Rose and Deshica

Rose and Deshica

  a short story by Michael L. Ewing

  This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons (living or dead) is unintentional and purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2009 by Michael L. Ewing

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Dear Reader,

  I started this story in 2008 after I finished a novel set in the Guardians Universe entitled Blood in the Water and this story was meant to serve as a bridge between that book and the one that would follow. Shortly after completion this story was accidentally deleted from the computer and the only chapter of it I had any record of was the first. I can tell you that the first chapter has remained intact but re-telling the story has changed it somewhat, snipping something here and adding something there but the total word count is just a little less than what it first weighed in at. Working on this story again was a labor of love because I felt it was something that needed to be told, something to give the group a happy ending and also focus more on their relationships than facing the villain of the day and surviving to see the next one come around.

  Nine days ago I lost an uncle to cancer. He was an avid reader and introduced me to many authors I might have read but not nearly as soon as I did with his guidance. It was nice being able to say I had read a few of Dean Koontz's novels before anyone knew who he was and I have Uncle David to thank for that. I'm not really certain if my stories are something that he would have read (at least if it was someone other than a family member writing them) but I would like to think that he would have enjoyed parts of them if not in their entirety. I've been focusing on other projects and for the most part I had abandoned the Guardians Universe but this story keeps coming back to me time and again in this past week. I have to get it out there. I have to let someone else read it. Because of this I am releasing the story for free. I don't feel right charging anything for a story that I would like to release for the purpose of getting this out of my system.

  The first time I wrote this story it took just a little less than two month's worth of time. The second visit to the story wasn't nearly as quick. Going through everything the second time didn't feel like a chore, but I was much more critical of everything that I put into it, feeling as though I meant to create a first and final draft. Why not? I had already written this once and knew where it was going to go. I thought I did. The ending isn't exactly what it ws the first time. I think I like it better this way though.

  If you want to read more of the Guardians Universe it is out there. The first novel: The Hour of Dusk is available and if I see enough interest in these stories I will release Blood in the Water, but only if you want to see it.

  That said, if you enjoy the story let me know. Leave a criticism here so others will know what you think. If you want to let me know directly, I can be reached through Twitter as @mrkirbyville or through my e-mail: [email protected].

  Thank you,

  Michael L. Ewing

  Chapter One

  It was late February and Kirbyville was dealing with a rare snowstorm. The first flakes fell around 3 a.m. and had yet to relent by sunrise. Eight inches had already accumulated and the clouds overhead only promised more. Children were enjoying the unexpected snow day and so was Vanessa Eaton.

  Vanessa had moved from Connecticut, a far cry from Virginia, to work with her father. Because of Vanessa's unusual gift to create ice out of the moisture in the air and to freeze anything she could get her hands on Vanessa also ended up working alongside her cousin Chris Drake, also known as the Earth Guardian Anteus. It was because of this ability that Vanessa had no problem being out in the snow with nothing more than a pair of jeans and a light sweater. Vanessa's roommate Rick, who was also the Fire Guardian, was bundled up as much as he could be: three pairs of socks under snow boots, thermal underwear, jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and a sweater underneath his coat and he also wore gloves underneath mittens.

  Vanessa and Rick were spending the morning at Gail's, clearing the snow from her sidewalk and driveway. More accurately, Rick was clearing the snow and Vanessa was using it to create a snow sculpture. Rick might have complained about dealing with the snow but he was doing it so Gail didn't have to. Gail was four months pregnant and because she was the Air Guardian she was comfortable regardless of the temperature but they couldn't be sure that the protection given to her extended to her unborn baby girl.

  Rick continued shoveling snow and tempted himself with the idea of melting the snow but he also knew that would cause two problems: it would freeze over as soon as he stopped paying attention to the sidewalk and he would also be using his abilities in public without the mask.

  Rick had actually managed to establish a rhythm that kept his mind on the work and off of the cold. That rhythm was interrupted when Vanessa had finished her sculpture and was struck by boredom. To relieve the boredom Vanessa decided to pelt Rick with snowballs. The first snowball went unnoticed by Rick with all of the layers he was bundled in. The second snowball, one specially made with a core of ice, caused Rick to stumble from the impact.

  Rick decided to ignore Vanessa and continue until he could at least clear the sidewalk. Vanessa didn't take the hint and simply doubled her efforts. After being knocked down Rick finally retaliated with a shovelful of snow. Rick almost surprised Vanessa but it was because of that surprise that his plan backfired. Vanessa reacted on instinct when she saw Rick turning with the shovel in his hands and reacted by dumping all of the surrounding snow on him to prevent him from reaching her.

  Realizing what she had done, Vanessa ran to Rick and immediately began scooping snow off of him. No sooner had she buried her hands in the snow did Vanessa pull them out in shock. Her right had was bleeding and left a small pile of red slush below. Vanessa tended to her hand as Rick finished unburying himself. Rick didn't notice Vanessa's wound or the evidence of it that lay about him but his eyes were drawn to a green crystal off to his left.

  Rick picked up the crystal, surprised by the weight of it. It was as large as his outstretched hand and easily weighed fifteen pounds, if not more. Rick struggled to get on his feet without dropping the crystal. Rick turned to Vanessa and finally noticed the gash on her hand, “Oh crap! Did I do that to you?”

  Vanessa shook her head and pointed at the crystal with her good hand, “I think that's the culprit. Something cut me when I was trying to unbury you.”

  Rick examined the crystal, “Can't see any blood on it. Can't even see any snow sticking to it. Wait a sec.” Rick bit down on his free hand's mitten and removed it and did the same with the glove underneath. Rick placed his exposed hand on the crystal and a smile began to form, “It's actually warm. I'm surprised we didn't see it earlier because it should have melted the snow around it.”

  “Snow can act as an insulator and that could be the reason why it's warm. Even if it's not the reason you have to put everything in perspective. You have this object producing heat,” Vanessa then swept her arms out and turned in place, “and you have all of this snow. It's like dipping red hot steel in a bucket full of water. You'll get some steam but you won't evaporate all the water.”

  Rick gave up, “Okay, we both know that I can't argue the science with you but I still think it should've melted some of the snow.”

  “If it makes you feel any better it probably did but the rest of the snow froze the water or
the ground soaked it up.”

  Rick shrugged his shoulders, “A little better. Before we get into another argument let's see if Gail knows anything about this. Could be hers. Maybe even Mouse's.”

  Vanessa was already packing another snowball when Rick suggested they go inside. Vanessa looked down at the snowball and up at Rick and considered her options. Rick was already walking away and might not expect it. Vanessa tossed the snowball aside. Rick was used to working twenty-four hour and forty-eight hour shifts with a bunch of pranksters and there was no doubt in her mind that he may have learned a trick or two from the other Firefighters.

  When Vanessa made it inside Rick was already showing the crystal to Gail and Mouse. Mouse was backing away immediately and Gail was shaking her head. Rick sighed, “You've got no idea either?”

  Gail took the crystal from Rick for a closer look, “I don't know much about geology. I think that taking it to Christopher would give you the best chance of identifying it.”