When Spirits Beckon

When Spirits Beckon, Part 2, Chapter 14

3 February, 3.13pm

Barry was quiet for a moment, taking in what Fred had just told him over the past half-hour. He moved his pen over the notepad as if he was about to add more notes, but stopped and looked at Fred.

"You know, this is one hell of a story, but I've got a feeling we're only at the beginning. In other circumstances, I wouldn't have believed a word you had said, but I've seen things over the past one day that have been equally unbelievable."

"But, just before we start figuring out what could be going on, let's just finish up what you've told me so far. Did you feel, hear or see anything different or strange just before you suddenly found yourself in the men's room?"

Fred thought momentarily. "Nope. As I said, I got so mad, I stood up from the chair I was sitting at. Or at least, I was trying to. Because, I felt myself pushing the chair back, then nothing! That's why I lost my balance and fell back."

"I remember asking you if had hurt yourself badly with the fall, but you said you weren't hurt. What exactly were you feeling then?"

"Yeah, I remember. It was that same sensation again that I had felt earlier just before I hit the ground. It didn't feel like I was falling anymore, it was as if I had somehow been sitting all the while on a cloud or on the softest pillow ever. That's why I wasn't hurt in the men's room."

"Anything else to add?"

"Not that I can think of."

"Why come to me?"

"I don't know. But, I do remember thinking just as I was shouting at Dr. Preston and the general that I should probably talk to you and find out what your experience was."

"Since you've told me your story, it's only fair if I tell you mine. But I need you to be patient just a little while more, because I want to make sure I've got all the facts."

"Okay, what else would you like to know?"

"This Dr. Preston and General Woodcock. What did they look like?"

"Dr. Preston's so attractive that I could hardly keep my eyes off her. She's the kind of woman you'd dream of having wrapped around you while others look on enviously. But it would all be wishful thinking because in reality, I would be one of the other guys looking on and she would be with a hunk who looks like he could beat the shit out of me."

"You sound like you've already smitten with her."

"It's difficult not to. But I doubt she'd have given me the time of day, had it not been for my stupid stunt earlier."

"But now that she's noticed you, you'd like her to continue. Maybe even hope that something further might develop?"

"A guy's got to have something to hope for. Didn't you see her while you were at that military base? I'm sure you would have noticed her."

"I'm afraid not as there was no women present while we were there. So, I'll have to take your word for it as to how attractive this doctor is. What did this General Woodcock look like?"

"He didn't look like a military man. I mean, he definitely had a strong presence. He radiated authority, like he knew exactly what he was doing, like he was a CEO of a company or something like that. But had he not been in uniform, I wouldn't have guessed him to be a military man. A bit on the slim side, but I'd say he's quite fit. And he had a hard face, he's not someone you would want to cross. Average height, still had a full head of hair that most likely had been dyed black as the white was showing at the roots. I'd say he's probably in the late fifties."

"I don't remember meeting him either. You said they claimed to be with the bioterrorism unit. Did you believe them?"

"I wouldn't know what to believe. They could have lied to me and I wouldn't have known the difference. But at that time, yeah, I did believe they were who they said they were."