Crown of Vengeance

by Stephen Zimmer

  His heart went out to his brothers and sisters in the armed forces, many of whom who were undergoing their second, third, and even fourth tours of duty in the cauldron of Middle East conflicts. He would not hesitate to go overseas if his services were required, though he was grateful that he had not been recalled yet. Derek knew that his number would come up soon enough, though, as the military reserves and the National Guard regiments were now being used as frontline combat units.

  His thoughts regarding the full situation were becoming very troubling, and for the first time he found that he had a nascent conflict building between his loyalty to the serving soldiers and the ideology of the war itself. While he would still serve if the call came, he knew that he could not condemn anyone who actively protested or opposed it. He had changed enough in the past year that he no longer held any animosity toward a fellow soldier that refused deployment.

  In fact, some of the soldiers that had served multiple tours in the Middle East were now leaders in the opposition to the war. Derek did not see how anyone could question their integrity, for they certainly were no cowards and obviously cared for their country.

  After perusing through some images of some of the latest hardware and technology being employed in the conflict, Derek heard Janus finally rustling behind him.

  Turning around, he saw that Janus was slowly pulling himself up into a sitting position on the edge of the couch. Derek logged off his account, shut his system down, and rotated about to face his awakening friend.

  “Get some rest, I hope?” Derek inquired.

  Janus nodded, as he pulled aside the crumpled coverlet that he had borrowed for the night. Clothed in a t-shirt and sweats, Janus looked a little on the disheveled side.

  “So, tell me what plans we have for today, because I don’t have any myself,” Janus said, only half in jest. Derek could hear the hollow, detached tone in Janus’ voice.

  Carefully, Derek explained the forthcoming excursion to Kent’s father’s lake house. Janus listlessly agreed to the trip, but the apathetic reaction did not dismay Derek in the least. He knew in his heart and mind that while a change of scenery would not be fully medicinal, it would be a much more palatable choice among the immediate options facing his beleaguered friend.

  For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, the two friends casually watched Derek’s flat screen digital television. Derek called and ordered some of Janus’ favorite pizza to be delivered, but was left with several extra slices as his friend had still not regained much of his appetite. Though Janus politely responded to what little conversation Derek ventured, it was clear that Janus remained largely numb in spirit.

  Time crawled by, but the hour for departure finally arrived.

  “Looks like it is getting near time to go,” Derek stated, peering down at his watch. “We still haven’t packed up a change of clothes. You and I are about the same size. You can borrow a couple of my shirts and some jeans. That’s all you’ll need since we don’t be gone too long.”

  Janus nodded, stretching his arms out, before slowly getting up out of the couch. He glanced back, “I guess I will get in a brief shower before we leave.”

  “Then I’ll get the rest of it together, while you do that,” Derek replied.

  As Janus ambled towards the first floor bathroom, Derek trotted up the stairs to his bedroom to prepare for the coming trip.

  Methodically, he packed up a few t-shirts, a couple pairs of jeans, and a few sweats to cover himself and Janus for the evening and next day. He added in another extra pair of underwear and socks for himself. He then pulled together some toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, and other trip necessities into a small bag, and placed everything together neatly within a large suitcase.

  Lugging it down to the living room, he waited and watched some more television as Janus finished up with his shower. Janus did not take long to dry off and get dressed, and less than thirty minutes later they were both in Derek’s car and on the road.

  Including a brief stop for fuel, the entire journey took up just a little more than an hour in order to reach the lake house.

  The lake house was definitely not as secluded as Derek had initially envisioned it, back on the first time that he had visited the place a couple years prior. It was not in the middle of the wilderness on an otherwise uninhabited lakeshore, a mistaken preconception that Derek had quickly come to realize that first time. The house was one of several comprising a substantial community.

  The houses were placed on sizeable plots of land lining the shore of an extensive, thin-bodied lake. There were a variety of stores conveniently situated just a couple of minutes away. A number of roads ran near to the place, two of which crossed the water via high bridges that were a good distance apart. The lake and its attendant community were nestled within a region that primarily consisted of forested ground and cleared farmlands.

  The lake was not always the idyllic scene of tranquility that one would have suspected, and often being far from serene. There was always a steady traffic of watercraft skimming along the surface of the lake. Motorized boats, jet skis, and wave runners largely ran unimpeded, for there was rarely much interest from those owning property by the lake to see any appropriate resolutions enforced. Throughout the summer, it seemed as if there was a constant party occurring around the lake, whose focal point simply shifted among the various houses.

  Despite the frequent presence of rambunctious activity, a person could still find ample relaxation and repose at the lake. It was a place for those who wanted to get a sense of seclusion, without ever truly leaving the conveniences of the modern world.

  Kent’s father, a fifty-six year old man named William McNeeley, was idly watching a soccer game on his satellite television when they arrived and entered the place. Derek was caught a little by surprise, as Kent had instructed Derek to just walk in the back door when they reached the lake house.

  If a man could be the image of physical comfort, Derek found William McNeeley to be a likely candidate. Portly, and with a cherubic countenance to match, he greeted Derek and Janus warmly.

  Mr. McNeeley was not far from taking an early retirement due to a rare arthritic condition. The condition had proven to be an arduous struggle for him during the summer, chaining him with frequent agony when the weather shifted to colder hues.

  Derek had expected him to be away in the city, but the man seemed to have been anticipating them. Derek quickly surmised that Kent had explained the full situation to him. Mr. McNeeley also explained that Kent was running a little late from work, but would be arriving very shortly.

  Derek knew that he did not have to convince Mr. McNeeley of Janus’ need for a change of locales, just as he had not had to say anything to convince his son. From what Derek knew of him, Kent’s father understood loss well enough. Just three years prior, he had lost his wife to cancer. She was his high-school sweetheart, and a woman that was inseparable from his own identity ever since they had married.

  He had been by her side as she had wasted away and finally succumbed to the spreading, voracious cancer. It was not long after when he had purchased the lake house, selling his main house in the city and shifting over to an apartment for when he was in town for work.

  After the initial greetings, Mr. McNeeley showed the two of them to guest bedrooms, located on the second level of the two-story structure.

  He then informed them that he was going to travel back to town later that evening, to prepare early for the coming week, but that the three of them were welcome to stay for as long as they needed.

  Derek recognized Mr. McNeeley’s unstated meaning, a sincere, generous expression of compassion for Janus. It was reflected in the look within the man’s tired eyes. It was humbling to witness, as Mr. McNeeley had not met Janus in person until that very day. Derek made a firm mental note to speak to Mr. McNeeley in private the next day, and thank him for the unconditional kindness.

  William left shortly thereafter to go run some errands, leavin
g Derek and Janus to themselves with a full set of keys to the house. He had showed them where all of the fishing gear and other lake essentials were stored. He had also paused to show them that the refrigerator was fully stocked up with food, beer, and soft drinks, and stated that they were more than welcome to partake of whatever they wished.

  About thirty minutes after William had departed, Kent arrived at last, still dressed in his work uniform. A younger, more athletic version of his father, he was about six feet in height. He had a slight paunch to his belly, but his squared shoulders and stout chest evidenced the presence of ample strength in him. With a round face and pug nose, he had an easy, charming smile. His dirty blonde hair was close cropped, and he had a trimmed goatee around his mouth.

  With additional girth to his belly and a higher percentage of gray hairs, he could almost pass as a twin to his father. The sight of their physical similarities always amused Derek immensely, but from what he had learned about Kent’s father, being like William McNeeley in any way could not be a bad thing.

  Kent quickly took leave to shed his uniform and change. He rejoined the others back out in the living room, now in shorts and a t-shirt.

  “We are forgetting one thing,” he announced as he popped open a can of beer and sat down in a wide easy chair, setting two more unopened cans on the end table next to him. Without another word, he picked up a phone and proceeded to order three large pizzas, pausing only to get the others’ input on toppings.

  “We had some earlier, but we can roll with it again, I guess,” Derek commented. “But I’m going to have to work out twice as hard tomorrow.”

  “I plan on working out hard, as far as curling twelve ounce weights is concerned,” Kent said with a chuckle, grinning mischievously as he took a long draught of his beer for emphasis. He then said with a reassuring tone, “Don’t worry, I’ve got it all covered. Nobody is going without here. Got paid today!”

  Tilting his head back, he slugged the can down in prodigious gulps, crumpling the empty can when he was finished and setting it on the end table. He then emitted a resounding belch of sheer contentment, immediately opening up a second can.

  Noticing Derek’s bemused expression, he quipped, “Thirsty, you know.”

  Kent’s loquacious, jovial mood provided a welcome levity that had been very absent in Derek’s life recently. Not always the most articulate of individuals, Kent’s good-hearted nature always tended to shine through brightly, and it was undeniably infectious.

  Where Derek and Janus had to put some of their pizza back in the refrigerator, Kent ravenously finished his off completely. In the midst of downing the pizza, Kent was well into his third beer, accented by more sonorous belches. The latter were accompanied by dramatic facial expressions, as he tried to outdo each previous one in volume and resonance.

  The speed of consumption continued to amaze Derek, and even Janus had a startled expression on his face.

  “Hungry,” Kent said, noticing both of their expressions. “And didn’t I already mention thirsty?”

  “Barbarian,” Derek chided him, chuckling.

  “If I am a barbarian, then we should go on a river raid! Lots of lake houses that are soft and ripe for plundering!” Kent retorted with fervor, smiling broadly. “Think you can handle the navigation? I’ll take care of the raiding! Let me get my chain mail from the closet first!”

  “Now there’s a suggestion,” Derek replied sarcastically, shaking his head as he chuckled. “But you might need me for tactics if the locals are prepared to resist.”

  “With you going with us, I’m not worried. If my sword and axe fail, you can back me up with your rifle on full auto,” Kent said, laughing. He then added, with another copious swig of beer. “And you are driving.”

  A river jaunt did sound like a good idea at the moment to Derek, and they had more than one option available regarding their mode of travel.

  Mr. McNeeley had purchased a shiny new speedboat about six months prior, which had some real kick in its engine. There were also two canoes resting upon on the shore, tethered to posts.

  It did not have to be discussed openly as to which of the boats they would choose.

  After Kent had finished off a couple more beers, when full night had fallen, the trio made their way down to a short quay at the water’s edge. It ran alongside a small shed enclosure that sheltered the new speedboat within it.

  Kent handed the speedboat’s keys over to Derek, holding a couple more unopened beers in his other hand. The three of them settled into the vessel and made themselves comfortable.

  Derek eased into the driver’s seat and turned the key in the ignition. The engine growled to life, settling into a steady rumble. Slowly, he guided the boat out of the enclosure and out into the body of the lake.

  In moments, they were cruising steadily along the water’s surface, the wind beating against their faces. As they traveled, Derek again appreciated just how long the lake was. It seemed to go on forever, an endless panorama of houses, docks, and trees.

  A number of lakeside residents were getting their nocturnal activities underway. They passed several houses exhibiting the beginnings of evening festivities. The thumping music and raucous chorus of voices coming from a couple of the ongoing parties indicated lake houses that would be very active well into the night.

  Yet not every figure that came into sight was overly energetic or boisterous. At some points along the shore, Derek took notice of the nearly still forms of couples, young or older in age, enjoying the company of their significant other within the cool night’s ambience down by the water’s edge. Derek really liked such warm, peaceable sights, as he had seen quite enough of the other extremes in life.

  As far as other watercraft, they only passed two other boats, both of which had their small engines off and were idly floating in the water. The silhouettes of fishermen were visible on both, still and silent as they waited for their bait to be taken.

  Derek saw the fishermen turn their heads towards them as they passed. The night masked the likely glares on their faces. Derek knew that the fishermen were muttering low curses as he drove the boat by them, the water and their quarry momentarily disrupted.

  Derek could only chuckle to himself and continue onward. The fishermen, after all, did not own exclusive rights to the lake. Engaged in an activity like fishing, they should be adept at patience anyway.

  After some time, the trio finally drew close to the far end of the lake.

  “Long … this is one long, long lake,” Derek remarked as the end of the water came into sight at last.

  “Yes. Yes it is,” Kent said. “If you didn’t know better, you’d probably think that this whole thing was a river. With the fairly narrow width of it, and all of the twists and turns that it takes along its path, it does kind of look like one.”

  “Just one of those rivers without a current,” Derek retorted, chuckling.

  “Well, whatever it is, let’s head on back, and see what is happening at the other end,” Kent said, as Derek turned the boat around. He then added, a little more spiritedly, as he finished another beer, “No promising sites to raid at this end, but there’s another end to explore! Onward, sea raiders!”

  “Sea raiders? So now this is an ocean?” Derek jested. Laughing, he shook his head, and set the boat forward on its course, simply glad that Kent was not driving.

  JANUS

  In the back of the speedboat, Janus just sat back and breathed slowly. He was content to simply let the cool breezes flow soothingly against the skin of his face as they resumed their trip back along the lake. The night sky was predominately clear, bestowing him with a beautiful view of the stars in the vast firmament above.

  His mind, given the peace of the moment, and with such a tremendous vista of the heavens filling his eyes, wandered again towards thoughts of his father. He wondered whether somewhere, somehow, his father was even now watching over him. As was his new habit in such moments, Janus looked for any sign; in the stars, or on the
gentle currents of air, or even on the few spare wisps of clouds that were drifting along in the sky.

  The hardest part about death, he had surmised, apart from the abrupt and stark separation, was the state of the unknown, perhaps the worst element of it all by far. Janus knew that the separation would have been easier to bear with the comfort of knowing that his father still existed, and had reached a good destination.

  Having been through the sorrows of deaths more than once before, he knew that the most sharply biting pains would eventually fade. Yet he also knew fully well that the hopes and worries would not, and nor would the sorrows.

  Janus knew that life would go on, but with him there would be yet another scar on his spirit, and another weight on a heart grown far heavier over his brief years. Even worse, this newest scar was the largest that he had ever incurred.

  Suddenly, as the darkness swarmed around him, he found that he needed the refuge of his mind.

  He leaned his head back farther and closed his eyes, wondering what it would be like to have the surety of a healing end to life’s journey. Imagination took root, sprouted, and flowered.

  In his mind, he envisioned a shining road, leading to a gateway as resplendent as the sun itself. Beyond that gate would be realms where death had no name or claim, where all scars would be fully erased, and where the burdens would be lifted and tossed away in their entirety.

  Janus imagined walking towards that radiant entrance, and what he might first see. In his mind’s eye, he saw the outlines of many figures waiting for him before the gates, with one in the forefront of the gathering. In his inner vision, their details were obscured at first by the blinding light, but his heart knew who they were. He could feel the surging joy within him with each step that drew him closer to them, an electrifying thrill that infused the powerful emotions swirling within him.

  As his eyes adjusted to the light, he beheld the face of his father, with an expression carefree and sparkling with life. Janus could feel the arms of his father wrapping around him in a welcoming embrace, even as he heard a chorus of human voices, as well as exuberant, excited barks, mixed with high pitched, chirruping sounds, all brimming with a boundless joy.