C h a p t e r I V

R o a m i n g C h a r g e s

Emptiness and quiet.

Darkness filled the space, but there was a thin layer of light that shined in through the small slit underneath the door. A wisp of dust curved and curled through the air. Jon stirred to life, and rubbed a sore spot on the back of his head. He felt around, and realized that he was in some type of broom closet.

He had a massive headache, and suddenly felt a burst of extreme hunger and thirst. He pushed himself up and tried to recall the events that had taken place.

They had been running back through the city, trying to get to the Ninjas…the Ninjas? What the heck were they doing with Ninjas…? And why had they been running?

He rubbed his head again, and then the painful memories came back. They had been sucked back into Book of Mormon times. Brian was dead…wait, but he remembered him…that’s right, he was a ghost now…weird…but how did he get in here…? Then he remembered.

While running through the city, they passed through a tight alley. Jon was in the rear, and had slipped while taking the corner too sharp. As he slipped, he’d grabbed onto the handle of a door, and fell inside a closet-like room. The handle he had grabbed on pulled the door shut. When the door slammed shut, a wooden plank on the outside fell, and locked him inside. Jon hit his head on the opposite wall, and everything went black.

He looked down where the light was coming through, and reached out. He felt the warm surface of the wooden door. The sun was still shining outside. He tried pushing it forward, but it wouldn’t move.

“Hey…! HEY! Anybody out there?!” He yelled, and then listened.

Everything was deadly silent. It was like the entire city had been abandoned. There was absolutely no sound; not even background ambience.

Jon leaned against the back of the closet, and looked down at the narrow slit of light again. As he sat back, several shadows came by and stopped in front of the it. Jon froze, and looked down through the crack.

He heard the sound of the plank being lifted, and the door was suddenly pulled open. At first he was blinded, but his eyes began to adjust. Jon could make out three or four figures standing in the doorway. They had much darker skin than the people he had previously seen in the city, and something didn’t seem right about them.

It was then that Jon noticed there were large plumes of smoke rising in the background over the city skyline. Also, these figures weren’t actually fully clothed. They had a loincloth clad about their waist, but their chests were completely exposed.

“Is he a Nephite?” Asked one of the figures in the back.

“I do not think so…his skin is too dark.” Said one, closer to Jon.

“His clothes are strange. None mine eyes have ever set upon…” The one on the left seemed to be looking longingly at Jon’s jeans.

“We will take him anyway, he looks strong, if a little bit thick.” Said the one in front.

They all grabbed him roughly, and drug him out into the alley. There was a cart sitting nearby in the street, already filled with several other young dark skinned youth.

“Hey! What the fudge are you doing?!”

A hard object hit Jon on the back of his head, and everything went black again.


*     *


For two and a half long weeks, the Gang marched along side the Nephite Ninjas to Zarahemla. It had been a long and tiring journey. They had encountered nothing seriously dangerous in the jungle, but each of them had been thoroughly feasted upon by the mosquitoes.

It had been especially rough on Kaitlin and Kenzi. At about the end of the first week, they had to rest for a day so that the two could re-cooperate. There were very few nutritious things to eat, and they had almost run out of water.

But during these two weeks, the Gang had been given plenty of time to consider what had happened, and why they had traveled back in time.

“My guess,” Richard said, “is that we’ve witnessed a very strange cosmic event; a wormhole.”

Kenzi half sighed, half grumbled. “Richard, you've read one too many science fiction stories. Do you honestly think that a wormhole would form in the middle of Pierre?”

“I don’t know, a wormhole sounds pretty good.” Brian said.

“Well, it doesn’t really make sense. What would cause a wormhole to spontaneously form at a random place and random time, to then just throw us to a random point in time…?” Kaitlin asked.

“I don’t know. Really, there is no scientific proof that they even exist. But there is something else… Why us? And why the Book of Mormon?” Richard said.

“That did seem a little odd. Of all the places, why did we get sent here?” Kaitlin replied.

“Maybe,” Brian began, “it is some type of mind control…thing, and since we were in seminary, then we just think we’re here!”

Everyone paused and just stared at Brian.

“What?!”

“Brian! Do you honestly think this is all in our minds?!” Richard shouted.

“Maybe,” Kenzi began, “I’m the only one in this mind-control thingy, and you all are imaginary things my brain made up!” She then looked back and forth among them suspiciously.

“Kenzi, I could say the same thing. We all could say the same thing! We could all think that we’re the only real person, while the other one is just imaginary!” Richard said. “Which just leaves us all not trusting each other!”

“Yeah…but you guys could just be saying that to confuse me!” Kenzi finished.

There was silence for a few seconds, before Brian added, “I think I like the wormhole idea better.”

“…Look,” Richard began, “all I know is that we opened this…this door, and it put us here. I don’t think it’s natural either.”

“Which means that somebody put it there, and we just happened to be caught in it?” Kaitlin said.

“Yeah right!” Brian said jokingly. “We just happened to be caught in it!”

“Wait, if this is man-made…then where’s the dude that built it?” Kenzi asked.

Richard looked back and forth, almost as if he thought someone was watching. “We got sent back to this point in space and time, so our little friend might be nearby…” He said cryptically.

Everyone walked in silence after that.

It all seemed too elegantly designed to be coincident, but it also seemed plausible that they just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. One thing was clear to everyone; there were forces at work beyond what they knew.

The two weeks had been long, but soon they came over a final hill, and below them lay the great city of Zarahemla. It was magnificently beautiful, and gleamed in the midday light. Buildings stretched as far as the eye could see, with large Mesoamerican pyramids scattered here and there. This was Zarahemla in one of its few primes.

“Behold young ones; the great Nephite capital! It is sure to be a visit you will not soon forget…” Gigel said triumphantly, gazing down on the great wonder.


*     *


“Wake up you little half breed!”

Jon slowly came to, and looked around. Everything was slightly blurry and so bright. His head was blistering with pain.

“I said get up!” And suddenly an explosion of pain shot across his side.

“Oww!” Jon rolled over on to his side, and slowly got up. He tried to survey where he was, but all he could see were mostly ruins.

“Where…where am I?” Jon said, as a wave of nausea almost overcame him.

The Lamanite guard chuckled to himself. “In the remains of Nephi-Lehi…those insolent fools thought they could live here forever…! Now get in line, half breed!”

Jon still felt pretty groggy. “What line?”

There was another explosion of pain, but this time it ripped across his back. “That line!” The guard shouted, pointing to a group of kids no more than ten yards away.

Jon stood up, and limped towards the group. He reached back, and felt blood trickling down his back.

There was a second whiplash, and this time it got his hand too. Jon’s hand shot back around, and he grabbed it quickly with his left hand.

“OW!”

“Keep moving…!”

There was a straight line of blood right down his hand. Jon nursed it for a second, and finally stood at his end of the line. He didn’t feel like walking down to find himself a better place.

The guard continued to walk past him, still holding the whip firmly.

“Alright all you half breeds! I am going to make soldiers out of each and everyone of you! You will either leave here a soldier or a corpse!”

Jon tried to gulp, but his throat was so swollen that he had to reach up and rub it. The guard stopped and looked straight at Jon. An evil grin spread across his face. Horror shot into Jon’s eyes as the guard reached out and dragged him forward.

“This young half breed has volunteered to give a demonstration!”

Jon braced himself for another whiplash, but instead was handed a knife. A rather big knife. He opened his eyes, and looked over to see two more Lamanites dragging a bound prisoner with a black bag covering his face. The man struggled hard, but the two guards held him tightly. They came to a stop right in front of Jon.

“This youngling will show you the proper way to kill a Nephite spy!”

At the sound of those words, the guards pulled off the bag and Jon gasped. It was Seth… The two guards dropped him, and stepped back. Seth had a look of fury on his face, and almost appeared as if he would attack Jon. Jon stood in shock, and looked up pleadingly at the other guard.

“I…can’t…”

The guard pulled out a knife of his own, and raised it to Jon’s throat. “Do it for your new nation.”

Jon closed his eyes, while Seth’s suddenly filled with fear. Jon trembled for a few seconds, and thrust the dagger forward. Seth of course couldn’t scream in pain, but trembled for a few seconds before falling limp.

Jon let go of the knife and walked backwards, trying to cover his face in shame. A wide smile spread across the Lamanite’s face.

“Young ones…this half breed is your new scout.”


*     *


Corian, Jeneum, and the Gang were all sitting inside a wide and spacious room. They were in the royal palace, and had been waiting while Gigel gave the reports to Nephite Intelligence. It had been the first time since they had sat down on a man-made seat for weeks. Kaitlin, Kenzi, and Richard were huddled up dozing, and felt extreme exhaustion. It had been a long travel through the city on foot.

Numerous people had eyed them curiously due to their strange manner of clothing. Once they reached the main palace they were finally given some Nephite attire. It was much different from their modern day clothing, but it would last them better while hiking through the wilderness. Their modern clothing was rank, filthy, and considerably damaged. Brian of course still had his same clothing, but he was a ghost, and it didn’t affect him one way or the other.

They had tried to convince Gigel that everything would be okay, and to not worry too much about the situation with the Lamanites. After all, according to the Book of Mormon there were no major battles that took place with the Nephites in the land northward during this point in history. They had no reason to fear.

As they lay resting, the sound of footsteps could be heard getting closer. Richard slowly sat up, and gasped. Kenzi and Kaitlin woke up too, and were greeted by the sight of a bruised and bleeding Limha.

Corian and Jeneum quickly ran over, and supported their friend. Seth was nowhere to be seen.

“Limha, I pray, speak what has happened to thee?!” Jeneum said, helping him down on a stone bench just across from the Gang.

He hung his head down for a second, and then looked back up. “It look worse then it feels…”

“We’ve got to get him to a doctor!” Kenzi said, jumping up and walking over to their wounded friend.

“I will be fine for the present, but I must have a word with Gigel.”

“He’s been in there for like an hour now!” Brian said, referring to the council chambers.

Limha looked down for a second, panted, and then looked back up. “Tell Gigel…the Lamanites have attacked…we tried…your friend… Seth tried to get him, but…” Limha dropped his head for a second, and then slowly looked up. “By now Seth is probably dead, but they have taken your friend captive…” Upon saying this, Limha passed out.

Kenzi put a hand over her mouth, and slowly turned away.

“Worry not, young ones. He has only fainted from loss of blood. We will take care of him.” Jeneum and Corian grabbed an arm, and supported Limha out of the room.

Kenzi was walking around in circles, almost as if she was in denial of what she’d heard. Kaitlin was shaking her head as if to say it was over Jon.

“Uh, guys…you do know that cause I’m a ghost I can just, swoop in, and see how Jon is doing?” Brian said.

Everyone paused and looked up at Brian.

“Are you volunteering to go find Jon?” Richard asked slyly.

“Well does it look like I’ve got anything better to do here?!”

Everyone shrugged. “Okay, look Brian; if you’re going to go find Jon, we need you to give us specifics…”

“K’”

“First, assure him that we’re on our way, and…that it may take us awhile to reach him. Second, try and find out exactly where he is, so that we’ll actually now where to reach him.”

“K’” Brian said, turning to leave.

“Wait!” Kenzi said. “Also try and find out what happened to him, and why he got separated from us.”

“Okay guys, but that’s if I find Jon…” And with that, Brian swooped forward quickly, and after passing straight through Zarahemla, began gliding along the jungle landscape towards the south.


*     *


It had been a couple of weeks since Jon had been taken captive in that forsaken city, to live with these Lamanite demons. It hadn’t all been torture however, as Jon had been so quickly promoted to scout of his squad. He had also been taught survival and warrior skills.

The first night they left him alone in the jungle with a small squad of five men, and gave them only one order; survive the next two days. It had been no easy thing, but Jon was beginning to understand how to live in the jungle. One of his men was attacked by a jaguar and killed, but he and the rest of them managed to catch it and had a feast.

After surviving the jaguar attack, the Lamanite Commander was well pleased, and had him and his squad train in the art of several different weapons. By the end of the first week, Jon was a skilled in fighting. By the end of the second week, Jon was a skilled scout, and had the respect of his men.

He had by now learned how to survive in the jungle. One of the important things was that the water on a whole was not safe to drink. Bacteria and disease infested the river, and it would still be a couple thousand years before sanitation was invented. Instead, all the soldiers were given wine. Jon was a little hesitant at first, but it was the only thing they had, and it was basically grape juice…that had been fermented. Sometimes it was stronger than usual, and Jon found himself getting used to the kick.

It was evening now, and Jon was lying back against a stone ruin, amidst what used to be the city of Nephi-Lehi. It had been another long day of training, and he was actually looking forward to a break.

“Jon, what are you doing?” Came a nearby voice.

Jon glanced over at his companion lying nearby. “Staring into space…How about you, Taka?”

Taka had become good friends with Jon over the course of their training. He was very youthful, and probably would’ve enjoyed the twenty-first century. If there was one thing Taka liked, it was getting overly drunk on his wine. After the day was over, they would usually sit among the city ruins and get drunk, talking about whatever.

The story of their friendship wasn’t a particularly happy one. After their survival in the jungle that first night, there were only four of them left. They had started becoming friends, and were by far taking the lead in the skills against the rest of the captured youth warriors. Thus, the commander decided to have a death match, eliminating the weakest of Jon’s group; last two standing win.

Jon was shocked, and almost couldn’t bring himself to kill his own friends. But when the day came, his friends were more than happy to take Jon’s place, and so it became a matter of life and death. In the end, him and Taka were the last ones standing, their fallen comrades lying at their feet, a bloody mess.

“Same…man I wish they’d send us to fight or something.” Taka replied.

“Don’t complain, buddy. You might just get your wish.”

Suddenly Taka became rigid, and the glazed look in his eyes turned to fear. Jon slowly turned around and saw the silvery outline of a figure floating above them. Taka took off running into the ruins, while Jon’s first instinct was to strike.

“Jon! I finally found you!” Came Brian’s voice from overhead.

This above all startled Jon, and nearly broke his ankle flying through the air over the very stone block he’d been resting against.

“Brian! What the heck are you doing here?!” Jon said, his sword raised.

Brian looked Jon up and down. He was wearing the standard Lamanite loincloth, and was clad about with all manner of weapons.

“I came here to find you. The others are coming.”

Jon put his sword back, and turned to face Brian.

“Well lucky you, here I am. Just go back and tell them that I’ll be seeing them soon.”

“…Well, they kinda wanted to know why the heck you got lost.”

“I didn’t get lost…! Those…!” Jon fumed in anger, and then managed to straighten up. “Look, that’s a story I’ll explain later. Now hurry!”

Brian turned tail, and zoomed off straight through the ruins of the city Nephi-Lehi.


*     *


“…Once again, they still did not believe my words of warning. Instead, they have standing orders to report to the nearest border command post, and deliver more warning there.” Gigel was giving the report of his meeting with Nephite Intelligence.

“The fact is,” Jeneum added, “they are much too far south for it to be a threat. Wait until they strike, then they will send forth our armies.”

“Still, it does not bother me. At least we will be able to continue the search for your lost friend.” Gigel said, looking over at the Gang.

“Thanks for your help, guys. Once we find Jon we’ll try not to be a nuisance to you anymore.” Kenzi said solemnly.

“Nonsense, I have quite enjoyed the company. I never had offspring of my own, let alone youth, but it has been quite an adventure… Although, I am curious of your origin. You have been very secretive of this knowledge.”

Richard shrugged.

“Okay, this might be difficult for you guys to understand, but we’re not from around here.” Kenzi said.

“What do ye mean? Are ye from a land not yet seen by our eyes?” Jeneum asked.

“Yeah, you could say that…” Richard added in.

Suddenly, Brian’s ghostly form came charging through the wall. “Guys! I found Jon! Sadly he’s still alive, but…”

“He’s alive?” Kaitlin asked.

“Where is he?” Gigel asked.

“He’s still in that city…it’s pretty much lying in ruins right now, but I think he’s being made into a soldier.”

Richard stood up, and grabbed his pack of supplies. “We’ve got no time to waste. How’s Limha doing?”

“His wounds have healed, and he is sufficiently strong.” Gigel said.

“Then let’s get a move on.”

“Wait, what’s the rush?” Kenzi asked.

Richard stopped, and turned around. “There’s only one reason they kept Jon alive…he is being made into a soldier, and soldiers are used for only one purpose…”

Gigel suddenly stood up as well. “I agree. We must move now.”

Him and Jeneum gathered up their Ninja robes and packs.

“Also,” Richard began, “I figure our chances of getting back to the present are much higher with Jon.”

“What? How would that help us?” Kaitlin asked puzzled.

“Five of us went in…five of us have to come back out.”

Richard turned, and, following Gigel and Jeneum, walked down the stone stairway into the darkened city. During their stay at the temple night had come upon them, and the bright sun had been replaced with a bright moon.

“What? That doesn’t make sense!” Kenzi said following after.

The Ninjas, Kaitlin, Kenzi, Brian, and Richard were once again setting out; this time from Zarahemla, fresh with supplies.

“Richard, that makes no sense!” Kenzi said, catching up.

“Look, wormholes are very, very rare, and take a lot to create. If this thing is natural, it might require the same kind of key-card that we used to get here to take us back. There were five of us when we went in, so it might need five to work again.”

“And how do we even know that it will work?!” Kenzi added in.

“We don’t…but then again, we never knew that several weeks after a not-so-normal day of seminary, we’d be walking on the outskirts of an ancient city, in an ancient land!”

“We must move with haste, young ones!” Gigel suddenly said. “The journey southward is much more difficult than going north.”

Brian just groaned. “Oh great…”


*     *


“TO WAR!”

The wake up call sounded throughout the entire encampment, and Jon stirred to life. As he looked around, young soldiers ran back and forth, gathering weapons, receiving orders, and heading out into the wilderness.

“So we finally get to fight in war…” Taka said, lying nearby.

“It looks like that.” Jon said, climbing back inside the tent.

Jon gathered his weapons, and dressed himself. Within minutes he was ready to fight, with a shield in one hand, a spear in the other, and a bow on his back.

Jon and Taka marched out into camp, and took up formation with the rest of the young recruits.

“Yes, we finally are going to war.” Jon said thoughtfully, watching as the Lamanite Commander marched his way.

“You! Scouts!” He said, pointing to Jon and Taka. “Take point, and tell us what is over the ridge.”

Jon nodded, and he marched past the rest of the soldiers, out into the wilderness with Taka right behind him. Several thoughts began flowing through Jon’s head as they marched, a few leagues ahead of the armies.

Would he be able to kill? Would he be able to take another human life? Let alone a Nephite? Yes. Yes he could. Why shouldn’t he? He could, and he would enjoy it…

They scouted along the farthest hill, trying to remain discrete, lying low among the shrubs. Sudden movement caught his eye, and he froze. Coming down the trail on the next hill was a little caravan of what looked like Nephites.

Jon slowly pulled an arrow out of his quiver, and took aim at what appeared to be the leader. Taka followed motion, and pulled out his own bow. Jon pulled back and let it fly. It struck him in the shoulder, and he hit the ground like a falling tree. Taka’s arrow soon hit another nearby Nephite, and he fell as well.

Adrenaline pumping now, Jon quickly loaded another arrow. He continued dropping Nephites, one by one, with Taka following suit.

It was simple, easier than he made it up to be. It was now embedded in his life. Jon dropped four more Nephites, and didn’t feel anything different.

fin


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