Michael Devaney - The Elisha Pool

“According to The Powers Group’s database, the Elisha Pool is the most prominent supernatural possibility for that region of the world, making it the most probable explanation for Stephenson’s abrupt interest and visit there.” Andrew pointed at the computer screen, then continued. “It says here that “Elisha Pools” are universal anomalies named for the biblical prophet, Elisha, whose bones demonstrated resurrecting properties as described in 2 Kings 13:21 of the Holy Bible . These pools are believed to be naturally occurring regenerative waters capable of renewing health, slowing the aging process and, in rare instances, restoring life. They normally converge at significant intersecting Ley Lines all over the world where strong magnetic force from inside the earth joins together to create a power source large enough to energize a specific mixture of elements into a mystical reviving fluid which then bubble from within the earth’s core to form these pools.”

Andrew stopped reading. He turned and eyeballed Finn first, then Andria to make sure they were still with him. Both were fully engaged.

Andrew leaned forward, cleared his throat and folded his hands. “Although still considered legend to many, because no pool has ever been discovered, there are a handful of speculated places around the world where perfect conditions for Elisha Pools are believed to exist — the Himalayas, the Sahara Desert, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, the Yucatán, the Grand Canyon, the Skellig Islands in Ireland and the Jungles of the Amazon River. Of course, there could also be others. With all the hot springs around Yellowstone National Park, for example, I’d peg it for a dead ringer location.”

Andrew’s words hung in the air like a slow falling balloon while Finn and Andria tried to process the fairytale idea.

Slowly, as the information sank in, Finn began to understand Andrew’s logic. “And you think this Stephenson fellow somehow knows about the Elisha Pool that’s speculated to be around the Amazon.”

“That’s right,” Andrew agreed. “Why else would someone who had just received unlimited wishing power be interested in booking an immediate trip to the jungle?”

“I’d have to concur,” Finn said.

“But wait. Why not just wish for eternal life and be done with it?” Andria asked. “I mean, doesn’t that seem the easiest, and most logical?”

Andrew smiled at Andria. “People are not always driven by logic Agent Walker,” he said. “If they were, the world would be a much different place.”

“What then, pray tell, are they driven by?” she asked.

“Greed,” Andrew said. “Instead of wishing for just one eternal life why not have access to as many as you’d like?”

“Wow,” she whispered. A smorgasbord of emotions played with the expressions on her face. “But how would he know an Elisha Pool even existed?” she asked.

“That’s a very good question,” Andrew said, “and one I’d sincerely like to know the answer to myself.”

There was another long pause while the loose ends of their questions percolated.

“There’s something else too,” Andrew interjected. “Down through history using anything supernatural almost always comes with a price, and it’s usually one most people aren’t prepared to pay.”

“Which is?” Finn asked.

“In this case, where we’re talking about possibly changing the body’s chemistry to renew cells, the least of them would probably be some kind of unnatural mutation or mental instability. Although sometimes temporary, there could be occasions where the mutation or insanity was permanent after tampering with things that ought not to be tampered with.”

“Just for the fun of playing the devil’s advocate, you could be wrong about Mr. Stephenson’s intentions,” Andria said. “Maybe he’s headed to the Amazon for some other reason.”

Andrew tilted his head and gave her a condescending smile. “Yes, ma’am. It’s entirely possible that you’re right, but again, if you had three wishes and had knowledge of a regeneration pool filled with healing waters, wouldn’t it be the first thing on your to-do list?”

“Yes, I suppose it would be,” Andria said. “What a year I’m having. First, it was a Death Mask, next a Monkey’s Paw and now an Elisha Pool. What’s next, Tolkien’s One Ring?

“Don’t even joke about that,” Andrew said, pointing his finger.

“Why can’t anyone ever just wish for one of the virtues like charity, patience or temperance and be on their merry way?” Andria asked.

“What would be the fun in that?” Finn asked, rhetorically.

Later that night, Mr. Stephenson, along with his grandson, Owen, boarded an American Airlines flight on the red-eye to Manaus, Brazil. They were comfortably dressed and intentionally packed to travel light.

Owen, a good looking, moderately rebellious young man, had brown, shoulder length hair and a frustratingly untapped intellect wasting away behind an innate lazy nature. He was clad in typical college student attire: faded blue jeans and a tee shirt. The tee shirt had Def Leppard printed across the front in the band’s famous triangular, red and yellow font. The old man was dressed in a short-sleeved golf shirt with a thin button up sweater and khaki pants. Aside from one checked bag and a pair of small carry-on sling bags, their only other important possession was Mr. Stephenson’s prized possession “Monkey’s Paw.” He had it attached to a key ring like a lucky rabbit’s foot and tucked safely away inside his front pants pocket for safe keeping. Whatever else they needed could be bought along the way.

“This way Mr. Stephenson,” the airline stewardess said, before leading them down the aisle to their seats in first-class.

“Thank you,” Stephenson said, shuffling his ninety years old feet slowly behind.

Owen patiently brought up the rear.

When they reached their assigned row, Owen took the window seat affording his grandpa the aisle seat for more comfort.

Once they were situated the stewardess returned with a smile. “Anything to drink while we wait for the other passengers to board?” she asked.

“Coffee would be great,” the old man said.

“Decaf?” she asked.

“No. I’ll take it leaded,” Stephenson said, grinning.

“A bottle of water for me,” Owen added.

“Coming right up.”

Owen had missed his grandpa more than he’d thought. When the stewardess was out of earshot, he leaned back in his seat, then turned to the man who had played an important part in his life. “So glad I was out for summer break from college, Grandpa. It’s been awhile since we’ve gotten to go on one of our famous adventures.”

“I’m glad too,” Stephenson said. “This should prove to be quite different than anything else we’ve ever done together.”

“Really? Why is that?”

“Because where we’re going is probably one of the most secretive places on earth.”

His grandpa was famous for kidding him, and he assumed this was another one of those times. “That’s a bit dramatic don’t you think?” Owen said, half joking.

“No. Actually it’s not,” Stephenson said. “And neither will you when you’ve heard what I have to say.”

The two momentarily locked eyes. When Owen saw no sign of humor in the old man’s eyes he furrowed his brow. “What on earth are you talking about?” he asked.

“Many years ago, I, accompanied by my friend, Colonel Brewer, visited this same place where we’re headed on a thrill-seeking mission of the rarest kind — to see a mystical pool of healing water believed to only exist in legend.”

“Healing water.” Owen said. “Like Ponce de Leòn’s Fountain of Youth?”