Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Faceoff

    I went off on my own for a few minutes to contemplate all that I had learned, and I had barely noticed that I stumbled into Vicky.  She was standing near the lake dropping small stones into the water near the shallow bank.  She watched the water ripples with a strangely detached fascination.  She took a mild notice to my approach, but it looked like she had some vague sense that it was coming.  I wanted to say she had some kind of precognition thing going on.  

    “Hey Johnny.” She mumbled in a vaguely morose sounding tone.  I wanted to say something interesting to break the ice.  “Hi Vicky,” was the extent of it.  “You know, I think that my foster parents are in trouble.  I think David was hiding it from me.  He thinks that I can’t handle anything unless he makes the information pass through his filter.”  I gave her a minute to take a deep exhale after saying what she must have been thinking for a couple days now.  “Can you tell me anything about them?”  I asked innocently.  “Yeah, they are really weird, but I love them more than anything.  I even have this old photograph of them.  It is gross but take a look.”  She handed me a Polaroid picture that made me suddenly uneasy. 

    The picture featured a certain elderly couple mentioned at the beginning of the story.  It was the very same picture that I had put into my jacket pocket.  There was even a fold on the corner where I accidentally bent the photo a bit.  “Well, that is certainly something you don’t see every day.”  Come to think of it, thanks to the Internet, you can see that many times in a day.  Still, the reoccurrence of the photograph had startled me a bit.  Vicky was looking at me with the expectation that I would be grossed out.  “Seen this little item before?” 

    I don’t know what came over me.  There was a sudden jolt of movement from my hand into my pocket.  I pulled out the knife that I had gotten in the dream of the city during the teleporter riots (I guess you might call them) and grabbed the photo with the other hand.  I stuck the photo to a nearby willow using the knife to pin the photo to the tree, like some kind of demented flier for guitar lessons.  All at once I was struck by a dream.  Unlike so many other dreams, I remained conscious for this one.  It was like I could see the tree and photo with my eyes but inside my mind a movie started to play.  

    “I think we are out of lubricant honey,” the man said to the woman in a disappointed voice.  “What time is Vicky’s bus coming back?”  Their silence followed by a pause and a disembodied voice in the other room which said, “Not long.  We don’t have time for another go.”  The old man slumped his head down.  He seemed to be going on a soliloquy for a moment.  “It looks like Tuesday is coming and Thomas will be here to make our fun more interesting.  I think we can arrange a visit for Vicky’s little friends while the grown-ups do what we love to do.”  There was a great deal of throaty laughter. “Eh?  Who are you talking to?”  The man looked down and in a lower voice said, “to the ninny who is listening to me.” 

    I lost focus of the photograph as it became blurry and clear then back to blurry.  The process of gaining and losing focus continued for a long period of about a half minute.  In my peripheral vision, I could see Vicky watching me expectantly like this was all part of the show.  “Tuesday seems to be a busy day for people nowadays," she added with a bit of whimsy.  The vision was beginning to darken when I then glimpsed Thomas Balthazar in all his insane glory sipping brandy.  “I do so love a good Tuesday romp of mayhem, blood, carnage, and orgies.”  I don’t like the guy, but I had to agree with him.  Tuesday it is then. 

    I looked back at Vicky and tried to explain what just happened. The words came out thusly: “Vicky, I was dreaming but awake and I thought I saw those people in the photo, but I was looking at the tree but losing focus...?”  She shrugged and gave a halfhearted smile.  I hope that you don’t think less of my foster parents.  They were big followers in the club of Thomas Balthazar.  How did she know what I was dreaming of?  Is it me or does everyone here have access to all my thoughts before I do.  It really sucks the fun out of sharing any kind of information. 

    I sighed with the heavy prospect that Tuesday might be linked to a lost memory shared by our collective unconscious minds.  Thomas might be coming Wednesday for all I knew.  Maybe never.  I was suddenly filled with a deep need to conquer this whole experience.  To be done with the whole situation and move on.  I also thought I heard something about increasing the dosage of the meds in my right ear.  Like a psychiatrist was planning to update my medications while ignoring my presence.  It gave me an odd shiver.  Then there was a brief moment where one of the images of the petroglyphs ran through my head. It looked like the letter “T” with two dots over each of the upper branches and wavy lines like tildes over to the left and right of it. 

    Vicky tried to pull the knife out of the tree while I was distracted by the thoughts.  I was quite bemused by what I observed.  She was unable to pull the knife out of the tree.  It was like some bizarre King Arthur situation.  She looked kind of desperate to get her photograph back, maybe due to the embarrassment of the content of it.  Regardless, I felt the strangeness of it all was...cathartic maybe?  I just couldn't find the emotional energy required to remove the knife.  Maybe I could have, but I just wouldn’t take it down due to some unforeseeable reasoning.  The picture was placed like some kind of marker that crossed a kind of cosmic leyline.   

    Her pleading look turned to a disapproving stare while she started to wander off.  “Wait! Vicky.  Laurie wants me to be sure that you are OK.  Just tell me that David won’t keep you in the dark if it comes to that.” I said breaking the curse on my verbosity.  “David plays by his own rules, and he expects everyone at camp McCallister to do the same.”  She emphasized the surname with sardonic venom.  I was sure Laurie was not going to like what I had to say.  I made my way back to the lodge to look for her.  After a bit of searching I found that she had gone back to her cabin.  I made my way over there trying to fit together the words of how to proceed. 

    Clarence and Laurie were sitting together in one of the other cabins on separate beds talking softly when I approached the half-screened cabin door.  “We have a visitor!” Clarence said with a bit of mirth that brought my guard down a bit. “Hey everyone.  We need to talk about what is going on around here.”  There were suspicious looks cast around before I finished.  “Vicky is worried about her family, and she thinks that David is holding back something. I think we need to find out what that something is.”  We discussed a plan of action.  

    The plan was roughly devised as such:  First, we would load up on caffeine and nicotine gum that Charlie keeps around, so we were all awake.  Tonight was no good night for being caught in the dream world.  We were to sneak out of our cabins after lights out, 2 hours after everything was silent.  Approximation would need to be epic, but we seemed linked emotionally or something.  Then we would congregate and meet out of the trail leading to David’s private cabin.  Clarence even loaned me his extra black pants and shirt.  The clothes were a bit baggy given that he is a few inches taller than me.  Once outside, we were to sneak around to the elevated side of a hill on the opposite side of the trail behind the cabin.  From there we could get a better look through the window.  Much better than the last time I was peeping in on our great leader.  From there it would be a bit touch and go as we would act based on what we observed. 

    The rest of the day passed by without major events.  There was a bit of buzz around the camp about the knife in the tree with the photograph.  Several people tried to remove it.  I must have some kind of extra muscle I didn’t know about. I pushed the weird hubris off my mind and focused on specifics that would help us on the little caper.  Dayton was impressed with my knife antics.  He approached, “Oh Johnny...”  He said with a coy smile.  “How exactly did you pull that little trick with the knife?”  He flexed his muscled biceps to illustrate the insanity of it all. I gave an innocent look and shrugged.  He gave out a belly laugh that made my lips curl into a grin. 

    “Just when I think I have you figured out Johnny, you go and pull a stunt like that.”  He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and gave me a moment to reply.  I just kept waiting for him to go on.  “I would say that I saw a miracle today.  Not that you performed a miracle, but that God performed a miracle and used you as the vessel.”  He accentuated that “you” with a gentle poke to my chest.  “What can I say? I am always causing a scene.”  He laughed yet again, and said, “you sure are!”  I really like Dayton.  He had to have been the most real person I met on this journey besides Laurie.   

    What of Clarence you might say?  He seems so hidden to me, like there is another level underneath him that he is far from ever showing me.  I occasionally ponder the possibility that he is military come to watch or direct me in some kind of way.  Maybe he is just incredibly smart and hard to get a read on.  But based on what I know now, and what I knew at the time this was happening, I barely scraped the tip of the iceberg.  We shall get back to that.  Oh yeah, and along with his last name.  Reveals are kind of my bread and butter. 

    Just after dinner I found out that Monica had a whole dream ritual planned for me tonight.  There was to be a waking and sleeping component to the whole ordeal that would take a full hour before I was even ready to go to sleep.  This complicated matters a bit, as I now needed to convince Monica that I was playing along and had to figure out a way to avoid drinking any strange teas or poultices.  I debated inducing vomiting when her back was turned but that seemed a bit obvious.  Maybe pointing out that a Sasquatch was behind her and then dumping the tea?  No matter the case, I had to be careful.  One characteristic that doesn’t define my stealth ability is; adroit.   

    I reconvened with Laurie and Clarence to tell them what happened.  Word from Vicky was that if I kept the chocolate in mouth while the tea was in there too, it would neutralize the effects of the tea.  I was wondering if I was getting that chocolate for just being a good scout.  They told me to just do everything in my power to fake sleeping, which can be tough.  “She tries to paralyze you with her astral projections and teas.  Just act like you can’t move a muscle for however long it takes.” Laurie proposed with me starring off stupefied that “astral projection” was somehow the operant mechanism at play here.  At this point however... “Also, don’t forget we need to get an idea where Ralph is.  If anyone is going to spot us, it is him.”  I couldn’t have agreed with Clarence more. 

    We all shared hugs before our clandestine little surveillance mission.  We parted ways and went to our separate cabins.  I opened the door drawing a sharp anticipatory breath before entering.  This was my moment to shine.  “OK, Johnny, I don’t want to worry you, but this might be another dangerous yet crucial dream challenge yet to come.”  Hopefully not.  I nodded in what I hoped looked like stoic determination.  There were candles set around each of the four corners of the cabin on standing candelabras.  There were also small incense bowls burning one in from of the cot and one behind.  I think there were chalk lines and salt circles, but this was all getting a bit too hokey to follow and describe. 

    I sat down on the cot on the floor with pillows surrounding me.  I nervously realized I wasn’t sure what came first, the chocolate or the tea.  Then it hit me, I was screwed there because I can’t just hide a mouthful of tea.  Oh well.  Luckily, I did not see any teacups around.  I felt instantly relaxed.  Monica was poking through a book that I recognized from the dream that Clarence gave me.  I could only wonder how they were connected.  My thoughts were interrupted by Monica sternly clearing her throat like the noise in my mind was a child screaming for attention.  “Lay down, this will take a while.” 

    I did as she instructed.  The nicotine and caffeine were both running through me at full blast, so it was kind of uncomfortable to act like I was in a relaxed state.  Monica was attuned to my energy better than I was expecting.  “You seem tense” she stated flatly with mild suspicion.  I made a weird face to express confusion.  “Right.  Now I want you to breathe in slowly.  Count your breaths, inhale through the nose deeply, and exhale through mouth quickly and sharply.”  I did so, assuming this was some kind of meditation process to undergo homeostasis or something.  She let me count my breaths for at least 150 counts.  It wasn’t particularly fun.   

    After the breath was a bit of chanting that involved phrases, I won’t repeat.  I assume they were vulgar or at least damaging to minds of small children.  You never know who might be reading this.   The chanting went on until my lips were a bit numb and the so-called words were turning into mush in my mouth.  Once my mind was in a complete spin, Monica had me do extremely small crunches and leg raises.  She said that just a slight bit of physical exertion would streamline the process.  I continued to do everything down to the letter but the chemicals in my blood demanded more action than this.  I couldn’t wait for this to be over. 

    Monica eventually told me to lay down and close my eyes while she went to each candle slowly and blew it out.  Each candle was given a different prayer.  Something about being eternally watched and loved or something.  I can’t tell you because I thought it was super dumb and boring. Monica kneeled in front of me after she blew out the last candle.  How did I know?  With the cabin mostly dark, I could peek and make out an outline.  Yeah, I cheated, take it up with the ethics committee.  She kept chanting, breathing and stopping.  She repeated this countless times.  I was worried she was going to just kneel in front of me all night.  That would make slipping through undetected a bit problematic.   

    After a while my eyes were closed to kind of stay calm and focused while she did her thing.  Finally, she stopped, and I was surprised by what I heard next.  It was this odd squeaking sound and a faint whimpering.  Then it turned into full out sobs.  She was crying in front of me.  I wasn’t sure what she was going on about.  I tried to play like I was asleep.  “Don’t pretend to be sleeping Johnny.  I know you are awake, and I know what you are about to do.”  I kept silent for another moment unsure of myself.  “Just go meet up with the others.  Clarence told me what you were planning.  I just wanted you to be relaxed and focused.  None of this was about dreaming.”  Her voice faded out of crying and gathered composure. 

    All my reply amounted to be an odd grunt.  “I think we must know what he is doing there.  Vicky is worried about her family.”  Honesty would need to be my next option with her I figured when I told her that.  Besides it was stupid to try to deceive her at this point.  “Wait another 5 minutes, and I will be back to tell you if the coast is clear.”  She sniffled heavily then exited the cabin, and I was left alone with my thoughts in the dark.  Something in the dark reminded me that this whole affair was shrouded in secrecy.  From the mental hospital to this very moment, everything was hidden like some kind of messed up demonic onion.  

    Monica confirmed that no one was about.  She specifically mentioned that Ralph was nowhere in sight and was probably first lookout at the entrance of the camp.  This would be a slightly wrong direction to head to David’s cabin.  More northeast instead of north I reckoned.  I changed into the clothes Clarence gave me.  I didn’t know it at the time but the turtleneck he gave me was navy blue – not black.  While changing, I noticed that the knife that Dr. Sprinkles gave me was slightly in view.  I wonder if Monica put it there.  The ruby on the pommel of the knife reflected the moonlight ever so subtly. I felt compelled to bring it with me.  I tucked it into my pants behind my back.  Afterwards, I crept out of the cabin and made my way around back to the woods.  I was getting the hang of figuring out my way around the camp and was able to cut across the woods to a trail that ran parallel to the trail to the bathrooms.   I winced at every twig snapped and every leaf crunched.  

    The trail that leads to the firepit for communal song and storytelling was clear at first sight.  Moments later I could hear the thumping of footsteps and a wet cough coming from further down the trail.  I think it was Lewis.  He is a heavyset man who is also a notorious smoker.  I nimbly moved past the trail and hid behind a tree that is split into a giant V.  I crouched down and listened carefully for the sounds of the steps.  I knew that further down the trail, by the firepit, there was another deer stand that Ralph and I had worked on.  I knew that once Lewis made it past me, he would be maintaining a watch on the stand for over 20 minutes.  It would be a good time to press on then. 

    An eternity of silence passed for me.  Lewis amused himself with a filthy limerick that I cannot recall and should not mention.  Something about a well-endowed man and mysterious portal in a wall? I steadied my breath and focused on the count just like I was doing with Monica.  The rhythm was consistent too; it was like she was preparing me for this moment.  It was incredibly comforting to hear the count in my mind pushing out the distractions and noise that was beginning to pollute my thinking.  At last, several more moments passed, and Lewis was far enough out of earshot for me to continue my trek to the meeting spot. 

    My sense of direction was a bit askew as this would be a challenge during the day let alone during the dead of night.  Finally, I heard the faint sound of voices that sounded familiar.  Laurie and Clarence.  I was becoming more adept at picking them out when they conversed.  They carried a certain energy during their conversations, like siblings, or close friends.  They still made me wonder if there was some kind of romantic relationship brewing between them.  I did my best to leave things on more certain and pressing matters.  Like trying to get a lead on what the hell we were dealing with. 

    “It is time to make this happen,” Clarence confirmed to strengthen our resolve.  “Am I the only one who sucks at sneaking?” I moaned somewhat shamefully.  Laurie shook her head no, which was a bit comforting I suppose.  Clarence held up his finger for silence, which was effective in doing what he intended.  He began a catlike crouching walk around the perimeter of the house.  It took what seemed like an hour to get around what could be described as single floor ranch dwelling.  Once around the back, I could hear Clarence gasp.  “Oh shit.  Shit. Oh shit!”   

    Clarence looked like he was having an ordeal trying to keep his voice down.  I moved around closer him to see what the commotion was about.  I was not disappointed with the sight he went on about.  It was a huge blood splatter, or what looked like blood on the back window of David’s cabin.  “We have to go in.”  I am not sure why I felt such a surge of determination and confidence at that moment.  Clarence gave me a surprised look but followed my lead as I walked at an accelerated pace toward the cabin.  I made my way to the back door.  I gently pulled the handle and hoped to hope that it would be open.  It was. 

    I entered the cabin with a bit less confidence.  There was a wall that ended in the middle of the back room that would lead to a corner.  Turning that corner would put us face to face with God knew what.  The others followed and I could smell the tangy odor of their body glazed in a fear sweat.  Clarence and Laurie had never been this scared.  Or at least that I had ever seen.  I hugged the wall as I continued forward.  The place looked like it was owned by an aging hipster with all of the acculturation of Native American relics and hippie posters for Grateful Dead concerts.  There was also this one lamp.  Let me tell you about his lamp on the nightstand.  It was ugly as hell. 

    I turned the corner, and I was the next person to let out a fear response.  “Hello Johnny, I was expecting you.  Though I must admit, you took your time getting here.”  It was David with blood all over his face and mouth, like he was the star of a cheesy vampire movie.  Ralph was also there, sitting on a chair next to the kitchen table with an indifferent expression on his face.  This did not seem to be Ralph in his usual joking manner. Clarence and Laurie both got the memo because they were praying and uttering surprised profanities.  “Why don’t you sit down Johnny.”  He gestured to an empty chair across the table from Ralph. I didn’t want to be rude, so I complied.  The knife felt uncomfortable jabbing into my back. 

    “As for you two idiots.  Sit this one out.”  David snapped his fingers and Laurie and Clarence both dropped to the ground unconscious.  David smiled wickedly.  I turned back to see if they were alive, but David didn’t like me distracted because he quickly spat out, “Pay attention!” I was very much paying attention.  “You have it.  What exactly do you want here David.  And don’t tell me it was an impromptu slumber party.” I folded my arms around my chest to show I meant business.  I don’t think he cared very much about that gesture.  “You know what the greatest thing about Tuesday is?  It comes today.” 

    An awkward silence followed.  Ralph glared at me hatefully.  “Why don’t we take a look at things as they really are.  Maybe this might awaken your sleeping mind.”  David then reached under his chin and began pulling at the skin.  It was a strange tugging motion that almost looked like he was taking off a mask.  Then I realized it was a mask of flesh and muscle. Blood splattered everywhere as a face was revealed under the David skin mask.  It was a disgusting and familiar face.  One that I have come to hate more than anything in this world.  It was the face of Thomas Balthazar.