Chapter 29

ID: 1762291   (Rated: 13+) Artifact Man  A thriller, new age, sci-fi novel about a strange man found in the desert. by Hyperiongate

ID: 1825835   (Rated: E) Chapter 28  Annie and JD11 trade "thoughts" and then get locked in. by Hyperiongate

Saturday, April 3rd, 8pm
Lise Marshall’s home, Reno

Much to Lise’s distress, Jack insisted on carrying his own bag in from the car. That he’d insisted on leaving the hospital at all was unheard of. He’d been in a coma less than an hour ago and now he insisted on going home.

At first she’d fought him. She was the doctor, after all. Then, Jack reached out and put a hand on her arm and said in a voice low enough so only she could hear, “Lise, we have to go. I’m in danger here. I’ll explain later.”

“I told you Lise, I’m fine,” he said with a big smile.

“Jack, I know they gave you a clean bill of health to leave the hospital. Still, while your recovery from the bullet wounds defies explanation, it doesn’t mean that you should be acting as if you didn’t just get release from intensive care. There could be underlying problems we aren’t aware of.”

Jack set his bag on the porch and reached for her. They kissed long and slow before he pulled away and said, “I know I’m fine. I’ll tell you how I know over dinner. I’m starving.”

As they worked side by side in the kitchen, Lise found it hard to keep her questions in. If he knew what was going on, why he wasn’t still dying, how come he just didn’t tell her? She felt his hand on her back. Then it came to her. He was trying to put it all together himself. Something happened that he was fully aware of and yet, didn’t fully understand. She stayed quiet as they continued to prepare dinner. The story would come out when he was ready. For now, she offered up quiet thanks that he’d been returned to her. Everything was going to be alright.

After taking a few thoughtful bites, Jack said, “I’m ready to tell you what happened.”

Lise sat back and listened as the story flowed out of Jack.

“First of all, I remember everything. I remember being shot and I remember dying…except I didn’t die. You’ve heard those stories of near-death experiences right? Where people float over their body and watch as people try to revive them. Then they go back into their body and wake up? That’s sort of what it was like. Rudolf left me for dead and headed up the stairs. I saw that people were trying to take care of me so I decided not to stick around. I followed Rudolf instead. I saw it all, Lise. Everything. I saw Annie come up behind him and pull the trigger. I saw Lanier rushing to the hospital only to get their after everything was over.”

He paused to take a bite of potatoes while he gathered his thoughts before continuing.

“Lise, I saw Tom, Sheriff Tucker. He was there with Betsy, his wife. I know that sounds like a dream but it wasn’t. They were both there. The funny thing is that we all knew each other as if we’d been together our entire lives. There was nothing that was not known. Tom put his hand on my shoulder and said, “You need to go back.” I knew he was right. Here’s the strange thing, Lise. I didn’t want to come back. I knew you were here but I also knew that you’d be with me anyway. I was in a place where time didn’t exist. The idea that I’d have to “wait” for you didn’t make sense. No, I didn’t come back because of you. I wish I could say that was the reason. But the truth is, I came back for him.”

Tears were coming down Lise’s cheaks. She hadn’t missed the part where he’d matter-of-factly said they’d be together anyway. She’d known he was The One all along. This only reaffirmed it. Still, it was nice to hear.

“JD11 is important, Lise. He is here to do great things.” After a brief pause, he continued, “ and the best part is that you and I are going to be part of it. Lise, he is going to come for us. When he does, we’ll need to go with him.”

Lise felt an alarm going off inside. She’d just got Jack back, making her world complete once again. Now she was hearing that all of that was going to change. She loved her job but she loved Jack more. She knew she’d go if he said that was what they needed to do, still…”

“Jack, are you telling me that I’ll have to leave the hospital? Stop being a doctor?”

Jack took her hand. “You will never, ever have to do anything you don’t want to do. When JD11 comes for us, we’ll know that the thing we want to do more than anything in the world, is to follow him.”

“Jack, that sounds kind of spooky. It sounds like we’re going to be joining a cult or something. Do you know who he is? Where he came from? Why we will follow him?”

Jack shook his head. “No, I don’t know anything about him other than what he told me while I was dead.”

Lise almost choked on her food.

“You spoke with him? While you were…dead?” Lise just then realized how far-fetched this conversation had gotten. As a doctor, she was very familiar with people that claimed to have Near Death Experiences. They even had a term for them – NDE’s. This was apparently what Jack had experienced. Most doctors tried to push NDE’s off as hallucinations although all agreed that much of what occurred during NDE’s was difficult to explain.

Now Jack was back from the dead. He hardly even had a scar. He came back with his own unique story, one that implied her life was about to change, dramatically. Lise cautioned herself to remain calm and open-minded. So what if he spoke to JD11 in a dream. In all likelihood, it was just that, a dream.

Jack smiled at her. It was as if he could sense her fighting her own doubts. She wanted to believe but logic held her back.

“What did he tell you?”

“He said that I wasn’t going to die. Actually, he didn’t say “die.” He said it wasn’t time for me to “move on.” Then, without saying a word, he somehow began to explain things. For example, he said I’d found him for a reason; just like I found you for a reason. He said that Lanier would take care of him and Annie for a while. But soon, we’d be brought back together. When that happens, things will start to change. He then took me back to my body where an intern had just pronounced me “dead”. JD11 said not to worry about that.”

Jack paused for a moment. Lise thought he was about to break down. Instead, he wiped away an unseen tear and said, “He healed me, Lise. JD11 put his hands on my wounds and I saw them close up and heal. I know this sounds ridiculous, like a dream or something. But it really happened. JD11 healed me and then he left. After that I returned to my body. The next thing I knew, you were standing by me in the hospital and I was healed. My body was completely repaired and I have the feeling that he did it; JD11healed me.”

Lise said, “Jack, I don’t know what to say. Of course there have been instances of inexplicable healing but your…”

A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thought.

Lise started to get up but Jack held her back. “Lise, things are about to happen. Just remember that everything happens for a reason.”

He got up and went to the door. He opened it to a pair of uncompromising suits size XXL.

“Mr. Barton, I need you and Miss Marshal to come with us. The colonel wants to talk with you.”

“I don’t suppose this can wait until tomorrow,” Jack asked already knowing the answer.

“No sir. He wants to see you ASAP. It has to do with the subject known as JD11. We have helicopter waiting at Fallon AFB.”

Jack turned to Lise and said, “You might want to pack a few things.”

Bucarest, Romania

Down a narrow side street paved with ancient cobblestones, only two blocks from the city square, was a small café that served cheap food and strong wine to local shadow dwellers. They were typical of the black-market culture whose illegal beat served as the pulse of the ancient city; They were equal parts needed and vilified. Truth be told, without such substrata entrepreneurs, the highly visible free market that bustled and basked openly in the city lights would collapse upon itself.

Those that lived there knew that if you wanted something of substance; something that couldn’t be had elsewhere, you had to go deep beneath the surface. If you went far enough away from the city’s outer sheen, you could get anything.

Tonight, a man in a hooded cloak sought something he knew could only be found in such a place; something very particular that could only be acquired in a particular café, down a narrow street, only two blocks from the lights.

The man had an escort. It was necessary for his protection as well as the person’s he sought. Outsiders we unwelcomed and frequently entered the darkness only to disappear forever from the light. His escort indicated for his charge to follow him in through a heavy door and into the café.

It was dark inside; lit only by small candles on each of the tables scattered about. While no one looked up when he entered, the man had no doubt that he was being closely watched. He didn’t care. He knew that whatever secret brought men like himself here, it was undoubtedly small compared to the secrets the regulars carried with them and they slunk through the night.

“Where is she?” he asked his guide.

The guide nodded towards the barkeep who pointed a wine bottle towards a dark booth on the far side of the room. The man could see a small shape sitting there. Leaving his guide behind, he walked slowly between the tables until he stood next to her.

She was clearly old. Her head was covered with heavily matted grey hair. He couldn’t see her eyes as they were set too far back into her withered skull-like face. Her head turned slowly as she looked up at the newcomer.

In a surprisingly deep and smooth voice, she said, “What do you want, priest.” The last word was spat out with obvious distaste.

He smiled and sat down across from the hag.

“I am seeking the truth.”

She nodded knowingly. With snake-like speed, she reached out and grabbed his wrist in a surprisingly strong grip.

The priest said nothing as she held on tight. After a moment, she began to sway back and forth slightly; her lips silently mouthing perhaps a chant, perhaps nothing but the babble of a mad old woman. He would have to wait.

Eventually, she swayed to a stop and her eyes opened. They looked directly into the priest’s eyes. He was taken aback by their newfound youth and evident joy.

“What is it? What have you found?” he asked excitedly.

“He has come…”

ID: 1835328   (Rated: E) Chapter 30  Lanier tells JD11 he an never leave the base. A priest visits a senator. by Hyperiongate