WEP Ribbons and Candles - A Christmas Space Story

Ribbons are like roads tying different places together in time and in place. Candles project warmth and light the path for each person to find their way to what they are seeking. 

Hubble Image - Free Use

A CHRISTMAS SPACE STORY

This is a continuation story told as part of a series. Links to the previous stories in this series are at the bottom.

***

Seek and you might Find

Wait and that which you seek might find You.

***

ODIWA

Odiwa and Dev sat in the captain's office, sipping something like tea. Dev had come to discuss the explorations team that would go down to the Lower Levels.

"Well, Dev, I think you need to talk to Noot before you make any plans. We can always add you to the team later." 

"Why Noot? Aren't you in charge here?"

"They don't call me Capt'n for my good looks, Dev. Noot is my right hand man. I'd trust him with my life. He usually heads up any expedition. Besides, you just got away from those Lower Levels, and I think Noot might have something to say to you, too."

"Okay. I like Noot, I have no problems talking to him. He brought us to the Upper Levels to meet you, and I'm grateful for that."

"Drop by later and bring Moby with you. I have something I want to tell him."

****
NOOT

Dev knocked on Noot's door and heard him say, "Come on in, I'm just looking for some maps."

As he looked up to see who had knocked, Noot felt a little strange and his heart was thumping as he saw Dev. Was this his long-lost son? 

"Hello, Dev, what brings you to my place?'

"Odiwa wanted me to discuss the exploration team and whether I should go or stay behind. I'd like to help out, but I hate to leave my family alone. I guess you will be in charge of the explorations, won't you?"

"Yes, and I think you should remain behind now. You can go on the next exploratory team, but for now that son of yours needs his dad.

"Oh. You're right, he's had a tough time. He sure likes you, though. I almost forgot, Odiwa wanted me to tell you my kidnapping story. We got to talking about how we got here and he thought you'd be interested."

"I am. Very much. Sit and I'll make us a hot drink. That was a brave move that you did, escaping from those slaver types."

"I didn't have a lot of choice, I knew that my wife and son wouldn't be safe if we stayed. I had a lonely childhood myself, after my mother was killed and my father disappeared. The kidnapper told me my father did the killing, but for some reason I couldn't believe it. He raised me and then left me alone for a while so he could continue raiding. He took me and my family with him when he came out here to avoid the Galactic police. Then, he died on the way from some virus he contracted and his gang decided to make us slaves. That's how we arrived here in the Lower Levels. How did you end up here, Noot?"

"I had nothing left to lose. I came home to find my wife dead, and my son missing. The planetary police wanted to frame me for it since they had no other evidence. I did what most smart guys do, and left for the Outer Reaches. I didn't know who did the dirty deed but my life was worthless after that. I searched and tried to find out about my son but always came up empty. I was a hermit here until Odiwa decided to pull me out of my melancholy."

"Your story seems almost parallel to mine. What was your wife's name?"

"Nita, my only love." Noot saw Dev turn pale.

"Is something wrong, Dev?"

"My mother's name was Nita. The kidnapper changed my name to Dev."

"What was your birth name?"

"I only remember my mother calling me a nickname, Dari."

"Dari is a fine name, usually used for the proper name Darielo."

"And what was your son's name?"

"Darielo Newt. It's why I'm called Noot here on the space station. . ."

Dev swallowed but his mouth still felt dry. "It's very hard hearing all this, yet it makes me feel hopeful. You think I'm your son?"

"It's hard for me too," said Noot. "I'm afraid to believe it, yet it would make me the happiest man if it's true. I praise the Fates that brought us together. Do you think I'm your father?"

"I don't think all these things are just a coincidence. My brain is spinning, though. I don't think you could have killed my mother since you said she was 'your only love'."

"A kidnapper will say anything to cover himself. Perhaps he wanted a son like you. I don't understand why he would have killed Nita though."

"Mother tried to fight him. She tried to protect me from him. I could hear them yelling and he must have hit her because I heard someone fall. When I ran in to the room, she was lying in a pool of blood. I was terrified. I didn't know where my father was."

"I was working out at the asteroid field. That work used to take me away for weeks at a time."

"I'll have to tell my wife, Jio and Moby."

"We'll tell them together if you want."

"I would like that, Father."

"I like the sound of that, Son, it makes an old man feel like life is good again."

***

MOBY
Odiwa had carved a spaceship from a scrap of wood he found in the storeroom. Dev's son Moby would get a gift while he told him the ancient story of Christmas, an old Terran legend.

When the boy came to see him he told him about candles left in the windows to help travellers to find comfort if they were far from home. He told him of the ribbons given to tie back the hair of men and women in the early days of the celebration. For the children, gifts were left by a jolly man who dressed in red, and lived at the North Pole, making toys to give to children. It was a tradition in some countries.

Moby listened quietly with eyes as round as could be, but those eyes were staring at the small carved spaceship sitting on Odiwa's desk.

"Toys? Is that a toy?"

"Oh that, some guy in a red suit must have left this toy here. There is a name on it. Well, my goodness. . ."

"What?" Moby couldn't sit still. "I wish it was for me."

"That seems to be a wish come true. It says, 'for Moby'."

Moby's mouth dropped, "For me? Are you sure?"

Odiwa smiled and handed the small wooden spaceship to the boy. "For you, and I hope you will remember to tell your children that story, too. We must always remember our home planet of Terra, where humanity originated."

A few minutes later, Moby's parents and Noot come back and tell Moby that he really does have a grandfather, Noot.

"Then all my wishes have come true, Mr. Odiwa. Will you thank that man in the red suit for this spaceship?"

"I sure will, Moby."

Moby turned to Noot, "Hi Grandfather, I knew, when I first saw you."

(The End of Noot's story. More character stories to come.)

***

Do you think Christmas will become a legend in the future, when humanity is spread through the stars? 

Please leave a comment so I'll know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for visiting and reading. 

Remember to visit the main WEP page to find the other participants and other entries.  

Merry Christmas to you and Best Wishes for the New Year!


***

WEP - Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge

It's time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim and L.G. Keltner adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise for being the host.

Click on the link for WEP  to see the list of participants and read their stories. 

***

Hubble Space Station Images
https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/

WEP - Change of Heart - Discovery (3)

WEP - Unraveled Yarn - Lower Levels (2)

WEP - Road Less Traveled- An Outpost Story (1)


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Deja Vu - Who are you?- WEP October

Paths cross for reasons unknown. Is it Fate or Happenstance that brings together those whose destinies are intertwined? Are there 'threads of possibilities' that become realities depending on the degree of need of the parties involved? 

Hubble Space Telescope - Magellanic Cloud *

Déjà Vu- WHO ARE YOU?

For previous episodes, see the links under references. In this segment, the couple and the young boy found in the inspection of the lower levels are brought to Odiwa for debriefing. 

***

Noot couldn't get the images of his son, as a child, out of his head. That memory was buried deep in his brain. The hurt and the sense of loss of wife and child came rushing back. He pushed the hurtful emotions into the depths of his memory. No time for that now. Later.

Noot and Mondero escorted the young couple to the upper levels,where Mondero suggested that Noot watch the young child while the parents talked to Odiwa. Noot had changed since meeting the young boy, he was acting as if he had experienced déjà vu.

Noot took Moby's hand as they walked into the waiting room. Dev and Jio followed Mondero with some trepidation at meeting Odiwa. During the interview, Dev told Odiwa about being kidnapped as a young child. He couldn't remember his parents faces, but he remembered his mother's name, Nita. Odiwa felt like he was missing a connection of some sort while he listened.

"Where were you and your family captured by these Lower Level people?"

"On the planet, Magellan, near the Sirius galaxy. As a child, the kidnapper Joss told me my father had killed my mother in a fit of rage. After I turned 20 galactic years, I escaped from the man who kidnapped me. I didn't believe what he told me. He left me alone until he decided to leave for the outer reaches. MagPol, was looking for him and his gang. They found me and my family and took us with them. Joss died on the trip to the Outer Reaches, so then rest of his team decided to make us their slaves and threatened to kill the boy if we didn't agree."

"That's some story, Dev, but you are a survivor and you did well to escape. How did you manage that?"

"Through wit, luck and careful planning. Jio and I were not taking chances that Joss' men might harm Moby. It's a long story, but we were trying to decide our next move when your men happened upon us. Our food supplies were minimal as we were on the run. The little one has been confused and scared but tries not to show it. I think that's why he wanted your man Noot to be his grandfather."

"Interesting. What skills do you have, maybe we can fit you in here if you can help with the work. We all support each other somewhat, and I'm the so-called Captain of this defunct space station. It's our home, though, and we don't want trouble from the lower levels."

"I'll tell you what I know about the lower levels, and what we've seen. We will do our part if you let us stay. I'm not scared of work. I will do what you ask, but my skills are the practical ones. I can build things, and I know about growing food. Jio was a field nurse.when she came to live with me."

"We'll talk again in a few hours. Here's the keys to the room where you can stay temporarily, until we register your family. You can get food at the MessHall on the northwest side of this level. Mondero can take you there. Let me know if anyone gives you any trouble. Will you ask Noot to come in?"

***

Noot and Moby, are talking in the waiting room outside Odiwa's office. 

"What is this place, Noot?"

"I call it home. It's what used to be a space station. A busy place with spaceships coming and going."

"Am I going to stay here now?"

"That's up to the boss, Odiwa and your parents."

"I hope we do. Can you be my grandfather, then?"

"I suppose I could pretend to be, if your parents approve. Have you ever met your grandfather before?"

"No, my father said he was dead before I was born. He doesn't like to talk about it when I ask."

"Maybe there is a reason."

"I don't know. Nobody tells a kid anything important."

"Well, we can talk whenever you want. I'll try to answer some of your questions."

"Thanks, Noot, you can be my friend first, and grandfather second."

"Sounds like a plan. If your parents approve."

Noot and Moby look up as they see Moby's parents coming out of Captain Odiwa's office. They tell Noot that Odiwa wants to see him. 

"We are going to get some food and rest, Noot, thanks for watching Moby."

"Anytime, I don't mind at all. Reminds me what it's like to be young."

***

Odiwa told Noot about his idea that Dev could be Noot's son, but Noot is wary of believing that. Will his son talk to him about the time he was kidnapped? It will awaken old wounds in both men. For the first time since Odiwa met Noot, he saw a changed man, a man with hope in his heart and sadness in his eyes. 

As he walked away, a thought unbidden rose to the surface in Odiwa's brain, he must remember the threat still existing in the Lower Levels.

***
To be continued . . .

WC=924 approximate (story only)

***
Do you believe in Déjà Vu or have you experienced it? Do you think families will adapt to the rigors of space life, away from the planetary norms?

Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for reading! Remember to visit the main WEP page to find the participants and other entries. Links follow.

***

October WEP Challenge

WEP - Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge

It's time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim and L.G. Keltner adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise for being the host. We also want to wish Yolanda the best in her new challenges.

Click on the link for WEP  to see the list of participants and read their stories. 

***
References and Links:

déjà vu - a feeling that you've been in that time and place before

Hubble Space Station Images

https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/

WEP - Change of Heart - Discovery (3)

WEP - Unraveled Yarn - Lower Levels (2)

WEP - Road Less Traveled- An Outpost Story (1)

***

WEP - A Change of Heart - Discovery

OUTPOST STATION NO. 6

Free Use Image-HS

A CHANGE OF HEART - DISCOVERY

In the last segment of this story, Odiwa, the station manager, told Noot and Mondero to scout the lower levels to determine if a 'radio' message about a raid was an actual threat. 

***

Noot and Mondero walked to a deserted part of Level 8, down through a maintenance corridor and stopped at an elevator. It didn't appear to be operational. No lights. No noise. Entry screen dark.

"What's this? Is it working?" Mondero asked.

"See that sign, it says Freight Only. That means I need a key, which I have, and I control which floor we stop on. Odiwa told me about this elevator a few months ago. Not many know it works. We can block certain floors if needed."

"You're a cagey one, Noot. I like that. So what's the plan?"

"Plan? I don't need a plan. We're scouting out the area. No one has been down to these levels for a couple of years now."

"That's reassuring. . ."

The mid levels contained much of the still operating machinery which powered the station air, the water and waste systems and a few isolated areas which had been designated as restricted. An empty holding area composed of individual cells was kept for the criminal elements.

"How do we know what's on all these levels below the main, Noot?"

"Exploration was a necessity when we first came here. Odiwa found an old map in what used to be the administration centre on this station and we went out in small groups. The first ten is where the existing population including us lives, the second ten is maintenance and holding cells. After those, we have made a buffer zone of ten more levels. No one should be in those levels, but there could be things like  radio transmitters, which could have been used by the controllers."

"Controllers? Who or what is that?"

"Nothing ominous.  The workers who guided the ships onto a beam for docking were called that. And below that buffer zone, we aren't sure what, who or how many may be living there. The air supply and other systems for water are still working. That's about it."

"It's just a matter of time before someone is going to get curious if the other levels are working. Do we take prisoners or talk to the perps?"

"Neither one. We are here to see what is going on. And that's all we're going to do this time, Mondero. Odiwa said to look, get as much info as possible and get back to him when we returned."

"That's fine with me. You lead when we get there, I don't know my way around. And Noot, if anything does occur, you can count on me to have your back."

"You do that."

Mondero kept silent as they left the elevator and Noot locked the control board.


***

With weapons drawn, the two men stayed together and began surreptitiously checking corridors to be sure they were empty. Noot put up a hand and signalled to the pilot to be quiet and listen. Some faint footsteps could be heard. They crept back into an indented doorway and waited.

CLICK. . .the two men heard just before a couple and a small figure came into the hallway. They were armed, but one was carrying a small child.

"Hold your fire, we mean no harm," Noot said before he stepped out in front of the man holding an old style laser gun.

"Who are you?" the man asked. "You're not a renegade, are you?"

"You'd be dead if we were. We're looking for those renegades you mentioned."

"Oh. You're from the upper levels?"

"That's right. How did you get that museum gun?"

"We found it, but it's got very little ammo in it. We're living in a hiding spot on this floor, and we keep moving about if we hear something we can't identify. I thought I heard some strange sound."

"The freight elevator made that, most likely. How did you get here?"

"We were with the 'Lost Ones', the colonists that left Terra during the final stages of evacuation, looking for a place to live. We had no luck but kept searching until our starship floundered. It was  taken over by renegades and we and others were brought here to be used as slaves."

The little boy, not more than four years, walked up to Noot. "Are you my grandpa?"

For a moment, Noot felt unsteady, a flash of deja vu enveloped him. Then, he stooped over to ask the child his name. It brought back memories of his own son. . .

"Me? I am Moby," said the child as he fixed his large eyes on Noot.

Noot felt a change of heart when he saw the small child, a little boy. He had a family, long ago, before he became a wanderer. Before his wife died, his world caved in and he went searching for the kidnapper of his son. He never found his son.

"My name is Mondero and this is Noot," the pilot said. "We're looking for raiders, someone we heard over an old radio receiver."

"We can give you information, as much as we have. I'm Dev and this is my partner, Jio," said the man.

"Good, but save it for the captain of the station. Is it safe for us to check without more people?"

"I wouldn't recommend it. The men we have observed don't look too accommodating, and they would likely shoot on sight."

"Fair enough. We will take you with us, under protective custody, and Odiwa can determine what we can do for you. I'd like a larger group before we proceed further."

"I don't know, Noot," said Mondero, "are you sure Odiwa will be okay with that?"

"Nope. But we will deal with that if we need to. I'm trusting you two know what will happen to you if you're lying to us?"

"We tell the truth. We want your help."

Returning to the upper levels Noot reports to Odiwa and turned the couple over to the captain for debriefing. A council meeting of the working crew was called. On this outstation there were no police, just experienced ex-military who acted as a reserve group.

***

This story series continues. . .is this couple legit? What type of armed group can they muster? Come back next time to discover tales of outpost life in the outer reaches.

***

How would you like going into a unknown area, not knowing what you might find on an abandoned outpost station? 

Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by to read my entry.

***

WEP - Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge

It's time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise for being the host. We also want to wish Yolanda a swift recovery.

***

WEP - Unraveled Yarn - The Lower Levels

The Lower Levels of Outpost Station #6

Free Use Image

Somewhere out there in the vast darkness and bright stars at the edges of civilized space, the only law is what you can enforce. An abandoned space station can be like an old west town, where the yarn is always unraveling. . .

***
(Continued from The Outer Reaches, the first Outpost story )

Noot had just sat down with a  coffee (at least that's what they called it) when he heard a knock on the door. Slowly he got up, putting down the reader he had found from decades prior. A fella can't sit down for a few minutes, oh no. . .

Opening the door, he was surprised to see the pilot that he had found on the lower levels. He appeared slightly agitated. 

"Can I come in?"

"Sure, sure. Why not? You need something?"

"Just talk right now. I was listening to an old short wave radio I found and I heard some talk about raiding this old abandoned station. It didn't seem to be coming from a distance, but closer if not on the station. It seemed to me that they were trying to contact someone here."

"You sure about this? I can't go to the Boss with some cockamamie story."

"Why would I make it up? You can come and listen for yourself, Noot."

"Right. But first, sit down and tell me more. Where is this radio? You sure this isn't some kind of set-up? You show up here, and shortly after, you hear about a raid on this derelict old station. Nobody usually bothers us, most don't even know we are here, and that's the way we like it."

"I swear, Noot, I wouldn't do such a thing. Do you know if there are people on some the lowest levels? I'll do my best to defend any kind of trouble on this place. I was a pilot and I did serve time in the fleet before all my stupid mistakes."

"Hmmm. You were in the fleet, eh? That gives you a bit more credibility. As for the information you heard, we don't honestly know too much about the lowest levels. We are all fugitives from one thing or another and most of us scrounge for what we have."

"Maybe they want to strip the metals, I don't know. Does anyone know about those flyers you discovered, other than the the Boss (look for his name)?"

"A few of us, but all are trusted. This is bad news if it's true. We may have to rig some traps for these attackers, if they exist." He looked pointedly at the pilot. A raised eyebrow was all he got in return.

Noot finished his coffee, and grabbed a jacket. "Let's go, then. I want to hear that message if it comes again."

Noot followed Pilot Mondero down to his rooms. He watched as he connected the wires. The 'radio' as Mondero called it, looked like a bunch of toggles, switches and wires. Noot was intrigued, wondering where all these parts must have come from. 

Static burst out as Mondero fiddled with the tuning until all of a sudden they heard, "We have a team ready to breach the upper levels. Those upper levels won't be ..." static interrupted the rest of the message.

More static came back. . .then the voice continued.

"...Received. Time plan is set. Keep this talk to a minimum. See you at ......."(more static). 

Noot and Mondero looked at each other, both surprised and alarmed. An attack might be imminent. They tried but couldn't pick up the signal again.

"We have to notify Odiwa right away. He'll know what to do. Let's go, Mondero. Sorry for my earlier comments. You may have just saved us from a rude surprise."

(To be continued at another WEP moment.)

***

WEP - Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge

It's time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise for being the host. We also want to wish Yolanda, the other host, a swift recovery.

The challenge:

Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!

Be sure to check all the other entrants on the WEP participation list! 

***

Is an abandoned space station appealing to you? Or a little creepy? Do you think you could survive on one? Do you have scrounging or life skills which might help you?


Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by.

***

WEP - The Road Less Traveled, An Outpost Story

Outpost Station #6 - The Far Reaches


A hermit doesn't seek or enjoy the company of others, unless circumstances require it. 

This bit of hermit wisdom described the wizened Old Man Noot. Not an ounce of fat on him, with long greying hair streaming from his beard and the top of his head. But when he looked at you, his bright blue eyes revealed a curious mind.

Noot, like many of the others who inhabited the abandoned space station at the edge of the Sirius system, was a space drifter looking for a place to stay off the grid, out of the mainstream and away from nosy authoritarians. He wasn't the first to show up at the station, where he had to sign an agreement before he was allowed a space in the eerie structure. This was a waystation for those who ran out of options, it provided shelter, access to supplies and was run by those who lived there. Working at odd jobs around the station was exchanged for a room and food supplies.

"Noot!" someone called out. The old man turned to see the station master, who was 'in charge'.

"Yes, Odiwa?"

"Got a job for you. It's down on level 15. I need someone to check the anti-grav equipment on that level. Someone reported hearing strange sounds coming from the room there. See if the equipment has been vandalized, or if it's a human problem."

"You think those new people may be filching stuff?"

"Possibly. Take your weapon and your wits, might need them."

"For the usual pay?"

"Depends on how much you have to do."

"All right, I'll do it, but I get to choose my options for the pay."

"Sure. If I don't hear back from you in a few hours, I'll send down a finder."

"Hmmph."

Noot didn't like the finders, all nose and no brains. He scrummaged in his equipment box for his spacesuit, the lightweight one, his tools, and a some extra ammunition. Never hurt to be prepared. He grabbed some emergency supplies and water. He was ready.

As he descended to the 15th floor, he wondered what he'd find this time. Last time he checked for noises he found a large family of rats. Rodents seemed to endure anywhere in an oxygen environment. Noot thought the rats hitchhiked on one of the early starships. 

All was quiet when Noot arrived on the 15th floor, so he let himself into the anti-grav room and cautiously entered. He didn't want to alert anyone or anything. He held his breath as he couldn't see further than 8 inches in front of himself. He activated his helmet light, just before he heard a noise in a far corner of the room. Grunts and mutterings reached his ears.  

Noot crept to within 10 feet of the corner and saw a human figure on a bedroll. He couldn't tell if the human was armed, so he gently told him, "Hello. My name is Noot, and I'm here to help. Identify yourself, please."

"Starship Pilot Mondero, recently on the trade ship Europa. Where am I?"

"You are on Outpost Station #6. We don't get drop-ins, Mondero, or encourage stowaways . How did you get here?"

"I'm a pilot, a starship pilot, who argued with his commanding officer. It didn't go well, so they deserted me here on this station, saying they would send someone to rescue me."

"Are you going to claim refugee status?"

"I don't know."

"What noise were you making? We got a call about the amount of noise in this apartment."

"I wasn't wrecking the equipment, if that's what you mean. . ."

"Never mind what I mean, get up and grab your gear. Have you got your identity docs?"

"Yes." 

***

Noot took Mondero to the station master, and advised him that the prisoner was a pilot of starships, who had some recent misfortunes. . . 

"A pilot, eh? We can use a pilot, if you can fly our small starships."

"Let's see 'em."


Odiwa took Mondero deep into the underground storage. "There they are."

Mondero stared, interest showing in his eyes. "Wonderful. The small scale blackbirds of Stealth. Haven't seen those for years."

To be continued. . . 

***


WEP - Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge

It's time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise and Yolanda for being the hosts! 

The challenge:

Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!

Be sure to check all the other entrants on the WEP participation list! 

***

Would you want to live in an abandoned space station? What would cause you to have no choice but to live in this structure?


Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by.

***

Gone! In Too Deep - WEP February Challenge

The sailing ship, Lucky Lady, bobbed in the waters of Schooner Cove in old Key West. I sat in the bar nearby sipping a Mojito. Tonight, I would be on that tall-masted beauty.

Free Use Image* - Sailing Ship

IN TOO DEEP and GONE!

"Leave the city behind," my friends said, "go somewhere new. You need a change." 

It wasn't romance I was running from; nothing so simple as that. I had told my dark secret to no one, and without clues, the police had no reason to question me. A new identity, a new face, and no one will ever know what happened to me, that woman who fell overboard during the midnight astronomy cruise. 

I waited until all was quiet, the guests were in their bunks, and the captain was in his quarters. Slipping over the side of the sailing ship, I dropped silently into the warm water. The black wetsuit made me nearly invisible in the darkness. I glided toward the meeting spot where a fishing boat signalled with a small light. I paid well, so no questions were asked. 

The old fisherman in the boat had tackle for mullet fishing, in case we were stopped by the Coast Guard. I changed in his cabin packing the wetsuit in a bag to discard as soon as I could. I was brought to shore at a location a few miles from the airport and caught a cab nearby. I had a one-way ticket to London on British Airways. I would decide my final destination from there.

In London, I searched the news and found the article I was looking for:Woman Lost at Sea on Cruise in Key West. All the pieces were falling into place. The local police in Key West, Florida would be sending divers down to locate the body. It was possible, according to 'the experts', that no body would be found. There had been an increase in the local sharks known to occupy the Florida waters.

Being considered dead could benefit me in several ways. It's easier to be 'born again' with surgery, than to find a safe hiding place.

***

Here I sit now in my Paris apartment, wondering what my next move will be. I'm in too deep to change my mind. Freedom is a hell of a lot better than spending time in prison. I will be forever haunted by what I call an honourable act, some call revenge, and the law calls murder. I knew it came with a price.

I  closed my eyes, but I felt the memory coming back, and then I was there, back in that dimly lit hallway of an old apartment building. . .

. . .I'm walking down the corridor. . .I hear small noises like talking, I'm almost there, get ready, release the safety, secure grip, push door, throw in a smoke device. It lands between the man and his woman on the bed. This man killed my sister. They turn as one, I aim and fire, intent only on accuracy. Snick! Smoke is filling the room. No witnesses. Aim. Snick! Keep moving fast. . .  Focus. Remove silencer, empty chambers, get out of the building. Into the car and on the road.


**** 
I pulled myself out of the memory of that vivid moment that kept fermenting and washing over my thoughts without warning. It was a trigger for anxiety and paranoia. I took some pills to suppress the memory of my crime, before it drove me mad. This was the price I paid for the satisfaction of seeing my sister's murderer dead.

I sipped the wine in front of me and felt the coolness slip down my throat. Life on the run was the path before me. I would have to forget old friends, old lovers, and never go home again. I have to become someone totally different. I have to believe the lie myself.

The deed is done. Do I regret it?

No. It was necessary.

"More wine, s'il vous plait?"

"Oui, Madamoiselle."


WC = 672

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What would you do if someone you loved was murdered and you knew who did it? Would you exact revenge? Do you think you could handle changing identities and your face?

Please leave a comment to let me know you stopped by, and I'll respond. Thanks for visiting!

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Write, Edit, Publish (WEP) - The Challenge

It's time for another year of WEP challenges - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. Thanks to Denise and Yolanda for being the hosts! 

The challenge:

Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!

Be sure to check all the other entrants on the WEP participation list! 

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Note: this story is a compilation of bits and pieces re-purposed to create a new story. You may remember the gun scene from WEP - Changing Faces - What Now? 

Sailing Ship

Free Use Image: Pixabay

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