Chapter 27
Year 2218
The summer sun feels like it will crack my skin. I spot the beast. 100 metres out, I pull the spear back and throw; it sails through the air striking it clear in the heart. The rest of the flock scatter as the beast falls. My hunting companion, dark skinned from a life time in the sun nods his head.
“Good throw Arthur.” He says solemnly.
I smile and nod to him. We walk up, the fallen Emu will feed his family for the week. It's not an evergreen forest, but we're in the wilds, away from tech.
Henry's communicator beeps.
Well, mostly away from tech.
“G'day. Reggie! Why you silly bugger you, how are you? Good good, oi get this, Arthur just bag an Emu at 100 metres wid a spear! Yeah, I'll tell im, oi Arthur, Reggie said you're a crazy cunt for making that throw!”
“Tell him I said hi. Any word on my guy coming in?” I say.
“Oi, we heard enough of him Arthur, we're always keeping an eye out for him Arthur.”
I leave Henry to catch up with Reggie, walking to the watering hole I look out over the water. It's been mostly trading skins, Emu and fish for the odd beer in town and supplies. Henry helped me with a lot getting set up, making a small hut for myself outside of town. He said I'm crazy, they have some lodging at his place, but I want to live where I am. 200 people in the community, no one every goes hungry, I use the Gift to travel fast, gathering food. I give some away, as long as I have the supplies I can't make myself I'm happy.
Oh right, I need another Emu. “Hey, Reggie, Lana needs an Emu for the kids. You want I should run yours home?”
“If ya would mate.”
Run I sling the Emu over my shoulder and use the Gift to run down another then run them both to the village. Dropping one off on Henry's door step with a knock I run one to Lana. I come out of the Gift in front of the orphanage, a dozen of the kids stop playing and look at me.
“BOO!” I yell. They all scatter, yell, scream and giggle, dinosaur Arthur slowly chases them down, roaring and stomping my feat. “I'm going to get you all!!!!” They deftly mount an offence, the twelve of them knock me to the ground; I'm defeated.
“Oi, don't be bruising the Emu, that's dinner.” Lana says.
I stand, I thing it's Mark hanging from the back of my neck, I can't see.
“Hey, who wanted to help pluck the bird?” I say. At that request they all flee. I use the Gift to make short work of the plucking, when I go back to real time feathers are in a cloud around me.
“Thank you for the bird. It's Johnny's Birthday tomorrow, it'll be a great feast.” She says.
Oh Shit. Johnny's birthday is the day after Jennifer's, we're halfway through the day and I didn';t even think of it. She'll be 15 today. She's no longer a child.
“Are you OK? The life just drained out of your face.” Lana asks.
“Yeah. Jens birthday is today, I didn't remember until you mentioned Johnny's. She's 15, she's not a little child anymore.”
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“Come inside, I'll put some tea on. You've been zipping around, don't want you bleeding on the bird.”
I follow her in, she takes a damp towel and gently wipes the blood from under my nose. I've fallen back to old ways; living as a hermit some, like in the city. I bet Jen would love hunting the Emu. Who is she now though? Maybe she wouldn't, maybe she turned into a bookworm, I don't know any more.
Focusing on the present she's still washing my face with the towel.
“I can see the pain in your eyes. If you ever reconcile that, or, I mean. Anyways, the tea.” She goes to turn away. I put my hand on her shoulder.
“We've talked; my life is on hold until he seeks me. I'm not saying yes or no to anything. I came here so I would be away from loved ones. I can't have a connection to anyone, or he'll take advantage of it, they'll be hurt. It's not fair to you, I don't even know how I feel about Maria still.”
“You love your daughter, that's unwavering. You talk of her a lot. But the only time you bring up Maria is if we talk like this. We aren't kids anymore, I can see it in your eye's. You're not telling me no. Anyways, the tea is ready.” She turns and takes the tea bag out. “I'm sorry, I should know better then to pressure you. It's just me acting like a silly girl.”
I go over to her “No, you're not silly, you're not misreading things. I just can't decide anything until it's safe.” I kiss her on the forehead. I go to step away, she holds on to my arms. “I just...” We just drift together and kiss.
There is a loud crack of thunder outside.
We step apart.
“It looks like a storm is blowing in. You're welcome to stay like usual during the rain, that hut you have out there must be right miserable in the heavy rains. The children love it when you stay over, the boys in particular can't get enough of your stories. Just don't be encouraging them to be moving to the other side of the world.”
“Do you want to talk about...”
“No. We kissed. You need to sort whatever you need to sort, no point is talking about what if's or maybes.”
The kids all come rushing into the great hall, the building is filled with life, yelling, giggling, boisterous playing. I don't know how Lana keeps it all under control, but she has a good handle on it all. She was married, but doesn't speak of what happened with him, or where he is. She loves children but is unable to have any of her own.
Four years is a long time to get to know another person, she knows most of what my life has been. It was my intent not to tell anyone, words just came out. It's been a struggle here; I miss Jen with all my heart, but I found something special helping with the orphanage, a deep sense of accomplishment, that everyday I wake and what I do matters. I WILL see her one day again. But this life, I could see me going deeper into. There are so many that rely on me in the village now; elders I hunt for, some I even gather skins for so they can afford fabrics and new cloths.
The rain is driving, the roaring thunder rattles the lodge. I spend a few hours telling stories, most made up, many bits and pieces. The children are all in bed. I sit on my cot thinking things over. Maybe it's time to stop thinking of something that'll never happen, maybe he's dead, maybe he's torn himself apart. Maybe Jen is happy, maybe Maria forgot me and moved on. Here, looking out for the kids, it feels like home.
Lana heads off to her bedroom, as she opens the door she pauses, looks back at me then disappears into the room, leaving her door open.
I stand and close her door.
Rap rap rap
Another knock.
“Who could it be?” I say to Lana as I head towards the bedroom door.
“At 2 AM, no one good.”
“Get your riffle, I'll answer the door.” I say.
I approach the front door; a couple of the kids are stirring but staying in their beds. I open the door.
“Is he here, Underwood?” I say. Not who I expected.
“We need to talk.” He says.
“No. We start with you answering my question.”
“Yes. I brought him to you. You are our only hope. We need to speak, it's hard to hear you over the rain.”
“You will not enter this home. Take a seat on the porch, I will join you.”
We have a seat outside, the driving rain is a constant drone.
“I have very little in the way of control with him now. I sujested we come here to try and recruit you.”
“Why were you in Japan?”
“You're not going to let anything go, are you?”
“Tell me.”
“I was trying to destabilize the government; without you it likely would have worked.”
“But why? Japan has to be one of the best hopes for humanity now.”
“Goliath; the war is over, we're just survivors. I have my spot with the Others locked in; my last task is to eliminate Stinger. Kill him and I will speak to them and try and secure you a spot.”
“What if I just kill you?”
“How will that protect Maria or Jennifer? Or your new family here.”
Instantly I have him by the neck, pressed against the wall.
“Damn you. I waited 4 years, just hours ago I decided to move past things. Just hours! The hell with your 'promise'. I will be waiting at Ayers Rock. Tell him I'm going there now.” I throw him off the porch. “Go!”
