The Bridge (Para-Earth Series) Page 32

  Frank King, a twelve year veteran, stared down at the bloody hole in his uniform. He never saw the stranger move, nor had he felt the man reach into his chest. It had all happened so fast. Yet his brain continued working long enough to let him grasp a particular lever with both hands. He took comfort in knowing that the weight of his dying body would close the circuit and send the generator into overdrive.

  The aged equipment began to scream in protest at the amount of power it was being forced to put out. It was up to the task, but not for too long.

  The stranger watched in fascination as the turbines began to smoke and sparks began to fly everywhere. He did not attempt to flee, nor did he try to turn the equipment off. The damage had already been done.

  “How inconvenient,” he remarked as the room was enveloped by the explosion…

  At the bridge, the extra surge of power hit the water and its intended target. Blue and white arcs of electricity raced across the creature’s body. The living dead clinging to it burst into flame, while the tips of the creature’s tendrils began to smolder and crumble.

  “IT’S WORKING!” cried Olivia Jackson excitedly.

  “Yeah, but will it be enough?” wondered Ryan.

  At the water’s edge Julie stared across the stream. The figure in the white wolf skin was still at work, but his dancing and chanting had become wilder, almost feverish. And it was stirring something deep inside her soul, something tribal and almost forgotten.

  As the man’s voice grew stronger she found herself following the chant, wondering why she suddenly understood the words. Now her legs began to move and mirror his and she found her voice joining his in song.

  Within moments they brought both the chant and the battle, to a final crescendo.

  Those who survived the confrontation with the nightmarish creature that night recalled two things which brought the end of the conflict.

  A final surge came from the generator house which then exploded, sending smoke and debris for hundreds of feet in every direction. At that same moment, a large purplish bolt of lightning pierce the night sky and struck the blade sticking out of the creature’s body.

  It was later determined that the lightning had sent a blast of energy back to the generator, causing it to explode and killing those inside. However, this did not explain how the cable running from the power station remained completely intact. Nor did it explain why none of the car batteries and the jumper cables in the water, remained unharmed.

  In any case the combined power of the electrical surge from the generator and the lightning strike created an unbelievable spectacle.

  An intense bright light outlined the creature for several seconds, while a loud thunderous roar erupted from the sky. Then the swirling whirlpool surrounding the blade sticking out of the creature’s body began to swell to incredible proportions. The gigantic vortex began sucking in the thing’s own tendrils and trunk-sized limbs with a fury. Tearing and ripping them apart as if they were made of paper, and then swallowing them into its growing maelstrom. Eventually only the central body remained, and finally, it too succumbed and disappeared within the swirling mass, which then vanished.

  An eerie silence fell. The only sounds were that of the rain and the sword falling onto the bridge.

  No one moved.

  After a few seconds a loud bang rang out, followed by several more. The glow of the searchlights revealed cracks appearing all over the bridge, with bits of it already falling into the waters below. Within moments the entire middle section of the structure collapsed, leaving only a few feet of stonework and railing on either side of the stream.

  “It’s over,” Veronica breathed, breaking the silence.

  “Not quite, Luv,” corrected Alex, “Look.”

  Only a handful of those present ever spoke of what followed.

  Shimmering figures, wearing clothing spanning three centuries, began to rise out of the water. They made their way to the shore and walked past their rescuers. Each figure smiled as they continued towards the remains of the bridge. Where the broken stonework left off, their feet walked on air for several yards before fading from view.

  “They crossing over,” murmured Roy. “That damn thing wouldn’t even let them do that. At least now they’ll find peace.”

  On the shore Alex watched with sadness. The number of female figures carrying infants in their arms was appalling, “So many…” he murmured.

  “There won’t be anymore,” Veronica assured him.

  Along a back road that ran alongside the stream, a blasted figure walked. The explosion had burned away all his fine clothing, along with most of his skin. What little remained was horribly charred and blistered.

  Yet with each step, blackened muscle and exposed organs were slowly healing. Eventually, healthy new skin began to appear.

  His white hair had just started to grow back when he paused in mid-step. A curious look crossed his now healed face and jaw. Turning off the road, he headed down the embankment. There floating in the water, almost invisible in the darkness, floated a patch of black.

  He smiled, “So a part of you did get away.”

  In spite of the stream’s flow, the black patch suddenly halted and remained stationary.

  “We both know you will not be able to survive without assistance,” the man said and reached out a hand. “Come.”

  Slowly, a lone tendril rose up from the dark mass. It reached out and shrank back tentatively before accepting the gesture. Then it seized the man’s hand and quickly enveloped his entire body, leaving only his head exposed. His face betrayed only the slightest hint of a struggle. “Cooperate or I’ll finish you,” he warned, “Cyrus was known to us, and we to him.”

  The battle of wills ceased. Slowly the blackness released its victim and reshaped itself into a long flowing cloak.

  “Very nice,” the man smiled and headed back to the road.

  After a few moments he said, “Yes, I did make the girl drop her weapon and cease her attack against you,” as if answering a question only he could hear. “If I hadn’t you might have killed her, and that I could not allow. You see, soon I will open that which has been sealed. And in order to that, I need Cassandra Elliott alive,” he told his new companion, as the night swallowed them.

  The procession of ghostly figures was coming to an end.

  “Sarge, aren’t they…” Ryan began.

  “Yes,” Veronica nodded. The silvery figures of the young teenage couple, whose accident had started all of this, were walking past arm in arm. They had come to the bridge to find out whether they would be able to remain together. Now, they had all of eternity before them.

  “Chase… Wells…” murmured Roy as two more familiar figures walked past them. Both looked at him and smiled reassuringly.

  Only Julie paid no notice. She was still near the edge of the water, her eyes fixed on the man in the animal skin on the other side. She could see nothing of his face under the white wolf head, except for his mouth, which was smiling. The fire behind him slowly began to shrink. But there was still enough light for her to see him slowly recede into the skin he was wearing.

  “Is that a dog over there?” asked a young Paramedic coming over to her. The Fire Department and ambulances had just arrived.

  Shaking her head she said proudly, “No, that’s White Wolf.”

  The man shrugged. “We’re getting ready to take Miss Elliott to the hospital, but she asked if you’d like come with her.”

  Julie blinked. Cassie! She’d almost forgotten about her. From across the stream she heard the white wolf howl imperiously at her. Looking up she saw the animal wag its tail and disappear into the woods.

  Smiling she nodded, “Yes, I want to be with her.”

  “Alex, look,” whispered Veronica pointing to the last figure to emerge from the water.

  “Beautiful…” he smiled.

  It was Rachel and her baby. Unlike the others, they did not appear silvery but real. Only the faint glow that surrounded them betrayed
their true natures. When they reached the foot of what was left of the bridge, both mother and child turned and looked at them.

  “Thank you,” the girl mouthed.

  “You’re both welcome,” Veronica answered, as a tear slid down her cheek.

  Rachel looked at her child, then back at their two rescuers. A strange little smile crossed her face as she turned away and stepped onto the bridge and vanished.

  “Now, it’s over…” Veronica sighed. A moment later she felt her boyfriend go limp in her arms. “Oh God no… ALEX!”

  new Beginnings

  Cassandra sat quietly in the backseat of her limousine as it headed for the airport. She wore a sling to protect her left arm, and a black band on the right one. A hand reached over and touched her leg.

  “You okay?” asked Julie.

  The heiress nodded, “I still can’t believe what happened. So many lives ruined, and so many lost.”

  “True,” her companion nodded and tried to lighten the moment, “Ronnie said Chief Peterson and the rest of their crew appreciated our showing up at the funeral.”

  “It only seemed right,” Cassie sighed, “We fought alongside them and we know what they went through, even if no one else does.” She fell silent for a moment and then added, “It isn’t fair. They saved the entire town, possibly more than that, and they don’t get to tell anyone about it.”

  Julie nodded and shifted uncomfortably.

  “Your back’s bothering again isn’t it?” asked Cassandra with concern.

  “A little,” Julie admitted and then looked at her curiously, “You sensed it didn’t you?”

  Nodding with embarrassment, Cassie shrugged. “I can’t always help it. The stronger the emotions or thoughts, the easier they are for me to pick up on even when I’m not trying.”

  “I believe you,” Julie replied with a smile. “It’s just going take a while to get used to having a psychic for a girlfriend. Oh, and for the record, my back wasn’t injured in the fight. This is something else that happened a few years ago. I’ll tell you about it one day.”

  “I can wait,” Cassie promised and became quiet again, lost in her thoughts. They were on their way to Santa Cruz, to deliver the cremated remains of Julie’s uncle to his children who lived out that way. She looked down at the urn that rested in Julie’s lap and sighed.

  If only she could’ve gotten to know the man better. Their brief acquaintance had been magical and amazing. And she could see some of the qualities that made him that way in Julie. Perhaps this was why she’d been so attracted to her companion from the moment they’d first met.

  Ronnie had pushed her into admitting she was gay and she had hated her for it. But now she was finding herself happier and more at ease than she’d been in years. There were still many hurdles ahead, like Julie’s insistence that they were just ‘dating’ and not to get too serious about each other. But that was okay. Each day they were sharing more and more kisses and hugs. And that was more than enough for now.

  Besides, it was obvious Julie wanted to share some things about the past and explain why she was being so cautious. However, the girl wasn’t quite ready to talk about them, at least not yet.

  ‘And I’m willing to wait,’ Cassie thought contentedly. ‘I know we’ll be together somehow…’

  “I’ve decided,” Julie said suddenly, breaking her train of thought. “I don’t want a private room in your hotel in Santa Cruz.” The black-haired beauty turned to her and said, “I want to stay with you in that beach house you told me about.”

  Cassie nodded trying to contain her excitement, “I’ll make sure the guest room is ready for you.”

  Much to her delight, Julie shook her head, “Uh-uh, we share a bed. We’re not necessarily going to do anything. Not with your shoulder and ribs still healing. But we can do other things like talk, get to really know each other, and cuddle some more.”

  “I’d like that,” Cassandra smiled warmly and then suddenly stiffened. She had just sensed a familiar presence nearby. Looking out the window she saw they were getting close to the hospital where Alex was still recovering.

  Not only had his injuries had been more serious than hers, but he had lost a considerable amount of blood. Fortunately, he was doing better and would hopefully be released in a week or two.

  Julie followed her gaze and asked, “Shall we pop in on him before we catch our plane to Santa Cruz?”

  Cassie closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. A smile crossed her face, “I don’t think so. He’s kind of busy right now.”

  In a private room, Veronica had successfully pinned Alex’s hands on either side of his head, after he had tried getting out of bed again.

  “Wimp!” she smirked.

  “Tease,” he snapped.

  “Twerp.”

  “Grouch.”

  “Bozo.”

  “Tool of the authoritarian regime designed to quell the masses.”

  Ronnie’s jaw fell at that. After a moment she retaliated, “Asshole.”

  “I love you,” he smiled.

  “I love you too,” she replied.

  “Bitch.”

  “Loser.”

  “Dominatrix!”

  “You wish.”

  Alex winked, and then said more gently, “By the way, where have you been keeping that stack of porn you mentioned a while back? I looked all over and couldn’t find it.”

  “It’s in my hope chest,” she replied sweetly, and called him a disappointment.

  “DISAPPOINTMENT?” he gasped in mock disbelief. Then his face became thoughtful, “Your Hope chest, eh? That’s pretty big as I recall. Course I’ve always admired your big chest.”

  Blushing, Veronica shook her head.

  “So, what have you got in there?”

  “Some videos, but mostly pleasurable ‘items’ I haven’t used in about 3-4 years.”

  “So calling me a ‘Disappointment’ doesn’t actually work in this case, does it?” he pointed out.

  “I guess,” she shrugged, releasing him and settling down in the chair next to the bed. “By the way, do you remember what we talked about when we were coming back from the Morgue after you collapsed?”

  “You were talking about bringing Julie home and doing some oil wrestling …”

  Veronica cleared her throat loudly and then smiled at him, pointedly.

  Alex knew that smile. It had brought terror to the hearts of many a suspect, as well as a few of her subordinates. He decided to change gears. “There was also something about me not proposing to you anymore,” he said seriously.

  “And you’re not going to try and take advantage of this moment to break that agreement?”

  He shook his head.

  “Good,” she nodded approvingly. Then she stood up and gently climbed onto the bed in order to snuggle him. Then, after an affectionate kiss or two, she asked, “Will you marry me, Alex?”

  “Yes,” he smiled and was about to seal it with a kiss, when Roy’s voice came out of nowhere.

  “You still haven’t learned to watch out for that button on your shoulder radio, Rookie.”

  Ronnie grabbed the microphone, “So what? I just got engaged. I want people to know about it,” she replied and kissed her fiancée amidst a round of radio cheers and applause.

  Four weeks later, Alex was sitting in a wheelchair next to the elevators. He was waiting for Veronica, who was dealing with the last of his discharge papers.

  His stay had been extended by two weeks after a mysterious secondary infection had caught him and the doctors off guard. It had taken a round of heavy antibiotics and a stay in the ICU to bring him to this day.

  But something about the whole episode had been troubling him. There had been no sign of an infection anywhere in his system earlier. And it seemed to hit right after he’d made a call to Cassandra who was still in California with Julie. He’d had a terrifying vision about her being in danger. The white-haired man from the bridge had been in it, and he had been watching her from…


  The rest of his train of thought was derailed at that moment as loud wail, erupted from a nearby corridor. “No way!” he muttered, recognizing not only the sound but the presence behind it. But there was a difference. He’d heard it with his ears, not his mind, and there was no chill accompanying it.

  Grabbing the wheels of his chair, he turned and headed off in the direction of the sound. Somewhere behind him, he could hear footsteps coming up fast. But he ignored them and kept going. The presence was growing stronger.

  Turning a corner he saw a small dark bundle resting next to large potted plant, and headed straight for it.

  It was a jacket, one he knew all too well, and there something was moving inside of it. Locking the wheels of his chair, he carefully got out of it and knelt down to pick up the bundle.

  A slightly out of breath Veronica came up behind him saying. “Why did you take off like that? And why didn’t you stop when you heard me comi…” Suddenly her voice trailed off. “Alex is that… no it can’t be.”

  But he knew better. Opening the folds of the jacket they found a newborn baby girl with glowing red eyes. The moment the infant saw them, she stopped crying.

  “IT IS!” Veronica cried excitedly, taking the baby from him and holding her close.

  As he watched the two begin their bonding, Alex sensed another presence nearby and turned around. “You may want to take a look down the hallway,” he told his love.

  There at the end of the corridor a teenage girl with long black hair was disappearing through a pair of doors. She paused briefly to look back at them, and then disappeared.

  “Rachel?” he heard Veronica whisper in wonder.

  Smiling Alex nodded and looked down at the child in his future wife’s arms and said, “Shall we take a turn in the park and smell the pretty flowers before we all go home little one?”