“I appear to be controlling you, sir,” he smirked. “This is so fucking cool,” he whispered to himself.
Robert watched in horror as the young man levitated off the ground and glided across the village, blasting whatever was in his path with the red energy from his hands. Another young man, no older than seventeen, picked up a rock and threw it. The rock hit the destructor on the head, causing him to abruptly fall to the ground.
Blinded by rage and pleasure, the demon raised his hands and aimed them at the man who had thrown the rock. A few onlookers tried to stop him, only to be brushed away with ease by a slight nod. The demon’s hands glowed intensely as he concentrated on increasing his power. The young man stood defiantly facing him. In an instant, a jet of red light shot from the demon’s hands, hitting the young man, and instantly vaporizing him. Cries and gasps arose from onlookers who were desperately trying to flee. The demon rose off the floor again, turning around to continue his path of destruction. As he turned around he was met by a small group of men all wielding swords.
“Is this it?” he shouted, “Your fight back? A group of pathetic men?”
He raised his glowing hands and aimed them at the men. As the glow grew more intense, his concentration appeared to be broken and his mouth dropped. He slowly glided back to the floor, dropping onto his knees and then with a shocked look, fell forwards onto his face. The onlookers moved back in suspicion, staring in terror at the arrow protruding from the demon’s back. To Robert’s astonishment, he recognized himself, standing behind the fallen body with a bow pulled taught and another arrow trained on the defeated devil.
“Darling,” Grace said, nudging her husband. “You don’t have to hold the baby.”
“I will hold it until the cart stops,” he said, tucking the baby awkwardly in the crook of his arm, and trying to clear the image from his mind.
“He will probably be safer in the drawer darling,” Grace whispered.
“I see,” he replied mechanically, returning the child to the crib.
“Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. It’s only a baby, love. It won’t bite.” Grace said.
“Yes, I am well, thank you and I am not scared of a mere child,” Robert replied, more harshly than he had intended.
“Hold the drawer, darling. The baby will be fine, unless the van crashes.”
“Crashes? Do they do that often?” he said, with a panicked look.
“Stop tormenting him, Grace,” Kate said, suppressing a giggle.
“The van’s not going to crash,” Harry grumped, as the subject of discussion drew to a gentle halt.
The doors flew open and a worried Simon’s face came into view.
“We won’t be here long. The lorry’s over there,” he said, pointing to an articulated truck tucked in the loading bay around the back of the supermarket.
“Simon, can I have a quick word?” Graham said, jumping out of the van.
“Aye, in a minute,” Simon said, helping Jenny to the ground. “Eilidh have you got the keys to the lorry?”
“I have,” she said, opening her fisted hand and dropping the keys into Simon’s palm.
“Graham, supervise my wife’s move. Duncan, Robert, and Harry, help the man. Rose, do whatever it is you do with that bag of blood and Kate, help her with the stand. I want you all in the lorry, now. Come on, come on, we haven’t got forever,” he said, clapping his hands rapidly.
“Simon, I understand that you are in a rush, but I have a favor to ask of you?”
“Aye, doctor, what would that be?”
“I want you to take me to my surgery.”
“Your surgery?” Simon asked, raising his brows in suspicion.
“Yes, the place where I see patients.”
“Do you have someone to see?”
“No, but I have medicine there, medicine that I think that we might need.”
“For my wife?”
Graham nodded, “Yes, for your wife and child.”
“If I were to let you go it would mean waiting here for you. It’s too dangerous, Graham. I’m sorry, I can’t allow it.”
“No, you don’t have to wait here. Move the lorry,” Graham said.
“Where else can I take it?”
“Tesco car park,” Graham suggested. “Take the lorry to Tesco, and I’ll use the van to get to my surgery. I won’t be long, I promise. Rose knows what to do for Corran, and Grace is quite capable of looking after the baby. Will you trust me?”
Simon slid his hand into his pocket and reluctantly extracted the keys.
“I suppose we might not see you again?” Simon said, extending his hand to the man.
“You’ll see me again, Simon. I’m coming back. I promise,” Graham replied. “Twenty minutes, tops,” he said, running toward the white van. “See you at Tesco. Wait for me.”
Simon watched Graham go, thinking as he did so that he wouldn’t blame the man if he didn’t return. Turning toward the lorry he raised his left hand and made a mental note of the time. It was twenty to six in the morning. Half an hour he resolved to give the man, half an hour and then he would leave without him.
It took almost half an hour to move the lorry from Morrisons loading bays to Tesco car park on the other side of the city. Simon was quite convinced as he maneuvered the large vehicle towards an empty area of the car park that he was wasting his time. Tapping impatiently on the steering wheel, he scanned the car park for signs of the van’s headlights. He found none. Tired of his own company, and convinced the man had no intention of returning he took the key from the ignition and jumped down from the cab.
“You found Tesco OK then?”
Simon turned quickly to see Graham standing behind him.
“You shouldn’t do that to a man,” Simon said, turning with relief to face him.
“I told you I’d be back.”
“You are obviously a man true to your word.”
“I’d like to think I am, Sir,” Graham said, extending his hand.
Simon smiled and accepted the man’s handshake.
“Can you spare me your men?” Graham asked.
“Aye, what do you need them for?”
“I’ve a van to unload. I trust you can fit a few extra boxes in that lorry.”
Simon smiled. “Aye, doctor, that we can.”
******
CHAPTER 20
“How many bottles have you sterilized?” Graham asked, hauling the last box into the lorry.
“Twelve, and Kate’s bought cartons of that already mixed formula,” Grace replied.
“The milk will need warming,” Graham said, with a concerned frown.
“Kate’s bought a bottle warmer. It runs off that battery powered inverter thing over there.”
“Good,” Graham said, hoisting himself into the lorry.
Out of the corner of his eye, Simon noticed Kate and Rose erupt into frantic whispering.
“What are you two talking about?”
A grave look fell over their faces as they raised their eyes guiltily to meet his.
“Simon… there’s something we need to tell you…” Rose said, with obvious fear in her voice.
“Aye, I’m listening.”
“We had completely forgotten…,” Rose paused, nervous to tell Simon the news.
“Just tell me, Rose!” Simon roared.
“We need to go back!” Kate shouted abruptly, saving Rose the trouble. The commotion had attracted the attention of Harry, Duncan and Robert who were now edging toward the back of the lorry.
“What do you mean…?” Simon’s words were slow and grumbled, as if he was containing a building rage.
“Me, Kate and Corran buried a crystal in the tunnel. We’re so sorry Simon. We didn’t say anything because Corran thought you’d be angry,” Rose said, talking so fast that she fell over her words.
“Why…?” Simon was near speechless, his mind confused, trying to understand and simultaneously format a plan.
“Corran wanted us to
be safe… I wasn’t sure when we planned on getting it back though. With everything that has happened we just forgot…”
“You fools…” Simon’s head bowed as he let out a large sigh. He was beyond anger. He was disappointed. “I guess I’ve got to go back.”
“Simon, you can’t,” Eilidh cried.
“If we leave the crystal where it is the Dark Circle might find it. I have no choice.”
“But we don’t have time,” Eilidh protested.
“We will have to make time. Kate, you’re coming with me.”
“Why not me?” Rose whimpered.
“Because, you’re looking after my wife.” Simon said, casting Rose and Kate a blazing look.
“So should you be, Pa,” Duncan interjected.
Unaware of their presence until now, Simon looked around to see Duncan and Harry had joined them around the back of the lorry.
“Let me go instead,” Duncan said, stepping forward to Simon and squarely challenging him.
“Why the attitude, lad?” Simon asked.
“You don’t always have to do the dangerous things. Let someone else take this one.” Duncan’s confrontational stance remained.
“Back down, son…” Simon warned.
“These folk need you, Pa. You must stay and protect them. Let me go with Kate. I was supposed to be looking after the crystal. It’s my fault the girls got hold of it.”
Simon understood that his son was seeking an opportunity to prove himself. He slid his hands into his trouser pocket and extracted the keys to the van.
“Here,” Simon said, having neither the energy or inclination to object to Duncan.
“Thanks, Pa. You won’t regret it. I promise.”
“Make it fast. We’ve been here far too long.”
“Your Pa is right, Duncan – we have to get going,” Eilidh said, casting him a panicked look.
“We’ll be waiting here… This is important, Duncan,” Simon said, turning toward the lorry’s cab.
“Keep safe,” Eilidh whispered, handing Duncan a couple of flashlights.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Kate said, giving Rose a hug.
“Yeah, just look after yourself,” Rose replied.
“We will,” she replied, heading over to the white van.
“Wait!” Harry bellowed.
Kate hesitated, her hand on the handle of the passenger door.
“Harry, what are you doing?” Simon sighed, with an air of resignation.
“They’re not going alone, fella!” Harry shouted.
He ran towards the van and came to stand beside Kate. Expecting Harry’s self-destructive behavior, Simon sighed again.
“Fine! Look after them then, Harry!” Simon looked down at his feet. “And yourself,” he whispered.
Robert was already seated when Simon climbed into the cab and lowered himself wearily into the driver’s seat.
“They will be alright, Mr. Campbell.”
“Aye, Robert, I sincerely hope so.”
“He is a good man, your son - and my nephew, he won’t let you down, Sir.”
Simon tapped impatiently on the steering wheel, fixing his eyes on Tadcaster Road. A thick mist swirled in the orange glow of streetlamps, traffic increased with weary commuters fresh from their beds and committed dog owners risking life and limb for a few precious moments of exercise with their pets.
“I hope you know how to handle this thing,” Robert said suddenly, with an edge of grim concern.
“I have a vague idea,” Simon said, shaking himself from thought. “I’ve just driven it through the city. I am fairly confident that I can manage straight roads.”
In the back of the lorry, Eilidh rummaged clumsily through her back pack, emerging eventually with a flashlight.
“That’s better,” sighed Graham, as she flicked the switch and illuminated the inside of the lorry.
“I have more,” Eilidh said, pushing her hand back into her bag. “Would anyone else like one?”
“Yes please,” said Graham, moving across the uneven surface to take the torch from Eilidh.
He slid his thumb over the switch and shone the light slowly from one side of the lorry to the other, finally bringing it to rest on a stack of bags filled with fertilizer.
“Anyone want something to sit on?” he asked, putting the torch on the floor beside him. He grabbed a bag of fertilizer off a pile and heaved it over his shoulder. “Here you go, Amber,” he said, dropping the heavy bag on the floor beside the dog. “If you’re going to help me look after my patient then you’d best have a comfortable place to do it from.”
Amber cocked her head and raised one eye lid to stare quizzically at Graham before ignoring the bag and nuzzling her snout gently against Corran’s shoulder.
“Right, well I take it you’re not bothered with a comfortable bed then,” he said, with mock rejection.
Rose, who was sitting on the floor beside Corran and the dog looked up at Graham.
“I’ll have one, if you’re offering,” she said, tilting her head and curving her lips into a soft round smile.
He knelt beside her, lifting his hand gently to move a strand of hair from her face.
“Will this one do?” he whispered, offering her Amber’s bag.
She met his eyes and held his stare. He drew a sharp breath before tearing his focus from her face to position the bag.
“Thanks,” she said.
“My pleasure,” he replied, straightening himself in one fluid motion.
“Anyone else want one?”
“Yes please,” said Jenny, pushing herself up off the cold floor. “Can I help you?”
“They’re too heavy for you,” he said, dropping one at her feet. “I’m Graham. I don’t believe we have been introduced.”
“Errr… I’m Jenny,” the girl replied, shyly. “Thanks for the bag.”
“Good to know you, Jenny, and the bag was my pleasure.”
“Grace?” he said, turning to the woman beside Jenny. “Can I get you one?”
“That would be very kind. Thank you.”
“No worries,” he said, sliding a bag into place for her.
“Eilidh?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” she said, without lifting her eyes from a sheet of paper in her lap.
“It will be more comfortable than where you are now,” Graham coaxed, dropping the rejected bag in front of her.
“Thank you,” she replied, absently.
“What you working on there, Eilidh?”
“It’s nothing, Graham.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing,” he said, dropping down to have a look at the sheet.
“I’m watching something,” she said, lifting a clenched fist above the sheet. A crystal pendant on a sliver chain dropped from her hand and dangled over the sheet.
“I’ve seen this done before,” he said, quietly.
Eilidh nodded. “I know.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Your father was a diviner. One of the best the village ever had.”
“How could you possibly have known my dad used to divine?” Graham whispered.
“I’ll tell you in a minute…”
She was interrupted by the ring of her mobile phone. Flipping it open she lifted it to her ear. Her voice was little more than a whisper but her body language told Graham that she was frightened. He watched as the color drained from her face and the slight quiver of her chin didn’t escape his notice. When at last she dropped the phone he crouched beside her. “What’s wrong, Eilidh?”
******
CHAPTER 21
‘Ye Olde Starre Inne’, York - 21st December, Modern Day
The journey was quiet and uneventful; all three silently pondering the dangers of their venture. Arriving at the pub, Harry hurriedly unlocked the door while Kate cast her eyes nervously around the courtyard. A thick layer of ice covered the concrete paving slabs. Long spear-like icicles hung from wrought iron coaching lights. Empty hanging baskets swung ominously from brac
kets on the roughly plastered wall that divides the ‘Evil Eye Lounge’ and ‘Ye Olde Starre Inne’. Even the moss-covered clay tiles of the building lay buried beneath a sheet of ice. She glanced down at the steel checker-plate cellar hatch under the front window knowing that in a few minutes they would pass through that cellar into the tunnel.
Not a word was said as they made their way through the front door and down into the cellar. Once in the tunnel they flicked the flashlights to illuminate the familiar darkness.
“Where is it?” Harry asked, turning to Kate.
“It’s deeper in,” she replied, “about halfway, actually.”
An ominous foreboding hung in the damp air as they wandered deeper into the tunnel. They walked slowly, more cautiously than they had ever done before, their eyes flickering with fear at every sound.
“There!” Kate shouted in an exaggerated whisper, lifting her light towards the ceiling. A piece of slate no bigger than a credit card appeared to be perched on one of the support beams, attached to the sidewall propping up the ceiling.
“From under the slate, we take five steps toward the shop,” she said, pacing one measured step and then another.
“Three, four, five,” she continued, before dropping to her knees and digging in the floor with her hands.
Cautiously, Harry did the same. Duncan’s eyes remained fixed above the ground, intrigued by the piece of slate in the ceiling.
“What’s this slate about? I’ve not noticed it before.”
“Don’t know; none of us are tall enough to reach it. Beside we needed it to stay there so we knew where we had buried the crystal,” Kate replied, palming loose soil to the side of the hole she had dug. “You gonna get over here and help or what? Forget that, it’s just a piece of slate.”