The Sentinel Zone

The Sentinel Zone 11/17

"You heard Doe this is my fault." Blair said, trying to stay calm.

"This is not your fault." Jim said, grabbing Blair's face. "None of it is your fault."

"How can you say that?" Blair said, looking at Jim with hurt in his eyes.

"Because I know you and love you." Jim said, giving Blair a kiss.

"But Jim if it wasn't for me people wouldn't have found out about your abilities." Blair said, with tears in his eyes.

"And if it wasn't for you I'd be crazy or dead." Jim said, with love in his eyes.

"If it wasn't for me, no one would have known about your abilities and none of this would be happening." Blair said, starting to cry.

"Honey, listen to me. I love you and it wasn't your fault that your mom gave your thesis to that scum." Jim said, in a soft voice.

"I know, but it's still my fault that those kids were taken." Answered Blair.

"No, it's not your fault. The man that took those kids did it because of his beliefs." John said, understanding in his voice.

"He also wants revenge." Blair said, with a sad look in his eyes.

"Then we'll have to find out who this person is." Said Simon.

"How are we going to do that?" Asked Blair, becoming very tired from all the information that had come out so far.

"Go visit Alex." Answered Jim.

"Jim, she's in a coma." Blair said, not really wanting to see Alex.

"I'll go with you." Said John.

"Why, what are you going to do?" Blair asked, not intending to sound mean.

"I can go into her coma and find out what she knows." John answered, not realizing that he was getting more that he bargained for.

"Are you sure you want do that John?" Bruce asked, seeing the shocked and scared look on Blair's face.

"If we want to know about this man, then I'll have to." John answered, wanting to reassure Blair.

"John you must know that Alex was mentally deranged." Blair warned.

"I'll be careful." John answered, with a smile.

"When do you want to go?" Asked Simon. //I thought we finally got passed Alex.// Simon thought to himself, as he remembered Blair's nightmares after being killed.

Location unknown
2:00 p.m.

In the meantime the stolen children were being prepared for the ritual to become one of Satan's worshippers, "What is going on here?" Asked the man in the red robe.

"We're getting them ready for the ritual, master." Answered the priests in silver.

"Didn't Peter tell you that we're holding it off?" The master asked, trying to hold his anger in.

"No, why are we holding it off?" Asked the priest in gold.

"The great one wants the Guardian, Companion, and Seer to fail before these children are brought into the fold." Answered the master.

"Do you think...." Before the priest in brown asked, a blast of dark red light hit him square in the chest.

"Does anyone else want to ask a question?" The master said.

"No master, we will wait." Said the priest in gold.

"Good, I'll be in my rooms." The master said, walking toward his office he thought about ways to teach his slaves the proper way to follow orders.

(//Don't hurt him, he's going to be part of all this. //) A voice said in his head.

"How and when master." Asked the man.

(//All in good time, but now you must stop them from going to see your Sentinel.//) Said the voice.

"What do you mean Master." Asked the man in the red robe. (//They're going to the institute, so Mr. Smith can go into your Sentinel's mind and find out about you.//) Said the voice.

"What do you want me to do to stop them master?" Asked the servant.

(//Give them a clue to keep them busy. //) Answered the voice.

"Yes, master right away." The red robed man said. (//Soon I'll have a Champion, Companion, and Seer to work my will in the mortal world. //) The voice said to itself as it watched the red robed man walk away.

Reaching his office the red robed man began to think how to get their minds off visiting Alex and back onto looking for the
children. As he walked into his office he met his standing slave ready for his punishment.

"Why didn't you tell the priests about not doing the ritual?" Asked the master.

"I tried master, but they didn't want to listen to me." Answered the slave, with his head bowed down.

"I will forgive you this time, but next time you will pay." Said the
master.

"I understand sir." The slave said softly, trying not to smile.

"What are we going to do now sir?"

"It's time for Mr. Smith and Detective Ellison to have another clue." Said the master.

"What kind of clue do you want them to get?" Inquired the slave.

"Something ease, but that won't give us away." Answered the master. //And while they're out looking for clues, I'll go and get my Sentinel out of the institute. //

(//Leave her there. Let Mr. Smith into her mind. //) The voice said in his head.

"But master that will tell them who we are." Said the red robed man

(//It will also make him more vulnerable to my will. //) Said the master.

"I understand master." Said the red robed man.

Cascade Museum
4:00 p.m.

Arriving at the Museum an hour later all four men walked in and were met by a guard who seemed to think they were up to something strange. "I'm sorry sirs, but we're closing shortly." Said the guard.

"We're looking for something officer." Jim said, taking out his badge and showing it to him.

"I'm sorry Detective go right ahead." The guard immediately let them pass.

Walking around they looked for anything out of place when John's cell phone went off, "Yes, Mr. Doe?" John said, answering his phone.

"You are good Mr. Smith. Now that you are at the Museum, go to where they hold the mummies and you'll find what you are looking for." Doe hung up.

"I guess we go to the Mummy section." Jim said, after hearing the conversation.

On the way, John brushed against another man. (Children were kneeling at an altar being forced to pray, and behind them was someone in a red robe also praying. The prayers were in a strange language that John couldn't understand, but the man did; [Our lord who rules the underworld please hear our prayers. Take these children as an offering to you and let them serve you as we serve you.] The prayer lasted for an hour and then the children were taken to the bathroom where they are washed in steaming hot water... //

The scene changed, and this time the man in the red robe was standing by an alter looking at a picture of a beautiful woman and crying, //Soon Alex, I'll have you back and have my revenge on the people who put you in that hospital. You should have come to me when you started having problems with you abilities. // The man said, with tears running down his eyes. //But we both know that you were and always will be a proud person, even if it means dying or going crazy. // )

"John you all right?" Bruce asked, when he saw that John wasn't moving.

"Where's the man that I bumped into?" John asked, looking around.

"What man?" Asked Blair, also looking around.

"The man I bumped into, he's one of the men who worships the devil." John answered, eyes searching.

"Is he part of all this?" Bruce asked, had his own head raised now.

"I'm sure he is." John answered, becoming worried. He then began to touch people he passed to see if he could find the man again. Every time he touched a person he would get a vision of them in either doing good, bad, or in-between.

Grabbing John's arm, "John stop, you'll wear yourself out." Bruce said, in a worried voice.

"Bruce I have to find him, he's our only chance at finding those children." John said, his voice becoming desperate.

"John calm down. What did he look like?" Bruce asked, not liking seeing John so disorientated.

"I never saw him, but he was always there with Doe. He's his servant." John explained, and then stopped looking when he realized the man or woman had already disappeared.

"I think we should go and see Alex." Blair said, but really hating the idea. (Why did I open my mouth?) He asked himself.

"Blair's right, maybe I could get something from her." John said, trying to get the image of those children out of his head.

"Let me call Simon and see if he got in touch with the institute." Jim said, taking out his cell phone.

"Banks." Simon answered.

"Simon it's me, did you get us permission to see Alex?" Asked Jim.

"Yes, they're expecting you." (I hope you don't regret see her again Jim.) Simon thought. "Simon we're going to be ok." Jim said, hearing Simon's trepidation.

"I know Jim, but I'm worried about Blair and what his reaction will be when he sees Alex again." Simon sounded worried.

"I know Simon, I'm worried about him too." Jim said, in a tired voice.

"But I also believe in him." "I believe in him too, but she really did a number on him." Simon offered.

"I know Simon, but he's a strong man and he will get through this." Jim sounded confident.

"I'll call you later."

"Ok, be careful and call me when you know anything." Simon said, before hanging up.

"I will Simon." Jim said, before he hung up as well.

"What did Simon say?" Blair asked, as he followed Jim out of the Museum.

"That they're waiting for us at the Institute." Jim answered, picking up on Blair's raising hopes. "Chief, calm down everything is going to be fine."

"I know but it's been almost five years since I've last seen her." Blair said, getting into the truck.

"Where was the last time you saw her?" Asked John, following Blair.

"In Peru." Blair answered, remembering how Jim almost died there. "That's where she lost her senses and went into her coma.

"What do you mean?" Bruce asked, in a confused voice.

Before Blair could say anything he got a flash of Incacha, [//He may not know as of yet young one. He is not ready. //] "I can't tell you as of yet." Blair said, after the vision.

"Why?" Asked John.

"You're not ready yet." Answered Blair.

The Sentinel Zone 12/17

Cascade PD
5:00 p.m.

After getting off the phone with Jim, Simon sat there and thought about all the things they'd been through together. He remembered Blair's first day and how he helped them with the Sun Rise Patriots. Simon tried not to think about the time Blair was kidnapped by Lash and almost killed. (He's been through so much,) he realized.

Cascade Institute for the Insane
6:00 p.m.

Before John could ask another question, Jim said, "We're here," and stopped the truck.

"Incacha told me it was too early." Blair said, as they walked toward the Hospital.

As they walked inside a nurse met them; "Can I help you gentlemen?" She asked.

"Yes, we have an appointment to see Alex Barnes." Answered Jim.

"You'll have to see Doctor Franklin first." The nurse said, trying not to show her disgust. (How can anyone want to see that creature was beyond her,) and the thought was clearly visible.

"Please follow me." The nurse said, and led them towards a man's voice.

"Come in." A voice said, after the nurse knocked.

Opening the door all four men walked in to see middle-aged man sitting behind his desk, "Welcome gentlemen, please sit down." Invited the doctor.

"Thank you sir." Blair said, as they all took a seat.

"Can you tell me why you're here to see Ms. Barnes?" Asked Doctor Franklin. "It's highly unusual since no one has been here since she was brought here." He knew he was lying. (There has only been one man to visit her, but he knew if he told he would die.) Thought the doctor.

"What about family?" Jim asked, picking up the doctors raising heartbeat.

"We don't know if Ms. Barnes has any family." Answered Doctor Franklin, trying not to show that he was nervous.

"Can we see her please?" Jim asked, smelling the fear coming off of the older man.

"Of course, please follow me." Franklin said, as he got up and walked toward the door.

A minute later they reached the room where Alex was being held, and that was when Jim began to feel that strange sensation he always felt when he came near Alex. That's when he saw the spotted Jaguar and a Hyena standing looking at him with what looked like hate in their eyes.

"Jim, you all right?" Blair asked, when Jim spotted walking.

"I'll tell you later." Jim said, as they began to walk again. After the doctor opened the door, let them in, and then left, Jim said, "I saw her spirit guide and that of her guide." Watching as they Hyena gave the Jaguar a kiss and then walked into the wall.

"Do you think he's here?" Asked John, also seeing the Hyena and Jaguar.

"No, but he was here not long ago." Answered Jim.

As they walked in they saw Alex in the far corner of the room rocking and humming to her self. When they started to walk toward her, Alex began to whimper but would stop when they stopped. "I think she senses Jim, which is confusing and scaring her." Said Blair.

"I'll go by myself." John said, walking towards Alex.

"John are you sure you're doing the right thing?" Asked Bruce.

"I have no other choice." John said, as he reached Alex. That was when he heard her whispering, "Please don't hurt me."

"I'm not going to hurt you Alex, I just need your help to find two young children." John whispered, in a soft calming voice.

Then without saying another word John slowly touched her head. (The first thin he saw was Alex standing by a bed looking down at a man with dark blond hair, she then turned toward John, [I loved him you know, but he only wanted one thing from me.] Alex turned back towards the bed, //Lee, I can't do this any more. // Alex said, trying to hold back her tears.

She turned back towards John, [I tried to love him, even when I found out he worked for the CIA, but then he began to worship the devil. When I tried to stop him I learned he'd always worshipped the devil.] Alex faced the bed again. //What do you mean you can't do this anymore? // Lee asked, in an angry voice.

//I can't pray to someone who kills children. // Alex answered, trying not to show her fear.

//Why not? He gave you the abilities to see, hear, and taste, touch, and smell better then anyone else. // Lee said, grabbing Alex by the hair.

//No, I got those abilities after spending time in solitary confinement. // Alex protested.

Without saying a word Lee slapped her across the face. //You will respect the Master or die. // Lee said angrily. //The master has a job for us. //

Alex finally turned back towards John, [I didn't have a choice, and it was either them or me.] Alex said, in a sad voice. She then turned back towards Lee, // what do I have to do? // Alex asked, in a scared voice.

//Go to Cascade and find out if the Sentinel there is a threat to the master and us. // Lee said, giving Alex a kiss.

//What is a Sentinel? // Alex asked, in a surprised voice. //What are you going to do? // Alex looked at John. [If I knew now what I should have known then, none of this would have happened.] Alex said, before turning back to Lee.

That was when John broke the contact with Alex, but before they could ask him any questions John put his hand back on Alex's head. //This time he saw a red brick house with people coming and going every hour, but for some reason he couldn't get the number to the house. John then felt a presence with him, turning around he saw that it was Alex.

//Hello Alex. // John said softly.

//Why are you here? // Alex asked, in a weary voice.

//I'm trying to find two children that your guide had taken.// John answered, with a reassuring smile.

//I don't have a guide; I never had a guide! // Alex yelled, she sounded agitated.

//What about Lee? // John asked, not realizing that an agitated Alex was a dangerous Alex.

Without any warning Alex attacked John, but before she could do any harm Incacha appeared in front of he. //You were doing so well child, but if you attack the Seer you will go back to the person you have been. // Incacha said, with a sad smile.

//I'm sorry Teacher, but he called Lee my guide. // Alex said, with her head bent in respect.

Incacha then turned toward John, //I know why you're here Seer, but she is not ready to come out of her trance. //

//What do you mean? // John asked, confused.

Sitting down on a fallen log, Incacha said //Join me seer and I will explain.// Sitting down next to Incacha, John waited for him to explain.

//Since she was a child Alex has had her senses but no one cared that she was suffering. So she grew up not knowing why she was different and being treated like something was wrong with her. Then when she was old enough she left home and got involved with people, who realized that she was different, so they decided to use her abilities. Over time she met Lee and her senses settled down, which she thought meant they were to be together. // Explained Incacha, while looking at Alex, with a sad smile.

//Then why did she try to kill Andarco? //Asked John.

//She didn't, that was her twin sister, who she meet in prison .// Answered Incacha.

//What about the time in Peru? // Asked John.

//That was Alex, after the evil one and her twin worked on her mind for a couple of days. // Incacha answered, looking at Alex, who was meditating.

//She hated what she did, but after everything that happened to her, she was very confused and very hurt. That is why she tried to end the world. // Incacha explained, giving John a sad smile.

//Can she help us find the children? // Asked John, looking up.

//They are at 666 Jordan Street. That is where he always takes the children.// Alex answered softly, before going back to meditating.

//Now that you know where the children are, you must prepare so you can stop them.// Said Incacha.

//What do you mean get ready?// John asked.

//The power you are going up against, wants you to fail, but something more powerful wants you to succeed, and the only way you will do that is if you believe in yourself and the people with you.// Incacha said, before he and Alex disappeared. //

Seeing John come out of his vision, Bruce walked up to him, "John, you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, I know where the children are." John said, looking at Alex with sympathy in his eyes.

"Can we leave now?" Blair asked, hating the feeling he was getting from Alex.

Turning toward Blair, "She wasn't the one who killed you." John said.

"What do you mean she wasn't the one who tried to kill me?" Blair asked, in a surprised voice.

"They had someone who looked like her, try to kill you." John answered, turning back towards Alex.

"And how do you know that?" Jim asked, also surprised.

"Incacha told me, while I was trying to get the information from Alex." John answered, with a tired voice.

"What about Peru?" Blair asked, not knowing what to believe.

"After everything that was done to her, she just wanted everything to end." Explained John.

"What should we do then?" Asked Jim, trying to understand what was going on.

"She's in the spirit world, learning to use her powers, and when she knows everything that she needs to know she will come back." Answered John.

"Would she be able to function without a guide when she comes out?" Blair asked, in scared voice. He didn't know if he could handle Alex coming back, not after she tried to kill him. Even though John said, it wasn't her but someone who looked like her, he wasn't sure what to believe. He watched the figure on the bed.

That was when Alex raised her head looked Blair straight in the eyes, "I'm sorry Blair."

As soon as Alex said those two little words, Blair began to back away towards the door but before he could run away he felt a hand around his shoulders. Looking up he saw that it was Jim with a look that Blair wished wasn't there.

"Baby, listen to me she can longer hurt you." Jim said in a sympathetic voice.

"I'm not scared she's going to hurt me, what I'm scared is that I won't be able to forgive her for what she did." Blair answered, equally sadly.

"No one said you have to forgive her." Jim said, trying to reassure him.

"Jim you heard John, it was someone else who killed me."

"Blair, John has some special abilities, but all that nonsense about the devil being able to change someone's identity is a little too much." Said Jim.

"Haven't you ever heard of twins?" Blair said, in an angry voice.

"So her twin is also a Sentinel?" Jim asked, trying to control his temper.

"No, she just screwed her over." Blair said sarcastically.

Before Jim could say anything that would hurt Blair's feeling, Bruce spoke up. "Guys, I think you've all been screwed over."

"What do you mean by that?" Asked Blair.

"She might not have killed you, but she did try to release a deadly nerve gas. No matter how she was treated over the years trying to kill other people is considered being crazy." Explained Bruce.

"Bruce, I never said she wasn't. What I was told was she was working on her problems, and as soon as she works out her problems she will be able to face the world again." John explained, wishing that he could help Jim and Blair over their hatred of Alex.