The tower : A New start

Discoveries

There was something definitely wrong. The frogs and crickets had ceased their serenade. Silence reigned, filling the darkness until the tension was unbearable. Sapphire and Alex laid down on the cottage floor, the lights out neither daring to move or breathe. The question of the spotlights heavy on their minds. Alex ever so slowly slid his cell phone out of his pocket. He hunched around the phone to conceal it's light as he dialed the Sheriff. He managed to dim the screen light enough that it was nearly impossible to see what was on the screen.

He listened, waiting for an answer. One ring, two rings. “Sheriff Irish, speaking.”

“ It's Alex. Sorry to drag you back over here tonight, but we have a situation. We left the spotlights on when we joined you at the station to give our statements and identify the man who crashed into the house a month earlier. When we got back, Sapphire happened to glance out the window and the spotlights are off, in fact there is no light whatsoever coming from the main house and usually the yard light is on.” Alex started.

“I know the two officers radioed in regarding the situation and are investigating the main house and grounds. I've sent back up and am on my way. Keep the doors locked until either I or one of my men contacts you.” Sheriff Irish interrupted. They spoke another minute and then disconnected.

Alex wrapped an arm around Sapphires slender shoulders in comfort, “The police are already investigating. The officers who escorted us home noticed the lights out and are checking it out. They have backup on the way and Sheriff Irish himself is on his way. It'll be fine. We probably blew a fuse.” Alex told her adding the last part about the fuse to calm her as much as to calm himself.

It was so dark in the cottage and out that they couldn't see their hand in front of their face. The only light came from Alex's cell phone which shut off after a few minutes once he'd ended the call. Suddenly, They heard shouting and footsteps as someone ran through the woods close to the cottage. This was followed by other footsteps as the police gave chase.

“Stop!” A police officer shouted as he ran past the cottage. Several more officers called out for the person fleeing to stop.

A scream filled the air and then, “Help! Help! I can't hold on!” Someone called out in fear.

“We got ya give me your hand.” came the reply, followed by some grunting and rustling sounds as they pulled the person back up. Very shortly the rustling stopped, and the soft murmur of voices was all Alex and Sapphire could hear.

Several minutes later they heard a loud knock on the cottage door. Using his flashlight, Alex got to his feet and reached down to help Sapphire up. They made their way to the door in the dark tripping on first a chair, then a cot. Alex flipped the main light back on and unlocked the door. The yard was filled with people. Police officers, the sheriff, and a slightly banged up youth, who was no more than sixteen.

He was wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt, and worn out tennis shoes. His eyes were wide with fear and partially obscured by a mop of shaggy brown hair.

The kid looked scared to death. “This young man was up here wandering around the main house. He says he was just investigating the spotlights. He said the lights just went out. He couldn't see anything and his flashlight stopped working. When the officers showed up he just panicked and ran. Crazy kid nearly killed himself when he about ran off the bluff.” Sheriff Irish explained.

“I swear I didn't touch anything. I didn't mean any harm, I just wanted to see what the spotlights and everything was about.” The kid said in his own defense.

The sheriff glanced at the kid and shook his head, “It was a blown fuse young man. We already checked it out. But, you shouldn't trespass, son. Mr. Drewe, the owner of this property, could press charges since he does have do not trespass signs up all over the property. As it is you're lucky you didn't get yourself killed running around the top of a bluff in the dark without a light. Next time an officer tells you to stop. Listen to him.” The sheriff scolded him.

“I'm not going to press charges,” Alex said, “However, if you want a job for the summer, I could use some help finishing the renovation work in the courtyard behind the house. There's a portion of the brick wall that needs paint if the sheriff is finished with it. I also need some new benches put in and some plants potted. I'll pay you ten dollars an hour and you can work every other day with weekends off. Then you'll have permission to be up here. I'll even be willing to let you camp up here on occasion as long as you are careful with any fires you have and no more sneaking around.” The kid had quiet a surprised look on his face.

“You'd really let me work for you?” He asked in a surprised tone. Alex nodded and a grin spread across his face. “I'd like that. When would I start?”

“Tomorrow at eight am sharp. I'll have some papers for you to fill out and then I'll give you a tour and get you started. Just promise me no more running off my bluff please.” Alex answered.

“I'll be here at eight.” He said with the biggest grin Sapphire had ever seen, “By the way my name is Andrew Hershel, Mr. Drewe.”

“We'll see you then Andrew.” Alex said and turned his attention to Sheriff Irish who was still shaking his head at the teen.

“I'm still taking him to the station and to get checked out at the ER tonight. He fell and caught his shoulder against the rock face and we had to use ropes to get him back up. I want to be sure he's alright. I also want to have a brief chat with him about what happened tonight so we don't have a repeat offense. Besides, I think there may have been someone or something else that he saw. He was terrified when officer Vassan first encountered him. According to the officer, He blurted something about don't kill me. I'm going. Then he bolted. It's possible the officer scared him when they ran into each other. But, I don't want to take any chances” He explained. Alex nodded, he understood the sheriff's reasoning. They talked a few minutes more and The Sheriff gave his OK to start repainting the wall that had been spray painted.

Sapphire and Alex watched as the group slowly cleared off. The Sheriff assigned two men to periodically check on the house and property at night. Which Alex and Sapphire were perfectly happy to accept. They hoped that the addition of patrols would ward off further acts of destruction. They went back inside and Alex once again locked the door. He employed his brand of security, then turned to Sapphire. “You alright?” He asked.

“Yeah, Never a dull moment around here, huh?” She said trying to lighten the mood, “That was nice of you to offer to let that young man work here.”

Alex smiled and shrugged, “I figured this way he could earn little cash, stay out of trouble, and learn some responsibility along the way.”

“I hope the Sheriff isn't too hard on him. After all no harm was done.” She said worriedly.

“I think the Sheriff just wants to make sure he's learned his lesson. He also wanted to question the kid about what he might have seen or heard. When they first saw him he was terrified and bolted as if his life depended on it. That had the sheriff worried and he wanted to know why.” Alex explained.

Sapphire leaned against the wall and studied Alex. “You want a cup of tea or coffee. I'm not going to be able to sleep for a while after all the excitement of the evening.”

“Sure,” Alex said as he pulled her under his shoulder and started down the hall to the kitchen, “I'm not going to be sleeping for a while either.” They walked quietly down the hall close to one another, sharing each others warmth and comfort.

Sapphire filled the pot and put it on the stove to boil while Alex set the table with the tea things. Sapphire busied herself placing tea biscuits on a plate. Alex selected several jams and put them on the table with knives to spread them. When the water was ready, Sapphire poured it into the ceramic teapot she had bought when she moved in and carried it to the table.

Alex poured the tea. They sipped their tea and smeared the biscuits with jam as they ate. They had their tea quietly as each pondered the events of the night. Finally, Sapphire rose to her feet and cleared the table of the empty dishes. Alex slid up behind her as she washed the dishes. He wrapped his arms around her, leaned down, and kissed her neck gently. Sapphire tilted her head slightly allowing him better access.

Dishes forgotten, she turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Alex kissed her gently at first. He deepened the kiss as she melted into him. Soon he was demanding in the way he was kissing her and she matched his demands with those of her own. Their hands roamed down backs and chests, over shoulders and even slipping under clothes to feel skin against skin. Satiny soft against hard muscle.

The kiss continued ever deeper. Lightening streaked through blood and body pooling low. Soon little sparks seemed to be dancing across skin jumping from one to the other. Hair stood on end in a spectacular show of static electricity. It was only when Alex noticed dishes and other items floating around the kitchen did he snap out of it. He stepped away slightly breathing hard watching the dazed expression on Sapphire's face which turned to surprise when she too finally noticed the floating items.

Even more surprising for the both of them was the sparks that still danced along their arms and jumped from one to the other. “This is interesting.” Sapphire said, “Part of our Celestial heritage perhaps?”

Alex glanced at his arms observing the phenomenon, “I'm not sure. Probably, though I've never come across this in any of the writings about Celestials that I've found. I'd get a picture, but I worry about frying my phone.”

Sapphire smiled, “I totally understand.” As they watched in wonder the floating items slowly settled back into their respective spots. The sparks dancing up and down their bodies slowly faded. Their hair still stood on end slightly. “We rock the punk look, huh?” Sapphire giggled as she caught sight of the two of them in bathroom mirror off the kitchen. Alex laughed and then because he couldn't help himself, kissed her again.

“I think we need to do some more research on celestials” Sapphire said excitement coursing through her veins. For the first time she felt like she could do anything and nothing would hold her back. It was like a whole new Sapphire.

Alex loved seeing the happy carefree expression she wore. She was beautiful, more than beautiful. The shadows of the past months seem to fade with her happiness. He reach for her hand. She took his into hers and they both walked back into the living room. “I've been going through my library in the tower for information but I've turned up nothing. Of course my library is mostly business materials, a few paranormal books, and some Sci-Fi books I inherited from my dad when they moved. I've never check the library in your part of the house.”

“Maybe tomorrow we should have a look.” Sapphire suggested happily, “I'm going to do some internet research tonight. Although I don't think I'll turn up much. My last few attempts were not very fruitful.”

“I know what you mean. There is not much information out on the world wide web regarding Celestials. Probably because most Celestials are still in hiding after the witch hunts that took so many. I don't blame them really.” Alex said thoughtfully.

Sapphire pulled out the drawer of the night stand next to her cot. She and Alex had borrowed the night stands from the bedrooms. When she opened the drawer, she coined it was somewhat difficult to open. She figured it was age and never thought about it. Now however a small piece of paper seemed to hang from the bottom of the drawer catching her attention. She emptied her few items out of the drawer and then removed it from the night stand. Once free of the nightstand, she turned the drawer over. Taped to the bottom of the drawer was a manilla envelope about the size of a notebook taped to the bottom. She glanced at Alex who shrugged and shook his head in surprise. Obviously, he didn't know about the envelope.

Sapphire pried it off the bottom of the drawer. She then replaced all the items except the envelope in the drawer and put it back in the night stand. They examined Sapphire's find both curious and eager to see what they've found. When Sapphire opened the envelope, she found an old leather bound notebook. It was tied closed with twine. She looked over the whole book for clues to the owner to no avail. She was a little leery about reading what could be someones private journal. However curiosity got the better of her and she removed the twine.

Inside the cover was written in elegant hand writing:

This book belongs to Abraham Stickers.

Written in the year 1908.

The following pages are records of knowledge written for the benefit of those who find themselves gifted by the Creator with unique gifts.

TO whom it may concern,

It contains knowledge to be shared only with those responsible enough to use it for the good of all. Too many have suffered at the hands of those who sought to use it for their own gain. Beware the dangers of misuse, hatred, and anger. Burn this book or bury it if you cannot use this knowledge responsibly. Great danger comes from the use of knowledge by those unready for it.

Sincerely,

Abraham Sticklers

Sapphire looked up at Alex in surprise. Could this be what they've been looking for? Alex stared at the name of the author of the journal. “Abraham Stickles. He was, I believe, my mother's uncle. I know he and his family stayed here at this cabin for a few years until they could purchase land and a home of their own. There isn't a whole lot of records regarding that particular uncle other than my grand dad's journal. All hed write about him is that Abraham and his wife stayed in this cabin until he saved up enough to buy land two hundred miles west. Once he had the money, Old Abraham took his family and left to seek his fortune. No one heard from him after that and no one could find him. It is believed that he and his family either died on the journey or sometime after.” Alex explained as he stared down at the Old leather journal in Sapphire's lap.

He nudged her, “Lets take a look.” She flipped the page to see more of the elegant handwriting covering the pages. She read the entry.

January 1908,

I've been raised on complete silence regarding our family's unique heritage. No one is to know about us ever. The reason behind this stems from the witch hunts that spread across Europe so long ago. So many were convicted and burned simply because they were different or someone had a grudge against them. This caused the loss if many innocent lives. Many of whom were Celestials who had done no more than make a living, raise their children, and survive in difficult times. I am writing this journal for anyone in my family who finds themselves discovering their heritage and no guidance. This is not a complete collection of the knowledge of the Celestial world. It contains for the most part as much information as possible to guide young Celestials to adulthood so they may understand their heritage, abilities and so forth. I believe all Celestials should be taught their heritage and guided in the use of their abilities. However the governing bodies of the Celestial people feel other wise. So only those who are born to Celestial families are taught what is needed to know. Those born outside of those families are left to fend for themselves. I realize in writing this I am breaking one of our great laws and if found out will be punished severely, but I cannot stand by while members of my own family are left ignorant to all they are and can be. I will hide this book well and hope it falls into the hands of those who will uses it wisely and then destroy it if need be. You will find in the pages of this book all of the knowledge I have accrued over the vast years of my existence. Use it wisely.

Abraham Stickles

Note: The following pages are written in what Celestials refer to as Divine Script. You will need to learn to read it first. - Good luck.

They looked at the next page. It was filled with a writing neither had never seen before. They looked at each other. Sapphire flipped another page to see more of the same writing filling the pages. The entire book was filled with this writing. “I guess we have our work cut out for us.” She said and glance at Alex who nodded. As he studied the writing.

“Yes, a lot of work.” He agreed.