The Prodigal Sun: A Novel Read online

  “Get the equipment cleaned up so we can get the hell out of here,” Jeff said to the crew over his shoulder as he ran up the shaft after the tall man ahead of him. “Sir,” Jeff called after him as he slowly caught up. He was running as fast as he could to catch up, but the tall figure in front of him appeared to walk at a leisurely pace. “Sir, I never did get your name, by the way. What do you want done with this place? What about the rest of the stuff down there? Are you coming back for it?” he asked.

  The tall man looked over at the foreman next to him, who was now gasping for air. “My name is Traedon, and I have what I came for,” he answered with a stone expression.

  “Okay, well, Mr. Traedon sir. I wanted to discuss our payment with you. My costs were much higher than I expected. We need to renegotiate the price. It would help me out a lot considering what I had to go through to get this project done. Can you slow down a minute?” Jeff pleaded, still gulping in air as he ran alongside the man. The figure ignored his request and Jeff continued to plead his case between gasps. “The local government denied all of our permits; they don’t even know we’re down here! I really went out on a limb on this one you know. I could still end up in some shitty prison before it’s all said and done. And the cost of getting all the equipment we needed out to this remote place was incalculable,” Jeff continued as his cheeks turned red and the sweat began to run down his face with the effort to keep running at full speed. The man next to him kept his pace, showing no sign of strain. “Look, if you don’t want anything else back there then at least let me take that stuff in lieu of additional payment for risking my ass. I‘m a reasonable man, I‘ll settle for that,” Jeff was about to continue pleading through his labored breaths when the tall man finally spoke again.

  “Are the charges set?”

  “Yes they’re set, but we haven’t connected the detonators yet, that would be suicide with the equipment running. As soon as we clear out of here we’ll level it as planned, so what about all of the stuff down there?” Jeff asked again.

  “Take anything you want, it means nothing to me,” answered Traedon.

  Jeff stopped running, finally getting the answer he wanted, and bent over gasping for air. He leaned up against the wall and then decided to sit down as he caught his breath. His side hurt and he felt like he was going to pass out, but he knew the running had been well worth the effort. He smiled as he watched the tall man quickly disappear up the shaft. Jeff’s legs felt like they were on fire, but he began to quietly laugh through his wheezing breaths as he tipped to one side, feeling the cool earth on his back. “Crazy son of a bitch leaving all that gold behind,” he said quietly. He managed to catch his breath enough to put his hands to the sides of his mouth and yell back down the tunnel towards his crew. “Ye-Haw, we’re rich boys!”

  The figure never slowed down as he exited the shaft and passed a generator next to a large diesel fuel tank. He briskly walked by several other pieces of mining equipment that were littered around the entrance to the tunnel. As soon as he made it to the other end of the clearing where the crew had set up their staging area, he suddenly stopped and turned around, placing his hand out in front of him. An electric blue flash flew from his fist and hovered over the equipment strewn about the area. The pieces of machinery slowly began to lift from the ground. One by one, they began to slam themselves into the opening of the tunnel. Like weightless toys, they disappeared through the small entrance, burying themselves deep inside. The last piece of equipment, a large diesel tank too large to fit through, smashed into the hillside, collapsing the entrance to the tunnel while burying itself in the wreckage. The figure made one last gesture with his hand, detonating the charges, and the entire hillside caved in, burying everything under countless tons of dirt and rubble. Traedon observed the area for a brief moment. That makes five. Only two more left to find, he thought as he calmly slid the dark sunglasses back onto his face and effortlessly disappeared into the thick jungle.

  Dreams and apparitions

  John Mitchell pulled his four-door sedan off the main highway and onto a dirt road. The car skidded slightly on the loose gravel as he made the turn too quickly. This is going to be a great day. He thought, tapping his hand on the steering wheel to the beat of the song vibrating through his speakers. He felt his heart race with excitement and anticipation of a relaxing day of fishing. It was Saturday, a worry free day in John’s mind. He fumbled in the dark for his pack of cigarettes, sitting next to a sleeve of CD’s that reflected the glow of the car’s dashboard display. He lit a cigarette and pushed harder on the accelerator, anxious to get to the small creek before the first rays of light escaped the horizon. He could already see the outline of the trees against the sky as it began to faintly glow with the coming dawn. John lowered the volume on his radio and turned off the headlights as he approached a small bridge. He pulled the car onto the shoulder just behind a new SUV. I guess Frank beat me here, John thought. A quick flash of irritation passed over him for arriving late, and then it was gone as quickly as it came. It was okay. It was still almost too dark to see so he had plenty of time to get his gear and get started. John immediately smelled the familiar scents of sphagnum moss and wet grass as he quietly opened his car door and stepped out into the dim light. He retrieved his pole and tackle, then slowly crept passed Frank’s vehicle. His heart jumped as the driver’s door opened and Frank stepped out, gear in hand. John placed his free hand on his chest in a heart attack gesture to show Frank that he had just startled him. Frank just grinned and tapped his watch. They walked a short distance down from the bridge before entering into the woods. John led the way, feeling just a hint of morning breeze blowing in his face as he descended the steep bank down to the creek. He immediately felt refreshed as the cool morning air filled his lungs and brushed past his forehead. The taste of the crisp outdoors in his mouth left him exhilarated.

  Dawn continued to make itself known as the birds began to chirp in the trees above them, and there was now just enough light to see the water moving swiftly along the bank between the trees in front of them. They cleared the trees and stopped short of the bank as they readied their lines. John made quick work of setting up, not wanting to miss out on the action. His athletic and toned muscles rippled through his forearms as he worked with his line. He was a man of average height, early thirties, but could have passed for younger. Most people would say he was handsome, with a strong jaw and crisp blue eyes. He took a moment to look out over the water as he ran his hand through his short brown hair and then focused on his fishing partner. Frank was readying his line as well, but at a less efficient pace. Frank was older than John, not quite as tall, and heavier set with roundness to his midsection.

  “Are you going to fiddle with that thing all morning or fish with it?” John asked playfully in the slightest of whispers, just loud enough for Frank to hear, but quiet enough not to disturb the nearby trout. “Should be a great morning to catch a few Frank,” he added.

  Frank just nodded with a slight smile and a radiant look of anticipation in his eyes. “I bet you five dollars I catch the first one,” Frank breathed.

  “You’re on,” replied John, beaming. His competitive spirit was making his heart flutter. “But I’m not going to let you win just because you’re my boss.”

  “Well that’s good, because I’m not going to let you win just because you’re my friend,” Frank replied, smiling. “In fact, I might reel in the biggest trout ever caught out of Crystal Creek, just to make a point,” he added with a chuckle.

  As the first rays of sunlight peered through the trees, the two split up and quietly worked their way in opposite directions along the bank.

  John heard a splash to his right and out of the corner of his eye saw Frank fighting what looked like a pretty large fish. John smiled and kept moving his bait through the flowing water in front of him. Frank waved and John waved back as he looked down the bank towards him. Wow that was fast, I guess I’m five bucks poorer. John joked with himself, but felt a
flicker of jealousy run through him at being out-fished. Frank began to wave more frantically now and John slowly moved toward him while still working his bait. It must be a nice one. As he got closer, John could see Frank more clearly.

  “Help me John!” Frank yelled. His face was twisted up in a painful grimace as he clutched his chest.

  “Frank!” John screamed back, terror struck. He immediately realized something was wrong. Panicking, he dropped his pole in the creek and raced along the bank to where Frank was standing. His heart pounded in his chest and he felt a rush of adrenaline tear through his veins as he got to his friend’s side. “What’s wrong Frank?” John asked as he put his sweating palms on his friend’s shoulders and looked him in the eye. “Talk to me, are you hurt?” John asked in a crackling voice.

  “Help me!” Frank repeated through a grimace. He was not looking directly at John, but past him. Frank’s eyes were watery and bloodshot. He grabbed John’s forearm as he fell to his knees. John followed him to the ground. Oh my god he’s having a heart attack. John thought. The panic and terror of his friend dying in front of him ripped through John’s body and settled in his chest, tightening like a vice. The pressure and pain made it hard to breathe. John fumbled for his cell phone. I have to call 911. He thought. He steadied Frank’s body against his as they knelt in the soft mud. John flipped open his phone and realized he had turned it off so it wouldn’t unexpectedly ring and scare the fish away.

  “Shit, shit,” John repeated as he held down the power button. The vice around his chest grew tighter with every precious second that ticked by. The phone shook in his trembling hands and a drop of sweat left John’s forehead, splattering onto the screen as the phone finally powered on. Frank’s body gave a heave and seemed to become opaque. Frank’s outline was there, but only a bluish wisp was left where his detailed features had been a moment before. Then, suddenly, he was gone.

  “What…?” John blurted. The sudden disappearance of Frank’s weight pushing against John’s body made him topple over forward as he was trying to dial. The phone flew from his hand and slipped into the creek with a gentle splash. John tried to take a breath but couldn’t force air into his lungs as he lay in the wet grass and leaves. He tried again, gasping and sucking for oxygen, his chest burned like a hot piece of iron was branding his breastbone. He rolled over onto his back, hyperventilating. He felt like he was going to pass out as he continued to fight for air. He watched the sky as he began to feel himself slip away. His mind raced. What the hell just happened? What happened to Frank? God, I can’t breathe. I can’t call anyone. I’m going to die here of suffocation. John gasped again, managing to suck in enough oxygen to slow the burning in his lungs as the color of the rising sun turned to a deep shade of blood red. He slipped into unconsciousness as his fishing pole slowly floated past him, bouncing between the small reeds along the bank.

  “John!” someone yelled. He tried to open his eyes, but couldn’t force his eyelids to move. He didn’t want them to move. He didn’t want to come back to his burning lungs and exploding chest pain. He was finally free from the trauma his body was experiencing.

  “John, John!” came the voice again screaming in his head. It was familiar, but out of place. “John wake-up,” his wife Jenny said, “you’re having a nightmare or something, are you okay?”

  What is Jenny doing here at the creek? John thought, finally placing her voice. He opened his eyes, but didn’t recognize where he was. Suddenly the pain in his chest returned and he once again began gasping for air. He could feel the sweat running down the side of his face and his pulse thundering in his head. He rolled over trying to get air into his burning lungs. John knocked the bedside lamp over with his arm as he lost his balance and fell onto the floor with a loud thud. Jenny quickly rushed over to him and dropped to the floor. She lovingly placed John’s head in her lap. John looked up and tried to focus on her terrified expression. The fear in her eyes startled him. He watched a tear roll down her cheek and silently drop onto his chest below his chin. She ran her hand through his hair and gently brushed his cheek as she whispered to him reassuringly.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay,” she repeated as she rocked back and forth. John felt his pulse slow with the sound of her safe, soothing voice. The pain in his chest slowly faded and he was able to take in his surroundings. Realizing he was lying on the floor, he slowly sat up, fighting his cramping muscles. John leaned his back against the side of the bed. Jenny sat next to him and continued to sooth him with her soft touch. They sat there for several minutes before Jenny finally spoke softly. “What was that?” she finally asked him, “are you okay John?”

  “Jen, that was horrible. That was definitely the worse nightmare I have ever had in my life,” John replied through shallow, labored breaths, a bead of sweat running down the back of his neck. His vision was blurry and he could feel a migraine start to form at the base of his skull.

  “I’m so sorry honey,” Jenny replied, her pulse still racing as she kissed his forehead. “It must have been awful. I was so scared, I kept trying to wake you up but you wouldn’t and you were yelling and gasping for breath like you were choking on something,” she continued, kissing him softly on the lips. He felt her lip quiver slightly as it brushed his.

  “I’m a little better now. Thanks Jen,” he replied and moved closer to her. He gave her a hug and kissed her gently on the cheek. He could still see the concern in her expression and could feel her pulse still racing in her chest. “Wow, I guess I had you pretty worried,” he said as he held her hand up to her own chest. “Can you feel that? Your heart is pounding.”

  “I told you I was worried. Are you sure you’re okay John?” Jenny asked again, her eyes still welled with tears.

  “Yeah, I will be. It’s just going to take a little while. I’m all sweaty and overheated, I think I’ll take a quick shower and get a drink of water okay? I can feel a pounding headache coming on.”

  “Okay. I’m glad you’re alright John,” she replied with a smile. John could tell she was forcing it. Her eyes told him she was still sick with worry and her hands were trembling.

  “Really, I’ll be okay honey,” he reassured her as he got up and moaned with the effort. He looked at the bedside alarm clock, 5:45. No point in going back to sleep now anyway, not that I could even if I wanted to. He thought as he made his way to the bathroom to start the shower. By the time John dried off Jenny had made a pot of coffee. He was feeling better after the shower but the nightmare kept playing over and over in his head. He felt goose bumps run across his skin as he silently replayed it in his mind while he and Jenny shared a cup of coffee together.

  “Do you want to talk about your nightmare John?” Jenny finally asked after they had a chance to wake up and let the caffeine do its work. “It might make you feel better,” she said as she touched his hand with hers.

  “It wasn’t just a nightmare Jen. I felt like I was actually there. It felt so real,” he replied. His skin immediately crawled at the thought of it and a shudder went through him. “I think I’d rather wait. It’s still too soon, I just want to forget about it for now,” John replied.

  They had a quiet breakfast and within an hour John finished a tall glass of orange juice before getting ready for work. “Good-Bye Jen, have a good day!” He kissed his wife passionately on the lips and walked out the door of their two-story, modest home. He turned to see Jennifer standing in the doorway watching him. “Maybe we should go out of town or something this week-end,” he said over his shoulder as he walked towards his car.

  “Where?” asked Jenny as she leaned her average but attractive body against the doorjamb. She wasn’t wearing any makeup. Her plain, yet beautiful, face didn’t need any. She was wearing one of John’s button-up dress shirts with nothing underneath. The hemline stopped at the top of her smooth thigh, just long enough to cover everything, but short enough for John’s imagination to wander.

  “I don’t know maybe go up to the lake, or just go away for the week-end
somewhere,” John replied as he opened the back door of the car and dropped his jacket on the seat.

  “Come here, honey,” Jenny called after him as she ran her fingers through her long blond hair. He walked the few steps back to the doorway and kissed her again. “That’s sweet you want to take me away for the week-end.” She smiled broadly with a look of childhood excitement. He returned her gaze and lost himself for a moment in her beautiful, bright olive, green eyes.

  “Yup, nothing wrong with a little adventure now and then.” John winked at her. “And now that you’re laid off of work from the Clinic we won't have to worry about your schedule. John ran the back of his hand along Jenny's cheek before turning to leave. “Okay, I have to go now, I can’t be late today. I have that presentation at the investor meeting,” John added. He hung his head slightly with the disappointment of having to leave. “But I’ll think about it and see what I can come up with for some adventure okay?” he finished with a smile.

  “Okay! That sounds wonderful, and good luck today, I’m sure you’ll knock them dead.”

  “Thanks, but hopefully they remain alive, although I could possibly bore them to death,” replied John with a smirk.

  “Oh stop, you’ll be fine. Don’t forget our doctor‘s appointment right before lunch okay? It’s important that you be on time,” she reminded him.

  “I won’t forget,” John promised. They hugged one last time and John headed back to his car as Jenny turned to go back in the house. John got in the sedan and watched her through the windshield as she bent over and grabbed the newspaper on the front step before going inside, closing the door behind her. She did that on purpose. John thought to himself, grinning, and then adjusted himself with one hand while turning the ignition key with the other. God I love that woman. John thought, still beaming in more than one location. The motor turned over slowly before coming to life. “I need to get that battery replaced soon,” he said aloud as he pulled a cigarette from his pack on the seat next to him. He took a deep breath, replaying the scene of Jenny picking up the paper in his head as he lit the cigarette at the wrong end while leaving the driveway. John immediately hit the brakes, a look of disgust on his face as the taste of the melting filter fibers brought him back to his senses. He shook his head, smiling at his own absentmindedness, as he tossed the ruined cigarette in the ashtray and tried it again a second time. Ten years of marriage and look at what that girl still does to me. He thought and then laughed out loud at himself.