Route 66

27 My New Life

Paul told me I could do whatever I liked with some ground rules for my protection. For example, I was allowed to venture outside the perimeter of the mansion, but only with a bodyguard.

As for Paul, he had a daily routine that hardly deviated at all. He disappeared early in the morning to a secret government location and returned home around five o'clock. There were moments I'd get a quick glimpse of the close friend I used to know in Winona but that didn't last long. Most of the time he was a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

When I wasn't with my bodyguard, sometimes I'd watch re-runs of I Dream of Jeanie and swore I heard Matt laughing. How much longer could I survive without my family? They were everything to me.

One ominous night, I jolted awake to the deafening crack of thunder and howling winds, only to find a shadowy figure looming at the foot of my bed, its fire-red eyes piercing through the darkness. I froze with paralyzed dread, terrified to make a sound lest an unspeakable horror be unleashed.

The apparition spoke with a deep, growling voice and said, "I'll find you Veronica."

"Randolph," I whispered, and then the specter vanished into thin air.

"Paaaaaaul!!"

Heng came out of nowhere, switched the lights on and said, "What happened?" and shortly thereafter Paul came stumbling down the hall as I threw myself in his arms and yelled, "My God, it was horrible! Randolph was in my room looking like some kind of evil mass and then just vanished!"

"Is there anyone else on the property, Heng?" Paul inquired.

He shook his head as they gave each other a look of concern and then Heng quickly proceeded to search my room.

"I think you just had a bad nightmare," Paul said calmly.

"But it seemed so real!"

"Sometimes nightmares are very vivid. Remember when we were kids? You had some whoppers."

After a couple moments Heng reassured me that my room was completely demon free.

"You're shaking. Wanna hang out for a while?" Paul asked. I nodded tearfully and crawled under the sheets.

"I miss Blake and the kids so much," I said with a sniffle.

"I'm sorry that it had to end up this way, I really am. I hate to see you hurting. If there was any other way−"

"You saved my life and for that I will always be grateful."

"Why don't you try and get some sleep. I'll be right here," Paul said softly.

He sank down into an ottoman as I propped myself up on an elbow and said, "I want to learn how to defend myself."

"We have the master right here. I'm sure Heng would be happy to show you a couple moves."

"Also, would you mind getting me some books to read?"

"Sure, anything. What kind?"

"Physics, math, chemistry...you know, all the sciences."

Paul peered at me through his glasses and said, "Why the sudden interest?"

"I'm just curious."

"Consider it done."

You can study me if you like," I said cryptically.

"Study what?" Paul said as he raised a brow.

"You know, study why I never get any older."

"If that's what you want," he said with curious eyes.

"Nothing that hurts too much?" I cautioned.

"Just blood samples taken weekly, that's all I'll ever ask for."

"Okay then, we have a deal. If anyone can figure it out, you can."

*

The next day Heng took me to a wing of the mansion decked out with exercise equipment and mats.

"You train here alone?" I asked him.

He nodded and said, "There are no distractions," as he positioned himself on a mat and closed his eyes. I joined, cross legged, wondering if I should say anything.

"Heng?" I whispered.

"If the mind is prepared, the body follows," he chanted. Then he rose with his back to me and said, "Veronica, you must make a decision. This decision must be yours and yours alone."

I raised a brow in confusion and said, "What decision?"

He swung around, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "Is it your desire to simply learn how to defend yourself or do you wish to become a warrior?"

"What's the difference?"

"It is a state of mind. A warrior is never the victim. The only victims in the life of a warrior are her opponents."

I thought about it for a moment and said, "I think I want to be a warrior."

"There is no 'think'. You must commit with all your energies or decline. The path of a warrior is difficult."

Was I warrior material?

Initially I thought the answer was no, always complacent and depending on someone else. If it wasn't my parents, it was Annette, if it wasn't Annette it was Blake. But then I contemplated my escape from the desert against all odds and realized that yes, I was a survivor.

Maybe I should discuss this with Paul and−

No. I wouldn't discuss it with anyone.

I narrowed my eyes with a look of determination, raised my head proudly, and said, "Train me to be a warrior!"

Heng gave me the very slightest hint of a smile and said, "Very well. Let us begin."