When I got home I fell asleep to the news. The world looked like it was truly falling apart. In the morning I could hear the couple above really going at it. It sounded as if they were at each other’s throats. I couldn’t standby anymore. It sounded like he was really hurting her.
The screams had stopped and now I could only hear whimpers. I followed them into the kitchen and saw my friend on the ground surrounded by his own blood. He was still alive, but barely. I looked up and there stood his girlfriend bloody knife in hand.
“Oh, you feel bad for him don’t you. He was cheating you know. I bet you’re a cheater too, you worthless piece of shit.”
She ran towards me aiming for my heart, but I was quick and grabbed her arm and pinned her against the wall. Unlike my fat, nearly dead friend, I was in good shape and ex-military.
She fought, hard, harder than I would have thought possible, but finally I dislodged the knife from her hand and had her pinned to the ground. I grabbed my cell from my pocket and dialed 911. They didn’t answer. How can they not answer? That’s impossible. I called again, no answer.
Well what do I do now? She was still struggling below me. I tried to move her so I could find some rope, but she was too strong and nearly got away. I pinned her again and this time I was in it for the long haul. I tried 911 over and over again, but after several hours I was out of hope. When I screamed no one came. My friend was now blue and far from help. She kept silent the entire time, which I found very odd yet she was getting more powerful by the minute. I wouldn’t be able to hold her much longer.
Finally I had had it. I made a run for it and I grabbed the knife. I had hoped to pin her again and this time persuade her with the blade. I didn’t want to hurt her; I was just hoping the knife would scare her. However, my plan backfired as I turned, knife in hand, she ran full force into me knocking us both to the ground. As she rolled off me I could see the blood. The knife was still stuck into her stomach.
“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
She pulled out the blade and stared at it for a few seconds. She then took the blade and forcefully slide it across her neck. She fell to the ground and I watch her blood flow onto her boyfriend as they lay dead on the kitchen floor.
After another attempt at 911 I gave up. I was on my own now. I left a note confessing to what had just happened though I doubted anyone would come after me. I packed my army bag with all my belongings and headed out into hell. I killed Jack after Jack those first months. I was really good at it. It was the first time I was successful at something. I was an expert at surviving it’s all I had done my whole life.
Finally one day I followed tire tracks to a barn and I found my new family hiding. That day would change me forever. When I walked away I knew I had made the biggest mistake of my life. They needed me, but I know I needed them more; I needed to know the world was a better place because of me.
Chapter 31
Savior
-Marcus
“Honey, are you there.”
She slowly opens her eyes and I know it’s her; my Emma.
“Hi, Marcus. I’m here I’m fighting it back though. It’s like I’m a schizo, there’s the normal me and the crazy me.”
“Well I’m happy I got the normal you.”
“Marcus I’m scared. I don’t want to die, but more than anything I don’t want to hurt you two.”
“I know, don’t worry you won’t hurt us.” It saddens me to know why she won’t hurt us.
“Now I don’t want you to go all crazy on me and keep me locked up in the bathroom or something. Don’t hope that someday you’ll find a cure that will make me all better.”
“Honestly I’ve thought about it.”
“Well it’s a stupid idea and I expect better from you. It won’t be me anymore.”
“But what if there is a way?”
“There isn’t and never will be.”
I rub my hand against her cheek. It feels tenser then before and hot.
“Marcus, how come you never got an implant?”
“Actually I lied to you about that, I’m surprised you didn’t catch me in that lie. When you’re in the military it’s a requirement. I felt like my rights were taken from me when they put it in. The day I got kicked out I went straight to the hospital and got it taken out.”
“Wow, way to lie to me you jerkface.” A smile lights her face and I see the girl I love.
“Make sure you tell Sunshine about his birth mother, Rosa. He should know her story too.”
“Of course I will.”
“So how are you going to do it?”
“How am I doing to do what?”
“Kill me.” The smile is now gone.
“Emma I can’t do it. I’ve killed countless Jacks and in the beginning I accidently killed a human girl, but I can’t hurt you.”
“Well then how are you going to let me do it? I’m worried if you give me a gun I’ll shoot you.”
“I can’t let you off yourself.”
“Well then we are at a standstill. I’m going to be a Jack in the morning and I don’t want to make it to that stage.”
I can start to see she is losing control. Her breathing is becoming heavier and she is sweating profusely. How am I going to do this?
“Marcus, please, before I lose it, tell me a story.”
“What kind of story?”
“I don’t care.”
I go with the first thing I can think of “Once upon a time there was a man lost in the desert. He had no water or food and it had been a year since he had talked to another human being. He was near death and on the verge of giving up. Well he climbed over a sand dune and at the bottom was a very small stream. It had dried long ago, but he followed it in hopes it would lead to fresh water. He followed it around another dune and there before him stood heaven.
“An oasis.”
“Yes, baby an oasis. The man ate and drank and when night fell a glow floated down from the sky and out of it can the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She was a goddess sent to him from above.”
Emma was now convulsing and straining against the ropes.
“The goddess told him he could live out his life here with her if only he could learn how to love. He tried and tried, but could not learn to love. Finally she made him leave. She had fallen for the man and could not stand the heartbreak any longer. After one night he returned to the oasis.”
“Is this story about us?” It’s only a whisper.
“You’ll see. When he comes back it is no longer an oasis it had all been an illusion. He searches for his love, yelling out her name over and over again. Finally after several days he lies down and readies himself for death. One last time he yells out for her. This time she appears. After explaining his true feelings she kisses him on the forehead. He instantly feels like a million bucks and as he looks around he sees the oasis again. You see the oasis wasn’t what you would imagine; it was the goddess and the ability to love her that saved him. Without either he would have died in that desert.”
“I’m your oasis.” This time her statement is more of growl. She’s nearly gone.
“You’re my everything Emma. I love you and I’ll take care of our son.”
“I love you too.”
She falls silent for a few minutes and the monster has taken over fully. She claws at the ropes, at the deck, and at herself. She snarls at me and I can understand nothing that is coming out of her mouth. She is trying to get to me and from her look, ripe me to shreds. It’s time; I can’t keep her locked up like there won’t ever be a way to fix her.
I head below and look at our son. He is still sound asleep he knows nothing of what is happening above. How would I want to go? It needs to be quick and painless. I look at my knife; no that would be painful. I look at my pillow; no that too would be painful for both of us. Then there’s my gun. I’m a good shot and it would be at point blank. I slowly make my way up the stairs. She’s nearly made it out of the rope
s. She has become so strong.
I can barely see through the tears. I steady my hands and take aim; the quickest way is right through the eye. I take aim and with the pull of a trigger it’s done.
Chapter 32
Farewell
-Marcus
I kneel down behind her and cut her lose. I lay her on the deck and close her eyes. I grab a rag and wipe the blood from her face. I now have to say my goodbye.
“Goodbye, my love. I’m so sorry. I’ll never forget you or forgive myself for letting this happen. The world is now a much darker place without you.”
I kiss her on her hand and then start to wrap her in a blanket and weigh her down with anything I can find. There is nowhere else for me to put her but the sea. I wish there was a little boat I could put her on; let the sea take her beyond.
The sun is starting to rise; it’s a beautiful pink and purple. This was always her favorite part of the day. I unlatch the railing and carry her over. I carefully lower her into the water and watch her sink deeper and deeper until I can see her no more. I can’t keep the tears back anymore. I have a full blown meltdown.
Suddenly I hear crying, Sunny. I hurry down stairs and pick up my son. “Good morning baby.” I hold him tighter than ever before. He calms in my arms.
“Sunny your mama is gone, it’s just you and me, but don’t worry I’ll take care of you.”
I take him up on the deck and we watch the sun rise together.
“Sunny that’s the sun, that’s what you’re named after.”
“Sahaohoah”
“Ha-ha, no not exactly but you’ll get there. We are going to be ok. Please, be patient with me for a while daddy’s sad about mama.”
“Mama?”
“Yes, mama.”
Chapter 33
The Setting Sun
-Marcus
Finally the sea is starting to change I can see beautiful islands in all directions. If I’ve been reading the map right then we have made it, we are at the Bahamas.
It’s more spectacular then I could have imagined. Sunny and I both are ready to get off this boat. Supplies are low and I am haunted by my loss. I can finally see our destination. The island set apart from all the others. It’s huge yet it would be way too far to swim too. I haven’t seen any Jacks, yet that doesn’t mean they aren’t here.
I can see a mansion more spectacular than any other. Someone rich and famous must have owned this island. Now it was going to be ours. We dock and I put Sunshine in a sling on my back. First and foremost I have to make sure this island’s safe. I check the forests, which is actually a jungle. I can see fruit on nearly every tree and the water seems to be teeming with life.
There are no signs of Jacks so I head to the house. It’s like I’m in a fairy tale. There is a little boy and girl’s room, plus a handful of other guest rooms. The kitchen and pantry are fully stocked and there is even a gun cabinet. It is clear of Jacks and I head back to the boat.
“I’m sorry Sunny, but we can’t stay in there yet we have to make sure it’s safe.”
He’s rather upset with this news.
Two days later I’ve decided it’s safe and we have moved in. Sunny is happier than I could imagine. He is now fully crawling and keeps getting into everything. I still feel uneasy and am constantly looking out the windows and around every corner. I’ve got traps set all over the island, but none have gone off. If anyone or anything moves on this island I’m going to know about it.
I’ve taken stock and I think we can live here forever if we want. There are enough supplies for the two of us and the island provides all the food and water we would ever need. Someday I’m sure we will leave, hopefully it’s because we want to not because we have to, like at our last paradise. Someday I know Sunny will be tired of me being over controlling and he will want to see the world, no matter its state. I will let him go, but you can bet your ass I’m going to be following his every move. I hope he finds a girl someday to love, it may be nearly impossible, but I’m going to do my best to make it happen. Because love was the best thing that ever happened to me and ever will. It makes life worth living.
We head out to our favorite spot on the beach. I put my line in the water, hoping to catch us something for dinner. Sunny is now eating the sand.
“Now now little monster that’s not for dinner.” I give him a toy shovel and he is now imitating me digging a hole.
I look out to the sea and smile at the thought of Emma. She still haunts my nightmares and I think of her every second. Yesterday Sunny and I made a mock grave for her on the beach. We used a large rock smoothed by the waves as her headstone. I grab my knife and after a few hours of work it is done. I’m sure Emma would not approve of how messy the handwriting is.
Rest in Peace
Emma Fritz
Loving Mother and Savior of Lost Souls
I wanted to put more, our entire story, but there was not enough room. No one will know how great of a lose the world has suffered from her passing, but I will never forget.
I look down and Sunny is again eating sand. After throwing him in the air a few times I gather up our stuff including a nice big fish for dinner. but before we head up for dinner I set down everything and take Sunny to the grave.
“Sunny say goodnight to your mama.”
“Mamama.”
“Good job, Son.”
“Goodnight sweetheart. Thank you; thank you for my son; thank you for your love; and thank you for showing me who I really am. I will never forget.”
We head back to the house as the sun is setting; the sky is fifty shades of beautiful. I can’t help but smile at its beauty and think how much Emma would have loved it here.
“Dada.” He is grabbing at my face.
“Ok, Ok little hellion let’s get some dinner in that pudgy belly of yours.”
I give it a little poke and his giggles fill the whole island. Even though the Earth is now truly hell; right here, right now this, this is heaven. This is why I fought, this is why I care. This is the better world I had always dreamed of.
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