From Night On: Pathways

Chapters 27-28

Chapter 27:

The Sword In The Sand

(Les)

I spent another week making sure that all of the memories triggered the messages I left within them. By the time I felt confident that my task was completed, Nathaniel had made an amazing turn around and it gave me pause over what the human mind was capable of. Memories left unchecked can slip back into the quiet voice that tells us who we are and contribute to who we will be. What I did for Nathaniel, for myself, was something that cognitive therapy would take years to cover. I only wish that I could offer that to everyone suffering from anxiety and PTSD.

By the time I felt finished, I could also feel a tug at my body. Perfect timing, I guess. When I came to, I was tied to a poll that was slowly being turned over a fire. The mermen were trying to cook me and arguing, probably over why it wasn't working. During my time with Nathaniel, I had forgotten that I was blind, but then wondered if my spirit form could offer me something. I astral projected just my head to look around while I remained in control of my limbs. Fortunately, it worked. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to use the flames being partially out of my body.

Being free of Nathaniel's anxiety that crossed our connection, I was able to listen like I had with others and tap into that world language, again. Even without my eyes, I felt like I had returned. I took a good look around at my captors, who had become aware of my awakening, and then quickly popped my head back in. The heat I released to brake my bonds was immense and I heard the mermen shuffle back, cursing from the pain. I dropped down into the fire and slowly stood up as my already tattered clothes dropped as ash.

"You picked the wrong guy to barbecue," I said, clutching a burning log and crushing it in my hand. "I'm worse than a corner-store burrito: still frosty in the middle." I grinned and leaped at the group. Being with Nathaniel for the prolonged time allowed our energies to mingle a little. I could feel the warrior spirit and couldn't help wondering if he had followed me back, offering me his fight.

Everything has a heat to it. I could feel the heat differential between the sands, the shore, the waters, and my captors. "I'm The Devil of Merman's Kitchen!" I cried in laughter as I could sense where each and every one of them were and what they were doing. I slashed two with the flames as others on the other side of the fire pit scrambled to get their spears. I rolled backwards as a spear flew over me, hitting one of the mermen I had just attacked. Back into the fire, I stood up, knocking the pike they were using to cook me up into the air above me. I kicked up the ash and embers into the faces of three as I spun around, grabbing the pike as it fell and swinging it wide, hitting the three in their temples.

Five down, there was only one left standing, who stood in fear as I pointed the pike at him. "Let the others go," I ordered him in his own tongue. He dropped his spear and rushed to untie the other captives. "Why did you do this?"

"They were fishing here without permission," he answered me.

"Did they know they needed permission?" I asked.

"Every being here knows that they must ask permission first," he answered.

"Do they look like they're from here?" I asked, making a guess based on what John described.

"We've never seen your type before," he answered. "We thought they were invading."

"Really?" I scoffed. "On that small boat and just the four of them? Are your people so weak that you'd be fearful of four newcomers?"