoke.”

  “I didn’t even hear you.”

  “Figures,” she added with a nudge of her shoulder. “Guys never listen.”

  I smiled back, but didn’t rise to the challenge. Corporal Jack’s words ate at me. “He said Ol’ Scratch wasn’t ready for me yet. And to get back up.”

  “That’s weird. Is that something he said in the vision too?”

  I ran through the memory and what was said, but couldn’t remember him ever mentioning the devil that way. “I think I… I mean Able, said something about Ol’ Scratch, but Jack didn’t.”

  “So, he actually spoke to you, not Able?” Her eyes grew quizzical at the thought.

  “I think so,” I muttered. “But how could the dead talk to me if this isn’t a curse?”

  “It’s not a curse, Alex. You know that. The dead have been talking to you all week.”

  “Not like that they haven’t.”

  “But these visions are a way for them to talk to you. They’re telling you things in a way that you have to believe. Since you found that article at the historical society, you haven’t questioned whether the visions were real. These people need you, and they wouldn’t reach out to you if you weren’t blessed enough to help them.” She was wound up and more certain that this was heaven-sent than I’d ever considered, even after speaking with Father Gilbert.

  “Yeah, but how am I supposed to help them? What can I do?”

  “Maybe you just need to believe in yourself and what they died for. It isn’t like you’ve embraced the world in open arms.”

  “I know, but why the hell should I?”

  “Look, Alex. I know you’ve got it hard. I’m reminded of it every time I look at you, but you can’t let that define you. You’re better than that. I see the real you every time I look in your eyes. Why do you think I stuck around for so long waiting for you to pop the question?”

  “The question?”

  “Well okay, maybe you didn’t have to pop the question, but you took the first step.”

  The memory of last night pervaded my mind, the touch of her soft lips. Even their subtle dampness played on my senses. “I remember,” I whispered. The beginnings of a smile lifted the edges of my mouth.

  She grinned back, but would not be deterred. “Alex, I know life dealt you a crappy hand, but you have the opportunity to do so much more, be so much more than Frank and the drunk.” She took a moment to breathe before continuing.

  I couldn’t stop the smile from rising and interrupted her tirade, “Where do you wanna go tonight?”

  Paige deflated under the question. “Go out… uhhh… yeah.”

  “How about… Under the Stars Bowling?”

  “The black light alley.” A smile brightened her face. “Sure.”

  On the way out, I made sure not to touch anything but Paige’s tender hand. I’d had my fill of war. Even watching the antique battle equipment from afar sent chills down my spine. A donation box waited at the entrance with a sign that read, Help us remember the men and women that lost their lives here.

  I could remember for everyone, but it wasn’t enough for me to know what happened. These tortured souls deserved better. I removed a wrinkled dollar bill from my pocket and shoved it into the slot. At least I wasn’t the only one trying to help.

  We seated ourselves on a bench beside the fence, not far from the parking lot, and waited for Mr. Kurtley. The underside of my foot tingled, as though falling asleep. I stomped down again and got the same result as before. After extending it in front of me, I noticed something rusted hiding in the dirt. I leaned down and dug it out with a finger. The clotted dirt came free in chunks, revealing the object within. A final brush of my hand made my nose itch as I tumbled into yet another dream.

  * * *

  As the light waned, I knelt behind a stand of trees and hammered at a gun with my palm. The flintlock wouldn
’t budge. Union soldiers scoured the woods in the distance. Shots rang through the forest as they uncovered the hidden men.

  Damn that Jonah! He gave us all away. Them Yanks’ll hunt us down till dawn. It’s only a matter of time till they find me. I peeked around the trees. Seeing no one near, I batted the musket again. I should’ve shot the damned fool in that last skirmish. Now, he’s gonna be the end of us all.

  I glared at the stubborn weapon and slammed it against the tree trunk. The entire mechanism leapt into my hand. “Nothin’ but rubbish,” I growled.

  A rifle shot clapped behind me. Lightning flashed through my mind, accompanied by the pain of screeching railroad cars. An instant later, the world went black.

  * * *

  Light filtered into my eyes and I focused on the corroded hunk of metal in my palm. The pungent smell seemed caked into the corroded piece. Paige’s muffled voice echoed from afar, but grew closer.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “Oh… ahh… what?”

  “Alex… what is it?” she repeated. Her tone had lost its pleasant melody.

  “Oh, sorry… it’s part of a musket.”

  She leaned over and peered down at the mechanism’s odd shape. “How can you tell?” Before I could answer, she added, “Oh wait, don’t tell me. You just had another vision.”

  I nodded.

  “I wouldn’t even know if not for the distant look you get. That’s so weird.”

  “I know. I can’t control it, though. The memories just come.”

  “I realize,” she added with a subdued sigh. Her shoulders slouched in defeat. “I just wish we knew more about it.”

  “Me too, but we already know a lot, a heck of a lot more than we knew just a few days ago.”

  “Yep,” she chirped, “and we’re learning more every day.” The reminder renewed the spark in her eyes. “We’ll figure it out,” she stated, pulling two sodas and a couple sandwiches from her bag. After she’d unwrapped hers, she slipped a hand in mine. I balanced my drink and food like a one handed juggling act, unwilling to let her go. By the time we finished, her father drove up.

  “Looks like it’s about that time,” I mumbled, disappointed that I would soon be home and without Paige.

  “Cheer up,” she added with a smile. “Tonight’ll be fun.”

  “I’m sure it will.” I didn’t voice my concern over the hours between now and then. I was sure they would somehow lengthen into years.

  Waiting - 21

  When I arrived home, the girls were the only ones present. The drunk didn’t get off until five and Vivian would be home when the corner store manager ran out of things for her to do. I contented myself with checking on the girls, who had holed up in their room for the night. They were fine, so I stepped into my room and plugged into my music. I climbed into bed, but couldn’t rest. My mind whirled at a hundred miles per hour. Anticipation of my date with Paige prompted my imagination into flight. It wondered over the possibilities. After each one, I glanced at my alarm clock, but only a few minutes had passed since I last checked it. Rather than years, the minutes dragged for eons. Drum solos pounded in my ears, marking each second as though it were the ticking of a delayed clock. When the alarm showed five, I leapt from the bed and fled the house before the drunk returned. There was always one place I could go without fear: to see my father.

  The next few hours flew past while I discussed Paige under the old pine. Eight o’clock came before I realized and I rushed to meet her at the local bowling alley. Paige stood outside, waiting with hands folded together. The last rays of sunlight hovered over her, as though waiting for me before retiring for the night. A smile crested her lips, matching mine as I approached.

  “Glad to see you could make it,” she teased.

  “Sorry, had to save a few kittens on the way. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Mind, me? Not at all. I hope you brought one with you, though. You know I love their adorable faces.”

  “Nope, I couldn’t. As soon as they got over their terror and got a look at my face, they took off running.” As soon as the words left my lips, I mentally kicked myself.

  Not satisfied with my own abuse, Paige thumped me in the arm with her purse. “Don’t say that. I’m not running away. Besides, I think you’re… ruggedly handsome.”

  Her words had the intended effect and banished my previous blunder from my thoughts. I took her hand and proudly entered the building. It was still early and black light bowling hadn’t begun, but would shortly according to the schedule on the door. A strong odor greeted us. Beer and cigarettes mingled with the underlying smell of deep-fried foods. We meandered toward the snack bar, slumped into two chairs, and ordered wings and drinks.

  “So you really think I’m handsome?” I asked, taking a sip of my soda.

  “Of course I do, but I was starting to wonder if you liked me. How long have we been friends? And only now do you ask me out.”

  “I know… I know. I’m a bit slow to pick up on things, all right? Thanks for hanging in there, though. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “I’m sure you’d be fine.”

  “I’m not. The last few years were hell. You’ve been a blessing…” I thought for a minute, staring into her deep eyes, “You know what you are?”

  “No, what am I?” she coaxed, playing along.

  “You’re an angel sent straight from heaven.”

  Paige chortled and almost choked. She set her drink down, and leaned back in her chair. “An angel… I seriously doubt that, but thanks for trying.”

  “Well, you sure do look like one.”

  Her cheeks reddened. “Thank you.” She scooted her chair closer to mine, but before she realized it, the spot between us was occupied.

  “Mind if I join you?” Frank bellowed in a drunken slur and plopped down in the vacant chair. “You and me gots to talk.” He slammed his beer bottle onto the table for emphasis. It overflowed, drenching his hand. “Dammit, I just got this thing.” He held up the bottle and turned to the bar. “Y’all servin’ stirred up beers in there?” His words carried across half the alley and all eyes turned to us.

  I grabbed his arm. “Frank, just take it easy. Where’ve you been?”

  “I been all over,” he replied with a flourish of his hands. Then he whispered, “How’s Dad?”

  “He’s fine. He could care less about what happened, though… you know, with your mom.”

  “Man, you don’t understand. Mom up and left us to rot.”

  “No, she didn’t. You know the truth. You were there when he admitted it.”

  “He did not. Dad’s a good man. He’s jus’ gotten a bad rap’s all.” In his inhibited state, his eyes shifted nervously.

  “Don’t lie to me like you did Vivian. You know I’m telling the truth.”

  Frank glanced at Paige, who watched the dialogue with interest. “Why are you saying these things about my pa? You got to stop.”

  “Or else what?” I challenged. “You gonna beat me up again? Wanna take a few shots while we’re out in public?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, don’t be stupid.”

  “Well, how about this… if you aren’t willing to own up to what your dad did, why don’t you do it for your sisters? You know what will happen if you don’t. It’s only a matter of time.”

  The idea sobered him a bit and he threw up his hands. “Ain’t nothin’ gonna happen unless you do something to them.”

  “I’ve been watching out for them. It’s a lot more than you’ve done.”

  “Look,” he replied, meeting my gaze, “I know I haven’t been the best brother, but he ain’t a bad man.”

  “Is that what you tell yourself to get to sleep every night?” The words stung and his face grew stern. “Okay, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but you know he was drunk when he murdered your mother, too. He regrets it, but it won’t stop him next time. Hell, he was seconds away from murdering me the other day. I’m surprised he stopped. He’ll reg
ret it after the deed’s done, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”

  Frank nodded in unconscious thought.

  “Tell you what, if you care for your sisters at all, come talk to the police with me. I’ll help you get back on your feet if I can. He needs to be somewhere where he can’t reach us.”

  “No, No, No!” Again, his shouts gained us an audience, but fewer this time. “He’s a good man. He won’t do that to us. He never hurt me, so he won’t hurt them.”

  “Please, Frank. You can’t guarantee that, and he already did it once. I can’t believe you’d let your mother’s killer walk free around your sisters.”

  “That ain’t the way it is!” He slapped his beer across the table. It toppled and sloshed its contents onto my lap. I leapt up and the remainder glugged onto the floor while Frank stomped out the door.

  Paige righted the bottle and grabbed a handful of napkins from a nearby dispenser. I went to the restroom to dry my beer soaked jeans while she cleaned the table. By the time I returned, the overhead lights had gone out. Black lights illuminated the large building like an Emo Halloween party. Neon bowling balls flew down the lanes and smacked into glowing pins of various colors. Although I’d taken care of my pants, the altered lights illuminated the large spot better than any sun. I shrugged in frustration and returned to find Paige gnawing on chicken wings that had appeared in my absence.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I was starving.”

  “No, not at all,” I replied.

  “Wow, your teeth are really white in this light,” she commented with a laugh. Hers were spotted from the wing sauce and looked like Swiss cheese. Pulling up another chair, I tried to keep my reaction between me and the floor.