Resolution

by Douglas E Roff

  Niona turned to Derek. “You, sir, are lucky to be alive, but I suspect this isn’t your first rodeo. You’ve been shot before and survived.”

  “I have, but I need to get stitched up and get to a doctor. The bleeding is pretty bad. The internal injuries may be worse than it looks than on the outside.”

  “Agreed. I’ll stop your bleeding for now, but we need to get you out of here ASAP. And Hecate and Enzo. I’ll call for the backup that Cindy arranged.”

  “I need a doctor.”

  “No, you don’t. You have me; I’ve healed Hecate and I’ll heal you. Let’s get on the phone and get some help and get out of here before the police arrive.”

  ***

  Cindy, Rod, Kendra and Adam arrived at the stairs leading down to the subway station below the coordinates given to Cindy by Paulo. He was watching them on CCTV but was worried. He should have had a call from Enzo by now but had heard nothing. Derek should be dead and Enzo cleaning up the “family matters”, then coming straight over to meet him.

  The four also waited for a call, this one from Niona before going down the stairs and losing reception on their cells. They waited for a while, then Rod broke away and said he’d go on ahead and recon the platform. As Cindy and Adam started down the steps following Rod, their cells rang. It was Niona.

  “It was a trap. I have Enzo, shot but alive, Hecate also shot but alive, and Derek shot and in urgent need of medical attention which I am providing to him. I will heal him, given time. We’ve also got the entire family, all safe. We’re on the way to the airfield now, so turn around and get in your SUV. We’re out of here.”

  “We’ll collect Rod, then meet you at the plane.”

  Adam signaled, and men came from every direction to shepherd them away from the subway station.

  That’s when it happened.

  The explosion was unimaginable in scope and strength. The shock wave blew everyone not in the kill zone back off their feet and tumbling on the ground. There was smoke and debris everywhere. As Cindy regained her senses, her first instinct was to find Rod. But Rod was at the epicenter of the blast from both sides. There was nothing left of Rodrigo Suarez other than tissue, muscle and bits of bone pasted to the walls, ceiling and floor of the tunnel.

  Rod died instantly as Paulo pushed the detonator remotely.

  Paulo assumed Enzo was now dead or captured and did what every survivor does.

  He fled.

  Chapter 57

  The concussive force of two precisely timed bombs detonating simultaneously had thrown everyone not in the kill zone back, and onto the ground, cut and lacerated by debris flying from every direction, but coming as a singular wave from the subway entrance below, and spreading out. Those not buried in the rubble were dead from the initial shock wave generated, and were lying on the ground, twisted, and contorted. Adam and Cindy were thrown into the air and landed in bushes on either side of the sidewalk leading to the subway stairs down to the platform. The last thing Adam remembered was his brother walking down the stairs, looking back at his wife and him smiling. That image would remain with Adam for the rest of his life.

  The two were both in shock and disoriented, but Adam less so owing to his recent brain surgery, so he looked around for Cindy finding her right away and got her to her feet. She was in shock, deeply so, and could not remember anything and was having trouble forming words.

  Then she woke up suddenly and said, “Rod. Where is Rod? Oh my God he was just heading to the platform when the bomb went off. We’ve got to find him. We’ve got to get him to safety.”

  She began shouting his name, louder and louder as if, somehow, he had escaped the violence, and would reappear out of the bushes unharmed. She was crying and shouting and completely incoherent. She looked around waving her arms in the air, begging for anyone to help in finding her husband.

  “Please, please everyone hurry and help me, my Rod is missing. We need to get into the rubble and dig him out. We have no time to waste. Please!”

  Adam put his arms around her as he signaled for her men to approach. Sirens were blaring as first responders began arriving at the scene.

  Adam, instructed a few of the men to get to a large hardware store not far away and bring gloves, tools, shovels, and wheel barrows directly to the scene. The others he asked to get Cindy away from the scene and directly to the airfield immediately. Niona would meet her there, and she would need medical attention, just not right here, right now.

  A young medic approached. Adam said, “She needs a shot, a sedative to calm her. Her husband was in the blast zone and she’s in shock. I need her calm, and we’ll transport her to our private clinic. The medic did a cursory exam, then went back to his EMT vehicle and gave her the shot.

  “Rod … he’s alive … I know … please Adam, bring … him back to me. I can’t live … without … him.”

  Cindy fell into a deep sleep, sedated.

  To Cindy’s men, he shouted, “Who’s senior here?”

  “I am. Jackson Anders.”

  “Get her to the SUV, and back to the airfield. You’re in charge now. As soon as everyone, including the Gens, named Tar is accounted for, take off and head straight to Amman. Refuel and take everyone home. No stops, no arguments, and no counter commands. Am I clear?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I’m relying on you to keep her safe and sedated. Allow a woman named Niona to help, and there will be another, Hecate by name, and she may assist too. Others are shot and hurt, Niona and Hecate will attend to them also. I will do my best here but tell everyone I may not be home for a few days.”

  Adam paused, then called out, “And Jackson, there is a man, Enzo Fortizi. He’s to be shackled and cuffed; he is not to be harmed, although if Cindy wakes she will want to kill him. He will be attended to last, but he shall not be harmed. Understood?”

  “Yes sir.” Jackson, and his men carefully helped Cindy along, and within minutes were in the SUV, and speeding toward the airfield and home.

  Adam knew that Rod was buried in the rubble, but he wasn’t alive. He would find what remained of his physical form, then have it cremated and brought back to the City and his family. He now had the sad duty of calling Maria and Agustin, and Mark and Julia Eagan to explain that something had gone wrong, dreadfully wrong, and Rodrigo Suarez would not be returning home with Cindy.

  He dialed the phone. It was the saddest day of his life.

  ***

  As his men returned with shovels and tools, he instructed them to begin digging through and removing the rubble. He sent others to another platform entrance and asked them to look around and see if Rod had somehow escaped his fate on the other side of the blast. He had not.

  When the fire department first responders arrived on scene, they asked Adam, and his men to stop digging immediately. Removing the rubble this quickly could be dangerous as the walls and ceiling were probably not stable; further injury to the men helping was very possible. Let them get in, use their technology, and if anyone was alive, they will have them out instantly. Dogs were brought in as was ground penetrating and thermal sensing technology.

  Hours later, the commander in charge approached Adam. “I’m sorry sir, but no one under that rubble is still alive. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”

  “What will happen to the remains?”

  “They will be sent to the Boston Morgue, tested for DNA, then sent to the families of the decedents.”

  “Thank you, commander. I appreciate your kindness.”

  Adam knew by now that Paulo was in the wind, gone, and nothing could be done to locate him. He would, but not today. Adam contemplated his immediate future. Stay and look for Paulo or leave and go home to his family.

  He chartered a plane for Amman, departing in two days, then left.

  ***

  On board the jet, the scene was chaotic. Karen and her family vociferously objected to being taken out of the country, but Cindy was in no shape to discuss the matter. The men on board had t
heir instructions, and the family was coming with the others aboard the jet to the City of Light whether they liked it or not. They didn’t like it one bit.

  Derek and Enzo were being treated for shock and injuries, but Niona had them under control and resting peacefully. No one onboard knew how; she had no medical bag, instruments or drugs. Just her hands.

  Enzo, though injured and frightened, tried to get those on board to release him, but to no avail. When Jackson arrived with Cindy, he separated Enzo placing him in back with two of his men stationed around him. Both held holstered 9mm hand guns and were instructed to keep everyone away from the prisoner. Enzo was not to move.

  Jackson went to the pilot and informed him that Adam would be remaining behind to search for Rod, who was missing, and that they were to depart for Amman immediately. The pilot was airborne within minutes.

  Niona went to the visible state Hecate to speak to her. She appeared in holographic form but wished to return to invisibility. She was in pain from trying to appear mortal. Niona agreed but asked her to enter Niona’s mind.

  In mind union, Niona said, “You were brave today my sweet young Immortal. But you should not have appeared in physical form. You almost died.”

  “I couldn’t let Enzo kill you or Derek. I had to act, so I did the only thing I could do. I guess it was pretty stupid.”

  “Stupid and brave, my adorable one. Your bravery will make you well-regarded and much revered, even more than now, among all those who inhabit Paraiso. You saved our lives, and we have you to thank for being here at your side. When Derek awakes, you should speak to him. He jumped in front of you when Enzo was going to shoot you and took the bullets that would have surely ended your very brave life. We have two heroes on board, and I could not be prouder of you both. I will thank you both properly when you’re healed and home. For now, please remain within my mind, and when you feel a little better you may leave and visit Derek. He is asleep for now, but in a few hours, he will be able to receive you.”

  “I will rest within.”

  “And, young lady, no more physical adventures for at least another thousand years. You are too young an Immortal for such dangers and, the next time, I may not be there to help you. You must be more careful in the future. You are far too important to us all.”

  “More important than you and Derek?”

  “Yes. Vastly. Your future is essential to all that will occur in the RealVerse for eternity. Derek and I are mortals. We will soon be dust and forgotten.”

  “Please don’t say that. I love you both too much to contemplate a future without you.”

  “Then we shall change the subject and we shall discuss this later.”

  “And you will tell me, and Adam who you really are?”

  “If you wish, and if our Master consents, I will tell you my entire story.”

  “Where is our Master?”

  “He stayed behind to look for his brother, but he will join us soon. He will need to make arrangements in Boston, then come home, and console Cindy, Rod’s parents, and Cindy’s parents. He has called them, and they’re devastated. His sadness is beyond measure, and his fury equal. We shall have to reason with him or he will do something rash.”

  “Like?”

  “Kill every Gens of the Collective on the planet. Paulo and the Councils, all of them, will be dead as soon as our Master finds them. The military, Trackers and Captains will suffer the same fate.”

  Chapter 58

  Adam landed two days after the entourage had arrived back in Paraiso. As he descended from the airstrip above to the City below, there were black flags of mourning, and a new flag unknown to Adam flying from every home, and business in the City. The black flag was the symbol of the death of an important person in the City, but the new flag was designed and made in Nabataea as the new symbol of the new Nabataean Royal House of Suarez.

  Cindy was healing, as were Hecate and Derek under the watchful eyes of Niona, who could work miracles with just her hands and mind. Her healing powers were the talk of all Paraiso and Nabataea, and her fame grew exponentially. Healers came forward to assist and asked if they could be taught her new healing arts. She deftly avoided discussing her skills, saying only that when the danger had passed to her charges, she would come forward then. But she could not and would not just then. Nor would she ever.

  Her skills were not from a source she could teach.

  Adam went immediately to the quarters of the family and found most assembled with Niona in her own rooms with her patients in bed with strict orders not to move until she gave them permission. Derek tried to get up, but the stare down resulting from his eyes meeting hers was short and a little frightening. Derek backed down and promised to ask permission in the future.

  Hecate was in her own bed, though she could hardly use it. But since Derek and Cindy had a bed in Niona’s hospital, Hecate wanted one too. But at night, Hecate left her bed and snuggled with Niona in her mind, finding it more peaceful and conducive to healing. Niona, for her part, enjoyed the company and was better rested when she spent this time with Hecate.

  Cindy’s physical healing was nearing full recovery, but her emotional state was poor, and getting poorer. Nothing her parents or Rod’s parents could say had any effect on her emotional state. Her sadness and grief were all consuming, and even her children couldn’t lighten the burden of a future existence without Rod. Her days were filled with tears, and nights were a nightmare of all that would never be.

  Adam went directly to Cindy’s room after consulting with Niona. “I fear for her. I do not have the healing arts to mend a heart that has been shattered. If you know of any way to bring her back to us, you should begin right away. I will tell the others you will visit after your time with Cindy.”

  Adam entered Cindy’s room, his sister looking dull, and barely clinging to this world. He went to her immediately and sat next to her. He asked Niona to close the door and let no one enter. When he was done, he would speak to everyone and all would be given as much time as they needed to have with him. But right now, his sis was in mortal danger of letting go, and he could not permit that to happen.

  “Sis,” he said, “you look awful. Looks like I got here just in time.”

  Cindy smiled, her first since regaining consciousness. “You sure know how to make a girl feel special. You’ve always been my worst brother …”

  … and best,” interrupted Adam.

  “That too.” She flung her arms around Adam, as he leaned into to kiss her forward. “What am I to do, Adam. I’m, so lonely, and scared without Rod at my side. My rock, my soulmate, my everything? How can I go on without the only man I have ever loved, and loved so deeply?”

  “You will go on, not for yourself, but for everyone else who needs you as you needed Rod. Your girls, your parents, me, and the world. Maria and Agustin are in despair, and worried not about their son who is in the hands of God, but about their daughter who they fear will give up and let go. If they lose you, their grief and that of your mom and dad will be too much to bear. The girls need their mom and need their mom to be strong.

  “And I need you desperately, as I always have; the only woman who ever understood what it was to be Adam St. James, and to love me and forgive me when I was an idiot. To guide me and give me hints when everyone else gave up on the incorrigible kid I was. And the incorrigible man I still am.”

  “Which was and is frequent, you know. Not as much now of course, but there was a time …”

  “And it was you who was always there for me, defending me, beating up the other boys who picked on me, covering for me when I got in trouble. Sneaking me out of my room when I was on restriction for one thing or another. If you love me Cindy, you must stay. Stay with us and get well. Stay, so we can have you around always when we need you the most. We, I, cannot do this alone. Rod is gone, but we shouldn’t give up because we lost him; we should concentrate on what we have all gained from having had him in our lives. He would want that for all of us; Rodrigo was a figh
ter.

  “We will never be whole again; I know that. But I’d rather walk with you, and the girls, and talk about all the things we loved about him. Keep the story of this good man alive and embedded in his two beautiful girls who adored him, and who he adored. But we need you for that. He will never be replaced in our hearts, but we can take solace in the memory of a man who was a good son, an excellent father, the best brother ever, and his marriage to you which he always believed was his greatest accomplishment. He would tell me that you must have been drunk when you said yes, but he vowed every day to love you more, and make you proud of him. Make him proud now.”

  Cindy wept uncontrollably, embracing Adam, her brother, and knowing he was right. She had everything to live for, and duties yet to be fulfilled. Bit the pain, could she bear the pain?

  She looked at Adam, and said, “I have been selfish, and bathed myself in self-pity. I’m still scared, but if you promise to help me when I need a shoulder, and if you promise to stay in the lives of the girls with walks every night, and birthdays and Christmas, I will too. They’re scared too. They cry for the father they loved and miss, and their mother who is a wreck.”

  “I promise I will always be in your lives; I will never abandon you, not now, not ever. Never worry about my commitment to either you or the girls. But right this moment, you need to rest, and reassure our girls that the future is bright. Please tell them everything will be fine, and their uncle will be back momentarily. Then Niona will put you all to sleep for a while, and I know Hecate will want to come visit each of you. Don’t worry, happiness is just around the corner. We will get through this together, as a family, even though we have both lost our best friend.”

  Cindy relaxed, and buried her face in her pillow as her two daughters raced in past their uncle, and jumped on the bed, one on each side of their mom. Cindy said, “I just had a long talk with Uncle Adam, and he has promised me that he will watch over both of you girls, and me, forever. It’s time for us to remember your Dad the way he always was, how much he loved you girls, and that we will never, ever forget what he meant to us. Come rest with me now, and when we wake up we will begin our new lives surrounded by the people who love us.”