The afternoon wind contained a chill that cut through the skin. Conversation among the group was light and brief as they rode to Lara's estate.
At the front door her butler greeted them. His eyes widened at the number of people accompanying Lara. Winston addressed her, "Lady Croft, you didn't call, and I am afraid we are ill prepared to offer the level of hospitality necessary for your fellow guests. For future reference, please have the courtesy to call in order to make advanced preparations."
Lara ignored the ranting. "Winston, please set the dinner table for four."
Winston raised an eyebrow, glanced at the others, and answered, "As you wish. Dinner will be served within the hour." He stepped back and headed for the kitchen.
Her finger pointed to the second floor. "Your things can be placed in the guestrooms up there. A library is on the opposite side where you can..." She looked at Yohan and Aaron. "Erm... continue, you know, your... prayer sessions."
Compliments about the house and décor were heard as they climbed the stairs.
She signaled for Aaron to come near, while the others entered the rooms. "I was about to ask Benny this question, but he rebuffed me. Both of you had a black cross that looked similar to the other. You gave yours to Mina, he gave his to Marta. Where did you get them?"
Aaron leaned on the window seat and his eyes lost focused. "That is a piece of petrified wood I had an artisan fashion into a cross. The wood was taken from the Ark."
Puzzled, Lara asked, "The Ark of the Covenant?"
He looked at Lara. "No, no, no. Noah's Ark. Forty years ago Papa, a Turkish guide, and myself trekked into the mountains of Ararat. The guide led us directly to the Ark. It was partially covered with snow. But I remember vividly... being lowered through the top... seeing the many stalls was like looking into a deep dark cavern. I didn't stay too long inside, but long enough to find a splintered piece of wood. It felt like a rock. Stuffing it in my pocket, I climbed out. Ten years later a craftsman designed and ground the wood into a cross. Yonah probably visited before the Kurds and the Turkish army began fighting in the area. Mine was given to Mina... as a memorial."
"Shemuel doesn't have one," Lara concluded.
"Yes, that's right, and due to the dangers, and the Turkish government's reluctance to allow any expeditions into the area, I'm afraid he will never have one." Aaron frowned and headed for the stairs.
* * *
A police officer viewed the folder on his desk, picked up the phone, and dialed.
"Hallo, Miss Croft. Inspector Ferguson here. I'm the one investigating the robbery at your estate. First off, good to have you back. Your manservant, Winston, was very helpful while you were away... Yes, he was looked after at the local infirmary but didn't want to stay... Hearty fellow, yes indeed... Right, right... Well, to keep you informed, we covered all possibilities of where they could have fenced these items... Oh? You don't think they want to sell them? What makes you say that, Miss Croft?... Hmmm, I see... No, no. We never thought they might use them for a religious ritual... Now, Miss Croft, we are doing the best we can... Really... Excuse me for interrupting, but could you tell me where you were during this time?... No, I am not implying anything... No, I--... No, but--... Please, Miss, that language is not necessary... The Mediterranean?... Someone can verify this?... No, no. You don't have to put him on right now, Miss--... Hallo, Inspector Ferguson here. And your name?... Gavin Williams... Ah, yes, you were with Miss Croft in the Mediterranean. What was your purpose there?... An exploration, you say... Hunting for treasure... Very good, very good. Well, you sound quite convincible... No, sir, that was not sarcasm... No, I didn't imply anything by it... No, I--... No, but I--... Please, Mr. Williams, could you put Miss Croft back on?... Yes, Miss Croft, going back to what you said about religious rituals. We did find an abandoned vehicle at an inn not far from Stonehenge. Do you think they may be going there?... Hallo?... Miss Croft?..." Ferguson looked at another officer. "I think she hung up on me."
The captain jumped out of his office. "Ferguson, was that who I think you were speaking with?"
"Miss Lara Croft. I was updating her about the burglary."
The captain pounced on the officer's desk. "What information did you give her?"
Shaken, Ferguson replied, "Uhhh... We found a vehicle at an inn near Stonehenge. Then she hung up."
The captain's eyes glazed, "Oh my God! She's headed for Stonehenge!" He barked orders at the other officers. "Call the nearest emergency vehicles to Stonehenge before that crazed woman blows up another historical site!" His arm lifted Ferguson from his seat. "Get your car! We're heading for Stonehenge!"
* * *
Lara zippered her jacket, stepped out of the car, and opened the trunk. Gavin, Lisa, and Tim followed after her.
Gavin peered down the road. "I don't see the other car, Lara. They couldn't keep up with the way you were driving."
"It's not hard to get here." Lara reached into the trunk and pulled out a shotgun. "Here, Gavin, take this. I got this recently, so be careful. And here's a pouch full of cartridges."
He gripped the gun. "What are you expecting, Lara?"
"The unexpected," she replied and turned towards Tim and Lisa. "Here, a 9mm Berreta for each of you."
Dumbstruck, Tim rebelled, "Hey, I didn't sign up for this! I never used a gun before! What do you think you're doing? Are you going to get us killed?"
Lara rebuffed, "We are going to save some lives! Especially the lives of the others!"
Tim argued, "Is that the plan? Get us killed so the others will live? No, thank you!"
"You will not be in the middle of the battle. I promise you that."
Lisa's sad eyes looked at the pistol. "I have never used a gun before, either."
She glared at Tim and Lisa. "Look. The pistols have full clips and the safety is off. Just be careful."
"And what is that hand-cannon you're holding?" Tim asked.
Lara furrowed her brow and slapped in a clip. "A .50 Caliber Desert Eagle."
Tim scanned inside the trunk. "What kind of archaeology requires all these guns and ammunition? Or are you some sort of mercenary?"
She closed the trunk. "Lisa, stay by the car until the others arrive." Her hand motioned to Tim and Gavin. "Let's head for the visitor's area. A guard should have appeared by now to tell us the site is closed."
They jogged to a nearby building.
Lara eased open an unlocked door and peeked. In the dark room she heard a muffled sound from a far corner. A penlight searched the origins of the sound.
Two guards, seated back to back, were tied and gagged. Their heads nodded to the floor. Near their feet laid the body of another guard. His head was twisted to face the opposite direction.
Lara stifled a yelp.
Tim shuddered, "What the hell happened to him?"
Gavin stepped over the body and removed a gag from a guard. "Who did this?"
The guard gasped, "Two men. Actually, one of them wrenched poor Harold's head about like that when he wouldn't let them near the stones. Then they forced us into this building and bounded us together."
Lara searched the grounds through a window. "I see a soft glow of light between the stones, and two shadows." She strode to the door and commanded, "Tim, untie these guards! Gavin, let's go see who is out there!"
"Hey, don't you think we should call for help?" Tim questioned. "Look what they did to the guy on the floor!"
Lara saw the light glow brighter behind a stone. "They would be too late, Tim! Let's go, Gavin!" She exited and Gavin followed.
Tim's hands shook as he leaned against the window and watched them stalking among the stone formations.
A guard spoke, "Excuse me, sir, but aren't you going to untie us?"
Close to the perimeter of the circle of stones, Lara motioned to Gavin to hide behind a fallen stone. She peeked around to view the center.
Two men stood in front of a leather satchel. The taller one reached out to a floating orb while muttering an incantation. The glow of the orb increased as his fingers touched the surface. His back jolted into an arch and his head tilted upwards. A yellow light traveled through his hands, up his arms, and dulled to a luster at his shoulders. After a couple of violent tosses of his head, the orb darkened and fell to the ground.
Lara stepped into an open area and aimed. "That's enough, gentlemen! Leave the bag on the ground and raise your hands!"
The tall man sneered, "So, Miss Croft, you finally decided to show yourself. No sense lurking about the monoliths with your armed friends, playing a hide-and-seek game. I knew you were here."
Gavin poked the barrel of the shotgun over the fallen stone.
"Who are you? And what do you want with those artifacts?" Lara grilled, keeping both men in sight.
The corner of the taller one's mouth moved further up. "I'm Al, and this is Jimmy. The real question, though, is not who I am but who I will become. Your master, your ruler, your king. I will be all that to you, and you will be a slave to my desires."
"In your dreams!" Lara growled. "You are surrounded! Raise your hands and step away from the satchel!"
Al snickered, "Really, Miss Croft? Do you call yourself and Mr. Williams enough of a force to stop me? You also left a person in the visitor's building who is whimpering by the window and still has yet to untie the guards. The woman by the car is curious to know which way to hold a gun... And now I see another car has arrived. Reinforcements, Miss Croft?" He chuckled. "Unarmed men, including an old man and a little boy. You can't be serious." A long sigh of boredom escaped his lips. "I'm tired of this game." His hand reached inside the satchel.
The gun blasted a hole in the bag.
"I said don't move!" Aiming at his head reinforced the threat.
He snarled, "You insignificant creature, you useless waste of skin! You don't know whom you are dealing with! I have enough power to squash you like a bug! Your attempts to delay me will amount to nothing!"
"Big talk from a little man who wants to be king! Shut up and move away from the satchel!"
His eyes narrowed. "Pity. I suppose I must dispose of you sooner than expected." His hand waved upward, and Lara's gun flew up and beyond the perimeter of the stones. Another motion of his hand raised her six meters above the ground.
Gavin stood and aimed.
Al held up a hand in Gavin's direction.
The barrel of the shotgun exploded. Gavin yelled in pain.
Another arm movement catapulted Gavin into the night. A thud resounded where he landed in the darkness.
With Al's attention diverted, Lara fell and twisted an ankle. She scurried to her feet and limped behind a stone.
"What is the use of running, Miss Croft? Your end is inevitable." Al scampered after her.
She darted between the stones and hid. Her eyes peeked through a crevice.
Jimmy pointed, "She's over there, Al!"
A curse fell out of her mouth and she scrambled over a stone. A hand clamped around her neck and lifted her off the ground.
"Didn't think you could escape with a sprained ankle now, did you?" Like a rag doll, he flung her towards an upright stone.
Lara bounced at the base and rolled. Propped against the stone, she groaned, rubbed her shoulder, and glanced towards the parking lot.
The headlights of a car stretched the shadows of three persons seated on the grass.
An invisible force pinned Lara to the stone's surface. She closed her eyes and screamed in pain from the fierce pressure.
Al crept nearer and closed his hand into a fist. He salivated and spat, "Now I will crush you like the vermin that you are, Miss Croft. Who will save you now?"
"[You will not harm her, demon!]" Yohan emerged from the darkness.
Al turned around and narrowed his eyes. "Who is that speaking?" His eyes grew large when the old man came closer, and shrieked, "I know who you are! You're here to torment me!" He ran to the center of the circle of stones to the leather bag.
Lara slumped to the ground and laid on her side.
Yohan knelt beside her and held out a hand. "Missy, the key."
Her hand searched in a pocket for the Grecian key found in the Mediterranean.
Yohan took the key and placed a hand on Lara's arm. "[Please, oversee the needs of my sons.]" He stood and walked into the inner circle of stones.
She sat and watched.
Al reached into the satchel and pulled out the dagger. He pointed towards Yohan and spoke in Greek, "[Stay away from me, old man! Don't come closer!]"
Yohan shouted, "[I bind you, demon, in the name of the Lord Jesus!]"
Al shrieked, "[No! No! Don't torment me! Don't send me away!]" His arm flailed and plunged the dagger into Jimmy's chest.
Shocked, Jimmy stood wide-eyed, and then fell on his back.
"[What is your name, demon?]" Yohan demanded.
Through gritted teeth, he spoke, "[My name is... Abaddon! I was promised to be king! This I know is a fact!]"
"[I have finally found you, Abaddon!]" Yohan exclaimed. "[The Lord God has heard your cries and will allow you to have a kingdom. You were named, 'Destruction', but from now on you will be called, 'Apollyon, the Destroyer, king of the locusts'. And your reign will not begin until the appointed time the Lord has assigned. Until then, you will wait in the abyss.]" His hand raised the key.
A portal materialized and the door burst open. A whirlwind snaked out of the opening and snared the demon.
Al screeched and flailed. He fought against the whirlwind's grip. Frantic, his arms clawed and legs kicked.
The grip held tight and pulled him into the dark abyss.
Yohan approached the portal, closed the door, and locked it with the key.
The ground quaked, and the portal vanished behind a flurry of wind.
Lara shielded her eyes until the wind subsided.
The tall stranger and the portal were a memory, and Yohan was nowhere to be found. An eerie silence settled among the stones. The shadows created by the headlights were no longer there.
Lara jumped when a hand touched her.
"Are you alright? Where is Gavin?" Lisa asked.
Lara looked around. Her eyes turned sad. "Help me up and we will search for him."
As they hobbled a few meters, a twinkle of lights from within the inner circle caught Lara's attention.
"Oh my God, Lisa! Run!"
"Why? What is going to happen?"
"The Dagger of Xian has the power to transform the person, who has their heart embedded with it, into a fiery dragon! The demon's accomplice was stabbed with it, and now he is being transformed! Run!"
"I have to help you! Your ankle is bad!" she insisted.
Lara pushed her forward. "Just run! Forget about me!"
Lisa hesitated, and then raced ahead. Lara stumbled after.
A brilliant flash of light pierced the night, and the head of a dragon extended above the standing stones.
Lisa stopped and pointed. "Isn't that your gun on the ground?"
Lara scrambled to the spot and picked up the Desert Eagle. She paused and looked back. "In order to defeat the dragon, we have to pull out the dagger from its heart. I have a plan. Race to one side of the circle while I go to the other. I will draw its attention by shooting. When it moves towards me, I will hide and you begin shooting. Hide when it notices you, then I will shoot. Continue in this fashion until one of us has clear access to the dagger underneath. Are you willing to do that?"
Lisa's trembling hand gripped the Berreta. "I'll do my best!"
"That's all I'm asking!" Lara responded. "Let's do it!"
Like a frightened rabbit, Lisa streaked to one side of the circle.
Lara hopped to the other and blasted a couple of rounds.
The dragon shot a column of fire towards Lara's direction.
She dived under the fire, dodged between the stones, and hid. Air sucked through her teeth while her ankle throbbed. Lisa's gunfire rang from the opposite side, and Lara peeked around the corner.
The beast turned towards the sound and exhaled flames in that direction.
Lara spotted the hilt of the dagger protruding from the dragon's belly. 'A clear opening to it,' she thought, and stepped out to run. Her ankle twisted again. She yelped in pain and fell to her knees.
The dragon turned towards her.
Stumbling onto her side, she aimed and shot a few rounds.
The creature's head reared up to shower another flurry of flames.
Lara rolled between two upright stones and darted behind one of them before the ground was consumed by fire. She stood on one leg and leaned against the rock. 'How can I dash underneath it and grab the dagger with this bad ankle! I won't be fast enough!' As Lisa's shots rang, Lara's eyes circled and pondered for a solution. 'I must draw its attention long enough so Lisa will have a chance to do it!' Her head peered around the corner.
The dragon maneuvered closer to Lisa and let out a volley of scorching flame.
Lara stepped into the open and squeezed the trigger.
The gunshots caused the beast's neck to twist around towards her direction and its foot stepped closer.
Her finger released round after round into the dragon, until the mind registered the clicking sound of the empty gun.
The dragon reared its head.
Lara's sharp eye caught the movement of a shadow underneath the creature's belly. In an instant she moved behind an upright stone before the intense heat blazed nearby.
The unearthly screams of the dragon thundered in the night air, another exhale of fire was blown, and the thump of its body shook the ground.
Lara's head popped out around the stone and viewed the disintegration of the dragon's body. The corner of her eye caught flames rolling on the ground and her ear heard the scared cries. She whipped her jacket off, leapt towards the fire, and smothered the flames.
Lisa's hair was scorched and face twisted in agony.
"Don't move! I have a medicine kit and bandages in the car! I'll be right back!"
Lisa 's meek and painful voice responded, "Please hurry."
Lara skipped around the dissolved and putrid remains of the beast. As she hopped a few meters beyond the perimeter of the stones, a metal object smacked her shoulder. The pain caused her to fall.
The barrel of a gun pressed against her head.
"I should have known your plan from the very beginning! You wanted to kill us all!"
Horrified, Lara stared at Tim's contorted face. In a calm tone she spoke,
"Please, put the gun down. Lisa is hurt. We have to help her."
"I don't think so, Lara! I saw you kill Gavin, the old man, and now Lisa! When were you going to kill me?"
"Tim, you don't know what you're talking about. Please, put the gun down. We need to help Lisa."
"And those two guys and the kid by the car... I don't know how you did it, but they fell like a ton of bricks hit them when the ground shook!"
Lara's eyes concentrated on the ground near the headlights of the car.
Three dark forms were sprawled on the grass. One of them moved.
"Tim, someone is moving near the car." Lara gestured, "We have to see if he needs help."
"Nice try, Lara! But I checked them before confronting you! They are all stone cold dead!" He cried, "Gavin was the only one I was worried about, and now he is gone... and you're going to pay for it! You're history, Lady!"
Lara flinched as the gun pressed harder against her head. In a cool, calm voice, she replied, "Maybe it is Gavin moving near the car."
Tim's eyes widened. He straightened up and looked at the dark forms. "Gavin? Old buddy, is that you? Are you okay?"
Lara's leg swept Tim's feet out from underneath him.
He collapsed on his back.
Her hands grabbed his forearm. She positioned her body with the gun in front and Tim's body at her back. Her side rested on his upper arm. Fingers began to pry open his hand around the Berreta.
Tim's hand pulled hard on the braided hair until his arm was free from under her. The cold gun barrel nestled into the back of her head. "Goodbye, Lara! I hope you said your prayers!" His finger pulled the trigger.
The gun clicked.
"What the hell?" A puzzled expression appeared on his face. He pulled the trigger again.
The gun clicked.
Perplexed, Tim examined the gun.
Lara's fist landed on his nose.
He screamed and rolled on the ground. His hands covered the trickling blood from his nostrils. "You broke my nose! You broke my nose!"
Lara pulled the belt from his trousers and tied his wrists behind. "Don't go away, Tim. I'll be right back."
The Berreta was lifted and examined. The safety was off. The gun clip was released and the clip contained a full number of bullets. In haste she disassembled the gun and inspected the firing chamber.
One bullet rested inside.
A vacant feeling washed emotions out of her body, and her mind became empty as she stared. 'So close to death... yet I survived... again,' she thought. Her eyes viewed the night sky. "Lord, why have you chosen me? Why have I survived?"
A soft moan from a dark patch of grass crept to her ears.
Lara hopped towards it and knelt. "Gavin! Are you alright?"
His response came in short breaths, "I think... some bones... are broken... Can't... breathe well."
She ripped open his bloodstained shirt and examined the wounds. "You've lost some blood but it doesn't look serious." A small smile crossed her lips. "As long as you're alive is the important thing. Don't talk and relax. I'm going for help."
His eyes darted about and the lines on his brow tightened. "Where's... Lisa?"
Lara glanced back at the stones. "We fought against the dragon, but she suffered some burns. I have to get help for her, too."
"Dragon?"
She sighed. "I'll tell you all about it another time. First thing is to get help. Relax."
As she limped towards the car, a small shadow approached.
"Missy, are you in pain?"
"Shemuel! You're alive!" Her face became concerned. "Were you hurt?"
"I feel dizzy but I'm not hurt. But the others... my brothers," his arm motioned towards the car.
They hurried and knelt besides the nearest dark form on the ground. Lara touched Benny's neck.
He stirred and muttered, "Oh, boy, what was it that knocked us down?"
She questioned, "What was the last thing you remembered?"
Benny sat up and brushed his forehead. "A lot of wind... the ground shook... then a crushing coldness dropped on my head. It felt like an ice cold hand grabbed my neck and cracked it." He rubbed the back of his head. "I feel a little dizzy."
Lara helped him stand. "I need both of you to help with the others. There are medicine kits and bandages in my car." She patted their arms. "It is good to see you are alright." Her eyes looked down at Aaron. "And how are you feeling, Aaron?" She knelt and repeated, "Are you feeling alright? Aaron, are you hurt?" A hand was placed on his neck. Her eyes grew large, and she cried, "Oh, God! Please not him! Oh, please not him!" Her mind recalled the CPR training and her hands began to push on his chest. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she went through the routine of blowing air into his lungs and the rhythmic pushing on his chest.
Screeching sounds of sirens grew closer and the hypnotic flash of strobe lights became brighter, but Lara did not notice them. She did not feel the arms that pulled her away. Nor remembered the faces attached to the hands placing the pads of a defibrillator and jolted Aaron's body. A needle was jabbed into his chest and the defibrillator pads delivered another jolt. The one thing she recalled, the sad eyes of the emergency attendant. His head shook and he whispered, "I'm sorry, miss."
* * *
Weeks later, in a doctor's office, Lara stood near the window and gazed below at a parking lot. Grim faced, she watched individuals walking through the drizzle to the cars. The heavy gray afternoon sky threatened to burst. She heard the door open and turned around.
"How are you feeling, Lara?" The balding gentleman lifted a pen from his white coat and walked to the desk.
Lara shrugged, "Alright, I suppose, Dr. Raleigh."
"How is the ankle? I hope you are not putting too much pressure on it." He sat behind the desk.
She gazed out the window. "It still hurts, but not as much as last week."
Dr. Raleigh leaned back and observed. "Sorry about having Inspector Ferguson meet with you here in my office. He wanted to ask some important questions to clear up a few details. By his appearance when he left I must assume it wasn't a productive meeting."
Lara shuffled to one of the chairs opposite the desk. "He doesn't believe anything I told him regarding the artifacts, my friends, or what happened at Stonehenge. After repeating the story a number of times, I find it hard to believe myself."
Dr. Raleigh leaned forward, "From my experience, this world has many things that defy explanations. Mysteries and miracles happen everyday. Sometimes our minds are too fogged, or our perceptions too narrow, to notice the wonders that are occurring nearby." A folder was placed on the desk. "This is what you're anxious to hear about. My observations and conclusions regarding the others."
Her head rested against the chair. "Dr. Raleigh, you have been a friend of our family for as long as I can remember. I value your word, and called for you to examine what all these other doctors have explained. Please tell me your conclusions, and don't hold anything back."
The folder was opened, and Dr. Raleigh placed on his glasses. "Let me quickly say, the other young lady... Elise Crawford Williams... looks very much like you. Her wounds are healing quite nicely. They appeared to be first degree burns so I don't expect any scars to remain." He looked up and smiled. "I don't think Inspector Ferguson enjoyed her answers to his questions either."
Lara's hand brushed back her hair. "Did you examine her completely? In all honesty, when I took off my jacket to put out the flames, she resembled a human torch."
"Yes, a thorough examination was done. I understand she was once deaf, but no traces of deafness were found from my testing. She has a full range of hearing." He scratched his chin. "Timothy Shannon will have to be moved to a psychiatric hospital better suited to handle cases like his. Right now he is heavily sedated from having those violent bouts of rage. Two nurses received concussions while trying to restrain him during his stay here." His glasses came off. "I observed his behavior from behind a closed door, and he displayed some unfounded anger on your behalf. I must concur with the other doctor's recommendation. It is the best course of action to take."
Lara closed her eyes and nodded.
The page was turned and the glasses placed on. "Your friend, Gavin Williams, is very lucky to be alive. Any one of his five broken ribs should have punctured a lung or pierced his heart. The fragment wounds sustained from the exploding gun were not deep enough to be concerned about. He has been placed in a body cast and his right arm immobilized because of the broken collarbone. His bones will heal properly after several weeks, and with physical therapy should be as good as new."
Lara faced the floor. "Do you have the coroner's report in the folder?"
Dr. Raleigh turned the page and read. "'The cause of death for Aaron BenYohanan is from a cerebral hematoma due to a closed head injury.'" He paused.
Her knees were brought up to her chest.
"There was nothing more you could have done, Lara. He needed immediate surgery to save his life."
She sniffled, "What caused it to happen?"
The page was scanned. "The coroner was not very conclusive. It is noted no head wounds or points of impact were found. A sentence is written suggesting a violent shaking of the head that ruptured the blood vessels, or brain aneurysms that erupted. Did your friend ever complain about severe headaches?"
She shook her head, placed a foot on the floor, and hugged the other leg.
Another page was turned.
"More tests are necessary to see what inflicts Yonah BenYohanan. The doctors have to narrow down the possible reasons for his loss of arm strength, momentary loss of balance, and muscle twitches. It's a process of elimination, requiring weeks of testing." His fingers drummed the desk. "One doctor believes the tests will lead to a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He witnessed similar symptoms on another patient, but not as advanced as this one. The Americans call it, 'Lou Gehrig's Disease', named after a famous athlete." The glasses came off. "This gentleman, 'Benny', is anxious to return home. He speaks in great lengths about a young lady named Marta, whom he plans to wed. His passion was quite apparent from the story he related to me about her. From what he said, she ran away from home because of the constant sexual abuse received from her father. Penniless, she sold herself for money and became a street prostitute for several months. Benny explained how he met her; slumped on the ground in a dark alley, sick, beaten, and stripped of her clothing with only a dark plastic bag as covering. With great pity, he brought her home and nursed her to health. She stayed with Benny for some time thereafter, until her 'pimp' came and wanted her back. To finish the story, Benny paid the pimp nearly all his life savings to keep her with him... a very noble gesture."
Lara spoke, "Spare no expense for whatever tests or treatments are necessary for him."
"If the tests prove positive for ALS, there is nothing more we can do, other than keep him comfortable until the last day."
Her head rose. "Spare no expense for whatever is necessary for him."
More pages were pulled from the folder. "I have the results from the CAT scan done on Shemuel BenYohanan." He frowned. "There is a tumor forming in an inaccessible area of his brain. More tests are required to determine malignancy, and if it will respond to chemotherapy or radiation treatment."
Lara's chin rested on her knee. "How long does he have?"
Dr. Raleigh leaned back. "That is uncertain. We don't know how quickly it's growing. If it proves to be malignant, he may live between three months to three years without treatment." The glasses were slipped off. "I understand you will be acting as his guardian. Why take this extra responsibility, if you don't mind me asking?"
The other foot was placed on the floor. "It's a favor his father asked me to do before he disappeared."
Confused, Dr. Raleigh replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. I assumed Aaron was the father. What were their relationships?"
"Brothers," Lara stated. "It's a rather long and involved story, Dr. Raleigh. I can explain it at another time." Her head turned towards the office door. "May I see Shemuel now?"
"Yes, of course." He closed the folder, stood, and extended a hand. "It's good to see you again, Lara. Give my regards to your family. I'll send the young man right in."
She shook his hand. "Thank you, Dr. Raleigh."
He opened the office door and exited.
Lara leaned against the desk and looked at the closed folder. A hand touched its corner.
The door opened and Shemuel entered.
"How are you feeling, Shemuel?" Her lips forced a smile.
"Please don't worry about me, Missy. I know why they are doing all these tests." He walked to a chair.
The smile faded and her eyes saddened. "The doctor who walked out of here will find something to stop whatever is growing in your head. Meanwhile, I don't want you to be afraid. I will take care of you."
Shemuel looked into her eyes. "I'm not afraid to die."
Her head tilted. "That is a brave thing to say."
"I didn't mean to sound brave, Missy. But to me, death is just a door we all have to face. I am not afraid of it because I know what lays behind it for me."
She knelt down and held his hands. "I just don't want to see you suffer."
A small smile appeared, "Papa told me God values His children like gold. To purify gold, it must be heated and melted so the impure things can rise to the top and be taken out. Suffering is like that to our hearts."
Amazed, Lara questioned, "How did you get to be so wise?"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy
One is understanding."
Lara smiled, "What would you like to have in the whole wide world? What would you like me to get for you?"
Shemuel looked out the window. "I would like to have a piece of the wood from the Ark, and have it made into a cross. Then I would give it to someone to remember me with."
Lara moved to see his eyes. "Who would you give it to?"
His cheeks turned red. "You."
She paused and stared. Then, her hand patted his head. "Are you hungry?"
Shemuel nodded. "But let's not eat here. I don't like the way the food looks."
Lara agreed, "Me neither. But first, let's stop at Gavin's room and see how he is doing. I bet he has an itch that needs to be scratched underneath his cast."
They chuckled and exited the office.
* * *
Days later at the hectic office of Dr. Lara Croft, the phone rang.
"Hello, Connie. Is Dr. Croft available?"
"Good afternoon, Professor Robinson. She is not here right now and won't be around for a few days."
"Oh, my. It sounds like an unexpected trip. Where did she go?"
Connie hesitated. "First stop was to Cyprus to pay respects to the family of a friend. Then... to Turkey."
"Turkey! Why Turkey?"
"I'm not suppose to say," she rebutted.
"Tell me the truth, Connie. Did the British Museum authorize this trip?"
"Please, Professor, I am not suppose to tell anything to anyone."
He laughed, "This is a typical unauthorized trip for Lara. Don't worry, Connie. You can confide in me. I won't tell anyone."
"Well..." Connie cupped a hand around the phone and whispered, "She said she was going to explore the mountainous area of Ararat. But here is the puzzling part... she took a young boy with her. What do you think she is looking for?"
Professor Robinson was silent for a few seconds. "There's only one structure I know reported to be its final resting place in that region. Noah's Ark." He sighed, "I pray she doesn't cause another international incident."
Connie added, "I just pray she returns home safe and sound."
* * *
On the plane to Cyprus, Lara slept, and her dream continued...
The white knight arrived on horseback, carrying a flaming sword. The creatures scurried away and disappeared into the forest. The knight bent down, gave her the sword, and pulled the horse around to gallop away.
"Wait!" Lara begged.
The horse turned about, and the knight looked down at her.
She stood and skipped to the horse's side. "Please, sir knight, may I see who it is that has given me this weapon."
"My Lady, there is no need to know. I am just a servant of the Lord, who has sent me. He waits for you at the end of your journey."
She placed a hand on the horse. "Will you accompany me, or must I travel alone?"
The horse stepped back. "You will not be alone. The Lord will always be with you and will send His Spirit, and others, to assist in your time of need." The knight pointed to the sword. "Keep hold of the Word of God within your heart, for it is sharper than any two edge sword."
"And where will this journey take me?"
"Your journey leads to the crystal castle, but the path will not be easy. Suffering and hardship will slow your progress. But keep your eyes on the castle and the One who stands in front waiting, and all things will work for the good."
Lara asked, "Is that the Lord's castle?"
"No, my Lady. The Lord has built castles for them who love Him. The end of the path leads to that castle. It was made and reserved for you, if you desire."
She pleaded, "When I come to the end of the path and thank the Lord for His watchful eye and faithful servants, whose name will He say was the one that handed me this wonderful weapon for my journey?"
A sigh came from under the armor. His head bowed and the helmet lifted.
"Aaron!" She reached to touch him. "Please, Aaron, stay and teach me more."
"My Lady Croft, my time with you was enough to point to the path that must be traveled. It is laced with battles and discoveries, and at times will appear too hard to continue. But have faith in God, for He will be with you and will teach what you need to know. Remember, He stands at the door of your heart and gently knocks. Open the door and invite Him in, and He will be with you always." Aaron looked at the castle. "He waits patiently for you. Go to Him." The horse pulled around to leave.
Lara hung on a rein. "One more question, please. Do you know why I survived the plane crash? Why was I chosen?"
His eyes looked at hers. "The answer belongs to the Lord. Seek Him and He will tell you. For those who diligently seek Him, will find Him." He bowed to her. "I am just a servant of the Lord." The horse moved closer to the edge of the dark forest.
"Aaron, will you ever appear to me again?"
He turned his head. "My time is over, my Lady, but some place in eternity we will meet again. May the Lord guide your steps through the dangers on your path." The horse galloped into the dark.
Alone, Lara used the light from the sword to locate the path. Her eyes peered down the gloomy roadway. She focused on the distant crystal castle, and on the One standing in front. Strengthened, her walk on the path to the castle began.
THE END
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. For you have made the LORD, my refuge, the Most High, your dwelling place.
Disclaimer:
There are no references to indicate that 'the one who restrains' mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is St. John, the Apostle. For the sake of the above story this assumption was made for entertainment purposes. The true identity referred to in the above verse is still held in mystery.
The author does not claim to know what 'the seven peals of thunder' said to St. John in Revelations 10:4. For the sake of the above story an assumption was made for entertainment purposes. What was revealed to St. John in the above verse is still held in mystery.
References:
From the Book of Genesis, verse 2:16-17;
From the Book of Exodus, verses 20:5, 20:7;
From the Book of Deuteronomy, verses 4:24, 5:11, 6:15, 10:17;
From the Book of Joshua, verse 24:19;
From the Book of 1 Samuel, verses 15:29, 16:7;
From the Book of 1 Kings, verse 8:46;
From the Book of Psalms, verses 2:14, 7:11, 91:1-9, 18:30, 28:4, 51:17, 111:10;
From the Book of Proverbs, verses 1:7, 2:5, 9:10;
From the Book of Isaiah, verses 14:13, 30:18, 33:22, 27:15, 64:6, 66:1-2;
From the Book of Ezekial, verses 3:20, 18:4, 18:24, 24:14, 33:13;
From the Book of Jeremiah, verse 29:13-14a;
From the Book of Nahum, verse 1:2;
From the Book of Malachi, verse 3:6;
From the Book of John, verses 3:16-18, 3:36, 4:24, 5:24, 13:34-35;
From the Book of Romans, verses 5:6-12, 6:23, 10:9, 14:10;
From the Book of Philippians, verse 2:6-8;
From the Book of 2 Thessalonians, verse 2:7;
From the Book of 2 Timothy, verse 3:16;
From the Book of Hebrews, verses 9:22, 9:27;
From the Book of James, verses 1:5, 2:10;
From the Book of 2 Peter, verse 1:19-21;
From the Book of 1 John, verses 1:9, 3:4, 3:8, 3:22;
From the Book of Revelations, verses 3:20, 9:1-12, 10:4, 11:9-10, 20:13
At the front door her butler greeted them. His eyes widened at the number of people accompanying Lara. Winston addressed her, "Lady Croft, you didn't call, and I am afraid we are ill prepared to offer the level of hospitality necessary for your fellow guests. For future reference, please have the courtesy to call in order to make advanced preparations."
Lara ignored the ranting. "Winston, please set the dinner table for four."
Winston raised an eyebrow, glanced at the others, and answered, "As you wish. Dinner will be served within the hour." He stepped back and headed for the kitchen.
Her finger pointed to the second floor. "Your things can be placed in the guestrooms up there. A library is on the opposite side where you can..." She looked at Yohan and Aaron. "Erm... continue, you know, your... prayer sessions."
Compliments about the house and décor were heard as they climbed the stairs.
She signaled for Aaron to come near, while the others entered the rooms. "I was about to ask Benny this question, but he rebuffed me. Both of you had a black cross that looked similar to the other. You gave yours to Mina, he gave his to Marta. Where did you get them?"
Aaron leaned on the window seat and his eyes lost focused. "That is a piece of petrified wood I had an artisan fashion into a cross. The wood was taken from the Ark."
Puzzled, Lara asked, "The Ark of the Covenant?"
He looked at Lara. "No, no, no. Noah's Ark. Forty years ago Papa, a Turkish guide, and myself trekked into the mountains of Ararat. The guide led us directly to the Ark. It was partially covered with snow. But I remember vividly... being lowered through the top... seeing the many stalls was like looking into a deep dark cavern. I didn't stay too long inside, but long enough to find a splintered piece of wood. It felt like a rock. Stuffing it in my pocket, I climbed out. Ten years later a craftsman designed and ground the wood into a cross. Yonah probably visited before the Kurds and the Turkish army began fighting in the area. Mine was given to Mina... as a memorial."
"Shemuel doesn't have one," Lara concluded.
"Yes, that's right, and due to the dangers, and the Turkish government's reluctance to allow any expeditions into the area, I'm afraid he will never have one." Aaron frowned and headed for the stairs.
* * *
A police officer viewed the folder on his desk, picked up the phone, and dialed.
"Hallo, Miss Croft. Inspector Ferguson here. I'm the one investigating the robbery at your estate. First off, good to have you back. Your manservant, Winston, was very helpful while you were away... Yes, he was looked after at the local infirmary but didn't want to stay... Hearty fellow, yes indeed... Right, right... Well, to keep you informed, we covered all possibilities of where they could have fenced these items... Oh? You don't think they want to sell them? What makes you say that, Miss Croft?... Hmmm, I see... No, no. We never thought they might use them for a religious ritual... Now, Miss Croft, we are doing the best we can... Really... Excuse me for interrupting, but could you tell me where you were during this time?... No, I am not implying anything... No, I--... No, but--... Please, Miss, that language is not necessary... The Mediterranean?... Someone can verify this?... No, no. You don't have to put him on right now, Miss--... Hallo, Inspector Ferguson here. And your name?... Gavin Williams... Ah, yes, you were with Miss Croft in the Mediterranean. What was your purpose there?... An exploration, you say... Hunting for treasure... Very good, very good. Well, you sound quite convincible... No, sir, that was not sarcasm... No, I didn't imply anything by it... No, I--... No, but I--... Please, Mr. Williams, could you put Miss Croft back on?... Yes, Miss Croft, going back to what you said about religious rituals. We did find an abandoned vehicle at an inn not far from Stonehenge. Do you think they may be going there?... Hallo?... Miss Croft?..." Ferguson looked at another officer. "I think she hung up on me."
The captain jumped out of his office. "Ferguson, was that who I think you were speaking with?"
"Miss Lara Croft. I was updating her about the burglary."
The captain pounced on the officer's desk. "What information did you give her?"
Shaken, Ferguson replied, "Uhhh... We found a vehicle at an inn near Stonehenge. Then she hung up."
The captain's eyes glazed, "Oh my God! She's headed for Stonehenge!" He barked orders at the other officers. "Call the nearest emergency vehicles to Stonehenge before that crazed woman blows up another historical site!" His arm lifted Ferguson from his seat. "Get your car! We're heading for Stonehenge!"
* * *
Lara zippered her jacket, stepped out of the car, and opened the trunk. Gavin, Lisa, and Tim followed after her.
Gavin peered down the road. "I don't see the other car, Lara. They couldn't keep up with the way you were driving."
"It's not hard to get here." Lara reached into the trunk and pulled out a shotgun. "Here, Gavin, take this. I got this recently, so be careful. And here's a pouch full of cartridges."
He gripped the gun. "What are you expecting, Lara?"
"The unexpected," she replied and turned towards Tim and Lisa. "Here, a 9mm Berreta for each of you."
Dumbstruck, Tim rebelled, "Hey, I didn't sign up for this! I never used a gun before! What do you think you're doing? Are you going to get us killed?"
Lara rebuffed, "We are going to save some lives! Especially the lives of the others!"
Tim argued, "Is that the plan? Get us killed so the others will live? No, thank you!"
"You will not be in the middle of the battle. I promise you that."
Lisa's sad eyes looked at the pistol. "I have never used a gun before, either."
She glared at Tim and Lisa. "Look. The pistols have full clips and the safety is off. Just be careful."
"And what is that hand-cannon you're holding?" Tim asked.
Lara furrowed her brow and slapped in a clip. "A .50 Caliber Desert Eagle."
Tim scanned inside the trunk. "What kind of archaeology requires all these guns and ammunition? Or are you some sort of mercenary?"
She closed the trunk. "Lisa, stay by the car until the others arrive." Her hand motioned to Tim and Gavin. "Let's head for the visitor's area. A guard should have appeared by now to tell us the site is closed."
They jogged to a nearby building.
Lara eased open an unlocked door and peeked. In the dark room she heard a muffled sound from a far corner. A penlight searched the origins of the sound.
Two guards, seated back to back, were tied and gagged. Their heads nodded to the floor. Near their feet laid the body of another guard. His head was twisted to face the opposite direction.
Lara stifled a yelp.
Tim shuddered, "What the hell happened to him?"
Gavin stepped over the body and removed a gag from a guard. "Who did this?"
The guard gasped, "Two men. Actually, one of them wrenched poor Harold's head about like that when he wouldn't let them near the stones. Then they forced us into this building and bounded us together."
Lara searched the grounds through a window. "I see a soft glow of light between the stones, and two shadows." She strode to the door and commanded, "Tim, untie these guards! Gavin, let's go see who is out there!"
"Hey, don't you think we should call for help?" Tim questioned. "Look what they did to the guy on the floor!"
Lara saw the light glow brighter behind a stone. "They would be too late, Tim! Let's go, Gavin!" She exited and Gavin followed.
Tim's hands shook as he leaned against the window and watched them stalking among the stone formations.
A guard spoke, "Excuse me, sir, but aren't you going to untie us?"
Close to the perimeter of the circle of stones, Lara motioned to Gavin to hide behind a fallen stone. She peeked around to view the center.
Two men stood in front of a leather satchel. The taller one reached out to a floating orb while muttering an incantation. The glow of the orb increased as his fingers touched the surface. His back jolted into an arch and his head tilted upwards. A yellow light traveled through his hands, up his arms, and dulled to a luster at his shoulders. After a couple of violent tosses of his head, the orb darkened and fell to the ground.
Lara stepped into an open area and aimed. "That's enough, gentlemen! Leave the bag on the ground and raise your hands!"
The tall man sneered, "So, Miss Croft, you finally decided to show yourself. No sense lurking about the monoliths with your armed friends, playing a hide-and-seek game. I knew you were here."
Gavin poked the barrel of the shotgun over the fallen stone.
"Who are you? And what do you want with those artifacts?" Lara grilled, keeping both men in sight.
The corner of the taller one's mouth moved further up. "I'm Al, and this is Jimmy. The real question, though, is not who I am but who I will become. Your master, your ruler, your king. I will be all that to you, and you will be a slave to my desires."
"In your dreams!" Lara growled. "You are surrounded! Raise your hands and step away from the satchel!"
Al snickered, "Really, Miss Croft? Do you call yourself and Mr. Williams enough of a force to stop me? You also left a person in the visitor's building who is whimpering by the window and still has yet to untie the guards. The woman by the car is curious to know which way to hold a gun... And now I see another car has arrived. Reinforcements, Miss Croft?" He chuckled. "Unarmed men, including an old man and a little boy. You can't be serious." A long sigh of boredom escaped his lips. "I'm tired of this game." His hand reached inside the satchel.
The gun blasted a hole in the bag.
"I said don't move!" Aiming at his head reinforced the threat.
He snarled, "You insignificant creature, you useless waste of skin! You don't know whom you are dealing with! I have enough power to squash you like a bug! Your attempts to delay me will amount to nothing!"
"Big talk from a little man who wants to be king! Shut up and move away from the satchel!"
His eyes narrowed. "Pity. I suppose I must dispose of you sooner than expected." His hand waved upward, and Lara's gun flew up and beyond the perimeter of the stones. Another motion of his hand raised her six meters above the ground.
Gavin stood and aimed.
Al held up a hand in Gavin's direction.
The barrel of the shotgun exploded. Gavin yelled in pain.
Another arm movement catapulted Gavin into the night. A thud resounded where he landed in the darkness.
With Al's attention diverted, Lara fell and twisted an ankle. She scurried to her feet and limped behind a stone.
"What is the use of running, Miss Croft? Your end is inevitable." Al scampered after her.
She darted between the stones and hid. Her eyes peeked through a crevice.
Jimmy pointed, "She's over there, Al!"
A curse fell out of her mouth and she scrambled over a stone. A hand clamped around her neck and lifted her off the ground.
"Didn't think you could escape with a sprained ankle now, did you?" Like a rag doll, he flung her towards an upright stone.
Lara bounced at the base and rolled. Propped against the stone, she groaned, rubbed her shoulder, and glanced towards the parking lot.
The headlights of a car stretched the shadows of three persons seated on the grass.
An invisible force pinned Lara to the stone's surface. She closed her eyes and screamed in pain from the fierce pressure.
Al crept nearer and closed his hand into a fist. He salivated and spat, "Now I will crush you like the vermin that you are, Miss Croft. Who will save you now?"
"[You will not harm her, demon!]" Yohan emerged from the darkness.
Al turned around and narrowed his eyes. "Who is that speaking?" His eyes grew large when the old man came closer, and shrieked, "I know who you are! You're here to torment me!" He ran to the center of the circle of stones to the leather bag.
Lara slumped to the ground and laid on her side.
Yohan knelt beside her and held out a hand. "Missy, the key."
Her hand searched in a pocket for the Grecian key found in the Mediterranean.
Yohan took the key and placed a hand on Lara's arm. "[Please, oversee the needs of my sons.]" He stood and walked into the inner circle of stones.
She sat and watched.
Al reached into the satchel and pulled out the dagger. He pointed towards Yohan and spoke in Greek, "[Stay away from me, old man! Don't come closer!]"
Yohan shouted, "[I bind you, demon, in the name of the Lord Jesus!]"
Al shrieked, "[No! No! Don't torment me! Don't send me away!]" His arm flailed and plunged the dagger into Jimmy's chest.
Shocked, Jimmy stood wide-eyed, and then fell on his back.
"[What is your name, demon?]" Yohan demanded.
Through gritted teeth, he spoke, "[My name is... Abaddon! I was promised to be king! This I know is a fact!]"
"[I have finally found you, Abaddon!]" Yohan exclaimed. "[The Lord God has heard your cries and will allow you to have a kingdom. You were named, 'Destruction', but from now on you will be called, 'Apollyon, the Destroyer, king of the locusts'. And your reign will not begin until the appointed time the Lord has assigned. Until then, you will wait in the abyss.]" His hand raised the key.
A portal materialized and the door burst open. A whirlwind snaked out of the opening and snared the demon.
Al screeched and flailed. He fought against the whirlwind's grip. Frantic, his arms clawed and legs kicked.
The grip held tight and pulled him into the dark abyss.
Yohan approached the portal, closed the door, and locked it with the key.
The ground quaked, and the portal vanished behind a flurry of wind.
Lara shielded her eyes until the wind subsided.
The tall stranger and the portal were a memory, and Yohan was nowhere to be found. An eerie silence settled among the stones. The shadows created by the headlights were no longer there.
Lara jumped when a hand touched her.
"Are you alright? Where is Gavin?" Lisa asked.
Lara looked around. Her eyes turned sad. "Help me up and we will search for him."
As they hobbled a few meters, a twinkle of lights from within the inner circle caught Lara's attention.
"Oh my God, Lisa! Run!"
"Why? What is going to happen?"
"The Dagger of Xian has the power to transform the person, who has their heart embedded with it, into a fiery dragon! The demon's accomplice was stabbed with it, and now he is being transformed! Run!"
"I have to help you! Your ankle is bad!" she insisted.
Lara pushed her forward. "Just run! Forget about me!"
Lisa hesitated, and then raced ahead. Lara stumbled after.
A brilliant flash of light pierced the night, and the head of a dragon extended above the standing stones.
Lisa stopped and pointed. "Isn't that your gun on the ground?"
Lara scrambled to the spot and picked up the Desert Eagle. She paused and looked back. "In order to defeat the dragon, we have to pull out the dagger from its heart. I have a plan. Race to one side of the circle while I go to the other. I will draw its attention by shooting. When it moves towards me, I will hide and you begin shooting. Hide when it notices you, then I will shoot. Continue in this fashion until one of us has clear access to the dagger underneath. Are you willing to do that?"
Lisa's trembling hand gripped the Berreta. "I'll do my best!"
"That's all I'm asking!" Lara responded. "Let's do it!"
Like a frightened rabbit, Lisa streaked to one side of the circle.
Lara hopped to the other and blasted a couple of rounds.
The dragon shot a column of fire towards Lara's direction.
She dived under the fire, dodged between the stones, and hid. Air sucked through her teeth while her ankle throbbed. Lisa's gunfire rang from the opposite side, and Lara peeked around the corner.
The beast turned towards the sound and exhaled flames in that direction.
Lara spotted the hilt of the dagger protruding from the dragon's belly. 'A clear opening to it,' she thought, and stepped out to run. Her ankle twisted again. She yelped in pain and fell to her knees.
The dragon turned towards her.
Stumbling onto her side, she aimed and shot a few rounds.
The creature's head reared up to shower another flurry of flames.
Lara rolled between two upright stones and darted behind one of them before the ground was consumed by fire. She stood on one leg and leaned against the rock. 'How can I dash underneath it and grab the dagger with this bad ankle! I won't be fast enough!' As Lisa's shots rang, Lara's eyes circled and pondered for a solution. 'I must draw its attention long enough so Lisa will have a chance to do it!' Her head peered around the corner.
The dragon maneuvered closer to Lisa and let out a volley of scorching flame.
Lara stepped into the open and squeezed the trigger.
The gunshots caused the beast's neck to twist around towards her direction and its foot stepped closer.
Her finger released round after round into the dragon, until the mind registered the clicking sound of the empty gun.
The dragon reared its head.
Lara's sharp eye caught the movement of a shadow underneath the creature's belly. In an instant she moved behind an upright stone before the intense heat blazed nearby.
The unearthly screams of the dragon thundered in the night air, another exhale of fire was blown, and the thump of its body shook the ground.
Lara's head popped out around the stone and viewed the disintegration of the dragon's body. The corner of her eye caught flames rolling on the ground and her ear heard the scared cries. She whipped her jacket off, leapt towards the fire, and smothered the flames.
Lisa's hair was scorched and face twisted in agony.
"Don't move! I have a medicine kit and bandages in the car! I'll be right back!"
Lisa 's meek and painful voice responded, "Please hurry."
Lara skipped around the dissolved and putrid remains of the beast. As she hopped a few meters beyond the perimeter of the stones, a metal object smacked her shoulder. The pain caused her to fall.
The barrel of a gun pressed against her head.
"I should have known your plan from the very beginning! You wanted to kill us all!"
Horrified, Lara stared at Tim's contorted face. In a calm tone she spoke,
"Please, put the gun down. Lisa is hurt. We have to help her."
"I don't think so, Lara! I saw you kill Gavin, the old man, and now Lisa! When were you going to kill me?"
"Tim, you don't know what you're talking about. Please, put the gun down. We need to help Lisa."
"And those two guys and the kid by the car... I don't know how you did it, but they fell like a ton of bricks hit them when the ground shook!"
Lara's eyes concentrated on the ground near the headlights of the car.
Three dark forms were sprawled on the grass. One of them moved.
"Tim, someone is moving near the car." Lara gestured, "We have to see if he needs help."
"Nice try, Lara! But I checked them before confronting you! They are all stone cold dead!" He cried, "Gavin was the only one I was worried about, and now he is gone... and you're going to pay for it! You're history, Lady!"
Lara flinched as the gun pressed harder against her head. In a cool, calm voice, she replied, "Maybe it is Gavin moving near the car."
Tim's eyes widened. He straightened up and looked at the dark forms. "Gavin? Old buddy, is that you? Are you okay?"
Lara's leg swept Tim's feet out from underneath him.
He collapsed on his back.
Her hands grabbed his forearm. She positioned her body with the gun in front and Tim's body at her back. Her side rested on his upper arm. Fingers began to pry open his hand around the Berreta.
Tim's hand pulled hard on the braided hair until his arm was free from under her. The cold gun barrel nestled into the back of her head. "Goodbye, Lara! I hope you said your prayers!" His finger pulled the trigger.
The gun clicked.
"What the hell?" A puzzled expression appeared on his face. He pulled the trigger again.
The gun clicked.
Perplexed, Tim examined the gun.
Lara's fist landed on his nose.
He screamed and rolled on the ground. His hands covered the trickling blood from his nostrils. "You broke my nose! You broke my nose!"
Lara pulled the belt from his trousers and tied his wrists behind. "Don't go away, Tim. I'll be right back."
The Berreta was lifted and examined. The safety was off. The gun clip was released and the clip contained a full number of bullets. In haste she disassembled the gun and inspected the firing chamber.
One bullet rested inside.
A vacant feeling washed emotions out of her body, and her mind became empty as she stared. 'So close to death... yet I survived... again,' she thought. Her eyes viewed the night sky. "Lord, why have you chosen me? Why have I survived?"
A soft moan from a dark patch of grass crept to her ears.
Lara hopped towards it and knelt. "Gavin! Are you alright?"
His response came in short breaths, "I think... some bones... are broken... Can't... breathe well."
She ripped open his bloodstained shirt and examined the wounds. "You've lost some blood but it doesn't look serious." A small smile crossed her lips. "As long as you're alive is the important thing. Don't talk and relax. I'm going for help."
His eyes darted about and the lines on his brow tightened. "Where's... Lisa?"
Lara glanced back at the stones. "We fought against the dragon, but she suffered some burns. I have to get help for her, too."
"Dragon?"
She sighed. "I'll tell you all about it another time. First thing is to get help. Relax."
As she limped towards the car, a small shadow approached.
"Missy, are you in pain?"
"Shemuel! You're alive!" Her face became concerned. "Were you hurt?"
"I feel dizzy but I'm not hurt. But the others... my brothers," his arm motioned towards the car.
They hurried and knelt besides the nearest dark form on the ground. Lara touched Benny's neck.
He stirred and muttered, "Oh, boy, what was it that knocked us down?"
She questioned, "What was the last thing you remembered?"
Benny sat up and brushed his forehead. "A lot of wind... the ground shook... then a crushing coldness dropped on my head. It felt like an ice cold hand grabbed my neck and cracked it." He rubbed the back of his head. "I feel a little dizzy."
Lara helped him stand. "I need both of you to help with the others. There are medicine kits and bandages in my car." She patted their arms. "It is good to see you are alright." Her eyes looked down at Aaron. "And how are you feeling, Aaron?" She knelt and repeated, "Are you feeling alright? Aaron, are you hurt?" A hand was placed on his neck. Her eyes grew large, and she cried, "Oh, God! Please not him! Oh, please not him!" Her mind recalled the CPR training and her hands began to push on his chest. Beads of sweat formed on her brow as she went through the routine of blowing air into his lungs and the rhythmic pushing on his chest.
Screeching sounds of sirens grew closer and the hypnotic flash of strobe lights became brighter, but Lara did not notice them. She did not feel the arms that pulled her away. Nor remembered the faces attached to the hands placing the pads of a defibrillator and jolted Aaron's body. A needle was jabbed into his chest and the defibrillator pads delivered another jolt. The one thing she recalled, the sad eyes of the emergency attendant. His head shook and he whispered, "I'm sorry, miss."
* * *
Weeks later, in a doctor's office, Lara stood near the window and gazed below at a parking lot. Grim faced, she watched individuals walking through the drizzle to the cars. The heavy gray afternoon sky threatened to burst. She heard the door open and turned around.
"How are you feeling, Lara?" The balding gentleman lifted a pen from his white coat and walked to the desk.
Lara shrugged, "Alright, I suppose, Dr. Raleigh."
"How is the ankle? I hope you are not putting too much pressure on it." He sat behind the desk.
She gazed out the window. "It still hurts, but not as much as last week."
Dr. Raleigh leaned back and observed. "Sorry about having Inspector Ferguson meet with you here in my office. He wanted to ask some important questions to clear up a few details. By his appearance when he left I must assume it wasn't a productive meeting."
Lara shuffled to one of the chairs opposite the desk. "He doesn't believe anything I told him regarding the artifacts, my friends, or what happened at Stonehenge. After repeating the story a number of times, I find it hard to believe myself."
Dr. Raleigh leaned forward, "From my experience, this world has many things that defy explanations. Mysteries and miracles happen everyday. Sometimes our minds are too fogged, or our perceptions too narrow, to notice the wonders that are occurring nearby." A folder was placed on the desk. "This is what you're anxious to hear about. My observations and conclusions regarding the others."
Her head rested against the chair. "Dr. Raleigh, you have been a friend of our family for as long as I can remember. I value your word, and called for you to examine what all these other doctors have explained. Please tell me your conclusions, and don't hold anything back."
The folder was opened, and Dr. Raleigh placed on his glasses. "Let me quickly say, the other young lady... Elise Crawford Williams... looks very much like you. Her wounds are healing quite nicely. They appeared to be first degree burns so I don't expect any scars to remain." He looked up and smiled. "I don't think Inspector Ferguson enjoyed her answers to his questions either."
Lara's hand brushed back her hair. "Did you examine her completely? In all honesty, when I took off my jacket to put out the flames, she resembled a human torch."
"Yes, a thorough examination was done. I understand she was once deaf, but no traces of deafness were found from my testing. She has a full range of hearing." He scratched his chin. "Timothy Shannon will have to be moved to a psychiatric hospital better suited to handle cases like his. Right now he is heavily sedated from having those violent bouts of rage. Two nurses received concussions while trying to restrain him during his stay here." His glasses came off. "I observed his behavior from behind a closed door, and he displayed some unfounded anger on your behalf. I must concur with the other doctor's recommendation. It is the best course of action to take."
Lara closed her eyes and nodded.
The page was turned and the glasses placed on. "Your friend, Gavin Williams, is very lucky to be alive. Any one of his five broken ribs should have punctured a lung or pierced his heart. The fragment wounds sustained from the exploding gun were not deep enough to be concerned about. He has been placed in a body cast and his right arm immobilized because of the broken collarbone. His bones will heal properly after several weeks, and with physical therapy should be as good as new."
Lara faced the floor. "Do you have the coroner's report in the folder?"
Dr. Raleigh turned the page and read. "'The cause of death for Aaron BenYohanan is from a cerebral hematoma due to a closed head injury.'" He paused.
Her knees were brought up to her chest.
"There was nothing more you could have done, Lara. He needed immediate surgery to save his life."
She sniffled, "What caused it to happen?"
The page was scanned. "The coroner was not very conclusive. It is noted no head wounds or points of impact were found. A sentence is written suggesting a violent shaking of the head that ruptured the blood vessels, or brain aneurysms that erupted. Did your friend ever complain about severe headaches?"
She shook her head, placed a foot on the floor, and hugged the other leg.
Another page was turned.
"More tests are necessary to see what inflicts Yonah BenYohanan. The doctors have to narrow down the possible reasons for his loss of arm strength, momentary loss of balance, and muscle twitches. It's a process of elimination, requiring weeks of testing." His fingers drummed the desk. "One doctor believes the tests will lead to a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He witnessed similar symptoms on another patient, but not as advanced as this one. The Americans call it, 'Lou Gehrig's Disease', named after a famous athlete." The glasses came off. "This gentleman, 'Benny', is anxious to return home. He speaks in great lengths about a young lady named Marta, whom he plans to wed. His passion was quite apparent from the story he related to me about her. From what he said, she ran away from home because of the constant sexual abuse received from her father. Penniless, she sold herself for money and became a street prostitute for several months. Benny explained how he met her; slumped on the ground in a dark alley, sick, beaten, and stripped of her clothing with only a dark plastic bag as covering. With great pity, he brought her home and nursed her to health. She stayed with Benny for some time thereafter, until her 'pimp' came and wanted her back. To finish the story, Benny paid the pimp nearly all his life savings to keep her with him... a very noble gesture."
Lara spoke, "Spare no expense for whatever tests or treatments are necessary for him."
"If the tests prove positive for ALS, there is nothing more we can do, other than keep him comfortable until the last day."
Her head rose. "Spare no expense for whatever is necessary for him."
More pages were pulled from the folder. "I have the results from the CAT scan done on Shemuel BenYohanan." He frowned. "There is a tumor forming in an inaccessible area of his brain. More tests are required to determine malignancy, and if it will respond to chemotherapy or radiation treatment."
Lara's chin rested on her knee. "How long does he have?"
Dr. Raleigh leaned back. "That is uncertain. We don't know how quickly it's growing. If it proves to be malignant, he may live between three months to three years without treatment." The glasses were slipped off. "I understand you will be acting as his guardian. Why take this extra responsibility, if you don't mind me asking?"
The other foot was placed on the floor. "It's a favor his father asked me to do before he disappeared."
Confused, Dr. Raleigh replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. I assumed Aaron was the father. What were their relationships?"
"Brothers," Lara stated. "It's a rather long and involved story, Dr. Raleigh. I can explain it at another time." Her head turned towards the office door. "May I see Shemuel now?"
"Yes, of course." He closed the folder, stood, and extended a hand. "It's good to see you again, Lara. Give my regards to your family. I'll send the young man right in."
She shook his hand. "Thank you, Dr. Raleigh."
He opened the office door and exited.
Lara leaned against the desk and looked at the closed folder. A hand touched its corner.
The door opened and Shemuel entered.
"How are you feeling, Shemuel?" Her lips forced a smile.
"Please don't worry about me, Missy. I know why they are doing all these tests." He walked to a chair.
The smile faded and her eyes saddened. "The doctor who walked out of here will find something to stop whatever is growing in your head. Meanwhile, I don't want you to be afraid. I will take care of you."
Shemuel looked into her eyes. "I'm not afraid to die."
Her head tilted. "That is a brave thing to say."
"I didn't mean to sound brave, Missy. But to me, death is just a door we all have to face. I am not afraid of it because I know what lays behind it for me."
She knelt down and held his hands. "I just don't want to see you suffer."
A small smile appeared, "Papa told me God values His children like gold. To purify gold, it must be heated and melted so the impure things can rise to the top and be taken out. Suffering is like that to our hearts."
Amazed, Lara questioned, "How did you get to be so wise?"
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy
One is understanding."
Lara smiled, "What would you like to have in the whole wide world? What would you like me to get for you?"
Shemuel looked out the window. "I would like to have a piece of the wood from the Ark, and have it made into a cross. Then I would give it to someone to remember me with."
Lara moved to see his eyes. "Who would you give it to?"
His cheeks turned red. "You."
She paused and stared. Then, her hand patted his head. "Are you hungry?"
Shemuel nodded. "But let's not eat here. I don't like the way the food looks."
Lara agreed, "Me neither. But first, let's stop at Gavin's room and see how he is doing. I bet he has an itch that needs to be scratched underneath his cast."
They chuckled and exited the office.
* * *
Days later at the hectic office of Dr. Lara Croft, the phone rang.
"Hello, Connie. Is Dr. Croft available?"
"Good afternoon, Professor Robinson. She is not here right now and won't be around for a few days."
"Oh, my. It sounds like an unexpected trip. Where did she go?"
Connie hesitated. "First stop was to Cyprus to pay respects to the family of a friend. Then... to Turkey."
"Turkey! Why Turkey?"
"I'm not suppose to say," she rebutted.
"Tell me the truth, Connie. Did the British Museum authorize this trip?"
"Please, Professor, I am not suppose to tell anything to anyone."
He laughed, "This is a typical unauthorized trip for Lara. Don't worry, Connie. You can confide in me. I won't tell anyone."
"Well..." Connie cupped a hand around the phone and whispered, "She said she was going to explore the mountainous area of Ararat. But here is the puzzling part... she took a young boy with her. What do you think she is looking for?"
Professor Robinson was silent for a few seconds. "There's only one structure I know reported to be its final resting place in that region. Noah's Ark." He sighed, "I pray she doesn't cause another international incident."
Connie added, "I just pray she returns home safe and sound."
* * *
On the plane to Cyprus, Lara slept, and her dream continued...
The white knight arrived on horseback, carrying a flaming sword. The creatures scurried away and disappeared into the forest. The knight bent down, gave her the sword, and pulled the horse around to gallop away.
"Wait!" Lara begged.
The horse turned about, and the knight looked down at her.
She stood and skipped to the horse's side. "Please, sir knight, may I see who it is that has given me this weapon."
"My Lady, there is no need to know. I am just a servant of the Lord, who has sent me. He waits for you at the end of your journey."
She placed a hand on the horse. "Will you accompany me, or must I travel alone?"
The horse stepped back. "You will not be alone. The Lord will always be with you and will send His Spirit, and others, to assist in your time of need." The knight pointed to the sword. "Keep hold of the Word of God within your heart, for it is sharper than any two edge sword."
"And where will this journey take me?"
"Your journey leads to the crystal castle, but the path will not be easy. Suffering and hardship will slow your progress. But keep your eyes on the castle and the One who stands in front waiting, and all things will work for the good."
Lara asked, "Is that the Lord's castle?"
"No, my Lady. The Lord has built castles for them who love Him. The end of the path leads to that castle. It was made and reserved for you, if you desire."
She pleaded, "When I come to the end of the path and thank the Lord for His watchful eye and faithful servants, whose name will He say was the one that handed me this wonderful weapon for my journey?"
A sigh came from under the armor. His head bowed and the helmet lifted.
"Aaron!" She reached to touch him. "Please, Aaron, stay and teach me more."
"My Lady Croft, my time with you was enough to point to the path that must be traveled. It is laced with battles and discoveries, and at times will appear too hard to continue. But have faith in God, for He will be with you and will teach what you need to know. Remember, He stands at the door of your heart and gently knocks. Open the door and invite Him in, and He will be with you always." Aaron looked at the castle. "He waits patiently for you. Go to Him." The horse pulled around to leave.
Lara hung on a rein. "One more question, please. Do you know why I survived the plane crash? Why was I chosen?"
His eyes looked at hers. "The answer belongs to the Lord. Seek Him and He will tell you. For those who diligently seek Him, will find Him." He bowed to her. "I am just a servant of the Lord." The horse moved closer to the edge of the dark forest.
"Aaron, will you ever appear to me again?"
He turned his head. "My time is over, my Lady, but some place in eternity we will meet again. May the Lord guide your steps through the dangers on your path." The horse galloped into the dark.
Alone, Lara used the light from the sword to locate the path. Her eyes peered down the gloomy roadway. She focused on the distant crystal castle, and on the One standing in front. Strengthened, her walk on the path to the castle began.
THE END
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. For you have made the LORD, my refuge, the Most High, your dwelling place.
Disclaimer:
There are no references to indicate that 'the one who restrains' mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is St. John, the Apostle. For the sake of the above story this assumption was made for entertainment purposes. The true identity referred to in the above verse is still held in mystery.
The author does not claim to know what 'the seven peals of thunder' said to St. John in Revelations 10:4. For the sake of the above story an assumption was made for entertainment purposes. What was revealed to St. John in the above verse is still held in mystery.
References:
From the Book of Genesis, verse 2:16-17;
From the Book of Exodus, verses 20:5, 20:7;
From the Book of Deuteronomy, verses 4:24, 5:11, 6:15, 10:17;
From the Book of Joshua, verse 24:19;
From the Book of 1 Samuel, verses 15:29, 16:7;
From the Book of 1 Kings, verse 8:46;
From the Book of Psalms, verses 2:14, 7:11, 91:1-9, 18:30, 28:4, 51:17, 111:10;
From the Book of Proverbs, verses 1:7, 2:5, 9:10;
From the Book of Isaiah, verses 14:13, 30:18, 33:22, 27:15, 64:6, 66:1-2;
From the Book of Ezekial, verses 3:20, 18:4, 18:24, 24:14, 33:13;
From the Book of Jeremiah, verse 29:13-14a;
From the Book of Nahum, verse 1:2;
From the Book of Malachi, verse 3:6;
From the Book of John, verses 3:16-18, 3:36, 4:24, 5:24, 13:34-35;
From the Book of Romans, verses 5:6-12, 6:23, 10:9, 14:10;
From the Book of Philippians, verse 2:6-8;
From the Book of 2 Thessalonians, verse 2:7;
From the Book of 2 Timothy, verse 3:16;
From the Book of Hebrews, verses 9:22, 9:27;
From the Book of James, verses 1:5, 2:10;
From the Book of 2 Peter, verse 1:19-21;
From the Book of 1 John, verses 1:9, 3:4, 3:8, 3:22;
From the Book of Revelations, verses 3:20, 9:1-12, 10:4, 11:9-10, 20:13
