Hearts Of Fire

Chapter 1: Chosen Place

Emerald Stevens slowly turned onto Main Street taking in the run-down appearance several of the storefronts had. She sighed heavily and pushed her dark sunglasses further up on the bridge of her nose. Not paradise by a long shot, but this place would do. There was a 5 and Dime, a grocery that she was glad to see as she would have to come into town for provisions later, a hardware store, and the obligatory small-town pool hall/tavern that seemed to exist in every dinky town she had ever been in. This particular one, "Irby's", had a small rough-looking group of boys standing by the entrance puffing on smokes and talking amongst themselves. Her eyes were drawn to the tall blonde immediately. This boy was different somehow. The way the muscles in his arm flexed when he brought his cigarette to his mouth, the way his eyes narrowed down to slits as he focused in on her modified '57 Chevy rolling smoothly by, the big block rumbling low. She sensed he was more dangerous than his companions, but yet still nothing but a small-town hood, nothing to even be concerned about. Emerald stepped on the accelerator and the '57 responded immediately, leaping forward to carry her on down the street and out of town.

Ace Merrill's ice-blue gaze took in the Chevy as it came into sight, appreciating at once the custom work that had been put into it. Midnight black bouncing the early afternoon sun back at him, fat tires made for more than a casual drive to work, and was that the gentle thunder of a big block? It was a beautiful beast and Ace couldn't help but be envious. The owner of the car obviously had money and also excellent taste, he had to admit. Though a car like this, to live up to it's true potential, was only as good as it's driver…and my sweet Jesus…was that a chick behind the wheel? He narrowed his eyes more but all he could make out was a cascade of long wavy hair, almost as black as the car itself, and a slim arm with one small hand casually draped across the steering wheel. He caught himself beginning to duck a little to see more but at that second the driver hit the juice and the Chevy was gone with a low roar followed by whistles and catcalls from Ace's companions.

"Holy shit! There was a fuckin' girl drivin' that Chevy—did you see her, Ace? She was fuckin' hot, I'm tellin' ya!" Eyeball Chambers exclaimed, turning back to the others excitedly.

"Screw the girl. That '57 is what was hot." Fuzzy Bracowicz chimed in.

Ace took a slow pull on his smoke before he responded. "Yeah, the car was boss."

"But that chick! Fuzzy, did you see her?! Jesus, long hair, nice rack…where do you think she was goin'?" Eyeball rambled on, still casting a look now and then down the street where the Chevy had disappeared.

"Somewhere that's not here. Nothin' nice ever stays in this shithole of a town." Ace replied. "C'mon. Let's play another game and then go see what Billy and Charley are up to." Even as he opened the screen door and entered the coolness inside Irby's, Ace's mind was flickering back to the image of long, flowing dark hair and the paleness of that small arm that had been so casually guiding that powerhouse down Main. He then mentally shook himself. "You'll never see her or that car again. Forget it."

Emerald's mood lightened a bit as she drove slowly down the gravel road. The old farmhouse she was renting was situated far enough out of town to ensure her privacy and was tucked down a narrow gravel road that was rarely traveled. It was perfect for her and she'd been pleased to find it. The old couple that owned it had decided to move to Bangor to be near their children and grandchildren but weren't quite willing to sell yet, instead choosing to rent to the quiet, mature young woman who had inquired about the property after reading their ad. Emerald frowned briefly; the couple was so kind it had almost hurt to lie to them, both about her age and the reason she was coming to Castle Rock, but she had compensated for the lies by giving them a year's rent in cash in advance. The frown disappeared as she remembered the way the old man's eyes had lit up at the sight of the neat stacks of bills she had given him and the smile on his wife's wrinkled face. "It all worked out fine." she thought. She smiled as the little farmhouse came into sight and let out a little sigh of relief that her '49 Ford truck was parked neatly in the driveway in front of the little garage, having arranged for it's delivery a few days prior. The Chevy came to a rumbling stop and Emerald killed the engine, listening to the ticks of cooling metal as she sat for a few moments taking in the little property.

The house itself was in need of a paint job, but the yard was mowed neatly and the large shop that sat back to the west of the drive and at a right angle to the house had been recently spruced up with two new heavy-duty rolling doors. Several large trees around the yard would provide good shade for the hot summer days to come, and there was a well-stocked pond way back in the field behind the house that the old man had assured her would yield her plenty of fish any time she cared to cast out a line. Emerald smiled as she climbed out of the car. Yes, this was good. She could be at peace here for a while, she thought. She climbed the few steps to the covered front porch, noting the twin rocking chairs neatly in their place with a small table between them. Reaching down, she lifted up a corner of the welcome mat and retrieved the key to the front door, left where the old man had assured her it would be. Twisting it in the lock, she opened the front door and stepped through. The house smelled slightly of stale air, but otherwise everything was perfect. The couple had rented the house with furnishings to Emerald's delight, leaving her with very few purchases to be made which worked well for her. It wouldn't do to be seen making major buys when she was supposed to be relying on a minimal income. The first room was the living room, split neatly in two ways. To her right was a large, comfortable-looking couch in front of one window and a pair of well-used but also comfortable-looking recliners opposite. There was a television set as well, which she hadn't expected but which was a pleasant bonus. The thick beige carpet was clean with soft padding beneath that accented the off-white walls. To the left of the door, additional living space had been made into a reading area, it seemed. An oversized, overstuffed chair with a huge ottoman sat at an angle in front of a side window with built in shelves all along two walls. Emerald took a few minutes looking over the books, letting her fingers trail lightly over the neatly standing volumes. They had told her about the books, assuring her they had taken their very favorites and she had promised to take good care of the large remaining collection. She hadn't realized it was truly so large. She was delighted to see some of her childhood favorites tucked among the titles, as well as a few classics she had not gotten to yet. Reading was a passion of Emerald's, along with motors. Ever since she was old enough to toddle about, she had done so with either a book or a car part in her small hands. Her mother had instilled the love of books, and her older brother had taught her the fascinating world of engines, along with a variety of other skills. She smiled as she remembered sitting on her mother's lap listening to the soft voice ever-so-slightly still accented with the French of her own childhood, the voice eventually leading her into peaceful sleep. Her brother, her hero, her protector, never getting cross with her being ever in his shadow, noting how sharp her young mind was and how nimbly her little fingers could thread a bolt and comprehend how parts fit together, teaching her how to take apart carburetors and clean them and rebuild them before she even knew what a carburetor was. How she missed them both. Her mother gone for several years and her brother far away but hopefully to be seen again soon. Emerald shook her head then; there was too much to be done yet this day to indulge in daydreaming and remembering.

She turned from the books and took a moment to open the large windows in the living room to get the air circulating then moved on down the short hallway. Through a doorway to her right was the bathroom, good sized with a huge clawfoot tub with a shower that had been recently added. The porcelain gleamed and the tile floor was spotless. She opened the small window in there as well, then moved directly across the hall to open the door to the only bedroom. The double bed with it's brass frame looked perfectly comfortable and she noted it had been neatly made with lacey linens and a light blanket while a beautiful green and white quilt rested over the brass footboard. It matched the plush soft green carpeting, Emerald noted. Moving around the bed, she propped open the window next to which a large walnut chest of drawers stood. It had been carefully cleaned out and stood awaiting whatever items of clothing she cared to place within it's deep drawers. There was a large closet as well, waiting for her to fill it and make it her own. A cedar hope chest with a couple of small pillows upon it sat beneath the window and upon peeking in it, Emerald noted neat stacks of clean bed linen and another heavy quilt. Turning back to the room, she smiled. If she couldn't get some decent sleep here in this perfect room, she didn't think there a chance for her to get it anywhere.

Leaving the bedroom, she turned to her left and entered the neat little kitchen at the back of the house. The steady hum of the refrigerator assured her the electricity was in working order and she opened the door to find it clean and cold. The freezer held ice cube trays already filled.

"What kind people." Em thought. They had made the house perfectly move-in ready for her, down to the smallest detail.

The worn linoleum was dotted with clean rag rugs and the gas stove was without one grease spot. A dinette table with shining chrome legs sat in an area before the sink, it's four chairs with red seatbacks neatly tucked into place around it. Opening a cabinet beside the sink, Emerald saw a row of mismatched coffee cups with assorted glassware on the shelf above it. To the other side of the sink she found a neat stack of plates, saucers, and bowls. A drawer held utensils and over by the stove she found a variety of pots, pans, and casserole dishes tucked in a cupboard. So far, she reflected, other than stocking the refrigerator, there was not one thing she needed to purchase at this moment. After opening the kitchen windows she stepped out onto a small enclosed back porch where a washer and dryer stood. Poking through various storage cabinets, she discovered cleaning supplies, a mop and bucket, vacuum cleaner, and to her delight a picnic basket. Smiling, Emerald glanced out the back door, seeing a stack of lawn chairs folded neatly against the house and a small fire pit surrounded by neatly stacked bricks.

Turning, she almost skipped back through the house that now had a light breeze flowing all through it and out to her car. From the trunk she pulled a large suitcase and a train case and ran them into the house. Coming back to the trunk, she then reached deep inside and after flipping a lever that would be unnoticed by anyone who didn't know it was there, drew out a large heavy canvas tote bag. She closed the trunk and slung the bag over her shoulder, carrying it into the house. She stood for a moment in the living room, her eyes restlessly moving around while she thought. Finally, she moved to the bedroom and slid the bag under the bed.

"Good enough for now." she thought briefly as she closed the bedroom door behind her. The contents of that plain canvas bag held her future, as well as that of her brother, but stashed beneath a bed in little Castle Rock, Maine was good enough for now.

Going back outside, Emerald crossed the driveway to the large shop. She entered through the side door and looked around in appreciation. The old man had said he was leaving his tools and the entire contents of his shop until the farm was sold one day, but until that time, she was welcome to use any and all of it as long as she kept things oiled and neat. A pointless caution since she had learned the importance of keeping tools well-maintained after incurring her brother's wrath a time or two when she was younger. Wrenches of every size were hung in neat order. There were socket sets and screwdrivers and tools of every kind neatly tucked in cubbies atop a huge workbench. It was a gearhead's heaven, she thought. There was room enough for at least two vehicles with plenty of room to spare around them and between them, and three would fit without difficulty. She was humming a happy tune that had been on the radio this morning while she moved to study the large sliding doors that had been installed. The old man had insisted on doing this before moving, more for the safety of his tools than for the safety of anything Emerald might store in the shop, but he had no idea how well it worked for her. Her '57 would have a safe, dry place to stay when she wasn't being driven and it gave Em even more reassurance that this had been the correct place to come. The Chevy was her source of pride, her place of power, her way to blow off steam, and she liked to know it was safe.

After studying the doors for a few moments, Em unlatched one of them at its bottom where it was secured by a huge hook and eye latch. She then pushed it open, having to put every bit of her 96 pounds behind it. Huffing slightly at the effort, the small young woman rested her head briefly on the heavy door then walked over to her Chevy. Sliding behind the wheel, she turned the key and couldn't help but grin when her baby snarled to life, rumbling in a low idle. Emerald expertly backed the '57 into it's neat new stall in the shed and shut it down, briefly feeling sad. She wasn't going to be driving her baby much around here. She was going to be keeping a low profile and the Chevy definitely wouldn't help with that. Giving the car a wistful glance, she huffed and puffed and got the door shut, running back around to the side door so she could go back inside and fasten the hook and eye. Before exiting through the side door, she scanned the area around the door frame. Not seeing what she was looking for, she quickly grabbed a short ladder from nearby and placed it in front of the door. Climbing quickly up, she ran her hand across the top of the door jam and smiled in triumph when her fingers slid over the key. Grabbing it, she climbed back down and folded the ladder, placing it behind the door, and after securely turning the lock and testing it, she jogged back to the house.

Emerald decided to put her things away before heading back into town to get groceries. Her toiletries were placed in the bathroom and her clothing placed haphazardly in drawers and the closet. The only thing she took time with was the photo album and the framed picture that had rested in the bottom of her suitcase. The photo album she placed on the nightstand at the side of the bed and the framed picture she carried into the living room. She carefully placed it on a small table by the chair in the reading area. Her mother would be happy to be remembered in this spot, Em thought. How young and happy she was in the picture; her smile perfect, every hair in place, eyes bright and shining…Emerald shook her head. "Not now." she told herself. "Not now."

She went into the bathroom and stood, looking in the mirror over the sink. After studying her appearance for a brief moment, she opened the cabinet to one side of the sink and found stacks of clean cloths and towels. She quickly wet a wash cloth and ran it over her face, trying to wash away some of the tiredness she felt coming on. This move had been complicated and detailed and it had taken a toll on her. There were slight dark shadows beneath her expressive eyes and she looked a little pale. Nothing a little sleep wouldn't fix, she decided as she pulled a brush through the black mane of hair that fell to below the middle of her back. Unable to lay her hands on a hair tie at the moment, she decided to leave it loose. Who cared if she went into town looking a little wild? Who in this rinky-dink little place would even notice, she thought, throwing the brush down and moving to her bedroom. She grabbed a small bag from the suitcase that sat on the bed. Unzipping the bag, she reached in and withdrew a small wad of cash, more than enough for the groceries she needed. She took a moment and latched the empty suitcase and placed it in the closet and then took the zippered case and tossed it in what she had made into her sock drawer. Just before she stepped out the front door, she came to an abrupt halt. Her right hand went to the front of her blouse, pressing slightly. The feeling of metal against her chest was right where it should be. Her left hand then slid into a side pocket of the slim capri pants she was wearing. Once again she was reassured as the object she sought was there. With a nod to herself, she went out to her faithful '49 truck. Before jumping behind the wheel, she reached under the seat. Her fingers met with smooth polished wood progressing to metal and she grinned as she hopped up. Em pulled down the sun visor and the keys dropped smoothly into her palm. Still grinning, she stepped on the clutch and turned the ignition, the engine coming smoothly to life. The sound wasn't a roar like the Chevy's, but a low purr full of almost as much power. Backing the Ford around, she paused before pulling out onto the road. The pack of Camels on the seat was calling to her; she hadn't smoked all day. She took a moment to light one up, and after taking a deep inhale, she revved the engine and was off, flying down the gravel while upshifting smoothly, enjoying the wind blowing through her hair, twisting it into a wild whipping mess.

"Castle Rock, here I come." she laughed, catching sight of herself in the review.