I stopped in my step, surprised that she would remember that name and then looked at her and said, ‘I didn’t expect you to remember that name, much less that meeting’. In my mind, my thoughts were, ‘It would be too much for her to grasp the complexities involved and I don’t want to scare her off as I do want to get to know better’ I thought to myself. She stopped in her step and looked me, worried.
Just then, mother interrupted my thoughts and said, ‘Don’t crack your skull over such a trivial matter, just tell her Balor is a thug from where you come from, it’s that simple’ she told me. ‘Yeah, thanks mother, simple for us, not for a mortal’ I continued telling her when I felt a tug at my arm. ‘Aidan, all fine, are you alright, maybe I shouldn’t have asked?’ Sarah said as she looked me, still worried but only this time Jake had his arm around my other arm and said, ‘all will be fine’. At Jake’s gesture, I remove my arm from his grip in an angry but playful manner, startling both of them. Gently, I hit Jake’s arm and reply, ‘all fine, couldn’t be better’
‘Yeah, all fine, I’m alright, it’s ok that Balor is a thug from where I come from, that’s all’ I smile, guilty, that I had to lie. I would tell her the truth one day. Today, I was going to get to know these two people. We continued walking silently until we reached the main road. There we bid each other farewell and confirmed our meeting for tonight. After I saw that they had caught up with the rest of the jogging crowd, I continued along the South West Coast path and headed home, happy that I had met her in St Just.
The day passed without any untoward incident. I waited patiently as the fingers on the clock inched its way to 7.00 pm. I left my place earlier as I didn’t want to be late and keep them waiting. I wore my birchwood chambray shirt with denim jeans. This was a casual meeting after all. I waited outside the café and since it was almost dinner time, there were families and couples walking along the street while looking the menu placed outside the dining premises and deciding where and what to eat. At sharp 7.00 pm, I see Sarah and Jake walking towards me. She was wearing a knee-length floral dress while Jake complemented her and wore a floral shirt with black jeans. They were talking with their arms in motion, but to the people around them, it looked as if Sarah was talking to herself. ‘I think you like him’ I heard Jake tease Sarah which by then both are standing in front me. She was blushing as she glared at Jake and then looked at me.
‘Good evening Aidan how are you?’ they both say in unison. ‘Good evening Sarah and Jake. I’m good, how have both of you been keeping? ‘I made reservations for us’ I tell them as I open the door and both of them walk in to the concierge. ‘That’s sweet of you, thank you’ Jake answered as he glared at Sarah who said, ‘yes, thank you, once again’. At the concierge, ‘table for two, booked under Aidan Connor’ I tell the concierge and she proceeds to show us our table. Once at the table, Sarah grabs a chair from another table and Jake sits on the chair where Sarah has placed her handbag on it. Jake didn’t mind the handbag as Sarah pushed it to the side, giving Jake ample place to sit comfortably on the third chair. I was touched seeing what Sarah had done. No one had even cared for me in that way. A waitress appears and gives us the menu. As we ponder over it, ‘So, Aidan, what brings you here? We have never seen you around until now. We thought you were a Londoner’ Jake asks me as he touches the wine cup gently, making sure not to drop it.
We became silent as a waitress appeared and took our orders, ‘I have been away for business for some time and came back home. I was in London for holidays, didn’t stay long there’ I answered. ‘Yeah, we didn’t like it too and took the next flight back home the very next day. What business are you in?’ Sarah asks curiously. ‘Nothing much, just investments in property and stocks. What do you do?’ I asked Sarah. ‘I help my aunt at the only antique shop in town’ she tells me. ‘Aidan, you haven’t answered any of my questions I asked you today morning’ Jake reminded me while teasing Sarah to which Sarah gave him a dagger stare and replied, ‘you are sleeping on the couch today, that’s final!
‘Ah! yes, to answer your first question, I don’t know how I did what I did to make you appear and no, I am not a ghost whisperer but I do have the gift of seeing and touching all beings, whether they are ghosts, angels or demons’ I answered nonchalantly. ‘Any more questions, by the way, that’s your question quota for today. How did you guys become a couple anyways? A rather unlikely pair, I would say’ as I sipped my beer to which Sarah and Jake suddenly erupt in uncontrollable laughter.
‘Oh no, Aidan, we are not a couple at all!’ Sarah said and continued laughing. ‘Jake and I are or were childhood friends. We studied together, went to school together and played together’
‘Until I passed away at the age of eighteen years in a freak accident, which wasn’t even my fault! I tell you, if I ever see that driver, I’ll wring his neck!’ Jake said angrily as he banged the table which made me hold on the glasses on the table. ‘My bike was hit by a drunk driver after sending Sarah home. I told her that I would always take care of her until she finds a man who loves her for what she is and takes care of her as much as I can, whether I am dead or alive, I’m keeping my word and that’s why I’m here, I guess’ he said while looking at me and holding Sarah’s hand which was on table, protectively. ‘Mind you, we are just friends and would always be’ Jake said to which they both give each other high five’s. ‘Always will be!’ Sarah replied as they both gazed into each other’s eyes.
I felt awkward as I broke their gaze, and for a moment I felt a sense of jealousy come over me. I looked at Jake and asked casually, ‘have you ever seen that driver after that? He could have seen the light and passed on to be reincarnated. Revenge isn’t a good thing, don’t dwell on it. It’s harmful’ I tell him absent-mindedly.
‘You seem to be in the know’ Jake looked at me, trying to pierce into my mind but miserably failing. I looked at him straight in the eye, ‘if only they knew my story’ I thought to myself.
I was touched by their camaderie. They were such good friends who trusted each other’s words and actions and would never do anything to harm each other. Throughout the dinner, Jake kept us entertained and I felt good. Although Jake didn’t eat, he missed the taste of good food. It was such a long time since I sat down to dinner, sitting, laughing and joking, without a care in the world.
After dinner, we walked back together since they both lived near my Inn. Jake was walking in front, as if sensing that I would like to spend more time with Sarah. He suddenly stopped and when we caught up with him, he said, ‘darkness falls across the land, the midnight hour is close at hand, creatures crawl in search of blood, to terrorize y’all neighborhood. And whosoever shall be found, without the soul for getting down, must stand and face the hounds of hell, and rot inside a corpse’s shell. I’m gonna thrill you tonight!’ and we all burst out laughing at Jake’s antics. He did have a knack for bringing a smile to people’s faces.
Jake then stops abruptly, ‘the creepy ghouls are here?’ Sarah jokes to which Jake points to several dark figures looming under the dim streetlights. Both of them freeze in their spot, ‘come on, they won’t do anything, walk confidently, follow me’ I tell them as they both hold each of my arm and walk behind me. As we walk past them, I sense that the demons were out to play as one of them grins at us and barely expose his fangs, which Jake and I see clearly. As we walk past them, the demons growled angrily and made way and let us pass without a hitch, other than giving me stares. I was tempted to obliterate them but with a mortal and ghost, I didn’t want the publicity. Jake then tugged my arm and said, ‘there really are demons like that in this world?’ to which I answered, ‘yeah, hell is paradise on earth for them’ as we walked past the demons.
We reached Sarah’s place shortly afterwards. Aunt Josie’s place is ‘Thanks for the dinner tonight, it was lovely’ I thanked them. ‘We’ll catch up sometime Aidan, do drop by the Aunt Josie’s place if you are free’, Sarah tells me. ‘Yeah, man, come over sometime, we can do some male bonding, it’s
great to have someone who can see and touch me, when I say touch … don’t get any ideas!’ I smiled and said, ‘believe me, touching you isn’t top on my ‘to do list’’. Jake extends his hand and gives me a hug. ‘It great knowing you’ as he gives me a sincere bear hug and dances his way upstairs to the tune of “Never Say Goodbye”.
With both of them safely home, I return to the street where the demons were attempting to lure a mortal for dinner. Luckily for me, the mortal fainted due to shock and within no time, I obliterate the demons with fire arrows from my palms. The demons evaporate into ashes and as I walked away while a crowd gather around the mortal. As I walked away, I found myself followed by a woman, ‘help! help me please!’ she wailed.
I turned and see several men chasing after this woman. I held the woman up as she falls into my arms as she slips and sprains her ankle. Immediately, I sense she was a Goddess in a human form, ‘but who?’ I thought to myself. ‘Nemesis’, Mother whispered. After placing the woman upright, I return to the men and with a few swift kicks and punches, all the men chasing the woman are on the ground. The men on the ground, get up and immediately run helter skelter, leaving the woman alone and afraid. This woman has a unique cocoa scent, a mixture of dark and milk chocolate combined. She is fair skinned and her mini-skirt barely covered her buttocks. It was as if her body was made of chocolate. I also sensed she was as seductive as she made herself to be. I was not surprised to see men drooling over her as we walked past them to her apartment block.
‘Thank you, thank you so much. If it isn’t much of problem, please could you follow me home? I’m scared there could be more goons around’ she pleaded.
‘Yeah, sure, lead the way, lady’ I answered as I gestured her to walk ahead of me. ‘Jasmine Halle’ she tells me as she extends her right hand. ‘Aidan’ I answered, without accepting the handshake, as I my vibes on this woman was not good. We walk back to her home and when we reach her home, she welcomes me into her home, which I decline making her insistent, ‘please come in’ she tells me as she places her arms around my neck and raises her head to give me a kiss. I move away, ‘what are you doing, Jasmine! I best be going’ as I walk down the staircase with Jasmine Halle following me. ‘I just wanted to give you a goodbye and thank you kiss!’ Jasmine Halle said as she continued following me until we reached the main door. Just as I reach outside, I walk swiftly while I zip my jacket, put my arms into my pockets and vanish into the darkness. I knew she followed me until the main door. I walked fast and she couldn’t spot me in the darkness as I vanished. It had been a long day. Jasmine Halle who was standing at her main door entrance, dumbfounded but I knew I would meet her again. There was something about Jasmine Halle, I had to find out.
~~
When Jasmine Halle reached back to her apartment, she was greeted by an angry Ambisagrus. Jasmine Halle then transformed into her full form, Nemesis.
‘You have failed to lure him to bed’ Ambisagrus sniggers. ‘There will be consequences if you fail your part. The plan doesn’t work until he is demobilized!’ Ambisagrus said angrily.
‘I know what the plan is! Today was just the first day, I will keep trying and he would fall for me sooner or later. Don’t you worry Ambisagrus’ Nemesis said confidently as she paced the apartment and asked Ambisagrus, ‘why isn’t he attracted to me? Taran is going to be a tough one to catch’
Ambisagrus answered, ‘that isn’t my problem! Just get to him and demobilize him! Also, Leucetius wants you to find out more about that woman and that ghost she is with. The ghost boy thoughts can give us more clues. It’s unfortunate that none of us can read that woman’s mind! Get working on it tomorrow!’
~~
When I reached my room that night, I peeled off my jacket and headed for the comfort of my bed. I had learnt to draw the curtains using my hands as I slept. The next morning I was greeted by Mother sitting beside me, gently combing her hands through my hair. She looked so angelic. ‘Good morning mother, just the person I want to see’ I say, drowsily. ‘Freshen up Aidan, there is a lot to talk about, some good and some not so good’ she said in a stern but worried tone.
After I freshened up, we sat down for breakfast. My landlord and his missus had decided to go for a long break. They had left me in charge of their Inn and since it was low season, the Inn was vacant and I had the Inn all to myself. We proceeded to discuss thoughts and issues which had been on our mind, especially Nemesis.
As I prepared scrambled eggs, I asked ‘mum, who is this Nemesis you whispered to me yesterday, the Goddess in human form? Why didn’t she introduce herself in her true form? Is there something going on which I don’t know about?’ to which Mother replied, ‘she is the Goddess of Revenge. I don’t understand why she didn’t introduce her as she was. Why didn’t she introduce me as who she was? I’ll start investigating, there could be something going on as Nemesis is only called upon, she doesn’t come on her own’ Mother told me as she watched me plating the scrambled eggs. I place bacon bits and fry them in the same pan as Mother looks me, thoughtfully.
Mother then says, ‘Nemesis was the Goddess who brought sorrow to Echo and Narcissus. She believes that no one should have too much good and curses those who were blessed with many gifts. I have been hearing rumors about a plan to destroy you but I haven’t verified it. Nemesis could be part of this plan. Be careful from now and keep your eyes and ears open. There could be some jealous people out there who think you do deserve this Godly position’ she tells me, ‘that’s great! You can cook for yourself now. My boy is all grown up’ Mother proudly tells me.
We smiled and I answered, ‘yeah, the perks of being independent. Don’t worry Mother but thanks for the heads-up’ I gently held her hand and calm her down. ‘Do you have any idea who may be behind this, I can only think of Lucy and Bambi but it’s been a while since I have heard about them and what goes into their minds. I will take precaution on my side, thanks Mother and you take care too’ I tell her giving her a warm hug as she makes her way to the Realm of the Gods.
Just before she vanishes into a cloud of white mist, she says, ‘on a lighter note, I sense companionship. Anything brewing between you and Sarah whom I should know about?’ she asks teasingly. ‘None as yet, just friends, sorry to disappoint you’ I tease back.
‘She is a nice girl. I like her. When can I meet her?’ Mother probed further. ‘I mean if you like her why don’t you just tell her the truth, it’s that simple’
‘Oh! I know, I’ll just go up to her and say, “Sarah, I really like you and investments aren’t my core business. I work as the God of Thunder on a full time basis and my other name is Taran and I’m in human form on a full time basis, so long as I remain that way on earth!’ I glare at Mother and tell her sarcastically. ‘Mother, she won’t believe me! I’ll tell her everything when the time comes’ I answered jokingly as I forked a piece of the bacon bits and scrambled eggs and gulp down a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
‘As you say, my son but I still insists on meeting her’ Mother informs me sternly. ‘Mother!! We have not gone that far! I’ll introduce to her to you one day’ as we both smile knowingly. I had completely forgotten about Jasmine Halle, the human form of Nemesis.
Chapter 10 - Sarah’s story
Jake and I became good friends over the course of time. Although it appeared that I was alone, he was always with me. I introduced him to Poseidon and Erecura and he was glad that he had more friends to hang around with, those which could see and touch him. And, Jake’ mind was a treasure trove of information. It was obvious that he was well read and knew his way around, although he was not street-wise.
Jake first approached me alone after our encounter at the jogging track near St Just. He had seen how I fought those men and wanted to learn self defense. Our classes began soon after. It was during those classes by Swanpool Beach that I took the opportunity to find out more about Sarah. To Jake, it seemed obvious that I was beginning to like her.
‘Jake, today we are going to learn about un
armed combat, the hand-to-hand method of bringing down the offender’ and I proceeded to demonstrate what I had been taught. Fighting was second nature to me and self defense was a necessity.
‘You like her, don’t you?’ Jake asked out of the blue. I looked at him in the eye as I adjusted his left hand. ‘Yeah, sort of’ I answered.
As we both went into position, somehow, Jake was not concentrating and within minutes, I brought him down to the ground. ‘You are not concentrating today, what’s wrong?’ I asked Jake. With me still lying on top, Jake said, ‘Sarah lost her father when she was fourteen years. He was robbed and slashed and that resulted in his death’
I was bewildered and then moved to Jake’s side facing the ocean. We both sat side by side as Jake continued, ‘Sarah has been living with her mother in Devon ever since. The police case remains unsolved to this day as there were no witnesses. Her father’s body was found with slash wounds in an alley in Devon. Sarah refuses to step into that alley till today and I don’t blame her’
As Jake continued, I asked, ‘Jake, tell me more’ I was curious to know about this woman, who could have captured my heart.