A Taker of Morrows by Stephen Paul Sayers

Author:Stephen Paul Sayers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hydra Publications

Victor dozed, exhausted from the violent encounter with Johnny D. He’d been there with Johnny D and Granville as they’d cooked and ate, shared drinks together. Victor had learned everything about Johnny D the instant he’d tapped Granville’s mind days earlier. During his probe, the burning man had learned of Johnny D’s dreams, his failures, and his darkest fears. When he’d visited him last night, he’d considered him an old friend, and he’d been remiss for not stopping by to say hello earlier.

For now, his rage abated. Peace settled in when he thought of Sam. How he’d cherished those mornings when Sam had shuffled into the bedroom at the crack of dawn, his hair in tangles. He’d loved it when Sam would crawl under the covers between Lucy and him and fall asleep. Victor would stare in awe at his son, realizing that one day, he’d grow up, and these fleeting moments would be gone forever.

He’d become a teenager, face the excitement and angst of girlfriends and breakups, schoolwork and sports teams. He’d learn to drive, take the SATs, graduate high school, and head off to college where he’d grow into a man, find the girl of his dreams, and bring her back to meet his parents. A beautiful wedding would follow, with a special toast from a proud father. Victor had imagined his son pursuing his own path, settling into a career, starting traditions with his own family.

But that future never came.

When Victor found himself at peace, during the solace, the enduring pain of his son’s loss reappeared—the Yin and Yang of solace, peace but suffering, joy and pain. Soon the rage would return and all emotion would be gone.

Maybe that was best.

Victor reviewed the previous evening’s events. He’d dispatched his old friend Johnny D humanely, no need to torment or prolong his suffering, a mere pawn in a new game. He’d faced Victor with courage and put up a valiant fight, earning Victor’s respect. He cared deeply about life and had much to lose, unlike his friend Worthing who’d given up, begged to die. Victor almost regretted making him pick up the serrated knife, place it to his neck, and cut until he’d severed his spinal cord, inducing his own paralysis.

Victor had gazed deep into Johnny D’s mind as he passed from his world. The things he’d miss most, the simple pleasures—the weight of ocean air, the smell of freshly sawed wood, the heartache of a minor chord, a woman’s intimate smile. He only asked ‘why?’ but didn’t beg or plead as many do. Anticipating the encounter’s inevitability, Johnny D spoke to Victor as a man understanding the nature of life and death. He’d remained inside Johnny D as long as he safely could—a show of respect as the life drained from his body.

Johnny bled out before Victor could explain his death represented the first step in his plan for Granville. A grin crossed his lips, but he had more work to do to make it happen, and he’d have to be more careful.

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