Chapter Seventeen

“Dad, it’s Laura,” she said as she talked into the receiver with Steve standing to her right side.

“Hi…Yeah, I’m fine. But, there’s a problem. It’s Tracy…Yeah, she’s here…I don’t know what I should do,” she waited and then sighed. “Fine. I’ll tell her. But, if she doesn’t believe me, you’re going to have to come down here and tell her yourself,” she explained and then hung up the phone.

Laura sighed a second time and looked up at Steve. “I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do,” she said and the worry built up behind her eyes.

“Look, she’s going to find out sooner or later – might as well tell her before she finds out the hard way,” he put his thoughts forward.

“I will. But when?”

“A.S.A.P.” was his answer before exiting the cafeteria.

As he walked over to the door and opened it, he was surprised to find Tracy standing there with a look of disappointment across her face.

“Uh…hi…Tracy,” he said just loud enough so that Laura could hear.

When she noticed Tracy, a shocked expression fell over her face, followed by that of guilt.

Steve left the two girls alone as he walked out the door after giving Tracy an uneasy smile upon passing.

Tracy walked into the virtually empty cafeteria (save for the usual denizen skulking around looking for free drugs) and took a seat next to Laura. “So, you want to tell me what the hell’s going on around here?” she asked, giving Laura a damning look.

“Tracy,” Laura began, obviously searching for the right words. “Do you know your father?”

Tracy formed a confused look on her young face. “Yeah. His name’s Paul. Why?”

“You have no idea who I am, do you?” Laura shook her head.

Tracy had to admit; she had never really gone that far into Laura’s past – she never learned what her last name was either. “No,” she answered.

“My name’s Laura Elizabeth Kingston,” she said and Tracy’s eyes narrowed to the point where they looked as if they may retreat back into their sockets.

“But, that’s impossible.” Tracy began; her hands began trembling as they lay on the table. “I used to have an older sister, but she died when I was too young to even remember her.” Tracy paused and then looked Laura dead in her eyes. “Why? Why are you playing this sick game? Did Bolan put you up to this?”

Ignoring her questions, Laura cut her off. “Who was she, Tracy? How did she die?” she paused before continuing. “Let me answer those for you. First, her name was Laura and she was five-and-a-half years older than you. Second, she died in her sleep when you were three and I was almost nine when I had supposedly died.

Bolan and Dad were best friends in high school and then went to the same university, and then Dad married Mom. They all worked in the same university hospital at the time I was pronounced dead.” Laura explained.

Tracy didn’t know if she believed the horrific story, but she had to ask questions for her own curiosity’s sake. “But, why didn’t anyone say that you were alive?”

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Laura formed a sorrowful grin. “They were studying dreams. Since I died in my sleep, Bolan thought it would enhance his knowledge if he studied my brain. He wanted to know why I died,” she explained.

Tracy shook her head. “But, you’re not dead,” she replied and Laura smiled.

“Tracy, do you believe in reincarnation?”

“With all the shit I’ve been through lately, I’d believe in anything.”

Laura sighed. “I was – in a sense – reincarnated. As myself. When I died, Dad took me to the university hospital and they all revived my body and soul – they brought me back to life.

It so happened that they didn’t have any authority to attempt resuscitation, they were only to work with cadavers. So, to protect his career, they pronounced me dead.” Laura explained.

Again, Tracy shook her head. “What about the funeral? I mean, someone had to’ve been close enough to you to know that you were really alive,” she brought up.

“When Bolan and Dad explained the whole situation to me, I said yes. I mean, I was only nine at the time – if I’d’ve been older, I would have said no to the whole damned thing.

“So, Bolan gave me an experimental drug that would make me look dead for a short while – and it worked. And, if you remember, although you were only three at the time, the only ones that attended my funeral were Mom, Dad, and Bolan.” Laura said.

Finally, the story seemed to be making some sense.

“I’ve got a tombstone and casket with nobody in it – and I’m forever to remain here.” Laura sighed in sorrow.

“What happens when you die?” asked Tracy and Laura shrugged.

“One of two things: Either they dig up my casket and secretly put my body in it – which I strongly doubt. Or, they bury me as a Jane Doe,” answered Laura.

“Doesn’t that bother you? Being buried as a Jane Doe?”

“Sure it does.”

There was more to tell – Tracy could see it in her sister’s eyes.

Slowly blinking, “Tracy, before I died, I had a nightmare of Alexius,” she began, almost in a whisper.

A chill raced down the fine flesh of Tracy’s back. “You mentioned that name before. Who, or what, is Alexius?”

Laura stood and walked over to the soda machine and retrieved herself a diet soda and then sat down, opened the can. “Alexius…oh…Alexius,” she whispered to herself with a disgusted look on her trance-like face. “Alexius is one mean son of a bitch. He – rather it – isn’t a human being; he might’ve been a long time ago, though.”

Tracy cut her off with a smirk, “You’re telling me.”

“Now, this is only what I’ve heard and learned. So, this may not be exact,”

Tracy nodded.

“Alexius and his master used to be friends until a book was taken from his master. When that happened, his master changed Alexius’ appearance, making him look disgusting to everyone else. Now Alexius is looking for the book in hopes that his master will change him back.”

“Now it’s my turn.” Tracy said and Laura smiled. They seemed to be getting along pretty well considering the current events taking place. Tracy understood what Laura said about Alexius – it was a little sad; but all in all, Alexius was just as evil as his master. “Rick told me about some demon named Orion who he believed was controlling everything. We don’t know much about this hooded thing, yet, but Rick’s working on it,” she explained and Laura studied her soda can.

“Interesting, huh?” Laura smiled. “And the plot thickens.”

A short pause fell between the two. A pause which had the air of awkwardness. The pause was cut as Laura sighed.

“I was tested as you will be – on that damned machine. When they found out about my dreams, all hell broke loose. I destroyed the computer, with just my dreams. I guess they finally repaired it. They hated me for a while because I caused them several weeks of research,” she smiled. “I guess Bolan does believe you. About Alexius.”

Just then, the devil himself walked into the room and when he did, both girls became silent. Bolan knew that they were up to something. “Well, Tracy. Are you ready?” he asked and Laura looked over at her sister.

“Knock ‘em dead,” she said with a smile.

Tracy returned her sister’s smile. “I might. You never know anymore. I’ll see you later,” she said while standing.

Laura grabbed the girl’s right hand and they looked at one another.

I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Laura’s eyes said.

Tracy, somehow, understood them perfectly. It’s all right, her own eyes responded.

“Be careful.” Laura warned.

Shit, they know who they are, Bolan grimaced to himself as he and Tracy exited the cafeteria.