The Angel Of The Waters
Chapter 6 - Dark Arts
MACKLAND
He waited in the hospital for Carolyn to get checked over. She seemed fine but Mackland wanted to be sure and have some tests be done. With a sigh he took up his phone in the waiting area and called Josh.
"Mac. Any news? We just came from the store."
"Yeah, Joshua. There is a problem. Caleb and Dean are gone."
"You'll probably find them in the next bar."
Mac didn't answer, frowning over the statement.
Joshua cleared his throat over the pregnant silence. "I'm sorry. It wasn't my …"
"No, it's fine. I know you don't get along very well with my son for some reason," Mac sighed deeply.
"Did anything else happen?"
"I'm in the ER with Carolyn. They knocked her out during their 'escape'. So I will be stuck here until we have the test results. I hope it is only a concussion."
Mac heard Joshua gasp and something like a curse. "You're probably the best to find them, right? I mean with your ability to locate missing kids for the FBI and all."
"I will find them as soon as I'm sure Carolyn is alright. Do you have everything for tonight?"
"Yeah, almost. We'll need to collect the toad's blood when we're there. Tell me if you find them and give Carolyn my best regards."
"I will. See you later."
Mac ended the call, rubbing his temples heavy-heartedly. His ability - well it didn't work exactly like a detector. He would search for the two the conventional way first. The MRT and the X-ray would take some time. The doctor headed to the nurse's station and asked for the phone. He could also call his colleague about the memory loss cases. Maybe he had some new developments on his side.
Frustrated, he put the receiver back on the phone. The patients were still suffering from memory resets. It was not a regular occurrence. On the contrary it seemed totally haphazard. He got worried that if Caleb and Dean had a reset at the same time they could even separate, which would make it even harder to find them.
A nurse wheeled Carolyn towards the waiting area where Mac brooded over the situation. "Dr. Ames?"
He turned and frowned at the nurse before he put on a smile for Carolyn. "Carolyn. I hope the tests didn't show any problems, did they?" He turned questioningly to the nurse.
"The doctor will speak to you both soon. Please take a seat in the waiting area," she said with a nod and hurried away.
He sighed and wheeled Carolyn over. "I'm so sorry. How are you feeling, Carolyn?"
She glanced up. "A bit dizzy and my head hurts. It wasn't your fault, Dr. Ames. I still wonder that it was Dean who knocked me out," she put her hand to her forehead and sighed.
Mac raised a brow. He couldn't imagine that Dean nor Caleb would take a member out like that. But here he was.
*** BRO AU ***
OLIVER aka MOOSE
Oliver 'Moose' Havers should seriously talk to his boss. Since they had lost that community center project it wasn't all sunshine with TriCorp. He still had no clue why the sudden appearance of Little Dude had made Caleb drop everything at the important presentation meeting. But it had left him alone in the room with the investors. He wasn't used to speaking with rich people and selling them things like the smart ass Reaves was. Of course things had gone down the ditch.
He sighed heavily. Loaded with sketch rolls under one arm and three folders in the other, he gave the door of his car a kick to shut it and made it to the front door of his friend's home without dropping anything.
Moose had tried it often enough without any luck to not bother with ringing the bell or knocking. Caleb had given him a key since the boss was not often at home and Moose had to pick up things from the office or bring back sketches or project related things.
Moose didn't understand why his friend and boss wasn't at home more often. He would kill for a house like this in an area like this. Well if he had a filthy rich daddy in town and was a bachelor maybe he, too, wouldn't hang out alone in an apartment. And Caleb was a special kind of guy, that much was certain. Reaves had been a mystery to him ever since they were roommates in Auburn University. All the strange injuries he tried to hide from him and him always leaving on the weekends. Moose shook his head at the thought. His family was another mystery. Caleb refused to speak of them much. Well, yes, Moose knew about the famous Dr. Ames, Caleb's dad. But there was also a strange brother, his little nephews, Little Dude and Tiny Dude and that priest in Kentucky.
Oliver fumbled for the key in his pocket, trying to balance the construction paper rolls so he wouldn't drop them. With awkward motions he got the key into the lock and turned it, letting himself in.
"I'm home, sweetheart," Oliver said jokingly and headed to the downstairs office to his right.
With a sigh he dropped the folders on the desk and put the sketches atop of it.
"Hey dude. I thought I heard the door," a familiar voice startled the huge guy.
Oliver turned with a broad grin. "Hey, Little Dude! I didn't know you were in town." Oliver came over giving him a bone crushing hug that made the kid flinch. "You alright?"
Dean gave him only a nod.
"Well, I figured Caleb wasn't at home, as usual. Where is he? I have the plans he wanted me to bring him."
Dean gave him a strange frown before he answered. "Uhm, he's probably out for a foodrun. I just woke up."
"Oh, did you two have another barcrawl that you slept that long? It's past noon!"
"Yeah, kind of. We have a hell of a hangover and barely remember our names, we just came from Caleb's dad's," Little Dude answered with a smug grin, though something in his eyes told Moose there was more to it. Let them keep their secrets, he thought to himself.
"I see. Hope Dr. Ames is alright?" Moose remembered all too well the incident when Caleb's father had been shot and he had to drive Caleb, who was in no condition to do so, to the hospital where he first caught a glimpse of the strange family ties Reaves had.
"Yeah, sure, why?" Dean asked.
"I just asked. Caleb said he would probably spend the weekend with his father, since they hadn't had much time to meet over the past few weeks," Moose answered and walked back in the hallway. "I would wait for Caleb if I could but I have some other appointments. Tell the boss he needs to call me as soon as he checks the plans. It's an important project. We need his decision on it by Wednesday."
"Alright, but he broke his phone, does he have your number written down anywhere?" Dean asked.
Oliver frowned, "That had to be a hell of an evening if Reaves crashed his phone. I'm sure he has my number somewhere. Otherwise he can call the office."
Dean gave him a strange look and nodded. Oliver couldn't help but wonder that something seemed off with the kid. "Did anything else happen?"
Dean shook his head, "No, I'll tell him."
Moose pulled his wallet out and offered Dean his card from TriCorp. "Here, in case Caleb can't find my number or his own ass in the dark or maybe if you need to talk to someone normal for a change. I know your family is a bit odd." He pushed the card in Dean's hand and turned to the door. "See ya, Little Dude."
DEAN
He let out a sigh of relief when the giant of a man left the house again. Glancing at the card in his hand he read the name, Oliver Havers. He was apparently working for or with Caleb.
The guy seemed to know him. He was glad he had decided against the gun. He had to calm down. Probably there was no one with a key to Caleb's home who would kidnap them. His ribs still bothered him. Maybe he should see a doctor if it didn't get any better soon.
He remembered a box of painkillers in the upper bathroom. First stopping in the kitchen for a bottle of beer to pass the time, he walked back upstairs.
Dean put the bottle of beer on the table, switching the TV on. The background sound calmed him a bit. Then he went over to the bathroom. He took off his shirt and inspected the hurting area. A slight bruise was there but nothing one would see at first glance. He pushed a little and sucked in a pained breath. "Damn fucking shit. What the hell did I do?"
There on the sink sat a box of Tylenol like he had remembered. He took three and washed them down with a glass of water. He would wait for Caleb who hopefully would show up soon. Being alone sucked.
Switching through the channels, he ended up with a sitcom called Dr. Sexy MD. He laughed a few times drinking his beer* before he dozed unintentionally off again.
*(Note: Do not drink alcohol with painkillers!)
*** BRO AU ***
MACKLAND
It took until noon before Mac was finally able to leave the hospital with Carolyn. She called a friend who would stay with her. With that worry off his mind, he brooded about a possible place to search for his son and Dean. He would have to check locations they would feel safe. Maybe Josh was right about a bar. No, they wouldn't have a drink when their heads were blank and Caleb had been totally stressed out when the reset happened. They would look for somewhere without too much of an audience, especially with Caleb's uncontrolled ability. He wouldn't be able to handle being around too many people.
The worst ideas plopped to his mind. What if Caleb freaked out in public and the police arrested him? What if he was handcuffed, or worse restrained? Or put in a psychiatric ward? Every worst case scenario enfolded itself in his mind. He needed to find them quickly.
Mac returned home first to collect his thoughts. The short night lessened his ability to concentrate. A personal item of Caleb's or Dean's could give him an advantage. Glancing around Caleb's room he found nothing really personal here. It had to be something strong; something that was connected to him for a long time. The nightstand where the worn out Musketeer novel with the Deuce card had rested was empty since Caleb had moved out. Sometimes he had seen it at Jim's. Probably Caleb carried it around in his duffle.
Then it hit him. Of course, Caleb had been at home in his Brownstone before he had called in the night. For sure they had both their personal belongings there. With a bit of luck he would even find them there. They must be as exhausted as him from the short night and needed a place to rest. Maybe they had thought of finding out Caleb's address.
Mac hurried out again. In the lobby he asked the clerk to call him a cab. "You and your son seem pretty busy today, Dr. Ames."
"Did you see Caleb?"
"Yes, he left this morning with his friend. He, too, asked me to call him a cab."
"Did he say where he was going?"
The man shook his head no. "But I can request the same driver. Maybe he will be available, sir."
Mac saw a glimpse of hope to find them quickly. "Yes. That would be very helpful."
Five minutes later he sat in the same cab as Caleb and Dean earlier. He shouldn't have been surprised when the man told him he had let them off at the Washington Square Park entrance. During the drive he texted Joshua where he was heading and that Carolyn was at home.
At the arch he thanked the man and paid him a good tip. Heading over to the stairs leading to the front door he dug his emergency key out. Mac was unsure whether to announce his arrival or not. The first floor was deserted and silent. He climbed upstairs to the living room and found Dean deep asleep on the spacious sofa with the TV on. His Colt rested next to an empty bottle of beer on the table. It told him that the two were still tense about their situation but had obviously felt safe enough here to fall asleep. He refused to wake Dean but let a sigh of relief escape him. Caleb wouldn't be far. He already sensed his son's presence. Dean was safe for now so he checked the other rooms.
Mac hadn't been over much. He knew Caleb had prepared a room for Dean should he ever want to stay somewhere, to offer him a real home. But Caleb was not in his bed and not in Dean's room. He glanced at the circular iron staircase that led up to the top level. He had never been up there. The room was probably empty or held some boxes or hunting equipment. On the other hand he was sure his son was in the building.
He walked upstairs and slowly opened the only door on that floor. What he found was impressive and shocking all at once. It was a studio.
Amelia Reaves' pictures graced the walls, were stacked along the floor or were in easels. From the sheer amount of paintings he was fairly sure Caleb had collected all the pictures his mother had ever sold, donated or painted. But there were a few others - not Amelia's. He came closer to the easel with the dark unfinished painting. Maybe it was good for Caleb to have an outlet for his dark thoughts and the horrific things he saw as a hunter. Mac shuddered over the darkness the other not-happy seascapes held, but when he spotted the signature of T. Seaver. Mac's heart sank.
Seaver was the name of Caleb's Great-grandfather. A well known name to their Triad. He'd burned down his church with all his parishioners in it. The only one who'd come away alive was his wife and their little son Thomas Seaver. The rumors said that Noah had been into the dark arts or maybe was possessed and that his kid might've been a half demon. That was what haunted Caleb since Daniel Elkins had tried to exorcise the 'demon' in him.
Mac didn't believe it and even if anything of this story was true; he knew his son! He was a good person! One with a big heart and full of love for his family and friends. Though his son hid it very well behind a facade of cheekiness and bad language, he was sure of it.
A soft snoring came from the rooftop niche where a sofa was pushed into the space.
Mac closed his eyes for a second, finally calm now as he had found his son. Maybe he should just go again and leave them in their safe surroundings. Much as Mac wanted to be with Caleb and have control over the situation, he didn't know if his presence, especially in this very private room, would freak Caleb out.
Carefully he retreated. Caleb moaned in his sleep and Mac saw a deep line of tension on Caleb's forehead. It was rare that his son slept peacefully. Even with a blank memory he had nightmares. He pitied him and wished he could help somehow. Well, he knew how to help this situation. He needed to find that toad so that Joshua would be able to undo the ritual as fast as possible. So Mac decided to go.
Unnoticed, he closed the front door again and walked along the street to be well out of sight before he called a cab. He would lay out a plan with Joshua and prepare for a hunt at the fountain. Caleb and Dean were safe here; he reassured himself once again.
*** Bro AU ***
JOSHUA
Mackland called in the early afternoon. He had found the two wayward hunters, which was a good thing.
Joshua once again checked the ingredients for the ritual. The only thing needed was the toad blood. Mackland had pushed the issue and wanted to hunt it - or at least find it even now. Since it was misty and cold outside there wouldn't be many people at the fountain. So he had accepted to go now. They had a few hours until sunset but it would be much easier to find anything in daylight than stagger through the undergrowth at night. Joshua had no intention of being the next victim without a clue who he was.
Peter was not exactly helpful with his nerves on edge. So Joshua ended up sending him out to find a boat so they could check out the lake and the little island not far from the shore.
The girls were practically glued to his side. He had found no opportunity to shake them off, so he ended up in their company at the Bethesda Fountain waiting for Dr. Ames.
Stacy stayed at his side and was nervously stepping from one foot to the other while Amber and Molly strolled around the bottom of the stairs, inspecting the many fine artworks done on the sides.
Joshua approached the fountain and let his gaze wander. They were indeed alone here at the moment. If he was a toad, where would he hide? He checked the foggy shore and the lonely island ahead. Glancing down to the map he had of Central Park, it seemed to be the other shore and not an island. But the piece of land reached like a tongue into the lake. He would check the half island first. It was perfect to not be seen and stay close to the ritual place as a kind of guard.
He heard a car stopping on the near-by street and soon Dr. Ames hurried to them. "Joshua. Any news?"
"No. I sent Peter to get us a boat. I believe we should check out the small piece of land over there first."
Stacy tugged at his arm. "Ah yes, this is Stacy. Stacy, this is Dr. Ames. He will help us with the last ingredient."
"Good evening Dr. Ames. Are you a coven member too?" Stacy asked, extending her hand for greeting.
Mac raised a brow and couldn't hide a small grin. "Hello. No, I'm more of an advisor in the whole fiasco, young Lady. I gladly leave the witchcraft to Joshua."
Peter came over, dragging a small fishing boat on a wheel rack with him and spared Joshua from an answer to Mac's obvious surprise.
All five went over to help Peter to unload the boat from the rack. Then Joshua turned to the girls. "We're going to search for the thing and you will stay on shore. Don't do anything before we're back, ok?"
The girls nodded and Stacy shot him a worried glance. "Be careful out there."
He gave her a charming smile. "Don't worry about us. Peter will stay with you as you prepare for the ritual as we have planned."
Mac and he entered the boat and pushed from the shore. The shape of the girls and Peter soon disappeared in the fog.
The silence on the lake was crushing and the only noise was the soft push of the paddle through the water. It didn't take long to arrive at the small half island and they paddled around it looking for a good spot for landing. A bit north they found the shore flat and were able to navigate the boat ashore. The gravel crunched under the weight and they came relatively dry onto the land.
Mac wasn't wearing his usual suit but trekking pants and a wide jacket to hide his holster and combat knife under it. Joshua had rarely seen the Scholar in hunting action. He had to admit he was curious.
Carefully they searched the ground and trees for hints. The ground was scattered with fallen leaves and every step they made produced a rustling noise that made it impossible to approach silently. The toad wouldn't be far away from the fountain but nothing here so far told of a giant toad. As Joshua turned right he spotted blood stained leaves leading into a thicket. "Mac, over here!"
Mackland came over and they followed the trail carefully until they found the slimy remains of a creature. Bones, fur and flesh were scattered in a puddle of vomit. Joshua pulled his scarf over his mouth to shield as best as possible from the smell.
The doctor took a stick from the ground and inspected the remains. "This must be the rest of the dog Dean tried to save. At least this confirms the toad must've been here."
A splash made both freeze to the spot for a split second. It seemed to come from near the boat. Joshua drew his gun from his holster and Mackland nodded at him to follow the sound back towards their landing place. All they saw was the rippled surface of the lake in an arrow shape.
Joshua hurried into the boat. "Hurry Mac, the others are at the fountain. The waves lead over there. They can't protect themselves!"
Mac jumped into the boat and they rowed with all their power following the ripples of the water. The first thing that became clear was the Angel of the Waters floating in the mist, watching over the lake below. Then a scream ripped the air apart. More shouts followed by at least two women. Joshua pulled harder to reach the shore. It wasn't possible to see what was going on over there.
Finally he was able to see the shore on the side of the terrace. They hurried to climb out of the boat and ran toward the noises coming from the fountain.
The huge toad had its tongue wound around Peter's leg and was about to drag him to the edge. The water trail made Joshua assume it had jumped out of the water and directly onto the terrace. Two of the girls had grabbed Peter's arms and were trying desperately to pull him away. Amber had the ritual knife in hand and was trying to find a way to either cut Peter loose or stab the toad.
Mac stopped and suddenly raised his hand and moved it down. Joshua had heard of the Scholar's ability of telekinesis but never had seen it with his own eyes. It was fascinating. The same movement happened to the toad which instantly let go of Peter. Joshua stared at Mac who was concentrating hard on trapping the toad.
"How long can you hold it?" Joshua shouted to him, drawing his long blade. From the corner of his eye he saw the girls dragging Peter away.
"A minute maybe," Mac pressed out, already sweating.
Joshua hurried over to the toad while shouting to Amber. "Grab my bag. There's a rope in it!" Joshua came to a sliding halt next to the toad and with a swift motion cut one of its toes off. The thing wriggled and made guttural noises in pain and fear.
Amber was back with Joshua's bag and they exchanged the bloody toe for the rope. Joshua hurried to tie the monster down so it couldn't move away. When he had attached the last knot Mac hit the ground exhausted and barely conscious. Worried, Joshua shot Amber a glance. "Go and reverse the spell. I know you can do it. Believe in yourself. I have to care for my friend."
He saw her hurrying back to the same spot where they had cast the last spell and had already prepared everything for the reversal spell. Amber didn't have much to do other than add the blood from the toe and recite the spell. He had to check on Mackland now. "Mac?" Joshua knelt down next to him, bringing his arms around the man to support him a little.
The psychic was breathing hard, sweat on his forehead and looked rather out of it. "I'll be alright, Joshua," he reassured him with a pat on his hands.
Then with a snap the wriggling toad was gone and between the loose rope a small toad jumped away from all this action, leaving a small streak of blood behind it.
Joshua and Mac let out a sigh in unison. "I think the girls did it."
"Yes, it seems so. Will the victims get their memories back now?"
"Not yet. We have to visit them all and give them a bit of the powder."
Mac looked at him still breathing hard. "You mean they have to swallow it?"
"Exactly. I always wanted Reaves to eat frog blood, you know. It's one of my secret wishes," Joshua stated.
Mac frowned. "You're joking, aren't you?"
Joshua rose and offered Mac a hand to pull him up. "Of course I'm joking. Why does no one understand my humor?!" he wondered and sighed.
They approached the girls. "Well done. It worked. The toad is the size it should be. Will you accompany us and help with the powder?"
Amber, Stacy and Molly all nodded. Stacy spoke up, "Of course. We are very sorry for what happened to them all. We didn't want to hurt anyone."
Mac wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief but otherwise seemed fine again. "Do you have an explanation why the toad attacked Peter?"
Molly stepped up. "He threw his snickers wrapper into the lake. I scolded him already but then the thing splashed out of the water. It was good that you came so quickly."
They collected the powder from the bowl and Joshua secured it into a zipper bag for later. "Let's go. For my part I've had enough action for one night and would prefer to sleep after we restore the memories of the victims."
Everyone agreed to this and they left the fountain in peace and quiet.
TBC