The next morning he woke to find Anne had already gone. On his sink he found a note.
Jim,
Please don’t say goodbye today. My heart can’t take it. Just do your best to stay alive. I know you’re going to go look for Laura, and I wish I could say I hope you succeed. But I’m afraid I’m too selfish for that. Please forgive me. I know that’s terrible, but I can’t help it. I can only say that I pray I see you again. And that I love you.
Anne
Jim carefully folded the letter and put it in his backpack. He could feel a tear forming.
The platform was already abuzz with activity, even though the sun was barely peeking over the horizon. Jim helped with any last minute preparations, while at the same time doing his best to avoid any uncomfortable questions.
Anne already was on her boat with Will Burns, who was an experienced sailor. Not that this prevented a few pangs of annoyance when Jim noticed Will placing his hand on her waist and whispering what were most likely a few simple instructions in her ear. Will had always been infatuated with Anne, and now was his chance. It was probably the reason he had changed his mind about leaving. Jim cursed himself for being a stupid jealous jerk. At least Will was capable of being with her. She would be better off, he told himself.
It was just after mid-morning when the boats were all ready to sail. Jim said one emotional goodbye after another until finally seeking out Red and Liam.
“No more goodbyes,” Red told him. “I’ve had enough of those.”
Jim smiled warmly. “Yeah. Me too.” He hugged his friend tightly. “Until next time.”
Red slapped him on the shoulder. “Try not to make that too long, all right?”
Jim remained on the platform watching the boats pull away, one at a time. The one carrying Anne left just before Red’s. She was wrapped tightly in her robe, and he could see the tears flowing freely down her cheeks. He was just about to raise his arm when she turned away and stepped inside her cabin. Will looked at him, then back at the spot where Anne had just been standing. Jim gave him a sharp nod. Take care of her, he was saying. Will nodded back, message understood.
Once all the boats – with the exception of the two which were remaining behind – were safely beyond the razor wire, Jim gathered up his gear, together with his AR-15 and .45, and left the platform. He found Peter sitting on a bench along the boardwalk watching the boats depart. Jim sat down beside him.
They sat in silence as the sails unfurled, then slowly disappeared into the distance.
Peter stood and stretched. “I guess we should get going.”
He began putting on the backpack Jim had provided, as well as his .44. “The others were saying that the girl called Anne spent the past two nights with you. Lucky bastard!”
“It’s not like that,” Jim snapped, also getting to his feet. “We’re just friends.”
Peter gave a lecherous laugh. “Really? Too bad. She’s a hottie. Next time, send her my way. I wouldn’t mind hittin’ that.”
Something snapped inside Jim's head. His fist swung around in a blur of movement, smashing into Peter’s jaw. He hit the ground hard, and with one hand holding the side of his face, he scrambled backward. “What the hell?”
Jim loomed over him. “Don’t ever talk about her again. Understand?”
Peter heaved himself unsteadily up. “Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean...”
“Just shut your mouth and let’s go.”
Jim’s dislike for the man was increasing. Unfortunately, Peter was the only hope he had. Not only that, it was going to be a long and dangerous road. He needed to find a way of getting along with the guy.
“Look. I’m sorry I hit you,” he said. “Just don’t talk about her, okay?”
Peter held up his hands. “No problem. I didn’t mean to piss you off.”
Jim put on his backpack and checked his weapons. “You ready?”
“I am if you are. You still sure you want to do this?”
Jim looked at the empty space on the horizon. His home was gone. “I’m sure.”
End Tallos - Episode One (Season One)
Tallos - Episode Two (Season One) will be available April 13th 2015
Tallos - Episode One (Season One) Page 8