by Nya Rawlyns
weak sun. After the weeks of heat in that hell dimension, the cool autumn breezes cascading off the forested slopes caressed her skin with a delicious tingle. She loved New England in the fall. The leaves had yet to turn but it would not be long. They’d had a hard frost the night before, leaving the rushes and grass coated in an icy splendour. She switched the cane to her left hand. Walking was easier now, her body not so debilitated, but it was still hard to eat much at a sitting. Eirik had gone off to tend to his business and other interests. The orderly-with-no-name saw to her needs. She hadn’t asked, nor did she particularly care what he was called. She’d had enough of the name game.
Caitlin wandered down a deer path, content to breath in the clear, crisp air—a
balm to her tortured lungs. Though Trey—or demon as she was wont to call him when she thought of him at all—had healed the rib, her lungs had yet to assume full
functioning. She suspected the transformation to an alternative respiratory function had something to do with it. She would need to study human anatomy if she were to explore how her system could make such unearthly alterations. She’d avoided changing, though the lab rats had watched her like a hawk. Perhaps they thought she could shape-shift into a field mouse and escape through some crack in the wall. How ridiculous.
The void and the emptiness continued to consume her, leaving her perpetually
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hungry but unfulfilled no matter how much she ate. The link pulsed like a phantom limb, severed, with her mind and body at odds with a soul that had abandoned her to perpetual agony and despair. At first she’d resented not dying, perverse as that seemed to her rational side. Now she revelled in the half-life, each moment a waking nightmare of exquisitely fashioned torture. Pain. It had been her welcomed reality and ultimately her path to such pleasure she still ached for the feel of it. She had sparred with the devil, with his lust and alien temptations. She’d entered the arena naked, naïve, but a child no longer. She wandered down to the cabin, stopping to admire the sturdy construction, and noticed a van parked on the sandy drive to the right of the wrap-around porch. Eirik.
She grinned with pleasure. She had missed the old fellow. He was good company. Gentle and always concerned for her welfare, he never pushed or asked for more than she was capable of offering.
“Eirik,” she called out and waved.
“Caitlin, my dear. You look wonderful!”
Caitlin embraced the frail shoulders. He seemed older, the limp more
pronounced. She knew today was the day.
“Would you like to sit on the porch, Eirik? I can have what’s-his-name make us
some tea.”
Eirik laughed and took her proffered arm. She led him up the steps and guided
him to a comfortable chair.
Caitlin fussed over the tea service, pouring, adding his two lumps of sugar and
skimmed milk. She liked hers plain, the slight bitter taste appealing.
“So what is the news that brings you all the way into the wilderness, Uncle?” She had taken to calling him ‘uncle’ to his everlasting delight. He beamed at her and winked.
“Bright. And sassy, as always.” He took a sip and put the mug down on a small
table separating the cushioned chairs. “I do have a reason for making the trip. And, I’m afraid, what I have to say is of the good news, bad news variety.”
Caitlin chewed on her lower lip. “My father?”
“It’s not what you think. He is actually quite well. And he is free. He has
apparently thrown his lot in with Greyfalcon. He seems to be working with a small team composed of,” Eirik faltered, unsure how to tell her the next bit, “uh, your brother and another.”
“Another.” Caitlin’s voice was flat, emotionless. She knew but she wanted to hear the words. It would make her decision that much easier.
“I can see you’ve already guessed. Trey. They are involved in certain of Gunnarr’s business interests.”
She spat out, “Arms.”
“We believe so.”
Caitlin rose and walked to the railing and leaned over, studying the carpet of
russet leaves, thin and dried, so like her soul. It was time.
“I’m ready.”
“Are you sure? I’ve hesitated to ask but we think they are using the Portals to ship the arms undetected. As you know, this violates everything we believe in. You are the only one who knows the principals so intimately. We need your insights. And your special gifts.”
“Agreed.”
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“So easily. Are you sure? Say the word and I will never mention it again.”
Caitlin smiled. “There’s only one reason my father has decided to work with
Greyfalcon again. He has a plan. And that plan is to get my brother out of their clutches.
I promise you, Uncle. I will figure out that plan and we will help him carry it out.”
“Where are you going?” Eirik watched Catlin walk toward the door. She looked
over her shoulder and gave him a feral sneer.
“I’m just going to practice, Uncle.”
“Practice?”
“…taking out the trash.”
Caitlin walked up the narrow stairs to her bedroom. She threw a few items in a
duffel bag and looked around the cheerful room. This time she would know her
opponent. That gave her an edge, sharp like the fractured surface of her heart. She exited the bedroom, finally feeling at ease and no longer alone. She had a companion for this journey, this time one of her own choosing. They would get to know each other well and she would call him by his name…
Revenge.
~~~~
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