by Richard Lord
As the girl rescinded her hand from the back of Tina’s skull she held her side and spoke to Tina’s body as it dropped. “I don’t think so, bitch!” Solstice looked at Kumadri. I’m sorry. I can’t help. I’m not at my best. Save Joy, save Tomorrow.” Then she vanished.
Brady turned, “Like father like daughter.” Brady then focused on the fact that Solstice was bleeding profusely and very pale. “What happened to you?”, he leaped to her.
“Don’t ask, you don’t want to know. If you make me think about it, I’ll probably kill you.” Solstice started to fade to the ground. She felt Brady’s arms under her and she clicked.
“Okay, it’s hard not to ask. Where are we? I have to get you to a hospital.” Brady looks panicked.
“No time. Listen, you do something horrible. Change that! Go into that building. What you will see will scare you, but find model KRY-1-CT-A1. By now I am already dead. Stop Johnson.”
“Johnson? Why?” Brady can’t hide his look of confusion or his look of concern.
“When you see the model, you’ll understand.” Solstice coughs as blood spurts from her body. Solstice rolls herself out of his arms and clicks. She hears her father and feels his arms around her and the familiar cold spot on the kitchen floor next to the table they never ate at. She thinks about her sisters, Illumna and Sara who had always been there. “Dad, I looked for you in the time you were concentrating on. I couldn’t hear Illumna.” She tries to look up knowing Illumna is in the room in now. She coughs again and more blood expels from her body. “Illumna, you weren’t…” Her body spasms as she says, “I know how much my father loves both of you. Thank you, Sara.” Then Solstice let’s go, realizing she will never see Tomorrow again.
CHAPTER 38
“It’s hard to determine right or wrong. Everyone is sure they are right.” -- from the Book of Persistence
“Hey Bob. Why am I not surprised?” Renfield says.
“It’s not just our lives or our family we change. Stephen is simply going the way of evolution. Why did we have think we should change that? Species change, Adam.”
“I’m not against change, Bob. Most are against total annihilation of almost all living things and one person controlling the things he allows to live by making them into his personal workforce.” Renfield notes he cannot move. He also notes that he cannot speak and realizes he is thinking to Bob and vice versa.
He hears the footsteps approach. “You’re an ass, but I’ll unplug you anyway.” Renfield feels the tube pulled from his throat and wishes he could at least cough. Then he notices hands moving quickly to remove wires from him as he begins to be able to move his eyes around.
“Good timing for me, Brian, but Phillip…” Renfield stops as his eyes meet Brian’s.
“I’ve tried this a thousand times, Adam. Phillip and Illumna will soon not be. I’ve tried. I swear I’ve tried and you haven’t made it any easier.” Brian explains while looking perturbed at Adam, but helping him to stand nonetheless.
“Tomorrow! Is she here?” Renfield asks.
“Sara is nearby. I only came back for you because of her logic. She really does love you. Why, I’ll never know.” Brian then intercepts the next thought. “Joy is not here.”
“Hmm, Stephen is alive.” Renfield points out.
“Yeah, we figured that out. I don’t have a lot of linear time, but I can tell you she’s important. I suppose you know my fate.” Brian clicks and Adam feels Sara’s arms hugging him.
“Really, we’re hiding here?” Adam asks as he looks around he place he wanted to avoid when he began his trek to the underground city.
Brian vanishes as Tomorrow answers, “It seems too obvious, therefore least likely to be expected. If we are wrong, then at least you get some last memories of this place.”
“We can’t ‘if’ anything! Sara, Joy is…”
She cuts Renfield off, “Stop! I know! I’ll explain later, but Solstice was a hell of a woman!” She punches him in the leg, hard. “Do you feel that?”
“You being cruel to me?” He looks at her surprised, but answers, “Kind of. It hurts right here.” Renfield put a hand over his chest then makes a kiss face.
“Not funny, Adam. I can’t do time, but we can click until you can stand.” Sara points out.
Another voice enters the conversation, “I can do time.” Tomorrow turns to see a young lady and Conan behind her.
“Persistence?” Sara looks confused. Conan holds up his wife’s hand to show off her ring to his former teacher.
“My mother was not whom we thought. I want to make up for that. You were always my parent.” Conan explains. He notes Tomorrow’s skepticism. “You always said you knew when I was lying, so, am I lying now.”
“No. I don’t think you are. You do know…”
“Yes. The martyr is not my father. Stephen is. She lied and then betrayed her true friends. I don’t approve of her behavior.” Conan picked up Adam. “I cannot commit patricide and you have a daughter to save.” Then he vanished.
Persistence sat down next to Tomorrow. “So you and I can go anywhere, but where they are. Nice. We seem to have been born in the shallow end of the gene pool.”
Sara laughed and tussled Persistence’s hair. “Just wait. It’s never too long before someone shows up needing something.”
“I suppose I was born into this. Well, at least there’s this.” Persistence reaches down to her waist and pulls at the wine sack she has and offers it to Tomorrow.
“Thank you. Also, there’s the fruit juice that’s been in that sealed container over there for a while.”
“How long is a while?”
“Since I started juicing the peach and apple cores Solstice and Joy leave behind. Plus, I collected the grapes Joy throws wantonly in the air.”
Persistence rolls her eyes, “So basically, that’s a strong fruit wine and you left it here?”
“In case of emergency.” Then both Sara and Persistence laugh as they share their libations with each other throughout the night.
In the morning, Tomorrow rolls over and looks at Persistence. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. I could go for some rabbit.”
“You’re kidding right?” Persistence asks her.
“If you prefer, we could do some rattlesnake. It’s been awhile.” Tomorrow replies.
Persistence looks at her with a much more serious face, “You aren’t kidding are you?”
“What did you and Brian eat when you lived here?” Tomorrow asks.
“Umm, things you fed us. Mostly hallucinogens.”
“You didn’t get those breasts and that butt from some cacti. I fed you and your cousin well.” Tomorrow defends herself.
“So what was the chicken?” Persistence asks guarded.
“Oh, hawk. That was for special occasions. Snakes are easier to catch. They nest, so…” She stops. “Oh. You two never knew?”
“Nope, I think I’m going to be sick.” Persistence runs to the porch and relieves her stomach.
Sara stands behind her. “Well, either that’s the wine or your glow is more than just a good day.”
“Funny.” Persistence wipes her mouth and turns to Sara. She notes the serious look on Sara’s face.
“Rattlesnake and cactus water it is. No more wine for you. I also don’t think it’s good for the little one.” Sara clicks and returns soon after with three headless snakes dangling from her hand. “Where’s the fire? You can’t get lazy just because you’re going to pop one out. In fact, it’s best to stay active.”
“Well you haven’t changed. You’re still a pain in the ass.” Persistence rises and looks around. “There’s nothing to burn. This place is…”
“Better than no place. Find something to burn, build a fire, I’ll be back with the stink water.” Sara pauses her click as she hears Persistence.
“So you admit that stuff is horrid?” Persistence stops looking around and looks directly at Sara for an answer.
“It’s not tasty, but it work
s. Appreciate what you have.” Sara vanishes.
While milking the cactus and sipping the juices, Sara presents a proud smile. She is proud to have found this one because it is fat with moisture. Then she feels a familiar presence.
“Tomorrow, you lived there. Who should lead?” Adam asks.
“I kind of want you right now, Renfield. What kind of question is that?” Tomorrow asks.
“Conan and I are holed up making plans, but we considered the city. Still will need a leader. You know the people. Whom do you suggest?”
“There’s a guard. He was on rotation a few doors down from my old room. He’s a senior, I think. He gets things done. If I were to choose, I would choose him. He doesn’t waste time and he is able to foresee the inevitable.” Sara looks at her husband with fiery eyes.
“Okay, and his name is?” Renfield asks.
“Hmm, I don’t remember. I’m not sure I ever knew.” She responds while she moves towards him.
Renfield holds up a hand to stave off her advances. “You’re in a rare mood. I suspect you don’t even know what kind of cactus that is.”
“Not so rare when it comes to you, Adam.” Tomorrow whispers in his ear.
“Touché. However, focus. Can you describe him?” Renfield asks.
“Beard. I suppose that is why I knew he was a senior. The juniors are not permitted beards. But he’s not an officer, they aren’t permitted beards either.” She starts playing with the curls in Adam’s hair as she leans into his chest. “Oh, and I think Persistence is expecting.”
“Expecting what?” Renfield then hears his wife’s thoughts. “Oh. I’ll be sure not to tell Conan.” He vanishes for what seems like a millisecond, but long enough to annoy Tomorrow. “Here, this is fresh water. You drink that and do NOT give Persistence any of the water from that cactus. Although I will admit, for you, it makes you look sexy!”
Before he can react she trips him and is on top of him. “You’re pretty sexy too.”
Renfield grabs his wife’s wrist and they appear on the porch. He looks over to see Persistence tending a fire.
“Wow, you two seem to be enjoying this heat.” Persistence notes.
Adam, lifts Sara off of him and tosses the bags of water to Persistence. “No need to boil, but use them sparingly. We’ll be back.”
Persistence watches as they vanish. Then opens one of the bags and smells it. She thinks to herself, “Yes! It’s not stink water!”
Then she hears Sara behind her say, “He comes through. But I didn’t. Now those snakes are not edible. They’ve been out in the sun too long. I’ll get rid of them and find something else.”
Persistence points at the moon. “A little late for breakfast. I’m not a big fan of snakes, but I’ll help you.” She stands and walks over to Sara and they vanish together.
CHAPTER 39
“Just when I thought I knew him, after a few thousand years, he changed again.” -- from the book of Sara
As Renfield walked through the door he had an odd sense. He didn’t see them in the living room. He made for the kitchen and then the family room. No sign of them.
“Sara!” He yelled out.
“Renfield!” He hears her yell back and notes the tone that something is amiss.
Renfield heard the urgency in her voice and began running while clicking in the direction of it. In the bedroom, he saw Sara staring into the closet. “What’s going on?”
“Illumna has started clicking and she thinks it’s funny. Talk to her, Adam!” Sara stands and turns around to face him. “You’ve a guilty look on your face and it’s not about this. So out with it.”
“I came by to tell you that Illumna has a sister.” Renfield looked into the closet and saw Illumna wave at him. He smiled but understood why her mother was annoyed. He kneeled down and said, “Hey fart, don’t annoy your Mom.”
“I am annoyed! What is this about her sister. That’s not new news. Which you are you? I am assuming you know that because you look older. And dusty, by the way.” Sara asked.
“Yeah, there’s that. Way ahead of now, linear. I’m talking about another sister.” Renfield explained.
“Good, Renfield. So you came by to brag about your conquests. I have other issues if you didn’t notice.” Sara points back to the closet and then notices Illumna is no longer in it. “See!” As she begins to storm out of the room on the hunt for Illumna Renfield grabs her arm and she looks at him with razors for eyes. “Adam!”
“Sara, here’s the thing…” Renfield lets loose her arm, clicks, reappears with Illumna in tow, giggling. Then he continues his sentence as if nothing happened. “This gets confusing…”
“Like you turning out to be married to my mother? That level of confusing?” Sara takes Illumna from his arm and heads to the kitchen.
Renfield follows, “She’s about to click ag…never mind.” He clicks and then reappears in front of the refrigerator little Illumna was standing next to. Again, with Illumna in tow, giggling. He looks down at Illumna, “Not funny, Daddy has to make nice with the mean Mommy.” Illumna’s eyes go wide and she gestures to be let down. Renfield lets her down and she runs off to grab a toy.
Sara looks at him and then says, “You’re good with her. Maybe you should be around more.” She throws up her hands and then says, “No, wait, you’re too busy with married life and running around being ‘Mr. Baby Maker’ for everyone.” She grabs the bottle of milk and an apple and start to the counter.
“Listen, I…”
“How about this. You get her to eat this apple”, she says while slicing it thinly, “and I will listen to how you took another woman by storm and got her pregnant, Adam.”
“Actually Illumna prefers bananas. Solstice likes apples. Joy is kind of keen on peaches. You like grapes.” Renfield clicks again and is back with a handful of freshly picked grapes and a bunch of bananas.
“Don’t woo me after your telling me about another woman Adam.” Sara peels the banana, slices it into a small bowl and then walks into the room where Illumna is playing and hands it to her. Then she returns to the kitchen, picks a grape off the vine piece Renfield brought her and says, with while chewing, “You’re acting weird. Was she hot?”
“You happened to me? You. As for is she hot, even when you don’t even look like you, kinda sorta. So yeah, I’d say so, Sara. I’m trying to tell you, it’s you.”
The grape goes flying through the air as Sara spits it out in shock. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but there is no way we can have another child! It’s crazy enough when Solstice comes over. I can’t keep up with both of them, let alone another.”
Renfield starts to chuckle at the irony.
“What? I’m serious. Do you know Solstice asks the oddest questions and then Illumna chimes in with the oddest answers. I can’t deal with two of them let alone three! How can I be pregnant, Ren? You’ve been out and about.”
“Yeah, that’s where it gets confusing. But I you can deal with more than one child able to click. You’ve done it twice. Not linear, but you do it more than very well. Both times as a teacher.” Renfield states.
Sara looks at him and says, “You’re being serious about this, aren’t you?”
Renfield grabs at his goatee, “Yeah. Kind of completely, sort of.” Then he leans in to her.
“Adam, we need to talk. Not now I have to deal with Illumna.” Sara pushes at his chest.
Renfield reaches for her arm, “We’ll be back in approximately a second. I don’t have her accuracy, but Illumna won’t do anything stupid in a few seconds. It’s not like her.” Then he clicks and the sound of the waterfall is deafening. He points to a break in the trees and gestures for her to move there.
Sara begins to walk in the direction he is gesturing to and notes how quickly the tress, as she passes them, lower the decibels of the waterfall. Then she sees the rays of the sun piercing through the area he points to and the lushness of the greenery around her. She smiles but then frowns and says, “We just left her
all alone there?”
“Yeah, funny thing about time is that when we get back she won’t know we were ever gone so she’ll be on her best behavior.” Adam grins at Sara.
“She’s never on her best behavior” Then she rethinks that statement and adds, “Never mind, except for when you are around and as far as she knows, you are around. I get it. Ok, explain.” Sara capitulates. “And just so you know I like the silver in your hair. It makes you look distinguished, even though I know you are a brute.”
Renfield grins again and waits, silent.
Sara looks at him completely annoyed and unable to grasp the point of all of this.
A few moments later Sara says, “I don’t think we’re alone. I think they are watching us.”
“Well then, let’s take center stage!” Renfield replies.
Sara begins to say something but inebriated by his kiss, she instead pulls at his body harder.
Suddenly they hear a loud growl and Sara tenses. Renfield doesn’t stop.
“What was that?” She asks.
“Nothing of concern. I’m sure they’ll deal with it.” Renfield responds.
Sara relaxes back into being with Renfield, but then she hears the unmistakable sound of a gunshot. “What’s going on?”
“I think it’s dealt with. You’ll probably hear that a third time, I’m guessing it will be towards the ground.” Renfield pulls at her hair and twists her body.
Sara moans forgetting what she is hearing and then as the third blast happens she grabs at Renfield’s face. “Are you trying to get me pregnant?”
“Nope, that is a long story. I can stop and explain it to you.”
“Not now!”
As their intensity towards each other increases Sara can hear parts of his mind open to her and she begins screaming, “I understand, I understand. Oh my, keep going, I understand!” Then they both disappear in a flash of light and a concussive boom rings out through the jungle.