Light (22 page)

And there ahead was light.  Not the familiar blue tinted
light of day but something quite different.  The pallor was orange, the light
of an alien sky.  This then was the Yabbashah, the place of rivers and
springs.  It was a world without any animal life whatever, a place that should
be easy to cross, and Jake ran the last few hundred yards.

‘Hold it, Jake,’ shouted a familiar voice and from the
shadows the figure emerged brandishing his gun.

Mitch!

‘Put that thing away.’

‘You must be bloody joking.  This bit of
hardware is the only thing I’ve got that makes any kind of sense in this whole
fucking situation.’

Mitch was on a knife edge.  Not really
surprising considering that he had spent his last few days possessed by the En
Sof.

‘Listen to me Mitch.  I’m not your enemy. 
I’ve been sent to work with you.’

‘What d’you mean?’

‘The En Sof sent me.’

‘The what…?’

Could it be that Mitch had no idea of what
was happening to him?  If that was the case he would be having lapses of memory
about the times his mind was not his own.  Jake decided to take care in what he
was saying.  He would try a different tack.

‘Sorry, nothing.  But, please, Mitch; I
can’t harm you...’

‘Can’t you?  I’ve seen you.  Just don’t
fuck with me.’

Jake shook his head.  He did not have a
clue what Mitch was talking about.  It had to be something in his forgotten
past.  He had to know but he did not want this unstable psychotic to learn of
his ignorance.

‘Whatever it was, it was a long...’

‘Whatever it was?  Whatever it was?  You
used those fucking crystals to tear through those people in that synagogue.’

A flash of memory...

But it was gone.

There was a key word, however.

The crystals, of course.

‘You’re right, I had the crystals.  Well,
I don’t any more.  I’ve only got the one on my ring.  What harm can I do with
that?’

‘I don’t know but I’m not taking any
chances.  You try anything and you’re dead.  Understand?’

Jake nodded.  There was no point in taking
any risks with Mitch like that.  He did not want to commit suicide but there
was something he needed to learn.  He would try to keep his temper in check
whilst he asked.

‘What’s happened to Cherry?’

‘Cherry?  How the fuck should I know?’

‘But, you were with her.’

‘Yeah, well she’s gone, vanished,
vamoosed.’

‘All right, all right, I hear you.  We’ll
look for her later.’

‘No we won’t.  You’re taking me out of
here.’

‘But, Mitch, I can’t.  We’re both
trapped.  There’s no way to escape without the power of the crystals to open
the door to our Earth.’

‘You’re fucking lying.’

‘Why should I be lying?  I want to go home
as much as you.’

‘Do you?’

‘Of course I do.  Look.  There are five
more crystals to be found.  With them together with mine I’ll have six.  I can
use them to go back.  Can’t you see it?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘No.  So what do you want to do?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Exactly.  You see.  For now you need me
alive.  I’m your only hope in getting home.  You’ll have to trust me.  So, put
the gun away.’

‘No.  I want you where I can see you. 
This is my insurance, right.’

‘All right, Mitch.  If that’s what you
want.

‘Anyway, what do you know of this place? 
How long’ve you been here?’

‘I don’t even know where this place is.  I
woke up here just before you arrived.’

‘Hm, I see.  Well, we’d better take a look
then, hadn’t we?’

Jake led the way out of the cave into the
strange orangey daylight of the world know as the Yabbashah.  He wondered if
there was a reason that scientists could understand for the tone of the
colour.  Particles of iron in the atmosphere was a possibility that suggested
itself but it could be a question of refraction of light, or, of course, it
could be that, as they travelled further from the physical world, so the normal
physical laws were no longer applicable.

Outside, the colour red seemed to
dominate.  It was almost the way science fiction writers had depicted the
planet Mars before any real knowledge of the place became available from
telescopes and space exploration.

A vermilion grass-like substance (absence
of chlorophyll?) grew profusely nourished by the abundant supply of water that
trickled up through fissures in the ground.  Even the water seemed to have the
same warm pallor but this was no doubt caused by the reflection of the light
as, on closer inspection, it was as clear as cut crystal.

‘Taste it, freak.’

‘What?’

‘I said, taste it.  I want to know that
it’s safe to drink.’

At that moment nothing would have given
Jake any greater pleasure than smashing the bastard in the face. 
Unfortunately, that was just not practical.

He kneeled down and scooped up some of the
water in his hands.  It tasted fresh, crisp, cool and refreshing.  Unless there
was some after-effect this was perfect.

‘Good, I’m going to drink.  Just go back
into the cave and wait.’

Jake turned around and followed orders. 
Mitch was not going to take any chances and, so long as the maniac held the
gun, there was no point in antagonising him.  For now, however; there was no
point in escaping.  There was nowhere else to go.

Mitch was a tool of the En Sof but
otherwise he was just a human rapidly heading for a breakdown.  It was not
surprising.  If he had been the instrument of the destruction of Faivish’s
people and who knows what other atrocities it was a wonder that he stayed even
remotely sane.

Some moments later Mitch waved to him and
Jake returned to his companion.

‘All right, you drink if you want and then
we’ll set off.  We’ll do it this way again.  Food, water, you taste first and
then I’ll eat, got it?’

‘Yes.’

‘Right.  Then hurry up and we’ll go.’

So, Jake drank from the spring and, once
refreshed, led the way through the red grassland.

Despite the abundance of water the earth
was solid and walking seemed easy.  In fact it required hardly any effort at
all.  The landscape, however; was quite monotonous.  Everywhere they went it
was the same.  Red grass, trees bearing crimson fruit and clear nourishing
water springing up throughout.  Jake just hoped that the gateway to the next
world, Ha’aravah, was nearby.  Too much of this would become boring.

Which was when they heard the crying.

‘Listen,’ Jake whispered, ‘It’s from over
there.’

But Mitch did not respond.  Jake turned
around and stared.  Something was happening to the bastard.  It was as if his
body was being sucked into a black hole as it was being distorted by the cosmic
forces acting upon it.  As much as it would please Jake to be rid of Mitch he
could not allow the guy to be taken this way.  There had to be something he
could do.

‘Hold on, I’m coming.’

And Jake rushed back.  He reached out for
his companion and grabbed for Mitch’s hand but it was no good.  There was
nothing to hold on to.  Mitch was no longer part of this world.

There was a pitiful scream as the tug from
outside increased and Mitch was pulled right through.  The hole closing
instantly behind him.

Jake was alone with only the crying for
company.  It had to be the En Sof reclaiming its own.  What else could it be?

…………………………………………

‘You may put down the gun, Mitch,’ said
Alex Lapski as the figure of his erstwhile colleague materialised upon the
Sefirotic Tree between Ben Tiferet and him, ‘It’s good to have you back.’

‘You mean I’m home.’

‘You are.  It’s over.’

‘Over.  I should kill you now.’

‘Oh, Mitch, please.  Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘You were using me, don’t deny it.’

‘I wouldn’t dream of it but I’ve brought
you home.  Isn’t that what you wanted?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.  Now relax.  We’ve got to exorcise
you.’

‘What the fuck are you talking about?’

‘You’ve been contaminated by that place.’

‘You’re not laying a finger on me.’

And he pointed his gun between Lapski and
Ben.  It was clear that it would be impossible to gain his co-operation.

Which was when his face began to crease
into a terrifying grimace.  His muscles spasmed and distorted.  It was as if
the poor fellow was experiencing indescribable agony.

‘Quick, Professor.  The En Sof, it’s
returning.’

Ben began to chant but it was too late. 
The En Sof was already dominating its slave.

‘You fools, you idiots.  Do you not know
what you have done?’

The humans looked at Mitch without
comprehension.

‘I should destroy you both.  You have
meddled where you should not.’

‘But...’

‘No.  Listen to me.  The High Priest of
Israel, Jacob Tranton, is in grave danger.  Mitch and I would have saved him
but he is alone now.’

‘Danger, what danger?’

‘Oh, Professor Bent Ferret, how little you
really know.  The girl, Cherry, is one with the demon offspring of Lilith.’

‘Lilith?’

‘Yes.  She has no desire for Jacob Tranton
to succeed in his mission.  That would be her end.  Now return my servant. 
Perhaps there is still time.  If the Priest is within her clutches I will be
powerless to act.

‘Hurry.’

The two men looked at each other and they
understood what they were being told.  They knew all about Lilith and her dark
children.  In her land within the Arka she would be sovereign.  The En Sof
would be unable to touch her there.  If the creature was telling the truth they
had no choice.  They had to do as it commanded.

And Ben began the incantation.  It had
proved so difficult to locate Mitch and bring him here.  Now the En Sof would
know what they could do.  It would not allow them to do the same thing again.

Mitch slowly vanished.

Ben prayed that he would be in time.

………………………………………………..

Jake felt at a loss.  The vanishing of
Mitch seemed quite incomprehensible.  The En Sof wanted his help.  It needed
Mitch to keep an eye on him.  Why then did it take its servant away?  No, it
did not make sense.  There was something going on here of which he knew
nothing.

The distant sobbing, however, continued. 
It sounded like the voice of a girl.  Dare he hope that it was Cherry or was
that just a fancy?

There was only one way to find out.

Jake ran through the eerie countryside. 
This whole red dominance was uncanny; so warm looking but just a normal
temperature around.  It seemed quite incongruous.

And there she was, tied with rubbery
fronds to the trunk of a stout tree.  His memory had served him well.  Cherry
was just as beautiful as he remembered her, if not more so.

‘Jake.’

‘Cherry.’

He rushed over and untied her bonds.

‘But, how did you get here?  How did you
escape from Mitch?’

She shook her hands free and attempted to
restore the circulation.

‘Oh, Jake, I was so scared,’ she whimpered
as she fell into his arms.

Jake could see that she was beyond
answering his questions.  For the moment all she needed was comfort and warmth
and he was more than happy to provide it.  He felt strong, supportive, whole. 
It was as if a part of him had been missing for ever and now it had been
returned.  He clasped her tightly, crushing her against his chest.  He felt her
hands around his neck, caressing, massaging him and he responded.

It felt so good, so natural, to be
standing like this.  It was where he was always meant to be.  Oh, Cherry.  Even
the name in his head conjured up a magic that was beyond understanding.

But no.  He had to think clearly. 
Somebody had tied Cherry up.  Whoever it was, they could be nearby.  Mitch,
maybe?

‘Cherry, listen.  Who did this to you? 
Was it Mitch?’

‘Mitch, yes,’ she nodded vigorously, ‘It
was Mitch.’

‘But how?  Why?’

‘I don’t know.

‘Oh, Jake.  Hold me.  Please.’

He tightened the embrace.

‘But, where is he?’

‘I don’t know.  I really don’t.  He just
vanished.’

That sounded familiar but Cherry’s story
did not accord with Mitch’s.  When they met again he’d make the bastard regret
what he did to her.  For now, though, Mitch was gone.  Their time was their own
and Jake savoured the moment.

‘Oh, Cherry,’ he found himself saying,
‘I’ve missed you.  Your memory has been the one thing that I could latch onto
since I crossed over.  There’s oh so much to tell...’

‘No, no, Jake.  Not now.  Forget
everything.  We’re together.  That’s all that matters.’

He smiled fondly at her and returned her
penetrating gaze.

Their lips met, brushing together so
gently, like velvet.  He loved this girl.  She was the only one for him.  He
wanted her.  He had to have her.  It was the right thing to do.

They kissed.

Lips against lips, mouth against mouth,
tongues teasing each other; madly, passionately, they danced together.  A slow
waltz, a tango; perfectly choreographed movements in time with each other. 

At last they were naked; lying upon the
rough mattress of deep-red grass; hands clasped together; holding on, holding.

He turned to look at her; as if to absorb
her beauty; and she sat up to satisfy him.  She was incredible.  Such firm
breasts covered in light freckles that seemed to accentuate her shape.  Her
stomach was flat, a small appendectomy scar barely visible; her legs so trim. 
And Jake reached out to her.

Gently, he pushed Cherry to the ground and
began to kiss every inch of her body.  He drank in her aroma, he filled himself
with her scent, he willed her to love him as much as he did her.

Her nipples, so bronze, so golden, swollen
with pleasure as he eagerly licked and sucked.

The taste of honey.

She shifted, her hands searching,
exploring, massaging and caressing with strong but gentle movements; her
tongue, delicately licking, leaving no part of him untouched.

Jake breathed in at the anticipation of
the pleasure to come.  He felt her fingers riding him, stroking and
encouraging.  He felt strong in a way that was beyond the physical.

They were floating.  Two feathers drifting
on a light breeze across the orange sky.  They were birds, soaring high.  They
were eagles; swooping, diving, attacking, devouring.