Here you will find excerpts from every chapter of Book Two – Lin Finity And The Words Unspoken:
Chapter 1 – LONG AGO
“God’s Words came unspoken. A few shone with the rising sun. More fell with the morning’s light rain. Yet more were carried on a warm afternoon wind. And others descended with the sounds of flocks fleeing toward tomorrow’s new sun. Still more Words were entwined with the weak light of sunset, as I looked down at the Islands of my intent, once teeming with life. Islands that I could no longer hold. Lives I had become too weak to hold.”
She paused and closed her eyes.
“God’s final Words rode the pale rays of an uncaring moon, as my strength faltered and the waters began to rise.”
She opened her eyes and continued.
“I gave the Words to the Scroll so that others may know. The Messenger will tell why evil is forever present in our world, even these Islands. God’s Words tell us why we are forever stumbling through chaos and sin, while we are made to strive for order and good. Know these Words, and have the answer your heart seeks. Learn what God says about the nature of our lives.
“Perhaps it will be you that finds comfort.”
She paused and closed her eyes.
“God’s final Words rode the pale rays of an uncaring moon, as my strength faltered and the waters began to rise.”
She opened her eyes and continued.
“I gave the Words to the Scroll so that others may know. The Messenger will tell why evil is forever present in our world, even these Islands. God’s Words tell us why we are forever stumbling through chaos and sin, while we are made to strive for order and good. Know these Words, and have the answer your heart seeks. Learn what God says about the nature of our lives.
“Perhaps it will be you that finds comfort.”
Chapter 2 – SUNDAY
“Joel, where do you think you know her from?”
Joel felt a new rage and determination spring up inside.
In a deeper voice, he said, “I just need her last name, Steve. Lin who?”
Joel had approached the pastor’s desk and stood looking down on him. Both of his fists rested on the tidy surface as he stared into Steve’s eyes. He began to twitch.
“Joel, I don’t feel I can share that with you. You probably don’t know her. Perhaps we should call it a day, hmm?”
Joel watched his own hands reach over the desk and grab the pastor by his robes, pulling him forward and knocking papers to the floor. His eyes had become mere slits staring at Steve.
“Joel, what are you doing? Let me go!”
“Tell me her name, Steve. It’s not much to ask. The name. Now, Steve,” Joel said with more authority than he’d ever said anything before.
When the pastor reached for his coffee mug to his right, Joel let go with one hand and landed a solid punch to his jaw. The old man went limp in Joel’s hands, with blood running down his chin and his eyes wide.
“The name, Steve,” and Joel punched him again.
The pastor faded quickly, but he managed to mutter, “Finnerty, you don’t know her, it’s Finnerty, why are you…” before Joel punched him again and his head slumped to one side.
Joel felt a new rage and determination spring up inside.
In a deeper voice, he said, “I just need her last name, Steve. Lin who?”
Joel had approached the pastor’s desk and stood looking down on him. Both of his fists rested on the tidy surface as he stared into Steve’s eyes. He began to twitch.
“Joel, I don’t feel I can share that with you. You probably don’t know her. Perhaps we should call it a day, hmm?”
Joel watched his own hands reach over the desk and grab the pastor by his robes, pulling him forward and knocking papers to the floor. His eyes had become mere slits staring at Steve.
“Joel, what are you doing? Let me go!”
“Tell me her name, Steve. It’s not much to ask. The name. Now, Steve,” Joel said with more authority than he’d ever said anything before.
When the pastor reached for his coffee mug to his right, Joel let go with one hand and landed a solid punch to his jaw. The old man went limp in Joel’s hands, with blood running down his chin and his eyes wide.
“The name, Steve,” and Joel punched him again.
The pastor faded quickly, but he managed to mutter, “Finnerty, you don’t know her, it’s Finnerty, why are you…” before Joel punched him again and his head slumped to one side.
Chapter 3 – MONDAY
The woman stood without speaking a word, and her eyes closed slightly less than half way. He saw a wave emanate outward from her, to a distance of about twenty-five feet in every direction. He’d quickly counted four-foot-wide wall panels to arrive at an accurate estimate. Tayo’s black eyes stared and he muttered under his breath after he’d seen every single person touched by the wave go out of focus, then quickly return to normal.
A voice inside contended that yes, her eyes had been glowing, a soft green. No, they couldn’t have been. Yes, he saw it. That fact went into his mental notes, too.
As quickly as the wave rushed out and dissipated, the man confronting her began dropping to the floor. Tayo heard a glass crash on the concrete below, and he saw Lin look down on the man, who was out of his view behind the bar. She soon looked up, tried to pull her skirt down, gathered her things and ignored the clamoring crowd as they parted for her to pass through.
A voice inside contended that yes, her eyes had been glowing, a soft green. No, they couldn’t have been. Yes, he saw it. That fact went into his mental notes, too.
As quickly as the wave rushed out and dissipated, the man confronting her began dropping to the floor. Tayo heard a glass crash on the concrete below, and he saw Lin look down on the man, who was out of his view behind the bar. She soon looked up, tried to pull her skirt down, gathered her things and ignored the clamoring crowd as they parted for her to pass through.
Chapter 4 – LIGHT & NIGHT
“Gabby,” Lin said, her voice shaking, “what good is all that endless magic if we can’t understand it? If we can’t even remember it?”
“There’s a challenge for you, Lin. Just know that the magic is real. And understand, too, that when you’re in this world,” Gabriel pointed to the floor, “you’re experiencing only a small part of all the wonder,” Gabriel pointed to the empty black beyond the window, “out there.”
Lin stared into the darkness before looking back at Gabriel. One tear escaped.
“Gabby,” Lin whispered, “I don’t…I mean, what should I…”
“Rest, Lin. You need to rest.”
She had a thought of their room being but a single speck of light, surviving only because of those thin walls. A light lost in infinite night.
“There’s a challenge for you, Lin. Just know that the magic is real. And understand, too, that when you’re in this world,” Gabriel pointed to the floor, “you’re experiencing only a small part of all the wonder,” Gabriel pointed to the empty black beyond the window, “out there.”
Lin stared into the darkness before looking back at Gabriel. One tear escaped.
“Gabby,” Lin whispered, “I don’t…I mean, what should I…”
“Rest, Lin. You need to rest.”
She had a thought of their room being but a single speck of light, surviving only because of those thin walls. A light lost in infinite night.
Chapter 5 – FANS & ALLIES
“You didn’t see it, Lee. My mind can’t accept what I saw. She did something incredible. Ben was about to attack her, and then something, I don’t know what, some kind of wave shot out from her and Ben fell to the ground. I ran down the stairs, and Lin and I walked out to her car. It was really weird, but all her friends came outside, laughing and trying to find her.”
“No, I didn’t see that. But I did see something, back in Jacksonville.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“She knows something. Something I need to learn.”
“Yeah, she knows something alright. I can’t describe something else she did once. All I know is that I loved it, and it scared the crap out of me at the same time.”
Jack smiled, reliving that magical night in a cool hotel room on the Island. He took a deep breath, expanding his strong chest, remembering the ecstasy. He blew the breath out sharply and shook his head as he remembered the terror that came with it.
“So we should stick together, like we agreed, and maybe we can find her again. But I have no idea where she went. She seemed determined to leave everything behind. Even me. Hell, even her dog.”
Ben groaned softly and dragged a hand across his face and over his bald head, rubbing his eyes until they could crack open. His eyes grew wide, looking around at Jack’s living room, and Jack and Lee staring at him.
“Where am I? What day is it?”
“No, I didn’t see that. But I did see something, back in Jacksonville.”
“Is that why you’re here?”
“She knows something. Something I need to learn.”
“Yeah, she knows something alright. I can’t describe something else she did once. All I know is that I loved it, and it scared the crap out of me at the same time.”
Jack smiled, reliving that magical night in a cool hotel room on the Island. He took a deep breath, expanding his strong chest, remembering the ecstasy. He blew the breath out sharply and shook his head as he remembered the terror that came with it.
“So we should stick together, like we agreed, and maybe we can find her again. But I have no idea where she went. She seemed determined to leave everything behind. Even me. Hell, even her dog.”
Ben groaned softly and dragged a hand across his face and over his bald head, rubbing his eyes until they could crack open. His eyes grew wide, looking around at Jack’s living room, and Jack and Lee staring at him.
“Where am I? What day is it?”
Chapter 6 – MADNESS & REALITY
“Are you alright, Lin?”
Lin laughed out loud, almost hysterically. “No, I don’t think so, Gabby. I don’t know where I am. Is this real? Is this a dream?”
“Yes. And yes.”
“Gabby…I…I…”
“Did something happen while I was in the shower?”
“Oh, God, Gabby. Yeah, something happened. I think I’m losing my mind.”
“Yes, you did for a while, when we were in the magic. Is that what you mean?”
“No. I mean here. Now. I need the world to be real, Gabby. It has to be. And for a while there…it wasn’t.”
“I think what you’re saying, Lin, is that the world is more comfortable when you believe everything makes perfect sense. But there’s a more complete comfort from living in the truth of the world. It takes strength, though.”
Lin laughed out loud, almost hysterically. “No, I don’t think so, Gabby. I don’t know where I am. Is this real? Is this a dream?”
“Yes. And yes.”
“Gabby…I…I…”
“Did something happen while I was in the shower?”
“Oh, God, Gabby. Yeah, something happened. I think I’m losing my mind.”
“Yes, you did for a while, when we were in the magic. Is that what you mean?”
“No. I mean here. Now. I need the world to be real, Gabby. It has to be. And for a while there…it wasn’t.”
“I think what you’re saying, Lin, is that the world is more comfortable when you believe everything makes perfect sense. But there’s a more complete comfort from living in the truth of the world. It takes strength, though.”
Chapter 7 – RINGS & REVELATIONS
Lin stared in disbelief at Gabriel revealing details about her mayhem that she hadn’t even considered possible. Could she really someday have that kind of control? She felt a new exhilaration rising inside, a new optimism for the future. She saw that her life could truly be infinite. It made even more sense that she’d changed her name to Lin Finity.
“Gabby, will you ever stop surprising me? I can’t even imagine how much more there is to learn.”
“No, and no. There are many more surprises for you. And no, you can’t possibly imagine how much there is to learn. Neither can I.”
“Gabby, will you ever stop surprising me? I can’t even imagine how much more there is to learn.”
“No, and no. There are many more surprises for you. And no, you can’t possibly imagine how much there is to learn. Neither can I.”
Chapter 8 – FREE WILL & HOTCAKES
Gabriel broke Lin’s stare and turned to call the server. Another order of hotcakes was soon on the way.
“But, Gabby, how could…if…”
“Lin, save yourself the trouble. You can’t even form a question about it. Your mind will never solve this riddle.
“Remember when you were being strangled by the criminal Ivan on that Georgia road? You looked inside yourself, maybe because there was nothing else left for you to do. But you looked inside, and at first it appeared to be a switch, a switch that you could flip to summon your mayhem. But you knew it wasn’t really a switch. And it was so simple: it required only that you be what your mayhem demanded you to be.
“You were close to your death, and it required faith to stop fighting and find your intent. Your faith was a stillness inside you, and you searched for your intent despite your circumstances.
“What you found wasn’t a thought, it wasn’t a memory, it wasn’t even a feeling. That thing that you can’t name, I’m calling it your intent.
“The word means nothing, Lin. We must give things names so that we may speak. And using names convinces us that we know what we attach names to. But many times we don’t. That part of you will never have a real name.
“It will never be known by your mind.”
“But, Gabby, how could…if…”
“Lin, save yourself the trouble. You can’t even form a question about it. Your mind will never solve this riddle.
“Remember when you were being strangled by the criminal Ivan on that Georgia road? You looked inside yourself, maybe because there was nothing else left for you to do. But you looked inside, and at first it appeared to be a switch, a switch that you could flip to summon your mayhem. But you knew it wasn’t really a switch. And it was so simple: it required only that you be what your mayhem demanded you to be.
“You were close to your death, and it required faith to stop fighting and find your intent. Your faith was a stillness inside you, and you searched for your intent despite your circumstances.
“What you found wasn’t a thought, it wasn’t a memory, it wasn’t even a feeling. That thing that you can’t name, I’m calling it your intent.
“The word means nothing, Lin. We must give things names so that we may speak. And using names convinces us that we know what we attach names to. But many times we don’t. That part of you will never have a real name.
“It will never be known by your mind.”
Chapter 9 – IMPOSSIBLE & DEADLY
“I see some skeptical faces here, questioning my knowledge of this diabolical Scroll. You are all welcome to traipse down the tunnel and look for yourselves.”
There was nothing but silence in the room.
“That’s what I thought. Trust me, people, when I say even the sight of an image of the Scroll will destroy you. And here’s why: The way that thing is made it cannot exist in our world. It simply can’t. But anyone that looks at it will somehow see that it can exist. Why, now it makes perfect sense! And once that thing makes sense, the rest of the world – our world – will be a nightmare that does not make sense.
“That thing captures you. Your imagination, your focus, whatever you want to call it. Seeing it is the worst. Seeing an image of it is almost as bad. Even being near it for long enough, just its existence close to you, will finish you off quite nicely.”
There was nothing but silence in the room.
“That’s what I thought. Trust me, people, when I say even the sight of an image of the Scroll will destroy you. And here’s why: The way that thing is made it cannot exist in our world. It simply can’t. But anyone that looks at it will somehow see that it can exist. Why, now it makes perfect sense! And once that thing makes sense, the rest of the world – our world – will be a nightmare that does not make sense.
“That thing captures you. Your imagination, your focus, whatever you want to call it. Seeing it is the worst. Seeing an image of it is almost as bad. Even being near it for long enough, just its existence close to you, will finish you off quite nicely.”
Chapter 10 – SALT & SANITY
Lin couldn’t speak. She could only gaze into the deep green of Gabriel’s eyes. She watched as their light began to fade and they opened all the way. They were again a normal shade of brown.
“Say something, Lin. It’s just me.”
Silence.
“Tell me your name.”
“I’m Lin. But what…how…”
“I told you there was much more, Lin. Did you think that invading the narrow gap all people have is the only way to use the magic?”
“I don’t even know what to say, Gabby. So I’m not crazy?”
“Well, no, but you’re getting there.”
“Say something, Lin. It’s just me.”
Silence.
“Tell me your name.”
“I’m Lin. But what…how…”
“I told you there was much more, Lin. Did you think that invading the narrow gap all people have is the only way to use the magic?”
“I don’t even know what to say, Gabby. So I’m not crazy?”
“Well, no, but you’re getting there.”
Chapter 11 – MAYHEM & CREATION
The bells on the door jangled once more, and Lin turned to see another man looking in on the scene. He hesitated, looking from Lin to the two sleeping men, and back to Lin. He approached Lin’s booth. Slowly, with his hands raised.
“Lin, my name is Benson. I represent a group called The Shield. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent these two clowns to talk with you. I thought since you knew the priest that might convince you to help us.”
Even without a green glow, Lin’s eyes were fierce, but she hadn’t yet engaged her intent. Her mayhem remained just below her surface. Benson bit his lip and trembled as he looked into her eyes from the short distance.
“Are you with the military?”
“What? No, not at all. We’re a private group that has one, and only one purpose. To find someone with the ability to read the Messenger Scroll.”
“Some kind of scroll? That’s what this is about?”
“Not just some kind of scroll. The Scroll. We believe it’s the Words of God.”
Lin gazed at Benson as if he were a madman.
“An old priest, a sloppy organist and you…have the Words of God?” She laughed.
“Lin, my name is Benson. I represent a group called The Shield. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent these two clowns to talk with you. I thought since you knew the priest that might convince you to help us.”
Even without a green glow, Lin’s eyes were fierce, but she hadn’t yet engaged her intent. Her mayhem remained just below her surface. Benson bit his lip and trembled as he looked into her eyes from the short distance.
“Are you with the military?”
“What? No, not at all. We’re a private group that has one, and only one purpose. To find someone with the ability to read the Messenger Scroll.”
“Some kind of scroll? That’s what this is about?”
“Not just some kind of scroll. The Scroll. We believe it’s the Words of God.”
Lin gazed at Benson as if he were a madman.
“An old priest, a sloppy organist and you…have the Words of God?” She laughed.
Chapter 12 – HUNTED & HEALED
As soon as Lin laid eyes on Jack, she felt that everything would work out. She walked toward his table, and when he rose to greet her, she reached around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. After giving him a smile and a kiss, she looked around him to see Ben and Lee sitting at the table. Ben looked happy to see her, but Lee’s face couldn’t be read. She only stared directly at Lin.
“Jack, it feels like it’s been so long, but it really hasn’t been. It’s so good to see you again!”
“Lin, if I had a choice, I’d never let you go again. I know that’s not possible, but hey, that’s how I feel.”
She ran her fingers through his long brown hair, smiling and looking into his eyes. She saw no fear, and no senseless adoration either. There was no trace of her mayhem’s effects on him. It was just Jack, with normal Jack feelings.
“Jack, it feels like it’s been so long, but it really hasn’t been. It’s so good to see you again!”
“Lin, if I had a choice, I’d never let you go again. I know that’s not possible, but hey, that’s how I feel.”
She ran her fingers through his long brown hair, smiling and looking into his eyes. She saw no fear, and no senseless adoration either. There was no trace of her mayhem’s effects on him. It was just Jack, with normal Jack feelings.
Chapter 13 – CANDIES & HISTORIES
“Gabby, why me? How is any of this possible?”
“Lin, I once told you that when you confronted your uncle Ray, during those years of evil abuse, that you had the strength to not become a victim. You did more than just tolerate it, though. A lot of people can do that. But you never stopped seeking the power to correct the injustice of your life. And more than that, you had the intent to get stronger. It’s all about your intent, Lin.
“Everyone uses a small amount of intent to shape the slow magic of themselves, but they’re not aware of it. You’ve learned to focus on that intent, and it grew with every hardship that you experienced. Your intent grew stronger every time.
“That very strong woman, many centuries ago, had such strong intent that she created a complete world from the endless depths of magic that supports the world of reality.”
“Okay, but how is that possible? What happened when she slept?”
“She could sleep whenever she wanted. It made no difference. Her intent never changed.”
“I can’t even imagine that, Gabby.”
“Maybe not today. But two weeks ago, could you have imagined what you now do with your intent?”
“Lin, I once told you that when you confronted your uncle Ray, during those years of evil abuse, that you had the strength to not become a victim. You did more than just tolerate it, though. A lot of people can do that. But you never stopped seeking the power to correct the injustice of your life. And more than that, you had the intent to get stronger. It’s all about your intent, Lin.
“Everyone uses a small amount of intent to shape the slow magic of themselves, but they’re not aware of it. You’ve learned to focus on that intent, and it grew with every hardship that you experienced. Your intent grew stronger every time.
“That very strong woman, many centuries ago, had such strong intent that she created a complete world from the endless depths of magic that supports the world of reality.”
“Okay, but how is that possible? What happened when she slept?”
“She could sleep whenever she wanted. It made no difference. Her intent never changed.”
“I can’t even imagine that, Gabby.”
“Maybe not today. But two weeks ago, could you have imagined what you now do with your intent?”
Chapter 14 – FIRES & MISSIONS
“Boys, you should probably just crawl back into your sewer.”
“Don’t make me cut you up, man,” said the larger one, as he pulled out a long knife that glared briefly in the weak light.
Ben didn’t hesitate. They’d been warned.
Rather than backing away from the knife, he stepped toward it. The thug lunged it forward, aiming for Ben’s belly. The knife found only the bags of new clothes, which Ben immediately dropped and got a solid grip on the man’s wrist. He pulled the knife arm out straight, grabbed the shoulder with his other hand, and brought the arm down and his knee up. Ben laughed out loud at the cracking sound when the arm bent backwards, as the blade clattered on the pavement.
He yanked the punk close and ratcheted down a snug headlock, tight enough to silence him. His cohort danced a short distance away, throwing weak punches, until Ben leaned forward at the right time and leveled him with one blinding jab. Blood and chips of white littered the lot.
“Don’t make me cut you up, man,” said the larger one, as he pulled out a long knife that glared briefly in the weak light.
Ben didn’t hesitate. They’d been warned.
Rather than backing away from the knife, he stepped toward it. The thug lunged it forward, aiming for Ben’s belly. The knife found only the bags of new clothes, which Ben immediately dropped and got a solid grip on the man’s wrist. He pulled the knife arm out straight, grabbed the shoulder with his other hand, and brought the arm down and his knee up. Ben laughed out loud at the cracking sound when the arm bent backwards, as the blade clattered on the pavement.
He yanked the punk close and ratcheted down a snug headlock, tight enough to silence him. His cohort danced a short distance away, throwing weak punches, until Ben leaned forward at the right time and leveled him with one blinding jab. Blood and chips of white littered the lot.
Chapter 15 – HORNS & HALOS
As Joel walked back to the car with Steve, he saw another car pull in next to Benson’s. An attractive young woman with thick black hair, and wearing a short camouflage dress and black boots, got out and stood talking with Benson.
Joel stopped, and he stopped Steve with him. Should he interrupt them? Would that get them in more trouble? Or should they stay back and wait? No obvious answer presented itself, so Joel kept walking, very slowly.
“Get over here already. What’s with you clowns?
“Daria, these are the two I told you about. They’ve volunteered to help.”
Joel looked at Steve but said nothing.
“Great, they should be a big help, Derek. You know I’m still kind of a rookie at this.”
“In a lot of ways, we’re all rookies. This woman, Lin, definitely has some kind of power. Hypnosis or something. I guarantee you, no one with The Shield has ever dealt with this before. When we bring her in, you’ll have shown your worth, and so will I. That’s good for a fat pay raise, trust me.”
“I’d love a pay raise! And a bonus, too.”
“Clothes are expensive, huh?” Benson chuckled.
“You have no idea, Benson. No reason I can’t look good while kicking ass.”
“Just don’t forget this is serious business.”
Daria nodded but continued to smile.
Joel stopped, and he stopped Steve with him. Should he interrupt them? Would that get them in more trouble? Or should they stay back and wait? No obvious answer presented itself, so Joel kept walking, very slowly.
“Get over here already. What’s with you clowns?
“Daria, these are the two I told you about. They’ve volunteered to help.”
Joel looked at Steve but said nothing.
“Great, they should be a big help, Derek. You know I’m still kind of a rookie at this.”
“In a lot of ways, we’re all rookies. This woman, Lin, definitely has some kind of power. Hypnosis or something. I guarantee you, no one with The Shield has ever dealt with this before. When we bring her in, you’ll have shown your worth, and so will I. That’s good for a fat pay raise, trust me.”
“I’d love a pay raise! And a bonus, too.”
“Clothes are expensive, huh?” Benson chuckled.
“You have no idea, Benson. No reason I can’t look good while kicking ass.”
“Just don’t forget this is serious business.”
Daria nodded but continued to smile.
Chapter 16 – DREAMING & DYING
Benson pulled his own pistol and pointed it directly at Steve’s head.
“You should be more afraid of this, padre. This will end you immediately. At least you have a chance with her. Turn around and march.”
Father Steve only stared at Benson and trembled.
“Don’t get any bright ideas, priest. Did I forget to mention? Your gun ain’t loaded.”
Steve looked more scared than before as he stared at the useless weapon in his hand.
“Daria, put that stupid phone away. This is no time for that shit.”
“Just one, okay? This would be a fantastic shot! No one has ever seen…”
“You think this is a goddamn game? Your mother won’t be happy when she hears about your bullshit.”
He looked back at Steve.
“Get moving, padre.”
“You should be more afraid of this, padre. This will end you immediately. At least you have a chance with her. Turn around and march.”
Father Steve only stared at Benson and trembled.
“Don’t get any bright ideas, priest. Did I forget to mention? Your gun ain’t loaded.”
Steve looked more scared than before as he stared at the useless weapon in his hand.
“Daria, put that stupid phone away. This is no time for that shit.”
“Just one, okay? This would be a fantastic shot! No one has ever seen…”
“You think this is a goddamn game? Your mother won’t be happy when she hears about your bullshit.”
He looked back at Steve.
“Get moving, padre.”
Chapter 17 – SHOVELS & HOSES
They stood in silence over the two dead men, in the cold Pennsylvania air.
“Gabby, I’ve never been just an abused child, just a bounty hunter, just a woman playing with magic, have I?”
“No, definitely not, Lin. You came into the world with at least the beginnings of something extraordinary. But you added to it and became stronger. You’re living a life, and seeing the world, like few ever could. Or ever have before.”
“And it’s okay to still wear short skirts and crave chocolate?” Lin said with a smile.
“Yes, of course. You just be you, Lin. Magic will sort it all out.”
And Gabriel smiled too, before digging back into the cookie bag.
“Gabby, I’ve never been just an abused child, just a bounty hunter, just a woman playing with magic, have I?”
“No, definitely not, Lin. You came into the world with at least the beginnings of something extraordinary. But you added to it and became stronger. You’re living a life, and seeing the world, like few ever could. Or ever have before.”
“And it’s okay to still wear short skirts and crave chocolate?” Lin said with a smile.
“Yes, of course. You just be you, Lin. Magic will sort it all out.”
And Gabriel smiled too, before digging back into the cookie bag.
Chapter 18 – SCARING & SHARING
Lin quickly lost herself in touching Jack and touching herself through Jack. It all blended together into an unimaginable feast of sensations, where they both scaled impossible heights of pleasure, their wills mingling and becoming indistinguishable.
The belt had long ago been removed, having served its playful purpose. Lin looked deep into Jack’s eyes, seeing a pleasure there that could drive him insane if she’d let it go much further. And she also looked into her own glowing green eyes, seeing the same pleasure, but also a level of control that took her aback. She barely recognized herself for a moment, but the pleasure quickly replaced any doubts.
Unlike their other encounter with her mayhem, back on the Island, this time she didn’t force Jack to wait so that she could take her own satisfaction first. Lin worked her magic on Jack and herself together, raising their ecstasy to a crazy level. And she held herself and Jack there, seeing the sweet agony in each other’s eyes.
Then she tore the wall open and the immense surge took them both into uncharted realms of pleasure.
The belt had long ago been removed, having served its playful purpose. Lin looked deep into Jack’s eyes, seeing a pleasure there that could drive him insane if she’d let it go much further. And she also looked into her own glowing green eyes, seeing the same pleasure, but also a level of control that took her aback. She barely recognized herself for a moment, but the pleasure quickly replaced any doubts.
Unlike their other encounter with her mayhem, back on the Island, this time she didn’t force Jack to wait so that she could take her own satisfaction first. Lin worked her magic on Jack and herself together, raising their ecstasy to a crazy level. And she held herself and Jack there, seeing the sweet agony in each other’s eyes.
Then she tore the wall open and the immense surge took them both into uncharted realms of pleasure.
Chapter 19 – REPORTS & PORTENTS
“And then, this is where I must repeat what I relayed to you in our phone call. Lin partially closed her eyes, and, I kid you not – you know I don’t joke – her eyes began to glow. Really, Anna, her eyes were glowing green.”
“You cannot be serious, Tayo. You must be mistaken.”
“Perhaps I’ve lost my mind, but that’s what I recall. Truly. But that’s not the strangest part. I also saw some kind of a wave emanate from Lin. It rushed out from her in all directions, and it appeared to pass through everyone within a twenty-five foot radius. And Anna, I feel I must be wrong, but I saw everyone go slightly out of focus as the wave passed through them.”
Anna sat and stared through her broad lenses.
“A wave? You are certain Lin can send out a wave of some kind?”
“You cannot be serious, Tayo. You must be mistaken.”
“Perhaps I’ve lost my mind, but that’s what I recall. Truly. But that’s not the strangest part. I also saw some kind of a wave emanate from Lin. It rushed out from her in all directions, and it appeared to pass through everyone within a twenty-five foot radius. And Anna, I feel I must be wrong, but I saw everyone go slightly out of focus as the wave passed through them.”
Anna sat and stared through her broad lenses.
“A wave? You are certain Lin can send out a wave of some kind?”
Chapter 20 – PLANNING & TAKING
“Oh…Mr. Wolfe, that is…”
“A good idea? Come closer, Anna.” He powered her window back up.
“But, Mr. Wolfe, about Tayo, I…”
“Shh. Tayo’s not here. I am.”
“But we are out here, in the light, where…”
“Shh, shh.” He removed her glasses, placed them on the dash and pulled her closer.
With his left hand hot against her neck, his right hand smoothed back her hair, stroking her like a kitten, until she relaxed and closed her eyes. He drew her in until her parted lips were but an inch from his, and then he squeezed her throat and her eyes popped open.
“Shh. It’s okay, Anna. Don’t expect to feel safe when you are in my hands. Do you understand?”
With his firm hold of her neck he nodded her head several times.
“Yes, it’s hard for you to understand, but you will. And you will never fight me. I always know exactly what needs to be done. And you will always perform as I instruct you. Do you understand?”
She appeared to understand.
“A good idea? Come closer, Anna.” He powered her window back up.
“But, Mr. Wolfe, about Tayo, I…”
“Shh. Tayo’s not here. I am.”
“But we are out here, in the light, where…”
“Shh, shh.” He removed her glasses, placed them on the dash and pulled her closer.
With his left hand hot against her neck, his right hand smoothed back her hair, stroking her like a kitten, until she relaxed and closed her eyes. He drew her in until her parted lips were but an inch from his, and then he squeezed her throat and her eyes popped open.
“Shh. It’s okay, Anna. Don’t expect to feel safe when you are in my hands. Do you understand?”
With his firm hold of her neck he nodded her head several times.
“Yes, it’s hard for you to understand, but you will. And you will never fight me. I always know exactly what needs to be done. And you will always perform as I instruct you. Do you understand?”
She appeared to understand.
Chapter 21 – SHAFTS & TUNNELS
Lin’s heart sped up as she gazed upon something more beautiful than she could imagine, something so impossible that it shouldn’t exist. Yet there it sat, in the plain interior of the box.
She saw the rollers nearly filling the box’s length, and wrapped around them a material, somewhat like paper. But it couldn’t be a complete scroll, not the way the material was wound. She knew that if the rollers were continuous, and if there were only two of them as it appeared, then the Scroll couldn’t possibly be unwound.
Covering the middle area of the Scroll sat a plain clasp. It was flat and smooth and appeared to be of the same material as the rollers. Lin reached out and touched the top of it with one manicured finger. It, too, felt warmer than the tunnel air. The secret of the Scroll clearly lay waiting beneath that clasp.
Lin paused again to take inventory of her thoughts and senses. She felt nothing out of the ordinary, other than a growing excitement.
It was time to read the Scroll.
She saw the rollers nearly filling the box’s length, and wrapped around them a material, somewhat like paper. But it couldn’t be a complete scroll, not the way the material was wound. She knew that if the rollers were continuous, and if there were only two of them as it appeared, then the Scroll couldn’t possibly be unwound.
Covering the middle area of the Scroll sat a plain clasp. It was flat and smooth and appeared to be of the same material as the rollers. Lin reached out and touched the top of it with one manicured finger. It, too, felt warmer than the tunnel air. The secret of the Scroll clearly lay waiting beneath that clasp.
Lin paused again to take inventory of her thoughts and senses. She felt nothing out of the ordinary, other than a growing excitement.
It was time to read the Scroll.
Chapter 22 – MADHOUSES & MESSENGERS
With both hands she reached out, grabbing the top section with her left and the bottom with her right, and she carefully pulled them apart. The two parts of the clasp separated with barely any resistance.
Lin stared directly at the mystery of the Scroll, the place where an impossible construction existed.
And she saw that it was completely possible. Of course, she thought, it’s just a scroll. It was made to be unrolled and read.
She turned her head to look around the tunnel again, but her eyes felt glued to the Scroll. Up, down, left, right – her vision remained tethered to the perfectly reasonable scroll before her.
And from the corner of her eye, at the extremes of what she could see, there was a commotion. An upheaval. A circus of insanity devouring the rational. A cold fear coiled around Lin’s spine as the madness around the edges began to expand, to grow wider, until it filled her view, and she was again able to look around.
The tunnel had become a madhouse…
Lin stared directly at the mystery of the Scroll, the place where an impossible construction existed.
And she saw that it was completely possible. Of course, she thought, it’s just a scroll. It was made to be unrolled and read.
She turned her head to look around the tunnel again, but her eyes felt glued to the Scroll. Up, down, left, right – her vision remained tethered to the perfectly reasonable scroll before her.
And from the corner of her eye, at the extremes of what she could see, there was a commotion. An upheaval. A circus of insanity devouring the rational. A cold fear coiled around Lin’s spine as the madness around the edges began to expand, to grow wider, until it filled her view, and she was again able to look around.
The tunnel had become a madhouse…
Chapter 23 – HOT SHADOWS & HOMES
“Lee, that’s not an eight. That’s infinity.”
“What do you mean, ‘infinity?’”
“That shape that you’re making – it’s the symbol for infinity.”
“So? Who cares what it’s called. I’m only arranging those stones.”
“Those aren’t stones, Lee. That’s your physical body. That’s how you’ve learned to see it.”
Lee stared without saying a word.
“And your sun, Lee. In your home. It’s not the same as our sun, is it.”
“I’ve said too much already. I…”
“What color is it?”
Lee’s eyes opened wide and she moved her mouth, but she didn’t speak.
The rattle of a key in the door told them that Jack had returned.
“What do you mean, ‘infinity?’”
“That shape that you’re making – it’s the symbol for infinity.”
“So? Who cares what it’s called. I’m only arranging those stones.”
“Those aren’t stones, Lee. That’s your physical body. That’s how you’ve learned to see it.”
Lee stared without saying a word.
“And your sun, Lee. In your home. It’s not the same as our sun, is it.”
“I’ve said too much already. I…”
“What color is it?”
Lee’s eyes opened wide and she moved her mouth, but she didn’t speak.
The rattle of a key in the door told them that Jack had returned.
Chapter 24 – FANTASIES & SUMMARIES
“Just get ready to write, okay?”
Anna looked up from her paper and met Lin’s stare. She nodded her head meekly.
Lin continued staring into Anna’s eyes as she said, “Your lives are meant to be hard. You are all here to suffer, and find joy, too…if you can. Don’t waste your time praying. No help is coming. No one is even listening.”
Anna shook as she wrote Lin’s words on the tablet. When she’d finished she looked up, and her eyes showed a desperation that caused Lin to feel some sympathy. Until she remembered that she was still a prisoner.
“There, that’s my summary. Take it to your cowardly boss. You’d be wise to release me now. This tunnel won’t hold me forever.”
Anna backed away from the opening with her mouth open, shaking her head slowly.
“But Lin, that cannot be right. That is what you read? That is what is on the Scroll?”
“You’re not listening. There’s nothing ‘on’ the Scroll.”
Anna looked up from her paper and met Lin’s stare. She nodded her head meekly.
Lin continued staring into Anna’s eyes as she said, “Your lives are meant to be hard. You are all here to suffer, and find joy, too…if you can. Don’t waste your time praying. No help is coming. No one is even listening.”
Anna shook as she wrote Lin’s words on the tablet. When she’d finished she looked up, and her eyes showed a desperation that caused Lin to feel some sympathy. Until she remembered that she was still a prisoner.
“There, that’s my summary. Take it to your cowardly boss. You’d be wise to release me now. This tunnel won’t hold me forever.”
Anna backed away from the opening with her mouth open, shaking her head slowly.
“But Lin, that cannot be right. That is what you read? That is what is on the Scroll?”
“You’re not listening. There’s nothing ‘on’ the Scroll.”
Chapter 25 – RAGE & FOCUS
With his bloody hand, Ben grasped the handle, which had a sharp point still attached, and cut the tie holding his other wrist. After freeing his ankles, he stood and looked down on the mess he’d made. Pools and streaks of blood glistened in the dim light, and more continued to drip from his wounds. He worked his way out of his flannel shirt, leaving only the t-shirt beneath it, and he wrapped it around his hand and wrist.
Ben held the sharp piece of porcelain in his left hand and tested the door, finding that it was locked. So he took a deep breath and stood ready. He had only one objective, and that was to cut to death anyone that walked through that door. Anyone except Lin or Taylor. Through the pain and weakness, he fought to remember their images as his quiet, murderous rage settled in.
Ben held the sharp piece of porcelain in his left hand and tested the door, finding that it was locked. So he took a deep breath and stood ready. He had only one objective, and that was to cut to death anyone that walked through that door. Anyone except Lin or Taylor. Through the pain and weakness, he fought to remember their images as his quiet, murderous rage settled in.
Chapter 26 – SCROLLS & MEN
“Taylor, my name is Jack. I’m a good friend of your mom’s. We’ve come to get you out of here. Do you think you can walk?”
“I don’t think so, Jack. I haven’t stood on my own in a long time.”
“Okay, that’s fine. Just don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. You’ll be safely out of here soon.
“Lee, can you wait here with Taylor while I get Ben?”
“Sure, Jack, just take her with you,” said Lee, gesturing toward Anna. “And don’t trust her.”
Jack leveled his pistol at Anna and motioned for her to lead the way. Outside Ben’s cell, Jack saw that a large padlock secured the door. He glanced at Anna, who only shrugged her shoulders.
“Alright, let’s go…back to Taylor’s room.”
“Taylor, we need to get you out of here. Lee and I will help you, and I promise, you won’t have to go far. We’ll have you safe in no time.”
With Taylor’s arms limp over Jack on one side and Lee on the other, and Anna in front with a gun pointed at her, they walked back to the end of the hallway. The three of them sat, while Jack continued walking to the concrete barrier.
“I don’t think so, Jack. I haven’t stood on my own in a long time.”
“Okay, that’s fine. Just don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. You’ll be safely out of here soon.
“Lee, can you wait here with Taylor while I get Ben?”
“Sure, Jack, just take her with you,” said Lee, gesturing toward Anna. “And don’t trust her.”
Jack leveled his pistol at Anna and motioned for her to lead the way. Outside Ben’s cell, Jack saw that a large padlock secured the door. He glanced at Anna, who only shrugged her shoulders.
“Alright, let’s go…back to Taylor’s room.”
“Taylor, we need to get you out of here. Lee and I will help you, and I promise, you won’t have to go far. We’ll have you safe in no time.”
With Taylor’s arms limp over Jack on one side and Lee on the other, and Anna in front with a gun pointed at her, they walked back to the end of the hallway. The three of them sat, while Jack continued walking to the concrete barrier.
Chapter 27 – BEACHES & ALLEYS
“Lin, are you alright?”
“Yes, I think I’m okay, Jack. Just tired. How’s Taylor?”
“She’s safe. C’mon…she’s right over there.”
Jack helped Lin travel down the hall, and she faced her daughter for the first time in years. Lin saw the shock on Taylor’s face, and she saw the ravages of her illness, too.
“Taylor, I’m so sorry for everything…”
“Mom…” was all Taylor could say before sobbing took over.
Anna and Lee held Taylor up so she could accept Lin’s embrace.
“I have a million questions,” said Jack, “but they’ll have to wait. We need to get Ben out. He’s locked in a room. And we need to get out of here. You two can catch up later.”
“Take me to Ben,” said Lin, as she struggled to hold her eyes open..
“Yes, I think I’m okay, Jack. Just tired. How’s Taylor?”
“She’s safe. C’mon…she’s right over there.”
Jack helped Lin travel down the hall, and she faced her daughter for the first time in years. Lin saw the shock on Taylor’s face, and she saw the ravages of her illness, too.
“Taylor, I’m so sorry for everything…”
“Mom…” was all Taylor could say before sobbing took over.
Anna and Lee held Taylor up so she could accept Lin’s embrace.
“I have a million questions,” said Jack, “but they’ll have to wait. We need to get Ben out. He’s locked in a room. And we need to get out of here. You two can catch up later.”
“Take me to Ben,” said Lin, as she struggled to hold her eyes open..
Chapter 28 – WINE & COOKIES
“Lin, I knew you’d be alright.”
Jack continued to shake his head as he left the room.
“Gabby, you were right,” she said, without opening her eyes. “I was alright. And the magic, oh Gabby, I’m exhausted from it.”
“You’ll shake that off in a while. But you need to rest. I see that you didn’t lose your mind from the Scroll,” and Gabriel smiled.
“Oh, I came close, Gabby. I felt it. The insanity. Fighting to take over. When the Scroll made sense, nothing else did.”
“But you were able to survive. Your intent saved you?”
“How did you know?”
“That’s the only way. You must never lose your hold on it.”
“I won’t, Gabby. I promise,” and her cheek leaned into the pillow and she said no more.
Jack continued to shake his head as he left the room.
“Gabby, you were right,” she said, without opening her eyes. “I was alright. And the magic, oh Gabby, I’m exhausted from it.”
“You’ll shake that off in a while. But you need to rest. I see that you didn’t lose your mind from the Scroll,” and Gabriel smiled.
“Oh, I came close, Gabby. I felt it. The insanity. Fighting to take over. When the Scroll made sense, nothing else did.”
“But you were able to survive. Your intent saved you?”
“How did you know?”
“That’s the only way. You must never lose your hold on it.”
“I won’t, Gabby. I promise,” and her cheek leaned into the pillow and she said no more.
Chapter 29 – GODS & TERROR
Lin could barely focus on the room, or on Gabriel. When she’d journeyed into the magic, it had rocked her deep inside, learning that so much more existed beyond her reality. She hadn’t even come to terms with that yet. And she just learned the true cost of free will.
It was a good thing, to be able to shape the slow magic of the real world. But it came with a high price. It left everyone stranded, not knowing what their life was about, what they’re supposed to be. Or where they’ll ultimately go.
“Gabby, if every other living thing knows they’re going back to God, doesn’t that mean we will, too?”
“As long as I’ve been around, I don’t know the answer to that. I believe we will, yes. But do I know it? No, I don’t. I think our free will makes it impossible for us to know it. I’d hoped the Words of the Scroll would tell us something positive.”
“Yeah, well, that hasn’t worked out, has it.”
It was a good thing, to be able to shape the slow magic of the real world. But it came with a high price. It left everyone stranded, not knowing what their life was about, what they’re supposed to be. Or where they’ll ultimately go.
“Gabby, if every other living thing knows they’re going back to God, doesn’t that mean we will, too?”
“As long as I’ve been around, I don’t know the answer to that. I believe we will, yes. But do I know it? No, I don’t. I think our free will makes it impossible for us to know it. I’d hoped the Words of the Scroll would tell us something positive.”
“Yeah, well, that hasn’t worked out, has it.”
Chapter 30 – TEASED & CRAZED
They’d made barely a sound, and after resting several minutes, they awoke in each other’s arms. Lin beamed with a satisfied smile. She’d gotten everything she wanted from him.
Jack brushed back her long hair, working to get it over her shoulder, playing with it much more than was necessary. There was no hurry. Everyone was safe, and the precious moments they shared in that quiet bedroom felt like an eternity.
“Lin, I have no words to express what I feel for you.”
“Yet somehow you find a way to tell me anyway, don’t you, Jack?”
“You just drove me nearly insane, and I know that you didn’t use any of your powers. That was all you.”
“That was all us, Jack.”
Jack gave her a smile, and Lin felt sure that after all he’d been through, with fearing her, with mindlessly adoring her, with giving up his will…all he felt now was love. Like he had before she’d ever used her mayhem on him.
“Yeah, you’re right. We have our own kind of magic, don’t we?”
“Yes,“ Lin said with a smile. “Yes, we do.”
Jack brushed back her long hair, working to get it over her shoulder, playing with it much more than was necessary. There was no hurry. Everyone was safe, and the precious moments they shared in that quiet bedroom felt like an eternity.
“Lin, I have no words to express what I feel for you.”
“Yet somehow you find a way to tell me anyway, don’t you, Jack?”
“You just drove me nearly insane, and I know that you didn’t use any of your powers. That was all you.”
“That was all us, Jack.”
Jack gave her a smile, and Lin felt sure that after all he’d been through, with fearing her, with mindlessly adoring her, with giving up his will…all he felt now was love. Like he had before she’d ever used her mayhem on him.
“Yeah, you’re right. We have our own kind of magic, don’t we?”
“Yes,“ Lin said with a smile. “Yes, we do.”
Chapter 31 – FRIENDS & THINGS
Lin flicked her long blond hair back over her shoulders, and the glowing green of her eyes was impossible to ignore. Anna stepped back, but Wolfe only gazed into the light, as if he were hypnotized by it.
“You’re not seventeen floors away from me now. You’re right here. I could take you in less than a heartbeat. I could take you, or I could kill you, or…”
Gabriel stepped between the two, facing Lin.
“Lin, there’s no need for broken bones. You’re not in any danger.”
Lin looked into Gabriel’s eyes, and she knew what Gabriel must see – the eyes of a predator. She felt her mayhem flare up and she let it back down. But it remained just beneath her surface, ready to rise up and stop time if needed.
Gabriel turned to face Wolfe.
“So your name is Gabriel,” said Wolfe.
“It is.”
“How original.”
“And your name is?”
“Wolfe. Lancaster Wolfe.”
“You’re not seventeen floors away from me now. You’re right here. I could take you in less than a heartbeat. I could take you, or I could kill you, or…”
Gabriel stepped between the two, facing Lin.
“Lin, there’s no need for broken bones. You’re not in any danger.”
Lin looked into Gabriel’s eyes, and she knew what Gabriel must see – the eyes of a predator. She felt her mayhem flare up and she let it back down. But it remained just beneath her surface, ready to rise up and stop time if needed.
Gabriel turned to face Wolfe.
“So your name is Gabriel,” said Wolfe.
“It is.”
“How original.”
“And your name is?”
“Wolfe. Lancaster Wolfe.”
Chapter 32 – DOVES & OAKS
Lin watched closely, and only a few seconds had passed before she saw Lee take a deep breath. She let it out slowly and her eyes opened, looking first down at Taylor, then at Lin. Lee looked back at Taylor and continued to hold her hands, but without saying a word. Several minutes passed.
Taylor opened her eyes. They were focused on Lee from the moment they’d opened. She smiled and looked to Lin, who silently rejoiced that no harm had come to her daughter. But had it worked? Had Lee’s power accomplished anything?
“Mom, Lee…I’ve never felt this way. Never in my life. I feel good. I don’t feel weak at all. Is this what it’s like to be healthy? Am I really okay?” And she began sobbing, with Lin joining her after letting her mayhem recede. Lee only smiled down at her and released her hands.
Lin rushed forward and leaned in to hug Taylor, who continued to cry softly through her smile.
“Oh, Taylor, my sweet girl, are you really better? How do you feel?”
“I feel good, Mom. No, I feel perfect. Can we get out of here? I don’t belong here anymore. I know I don’t.”
“Oh, my God, Taylor, this is amazing. Yes, let’s all get out of here. I just need to have a nurse or a doctor check you out, just to make sure.”
“Sure. Okay, Mom, let’s do what we need to do. Call them right now, okay?”
“They’ll think it was a miracle, Taylor.”
“Mom, it was.”
Taylor opened her eyes. They were focused on Lee from the moment they’d opened. She smiled and looked to Lin, who silently rejoiced that no harm had come to her daughter. But had it worked? Had Lee’s power accomplished anything?
“Mom, Lee…I’ve never felt this way. Never in my life. I feel good. I don’t feel weak at all. Is this what it’s like to be healthy? Am I really okay?” And she began sobbing, with Lin joining her after letting her mayhem recede. Lee only smiled down at her and released her hands.
Lin rushed forward and leaned in to hug Taylor, who continued to cry softly through her smile.
“Oh, Taylor, my sweet girl, are you really better? How do you feel?”
“I feel good, Mom. No, I feel perfect. Can we get out of here? I don’t belong here anymore. I know I don’t.”
“Oh, my God, Taylor, this is amazing. Yes, let’s all get out of here. I just need to have a nurse or a doctor check you out, just to make sure.”
“Sure. Okay, Mom, let’s do what we need to do. Call them right now, okay?”
“They’ll think it was a miracle, Taylor.”
“Mom, it was.”
Chapter 33 – IFINITY & ETERNITY
“You’ve known her a long time, you’ve said. Has she always been like this? How much have you seen over the years?”
“Oh, there were times. But she’s getting more impressive every day. The best thing you can do, Jack, is remember that you love her.”
Jack looked out at the approaching roadway, his headlights reflecting off the dented chrome of Ben’s rear bumper. Of course he’d remember. He knew he’d always love Lin. That part was easy. But understanding her – that was the challenge.
“I will, no matter what happens.”
“And Nomad, too,” said Gabriel without looking over.
“Yeah, of course. Nomad, too. But Gabriel, you know this group, The Shield. Will this ever end? Will she ever be free of them?”
“Yes, she will. The time is coming. Soon I might even join in to help.”
Jack let out a short laugh and shook his head.
“That’s great, Gabriel. I’ll be looking forward to seeing that.”
“You might not believe your eyes, Jack.”
Jack felt a chill run up his spine, and he turned to look at Gabriel, who only continued to stare out through the windshield.
“Oh, there were times. But she’s getting more impressive every day. The best thing you can do, Jack, is remember that you love her.”
Jack looked out at the approaching roadway, his headlights reflecting off the dented chrome of Ben’s rear bumper. Of course he’d remember. He knew he’d always love Lin. That part was easy. But understanding her – that was the challenge.
“I will, no matter what happens.”
“And Nomad, too,” said Gabriel without looking over.
“Yeah, of course. Nomad, too. But Gabriel, you know this group, The Shield. Will this ever end? Will she ever be free of them?”
“Yes, she will. The time is coming. Soon I might even join in to help.”
Jack let out a short laugh and shook his head.
“That’s great, Gabriel. I’ll be looking forward to seeing that.”
“You might not believe your eyes, Jack.”
Jack felt a chill run up his spine, and he turned to look at Gabriel, who only continued to stare out through the windshield.
Chapter 34 – TIME & TENTS
Lin felt another immense wave, and after breaking the barrier and sailing high in the sky and quickly back down, she stood next to Gabriel in the real, but still silent, world. Their eyes continued to glow brightly.
As Gabriel’s eyes returned to their normal color, Lin felt her mayhem dwindle and finally disappear. She gazed up at the silent moon looking down, offering no opinion on what had just happened in that lonely tent.
Lin stood listening to the forest’s night sounds, next to her best friend, a being she hoped she was beginning to comprehend.
As Gabriel’s eyes returned to their normal color, Lin felt her mayhem dwindle and finally disappear. She gazed up at the silent moon looking down, offering no opinion on what had just happened in that lonely tent.
Lin stood listening to the forest’s night sounds, next to her best friend, a being she hoped she was beginning to comprehend.
Chapter 35 – LIFE & MORE LIFE
“I’m still in my old life, with everyone I know. Everyone in the world is still going about their business. None of that has changed. But I see now that it’s an illusion, or rather, a clever disguise. There’s so much more. I feel like I cracked that disguise into pieces when my mayhem first rose up and destroyed Ray. I tried to hold the pieces together, by hiding that part of me away. By putting my mayhem in a box inside.
“But it wouldn’t stay in there forever. And I wouldn’t have survived without you. Or I might have destroyed everyone around me. I just don’t know. But here I am, with my mayhem, and so much more. I can summon my mayhem anytime, and I see infinity. And such unimaginable magic. I even changed my name, Gabby.”
“And what is your question, Lin? What do you need to know?” said Gabriel.
“Why? Why is the world like this? Why does everyone struggle through their lives, unaware of the magic that creates them, the magic that I can see and use? Why me?
“Why is it possible for me to know magic?”
“There it is, Lin. That’s the question. Why indeed…”
“But it wouldn’t stay in there forever. And I wouldn’t have survived without you. Or I might have destroyed everyone around me. I just don’t know. But here I am, with my mayhem, and so much more. I can summon my mayhem anytime, and I see infinity. And such unimaginable magic. I even changed my name, Gabby.”
“And what is your question, Lin? What do you need to know?” said Gabriel.
“Why? Why is the world like this? Why does everyone struggle through their lives, unaware of the magic that creates them, the magic that I can see and use? Why me?
“Why is it possible for me to know magic?”
“There it is, Lin. That’s the question. Why indeed…”
Chapter 36 – HOPE & EVIL
Lin’s legs began to buckle and she would have fallen, but Jack and Gabriel held her from each side.
“Lin, what’s wrong?” said Jack.
Lin covered her phone.
“Nothing, Jack. I think I’m still exhausted, though.”
“Lin,” said Gabriel, “you felt fine before you spoke the Words.”
“I know, Gabby. When I finished, I felt something, like last time. Something inside.”
Lin held her phone up again.
“There, now you know the Words. Are you happy?” said Lin.
Everyone in the cabin waited to hear a response through Lin’s phone, but only long seconds of silence followed.
“Actually, yes,” Wolfe said and laughed. “I’m very happy,” and he continued to laugh.
“And what exactly is so amusing to you?”
“It’s hopeless. We’re all in a world without hope. It’s like you summarized before, Lin. Don’t even waste your time praying. No one’s coming. No one’s even listening. You’re here to suffer.”
“Lin, what’s wrong?” said Jack.
Lin covered her phone.
“Nothing, Jack. I think I’m still exhausted, though.”
“Lin,” said Gabriel, “you felt fine before you spoke the Words.”
“I know, Gabby. When I finished, I felt something, like last time. Something inside.”
Lin held her phone up again.
“There, now you know the Words. Are you happy?” said Lin.
Everyone in the cabin waited to hear a response through Lin’s phone, but only long seconds of silence followed.
“Actually, yes,” Wolfe said and laughed. “I’m very happy,” and he continued to laugh.
“And what exactly is so amusing to you?”
“It’s hopeless. We’re all in a world without hope. It’s like you summarized before, Lin. Don’t even waste your time praying. No one’s coming. No one’s even listening. You’re here to suffer.”
Chapter 37 – SECRETS & LAUGHTER
“Okay, here goes. I was sexually abused by an uncle from the age of twelve to fifteen. To keep my family together, I didn’t tell anyone. So there was no help for me. But I faced it, with all the strength I could muster as just a child. And somehow, Lee, I got stronger, until one day, something erupted out of me. I blacked out, but Ray, he was finished. Since then I’ve remembered what happened. I invaded him and I destroyed him.”
Lee stared with eyes stretched open, but she still managed a swallow of wine.
“Right after that, the power I had, it wrecked Ben, too. It didn’t kill him, but he was ruined. On the inside. But that ended well. I repaired his damage Monday evening, when I thought he was attacking me. I could see what was wrong, and somehow I knew how to fix it. The Ben you see here isn’t the same Ben the world has known for the last thirty years.
“After I hurt young Ben, I buried it. I buried it deep, too afraid to face it, too afraid of what it might do. Until Monday of last week. It erupted again, a couple of times, and it hurt some people. But I eventually got control of it. I was dying, on a road in Georgia. I was being strangled, and I looked inside, and after all that time, all that confusion, it was as plain as can be. I just had to be what my mayhem demanded of me.”
“Your mayhem?”
“Yeah,” said Lin, “that’s what I call it.”
Lee stared with eyes stretched open, but she still managed a swallow of wine.
“Right after that, the power I had, it wrecked Ben, too. It didn’t kill him, but he was ruined. On the inside. But that ended well. I repaired his damage Monday evening, when I thought he was attacking me. I could see what was wrong, and somehow I knew how to fix it. The Ben you see here isn’t the same Ben the world has known for the last thirty years.
“After I hurt young Ben, I buried it. I buried it deep, too afraid to face it, too afraid of what it might do. Until Monday of last week. It erupted again, a couple of times, and it hurt some people. But I eventually got control of it. I was dying, on a road in Georgia. I was being strangled, and I looked inside, and after all that time, all that confusion, it was as plain as can be. I just had to be what my mayhem demanded of me.”
“Your mayhem?”
“Yeah,” said Lin, “that’s what I call it.”
Chapter 38 – COWGIRLS & COWBOYS
They’d waited long enough. Lin felt Jack’s soul in his kiss, and she felt his love, a love so deep it seemed to match the bottomless magic swirling beneath them. She knew only a thin wall separated them from the oblivion of pleasure that would soon take them. She pried at that wall ever so slowly, so that both of them remained there, staring into indescribable ecstasy, hungering for it with every fiber of their existence until…
…she tore the wall down.
Together they felt an immense wave wash over them, picking them up, tangling them and blending them, until they had no sense of themselves as individuals, but only of them as a pair, journeying into unknown realms of pleasure.
Just a Cowgirl and her Cowboy, alone together in a world afloat on infinite magic.
…she tore the wall down.
Together they felt an immense wave wash over them, picking them up, tangling them and blending them, until they had no sense of themselves as individuals, but only of them as a pair, journeying into unknown realms of pleasure.
Just a Cowgirl and her Cowboy, alone together in a world afloat on infinite magic.
Chapter 39 – TELLINGS & VERSES
“Before I do this, Lin, I want you to remember to keep as lighthearted as you can about the world. Make your actions serious, deadly serious if they must be. But let your heart be at peace.”
“That seems mostly impossible, Gabby. It’s all so serious. It’s life or death so often.”
“Maybe I should point out something humorous to you, then?”
“What could possibly be funny about any of this?”
Gabriel stopped and looked at the clouds above them. Several long seconds passed before Gabriel looked again at Lin and spoke.
“I’ve told you that the key to using your mayhem, and all the magic, is in your intent, not your mind. Do you remember that?”
“Of course I remember. I can feel my intent. It’s a part of me. I can’t explain what it is, but I always find it inside me.”
“Yes, you find your intent inside you. And now…let’s see what we can find ‘in tent’ beside you.”
Lin couldn’t help it.
A loud, “Oh, Gabby!” caused a noisy clamor inside the tent, and Lin saw Gabriel’s eyes instantly glow bright green and time stopped.
“That seems mostly impossible, Gabby. It’s all so serious. It’s life or death so often.”
“Maybe I should point out something humorous to you, then?”
“What could possibly be funny about any of this?”
Gabriel stopped and looked at the clouds above them. Several long seconds passed before Gabriel looked again at Lin and spoke.
“I’ve told you that the key to using your mayhem, and all the magic, is in your intent, not your mind. Do you remember that?”
“Of course I remember. I can feel my intent. It’s a part of me. I can’t explain what it is, but I always find it inside me.”
“Yes, you find your intent inside you. And now…let’s see what we can find ‘in tent’ beside you.”
Lin couldn’t help it.
A loud, “Oh, Gabby!” caused a noisy clamor inside the tent, and Lin saw Gabriel’s eyes instantly glow bright green and time stopped.
Chapter 40 – FAITH & DEATH
Lin focused on her intent and became what she needed to be for her mayhem. It rose up in an instant, and she felt her eyes glowing a piercing green as the limitless rivers of magic began flowing into her. She focused her eyes directly on Wolfe, and despite his cockiness, he stepped back and hesitated before he spoke.
“Lin, there’s no need.”
“I’ll decide that. Remember, Wolfe, I can kill you instantly. Or I can torture you for an eternity first.”
“I know. I get it. What do you want?” He sipped his drink with a trembling hand.
“Two friends need to leave this cabin. They’re packed and ready to go. You won’t interfere with them in any way. Do you understand?”
“Lin,” he said with a smirk, “I have this place surrounded. And they’re outside your range, even with your new targeting tricks. I’ll decide if they leave or not.”
Lin’s eyes flared up even brighter as she took a step toward Wolfe, and she said with a smile, “You’re willing to die for that, right now? Sounds good to me…”
Wolfe looked down and quickly backed up, his drink shaking in his hand.
“I will let them go. Even the dog.”
“Nomad stays.”
“Fine.”
“Lin, there’s no need.”
“I’ll decide that. Remember, Wolfe, I can kill you instantly. Or I can torture you for an eternity first.”
“I know. I get it. What do you want?” He sipped his drink with a trembling hand.
“Two friends need to leave this cabin. They’re packed and ready to go. You won’t interfere with them in any way. Do you understand?”
“Lin,” he said with a smirk, “I have this place surrounded. And they’re outside your range, even with your new targeting tricks. I’ll decide if they leave or not.”
Lin’s eyes flared up even brighter as she took a step toward Wolfe, and she said with a smile, “You’re willing to die for that, right now? Sounds good to me…”
Wolfe looked down and quickly backed up, his drink shaking in his hand.
“I will let them go. Even the dog.”
“Nomad stays.”
“Fine.”
Chapter 41 – MIRACLES & WASTE
“Mr. Wolfe, I…I just saw…”
“Out with it, Tayo. What did you see?”
“He…he exploded…his body…it’s just a puddle…and his legs, and his arms…they’re still moving…they’re…”
“Forget about him, Tayo. He knew the risks. And we learned how powerful she is. Now we know she’s not interested in taking control. Just killing. He died a good death.”
“But…”
“Stay focused. You will not lose it up there, do you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
“What’s going on at the cabin?”
“Nothing. She’s still standing on the porch. And Mr. Wolfe, her eyes are so bright I can see them without the binoculars.”
“Out with it, Tayo. What did you see?”
“He…he exploded…his body…it’s just a puddle…and his legs, and his arms…they’re still moving…they’re…”
“Forget about him, Tayo. He knew the risks. And we learned how powerful she is. Now we know she’s not interested in taking control. Just killing. He died a good death.”
“But…”
“Stay focused. You will not lose it up there, do you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.”
“What’s going on at the cabin?”
“Nothing. She’s still standing on the porch. And Mr. Wolfe, her eyes are so bright I can see them without the binoculars.”
Chapter 42 – DEMONS & DESTROYERS
The wave from the explosion caught Lin by surprise. The sharp jolt left her smelling sounds, tasting colors, and hearing the texture of the dust. She fought to keep the room in sight, but she was carried into chaos, with no way back.
But only until the wave passed. She shook off the confusion and looked to each side. Jack and Taylor were both unconscious, their heads flopped to the side.
She looked down and saw Nomad’s bloodshot eyes staring at her. And past the top of his mane, halfway down his back, two red eyes also stared. Bony hands dug into Nomad’s sides as the hooded darkness crept closer, eyes piercing, empty mouth gaping.
Nomad’s eyes looked up as far as they could, but he didn’t move. His eyes looked again at Lin, then back up, and he let out a low whimper.
Lin’s heart echoed in her chest, and she saw beyond Nomad that Gabriel had launched another storm. Not now, she thought. No more waves!
But only until the wave passed. She shook off the confusion and looked to each side. Jack and Taylor were both unconscious, their heads flopped to the side.
She looked down and saw Nomad’s bloodshot eyes staring at her. And past the top of his mane, halfway down his back, two red eyes also stared. Bony hands dug into Nomad’s sides as the hooded darkness crept closer, eyes piercing, empty mouth gaping.
Nomad’s eyes looked up as far as they could, but he didn’t move. His eyes looked again at Lin, then back up, and he let out a low whimper.
Lin’s heart echoed in her chest, and she saw beyond Nomad that Gabriel had launched another storm. Not now, she thought. No more waves!
Chapter 43 – LONG AGO NOW
Lin heard Gabriel’s voice like an echo through a tunnel under water. She felt her mayhem flash, but only for a second, before it began to sink, in a direction unknown to her.
It was no longer her mayhem. An invincible force had taken control.
Her eyes snapped open, and thin streams of tears began to flow.
“Lin, what’s going on?”
“Gabby…I…”
Lin felt Gabriel take her hand, and though Gabriel’s mouth continued to move, she could no longer hear a voice.
A tiny dot of darkness appeared straight ahead in her line of sight. Her eyes locked onto it and they refused to look anywhere else. The single point began to grow, slowly at first, then speeding up, blocking out the world. It obliterated everything in its path until it engulfed her, as if a giant black bowl had swallowed her.
When she saw only darkness, her breathing ceased. All feelings and thoughts left her. She was frozen, petrified in a timeless night. She knew only the sound of her heart.
Until it stopped.
It was no longer her mayhem. An invincible force had taken control.
Her eyes snapped open, and thin streams of tears began to flow.
“Lin, what’s going on?”
“Gabby…I…”
Lin felt Gabriel take her hand, and though Gabriel’s mouth continued to move, she could no longer hear a voice.
A tiny dot of darkness appeared straight ahead in her line of sight. Her eyes locked onto it and they refused to look anywhere else. The single point began to grow, slowly at first, then speeding up, blocking out the world. It obliterated everything in its path until it engulfed her, as if a giant black bowl had swallowed her.
When she saw only darkness, her breathing ceased. All feelings and thoughts left her. She was frozen, petrified in a timeless night. She knew only the sound of her heart.
Until it stopped.