THOSE LEFT BEHIND
By Jules
Epilogue
How do you go on when there is nothing to look forward to?
This is the question that Nathan Hale Bridger asked himself as he sat alone on the beach on his island. He was alone now, perhaps more so now than he had ever been in life.
Maybe that's how fate dealt the cards and shuffled the pack. He had no beliefs in predetermined plans and destinations further than he could see. The cold hard truth and cruelty of life had poisoned his mind against there being a better place out there for the future.
The sand he sat upon was dry, falling between his fingers like so many dreams and hopes for Lucas that might have been. And like that sand, they faded before you really had a chance to see them.
Bridger had attended the funeral of Lucas Wolenczak, but not in the public way that everyone wanted to see. He had physically taken part in the solemn ceremony attended only by those who had really come to know how much Lucas had meant to them.
He had recited some words written on a page before him. All of them were true and certainly heartfelt. But they were just words. Nothing more than a thought written on paper.
The skies had been unusually fine and sunny on a day that Bridger would forever recall with dark clouds and even sadder in emotion. But there had been no breeze during the service. Almost as if time itself had stopped and took time to reflect on an innocent that had been lost and never really found in life.
That day had been three months ago and this day was no easier than all those that had followed. They came and went with the same monotonous droll and disinterest from Bridger.
The sun was shining again today, but it was always clear and bright on the island. That's why Lucas had come to like it so much and had cherished staying here when the tours of duty permitted.
Now, the house was nothing more than a shell of the home that it had had come in such a short space of time. The place had certainly seen its share of emptiness and neglect after Robert and Carol had gone. Then it had seen rebirth and a new sense of belonging had come to pass.
The lights were turned off in the evening, usually for most of the night now. Bridger had come to rely on a few small lights, one in the bathroom, kitchen and hall to see him through the necessary tasks of the day. The bedroom lamp burned low occasionally, but he had not switched on the room light since returning from Pearl Harbour.
There was just something so different now that Lucas wasn't able to share his triumphs and achievements. He had resigned from the U.E.O. and SeaQuest. Commander Jonathan Ford had reluctantly agreed to remain temporary Captain until another could be coerced into taking the helm.
The crew had certainly been there for him over the last twelve weeks. They called on the phone, which usually went unanswered, making sure they left a message encouragement and support before hanging up. Some had even visited the island. They were shocked at how quickly their commanding officer had retreated back to his private sanctuary, only to forget about himself and everything that mattered.
They had fought with their own feelings about Lucas's death and suicide. All of them full of sorrow and grief. A few might have even admitted frustration and a little anger. Not at Lucas. He was the pawn of this whole game called life.
Lucas was one of those people that brought so much happiness and enrichment to the lives of others, that he himself went unnoticed, neglected and misplaced. Until he faded into the distance, beyond any assistance and lacking in understanding.
Bridger felt like half of him was missing and there was no way of bringing the broken pieces that remained together again with any sense of cohesion. He was like a hand that was missing its glove or a foot that didn't have a shoe.
The basic functions were there and they could work when required, but the reason for being here was out of sight. The comfort the other missing pieces supplied could not be found anywhere else. His right hand no longer knew what the left was doing and cared less even more.
What was the whole point of life if you were not considered alive?
"Tomorrow is another new day, isn't it Lucas?" Bridger whispered as he gazed down at the photograph clasped tightly in his hand. He allowed the tears to flow, satisfied that they were shed without witness.
He stood up on the sand, placed the photograph into the pocket of his jeans and walked back towards his empty house.
Authors Notes – I haven't put "The End" or "To Be Continued" – these ideas stuck me tonight on their own and I thought I must try and remember them for November to do as an update. But what the hell, I will probably forget tomorrow, so I wrote them down now.
I do not want to explore the idea of a SeaQuest world without Lucas – so don't think that's where I am headed. Just a few random thoughts.
It also gives me the opportunity to let you now that writing has been non- existed for about 6 weeks now – the delay is not intentional, but totally out of my control. Please understand.
I am in the middle of writing a rather funny update for RUN between Ben and Lucas and finishing of SECRET DEVICE and just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you all.
JULES
By Jules
Epilogue
How do you go on when there is nothing to look forward to?
This is the question that Nathan Hale Bridger asked himself as he sat alone on the beach on his island. He was alone now, perhaps more so now than he had ever been in life.
Maybe that's how fate dealt the cards and shuffled the pack. He had no beliefs in predetermined plans and destinations further than he could see. The cold hard truth and cruelty of life had poisoned his mind against there being a better place out there for the future.
The sand he sat upon was dry, falling between his fingers like so many dreams and hopes for Lucas that might have been. And like that sand, they faded before you really had a chance to see them.
Bridger had attended the funeral of Lucas Wolenczak, but not in the public way that everyone wanted to see. He had physically taken part in the solemn ceremony attended only by those who had really come to know how much Lucas had meant to them.
He had recited some words written on a page before him. All of them were true and certainly heartfelt. But they were just words. Nothing more than a thought written on paper.
The skies had been unusually fine and sunny on a day that Bridger would forever recall with dark clouds and even sadder in emotion. But there had been no breeze during the service. Almost as if time itself had stopped and took time to reflect on an innocent that had been lost and never really found in life.
That day had been three months ago and this day was no easier than all those that had followed. They came and went with the same monotonous droll and disinterest from Bridger.
The sun was shining again today, but it was always clear and bright on the island. That's why Lucas had come to like it so much and had cherished staying here when the tours of duty permitted.
Now, the house was nothing more than a shell of the home that it had had come in such a short space of time. The place had certainly seen its share of emptiness and neglect after Robert and Carol had gone. Then it had seen rebirth and a new sense of belonging had come to pass.
The lights were turned off in the evening, usually for most of the night now. Bridger had come to rely on a few small lights, one in the bathroom, kitchen and hall to see him through the necessary tasks of the day. The bedroom lamp burned low occasionally, but he had not switched on the room light since returning from Pearl Harbour.
There was just something so different now that Lucas wasn't able to share his triumphs and achievements. He had resigned from the U.E.O. and SeaQuest. Commander Jonathan Ford had reluctantly agreed to remain temporary Captain until another could be coerced into taking the helm.
The crew had certainly been there for him over the last twelve weeks. They called on the phone, which usually went unanswered, making sure they left a message encouragement and support before hanging up. Some had even visited the island. They were shocked at how quickly their commanding officer had retreated back to his private sanctuary, only to forget about himself and everything that mattered.
They had fought with their own feelings about Lucas's death and suicide. All of them full of sorrow and grief. A few might have even admitted frustration and a little anger. Not at Lucas. He was the pawn of this whole game called life.
Lucas was one of those people that brought so much happiness and enrichment to the lives of others, that he himself went unnoticed, neglected and misplaced. Until he faded into the distance, beyond any assistance and lacking in understanding.
Bridger felt like half of him was missing and there was no way of bringing the broken pieces that remained together again with any sense of cohesion. He was like a hand that was missing its glove or a foot that didn't have a shoe.
The basic functions were there and they could work when required, but the reason for being here was out of sight. The comfort the other missing pieces supplied could not be found anywhere else. His right hand no longer knew what the left was doing and cared less even more.
What was the whole point of life if you were not considered alive?
"Tomorrow is another new day, isn't it Lucas?" Bridger whispered as he gazed down at the photograph clasped tightly in his hand. He allowed the tears to flow, satisfied that they were shed without witness.
He stood up on the sand, placed the photograph into the pocket of his jeans and walked back towards his empty house.
Authors Notes – I haven't put "The End" or "To Be Continued" – these ideas stuck me tonight on their own and I thought I must try and remember them for November to do as an update. But what the hell, I will probably forget tomorrow, so I wrote them down now.
I do not want to explore the idea of a SeaQuest world without Lucas – so don't think that's where I am headed. Just a few random thoughts.
It also gives me the opportunity to let you now that writing has been non- existed for about 6 weeks now – the delay is not intentional, but totally out of my control. Please understand.
I am in the middle of writing a rather funny update for RUN between Ben and Lucas and finishing of SECRET DEVICE and just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you all.
JULES