Paul Kohler - The Borrowed Souls, A Novel

My head began to spin as comprehension set in. I tried not to think about the ramifications of the plan until we were away from the Sentinel, but I failed miserably. Having the chance to right the wrongs that I’d done to myself was more than I could ever ask for. I was beyond excited to get started immediately.

“Mr. Duffy,” Earhart said, “do keep in mind that this is only a luring tactic. If you and Mr. Hauser are successful, Miss Rose’s soul will still be collected, as originally foretold. You have to think that saving her soul is the ultimate goal, in the off chance that Enoch is invading your thoughts. But do realize that in the end her collection shall be made.”

“I understand,” I said, forcing a mental block on my thoughts.

“One more thing, Mr. Duffy. It is blaringly clear that you have absolutely no control of your inner thoughts. It is imperative that you not think about the plan without some self-control. Enoch seems to have mastered the technique, and a great deal of practice on your part is in order if we want this plan to succeed.”

“Yes, ma’am. I will do my best,” I said, embarrassed.

“Well then, if you two would like to stop by Mr. Whitman’s lab before picking up your new soul box, I pronounce this gathering concluded.”

I released the coin and was brought back to Wilson in the park.

“Tell me, Wilson. What’s going to happen to me after I complete this ruse?”

“I don’t know, Jack. Up until the point that you left the council chamber, I was aware of your entire past. From that point forward, I’m in the dark just as much as you are.”

“Haven’t you been able to use the rosary and see ahead?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, no. You have my rosary in your possession. I’ve had no need for it. And until just recently, the Sentinel has had no idea if the plan has been proceeding accordingly. Besides, not all devices work on both the living and those in the afterlife. Using the coin was a calculated attempt, and I’m thankful that it has played out for us. I have severe doubts that the rosary would work in the same fashion.”

I pulled the rosary from my pocket and handed it to Wilson. “Well, care to give it a try?” I asked.

Wilson slipped the rosary around his neck and held the crucifix between his fingers. He closed his eyes and placed his free hand on my arm. Having not experienced this from this side of the rosary, I was unsure if Wilson ventured ahead in my future or if he was simply concentrating silently. After several moments, Wilson let go and withdrew the rosary before handing it back to me.

“Just as I expected. The rosary would not take me forward. Nice thought though, Jack.”

I slipped the rosary back into my pocket and looked back at Wilson. “So we’re back at square one.”

“More importantly, Jack, neither of us knows what happened to you from the moment you left the Sentinel until now. I think that is more important to discover. And until you flip the coin over again, neither of us will know what to do next. I suggest that you turn the coin and proceed.”

I nodded in agreement and twisted the coin between my fingers.

After many hours of tedious mental training to help me control my thoughts, we were finally able to leave the Sentinel. With my new soul box in pocket, we stepped back into the thin air of the streets of Denver.

“Well, Jack, do you feel any different?” Hauser asked.

I breathed in deeply and exhaled a moment later. I looked around at the various pedestrians on the sidewalk. Nobody paid me any attention. It was as if I was invisible.

“No, not really. Should I?”

“Don’t know. I’ve never been given the opportunity that you have,” Hauser said.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Hauser was envious by the tone he used in his question. He looked at me sideways, waiting for my response. Maybe I was reading too much into his actions.

“Well, unless you want to have people stare at you for talking to yourself in the middle of the street, I suggest we go someplace a little more private to prepare our plan,” Hauser said.

“Lead the way,” I said. “Just tell me where we’re going and I’ll meet you there.”

“Actually, I have something else in mind. If you don’t mind, how about you let me drive once more. It’ll be a new location for you,” Hauser said, holding his arm out to my side.

I placed my hand on his arm and a moment later we vanished.

As my vision cleared, I felt much better than the last time I’d let Hauser transport us without my control. Despite the faint dizziness, I began to walk around our destination. We were in a large, cavernous room, approximately the size of two basketball courts side by side. The floor was distressed concrete, and the four outside walls were made of glass, albeit covered with grime. The ceiling, which rose up nearly twenty feet, had been painted white at one time, but was now water stained from years of neglect. At the center of the large room was a freestanding wood structure, no more than eight or nine feet tall and quite ominous. Hauser was already walking toward the single door on the structure.

“This way, champ. Welcome to my humble abode,” Hauser said as he walked through the door.

I caught up and entered behind him, unsure of what to expect. Once inside, the interior of the space more resembled a studio apartment than an abandoned warehouse.

“You live here?” I asked.

“Yep. We’re in the outskirts of Detroit, and as most of the town’s been abandoned, nobody even knows I’m here.”

“The fact that nobody can see you probably helps a little bit too,” I said sarcastically.

“True, they can’t see me, but they certainly could see any of my possessions that I’ve collected over the years. Hence, the apartment built inside an open warehouse.”

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” I asked, seizing the opportunity to razz my mentor. “What’s this about possessions? Didn’t you tell me all those months ago that I had to, how did you put it, forget about everything I’d ever owned?”

Hauser winced, then turned his frown into a smile. “Come now, Jack. You do realize that you were in training, right? There are certain things that you needed to learn so you wouldn’t continue to dwell upon your past. I had to get you and your mind away from Cyndi. Look around. None of these possessions were from my previous life. They’re all things that I’ve collected through the years, and they’re not even mementos or keepsakes whatsoever. They’re just… things that spoke to me. They called out to me. Does that make sense?”

I shook my head. “Not in the slightest,” I said as I moved around Hauser’s hideout.

The space was fairly modern in its decor, and included a kitchen and bath, along with a sleeping area as part of the living room. Besides the bath and a wardrobe closet, everything was in a large room. There were no windows, but there were pieces of art hung around the perimeter.

“Why did we come here and not Penelope’s apartment?” I asked.

“Considering your new ability, we couldn’t very well just pop into her apartment, now could we? She would be able to see you instantly, regardless of her impending death. Seeing as she is still in flux,” Hauser said, patting his pocket watch, “I felt it best that we go someplace more private to work out the details of the plan. And besides, I’ve got a head start on all things Enoch.” Hauser nodded his head in the direction of the dining area.

I walked up to the large wall behind the dining table, which was plastered with news clippings and photographs.

“I’ve been tracking Enoch Gant for years now,” Hauser explained. “Everything you see on the wall is mysterious reports that I’ve linked to Enoch himself.”