Howling wind, yet calm waves, cold passage flying over bare skin. An olive coat fluttered over draws pulled down to the knees. An erect penis cast a shadow behind a blood red light. Rifle in hand, Bushcamp French ladled his toes over the edge, gathering a good view of the disturbed young fellow below. Between his sights, he saw his target eradicated, all that was left was to enjoy the aftermath whilst gently hovering his finger over the trigger.

  Look at me more, look at me! Ecstasy bloomed up Bushcamp’s spine as he ejaculated into the sea. Keep looking, let me feel your despair.

  Akli took hold of the oars, blistering his hands as he got the boat onto a rocky path. Tying a rope at an anchor point, preventing the boat from drifting away. Prying the somewhat warm hands off his person, Akli tenderly rested Haza’s body at the base, placing the shell into her hands. He then jumped up to the rocks, quickly climbing up the tower. No thoughts to think of, no feeling, purely action. As he reached the railing his eyes stopped upon Valory’s nearly lifeless figure. Breaking another panel of glass, his feet drawing a path with his blood. Rushing towards Bushcamp, a round zipped past his ear, the sizzling continuously ringing. Kicking up a rusty pole, Akli quickly took it in hand, launching the impromptu javelin.

  Bushcamp let it fly by into the waters as he calmly reloaded his rifle. Picking up a shard of glass, Akli swung towards Bushcamp’s neck, clenching so tight that the shard drew blood. Stepping back, Bushcamp arranged the barrel’s end towards Akli’s temple. A click and bang. Akli was out of sight, and with all his might he swung down. Bushcamp’s penis flopping onto the ground in a spray of maroon. His howl clashed with the brewing storm outside. Yet his grin never dissolved. Color draining from his person, Bushcamp continued the calm nature of reloading his rifle. Before the light left his eyes he aimed towards his left.

  Akli shifted to where the gun was pointed, he wouldn’t be fast enough. In a trice, Akli ignored his instincts, and in the moment he needed most, he took hold of Bushcamp’s testicles. Akli’s fingers piercing through skin, digging through tissue, he pulled Bushcamp to the floor. The fired round pinning Valory’s thigh. Blood slowed down its flow, Bushcamp quickly losing the luster in his eyes. With white as snow skin, Bushcamp no longer breathed, his heart fading on its last pump.

  Is it over? Akli dragged his exhausted mind towards Valory, removing her from the rods above. Her body was nearly as cold as left out clay. Somehow or another, Akli could feel the small warmth of breathing coming from her lips. Scaling the tower once again, he had her tied around his back. Lighting the lantern, Akli looked back at the short distance they had traveled from the shore. The waves were beginning to pick up, he could smell rain approaching.

  I suppose we can return now…

  One year later:

  “I promised him I would quit…” Akli said as he looked over the graves once again. “Thanks for getting them this.”

  “It was the bare minimum,” Horo replied.

  “Have you been in contact with them?”

  “Ben has started up some group called the Avomen nearby. Val…well she’s hard to track, but she sends a letter or two every once and awhile.”

  “Horo, this world sucks…this country…this planet. I saw what could happen, no, rather I saw what would happen. And yet…” Akli wanted to cry, but nothing would come out.

  “You did what you could…”

  “Horo, won’t you follow me?”

  “Where are we going?” Horo asked, pulling the cigarette away from Akli’s lips.

  “I’m going to become a Saint.”

  “What are you talking about now,” Horo mumbled as he began to light the bud.

  “She said I would be her savior, but I couldn’t save her from anything. She said I would be a Saint. I have to at least become that. She saw this world fall apart, and yet she died unable to see me save it.”

  “I trust you, so I’ll follow you to the ends of the world. Hell and back if we must.”

  “Thank you…Horo.”

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  “You’re welcome, Saint Akli Graham.”

  Akli pulled out a knife, walking along the rivers edge he pulled his ponytail up to the sky, and with one stroke lopped off. Tossing his hair into the water.

  “I’ve grown it long enough,” Akli said as he offered the knife to Horo. Horo would do the same. Later that year, Akli Graham would work towards the title of Saint, with the help of Horo’s family he was able to attend a local university to begin the start of his rise to power and prominence.

  Six months later:

  “Saint Akli Graham, a letter,” Horo said, his hair gelled back, his neck itchy from a fresh cut and the stiffness of his suit.

  “Another one, what’s it about?”

  “Valory Fartford is carrying a child, and is soon to be due.”

  “What?! Haha, this is great news! She’s been trying for some time.”

  “Sir, she can have serious complications. More than likely it will not end well, that is why I advise—”

  “Horo! I remember it vividly, more than being paralyzed, more than any of her biological functions…when the doctor said she would most likely never be able to have children. I saw the world crumble. You remember it right, Horo? When we were fifteen, I had gotten her pregnant. With your father’s help we were able to get her an abortion. Neither of us wanted it, but once you had the chance to only be told never again. I can’t imagine the unbearable regret.”

  “That’s not the same. How would either of you have been able to be parents back then…all I’m saying is she may have complications with giving birth this time around. The fact she is notifying me…us, now must be a sign it hasn’t been easy.”

  “Let it go, Horo. We just need to keep rooting for her, send her a letter of congratulations, some flowers, chocolate, whatever the hell she likes, send it all!”

  “You do know this is still my money right?”

  “Yes-yes, and you’re still her friend.”

  “Do you wish to know who the father is?”

  “…” Akli swiveled in his seat to stare out the window, viewing the vast skyline. “Do you know?”

  “No, I just thought you would be interested.”

  Damn you Horo. “Whatever, as long as she’s happy.”

  Three months later:

  “Still birth.”

  “Huh?” Akli’s face blanked.

  “The child died nearly instantly…it only breathed for a moment.”

  “How?”

  “I’m not quite sure. But if you’re asking how I know, I’ve been building a strong connection with the medical community in Ontiganel, for the future of course. It just so happened that she was due to deliver at the Madvi university hospital. I suppose she wanted to surprise us…what are you doing?”

  “Where is she currently?” Akli asked as he straightened his collar, fluffing out his blazer, swiftly tying his boots as he hopped to the door.

  “Central, I believe she was discharged recently. She should be staying at the villa you ordered for her.” Though she rarely ever uses it, so I doubt she’ll be there.

  “Horo…don’t keep it in all the time. Suffering isn’t a one way road alone.”

  “What a saintly thing to say.”

  One year later:

  “She passed away…”

  “Who?” Akli kept his eyes down as he worked on a few documents for one of his classes.

  “Valory.”

  “Yeah, stop joking. Tell me the truth…Horo,” Akli looked up to the puffy eyed man, his nose pink from abuse. “You’re lying…lying…”

  “She tried to have another child, however she couldn’t manage this time. She wanted this to be handed to you,” Horo left as Akli picked up the letter. Not bothering to see Horo exit, Akli softly tore open the letter. Only a couple words. “‘Name him’. Name who? No…don’t tell me. Horo!”

  Later that week, Akli saw a very small baby in an oval incubator.

  “Jaromir, his name will be Jaromir.”

  Thirteen years and some months later:

  “Take care of him, Netil,” Horo said. “This hospital has been quite helpful over the years, and I can’t say there is a medic more trustworthy than you.”

  “Well I’m more than happy, I mean darn, I wouldn’t have gotten this gig if it wasn’t for you. Especially with the political climate back in the day, oh boy. Well, anyway, the boy should be in good hands. Surprised it’s Graham’s kid. Never viewed him as one to hunker down.”

  “Yeah…he’s quite the busy man nowadays, so if anything concerning comes up, contact me first.”

  “I’ll follow proper proceedings and contact the number on file. So stop acting so shady, as if I can’t tell.”

  “Thank you, Netil.”

  “Alright, get out of here, the boy needs his rest.”

  Awakening to a bright white room, Akli in the present, after the last bout between him and Otie. All he saw was the washed out color of the ceiling. Throbbing pain pumped throughout his swollen head.

  “Ah, that’s right…he’s my kid,” Akli muttered, shutting his eyes once again.