Mosa

Chapter 36

  Henry Jefferson

  Glock felt sorry for yelling at Sharine, regretting that he lost his temper, grumbling. He didn’t have work today so he went to the pond where Ricky was sitting. Glock approached Ricky who was gripping a fishing pole, looking at the calm surface of the pond.

  “Aye aye Glock,” said Ricky, next to him, there were five moderately sized fishes in the basket.

  “Hey Ricky, how is it going?” said Glock, chuckling. “Where are your daughters?”

  “Oh, they went picnic to the hills over there with Rove,” said Ricky, pointing at the green meadow across the river.

  “I see. Bored at fishing huh?” said Glock.

  “Yes, I presume. Sailing is much fun. Maybe it is not bad to take a trip outside of the village,” said Ricky, chuckling. “Get your axes ready Glock.”

  “You have gone yourself without telling us,” said Glock.

  “Did I?” said Ricky, grinning. Glock sat down, grunting, and watched the pond for a while.

  “Awfully quiet today…” said Ricky. “Is there something you want to tell me, Glock?”

  “I met a girl few days ago, Ricky, she was a castaway,” said Glock.

  “Uh huh.”

  “She was wounded and about to pass out. But she was wild and cunning, Ricky, she stabbed my chest, although too weak to go through my armor,” muttered Glock, pointing at his heart. Ricky laughed good-heartily.

  “Bless her, she have survived your barbaric rage,” said Ricky, grinning. “What is her name Glock?”

  “Ahh she said Sharine, and what was her last name?... No, I don’t think she told her last name,” said Glock, scratching his head.

  “Well, maybe you can introduce her to me,” Ricky grinned.

  “Yeah, I should,” said Glock, not telling Ricky about the argument they had recently. “She is from Cassandra, Ricky.”

  Ricky frowned and slowly turned to Glock.

  “Sharine... did you say? I know that name.” said Ricky, his eyes beaming lightly.

  “Really? Is she an assassin? Terrorist? Did a bad thing? Who is she?” questioned Glock.

  “It was my best friend’s daughter. I didn’t know she was alive…” murmured Ricky.

  “Well, you got to meet her then!” shouted Glock, gladly.

  “I’ll meet her, but there’s no need to tell her about this, Glock,” said Ricky.

  “But, if she’s…” said Glock, but Ricky interrupted.

  “I think it is best she doesn’t know… Promise me you won’t tell her,” said Ricky.

  “… but,” said Glock.

  “Glock?” Ricky raised his eyebrows. Glock grunted and looked at the pond.

  “Ok, Ricky, I won’t. Who is she anyway?” said Glock.

  “It was a love in secret,” said Ricky, smiling kindly. “She was born between Henry Jefferson and Amber Pestice. In the dark era, where Cassandra was filled with war, Henry was initially with Veron, but later turned against him. It was quite stupid, because Veron’s army was quite vast to deal with, but I’m quite proud of him. Henry killed many Veron’s soldiers and officers. But after many battles, Henry lost the ground. He was outnumbered and finally gave in. At that time Amber had a child named Sharine, I do believe she managed to escape. I presume that their daughter’s name is Sharine Pestice, rather than using Henry’s last name, Jefferson.” said Ricky.

  “Was he dear friend of yours?” said Glock.

  “Yes,” Ricky said bitterly. “Veron was pretty upset about Henry. And I have too, been mad at him for following Veron, but I guess no one is perfect. I was there when they executed Henry.”

  Ten years ago, the crowd, full of enthusiasm, held an exhilarating feast with beer bubbles foamed on their lips. The country had declared the end of the war, celebrating Veron’s rise to the power. Veron swore to people the unification and ‘sanitation’ of races. Grandeur songs were played on the street, armies proudly marched, saluting the new political party. Most of the soldiers are from the low-income families, who spent their whole life on a street begging for coins. They are now proudly in uniforms, overwhelmed with emotions, bursting into tears upon their victory. The soldiers gathered around and each of them tapped the shoulders for a good job. The Medal of Honor shined upon their chest, the street was full of champagne spills and laughter. “True utopia has arrived!” they cheered.

  There were prisoners chained, walking in rows. The crowds raged and began to curse at them. The beer bottles and the leftover foods started flying toward the prisoners. One of the crowds cried out. “How do you feel now? When you are brought down from your fancy house?” For some others, they comforted each other.

  But among these events, the most heated topic was about the great enemy Captain, Henry Jefferson and his betrayer. They said he had a delirious mind and suffering from long trauma. Jefferson was accused of treason, that he showed his doubt about Veron’s regime since his birth and plotted his evil schemes against the government. He was captured and been put to trials. The news spread, he’s about to be executed in a public square, Veron wanted to set him as an example.

  Henry was standing on the escalated stage in the middle of the public square. The crowd formed like frenzy piranha fans at the concert, fuming blood thirsty looks. The executor stood on a stage, crowd started clapping at him. He bowed at a crowd like a show host.

  “Beloved citizens! We gathered today to witness the execution of the last infidel in our country! Captain Henry Jefferson, dishonorable and evil man who committed treason!” the crowd cheered.

  Henry was silent. Looking down on the floor, saturated with tortures but he had a ridiculously peaceful face. He’s remembering what happened back then, thinking about how crazy he was at that time. The whole thing just happened so quickly. In the middle of the warzone, when he and his rangers led the way, the dawn broke out, fulfilling men’s wishes who hoped that the dreadful night to be over. Henry was in command when they were raiding the Prime Minister’s house.

  “I bet you are one of those who let the poor starve while you’re enjoying your fancy meal with your kids huh?” one of the soldiers shot the Minister on leg. Others grabbed his wife, starts ripping her clothes. All guards in the house were killed by the rangers, forming a pond of blood on a living room floor.

  “Make sure you see this, I can too fuck a royal pussy! Now you serve us! We’re going to exploit you as same as you did it to us!” The group of men shouted with exhilarating pleasure. Woman resisted and screamed, spat on the soldier who’s raping her. The solider, frustrated about this, start hitting her head with a butt plate of the gun. The woman scream reduced the volume, she gurgled, and eventually silenced. Minister yelled with anger and resisted harder. But he was thrown on the floor, the group of soldiers started stepping on him.

  Henry looked at this dully, but he moved on. He have seen these same old sceneries during past few years, it was nothing special. He walked to next bed room, and upon the corner, he found the girl on the corner, trembling. Henry was startled at the scene, and the girl looked at him with tear full in her eyes. “Mommy…” she started running across bed before he could do anything. As soon as she was at the door, there was a gunshot, girl dropped coldly on a floor. The pond of blood formed around her.

  “Hew… You know, I thought it was another guard” said one of the rangers, the group burst into laughter. That laughter ranged on Henry’s ear, he came to his senses what he was doing. His tear dropped from his eye, he was suddenly grasped with insurmountable rage. Like a mad man, he walked slowly toward his men. And he pulled the trigger.

  The flag swung in the public square. The executor’s voice continued. “…For murdering countless soldiers on the middle of a battleground. Long grudges against the fellow comrades have led to an action ….” The warm breezes hit on Jefferson’s face, ringing with bird chirping, heated up under the sun. He sighed, his face eased.

  “Any last word, Captain?” The executor seemed young, about around his twenties. He spoke with the v
oice full of the pride and contempt over the Captain. Henry looked at him. His grumpy, hoarse voice cracked the atmosphere.

  “Go fuck yourself.” he said to the executioner, grinning. The executioner smirked, nodded, and turned to soldiers holding a gun. “All men stand!”

  And then, Henry started to chuckle which converted into a hideous laughter. The crowd roared in anger, booing at the criminal. The executioner’s face got distorted, he shouted.

  “Fire!” The gunshot roared, crowd cheered upon their victory.

  Henry was on the floor, mumbling. “Forgive us…”