LeOmi's Solitude (28 page)

“I know.”

“Does this mean that she knew her death was
about to occur?”

“She must have felt that it was at least a
possibility.”

“A good possibility.”

“She had never included us in her–other life.
So it must have been evident to her that we were the only ones she
could trust.”

“Why isn’t anything ever easy? Every clue
leads to more questions.”

Well, there is something that I have to tell
you. You may already have a copy of it in my mother’s case
folder.”

He stepped over to his car and motioned for
her to get in on the other side. The folder was in a box between
the seats. It was considerably thicker than it had been the last
time she saw it. He opened it, flipped through and she pointed to a
hand written request for the release of the body to the funeral
home.

“Look at the crest.”

“Well, well, well.”

He took out his lighter and compared the two.
“By this crest, it looks like your family goes back as far as
Hammurabi,” He snickered.

“What about any of that other info that we
need? Do you think that she will come through on that too?

“Still nothing from her on that.”

“And she hasn’t mentioned anything else?”

“I can barely get her to look at me, much
less talk to me.”

“Okay, okay, there is another thing. I spoke
briefly to your father yesterday. I had this package for him, but
he told me to give it to you.”

His hand covered hers as she took the
evidence bag. Stamped across the top in bold letters it said,
RELEASED.

“You know what this is don’t ya?”

“Yes.”

“Are you okay with this?”

“Yes Sergeant. I am. Thank you.”

“More pleasantries. Gee, what’ll be
next?”

* * *

The weeks went by. Letters were sent to
Grand-Mère and to Ruby, but there was no answer from either of
them.

LeOmi had also written to her father, and he
had answered.

Please, keep the Ruby Knife, as long as it
doesn’t bother you. I think that you are supposed to have it. She
would have wanted it that way. Use it for good.

I can see that you will be a wonderful Magi.
It is in your nature to be the best. Even if you cleaned the
stables, you would clean them better than anyone else, and I would
be proud of you.

If it’s all right, I will see you at your
next Flags Match.

Remember, God will bless a pure heart.

Your loving father.

Chapter 15

Moral Choices Beget Moral
Influences

Mr. Diefenderfer’s field trip, to the museum
was geared to introduce students to the study of artifacts, their
uses and the skills that are required to operate them. Part of a
Magi’s training is to be able to use available artifacts in Magi
duties.

Mr. Diefenderfer and Mr. McGraw addressed the
students, “This is…Quintus McGraw…the Keeper of
Artifacts…and…curator of this…museum. You will browse…this
museum…and select…an artifact…that interests you…When you have
made…your selection…let Mr. McGraw know…he will turn the
artifact…over to you…for study…You must…keep the artifact safe…You
will have…one month…to complete your study. You are required …to
log in your notebook…the methods…and means…that you take…in every
individual step…in the process…and progress…of your study. Your
notebooks will be graded…not only on your conclusion…but…the
means…and methods…of your progress... By all means…be careful down
here. The artifacts…cannot be replaced...Also…the labyrinth
opens…once a day…on that wall…at an unpredictable time... No
person…not even one…has ever returned…from it.”

* * *

LeOmi and Bekka had spent some time together
in the museum and there was one artifact that she was very
interested in. It was a thin piece of amber that would fit in the
palm of a hand. If you looked at a person or animal through the
stone, you could tell whether they were lying, being aggressive,
hungry, sleepy or cold. This was a piece that had been studied
extensively; there was even a chart and diagrams to instruct the
user.

LeOmi was the first person in line to check
out her artifact, so she found a corner close to the office door
that had a relatively clear view.

The museum was huge. Students scattered,
looking at display boxes and pulling out artifacts and attempting
to use them. Mr. Diefenderfer was assisting students but Mr. McGraw
was, not surprisingly, practically running when cases were opened
and artifacts were in the hands of Magi-in-training.

LeOmi saw a flash of green light and Mr.
McGraw ran to a student, Katie Steurward, and said, “You must have
full respect for the objects.”

Katie was with a few of her friends and she
handed the artifact to the curator who carefully gathered the
metallic ball, about the size of an apple, into his cloak. As he
placed it back into the case it flashed green again.

“This uses the natural oils in your skin to
generate an electric spark.” As he placed it back into the case he
pointed to each word as he read.

“Do not handle this object without
gloves.”

As he straightened he said, “Have you been
eating a lot of avocado?”

Katie said, “Guacamole dip,” while holding
her slightly red and welted hand up.

“It is just a light burn, come to the office,
we will take care of that.”

Katie and Mr. McGraw went into the office and
Mr. Diefenderfer followed. The smell of hot avocado lingered in the
air.

“Hey! Check it out. The wall has
disappeared.”

A crowd formed behind Mark Young to follow
where his finger pointed. The labyrinth…the hole to oblivion had
opened.

“Oh, how fascinating!” said Rodger Ulysses, a
book worm from Amethyst Tribe, to Kyle Jernigan, also an Amethyst.
“I have always wanted to see that.”

Every student in the museum crowded towards
the wall that had a hole in it.

Others rushed forward and LeOmi heard someone
say, “Quit pushing.”

Ralph Lawrence lurched out of the crowd and
hurdled headlong into Mark.

He fell headfirst into the open doorway. The
velvet rope and poles followed him through the hole.

Chenoa yelled, “MARK!”

LeOmi saw arms that tried to grab him before
he went through the hole, but he was gone.

Mr. Diefenderfer’s strong hand had grabbed
Ralph’s shoulder, steadying him.

There was no sound of his falling, no
clattering of poles, nothing except the darkened opening where the
wall once was.

Everyone stood helpless.

All eyes were on the hole in the wall, hoping
that Mark would crawl back into the room. It didn’t happen.

Mr. McGraw ran from the office and stood in
front of the hole with his hands extended out as to take the place
of the velvet rope and poles.

“Quintus.” Mrs. Shadowitz’s calming voice
echoed from the entrance, releasing everyone from the horror of
what had just happened.

“Quintus, we must get these students out of
here. We need to evaluate what we can do.”

Mr. McGraw seemed in shock, and then he began
clapping his hands, “You heard Mrs. Shadowitz children, gather your
belongings and exit the museum.”

“We must…act quickly...You three…” Mr.
Diefenderfer pointed to Chenoa, Nick and Jamal, “Stand vigil here…I
will…set planning…in motion.”

He turned to look at the rest of the class.
“Everyone else…leave the museum…at once…We must…make room…for the
rescue team.”

He turned back to Ralph,
“Ralph…what…happened here?

Chenoa grabbed Ralph by the collar. “What
have you done? You are one sick puppy.”

“I didn’t do anything. Somebody pushed me.”
Ralph put his arm up to block Chenoa from hitting him.

“Who pushed you?”

“I don’t know.”

Slone Voif stepped out of the crowd. “I
pushed him. I was just horsing around.”

“You stupid idiot! Do you realize what you
have done?” Slone had a slight smirk and stood with his arms folded
across his chest.

“We must notify…the Council of Elders…at
once...There is no hope…for any rescue…until tomorrow…when the
doorway reopens.”

LeOmi kept her distance, tucked into the
corner. She held the amber stone up looking through it. Everyone
had a red tint, almost as if they were glowing embers in a fire,
except for Ralph, his image through the stone was gray.

She held the amber stone up looking at Ralph
as he made his way out the museum door with Slone close beside him.
Slone showed no remorse, in fact by the evaluation sheet on the
amber stone, he was giddy. At the exit, they separated, Ralph left
the museum and Slone followed the far wall, past the office and out
of LeOmi’s sight.

Mr. McGraw was herding students towards the
door, “LeOmi, gather your things.”

“Please, may I stay? I might be able to
help.”

“As long as you are not in the way.”

LeOmi went towards the wall searching for any
opening or any clue as to how to get Mark out of the labyrinth.

Chenoa, Jamal and Nick were doing the same
thing at different parts of the museum.

Suddenly Jamal yelled, “I can hear him, sort
of. At least I think it’s him.”

Everyone in the museum gathered around
Jamal, gratefully listening.

Mr. Diefenderfer bowed his head. After a
moment he said, “Yes…I believe it is him…I would estimate…that time
is passing…twenty…or twenty-five…times faster…in there…If that is
true…one hour…out here… is equivalent to…one day…in
there…approximately.”

Nick said, “That means that it could be a
month, for him, before the door opens again.”

LeOmi listened, only hearing partial
thoughts, but it was Mark all right.

I know he has to survive; there is much for
him to do.

* * *

In the museum, preparations for a rescue
were being mounted. Mr. Diefenderfer returned with the Council of
Elders, a few instructors, and a few counselors. Tim and Gerod were
among them, with Tim leading The General by his reins.

“I don’t know…if this…will
work…We are going…to try…to communicate…with Mark…through…The
General…Mark can transmit…his thoughts…and feelings…to
people…through…
Rooack Dabar.

Anyone could read Mark’s thoughts, if they
were close enough and he wasn’t trying to prevent it. Mark could
see what The General was seeing if he was close enough.

Gerod and Mrs. Shadowitz sat up a large
paper tablet on an easel in front of The General. Mrs. Shadowitz
wrote on the paper:

We are here.

We can hear your thoughts.

We understand the time difference.

Hang on.

We have plenty of food for you.

Do you have broken arms?

Warm clothes,

Better light.

You are all right.

Anything else?

LeOmi and everyone in the room could feel
that Mark realized Divine intervention might be his only hope. He
got to his knees and started praying. Everyone that The General
could see was praying, too.

Tears flowed from LeOmi’s eyes. She could
feel the firm belief from everyone in the room.

He will be rescued.

* * *

LeOmi stayed at the museum with Bekka and Mr.
McGraw.

The waiting was the hard part.

“I was always so concerned that this might
happen. Hadn’t I mentioned this to you? We should have taken better
precautions.”

“But if those…within…could have found…a way
out.”

“I know, I know, but now, we have another
in.”

“Yes…” Mr. Diefenderfer turned Mr. McGraw to
look at him, “Believe, Quintus…We must believe.”

“Yes, yes, you’re right.”

Bekka took Mr. McGraw’s hand, “Come Father,
let’s sit down.” The two of them went towards the office.

“LeOmi, you have…something…for me?”

“Yes, but I feel that you already know.”

“About…the Truth Stone…and Ralph…Yes…There
are…those who…no longer need…the Truth Stone.”

“I thought that might be true, but I had to
be sure.”

“Yes…Thank you…Miss Jones.”

“I am going to the Reports Room now.”

“Very good…Miss Jones.”

LeOmi turned to go but she stopped and turned
towards Mr. Diefenderfer and she said, “I believe. I believe he
will be out very soon.”

“I…too…Miss Jones.”

* * *

Gunnison was not in the office. No one else
was there either, as usual.

LeOmi looked in the little window and found
some sticky note paper and wrote “YES” and posted it on the little
name plate that Gunnison had previously set on the window shelf.
LeOmi thought of it as “THE DOCTOR IS IN” kind of thing.

Then she went to the Olive Tree. The coneys
were restless.

* * *

Ms. Vanmie was the only other person that
LeOmi had seen at Bekka’s Olive Tree. It was very strange to see
Lydia Jefferies standing in LeOmi’s usual spot.

Bekka didn’t really own the tree, but she
did nurture it.

She took it upon herself to observe the tree
daily, since it was in such a harsh and dry environment.

There was a drip irrigation system that was
gravity fed from a reserve container on the mountain itself. She
even borrowed bees from the bee keeper during the flowering time to
pollinate the tree’s buds so that they would produce fruit.

Gunnison had already notified Mrs.
Shadowitz, Bekka and Lydia Jefferies about the ‘Yes’ note, before
LeOmi made it to the tree.

“Are we having tea again?” LeOmi was smiling
as she approached the two women.

Bekka wasn’t enthusiastic at all. “Mrs.
Shadowitz has suggested that Lydia give a few pointers as to how to
control your anti-empath…but I want to remind you that you are
entering what can be a dangerous situation. I’d like to think that
Mark Young’s falling into the labyrinth was an accident, but I want
you to understand the need to be cautious.”