Protector of Men Ch 20

"It is just the Calling coming in," Cover said to the group. They immediately relaxed. Zandra took Cover's cue and strolled out of the room, which opened up to a hall, equally old and decrepit. Zandra could see dust floating through the musty air. Purgatory walked slowly out into the hall, watching the top of the stairs near them expectantly. It only took a moment for the Calling to come out. There were only three of them, but they certainly made their presence known.

"Hello, Cover," said Wrought. He was asian, wearing grey slacks and a black oxford. His long hair was tied in a low ponytail, and he wore a smile that broadened when he saw Zandra.

"Zandra," he said.

"Hello," she replied quietly back. The two women behind Wrought said their quiet hello's as well.

"This," he continued, gesturing to a small lady to his right, "Is Isa." She had dark skin, and her hair was short and spiked up. She was dressed in a leather skirt with a small brown halter. She smiled as Wrought introduced her. "Hi," she repeated.

"And this," he gestured to a very tall lady to his left, "Is Pasiphae." Pasiphae, on the other hand, was paler and had longer hair. Her tall stature was mostly imparted by her long legs, hidden in black slacks. Her hair, which was longer than Isa's but shorter than Zandra's, was swept neatly behind her small ears. They both looked experienced, and were a little intimidating to Zandra. Nonetheless, she smiled broadly.

"I assume you already know the rest of my crew?" Came Cover's polite reply.

"Of course," Wrought said, coming down the steps. "Are we ready to go?"

Cover gestured towards the door. "Right this way."

Luckily the area around them was deserted, yet every few seconds Zandra made paranoid sweeps looking for agents. Shade put a soothing arm on her shoulder, but it only served to startle her. She blushed sheepishly as he jumped away.

"Sorry," he offered. Zandra laughed quietly. "No, it's okay," she whispered back. They continued to walk down the middle of the cobbled street in silence.

"So where are we?" Zandra whispered to Shade. He shrugged his shoulders. "Some old, dusty town in the middle of nowhere?" The two tried not to laugh as they walked further down the street.

They continued on for a few more minutes until Zandra could see the far-off outline of a building ahead of them.

"We're almost there," said Cover, looking back towards Zandra. She was now in the back of the group, looking around intently. He slowed down, hoping that she would reach him – and in a moment she was wondering what he wanted to ask her.

"What." She asked quietly, as the group kept on walking. They knew that Cover and her were talking, but tried not to eavesdrop.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?" he asked in almost a whisper.

"Yes," was her immediate reply. She knew she was ready for it, she wanted to see what this oracle would have to say to her.

"Then you have to go now."

Now?

Cover sensed her confusion. "Mayflower told us that you have to get to the location and enter it alone," he explained. Zandra still didn't know what to do. "It said to go through the door ahead of us,"

"That's it?"

"That's it." He pulled out a handgun from his jacket and handed it to her.

"I already-"

"In case you need more."

Zandra sighed unconsciously. She should have known that they would take extra care that she wouldn't become incapacitated like last time. Take extra measures so that she wouldn't screw up… hell, did they even need the Calling anyway? Zandra took the gun with hesitance, but still accepted it and placed it on her belt hook.

"Okay," she said decisively, nodding once at Cover. He called out to Wrought, who stopped the rest of the gang before they walked any further. Without anyone speaking, Zandra walked to the door. It seemed like she walked for an eternity, but it was really a little less than a minute. She rested her hand on the door handle before opening it. Looking back, she could see the rest of the group clumped uncomfortably together. Some of them were looking around, maybe aimlessly, maybe looking for an intruder. But Zandra never found out, because an instant later she walked through the door.

She was in another dark room, but this time it looked more updated, cleaner perhaps. A man stood facing her on the far end of the room, his hands in his wide sleeves. Zandra stood silently before him, not knowing whether he was helpful or harmful.

"No need to worry," he said, bowing slightly, "I will take you to the Oracle."

She stared in wonder as the small man turned from her and walked over to a door on the far wall of the room. She followed slowly as he pulled out a key and unlocked it, revealing a green backyard. He gestured for her to follow, and she walked warily through the portal.

It was warm; the light was yellow around her in the open yet wooded yard. A woman sat on a swinging bench suspended by an old tree, it looked like a willow to her. Everything was so peaceful – Zandra felt odd with her stiletto heels and leather pants. She felt harsh in this soothing place. Her shoes sank into the dense grass as she walked towards the bench.

"Come here, hon," said the woman, gesturing for her to sit. Zandra approached cautiously.

"Aw, come on now, I won't hurt ya," she continued. The man had now walked back to the door and resumed his standing position. Zandra sat on the edge of the swinging bench, facing the woman. The swing vacillated for a moment, getting used to the additional weight.

"So how are ya," she asked, smiling what looked like a sincere smile. Zandra couldn't help but feel a little more at ease.

"Well," she started, but couldn't find the words.

"I know you're confused," she said, patting her on the leg. Zandra stared down at her leg as if a monster had just clawed her, but the woman paid no attention.

"But why contact me?" she asked. I hope she isn't referring to Neo's meeting….

"You've been through a lot, Zandra," she said, "And I think you can do more for people than you think." Zandra's face was blank. "Hun, you just need to get over yourself."

Zandra nodded obediently, her face set. Get over myself? Am I cocky? Am I not good?

"I see why you succeed," she said, her eyes staring deep into Zandra's. She suddenly snapped out of it, as if awaking from a bad dream.

"But how are you," she repeated, placing a hand on Zandra's arm.

"How am I…" Zandra repeated, trying to find the answer, "Good."

The woman furrowed her brows. "No, honey, how are you."

What was this lady asking for? Zandra looked for a better answer. "Frustrated?"

"Right," she said, leaning back, "You are frustrated with your performance, tired of failing?" She looked accusingly at Zandra. "But the things that try the soul will make you a better person. Everyone has to suffer at some point."

Zandra nodded blankly.

"But let's get to the big one," she said, now with more vitality.

"I'm confused."

"Yes, you are and by all accounts rightly so," as she said it she pointed a finger at Zandra, emphasizing her words.

"Let me just tell you," she started again, resuming the pointing-of-finger, "that you have to be careful who you trust."

Be careful who I trust? That can only mean one thing….

"I don't understand," she said. The woman suddenly gazed out at the green around her.

"Beautiful, isn't it," she asked the sky, "I like to come here to relax when I get the chance." She turned back to Zandra.

"Let yourself go for a while, you work yourself so hard."

"But if I don't-"

"We all have to work, we all have to run sometimes. We all lose a few," she added with a shake of the head, "But if you don't relax you'll short-circuit yourself." She sighed, and then smiled. "And nobody wants to have that happen to you, now to they?"

They? Who now?

"Here," she said, pulling out a piece of candy from a large bag at her side, "Take one. And hun, just relax. You're doing fine,"

"Ah, thanks," Zandra stammered as she took the candy. She glanced over to the door – the man was still standing there, still in the same position he had been in ten minutes before.

"And if you would, send in your crew," she added, pointing again, "I'd like to see them."

"Okay," Zandra replied. Where would they go….

"I'll be here," she answered.

Zandra got up slowly, causing the swing to vacillate once more.

"Oh," she interjected, "one more thing before you leave."

Zandra just stared expectantly.

"Send Stephen in too," she said, "I'd like to meet him."

Zandra was speechless as the man silently escorted her out of the small utopia and back into the old building. He bowed slightly before leaving back through the door they had come through. Zandra was alone again.

Her cellphone rang.