Aris Returns (13 page)

On the way down the hall, she stopped at the linen closet. She handed him a towel,
one of the spare toothbrushes and the individual toothpaste tubes she kept for guests.
She opened the door to the guest room and turned on the light.

Stopping at the door, she let him pass. He turned to look at her. “Thanks.” That was
all that he could say. “Thanks so much.”

“It’s fine. Sleep well.” She shut the door. As she walked down the hall to her room,
she whispered to herself, “What have you just done?” She shivered a little then straightened
her shoulders. “What I’ve just done is I helped someone in need of a friend.” She
went into her room, tucked herself in then fell into a deep sleep.

#

The harsh ring of her phone woke her. She looked at the clock. Six o’clock in the
morning. Who was the idiot to call at six o’clock on Saturday morning? She reached
for the phone.

“What do you want?”

“Nice way to answer the phone.” Colleen’s voice was angry. “What do you think I want?
Are you okay?”

“Of course I’m okay. Why are you calling me so early on my day off?”

“Because you threw us out so you could bring a crazy guy into your apartment. When
did he leave?”

Sarah yawned, “He’s still here.”

“He’s what?” The anger in her voice was replaced by shock and disbelief.

“He’s still here asleep in the guest room unless this frigging phone woke him up like
it did me.” She was grumpy and didn’t mind letting it show.

“He stayed last night?”

“I just said he’s in the guest room. I couldn’t send him back to that half-way house
last night. He was exhausted. And miserable.”

“Sarah, what’s going on between you two?” The concern in her voice was clearly recognizable.

“Nothing, Colleen. Nothing is going on. He’s basically a good person and I am doing
my best to help him find himself. That’s what you wanted me to do, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, sure but I didn’t mean for you to put yourself at risk. He’s been in trouble
so much. I’m just nervous about your safety.”

“C, I’m a big girl. I’ve been doing this job for a long, long time. I’ve never been
accosted by a client and I don’t plan on that happening now.” She sat on the edge
of her bed. “Thanks for worrying about me but I’m alright. Now, let me get back to
sleep. Okay?”

“I don’t know about you, Sarah. This hero business is way out of character. Sometimes
I think you’re a little flakey.”

Sarah laughed, “You’re calling me flaky? You? Honey, the word wasn’t invented until
you were born. Now quit worrying. And good night.” She put the phone down on her nightstand.
She slipped into her robe and quietly opened her door.

“Might as well see if he’s still sleeping.” She tiptoed down the hall. She peeked
into the guest room. He was gone. The bed was made and a note rested on the pillow.
It read, “Thank you for everything. I’ll see you at session on Friday. You really
are my guardian angel. Carlos.”

She was sorry they wouldn’t have breakfast together. She told herself it was because
she wanted to be sure he was alright. What other reason could there be? She folded
the note, tucking it into the pocket of her robe. She went to her room, crawling back
into her bed. It was strange but somehow the house felt empty without him. Now who
was the crazy one?

“A
re you sure you want to go under today?”

He pushed back in the leather recliner. “Sure. It’s the only way we’re going to get
to the bottom of this. Come on Sarah. Deep sleep me.” Smiling, he winked at her.

She had felt a little disconcerted when he walked into her office but just a moment
with him and their previous comfort returned. She watched him closely as she spoke
the usual induction to place him in a hypnotic trance.

CARLOS HAVARRO, transcript, session 8, April 2

I traveled many miles and many long weeks. I was able to run with the speed of a wild
animal. I did not see another human being. I was grateful the burning hunger for human
life did not return. When I thirsted, I drank from forest animals and they sustained
me. I did notice that my skin grew more and more white as time passed and I also grew
stronger; I was able to run incredible distances at inconceivable speeds.

The clothing I wore kept me covered and warm, but it was simple, rough cloth. As I
traveled it became worn and soiled. I longed for soft fabrics, rich textures. My clothes
in the camp of Alexander were those of a soldier, but they were the finest cloth and
leather that could be purchased. I remembered my life as a human. My soul was of an
aristocrat, a warrior. None of that had changed, I still longed for the finer things.
For the fight, the accolades. For blood spilled and now, for blood taken.

The days turned cold and the nights frigid, still I traveled. I knew not where I was
or to where I journeyed, only that I must keep moving. Slowly, quietly, the gnawing
in my belly returned.

Just as a cold, damp dawn broke through the blackness of night, I heard sounds from
a great distance carried on the morning wind. A battle raged, I was sure of it; where
there was battle, there were human beings and where there were humans, there was warm,
pulsing blood.

As I neared the skirmish, the smell of death surrounded me. I staggered and almost
fell as the burning inside my core ignited. My eyes glazed over. I could not see,
did not need to see. I was propelled through the woods by my hunger. The noise became
a living entity as I burst out of the forest and into the fray.

I fought like the devil I was. As I killed with my hands and my teeth, my clothes
became saturated and slick with the drippings from my victims. I drank again and again
and was satiated, still I fought. I killed in a frenzy. I pulled swords from dead
bodies and battled on fighting my way toward a huge building on the horizon.

Separated from the fray, seated on a horse surrounded by guards, sat a commander.
His ornate uniform was still clean, his sword yet dry. I swarmed his protectors, killing
and moving on until there was no one between me and the great man. An arrow flew,
piercing his mount in the chest. Many arrows followed and the great beast lifted onto
his hind legs bellowing, pawing the air. He fell to the earth in his death throes.
Seizing the moment, I grabbed the commander and twisted his arms behind his back,
holding him steady with my great strength. I looked right and left, not knowing what
to do with my prisoner.

“You there,” a voice cut the battle cry like a knife. “Bring Francis to me.” Like
any good warrior, I responded to a strong command. I turned toward the voice. There,
behind me, seated on a tall stallion, dressed in
strange garb, sat a man, an officer by his stature and regal saddlery. “I say, bring
him to me.”

I pushed my prisoner through his dead comrades toward the mounted officer.

“Are you one of my men?” We were surrounded by a cadre of men protecting the clearing
where we stood. Still they fought like animals all around us, yet in the center of
the circle there was calm.

I was able to understand his words. I knew that his language was not my own and not
from my time. Yet his desires were clear to me. I was wary of speaking to him should
he learn what I was and destroy me.

“Speak up. Who are you?”

I went down on one knee and lowered my head.

“I am Aris.” My words were clear to him, I knew not how, yet questioned not.

“Rise Aris. Join my ranks. You have just captured the King of France.” He threw his
great head back and roared in laughter.

Taking hold of my hand, he swung me onto the back of his horse. “The Emperor will
know of your courage.”

“Bring this King with you to camp,” he spoke to his men. “Treat him well and do not
allow his escape or all your lives will be forfeit.”

He tugged the reins and his horse rose onto its hind legs then shot through the battlefield
as if a devil were chasing it. And perhaps it was true as I was the one that rode
on its rear haunches.

“Sarah, I will not tell you any more stories if you do not breathe.”
He laughed.

She gulped air. “I didn’t realize I had stopped. Please go on.”

“No, enough for today.”

“But you must tell me, where are you? What year is it?”

“I am in Pavia and it is the year 1525. I captured Francis 1
^st
, King of France. And I surrendered him to Charles de Lannoy of the Spanish Imperial
Army.”
“

But…”

“No. Enough. Carlos is becoming restless. I do not want to do him any harm. He is
my medium and as I share his mind, I perceive he is a good man. Rather than cause
him distress, I wish to aid in his healing as he is aiding in mine. So, it is time
I take my leave. Farewell sweet Sarah.”

“Aris?”

Silence filled the room. The only sound she heard was labored breathing. She wasn’t
sure if it came from Carlos or from her.

#

Stretched out in her bed, her legs were numb from the weight of her laptop. She set
it aside and wiggled her toes. It was past two in the morning. She felt exhausted
but she found out all she wanted to know about Pavia. “Wonder how they got Italy out
of the name Pavia,” she questioned silently.

Aris not only stumbled onto a battle that changed the course of history, he also had
been the one who brought the change full course. Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor of
Spain imprisoned the French King in Madrid for a year. Francis finally signed a treaty
and was sent back to France.

“They fought three more times. Boy, Francis didn’t give up.” She read out loud to
herself. “Well it paid off, he finally won. Wow. He beat Charles. And Henry VIII.
That’s what I call a real grudge.”

She closed her laptop then set it on the bedside table. Stretching her arms, she sighed.

“Another late night brought about by Aris. I guess he was right. He is occupying my
thoughts. All the time.” She switched off the light and lay down, bringing the covers
over her shoulders. “No more. Absolutely no more. Starting tomorrow, Aris moves out
of first place in my thoughts.” As she drifted toward sleep she realized it had been
some time since she had seen her dream lover and her fatigued mind didn’t know if
that was a really good thing or a really sad thing.

“M
an, if I get one more case I’ll never get to see Bob. I’m booked solid for the next
week and a half. I’ve got paperwork coming out of my ears and there are at least a
hundred million new regulations coming down or at least it seems like it.” Colleen
took a huge bite of her hamburger. “Saul’s burgers are the best.”

“There’s mustard on your chin.” Sarah ate the last tomato in her salad then put her
fork on the plate. “What kind of regulations?”

“Nothing that’s going to affect Carlos. And by the way, the last time he came in,
he was wearing khakis. I mean, khakis?” She dipped her French fry into the glob of
ketchup on her plate and popped it into her mouth. “He said he’s looking for a job.
It’s kind of weird. It’s like he’s turning into someone else before my eyes.”

Sarah shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Oh?”

“Yeah. He had this cute accent but it’s disappearing. He’s combing his hair and shaving.”
She sipped her milk shake and drained the glass. “This hypno stuff really seems to
be working.” She stacked her plates then wiped her hands on her napkin. “Have you
hit the anger button yet?”

“No, but we’re working on it.” Sarah picked up the check then reached for her bag.

“No you don’t. This time it’s on me.” Colleen took the slip of
paper out of Sarah’s hand, added some bills to it and tucked it under her plate. “Come
on. Let’s go. I’ve got to get to the court house.”

As they stood to walk to the door, Colleen asked, “Would you be interested in taking
on another one of my parolees?”

Sarah stopped cold. “Not on your life, C. Not on your life. I’ve more than got my
hands full!”

#

Carlos sat in the chair opposite Sarah. He slouched and rubbed his chin.

“So sometimes the session is clear and sometimes I can’t remember it. What’s up with
that?” He shook his head in bewilderment. “And sometimes I don’t even feel like myself
any more. I’m reading books and the newspaper and I do it because I want to. It’s
starting to scare me.” He sat forward on the edge of his chair, leaned his elbows
on his knees and looked down at the floor. “And what’s really weird is I like it.”

He was silent for a moment. When he spoke, his gaze was directly into her eyes. “I
do want to change. I do want to be someone you’d be proud to know. You and Colleen
are the first people other than the brothers in the hood who have ever really cared
what happens to me. Sarah, I’d rather die than let you down.”

“I understand what you’re saying. I honestly do. Please, don’t think I’m not proud
of what you’ve accomplished. I see the changes in you and they’re pretty amazing.”
She reached across the table that was between them placing her hand on his. “You are
more calm. You have so much more control in your life.” She smiled a tentative smile.
“I know that we don’t totally understand what is happening between real time and your
hypnotic self. I won’t lie to you and say that it’s clear to me. But don’t discount
the positive forward steps you have taken through this. You’re looking for a job.
You are sober and glad to be.” Her voice was sincere as she looked into his eyes.
“You have come a long way in just a few months.
Don’t you see that?”