The Sixth Seal

Ana heard a voice, distant, hollow. It was as if she sat at the bottom of a well and someone called down to her from above. There was a sense of urgency in their tone, but she wouldn’t respond. There was something she needed to remember first, something just for her. What was it the book had said to her all of those years ago? It was her wasn’t it? Why couldn’t she recall her name? She could picture herself as the woman doubled over on the floor. She could feel what the woman felt and hear what the woman heard, what she was commanded to do by the book.

‘Take up arms against the seekers.’

But who were the seekers and how was she supposed to stop them?

“Ana? Can you hear me? I want you to come back to me.” There was that voice again.

She struggled to open her eyes, vaguely aware of the figure kneeling beside her. Her hand stirred against his warm palm. It was moist with sweat and their fingers interlocked.

“Ana, can you hear me? You’ve gone deeper than I intended.” Again the urgency. She turned her head. It took her a moment to focus on his face.

“Doc, is that you?” She watched the worry on his face begin to dissipate.

“Yes it’s me.” He dabbed at her forehead with a damp cloth, and for the first time she realized how hot she was.

“I’m a little warm.”

“I know.” He dabbed her forehead again with the cloth, squeezing the tiniest amount of water onto her skin. “You had me a little worried I’m afraid. I’ve never seen anyone go quite so deep before.”

“But I don’t remember the name. I don’t know the woman’s last name.”

The doctor narrowed his eyes and looked down at her. “But you told me her name already. You really don’t remember?”

“No. I remember the pain, the uncontrollable pain, and the book. I remember the book.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think you would go so far under on our first session.” The doctor stood and went to a sideboard against the wall and poured a glass of water. “Here, try to sit up and have a glass of water.”

She sat up; her body ached as though she had run a marathon. She was exhausted.

He handed her the glass and pulled up a chair next to her.

“Thanks. I think I’m starting to feel better now.”

“Just rest for a minute, and then I’ll call Joe and have him take you back to your room so you can get some sleep.”

Ana handed the glass to him and sat back in the inviting cushions of the couch. “I’ll be okay. What was the name anyway?”

He gave her a quizzical look. “Oh, the name, of course. Her name is Hannah Klein.”

An electric charge ran through her body, opening up a long dormant pathway. It was so obvious and familiar that she wondered why she hadn’t remembered it before. The name just sounded right, sounded real, sounded tangible.

“I knew it was a short last name.” She smiled. “So what do we do now, Doc?”

“We don’t do anything. You’ll get some rest, and I’ll see what I can dig up regarding the name.”

She leaned forward. “Did I happen to say where she was from?”

The doctor’s eyes darted to the side for a moment. “No. At least not specifically that I recall. However, you mentioned the Nazis, so I’ll see what I can pull up from around that time. It’s not much to go on, but it’s a start.” He returned the glass to the sideboard and sat behind his desk.

“Maybe we can do another session tomorrow--”

“Absolutely not, you’re exhausted.” She started to protest, but he held up a hand.

“Besides, I need to examine my notes and do some research. Think of it as a little break. I’ll even arrange for some time for you in the lounge. How does that sound?”

She hung her head. “I’d really rather try again, but I guess a day or so won’t hurt.”

“Precisely. Now I’ll just call Joe and you can go rest.” The doctor picked up the phone and dialed Joe’s extension.

She got up and started for the door. “Doc?”

He looked up at her. “Yes?”

“Did I mention the seekers?”

“No. Who are the seekers?”

She shrugged. “I was hoping you could tell me.”

He shook his head and returned to his call.

“Are you alright, Ana? You’re looking a little flushed.” Joe’s face was painted with concern.

Ana nodded. “Just an intense session.”

Hans held the door open this time. She passed through first with Joe close behind. She turned her head to say something more to Joe, but she stopped when she saw the confused look in his eyes. He looked right past her.

“Hey, Lee. What’s up?”

She turned quickly to see Lee standing only inches away from her. She took in a quick breath and laughed nervously.

“Hello,” was all she could manage.

“Do you remember that night on the Yangtze river?” His eyes were so dark, so familiar. “Do you remember when I pulled you from the water after you fled the Eastern Palace?”

“I don’t--” She stepped back.

Joe moved past her, pushing her behind him. “Lee, I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you need to step aside.”

Hans took up a position opposite Joe.

“You do remember me, don’t you, Ana?” He stood unmoving, unflinching. His mop was still in his hands. She could see the grip he had on the pole. She recognized it. She recognized his stance.

“How can it be--” Fleeting remnants of her dream flashed before her eyes.

“Lee, I’m going to tell you one more time. You need to step aside, or Hans and I will be forced to take you down.”

There was a nervous edge in Joe’s voice. Something about Lee exuded strength and confidence.

Hans put his big hand on Lee’s shoulder. Without looking away from her, Lee plunged the end of his mop into the big man’s ribs.

Hans doubled over and gasped for air.

Lee pushed the mop handle back in the opposite direction, bringing it up at an angle, catching Joe in the throat.

Joe grasped at his neck and fell to his knees.

Lee dropped the mop and drove a clenched fist into Hans’ throat.

She backed slowly, her mouth agape. In the span of a few moments Lee had managed to incapacitate both men.

“Who are you?” She looked down at the man as he rolled Hans over and took the badge off of his shirt.

“You know me.” He stood and grabbed her arm. “You just don’t remember yet.”

“Then why don’t you enlighten me?” She tried to pull away from him.

“No time. We need to move quickly.” He pushed back through the door Ana had just come through.

She stood firmly. “I can’t go with you.”

“You must. The seekers are gathering.” He held out a hand.

The doctor’s door opened. He stepped out into the hallway, looking at first bewildered then horrified.

“Ana, what have you done?”

Lee wasted no time. He pulled Ana with him toward the doctor and shoved him back into his office. As they passed, she saw him crash to the floor, pulling his phone down on top of himself. She locked eyes with him briefly. The same disappointment she had seen in Sam’s eyes that day of her first attempt at escape stared back at her.

There was nothing she could do about it now. She was hurtling down the hall with this strange man that was somehow not a stranger.

“Do you remember your training?” Lee kept pulling her forward.

“It seems to come to me when I need it.”

“Good enough. You may need it soon.”

Lee swiped the badge across the access panel to a stairwell. The light turned green and he pushed the door open. Bells echoed through the small space.

“The doctor has sounded the alarm.”

“What do we do?” She looked to Lee.

“We push forward until we can no longer push.” He pulled her toward the stairs and they jumped down them two at a time.

“You make it sound so easy.”

He didn’t respond, but offered her a half smile.

They stopped on the next landing. Lee tried a door marked ‘Garage.’ It didn’t budge.

She heard footfalls above them, and then she remembered the pen in her waistband. Why did I take it? Had Doctor Gabriel meant for me to?

“Can you hold them off?” She glanced back toward the stairs.

Lee nodded and stepped out of her way. He took up a position a few steps up the stairway. She turned her attention to the door. This one didn’t have a security access panel, but it was definitely locked. All of the outer doors must have secured automatically when the alarm was sounded.

She twisted the pen barrel until it came apart and revealed a thin metal ink cartridge. She threw the pieces of the barrel aside and wedged the cartridge into the lock, twisting, feeling the tumblers rising.

“Here we go, Ana. Hurry!”

A second later, Lee slammed the face of the first security guard into the wall beside her.

“How much longer?” Lee grunted and kicked a second guard in the head, sending him reeling down the steps.

“Almost there.” She could hear the tension in his voice. It wasn’t panicked or desperate, but it was there.

She felt the last of the tumblers give. She pushed down on the door handle and heard the click.

“I’ve got it.” She pushed the door open wide and held it for Lee. Without looking back, he shoved the nearest guard into the next man coming down the stairs. She saw the two men fall in a heap on the landing, but there were more descending. Lee rushed past her, pulling her out of the way and out into the cavernous parking garage. The door slammed shut behind them.

“Where to now?”

He pointed toward a row of vehicles just as the door burst open. Three security guards stumbled out into the space, approaching the two cautiously. Lee threw a set of keys to her and turned to face their pursuers.

“The white van in the second row. Start it up and bring it around.” He took up a defensive position, talking to her over his shoulder. The men inched closer toward him.

“I don’t know how to drive. I only had a few lessons before they sent me here.” She was beginning to panic. For a moment she thought that maybe she was actually crazy. Crazy for thinking this man she had just met could get her out of here, when she herself had failed after years of careful planning.

“It’ll come back to you.” Again she detected the tension in his voice. One of the guards pulled a can of pepper spray and aimed it at Lee. “Now, Ana.”

“Okay!” She ran to the van and jumped in the driver’s seat. She watched Lee as she fumbled with the keys. He had already knocked the man with the pepper spray down and the other two were charging at him with clubs. She screamed and turned her attention back to the ignition. After what seemed like an eternity, she managed to get the key in. She twisted it until the engine turned over, roaring to life.

Thank God it’s automatic.

She dropped it into drive and pressed the gas pedal. That much she remembered. The engine roared and the van shook, but it didn’t go anywhere. She let off the gas and slammed her hands on the steering wheel. Lee was dancing back and forth, jabbing and then dodging club blows. She screamed in frustration. Lee kicked one of the men in the chest sending him backward into a concrete pillar, and then he looked to Ana.

“Parking brake!”

The parking brake, of course. So stupid.

She scanned the floor for the brake, then pushed it in with her foot until it clicked and gave way. She gunned the engine again sending the van hurtling forward into the next row of cars. Alarms and horns blared. She put the van in reverse and gunned the engine again. Turning the wheel hard, she dropped it back into drive and pushed the pedal to the floor. The tires squealed and the back end of the van slid sideways into another car before righting itself.

She sped toward Lee. She watched him exchange a series of kicks and punches with one of the guards. Behind him, another guard had recovered from previous blows and stood up. She hit the brakes hard as she turned the wheel, sending the end of the van out in a wide arc. She heard the thump and saw the other guard hit the ground from the side mirror.

She held down the horn. Lee landed a blow to his opponent’s face. He bent the man’s arm down with his left hand before sending him to the ground with a right cross.

Lee jumped in the van just as two more guards erupted from the door behind them.

“Drive.” Lee pointed toward the ramp leading up to the next level. “We’re two levels below ground. Follow the arrows to the exit and don’t stop for anything.”

She stomped the accelerator down to the floor. Something about being behind the wheel excited her. For the first time in a long time she could taste freedom.

The van charged up the ramp, scraping the walls and sending sparks flying until it lurched out onto the next level. The passenger side mirror was decimated, but she didn’t let up. The engine growled and sent a cacophony of thunderous noise echoing through the garage. She clipped a shiny sedan as she rounded the next corner. Lee put on his seatbelt and braced himself against the dash. This time she negotiated the ramp without making contact with the wall.

As the van hurtled out onto ground level, she could see the security gate at the end of the row, a grid of crisscrossed metal. A security guard jumped in front of the gate and fumbled with a gun at his side. She let off the gas for a split second.

“Drive!” shouted Lee.

She obeyed his command. She didn’t know if it was the van bearing down on him, or the crazed look in her eyes, but the man leapt out of the way just before the van hit the gate. Pieces of metal exploded outward and showered down on the ground outside. The van shook and shimmied as it ran over the remains of the gate.

“Head down,” Lee ordered as the van’s back window shattered inward.

Ana screamed and turned the wheel reflexively, sending the van up and over a curb and onto the manicured grounds of the hospital.

“That bastard actually fired at us.” Lee seemed to be laughing. He waved his hand toward the road. “Take us out onto the highway.”

She guided the van across the lawn and out onto the circular drive in front of the hospital before driving straight through a chain link gate.

Lee flashed her a smile. “Not bad for someone who has never driven before...at least not in this lifetime.”