The Game (27 page)

  Lisa Rohansen, Live report on Zack Channel 42

  The elevator stops at its floor and dings briefly, then the door opens.

  Two hospital orderlies are walking past and immediately stop, their heads turning to look at the two men stepping out of the lift.

  They are both tall. The one with sandy brown hair is 6’2”. The other, with golden hair, is at least 6’4”. They are both dressed immaculately in expensive designer suits, complete with all the proper accessories which one would expect from a model or a movie star. As they step out of the elevator, everyone nearby stops and looks at them, as if compelled to do so. The men smile warmly; they are used to this. They nod encouragingly at each and every person, touching them lightly as they walk by. At the moment they are touched, each person closes their eyes and the look of joy on their face is indescribable in words but very evident to anyone witnessing it.

  The shorter man leads the way down the hallway while the taller one lingers, speaking softly to the people as he passes by and touches them.

  “Excuse me,” the lead man says to the nurse at the desk. His voice is like liquid copper, dripping with honey and warmth. Instantly the nurse looks up and smiles, as if she’s experiencing ecstasy on some mild level. The man’s eyes are deepest blue with silver flecks swirling lazily around like fish in a warm pond. “I’m hoping that you can direct me to Danielle Radfield’s room, please.”

  The woman nods slowly, reaching out her hand towards him. He softly grasps it and her smile widens. “Yes, you can find her in room 33, just down this hallway and to the right. Shall I take you there?” she offers.

  “Thank you so kindly,” the taller man says from behind his colleague. His voice, warm gold shining brightly in a green meadow. The deep, rich baritone soothes the nurse even more. “We can certainly find our way from here. Thank you so kindly, Margaret.” The nurse nods happily and stands there watching them as they continue slowly down the hallway.

  Eventually the two men are standing outside the closed door of room 33. “I’ll wait out here for a few moments,” the taller man says, looking around comfortably.

  The other nods and knocks politely before entering the room.

  There are four people inside. Trew stands calmly off to one side of the bed, whispering to Raphael and Stephanie. They appear calm in spite of the fact that time is quickly running out, and they are all aware of it.

  Raphael looks towards the door first. His eyes light up with recognition and joy. He quickly closes the distance and grabs the man in a fierce embrace, the way dear friends do when they haven’t seen one another in a long time. The man returns the hug with even more emotion, laughing out loud as he says, “Easy, my young Brother! You’ll crush the very life from me if you’re not careful.”

  The two hold each other in a deep embrace for a very long moment, and when they release each other Stephanie is already pushing Raphael to the side and gripping the man in her tightest hug.

  “That’s it, little Sister!” he laughs. “Totally ignore my warning to Raphael and crush me like a tin can!”

  Stephanie laughs and when the two separate, they both wipe tears from their eyes. She stands beside Raphael, both making room for Trew to enter their space.

  “Trew,” Raphael says proudly. “Please allow me the honour of introducing you to our dear big Brother, Gabriel.”

  Trew looks at Gabriel intensely, and with a sad, small smile, he extends his hand. Gabriel grips it and the two shake hands. “I am so pleased to meet you, Trew. I’ve heard so much about you. I apologize that we must meet under such troubling circumstances.”

  “It’s good to meet you as well, Gabriel,” Trew says. “Although I have to apologize; I’ve never heard of you before this moment from either of your siblings. As a matter of fact,” Trew gives Raphael and Stephanie an interested look, “Up until this moment I didn’t even know you two
were
siblings.”

  Gabriel laughs lightly. “We are siblings, not in blood, but in spirit. And forgive them their secrets, Trew. They are required to keep as many as they can for as long as possible. What we are doing today hasn’t happened in a very long time on Earth, if it ever has happened at all.”

  “What’s happening?” Trew asks, as if he hopes for the answer, but is also afraid to hear it.

  “You shall see soon enough, young man,” Gabriel assures him.

  Looking at Raphael and Stephanie, his smile fades into a look more serious. “The powers that be have explored every option available to help us save the life of this young woman.” He pointed towards Danielle lying in her bed. “All of us know that she is almost gone.”  Everyone nods sadly. “But recent developments have provided a solution to come forward to save her.” Gabriel looks seriously at Trew. “It is risky, and perhaps it is too late to work. But if you wish us to make one final attempt, I will do what I can to save her.”

  Trew walks over and cradles Danielle’s head in his hands. She is everything to him, and he is terrified that she will leave now, and he doesn’t want to face this life without her. With tears in his eyes, he lays her head gently down on the pillow, turns to face Gabriel, and nods fiercely. “Please do what you can to save her. She’s my world.”

  Gabriel nods slowly. “She is ours, as well, Trew. Prepare yourselves, then. I have a great surprise for all of you.”

  Gabriel opens the door and sticks his head out, nodding for the man in the hall to come in.

  He walks in smiling, his arms slightly spread and his palms turned outward. Raphael and Stephanie both look awestruck, and they each reverently sink to one knee, bowing their heads. An enormous grin is on each of their faces, which becomes apparent when the man gently touches each one on the top of their heads, and they look up at him. “Please, Children. Don’t fall down just so I can pick you up. Stand up and give me a hug.” The two stand quickly and hug the man, first Raphael, and then Stephanie. There is whispered talk between them as they hug, followed by laughter, and then the group is standing back again so the tall man can meet Trew.

  Trew walks closer to him and is immediately captivated by his eyes. They are deepest green with gold flecks swirling in them. Trew has a flash of memory. He remembers wearing a bracelet, green with swirling gold flecks. Only it hadn’t been
him
— he had been someone else, someone…
younger
. The vision is confusing, but powerful. The man breaks the memory by addressing Trew in his rich voice. “It is so good to meet you, Trew.”

  “Who… who
are
you?” Trew asks.

  “I am the answer to prayers, my boy,” the man answers warmly. “I am the bringer of truth and the deliverer of miracles. I’m afraid that is all I can tell you at the moment. Many would not believe who I am if I were to tell you. I am one of the most misunderstood creatures on the planet, a case of trying to help and being hated for it. But I can assure you, Trew, I am the only one that can bring her back. Now, shall we get down to business?”

  Trew nods, moving out of the way as the man strides towards the bed to look down sadly at Danielle. He places his left hand under her head, and his right hand gently rests on her heart. “Okay, little bird,” he says in a soothing, playful tone, “It’s time to leave that restful place and come back to us for a while longer.”

  He closes his eyes, and Trew watches intensely. The man’s smile widens and a humming begins to sound from his body. Slowly, steadily, a warm golden glow appears from his hands and spreads softly over Danielle’s body. Trew watches as the hum increases in volume and the glow envelops her.

  “Miracles
can
happen, Trew.” The man’s gold flecked eyes swirl madly. “When enough people believe and come together, miracles can happen.”

  Then he looks intensely at Trew, as if he's speaking to something or someone inside of him.   “You all saved her, stop doubting and start believing again. It’s time to wake up to the truth!”

  There is a tremendous clap of thunder and Trew is thrown to the floor.

  When Trew looks up, Gabriel and the man are gone. Only Raphael and Stephanie remain, lying on the floor as well.

  Danielle is still in her bed. Her eyes open. Her hand reaches out for Trew.

  He runs to her and wraps her in his arms, sobbing with joy.

Chapter 52

  No one knows for certain what we witnessed today.

  Through Trew’s eyes, we saw that Danielle’s life was saved by a miraculous stranger. Who were these two men who walked in like angels and disappeared the same way? Were they the fabled ‘Eternals’? Do we finally have proof that they exist, and if so, what does this mean?

  Trew’s following continues to be the highest of any player to ever enter the Game, virtually guaranteeing that he will finish this play in the number one spot. There are, of course, other factors involved in the scoring of rank, but predictions are that Trew will achieve what he obviously set out to do… finish this play ranked number one.

  Some of the big questions being asked all over Tygon right now are:

  If the Game exactly mirrors Tygon, are such miracles possible for us as well? Did our praying affect events inside the Game? Do we have Eternals walking amongst us on Tygon as well? Who was the mysterious stranger, and was he actually speaking to us when he said to ‘Wake up to the truth’?

  Most of Tygon will be sitting in front of their viewers today as we watch and hope to discover answers to these questions and many others…

  The Fan - Game News at its Source

Trew - 29

  The doctors come in and order a barrage of tests to be conducted on Danielle. They kick us out of the room and have her for about an hour, taking blood, asking her psychological questions to make certain there’s no brain damage, doing scans to determine brain function; lots of things that I don’t really understand.

  During that time I say nothing about what just happened to Raphael or Stephanie. We sit downstairs in the hospital cafeteria, drinking coffee and making small talk about what we think is happening with Danielle. A few times their eyes become serious and they start to say something, but I just hold up my hand. They nod in understanding; we will talk about it with Danielle present, once we go back to her room.

  I get a call from the nurse’s desk and we return to Danni’s room. She’s sitting up in her bed, looking as healthy and energetic as ever. There’s no sign of the weak, sick girl who was slowly dying just a short time ago. Her eyes are sad; she knows that the baby is gone. I walk over and hug her tight, tears in my eyes as we embrace. I hold her for what seems like only a second but is likely long minutes. Finally I let her go and kiss her cheek.

  “You gave us quite the scare there, love,” I say.

  “That’s what they’re telling me. I’m sorry, Trew.” Her voice cracks and her eyes say it all.

  I smile reassuringly and wipe her tears away. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, my sweet girl. You’re back with me now, and you look healthy as can be. Just don’t ever do that again, and everything will be fine.”

  Raphael and Stephanie come forward and embrace Danielle, telling her how incredibly happy they are that she found the strength to pull through this. She smiles at them and accepts the praise as well as she can. We all pull up chairs around her bed.

  “What happened?” she asks. “The last thing I remember is coming home from work and not feeling well. I walked to the kitchen for a drink of water, felt a stabbing pain in my belly, then I was with her until I woke up. That’s all I can remember.”

  “With her?” I ask.

  Danni smiles, “Yes, but I’ll tell you about that when you’re done with your story. Fill me in on what I missed.”

  I go over the details; Coming home and finding her on the kitchen floor. The rush to the hospital. The days of watching her fade away in bed, the doctors informing me there was no hope for her survival. Then I tell her about the two strangers, Gabriel and… the other man, coming in, and the events that occurred.

  “Wow, that sounds incredible!” She says. “I’m sorry I missed seeing it. Gabriel sounds wonderful, and this other man, well… they both sound like angels.”

  I nod. “Sound like, looked like, acted like. Yes, they fit the part of angels exactly.” I look at Steph and Raph who’ve been quiet the entire time. “Is that what they were?
Angels?
”

  They look at each other and Stephanie nods to Raphael, indicating he can go ahead and do the talking. Raphael takes a drink of water from his bottle, then nods his head.

  “They aren’t angels, but that’s one of the names they’ve been given over the ages. Them, and others like them.”

  “Others like them?” I ask. “Others like
you?
”

  Raphael looks at me patiently and smiles. “I know you’re going to have a million questions, Trew, and that’s to be expected. That I can answer
any
of them is very surprising to me, but I’ve been given permission to tell you about us.” He quickly holds up his hand when he sees me take a breath to speak. “Perhaps it’s best if I tell you what I can without interruptions. That way I can present the details in the best order and, although you can ask me questions after, there won’t be much more that I can tell you once I’m done. Perhaps a few little things, but not much.”

  “Okay…” I say slowly.

  Stephanie laughs at me. “Don’t worry, Lobato, I think you’ll be happy with the information that we share with you.”

  I look at Danielle. She shrugs and smiles at me. I pull my chair closer to her bed and nod. “Okay, then. Tell us what you can.”

Chapter 53

  I regret my seventh life in the Game.

  It was amazing. Everything worked out perfectly, just the right mix of triumph and tragedy, success and happiness. Fans loved it, and to this day it’s my best money maker from Firsting sales. But no other play after that one turned out even half as good. As a player, this isn’t a huge deal. I’m very wealthy as a retired Gamer, and I owe it all to my seventh life.