Hello All:
This is the one you've been waiting for. Hope I do not disappoint.
Chapter 52
A day of Reckoning
Part II
I am Angel
An eerie silence swarms over the lone figures frozen in place. This stretch of beach front faces the white tipped peaks of Mount Rainier. The occasional flock of Black-headed gulls zooming between the waters of Puget Sound and the rocky beachfront of Olympia Peninsular disappear at the sight of humans and the dreaded scent of gun powder that still hangs in the damp salt air. Even the once thunderous roar of crashing waves smashing the stone cluttered shoreline becomes hushed. Stunned by the scene played out before their lapping tides. The deadly calm mirrors the motionless figures standing in disbelief.
"No! No!" The voice bellows through the Peninsular as if sprayed from a monstrous bullhorn.
"My sweet love. My only love!"
The female voice strains, breaking into a medley of booming sobs.
"No…" Inhaling deeply, she lets out a yell of deafening proportions.
Maddie falls backward from the screech. Her face awash in tears, as she too enters this chorus of sorrow.
"No! Oh…no." She can only repeat the words she had heard. "No, not you. I love you."
Reaching her hand toward the embrace of Tia, she touches the limp arm of Joe.
"Ryn! Ryn!" Tia calls. "The stem cells. The stem cells. " Her cries are halted as shoulder length hair mixed with moist sand whips at her face.
"Save my love." There is a weakness in her plea unfamiliar to those around her.
"I have nothing without him. He is my life." Clenched teeth heighten her angered expression. "He must not die."
"You!" Her trumpeted word is aimed at Ben. "You know medicine. Do something. Save him."
Ben hesitates, but a nod from Ryn brings him to his knees beside the motionless body.
He places a hand on Joe's neck in search of a pulse, and then looks toward the still figure's back.
"The wound is small. There is little blood." She speaks with the innocent tone of a child.
Ben looks at Ryn, and closes his eyes.
"No!" Tia and Maddie scream in unison.
Tia removes her hand from his back, she sees the blood-soaked palm.
Her head snaps in Ryn's direction.
"Ryn, I accept you as my Queen." Her words have gained a strength. "If you wish, it is over." Tia turns to her new leader.
Ryn answers "The waters of our strife have passed. It is a new day for us.".
"And such I beg you my Queen, heed my wishes."
"Yes, Tia. I think I understand." Ryn's whisper causes the mourning lover to close her eyes.
As the clear night sky allows a shining moon to light up the beach, Tia presses her lips to Joe's.
"You!" A last burst of anger quickly subsides.
"Please, Doctor Bishop. Pleases take my…" Tia inhales, "our lover's necklace…and please put it around my neck."
Maddie's shaking hands fumble about his neck, till Ben completes the desk.
Maddie can only kneel with both hands covering her vision, as her head drops rocking from her sobs.
"And now," as Tia stands up, still clutching her lover. "Please, in the bag." She motions her head to point at the tri-colored shoulder bag on the sand. "There is a knife. A dagger, what my Joe used when he was a soldier."
Ben reaches in the bag and removes the commando knife. Its stiletto thin shape gleams as shooting rays of the silver moon dance over the razor sharp blade.
"Please," she asks.
Putting her free hand out toward Ben.
He hesitates until Ryn speaks.
"Ben, it is alright. I will explain later."
After receiving the weapon, Tia looks at Ben and then Ryn.
She kneels on one knee and rests Joe on the other.
"You know, after I killed as many of you as I could. We would be married."
A tangled clump of moist ashey blond hair clings to her cheek.
The grieving woman takes a breath.
"We would live like millionaires, all through the world. He couldn't understand," she shakes her head. "Why didn't I just go back to Europe and get the human currency, I stole from the Russians?" She snorts a disgusted gust of air.
"For your information, there are millions or some ridiculous amount of that paper," her lips curve. "Stupid humans." Tia looks at the knife. "If you want it, it's in the largest train stations in the three main cities of Europe." She chuckles. "Don't worry, none of them is Moscow." Her laugh is hoarse and broken. "Remember when insects overran America." After a short giggle, she continues.
"I would have given him a son. I know it. A beautiful boy. A beautiful boy…just…" She leans closer to his face. "Just like my sweet boy." She places one last kiss on his lips.
Walking to the water's edge, she turns toward her new Queen.
Ryn touches her chest. Then points to the sea.
Tia bows, taking a few steps into the water.
"Ryn, what are you doing? You are letting her go? We can't trust her." Ben's words are hurried.
"I trust her. That is all that matters." Answers Ryn. "I so command."
"Hey, boy toy." Tia chuckles. "Listen to your Queen."
Advancing further into the surf, she turns to the beach, bowing one last time.
She places the blade between her teeth and dives into the surf.
Tia's journey will take her to an undersea grotto deep on the ocean's floor. A spot pre-selected due to the all engulfing sand lining the bottom. A porous material that swallows all that lie on its bed.
Zooming to the encrusted rocks with clusters of colorful coral lining the cave, her speed is not hindered by her lover's form.
As they enter, Joe is placed on a large boulder inside the cave.
Holding the cross hanging from the slim gold chain, she places the crucifix on her cheek. This symbolizes a love she thought unattainable.
Joe is then lifted from the rock and lowered to the sand.
Holding his hand, she bends forward and presses her lips to his.
A solemn looking Tia lies next to him.
Taking the knife from her mouth, she places the sharp blade to her neck.
A smile grows on her expression.
"I am Angel." Forcing the words through the pressure of the deep, large bubbles float upward.
With eyes closed she presses the blade deeper against her skin.
One forceful movement and it is over.
Note to reader:
I have three votes to continue this story.
Though Joe and Tia are gone, there is a problem brewing between our favorite trio of lovers.
Also, what is this about millions waiting to be found in the three main capitals of Europe.
And don't forget the Russians, you know they're hiding someplace.
Plus, the US Navy. Why have they been so nice?
If you wish for a continuation, please let me know.
Thanks for the interest,
GJ
