"Let's pretend for a moment that I believe you, George." Rose breathed out thoughtfully. "And that I am this phoenix you speak of. Why now? Why tell me about it now? Better yet, why wouldn't I know that about myself? You would think that if I were this mythical creature made of fire, I would be the first to know." She was so caught up in her rant to the blind man at her table, she paid no attention to the door chime of the restaurant signaling the entrance of another customer. "And how can I be, what did you say, like 300 plus years old? I graduated high school eight years ago! High school, George."
"I can answer that," a woman interjected. A fair woman with slightly greying dark hair and a modest build stood at the table. Her caramel eyes locked on to Rose. She reached out her hand and rested to Rose's cheek before she could protest.
The moment their skin touched Rose was transported into the very story George had just finished relaying. The year was 1693 and her name was Eleanor…
**
The girl was barely twenty, unmarried and unbetrothed, which is unheard of those days. She spoke of Christ in the streets, calling the townsmen to repentance. She was widely known to heal the infirm and injured as well as many other signs and wonders. The townsfolk thought her to be a harmless prophetess and left her alone to her self-proclaimed calling until the day she foretold of the punishments that were about to fall upon the church leadership. She had claimed their sin would be exposed for all to see and that God was going to bring judgment upon them for their idolatry.
This infuriated the leaders and they brought against her charges of witchraft, for which she was convicted without trial. She made no protest as she was tied to the stake and burned in the town square. Her final words spoke of the purifying fire that would come from the ashes of the innocent. The woman's body was consumed to ash in the blaze as onlookers gazed at the sight; some in satisfaction, some aghast.
The following morning, when the townsfolk had yet to rise from their sleep, the woman who was now relaying the story through touch, walked up to the site and withdrew an infant from the ashes. That was her first rebirth.
**
Rose's eyes widened in disbelief as she covered the burning sensation in her cheek where the woman had touched. "Come." The woman instructed. "Your time has come."
"Good day to you too, Joey." George offered with a smile. "You bring Jinka with you this time?"
"I sent him to retrieve Kaden. We will meet up with him at the sanctuary grounds when he is successful."
"Who are you people?" Demanded Rose. "You showed me a crazy vision of a witch trial, claiming that the witch was me, but you didn't…"
"That was your mother, child. And she was no witch."
"Fine. Whatever. You still didn't show me your story. So, who are you? Why should I trust anything either of you say? Or show... as the case may be."
"My apologies. My name is Joey Reed, and this is George."
"Names don't answer my question."
The woman narrowed her eyes at Rose. "Indeed. Come now. We've wasted enough time."
"Thanks, but no thanks." Rose quipped. "I've got to find…" She was interrupted by her phone ringing. "What now, Paul?" she answered abrupty. "I've haven't found Aden yet. It's been a few hours… What? Where? How do you know it was for me? Was it addressed to 'the demon'? Text me the address. I'll deal with it." She stuffed her phone in her pocket as she rose from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I have a husband to find and a dead body in Jerome to meet. Compliments of Adrian. So, as intriguing as your story may be…"
"You don't understand," Interjected Joey. "If you don't come with us now, you will not see your husband again."
"Is that a threat?" She growled.
"A promise. No doubt Jinka has already found him and taken him to the Valley of the Damned. That is where you need to go. That is where you will undo what has been done to him. Before Jerome."
"I'm not interested in your freak show."
"Suit yourself. If you decide to change your mind, you can meet us here." Joey grabbed her hand long enough to show her directions to the valley.
Rose left the two at the table without a second thought. First thing she'd have to do is find Aden. She knew Jason took him and that Tommy would know where to find Jason. George said Tommy wouldn't be available but that didn't mean he wouldn't have left a message behind at the house he'd been watching her from.
She pulled the truck into her own driveway, then walked across the street to the house with the closed curtains. She rested her hand on the doorknob to get its story, then walked into the empty home. A single chair sat near the window facing her house. She brushed her fingers across the back of the chair to hear every phone call Tommy had made. A touch to the curtains displayed the conversation between Tommy and Jason following Aden's abduction.
"Since you were the one to take his memories, you can give them back." Jason spoke coldly.
"I'm not the one who did that." Tommy argued. "You know that."
"Nevertheless, Nickolas would like you to try."
"I can't undo what has been done to him. Call Joey. She's the only one that can help you."
"You don't get it, do you, Tommy? I'm not here to give you a choice." She watched Jason move with lightning speed subdue and take Tommy from the house. Joey, huh. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was going to have to meet up with Joey in the valley she spoke of.