The Forbidden Script (7 page)

On his way out of the office, Jason knocks over the coffee jug sending it crashing to the ground. He takes off in his black Mustang, tires screeching as smoke from burning rubber filled the parking lot. He heads straight to the shooting range, the only place where he can clear his mind. In ten minutes, Jason is at the firing range. He opens the trunk of his car and takes out two weapons. A Magnum .44 and the Colt Anaconda.

The person on duty recognizes Jason and knows best to let him through without question. All six shooting lanes are occupied, and Jason isn’t in the mood for waiting his turn. He enters his usual booth, where a young rookie is trying his best to hit the target at just ten yards away. As soon as he sees Jason with both guns in his hands, he lowers his 9mm weapon and leaves the booth. Next Jason loads both the Colt and Magnum, and wears the protective earmuffs.

He then presses a button on the switchboard bringing the target in front of him and replaces the paper target with a fresh sheet. The young rookie stands behind Jason, watching his every move. A new sheet is clipped to the automatic arm. Jason pressed the other button sending the target further down the lane. It went past the ten yard mark, past the fifteen yard mark, the twenty and thirty all the way to the very end of the fifty yard mark.

The young astounded rookie said, “you gotta be kidding me! I can barely see the target.”

Jason picks up the Colt without even pausing to aim and fires a single shot. The whole shooting range ceases firing as every single shooter heard the power of the Colt, deafening them even with ear muffs on.

Jason then presses the return button, bringing the target closer and closer. The rookie not expecting to see a mark on the target is amazed when he sees a hole in the bullseye. One by one each shooter in the range gathers behind Jason. Again he removes the paper target and hangs up another one. He then sends it away again all the way to the very end. Jason changes weapons and uses the Magnum 44. No one was expecting what Jason had in mind. He then turns to face the other participants, switching the lights off in his firing lane.

This time, steady as a rock, he aims, takes a deep breath and slowly squeezes the trigger. The rookie enters the booth next to Jason and turns the light back on, presses the return button bringing the target into view.

He said, “my god! Who the hell are you man? That’s an impossible shot, and in complete darkness!”

Someone at the rear shouts out.

“You’re either a great shot or just damn lucky!”

Without a word, Jason goes for his Colt. Again he hangs a new sheet and sends it all the way to the end of the lane. The young rookie switches off the light. Jason aims his firearm, shooting all rounds emptying the chamber. He places his earmuffs down on the table, picks up his Magnum and leaves. Everyone tries to enter the booth at once, wanting to see the results. They slowly bring back the target, staring in amazement at the smiley face that Jason had shot out.

Back at Tony’s place, Helen got to work straight away. She did not want to waste anymore time. The sooner she was ready with the translation the sooner she would leave Tony’s house. On the other hand, she was very eager to break the code of the ancient Mayan and understand them much better. She thought to herself. Could it be really possible they had found a way into the spiritual world or was it all a load of crap? She knew very well that the Mayans believed in many gods and were a very intelligent race. Did the ancient ones hide this hidden text for a reason? Was it never meant to be found? Was it something no one should ever know of or did something go terribly wrong, forcing them to hide it away from the rest of the world?

She was left to herself in the basement working while Carlos kept a watchful eye on her.

As Helen kept busy working. Tony was already planning things with Travis, his assistant. He knew the ritual to summon the spirits had to have four or more participants. It was not the first time he performed the ritual. He knew this time it would be different as he had always managed to talk with the dead. When he had a group of people all in deep meditation, he was able to communicate much longer and gather more than the usual amount of energy that entered his body.

Gathering participants for the calling of the dead was left up to Travis. He and Tony had an understanding between them. They had met one afternoon while on duty at the hospital. A young man had been brought into the emergency ward after being involved in a head-on collision traffic accident. Travis had almost died while on the operating table from head injuries.

Tony was outside the operating theater when he saw the spirit of a young man leave his body. Tony sensed Travis was not ready to pass on. He somehow managed to force the spirit back into the dead Travis, giving him another chance in life. Tony had then later gave Travis a place to stay since both his parents had died instantaneously on that day of the accident, leaving him homeless and alone.

Tony asked Travis, “have you informed the participants we will soon be ready for another meeting?”

“Yes, they are all awaiting the date and time. Everyone is excited and curious to know what you have discovered, and will do what it takes to attend the ritual,” said Travis.

“We all know once the location is decided, it must be kept a secret between all of us. No other person must know the whereabouts,” said Tony.

Travis responded, “yes of course. I made it clear to everyone.”

Tony said, “so it is set. As soon as professor Shireberg translates even a part of the Mayan hieroglyphs, you will inform the others when and where the ritual will take place.”

A day had passed, and Helen through research and experience had managed to decipher a third of the Mayan hieroglyphs. She had not yet fully understood the exact meanings but was guessing all will be revealed once the whole plaque is entirely translated.

Tony was now becoming impatient and continually warned Helen the consequences if she failed to meet the deadline. He asks her to hand over what she has managed to translate, eager to try and perform a ritual based on what she has already translated. Helen tries to warn him that things might not go as planned with only a third of the written translated text. He dismisses her warnings and decides to go ahead with it.

Later that day, Travis was busy all afternoon on the phone with the other participants. All in their late teens and still at university, they plan to meet that very night on a part of the beach that hardly anyone uses. Tony prepares the necessary things and packs them all into the back of his BMW. He also made arrangements with Carlos, agreeing to pay him extra to keep Helen in his sights at all times, knowing she will try to escape or make contact with someone. All phones were taken out of the basement rooms and from the guest room. Emails were also password locked. Helen was a prisoner in this mans home. She knew she had to get a word out to someone. Her best chance was to find a way to get a message through to Jason somehow.

At around eleven pm, Tony and Travis departed from home that same night. Travis took the wheel while Tony went over the translation that Helen had prepared. The words seemed jumbled up to him as he went over each line again and again. He wasn’t expecting much from tonight’s ritual, as he considered it a practice run in preparation when the whole translation of the tablet was complete.

The drive lasted nearly an hour when finally Travis pulled over at a deserted beach. As they stepped out of the vehicle, they saw a small fire burning further down the long sandy beach. Travis smiled as he saw the rest of the other members he had called that afternoon. They must have got here earlier, all eager to begin yet another one of the many gatherings they had performed this year. The five girls lay together on the warm sand, relaxed and alone in their tranquil surroundings. The waves were gently breaking on the sand while the reflections of the bright moon shone upon the calm sea like sparkling diamonds. Everything seemed perfect as Travis and Tony approached them.

Travis called out to them.

“Hey, sleepy heads! Wake up and get busy,” he said with a laugh.

Sarah was the first to get up. She went over to help Travis with the large cloth he had brought. The other girls made space while Travis and Sarah unfolded the cloth revealing a large pentagram printed in the center. Tony then handed a large candle to each of the five girls, and one for Travis. Little was said between them as they took their positions near each of the pentagrams points. Except for one girl who went to her place in the center of the five-pointed star. It would be her turn to enter the spiritual realm mentally.

Tony then took out a long white robe from his bag and dressed himself in it. He took his position on the outer rim of the pentagram and began the same intonations he usually uses to summon a wandering spirit. The other members were now in deep meditation, almost lost in a hypnotic state. Tony continued with the chants. The candle flames then began to rise and fall fluttering from left to right just as they would in a soft breeze. Tony knew quite well it was not the wind that was making the flames dance. He could now see white misty figures moving amongst them.

He now began to read from the Mayan text Helen had deciphered. Almost immediately, he felt a presence he never experienced before. It was much stronger, and the energy was tremendous. His whole body began to shake as he kept repeating the text over an over again. He then looked at the five girls and Travis. Their bodies were now shuddering as if they were exposed to freezing temperatures. Suddenly he noticed the candle flame of the girl kneeling in the center as it started to rise higher and higher as if having a mind of its own. That’s when Tony saw it. A dark shadow was now hanging above the girl. He felt an evil presence, something he had never felt before. The shadow had now enveloped the girl. It swirled around her like a tornado, spinning faster and faster until her body shook with intense force. Tony kept on reading over and again, amazed at what he was witnessing. The dark shadow continued swirling around the girl, when suddenly her body began to levitate just a few inches above the ground. It held there for over a minute, floating in midair. The swirling stopped, and the shadow was now taking the form of a man. It was still above the girl, then without warning it descended, wrapping itself around the girl’s body, making a loud growling sound when suddenly it disappeared into the night.

Tony stopped the chants, and the girl’s dead body fell to the ground. All was silent. Tony could not believe what had just happened. His first reaction was to go and see if the girl was alright. Travis and the others came out of their hypnotic state. They saw Tony kneeling next to the lifeless girl. None of them had any recollection of what went on around them. Travis rushed over to Tony.

“What happened? Is she okay?” He asked.

Tony leaned over her mouth to check her breathing, but could not hear anything. He then tried to find a pulse. Nothing.

He said, “I believe she’s dead Travis! It killed her!”

“What do you mean killed her? What killed her? There’s nothing else here but us!” said Travis.

Tony tried to explain. “It seemed to suck the life out of her! A dark force took her life. It all happened so fast. It was strong Travis. Real powerful energy!”

Travis then held the girl in his arms.

“What are we going to do Tony? We have to tell someone!”

“Tell who Travis? The police? No one will believe us! Do you want to end up in prison?” Said Tony.

Travis gently laid the girl’s body on the sand.

“We have to get out of here then,” he said.

The other girls wept while collecting their belongings, and left the beach. Sarah Masters was about to leave when Tony grabbed her by the arm.

“Sarah! Remove her clothing. Make it look like she went for a night swim and ran into trouble. Leave her wearing nothing but her underwear,” Tony said.

Travis helped Sarah undress the dead girl, and placed her face down in the sand.

Sarah then turned to Travis.

“We’re not going to get away with this Travis! We didn’t kill her, yet we are to blame.”

She got up and ran to her car, looking back at the lifeless body as she drove away.

While driving home, Tony said to Travis.

“What I saw tonight was something else. I know there exist good and bad spirits, but this one was different, it was pure evil Travis. I could feel its energy all around me as I read the ancient text. I believe we’re onto something huge. I need professor Shireberg to complete all the translations. We’re not stopping here. I’m going all the way.”

Travis kept silent on the journey back to Tony’s house. He had no choice but to keep quiet about what happened tonight.

It was around nine in the morning when Jason arrived at the scene. He could see Danny inspecting the dead girl’s body that lay lifeless in the sand.

“Morning Danny, have you found anything?” Inquired Jason.

Danny stood up. “No, nothing unusual. No foul play or markings on the body, nothing.”

Jason saw the forensic team and coroner pulling up against the side of the road.

“Check again, make sure we haven’t missed anything before these guys take the body to the morgue.” Insisted Jason.

Soon the forensic experts were on the scene snapping photographs and swabbing the body.

Jason called over to Danny.

“Hey Danny, I need a coffee, you coming?”

Both agents entered their vehicles and drove back to town where they usually meet at a local cafe. Jason ordered his usual large black coffee, while Danny prefers a strong espresso.

Jason said, “Danny, hear me out. We need to get some results about Helen’s disappearance. I don’t know if that dead girl’s death has anything to do with Helen’s kidnapping. We need to keep busy, anything we find could be useful right now before Matt starts breathing down our necks.”

Hearing his cell phone ring, Jason answered the call from Sally.

“Hey dad, I just heard about that girl found dead on the beach. It’s on the news.”

Jason gave Danny an uneasy look.

He said, “no need to worry. We’re looking into it right now.”

“Okay dad have to go, I have a class now. See you.”

“Damn media is already broadcasting that the girl was murdered,” said Jason. “Let’s get to the office before Matt arrives.”

At the FBI forensic lab, Kate Barnes the new forensic and autopsy pathologist was inspecting the body. She began from the head, working her way down to the feet. After performing the usual tests, she confirmed the cause of death was a massive heart attack. She knew the girl was far too young to have such a heart attack at her age. Something triggered her heart rate to beat at an incredible speed until it couldn’t take the strain any longer, causing her heart to rupture.

Kate logged everything in her report and decided to call special agent Jason Mallock, being the agent in charge of the case.

She dialed Jason’s cell phone.

“Hello is this special agent Mallock?” She inquired.

“Yes, speaking. This is agent Mallock.”

Jason did not recognize the voice but knew the lab number.

“This is Kate Barnes from the forensic department. I would like to have a word about the deceased girl that was discovered this morning. When you have time could you please come over.” Insisted Kate.

“I will try to be there in the next hour,” answered Jason.

“Thanks, will see you later then, bye for now,” said Kate.

At the office, Jason and Danny were busy with their usual reports when Jason felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see the Chief standing behind him.

“I would like a word with you and Danny in my office,” said Matt.

Both agents gave each other a concerned look as they entered the office.

“On my way here I received an anonymous call from someone claiming she knew the girl that was found dead on the Beach. This person sounded scared, and wishes to remain anonymous over the phone,” said Matt.

“Did she say how she knew the girl or gave an address or something?” Asked Danny.

“She might be a friend or relative,” said Jason.

Suddenly the chief’s cell phone rings. He glanced at the screen showing an unknown caller. Matt answered the phone.

“Hello, who is this?” Matt said.

“It’s me again,” came the voice on the other end.

“Are you ready to meet?” Matt inquired.

“Yes!” said the girl’s trembling voice.

“Okay, great. I’m sending two of my agents to meet you. Name the place and the time?” Said Matt looking at Jason and Danny.

“Near the park fountain in half an hour,” said the girl.

“And how will we recognize you?” Asked Matt.

“I will be wearing a black hoodie.”

The phone went dead.

“You two better get a move on. You have half an hour to meet her near the park fountain. She will be wearing a black Hood,” said Matt, before Jason closed the office door.

They quickly gathered their things and headed to their parked cars.

Jason said to Danny, “you go meet with the girl while I go over to the forensics lab. I have to meet with the doc regarding the dead girl.”

Danny gave Jason a frowned look.

“Can’t that wait for now?”

“I think it’s better one of us meets with the girl. She might be scared off by the both of us there,” answered Jason.

Sarah masters was getting ready to meet with the FBI agents. She put on her black hoodie and was just about to leave when the phone rang. Sarah started to panic, afraid of who was calling. She could not decide whether to answer it or not. She had already received two anonymous calls earlier this morning. Her hands were shaking as she went to answer the phone.

“Hello! Who is this?” She said in a scared voice.

“Sarah oh Sarah what have you done?” Came a very deep voice.

“It’s too late Sarah. Your time is near.”

She slammed down the receiver. Crying, she picked up her keys and ran out of the apartment.

Danny had now arrived at the park. He looked around as he walked over to an empty bench just in front of the fountain. He could not see anyone wearing a black Hoodie, so he decided to wait a bit before giving chief Berks a call. The park was quiet with a few people on their daily walk and joggers out on their run. It was now late morning and the weather was warming up fast. Danny sat patiently in the shade watching out for anyone with the girl’s description.

Back at the forensic lab, Kate made her way down to the cafeteria for a quick snack. Agents were coming and going, some on cell phones, others at tables having coffee. Other lab technicians were discussing their work, and now and then she heard laughter coming from the other tables.

“A very busy morning today, not usually so many people here this time of the day,” said Kate to herself.

She glanced at her watch.

“Shit! Better get back to the lab before agent Mallock arrives.”

She scooped up her coffee and hurried back to the lab.

On turning a corner, she collides with a tall, dark haired person, spilling her coffee over his black T-shirt.

“Hey, watch where you’re going lady!”

As she was wiping his clothes from the dripping coffee, their eyes met for a few seconds. Kate feeling embarrassed, broke eye contact.

“I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t burn you, it’s my fault for being in such a hurry. I have to meet someone in my lab and lost track of time.”

Jason said, “don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m on my way to the autopsy lab to meet with the forensic doc. Her name is Kate Barnes. I just hope she’s not as clumsy as you are.”

Kate turned bright red. She held out her hand.

“Pleased to meet you agent Mallock. I’m Dr. Barnes. Forgive me for the coffee spill.”

He could see her blushing, and said, “pleased to meet you too Miss Barnes.”

As she led the way to her lab, Kate felt like kicking herself with embarrassment.

Danny was still waiting on the park bench. The day started to warm up, and he was becoming frustrated waiting in the heat. He kept checking the time, but no one could be seen wearing a black Hood, and it’s already been nearly an hour since he arrived.

Danny decided to call chief Berks.

He reached for his phone, and speed dialing the number. Matt felt the vibration from his phone.

“Danny! I was just about to call you and Jason, best you both come over to Royal Palm Avenue.”

He sensed the disappointed tone in Matt’s voice.

“Okay Chief I’m on my way. The girl didn’t show anyway.”

“Yes, I know. I’m with her here,” replied Matt.

Kate opened the door to her lab, with Jason following behind her. He felt the difference in air temperature upon closing the door, almost like entering a refrigerator. The lab had that familiar smell of medicine and disinfectant. Jason was impressed with the tidiness of the medical instruments that lay in order, just as you would see in an operating theater. Kate was watching Jason as he looked around the lab. She noticed how good looking he is and felt sorry about the coffee spill. Kate has not had a relationship in the past seven months. She has been concentrating mostly on her work after a rough break up from her last boyfriend, but watching Jason gave her second thoughts.

Kate quickly dismissed what she was thinking. She could hear Jason talking to her, but could not make out what he said.

“Pardon me agent Mallock. I didn’t quite catch what you were saying.”

Jason repeated. “I said you have quite a lab here. I’m impressed.”

Kate answered with a smile. “Well, thank you agent Mallock. That’s very kind of you.”

“Please, call me Jason.”

Kate smiled. She gestured for him to move over to the tables where the body lay covered in white linen.

Danny soon arrived at the location where Matt was. As soon as he turned the corner to the street, he saw an ambulance with flashing lights and the local Miami police force closing the area to where all the activity was. He spotted chief Mathews talking with an officer who seemed to be in charge.

“Chief! What happened here?” Asked Danny showing his badge while passing into the closed area.

“That’s the reason the girl didn’t show,” said Matt, pointing to the body laying on the ground covered with a plastic sheet.

“My god is that the girl I was supposed to meet at the park?” Asked Danny as he knelt down uncovering the girl.

“Yes, I’m afraid it is,” said Matt.

Danny asked, “what happened to her?”

“Hit and run. Someone knew what her intentions were,” Matt said, “who ever done this was watching her every move.”

Detective Andrews came over to Danny and Matt.

“Do you think she is connected with that girl who was found on the beach this morning?”

Matt turned around saying, “she was on her way to meet special agent Langley at the park.”

Just fifteen minutes earlier Matt was in his office when he received news about a hit and run incident. He noticed the victim was a girl wearing a black hoodie.

“No, it can’t be!” Said Matt as he hit his fist on the desk.

He put on his jacket and rushed over to the scene.

Over at the forensic lab, Kate was explaining to Jason that the girl died of a massive heart attack and that there was no trace of drugs or alcohol in her blood. Her heart swelled up and burst from too much pressure. Jason understood what Kate was getting at.

“You’re saying something caused her heart to burst? And there is no explanation to what caused it?” said Jason.

Kate replied, “yes that’s it.”

Jason said, “you didn’t find any marks on her body from a struggle or anything?”

Kate uncovered the girl’s legs.

She answered, “no signs of violence, nothing. The only markings she has is this tattoo above her ankle.”

The tattoo they were looking at was of a five pointed star with flames around it. It was about two inches in diameter, tattooed in black ink.

Jason decided to give Danny a call.

“Hey Danny, how did it go with the girl? Did she show up?”

Danny moved away from Chief Berks.

“Jason I’m with Matt. The girl didn’t show up. He called me to come meet him a few blocks away from the park.”

“Why, what’s up?” asked Jason, glancing at Kate.

“There has been an accident. Hit and run more like it. Guess who the victim is?” said Danny.

Kate sensed something was wrong.

“Put him on speaker phone,” she said.

“How bad is it?” Is she going to be okay?” Jason asked.

“I’m afraid not. Poor girl never knew what hit her,” replied Danny.

Kate intervened, “Danny, this is Kate Barnes from the forensic department. We’re on speaker phone. Can you check something out for me, please.”

Danny answered, “yes, sure Miss Barnes. What is it?”

Kate pointed to the tattoo for Jason to understand what she wanted Danny to check out.

“See if the girl has a tattoo just above her left ankle.”

Danny then moved over to where the girl was.