Shift On

By MK Baker

Its the story of how an Ex Servicemen working for a theatre company ,in the back stage ,finds his way into a different dimension ,an Earth dimension ,almost identical to his own, accept in this dimension , he , his brother self is Dying .The strangest part is that he is like a ghost here to most people .Then he meets a girl in a burger bar, and things become much more interesting, being hunted by the press leads to changes and events that have consequence's ,as even with the loss ,of one brother self ,their are still seven left? The rest of the story is how these brother selves come together to rescue on another and forge a new beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499091120

MK Baker

Matthew Baker is a father , a veteran , an EX Para , and former postman and is trained in many and strange ways , not least as a ceramic artist and sculptor . He lives in North Wales UK , where he walks his Siberian Husky and tries to stay out of trouble , mostly .

Book preview

Shift On

MK Baker

Copyright © 2014 by MK Baker.

ISBN:      Softcover     978-1-4990-9111-3

                eBook           978-1-4990-9112-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/20/2014

Xlibris

800-056-3182

www.Xlibrispublishing.co.uk

697266

CONTENTS

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

The darkened room would have been almost peaceful, except for the regular bleeping of a small squat machine, and a dieing man in his hospital bed. The watcher quietly entered the room, he loitered by the side of the bed, trying to see a likeness, in the still drawn, pale features.

He looked about him, both uncomfortable to be in this hospital room and because he was already beginning to feel over warm. Deciding on the larger chair he removed his heavy coat and sat, carefully.

The man in the bed breathed. That was all really and that barely audible, over the sound of monitors, and the other medical paraphernalia.

More in profile now with the sick man he could see familiarity’s. The man had a high broad forehead, a strait nose, a firm chin.

Nothing unusual unless he considered his own face, apart from a small scar across his right cheek bone his profile was exactly the same. The man had began to feel a little more comfortable, he stretched out his legs crossing them at the ankle and closed his eyes. I suppose he thought, this how a twin would see his brother.

The light of day seeped into the room, in a short while voices could be heard from the nurses station, and the clang and bash of carts being moved about. The hospital day had begun.

He heard quick footsteps, in moments a young nurse was in the room, she did some checks, which clearly were done with long practice. She nearly stepped on the unexpected visitor, before being aware he was in the room. Jesus and Joseph.She said. Hastily stepping back.

Sorry." I said. I didn’t mean to startle you, I think I was nearly asleep. I stood up slowly Robert Dhoon. I said.trying to give a reassuring smile.

"They should have said someone was here, its not the first time though.

I can see the likeness she said.. Can I get you a cup of tea. She continued.

She had a hard northern Ireland accent, and a gentle way, she was small and moved almost daintily. Tea, yes I said tea would be great. She turned on her heel and was gone as quick as she came in. She had startling pale green eyes. I turned about, their were no cards, no flowers, nothing that said visitors. Just this green room with a functional bed, functional chairs. I noticed movement from the pale man. With a ripple of light footsteps the little nurse was back, this time with a light trolley. The rooms seemed to have no doors, lights flickered and came on in the corridors that I could see. Help yourself she said, were a wee bit short staffed this morning. Buzz me if he wakes ".She said before flitting off, she had pointed at a handle on a lead with a button on top.

I made myself a brew, it was like army tea, like the room, functional. I found a toilet in the corridor.when I returned I found the sleeping man awake. He coughed, looking a little distressed. I pushed the button as instructed. She was back in moments, chatting nine to the dozen. She made the bed tilt, checked some tubes. Made some notes, looking at the monitors, before giving the man a sip of juice from a plastic beaker. Breakfast in ten," she said lightly. But her smile to me was forced and a little sad. I cleared my throat, so did he. We looked at one another, for a moment.

We thought you might have died years ago." I said.

Not much time left I think, the man said.

Then added, yes, yes you must mean when I came of that bloody Motor Bike, that fizzy. I remember" I said.

I lost it on the gravel, bashed my helmet hard, I felt quite sick.

You got of light. I remember. I was not alone, but it was not the same after the accident, dreams though, dreamed of many lives. Your me, were the same. What number, he asked. Four. I’m Four ", I said. Four, your obviously not ill! He stated flatly, not dying.

No, I said feeling genuinely sad.

So how, you did you come to be here?

Well that’s a mystery to me too. Of the Eight of us you were the third we thought to go of the grid. Although Eight, who is probably the most empathic of us." said he always felt you were still with us. Now were fifty years old, and when you go (sorry) their will be five left in contact. Five he said, its true then, all true, about the different planes, different dimensions?

but that still doesn’t explain.

I held up my hand .look this is weird for me too. Eight said if we were all thinking of you and your mind was elsewhere their was room for the closest of us to be closer too you. But this is not what I thought he meant. Anyway here I am. I just hope to hell I can get back ? By the way, woke in your bed, in your house, fed your dog and took a call, a phone message from our Sister. She’s coming up today.

Should be here today after work, so quite late.

Shass. We were silent then. For a few minutes, its easy when you have only have yourself for company.

I told the nurse I was Robert Dhoon, save confusion. I said. The washed out, red rimmed eyes closed for a second, Dads name". He said. Still miss him.

Yes, we all do. I said. Suppose you had the sense to stop the booze then, and the cigarettes. Yes, it was the tobacco took Dad."

And me, he said bitterly. Well your not gone quite yet, so we would like to see if we can connect with you again, but I can’t be here when the little Indian arrives. Little Indian had always been a nick name for our sister, Sharon, because I was born with pale golden blond curls, just like Dad and most of the rest of the Dhoons who favored blond or red, Sharon was just like Mum, dark, Irish, black hair, dark eyes. Mystic on that side, a strange and fey family with strange ways. Very strange as it turned out for us,…. for me.

How did it feel to leave a dimension. he asked. Nothing to it. I said. just went to bed, talked to the guys for a bit, checking in, as it were, but we focused on you. Then I woke up here, that’s it. So weird I haven’t been in this neck of the woods for years. Your clothes are a bit tight on me though, had to loosen the trouser button, and find your biggest shirt.

You look fit, I suppose, he said. I could have done the same!

We know, it was that nurse wasn’t it, I thought, you had to go and marry her, she was never good for us. Well most of us, Eight and seven never met her Lucky them.

So tell me,(their was a rattle in the corridor a large cart appeared pushed by a large man in a blue uniform. Breakfast for, Mr Dhoon, sorry no bacon, no eggs. He says that every morning Three said to me. Who you talking to Richard? I stood still, he looked right through me.

Three looked a little shaken and if anything Paler. I raised my shoulders and shook my head, as perplexed.

In a few moments, he had wheeled his trolley out, the nurse stepped bye again and took away the tea trolley and cups. She was clearly always aware of me and asked if I was that brother he talked about.

No. I said. Cousins, one of many. I lied. But I was close bye and we were of an age growing up. Almost in the same street.

Well she said giving us both a warm smile. I bet you boys have some tales to tell then. Her face became more serious, in the better light I could see just how pretty she was. Will you be here much longer? only doctors coming and were to change medication and things.

Richard that was dying, gave me a look that said It was fine, he actually looked a little less bad, a bit of a ghost of, who he should be. I shuddered at my thought, picked up my(his) coat, and left, saying I had a few things to do. Some people to talk too, but I would return soon. The nurse looked back as the tall man left, she could not see him as me Three thought. Me as I should be, strong and healthy. I have been a fool. I thought, I felt a presence in my mind I had not known for a long time, not the community I had known as a child, in my vivid and very real daydreams, not communication, but not so terribly far from it, just a curtain away.

I felt better though, not so alone. I took a deeper breath then I thought I had in me. He’s nice your cousin, said the nurse, I’m so glad you’ve got a visitor, whats it been, two weeks here now. And your wee Sister coming up, well theirs good news. She did not stop, as she talked her hands always moving. I was so glad she was so very different from the nurse I married, Gillian, who drank like a fish.

CHAPTER TWO

Eight

Eight, sat down slowly, he had walked home again, and his back was stiff, at Fifty he felt it. Working as a postman, it was hard enough without, walking home. At least he had clearance for the bass’s, so he could get the truck ride up from the main gates. Sometimes he envied, the others, he could not imagine another life, one without occupation troops, accept off course, you were not allowed to say the Yanks were an occupying force, not unless you wanted to be put on a watch list.

Still, he thought, he had a job, was too old too fight, a girl friend who turned up when asked, well mostly.

and his volunteer work in the Theater. Rations had started to look up of late, with the modified crops. He sensed Two could not get it, a gape in understanding. I mean they were the same person weren’t they? He picked up the paper, the Russians, had got missiles through again, in Kent and Berkshire, no lose off life. That’s unlikely he thought, you could not trust the papers. The last war had ended for all of twelve days. Twelve days off piece, then the Russian tanks had burst out off Berlin and run over France, catching, British and American forces, still trapped on the beaches.

Fifteen years before I was born.

It was five years before we had most off the prisoners back, and in no fit state to bear arms. The Yank fleets had taken the Pacific, but the Marines had been annihilated landing on mainland Japan.

The Japanese losses had been worse, appalling. The Emperor had, died in the bombing. Now Japan was patrolled by a massive fleet. Isolated, without aid, or trade. Japan had crept back to an almost feudal state, but at least they had piece, of a sort. I looked at the dodgy maps the editors claimed were our advances, not much movement.

Britain was bankrupt when the Yanks came, they were great at first or so we were thought. Then came the commie trials, and military zones, in theory we still had a government and a head of state but the King said nothing. The government would not fart, without permission from the Yank Military. The Americans did not trust us, thought we were all, communist sympathizers. I suppose when the bomb killed the young Senators, in what.? Nineteen fifty four. That’s when the Yanks started to order things. We new about the interment for refuseniks, as they were called. The front in Turkey had been terrible for years, and the expeditionary forces in Spain, had moved only fifty miles in the last two years. Moscow was called the whale, so much concrete and bunkers. Their seemed to be no end two it, Their had been truces of coarse, diplomatic missions, piece off a sort Two years to lick wounds rearm re, equip retrain. Then a new front. Ireland had been hell, twenty thousand Russian airborne. Even with the peace protests in the seventies, their was hardly a family that had lost, no one and many that had lost all. I threw down my paper. If they only new the worlds others lived in.

Fuel was hard to get. I lite the small stove to warm the water for a bath, some wit had said, we should share baths to conserve energy. Energy, our country in ruins, prepacked rations and state pay. Sometimes I wish I had gone with the others, my mates. I had been the last man alive in my platoon, the last aborted time we tried to take back France. I don’t know why I lived. A lot of veterans had taken their own lives, you were not allowed to say that either. I was getting really sick of what I could say, what I could think. Perhaps this new play, daring as it was, would, provoke some thinking, at least. It was so odd, the kids thought the Yanks were our saviors. That’s what they were teaching them. Scan the sky, spot that doodle bug. Poor kids, they had not a clue. My grandfather had died, supplying the marine fleets, we were friends of the Russ then, we gave them the weapons to fight off the Nazi. Who remembered Hitler? Hell so much had happened since. At least they had not perfected that Atom bomb we heard about as kids. I’m sure that would have made things a lot worse. Id have to ask Four, he knew his History. I got on better with Four, he had been up the sharp end. In fact I seem to recall, he said he should have died loads off times. Maybe were just lucky.

I thought of One, we missed him, we all felt it when he drowned, hadn’t heard from Six, since that day. I shrugged of my miserable thoughts and switched on the set, it always took a minute to warm up. If its another war film, I shall just have to read a book. Until they ban them of course. As the set warmed and the water heated.

A strange too, do he thought, Four being in Three’s world, how could that be, he searched with his senses, he felt he could sense a presence at Fours dimension, and a clear signal, thought wave, whatever from Four in Three’s location. He would have to give it some more thought. He called up Four, who he felt was walking. They shared an update, so were loosing Three, hell were getting thin on the ground. He tidied around the small flat. He had been called up on his eighteenth birthday, same as everyone else, passed the medical, like everyone else, and been posted for training near Aldershot. He had opted for special training, as he was A plus.

That meant Airborne Regiments, better pay, better kit, life expectancy of a gnat. The training was hellish, the first deployment terrible, we had been dropped below the Mountains of Mourn, Mourn we did, the Navy were blocked, lost the Aircraft Carrier and aborted, we were alone, fighting our way up to Belfast, which still held out. It still had been Chaos, but we had a good Corporal, we trusted, and a Second Lieutenant, who must have been thirty years old, he got us through and took a bullet, going through the night gate. After that it was training, wait, go on leave, training, and every day more Yanks, as they were freed up in the Pacific, some of the islands had held out for years, they outnumbered our forces five too one. Good guys, mostly particularly their airborne and marines. But everything went through them now. A lot of the knobs, and our Government didn’t like it, a few VIPs went missing, a lot changed their tune. The Yanks had a mission. Free Europe from the Communist at all costs. But we were the front line.

I was hungry, I checked my borrowed pockets, I had picked some change and a note up from the bedside table when I had woken in the early hours of the morning. I had been disoriented, Eight and Seven had reassured me, all was well, I mean how the hell do they know, how it felt to be dumped through dimensions, and worse some people did not even seem to able too see me. Very bloody strange. I passed that on mentally too the others, while trying to avoid people just walking into me. I was having to weave a bit. A large sign drew my attention, excellent a burger place. I strolled in the clock said it was still only eight, I felt really hungry. Their was no queue I tapped on the counter people looked up but they did not seem able to make eye contact, one or two squinted and raised their hands to their eyes. This was beginning to feel very weird. Behind me some one shrieked, a young woman who looked a little pregnant, was pointing at me, she was very pale for a black girl. she backed into the glass doors and kept going backwards until she came up against the barrier. Can I take your order?I was asked. What um, yes I’ll have breakfast special, with coffee and onion rings. ER you can see me yes? The plumpgirl behind the counter, looked a little confused for a moment, she gave a small shack of her head. Her hair was blue. What kind of coffee Sir, we do Espresso. Do you have Americano.

Yes, She said. Five sixty please. I gave her the money, food seemed a bit more expensive here. The cars seemed bigger, the girls, wore tights without skirts, which was, distracting, and didn’t seem very, modest. Not to mention just too much information. I sat down looking out the window at a world so alike and at the same time not quite right. I didn’t get most of this. Eight, said I had to be the one, because my dimension was closest, and I therefore wood fit in better. We had all learned to trust Eight, who though the farthest away, always had good advice, but this was a big ask. I had a life.

Seven, said I could get back all right and he seemed to know stuff. The numbers were the only way to make sensible conversation. I suppose we were about ten years old when we began to realize not everyone could talk to themselves, at least not, the way we did.

It was a like having lots of brothers, who think just like you, but have just a different view of the world. I looked up the server girl had brought over some onion rings. My manager has locked himself in his office." She said quietly.

Oh, I said does he do that a lot.

She propped herself on the stool next to mine, and leaned closer. Did you know, not everyone can see you, she asked?I mean I thought the others were joking, but Denise, the manager said he could see right through you. He said you were a Ghost. I was beginning to wonder. I said too her. How do I look to you!

Um just okay." she said.

Thanks I said. I feel so much better.

No, I mean you just look, you know, normal like anyone else".She stated. Well that’s good. I said. Is their some reason people can’t see you, I mean your not dead or anything are you.

No I’m not dead, I assured her I’m just a little out off place. She frowned and then smiled, as I ate a French fry, perhaps only boring people can’t see me?

She laughed, and touched my sleeve before getting down and going back behind her counter. I finished breakfast, it was very good more spicy than I expected, and the coffee was excellent. As I was leaving, and the place still quiet. I called the girl over again. I am just here for a couple of days. I said. Are you working here all the time. I asked. No, I’m a student. I do shifts when I can, but I’m doing fine art, at the college. That’s a shame I said its going to be weird not knowing who can see me!

Yes ".She said. If I could not see you I would be freaked, its still a bit spooky.

Jan." someone out the back in the cooking area shouted, who are you talking too? Cant you see, she shouted back? No. They said. Walking around the tall machines, looks like your just talking to yourself, bit weird like, it so mad in here today, did you see that girl run out backwards, this place gets worse.

She walked back out of sight still talking. You see it must be true, maybe I’m only visible to artists?

I shrugged into the too snug coat, and made to leave. I’m in after five. She said. I smiled and waved, narrowly avoiding a small toddler who looked up at me and grinned. The child was scooped up bye a parent half my age. I managed to leave without more fuss, apart from the odd odd stare. I managed to get back to Three, s flat all right. I took the dog for a quick walk and made sure he had food and water. You can see me, good dog. He had a large dog flap thing in the kitchen, door which went out to a high walled yard with a gate and fire escape. He seemed happy enough, funny little thing, a scruffy little terrier, only sort off longer in the legs. After a watching a little TV, mostly advertising, I finished my tea, checked around, found some Honda motor cycle keys. The walk too the Hospital took about twenty minutes, the weather was fair. I was out of money. I wonder if Three did have a motorcycle?their was so much I did not know and the visible thing was wearing on my nerves. I kept thinking people would walk into me.

I pushed a thought to Eight. I didn’t expect that.! he said, do be honest, Sorry Four.

I cant see it myself, chipped in Five. New it would be you. I sent but with no real rancor,(its hard to stay mad at my brothers, although we did argue at times.) I wonder if their will come a time when theirs only one of us left?

Yes well, lets hope that’s long way away. Two chipped in. I’ll give this some thought, he said.

Five. I feel safer for Four already.

Eight.cool it we have to stay focused, I don’t get why only a few people can see Four, perhaps this is not supposed to happen.

Thanks Eight I said. You reassure me no end. I sent to all, I was going up to the hospital again. I patted the little dog, and left. I had found a lighter jacket that fit better.

CHAPTER THREE

Cleo Jardane call for you, Cleo turned frowning. I’m finished ".she said, who is it?. Reception spoke into the headset, she wore. If your still here. She said to the young woman, its, Mr Marks, a sub editor, local news, has a job for you.

Clio paused, four days before her flight, boring hotel, and the BBC Radio people had put her recordings together with efficiency, but they were not a very friendly bunch.

Tell him I’ll listen. She said. No promises.

He came down in one of the lifts, this place was huge. Her father ran a little Newspaper in Montreal, she was used to a different scale.

The sub editor looked to old for his job title and stressed. Look, got a little job. He said. As he cornered her in the welcome room. He smelled of sweat

She was regretting this already. Basically he continued, we have had local reports that my staff are reluctant to touch. His staff, three people on the local desk, if he’s lucky. The sub editor, who had not, sat yet. gave a brief account. We have reports from various sources, a few people have seen a man who appears to be transparent.

Transparent, you mean, like a ghost? seriously. She got up to leave. Please, the pacing sub editor begged. I’ll let you have full expenses, just talk to the spooked locals, give me the rough draft two days tops, please I’m pushed here. No one who had any consideration for journalism, wanted a ghost story, if you got a reputation for spooky stuff, you were doomed, of to the flaky magazines. Okay I can give you two days, but you don’t get my name on it, and I want the check in my hand with the expenses. He looked stricken but nodded. I notice he didn’t thank me ".She thought. She went back to the small, stale hotel, and checked her Email. Not much information to go on. Only one person had left a name, someone in a burger bar. But Googled it was only a few stops away. Well this could be easy money, she thought.

I had another meal with Three at the hospital. He was looking a little brighter, but that was probably just the sunlight in the room. We talked for nearly an hour, before he closed his eyes and