Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 07:59:35 +0000 From: Draiodoir Draiodoir Subject: The Gatekeeper: Stigmatized/ Chapter 3 All rights reserved. Copyright by Fritz D. Ilagan s. 2007 Chapter Three: Secret Ancestry The things that had happened were plainly unbelievable and even in his wildest dreams Os couldn't had imagined something like this to occur. It was the worst nightmare he could have ever asked for. He saw how Angelina got burned by some mysterious light, how her body melted, how she died... killed... murdered. Tears came running down and Osiris couldn't stop them. He felt confused, terrified and exhausted; his head hurt from all the unexplainable things he experienced and his body shook violently in a mix of chill and dread. They were coming for me, he thought. They went to the school just to get me. If only I didn't refuse... if I just let them take me... Angelina would still be... she would still be... He wanted to crash, to give up his consciousness right there and then. To sleep and never wake up until this... terrible night was over. He didn't understand why those people wanted him... why they killed Angelina. Your heart, a man's voice within Osiris's mind said, the woman in the old hospital said, they wanted your heart. That's dumb, Os argued to the voice. She was crazy. Probably, they had mistaken me for somebody else. She called you a warlock...the voice stated. He shivered uncontrollably. I don't know about that... why did she call me that? Is that some code or secret language? Osiris's head ached and he glanced around, trying to call up his rational self. If he stayed there, crouched by the bushes and shaking in cold, surely those psycho people will track him there or the police will be suspicious on why an eighteen year old guy like him was there in the wee hour of the night... morning. Even getting arrested isn't a bad idea now, he thought miserably. His eyes caught the phone booth. Reaching for his back pocket, he sighed in relief when he felt his wallet was still there. The first number he dialed was unavailable. This confused Osiris and tried again. But the operator gave the same message. He dialed Jaypee's number and waited. His friend answered on the second ring. "Hello," said Jaypee's voice at the other line, sounding sleepy. "Jay! It's Os," Osiris whispered. "Os!" Jaypee's voice shouted at the other side, sounding relieved and worried. "What the hell? Do you know what time it is? What happened to you dude?" "Actually I don't know what time it is," said Osiris, "but I need your help--" But before he could continue Jaypee cut him off. "It's good you're okay! I thought you were killed. They said it was an accident but someone died--" "I'm okay Jay but please listen to me. The thing that happened at school was no accident. We have been attacked," said Osiris as a lump on his throat formed, "they killed Angelina." "WHAT!" "I need your help--" "Wait! What thing that happened at school? Os what's going on?" Jaypee sounded alarmed. "Jay, I don't have time to explain okay. I don't know what kind of news got to you but this afternoon during the newspaper meeting, the school got attacked by bandits. They... well, just listen. I'll tell you the story when I see you. I tried to call Aunt Celina but the phone's busted or something, it won't connect--" "Os, where the hell are you? You're giving me an impression that you have no idea what happened at your aunt's house." "Why? What happened?" Osiris asked dreading the answer. "It got burned." "What?" "It was on the evening news. I tried contacting you. I hoped you weren't in the house yet. I tried to go to the school but there was nobody there." "Aunt Celina? What happened to her?" "I don't know Os. The house wasn't completely destroyed... only the living room. The mail man reported the incident. Apparently he saw the curtains were burned and called the authorities. The news said the fire fighters found a body of a woman burned but they hadn't identified it as your aunt yet..." Jaypee's voice trailed off. Osiris felt dizzy. Not Aunt Celina too... Jaypee cleared his throat. "Where are you? I'll get you. I'll wake Papa and we'll drive to get you." "No," said Osiris trying to remain calm. "I just want you to give me Mr. Caleb Brine's number." "What? Why do you--" "Just do it please, Jaypee." Os silently wept again. His was having a hard time remaining up right as his knees started to shake. "But I don't have his number." "But I thought you have a brain!" Osiris snarled, "Use the goddamned yellow pages!" The other side went quite and after a few seconds Os inhaled and said, "I'm sorry dude. I just... I'm..." "I understand. I'm on it now," said Jaypee. It took him only a few minutes. "Here's his home and cell phone number. Lucky he's offering tutorials." Jaypee read the numbers. Osiris memorized it. "Thanks a lot Jay," Os said but before he can hang up his friend said, "Will you be alright?" "I hope." "When will we see each other again?" "I'll find you. Take care." Osiris cut the call before his friend object any further. He dialed Caleb Brine's home number and got an answer only after the first ring, "Hello?" "Mr. Brine, this is Osiris Rites," said Osiris in a rush of relief. "Where are you?" said Mr. Brine sharply. "I'm in the old commercial facility just south of Bumpville city. I'm--" "Stay put. I'll be there in a minute." He hanged up. Osiris stood confused then he placed the phone back and sat to the ground again, placing his chin to his knees. Once or twice, Osiris thought he heard something around the shadows of the buildings but nothing pounced. After a moment, he heard a rumble of engine and then saw bright headlights. He didn't know why but the sight of his newspaper adviser on the driver's seat made Osiris felt safe. Mr. Brine opened the passenger seat and invited Osiris in. The cold leather of the BMW made him shudder as his back touched the seat. Mr. Brine looked at his passenger, and then stripped off his long sleeved shirt; he was wearing a white tee-shirt beneath it. He handed it to Os. "We can talk at home," said Mr. Brine as he drove the car. Osiris noticed his teacher's eyes roved around, looking unusually alert and vigilant. He thought he saw the older guy nod once or twice while looking at the shadows on the buildings but Os just considered imagining it. Though he felt physically tired, Osiris's mind was racing. His Aunt Celina's house was burned and his only family might have died... The girl that he loved for two years was murdered in front of him... He nearly got killed tonight as a psycho woman tried to rip out his heart. Why? Osiris was in deep thought and hadn't noticed that they had arrived at Mr. Brine's house. It was a modest looking bungalow, a very modern four-room residence. It was silent but the lights were on. Mr. Brine lived alone. His teacher invited him to the sitting room, turning on switches here and there as they went. "Would you like something to drink or eat?" asked Mr. Brine then added as he heard Osiris's midsection complained. "Or maybe both?" He hadn't noticed until now that his stomach was grumbling. Osiris turned red then nodded as his throat felt as dry as the Sahara Desert. With that, Mr. Brine ushered Os to the kitchen, pointed him to a chair by the table while the older guy prepared a meal. After a moment or so, a steaming bowl of noodle, some wheat bread and a tall glass of orange juice was served in front of Osiris. "Help your self," said Mr. Brine while sipping a cup of coffee. "Thank you Mr. Brine," answered Os weakly as he picked up his fork and started to eat. "You can call me Caleb, Os. I'm sorry I can only serve instant noodles. I'm not much of a cook. I usually reserve that to Roland." Osiris's head was bowed to his bowl and when he looked up Caleb noticed the bowl's half empty. "It's okay. Who's Roland?" asked Os, gulping his orange juice. "Oh, just a friend of mine." Os then picked up a piece of bread and ate it in five seconds then took another. Caleb let Osiris eat in silence and when the youth was finished, he offered him a cup of coffee. "Thanks," said Osiris accepting the cup and taking a sip. They retreated to the living room. The electronic clock on the VCR showed 3:48 am. Os sat at the couch while Caleb positioned himself to an armchair. "What made you call for me?" said Caleb looking straight to Osiris's eyes. "I don't know. I guess as you're the teacher that was present when those people kidnap me, you would understand better than anyone. I tried our house but no one answered. Jaypee told me it got burned and... and..." Os didn't know how to continue as he was still unsure about the details of that story. Caleb looked at him for a minute before he continued. "I am very proud of you Os," said Caleb. "The event that happened at school--" "I don't want to talk about it," Osiris muttered, trying his best not to cry again and avoided his teacher's eyes. He was so tired. "I know you have so much in your mind right now but I need you to listen to me." Osiris looked up. The seriousness that Mr. Brine showed unnerved him and for some reason made him feel nervous. "Mr. Brine, what --" started Osiris but got cut off. "Please Os, call me Caleb. I'm not that old yet." "Okay. What are you saying Caleb?" Caleb sipped his coffee then said, "The things that I'm about to tell you Os could change your life forever. To say the least, your life has already changed drastically these past few hours and I ask you to listen with an open heart. And I want you to know that I will not harm you in anyway." Osiris couldn't think of anything to say so he remained quiet though he began to sweat. Caleb continued. "There are things that you might not know about yourself. Things that had been kept from you so that you remain protected. Innocence became your guard. "We are the same Osiris," Caleb said carefully. "You and I are warlocks." The effect of this sentence was intense. Os leaped from the couch, mouth open in shock, his left hand shaking uncontrollably while pointing to Caleb, his weariness forgotten. Coffee got spilled, soaking the carpet. "YOU!" Osiris bellowed. "You're one of them!" He was backing away from Caleb, putting as much distance between the two of them until his back hit the wall. Osiris's face was contorted in terror. Caleb was also on his feet but he raised his hands as though surrendering to Os. "Please Os, calm down. I will explain." "Explain?! Your pals nearly wrench out my heart! How the hell are you going to explain that!?" Osiris said while slowly edging to the front doors. "I am not one of those people Os," said Caleb patiently. "Yes, some of them are witches and warlocks too but we're not all bad. Please Os, I'm not going to hurt you." But Osiris remained standing away from Caleb, looking apprehensive. Sensing Osiris's distrust, Caleb said, "Look, you know that if I've wanted to kill you, you should be dead by now. I had all the opportunity to poison your food." "How will I know it's not slow-acting?" Os said in a small voice. Caleb actually chuckled a little but stop abruptly when Osiris yelled, "I'm not being funny!" "Sorry," Caleb said hastily. "Please, just hear me out Os." "Fine," Os said shortly but he didn't let down his guard, still ready to make a run for it. "Why don't you sit down?" "I prefer to stand." `Much easier to escape,' Osiris added to himself. "Okay," Caleb sat down again, breath in and said, "As I told you Os, we are warlocks. You and I." Osiris shut his mouth and didn't argue. He didn't want to believe a single word from the man in front of him but something in the pit of his stomach was convincing him to listen. "I know that this is much too complicated for you to absorb and the initial reflex of your mind is to reject but this is the truth Os. You're magical." "And how would you know that?" Os asked. "By reputation," said Caleb. "Your family has a very profound ancestry. You had ancestors as far back as the thirteenth century with a clear line of witchcraft practitioners." "So you're telling me my ancestors worshipped the Devil and so you thought I'm like them?" asked Osiris hotly. "NO!" Caleb said forcefully. Os cowered and edged from Caleb a bit more. Caleb tried to regain composure, "No. Witchcraft is not Devil worship Os. You have been misled. The Craft is a teacher on how we can rediscover the world and our place in it by using the wonderful blessings from the God and the Goddess. A wonderful blessing called magic." "Well, as far as I know, a witch's someone who uses voodoo dolls to hurt people." "I'm not saying that there are no witches or warlocks out there that hadn't used his or her gift to extract revenge," Caleb said this with great disappointment, "but don't think that everyone is evil just because of the false information the media had planted in your mind." "My family were not witches and so am I." "You're a warlock Os," said Caleb again. "That's the reason why those people kidnapped you... why they attacked the school... why--" "Angelina is dead," mumbled Osiris bowing his head. It was all his fault. Just because some lunatic like Mr. Brine thought he's a witch... a warlock... whatever. Caleb stared sympathetically. "It wasn't your fault. If anyone in this room should be blamed, it should be me." Osiris looked up. "What? Why?" "I made you drink a potion that shall reveal your powers. Your Aunt Celina called me before class yesterday and told me she had been attacked. She asked me to unbind your powers. You see, your Aunt Celina bound your powers when you were young so that you can't use them, making you ignorant of magic and by doing so protecting you from those who might want to hurt you because of it." "Potion? What potion?" asked Os frowning. "I haven't drunk any potion? And what do you mean Aunt Celina called you?" "Yes you did. I mixed it to the juice I served at the newspaper meeting. When you drink it, it canceled your aunt's binding spell and you regained the use of your powers. And that's probably how the Hand tracked you down at the school." "Aunt Celina put a spell on me? You're crazy if you're suggesting that--" "I'm not suggesting Os, I'm telling you," said Caleb seriously. "And she is alive. She survived the Hands attack. I'm guessing that you had just left your house before it happened." "But my Aunt Celina is not a witch. And so--" Caleb groaned in frustration then said rather impatiently, "Tell me something. How does an ordinary kid like you escaped from thugs that hurled balls of lightning and made things explode by a point of their fingers?" Osiris fell silent. He could not give an answer; he didn't understood what happened. The hooded men obeying his thoughts, the explosion, the hospital doors unlocking, he could not explain these things. "I... I..." he stuttered. Caleb's expression softened. "Why don't you sit, Os, and tell me what happened." Caleb noticed Osiris's knees buckling, probably due to exhaustion. Osiris appeared to be debating with the idea so Caleb added with a smile, "You could just do to me whatever you did to those thugs if ever I try something stupid." Finally, Os sat down again. "I can't explain what happened." "Just tell me the details," told Caleb sincerely. Osiris inhaled deeply then started to tell what happened. "I woke up in the old hospital down the commercial complex. I was strapped on an operating table when I came around. Then the doors opened and five people got in. Two men in black robes, two in red with shoulder high staffs and a woman. I think her name was--" "Lilith," said Caleb with obvious disgust. Osiris stared. "You know her?" Os asked suspiciously. "Yes I know her," Caleb said this as though it's a total abomination. "I guess we had something in common now. She nearly killed me once too." Giving no comment to that Os continued. He told Caleb about the preparation for the surgery that shall remove his heart, his begging for the black robed man to stop, the man's refusal to kill him and Lilith turning the man into stone. "She told me I was making the robed men do my will. She called me a telepath." Caleb was smiling throughout the storytelling. "Yes. A being that can control other people's minds is called a telepath. It works in a way that you transfer your thoughts to another, making them think whatever you want them to think. In reverse, a telepath can also hear what other people are thinking. Sometimes, novice telepaths mistaken these thoughts as their own." Then Osiris told Caleb that when Lilith was about to yank his heart, the room suddenly exploded and Lilith got hurled to the opposite wall, the lights blew up and the wall got blasted by an invisible force. "Do you know what that was?" Os asked. The teacher was thoughtful for a second then asked Osiris, "What were you thinking or feeling before Lilith got blasted to the wall?" "Scared. Very scared. I shouted for her to stop but she didn't then everything exploded," replied Osiris. The older man appeared to be very impressed. "Well Osiris, you are quite a gifted young man," Caleb said. "I think, you released your first psychokinetic blast." "Psycho-what?" croaked Os. His head began to hurt again. "Psychokinesis is the ability of a mind to release overwhelming amount of energy," said Caleb like a teacher lecturing a student. "A normal person's brain produces brainwaves due to electrical voltages created by brain activity. In times of great stress or sudden burst of powerful emotions, these voltages increase which also increase and strengthens the brainwaves produced, and in rare instances, peaks to the point where the brainwaves becomes tangible. Uncontrolled surges can cause psychokinetic blasts, making things explode or move when the tangible brainwaves hit these things. If practiced and controlled, psychokinesis can evolve to telekinesis, the ability to move and control objects by your mind." "So you're suggesting that I'm psychokinetic?" asked Osiris still unsure. Caleb smiled. "Again Os, I'm not suggesting. I'm telling." "So, you're... telling me I have these... powers?" Os said in total disbelief. Pushing his glasses further to his nose, Caleb said, "No Os. You told me you have these powers; I merely recognized and explained them. If you wouldn't believe the words that I said then believe the things that you have just experienced. It is time to accept who you really are. It is time to accept your destiny." To be continued...