The ABC Affair- Stonehenge, Chapter 16, Letter Q

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Prompt: quest

“Blimey,” Slate blurted out as he and the others searched in vain to find the missing Russian among the gigantic stones,”how the bloody hell did people manage to move these stones here? I read some of these rocks came from Wales...doesn’t seem possible. Those stones alone must weigh tonnes.”

“Yes between two to five tonnes to be precise. As to how they got here, that’s another story for another time,”Ellery said.”Somehow your friend must be on another plane of existence that shares Stonehenge.  I have no rational explanation for that. Until I passed through the sarsens I could see you but you all couldn’t see me. It was if we existed in the same space… but, I don’t know. I’m not sure how to describe it. We were out of sync."

Mark merely shook his head as such a theory just didn’t fit into his personal beliefs. Like Illya, he was a bit of a pragmatist, though he could be more open-minded than the Russian. But still, the doctor’s theories seemed like nothing but a bunch of impractical prattle.

Their quest to find Kuryakin disappeared in the mist as it was now so thick that they couldn’t even see the monumental stones that made up the henge.

Once they heard a horrific scream echoing around them, they knew the deed was done. Illya Kuryakin was dead.

April began to weep as Mark wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.

“I know luv, he was special to all of us.”

Napoleon bowed his head in silence, but his demeanor suddenly changed.

“I don’t believe it. No, he’s not dead...I can feel it!”  Solo’s instincts when it came to his partner and friend were usually right.

As the mist retreated everyone but Napoleon expected to see Illya’s body on the ground with his throat slit.

Standing behind the sarsens that created an archway, white robed figures stood together, though they were invisible to the UNCLE agents and the doctor.

“Remove his clothing and dress him in the proper sacrificial clothing,” Davies ordered. He pointed to a pile of Neolithic style garb that lay on the ground beside him.

Kuryakin struggled as several men held him down while his jacket, tie and trousers were quickly removed, then he heard the back of his white shirt being ripped apart.

“Nooooooo!” Davies shrieked as he looked at the agent; his moan echoed among the stones.

The other druids lifted Kuryakin; unable to free himself of their grip, he closed his eyes, gritting his teeth as he resigned himself to his impending death. He felt a sharp pain as he was hit in the back of his head…

Half conscious, Illya’s only thought was…”this is it, the end.”

As the mist disappeared there was sudden movement from between the sarsens and a nearly-naked man stumbled forward into view, collapsing on the ground.

It was Kuryakin; all that he wore were his boxer shorts and the remnants of his dress shirt.

Napoleon rushed to him while the others held fast, standing guard around the two men, but at the same time protecting each other from unseen hands.

“Illya?” Solo rolled his partner over to his back. His throat hadn’t been cut, nor were there any other visible wounds.”Wake up tovarisch, come on!”

The Russian slowly opened his eyes, squinting at Napoleon.

“I am not dead.”

“Obviously,” Solo calmly offered his hand, helping Illya to his feet. “What happened?"

“Apparently I was not acceptable for their sacrificial rite.”

“And why was that?”

“When Davies saw the old scars on my back he said that I was damaged and was not a suitable offering.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Ellery finally spoke up,” but it’s near sunrise and the Solstice. I think it would be a good idea for us to get as far away as possible from Stonehenge. There’s no telling what could happen since they didn’t have a final sacrifice...they might still try to grab one of you others.”

No one needed to say anything in response as it was sound advice. They took off at a dead run, heading not for the tent, but to the cars that were parked at a fair distance away from the henge.

They climbed into the vehicles, each giving a sigh of relief when the engines started. Putting the cars in gear, they drove off, putting even more distance between them and the stone monument.

They finally came to a stop, holding their breath as they kept Stonehenge within view just as the sun began its fateful rise...

Comments

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Good twist about the scars. And I did like Napoleon knowing his partne asn't dead.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I had to figure out a way to save IK, since no one could find/get to him in time. I posted the next chapter today. My muse was being cooperative.