Red-Line: The Shift (Volume One) (18 page)

She continued to watch him. Her hand cupped his face as her gaze traveled lovingly over him. “Do you remember?” she asked.

He was confused by her question. “Remember what, Sarah?’

Her gaze moved to his eyes, and she studied him, as if willing him to see her and hear her. “Trust destiny, John.” She held his gaze and touched his face.

His entire body froze at the words she spoke, words that he had not heard in years. Words that were eerily familiar because he’d heard them many times in his life—once from his grandmother but many times from his father.

Ramsey couldn’t speak. Nobody else knew those words or knew where they came from.

“Do you remember?”

He stared back at her as a single tear slid down her face. “Trust destiny.” She continued to cup his face with her hand, and he recognized now the energy he was feeling from her and why it was so familiar to him. His mind raced as he speculated what was happening. Who was talking to him?

“I love you.” She spoke these words as her eyes closed, her arm dropped, and she slumped forward and then back.

Ramsey caught her and laid her back against the tub before she could hurt herself. He had to control himself physically, because his hands shook from the effect of her words. Once he got her settled, he pushed back and sat with his knees up, then leaned his head back against the cabinets, trying to understand. His whole body was shaking, not just his hands.

“Ramsey? You okay?’ Hannah had watched the whole episode play out, and she knew that whatever Sarah had said had shaken him to the core. She kneeled next to him. “Hey, you still with me?”

Ramsey didn’t realize he’d closed his eyes until he opened them to see Hannah kneeling over him with worry.

“I don’t need two patients right now. What’s wrong?”

Ramsey righted himself and sat up. “I’m fine,” he said.

“No, you’re not. What just happened?”

Ramsey looked over at Sarah, now lying in the tub, unmoving, and breathing easily. “I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know.” He looked at the water level. “You should add some more water to the tub.”

She knew he didn’t want to discuss it when he stood and walked out of the bathroom. She sat and watched him leave.

Ramsey walked over to the bed and sat down. His elbows on his knees, he rested his face in his hands and replayed what Sarah had said to him. “Trust destiny.” He couldn’t believe it. His father was the only one who’d spoken those words to him as a child. Growing up, whenever Ramsey experienced anything that he didn’t like or thought was unfair, those were the words his father had used to pacify him. The phrase used to irritate him, but at some point, he had come to appreciate it. It had eventually become their catchphrase. He remembered his dad hitting a foul ball and striking out during a baseball game, resulting in a loss. Ramsey’s retort was “Trust destiny, Dad.” His dad had made a face but then laughed over it. It was one of many times the two had exchanged the saying.

In fact, he recalled as he sat on the bed, that they were the last words his father had said to him as he lay in his hospital bed. His dad had been barely conscious, and before slipping into a coma, he had whispered to his son, who sat watchfully by the bed clutching his father’s hand, to “trust destiny” and lastly, “I love you.”

The memory of it burned Ramsey’s eyes, and he blinked back unshed tears. He took a deep breath and settled himself. He replayed the conversations in his mind, both past and present. He wasn’t sure, but he felt fairly convinced that he had just spoken to his father.

He continued to sit as he tried to collect his thoughts. He could hear the water run in the bath and then turn off. He wanted to return but didn’t feel ready. Hannah did not emerge, apparently understanding his need to be alone for a minute. He was grateful. He didn’t think he could stand up to a barrage of questions right now.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, but he gradually calmed himself. Questions and memories were still racing through his mind, though, when he heard Hannah’s voice from the bathroom.

“Uh, Ramsey?”

He heard her but didn’t respond.

After a brief pause, she spoke again. “Ramsey? Could you come in here please?”

This time her tone caught his attention. Something was upsetting her. He shoved aside his emotions with effort and headed back into the bathroom.

“What’s the matter?” he asked as he came to the doorway, stopping short when his eyes sought out Sarah. She was still lying in the tub, but now tiny bubbles were emerging and surrounding her body. They made quiet popping sounds as they hit the air on the surface. The bubbles continued to rise at a rapid rate. They rose from all around her, as if she was sitting in a jetted tub.

“Please don’t make any inappropriate comments right now,” said Hannah. They both continued to watch the bubbles rise to the surface from an unknown source.

“That’s too bad, because now is a perfect time for one,” he replied.

They both stood and continued to watch the bubble show. “What do we do now?” asked Hannah.

“That,” he replied, “is an excellent question.”

They continued to watch as Sarah lay in a sea of rolling bubbles, whose popping began to pick up in speed. Big and small bubbles alike popped all around her. She seemed unaware of the activity, even though she appeared to be the cause of it.

Ramsey watched and pondered their next move. Nothing came to mind, and Hannah didn’t seem to have any ideas either. Right now, just standing and watching seemed to be working fine.

Hannah pointed to the mirror, which was beginning to fog. “Look at that.”

“Yeah, I noticed.”

“My God, how hot is the water?” Hannah moved closer to the bath.

“Don’t.” Ramsey grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “I think the water is boiling.”

“Boiling? But how?” Hannah couldn’t believe it. “How is she surviving boiling water?”

“She’s creating it. It’s the energy coming off her. It’s heating the water.”

“But how is she not getting burned?”

“Apparently, she can handle the heat.” He couldn’t help himself and added, “I guess that makes her one hot chick.”

Hannah peered sideways at him. “Really?”

“Sorry. You wouldn’t let me make fun of the bubbles.”

Hannah rolled her eyes at him, then stared in amazement at the scene before her. She could feel the heat herself now, and she began to sweat.

“How hot is she going to get?” she wondered, beginning to feel uneasy.

“Another excellent question,” Ramsey stated as he watched the mirror fog and felt the perspiration pop out on his skin. The room felt heavy, too, as if pressure was building within it. That created the most apprehension for him as he began to contemplate exactly what Sarah might be capable of as she moved through her Shift. In answer to his question, a wave of caution struck him, and he instinctively grabbed Hannah and pulled her back just as small cracks, then larger ones, began to form on the mirror.

“Get back,” he said.

They both stepped back out of the bathroom just as the numerous cracks multiplied and met. The mirror abruptly shattered, and shards of glass spilled and crashed onto the counter and floor.

Hannah and Ramsey turned to protect themselves from the breaking glass. When they turned back around, they saw broken shards littering the bathroom floor and counter. They stepped back up to the threshold of the door, and glass crunched beneath their shoes. The water continued to roll and boil in the tub.

Ramsey stared with astonishment. “Guess that means seven years’ bad luck.”

Hannah stared at him, amazed at his ability to find humor in the oddest of circumstances.

Despite her glare, he continued. “Luckily, we only have twenty-four months left.”

Hannah shook her head. “Funny guy.”

“Hysterical.” He surveyed the room. Sarah continued to lie in the tub, but he noticed now that her eyes were slightly open and she stared off vacantly.

“Look at the water level,” said Hannah. “It’s getting lower again.” Hannah sat at the edge of the tub to add more. She watched Sarah as she asked Ramsey, “So what do we do now?’

He looked at his watch. Two hours had passed since they’d entered the bedroom. He wondered what was happening on the other side of the door. “The only thing we can do,” he said. “Wait.”

Just then, he felt a presence. He sensed Leroy just as there was a knock on the door. He walked over as Leroy popped his head in the room.

“What happened? I heard a crash.”

“We’re good,” answered Ramsey. “Sarah’s showing some activity, though. I can see why we might be distracted.”

Leroy moved into the room as Ramsey stepped aside. “How so?”

“In the bathroom,” said Ramsey.

Leroy walked in, and as he neared the bathroom, he noticed the broken glass. “You guys decide to play baseball in here?”

“Truth is indeed stranger than fiction,” said Ramsey. “Check it out.”

Leroy saw Hannah in the bathroom, and she moved as Leroy approached. He got a clear shot of Sarah lying in the bathtub as bubbles and steam emitted from her.

“What the…?” he asked.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” asked Ramsey.

Seeing Leroy’s confusion, Hannah answered his questions before he asked them. “We think the water is enabling her to process the heat she’s generating. She’s obviously putting out some significant energy, if the mirror’s any indication.”

“She broke the mirror?” asked Leroy.

“Right from the tub, without breaking a sweat.” Ramsey realized what he’d said as Hannah gave him another look. “Well, you know what I mean.”

Leroy turned to face Ramsey. “You two are certainly keeping entertained.”

“How’s it going out there?” Ramsey asked.

“Quiet,” he said. “Declan is keeping up the radar. Nothing yet, but he thinks they’re close by.”

“Close by?” Hannah’s nervousness was evident.

“I need to get back out there,” said Leroy. “You two okay, other than…?” He wasn’t sure how to describe the scene in the bathroom.

“We’re fine, but you two be careful.”

“Always am,” said Leroy. “You two do the same.”

With that, Leroy moved past Ramsey and back toward the door. Without saying anything else, he left the room and closed the door behind him.

Ramsey watched him leave and turned his attention back to the tub and its occupant. As Hannah watched, he grabbed a towel and wiped shards of mirror off the counter top and onto the floor. “Looks like we might as well settle in. We might be in for a wait.”

Hannah didn’t like the idea of that. The tension was high enough as it was, and waiting would only make it worse. Sighing, she moved to help Ramsey clean the counter.

Another two hours passed as Sarah continued her water show and Ramsey’s restlessness grew. He and Hannah now sat on the bedroom floor, listening to the bubbles pop in the other room. The counter was clean, but since they didn’t have a broom, they’d left the glass on the floor. The faucet ran at a low volume in order to keep the water level constant in the tub. Feeling nothing from the other side of the door, he hoped that no news was good news. His patience dwindled, though. He debated contacting Declan somehow, but Ramsey didn’t want to distract him from his surveillance.

Her own nerves on edge, Hannah continued to sit with him as they waited. After another ten minutes passed, he was about to poke his head out the door just to see if he could pick up on anything when he acutely heard what sounded like breaking glass from the other part of the house. He perceived a familiar voice in his head. He shifted his attention and focused in on the new communication. Warnings flared as he recognized Declan’s energy and his ominous message, and Ramsey turned and faced the bedroom door.

Hannah heard the noise and recognized Ramsey’s sudden tension. “What is it?” she asked.

“Trouble.” He stood and walked to the door to check the lock. He knew it wouldn’t stop anyone who wanted in, but it was still a deterrent. He looked around the room and grabbed a chair that was sitting by the bed. He pulled it over and wedged the back underneath the doorknob.

“Something I should know?” Hannah’s fear crept into her bones.

“I think they’re here.”

Ramsey moved fast. There was no way to move Sarah. They would have to make their stand here, if it came to that. He looked around the room and saw the supplies on the floor. “Grab what you need,” he said to Hannah. “Take it into the bathroom with you.”

Hannah didn’t understand his plan. “What?”

“You’re going into the bathroom and closing and locking the door. Don’t come out until you hear from me.” He bent down and picked up the bags Hannah had carried into the room. “Take these.”

“Are you crazy?” Hannah couldn’t believe it. “I’m staying out here with you.”

He knew she would argue, but he didn’t care. “Hannah, someone’s got to stay with her. If they get through this door or window, I have to put up some defense. I need you to be with her. You can take care of her if something happens.”

“Something happens?” She understood what he meant, but didn’t want to put it into words. “Ramsey?”

“She’s too important, Hannah.”

They looked at each other as they each realized what must be done. He stared until she nodded her head and took the bags from him, turned, and walked into the bathroom. He grabbed the door to close it, but she stopped him.

“You be careful,” she said, looking down at Sarah in the bath. “She needs you to get through this.”

He hesitated, unsure how to interpret her words, but he looked back at the woman in the tub and knew Hannah was right. He and Sarah shared a connection.

“Maybe so, but she’s the priority. If she dies…” His voice stopped, and he didn’t complete the sentence. “Just get in the bathroom, lock the door, and hunker down. Don’t come out until I say so, or if Declan or Leroy says so. You understand?”

Apprehension clouded her features, but she said nothing. She let Ramsey close the door, and she did as he asked and locked it. Shards of glass covered the floor and crunched underfoot as she walked. She looked down at the woman they were all trying so hard to protect and wondered how much longer they could keep her alive without sacrificing themselves in the process.