Fearlings Three (The Fearlings Series Book 3) (7 page)

“We told you all what we are planning,” James says ignoring the Professor’s interruption. “Now it is your choice. Nobody will be mad at any decision you make. You have the night to think about it.”

“We will see you tomorrow if you choose,” Rachel says. Her tone is sincere and direct, “If you are not there, then stay safe.”

CHAPTER 14

There is no physical form within the blackness. Only voices can be heard and currently there are four beings talking. From where they are, the Allumns can consciously reach out to this void and communicate with those they are connected to.

“Prevent them,” Kynar says.

“We cannot,” Hydron says.

“Our Vaun does not listen,” Drawk says. “He seeks only his parents and there is no stopping him.”

“He is nearing our location,” Kynar says.

“Protecting the Vauns has made our location known,” Shanawl says. “We can no longer hide.”

“I will provide the time,” Kynar says.

“Do not allow the Screamers to take the son,” Shanawl says.

“We shall prepare the father,” Kynar says.

“Protect the son,” Shanawl says.

“Always,” Hydron says

“Forever,” Drawk says.

CHAPTER 15

Rick, James and some of the others live in the same town but Jeff does not. Most of the Vauns do not live in town and when they travel for a gathering, they do not stay at each other’s houses. They always try to keep the number of Vauns in one area down to a minimum. That is why Jeff stays in a hotel just outside of town and that is where he is right now. He stands in the parking lot talking to Rick. Jeff is feeling guilty about a decision he has made and it shows in his demeanor and tone. That is why he called Rick to come talk to him.

“You just think that it will be as simple as letting this Ekabar take us and then we will what?”

“We do not know,” Rick says as he shrugs. “I don’t like the idea myself, but that is the decision that we have made.”

“I can’t,” Jeff says. He turns and paces. “I just can’t, Rick.”

“That’s ok,” Rick assures his friend. He stares to the sky as the sun sets in the background. He hears the storm in the distance then he turns to his friend. “Nobody blames you. Do you understand?”

“So you are really going through with this?” Jeff asks. He takes a breath to regain his focus. He is mad at himself because he is not going with them.

“Yes,” Rick states hesitation.

“I talked to Rel,” Jeff says. He shakes his head as he repeats the conclusion of the conversation that he had with his protector before Rick arrived. “Rel says that there is little chance of them returning.”

“I know,” Rick says. “Sevol says the same.”

“Then why are you doing it?” Jeff asks.

“Cause James’ father and grandmother would have done it for me. That is the type of people that they are.”

“I never got to meet her,” Jeff says.

“She is a character,” Rick recalls. He smiles at the memories. “I only met her twice but she is not the type of person that you forget.”

The parking lot lights turn on and in the distance the storm nears as loud thunder explodes.

“Better to storm tonight than tomorrow,” Jeff says.

“Yes,” Rick says. He looks back to the hotel. “You have candles lit in your room?”

“Yes,” Jeff says, “Of course.”

“Good,” Rick says. He turns to his car and opens the back door. He reaches in and pulls out a holster that carries two flashlights. He straps the holster on then he sees the smile on his friends face. “What?”

“Do you know how silly you look?” Jeff jokes.

“Well,” Rick says. He welcomes the lighter toned conversation. “Do you know how silly you look to me for not having flashlights on you at all times? I mean with all the experiences that we have had?” He smiles. “You look silly, not me. I also have a shotgun in the trunk.”

“What?”

“Yeah,” Rick says. He walks his friend to the back of the car. He reaches for his keys then opens the trunk.

“Wow,” Jeff says. His tone shows his surprise. “That’s a lot of guns.”

“Did you think that we were going to go to another world where survival is slim,” Rick smiles, “without weapons? Now who’s being silly?”

CHAPTER 16

Outside the thunder erupts and lightning flashes across the sky. Inside the house on the first floor, every candle and lamp exudes light. In the middle of the living room on the coffee table, there are multiple candles and a variety of guns.

James, Stewart, and Rachel sit on the couch. The Professor sits on the chair and Julie stands in the corner. All of them stare at the guns on the coffee table.

“Can we even kill them with guns?” Stewart asks.

“Sure,” Professor says. He stares off into space as he thinks about his thought. “Sure. It may take more than one shot but yes I would imagine that the guns will do the trick.”

“This shotgun should have an effect,” James says. He reaches down and picks the weapon up.

“Yes I believe that it will,” Professor smiles.

“Do you think Rick will get Jeff to go with us?” Stewart asks. “Cause I like the idea of having as many people with us as we can. You know strength in numbers type thing.”

“I would not blame Jeff if he didn’t go with us,” James says. His tone is sincere as he looks at Rachel, “The same for you.”

Rachel doesn’t like what James says and it shows in her tone. “Don’t talk to me like that. Your dad and mom were my friends. They would come for me.”

“She’s right,” Julie says in a defeated tone.

“What?” Stewart asks. He looks at his mom as he realizes what she is saying, “Mom you are not going.”

“Rachel is right,” Julie says. She looks at Rob then to her son. “They would not hesitate to come for me, or for you Stewart.”

“You do not have to,” James says.

“Yes I do,” Julie says. Images of her friends Ann and Rob flash throughout her thoughts. She takes a breath and realizes the truth that she was running from, “I am going too.”

“Well then you will need a gun,” Professor says.

“What about you Professor?” James asks. “What gun are you taking?”

“No, no I do not carry guns,” Professor says. He rolls his eyes at the thought. “Not my style. It’s just not. You, you all carry the guns. Not me.”

Loud thunder explodes outside and the lights flicker inside the house startling everyone present. They stop talking and stare around. A second later the power goes out, the room darkens, and the only light generated comes from the candles. The Molawner Ekabar fades into vision in one of the few areas of the room where the shadow of darkness survives. He appears in the corner of the room where the hallway to the kitchen begins. He turns his shadowy head towards the humans in front of him.

“Stay away!” Professor yells.

“Your lights cannot protect you,” Ekabar says.

“Load the weapons!” James says. He calmly reaches down, grabs a box of shells, and begins to load the shotgun. “I want you to travel me to my parents Ekabar.”

“Why?” Ekabar says whispering his words across the room.

“To bring them back,” James says. He turns his stare across the room to Ekabar. “Will you do that?”

“Curious one you are,” Ekabar says. He raises his hands and the candles across the room are blown out. He speaks as the protectors Hydron and Drawk fade to vision, “Your thoughts.”

Hydron and Drawk say nothing. They stare across the room through the light from the candles. They wait to see what Ekabar is going to do.

Julie and the Professor grab the flashlights and ready to use them.

“Don’t!” James yells to Professor and Julie, “I want to talk to him!”

“James we are not ready,” Professor declares. “We just are not ready.”

“Not now,” James says. He speaks with no fear, “Tomorrow, will you take me tomorrow?”

“No,” Ekabar says.

“Why?” James asks. “Why not take me? That is why you are here, right? So take me.”

“No,” Ekabar says.

“What do you mean no?” James asks.

“Live your life young James,” Ekabar says. He steps back deeper into the darkness. “Create family.”

“I see,” Professor says, “I know why.” He stands and walks to the edge of the light provided by the candles. He stares at the Molawner in the darkness before him “You cannot take James because you will lose your connection to our world?”

“Yes,” Ekabar says.

“You see James,” Professor says. He steps back away from the edge of darkness. “Your family is Ekabar’s link to our world. Once you are gone, there will be no more of your family left. That is why he always allows the Vauns of your family to survive, so the connection can continue.”

“I don’t care!” James exclaims. He stands and walks to the edge of the darkness next to the Professor. He speaks with command in his tone to Ekabar. “You are taking me!”

“Continuing to impress me,” Ekabar says. “You always have young James, always.”

Rachel loads a pistol then hands it to Stewart. “Take this.” She grabs a shotgun and begins loading it as she scans the room. Her protector Teelah is nowhere in sight.

Julie steps back as her son hands her the pistol Rachel loaded. She stands with Hydron and Drawk close behind her in the darkness along the wall. The tall shadowy image of the Allumn Ocyrul fades into vision within the darkness behind Julie and in between the smaller Drawk and Hydron. He moves fast without hesitation. He thrusts his hands forward violently pushing Julie in the back. He reaches both hands out and grabs the Molawners, Hydron and Drawk, standing on both sides of him. He lets out a loud low pitch roar that erupts through the room.

Stewart yells as his mom crashes into the coffee table knocking the guns and the candles to the floor. One of the fallen candles catches the floor on fire and begins to spread to the entertainment center.