Dawn of the Knight Read online

  "Finish your what?"

  "My homeschooling. Mom, he's… a control freak.

  "What? Why are you talking about him like that?"

  "He doesn't want me to go and I don't want him to know anything about me leaving. He's not really my legitimate father anyway. I just want you to fill out the forms and keep this between us."

  "I want to know what's going on between you and Scott. Why are you acting this way toward him and talking about him like that? He's never done anything bad to you, has he?” she asked with a sudden concern in her voice. “Hasn't he treated you like you were his own son over the years? He just bought you a Jeep for your birthday. What is going on here? You're starting to worry me and I want to know."

  "I really don't feel like discussing this with you right now. Could you please just trust me and sign the forms?"

  "Alright, I'll do as you ask. But I'm not at all comfortable with this."

  "And promise you won't say anything to Scott, okay?"

  She nodded her head in acknowledgement.

  "Give me your word, mom."

  "Lance?"

  "Please?"

  "Fine, I promise."

  "Thanks. I owe you big time!"

  After my having aced an aptitude test that was a prerequisite of the school that I'd be enrolled in, Peter's school gave me the green light to go. One of the guidance counselors had directed me to Santa Barbara Area Senior High School. I would be staying with an older host couple, Mike and Charlene Colson. Their children were grown and no longer living at home. It suited me perfectly. I would be able to slowly acclimate myself to a completely different living and educational environment with no peer pressure from kids my own age. And in particular; girls—since their behavior and mannerisms were for the most part, foreign to me.

  Everything was on track until the day, a few weeks later, when Scott asked, "Why do you feel the need to go to Santa Barbara Area Senior High School?"

  I shook my head. "Let me guess—my mother told you."

  "Your mother hasn't spoken a word to me about it. Do you really think she needed to?"

  "No. I guess not. I should have known I would never be able to keep any secret from the agency's top operative—whatever agency you used to work for."

  "I'm sorry you feel that way."

  "You don't feel sorry," I curtly replied. "You just don't understand. I need my space. I'm tired of the life I've lived up to now and I need a break from it. I want to start living normally and go to school with kids my own age. You said it yourself, never become an operative. Yet all these years you've treated me like I'm in some kind of secret operative boot camp. Peter has often questioned what kind of childhood I've had. I'm now finally realizing that I've never had a normal one—thanks to you."

  A hurt expression came over his face and I instantly felt ashamed for having said that.

  "Okay," he replied calmly. "I'll stay away. I'll give you your space. Just don't forget to say goodbye before you leave."

  We got in his car and drove back to my mother's house in silence. I felt guilty for having talked to him in such a disrespectful manner. No matter how much I tried to rationalize that this man was never really my legitimate father and that I knew what was best for my life, my conscience bothered me for the way I had just treated him.

  ***

  The day of my departure soon arrived. I would be leaving tomorrow. I had spent the entire summer living with my mother while life-guarding at a local pool; and with only the occasional visit from Scott. He had kept his word. He had given me my space. As I thought of leaving, my mind was suddenly inundated by memories of all the good times we had together through the years. My mother was right. This man had been as close to me as any real father. Now we would be away from each other for the longest period of time ever. I drove to his country house in North Bay feeling remorseful that I was only coming up just to say goodbye. As I neared the property, I sensed that something was wrong. There were vehicles everywhere. I parked my car some distance away and hurried up to the house. There were RCMP, military, and National Security Agency agents swarming over his property like ants in a sugar bowl. As I tried to approach the house, I was confronted by a local constable.

  "I'm sorry, but you're not allowed here,” he sternly warned. “This is private property."

  "What's going on?" I nervously asked.

  "This entire area is now under the jurisdiction of the RCMP. That's all I can say."

  "But I need to go up there. I need to talk to the owner of the house."

  "There's an investigation in progress. I'm going to ask you to leave."

  "But, he's… a close friend. I was hoping to see him. I need to talk to him"

  "I'm sorry. This is now a restricted area. Again, I'm going to have to ask you to turn around and leave. If you don't, I will arrest you for trespassing."

  I walked back to my car while calling Scott’s smartphone number but it immediately went to voice mail. His city house in Willowdale, I thought. I'll try there. I drove back to Toronto but there was a growing apprehension in my mind that he would not be there either. This proved true when I pulled up to the house and it was cordoned off by yellow police tape. There were government agents moving in and around it too—but no military personnel. I called his house number but no one answered. Now bewildered, I drove back to my mother's house while trying to maintain control of my emotions. I walked through the door and my mother could immediately see something was wrong.

  "What's the matter, honey?"

  I broke down crying. "Scott's… gone."

  "What do you mean gone?" she asked while coming over and putting an arm around me in a comforting embrace.

  "I… don't… know," I replied in between sobs. "He… wasn't at either of his houses and… there were… police and government officials… everywhere. They wouldn't let me through… to see him. Something… happened to him, but I don't know what. I'm… leaving tomorrow and… and I didn't even get… to say goodbye to him."

  She rushed over to the telephone and started making calls.

  "Please… call the Lu Tang academy."

  She did, but there was no answer there either. My mother didn't know what else to say or do. She was as distraught as I was. I sat in the living room for a long time while blaming myself for the way I had treated him. At supper, I had no appetite. That night, sleep evaded me as well. The next day I made my final preparations to depart. I thought about staying home, but I had my heart set on going to Santa Barbara. It was a tough, bittersweet decision. Then my mother shocked me.

  "I have something for you. I'm not even sure what brought it into my mind," she remarked while handing me a small package. "This is from Scott. He gave it to me a short while ago. He said that if anything ever happened to him, I should make sure you get it."

  I took it from her and opened it. Inside there was a strange looking key and a note. The note said: If you are reading this Lance, it is because something has happened to me and I'm no longer able to be with you. I want you to know that I've thoroughly enjoyed the time that I've been able to spend with you through the years. You are a great kid—special and unique. A boy who can do anything he sets his mind to. You remind me so much of myself. I've tried my best to make up for the father you never had. I know there were times I failed; many times. Hopefully, you'll only remember the good times we had together. If I had a son of my own, everything that I could possibly leave him can be found in what this key unlocks. Use it wisely. I know you will. This is a tough world to live in. You've heard me say that to you over and over through the years. But it's true, as you'll find out soon enough. Use the training and skills I taught you to do some good with your life and make a difference in your world. I love you Lance, as much as the son I wish I could have had. He had signed it and underneath his name were longitude and latitude coordinates. I sat there staring at the note while holding the key, and I wept a long time. The next day I asked my mother to leave a little earlier for the airport.

  "I
need to stop at a store before we go to the airport," I said. We went to the mall and I bought the best chain that I could find that would fit through the key's eye. At the airport I said goodbye to her. I asked her to call me right away if and when she found out what happened to Scott. She hugged and kissed me goodbye while telling me to stay in touch. Then she handed me the package containing the scrapbook and I told her I would call her when I arrived at the Colson's house.

  Chapter 5

  I was so absorbed in this last thought that I was completely oblivious to the sound of approaching footsteps. A woman's voice asked, "Excuse me young man. Are you Lance Rock?"

  I raised my head expecting to see Mrs. Charlene Colson. But instead, standing there before me was a curvaceous, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, middle-aged woman—one of the most beautiful I had ever seen! She was accompanied by a girl with sandy-blonde hair and brown eyes who I guessed to be close to my age, but somewhat younger. She too, was also pretty. The woman was holding a photograph in her left hand. She was glancing back and forth between it and me. She was well-dressed—wearing a blouse and tight nylon skirt with matching stilettos. The girl was wearing a pink tube top and tight, faded blue jean shorts. She also wore flip-flops and the supple form of her body displayed the physique of an athlete. Both of them had been tanned golden brown by the California sun. As I hadn't answered her question, the woman asked it again.

  "Excuse me. Are you Lance Rock?"

  "Yes, ma'am," I replied while putting the scrapbook back in my tote and then standing up to face them.

  "My name is Stacy Muller. This is my daughter Amber-Joy."

  The girl raised her hand, smiled, and said, "Hi."

  Stacy continued, "I've come here on behalf of the Colsons. There's been a medical emergency and they asked me if I could help." As she said this, an expression of sorrow came over her face while a feeling of disquiet began to form in my stomach.

  "Maybe you'd better sit down," Stacy suggested.

  I complied.

  "About an hour and a half ago Mike Colson suffered a massive stroke. Right now, he's in critical condition in our local hospital. Charlene Colson telephoned me. She's… a good friend. She asked me if I could do her a favor by coming here and taking you to my house for the night. Given the nature of the circumstances, I agreed. I'm sure it will be only temporary until Mike gets back on his feet or until another permanent arrangement can be made. Would you feel comfortable in coming home with us?"

  My first thought was, No, I would not feel comfortable. This turn of events had caught me completely by surprise and I wasn't mentally prepared to deal with having to stay in a strange woman's house. I was now starting to feel extremely nervous and I tried to get these feelings of anxiety under control.

  "I… I… maybe I'd better take the next flight back to Toronto," I stammered.

  A look of disappointment came over Amber-Joy's face.

  "That's up to you," replied Stacy. "But I'm sure there won't be any flights back to Toronto tonight and you are going to need a place to sleep until then."

  "Yes, you're right," I reluctantly conceded. I realized that this situation didn't allow for many options. The only other choice would be staying in a hotel. "Okay, I'll come with you. Thank you for your offer."

  "Don't mention it," she replied as Amber-Joy smiled broadly while mouthing yes and giving a little pump of her fist.

  "Are these all your things?" Stacy asked while scanning my luggage on the floor.

  "Yes," I replied while nodding my head. "It's all here except for one piece which seems to have gotten lost. The airport claims department is supposed to call me when they locate it."

  "AJ and I will help you carry these out to our car."

  "Thank you."

  I followed Stacy and Amber-Joy, (who went by the nickname AJ), out of the terminal and over to the parking lot. Breathing control and relaxation techniques were one of the benefits of my martial arts training and I was now putting them to good use.

  Stacy drove us to her house in a late model four-door sedan. She and AJ sat up front allowing me to have the whole back seat to myself. For the most part it was a quiet and uneventful trip. A couple of times AJ turned around and flashed me a big grin. She had perfect white teeth and pretty brown eyes.

  "How old are you, AJ?" I asked while trying to alleviate my nervousness through conversation.

  "I'm 16 and I'll be getting my driver's license soon."

  "She just turned 16 and she'll be getting her learners permit soon," interjected her mother. I looked over at Stacy. She was a gorgeous woman; having shoulder length, golden blonde hair, lovely blue eyes, high cheek bones, and both perfect nose and mouth. She looked like she could be a model. As I looked at her, I suddenly noticed her staring back at me in the rear-view mirror! I felt my face turning red and so I quickly averted my gaze.

  Before long, we arrived at the driveway of a two-story house that had a three-car garage. As soon as we pulled up to the door of the first bay, AJ bolted out of the car exclaiming, "Come on, I'll show you our house. We have a pool if you want to swim."

  "You can stay in Shannon's room for now," said Stacy. "She's AJ's older sister and she's away at a sleepover with some friends. She won't be back until supper time tomorrow. AJ, help us unload the car and help carry his things up to your sister's room."

  After hauling in my luggage, AJ gave me a tour of the house. The bottom floor consisted of the three bay garage, den, living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, and bathroom. The kitchen had patio doors which opened to a deck that overlooked a rectangular-shaped swimming pool. Walking upstairs to the second floor revealed a large master bedroom with its own master bathroom. There was also Shannon's bedroom, AJ's room, and a fourth bedroom which was not being used. A second bathroom separated this room from AJ's.

  Stacy prepared supper and we sat down to eat. During the meal she asked me general questions about Canada and about my family. I was having a hard time paying attention to her because AJ, who was sitting directly across from me, kept trying to play footsie with me the whole time her mother was talking. I found this distraction to be both amusing and at the same time, slightly unnerving.

  When we had finished eating AJ asked, "How would you like to go for a swim in the pool? You know how to swim, don't you?"

  "Sure. I'm a lifeguard."

  "Wow, that's cool. I'm a gymnast." She got up and did a perfect cartwheel on the kitchen floor to prove it.

  "I know, I could tell," I said.

  "How?" asked Stacy with a quizzical expression.

  "Simple. By a careful observation of her body," I replied matter of factually.

  Mrs. Muller's left eyebrow raised and she gave me a solemn stare.

  "I… ah… mean by her physique," I stammered. "She has the… a… physique of an athlete," I nervously continued. "I'd better go and change into my swimsuit."

  I turned, quickly made my way out of the kitchen, and then went upstairs to Shannon's bedroom. As I left, I could hear AJ remarking to Stacy, "Oh, mom, he's an absolute dream machine! He is so cute. Can he stay here with us? Please? Please?"

  "He can stay for the night, honey, but I don't think it will be any longer than that."

  Shannon's room was immaculate with a plush carpet and a queen-sized bed. There were pictures and mementos placed here and there as well as posters on the wall. I walked over to inspect some. There was an eight by ten portrait of Shannon on her dresser and when I picked it up to examine it, I gasped. "Wow!" I exclaimed aloud. "I think I just found the girl of my dreams."

  I couldn't put the photo down and I simply kept staring at it. Shannon, like her mom, was absolutely gorgeous. Her perfect features were highlighted by light-blonde, collar-length hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. I've heard about love at first sight and I don't completely know what that means, but this girl's face immediately gave me butterflies in my stomach. A warm, intense, pleasurable feeling of infatuation slowly filled me from head to toes. I was so
captivated by the photo that I didn't realize AJ was standing behind me until she remarked, "That's my sister Shannon. She's 17, but she'll be 18 in two months."

  I shook my head in wonder and remarked, "She's absolutely… incredible."

  AJ laughed and asked, "Do you think she's hot?"

  "Supernova hot."

  "Every guy in the school thinks that too."

  "Her eyes are so beautiful. Does she ah… have a boyfriend?"

  "Not a steady one. My mom is really strict when it comes to guys and who we're allowed to date. Right now, Shannon and Mitty have been seeing each other."

  "Mitty?"

  "Keith Mitterhauser. He's a senior and the quarterback for the football team. He's really cute."

  Oh, that's just wonderful, I glumly thought while slowly shaking my head.

  "I'll meet you downstairs," said AJ, and off she went while closing the door behind her. I retrieved my swimming trunks, laid them on the bed, and then walked over to the dresser and took off my shirt. To the left of the dresser was the door to a closet that had a poster from the movie "Gladiator" on it. Superimposed over a picture of General Maximus Decimus Meridius was a quote from the movie; ‘What we do in life, echoes in eternity.’ One of my favorite movies and heroes, I thought.

  I glanced at myself in the dresser's mirror. Eleven years of intense, muscle building exercise had defined my physique. I was six feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes. I weighed one hundred and eighty-two pounds with a seven percent body-fat ratio. Lifeguarding outside all summer had tanned me to a golden bronze. As I gazed at my muscular, chiseled torso, all the hours spent body building came flooding back into my mind—instantly making me feel tired.

  I looked down on the dresser and picked up a bottle of perfume. I sprayed a little on the back of my hand and smelled it. What a great scent, I thought. All of a sudden, the bedroom door flew open and into the room came Stacy carrying some pillows! We were both startled. She looked at me in surprise and I saw her eyes quickly scan my chest.

  "I'm terribly sorry," she remarked apologetically. "I'm so used to only the girls being here, I didn't even think to knock. I brought you some pillows. Shannon took hers for the sleepover. Are you a football player, because we have exercise equipment in the den if you're interested in using it? It used to belong to Teri."