Jeremy Heimer and the Lady of the Frozen Owl

By Jasser Hammami

When an evil witch kidnaps his mother, Jeremy sets out on a quest to save her. This book nerd lets curiosity get the better of him and walks into an unexpected world of mythological proportion. Frost, the Lady of the Frozen Owl, and her minions are hot on his heels. He has the relics to restore her powers, but at what cost? Can Jeremy save his mother before the witch destroys the world?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Publishing LLC
• Release date: Nov 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781942624592

Jasser Hammami

Jasser Hammami, originally from a small town in the Tunisian Cap Bon called Somaa, isconsidered among the first and youngest Tunisians to introduce English literature to their countrythrough their work. He is currently an English student at FLAH Manouba, spending all his freetime drafting, editing, and assignments. He has an uncontrollable obsession with chocolate andcappuccino and loves cooking, especially sweet dishes. Jasser is a fan of mythology and ancienthistory. He has a YouTube channel, “Mythology with Jazz,” where he discusses interesting storiesfrom mythologies and folklores of different cultures.Jeremy Heimer the Lady of the Frozen Owl is his debut novel.

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Jeremy Heimer and the Lady of the Frozen Owl

Jasser Hammami

Crystal Publishing LLC

Fort Collins, Colorado

Jeremy Heimer and the Lady of the Frozen Owl

2019 © COPYRIGHT Jasser Hammami

2019 © COVER COPYRIGHT Crystal Publishing, LLC

Edited by Bonnie McKnight and Malory Wood

Cover art by Blake Girven

Cover design by Tawni Shuler

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Published by Crystal Publishing, LLC at Smashwords

Fort Collins, Colorado

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN 978-1-942624-59-2 (eBook)

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 the mysterious lady

Chapter 2 a black folder

Chapter 3 don’t look behind you

Chapter 4 the train to the last stop

Chapter 5 run for your life

Chapter 6 meet Athena

Chapter 7 the garrison

Chapter 8 the lodges

Chapter 9 you can talk?

Chapter 10 blue camp fire

Chapter 11 a long walk to... a cave?

Chapter 12 a new prophecy

Chapter 13 nw

Chapter 14 you and what army?

Chapter 15 friendship portal?

Chapter 16 a night of dreams

Chapter 17 put them to sleep

Chapter 18 can't harm him

Chapter 19 the cloaking spell

Chapter 20 leave them behind

Chapter 21 a trade gone wrong

Chapter 22 the ex-witch

Chapter 23 a throw-back and a throw-forward

Chapter 24 adieu, sorcière!

Chapter 25 a night terror, home

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Chapter 1

the mysterious lady

Of all the uncomfortable things he’d been forced to do in his life, this one was by far the worst. Jeremy stretched out on some sort of half-couch. He supposed this was what people called a chaise lounge. Weird piece of furniture, he thought. He’d never seen one before, but then again, he’d never been to a shrink, either.

The upholstered, crimson red sofa looked like a misshapen couch minus one arm yet was surprisingly comfortable. Probably helped the shrink’s other patients relax and get in the mood to talk about everything troubling them.

However, the awkward calm currently exuding from the shrink wasn’t very helpful in the matter of relaxing. Jeremy swore he heard a fly buzzing from across the room.

He thought a shrink’s office would have bookshelves filled with Freud’s books and other famous psychotherapists’ works, like in the movies. This office had none of that, not even a magazine on the table. Jeremy personally preferred history and mythology books or fantasy and adventure novels, but he would have tried reading the psychology books. He might at least understand what was going on with him, but of course, he ended up seeing the one shrink without any books.

Jeremy knew he was avoiding the shrink. He didn’t enjoy opening up to people, especially when he knew they’d think he was crazy or lost in grief, but here he was, and the doctor had given him the freedom to talk whenever he felt ready.

Jeremy took a deep, shuddering breath. I woke up in the middle of a dark alley. It smelled like the dead rats we had to dissect in chemistry lab last year. Nothing about the place looked remotely familiar. Not much light. I could hardly see where I was stepping. My gut told me to get out fast, but there was no exit. I kept walking in random circles. I swear shadows swirled around me. I don’t usually get scared easily or start to panic just because I’m stuck in some dark space, but this place had some kind of eerie, dangerous feeling to it. I can’t explain it.

Jeremy paused and rubbed his hollow eyes. Surely, just by looking, the shrink could see the pain and exhaustion reflected in them. Even the receptionist had commented that he looked horrible.

Then, something ahead of me moved really fast. I could barely make out a huge, pitch-black thing inching toward me.

I stopped, tried to turn around and run in the opposite direction, but I couldn’t control my own body. I froze. The thing split into five smaller human shapes, and they all started walking even faster toward me.

As they got closer, I could only see their eyes—so much anger and hatred. For a second, I thought they were coming after me. Had I done something wrong? Jeremy closed his eyes. That question still haunted him. I whispered prayers to whatever higher power I could think of. I closed my eyes and waited for the worst to happen, but then the strangest thing… Jeremy stopped to rub his eyes again. He hadn’t slept well in a long time.

Jeremy? Jeremy?

Uh… Words failed him.

Jeremy, what happened? The doctor bent forward, removed his glasses, and locked eyes with him. In a deadly serious voice, he repeated, Jeremy. Tell. Me. What. Happened.

I…I don’t know. I still haven’t processed what happened exactly. Those things passed right through me and...

Strange things happen in dreams, son, the doctor interrupted. It’s quite normal.

"It wasn’t just a dream, and I’m not crazy. This really happened."

No one is calling you crazy, Jeremy, but this was a dream. The doctor sat straight and studied Jeremy. Now, why do you think this is so hard for you to describe?

Jeremy sighed and let the debate drop. "Well, for one thing, my eyes were closed. But, that’s not it. It’s how I realized they passed through me."

Interesting. The doctor seemed more engaged now. He put his pen to the paper, prepared to finally take some notes. He looked up at Jeremy. And how, pray tell, did you realize it?

I know this might seem hard to believe but… He hesitated and calculated what he should say next. If he spoke the truth, he would seem crazy, but if he lied, he would also seem crazy—a lose-lose situation. If he were going to lose, he might as well tell the truth.

I could feel them. And not only that, there was this weird collection of feelings I got when each one of them passed through me. First, there was this awful pain in my stomach, and then after the second one, I suddenly turned angry and wanted to punch something, anything really, for no reason. My skin started itching with the third one, like a whole tribe of fire ants was crawling under my skin. Jeremy started scratching his neck at the memory of the feeling. I started feeling dizzy with the fourth. I wanted to vomit, and everything became blurry. I laid the back of my hand on my forehead, and it was burning. Once the sick feeling passed, the last one went through me, sending a cold chill down my spine. Cold like I have never felt before spread through me. Cold like an ice bucket challenge, only with a whole pool of ice.

Hmm... The doctor turned back to taking notes, more passionately this time. Jeremy expected him to look concerned or accuse him of lying, but the doctor expressed a surprising interest.

You believe me? Jeremy asked, eager for some outside reassurance that he wasn’t crazy.

Why wouldn’t I? There are documented cases of people who have suffered similar situations and reported physical pain during their dreams. However, I didn’t expect to be lucky enough to find one during my career.

Jeremy was crestfallen. First of all, this wasn’t just a dream. How many times do I have to tell you? And secondly, I don’t believe I’m anything like those psycho cases, doctor. I didn’t imagine it. I really felt those things.

Of course, you did.

Why am I even trying? He’ll never believe me.

Let’s return to that dream of yours, or did it end at that point? the doctor continued, oblivious to any of Jeremy’s feelings.

Jeremy cleared his throat. "When I reopened my eyes, I was in a totally different place. I was in the woods with huge pine trees covered in snow. My whole body was shaking. A soft snowflake landed on my face when I looked at the sky. I’m fairly sure it was snow, except I’ve never actually touched snow before. If this is a dream, explain that, please."

The shrink inquired, So, you felt the cold in this scene, and you felt the touch of a snowflake, just like you felt those things in the first part of the dream? And even though you don’t know what a snowflake feels like, you felt it?

Yeah. I mean, it’s not like it ever snows in this place. I’ve lived around here practically my whole life. Never gone camping. I’m lucky if I see rain twice a year.

Interesting. The doctor plucked another notebook from his desk. He leaned toward Jeremy. Please, continue.

The creases in Jeremy’s forehead pinched together as he concentrated on his story, trying to ignore the doctor’s attitude. A snow-white owl perched on a branch ahead of me. I wouldn’t have noticed it except for the dark edges of its feathers and those piercing-black eyes. Beautiful, but something didn’t feel right. Jeremy wasn’t sure if the doctor was even listening to him. He wasn’t even looking at Jeremy—he just kept writing notes. Jeremy didn’t care. He wanted to get this over with.

I kind of enjoyed watching it, right up until it opened its wings and flew at me, screeching so loudly my ears hurt. I’m not usually afraid of birds, but this one scared the heck out of me. It swooped in toward my face. I wanted to move away or duck and cover, but I froze again. This time, I couldn’t even close my eyes. I watched it come after me, or at least that’s what I thought at first. Jeremy hesitated again. This next part was probably going to give the doctor a field day. Shrinks loved mommy issues.

And then my mom showed up out of nowhere and intercepted the owl. I wanted to scream at her to move away, but she stood there as if to protect me. The owl kept hurtling toward us, and I thought it was going to hurt her. But it... entered her body. Jeremy shuddered at the memory.

The doctor’s pen stopped. He lifted his eyes from the notebook and studied Jeremy. Did you say it ‘entered her body’?

Jeremy nodded. It flew toward her and disappeared inside her.

What happened next?

Well, I somehow unfroze and could move again. I walked closer to my mom and tried to put my hand on her shoulder, but she turned around and… Jeremy struggled to find the right words.

And what, Jeremy?

He swallowed the lump in his throat. Her eyes… They… weren’t there. She stared into my eyes with two black holes that impaled my soul.

Typically, the doctor was frantically writing again.

And then what happened?

Jeremy shrugged. That’s it. That’s all I remember. This keeps happening every night since... you know when. He sighed with sadness. That’s why my mom sent me here. She didn’t like hearing my screams in the middle of the night. At first, she expected it to be over fast, but when it kept getting worse, she made me come here.

Despite being not exactly thrilled to be here, Jeremy could never have refused a request from his mom. He already felt bad enough for waking her up at night with his shouts, especially since she was still suffering from his father’s death.

The doctor scribbled a few more words and put his pen down while rereading the last few things he’d written. Then he looked up—fake compassion plastered all over his face. That was an unfortunate thing that happened to your father. Jason was a fine man and a dear friend. It’s always hard to lose a loved one, especially when the death is sudden. He tapped his forefingers together in contemplation.

He began to nod slowly. Well, I believe you remain under the shock of the tragic news. I’m going to prescribe something to help you with anxiety for now. I believe you are experiencing night terrors. I’ll need some time to determine your condition further. We’ll see what we can do about this after you’ve had some good rest.

He stood and walked over to his desk where he pulled out a notepad and scribbled something illegible. He ripped off the top paper and handed it to Jeremy.

Jeremy stifled a groan. The doctor still didn’t believe him, but maybe he was right… Maybe they were night terrors? Thank you, Dr. Muller. How much do I owe you?

A fake smile. You don’t owe me anything. Jason was a dear friend of mine. This is the least I can do to honor his memory.

Jeremy smiled his own fake smile and retrieved his red jacket and backpack from the coat rack near the door. He never liked to keep his backpack on the floor. He didn’t want it to get dirty and scratched—he was a bit neurotic like that.

Halfway to the door, he turned around to ask Dr. Muller a question but stopped when he saw the doctor staring at him. Jeremy wondered if he was remembering Jason. People always said he looked almost exactly like his father. Jeremy had inherited his father’s golden eyes and sandy hair; he even used the same crew-cut hairstyle.

His mom reminded him almost every day of the sweet dimple on his right cheek and the adorable curves on his forehead that showed every time he smiled—like his father. Right before he had left the house, she pinched his cheeks like he was two years old. Even the red jacket belonged to his father. His mom had insisted he wear it even though it didn’t seem that cold outside.

The doctor blinked as he realized Jeremy was staring back. What is it, Jeremy?

It was Jeremy’s turn to blink. Oh no! What had he wanted to say? Uh…I kind of forgot. Jeremy desperately tried to remember but in vain. Well, this is awkward. Sorry, doctor. It probably wasn’t important anyway.

Another fake smile. It’s okay, son. Perhaps you’ll remember by next week after you’ve had some sleep. Goodbye now.

Jeremy shook his head while walking down the hall, still trying to remember why he had turned back when he nearly collided with an elderly woman in janitorial clothes. Her gaze seemed to penetrate his fog of exhaustion and confusion.

We both know that those mortals’ medications are useless for your condition, my child, she said, pointing to the script in his hand.

Jeremy looked over his shoulder to see if anyone else was in the hall. Is she talking to me?

Embarrassed, he responded, I’m sorry. Are you talking to me?

Indeed, child, she said with a slow nod. Those night terrors of yours are here to confirm a prophecy given long before you were born: The Forsaken Queen’s witches will be set free, and nothing can prevent this horrible fate.

Clearly, the woman was in the right place—she was definitely crazy. He sized her up to see if he could maybe squeeze by and get out of this suffocating building. But, looking at her, something made him feel the urge to stay put, and he believed her strange words for some reason.

Perhaps it was that serious-and-worried look in her honey-colored eyes and… was that kindness in her smile? She suddenly reminded him of his maternal grandmother—not that he needed to specify. He’d never known anyone from his father’s side.

Mrs. Mariano? The doctor’s voice broke the contemplative silence. He stormed up behind Jeremy. What do you think you’re doing? Talking to my patients? I’ve already asked you several times to stay away from them. Go back to work!

The woman’s eyes flashed in irritation at the doctor’s rudeness, but she didn’t yell back or try to justify her actions. She leaned toward Jeremy and began to whisper. There are things in this world beyond what you can see. And a protection from night terrors such as yours cannot be found with mortals. She smiled at him and disappeared down the hallway.

Jeremy felt a heavy hand on his shoulder accompanied by the doctor’s stern voice, Don’t listen to that old woman. She was born into a society full of superstitions in some small town in the south. All she’s done since she came here is spread a lot of nonsense about witches and monsters and the end of the world. It’s nonsense, Jeremy.

The doctor’s warning was clear, but Jeremy had more than a gut feeling that he needed to talk to that woman again. An urgent voice in his head lead him to panic: you will die if you don’t find her again.

The shrink was still focused on him. The man’s eyes followed Jeremy all the way to the front exit. Once he was on the street, Jeremy ducked down the side of the building and waited. After a few minutes, he figured the doctor would be back in his office.

The coast was clear. Jeremy ran back through the glass front doors and glanced down the hallway. The woman was long gone. He hesitated. Maybe he should go home so his mom wouldn’t worry. He dismissed the thought instantly. He couldn’t ignore the pressing urge to pursue this Mrs. Mariano. He wanted answers.

Dr. Muller’s receptionist was still there. She would probably help. She’d been nice when he first came in today.

Excuse me. Could you tell me where that woman in the janitorial clothing works?

The receptionist was unimpressed. I’m positive the doctor warned you about that elderly woman. I don’t think he’d be happy if I showed his patients where to find her, let alone his friend’s son. Come on, kid. Go home.

He won’t know if you don’t tell him. Please?

The woman shook her head. No way, kiddo. Go home. You look awful. Get some sleep.

Fine. If you won’t help me, I’ll find her myself, Jeremy replied in annoyance.

She let out a sigh of resignation as she turned her attention back to the computer screen. Jeremy figured that was close enough to receiving permission and took off down the hallway where he’d met Mrs. Mariano only moments ago. Maybe she had left a clue or something.

He hadn’t counted on how much of a maze the building turned out to be. After a few minutes of turning down random passageways, he figured he had no chance to find her in a building this size. Oh well, time to go home.

He turned around to make his way toward the exit, but noticed something unusual on the floor: salt. Lots and lots of salt. Almost like somebody had purposely dropped it in trail-like formations. Jeremy wondered why no one else had noticed them—and how he hadn’t seen them earlier. A silly idea crossed his mind. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe Mrs. Mariano had dropped this trail so he could follow her.

Jeremy shook his head. Or maybe this was a silly coincidence that wouldn’t lead anywhere.

He stood staring at the line of salt, weighing his options. What do I do? His mom was already going to be mad at him for being late. It was moments like this he wished he had a cellphone like every other kid his age to call and tell her he was running late. Maybe invent some unrealistic excuses like his classmates did. But NO.

You don’t need a cellphone, his mom said every time he brought up the subject. Cellphones, laptops, Internet, and all that technology stuff that mess with your head are off limits. Take it up with your father, not me. She did let him watch TV, but she kept him offline.

Jeremy loved his mom more than anything in this world, but he hated being cut off from the Internet and the hundreds of things he could discover and learn about online—not that he didn’t enjoy watching films and reading fantasy books all day. He had quite the gigantic library back home. All the books he had read throughout the years made him yearn for adventures of his own.

Maybe I am at the start of one now! he thought to himself. He found himself following the salt trail.

Ten minutes later, the thrill of adventure wore off. Exactly how long was this trail? And where on earth had she gotten so much salt? Jeremy could picture some pimple-faced grocery store clerk somewhere ringing up a thousand boxes of iodized salt with that little old lady glaring down at him.

The salt seemed never-ending. He was about to give up and go home when he noticed a pair of legs wearing janitor pants sticking out of a doorway across the hall. They looked exactly like Mrs. Mariano’s!

He rushed over. To his disappointment, it wasn’t Mrs. Mariano. An older man was eating a sandwich like a savage lion tearing up a tiny rabbit. It was like he hadn’t eaten in a decade. His manners belonged to the Stone Age, and so did his smell. Jeremy felt like vomiting but couldn’t resist the urge to stare at him.

The man’s disgusting feast stopped short. What are you looking at, huh? The man’s words came out as barely more than a grunt. It’s rude to stare at a man’s food, ya know. He started devouring chips straight from the bag.

It’s not the food I’m staring at, Jeremy thought. Should I even bother to ask for directions?

The man glanced up. What’s wrong with you? Can’t speak?

Oh, sorry, sir. I was just feeling a bit… off. He tried to forget the scene he had just witnessed and focus on what he came for, even though that awful smell wasn’t helping.

‘Sir’? Nobody’s called me that in a heck of a long time. The man tore himself away from his latest conquest and stared up at Jeremy. Tell me now, what are you doing here in the janitors’ wing?

Janitors’ wing? You mean there’s like a whole wing of the building for janitors?

The janitor nodded his scruffy head. Yeah, we live in this part of the building. We work for the doctors around here. The company on the seventh floor helped us settle in these small rooms so we’d never be late for work. The prices are pretty insane, though. Let me tell you…

Great, now that he’d gotten the man to stop eating finally, it seemed like he’d never stop talking. Jeremy cut into the man’s monologue in a loud voice. I’m sure you’d love to tell me everything about this place, but I’m kind of in a hurry. I’m looking for someone, actually.

The man didn’t seem at all offended at Jeremy’s interruption. Well, who might that be?

I think her name is Mrs. Mariano.

The man did a double take. Why in the world would you be looking for that woman? He frowned. She ain’t good, ya know. She keeps doing spooky stuff and making strange noises in the middle of the night. I’d be careful if I were you.

This gave Jeremy pause. Why was everyone warning him about this lady? Still, the urgency that he needed to talk to her, immediately, was not going away. You’re not the first person to warn me about her, but I still need to find her. I think she has the answers I’m looking for.

If you really think you have to talk to her, she’s in the third room to the left. He coughed hard. Apparently, some part of his unchewed meal was sticking in his throat. "Ya know…she was kicked out of her last apartment after she wrecked every last bit of it. They say they found scratches on the wall that only wild animals could make. I’m talking big scratches, the kind only a tiger’s claw could make. It’s not too late to go back home. I’d do that if I were you."

Jeremy tried to relax and play with reason, convincing himself that it all was nonsense gossip. If she’s so unstable, why does she still have a job?

The man gave a small frown. Well… there never was proof she did all of that. She claimed a wild animal got into her apartment while she was out doing her job. Actually, there’s a rumor around here that she cast some kind of spell on her boss and forced him to employ her.

Jeremy swallowed. A spell? Magic? He was beginning to consider the older man’s warning, but his gut told him to ignore all the forewarnings and find the old lady. Well, thanks for telling me about that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a someone to find.

The man gave a slow shake of his head. Spittle and bits of food dripped from his unkempt beard. Well then, goodbye, kid. I think you’ll be the first one other than her to enter that room. It’s down the hall, apartment thirteen.

Relieved to have specific directions at last, Jeremy waved goodbye as he continued on. It took him less than a minute to reach Mrs. Mariano’s room. To his surprise, the door opened the moment he raised a fist to knock.

There stood Mrs. Mariano. She had swapped her janitor’s clothes for a funny looking grandmother’s dress that looked like something from the Victorian Era.

Why, hello there, child, Mrs. Mariano greeted. I’ve been expecting you.

Jeremy was floored. You… you have?

The old lady smiled. Oh, you’re like your father. Can’t resist the temptation to find answers.

Jeremy stared at her in amazement. She’s not a crazy old lady. Who is she? You knew my father? Oh, wait... He felt his heart sink. You probably talked to him when he visited Dr. Muller.

Our relationship goes back long before he became friends with the doctor, but I don’t believe you came here to talk about that. Come inside now.

Jeremy hesitated. He remembered the older man’s words: It’s not too late to go back home. But he had already gotten this far and couldn’t back away and pretend like the janitor's and the doctor’s warnings were right. The night terrors were not a sign of craziness, despite what the shrink thought.

He took a deep breath and lifted a foot to cross the threshold. Mrs. Mariano’s sharp voice brought him up short. Careful where you step, child.

He glanced at his feet. Salt! Jeremey noticed the familiar line of salt that ran the entire length of the entrance. He found relief in actually finding the end of the trail after a long goose chase. But why salt? What was it for?

He then thought to himself, Don’t people from ancient cultures think salt has magical powers? He remembered once reading how some Arabs used salt while cleaning their houses to protect them from dark magic and all sorts of evil. He was tempted to ask about it, but he had a much more important subject to discuss first. He entered the room and left the door open behind him, just in case. The woman seemed genuinely nice now, but everything he had seen or been told so far was making him a tad nervous.

The lights inside the room were dim. He could barely see the cramped space in front of him. Mrs. Mariano turned, one eyebrow arched in disdain. Close the door behind you, child.

Oh no! He didn’t want to do it, but he plastered on a smile and turned to close the door. This is it. There’s no going back now. Mom will probably kill me if this woman eats me alive! Oh, wait… I’ll already be dead! The door shut, blocking the light of the hallway outside. He paused to let his eyes adjust to the dimness.

Make yourself comfortable, child, she said, waving a hand at the room as she sank into a decrepit old recliner. You will have the answers you seek.

He wanted answers, so he supposed he didn’t have much of a choice but to try to find somewhere to sit. The place was tiny. An old bed in bad condition took up most of the floor space. A faded woolen bedspread covered one side of the bed, and an incredibly old, torn pillow sat on the other. Mrs. Mariano occupied the only chair.

Jeremy wanted the no-thank-you-I’d-rather-stand option but figured it would sound rude. He sat gingerly on the bed, hoping it wouldn’t break beneath him. It creaked ominously as he settled his weight onto it, but amazingly, he didn’t crash to the floor. Feeling a bit relieved, he turned to better examine the place. Mrs. Mariano didn’t seem like a fan of decoration, but then again, there wasn’t exactly much room for… well, anything really.

Jeremy looked up at the lone window—glued shut and covered in salt. This lady has some serious salt issues. Salt was all over the room: by the doorstep, on the window, and in every single corner. Salt.

The only non-salt piece of decoration Mrs. Mariano had was one little trinket hanging by a shiny, beaded rope off one of the bedposts: a wooden ring. Jeremy thought he could see a golden spider web inside, and a couple of