TRY, TRY AGAIN

by Diane Mullen

Shara was singing along with the radio as she carefully drove through the rain. Another ten miles and she would be home, she thought gratefully. Ahead of her, on the road, she saw the blurred form of someone - a hitchhiker, looking for a ride.

Poor guy, she thought. He's soaked through. I'd like to stop, but picking up hitchhikers is dangerous.

Then, suddenly, she had a feeling that this was a man who could be trusted. Her instincts told her to help him, that no one else on this world needed help more than he did. She slowed to a stop at the side of the road just in front of the hitchhiker.

Bennu watched as the car paused. He was almost certain it would continue on its way, and he was surprised to see it pull over and stop. Quickly, he ran up to the side of the car and pulled open the door. The woman in the car - an attractive woman with golden blonde hair and green eyes - motioned him in.

"There's a towel in the back," she said, "you might want to dry off a little."

Bennu gratefully turned and grabbed the towel off the back seat. "Thank you," he said. "My name's Bennu."

"Nice to meet you, Bennu," she replied as she pulled the car back onto the road. "I'm Shara. Where're you headed?"

"Moore Haven - near Lake Okeechobee."

"Yes, I know where it is. That's an awfully long haul from here - you don't really expect to get there tonight, do you?"

Bennu stared out at the rain and sighed. "No, I guess not."

Shara studied Bennu from the corner of her eye for a moment. "Tell you what, Bennu. Why don't you stay with me tonight, and tomorrow I'll take you to Moore Haven. I was going there anyway to do some research at the Indian museum."

"I don't want to be any trouble," Bennu protested. "There's a little town here, why don't you just drop me near a hotel?"

Shara stopped at a red light and turned to face Bennu.

"Look around. This is the only traffic light in town. The only hotel is just over there," she pointed at a dilapidated two-story building. "I have plenty of room for you in my house. And," she said, looking at him critically, "I want to make sure you get yourself warm and dry before you catch cold. A hot meal wouldn't hurt either."

Bennu hesitated, watching Shara's face. Then he smiled, slowly. "Very well. Thank you - I appreciate your hospitality."

"Think nothing of it," she smiled back. "I've always been a sucker for hard-luck cases. My guess is, you're the hardest-luck case I've ever seen."

A few minutes later, Shara turned into a tree-shrouded driveway and drove into the carport. As they walked into the house, Shara asked, "Do you have any dietary restrictions I should know about before I fix dinner? Are you allergic to anything?"

"No allergies," he replied, "but I prefer not to eat red meat."

"OK," she lead him down a hall. "Here, this is the extra bedroom," she flipped the switch to turn on the lights in a small, but comfortable bedroom. "You can sleep here. The door in the corner leads to a bathroom, towels are in the cabinet. I strongly suggest you take a hot shower before dinner." Shara studied his tall, lanky frame a moment, and then walked to the closet and took out a white terry-cloth robe. "This ought to fit you fairly well. When you get out of your wet clothes, I'll throw them in the wash so they'll be ready in the morning."

Bennu held the robe uncomfortably. "I'd rather you didn't go to all this trouble, Shara. My clothes will dry by themselves. I'll be fine."

"Nonsense," she replied firmly. "It's really no trouble. You have about half an hour before dinner." Shara closed the door gently behind her as she left, neatly cutting off any further argument.

Bennu looked after her, bemused. It had been a long time since anyone had tried to mother him, and, coming from such a lovely young woman, it was surprising. Still, he had to admit to himself, it was very pleasant. Chuckling, he began stripping off his wet clothes in preparation for taking a hot shower.

Half an hour later, Bennu came out feeling refreshed. Dressed only in the robe, he walked through the house toward the kitchen, from where delicious smells were emanating. As he passed through the darkened dining room he caught a stray thought from Shara - more feeling than thought, actually - of peace and pleasure in the rain. Looking more closely, he could see her standing at the glass doors leading out to the pool. He slowly walked up beside her, being sure she could see his reflection in the glass.

"Do you like the rain, Bennu?" she asked softly as he stepped beside her.

"Yes." Bennu joined her in watching the rain fall into the pool and drip from the trees beyond.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Shara said quietly, "I love to stand here and watch the rain. Even when it's thundering and lightening, it's so peaceful. Peaceful and cleansing."

Suddenly, Shara turned to Bennu, her attitude purposeful. "Well, now that you've had your shower, how about some dinner? I've got homemade vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches ready."

"Sounds good," Bennu smiled, "and it smells delicious."

"Follow me, sir, and we shall dine," Shara said humourously.

Laughing, they walked into the kitchen. The table in the breakfast nook had already been set, a plate of sandwiches waiting next to a soup ladle and a cat-shaped trivet.

"Would you get the milk out of the refrigerator, please?" Shara asked as she took a pot of soup off the stove.

Bennu and Shara settled themselves at the table. Bennu helped himself to a sandwich and then began to eat his soup. Wonderfully, the soup was thick and full of more different kinds of vegetables that he would have thought would go together.

"This soup is excellent! It tastes even better than it smells," he compliment Shara.

"Thank you." Shara paused a moment. "Where are you from, Bennu?"

Immediately, Bennu tensed imperceptibly even though he couldn't sense any danger from Shara's thoughts. "Nowhere in particular," he answered. "Why do you ask?"

Shara looked at him curiously. "Relax! I'm sorry if I asked something that's none of my business. I'm having trouble placing your accent, and I'm curious. That's all." She chuckled. "I do tend to be a little nosy - I'm a writer, and I like to learn all kinds of things about the people around me so I can use it in my books. I won't ask you anything else, if you'd rather I didn't."

Bennu felt Shara's calm acceptance of his reluctance to answer her questions. Suddenly, he wanted to tell her the truth . . . everything. He felt that she could be trusted, although he wasn't sure why.

"Shara, I . . . ," Bennu stopped, unable to say any more.

"It's not important, Bennu. Where you're from isn't important. Who you are, that's what's important. I don't ask you to tell me anything that should be kept a secret. After all, you've no way of knowing whether or not I can be trusted."

"Actually, I do. I know you can be trusted. It's just very difficult to say something you know won't be believed."

Shara looked at him quizzically. "So you have the Gift, too?"

"The Gift?"

Shara touched her forehead. "The ability to feel other people's feelings."

Bennu nodded slowly. "Yes, it is something like that." Suddenly, Bennu looked at her curiously. "You have the Gift?"

Shara grinned impishly and broke into an Irish brogue. "Aye, that I do, laddie. It comes with having a name like Shara O'Manion, don't you know. That, and a family that comes straight from the Old Country."

Bennu smiled in response to her humor. The smile faded as he continued. "Can you read other people's thoughts?"

Shara shrugged and returned to her normal pronunciation. "Not thoughts, feelings. I have no idea what you're thinking right now, but you are very tense - a little nervous - about something."

Bennu appeared to be thinking about this information, digesting it along with his dinner, so Shara continued talking.

"You're wrong about not being believed, you know. I believe in many things others think are fantasy. My grandfather used to tell me stories of the 'wee' people and the Puka - spirits that roam Ireland in the shape of horses - until I'd come to know them all so well I wouldn't be surprised to meet one. You can tell me anything you want - I'll probably believe you, but I won't push you to talk if you don't want to."

Bennu ate in silence, considering what Shara had said, trying to decide what he could safely tell her. Even as he helped her clean up, he didn't say much, but listened to Shara, getting a feel for her thoughts and emotions.

Shara didn't ask anymore difficult questions. Instead, she talked pleasantly of her work and the reason she was going to Moore Haven in the morning - she wanted to visit the Indian Museum and Burial Grounds there for a story she was working on. Eventually, they said goodnight and went to their respective bedrooms.

Bennu laid down on the bed, but he found it impossible to sleep. The aborted discussion at dinner had left him decidedly unsettled. Shara suspected something unusual about him. He knew she wouldn't call Preminger. He wanted to tell her the truth, he felt that she could be trusted, but still he hesitated. He had kept his secret so long, could it be he had finally found someone to share it with? Eventually, Bennu's weary mind signaled a halt to the debate with himself by going to sleep.

The next morning Bennu rose with the sun, as usual, and found his clothes lying neatly folded on the bureau. After he had dressed he went out to the pool, to see Shara just finishing a swim.

"Good morning, Bennu!" she called gaily. "It's about time you got up!"

Bennu glanced up to see the first rays of the rising sun and laughed. "Good morning to you also, Shara. I must remember that dawn is considered late in the morning here!"

Shara laughed as she quickly dried herself.

A golden cat walked out of the yard, leading four very young kittens right to Shara's feet. Bennu watched as she sat cross-legged to greet them. He could sense a feeling a peace, comfort and safety that Sharra seemed to impart to the cats.

"Good morning, Mama," Shara said gently. "I was wondering when I'd get to see the babies." Shara picked up each kitten and looked it in the face, stroking it's head. "Very nice to meet you all," she said, as she placed the kittens in her lap and picked up the mother. "They're beautiful babies, Mama. You should be proud of them."

It was not much later when Shara and Bennu headed out for Moore Haven. They drove in silence for a few minutes, while Bennu studied Shara's face and his own feelings.

"Why are you so troubled, Bennu?" Shara asked soothingly. "I am not your adversary."

Bennu started to relax as a wave of peace flowed over him. Startled, he tensed again as he realized that the peacefulness did not come from within - it was coming from Shara.

"Don't do that, please," he said quietly. Instantly, the feeling stopped.

"I'm sorry." The penitence in her voice was real. "I'm so used to helping scared and nervous animals I sometimes forget not to calm people down in the same way."

"You can control what others feel?"

"No - not control. I can influence them, sometimes. It depends on how strong their own emotions are. I can never influence someone with the Gift - they can feel what I'm doing too easily. I should've remembered that. You have the Gift, too."

"I can't do what you do. Our 'Gifts' are different. I sense thoughts more than feelings."

Shara shot him a look from the corner of her eyes. "You can influence others thoughts, then?"

"Like you, not always. I usually don't try with people."

Shara framed the next question hesitantly. "Where are you from, Bennu?" she asked quietly.

Bennu paused before making up his mind to tell her the truth. "I came from a planet far away from here. I was placed in a sleep chamber - something like your science fiction calls 'cryogenics.' When I woke up I was supposed to contact my partner, Mira. Unfortunately, I was awakened too soon, by scientists who didn't really understand what they were doing, and the memory banks in my sleep chamber were damaged. I don't know where Mira is or what it is that we're supposed to be doing here. The only thing I know is that, like me, Mira was placed in a burial chamber at an Indian burial ground."

"Which Indians?"

"I don't know. I've been traveling around the country trying to find out."

"And trying to avoid something - someone," Shara spoke slowly, as if feeling her way along. "Who?"

"A man named Preminger. He is with the FBI, and he wants to capture me, to run tests on me."

"There is something else that bothers you about your search, Bennu." Shara turned to look directly at him for a moment. "What is it?"

He nodded somberly. "My ancient foe. An evil being from my planet who wishes to prevent me from finding Mira, prevent us from completing our mission." Bennu stopped suddenly. "I shouldn't be telling you this."

Shara nodded towards a small coffee shop ahead of them on the road and smiled. "Care to stop for breakfast, Mr. ET?" Bennu did not relax. Shara laughed softly. "Your secret is safe, Bennu. You know I'll not tell - and I won't call Mr. Preminger."

The next few hours passed quietly as they drove to the Indian Museum and Burial Grounds. When they had arrived, Bennu stopped Shara before she could get out of the car.

"Have you ever seen this around here?" he asked, holding out a piece of Indian carving.

Shara looked at the carving briefly before answering. "No, but I'm no expert, either. Come inside with me and I'll introduce you to John Grey Horse - he's the curator. If it's here, I'm sure he'll know about it." Shara paused and caught Bennu's eye. "Does this have something to do with your search?"

"Yes. This symbol is supposed to mark where Mira was buried."

As soon as they had entered the museum, an old Indian man approached.

"Back for more research, Ms. O'Manion?"

Shara glared at him in mock anger. "Mr. Grey Horse. How many times have I asked you to call me Shara?"

John Grey Horse matched her stare with amusement. "If I call you Shara, you must call me John."

Shara grinned and stuck out her hand, which John took in a warm handshake. "It's nice to see you again, Shara." He nodded toward Bennu, who was hanging back. "Who's your friend?"

Shara pulled Bennu forward. "John, I'd like you to meet Bennu. He's got some questions about your burial ground."

"Pleased to meet you, sir," Bennu said deferentially.

"Happy to help you, if I can, son. What would you like to know?"

Bennu held out his carving. "Have you seen this symbol around here anywhere?"

John took the carving and walked over near a window where the sunlight could shine upon it. He studied the symbol quietly for a moment. Then he turned back to Bennu with a puzzled look. "Where did you get this?"

"In Peru. Do you recognize it?"

"It's a very obscure symbol. It calls to the gods, to inform them of an important person buried within the mound. You won't see it around this area much - you might find it more in the Midwest. But there is one mound with a marking veyr similar to this. I'll take you out to it, if you'd like."

"Thank you. I would appreciate it."

"Mind if I tag along?" Shara asked.

John lead the way out to his jeep. When all three were comfortably settled he drove towards the swamp. "Do you mind if I ask why you're looking for this symbol?"

"It's a special project of mine," Bennu replied cautiously.

John studied Bennu carefully, as if to penetrate the amiable expression on his face. After a moment he shrugged in resignation and returned his full concentration to driving.

The remainder of the drive to the burial mound passed uneventfully. When they arrived John Grey Horse lead Bennu and Shara to the top of the rounded hill. There he went immediately to a large rock embedded in the dirt.

"Here it is," he stated.

Bennu dropped to his knees beside the rock. Carved into its surface was a spiral pattern that closely matched the one he carried with him. After studying the symbol for a moment, Bennu raised his head and scanned the surface of the mound. Soo, his searching eyes were rewarded with a second sign - a faint outline of a Phoenix. Aware of John and Shara watching him, Bennu stood and turned to them.

"Thank you for your help. I have seen all I need to." So saying, he turned and walked down the slope to the jeep, leaving John and Shara to stare after him.

Much later, when Shara and Bennu returned to her car, Shara asked "When are you planning to return? Or did you want to remain here?"

"What do you mean?" Bennu asked, puzzled.

"You found something that excited you at that mound. You plan to check it out more closely - alone. I was just wondering when you planned to do it."

Bennu began to laugh. "I almost forgot about your 'Gift.' I should have known I couldn't hide anything from you."

Shara only smiled. "I could help you. I know of a back road into the Burial Grounds. We could get to the Mound without John knowing we had come back."

Bennu hesitantly nodded his acquiescence.

Very soon, Shara and Bennu climbed back to the top of the Mound. Bennu all but ignored the spiral pattern carved on the face of the rock. Instead he went straight to a taller rock at the side of the mound. After a diffident glance at Shara, he reached inside his shirt and removed his Phoenix medallion. Carefully, he matched the face of the medallion with the Phoenix carved in the rock wall. The two birds of flame matched perfectly. Bennu twisted the medallion slightly and a low rumble was heard below them, at the side of the mound near the ground. Quickly, Bennu returned his medallion under his shirt and lead the way to the newly opened door in the side of the mound.

For a moment, all remained dark. Then, from one side of the chamber, a glow began, and rapidly grew stronger. Now they could see a large, golden sarcophagas. Slowly, wonderingly, Bennu moved forward. Suddenly, an evil presence filled his mind, fighting to subdue him.

"Yago!" Bennu choked as, suddenly weakened, he fell to his knees. Then he exerted all of his concentration to defeating his ancient enemy.

Shara stood frozen for a second as she sorted out the tremendous emotions reaching her. She realized that something totally evil was attempting to kill Bennu. Kneeling beside his stiff, unmoving form she lent all the power and strength that was hers to the battle. Drawing on all she knew from her Gift, she fought the evil with waves of goodness. Abruptly, Shara saw the reddish form of a wolf facing her.

"You cannot help him, woman! You are no match for me! Get out while I will still allow you to leave."

As Shara was about to answer, she felt Bennu's hand grip hers. Instantly she felt his thoughts - together they had a chance to defeat Yago!

"You are wrong, Yago," she stated. "Together, we are more than a match for you!"

Bennu and Shara redoubled their efforts. Soon, Yago fled. But as he went, he left them a message to consider. "You have won this battle - but a battle does not a war make. You will not win in the end!"

Bennu looked around the chamber again, surprised to see the golden sarcophagus remained. He had thought it to be a trick of Yago's. He longed to activate the revival mechanisms in the sarcophagus, but he was weakened by the battle with Yago. He made it to the entrance with Shara's help. There he pulled out his medallion and exposed it to the late afternoon sunshine.

"Bennu," began Shara. "What will you do if he comes back? What will happen when you revive Mira?"

"I don't know," he answered. Looking at her from the corner of his eyes as he continued to drink in the sunlight, he said, "I'm grateful for all your help, Shara. I don't think I could have handled Yago without it. Will you stay and help me with Mira?"

Shara smiled. "Of course," she stated matter-of-factly.

When Bennu had regained his strength, they re-entered the mound. Together they approached Mira's sarcophagus. Shara gently touched the symbols engraved on its surface. Bennu studied the instructions. After several minutes, he shook his head in disappointment.

"What is it?" asked Shara.

"This is not Mira," Bennu answered tiredly. "I don't know how, but Yago's done it again. This isn't even real." Abruptly, he put his hand through the coffin.

Shara watched, amazed. Tentatively, she reached out again. When her fingers disappeared through its surface she jumped in surprise. Then Bennu silently lead the way out.

Later that evening, after a hot and satisfying dinner, Shara and Bennu sat in Shara's home companionably talking.

"What will you do now?" Shara finally asked.

"Go on looking. I will find Mira, some day."

"'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again' is that it?" Shara looked at him sadly. "It must be terribly lonely for you. Whenever you need a friend, or a place to relax for a few days, remember that I will be here. You are always welcome."

Bennu smiled. "Thank you. I will remember. Just one thing - be careful. You'll be inviting unwanted interest when you write that book about me. Preminger will come and question you."

Shara looked surprised for a moment. Then she laughed. "I'll be careful. I'll change enough details so that I can truthfully tell Preminger that what I wrote was a fictional story."

The next morning Shara watched as Bennu got on the bus heading out of town. Then she returned home to begin the story of the incredible alien who had so profoundly touched her life in such a short time. As she did, she sent a silent prayer to the gods to protect Bennu and aid him in his search.

THE END