Spirit Walker, page 6
I sit up gasping and choking for breath. My lungs feel as if they are filled with dust from the cave the dream so disturbingly real. I’m covered in sweat, now wide awake. I shudder. The dream fades away too fast for me to recall the little details, but it leaves behind that awful sense of sadness. “Great way to start the day,” I mutter to myself as I roll out of bed.
Thinking I’m going to need something to break me out of this depressing mood, I opt to dress in my favorite outfit. A pair of ragged cut-off shorts that show off my silky tan legs, with an oversized Sam’s Uniform T. Tucking my shirt in and moving to brush my teeth, my mind drifts to the call I had with Vaun last night. How could I be so foolish? Oh well, he agreed to stop by to give me the number to his friend, who might help. So, it can’t be all bad. Still, I feel ridiculous. Hopefully that will fade by the time we meet later today.
Heading out to work, I grab my earbuds, and lock up, only then noticing I didn’t limp at all. Strange. Hitting play as I start the walk to Sam’s my toe taps along to the music until twenty minutes later, I’m arriving at Sam’s Place.
Walking into work, calling out “Good Morning everyone,” as I arrive, plastering on my fake sunny smile. Sam greets back with a cheerful smile, waving his spatula around. “Andie, work the register again today. I want to make sure you're recovered before you go back to tables,” Sam yells out.
As Sam mentions it, I turn my ankle, realizing it doesn’t hurt at all. Frowning with a shrug, I go to set up for the day. I can’t get my mind off how fast my ankle healed. That can’t be right. Another freaky thing added to the growing list of freaky shit. By noon, I have a busy line of people waiting to grab lunch. My eye scans down the line, calculating how long this rush might last. I get to the middle of the line when my eye catches on Vaun.
Damn, he’s still lit up like a god. A strong sexy Viking God. My mouth pools with drool and I swallow as I run my gaze along his muscular outline. My eyes take their time making their way along his body up to his face and when my gaze meets his, he smirks. Heat rushes to my already hot cheeks in embarrassment, having been caught checking him out.
The line is slow to move, anticipation building, feeling his eyes on me the whole time. When he steps up to the register all thought flees when he gives me a panty melting smile quirking his eyebrow at me.
“How was your head this morning?” He chuckles, teasing me from the get-go.
“Thank you for stopping by.” I drop my gaze, the intensity in his too much.
“Like I said, it’s no trouble” He slides a business card across the counter to me. It has gold embossed lettering with the symbol of the college. As I reach for it Vaun says, “I called him last night and he’s very curious to hear about the cave.”
Nodding, I slip the card into my back pocket. “I’ll call him on my break to set a time to meet.”
“Good. By the way, how’s the ankle?” His eyes take in my tan leg, moving to my ankle. I blush more because damn, I could swear he’s checking me out. I’m sure of it.
“Glad you asked.” I twist it around, showing him. “It doesn’t hurt at all. I think it’s healed already. Is that possible?” My eyes fly back to him, my eyebrow raised in question.
His eyes, having never left my leg, make their way in a slow line along my body back up to mine, where his grin makes my heart stop as he answers with a noncommittal shrug.
“What do I owe for the burger?” He asks glancing over his shoulder at the people waiting behind him. I get the distinct feeling he wants to change the subject. Odd. Shaking my head with a little smile, I ring up his order, bagging it up for him.
“That’s $6.59” I grin at him, holding my palm out.
Handing me a $20, as our fingers brush the same tingle, I felt last night with Val instantly runs up my arm and down my back. My eyes fly to Vaun’s, seeing if he felt it too. His stance indicates nothing at all is out of the ordinary as I watch in fascination, the smoky outline growing around him into the shape of a giant hulking bear. My shock is complete, draining the blood from my face as fangs drop, fur grows, the shimmer building. My eyes must be as big as saucers.
“Are you okay Andie? You’re white as a sheet all the sudden,” Vaun asks in concern. Stepping forward he takes me under his arm, pulling us to the side as he helps me to a seat in the back. I hear Sam speaking but my head is floating, ears ringing. Vaun nods, the look in his eyes changing to worry as he checks me over.
Blinking, coming out of my daze once I’m seated, the thought I’d better do something quick to cover that moment of crazy pops into my head as I gulp for air. I play it off like I was faint, fanning my face because honestly, what could you possibly say about this? Despair fills me as Vaun kneels taking my hand comfortingly as he assesses me. Yet still the bear outline remains. It’s now a parody of a bear-man’s mouth moving, hulking bear head tilting, claw filled paw shadowing my much smaller hand. I am losing my mind. Fear grips my heart. Do crazy people know if they are crazy?
“Dizzy,” I mutter out, praying that’s a plausible excuse. Trying to ward off what I’m seeing, I give my head a little shake. I don’t know, this is so confusing.
Sam hurries over, bringing me a glass of water. Vaun’s hand let’s mine go as he passes me the water. The smoky bear outline quickly dissipates.
“I’m so sorry Sam,” I say, but he just shakes his head at me, patting my back.
“None of that Andie, you’ve been through an ordeal. You should take it easier.” He frowns, placing his hands on his hips with concern filling eyes as he inspects me.
I don’t want him to worry so I stammer out, “Thank you, Sam,” smiling with what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Vaun will take care of me.” A wave of my hand in Vaun direction has Sam eyeing him. As if deciding that’s fine, he nods, going back to the grill.
“Thank you,” I murmur to Vaun. “I hate to make him worry. Probably just dehydrated or something.” I babble on, trying to brush off everything that just happened. Vaun is still kneeling before me, his worried expression filled with questions, his eyebrow quirked as he studies me.
“I could swear I saw...double or...” My voice trails off. Gulping down the water, I feel the color returning to my face. “Thank you, I’m sure I’m fine.” I shrug, giving a brief nod as if to emphasize what I’m saying. I don’t think he’s buying it for a second.
“Do you feel better?” His concerned eyes watch me closely as I swallow down any thought, I have of telling him the truth.
Unable to meet his gaze, I stare at my hands twisting my T-shirt hem in my lap. If I look into those perfect brown globes, I will lose the battle and my mouth will pop open to tell him everything and everyone will know for sure I’ve gone completely bonkers.
“Yes, I’m fine, really,” I squeak out, my throat closing under his scrutiny. I gulp down more water to keep from talking.
Vaun rises to his full height looking even more bear like. Yeah, he’s a big ass bear. The thought gives me pause to grin until I realize how crazy that is, causing the momentary grin to mutate into a frown. The last bit of smoke-bear fades off him as if never having been there. Vaun must notice my funny looks because eyebrow hikes in silent question. He doesn’t miss a thing.
“Okay, I have to get back, call me?” he hesitates for a moment.
“Yes, thank you again for all your help, appreciate it.” Forgetting, I look up, meeting his eyes. I do a double take, as I could swear, they flash a vivid gold now. He turns on his heel without another word, stalking out, leaving me frowning as I stare after him, wondering if I am still seeing things or what.
Later, on my break, I ring up his friend at the college, deciding it’s a little more urgent than I had originally thought. I need some answers before I lose my mind. The professor sounds rather nice, inviting me to stop by later today. Excitement builds as I finish out the day. Hope fills me with the possibility of getting help, giving me a little extra energy as I race to grab the bus heading to the college. Claiming my usual seat and popping in my ear buds, I let my mind wander as I take in the world rushing by my window view. Going over in my mind what happened with both Vaun and Val, wondering if that powder was maybe some drug or something toxic. I make a mental note to ask the Professor.
Getting off the bus on the campus of the college, I head towards the front with the big double doors. Walking straight to the reception desk, I get directions to room 304. As I walk, I check out the different display cases filled with trophies, artwork, and photos as I follow the directions to his office. A left, down a corridor, then a right has me arriving at his door a few minutes early for the meeting. I’m hesitant to knock as I’m early and I don’t want to disturb him more than I already am. After a moment, I decide to go for it. What’s the worst that can happen? I knock before I chicken out. I wait, trying not to fidget as I hear heavy footsteps approaching the door.
He snatches the door open, making me jump back. Standing before me is not at all what I expected a professor to look like. He’s rocking the whole dress shirt rolled to his elbows and close-trimmed Professor beard. But that’s where all similarities end. His head is shaved down the sides, leaving a thick French braided mohawk. Tattooed markings run deliciously up his exposed tanned arms and his eyes are deep ocean blue you could swim in for hours. His smile is mischievous, eyes twinkling. What the hell?
“Professor Brakken?” I swallow thickly. Helloooo Professor! Daammnn bend me over your desk already! Wait what? Where did that thought come from? Oh my god. Let me just jump off the curb and swim in the gutter. I can feel my face going red.
“Professor Algar, actually, Brakken is my first name. You are Andie I presume?” His voice is a deep raspy rumble that curls my toes as his eyes travel the length of me, down, slowly back up to my face snapping to my eyes. My mouth goes dry as I watch him take me in, his deep ocean blue eyes stunning, making me just nod like a bobble head. This is going great. I congratulate myself on yet another awkward meeting.
He opens the door wider, a slight gesture for me to enter. “Come in, have a seat,” he says smiling, rounding his desk. Stepping in, I falter, my eyes going wide at his office, or what I would call a mini library. Glancing around, my gaze falls on the walls lined with books to the ceiling. Each one, bound in leather, travel worn, read and re-read in loving fondness, radiates age only found in collector libraries.
Behind his desk, bits of pottery, framed symbols and ancient looking figurines line the decorative glass shelving. My eyes go all around the room in amazement as I sit in an overstuffed chair near his desk. As soon as my ass hits the seat, my mind calms and I think, “Oh wow” a little unbelieving wiggle follows. This is the comfiest chair ever, it’s like it’s hugging my ass. Amazing, I’ve never felt anything like this. My attention falters, my eyes looking up to see I have the Professor’s undivided attention, his blue gaze watching me intently.
“So,” he starts, “I hear you had quite the ordeal.”
Heat flares up my neck as I snatch my hand off the chair, blinking, dazed. Jesus, stop rubbing the damn chair. He leans back in his own chair, waiting patiently as I take him in. His face is tanned, weathered with time, but in a handsome sort of way. His deep sea-blue eyes flash with a little silver as he watches me, and I realize I’ve been staring at him and not talking. I smooth my hands over my knees, drawing his eyes to the movement.
“So, a few days ago, my friend Val set me up on a Zen walk in the forest. She comes up with these crazy ideas…” Waving my hand as if to dispel that thought, I carry on. Inhaling, “Anyway, on this walk, the ground gave way under me, and I fell into a cave,”
Nodding, he leans forward, intent on listening to my re-telling.
“Well, something happened, and it lit up like...” I struggle for the right wording, “a neon blue.”
He reaches over, typing into his laptop.
“What else?” He demands. “I’m sorry, you don’t mind if I take notes?” His eyebrow quirks in question. I shake my head, my fingers, nervous, rub the chair again.
“There was…It was like…Smoky. I don’t know, but it formed pictures.” Frustration furrows my brow-my words are not explaining this right at all.
“What were the pictures of?” His voice is calm, and he carries on not noticing my struggle, or at least being polite enough to not point it out....
“Different animals, a woman, a man.”
“What were they doing?”
“It was like the animals were protecting them. They had them surrounded. But then the woman gestured.”
“Wait, they moved? So, this wasn’t a painting?” he breaks in to clarify.
“No, it was like a vision I guess...?” I swallow. “Crazy right?” My shoulders fall in a sigh.
“So, you fall into a cave, have a vision, and now you're in my office? Why?” he demands, almost sounding harsh.
“Well, when you put it like that…” I go on the defensive. This was such a bad idea. “Look, Vaun said to tell you, that you might help.”
“It sounds like you might have hallucinated to be honest.” He steeples his fingers, watching me over the top like I’m a bug.
“I don’t know. I mean, at the end all these symbols rushed me.” My voice fades knowing my attempt to explain is actually harming rather than helping, and I’m desperate for his help, anyone’s help, really.
Settling back in his chair, he waits, his brows drawn together, giving me time to try to explain better.
“It was…lines and circles,” I try again. He’s so thinking I’m crazy, just look at him. Frustration builds along with the doubt that he will help me. That he even can.
“How big?” he asks after a moment, surprising me.
“What? I don’t understand.” I’d been so busy trying to think of how to describe the cave, I wasn’t prepared for questions.
“How big were the symbols?” he repeats.
“Oh right, like each one was maybe as big as my hand, and they just lit up the whole cave, covering every inch.”
Silence settles as he gazes at me, seeming to decide on something as he leans forward, typing into his laptop. I fidget, plucking at the shreds of my shorts as I wait.
After a moment, I edge closer, attempting to make out what he’s doing when he turns his laptop to face me. I take in the screen filled with a picture image of writing on cave walls. My hand flies to my mouth, my eyes jumping from the screen to his and back in disbelief.
“What is that?” I whisper out, breathless with shock and no small amount of fear.
“Judging from your reaction, I’d say it’s your cave writing Andie.” He sighs, his brows frowning as I eagerly nod in agreement. “Where is that? I mean, how did you get that photo?” It’s my turn to pepper him with questions.
“It’s from a Cairn. A pretty ancient one at that.” He watches me closely, studying me for a reaction.
“A Cairn? You mean like a grave?” I shudder.
“Correct, but a Cairn is not just a burial tomb. They also used it for ceremonies.” He clicks a few buttons on his laptop, the image changing to a large stone carved with odd symbols. “These are runes,” he explains. “So that dates the cave to early Norse or somewhere around there.”
“Norse? You mean Viking?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“Have you ever heard of Haugbui?” He questions and I blink, shaking my head at the word. “It’s said to be a soul who remained in his or her burial mound guarding their grave goods.”
I blink at him and then it hits me “You mean a ghost?” I start to laugh.
His un-laughing gaze shuts me up real quick. Fuck, he means ghost, and I thought I was the crazy one! That’s it, I’m done.
“Right. Okay I thank you for your time...” Putting a halt to this craziness. “...today but I really think it’s time for me to go.” I run my hand once more along the chair’s arm as I get to my feet.
“Before you go, let me give you this book about it.” As he stands again, I can’t help but marvel at his height. He’s a full head and shoulders taller than me easily as tall as Vaun. Pulling down a solid book embossed with golden lettering and blue and black artwork, handing it to me, I read the title “Old Norse Literature”
“This might help. Of course, if you have further questions, you can always call me.” He nods, the twinkle returning to his eyes once again.
“Thank you,” I almost whisper, my throat dry.
Gathering my coat and purse, I hurry from his office, desperate for some fresh air.
~ Brakken ~
“Pick up, pick up,” I mutter into my useless phone. No one ever answers when I call. I groan.
After a moment, a gruff “Hello?” answers.
“It’s her,” I stammer out. “I truly can’t believe it.”
“What?” comes the sleepy voice of Vaun over the line.
“It is her.” I state more emphatically.
There’s a heartbeat of silence followed by a deep sigh into the phone as Vaun asks. “Are you positive?” The hope filling his voice does not go unnoticed.
“I’m 95% positive. She has obvious signs. She visibly calmed in my presence. Her eyes flashed blue when I brought up Haugbui. Her accounting of the cave is remarkable, and when I showed her photos of the runes, she recognized them in an instant. It was like she knew but didn’t know what they meant.” I am quick to ramble this all out in my excitement.
“Why now? How is this possible after all this time?” Vaun wonders aloud. I don’t have an answer for him yet.
“Something happened to her in the Cairn. We need to find out what, and quickly.”
“Yes, I know. I’m certain she called to my beast,” Vaun states in disbelief. “That’s why I wanted you to meet with her, to confirm what I thought.”
“If she’s calling to your animal already, it’s moving faster than I thought it would.”
