Chapter five
The Keeper gathered
the boys into a circle, "We do not have long. Justin, did you see a
location?"
"Yes, a black stream and a graveyard."
"Man! Why couldn't you see a beach?"
The Keeper
ignored Brad's comment. "Everyone link arms. Justin, you must use the Sands of
Cronus. Keep the image of the black stream in your mind." The temple priests
decided to risk enraging Re by entering the Sanctum, figuring he would be
angrier if the impure intruders remained any longer. As they charged, a bluish
mist billowed around the intruders. The terrified priests watched the four
intruders dissolve before them.
The Sanctum was replaced by a dark and
isolated landscape. Within moments of arriving, their clothes were soaked as
the chilling rain thumped into them. "Nice location man! Remind me not to let
you choose our next holiday."
Justin frowned,
"This isn't right. The
church and graveyard are here but where's the black stream?"
"This is the place," the Keeper told him.
"We are standing on a leyline - an invisible line of energy. Some leylines are
charged with a negative influence, these are called black streams. They are
weak points between this and the spirit world."
"I don't like it here," Henry said, "I
feel a horrible chill eating into me."
"Hay man, check out the wind and rain."
"No, this is something different.
Something bad is going to happen - I can feel it."
"I can sense it too," Justin said, "Let's
find my Dad and get out of here." A flash of lightening gave them a glimpse of
the graveyard and the grey-skinned creature sneaking toward them - its
blood-red eyes held the new arrivals in an unblinking stare. Henry staggered
backward as the sound waves from the thunder ripped through his body. Separated
from the others, Henry was now an easy target for the spirits that rose from
the ground. They clawed at Henry, dragging him down. The Tormentor seized the
moment and sprinted at Justin. Like a lion bringing down a zebra, the Tormentor
bit into Justin's upper arm and hauled him away. The Keeper shoved Brad at
Henry, "I will save Justin, and you help Henry." A double lightening flash
revealed Henry fighting off four spirits. He was already buried up to his waist
in the waterlogged earth. Brad grabbed at a spirit but his hands clutched
nothing. Something clamped around his ankle pulling him into the mud. Five more
spirits reached out of the ground entangling Brad's body. He wrapped his arms
around a gravestone, "Henry, hang on to me man." Submerged up to his chest,
Henry battled with the spirits. He seized Brad's soaking shirt but it slipped
through his wet hands.
The Keeper chased after the Tormentor as
it pulled Justin along by his arm. Justin groped around with his free hand and
found a large stone. He bashed at the Tormentor's head until it let go of his
arm. The Keeper pinned the Tormentor to the ground, "Justin, use the Helios
stone. You have to flood the black stream with positive energy." Justin
staggered to his feet,
"I haven't got the stone."
"You must find it - quickly." Justin
scrabbled around in the wet mud; Brad and Henry screamed for help as they
fought to keep their heads above ground.
Justin Tempus stories are © copyright Martin S Beckley 2009
Chapter six due in December 2009
Contact me at Justin.Tempus@martinsbeckley.co.uk