Shadow Guardians - Genesis (3 page)

“Point him out, so I can get close enough to feel his emotions,” Mimi said, after hearing Matt and Jericho’s news. Miguel’s eyes glowed a flaming blue, and static electricity crackled around him. “Is he always that intense,” Jericho asked. “Actually, given the news, he’s rather calm,” Mimi said. “Now, which guy is it,” she asked. Matt took a gulp of pineapple juice and pointed to the man on the cell phone. Mimi floated over to him, as the others watched. The man was inhaling a hamburger and fries. When he looked up from his plate and saw Mimi, he screamed, “a ghost”! People around him began to stare. “Don’t you see her,” he said, pointing at Mimi, and quickly fleeing the table. Mimi motioned for Matt, Jericho, and Miguel to follow her, as she gave chase to the man. He leaped into a black sedan and sped away. The guardians followed, Miguel leading the pack. “What did you sense from him, Mimi,” Jericho asked. “It was weird,” she said. “I couldn’t sense anything. It was as if there was just a black hole there. He must be evil though. How else could he see me, if he wasn’t,” she asked. Let’s see where he goes,” Matt said. “We can’t risk spooking him any further, or he might change up to throw us off,” Jericho said. “Let’s ascend about a hundred feet and stay with the car,” Miguel said, leading the team upward, but still keeping pace with the speeding car.

The guardians followed the man for what seemed like an hour before he turned into a parking lot, stopped the car, and got out. “Weaver’s Stitchery,” whispered Mimi. “It’s some kind of business. He must work there or something,” she added. “From what he said on the phone, I bet he owns it. Look at what he drives too. He’s not your Odinary citizen,” Jericho said. The man looked around him, as if scanning for Mimi or to see if anyone else had followed him. “Stay in the shadows,” Matt whispered to the team. They all descended to the ground and hid behind another car in the parking lot. The tall man with the pointed nose and grey hair that they had followed was joined by an Asian man wearing sunglasses. He held a large cane rod in his left hand and walked with a limp. “Can you hear them,” Miguel asked. No one responded. “Matt, go human, and walk by them to the grocery store next door. Stand out in front and drink some juice, while the rest of us make our way to the other side of the building,” Miguel said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Matt said. “They’ll clam up when I walk by,” he added. “Don’t worry about that. We just need some ears closer to them. Now do it,” Miguel commanded. Matt morphed into human form and stood from behind the car. He took several quick steps to the side to appear as if he had just gotten out of an adjacent car and started to walk near, but not too close to the men. They were speaking in Asian. “Just my luck,” Matt said to himself. Matt walked to the front of the grocery store next to the stitchery. The two men continued to chatter, Matt unable to make out a word of their conversation. From where he stood, Matt could see inside a window in the stitchery. He saw tables with sewing machines and empty chairs. No humans were visible. Miguel, Jericho, and Mimi were still behind the car hiding. “Guess they decided not to risk being seen,” Matt muttered. Matt began to walk back to where they were hiding, when a third man, African American with braided hair and a long scar diagonally across his face, joined the two outside the stitchery. “Stop that Asian garbage and speak English. This is America,” the man said. The gray haired man and the Asian laughed. “My friend, how is it going,” the Asian asked. “The sewing machines are all ready and refurbished. All we need are bodies to man them and get some garments made. We have orders to fill,” the African American man said. “Too bad we had to get rid of our previous workers,” the Asian added. “They were too sick to keep around. I wasn’t going to risk catching small pox,” the African American said. “And we couldn’t take them to the hospital or a doctor, now could we,” the gray haired man added. “It was best just to put them out of their misery.” “I made some calls today, and Reddick is out now recruiting our new workers. We’ve disinfected the housing quarters, changed all the linens, and got a hold of some vaccine for small pox. When we get them to the quarters, we’ll vaccinate them and have them on the machines within a day. Should take about two days to train them, and then we’ll be back in business,” the gray-haired man said. “I hope you told Reddick to find all females this time, no younger than ten and no older than fifteen—they make the best workers,” the Asian said. “They’re good for a little recreation, too,” the African-American man said. That’s what you’re really after, isn’t it Gung,” he asked the Asian. The man gave a huge belly laugh. “You two are sick,” the gray-haired man said. “Sick. Using children to make clothes for free is one thing. Using them for perversion is another. Whatever you do, I don’t want to know about it,” he said with a frown. “Oh, you won’t know,” Gung said. “Say, do you believe in ghosts,” the gray-haired man asked the other two. “No. When you’re dead, you’re dead. No heaven. No after-life. No ghosts,” Gung said. “That’s what I thought until today,” the gray-haired man said. A crackling noise came from behind the car where the guardians were hiding. “What was that,” the gray-haired man asked. “You’re awfully paranoid, Rick,” the African-American man said. “You sure you can handle this”? “I guess it was nothing,” Rick said. “Tell us about the ghost thing,” Gung said. “Well, I was at the Cabana having a burger before I came here. Out of nowhere, this blonde child in a white gown appeared, floating about six feet in the air,” he said. Gung and the African-American laughed hysterically. “You’re seeing dead children, huh,” Gung said. “We’ve been doing this for over seven years, making tons of money, and now you’re starting to crack-up on us,” he said. “Are you still shooting that stuff into your veins at night,” the African-American asked. “I still use, but it’s not the heroin. I haven’t used in two days,” Rick said. “Well, after what we had to do to those nine kids, I think your conscience is eating at you. This is no business for anyone with a conscience,” Gung said. “I’ll be fine,” Rick replied. “Maybe it was just my imagination.” “You keep your imagination in check,” the African-American said, running his hands through his braids. He lit a cigarette and puffed smoke into Rick’s face. “Yokim, if you do that again, we’ll have a problem,” Rick said. Yokim laughed. “Get Reddick on the phone, and see what he’s got for us, he said. Before you get your old white fanny dusted by a Rasta”. They all laughed.

“Reddick, this is Rick. How many kids we got,” he asked. “I see. That’s good. That’s good. Those kind will make the best workers,” Rick said. “What’s he saying,” Yokim asked. Rick waived his hand and put his index finger over his mouth to shush Yokim. “Okay. See you at the quarters in about an hour,” Rick said. “So. So. What’s up,” Gung asked. “Dig this,” Rick began, “he’s been over on 18
^th
Street picking up runaways strung out on drugs. He said he got the idea from a pal who used to work the streets, but traded that business for dealing. Says that they can go for hours on end, working with no food and little supervision—are trained to obey and only want a little high at the end of the night. It’s perfect. He’s picked up three so far, and they’re at the quarters chained to the beds asleep. He’s looking for five or six more within the hour, and we’re in business,” Rick said. “Couldn’t be more perfect,” Gung chimed in. “And their ripe for whatever else we need them to do,” Yokim said. “I told you to keep that to yourself,” Rick replied.

Matt morphed back to his ghostly form and joined his teammates. “Well, what’s up,” Mimi said, anxiously. “It’s bad,” Matt said. “Really bad. We can do a lot of good here”. Matt filled the team in on what he overheard, and gave them the names he heard the men call each other. Miguel’s eyes didn’t turn their usual blue. Instead, they were a fiery orange mixed with yellow. The veins in Jericho’s head seemed to grow even larger. Tears flowed down Mimi’s face. “We have to stay with these guys and find the quarters where they’re keeping the girls,” Matt said, breaking the silence. He extended his hand into the middle of the group. One-by-one, the rest of them put their hands out and on top of one another. No one spoke a word. It was understood what each of them was thinking.

CHAPTER FOUR: SOUL CATCHING

“What is it that makes them resist fate,” Orin asked. “Over the centuries, there have always been those who refuse to let go of their former existences—those who’s spirit felt some motivation for redemption, revenge, or a god-like interventionist role,” Jordin replied. “These four are different,” Clause added. “When they die, only one out of every million is embodied with gifts that transform them from Odinary spirits to Demi-geists, ones that have powers and can take actions to resist us. I’ve defeated many of them in my time, but I admit, these four are among the most unique I’ve known. They have powers that even they do not yet comprehend. One of them may even be a Tarron. Sometimes, I wonder if the Supreme One’s will is for them to do his bidding and we are in a futile pursuit,” Orin replied. “We do the work that we are commanded to do,” Jordin said. “They do the work that they think they are to do. I know of no mandate from the Supreme One to give them a reprieve from the fate of every soul that must present for final judgment. The way I see it, we have to seal their fate, no matter the resistance. Simply going out after them and giving chase and battle will not work, it seems. They have eluded us for several years now. We must lay a trap for them,” Clause lamented. “We have put things into motion that will bring closure to this. All we have to do is let them go about their bidding until they deliver themselves to us,” he added. The three Soulcatchers laughed deeply and eerily.

“I will go to the one they know as Yokim and give further instructions,” Orin said. “They have three of the false ones in their possession. The other six are positioned. When the sun rises over the earth a fourth time from this point, all nine of the false ones will be in place, and the one called, “Mimi” will predictably “sense” them. The one known as Matthew will make contact. The strongest—the one who wields electricity—will be unable to restrain his temper and thirst for vengeance. He will lead the bald one, Jericho, to deliver the false ones. We will remove them from the others and take them to Pretonia, where they will await judgment. The others are too weak to fend us off without those two. Then, my brothers, we will have our victory and move on to other business that requires our attention,” Orin said. “What of the ones called “Gung” and “Rick”,” Clause asked. “They have been judged. In exchange for lesser punishment by the Supreme One, they will help us to carry out our plans. Afterwards, we will send them to Hades—the third level, instead of the seventh,” Jordin said with a huge laugh. The other Soulcatchers joined him. “It’s just a matter of time before the “Shadow Guardians,” as they call themselves will be no more. “What of the noble work that they do,” Clause asked. “Is it not good that they come to the aid of children and end their suffering?” Jordin clasped his hands and turned his back to the others. “That is not for them to decide. The Supreme One has a plan. He has Angels on the planet charged with doing what is to be done. These four are the proverbial flies in the ointment, good as their intentions may be,” Jordin roared, his eyes glowing red and his long silver hair flowing in the breeze around him.

CHAPTER FIVE: THE PEOPLE YOU MEET

Matt, Jericho, Mimi, and Miguel sat in a tree near the stitchery, waiting for some movement from Yokim, Rick, or Gung. Hours passed without any sign. “What are we waiting for,” Miguel asked. “We should be in there busting heads and torturing them for information.” “No,” Jericho said. If we do that, we might never find the children they’ve taken or prevent the others they plan to take from being captured. If we take these three guys out, there’s still the one called Reddick out there, and we may never find him. He’ll find a market for his services, and what good will we have done,” he asked. “Jericho is right,” Mimi said. Matt nodded. “For now, we stick close to these clowns and wait for our opportunity. We may only get one chance to do some good here,” Matt said. Miguel floated down to the ground and paced around the tree.

“I’ve got an idea,” Jericho announced. “Matt, you can assume any human form you want, right,” he asked. “Well, yes,” Matt said. “We know that this Reddick guy is picking up teenage runaways over on 18
^th
Street. Can you imagine what an advantage we would have if we had someone on the inside of his group of child captives,” he asked. “You’re suggesting that Matt morph into a teenage girl, find a way to get picked up by Reddick, and help us break this thing up from the inside,” Mimi asked with a bit of humor in her voice. “Exactly,” Jericho said. “Or, Matt can just lead us to Reddick and let me do my thing to find out what we want to know,” Miguel roared up at the group, his fist blazing blue sparks. “What do you think, Matt,” asked Jericho. “I’ve never been much on cross-dressing, but you know me, I’ll do anything in my power to help the team and to protect a child. Count me in,” Matt said. “What would you suggest, Mimi,” Matt asked. “I’d say we need someone who looks about sixteen, has an out-of-state accent, dresses slightly out of the Ordinary for this part of the country, and hangs around corners where drugs are sold,” Mimi replied. “I can hook that up,” Matt said, “but if I ever, for all eternity, hear any jokes from any of you about this….” “It’s in the interest of busting up a child slavery ring,” Matt. “There will be no jokes. This is serious,” Mimi said. “Okay. I’ll do it,” Matt said.

“That’s got to be the silliest thing I’ve ever heard of a ghost doing,” a voice shouted from the grocery store next to the stitchery. They all turned to look at an elderly man with a broom sweeping the front walkway to the store. Miguel quickly darted towards the man. “If you can see us, you must be evil. You’re obviously not a ghost,” Miguel said. “Son, I don’t mean you any trouble, and no, I’m not dead either,” the man said. “Mimi, come over here,” Miguel yelled. Mimi floated from the tree over to where Miguel had the man cornered. Mimi touched the man’s arm. “He’s human, Miguel,” she said. He’s not evil either—has a very pure heart,” she added. “How can you see us,” Miguel asked. “I thought…” The man interrupted Miguel. “You don’t know as much as you think you do, boy,” the elderly man said. “Who are you,” Mimi asked. “Name’s Ed Fozzley,” the man said. “I work here at the store as a clean-up man. Used to teach over at the elementary some time ago; was an undertaker for a few years after that. Retired and spend my days doing this, reading, fishing, and listening to the world.” By now, Jericho and Matt had gathered around the old man.