Chapter 27.5

  “Why? Why do you have to fight old wars?” Lana pleads. Gazing into her eyes I feel as she looks. Damn them, I have a good life here. But I know if I, Stinger is on the way. I can feel the the ions in the air as the thunderstorm approaches. All I want to do is hold Lana, forget about all the bad things, wake up and see to the kids, raise those who no longer have parents.

  Like my Jennifer. All this causes so much pain, I just want it to all be over. And it will be, when we meet. “Lana, I love you. But I have to do this, it is the only way I'll be free. If he seeks me here, all the children are at risk.”

  We stand there in silence, the pouring rain beating on the roof and the East side of the building, I can feel the charged ions in the air, the smell of wet dirt. I just want this, to live here in peace with a good, kind woman. Is that too much to ask?

  “I don't want to lose you. You've had a—distance, the last few years, it's been so difficult to nudge you, I could see in your heart that you want to be with me.” She takes my hand, “It's been like trying to coax a beaten dog to take food from my hand, to trust I won't hurt you. I will never hurt you like she did, I would never ask you to give up your child.”

  “I... It's not that simple.” I stammer.

  “Bull shit. What kind of choice is it to make to not only have a daughter to forget her mother but also make that choice for the father? Look, I get you loved her, maybe you still do, but making that choice she did for the three of you was wrong.”

  I look away from her, it's hard to hear the words. Part of me thinks she is just saying the words because she wants me, but I believe the words before she even says them. I loved Maria, I went through so much with her. It was hell. But was it? Did I truly hate that existence? The two of us, then three of us, against the world, the freedom. Things were difficult, but we were free.

  Free like I am now. I'm more free now, after my last obligations, I'll be free. I have a purpose; caring for the orphans, I hunt for the town, no one here will starve when I'm here. And Lana, she waited three years for me to be ready.

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  “I see it in your eyes. Yes, this is your home, whether you want to deny it or not, it's a fact.” She put her head on my chest and we wrap our arms around each other. Finally, I forgive Maria.

  And I let her go.

  I could be at Ayres rock in seconds, but I decide to walk. I hear a call from behind me, I smile, it's Henry.

  “Oi, where ya think you're going this time of night? Does this have something to do with the stranger that knocked?” I slow my stride to match his, the rain slamming into us.

  “Yes Henry, it does. My past is coming for me Henry.” I say, trudging along, my feet sinking in the wet mud and puddles, I'm beyond soaking wet.

  “A man like you must have quite a past. Does this have to do with your guy we've been looking about for the last few years?” He says, a look of concern on his face for the first time.

  ”Yeah. If I'm in the village when he arrives and he defeats me, it won't go well for the village.” We trudged on, “Henry, this is my home now.” I stop and turn to him. “This is all I want from life, the only tie back home is my daughter. I love her so much it hurts.”

  He puts his hand on my shoulders, “Of course you do Arthur, you're a good man. I've seen you with the kids. Oi, Lana has been all goo-goo eyes for you since you first came to town.” She says with a crooked grin. I shake my head and smile. Putting my hands on his shoulders I press my forehead to his.

  “You're a good man yourself Henry, kind of a crap hunter, but a good man.” He laughs, we break our embrace and start walking again. “So, why are you here on such a lovely night?”

  “Same reason why I always go out of my way to spend time with you. You're part of the community, as much as you try to be the stand off hermit, you are part of us.”

  One could say his words brought a tear to my eye, but I stand by that it was the rain.

  “Hey, at least we have a lull in the rain.” Henry says.

  I look around, it's just a lull before the storm. Sunrise won't be fore 2 hours, the stone beneath is damp and slick. In the distance lightning bursts in the sky. I knell, patiently waiting. “The lull won't last Henry.”

  “Yeah, I agree with you. Here.” He reaches out with his communicator, “Call after the fight, let Lana know.”

  “What if I'm not able to use the radio?” I say.

  “Well, then it won't much matter now, will it?” He walks over, slapping me on the shoulder, “Good luck, kick his ass.” I look up and nod at him as he walks away.