Into the Light

Chapter 25

Chapter: 25

"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world."

Oscar Wilde

Two hours on the road and Blake finally becomes comfortable driving the new Mazda rental car but wishes they could have kept the Bonneville. As he looks to the Ohio skyline a tingle runs down his back and he thinks about a TV program on storms and natural disasters. Darius talk on comets and meteors being dragons and signs of destiny piqued his interest in his day of birth. Maybe something happened? Stiggy dozes off in the passenger seat with a road map covering his lap and Blake becomes hypnotized by the lines on the road. For a second, he sees double and pulls off on curving exit.

The Mazda is parked in front of a replica trolley car diner with brushed aluminum siding and Stiggy does not wake up when Blake opens his door. He pulls out his pad and jots down a few ideas as he makes his way to pay phone beside the entrance. The scent of bacon wafting from the side vents merges with the scent of burning leafs riding the prevailing winds from the west. A hot flash makes Blake sweat as he picks up the phone. He puts it back on the receiver and steps back.

"Do it," he says

He dials the phone slowly having almost forgotten the number he grew up with. Two rings and an answer.

"Hello?"

"Mom, it's Blake."

"Oh my God. Are you all right? I thought you were kidnapped."

"Mom please, you must be quiet. I'm fine but my life depends on you not telling anyone I called."

"I don't think I can do that," she says.

"You have to or things will get very bad. Now listen, I know you were told about my boss and that my place was torn apart. They assume I was taken hostage by the same person who killed my boss. That is not the case. There is someone after me and they are trying to set me up, so don't believe anything anyone says and don't trust anyone. I can't contact the authorities yet because they might be involved. It's about corporate espionage and lots of money and dirty politicians. I will be hiding for awhile until I find the evidence that will free me. Free everyone."

"You are safe? Do you have enough money?"

"I'm fine, don't say anymore. Pretend I'm a telemarketer. The people that killed my boss have another agenda, but I cannot tell you what. It's for safety reasons. They might be listening. Tell Dad about this in about a week and I will contact you again, now listen carefully. I know this sounds strange but I need you to answer this question. Answer in one sentence and then I will hang up. You must trust me and remember I love you all. Listen. Were there any storms, like hurricanes, tornadoes or heavy winds when I was born?"

"Yes, there was a tornado warning but we never said anything."

"Mom, no more. I love you and I will contact you."

Blake hangs up the phone. The smell of the burning leafs and bacon makes him thinks of home. Blake's mother falls to her knees and gets up before her husband runs into the room after hearing the thud. She wipes the tears away and changes her facial expression to a forced calm and when he asks what happened she replies, "Nothing but a minor slip on the kitchen linoleum."

The crack of the telephone signal fades and a voice in the city of windows says, "Right outside Columbus probably heading west. Inform him."

Blake drives for another hour but his thought races with visions of tornadoes and he wants to sleep them off so he pokes Stiggy.