CH 10

Packing the truck up with their things, They said goodbye to Randy's parents and headed for their house. The trip started out well. Kanae wished this was an older truck, that center console made it so she couldn't lay her head on Randy's lap and get petted while he drove.

Kanae was falling asleep when Randy barked out "SHIT!" and slowed down.

Up ahead, there was a wrecked car and traffic was stopped. Many people were lining the guardrail of a bridge and looking over.

"Trouble," Kanae stated.

Randy pulled over to the side, they got out and ran over to the bridge.

A girl pointed and cried out, "They're sinking!"

Getting to the bridge, Kanae looked over the side. A minivan was partially floating in the water and going downstream.

"They're gonna drown," a man said sadly.

SHIT! Kanae couldn't stand by at let that happen. The air and water was cold. "This is gonna suck!" she barked and kicked her shoes off and threw her hat off.

Randy was about to ask what she was doing and she dove over the side. Gaping, we went to the rail and saw her splash down in the cold water.

"She jumped!" a woman cried.

Randy saw Kanae's form under water as she sped towards the minivan.

.

Kanae swam for the van as fast as she could go. Luckily, she could see well enough to see people in the van pounding on the windows. The water wasn't that deep, she figured six feet of so. Getting down under the van, she stopped it and lifted. This river wasn't very wide either, holding the van up, she walked the bottom and got it close to the shore. She had to use mind hands on the muddy bottom to keep from sinking down. When she got out far enough the van was mostly free of the water, she got out from under it, put it down and forced the passenger side open. She was so cold she hurt.

"OUT!" she yelled. Then helped the terrified woman out, three kids, then the man stumbled out. They were all wet and terrified. The crying little girl she picked up and held. "Git ta the shore! Git back up on the road!" Kanae called firmly.

Shivering and stumbling, Kanae herded the soaked family back up to the road.

"Thank you for saving us!" the woman said in a shuddering breath.

"Aye, git in someone's car an git warm till the ambulance comes," Kanae told her.

Climbing the back up to the road, others were there to help the miserable looking family up the bank. Randy met Kanae holding her hat and shoes and guided her back to the truck. He got her in and put the heat on full blast, then went in the back to get her clothes.

Getting in with her, he asked, "What do you want?"

Shivering, Kanae said, "Doan care. I'm freezing here."

With a towel over her, Kanae got her wet clothes off and took the fluffy robe Randy offered and wrapped herself tight in it and accepted the towel over her head. She still shivered but her lips didn't look as blue.

"You're crazy, you know that?" Randy asked with a smirk.

With a frown, Kanae asked, "Who else was gonna save'em?"

"No one. Didn't say you weren't brave. Just a bit nuts. You gonna be OK?"

"Aye, soon as I doan feel like a block'o ice."

With the traffic jammed up, they weren't going anywhere, anyway, so Randy just ran the truck to keep them warm. He did see police arrive, and hurrying out to pass out emergency blankets.

"Hope people in that car are OK," Randy said.

"Least they didn take a cold swim," Kanae said, and huddled into her robe.

A tap on the window showed a cop was at Randy's door. He rolled the window down. "Yes, Officer?"

The man pointed at Kanae. "We heard she jumped in the river and swam out to save those folks."

"She did. A little nuts, but she kept them from drowning or freezing to death."

The man nodded. "Miss, that was very brave of you. Who are you?"

Only her face was showing when she turned to the cop. "Kanae Kikumura. Please, doan make me git out. This robe's all I got on. Me clothes were wet and really cold."

The man chuckled. "No, stay there and get warm. You're not hurt, are you?"

"Nay, just freezin."

"Well, Ma'am, you're a hero. Can I tell those people who it was who saved them?"

"If ya want, I just wanna git warm."

"You're got going anywhere until the road's cleared. Just sit tight and keep warm." He waved and went back to the accident scene.

It took a couple hours to get the road cleared for the two ambulances and a tow truck to get through to drag the wrecked car off to the side. Police then guided cars through the mess and Randy was able to get moving. Once they were going, Kanae busied herself with getting long socks, and dry clothes on. She kept her robe on also. She forewent a bra and just put on a wool sweater. Kanae slept most of the rest of the way home.

When they got to their house, Tracy was there to greet them. She'd come back early and had furniture set up - except for the beds, and even had food in the fridge and a TV set up with cable. Seeing the robe, Tracy asked, "You don't have a coat?"

Kanae let Randy explain the accident they found and went up to get a shower.

"That was on the news!" Tracy beamed. "They said 'some woman' jumped off the bridge into the cold water, swam to the sinking van and picked it up to take it close to the shore to get that family out! The parents wanted to thank that woman for saving them, but when they looked for her, she was gone! Reporters are going crazy looking for her."

Randy frowned. "A cop came by and asked who she was. I take it he didn't tell anyone. How are those people?"

"The news said minor injuries, nothing specific. I think it's going to be on again at Six. Need any help unloading?'

"Naw, but I'd appreciate help getting those beds up the stairs."

Kanae helped with the beds also, carrying two up as Randy and Tracy set them up. By the time they got their bedrooms set up and got some dinner, the news came on.

A woman reporter was on the bridge and pointed to the van that was sitting in the water to the side with a door open. "Right down there, you can see the van that was knocked off the bridge. It was sinking, the family trapped inside had no hope of rescue, but a young woman jumped off this bridge and into the cold water below to swim fast to grab it. Here's a witness who saw her!"

The scene shifted to a middle aged man sitting in a chair. "Yeah, this … pink haired woman, skinny thing, jumped right off the bridge and dove into the river. Why she didn't hurt herself just doing that, I'm clueless. She didn't come back up, but swam underwater, I could see her shadow, I mean she swam fast! It looked like she got under the van, and it lifted up and stopped going downstream! Me, and others saw it moved over to the side, then she gets out from under it, opened the door and helps those people out. She even carried a kid to the shore, then hurried them back up to the road. I can't explain it, but she picked that van up and walked it to the side so they could get out. Damndest thing I ever saw. What she did isn't possible, but she did it."

"Do you know who that woman was? Did she say anything?"

He shook his head. "No clue who she was. Just before she jumped in, she yelled, 'This is gonna suck.' Once they were back, they were all soaked, we got them in cars to warm them up, but she was gone. All I can tell you for sure was she had that punk-pink hair color. Had something on her head too, but I was helping that guy up the bank so I wasn't paying attention."

The scene changed to the a hospital room to show a man in bed.

An off camera reporter asked, "Sir, can you tell me who saved your family from being carried away down river?"

The man shook his head. "That was frightening and confusing, and the van was filling up. All I can tell you is the van lifted and headed for the shore like a crane grabbed it, then a young woman got us out of there. Light hair, red eyes, I'm sure. She carried our youngest, Jannie for us. Jannie said she was a devil and had horns, but I don't remember that. I'm only very thankful she saved us."

"Horns?"

He nodded. "That's what she said. Could be she was wrong. I don't think devils go saving people."

The scene went back to the news room. A serious looking anchorman said, "Whoever that woman was, showed great bravery and strength to perform an impossible rescue and save lives. From us here at the station, to that mystery women, we say thank you, and we would like to hear from you."

"Kanae, your famous," Tracy said with a grin. "It's probably best if they don't know who you are."

"Yeah," Kanae agreed, she didn't need a media circus. Then her phone rang. She picked it up. "Kanae."

Gilbert was on the phone. "Great job! Got the target and saved some people on the way home!"

"Thanks. Doan go spreadin it around, K?"

"Agreed. Anyway, welcome back. Take a break, see you soon."

"K, bye."

Tracy then got a call. She told Bill no, Kanae didn't know anything about that accident.

Of course a news flash came on. Someone had gotten a cell phone picture of Kanae coming up the bank holding the little girl that clung to her, her wet hair pasted to her head to clearly show her horns, and of course her red eyes.

Wonderful.

.

It was bad enough at the first day back to school, everyone she met thanked Kanae for that amazing rescue. Going to the parking lot, she saw a news van with people, a reporter and a cameraman there.

"I bet I know who they want to talk to," Randy said in a musical tone. "Want to avoid them?"

Kanae sighed. "It'll do nay good. They'll find me sooner er later. Might as well git it over wit."

Students then pointed out Kanae and Randy approaching. No escape possible. The pack cleared a path between her and the reporter by themselves.

As she was coming up to them, the reporter turned to the camera and announced, "Here she is! Our mysterious hero, Kanae Kikumura!" Turning back to her, he asked, "We heard you're from Scotland?"

Kanae grinned, "Aye, how'd ya know?"

The crowd chuckled. "Kanae, that river water was 31 degrees, literally ice cold. Yet you jumped off the bridge and swam it, by some accounts, very fast, to rescue that family."

"Aye, I knew i'twas gonna suck, an it did. When I hit the wa'ter me breath froze solid. Couldn'a breathed if I want'ta. Had'ta force meself ta git swimming. If I didn git'ta those people, no one would've. Gittin that van by the shore and gittin the family back up ta the bridge was nay picnic either. I was froze ta the bone by then. Nay of us were happy."

"Some accounts say you picked that van up from underwater to move it by the shore." the reporter said.

Kanae shook her head. "Nay. I'twas floatin, low but floatin. Guess I was in a wee bit'o hurry ta git back outta the wa'ter an breathe again."

"I imagine so! To even do what you did under normal circumstances would have been a very risky thing to do. To perform that daring rescue in freezing water had to be tough! Did you have any second thoughts about diving into the river?"

"Nay til I was on me way down, then i'twas too late." Kanae said, which caused some chuckles. "I had ta try. I knew it was gonna be uncomfert'ble, but I had'ta do me best'ta save'em."

"That makes you a very brave woman, Miss Kikumura," the reporter said firmly. "You know, you have very similar looks to a famous woman named Kikumura, the Knight, Dame Kaede Kikumura."

"Aye, she's me Mom. She always told us'ta do what ya know is right." Kanae said proudly. With a smirk, she added, "Even if yer gonna freeze yer butt off."

That got laughter from the crowd of students and the reporter.

The reporter stuck his hand out. "It has been a great pleasure to meet you, Kanae. All of us at the station wish you the best in college!"

Kanae shook his hand. "Thank ya Lad."

To Kanae's joy, the interview was short and not probing. He didn't ask about her horns or press her on how she moved the van. A few more students wanted to shake her hand and thank her for saving those people That was fine, she had no problem with that.

.

In the house, Kaede and Randy got some studying done, arraigned the house a bit, then ate and studied some more. Bill arrived, and since he wasn't in college, he agreed to become the 'house boy'. Doing repairs, painting and grocery shopping. Kaede had Bill tell her how much he needed to spend on the house, they gave him money for the work he was going to do.

To Kanae's delight, Bill knew what Speedies were. Not only how to make them, but he also took the recipe for the sauce to make more. Tracy and Bill were a good addition to the house.

Of course, the swimmer Nancy wanted to see The video of Kanae's home as soon as she found out about it. Coming over to the house on a Friday, Randy showed her the video. She sat with a big smile pasted on her face. The instant she saw Duncan, she pointed at him. "Look! He looks way too young to be a grandfather! Kaede looks like Kanae's sister. I bet he, maybe she too are really old!"

Randy chuckled. "I wouldn't go blurting that out," he offered.

Beaming him a smile, Nancy said, "That means that book is REAL!"

"Ahh, Nancy? You go telling people that, and it might be trouble for them," Randy cautioned. "I do know they have some bad times in their lives."

"Yeah," she agreed. "Some sad and lonely times too. I just want to meet them." In a firm tone, she said, "I know Duncan was cursed by a gypsy woman. To bury many women, but marry none."

"I don't think everything in that book really happened," Randy offered.

"I think it did," Nancy stated. "Before Kanae became all wary and wouldn't say much, she admitted where the book said Duncan was born, is exactly where she was born."

Kanae came over and sat by Randy. "Nancy, that is true, but it doesn't mean everything in that book is true. A fiction romance writer wrote that book, Nancy. You have to remember that."

"Can you tell me what is true then?" Nancy asked.

"I can tell you Duncan is me Grandpop, Inari is me Grandmum, me mom an Dad are Kaede an Kouta, me sisters are Nana, Mayu, Uzuki, and was Karen. I kin tall ya we live in the Highlands in Glen Finnen where I grew up. That's all I know. I think yer grabbin at straws."

Nancy cast Kanae a smile. "You're from the land of magic. I can understand why you don't want many people to know. You don't want your family to become a media circus. Like that amazing rescue you did. You left fast so people wouldn't know it was you, or realize you should have passed out from the cold right after you dove into that river."

"Yes" Kanae agreed quickly. "That's right! So please, Don't go spreadin things in that book."

"I'll keep quiet about your Grandfather being a true God," Nancy assured her.

Kanae sighed. That would be close enough. "So why doan ya stay fer dinner?"

.

They had dinner and discussed paint schemes looking at the sample strips Bill had gotten from the paint store. The only colors Kanae was familiar with was stone grey and lacquered wood. Tracy and Nancy had better ideas and 'imagined' color-coordinated walls, ceilings and carpets. They took in the room sizes and 'highlights' they thought would look the best. Kaede gave them the job of decorating.

Nancy was real happy she could help Duncan McLeod's grand daughter.

.

The next weeks of school went by quickly with the school work and house work they had to do. Nancy became a semi-permanent fixture in the house. Her and Tracy got along great. With the Spring semester tuition coming up. Tracy had worked hard and with Bill's help, gathered $11,000 towards her tuition. By now, Kanae had earned another 20,000 for doing 'vital' surgeries at three hospitals now in the area. She had no problem spotting Tracy the $24,000 she needed to stay in school. Tracy gave her a big hug and went to pay her bill.

Kanae did get a surprise. On the way to lunch from their last morning class, she was walking to the cafeteria with Randy as usual. A man came towards them. He looked like he was just eyeing the sidewalk in front of him, but Kanae noted he kept glancing at her as they closed. The way he did it got her nervous. Something was up.

Just before they passed, he pulled up with a silenced pistol. He was all but aimed at her when she threw up a mind shield and chopped at his hand hard. The only thing that hit her shield was the blood from his wrist that squirted out as the gun and his hand hit the sidewalk. Randy yelped, The man slowed to stare at his arm that now ended at his wrist. Kanae pulled his feet forward and pushed his body back to slam him flat on the ground. She also got in front of Randy.

"Who are ya!" Kanae snapped at the man.

Gripping his wrist he cried out, looking at his wound.

"I'll calling 911," Randy announced.

"Aye," Kanae said with a nod. To the man, she barked, "Hey! Who are ya?"

The man tried to get up. She pinned him in place, flat on the ground. In a growl, she said, "Ya kin tell me an live, or I just kill ya."

He gapped at her in fright. He wiggled, trying to get free, so she sent a mind hand into his head to see who he was.

His gape got wider, he cried out and struggled to move.

"Tom Langston. You wanted to kill me," Kanae stated. "A Gary Lewis sent you. I got his location. You can die now."

He cried out, "Noo…" His voice stopped as she pulled his brain apart from his spinal cord.

Kanae turned to Randy who was on the phone. "I think he died. Musta hit the ground a bit hard."

Randy nodded. "Police are on their way. Operator's getting an ambulance too. We're to stay here."

"Aye, we doan know nothing but he raised a pistol at us fore I knocked him down," Kanae stated.

Randy just nodded in agreement.

Others came running Kaede cautioned them to stay back. Two guys from another class tried doing CPR on him.

Police got there first. Kaede and Randy explained what happened. The man tried to attack them, so Kanae tried to slap his gun down, but chopped his hand off and pushed him back. He fell and didn't move.

Once police got their statements and a couple photos, hey drew a chalk outline around the body and let the ambulance take it away.

A brown coated detective came up to Kanae and Randy. "His name was Tom Langston. He was a suspect in a couple robberies and we were looking at evidence of him in a murder case. "Do you know why he'd come after you?"

"Nay clue officer. First time we seen him," Kanae said.

"Never seen him before," Randy agreed.

"I'll need your names and contact information. There's no doubt he planned on killing one of you, the gun with the illegal silencer was still in his hand. If we find who sent him, you'll be called as witnesses."

Once the detective left they sourly noted lunch time was over. OK they could still grab some snacks before their next class.

"Hope they find out who sent him," Randy offered.

Quietly, Kanae replied, "Already know, Lad. I'll be busy later on. I'll find me way home. Just go on after class."

"Be careful," Randy said firmly.

"Aye Lad."

Being in medical school was now coming in handy. Kanae knew she had to do this discretely. From Tom's memory, she knew what Gary looked like, and that he worked at the same Chinese restaurant those other scum bags did.

After her last class, Kanae walked down to the street beyond that restaurant. Finding an alley in between them she walked down to the back of the place. Beside dumpsters and some random trash, the alley was vacant. Gary was a boss here and had his own office with a window to the alley. She went to that window to find he was at his desk.

The heart worked by sending nerve pulses from the brain. Slipping a thin mind hand through the window and into his back, she felt his heart and found the nerve. When she cut it, Gary gasped and took a few breaths as he tried to grab his phone. He dropped it as he died and rolled to the floor.

Kanae left the way she came and went home.

For the next week, Kanae waited for something to come of the investigation. Nothing did. Only Gary's obituary in the paper saying he died of a heart attack. She also noted that restaurant went up for sale. The only question she had, was why Gary ordered a hit on her. She asked Mr. Gilbert. He had no idea but told her to watch herself.

.

Summer vacation was coming up, and Kanae was anxious to spend some time at home. Randy was excited to go with her. Nancy gathered her tour group, an impressive pack of 14 people. She also bothered Kanae for where they could meet once they all got to Glen Finnen.

Kanae pondered briefly, then said, "The Lenui Inn. Then I kin show ya a few things an a couple tour groups won't show ya. Tell everyone make sure they got good boots."

"Yes!" Nancy chirped brightly. "We'll be there!" They set the date and time for their meeting. Plotting it out on her tour guide map, Kanae showed Nancy where Scamdale was.

"Scamdale?" Nancy asked.

"Aye, it's a couple kilometers down the Loch," Kanae explained. "That's the home village of the Selkies. Ain't nothing grand there. Their main source of income is fishing. It's a nice quiet an pretty place. Fun too. Down here, is the ruins of the old McLeod keep. It's on a small island in the tidal bay, so getting there's a bit muddy. Up by the inn is the deep valley. Beautiful scenery there, but a bit of a pain gittin there. Coming from the Inn, we kin pass that going ta the Pagan ritual valley. That valley is closed off on all sides. It's hike at git there, but worth seein. Lest ya know where I'tis, ye'll never find it."

"Pagans?" Nancy asked. "You mean real, ancient type Pagans?"

Kanae giggled at her wide open face. "Aye, they got a small stone henge there. They been practicing their religion there for as long as anyone kin remember. During the winter Solstice in Glen Finnen we put up Pagan decorations as well Christian. We honor both since both are in the area."

Nancy waggled a finger at Kanae. "That's why you had that pentagram on top of your Christmas tree!"

"Aye, lass. Didn git a video of it, but in our courtyard, midnight on the solstice, we also have a gathering and both the Father of the church and the Pagan Priest come an give their blessings on the new year. I'm guessin half'o Glen Finnen shows up fer that."

"I can't wait to get there," Nancy swooned.

Kanae grinned at her. "Just be sure ya got yer camera."