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Chapter 26
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Fire and Water Chapter 27
The sky was jewel-like, crystalline blue as James pulled the sleek navyblue Mercedes onto the causeway. Driving towards Melbourne beach, he grinned like a kid playing with a shiny new toy for the first time. He looked out over at the water and saw the blazing sun dancing across the waves, the palm trees waving lazily in the cool ocean breeze. Being in this environment brought the book he had read last night to surreal life. To him, the novel was more than just a representation of a man struggling against nature and age. It was a kind of metaphor for life. Sometimes, thought James, we go after our dreams based on preconceived notions and ideals of success and life doesn’t always work out the way we intended. But like the old man, he figured you had to keep going no matter what. Because as is the case with real life, just as in the book, there is always someone watching and learning from your example. James sighed softly as he studied the beauty all around him, the book’s characters r
Fire and Water Chapter 28
The beach was officially crowded. Up and down the strip of white sand by the water, beachgoers were walking to and fro, and loungers laid about soaking up the life-giving rays of sunshine. Out of respect for Eliza, he averted his eyes from the scantily clad girls in every direction. Lucky for them, the hotel had its own strip of beach, so they needn’t have to fight for any place to lay their things. As Eliza laid down their towels, he shucked his flip-flops and slipped his shirt off. “Hey, Mr. Six-pack, don’t give any girls a heart attack,” she taunted him. “Whatever,” he muttered. He was about to add another retort, but his eyes were riveted. Eliza had just come out of her own clothing and the bikini she had on—white with blue horizontal stripes, kind of sailor-ish—accented all of her curves perfectly. It took him a second to realize his mouth was hanging open and he was pretty sure he was drooling. With effort, he closed his mouth as she laid back on the towel. “What? You’re not
Fire and Water Chapter 29
“God,” complained James. “I look like a door-to-door insurance salesman,” he said, remarking on what he was wearing. A pair of pressed khaki chinos, white oxford button-down shirt, and navy-blue tie with diagonal sky-blue stripes were paired up with his nice Doc Martin leather boots. He wished he could have just worn his Chuck’s but Blakeney had said no. To him, he looked like a prep school snob. “I think you look handsome,” Eliza countered. During continued grumblings, she asked, “How long do you think Tres will keep the network down?” Blakeney chuckled jovially as they pulled to a stop in front of the Somers’ house. “I don’t see a problem there. I told Anita to ask him for help when she called late last night.” He laughed deviously. “She has no clue that he’s the one who crashed it in the first place. And apparently the students almost rioted when the satellite and internet shut down, so I’m sure she has her hands full.” Blakeney shook his head. “Well, let’s go.” They ste
Fire and Water Chapter 30
Christian’s eyes went wide for just a split second before indifference washed the shock away. “What are you talking about?” Rebekah asked. Then, “Christian, what is he talking about?” “I dunno,” Christian shrugged. James had to admit it, the boy had the talent to pull off the innocent charade. “James,” said Blakeney, bringing him up to bat. “Look,” he began, “we saw you in the water. You called that wave to you and forced it to go the direction you wanted it to. We know all about your ability with water, so stop pretending.” Christian shot daggers from his green eyes at James. “Whatever.” “Okay, what is going on?” Rebekah asked suspiciously. Her son was as impassive as the sphinx. Blakeney leaned forward, excited now. “Your son is quite gifted, Rebekah. In fact, I’m willing to bet that if I set down a glass full of water on the table and he chose to perform in front of you, he could swirl the contents using only his mind.” Rebekah shook h
Fire and Water Chapter 31
James was barely paying attention though, because as Eliza walked into the yard and the strengthened breeze finally met her, his eyes were locked on. He could feel a catch in his throat, his pulse ringing in his ears like a shotgun had just went off nearby, and his heart was hammering like a drum. Her red hair danced this way and that in the wind, her recently sun-kissed skin was gilded gold by the sinking sun, and her dress was whipping against her body bringing it out on display. Eliza threw him a smile as she hurried to the car and a blush rose up her face at the dazed look which had fallen over his features. She dashed to the back seat to get out of the wind. From the corner of his eyes, he saw that Christian was staring after her as well. He took a deep breath to lash up his rising temper. “I guess you’re the baggage check?” Christian commented derisively. James bent to haul in his first bag. “Yup.” he set it in the trunk, added a second and then the skateboard.
Fire and Water Chapter 32
The gas tank full, he replaced the nozzle into the pump, but as he went to grab the ejected receipt, his eyes sweeping the area, he could have sworn he had just spotted a moving shadow in the distance. A shadow with red eyes. James blinked, shook his head, then stared at the spot where he had seen the apparition. When a more thorough inspection had turned up nothing— Now, I’m seeing things . . . grrreat! —he grabbed the receipt and turned to get back into the driver’s seat. Blakeney walked up with Eliza in tow. They each had a grocery bag in hand. “What was that about?” He wanted to know. He already knew what Blakeney was referring to. “Oh, nothing. Just coming to an understanding.” Blakeney eyed him momentarily, then with a nod, he ambled into the car. “Good to go?” said Eliza, a small smile on her lips. James nodded. Holding the door open for her, he said, “Yes, ma’am.” She climbed in with a giggle and he crossed around and reentered the car as well. He turned on the car,
Fire and Water Chapter 33
“James!” Blakeney shouted from the center of the intersection, the streetlight now casting the creeping fog into a dense green mist. “James, wait!” Eliza heard Blakeney swear from her place by the car. She had just watched James sprint off into the woods after Kali . . . alone . . . again. Why does he have to always do that? she questioned herself in frustration. Blakeney spun towards her. “Eliza, stay here.” He darted off into the night in the general direction that James had gone. “Great,” she spat to nobody. “Now I’m stuck with a whimpering baby.” She was referring to the curses and screams Christian had shouted out during the soldiers’ attack. Having never seen something like that, anyone would be scared, but she figured he ought to handle it just a little better than that. Just then, Christian attempted to open the back door, his eyes still stretched wide in fear.Eliza slammed it closed with a bump of her hip. “Stay in the car,” she ordered. “Whatever,” grumbled Christian.
Fire and Water Chapter 34
In that split second, the overabundance of adrenaline caused time to slow infinitesimally for her. She finally got a good look at the boar. The skin was rubbery, dark and thin; short, sharp hairs decorated it’s huge body like the spikes of a porcupine; it’s snout was elongated and a thick tar-like substance dribbled from its black lips; the eyes were a blood red; but worst of all, along the ridge of its spine, razor sharp fins of bone jutted up from the skin like the peaks of a mountain. In that second of blood-curdling screams, her mind registered all of this then chose its target carefully. Eliza grasped the shaft of her spear with all her strength and thrust it mightily forward. The tip forged with Olympic metal drove straight and true. It pierced the boar’s left eye and continued on as a red gelatinous ooze spilled from the punctured sight. The creature whelped with a human-like agony, ripped itself free, and charged off into the thick of night; fog and woods concealed it
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