Borderland Page 7

  She reappeared from time to time over the course of the next few days, but when he was finally released from the hospital and Travis asked him to come and live with him, his mother did not turn up again for a long time. She was relieved and knew that Travis and Harry would take care of each other.

  He never talked to Travis about his psychic ability because he was afraid of being scoffed at. But it seemed rather ironic now when he thought about yesterday, what he saw, and the significance of the warning he received.

  Was Logan Massey in danger? And, if so, what was he supposed to do about it? Why did he have the disturbing dream? After all, he was an old man and his health was not good. What did it all mean?

  He thought about calling Bill Jensen to see if he could give him any clues as to why Logan might be in danger.

  That’s a stupid idea! He’d think I’m crazy, or worse yet, a pervert!

  Harry pondered his options. He could call the bank manager, try to contact Logan himself, or do nothing. Not wanting to alarm her, and feeling sufficiently concerned about doing nothing, he took one last drink of coffee, and decided to call Mr. Jensen. He would use the excuse that Karen had asked him to call, something about the figures she gave Logan during their meeting last week, and he hoped he didn’t get any wrong ideas.

  * * * * *

  As Logan drove up to her parents’ place, the familiar sound of gravel crunching on the driveway lifted her spirits. The closer she came the more intense the sound grew. It was almost as if the house was voicing its displeasure with her for being away so long.

  Stepping out of the car and looking around, she felt a strong sense of belonging. Yeah, it’s been a while but I’m glad I made the decision to come.

  Glancing over at the side yard, she saw that Rex’ chain was still wrapped around the tree. She was reminded of the day her parents brought him home from the animal shelter. He was such a lovable dog, full of life, always barking at the deer, squirrels, and anything else that dared to cross his path even though they looked upon him with disdain, knowing his true colors, instinctually realizing that his bark was worse than his bite.

  When he died, her Dad cried, the first time she could ever recall him shedding tears. He loved that dog so much!

  Testimony to that was a nightly sharing of his bowl of popcorn with Rex. The two of them loved to sit on the couch, eat popcorn, and watch movies. Mom used to grumble that Dad didn’t need a mistress; he had Rex!

  They buried him under the front porch. Dad felt it was only fitting--Rex loved to sleep there, away from the hot sun, peeking out only when one of us would come by and greet him, his tail thumping on the cool dirt, waiting for the obligatory pet on his nose.

  Turning her attention to the house, she noticed the holes her dad had patched -the result of a pesky woodpecker looking for larvae in the cedar siding. He railed on and on about that bird! He tried everything but it wouldn’t go away.

  She remembered how they would hear the rhythmic drumming on the side of the house, but by the time they ran outside, the pest would be sitting in a tree close by, taunting and waiting for another opportunity to wreak havoc.

  Finally, the cat next door got it. Her dad found the dead bird in the woods between the houses and he couldn’t hide his glee. After that, the cat found many a free meal waiting for him outside the back door-just a token of gratitude for helping resolve the pesky woodpecker problem.

  Logan saw that the neighbor boy she had hired to cut the grass had been here recently. The perennials her parents planted when they bought the place were still blooming and healthy, thanks to the neighbors next door, a few weeds poking through but she could take care of that in no time. Everything looked to be in order on the outside. She hoped it would be the same when she went in.

  Grabbing her suitcase and cosmetic bag out of the trunk, she fingered her keys, finding the right one as she walked up to the back door. After unlocking it, she stepped through a threshold she’d not seen in a long time. As her eyes became accustomed to the dark interior, she said aloud, “Dirty, but I’ll clean it.”

  Walking across the room, she found the remote, clicked it and the television came on instantly. Glad she remembered to call the cable and electric companies on her cell phone, they lost no time in starting the services up again.

  She looked around the basement, satisfied with the comfort of the small den her parents had made out of the front half of the basement; the back half held storage and she had no desire to see what was in there right now. Probably needs cleaning too, but it can wait.

  Logan left the TV on, droning sound providing company as she walked up the stairs to the main part of the house.

  At the top of the stairs was a hallway, to the right were the bedrooms and to the left were the living/dining room combination and a small kitchen.

  Logan put her suitcases in one of the small bedrooms, facing the front of the house. This had been her room, and even though it was smaller than her parents’ bedroom, she preferred it for now.

  She noticed the family pictures scattered around the room, on the walls and dresser, and started to turn away, but couldn’t help looking… and remembering.

  Several pictures were of her and her parents at the cabin in happier times. In all, they were laughing and smiling, enjoying each other’s company. One showed her playing catch with Rex in the side yard. Another was one she took of her mom and dad sitting in the double rocking chair on the porch. The look they gave each other was one of complete devotion and love.

  Walking over to the window, she looked out on the front porch. It ran across the entire width of the house and several rocking chairs, including the double one, stood in a row, inviting her to come and sit a spell. She let out a big sigh, unconsciously wishing for those happier times to return.

  Nope, veering into safer territory, she put her attention to the work that needed to be done first. It’s tempting but I’ll save it for tonight, maybe with an ice-cold beer to drink, a nice reward for tackling the cleaning right away.

  Oops, remembering, I left the groceries in the car!

  Interrupting her train of thought, she ran from the room and down the basement stairs to retrieve the food and drinks out of the hot car.

  But at the bottom of the stairs she stopped and looked around hesitantly, she had run into a wall of extremely cold air. “Brrr,” hugging herself. No windows open, haven’t turned on the air conditioning. That’s strange.

  And, walking out the door, she realized the air outside was much warmer, like a typical fall day. Guess it must have been my imagination.

  But, coming back in the house and walking through the exact same spot with no cold feeling whatsoever now, she wondered at the strangeness of it all, unaware of Jake, in the corner, watching as she climbed the stairs, eyes tracking her every move, glaring with intense hatred.

  * * * * *

  Much later, a stream of light filtered through the bedroom window, offering slight illumination of the surroundings, courtesy of the full moon glowing in the night. A lone, stark figure loomed over the sleeping form of Logan Massey.

  Oblivious, she slept soundly, tired from the day’s activities, curled up on her side, away from the window.

  He bent over, examining his prey, feeling no desire for this female human, and as he moved closer, she stirred, a slight tremor moving through her body. He watched, all the while extracting energy from her, causing a sudden drop in temperature.

  Shivering, she wrapped the blanket closer around her neck, but the room continued to fill with a frosty coldness, causing her to draw her legs up to her chin for warmth.

  Dripping with malice, pulling the last vestiges of heat from her, he waited for acknowledgement of the chill and her awakening from deep sleep.

  “Cold again.” Whispering, rubbing at her eyes, she sat up, trying to bring the surroundings into focus.

  Maybe I’d better check the thermostat.

  She swung her feet around, plopped them on the floor and, when she stood up, c
ould see her breath in front of her. Tiptoeing across the room in her bare feet, she felt the frigid air all around.

  In the hallway, where it was noticeably warmer, she noticed that the thermostat was on ‘heat’ already. Turning it up to eighty, she hoped nothing was wrong with the furnace, conceding she hadn’t had it inspected recently.

  “Might as well go to the bathroom too.”

  Making her way across the hall, she stopped. Huh, that’s funny. Feels like someone’s watching.

  Squinting, she whirled around and tried to discern anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. Yet, she couldn’t shake the perception she was not alone. Again, she shivered, but this time out of worry.

  Proceeding to the bathroom, but still feeling uneasy, she remembered what had happened in the car and wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her again.

  Nah!

  But, she considered, maybe there’s something wrong with my car. I don’t like the way it acted on the way down here. Pausing, thinking, yeah, probably should have it checked.

  The man at the Mobil station… Let’s see what was his name? Carl, that’s it…need to have Carl look at it…couldn’t hurt. I’ll go to the Traveler’s Inn restaurant for breakfast tomorrow morning and drop the car off after that.

  Satisfied, Logan made her way back to bed, climbed in and pulled the covers up around her neck, protecting herself against the cold lingering in the room, waiting for the heat to spread. She shut her eyes and, even though it felt like frost was still invading every crevice of her body, after several minutes, she slept.

  Watching the steady rise and fall of her chest from the doorway to the bedroom, Jake pondered his next move. Gloating at the discomfort, the fear and self-doubts creeping in, he wanted her to deny what was happening, wanted to plant a seed of fear, and watch that seed grow into torment and become truth.

  She’ll think she’s having a nervous breakdown, or better yet, maybe going insane.

  Yeah, that’s right. Feel guilty, and in time, kill yourself, bitch.

  Jake thought about the suicide and what awaited her in Borderland. Vengeance! Want to see her suffer. Want to give her a gift-an eternity of anguish for what she did to me!

  Fading away now, vile thoughts continuing, he would be patient…wait for the dawn…no hurry…because it was one day closer to her guaranteed destiny.

  * * * * *

  Travis entered the small bedroom as stealthily as Jake had left just a few minutes before. He looked down at the trembling form huddled under the blanket and enveloped her in a protective cloud of heated vapor, bringing warmth back into her cold body, exuding as much positive energy as possible to try and offset the evil that still lingered in the room. He watched her sleeping, at first very agitated, but finally peaceful, slowly unfolding into a more relaxed, deepened slumber.

  Focusing his energy on the thermostat, he waited for the needle to move to a more comfortable setting that matched the temperature, and once assured that Logan would sleep through the night, he left the confines of the house.

  Reappearing at a safer distance, he knew Jake was close by and he stood sentry, protecting against the invisible adversary.

  Surveying the muted, deepening shades of night, Jake was too occupied to be aware of the other spirit; his total focus was on the sweet revenge he had in store for Logan.

  He briefly considered his next move.

  Then, letting his mind wander, he concentrated on the ultimate battle, knowing it meant others would be involved.

  To Hell with anyone who tries to get in my way! I’ll kill them if they do! No one is safe if they interfere with my goal…to enslave her forever in the Dark Land.

  Sensing his anger, Travis knew some of the people around Logan might be in danger, but was not sure whom Jake included in his sinister plan. Otherwise he might have increased his efforts to keep an eye on them. Unfortunately it was a mistake that would cost a life before night fell again.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Traveling south on Interstate 65, Harry went over what Bill Jensen had told him that morning. Logan had her parents’ old place on Sweetwater Lake, but she usually went camping and that’s what she told everyone in her e-mail-that she planned to camp. Bill didn’t know if she would call before she came back or not, but if she did, he would let her know that Harry needed to talk to her. Harry left his phone number with Bill before hanging up.

  He felt an urgency, danger was growing, and the feeling persisted until he made a decision to go and find her himself. He knew if he sat around waiting for her to call, she might not.

  He hurriedly packed some clothes in a small overnight bag and left by 9:00 a.m. Wanting to catch up with her as soon as possible, he couldn’t shake a feeling that something terrible was going to happen. He tried to drive at or slightly above the speed limit, but kept thinking of the time he needed to make up.

  She had a good head start and I’m not even sure I can find her. Maybe she’s already begun her hike in the woods. Then what will I do? No longer young and athletic, he couldn’t possibly catch up if that was true.

  And, if I find her, what will I say? Will she believe me if I say there’s an evil spirit trying to kill her? He almost turned the car around at that thought.

  Speaking aloud, “She’ll think I’m a crazy old man!”

  But then, remembering his dream, he was more determined than ever to find her and warn her of the danger. She had helped Travis and Karen and now it was his turn to help her. With that decided, he concentrated on driving and settled in for the remainder of the trip.

  “GO HOME!”

  The interior of the car reverberated with the chilling, guttural command. He twisted his head around to see a frightening vision in the passenger seat, recognizing Jake Turner immediately even though his features were grossly contorted into an almost satanic-like mask, glaring with hatred defying description.

  Harry felt his heart beat faster and faster; hearing it thumping so hard in his chest, he sensed it might explode.

  Tensing, he noticed the steering wheel was turning, though his hands were wrapped tightly around it, not moving. In fact, it was fighting any attempt he made to straighten it out. Trembling, he struggled to dominate, but the car veered towards the median anyway.

  Watching Harry as he battled for control of the car and his body, Jake seemed to speak again, “YOU WILL DIE!”

  “Oh my God!”

  Simultaneously, a horn blared. The sound was muted. Although it sounded like it was from a distance, looking up, Harry realized he was now in the path of another car.

  He could see the look of fear on the driver’s face and quickly swung the wheel in the opposite direction, slamming on the brakes. His car spun around twice, coming to rest in the median, a cloud of dust hovering around the edges.

  Footsteps approached. Breathing erratic, Harry could feel pounding in his head.

  “Man, are you alright?”

  Staring ahead, Harry saw anger and concern from the other driver out of the corner of his eye.

  “Didn’t you see me?”

  Harry could only manage, “I’m sorry.”

  “Next time watch where you’re going!” The man walked away in disgust, shaking his head.

  Harry sat in his car, motionless, quiet. Hearing the other car back up and take off, fear gripped his heart. He tried to steady himself and listened for the deeper breathing indicating a slower heart rate.

  I have to be careful, he thought. Maybe I shouldn’t have come. This guy, this creature…whatever you want to call him…I’m no match.

  “I can’t do it, Travis. What do you expect of me?”

  Only silence answered.

  Disgusted, he shoved the car into gear and made his way back onto the highway.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Tom stood in the doorway of the restaurant, his eyes traveling around the room until he spotted her, sitting alone, reading the menu.

  God, she was beautiful!

  Standing there, he watched her
lips move silently, her eyes reading through the breakfast selections, oblivious to anyone else. He hesitated, almost hating to break her concentration; he so enjoyed just looking at her. Logan was the first woman to capture his attention since Jenny died. It had been too long. He didn’t know what to say or do around females anymore.

  But, finally gathering his courage, he walked across the room to stand in front of her, “Try the blueberry pancakes. They’re fantastic!”

  “Oh, hi!” Everything looks so good I can’t decide.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  “No, please do,” motioning for him to sit down.

  “They’re the specialty. Isn’t that right, Betty?”

  She poured him a cup of coffee. “He’s eaten enough of them so I’d trust his judgment.”

  “Blueberry pancakes it is,” Logan decided, “You two talked me into it.”

  “Make that two orders,” Tom added.

  “Coming right up.”

  An awkward silence followed as they looked across the table at each other. It seemed like an eternity but only a few seconds elapsed.

  Studying her intently while she sipped her coffee, Tom noticed she seemed a bit distracted, drumming her fingernails on the table. Her mouth was stretched taut, tension lines trailing from either side of her lips. Wondering at the reason, he didn’t want to intrude, preferring to let her tell him if she wanted to. “So, are you enjoying the scenery?”

  “Well…I was planning on going hiking today but my car acted a little funny on the trip down here…I was thinking that I might need to have someone look at it… Do you think that guy at the gas station could check it for me?”