Hee-hee, another twist!
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Nerissa: Oh please.
Chapter 16
Anew
Elsewhere… five months ago
"Father, do you need more tea?"
The young man asked his father, his fierce grey eyes gentle and concerned as the old man shook, coughing uncontrollably.
"No, my son, you have done all you can." The old man murmured, as soon as he was able.
The young man stood up, pacing angrily," Father, there must be something I can do!"
"There is something you can do, Mars Inferno, my son."
Mars bent on one knee and asked softly," What?"
"Your vision…of Eve…I cannot help but feel that she is real…and she is in need of your help. When I am gone, you must leave me, and seek her. Do not stop until you have found her, my son."
Mars shook with both sorrow and anger," Father…you CAN'T leave me! There's so much more that you haven't taught me…so much more that I want to know!"
The old man sighed," My son, I have given you all I have. It is up to you, now, to live and to gain wisdom. Remember all that I have taught you, my son, and you will sleep easy at nights…never use your gifts for evil, my son. Protect the innocent and pour wrath on evildoers. Always remember, my son, that you have never disappointed me. you made me proud, all your days. Find your vision…she is out there."
The grey eyes began to mist red with unshed tears, as the light died out from the older man's eyes.
"Father? Father?! FATHER!"
The young man screamed as he shook the old shoulders, shaking his head as he let go of his tears, letting them run down his pale cheeks, crying violently as he hugged the still-warm body.
When he had finished crying, he took a deep breath as he closed the sightless eyes and murmured," My father, be at peace. May your reward in heaven be great."
***
The next day, the young man finished digging the grave and he began to carve the coffin. He cried no more, but set to work, his lean muscles rippling under the island sun.
He looked out once or twice into the waves of the ocean and swore," I swear, to you, father, I'll seek her out…Somehow, I'll get off this island, and I'll find her."
By sundown, the coffin was finished, and he lined it with the blankets and pillows his father had slept on in his life, along with a mattress of sand.
Laying his father tenderly into the palm-wood box, he closed the coffin and dragged it to the hole.
He set the coffin into the hole, tenderly and carefully.
The moon had well-risen into the sky before the young man finished covering the hole.
He then built a fire by the grave and carved a headstone.
The sun rose and fell for days, while he crafted a raft, gathered provisions and prepared for the voyage ofhis life.
He left the island three weeks later, never looking back…
***
The island is still there. The Headstone, untouched by man, or animals, is clear and distinct. The words, carefully scraped into the stone, read as follows:
"Oh, that I had wings like a Dove, then I would fly away and Rest" Psalm 55:6
Here lies Mattathias Keshet
Learned Rabi
Tender Father
Loyal Friend and Mentor
1954 - 2008
"Rest in Peace, my father…"
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