~ Island – pacific ~
Disbelief thundered through Tom, he felt his world sway beneath his feet, the desk tilting at a crazy angle. Nothing could have prepared him for the words that Smith had just uttered. The emotions rushing through his system were too much and he collapsed onto the floor, hating himself for being so weak. He felt himself being lifted up into a chair by Ben, who looked equally as surprised as Tom by this news.
‘Are you sure, sir?’ Ben asked hesitantly.
‘Oh I am quite certain that he’s the boy. I feel it. Not to mention the fact that he actually looks a lot like me and he shares the name of my son.’
Tom’s head cleared a little, though he was still numb with shock. His parents were supposed to be dead. Mixed feelings rushed through his head. Part of him was trying desperately to deny this, pass it off as a cruel game. But deep down, he knew that Smith was right. He felt like a huge question mark had been replaced by an exclamation mark. He finally knew what his dad looked like, he was overjoyed at finally meeting his father, but then reality swamped any joyous thoughts. This man, his father, was a monster, bent on destroying his home. Life just wasn’t fair. Every time something good happened to him he was immediately slapped in the face by some other nasty surprise.
Anger and frustration leapt up inside him and he felt himself beginning to morph, although for some reason it was a lot harder, there was a wall of resistance meeting him and he felt sweat break out on his forehead as he struggled against the invisible shackles holding him back. Smith was looking at him curiously.
‘What are you doing son?’ Realising that there must have been a lot of lead in the room somewhere stopping him from transforming he gave in and slumped dejectedly in his chair.
‘Why?’
‘You mean, why did I leave you when I clearly wasn’t dead? I had no choice. You were in better hands where you were than you would ever have been with me. You were only a baby and I could never have accomplished the things I’ve done with you to look after. But now that you’re older that’s different. We can work together.’ He smiled, probably the only time he’d ever genuinely smiled. Spitting at his father’s feet as he stood up, Tom walked up to Smith, his nose and inch away from his father’s. He met his father’s ice cold stare.
‘I. Will. Never. Help. You. Neither will I ever stand by your side. You’re no father of mine, you’re an abomination.’
‘Ahh I thought as much my boy. Maybe a little time in the prison will trigger a change in your views. Ben.’ The name was spoken sharply, the only sign that Smith was angry.
‘Take my... Son, to the prisons.’ Ben looked unsure but complied with his boss’s wishes and led a heartbroken Tom out of the office and down the winding stairs.
The trip to the prison was brief, there were no words exchanged between the two and Tom was chucked into the dark room filled with the other survivors. Stumbling ungainly, he had to pick himself up and as he did so he gazed around at sunburnt faces of misery. In the far right corner he made out Martin’s tall figure and for a minute their eyes connected; it was Tom who broke contact first, as he picked his way through the people. Once he arrived he was greeted with hugs and kisses from Martin’s parents. Relief flooded through him that they’d survived the crash. Martin must’ve been so happy to be with them again.
‘You’re alive? How?’ Lisa walker gasped in wonder staring from Martin to Tom in confusion. Martin remained resolutely mute. Tom stared at his best friend in disbelief.
‘You told them I was dead?’ outrage etched into his voice. Before anything more could be said, a shaky voice spoke up from the shadows.
‘Tom? Is it really you?’ He’d no idea who it was that was speaking or how they knew him. Peering into the dark he tried to make out who the woman was. As she stepped out into the light, he knew straight away that he was looking at his mother.
‘Mum?’ his voice was choked with emotion and he despaired at the way she looked. His father had mistreated her for the past fifteen years, denied her the chance to watch her son grow up. He reached a tentative hand out, and felt himself embraced in a tight hug. He was unaware of everyone around him staring open mouthed at the scene before them, nothing mattered apart from this moment, he wasn’t even aware of the sobs that wracked Rose’s chest. He wanted to hold on to this forever, finally he could feel the warmth and love of which he’d been deprived his entire life through a simple gesture. It was not too last. The doors to the prison burst open forcefully and in marched Russell surrounded by a unit of soldiers, their weapons directed in every corner of the building. Silence settled amongst the people, while they waited fearfully for what was to come next. Russell savoured the power he held over them, and took his time walking towards Tom and the others in the corner. Speaking loudly and clearly so that all could hear what he had to say he announced the purpose of his visit.
‘I’m sure you’re aware that one of you has broken out of here and along with him,’ he pointed an accusing finger at Tom, ‘destroyed our entire fleet of planes. This has got consequences of course. Under normal circumstances the punishment would be a lot tamer, but... seeing as all this commotion might tempt you all to be freer with your actions we’re going to make an example. An execution will take place, the two people who we’ve selected...’ he flashed sharp teeth in a mirthless grin. ‘Are you two.’ He pointed at both Jeremy and Lisa. Martin let out a loud yell and tried to rush forwards but was held back by his father.
‘Son, there’s nothing you can do. Let it go. When this is all over and you get off this island, go find your uncle in Canada. He’s expecting you. We were going to send you to him after this voyage,’ Jeremy whispered fiercely.
‘Dad no, don’t accept what these people are doing, please, don’t give up like that.’
‘I love you Martin, so does your mother, remember that. Tell your uncle what happened and whatever you do, make us proud and make sure we didn’t die in vain. There’s a lot you do not know and even more to learn, it’s time now for you to be introduced to your heritage.’ Martin was speechless; he’d never seen his father like this. He looked over at his mother who was quietly sobbing. She went over and held her son tightly.
‘Be strong Martin.’ Two guards made their way over to the family and grabbed his parents. Thrusting them against the wall by the toilets they forced them to stare out at the whole room. All the other prisoners could only watch in horror as they were asked to step back.
‘Why don’t you do something? All of you, you’re such cowards. How can you just stand there and watch. I’m going to kill you, you can’t do this.’ Martin’s strangled cry was ended in heartbreaking sobs as he blindly tried to fight his way through the masses to get to his parents. Two men held him back and told him to look away, all over the room people cowered down and closed their eyes; lots of them had tears streaming down their faces. Tom could do nothing; he was left powerless to watch the events unfold. He felt his eyes wet, tears dripping down his cheeks. He made himself a promise, he’d avenge Martin’s parents and he’d make sure that the pain he inflicted was beyond imagining.
Martin forced himself to watch, he would not look away from his parents who were looking at him, with sad smiles on their faces, holding hands. Without warning their bodies convulsed violently as bullet holes erupted everywhere. Martin didn’t even hear the sound of the gunfire. His parent’s death burned into his memory forever. He didn’t realise he was screaming, didn’t know what he was doing, but suddenly he escaped the grip of the men holding him and shoved his way through the crowd, crouching down at the bodies of his parents trying vainly to get them to wake up, denying the truth. No one tried to stop him, nor comfort him.
Without a backward glance Russell left the room, leaving in his wake death that would affect every person there for the rest of their lives. Beside him Tom felt his mother and Adrianna crying and he could only sink down to the floor. Silently the two women went over to Martin and carried him back to their c
orner where they tried in vain to comfort him. He became strangely quiet and calm. The § scar shape on his arm was burning bright red. He turned around to face Tom and looked him square in the eye.
‘This is all you, Tom, you did this. I hope you can sleep at night knowing what you’ve caused.’
He turned his back on Tom and everyone there and walked to the toilets, past the bodies of his parents, sparing them a last lingering look before disappearing behind the wall. The room was silent, and not a soul slept that night, all in mourning of the tragedy. Tom couldn’t speak or say anything; he felt the guilt and grief rise up in him, felt it consume him completely. He could barely take comfort in his mother’s presence. Outside the day passed away slowly and painfully. When night finally fell it was a relief, but sleep never came for Tom.
***
42