A New Beginning... Part 10
OK, talk about getting bombed on email. Guess I got your attention :). This will answer your questions. As to where it goes from here, that will be up to you. This chapter will conclude the section A NEW BEGINNING..... one way or another.. :) READ ON
www.stormloader.com/articwolf stonewolf@angelfire.com
Recap:..
"No son, I'm sorry. " he said. "Modern science has done everything it can. It is just a matter of time now. There is nothing anyone can do. Maybe a miracle will happen and his body will respond, but as of now, it's over. No one can save him."
From behind all of them a low vibrant voice emerged "I can." ---------------------
Chapter ONE:
All heads and five guns turned at once at the sound of the voice.
"Who the fuck are you and how did you get in here?" asked Danny, cocking his weapon. Still in shock from what had happened to Jonathan, he was clearly in no mood for games.
"I walked past your people outside the door" replied the stranger.
"No one gets past my people" replied Danny. He noted that three agents had positioned themselves between Jonathan's bed and the unknown person. Likewise Jeff had stepped in front of Nick's wheel chair. Danny was ready to ream some ass on the guys who let this one into the room. He carefully stayed out of the line of fire of the other four.
"Then" he said. "Explain how it is that I am standing here?"
"The only explaining I am going to do is to the doctors here about the mess I make when I blow your head clean off your shoulders if you even twitch hard" said Danny.
A strange light reflected in the stranger's eyes briefly. A short smile appeared on his face and was then replaced by a look of what could only be described as ancient. The stranger closed his eyes as his face became blank. Then he opened them. As if compelled by unknown forces each of the security agents dropped their weapons at the same time. A look of shock appeared on Danny's face.
"I am here to help, not hurt anyone" said the stranger.
"Who are you" asked Danny. He tried to bend down to get the gun he had dropped but found he could not move.
"I am a friend" he said. The stranger, dressed in an ankle length duster style overcoat, walked past them all. His shoulder length blond hair flowed behind him. He approached the bed and stared down at Jonathan.
"Get away from him" yelled out Nick.
"Don't worry Nick" said the stranger turning and walking towards him. "I don't want him dead. Soon it will all be explained. He is in no harm"
"How do you know who I am?" he asked. Nick could only feel rage at this intrusion to the room as the stranger stood over him. His lover, the man who had given him a life again, was lying six feet from him, dying. Now this stranger was before him, telling all would be well. Yet as his rage built, a seeming calm was starting to flow over and through him. As much as he could do to fight it, he was losing the battle. A warmth enveloped him. Nick could only relax down into his wheel chair. Soon his eyes closed, his head falling forward.
Nodding to himself with a smile, the stranger turned back to the prone form of Jonathan on the bed. Staring down he talked apparently to himself, yet the others had the impression that he was talking to Jonathan.
"I wish it hadn't come to this. Not this way" the stranger said. "Your gifts exceed many lifetimes over. This was not the chosen time. Now, there is no choice. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me one day. It is too soon. You start now upon a journey that is not yet ready for you"
The stranger lay his hands down on Jonathan. His body began to shake. Once more Danny tried to move but could not. He could only watch in anger and frustration. "Now" said the stranger softly. A blue-white light filled with sound and power shattered the room. As it died down, the stranger, and Jonathan were gone.
Danny shook himself and found he could move. In one fluid movement both he and Jeff picked up their guns and rolled out the door, turning in a 360 degree motion to scan the hallway in both directions. . They were alone in the hallway. It was as if the agents he had placed outside the door did not exist. The nurses at the station looked up in sudden fear at their motions. All was apparently as it should be. It was if the stranger had never been there.
Walking back into the room, They saw the doctor looking at Nick who was awake again.
"He all right?" asked Danny.
"He's more then all right" said the doctor with a frown. "There is no evidence of trauma at all"
Danny looked down at the uncovered chest and shoulder of Nick. Where 43 stitches had been now was only smooth skin; the muscles of his shoulder moving without apparent problems..
"Talk to me" said Danny. "What's with the wound in his shoulder?"
"I can't" said the doctor. " I removed his bandage to check on the wound to make sure the stitches were in place. There are none. The skin and muscle is fully healed, almost as if he was never shot. Even the IV bruising in his arm is gone."
"Nick" said Danny, kneeling by the wheel chair. "What's going on?"
"I don't know" he replied getting up from the chair flexing his arms and shoulders. "I can move my arm, I feel fine and there is no pain. But where is Jonathan?"
"I don't know, much less what happened" said Danny frowning, reaching for his cell phone, "I don't know"
He punched a preprogrammed number into the phone. After a moment he spoke to the person on the other end. "Code Blue, Mass General, full strike force, now. Dispatch a secondary unit to the airport, I want the planes locked down tight. All Hell is breaking loose and I want some answers"
Chapter TWO:
Jonathan felt himself floating., yet in some way standing in or on a cloud. It vaguely reminded him of being in Boston on a foggy night. The fog enveloping him, the peace. There was no pain or discomfort. In his mind he remembered a flash of deep pain and being thrown to the ground. Yelling, more noise, what seemed to be shots. Closing and opening his eyes he could only see a soft emerald and gold light and fog around him. In the far distance beyond the fog he could barely make out what appeared to be a vista of stars. Looking down, he noted he was wearing a hospital gown.
That's it" he thought "The ultimate fucking joke. I'm dead and I've gone to Heaven wearing a hospital gown for all eternity."
"Not even close Jonathan" said a voice.
Jonathan found he could move. Turning around his saw a man standing about ten feet from him. Dressed in a dark ankle length coat, jeans and a Blue Oyster Cult T-shirt, his blond hair flowing around him the stranger from the hospital was there.
"You obviously aren't St. Peter" said Jonathan. "Not with that shirt on"
"Think again Jon" said the man smiling at the attempt at humor..
In a rush, it all came back to him. A man on the edge of the cemetery at his parents funeral. This was the same man. Dressed in a dark blue double breasted suit, he had stood and waited for Jonathan to notice him. Jonathan had walked over to him. They had spoken only briefly. His mind flew back to that day.
"Who are you?" asked Jonathan.
"I am all that I am" the mysterious stranger had said. "I will be here again when it is time. Know this. You are alive and have a life to live and are destined for great things. I will be here for that crossing when it is time. Think of me as a unifying force, one that is over all, yet none."
"What do you mean" said Jonathan. "What is your name?"
A strange fog begun to envelope the country churchyard. It surrounded the stranger. As he disappeared in the swirling fog he spoke. "My name is....."
"Kristian" said Jonathan, snapping back to reality, or such that it was.
"Yes" said Kristian coming forward..
"What is going on?" asked Jonathan.
"We do not have a lot of time" said Kristian. "This plane of existence will only be viable for a few minutes. I will come to you in a few days. Know this. You weren't supposed to have had this happen to you, your time was not yet. Not for many years, but we shall deal with the change of events. You had been shot, badly, and were dying in the hospital. Your vibrations reached out to me. I am your chosen carrier. An agent to the next level if you will. I will explain soon. For now, know that you are well, and that you are now as I am."
"Am what?" said Jonathan.
A sudden flash of the same strange blue white light he had felt or seen earlier, he didn't know which or how, enveloped him again. One word came to him as he felt himself lifted somehow, his entire being feeling like it was being transformed into an energy. A single word issued with an ancient accent that chilled his blood to icewater. A word that seemed to vibrate around him, transcending, penetrating his very body and soul from all angles.
"Immortal"
Chapter THREE
Obvious chaos was in control in Jonathan's hospital room. The doctor's were at a loss to explain Nick's apparent healthy condition. No less then 10 agents were in the room. Danny's call for the Code Blue had summoned a full attack force from the company. Each were armed and trained for a specific purpose. A search of the whole hospital was underway for Jonathan. The only explanation to his mind was that this stranger had somehow paralyzed them, a chemical agent most likely, and taken Jonathan away. It was the only explanation to his mind. Nick's condition was another matter though. He played scenario after scenario in his mind, each time rejecting it. The doctors had taken x rays and could not find a single area of trauma anywhere in Nick's body. That badly rattled the doctors, as no one could explain it. Danny was equally concerned. He could deal with any reality, however the unexplainable was not acceptable.
Danny was on his cell phone with Brandon. He had prepared everything for a moments' clearance to go anywhere or do anything to find Jonathan. Everyone who was part of the "inner circle" was living on board Renaissance. The plane, as well as the Gulfstream V had been put under an armed guard. Two additional jets, each capable of carrying 15 people were on the tarmac near Renaissance and the G-V, waiting. Each of the four jets were turning their engine's at idle... waiting, watching. A fuel tank, also under guard was waiting near by, to fill off the tanks. Three hours had passed since Jonathan's disappearance. Danny was still speaking when he turned at the sound of a quiet clearing of someone's throat. He turned and almost died of shock.
Standing there, actually looking absolutely silly in a hospital gown.... stood Jonathan.
"Jesus Christ. Where did you come from?" said Danny.
Nick came running across the room knocking Danny out of the way and slammed into Jonathan wrapping his arms around him sending both of them to the floor in a heap.
"Easy babe" said Jonathan putting his arms around him. "It's OK"
"Where did you come from? You were dying man" said Nick. "They said you couldn't recover.. then you disappeared" Tears flowed from him without shame.
"Yeah well, I'm going to suffocate if you don't let go here." said Jonathan,. As he finally pried Nick off of him Danny all but yanked Jonathan off his feet and into the room. Another agent grabbed Nick. He slammed the door behind him. He noted that two guards immediately took up post in front the doors. Once more Nick latched onto Jonathan.
"Where have you been" asked Danny. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine" said Jonathan. He reached around and put his arm around Nick. "I kinda need to be brought up to speed here. I'm not sure I know where I've been"
"You and me both" said Danny. There was a knock on the door and it was opened. The doctors stood in the doorway with their hands away from their bodies. They had learned very quickly just how protective Danny could be of Jonathan. They were admitted.
"Mr. Castleton?" the one asked in surprise. "You shouldn't be out of bed,, Hell, you can't be out of bed."
"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on here?" asked Jonathan. "The last thing I really remember was walking out of the hotel, and the rest is either blank or a blur"
"Get back into bed this instant" said one of the doctors.
Jonathan shot him a withering stare.
"No" he said, "Get me some clothes and get me out of here"
"Best idea I've heard" said Danny. He looked and Jeff and nodded. Jeff left the room to make preparations.
"You cannot leave this hospital" said the doctor firmly. "You must have tests run on you. Mr. Covington needs more testing. This is not possible. What has happened to you and Mr. Covington is medically impossible."
Jonathan paused from putting on a pair of jeans that one of the agents had handed him. "I'm leaving. Obviously I'm vertical and can participate in the art of motion."
"You don't understand" said the other doctor. "There is a bullet lodged near your spinal cord. You shouldn't even be able to move. The trauma to the cord was preventing any kind of response"
Jonathan threw a tee shirt over his head, looked at them. "Thank you for what you did, but I'm gone."
"You can't" said both of them. "I won't allow it. I'll have the hospital security staff stop you"
Jonathan looked at them in disbelief. For once he was happy to have Danny and his overly protective crew with him. He snapped his fingers. At once, ten guns appeared .
"Try again doc" said Jonathan. He turned to Nick. "Lets boogie"
Surrounded by a phalanx of ten agents, Danny and Jeff in the middle of them with Nick and Jonathan, they moved out of the room and towards the elevators. People in the hallway wisely moved out of the way. Jonathan had no doubt that any of the agents would have shot the first person who tried to stop them. Two more agents were holding an elevator for them. As they were traveling down to the ground floor, Nick took the time to look over at Jonathan.
"I thought you were gone forever man" said Nick, squeezing Jonathan's hand.
"Me too" said Jonathan. He was absorbed in the images of Kristian and what he had said. "Did you see anyone unusual while we were here?"
Further discussion was cut off as the elevator doors opened. Four agents in the lead went out, guns drawn scanning the area. As the group moved across the front lobby of the elevator people moved far away from them. Exiting out of the front doors, the two Hummers stood ready on the sidewalk, six feet from the doors. Jonathan, Nick, Danny, Jeff and two others went into the first Hummer. Five more of the permanent staff went into the second Hummer. With a lead and follow van of agents around them, they left the hospital burning rubber in the parking lot.
Nick continued to hold onto Jonathan as they traveled through Boston. They talked quietly as Danny continued on his phone prepping the planes for take off.
"Why did you ask if I saw anyone strange?" asked Nick.
"Like someone in a long coat or long hair?" asked Jonathan.
"Yeah" said Nick quietly, shuddering.
"I did too" said Jonathan. "I not sure what or how happened, but I think he saved my life"
"Who was he" asked Nick. "Do you know him?"
"Yeah that little bit of information would be helpful" said Danny. They all swayed as the caravan of autos went sliding around a corner. The Boston cops were not going to be happy with them at this rate he thought. They continued to gain speed as they launched themselves onto Storrow Drive.
"I first saw him at my parents funeral" said Jonathan, a far away look in his eye. "He was standing at the edge of the church yard. I felt almost compelled to walk over to him: We talked briefly and he said some shit about when it was time we would meet again and I was destined for great things"
"Bizarre" said Danny. "He appeared in the room while you were in a coma. Walked right past three of the shadow company I had placed in the hallway. They never saw him. Next thing I knew none of us could move, he talked to Nick, turned and then you and he disappeared."
"Were you hurt babe?" asked Jonathan, turning to Nick.
"I was shot" he said. He moved closer to Jonathan "It was serious but not life threatening. Hurt like hell though. After he talked to me though, it was like I couldn't keep my eyes open. When I woke up, I was healed."
"And how the fuck did they manage to get near us?" asked Jonathan, staring holes into Danny.
"We fucked up" said Danny. "I wasn't expecting anything exotic as a sniper. He is dead as are the two who were with him."
Jonathan quietly seethed at that one. He knew that this wasn't the place and sure as shit not time to get into it.
The vans and Hummers went screeching into the General Aviation of Logan International.
"OK" said Danny. "Which one you wanna go in?"
"Where are we going?" asked Jonathan
"Back to Key West" he replied. "Safest place right now"
"Why not Bermuda?" Nick asked.
"We have an office in Miami." said Danny. "You are about to be locked down tighter then a frog's ass"
"Pleasant thought" said Jonathan. "I'll fly Renaissance"
Coming to a halt some 20 feet from the jet, the Hummer containing Nick and Jonathan was surrounded by agents before Danny allowed them out. They were escorted up the jetstairs to the jet. Once the extra agents left the plane, they were secured for flight. Renaissance began its rollout towards the runway. Looking back out of window, they saw the Gulfstream V first make its' turn to follow the 747. Directly behind the G-V were the two additional Gulfstream aircraft, with the additional security agents. In a move that the tower gave reluctant approval to, the jets were granted high speed take off and ascent clearances. With barely 60 seconds between each jet, they cleared the end of the harbor runway and ascended into the sky.
Epilogue: Renaissance gained altitude and banked out over the Atlantic. two miles back and 2,000 feet in altitude below them was the Gulfstream V. In horizontal agreement to Renaissance and 1,000 feet on either side of her flew the two additional planes. They would stay in this formation until 50 miles out of the Key West airport. Normally, Renaissance would have landed in Miami, however through connections of the security company, they were given clearance to land on the military runway on Key West. As they flew towards Key West, Jonathan changed into more comfortable clothes. Nick gave him a long kiss and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Jonathan turned around from the closet and sat on the bed, he got attacked in a friendly way by Sebastian who wanted attention. As Jonathan was putting on a pair of socks, Sebastian pounced on him landing on his lap. He put his paws on Jonathan's chest and started to paw him, growling. Throwing the cat over on its back on the bed they were fighting over a sweatshirt. For a few minutes, they wrestled for control. Sebastian would throw his full weight into pulling the sweatshirt, shaking his head back and forth while holding the sweatshirt in his jaws. Finally, Sebastian tiring of the game, backed off and hunched down in a cat like way; looking at Jonathan. As Jonathan looked at the cat, Sebastian stared at him as never before his head cock, eyes half closed.
"What's the matter?" asked Jonathan, scratching his ears. Sebastian stared back as if sensing something different.
"What's with the furball?" asked Nick, coming out of the bathroom, dressed in only a towel He walked over and wrapped his arms around Jonathan's naked torso. He felt muscles in Jonathan's abs he had never felt before. Must be the weight he lost in the hospital he thought to himself.
"I'm not sure." said Jonathan. "He is acting wierd. Maybe it is the hospital smell. Maybe something else" The images of Kristian continued to plague his mind.
"Maybe because it is you are so beautiful' said Nick, his hands trailing over the growing bulge in Jonathan's pants.
"Hmm could be" said Jonathan turning around to kiss Nick. Their tongues dueled for ownership of their mouths. Jonathan slipped Nick's towel off and pulled him on top of him on the bed. Sebastian lit out off the bed howling, having almost been sat on. He turned and gave the two a low growl of disapproval before lifting his flowing tail and walking out of the room. Neither noticed him leave. In slow motion the two continued to kiss and fondle each other as Jonathan became undressed. Soon, naked, they crawled under the blankets and began to make love.
On the ground, they left only many questions, puzzled doctors, pissed off police, and one man, standing alone at the end of the runway at Logan International. He stood in stark relief to the sunset over the harbor, yet unseen to most eyes. A lone sea gull stood near him watching him, its' head cocked. Planes passed over head on take off, neither seeing him or appearing to make a difference to this silent figure.
"Soon Jonathan" Kristian said. "Soon we will have much to do, you will have much to learn. Until then, be in peace, your new life awaits on the horizon."
Here ends A New Beginning. Next: the third part of what has become a trilogy of stories:
JOURNEY OF THE WORLDS. Thanks to each of you who has written me during this series. Both the series and your emails helped me to deal with Nick and what happened. For those of you who haven't a clue who Kristian is, check out the website. He is there. Http://www.stormloader.com/articwolf.
Hugs to all >>>>>>>stonewolf