Chapter 27
The scent of sandalwood drifted to Leo’s nose as he squinted. The woman he’d come to know as Amena, lowered the oil lamp, letting him open his eyes fully.
“I brought you some broth and rice. Can you sit up?” she asked.
Nodding, he pulled himself upright with her assistance.
“I’ve done all I can for you. I’m told I must bring some men here, and then I will leave with Rayven,” Amena told him.
Leo took a shaky breath, still too weak to do much for himself. He touched the pocket of his pants, feeling for Catherine’s lock of hair, Derrick’s pacifier, and Melody’s picture. Disappointment filled him when he thought about losing Grace’s rattle.
He took Amena’s hand and held it to his chest and forced his voice to work. “Thank you,” he said slowly.
“You’re welcome. I wish you luck,” she said, picking up a spoon and helping him eat.
Taking small sips of water, Leo lay back against the dirt wall and recalled what happened the day he died.
He gripped Catherine’s lock of hair as he lay on the ground.
He didn’t feel anything as he closed his eyes and took his last breath.
Something tugged at his body, and he felt something wrapped around his throat.
The silence seemed deafening. He didn’t hear as his body floated, feeling at peace.
He watched as a woman with dark hair picked him up and fell.
She got up and tried again. Leo gave her credit for trying.
She yelled toward the mountain, and a woman with big boobs ran toward them, stumbled, and literally rolled down the mountain. If the situation didn’t feel dire, he might’ve laughed. The blonde picked herself up and climbed toward them as a redhead made it to them.
He glanced down to see the dark-haired woman hold her stomach, and she peered at her hand. Leo saw the blood.
“Move your asses,” he shouted in his head. “Leave me. I’m dead.”
The trio somehow picked him up and took him over the mountain. He glanced back at his team, seeing Knight get shot. Hollywood’s ear bled, worrying him. He closed his eyes, finding it too painful to watch his men suffer the same fate as him.
The room changed. When he opened his eyes, he saw Sparky and Sergeant Taylor back at the barracks.
Men burst into the room, and he watched as Sergeant Taylor fought her assailant.
Sparky made him proud as she listened for the noises before she took her shot.
Sergeant Taylor came to her rescue. Both women appeared battered, but they survived.
A team of soldiers entered and arrested them, sending Leo fuming.
A bright light waved in his eyes as he fought his assailants. People tugged and pulled him, and the scent of sandalwood drifted to his nose.
“I’m Amena,” she said softly. “I don’t know if you’ll make it, but I’ll do my very best.”
A mask went over his face, and he drifted away…
When he woke, he lay on a wooden board with a thin feather mattress.
An IV hung on the wall beside him, and he couldn’t move.
His thoughts drifted to Catherine. The mountain he’d come to love appeared.
Doc and Kassie’s hospital sat near the top, and his body floated toward the entrance.
He saw Hollywood enter with Sparky and Knight.
He witnessed Kassie’s face as they told her the news of his death.
In true form, she took over and headed down the hall.
Something warned him not to follow her, but the urge to see Catherine one more time kept him going.
He watched his wife crumble to the floor as they told her of his demise.
He winced as she cried out in pain. Kassie cried beside her, and Carol hugged them both.
Doc stood helplessly by with tear-filled eyes.
“Don’t cry, Kit Kat. I hate to see you cry. I don’t feel anything. I’m at peace,” he called out. Knowing she didn’t hear him frustrated him even more. His wife was hurting, and he couldn’t stop her pain. He fought death, trying to loosen its bonds on his body.
“You must stay still,” Amena’s soft voice drifted through the haze. “I’m giving you a sedative.”
Everything went black.
When he opened his eyes, his body felt heavy and sluggish. He recalled the firefight and recalled only Hollywood, Sparky, and Knight made it home. Then, where did the others go? Maybe he went to hell.
Leo lost track of time. Days turned into weeks. Amena sat down beside him and explained.
“You took a bullet to your windpipe and leg. I don’t have the equipment to repair it. You must be quiet when the lights go out. It means they’re searching for us. When the lights go on, I will care for you until Rayven comes.”
Leo sipped the broth and chewed the rice slowly.
Every bite required concentration, and he needed protein.
His former fit body sagged, loose skin hanging.
They gave him a pair of pants and a shirt since his clothes no longer fit.
He tucked Catherine’s hair, the pacifier, and Melody’s picture in the pocket and guarded it like treasure.
His beard grew long, and Amena cut it in half.
“You may need it to disguise yourself someday,” she advised him.
“Where will you go?” he asked slowly.
“I don’t know. Rayven will decide. She’ll keep me safe,” Amena said, giving him another spoonful of broth. “The lights will go off today. Do you have the flashlight?”
Leo pulled the cheap flashlight from under his pillow. It resembled something from the seventies, but it gave him light. Unable to go above the tunnel, he longed for the warmth of the sun.
Leo missed his wife and kids. When he left, they argued about the baby. Did she have it yet? Did they have a boy or a girl?
“You must eat more. You’ll need your strength,” Amena pushed. She dug into her pocket and pulled out soft fruit. “Keep these with you. You may need sustenance.”
Leo placed them in his other pocket. She must be planning to stay gone a while. She never left him food because he still choked on things.
“Take care of yourself, Leo. I hope you find happiness again,” she said, wiping his mouth. Why did she make it feel permanent? She never left him for too long.
She helped him lie down, covered him with a blanket, and walked away.
Leo let his mind wander. He longed to sit and color with Melody on the sofa.
He smiled as he envisioned Grace riding up the driveway in a mini tank.
He regretted not making one for her. He hoped Derrick finally let his mother have some rest and no longer required breastfeeding on demand.
Then again, Catherine probably did it with their newborn.
Did anyone think he lived? Did the rest of his men die, too?
The thought of losing his family pierced his heart.
Leo closed his eyes and dreamed of Serenity. It’s all he had left.