Erika (8 page)

She laughed. “I also felt everything you were feeling. You really enjoyed being inside me. I consider that to be the ultimate compliment. Thank you. Why can’t I be seen? Let’s just say I haven’t fully materialized for some people. You have very special eyes, Hawk. You see things other people can’t. Don’t worry. Everybody will see me in time.”

Coming abreast of Connors, Hawk asked. “Is everything set up?”

“Yes, Master Hawk. The targets are prepared.”

“Good. Remember, no warning as to what is going to happen and when.”

Connors nodded. “I’ve set their automatic timing devices so everything will function on its own. It is quite unnecessary for me to do a thing.”

“Very well, Connors. Remember, for you own safety, don’t come into the area. It will be extremely dangerous.”

“I shall stay a safe distance away as you wish, Master Hawk.”

* * * *

As Hawk and Erika walked away Connors shook his head in dismay as he recalled his reason for quitting Her Majesty’s Secret Service. He’d run afoul of too many agents who enjoyed killing. They all had that unfathomable glow in their eyes, like the one he just saw in Master Hawk’s.

Spying, that’s what he was forced to do once again. It was as if he’d never left Her Majesty’s Secret Service. He positively despised the bloody business of taking orders from two people. Pretending to obey Master Hawkins was easy enough. The boy did have qualities which were genuinely likable. But, Terrence Hawkins Archibald O’Brien did not. Not one pence worth. Yet he had to take orders from the filthy blighter and to the letter. “I want a complete daily report on my son’s activity.” Easier said than done when one is a globe hopping, money grabbing jackal. “Take this cell phone number. You have permission to contact me at any hour.”

He shook his head as he thought of his many phone calls. “Master Hawkins did this, Master Hawkins did that. Master Hawkins plays with a doll he’s named Erika. And now Master Hawkins is playing with weapons and practically blowing up a forest.”

He heard a ricocheting bullet thud heavily into the tree where he was secreted. He swore. “Good Godfrey, I’m in my nineties and a bit old for this sort of thing.”

He peered around the pine tree. Master Hawk was just ahead busily shooting every target as it popped up. The lad was an incredible marksman, a true master of many weapons. He never missed once, even when talking loudly to his doll.

* * * *

“Stop shooting Hawk. You’re hurting my ears.”

“I’m sorry Erika. I’ll stop right now.”

“Good. Let’s take a walk by the lake. Maybe we’ll see some ducks or a swan. I love swans.”

“I’ll be with you in a moment.” He walked to a maple tree and propped his back pack, long coat and weapons against it. He turned to rejoin Erika.

She was gone. Where?

Hawk smiled. It was one of her childish games, just like she used to play years ago.

“Okay, show yourself, Erika. I’m ready for our walk.”

Her voice floated in the air from every direction. “Not until you say the right words. Remember?”

“Yes. Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

“Here I am Hawk. Over here.”

A whirling, twirling wood nymph danced into view. She wore a flowing gossamer gown made from forest green material with a life of its own, as it moved in slow motion around her.

“Erika, where on earth did you get that outfit? Mother never made one.”

“Yes she did, Hawk. This is the one she made for me the day she was shot. She never had a chance to show it to you, so I’m showing it to you now. Do you like me in it?”

He reached out for her. She allowed his fingertips to touch her waist before she danced away. “Catch me if you can, Hawk.”

Only her voice danced back to him. He swore to himself. How could she move so fast?

“I’m over here Hawk.”

He ran following her voice, hearing her laughter. “You used to be faster and cleverer at catching me. Look at what I’m wearing now. Do you like my appearance?”

She was naked.

“Do you want sex with me Hawk?”

Passion flashed in him. “Yes. You know I do.”

“In spite of all the years we’ve known each other you’ve only had sex with me once in a while.”

“We were separated. Now we’re together we’ll have sex night and day and forever.”

She held out her arms to him. “Then come and take me.”

Hawk reached for his belt. As he unbuckled it Erika danced away leaving her laughter and her warm sexual scent behind.

In a minute Hawk was naked and following her. He thought it would be easy to spot her nakedness among the green trees. But she blended in.

“Erika. Where are you?”

A branch moved. He ran to it and heard laughter.

“Erika. Where are you?”

Leaves rustled. Hawk turned. It was only the wind.

“Erika. Where are you?”

He heard running. A buck deer, beautifully antlered, wild of eye, fleet of foot raced by him at a distance so close he touched it.

“Erika! Erika! Erika!”

Splashing sounds came from the lake. Hawk ran to its shore. The swimmer was Erika. She called to him in the siren voice of a nymph.

“Come in Hawk. The water’s wonderful.”

Hawk smiled. Resembling a slender Adonis he dived into the water. It caressed and played with him. He stayed underwater until his lungs demanded air. When he surfaced Erika waited for him less than three feet away.

“You could never catch me, Hawk. So, I’ll stop running from you. Let’s swim.”

He could swim well, although he was no match for Erika. The wood nymph became a water nymph as she swam playfully around him, laughing and diving and splashing water in his face. She teasingly kissed him just before they swam to the shore.

“Take me to a tall maple tree, Hawk. Make love to me there. I want to feel you inside me.”

She was light and frail. Hawk put her down on some long green grass. For a few seconds he rested beside her before they touched, enfolded and consumed each other in erotic flames.

* * * *

Connors could not find Hawk. Somehow his young master had given him the slip. It irritated him to no small end to where he mumbled, “Now where in the bloody hell are you, Master Hawk?”

He searched everywhere in the woods. Normally he would have admired the flora and fauna, enjoyed the brisk walk and perhaps taken Matilda for a ride on the lake in one of the rowing boats. But certainly not today, and most certainly not when he was so worried about young Master Hawk. There was something very strange going on and he was dashed if he could get to the bottom of it. He shook his head in an attempt at trying to rid himself of the feeling of death. Such a feeling had occurred to him, just before the military engagement at Dunkirk which was to haunt him forever. He shuddered, tried to get a grip on himself and decided to inspect the lake again. Master Hawk must be found.

* * * *

“Are you awake, Hawk?” Erika asked as she moved her head on his shoulder.

With closed eyes Hawk put his arms around her. “Of course not, I’m asleep.”

Erika laughed. “You can’t be. You’re talking to me.”

“I’m asleep. Hawk O’Brien can do anything, including talk in his sleep. You believe me, don’t you?”

“Come on silly. Open your eyes and get up.”

“I’m afraid to.”

“Why?”

“In my whole life I’ve never been happier than right now. If I open my eyes I’m afraid you’ll be gone.”

“No I won’t. I thought you were adventuresome, Hawk.”

“You’re my adventure, Erika.”

She laughed. “I’m glad. Now open your eyes and you’ll see I’m still here.”

“Okay, I’ll open them at the count of three. One, God what if you’re not here Erika?”

“I will be. Keep counting.”

“Two. I’m frightened Erika. I can’t count any further.”

“You must Hawk. You must open your eyes to see I’m still here. Don’t be afraid, count!”

Fear clutched him. His heart throbbed painfully as it threatened to explode from his chest. The last count screamed from his throat with the force of a thunderstorm.

“Three!”

He opened his eyes. Erika was there. “Well hello there, gorgeous lady. And what’s your first name?”

Erika laughed. “Hawk, have you ever thought about my creation? What I am?”

“My mother made a porcelain doll she named Erika. Somehow you became something else. It’s the else I have always loved.”

“Thanks to your mother.”

He looked at her. “Are you certain?”

“Well of course I am. As a ballerina she became acquainted with a person who could conjure into being life essences. He taught your mother how to do so and she put a life essence into the Erika doll along with a small portion of her own.”

Hawk frowned. “So where did she get this life essence?”

“Never you mind from where, Hawk. Am I so bad?”

“No, you’re everything I’ve always wanted.”

“Thank you, darling. I love you for saying so. Let’s get back to your mother. What she wasn’t told was after a time the life essence becomes more powerful, more possessive. As you played with me in my doll form I fell totally in love with you. And as I grew stronger and more material I vowed to have you. Now I do. Hawk, I will possess you for your entire lifetime, even in your afterlife.

“When Walters threw me against the tapestry wall he not only postponed my materialization he weakened the progress I’d made. After you moved I could reach you only when you were sleeping.”

“Poor darling, it’s been terribly hard on you.”

Erika wriggled in his arms. “It’s over now. We’re together. Let’s put on our clothes. I’m beginning to feel a little chilly.”

“I don’t see how you could be as snug as you are in my arms.”

“That’s where I always intend to be as soon as I put on my clothes. Now come on. I’ve got goose bumps all over my body.”

“So pose for me while I count them.” Kneeling Hawk began kissing Erika, first her navel then between her legs. One delicious kiss later she shoved him from her and jumped up.

“That’s all the dessert you get for now. Leave it alone and follow me.”

Hawk watched lecherously as her voluptuous bottom bobbed and swayed all the way to their clothing. It did wonders for his maleness. “I’m aroused,” he declared with a laugh.

Erika faced him. “My, my, you certainly are.” She came to him, grabbed his maleness and jiggled it. She kissed its tip. “Well, I can see you’re ready for more action.”

Minutes later they were dressed. Hawk’s back was to Erika. When he reached for his long coat she stepped in front of him holding his Thompson Contender. Determination raked her face as she pointed it at him.

His throat went dry. “Erika, what are you doing?”

She breathed deeply before speaking. “Try to understand, Hawk. I’m tired of waiting for my completion.”

“Understand what?”

“I want to be with you darling.”

“We’re together now.”

“I didn’t want to tell you, Hawk. Our togetherness might be temporary.”

“Temporary? I don’t understand.”

“When I come permanently into this world I will create an imbalance in the world I came from. There are terrible evil forces there who are trying to keep me where they think I belong.”

“You belong in my arms, Erika. The evil forces you mentioned aren’t real. Don’t point that gun at me.”

Tears appeared in Erika’s eyes. “Darling, I think I know how we can always be together. You must come with me to where they all say I belong. There’s only one way for you to join me. You must die in this world.”

Fear stabbed its way into his soul. “Erika, you’re talking madness. Death is not the answer.”

“It is.”

“No! Think, Erika. You’re alive. I’ll be dead. Death will not bring us together.”

“It will. Right now I’m not totally alive. I don’t know if I ever will be.”

“Erika, listen to me.”

She raised the gun to sight it. “I’ll try to cause you as little pain as possible, my love.”

As Erika squeezed the trigger she cried aloud. Nothing happened.

Relief coursed through Hawk. “You don’t know how to fire the gun, Erika.” He held out his hand. “Give it to me.”

Hawk felt her inside his head. She had learned. “No, Erika. Listen to me. You must completely materialize. We’ll fight those forces you mentioned, together.”

Erika pulled the Contender’s hammer back. Hawk watched, wild eyed and disbelieving. He held out his right hand to her. “Please, Erika.”

“I love you, Hawk.”

He grabbed Erika. She was surprisingly strong. Hawk felt the Contender’s barrel touch his forehead. It was terrifyingly cold before it roared and bucked. He fell quickly, without a sound.

Erika smiled. She watched the life’s blood flow from Hawk’s forehead.