She felt him pull him to her and he began sobbing, she felt his tears wash down over her face. One found its way to her lips and she tasted its saltiness. She began hearing his words as if it was coming from further and further away: “Oh my God! Halo! Please don’t leave me! Oh God no! TAKE ME!” he cried in anguish.
The words repeated over and over and with every syllable they sounded farther and farther away. She noticed the blue sky had suddenly turned gray and then darkness settled in around her. Evening so soon? She questioned. She could sense him near but could barely hear him now. He was so sad but the pain in her chest and arms were fading. Suddenly she felt like she was floating… oh God, it felt so good… the pain that was wracking her body for days faded away into the dark.
She realized with a singular curiosity that maybe she was dying. Was this it? There was no bright light. What would her mother say? Was there no bright light because she was a bad person? Just then wonderful rush roared through every molecule in her being, it felt like light, warmth and love. Then from somewhere within her, she knew that all her loved ones would be fine.
She heard a commotion from far, far away. It was children laughing jubilantly in that far, far away distance.
Oh my! They sound like they are having so much fun, she thought. She wanted to be there with the joy and love she heard in their happy voices. Suddenly, in the inky black of nothingness she saw from in her mind’s eye, a remarkable sight. Far in the distance, it looked like there was a vast mountain range made of pure gold and was lit beautifully by a midday sun, and that is where the children were. She wanted to go to there with everything that was left of her, but there was something nagging at her, pestering her with its persistence, like an unreachable itch… she was forgetting something. She pushed it away, and let the joy of the children playing fill her as she let herself drift towards the children…
Xander felt her body sag against his chest and cried out in a panic, “NO! NO! NO!” He moved her so he could see her. Her eyes were open and staring at nothing. He quickly set her down and felt for a pulse… he found nothing. He began doing decompressions on her chest, all the while screaming at her, “HALO! PLEASE! STAY WITH ME! Oh, please God no…”
His heart lurched in his chest. It felt like a thousand daggers pierced his heart, each beat cutting off bleeding painful chunks. He stopped the decompressions and felt at her soft pale neck for a pulse… he waited and counted and waited longer. Nothing…
His tears blurred his vision as he watched the beautiful deep blue of her eyes slowly fade into a flat pale blue. Her full soft pink lips, that in his dreams he kissed so tenderly, were paling and without life. It reminded him of his father’s as he died. This beautiful young woman whom he barely knew, who for some unknown reason he felt something incredible, far more than any other, was gone from his life forever.
With white knuckled clenched fists, he arched back in agony, his face exposed to the blue sky above. He let out a cry of torment and agony from deep within his heart. The birds in the nearby trees took flight in fear as his anguished cry reverberated across the small green island.
He gasped for air and held his belly, as more gut wrenching sobs flew forth from his soul and out into the warm sunny sky. The pain and loss he felt was worse than anything he ever experienced, even the horrible day when he first saw Halo on the film set. He had thought that day was the worst day of his life… how so very wrong he was.
He curled into a ball on the warm sand and let the guttural sobs have their leave. He castigated himself for not telling her the truth. He blamed himself for her death, he should had knocked Joel Miller the fuck out and made sure Halo went in the raft first. Why did he let her wait for him? So stupid… it was all his fault. Her death… everyone else’s. They were his responsibility. He was the one to blame. It was on his head. His thoughts jumped to his family, Athena and Evie surely think he is already dead and gone.
With sand glued to the tear tracks of his face, he dragged himself over to her and took one last look at her as new tears washed the sand away from his cheeks. With shaking sobs, he wiped the soft sand from his hands, gently closed her beautiful eyes and set her hands together on her belly, “Soon Halo, soon.” He whispered into her ear.
He could not endure the pain he felt looking at her any longer and let himself curl upon the sand at her side. He lay on the sand for several moments and with a trembling hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his black pocketknife. In one motion, he had it open. He stared at the black blade for a moment then angrily plunged it down into the sand.
He had, had enough… he could not bear the guilt of letting her and everyone else die, any longer. He knew what to do. He pulled the knife out from the sand and readied it for a plunging strike into his wrist.
A bird squawked loudly above him in the palm tree, he paused with the black knife blade at the ready. The thought of birds pecking at Halo gave him a moment’s pause. With a sudden lunge, he plunged the blade downward.
Halo neared the sounds of the playing children and suddenly heard a gut wrenching cry from so far, far away, why was there sobbing with all the happy voices? Once again, the nagging was begging at her. Part of her wanted to turn to the sobs, but the bright golden and gorgeous panorama ahead of her, as well as the joyous sound of the children was pulling at her, beckoning her closer.
Then the crying came, it was louder and it began to hurt her heart. She had to see, just a quick look back. With everything she had, she turned and looked from where the sound of pain came from.
At first, there was nothing but an inky black void then she saw it, a billion miles away: a pair of green eyes looking into hers from that great distance. It was Xander! What was he saying? Oh no, no, no, no! She sought to yell at him, to tell him no, it was not his time. She had to go back! She had to get to him before… then a thought came to her: she knew in her soul that if she turned back there would be pain and agony waiting. Knowing she could not let him do it, she turned away from the sound of the children and with everything in her heart and soul, she willed herself towards him.
Her eyes flew open and took in the deep blue sky above her, her chest felt like it had erupted and was on fire, once again so difficult to breathe. She found some strength in her weary body and using it, she turned her head slightly and saw Xander’s back to her. She looked down and saw red, dark clumps of congealed blood lay between herself and him. With a panic, she tried to sit up but her body decided there was going to be none of that. She tried to call out to him but only managed to mouth his name. She felt paralyzed, like waking too early from a dream. She recalled it happening to her frequently as a teen. She remembered how she would concentrate on moving just a finger to get herself un-paralyzed and moving again. Her hand fell to her side and now was only inches away from his back. If only… she began trying to move her finger, it was exhausting but she managed to will a wiggle from it…
Xander’s shaking hand left his blade buried in the sand. He directed his thoughts to think of a way of burying them both, but those thoughts added yet another dagger in his heart to the thousand that were already there.
He would not leave her out here in the open, but he could not face up to the grim task yet. His body was weary and spent from sailing two days and a night straight then he had to carry her up from the raft. He knew he had to rest to regain the last bit of energy he would ever need to be able dig their graves. His tears continued to fall onto the sand as sleep came knocking.
He was drifting off when he felt a crab or an insect at his back. Fine, take a bite… have dinner on me, he thought. Ignoring the offender, he tried to find rest then he felt it again, “Shit” he muttered. He reached back and swatted the critter away. A realization hit him like a boxer’s left hook to the jaw. That was no damned bug!
He jumped up and spun around, looked down and saw Halo’s hand where his back just was. He kneeled there in shock looking at it, “What?” He cried out, and tore his gaze from her pale white hand to her fa
ce, “OH MY GOD!” He screamed and peered desperately at her face and was met by her deep blue eyes looking back at his.
“HALO!” He reached under her gently and pulled her to him, “How? You, you were gone! No, this can’t be real! I—I must be dreaming…” He watched her slowly give him the tiniest of smiles. She struggled to take a breath and mouthed something to him.
“I’m here… silly.” She coughed and groaned with pain, “Hurts to breathe…” She cleared her throat, and furrowed her blonde eyebrows at him, “Blood in sand?”
Xander groaned then laughed. He thought that if he is indeed delusional he might as play along with it, “Uh, there is lots of coral out there in the surf. Stepped on some, wasn’t paying attention. I’m ok!”
“Clean it. Then fix me… like you said. Sleep…” She whispered and closed her eyes with a tiny smile on her luscious full pink lips.
He gently lay her down on the blanket and felt for a pulse at her neck, “Oh my God.” He muttered, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” He whispered in utter joy.
He quickly set about and got the materials ready he needed for fire cupping. The Greek word Yiayia used for it was ‘Vendouzes’ or something. With shaking fingers, he unbuttoned her blouse and was relieved as he saw her bra. He removed the top completely and set it aside. He found her baby oil from her suitcase and began gently rubbing it on her upper chest. He grabbed a small fruit bowl that Halo had the foresight to bring. Grabbing a burning twig from the fire, he held it under the bowl for a moment and quickly placed it above her breast on her chest. He felt it suck up her skin and the cup was stable and unmoving on her chest. He did the same with the other little bowl on the opposite side.
Jumping up he ran down to the raft and pulled out the emergency blanket he had used as a sail then ran back and covered her up. He plopped down beside her, and watched the very rapid and shallow rise and fall of her chest, “How the hell are you alive, Halo Heaven Raines?” He watched her die… he had seen it many times. His father and mother then there were his patients and clients as well… who, how, why or what, it did not matter. He was thankful but he knew it was going to be a long haul for her to get better. If, she gets better…
He waited about ten minutes and using his finger, he pushed down on her soft pale skin by the little bowl and released the suction. He removed the cup and saw the red round spot, slowly gray and black shadows showed up in the red, “Thank you, Yiayia!” He muttered. The same thing had happened with Evie so long ago and Yiayia had told him that was the poisons coming out, he prayed it was true.
He gently turned her over on her tummy and making sure her breathing was not being hindered, and performed the fire cupping on her upper back.
He sat watching her as the cups were doing their job. She looked much more peaceful than the past few days. He watched her breathe for another five minutes then took off the bowls. He quickly went to her suitcase and found a dry pink T-shirt that read, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles. On the front pocket it read, Founder- Halo Raines.
He was impressed at the word ‘Founder’. He was about to put it on her when he decided he should try and wipe the sweat and vomit smell from her as best he could. Grabbing the metal water pitcher, he poured half a water bottle in then from his toiletries kit he dropped in several drops of shampoo and mixed it up. Dampening a clean hand towel from the plane’s galley, he began wiping down her back and neck. He then gently turned her back over and began quickly wiping her face. He didn’t dare slow down and get caught up in what he was doing, and to whom. He hurriedly wiped her arms, chest and finally underarms.
When he was done, he swiftly got her T-shirt on. Covering her up, he got up and dumped the water by the palm tree. As he tried to stretch his back, he got a squawk from the funny looking bird from high on up by a bunch of coconuts. He did not know what kind it was but he called out happily, “Thanks bird!” With a relieved sigh, he set out to get a camp ready and to deal with his own cuts from the jagged coral.
Halo’s Island
In between two tall palm trees, Xander erected a tent like cover for their gear and Halo’s protection. He was sure to keep the tent area clear of any potential dropping coconuts, nothing like surviving a place crash and a week at sea, only to be killed by an errant falling coconut. He brought up all their baggage and supplies and was able to fit them safely under cover and leave enough room for Halo. He then dug a drainage ditch around the tent, so the inside would not flood if and when it rained.
He began checking Halo every ten minutes on the dot. Her breathing was still labored and the sounds from her lungs sounded like broken timber in the wind. He left a water bottle within reach for her and took a quick stroll into the dense trees behind the tent to see if any wildlife was apparent.
As he sailed towards the islands, he saw the coral reef surrounding nearly all the islands. It looked treacherous, and he was sure it would have torn their raft to pieces if he tried to make landfall. He had spied an opening to a large inlet to a lagoon, but again was fearful of ripping up the raft if he sailed it in.
The islands he noted were comprised of two decent sized ones, the largest was northwest and the one they were occupying was the southwest one. He decided to call this island, Halo’s Island.
The two main islands were full of dense foliage and trees. Several of the smaller islands formed a perimeter around a small bay or lagoon. Throughout the day he looked to the northwest island for any signs of smoke from a fire, none was visible. He thought that his own fire would garner inspection from someone, if anyone were there.
Keeping his gun at the ready in his waistband, he quickly scouted around, not daring to go too far so he could return and check on Halo. Not finding any footprints or animal tracks he headed back, gathering fallen branches and a few fallen coconuts on the way back to camp.
He dropped the detritus next to the tent and hurriedly went and checked on Halo, she was still out cold. He began working on a new fire pit closer to the tent.
When his task was completed, he returned to her, kneeled next to her then felt at her forehead. Thankfully, it did not feel as hot as earlier in the morning. He gently shook her shoulder, “Halo?” He did not get a response and shook her a little harder, “Halo?”
She slowly cracked her eyes open at him. He held up a bottle of Vitamin water so she could see it, “Halo, I need you to try and drink some, think you can? Please?”
She gave a slight nod and he uncapped the water and gently pulled her up into the crook of his arm, “Little sips, ok?” She began taking tiny sips from the bottle until a third of the water was gone, “Good job!” He recapped it and set it aside, “Halo I want to do some more fire cupping before I carry you up to the tent, ok?”
She looked up at him and gave him a nod. He gathered all of the items he needed and pulled the silver blanket down, “I am going to lift up your T-shirt, earlier I took the liberty to clean you up a little…” He saw a squint and a little smile form on her lips, “Ah… don’t worry I didn’t get frisky.”
He watched her shrug at him then whispered ever so quietly, “So silly…”
“How are you feeling?” He asked as he gently pulled up her shirt up and over her breasts.
“Like… shit.”
“I’m so sorry… uh, I think I need to pull this off or at least get your arms out of the shirt, ok?” He asked nervously.
Halo wrinkled her nose at him, “Stop asking… Mr. Silly.” She whispered.
“I’m sorry it’s just part of the process. I don’t want to surprise you or do something you find offensive.” He saw a slight shrug then worked at getting the t-shirt off, “I’m just going to talk you through this, more for my sake. Ok I used the cupping above, uh… uh on your upper chest. I am going to use two cups on your side where the muscles are less dense over your lungs. I am going to turn you on your side then rub you down with baby oil…” he held up the bottle to her, “sorry I had to go through your things.”
He watched her shake her hea
d ever so gently at him then gave him a little nod. He got her on her side and piled up sand under the blanket to support her head. He squirted a small stream of baby oil on her side and began rubbing into her soft pale skin. He heard her moan softly then started coughing. He quickly patted her upper back until she was done.
“Felt good.” She whispered.
“Oh… ok.” He replied and quickly finished rubbing in the oil. He then prepared the small bowls, heated them with a flaming branch and attached them on her side, over the area of her lungs, “How’s that?”
She nodded as he held the bowls in place, a few minutes of silence went by. “Ok, removing them.” He took them off and was pleased to find gray splotches in the red ring, “Look’s good. Other side?”
He got a nod from her. He gently picked her up, settled her down on the opposite side, and repeated the process, “Ok to do your back?”
“Back hurts… low.” She whispered in short ragged breaths.
“Got it.” He replied and rolled her over and began gently rubbing in the baby oil, he felt vibrations emanating from her chest as she moaned. Had she not be ill, he thought, this would be something out of some fantasy or a dream. He pushed his thoughts back to where they needed to be, on helping her get better.
Forever and a Day Page 32