Cold Hard Magic

RHYS ASTASON

Copyright © March 2012, Rhys Astason

Cover Art by Calisto Kerrigan © March 2011

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Cold Hard Magic

RHYS ASTASON

Contents

To my darling husband,

who told me this story and actually wrote a good chunk of it himself (so if you don't like this, blame him).

"No, of course not, love. I most certainly did not throw you under the bus. Not at all, not a bit. Yes, I promise that all proceeds of the story will go towards that new set of clubs you want."

Also, a big shout out to my gals, J and H, for always being so supportive.

To J, I know Timbuktu is not populated by Hillbillies, but I'm taking some artistic license. Blame the husband.

“So then I looked at this guy’s spiritual lighting in the photo I took.”

Rob Sanders leaned forward in anticipation. “Yeah?" He nodded, encouraging the speaker to continue. "And what did you see?” His eyes lit up with unfettered excitement.

“A pyramid,” the larger man replied, nodding sagely.

“No way!”

“Way," Big Jimmy replied. He leaned back on the faux leather chair which had seen better years and crossed his arms over his sizeable gut. "And then," he paused, waiting until Rob bobbed his head expectantly, "this guy learned he would take a trip to Egypt a week later.”

“Wow," Rob murmured. He sat back on his chair, eyes unfocused and deep in thought. They suddenly cleared as a question popped in his head. "Did you say that at the time you did his reading?”

“Well…" Jimmy shrugged awkwardly, then shifted his hulking frame as he tried to find a more comfortable position. The chair groaned in protest. "No, not then, of course. Later," Jimmy nodded, "but I remembered it after he said he was going to Egypt that I saw a pyramid in his electrical field.”

Rob's face twisted in thought, his lower lip disappearing into his mouth. His face quickly relaxed when Jimmy's eyes started to narrow belligerently.

“Right, of course," he quickly agreed. "Do you still have the photograph?”

“No," Jimmy shook his head, "but I definitely remember seeing the pyramid. It was as clear to me as you are right in front of me, but in the electrical cloud. Surrounding his head. Hovering right above him.”

Rob nodded in admiration."That's…That was prophetic. Amazing, actually.” Rob smiled. “So Jimmy, when are you coming back to Boydon?”

“I'll be back this way in February," Jimmy answered. "Email me if you want an electrical field reading. I'll even let you get to keep the photo at no extra charge.”

“Thanks a lot, Big Jimmy," Rob said, scooting up on his chair and reaching out to shake Jimmy's hand. "We really appreciate you coming on the show." He grabbed the paperback on the side table and turned back to the camera.

"Don't forget to pick up your copy of Big Jimmy Femoa's
Hidden Secrets of Electrical Fields and How They Can Change Your Life in 10 Days or Less
. It's a fascinating read, folks. That’s all the time we have this week on Cold Hard Facts, your only local public access show on paranormal activity. We’re off the air for a few weeks and will be on again after Christmas, when we have a very special guest on to discuss their latest Big Foot sightings. This is Rob and Big Jimmy saying good night.”

Rob smiled at the camera and waited for Larry to call it a wrap. He didn't really like the fact that Larry tended to snort or downright laugh during the show, but he was the best cameraman in the studio. Granted, Larry was the only cameraman in the studio, but still the best in Rob's mind.

"Larry?" Rob lifted his hand and squinted against the harsh studio lights.

"He left," Jimmy said.

"Oh, right," Rob said. "Well, thanks for coming, Jimmy." He stuck out his hand and firmly planted his feet on the thin carpet.

Jimmy took Rob's hand and nearly wrenched his arm out of its socket as he pulled himself out of the snug chair. “No problem Rob, always good to be on the show.”

Rob made a concerted effort not to rub his now aching shoulder. “How was business this trip?”

“Not as good as has been in the past," Jimmy answered. "That’s why I am going to swing down through Wyoming and see what I can see.”

Rob nodded. Going around the chairs, he picked up and folded the home-made "Cold Hard Facts" cardboard background logo.

"How are your websites?" Jimmy asked.

"Huh?" Rob looked up. "Oh, well, Cold Hard Coats is doing pretty well. Got a new shipment yesterday, so I'm going to try the new compass coat later, but
Cold Hard Facts
," he shook his head, "well, I just can't seem to get enough interest there."

"Maybe you should mention it on your next show," Jimmy suggested, pointing to the sigh in Rob's hand.

"Hey," Rob said, "that's a great idea, Jimmy. I'll do that next time."

"Do we just leave, now?" Jimmy asked looking around the empty studio. "Or do you lock up?"

Rob looked around the empty studio. "I think we just leave," he said. "Larry is the one with the keys." He shrugged and opened the side door for Jimmy. "I'll see you next time, Jimmy. You drive safe now."

Jimmy shivered his massive bulk. "I might need to pick myself up one of those new coats of yours. Cold weather doesn't suit me. "

Rob watched Jimmy's retreating back and wondered if his supplier even had a size triple x that could fit the massive Samoan. "Just let me know," he called out and waved.

Rob opened the door to his beat up truck and climbed in. He pulled, then lifted until the anemic click signaled that it had closed properly. He blew in his tightly closed fist three times, then circled the steering wheel three times counter clockwise. His hand paused at the twelve o'clock position for a full five seconds. He took a deep breath and held it as his hand moved across the steering wheel again, only this time clockwise. And much faster.

Rob let out his breath with a loud whoosh and turned on the ignition key. The engine started with only a slight sputter.

"Works every time," he muttered, silently thanking the Dakota shaman that had taught him the routine. The old man had guaranteed it would always start any car if done properly. He hadn't been wrong yet.

Rob let the truck warm up for a bit
,
the heater rattling as it tried to combat the frost that had already accumulated during his time in the studio. Rubbing his hands together in an attempt to bring some warmth back into his fingers, he
looked at the bulky nylon bundle in his passenger's side. One of the new coats with a built in compass. It was definitely going to be a big seller for Cold Hard Coats. He kicked himself again for not working in the Cold Hard Facts website during the show.

Jimmy's idea was brilliant. The show was a perfect place to advertise the occult web site and its merchandise. Too bad he missed the opportunity after Big Jimmy’s momentous psychic vision. That had been a real showstopper.

Rob sighed and pulled the truck in gear, heading out of the station's parking lot. The weather was still relatively warm, so it was only horribly cold outside. That made it a perfect night to try out the new coat's compass. He pulled over onto a more remote patch of road about two miles from his house and parked the truck.

After pushing up on the door to make sure it latched, he walked a few feet away from the truck and pulled the compass that was attached to the inner pocket of the new coat. With a gentle tap on the side button, the compass lit up.

Rob smiled. "Hey, it does work."

The direction of the compass is clearly visible with its tiny light. He'd been concerned the light wouldn't be enough to gauge direction in nighttime darkness but, true to the advertisement by the manufacturer, everything worked perfectly. Rob moved towards some trees and circled around to get the needle to change direction, just to make sure it was working.

"That's great," he said to himself. "You are definitely going to be a bestseller."

He turned back around once more, this time intent on heading back to the warmth of the truck, but stopped in his tracks at the sight in front of him.

A glowing doe.

Instead of a soft brown coat, there was an ethereal golden hue which surrounded her like a thousand fireflies and stood out like a shining beacon in the night.

Rob's mouth hung open at her sheer beauty. He stood still, fearful that any movement might startle the wondrous creature.

She froze midstep, eyes wide and unblinking. After a few seconds of complete stillness, she shook her head, letting out a soft puff of air before slowly heading towards him.

As the doe came closer, Rob slowly lifted his hand out to her. This was the closest he'd ever been to a deer before. Unless, one counted the reindeer at the mall during Christmas, which he didn't. His held his hand steady and waited. She blinked at him once before lowering her head and butting her nose against his hand, completely unafraid.

“You are not going to live long with that fearless attitude around this part of the country,” he said. His hand caressed the soft fur of her head.

The doe looked up, her warm dark eyes brimming with an unexpected intelligence that surprised him.