A White, Hot Light

By Teresa Heaton

Arie__Aura Misae Jenkins__was born a Child of Light. She likes going on "assignment". She likes being useful. She likes being with the members of her Cluster. She likes her college nursing classes. She doesn't like it when Dani, a Cluster sister, accepts a mate who is sliding into the Dark. She doesn't like the changes in Dani because of her choice. She doesn't like not being called on assignment. She doesn't like having suitors she doesn't know. She doesn't like it that COLLEEs(acronym for Child- Of-Light-Light-Emitting-Entity) seem to be targets. She doesn't like being a target. She doesn't like being stalked by several someones, including a Dark someone.
Come with Arie, in A White, Hot Light, as she struggles through so many things she doesn't like or understand. Watch as she learns things about COLLEEs she didn't before know. See her learn even more about herself. Find all the answers to her questions and meet that special someone who has haunted her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Teresa Heaton
• Release date: Jun 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301764020

Teresa Heaton

Teresa B. Heaton came with the gift of a vivid imagination. She was creating plays and stories long before she could use a pencil. Today, she lives in a tiny town in the mountains of Southern Utah with her husband of forty-odd years, Dennis.She is also a mom, a grandmother and a great-gram. She enjoys all her families living quite close and all the encouragement they give her. She is a doll artist, a Shakespeare enthusiast, likes to quote old movies and is an avid reader.

Book preview

Chapter One

He liked the Dark—all things related to Darkness. Even his name meant dark fighter. There were so many exciting things to be found only in the Darkness.

He liked skulking in the deepest Darkness, using his expensive, custom-made infrared goggles to find out many, many secrets. For instance, infrared revealed, for some inexplicable reason, some 'things', (maybe they were people, though he doubted that) glowed so bright they hurt his eyes.

At first he was certain it was a malfunction of the high-tech, infrared goggles. He took them immediately back to the maker and demanded he adjust them properly or make him a new pair.

Extensive testing proved it was not a problem with the goggles.

For months following, he found nothing - nothing unusual. He was using thermal imaging. He had a friend who owned a very sophisticated system. Thermal imaging showed up all heat sources. The hotter the source was the clearer the image. But, nothing out of the ordinary could be detected.

It was after he switched back to his goggles that he found the phenomenon again. He hadn't found too many. He found the light emitted varied greatly from one 'thing' to another but, they were there!

The scientist in him went on alert: Were they aliens—real aliens—from another planet? Why were they masquerading as humans? What did they want? What was their purpose?

He was determined to find the answers to his questions. He meant to find, track, isolate and capture one for scientific experimentation. When he knew What they were, and had proof, he would contact the appropriate government agency. He was going hunting—tonight!

Arie noticed the woman's distress. She was trying, hard, not to cry. Arie moved into the checkout line behind the woman, dragging Dani with her.

I'm so sorry, the woman told the check-out clerk.

You can put something back. Just tell me what you'd like me to take off. It's no problem. The clerk smiled encouragingly at the woman. She was also aware of the woman's embarrassment and distress at not having the needed money. Setting on the far side of the cash register was a small stack of groceries. A five-pound bag of flour, a five-pound sack of sugar, baking soda, a two-quart-carton of milk, a dozen eggs, some spaghetti noodles, a small package of hamburger, and a package of bargain toilet paper constituted her wanted purchases. To Arie, they looked like necessities.

Being a COLLEE had certain advantages, like being able to move things around at the speed of Light. She transferred twenty dollars from her wallet into the woman's, and sent the message, "Look."

The woman, desperately, searched through her wallet one more time. Tucked into a corner, she found the folded bill. Dear Heaven. It's a miracle, she whispered. With shaking fingers, she drew out the money and handed it to the smiling clerk.

Have a very nice day, the clerk said after counting back change. The woman, only slightly bent under the weight of age, smiled a tremulous thank you. She pushed the cart holding her purchases toward the exit.

The clerk efficiently helped Arie and she and Dani walked outside.

The woman was pushing the cart toward the assisted-living complex down the street.

"You did that, didn't you?" Dani accused as they walked to the car.

What are you talking about? Arie asked back.

That woman's miracle, Dani gestured toward the woman. "It was you, Miss-do-gooder!"

Did you see me do anything?

"No. But, I bet I could have, had I been watching!"

That was true. Dani could have seen her, so Arie just laughed.

Arie? He's with me again, Dani whispered, unlocking the car door.

Have you figured out, even a clue as to, who he is? Arie quietly asked.

"No. I feel how much he loves me, though. I must know him, know who he is. How could he love me like that if he didn't know me?"

That was logical. Unfortunately, there were things surrounding them that didn't appear logical. Could you have met him on assignment?

I don't know. I suppose I could have. But, you know I haven't been on assignment in a while.

Dani, I think ….

Dani looked over at her friend and realized she hadn't finished her sentence because she had been called out on assignment. That's just great!

I'm sorry Dani. I must go right home. I'm not feeling well. Arie spoke, but it wasn't exactly Arie. The majority of her essence had gone, leaving her body on autopilot.

Dani sighed and turned the car back toward Arie's house. This assignment could not have come at a worse time for her. She needed Arie's advice. Deciding to accept or reject her latest suitor was no easy thing. She was so very drawn to him. If she accepted him, he would be her mate. For COLLEEs, there could never be a change. One COLLEE choosing another COLLEE was done by mental and emotional suits. Once chosen, the mate was forever. Usually, the actual meeting took place after there was an acceptance. And that bond, once created, could never be broken. A girl could offer suit but, generally, it was a boy doing the asking. It was a very serious business. No, Arie's assignment could not have come at worse time for her.

* *

Arie wasn't certain how long she had been assisting. She knew she must be in California. The wild fires were dreadful and deadly. This was her third assist.

The couple, her essence now surrounded, was way past hysteria, and resigned to death. She wanted to shake some sense into them. She couldn't of course. She needed her body for that, and she was on assignment. They had stayed too long in their home. They had not wanted a life time of memories and possessions burned.

Arie understood that. But, to decide life wasn't worth living without those possessions, had made her want to shake them. Real memories lasted and could be written down. Things could be replaced. It wouldn't be easy. But, they weren't so very old; it was well within the possible.

She couldn't save their house, even if she had wanted. She was alone and there just wasn't enough essence to protect the house. She did get them to run before the flames surrounded them.

Concentrating all her energy, she was able to create a fireproof area that the flames flashed over without harming the couple. She was sending out as strong an S.O.S. as she could, while still circling and protecting the couple. She was getting static, so someone was picking up her signal. Whoever it was might not understand it was a signal. He might call it a hunch or a gut feeling. She didn't care what he called it as long as he acted on it.

There can't be anyone alive around here. The worst of the fire swept right through. Even with the best equipment, it'd be chancy. And you know it. The speaker wore fire-fighting gear and had raised his face mask to be heard by his companion. Both men carried water packs and shovels to heap dirt on, or pour water over, any hot spots they might encounter. Trees and brush still smoldered.

The quiet man, her rescuer, stumbled suddenly, then, pointed his finger. He had seen them!

I don't believe it! the speaker roared. "How in Hades could they survive that with nothing? Look around. It isn't possible!"

A tired sound escaped the other man. He dropped to one knee nearby. He was afraid to touch them.

Are we alive? croaked the woman.

Yes Ma'am. Alive and apparently unhurt, said the rescuer. He looked around in amazement. There was a four-foot-diameter oasis amid the burned and ravaged landscape. The couple didn't appear to even have any burns. Can you tell us what happened?

We sneaked back in after we were evacuated. We were willing to take a chance that the fire would go around our place. Everything we own is tied up in it. We even thought if the worst happened, we could die as easily there as elsewhere. Then my wife began to pray. I'm not a religious man myself, but I joined her. And we prayed as hard as we could that our house would be spared. We were praying when we just knew it wasn't going to happen and we had to get out. We ran out of there as fast and far as we could. We knew the fire was coming after us. We could hear the awful noise and feel the heat. Right here, it was like something suddenly knocked us down and covered us up and the fire went over the top of us, the husband struggled to explain. He leaned against his wife. She huddled to his side, quietly crying. They were a nice-looking, middle-aged couple.

Arie hadn't knocked them down. She couldn't. She thought they fell. She had contracted her essence down as tight as she could. The added pressure must have felt like someone knocking them over.

Get a picture of this. Nobody's going to believe us otherwise. The loud man tried to whisper.

The rescuer searched his pockets and pulled out a cell phone, looked at it, and shoved it back. Batteries are dead. (Arie had drained them.) Then reaching out his hand, he asked, "Are you both okay? I can't see any burns."

No. We're not burned, just a little smoked. We lived through a miracle. We're alive and we're together. He laughed, a dry, choked sound. I'd say we're better than okay. I'd say we should do just fine.

His wife nodded her head, and grasped the rescuer's hand.

Arie knew they would do just fine. With a final wave of comfort, she withdrew. She was tired. She wanted to go home. She had not received an okay to do that, yet.

She thought she heard something. Listening carefully, she heard someone's calls for help. The last cry was distant, weak, and desperate.

She found him clinging to the face of a cliff overlooking the beautiful Pacific. It took her only seconds to see he'd waited almost too long to change his mind about killing himself. He would need physical help to get back to the cliff top. The alternative—the long drop to the jagged rocks at the base of the cliff—would need no assistance. She began to wrap her essence around him.

Who is it? he asked weakly. Who's there?

She was startled, until she realized he was reacting to the feeling of comfort.

I've clung here for hours. I can't hold on much longer. His voice was thready.

Yes you can, she said briskly, knowing he couldn't hear her. He jerked and almost lost his handhold.

She was tired and irritated. If she was complete, she could do something. She did like the many things she could accomplish without the limits her body set. But she found it so aggravating when she needed to do something that required her body and she didn't have it. She could feel the shudders quaking through him. He was running out of strength.

"Are you an angel? Did you come in answer to my prayer? I have been praying even if I shouldn't, even if I don't deserve to live. She heard the despair in his voice. But, I found out I do want to live." He was using energy talking.

Shut up! she said rudely, knowing he couldn't hear how rude she was. She needed to concentrate. She was projecting an S.O.S. in all directions. It was more urgent than normal. Surely, somebody had to be within signal range. She didn't dare leave him alone to find a better transmitting spot.

I'm a coward. I couldn't even kill myself properly. I chickened out at the last and grabbed onto the rocks. It should be easy to just let go, he muttered. A fall, then freedom.

You wouldn't be free. And, I wish you'd be quiet. I'm trying to call for help, she snapped. She was horrified when one hand slipped away from the cliff. The hand-a large, masculine hand-was white from restricted-blood flow, and probably numb. The tremors were visible now. She wanted to grab onto him and push his hand back to the rock. Of course she couldn't. Fight, dang you! she shouted. I'd punch you in the face if I could!

I've made such a mess of my life, he whispered.

Then fix it! She was still shouting. "You're tall, dark, and handsome. If you have anything to back that up, you can do it. It's up to you!" It was ridiculous and useless to shout at him. She knew that.

He tried to raise his hand back to the rock face. He couldn't do it. He was too weak. That was when she realized he might not hold on until help came.

Deliberately, she broke a cardinal rule for all COLLEEs. She gently forced a little of her essence between his dry and cracked lips. His throat worked noisily as he swallowed. She tried to use her essence to push his body tighter to the cliff. After what seemed like ages, he managed to get his hand back up to an outcrop of rock and take hold. His body was shaking more. Again, she forced a little essence into his mouth.

She heard static. Someone was coming to help.

Maybe he sensed it; maybe he heard it. For whatever reason, he chose that moment to call out weakly, Help!

It was two, young, strong someones. They were quick to understand the situation.

He's too far down to reach without going over myself. Can you hold my legs and pull us both back up? He was lying on his stomach, looking over the cliff's edge.

Since we can't risk going to find a rope or someone else, I'll have to, his friend answered.

In a few moments, they had formed a human chain.

The stranded man inched his hands and arms up the cliff when asked to do so by the first rescuer. It was a slow, painstaking operation. Using almost super-human strength, the two rescuers pulled him upward. He was surprised when he was able to push a bit with his feet to aid them.

Arie waited until all three of them were breathing hard on top of the cliff, then, she withdrew. She received the okay to return home. Thankfully, she left.

Man, you are one lucky S.O.B.! offered the second rescuer.

I had help from an angel—a cussing, cranky angel, he whispered. His throat hurt from his earlier yelling. His lips cracked further when he smiled. You two, while not the usual run of heavenly helpers, have my undying gratitude. I'm Jace.

Well Jace. Besides being weak and severely dehydrated, you're definitely out-of-your-mind delirious! The rescuer, who had held his wrists, laughed.

Jace closed his eyes and willed his jerking, aching body to relax. He was weak and severely dehydrated. But, he was not delirious. He knew he couldn't have held on if his angel hadn't come. He'd been given another chance. He promised himself he'd make good this time. He'd promise his angel if he knew where she was. He vaguely heard one of his rescuers place a 911 call.

* *

Arie was detoured on her way home. Ms. Sunny was waiting for her. She knew she was in for a big scolding. The COLLEE classroom looked as it had since she first saw it. She'd been four-years-old that year. COLLEE was actually the acronym for Children-Of-Light-Light-Emitting-Entities. It was the first thing she'd learned to spell. Ms. Sunny, who had been her teacher and was now her mentor, looked the same as well.

She was a very appealing, pleasant lady with a warm, welcoming smile. She was not smiling now. Aura Misae Jenkins, just what have you been doing?

I was on assignment.

The lady waved that away impatiently. Don't try to distract me with that! I need to know one thing: Have you been sharing your essence?

Arie wanted to defend herself. She'd only shared her essence in the most dire of emergencies. The first time had been after the earthquake in Japan. Those three kids - a six-week-old baby, a two-year-old boy, and a four-year-old girl - had been trapped in the rubble. Hearing their cries, she was able to surround them with her essence, protecting them and creating a large air pocket. With so much trauma and disaster, help wouldn't come fast. They were too little to dig out by themselves. She had fed them with her essence until help could get them out. Then, today, she had shared with that guy on the cliff. Yes Ma'am.

Sunny's expression softened into a smile. What? No 'buts'?

No Ma'am.

Would you care to explain who, where, why, how and how many, please, for my peace of mind?

Arie did.

"And the children? How did they explain? You did realize they could see and hear you? You're not vision-protected to those under six-years of age."

Yes, I did. The four-year-old told rescuers that they had been held by an angel and she feed them her tears. Arie couldn't understand how she could blush without her body.

What about today?

I used mouth-to-mouth to force essence into him. The heat in her face intensified at Sunny's surprised look.

His explanation?

"I was given the okay to come home. I didn't hear it, if he had one. He couldn't see or hear me. He was in pretty bad shape."

"Arie, we have rules for your, and the other COLLEEs', protection. What you so freely gave away, even though the circumstances were desperate, can never come back to you. That weakens you. And, those who received it will always have a part of you. You understand that? You knew it before you acted?" Sunny asked quietly.

Yes and yes, Arie sighed. At the time, there didn't seem to be any other choice. At least, I couldn't see one.

Will you promise me today was the very last time you will do such a thing?

Arie hesitated. No Ma'am. I'm sorry but I can't. If a situation like the children came around again, I can't promise I wouldn't do the same thing. They were buried for six days!

"And today's experience? Would you