by Riley Moreno
The stream was allowing Mark to capture the inhabitants striking outside West Shanti. And men in suits telling the people that them being here was justified and would bring them plenty of money. They had stones thrown at them. Food. Water. Anything that would shut them up. Even Eman got lost in the moment of the protest when Felis, the man they want to rule came out with a huge army and ignored Timothy and others who were awaiting his decision. It would come. But he wanted the crowd to calm down. And the fighting to stop. Alabastor would be coming out next.
And it was on every channel as others picked it up and started to air it. Eman’s phone goes off, and it brings him back to Henny standing in his living room with a gun. He answers the call, “yes. No. I haven’t seen Henny. I’ll send somebody to finish him off today. Copied.” And then the gun is back on him and Joel is on the floor with a concussion and a very red bruising from being hit very hard. “You hear those protesters. They’re going to blow up the airport. But they only know about the one where they build plane parts for the N.O. I want you to send one out to the private strip to get Darren, Lee, and Mark out. And I want you to do it now.”
“What about all the other Americans?”
“They made their bets. They aren’t working for me. That’s to do with the N.O. I’d include enough space for Bennie and whoever else needs asylum from Torbelli.”
“That will get you killed. And me too.”
“We can’t have so many deaths on our hands. How will we wash it off?”
“They aren’t coming out of there. Let’s face it. And now all these charities and sponsors want to send aid and fly over and get stories. Mark has done well now. He’s managed to expose what’s happening out there.”
“And next will be the N.O, So why hang on to what’s lost?”
“My wife.”
“Send the plane, Eman.” On the TV, an announcement is made by Felis. “After this speech, I want an answer.”
“I want to apologize to the people of Torbelli. It has been a rough few years. We’ve been ghosts to everybody who have ignored us. I’m not Alabastor. But I’ve always been in charge of your safety after him. He has done a great evil here. Bringing in men who do not care for us. And you must know, that I was being held captive. Only until recently, when an undercover agent freed me and told me that he was bringing down the N.O., who have taken over our country. This man will remain anonymous. But it was because of me being held captive that the soldiers did horrible things that will go to trial. Their sins will be punished. And now, they expect me to say that I will join forces with Alabastor and let them enslave the citizens here. But no. I will not. If you want me too, the people of Torbelli, I will lead, with the help of Diego, who has fought vigilantly to free miners.”
Felis turns to the Americans, “You will not be leaving from here. So, decide now what you will do after my soldiers take you away?” And there was an uproar in the air. A loud and thunderous fire of rebels and men both rejoicing at Felis being able to stop the commencing. No army meant they did not have the main hub to oppress the people with. The second most powerful man had assigned his words and made his pact. He would be in charge, once they brought this to trail. The N.O. having been exposed via live TV, were no longer able to go ahead, but they still had Alabastor.
“There. Felis has spoken –“
“Let Alabastor show himself” And the truck holding the man was approaching. But Henny saw the remote and switched off the TV before he could see who Alabastor really was. And Angelina, Hona, Sandra, and Mark who was feeding the live feed through his special equipped camera that was connected to his laptop were all present.
“The plane. Do it. We’re all screwed. Eman. Send the plane out now!”
“Alright.” And Eman made that call.
...
Camilia had a bandage on her cheek. On the same side that she was injured. And she’d lost more than a couple of stones. Being quite slim already, she was now more fragile looking, but no less pretty and tough behind the eyes. A woman after Lee, who remains with a fire still being there. “Took your time. Thought you’d get here sooner.”
“Finding you was tough. I thought you were dead. The whole unit did.”
“I’ve been dead. Took me ages to walk again. They beat me to death for trying to expose them. My wound is only now allowing me to eat properly and talk. Before I was confined to that bed. And lord knows how I stayed undetected. But they would move me out into the wild whenever Timothy and those bum-chums of Shaka showed up.”
“Shaka. Where is he?”
“Shaka is Alabastor.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope. Alabastor is his fake name. The guy should be locked up. And many officials would like to have him in prison. A wanted man can’t be in charge here. Not after all his crimes. And your case was false. But you’re a good detective to find me here. I never thought anybody would be able to find the facility. Accept for Bennie who was undercover. But even he hadn’t been allowed inside to see it. Otherwise, these people would’ve described him to me. So technically, it’s all you. And he doesn’t know I’m alive. So...you’ve saved me.”
“They believed you dead?”
“Yes. They all thought I was dead. And had to sell the story that I was alive. Me showing up will really give it to them nastily. I’m all packed. And ready to tell Bennie everything.”
“I can take you.”
“We can get a lift. It will be quicker to get back to West Shanti. And I need to get my things from the motel. I have all the paperwork he’ll need. Bennie is here, right? He said around this time of the month, he’d be here to get me out. But it seems you did that.”
“He’s here. And there’s a riot out there. The people are waiting to see this Alabastor and Felis.”
“Well let’s get back then. So, I can confirm who this Alabastor really is. Because some of the N.O. should know that I have a long list on the men that I was going to expose. But he had me done in before I could sell the story.”
“Have you got a spare phone?”
“I do. It’s one of the inhabitants who lets me borrow it. It works. Who do you want to call?”
“Henny.”
Chapter 12
“So now that I’ve sent that plane and they’ll know it’s me. What do we do now?”
“We face the consequences. Hand ourselves in and hope for a pardon if we give names, details, members, accounts, signatures, organizations that are involved. And I eliminate associations with N.O. and my unit. I forfeit. Whatever needs to be done, will be acted out. And I give it back to Lee Coil. She’ll run it. And Lotan... he deserves to be compensated hugely.”
“You ask plenty. And they’ll not let you have a cent.”
“Maybe so. But we need to think of the future and our families. And if I’m going to jail, then it’s not going to be without clearing my name.” But Henny was sure that he had little time to clear his name. When the phone rings in his pocket, he was unsure of the caller. So, he keeps the gun high, checks on Joel who was still woozy and answers it. “Who is this?” He was ready to talk to death.
“Lee Coil.”
“Lee!” Henny is ecstatic to hear her voice.
“Yes. And I’m with Camila.” -
“My God. Camila is alive too?”
“Yes.” Eman makes no attempt to move. But he has never seen Henny so overwhelmed with pride. Lee Coil ... the name makes him smile like a father who hears his daughter is getting married to a man he wholly approves of. It’s too bad then, that Eman can’t be the one to tell Henny that it makes no difference to care for the girl. He used her. And that will not leave a personality who has more morals than him.
“I’ve sent a plane out that will bring you back. I know ... don’t say anything. But the news might not have hit you yet. Felis is on the people’s side. And that leaves Alabastor in a dark well. He needs him. And... Lee, I’m sorry for everything. But I’m going to testify when it comes down on us. And you’ll be spared. Beca
use your affiliation with the N.O. was through lies. I promise you and Darren, that I’ll make this right.”
“Thank you, Henny. And I’m sorry too. Forever doubting that you would come to your senses and do the right thing. How is Lotan?”
“On life support. But I know him, he is a fighter. I’ll see you soon. Even if it’s behind bars.”
“Take care, Henny.”
And that was the last time Lee Coil got to speak with her boss. When she got back to West Shanti hours later, the riots had simmered down, and Bennie had revealed a small force that had been working behind the scenes. He was in a small partnership that was also looking for Shaka, and when he saw Camila, it was enough to condemn the man as she had notes from the N.O. and also went live with much of what went on here. Alabastor was arrested.
...
But Camila saved most of her story for the case that was being built against the N.O., and it was a large one that involved many important figures who needed to fix the state of Torbelli and get it back with the help of Diego and Felis. The case would take a year, but it was more than handy when many names went down including Herman, Eman, Shaka, Timothy, and Henny, who were the ones with the longest sentences.
The others were being charged and got over eight-to-ten years in total. It was a good result. Saul was awarded a medal for his aid in getting the live feed broadcasted. Mark and Camila left the N.O. and started their own print and newspaper service. Hona and Angelina promised to visit the States when they helped Diego who appointed them as part of his council. And Lee and Darren ...
“Are you going to take the job?”
“In Torbelli? Hmm. Maybe. But for now, I think you and I should just enjoy this nice weather in my mother’s garden and thank whatever she’s drinking, for she approves of you. She thinks you are handsome too.”
“Noooooooooo! She said that?” Darren says this with a smile.
“Yes. I did well for once.”
“You know, Torbelli has become my home. I ... miss it all. The people. The... enough about that, right?”
“No. I miss it too. But you know what, if I take this job, you’re coming with me.”
“Take it then.”
“Only if you come along?”
“I’m sold. Torbelli is going to be our new home. And I know it will treat us well.”
The End.
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