The Lost Door (37 page)

Claire wrapped Emily’s in her arms and sobbed into the crook of her neck, whispered, “Please don’t do this.”

“I have no choice. I wish there was another way…” She let the words trail off. Standing over them were Stavic and Willem, both looking on with sad eyes. “Why don’t you three go. You don’t need to be here for this.”

Claire shook her head. “No. I’m not leaving.” She pulled back and asked, “Can I speak to her? Can I at least say good bye?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

She could sense the girl wince as the pain hit her. “Mom?”

Fresh tears sprang to Claire’s eyes. “Emily! Oh Emily!” She wrapped her arms around her, nearly crushing her, in a bear hug.

Emily began to cry too. “I’m so sorry, mom.”

“Me too, sweetie.” Claire stroked Emily’s hair. “I let things get out of hand.”

“I was just… I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“You don’t need to explain. I know.”

Emily shook her head. “No. You don’t. I let you down, mom. I let you down.”

“Don’t say that. I’m the one who should be apologizing. The last couple years… none of that should have been on your shoulders. It was supposed to be me taking care of you, not the other way around. I am so proud of you. And I love you so very much.”

“I’m scared,” Emily whispered.

“It’s alright to be. But Lilly… she’s a good person, and she’ll protect you.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t think we have much of a choice.”

Claire gave her a sad yet reassuring smile, and kissed her on the cheek.

Emily took a deep breath and said, “I’m ready then.”

Lilly moved forward taking control again. The look in Claire’s eyes was heartbreaking. “I’ll stay in control so she doesn’t feel anything. We’ll fade together and wake up in Turmoore
,
” Lilly said.

“What will it be like?”

“I don’t really know. This is uncharted territory.”

They sat in silence, enjoying each other’s final company. At some point Lilly realized Stavic and Willem had moved to the opposite end of the room giving Claire and Emily their privacy. Not much time left, maybe thirty minutes. She knew because exhaustion was setting in.

Lilly knew it was unfair to Claire and Emily, but there was no other choice. None. She’d spent a lifetime and more trying to understand the intricacies of the planes. It made sense but it didn’t, convoluted yet simple. Maybe she should just close her eyes and let it happen.

“Wait,” said a haggard old voice.

Lilly looked in the direction it had come from.

Her husband was awake.

* * *

He couldn’t let it go down like this. Claire and Emily shouldn’t have to suffer for something they were thrown into. Watching them, replaying his life and all he knew, there had to be something that could be done. And then it dawned on him.

Me.

Lilly could transfer herself into others. She’d done it once with Claire, and again with him. Why not again?

He glided to his body and stared down at himself. How old and frail he’d become. If he could re-enter himself would he be able to wake? How was he to do this?

He reached out and his hand passed through his body. That wouldn’t work. What else? Maybe if he just focused on himself…

The lights around him began to dim. A quick glance at the others confirmed it was he who was seeing this, not them; they had no reaction. He focused, the room growing dark. His limbs started to tingle, he could feel his heart beating. It was slow and struggling, but there. And then all light went out. He felt air in his lungs, the soft cloth of the bedding, the pillow beneath his head.

It was a struggle, but he managed to open his eyes, the room burning his retinas. He squinted, blinked away the fog, and saw.

“Wait,” he croaked. There was startled movement from everyone as they turned to him. Claire, Willem, and Stavic were shocked, Emily joyous. The love he saw was exuberant. With the help of Claire she stood and came to him.

“David!” Lilly said.

“It’s been so long,” his voice rasped softly.

“It has,” she agreed warmly.

“You… you don’t have much time…”

“No.”

“You don’t have to take her. Me. Use me.”

There was a moment of confusion, and then her face brightened.

“I don’t… I don’t understand.” Claire looked between the two.

Lilly explained, “Why didn’t I think of it? I’ll transfer to David.”

“I’ve lived my life. Emily… she’s not ready for this. Not yet.”

Claire broke down again, this time in joy. She cupped her hands over her mouth.

“What do you need me to do?” he asked.

“Nothing. But we must hurry. Neither you nor Emily has much time.” She addressed Stavic and Willem. “You’ll have to get her to the hospital. As soon as I vacate her body get her out of here.”

They nodded. She turned back to David.

“Are you ready?” He nodded. “Alright.”

She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. It was warm and soft, strange yet familiar. She kissed him again on the cheek, and a final one on his brow. She pulled back, smiled.

“Was that necessary?” he croaked.

She responded with a smile and closed her eyes.

Then she was in him, sharing his failing body. Emily’s eyes fluttered, Claire helping stabilize her.

What of the cabin?
he asked.

It is now just a vacant cabin.

Will they be okay?

I think so.

Will we?

Yes.

He stood next to his expiring body, turned and saw Lilly. She was as he remembered her: stunning, perfect, flawless. And for the first time in over twenty years they embraced, waiting for the inevitable.

epilogue

Claire watched the priest conduct the service. More people had turned up than she had expected, braving the cold weather and all. She’d been hoping it would be a clear day, but the weather hadn’t cooperated. There was nothing worse than gray skies and a brisk wind to sour an already dreary event. She felt fingers entwine with hers and looked over.

“You okay, mom?” Emily whispered.

“Yes. Just thinking.”

“About…?”

Claire gave her a smile and hugged her. “Nothing important.”

Emily turned back to the priest who was saying his final words about David Rottingham.

They had almost lost Emily; the trip back had taken longer than they had anticipated. While they’d been in the room the storm had come back with a vengeance, turning the dirt road into slippery mud. They’d almost gotten stuck twice, but Willem had managed to maneuver the car enough to keep it going. When they were almost into town Stavic had called a doctor friend of his letting him know the situation. When they’d pulled up to the hospital Emily was unconscious, but the staff was prepared. The surgery had been quick, and she’d made a speedy recovery. Doctor Johnson hadn’t wanted her to leave the hospital for the funeral, but Emily had insisted, promising to return immediately after for a few more nights of observation.

“Where is he? Dad.”

Claire had told Emily what really happened with Devon. Emily was surprised to say the least, thought her mother had kept it a secret all these years, but she must have sensed Claire’s adamants and softened to the news. She’d brought the box to the hospital let her sift through the items. Emily seemed happy.

Claire pointed to a section of the cemetery. “Over there. Once we’re done here we’ll pay him a visit.”

Emily nodded, a soft smile forming.

Claire looked across and met Willem’s eyes.

* * *

Claire looked so happy, so content. She should be—she’d saved her daughter.

Willem was full of mixed emotions. All these years he’d hated his father and wanted to know what had become of him. Now he knew and he didn’t feel any better. Piecing together the chain of events he could only assume that after the accident his father had come across the property where the cabin was. Drunk and scared, he must have been easy to manipulate, taking on a roll DeMarcus needed. Who knows what promises and lies DeMarcus had fed him.

At least he had some closure, something his mother or brothers never had.

After all the events that had transpired Willem decided it was time to retire. He had put his two weeks in the other day and was looking forward to it. All these years he’d focused on everyone else but himself, did nothing for himself, letting his past consume him. Enough was enough; it was time to move forward.

He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he was going to start by visiting Beth and Gregory and Margaret and their kids. It was time to rekindle a relationship with his family.

Sometimes you just have to let it go, Willem,
Elliott had said.
Sometimes there just isn’t an answer to be had.

A partial answer was better than no answer.

The world was a big place, that much was certain. There was a lot to see and a lot to do. Why not follow in David’s footsteps and live a little?

* * *

Stavic stood at the back of the crowd as the priest spoke the final prayer. He’d had a few days to digest events and felt no closer to closure. He wasn’t angry or sad, simply… he didn’t know.

When they lived each other’s lives he caught a glimpse, and it awakened an urge to learn more about his real father. He seemed like a good man who lived a tragic life. He wanted to learn more. There seemed to be a lot of old timers, people that knew either his father or his wife. Maybe he’d start talking to them and learn more.

He found it interesting how all their lives entwined one rainy night when Willem’s father had gotten into an accident with David and Lilly. If not for that how different their lives may have been.

He may not have even been born. There was an amusing thought. And if he hadn’t been born what of all the people he’d influenced throughout the years? Would Jennifer still be alive, or would she have OD’d alone in a gutter? At least he’d been able to be by her side.

Influences. He wondered if they were all influenced by the planes above and below somehow, that maybe all their actions here were the result of some cosmic force, a magnetism or gravitational tug-of-war between two others.

His head hurt and he wanted a line, but he’d sworn it off. He also let Charles know he better stop selling or he’d come down on him and hard.

You wouldn’t,
he’d said.
I’ve got too much dirt on you.

True, but that dirt had less power if he’d fess up to his superior which he’d done this morning. Sheriff Kinney wasn’t happy with the news and after a short mulling had suspended him without pay. He hadn’t been all that surprised and hoped, within time, that he could prove to Kinney he was clean. He aimed to try.

He watched Claire put an arm around Emily. She didn’t object.

The priest finished his prayer, and David’s casket was lowered into the ground.

I really hope you enjoyed
The Lost Door
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about the author

Marc Buhmann initially focused on filmmaking and has worked as a writer, director, and producer on several award winning short films. His 2006 feature film,
Dead in the Water
, has been licensed for distribution in seven countries.

In recent years he has focused his energy on fiction. Marc also has a deep rooted passion for astronomy and, because of that, loves science fiction.

Marc lives near Chicago, Illinois with his wife and two sons.

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