She then picked up a crate of weathered vinyls and dropped it on the table beside the player. Flipping through the selection, she found her favorite and pulled it out. With care, she removed the frayed cover and placed it off to the side.
He took the sleeve and examined the beauty of its artwork, made ever more poignant by its faded appearance. The cover depicted a woman standing under a tree with rain from grey skies pouring down. The woman in white was waiting for someone whom was never coming.
She positioned the disc on the turntable and set the needle. A mild jazzy tune played, delighting the kids. Zoe did something out of character, she lowered her tough guise and allowed the music to move her. Marta, shy at first, swayed to the song, mimicking her movements. Dinx tried to copy what they were doing, but couldn’t stay in rhythm. No one teased him. They were enjoying themselves.
Max watched the others having a good time. Their fun didn’t bother him, but he didn’t feel a part of it. Not wanting to ruin the mood, he tried to steal away, but Zoe caught him. With persistent tugging, she convinced him to join in. She held his hands and they danced to the song. Maybe because of her enthusiasm, he loosened his posture and moved to the beat.
“There you go. You’re doing great. You’ve danced before?”
“Yeah, but just to get girls. They love this crap.”
She shook her head. “Just another one of your amazing skills, huh?”
“I do alright for myself, thank you very much.”
When the tempo quickened, he took charge and twirled her. Her delight was infectious. Nothing in the world could have taken her away.
The song ended and another started. The party continued for some time before the kids gave up and sought out new diversions, leaving Zoe and Max with the floor to themselves. With room to move, they competed to see who the better dancer was. It was a one-sided contest as his partner easily bested him with dance steps gleaned from years of experience.
Exhausted and tired of losing to an old woman, Max signaled time-out. “I give up. You win.”
She wasn’t content with only a win. “Oh no, you’re not getting off that easy.” The quick song transitioned to a smooth ballad. Her eyes shined and she reached for him. “Just one more. Please?”
When the rain falls outside
She listens to the tide
He knew she wouldn’t accept no for an answer, so he surrendered and allowed her to pull him back. He felt a connection with her, so the intimacy of the song didn’t feel strange or off-limits.
When the rain falls outside
She comes to you and cries
She disappeared into the lyrics. There was no better way to express her feelings than to let the song sing it out in hushed acceptance.
Through the lonely years
She waits with quiet tears
He smiled in spite of his melancholy. She recalled that look. Its remembrance floated on a mild breath of air. She was at an officer’s club and the same song rolled from hidden speakers. There was no one on the dance floor except for her and the tall, handsome officer with his arms around her.
Counting the lonely days
When you come home to stay
Zoe was young and in love. The man, pressing her against his body, never strayed his eyes from hers. They were one. Theirs was a world onto itself. The soldier with the last name of Zander was her world.
More than ever she reaches for you
Hoping you feel the same way too
Can you see the love in her eyes?
Don’t deny you feel it too
When she reaches to hold you
Living in the past was something she hated. It served no purpose except to remind her of what had been and never will be again. She was used to fighting such weak urges, but now, it was different.
Through the lonely years
She waits with quiet tears
Counting the lonely days
When you come home to stay
Her sadness worried him and they stopped. She tried to quell his concern by smiling, but she couldn’t form the impression.
“I’m okay.”
More than ever she reaches for you
Hoping you feel the same way too
“You don’t look okay.”
“Do you want to go for a walk?” she offered.
“Sure.”
Zoe wiped a tear. They didn’t say a word to the others as they left the room. The song neared its emotional end.
Let her hold what you share
It’s there if you want it
Let her hold you
Let her hold you
The Old Man hadn’t expected Emil to surrender, so he wasn’t surprised when the General barged into the chamber. Sitting the copy of René Descartes’s Discourse on the Method on his lap, the Old man graciously accepted his guest’s intrusion.
“What’s on your mind, Emil?”
“I know what you are. I remember what Nadiya said about you.”
“And your point?”
“You’re not at all how I pictured. She called you quiet but strong.”
“She was a generous friend, especially with her praises. So, what is really bothering you?”
“How can I trust you, knowing what you are?”
“I can say the same thing about you.” The retort was an implied statement.
“I’m not the one destroying the world.”
“Do you think that I am?”
“I misspoke, but you know my meaning.”
“You’re letting hate cloud your judgment. Be calm... be patient.”
“How can you tell me to be patient? If the Alliance activates the Spire, then we lose the whole damn world.”
“Why are you so sure of things that haven’t come to be?”
“Because I’ve seen their war machines. I’ve fought against their armies. I know the enemy. Zolarians are monsters.”
“That is an unjust belief, born of ignorance and misunderstanding.”
“Do you deny what your race has done? They have killed millions chasing after their utopia.”
“No, I can’t deny the truth. For the longest time, I’ve watched them tear down everything I’ve loved. I know the sins of my people better than you.”
“Then why did you do nothing to stop them? Nadiya wasn’t afraid to take a stand. You let her die.”
The accusation of supposed cowardice affected him. “My apparent lack of action, I swear, was and has always been part of a grander plan.”
“Good strategy, letting everything burn and doing nothing to stop it. No thanks to you, we’re long past saving the world.”
“You should not be pessimistic. No matter what, there’s always hope.”
Emil’s frustration intensified, more with himself than with his host. “There is no hope. I lost the only thing that could have helped us.”
“You’re talking about the ora?”
“How do you know about that? Did Chacon tell you?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
“I know a great many things, but I’m not a clairvoyant like Nadiya was, so I cannot assume to know the future.”
“Then how can you speak of hope? How?”
“Your misplacement of the crystal is meaningless.”
“I wish I can be like you, but I know better.”
“Then you’re a fool, Emil Pavel. You place your hopes with the wrong salvation. Marta is the wellspring of power, not the crystal. It’s only a key, a means to an end. Nothing more.”
The General folded his arms and chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Was it you who led me to it?”
“No. There is another force already at work here, and has been since the beginning. Believe me, it is beyond either of our earthly comprehensions.”
“You know more than you’re willing to admit.”
“Maybe, but if I were to lay it out for you, hold your hand and tell you what to do next, then you wouldn’t learn what you need to learn.”
“So I’ve been told by Zoe many times over the years.”
“If Marta is anything like her mother, then we must use her.”
“For what end? She could bring about peace, but for which side?”
It was a difficult question to answer, so the Old Man waited patiently for a response.
“What will you do if I try to take Marta from Agarha?”
“Nothing, because you won’t.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No, of course not. You misunderstand me. I don’t make threats. I’m only saying what you will do.”
“Does it mean I can’t count on your help?”
“That is not what I said either. You can’t see the whole picture, because you won’t take a step back to look at it in its entirety.”
Emil stomped to the door, but stopped. “We have to do something. Please, tell me what we can do to end this war.”
“There is a solution, but only when you think with a mind free of hate will you be able to see it.”
Emil opened the door to leave, disgusted and angry.
“Why are you so willing to risk your daughter’s life? What about your responsibility to her?”
The directness of the question touched a nerve. “Don’t lecture me about responsibility. You’re no better than the rest of your kind.”
“Does the hate you feel for my people extend to the woman you loved, or maybe even to yourself? Is this why you can’t see Marta as anything other than an object to be used?”
“You know nothing about me. I will do what I have to do to get justice.”
Emil stormed out.
Zoe didn’t say much. She stared at the concrete floor. The silence didn’t bother Max. He spent the time rolling his anxieties over and over in his mind.
He thought about her and her puzzling gloom. She was his friend and he wanted to console her.
Friend?
The epiphany that he considered Zoe Chacon a friend surprised him. How did it happen? He could have debated the how and why, but in the end he understood two things: she needed him, and their relationship... well, it was what it was.
She relaxed her arms and let them naturally sway while they strolled through the passages with her hand nonchalantly brushing his. He didn’t perceive exactly when their fingers ended up intertwined, but he didn’t pull away when he eventually noticed. There was a connection developing between them and he didn’t know exactly what to label it.
What was it about this irritating woman that bonded them?
It wasn’t her attractiveness. In fact, she was in phenomenal shape for a woman her age, and she could be charming when she wasn’t acting like a dink. No, the bond was more like that of a sibling or maybe an aunt. The innocence of walking hand in hand was the most relaxed he had been in a long time. He accepted there was nothing awkward about it whatsoever.
He wiggled his hand. “You doing better, old lady?”
“Yeah.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Yes... and no. There’s something I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how to bring it up or how you would take it.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
Having to say what needed to be said scared her. How would he react? She couldn’t avoid it any longer, she had to make the leap of faith. “Max, I’m —”
“Have you told him the truth?” Emil interrupted, catching both of them off guard.
“What?” she responded, dazed by his sudden appearance.
“Did you tell him about Patti?”
“What about her?” Max asked.
“He has a right to know.”
“What the muck is he talking about?”
She held on to his hand, even as he tried to break away. “Max, I’m sorry. The only reason we made it here safe is because Patti —”
Max ripped his hand from hers. “What are you saying?”
“Max, please listen to me. Okay? Let me explain.”
“Chacon! What happened to Patti?”
“She lured the assassin away from your trail, kid,” Emil cut in. “She tricked the Zolarian into coming after her instead of us.”
Zoe wanted to punch him in the face. She reached for Max, but he wouldn’t let her near him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean —”
He ran, refusing to listen to her. The walls were moving. His heart raced.
I gotta get out of here!
Every damn corridor looked the same. He twisted and turned, trying to remember how he got there. He eventually picked a route and headed in what he hoped was the way out.
Halfway, he crossed Tank’s path. He shot his old friend an ugly stare.
“Hey, what’s the problem?” the giant asked, oblivious to the commotion.
Max stopped and got in his face. “Why didn’t you tell me about Patti? I thought you were my friend.”
“I’m sorry. I promised her I wouldn’t —”
“Save it! Everyone lies to me... even you...” He ran.
Zoe caught up, but he had already disappeared. “Max?”
Tank grabbed her arm. “Let him go. I know how he gets. He ain’t listening.”
She pushed his hand off and was about to give chase, but the Old Man appeared and blocked the hall.
“Zoe,” he said. “Let him go.”
“No, I won’t!”
“You have to. What he chooses to do now is up to him.”
Looking at her friends gathering, she struggled to heed the advice. Emil approached and her rage found its mark. “You son of a bitch!”
Tank held her firmly, but the small woman was too strong for him. “Whoa. Calm down, Chica.”
“You did this!”
The General had no defense. He realized too late what he meant to do by stirring up turmoil. Seeing her spitting his hatred back at him knocked a little compassion into his stubborn head.
“I’m sorry. I was out of line.” The apology was genuine.
She didn’t care. She shoved past the giant and put as much ground between her and Emil as she could.
The drama died and everyone went their separate ways. Everyone that is, except for Emil. He didn’t budge.
The Old Man found him in the last place he looked — near the main gate. The boy had tried to leave, but the sentry blocked him. Not in the mood for a fight, he opted to sit on the edge of the field, staring at nothing in particular while fiddling with the nape of his hair.
“Pardon me, young man, but can you tell me where I might find the infirmary?”
Max shifted and pointed in a general direction just so he could be rid of the interloper’s distraction.
Ancient eyes squinted, pretending to search where the kid was directing. “Do you mean over there?”
“No,” he said annoyed. “I think it’s down those stairs. You see that thing over there?”
“Hmm — no. Would you mind showing me?”
Max rolled to his feet. “It’s over here. Come on.”
“Oh bless you.” He followed the youngster on the cobblestone path, limping and grunting more than he should have while trying to keep up. Max heeded the discomfort and slowed his pace.
When they got to the bunker, the Old Man chimed, “I hope I’m not bothering you. Back there you looked so serious.”
“I got a lot on my mind.”
“What would someone your age have to worry about?”
“Same old crap.”
Max offered an arm and they took the steps one at a time.
“I get it. Girl problems?”
“In a way.”
“Want to talk about it? I’ve been told I’m a great listener. Don’t let this wrinkled face trick you. In my day, I was quite a lady’s man.” It was an obvious fib.
They made it to the bottom. “I’m probably the only guy with this kind of girl problems.”
“Every man says that sooner or later. Trust me, you haven’t seen how bad it really gets.”
“
How about this? I’m surrounded by women who are driving me crazy. Three of them.”
“Poor you. What I would’ve given to have your problem when I was your age. How bad can it really be?”
“Bad.”
“Oh?”
“There’s this girl — a real star. She’s part of the reason I’m here.”
“Do you like her?”
“Well, yeah, she’s amazing. Nothing like any girl I’ve met before.” He was about to say something else, but chose to keep it to himself. “It doesn’t matter anyhow.”
“Is that it?”
“No. There’s also this woman. She’s my mother — just not my real one.”
“What’s her story? Why are you worrying about her?”
“I think something bad happened.”
“Why don’t you go and check?”
“I wish I could.”
“What’s stopping you?”
“There’s this other woman —“
“My gracious. Another one? Oh, that’s right, you said three didn’t you?”
“No, it’s not like that. This one is way too old. I didn’t like her at first, but now... I don’t know. She’s a real pain in the ass.”
Their feet never missed a step.
“I met her the other night. She hired me to do a job. The money was good, so I agreed to take it. But, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a bad person, but I swear sometimes I feel like hitting her.”
“And what does she have to do with the woman you’re worrying about?”
“I don’t know. I want to go and check on her, but it don’t feel right running off and leaving the girl alone here. She needs me more than Patti does. It’s crazy. Then, there’s the other one — you know the older chick.”
Max wasn’t conscious of the fact he was being led, not the other way around. They got to a part of the underground absent of people.
“I’m sure a grown woman can take care of herself long enough for you to go check on Patti — right? And, this girl you’re smitten with, she’s safe here. You could leave and no one would be the wiser.”
Brigends (The Final War Series Book 1) Page 18