CHAPTER 7
THE MEETING OF THE CRINES
FRIDAY 12/3
JAMIE
Peddling my bike like mad I was relieved to see that Liam and the girls were still waiting for me by Liam's back gate. I couldn't help but laugh as I jumped off my bike. Katie and Jade dressed totally in black were pretending to be Charlie's Angels. And just like the actresses we'd seen together in that old movie on TV were busily practicing their karate moves on Liam.
I could see that Liam was totally exasperated with their silly antics and was yelling at them to grow up. Watching Katie and Liam I thought how strange it was that until now I'd never seen the resemblance between the three of us. Intently I looked for some sign of their alien heritage; however like me they appeared no different.
Oblivious to my scrutiny, Katie continued to taunt Liam, Jade however looked up at me quizzically. Her knowing expression unnerved me causing me turn away. It was uncanny how alike she was to the girl in the photo, and once more I felt uneasy about her.
The rustling of the trees behind me was making me edgy. I looked at my watch...it was nearly midnight!
"Come on you guys, cool it...the whole neighborhood will hear you!" I warned.
"Yeah you two, Charlie's Angels would have more sense than to make such a racket!" Liam said patronizingly.
Ignoring us, Katie and Jade continued fooling around and willfully ran off in the direction of the old dirt road that led to the ruins of the ancient city.
The weight of what I knew fell heavily on my shoulders and I wished that I could be carefree like them. To them this was just a great adventure; to me it was the beginning of another reality.
Anxiously I looked up into the night sky at the strange reddish haze drifting across the full moon. I so wanted to tell Liam that I feared that this was the precursor of 'Moon Harvest' but now wasn't the time.
I began to feel afraid of what tomorrow, our thirteenth birthday, would bring.
Liam tugged at my sleeve "Hey Jamie, what are you waiting for? Come on let's go before those two do something stupid!"
Finally we caught up with Jade and Katie, hiding behind bushes near that mysterious circle of monolithic stones near the crossroads where Hunk had said the Crines were to meet.
"Ssh Jamie don't say anything, we're over here!" Jade insisted as she waved frantically from the safety of the bushes.
Joining them, we sat for what seemed like forever listening to the sounds of howling dingoes in the distance. We were all getting the creeps and soon Katie had enough.
"I told you Jade the Crines didn't exist! We've been set up! I'm going home, whose joining me?" Katie groaned exasperated.
"Don't be so stupid Katie; everyone knows that the Crines exist!" Jade retorted huffily.
"No, YOU'RE stupid Jade! Katie declared angrily. If anybody turns up it'll be the 'Bone Crushers' not the Crines. They're probably going to beat us up!'
I decided to intervene before there was full-blown cat fight. "Cool it guys, let's give it another ten minutes and if nothing happens we'll go, okay?"
"Promise Jamie?" Katie pleaded
"I swear"
I couldn't take my eyes of the ever-increasing reddish haze drifting across our moon. Did it mean that the planet of Urias was beginning to align with Earth? If so it meant the first phase of 'Moon Harvest' was commencing and those seeking to channel its powers would be gathering.
Was that why the Crines were meeting? The thought scared me to death.
I checked my watch, the ten minutes was up. It was way past midnight. I was overwhelmed with relief. Katie had been right after all; they'd been set up. Well ...it had worked! They had fallen for it, and were sitting there like nincompoops for nothing. My legs were beginning to cramp and I stood up to stretch them.
"Jamie, get down!' Jade whispered frantically pulling at my jeans. Quickly I slumped to the ground as stooped, black shrouded figures emerged out of the darkness approaching the circle of stones.
Jade gave Katie a smug look that had "I told you so" written all over it.
Silently we watched as shrouded figures gathered nearby in the inner circle of the massive stones. The stooped figures bowed their hooded heads and began chanting in a strange gibberish language. I heard Jade gasp. The horrified look of recognition plastered on her face told me she'd heard this language before.
Suddenly crimson rays of light from the moon of Urias penetrated the earth's atmosphere turning the circle of stones blood red. The earth shook beneath us as a thunderous bolt of lighting split one of the monolithic stones in two. Flames leapt forth from its midst exposing the Crines strange twisted bodies beneath their shrouds.
Jade huddled closer to Katie as the flames fanned by the chilling wind danced in rhythm to the sound of unearthly chanting. Solemnly a shrouded figure stepped forth raising his arms to the ominous red sky.
In disbelief we watched his hood slip from his shoulders. There before us stood the Mayor of Braden, Chloe's Dad, James Braden!
Abruptly the chanting ended and the flames mysteriously vanished returning the ancient stones to the darkness of the night. Slowly the stooped hooded figures left the circle of stones, walking in single file as they climbed the hill that led to the old decaying mansion of William Braden.
The evil presence that lingered sent forth menacing black ravens from the mansions crumbling towers encircling the Crines in protective formation. Suddenly the ravens began to squawk loudly, flapping their outstretched wings in frenzy as an eerie fog drifted from the warm waters of the sea.
Rapidly this evil omen descended over Apogee Mountain, incarcerating the derelict mansion. Now only its tall towers could be seen, protruding menacingly through the midst of the eerie fog.
"What will we do Jamie?" Liam whispered frightened out of his wits.
"Nothing Liam", Katie said emphatically. "We're going back home! Jade's proved the Crines existence, isn't that enough?"
"No, we have to follow them; they must be meeting up with the 'Bone Crushers' somewhere else." Jade insisted
"Monsters are your scene Jade, they're not mine!" Katie replied with a huff as she began to walk off, however she quickly thought better of it and turned back. Jade gave her a smug look.
"So you're with us now Katie?"
"I guess so Jade...what choice do I have?" Katie responded haughtily. "I'm not leaving here on my own!"
Barely able to see the Crines we left the safety of the bushes. None of us would admit to being terrified as we hurried to catch up with them.
Soon all we could see were the crumbling towers of William Braden's mansion looming over us, their shattered windows expelling the evil of those ghostly entities that lived within.
"Do you think the old man's watching us?" Jade whispered.
"Jade, don't start! Give your imagination a rest. How could he see us among all of this goddamn fog?" Katie announced derisively.
"Katie, now's not the time to make fun of me...please I'm scared." Jade whimpered.
"Stop it you two! Jamie where did the Crines go? I can't see them anymore." Liam whispered urgently.
Stumped I looked around but could see nothing more than the top of trees sticking out of the woods beside us.
I left the road and ventured into the scary darkness of the thick woods, determined that the fog wouldn't beat me.
"Jamie this is nuts!" moaned Liam as he followed with Katie and Jade protesting vehemently behind him.
"Ssh Katie" I warned as she stepped on twigs. "They'll hear us!"
"So what does it matter, if we can't see them they can't see us!" Katie declared snootily.
Jade rolled her eyes. "Katie, if they're aliens they probably have x-ray vision!"
"Thanks for the reassurance Jade, I feel so much better now!" Katie's sarcasm did nothing to hide her uneasiness.
"Do you two ever stop squabbling? You're driving me crazy!" I'd had enough of those two, here we were lost in fog, hunting for aliens and all they could do was fight.
"Look Jam
ie the fogs thinning over there and I can see a path." Liam interjected.
Trying to appear brave we moved on following the trail laid out before us. Soon however the path ended leaving us standing on the edge of a cliff.
"Look guys!" Katie shouted as she sent a rock rolling down the side of the mountain.
Jade looked down into the scary depths of the gorge below. "I'm not going down there!" She declared obstinately.
"Come on Jade we have to see where the Crines went." I insisted as I began to slowly navigate my way carefully down the side of the treacherous cliff. Hesitatingly Liam and Katie followed with a horrified Jade scrambling after them.
Miraculously we all reached the bottom in one piece except for Jade, whose terrified screams brought us running to her rescue. Haplessly she'd fallen into a deep ditch in the mosquito-infested marshlands we now found ourselves in.
"Guys please get me out of here I think there's a skeleton underneath me!" Jade sobbed.
In disbelief we watched as a ghostly apparition rose beside her; its bony fingers beckoning as it drifted among the gravestones emerging through the thinning fog. Frantically we hauled Jade out of the grave and tried to calm her. Shaking, she clung to Katie.
We were standing in an ancient graveyard.
Terrified we heard an unholy shriek pierce the stillness of the night as ravens heralded the rising of the departed, now slowly emerging from the marshlands. A chilling breeze stirred, carrying the misty forms towards the sound of distant chanting.
Alone now in the grounds of the ancient graveyard we tried to stop our knees from shaking as the headstone on the grave Jade had fallen into revealed its name.
"Look Jamie it's the grave of Harold Braden." Jade whispered hoarsely. "It must have been his ghost that tried to get me. The inscription says he is the son of James Braden, and grandson of William Braden."
I tried to control my emotions as everything dad had written was unfolding before me.
"All the gravestones have the surname of Braden on them!" Katie shouted excitedly as she ran through the graveyard reading their headstones
"Katie stop!" I yelled. "Come back quick! Look over there, the Crines!"
Katie stood frozen to the spot and I ran after her as hundreds of black shrouded figures emerged from the depths of the marshlands.
Grabbing Katie we fled praying that the Crines hadn't seen us.
Frantically we all hid from the increasing numbers of the gathering throng behind mosquito filled bushes.
Thunder resounded in the darkening crimson sky as thirteen black shrouded figures stood before an ancient tomb. Terrified we heard them chanting as they circled the black marble tomb three times before placing thirteen lit candles at its entrance.
Silently they bowed in reverence before the enormous beastly hawk-like statue guarding the tombs heavy steel door.
"Please guys I'm scared, let's get out of here!" Jade pleaded desperately.
"Sush Jade, they'll hear you." Katie whispered frantically.
"Hang in there Jade.". I whispered grabbing her arm. I was certain she was about to make a dash for it. "We have to wait until they leave; we have no other choice if we want to survive!"
"Ssh, listen!" Liam murmured urgently as three white robed figures announcing themselves as the 'Holy Triad' appeared commanding the thirteen to bow before them.
Even though I was scared shitless I couldn't take my eyes off those white robed figures as they anointed the thirteen before them with a hissing fiery liquid.
With bated breath I watched as they circled the thirteen black shrouded figures three times calling all the while upon the 'Holy Mathematical Equation of Thirty Nine.'
In shock I realized those anointed must be Sissnaska's thirteen high priests dad wrote about in his diary. As they raised their arms to the blood red sky they spoke the words on my lips 'Moon Harvest '.
With those words an unearthly chanting resounded throughout the graveyard as brown-cloaked figures emerged from the throng and lay prone before the 'Holy Triad'.
"Oh Holy One" they chorused as one of the 'Holy Triad' stepped forth.
Chanting in a strange gibberish language I saw the one they called the 'Holy One' pass a glowing crimson scepter over those brown-cloaked figures before him.
Their heads bowed these subservient figures rose as a solitary hooded figure silhouetted against the blood red sky stepped forth and knelt before the 'Holy One'.
I gasped as the hood slipped from his head. It was Swasie!
"Shit Jamie!" Liam whispered, "What do you thing they're going to do to him?"
"Be quiet Liam" Katie muttered urgently as Jade, bug-eyed, moved closer to her.
Our eyes glued on Swasie we watched as the 'Holy One' anointed Swasie with the same hissing fiery liquid. Then holding the glowing crimson scepter in his hand the 'Holy One' circled it above Swasie's head three times proclaiming him the 'Priest of Death'.
The chilling proclamation resounded throughout the gathered throng arousing the spirits of the departed who had not yet risen from their graves.
The ghostly descendants of the Braden lineage rose from their resting place and drifted toward the 'Holy One"; the inherent leader of the 'Secret Society of Crines', who now stood before the sacred tomb of their ancestor.
Removing his white robe the 'Holy One' revealed the magnificent crimson robe of his rank. There stood the town's Mayor, James Braden; his arms outstretched chanting to the heavens above.
"Moon Harvest...blessed Moon Harvest. By the order of the Universe I give thee the holy mathematical equation 'Three times Thirteen'. And with the power of the 'Holy number of 'Thirty Nine' bring forth our long departed leader."
At that moment we heard the bells of Braden's Town Hall clock striking the bewitching hour of three in the distance. As they resonated throughout the graveyard the powerful rays of the blood red moon of Urias encompassed the township of Braden.
The throng bowed their heads succumbing to the energizing power of the 'Holy Equation.' Those not wholly human morphed into the hissing snakelike creatures of their alien heritage
Suddenly the huge outstretched wings of the fiendish statue guarding the scared tomb began to flap as it mysteriously sprung to life.
A shrilling cry escaped from its scabrous beak and with an almighty leap this horrific black-feathered creature perched on the enormous amulet adorning the roof of the ancient tomb. Its taloned feet gripped the hard cold steel with supernatural strength and its beady emerald eyes shone with evil intent.
Protectively the creature spread its wings over the entrance of the tomb as the grating sound of grinding stone heralded the opening of the sarcophagus deep within. Ethereal golden rays of light streamed forth as the tombs huge steel door began to creak slowly open.
"Master!" The 'Holy One' cried as a heinous mummified corpse staggered forth from the depths of its ancient tomb.
The 'Holy Triad' stepped forward, their heads bowed in servitude as they covered the remnants of their long departed master's burial garments with the silver royal robes of antiquity. Reverently they placed the bejeweled silver crown of their creator on his ghastly hairless skull and placed the glowing red scepter in his skeletal hand.
Dressed in the majesty of the order of the 'Secret Society of Crines' the corpse of James Braden stood surveying with his sunken shriveled eyes, the fruits of his labor begun centuries before.
In hushed silence the 'Holy one' stepped forward laying a small mummified body at his masters withered feet.
"It is time oh grand master, call on your immense powers and gather your servants. I place the flesh of your flesh at your feet...let the rebirth begin!"
Uttering a deep guttural moan, the emaciated figure clothed in its regal robes waved its wasted arms sorrowfully over the inert childlike figure lying at his feet.
An anguished primeval cry as old as time itself wracked its wretched body.
"Solace oh Master...Solace! Oh great one, the day has come! It is time. Leave your
sorrow behind...It is time for your flesh to renew and the seed of your mother to be reborn!"
At these words the transmutation began, and James Braden stood as before, his infantile creation now crying in his arms.
"We beseech thee, oh grand master, the time has come. The third hour of the new dawn of 'Moon Harvest' has struck. As it is written, the power of the 'Universal Mathematical Equation of Thirty Nine' is in the heavens. The three ordained in the holy Scrolls as the 'Power of Three' are to be empowered at the thirteenth hour of this the first day of 'Moon Harvest'.
Sissnaska, the great one, has decreed that the 'Power of Three' must be eradicated before the 'Holy Mathematical Equation of Thirty-Nine' has been fully equated...or never can their powers be taken from them.
Oh sacred one, guide us in the remaining thirty nine days of 'Moon Harvest' so that we can forever be rid of the threat the 'Power of Three' holds to our great Ruler Sissnaska.
Sire! Your lowly disciples await your command."
A chilling wind whistled through the opened tomb awakening the demonic bats that had slept alongside their master for centuries. Flying forth in relentless fury, thirty-nine shrieking black, leathery creatures, red eyes bulging, encircled their master... their sharp talons exposed in readiness.
Without warning, these shrieking hideous creatures flew off into the marshlands bringing forth the gang of the 'Bone Crushers' led by the newly anointed priest, their leader Swasie. Flanked by these shrieking creatures, the 'Bone Crushers' filed in three circles in order of their status.
Liam gasped and I held my hand over his mouth. Scared stiff we watched Swasie pace thirteen times around each circle before kneeling at the feet of the 'Holy One.'
Shocked by the enormous numbers of the gang, I realized that the rumors I'd heard about the Crines taking over the kids in Braden were true. I also now truly believed everything dad had written in his diary.
Suddenly the hideous shrieking creatures broke away and flew in our direction. Closer these demonic creatures came and we bolted falling into the abyss of a decaying grave
I thought we were done for as their sharp talons clawed at our heads. I closed my eyes expecting to feel the pain of their claws...an eternity seemed to pass and yet I felt nothing. I dared to look up only to discover that they had vanished.
Harrowing moments went by as we contemplated our fate; when out of the darkness a lonely cloaked figure appeared standing at the edge of the grave with three huge dingoes howling in unison by his side.
Within an instant we found ourselves standing at the fork of the old dirt road. We didn't stop to question and ran as fast as our legs could take us, the horror of what we'd witnessed, forever imprinted in our minds.
JADE'S DESPAIR
Crawling into bed I relished the comforting familiarity of my bedroom regretting my decision to go with my friends. I was terrified that the Crines had seen us and knew where we lived.
Frightened I pulled the covers over my head shuddering at the thought of the hideous mummy I'd seen coming to life. Visions of Swasie and Hunk becoming screeching monsters inundated my mind and traumatized I realized that among those cloaked figures could have been kids I knew.
Trembling I thought of Katie's and Liam's birthday party a few hours from now and wondered if any of the kids invited could be Crines like Chloe. She had to be one; we'd seen her dad act as their leader.
Alarmed I heard mum and dad's voices in the hall outside my bedroom. Quickly I pretended to be asleep as I heard my door slowly open. I lay there wondering if they'd heard me sneaking through the window earlier, if so then I was in for it big time.
My bed covers were rudely pulled from my face and I could smell Mum's favorite perfume. I tried desperately not to blink as I felt mum's breath on my cheek.
Silently she tucked me in and shocked I heard mum begin to pray.
"As custodian of the 'Necklace of Protection' I hereby give forth all that it transpires to my daughter on this, the third hour of the sacred first day of 'Moon Harvest', the time of her birth thirteen years before.
With its holy powers I beseech thee O Great One, to protect our cherished daughter of whom you created in the likeness of your beloved. We herby surrender her to the bewitching thirteenth hour of 'Moon Harvest' when the powers you granted upon her will be awakened.
We know and respect the wishes of the higher power of the Universe and forgive us from trying to suppress the powers that come to her today.
Please guide her away from those who seek to use her bond with the three chosen ones born this day thirteen years ago.
We have done and always will keep her faith in the golden light."
With those words I felt a necklace being clasped around my neck and horrified fought the need to sneeze
Oh no...darn feather pillow! I told Mum I was allergic to it. "A.a..choo! A.a...choo!"
"Are you awake Jade?" I heard mum whisper anxiously as she bent over me.
"Come on Trina you'll just wake her up! Can't you see she's still asleep?" Dad's voice sounded strange as he dragged mum away, I could have sworn he'd been crying.
Moments later I heard the bedroom door shut and I pulled the blankets back over my head wanting to erase mum's weird prayer from my mind.
I lay there in the dark questioning my very being. Had my life till now been nothing more than a sham, like the birthday party I'd had two weeks before?
Overnight my safe world had disappeared into something scary and unknown. Today was supposed to be such a great day! I moaned. And now?
PART SIX
CHAPTER 1
BIRTHDAY