Katie and I were about to discuss other topics, when we both looked up in concern. We both heard a monstrous growling sound. It was still faint, a good distance off. Whatever hellspawn was causing it had to be BIG, to be this loud. Than we both heard a loud screeching sound that had both of us diving for cover. Until our minds recognized the sound as those a vehicle makes when …trying… to come to a controlled stop. We rushed to the door. While neither of us are what you would call evil. There is just something inherent in all humans, that if there is a chance to watch an accident. We need to see it!!! It’s the same reason traffic piles up, on the opposite side of the freeway. From the actual five car pile up.
We stepped out on the porch looking towards where we expected to see a car tumbling end, over end. To see Keith's triple lifted. (One inch under max street legal height, he loved to brag). Dodge truck rapidly slowing in our direction. The smoke that was lifting off the brakes, and tires could give a family of five cancer. The truck came to a sudden stop about five feet away tilting slightly forward. The rear tires dangerously close to lifting up. Both Katie and I took an involuntary step back…just in case. It settled to the ground engulfed by thick white smoke. As the smoke cleared there was Keith head out the window staring down, with a cheshire cat grin. “Made it with five minutes to spare, you owe me a soda.” I couldn’t help myself. I laughed out loud, while rushing over.
“Get out of that little car so we can speak on level ground.” He lost his grin. “It’s talk like that, that gets your porch driven over.” I narrowed my eyes shouting “What? I can’t hear you from way up there, might need to get the dick out of your mouth.” The grin returned, his hand shot straight out verticle facing (giving me the military knife hand). “Now you gone made a mistake. You made me get the knife hand out." He continued in a loud voice barking each word. "There are two ways we can handle this dirtbag, you can beg forgiveness, by apologizing to my baby. Or I can step out. But if I do ill have to go all TI on you.”(TI meaning military training instructor) We could both hear Erica in the passenger seat laughing at our antics.
All three of us Keith, Erica, and I. Had all at one time served in the Airforce. So as any veteran would do, when around other veterans. We gave each other shit. “I don’t know, yesterday I think you could. But today Ill be your huckleberry” The look on Keith face said volumes. We never took our joking physical. So to hear me say that, he expected the banter to go on for a while. But unfortunately more important issues were afoot. Sadly ending it all early. I said “Get down here, we have an actual situation.” I stepped back to give him extra room so he could, in his words ‘dismount’. The door flung open as he slid out of the seat. He descended straight down, to land on his feet. He reached back without looking to gently close the door.
I then had to give a very manly sounding scream. As he chose that moment to dash forward to give me a huge bear hug. The yelp was a bit sharp, only slightly high pitched at first. But it evolved into a gasping groan. As he lifted me off the ground. He than squeezed. waiting for me to gasp out “uncle, uncle,....uunn...ccc..llee.” Erica came around the truck to join us. Much more subdued. While both Erica, and I had served around the same time. We didn’t meet until after she was married to Keith. I heard a strangled sound of pain from Keith, as he suddenly released me. I bent over gasping for breath, while he staggered back. Hands at his lower back. He was arched backwards painfully.
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Most times Keith was fine, but war time doesn’t treat all veterans the same. His back had a strange condition. Most of the time it was fine, tweak it the wrong way… pain is a mild word to describe the results. Without thinking, I grasped Keith's shoulder one handed. I pushed a healing touch into him. The sudden glow on my hand was not missed by Erica. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Keith gave a sigh of relief, he straightened up looking perplexed. The sudden removal of pain, a very happy occurrence. But it was unexplainable in his mind.
He said “Wow, i’ve never had back pain disappear so fast.” He looked over smiling towards Erica. Seeing the look on her face confused him. He glanced back, and forth between us. Finally saying “OK, what did I miss?”
“Let’s go inside, less prying eyes in there. I’ll explain everything.” We three turned, I suddenly realized I had forgotten to introduce them to Katie. “Sorry Keith, Erica, this is Katie. Katie this is my brother Keith, and his wife.” Keith smiled, he reached out a hand saying “Any friend of Oby's is a friend of mine.” They shook hands, soon after Erica did the same. We all piled into my apartment. I gestured towards the kitchen table with its three seats. “Please grab a seat, i’ll explain everything.” Abruptly Keith yelled "what the hell happened here? Did you try lighting your farts again?" Looking back i saw both of them glancing around in confusion. I only stumbled a bit rearranging my thoughts, then replied. "No that's part of the explanation just sit do i can do so." Erica was still giving me side eyed looks as they took their seats.
“OK for starters i’m going to give you two some broad strokes explanations, but will save specifics for when Aiden arrives. That way I don’t have to repeat myself multiple times.” Keith raised his hand “Yes? From the unruly child in the back.” He grinned, saying in a whiney childish accent. “Who is Aiden?” I took a moment to consider how to answer the question, when we all heard a loud ‘BAMPF' sound. It had come from outside. We all turned to look towards my door. We all did a little start as there came a rap, tap, tapping at my door. I walked over opening the door, almost positive I knew who would be there. Standing there looking pale, slightly wobbly was Adien.
“Speak of the devil, and..” Adien interrupted me. “Yes yes, and he shall appear, quite literally in my case.” I stood to the side saying. “Please come into my parlor…” Adien scowled at me. “Please don’t butcher the classics with your low humor, that’s my job.” He entered taking a few steps before realizing we were not alone. He turned slowly towards me “Is this an intervention? I swear I only drink a single glass of scotch before dinner…” I smiled waving him further in saying. “Nothing at all like that, please it’s best we are all together for this part.”
The next few hours were the most annoying. I think I have ever experienced. With how analytical Aiden is, I expected the strongest opposition from him. Surprisingly it was Keith who kept denying the existence of real magic. Erica had seen, so took the explanation I gave with a bit more grace. I was about to give up. Planning to give irrefutable proof. By cutting my arm, and healing it after. When a mental pulse went world wide. Everyone froze. A mental vision appearing in the minds of every human on the planet, all at once.