All The Way
Chapter 30
After midnight a cold rain began to fall and a small stream flowed through the cave and out the entrance. The rain had fallen steadily and morning light dimly filtered through the rain clouds. At first light, Julia began placing the blankets on the horses and would try to place the saddles on by herself. Eliot was still weak and lightheaded. She had administered the last of the medication and he would be on his own till they reached civilization.
Standing by Max, she marveled how she had managed the last few days. She was sure she moved like one of the walking dead. Every few seconds she would look at the entrance praying Richard would not return.
Where was he? Tears welled up in her eyes. He had the knife in his hand, he could have killed her, but he didn't.
His face was frightening. His eyes looked at her with awe, not believing what she had done to him. She had tried to sever his carotid and if she had been successful he would have died where he stood. The severed artery, with each pump of his heart would have drained his body in minutes. Julia leaned against the saddle as hot tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Why, why, why?" she sobbed.
"Julia."
Julia straightened and wiped the tears from her cheek, turned, and walked toward Eliot managing a weak smile.
"We're all leaving together," She quietly announced.
Eliot's eyes studied her carefully, noticing her red eyes and the dark circles forming beneath them.
"Julia, you saved my life, you did what you had to do."
Julia squared her shoulders, chin elevated. "I don't feel like your brave and beautiful lioness. I feel like hell."
Eliot's eyes dropped. "We could wait a few hours till the rain lightens."
"We could wait till Richard feels like making another visit!" She countered.
Julia felt the guilt of the cigarette smoke again. Because of her bravado their hiding place had been discovered. After last night Richard would show her no compassion.
"I certainly know how to pick them," She announced sarcastically.
Eliot looked up at her, his brows furrowed. "What does that mean?"
"Men!" She answered simply.
"What do you want me to say to you, Julia?" Eliot's replied sharply, the pain medication not yet working. "Do you want me to tell you that you are drawn to needy men? That you select the kind of men who use you and are self-possessed and shallow? Would that make you feel better? Do you want me to make you feel worse than you already do?"
"Men like Barnabas Collins and Richard Carter?" She asked.
"For such an intelligent and talented woman you can be quite a fool!" He snapped not wanting to continue the conversation.
"A fool am I?" Julia's eyebrows arched.
Eliot's eyes turned wearily toward her. "I've always been honest with you and I think you heard me quite well."
Julia folded her arms. "Then why do you put up with me?"
"Why do I put up with you?" He repeated softly. She could see the warmth returning to his blue-gray eyes, his smile bittersweet and his voice nostalgic. "I don't claim to know or understand you, Julia, perhaps this is the quality that adds to your allure, an allure that could make a man love you all the way."
Julia's lips trembled looking down on him. "Oh, Eliot," She whispered, wanting to slip beneath the blanket and feel the comfort of his arms. He closed his eyes as a shiver of pain ran through his body.
She couldn't stand to see him in pain he needed help. They had to leave right away. She turned and moved down the cave entrance to check the weather. Carefully, she eased her head and shoulders around the rock opening when strong fingers clamped firmly around her neck and pressed her to the rock face.
"Why hello, Julia," Richard said with the softness of a caress.
Julia could not speak, eyes wide with fear, fingers clawing at the hand around her neck. Carter firmly gripped her neck and used the hold to maneuver her from the cave, through the trees, down the sandy beach and into the stream. Tiny mushrooms appeared across the uneven surface of the stream as the rain poured.
Huntington Carter and Howard Blair stood on the far bank beneath their black umbrellas.
"Well, Dickie, it's about time you took care of the source of all your troubles. She's the one who betrayed you; she's the one who knows the secret. Why else would she send those bones back without telling you?" Huntington Carter snapped.
Richard Carter pulled Julia across the water by her arm and tossed her on the sand between the two men. Julia could not believe her eyes. The blackness around his eyes was beginning to fade to a sickly yellow. The color matched the golden yellow of his eyes. The physician's hand came to her mouth to stifle a scream, not able to look away as raindrops stung her upturned face. Julia watched as the rain poured over his face and cheek, the bandage around his neck turning a bright pink, the deep wound on the left side of his neck spreading like a crimson rose.
"Oh, Richard," She said softly.
Howard Blair coughed slightly. "You know, Dr. Carter, if you had taken care of this problem earlier, as we had discussed, we would not be having this unpleasantness."
Richard Carter turned and glared at Howard Blair causing the man to momentarily remain silent.
"Well, Dickie, let's get on with this. You and your insipid poetry going on and on about love and all that nonsense has made you a laughing stock. Let's see, what was it again.
I don't have all the answers to your sad prayer
But if I could I'd give you angel's wings
To go where hope is found
With strength to reach beyond
And carries like a song upon the wind
It's time to give her 'angel wings' Dickie!" Huntington Carter gave his umbrella a twirl.
Richard Carter's fingers moved over the hunting knife at his belt. In a dream like trance he began repeating his own poem.
"The sound of holding on-almost a whisper
The sigh of broken hearts—a quiet cry
The rain upon your face
Brings gravity and grace
And softly you begin to breathe again
I don't have all the answers to your sad prayer
But if I could I'd give you angel's wings
To go where hope is found
With strength to reach beyond
And carries like a song upon the wind"
Richard paused as he stared down at Julia. "Yes, I'll give you angel wings." He repeated as he bent down and pulled her to her feet.
Julia's mind was frantically racing to understand. What was he planning to do?
"Richard, please let me help you. You're not well, there's something wrong with you. Your neck, I need to exam it."
Richard wheeled her around by her arm and pulled the knife from his belt and held it to her neck.
"There's nothing wrong with me. I will not be betrayed, do you hear me?" His voice grew louder. "Why did you send those bones in the truck?"
Julia gave an unconvincing, placating smile. "Why, Richard, those bones will be safe at the university till you and I can study them further."
The blade of the knife gently penetrated the skin on her chest causing a bead of blood to appear and disperse in the film of water covering her skin. Julia tried not to flinch from the pain. Richard watched the pink stream flow down her chest and disappeared between her breasts. The blade of the knife dropped further and with a quick motion cut the top button from her blouse. For the first time he seemed to notice the moist white blouse clinging to her chest.
Julia didn't bother to clutch the loose blouse; instead she turned and smiled up at him, leaning against him, hoping to rekindle any affection he might have for her.
Richard smiled slyly. "The bones are safely here. I removed them from the truck personally and placed them in a secure place."
Julia tried to hide her disappointment. The bones were the last of the tangible evidence showing the atrocities at the site.
Huntington Carter sighed deeply. "Dickie, let's get on with this. If you give her 'angel wings' she will tell us everything we need to know."
"Dr. Carter we are so close and yet you delay. She's lying and you know it. Deal with her Dr. Carter, and deal with her now!" Howard Blair raised his voice, showing his impatience.
Richard Carter lifted Julia by the arm, holding the knife in his hand they began their journey. She barely felt her feet touching the ground as they walked. Her eyes moved from Carter's face to their surroundings.
Where was he taking her? Did he finally believe the only way he could reach Eliot Stokes was to remove her from the scene? Surely, he didn't plan to kill her?
The physician realized they were moving along the trail beyond the horse corral. Julia felt light-headed and began to stagger. Richard squeezed her arm causing her to yell out in pain. Looking up at him, she realized the bandage around his neck was crimson red, a small stream of blood trickled down his neck soaking his khaki shirt.
They moved up the trail leading toward the cliff tops. She felt her legs growing weak from fear and exhaustion, her feet stumbled over rocks along the trail. Richard swung her roughly out over the edge of the trail, causing the rocks to spin over the edge and into the canyon. Julia screamed as he roughly held her near the edge.
"Walk!" he commanded.
"Please, Richard," Julia pleaded.
Huntington Carter moved around them on the trail, still holding the umbrella as the rain fel, he encouragedl.
"Give her wings, Dickie. Give her wings!"
Howard Blair brought up the rear, holding his umbrella, carefully watching his step to avoid the stream of water running down the trail.
Julia tried not to look over the edge as they traveled further and further up the cliff.
"Give her wings," Richard repeated as he shoved and pulled her along. Reaching the summit, the wind whirled over the edge blowing a fine mist of rain into their faces.
Julia felt she had stepped into some nightmare world of terror and exhaustion. Richard was unresponsive as he pulled her along, turning his head occasionally to hold heated conversations on either side of them.
"Please, Richard," She begged, "Let me help you."
"Come on, Dr. Carter. Let's get this over with, the pleading is getting tiresome!" Howard Blair complained.
Julia gasped as Richard pulled her along the edge of the cliff. The slick sandy surface caused their feet to slide as they moved along the edge and down the slope. Grabbing the front of his shirt, she turned to face him.
"Please, Richard, you can't do this."
He looked down at her, their eyes meet.
"Why shouldn't I?" he asked softly.
Julia's lips quivered, eyes pleading, trying to find the right words that might reach him.
"Because deep down in your heart, you know you don't want to."
Richard Carter's head jerked from side to side as Blair and his father moved on either side of him, their faces close to his ears.
"Of course you want to," Howard Blair whispered. "She's lied to you! She's betrayed you more than once, the bones, Stokes! You want to give her 'wings' don't you?"
Richard's face twisted in confusion. "Leave me alone!" He yelled turning his head, pulling her further down the cliff toward the edge. Julia looked out over the vast canyons beyond. The gray overcast sky created a monochrome horizon in all directions. The only sound was the wind in her ears and the pounding of her heart. Richard faced her, his back toward the edge of the canyon. A fine mist of rain blew over them, their feet sliding on the sandy incline.
Richard gripped her arms, his face growing ashen as a stream of red ran from the wound on his neck.
"You are pathetic!" Huntington Carter snapped. "You can't even do this correctly!"
Richard looked down at Julia's tear-filled eyes, her face shrouded in moist waves of auburn hair.
"You know you don't want to do this," She whispered. "Let me hold you in my arms like the night we became lovers."
Richard's lips quivered, and a loud, authoritative voice rang in the distance.
"Why don't you take me, Carter, leave Julia out of this. Wouldn't you prefer to toss me over that cliff?"
Richard watched Eliot Stokes, struggling to walk on a makeshift cane, followed by Herbert Osmond, who wobbled along at his side using his own crutch. The two men resembled injured warriors returning from battle. Herb broke away carrying the radio, trailing rope from his wrists as he moved to higher ground.
Julia turned.
"No Eliot!" She loudly pleaded. "No, you can't do this! I won't let you."
Richard's head moved back and forth between them, watching the concern, the love in their faces and in their voices. Julia turned to Carter, her eyes wide. "No, Richard, please don't take him."
Eliot Stokes carefully moved down the slick incline, using the cane for balance, the rain and perspiration popping out on his face as he fought back pain and nausea.
"They're coming!" Herb called from the radio.
Julia looked up into Richard Carter's face, still feeling the grip of his hands on her arm, when a slight bittersweet smile appeared on his face. His right hand moved to gently touch her cheek.
"Do it! Do it!" Huntington Carter commanded, his face near his son's. Howard Blair stood with his arms folded.
"It's time to give her wings Dr. Carter. I'm waiting. We're all waiting for the big show!" Howard Blair gave his umbrella a twirl.
Julia looked into Richard's golden eyes, trying to read him.
His voice was soft and nostalgic. "I remember what you said in the kiva, it seemed odd at the time. You said, 'I have found in my life there are even far worse things than dying. Dying is so very easy.'"
Gently, his fingertips moved along her jaw, lips quivering and his eyes growing moist.
"Now I understand," He said softly, as his hands loosened from her arms. Julia suddenly felt unbalanced on the slick, sloping surface.
"No, Richard," She gasped as she watched him step backward toward the edge.
"I'm so very sorry, Julia," He whispered, moved back, extended his arms and disappeared from sight.
Julia cried out, her arms moving in the air trying to grab him, her feet slipping on the slick surface as she fell and slid down the rock face.
"Julia!" Eliot screamed from behind her, his footsteps moving quickly, kicking grains of sand down the rock face. In an instant, Eliot Stokes was on his knees, scooting along the slick sand, finally sitting and scooting down the surface trying to reach her.
Julia felt with each breathe she would slide further down the face, her feet dangling over the edge and fought to remain conscious.
"Just let it all be over, let my body slide, let the open air take me and let it all be over," She sobbed with exhaustion and emotion.
Eliot leaned forward holding his cane between his spread legs extending it near Julia's outstretched arms.
"Julia, reach for the end of my cane. I'll pull you."
She felt the cool, wet sand against her face and was too tired to look up. Just let it be over. I just want to close my eyes, and let nature take its course.
"Julia!" Eliot snapped. "Look at me!" Slowly, Julia turned her head, eyes half-open and looked up at him.
"I walked down Quentin's stairs for you. It was more than an adventure. I couldn't eat or sleep. I waited for days, I missed you, Julia. I found I couldn't be in our time without you."
Julia's eyes opened further.
Eliot strained to move the cane closer to her fingers.
"Julia," He whispered, capturing her eyes with his, "I love you. Please stay with me."
Julia's eyes filled with tears, her fingers gently moved along the sand, straining to touch the end of the cane. Carefully, her fingers moved over the end of the cane finding a grip. Moving her other hand to grip the sandy surface she pulled herself a few inches up the slope.
Herbert Osmond hobbled toward them, moved to all fours, eased behind Stokes and grabbed his belt. Julia managed to grip Eliot's cane and pull along the sandy incline. Osmund, his face swollen and bruised, smiled broadly, watching Julia grab his friend's foot then scramble to collapse in his arms. Eliot held her tightly in his embrace, kissing her, as she sobbed uncontrollably.
~~~tbc~~~
A special thanks for the following. No copyright infringement intended.
"Almost a Whisper" lyrics by Pamela McNeill. Music by Yanni