NEMESIS by G. Michael Hopf

Author:G. Michael Hopf [Hopf, G. Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: G. Michael Hopf

* * *

La Jolla Shores, CA

* * *

The trio walked another four miles of coastline without incident. Conversations varied between things that didn’t matter anymore like movies and music. They kept it light, but reality came back when they cleared a rocky bluff that jetted out near the surf.

Like a massive piece of driftwood, a large container ship was sitting just off the beach. The ocean ignored its presence as each wave broke around the steel hull and came to shore.

“Holy shit!” Frank exclaimed.

“Looks like something out of an apocalyptic movie,” Carey said.

“The only thing is this isn’t a movie,” Lexi reminded them.

They all stood and stared at the ship, its crew long since gone, abandoning the vessel shortly after it drifted to shore.

“The good thing is we’re almost there, just beyond the ship is the Shores and her house,” Frank informed them.

Lexi looked up and took notice that the sun was headed northwest towards the horizon. “How far you think?”

“A mile or more,” Frank replied.

“Two miles?”

“No, not that far.”

They all looked past the ship and could see the mid-rise buildings that made up downtown La Jolla.

Walking the beach had been a great idea. They didn’t encounter one person and the tranquil setting had lulled them. Seeing the shipwreck made it all real again, and for Lexi it was all she needed to get her mind back on track.

“I forgot to ask, are we taking you back home after we get the car?” Lexi asked.

“Hell no, I’m going to squat at my ex’s house. They’re gone and I doubt will ever return.”

“Where are they?” Carey asked.

“Aspen.”

“Nice,” Carey said.

“Another place with stuck-up people is all it is; the snow’s not even that great. If you want great snow, great terrain and real skiers, you go to Alta.”

“What’s your hang-up about rich people?” Lexi asked.

“Besides many of them being entitled assholes, nothing,” Frank jested.

“There’s that judgment again,” Lexi joked.

They debated Frank’s harsh opinions about wealthy people as they grew closer to his ex-wife’s house.

Frank’s pace steadily became slower. A rough cough started, which only made him walk even slower.

Lexi looked at the horizon and watched the sun continue its slow descent.

Frank’s cough grew worse and forced him to stop. The coughing was so forceful that it caused him to take a knee.

Carey came to his side and knelt with him. She placed a soft hand on his back.

Frank took out a rag and put it to his mouth. When he pulled it away, there was a large amount of blood on it.

Lexi exhaled heavily. She was both frustrated and concerned. They were close to the house but couldn’t quite make the final steps as Frank knelt hacking.

“Can I do anything?” Carey asked him.

He only responded by shaking his head. The coughing increased in severity and at one point he gasped for air.

“Frank, how far are we from the house? The sooner we can get there, the better. You’ll be able to rest,” Lexi said.

He lifted a shaking arm and pointed.

“Where?” Lexi asked, looking down the beach.

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