NEo, parakmiako dihghma

[northerain]

Circle of Blood

 

The corridor was cold, dark and damp. It seemed to swallow up the light from the torches on the walls. He knew this meeting meant something important would need to be done, and that was never a good thing. Except if this time the money were enough to buy him on a booze supply for a few months. The man leading the way was Latham. David sized him up and could tell this man wasn't just a guide. He carried himself like a soldier. He wasn't old, but he had seen his share of battles. He had told David to follow him and he could feel the sense of presence; this man was used to commanding people. David thought he must be a Captain. Even in these hard times a General would not be leading people through tunnels like a servant. David had seen his share of military campaigns when he was younger. His father had served in the Kings army and when he was old enough, he joined their ranks as well. But times were different now. Those who fight on the side of ''good'' were forced to live underground and huddle into tunnels to make plans. Fighting like outlaws and bandits trying to reclaim the world that was taken when those vile creatures came. After several twists and turns, the tunnel opened out a bit and at the end was a barred door with two guards. Latham motioned and they moved aside. Latham pushed open the door and pointed. "They are waiting inside"

''I see. Thank you... Latham is it?''

''Yes sir'' Latham answered, head bowed a little.

''Thank you Latham''

David nodded at Latham. He enjoyed the superiority that comes with anonymity. When they called for him, they rarely gave anyone information about him, his past or for what purpose he was needed. That gave him an edge with almost anyone in the army. He tended to overuse it sometimes but he couldn't restrain himself.

He passed through the doors, on to the office of the general.

There wasn't much to look at really. For a general's office it was quite bare. It only featured a desk, two chairs, a couch and a filing cabinet. Behind the desk sat the general himself, surrounded by his counselors. They all turned around as he came in. Everyone greeted him with a silent nod, except the general, who stood up and shook hands with him.

''Always a pleasure to see you David.” It's been a while since we met. Although I’m happy to see you again, it makes me a little sad too. You remind me too much of your father.''

''What; I look dead?''

The general's expression wasn’t anywhere near happy to begin with, and with David's answer it became down right hateful.

David never could treat these ''soldiers'' with much respect. They reminded him of old people. Set in their ways, stuck up and dominant. Their job was to protect their country from any enemy, but when these things came from the skies, all they could do was hide underground. And of course, the underground shelters did not have enough supplies for everyone. So the army decided that some of the people and even some of their own soldiers should be sacrificed. They trained squads of civilians, put a soldier in charge of each squad, and after they gave them some explosives, they were supposed to find a nest, and destroy it whatever means possible. This particular general who now stood in front of him had sent a lot of people to their deaths. One of them was his father.

Nevertheless, the general motioned him to sit in one of the chairs that stood in front of him. He took his time in doing so. It almost seemed as he was trying to decide in which chair to sit down on. When he was finally settled, he looked up at the general with a smile in his face. He could treat them almost anyway he liked. They needed him, and he knew it. And enjoyed it.

''So general, can I be of any assistance?''

The general sat down again, and after he motioned for his counselors to leave the room, he opened a bottle of whisky for him and his guest. He poured them both a glass, and offered one to David. Maybe he was trying to impress him. It didn't.

''Thank you very much general.'' David only said with a bored expression.

The general made himself comfortable on his big chair, crossed his arms and spoke.

''Now, let me explain to you why we called you. As you know, you re one of the few wolfs we have left. And one of the best''

''No no let me correct you on that general. I am THE best. We both know that well enough''.

Wolfs. A term that referred to men brave and skillful enough to walk the surface of earth. These days, with the creatures roaming the skies and the surface it wasn't easy.

''This...arrogance. Your father was not like that. He was a smart man''.

''My father is dead general. He died on a suicide mission that you sent him to. Do not speak of my father'.'

''Very well. Let’s get this over with. I’m afraid this mission is going to be somewhat difficult even for you''.

''If if the pay is good, nothing is difficult''. He seemed almost bored with the general.

''Yes well, we'll have to see about that wont we now? One of our bases over at California seems to be having problems. It is almost impossible for them to walk the surface, as every attempt meets with attacks from these...bugs. We fear there must be a nest somewhere near, but they don't seem able to find it. They already lost a lot of men, so they asked for outside assistance. We thought of you.''

''Ah...A team job this is. And a long long journey too. I don’t think you'd like my price for all that.''

''Let me be the judge of that.''

''You expect me to put together a team, go all the way to California, go hunting for a nest of insects that no one know where it is, and wipe it out? You can’t be serious. I don’t think you have enough money to pay me even if I wanted to do it.''

''We do.'' The general seemed pretty sure about it. He wasn’t. These days he was certain for nothing at all.

''I’m sorry general, i won't do this for money. It’ll have to be something else. Something more precious''

''What do you mean precious?''

''Precious to you. What would be precious for a man like you though, is can't imagine for the life of me. But...oh yes. The lovely Catherine. I want your daughter general.'' David said with a smile. He knew his daughter all too well. Before the War, when he was young and the she was just a girl, he head noticed her interest in him. After the insects came, he thought her interest would die out like so many people. Yet it didn’t. This very beautiful woman did not get married or even engaged, for her all father's efforts. She still tried to win David over. Maybe she would accept even slavery to be near him. Love could do that sometimes. Enslave you.

He knew what he was asking, and he knew that he would get it. Slavery had been made legal again. Four years into the war, life was cheap.

''You want my daughter? You mean to marry her?'' The general looked puzzled. And a little frightened.

''No no, I just want her. I mean everyone needs a slave these days.'' David was smiling again. He enjoyed the look of pure disbelief on the general's face.

''You can't have my daughter as a slave. Who do you think you are? I’m ought to kill you right now for this insult.'' He stood up and slammed his fist onto the table.

''Very well. Maybe I’ll see you some other time general.'' David said as he was standing up. Then, he walked away. They would call him back again. If the attacks in California got worse, the general would be pressed to accept his price.

 

 

And they did. They sent a team of their own to clear the area. No one returned, and the attacks continued fiercer than before. The general, as David thought, was pressed by his superiors, and decided to accept David’s price. There was nothing else he could do. And besides, he was informed that his ''sacrifice'' would not go unnoticed. David walked again into the same office, led by Latham. He once again sat when the general told him, drank when the general told him and all the rest. They talked, they made the deal, David left to do his part of it.Upon his return, the generals daughter, Catherine, would be waiting for him.

He assembled his team of old buddies, and went to California, losing two men during the trip. He found and destroyed the nest, losing four more of his friends,and some fingers from an insect bite. He returned. He lost one more.

 

As he was descending the stairs to the familiar now corridor that would take him to the general's office and his prize, he was happy. He now had what he wanted. He followed Latham once again, with a light step this time. He was smiling all the way. Latham opened the doors, David went in.

The general stood behind his desk as usual. On the couch, sat Catherine looking at the floor. She had black long hair, which fell down on her face hiding her from him. She wore a simple black dress. Nothing else was changed.

''Good morning everyone.'' said David. Catherine did not speak, she had been instructed not to, unless she was spoken too.

The general did not get up this time.'' Just take her and leave my sight'' he only said, with a hint of anger. And maybe guilt.

''Oh why so fast?'' David exclaimed as he walked to where Catherine sat. He took her arm, and led her in front of her father's desk. There, he pushed her down on her knees gently. He produced a blindfold, which he put over her eyes. She was trembling.

''Don't be afraid honey, you know i would never hurt you. I love you.'' he said loud enough for her father to hear. She seemed to relax a little. David smiled his crooked smile. He stood up.''So now she is mine correct? Where are the papers? I am a law abiding citizen after all.'' his smile widened even more if possible.

The general passed him a single sheet of paper. His head was bowed slightly. He had lost this here little battle.

The official looking paper didn't say much. Catherine was pretty much his to do as he wished. He made as if to leave, and then stopped. He looked at the general(who in the meantime had sat again) skeptically.

''You know, i always wanted to ask you something general. I know you sent my father to his death although you could have spared him. That much was clear. Even though your soldiers might have forgotten all about it, I didn’t. What I don’t understand is the reason. Why? He had two young boys, and a very young wife. Why did you have to kill him? Surely there were many lower ranked soldiers to send to the mission.''

The general seemed surprised to see the matter brought up. But he could only answer his question. He had lost, and this man now had his daughter. He wanted to get this over with. He wanted to be alone with a bottle of whisky. He had already consumed enough of it to answer the question honestly.

''I don’t know really.’ He paused for a while, as if to organize his thoughts. ''It was just that he was so lucky in his life. He had a beautiful wife who loved him, two sons to be proud of, and the respect of every soldier in the army. And I had nothing, despite my rank. Soldiers obeyed me, and then laughed behind my back.'' He stared at his feet. His eyes kept rolling in their sockets. He's to fucking drunk to lie David thought.

David looked at the general. Smiled. Then, he drew his handgun, which was silenced (a rare item, but he had the ends to have one) placed it on the back of Catherine’s head and pulled the trigger. Her lifeless body fell on the floor. She didn't have time to register what happened. She died daydreaming of her life with the man she loved so much.

The general did not move. He did not seem to comprehend what has just happened. He only stood watching his daughter bleeding.

David let the paper slip from his fingers, and walked out of the room. Latham was waiting for him outside. He looked inside, and saw the body.

''What happened in there?'' he asked in a cold voice. He was trying to stop a scream from escaping his lungs.

''Nothing. I just killed a slave.'' David answered, and walked down the corridor. He was going home. There was nothing else to do.

 

Latham waited for him to leave. Then he entered the room, kneeled down at the corpse of the woman he loved, and kissed her. He looked at her father.

''You sold your daughter?'' He only said with a hint of disbelief, and walked the way David had taken, drawing his knife.

The circle of blood would go on.

Edited October 11, 2009 by northerain

[Elsanor]

Χμμμ... ο κόσμος που περιγράφεις ομολογώ ότι μου άρεσε αρκετά. Απλά μου φάνηκε ότι το έγραψες κάπως βιαστικά και σε μερικά σημεία δεν πολυκαταλάβαινα τι γινόταν. Πώς να το πω, σαν να είχες την αρχική έμπνευση να γράψεις κάτι τέτοιο και να το έγραψες πολύ γρήγορα. Και, κρίνοντας από άλλα γραπτά σου, πιστεύω ότι μπορούσες να το φτιάξεις πολύ καλύτερο. Οπότε θα το κρίνω σαν προσχέδιο για να είμαι και δίκαιος. Μου άρεσαν οι ιδέες του και αυτή η γεμάτη πικρία ατμόσφαιρα. Αν το σουλουπώσεις κάπως, νομίζω θα γίνει εξίσου καλό με όλα τα άλλα που έχεις γράψει! ;)

[northerain]

basika ayto isxyei(kala magos eisai?).To egrapsa gia ena contest, kai h dioria itan 1 mera.H proti paragrafos itan dosmeni, kai eprepe na grapso mia istoria pou na basizete pano tis.Kai eixa kai to orio lekseon.Alla mias kai den mou arese idiaitera, den to peiraksa ka8olou.Isos 8a prepe .

[Βάρδος]

Αν δεν κάνω λάθος, το έχω ξαναδιαβάσει, North. Το είχες στείλει και στην GreekFantasyWriters. Και αν θυμάμαι καλά, και τότε είχα πει ότι θα μπορούσες να είχες βγάλει, χαλαρά, μια νουβελίτσα μ'αυτό το concept. ;)

[northerain]

kati 8ymamai...episis, kapoios mou esteile email kai elege oti 8ymizei amerikaniko b-movie drasis()

[Elsanor]

Αχά! Έτσι εξηγούνται όλα.

 

Βάρδε το GreekFantasyWriters τι είναι;

[Βάρδος]

Mailing list, οι οποίες τελευταίως φαίνεται πως πεθαίνουν. Ρίξτε μια ματιά εδώ.

[Nihilio]

Πάρα πολύ καλή ιστορία. Μόνη παρατήρηση:

 

to the familiar now corridor

 

now familiar μήπως...

Όσο για το ρυθμό, ναι, περνάει πολλά πράγματα στο ντούκου. Θα μπορούσες να το δουλέψεις μελλοντικά. Πάντως η υπόθεση είναι εξαιρετική.