1. Machines and studies.
The moon was high above them now, giving them shadows on the sand. James studied the shapes and wondered how they might look if they lost a war they had only begun to fight. Without a sorceress, they were all but destined to lose. His friend sat nearby drinking, possibly trying to drown his worries. Wayland tipped the beer bottle high, so he could finish the last of it. After the long swig, he set the bottle down on the sand in front of the fire. The light reflected yellow in his eyes. He glared up at the moon. “That thing makes me feel eerie.”
James looked up. “Not feeling any twinges are you?”
“No, not now.” He scooted down in the sand and folded his arms across his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve had feelings.” Wayland said more seriously.
James leaned closer to listen to his friend. Despite the drinking, Wayland seemed more sober than he’d been in a long time. “When, Wade?”
He pushed back a few stray blonde hairs. “A few times now. During the full moon.”
“What did you feel?” The question was nearly a whisper. “Twinges. Pain. Then, anger.”
“I’m sorry, Bro.” James rubbed Wayland’s shoulder a little.
“Is she going to help us?” Wayland asked quietly.
“I don’t know, but it seems doubtful.”
“What’ll happen if she doesn’t?”
“I don’t know that either.”
“For once I could be scared.” James stared at Wayland. He could nearly feel the fear of his friend.
“All we can do is hope.”
“And pray? Can we really ask for help?” Wayland raised his eyebrows with the question.
“I don’t know any reason why not, Bro,” He smiled thinly. “If we don’t get help, you and I both will be hiding from the moon.”
“I hope not.” James leaned back on the sand and studied the moon. For now it was pretty enough. He hoped it wouldn’t become the only source of light in his life.
******
Trina jerked involuntarily as she woke from an unremembered dream. She reached out to grab hold of the library carrel where she’d been studying. Sitting up, she tugged at her sweater that had ridden up over the tee underneath. She grabbed a handful of her red curls and twisted them into a single strand, which she knotted into a bun. That would set for a while. Her head felt like someone had stuffed it full of cotton, but she remembered that was one reason she often avoided studying in this place. The constant hum rattled her nerves and gave her headaches. Still, it was quieter than the dorm.Trina rearranged the book she had been reading, and began studying the chapter on medieval warfare again. Soon she was fully engaged in the battles for Christendom again. She imagined the storming of a wall by a small band of knights fighting for King John. In her mind’s eye, she was there staring up at the span of wall as she wondered how anyone in a full suit of armor could scale such a thing. Someone stirred in the sand behind her and she stood waiting for him to reach her. Laying her hand on the hilt of her sword… “Hello, James,” Trina said without looking up.
A dark haired young man bent over her shoulder. His hair flopped around his shoulders as he whispered close to her ear. “I love the way you see with the back of your head.”
“I heard you coming.”
“Sure, in my bare feet on a solid floor? I always knew you were clairvoyant.” James pecked her on the lobe and slid into the chair beside her.
Trina pulled down her reading glasses, and peeked over them like an old woman. “When did you get back?”
“About an hour ago.”
“Skipped your Monday classes again?” she scolded with a smile.
James shrugged. “You know Wade and me got to get our rays.”
“Sure. So, what you up to?”
“Just slinking around campus.” Trina nodded slowly and mouthed an ‘oh.’ Then she glanced at her watch. “After midnight?”
“I’ve got a paper due tomorrow.”
“Working on a paper? I’m astounded.” She winked.
“What? Moi?” He giggled a little. “It’s just a short composition.”
Trina looked down at the pile of books he put down. “On the mysticism of Western Europe? That’s pretty heavy stuff. Since when did you become so interested in such things?”
“I’ve always been interested. It’s just this semester. Dr. Snelling was giving this special class on mythology in literature…”
“And you just had to be in the class.” She exaggerated the sentence.
“Yeah, in fact I was surprised you weren’t in it.”
“No time. I’ve got three history classes this semester. Between them and the lit class and the astronomy class, I’m swamped with reading. Dr. Snelling never has less than ten books to cover. I can’t afford to go blind yet.”
“I brought you something.” He whispered.
“What, pray tell?”
“A cup of java.” James reached down into his backpack and pulled out a covered cup.
“You’re a life saver.” She smiled as she wrapped her hands around the hot cup. “With a hole in the middle.”
James pulled out notepad and started to write, but then he looked up to watch Trina, whose hair was frazzled and makeup nearly worn off. Nevertheless, he wore a thin smile as he watched her.
Trina had begun reading after he’d given the java to her, but now the hairs on the back of her neck tingled with his stare. She glanced at him over her glasses. “What are you looking at?”
“You.”
“James, I’ve got a test tomorrow.” She blew out a breath. “It’s going to be a long night.”
Laying his hand on her arm, James smiled. “Want to spend it with me?” She rolled her tongue in the side of her cheek with a look of impatience.
“Only if you’re quiet, okay?”
“Yeah.” Quickly James made a show of studying by spreading out his books. He opened the top book and studied the index for a moment before he turned to the chapter on magic. After a few minutes, he pulled out the campus paper and scanned the front page. He looked up at Trina, who was rubbing her eyes. “Did you hear about that mess in the Science Building?”
Trina cracked one eye open at him. “No, I didn’t.”
“Some poor grad student had his incubation experiment screwed up. Apparently the lab was overrun by rats who just managed to break open the locked cages.”
James cocked his head to one side. “Needless to say, the grad assistant found pieces of his experiment strewn all over the floor. The lab director nearly broke her neck slipping on the in…”
Trina lifted her hand to stop him. “James, why are you telling me this at one in the morning?”
“It’s that weird things like that don’t just happen. I thought maybe you had some theory.”
Sniffing and then smirking, she shook her head. “It was just some freak accident. Probably the night janitor opened the cage to clean or some such.”
“What about the number of rats?”
“You didn’t mention any unusual surge in the population.”
James raised his eyebrows. “I didn’t mention they found evidence of more than a few dozen of the things?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter. The Science Building is notorious for being infested. I’d swear I’ve seen them taking the stairs in small groups.”
Trina pulled a loose hair back and smiled mischievously. “I need to study.” She straightened her books to end the conversation. James blew out a breath as if disappointed and folded the paper. He hunched over his books again and tried to study, but continued to glance up at her occasionally.
A few hours later, Trina took off her reading glasses and began stuffing her books in her bag. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” she mumbled. James was lying with one side of his face down in his notebook. For a few seconds she studied him. She had to admit she liked the narrow jaw and high cheekbones. Cautiously she reached over and brushed a few stray hairs out of his face. Her touch woke him quickly. “You ready to go home? It’s almost dawn,” she spoke softly.
“Sure,” James answered, still groggy. He gathered up his books and backpack and stood to leave. Trina had already begun to cross the floor towards the elevators. As she walked, Trina glanced out the windows that provided a good overview of the campus and nearby neighborhoods. Sometimes she fancied she could see the small Pfalztown Mountains in the next county. James followed silently. When she reached the elevators, Trina glanced down at the time. At this hour it would take twenty minutes for the sluggish elevator to reach the tenth floor. “Maybe we should take the stairs,” she suggested.
“Why don’t you just jump start it?” James smiled slyly. Trina shook her head in disgust before she pushed the elevator button. After a long silence, Trina tapped the panel impatiently with her middle finger nail. A minute later, the elevator bell rung and the doors slid open. James’ eyes widened.
With mop in hand, the morning janitor looked up in surprise and glanced over at the panel inside the car. “I thought I turned it off,” he mumbled. James smiled at Trina who stepped on board quickly. As the elevator doors closed, Trina felt a tingle run along her spine, leaving her with a brief shiver. She tried to ignore the odd stare of the maintenance man as they rode downward. He grunted loudly as Trina and James stepped off on the lobby.
The gray fog softened the campus buildings and grounds as James escorted Trina to her dormitory. Trina breathed in deeply trying to take in some of the fresh spring morning. The grounds were quiet save for the occasional jogger or early riser running or walking alone down the brick walks. It was the one redeeming feature of the college that had attracted her there. Peace and quiet. Trina made a mental note to find a budding tree to study under later. As they reached the old three-story building, Trina stopped at the front door to look for her entry keys. After shuffling through her backpack, she realized they were in the room. “Great, I left them in the room. I thought I’d be back before the dorm closed at one.”
“Want me to climb in your window?”
Trina stared back at James. “Get serious, James. It’s on the third floor.”
“I could do it.” He offered seriously.
“I bet you could. But I’m not explaining your deftness to campus security. No, the dorm will open at 7:00. I’m sure one of our jocks will be out on her daily run earlier than that.”
“Want to talk?”
Trina yawned. “No thanks. I’m ready for the sack.” Brushing his hair back with his fingers,
James half-yawned. “Yeah, I could sleep all day.”
“Like you usually do? I think you’re the only guy on campus who hibernates all day, takes night classes and then studies till dawn.” She stretched up on her tiptoes and stuck her thumb under his upper lip and made a quick search. “You got fangs or something?”
Annoyed, James pulled away. “Very funny.”
“I’m afraid I get very punchy after a long night of battles.” Trina stretched her arms out and yawned again. She glanced up at a patch of sky through the breaking fog. “Looks like it’s going to be a clear day.”
A look of disappointment crossed his face as James turned and looked over the top of the dorm across the street. “The forecast was for rain.”
“Well, maybe the guy’s wrong.” As she finished her sentence, the door creaked open and one of Trina’s jocks stepped out. “Hold the door,” Trina asked softly. The girl held the door for Trina to grab it. The jogger gave James a once over and stepped off the small porch.
Self-conscious, James rubbed his naked feet on the mat he was occupying. “How about some coffee?” He stepped closer to Trina who still held the door open. Trina laid one hand against his chest and pushed a little. “No guys until noon. Sorry, dorm rules.”
“Oh, well.” James shrugged. “Wayland and I are going out to the mall tonight. Want to come along?”
“Are you taking his…” she hesitated as if unsure and added, “car.”
“Why not?”
“It gives me the creeps.”
James reached over and brushed some of her red hair back. “Hey, it’s wheels. Want to come?”
“I guess.” Though it sounded doubtful, Trina smiled with her words.
“Great. Six okay?”
“Yeah, sure. Good night…er, morning.” She started to go and then turned back and mouthed ‘Sweet prince.’
“Good day, Milady.” James jumped over the steps onto the grass and nearly lost his balance. So much for looking graceful, he thought as he jogged away. Trina shook her head and went in smiling.
******
The dark figure moved in the shadows of the rocks, as if not affected by the steepness of the mountainside. The old woman turned and glanced back again as she sensed the presence. When she rounded the curve along the path, she turned and waited for the entity to come closer. A few seconds later, the form shimmered a few feet in front of her. Quietly she sat and stared at the hooded, faceless pursuer. “I know she’s been found by the others.”
The old woman answered the unspoken announcement. “The circle is closing.”
“Which circle are you speaking of?”
“The two and the one,” the hooded figure drew a circle in the air.
“We will fight her here. She will not be allowed to win.”
“The circle will not be broken. Not here. Not now.” The words were a command.
“Her power will remain intact. Your circle won’t end.” The mountain woman folded her hands in her lap.
“And the other one?” the figure questioned softly.
The old woman shook her head. “Not known. Not part of her circle.”
“Find that one too. We must bind the eternal circle to my will.”
“And what about my child?” she asked hesitantly.
“Is he bound to your will?”
“Yes, mistress. He will do as I direct him.”
“Then his power is set in motion. He will be the focus.” The voice sounded sure and the old woman smiled with the pronouncement. “I will summon you again when the binding nears completion.”
“Yes, mistress.” The silver-haired woman bowed her head in acknowledgement and then looked up. Her eyes narrowed as a light began to fill the air between her and the shadowed entity. A crack of thunder drew her attention away from the light to the sky where a thunderstorm had begun to shape itself above the mountain. The contact between the two worlds was already unstable. She glanced back at the place where her mistress had crossed over. When the brightness faded, the old woman found herself alone again
*******
The banging wouldn’t stop, so James pulled his pillow over his head. The sound was muffled now, but it was still keeping him awake. Frustrated, he flung the pillow across the room. “All right.” It wasn’t loud enough for someone to hear from the front door, but it soothed his soul that he’d given an answer. Not bothering to dress, James dragged his sleepy body out of the bedroom and across the living room towards the door. He stuck his hand down the back of his bikini and scratched a spot on his cheek near his thigh.
“Hey, Jimmy, open the door,” the male voice drawled on the other side.
“Just a minute.” He peeked out the peep-hole to reassure himself it was Wayland in the hall. He uncocked the inside lock and then slid the chain of the door. Without opening it, he turned and started across the room. “It’s open.” The door opened and a stocky man with a somewhat ragged beard walked in. He pushed the door shut with his cowboy booted foot. Continuing across the room, he dropped his hat on a chair and aimed for the side which served as a kitchen.
“Got any brews?”
“Sure, there’s a couple in the fridge.” James mumbled from the bathroom. Fetching his bottle, Wayland moved towards the bathroom door.
“It’s almost six o’clock. Why’d you sleep in?”
“Long night last night and then the girl upstairs was blasting Madonna all day. My head’s still ringing ‘Like a Virgin.’”
“You finish that project?”
“Mm hum.” James mumbled as he finished brushing his teeth. He spat a wad of pinkish paste in the sink. “I’m not sure how useful any of it will be, but it was real interesting reading.”
Wayland gave a disgusted look at the stuff oozing down the porcelain. “Sheesh man, that’s disgusting.”
James looked down at the goo. “Weak gums. They bleed when I brush. The dentist told me to eat more protein.” Wayland almost choked on his beer.
“If he only knew.” He gasped through the foam still in his mouth.
“That’s not funny.”
“Hey, it’s just a…”
“Joke? You should know better.”
Wayland nodded as he wiped at the froth on his lips. “Look at this.” He held out his hand with the white foam.
“You giving me a shot, Fang old boy?”
“Well…” James shook his head, “No, I’ll owe you one.” He slid past Wayland standing in the doorway. “Let me get dressed.” Wayland followed him into the bedroom and leaned against the chest as James pulled on his socks and then his dark leather pants. He topped the ensemble with a dark tee and his red Reeboks. He turned to the mirror over the dresser and brushed at his shoulder-length hair, pulling it back into a small ponytail.
“You see Trina last night?”
“Yeah, spent the night together.” James stopped and looked at Wayland’s suspiciously raised eyebrows and grin. “Studying.” He emphasized the word.
“I understand.” Wayland continued to grin. “Did you talk to her?”
“No, she wanted to study.”
“We’ve got to start this soon.” Wayland shuffled uncomfortably against the doorjamb.
“I know. We’ll start tonight,” James stated flatly.
“In the middle of the mall?”
“No, just enough to get her thinking. You know the kind of stuff we talk about. We’ll just ease into Tolkien…”
“And right into magic?” Wayland raised his eyebrows skeptically. James shot his friend a side-long glance. “Yeah, that’s right.”
“You’re calling the shots.”
“I guess I am.” He slapped Wayland on the shoulder. “Let’s go. We’re already late.”
The two men made their way to the front door which shook as a blast of wind hit it. James glanced over at Wayland. “I didn’t hear the weather forecast.”
Wayland peeked out of the window next to the door. “Freak storm,” he commented. The room shook slightly as a peal of thunder roared overhead.
James reached for the door, “I’m afraid it’s going to get more freakish, Bro.”
****
The two nurses made their way quickly down the hall, stopping briefly at each door to check the patient inside. The clattering noise was getting louder as they neared the end of the hall. “She’s at it again,” the older woman commented.
“It’s not even a full moon,” the younger nurse quipped and glanced over at her companion.
“She’s worse than the others, Jill. I’ve been on this floor for the past six years, and she’s not made any improvement from her therapy.”
“Doesn’t she have any family?”
The older nurse shook her head, “None that visit very often. I’m afraid she’ll never leave here.” The two women stopped at the last door on the corridor and stared in the window. A red-headed woman dressed in a hospital gown sat on the floor tapping a metal pitcher against the tiles.
Jill leaned closer to study something drawn on the tiles. “What are the markings?”
“We don’t know, but every time they’ve been removed, she’s found a way to draw them back. No one has deciphered them, and she calls them power circles. Each of the seven places has some special significance to her.”
“Does she sit in the same place each time?” The graying nurse smiled at the younger one’s observation.
“You’re learning. She does. And she always talks to Geoffrey who supposedly occupies the center.”
“Geoffrey?”
“Her dead husband.” Jill stepped away from the door shaking her head. “She must be grieving deeply for him.”
The other nurse put her hand on Jill’s shoulder. “Not actually. She hates him, and every night she screams herself asleep calling his name.” The younger one had no response, so the two nurses turned and began to retrace their steps down the asylum’s hall.
