The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
AFFLICTION
BY TROG |
CHAPTER
53 |
CHAPTER 53
Todd stood on the bow of Jorgo’s cruiser with his hands clutching the metal railing, white-knuckled and tight, his hair blowing wildly, looking out into the blackness before him with the apprehension of a man who was embarking on a war with some unknown force...something much more formidable than just Aaron Blackmoor...the dark ghosts of his past.
“Just hold on, Tea...wait for me, baby...trust me,” he whispered, closing his eyes and concentrating on his words, transmitting them to her. Finally he turned and walked over to the helm where Jorgo was quietly maneuvering the boat in virtual darkness...afraid any lights might arouse the patrol boats that guarded many of the private islands. The only light came from the blue-lighted control panel which glowed in the darkness bathing everything in a soft, ghostly hue as they traveled slowly, patiently so that the quiet engine wouldn’t alert anyone and reveal their position. It was dangerous to travel in this way...but Jorgo knew the route well and wasn’t afraid of running into anything in the darkness.
Todd looked around at the modern, 36-foot cruiser with quiet admiration.
“How does a kid like you afford a tub like this?”
“I’m not a kid...I’m twenty-two. And five years of making pizzas...all night and day...how do you Americans say...twenty-four/seven,” he said with a little smile. “It has always been my dream to have one...to live on a boat...this boat is also my home. I love the sea...it is in my blood...my family were all fishermen...a grueling, dangerous life. But...my brother makes pizza in Chicago, America...and me...I do supply runs...and take tourists out fishing sometimes. I make a good living...better than most in Mistra. I don’t want to be rich...just happy. That is enough for me.”
Todd peered into the dark waters ahead of them, the pale moon reflected in their path as if it was guiding them with its lovely, sad face.
“What’s her name...the name of your boat.”
Jorgo smiled, his shiny, white teeth glinting in the moonlight.
“The Trojan Horse...the tourists really go for that.”
Todd laughed and stared at Jorgo...watching his dark curls bouncing around in the wind and wondering if meeting him wasn’t destiny...all part of some strange scheme that he didn’t quite understand. Todd looked back at Antonio who was sitting quietly at the back of the boat...tense and tired.
“How much longer,” said Todd.
“Patience, my friend...it won’t be long now. So...tell me about your woman? What was her name again?”
“Tea.”
“Tea...Tea...it is poetic, no? She is so lovely...all the fishermen talk about her...about seeing her on the beach watching the boats go by wearing very little...small bikinis....long, sheer robes of light cotton that blow all around her like a silky sail...yes...she is a striking figure on a warm, breezy afternoon. These old, horny fishermen will go on for hours about watching her swimming around like a mermaid...one even swears he saw her swimming naked. Tell me...how did she come to be here.”
Todd looked away from him.
“Because of me,” he said.
Jorgo stared at him, but said nothing more.
“Jorgo...do you have a gun on this boat?”
“Yes...I keep it for protection...there are many bandits on the sea...but...I haven’t needed to use it yet.”
“I need to borrow it...or buy it...I don’t care which. This man who has Tea...he’s...ruthless...a killer. I need to be able to protect her.”
Jorgo sighed deeply and didn’t respond to Todd’s request for a long time. Finally, reaching down into a glove compartment below him, he fished around and pulled out a fairly new automatic pistol then handed it to Todd. Todd checked to see if it was loaded...it was...checked the safety and buried it quickly into the waistband of his pants, beneath his loose black shirt.
“Jorgo...I want you to stay on the boat...I don’t want you involved in this, okay? The less you know...the better.”
“Okay,” he said nervously, the danger of this romantic excursion suddenly becoming apparent to him. “Are you going to kill him...this man who has Tea?”
“Yes,” said Todd, walking away toward the stern, primed and shaking, adrenaline fueling the blood pumping quickly through him, taking a seat beside Antonio.
Todd stood up seeing a dark shadow in the distant and as they got closer he could distinguish trees swaying in the evening breeze and a large house sitting on a cliff. There were a few lights on but other than that the place was in darkness except for the lighted pier that jutted out below the house. As Todd walked to the helm he noticed that Jorgo had cut the engine and they were suddenly standing still, hidden from view by a large cluster of trees that stood between them and the house.
“Is that it? Is this the island where Tea is? Why the fuck are you stopping here?”
Jorgo turned around.
“If I get any closer we’ll risk being seen,” he said moving toward the side of the boat and pressing a few levers. Todd heard an electronic buzzing sound and as he looked over the side he noticed an inflatable launch being lowered into the dark water.
“If you go straight in from this point you’ll wind up on the south side of the island. There’s a grove of olive trees...just follow the path by the grove and it will lead you to the house...about a quarter mile down. Don’t use the engine on the inflatable, it will wake the dead...use the paddles.”
Antonio came up beside Todd as Jorgo handed them some flashlights to make their way in the darkness though it was a clear night and the moon supplied plenty of light.
“Todd,” said Jorgo, “I noticed that there is a boat missing. Usually there is a small yacht docked beside that pier...they may not be here.”
Todd looked over at the pier and the large white villa that was perched on the edge of a cliff.
“Thanks Jorgo...we’ll be back.”
Todd and Antonio stepped over the side of the boat and made their way down the ladder that lead to the dingy, Antonio toward the back and Todd to the front. Todd unfastened the paddles, handed one to Antonio and they began heading toward the shore.
“Yassou....good luck,” said Jorgo as he watched the skiff glide quietly across the still water and gradually disappear into the darkness. He listened for a while...listening to the soft, brushing sound of them moving...then he heard nothing. Jorgo went back to the helm and watched the quiet house on the hill, biting his bitten nails as he waited.
*************
Todd and Antonio jumped out of the skiff and dragged it onto the shore, burying it in some nearby brush. Todd squinted and focused as he tried to make out the path by the olive grove. Antonio turned on his flashlight and looked around a bit until he found it.
“Todd, over here,” he whispered, shutting off the beam as Todd approached. “Here’s the path...”
Todd ran down the narrow path in the darkness, there was just enough light to make their way fairly easily but as they got closer to the house the path suddenly came to an end and they found themselves in soft sand on the beach, about a hundred yards from the house itself. Todd stopped, looking around nervously for movement, listening...but it was quiet except for the sound of the rolling waves lapping at the shore.
“There’s no place to hide between here and the house,” said Antonio, staring at the large expanse of sand that spread out across the space between them and the stairway that lead up to the terrace of the house on the cliff. The bight moonlight reflecting off the pale sand caused a vivid brightness all around them.
“I’m going...Antonio, stay here...watch my back,” said Todd, but as he began to emerge from the trees, Antonio grabbed his arm.
“What the fuck are you doing? You’re a sitting duck out there...wait a while. Let’s just observe the place for a bit...stake it out...see if there’s some sort of security routine by that Mikos dude. He may be around here anywhere,” said Antonio in a quiet voice. “Otherwise, man...he’ll shoot you on site...that’s what Jorgo said.”
Todd whipped around.
“I don’t care what Jorgo said...Tea is in there...and I’m not waiting another second. I’m going in...but I think you’d better keep a look out from here...in case anything happens to me. Give me 10 minutes...if I’m not out with Tea...than come in after me...and use this,” said Todd as he removed the gun from his waist and handed it to Antonio.
Antonio shook his head slowly but took the gun and put it into his jacket pocket.
“Don’t do anything stupid, Todd...Tea’s life could depend on it. Keep your cool, okay?”
Todd nodded, then he turned and moved quickly across the sand, covering a hundred yards in a matter of seconds, his soft steps barely audible as Antonio watched him come to a stop at the bottom of the stairway.
Todd stopped, listening for any noises coming from above but all was silent. Climbing the stairs softly he held the railing tightly, afraid of slipping or tripping and alerting Mikos, or Aaron Blackmoor. Finally he reached the top. Peering over the top step he saw a wide, marble terrace that skirted the house but there were no signs of life...only stillness and darkness. Running quickly toward the house he braced himself against the wall by a set of French doors where a soft light glowed from inside. Edging his way to the corner of the door he inched his face toward the glass and looked in. It was empty. Placing his hand on the knob he turned it slowly...quietly...the sound of his pounding heart throbbing in his ears as he felt the lock turn and the door easily swing open. Stepping in quickly he closed the door softly behind and listened for any movement. Again....an eerie silence reigned.
A small lamp in the corner lit the livingroom in a soft, amber light. Todd looked around curiously at the whiteness of the room...at its precise furnishings, its sterile, empty walls, its pristine, shiny floors. As he started to move around the house he entered each room carefully...and noticed that each room was the same...immaculate, hygienic and lifeless. Even the kitchen at the back was white and spotless...odorless.
As he peered down a long corridor he noticed some light coming from a room at the very end and as he walked toward it he noticed a white, lacquered door that was partially opened. Todd stood behind the door, listening for movement and finally entered.
It was a large bedroom, white but not quite as orderly as the rest of the house. He noticed a broken lamp on the floor and as he approached it he gasped when his eyes noticed a few spots of dark, red liquid that looked like blood beside it. Looking around he noticed that it was as empty as the rest of the house.
A dark spot on the bed caught his eye and as he got closer he noticed a photograph. Picking it up he sat on the bed and looked at a picture of himself in the hospital as Blair kissed him and Starr looked on.
**********
Exhausted from trying to open the door she had laid down on the cold floor of the closet and fallen asleep. Her eyes flew open at the sound of footsteps entering the bedroom as terror seized her and she began to tremble uncontrollably. Aaron was back. His feet shuffled around quietly as she heard the soft sound of springs being pressed as he sat on the bed. She felt around the closet and her hand landed on a wire hanger that she had fashioned into a long, sharp spoke. Crouching into the corner she prepared herself to surprise him, to lunge at him and hurt him...knowing that she would have one shot...perhaps aiming for the soft flesh of his eyes. One shot...it was her only chance at escape. And...if she missed it...he would break her...and rape her...and perhaps even kill her. One shot...
As she prepared herself for the assault she could feel the veins in her head throbbing loudly with the loud rhythm of blood rushing...of fear pumping adrenaline...a deafening sound that filled every corner of her mind like a ticking time bomb that was about to explode. One shot...
**********
Todd stared at the picture and shook his head slowly, throwing it back in frustration and closing his eyes, remembering Blair’s strange little gesture of love when she came to the hospital a few weeks ago. A set up...meant for Tea to see. Flinging the picture across the floor he rose off the bed and looked around wondering if she had slept here...in this room...in this bed.
Walking over to the set of French doors he opened them quickly and walked out onto the terrace. The place was empty...there was noone here and his heart sank at the realization that Tea wasn’t here as anger churned in his stomach. He had been so sure! He bowed his head, his face contorted in a painful grimace as he grabbed the marble balustrade with both hands and whipped his hair back, looking up at the moon.
“T-E-E-E-A-A-A!” he screamed out into the blackness, his cry echoing across the dark waters!
It was a loud and furious cry, filled with lament and frustration...and affirmation. It was the howl of some anguished and feral spirit...that desperate, wounded wolf calling his mate on Llantano Mountain.
Tea opened her eyes, jumping up at the sound...feeling for the door and pounding on it with the last bit of strength she had left.
“TODD! TODD....oh, God...TODD!!” she screamed hoarsely, her fists raw and bruised from the hard, solid wood.
Todd heard her voice and rushed back in.
“TEA! TEA!”
He stood still for a moment than heard the pounding from the closet.
“TODD!” she cried.
Running for the door he tried the handle but it was locked. He rushed against it a few times but it wouldn’t budge. Looking around quickly he grabbed a heavy bronze statue, a bust of a Spartan soldier and pounded away at the brass knob until it finally gave way, falling limply to the floor. As Tea continued to hit the door...it finally flew open and as Todd stepped back...Tea stood there, her face tear-stained, her lip swollen and bleeding, her body bruised and her eyes wild.
Todd stepped forward quickly and she collapsed into his arms, her body shaking as she sobbed into his neck and he held her tightly, rocking her slowly as his heart exploded in his chest.
“It’s okay...I’m here...I...it’s okay, Tea...everything’s okay, baby...I’m here...I’m here...I love you....I love you....” he whispered, gasping into her hair as she cried, her body limp and lifeless as he struggled to hold onto her.
“TODD! TODD!” shouted Antonio from outside.
Todd turned toward the door of the terrace as Antonio came running in, out of breath, a look of astonishment crossing his face as he noticed Tea in Todd’s arms.
“Mija...oh, my God...Tea, you‘re okay,” he said.
Tea opened her eyes and looked up at him.
“Tonio...Tonio...” she said in a small, weak voice, confused by his presence.
“Todd, there’s a boat coming this way...we gotta get the hell out of here, man.”
“Oh, God...it’s him...it’s Aaron...he...he killed Mikos...he...he’s coming for me,” she cried. “He’s going to hurt me...oh, God...Todd...he’s coming.”
“Let’s go, man,” said Antonio, looking out across the water watching the lighted boat moving quickly across the water.
“NO! This ends right now! I’m killing that bastard,” said Todd.
“NO! He’ll kill you...he’ll kill all of us. Todd...please...please...take me out of here! Take me away from here....please,” she whimpered as she fell against him weakly.
“Let’s go, man...come on, Todd. Look at her...she‘s in no shape for this.”
Todd stared at Tea....she looked so delicate, so fragile...her beautiful eyes filled with terror.
“Okay...let’s go,” said Todd, finally as they all ran for the door, rushed across the terrace and ran down the stairs landing on the soft sand. As they ran for the path at the end of the beach Todd had to stop a few times as Tea tripped and gasped, her strength sapped. Finally he picked her up in his arms and carried her, her body feeling thin...almost weightless in his arms. Todd glanced behind him, across the water and saw the boat heading toward the island.
“Come on, man,” shouted Antonio, lighting his flashlight at the entrance to the path. They walked quickly, Antonio leading the way until they came to the spot where they landed. Todd started to set Tea down to help Antonio drag the launch out of the brush, but she wouldn’t let go of him, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt fiercely.
“NO!” she cried.
“Baby, listen...I‘m not leaving you...I need to help Antonio with the boat, okay,” he said as she stared at him and nodded slowly.
They pulled the launch out of its hiding place and put it into the water. Todd helped Tea in as he and Antonio shoved off and jumped into it quickly. This time Todd yanked at the power cord that started the engine and pulled Tea to him holding her close as they headed quickly out to Jorgo’s boat.
As they got closer Todd cut the engine as the inflatable raft hit the side of the boat softly.
“Hurry...hurry...he’s almost at the pier,” shouted Jorgo from above.
Todd pushed Tea up the steps of the ladder as Jorgo grabbed her hand and pulled her in. Todd quickly followed while Antonio hooked the dingy to the boat and ran up the ladder quickly and hopped in.
“Let’s go, Jorgo...let’s get the hell out of here,” shouted Antonio.
Jorgo and Antonio ran up to the helm and started the engines, giving them a minute to warm up, than Jorgo turned the boat and started moving away from the island as the other boat was approaching the pier. As the boat picked up speed and they left the island in the distance Jorgo turned and looked at his passengers.
“Is she okay?” he asked Antonio.
“I think so...I don’t know...I think she‘s in shock. Tea’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met.”
“Well...she doesn’t look so strong right now...more like a little bird with a broken wing,” said Jorgo quietly.
Antonio watched them. Tea was hardly visible as she disappeared in Todd’s arms, shaken and traumatized, as he held her tightly, whispering softly to her, stroking her hair, trying to soothe and comfort her as she cried.
to be continued...
2002 Copyright by Trog
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