Our eternal affairs

Truce appeared at the scene. The road was deserted and the only sounds that broke the deadened silence was the singing of crickets and the creaking of twisted metal. He steppedshattered glasses, moving towards Chen in the car, who laid in a limp form in the backseat. His chest rose and fell with shallow breaths and Truce heaved a sigh of relief. 

He had a grazed wound by the side of his head, blood trickled down his face and his eyes were closed. Truce checked for other wounds, but he seemed pretty okay. He wondered what Nichole would've said if he didn't bring back Chen alive; he'd have to perform a quick ritual that would risk both their lives. 

He heard sirens in a distance and knew Chen would be alright. He checked his tracking device again, they were still moving. The only way he could get there was if they stopped at a location. His face darkened and he smelt blood. 

Suddenly, he remembered the valley, where Miriam had sacrificed his child to his sworn enemy. "No, not this time." He muttered in a grave voice. He would serve justice and not turn back.

A beep sound came from his watch, he looked it up and discovered they stopped–at a navy yard. Then he disappeared, just when the lights of the ambulance turned up the road.

"Was it me... or did you see that?" Shank said to the other paramedic, pointing to Chen's car, that sat deflated in front of them.

"Creepy things be happening bro, ain't surprised," came the reply.

When Truce appeared in the yard, it was quiet, like nothing sinister was going on. It seemed the chip had fallen off her dress. So he stopped to listen. Water lapped against the docks and old buildings creaked and groaned; there was a hum of car engine in a distance. He moved towards the sound. 

The moon casted a silver glow on the area, illuminating rows of warehouses, shipyards and dormant cranes. The wind carried the scent of saltwater and rust.

He came behind a red shipping container. He could hear muffled voices. Sounded like there were three men inside. One of them was saying something to Anna. Anna... His heart squeezed.

If they did anything to hurt her, he clenched his fists, not even a trace of their blood would be found.

Anna laid on the cold metal floor, barely conscious. She looked battered and wornout, with a black eye and swollen lips. Her body was bruised and her evening dress was torn in many places. Despite her ordeal, she was grateful she wasn't raped.

She had fought with all her strength, at the back of the car and only stopped when one of them jabbed the heel of his handgun to the back of her head, causing her to feel drowsy immediately.

She couldn't make out their faces in the dark, but the moonlight crept in, their shadows danced like malevolent spirits on the wall of the container. She fought her weak body to stay conscious to watch them.

"The feisty witch's suddenly quiet, who would've thought!" One of them, the driver, jested, kicking her side and she groaned in pain. 

They were about to place a call to their boss when a sudden vortex ripped open a side of the container, and Truce stepped in.

His presence was like a storm, electrifying the air. The men were so terrified at the sound, they scattered, looking for a way of escape.

Their fear angered Truce even more, his eyes blazed with fury. With one wave of his hand, two of them withered immediately, drying up like raisins. The last one, who had kicked Anna by the side, trembled, bathing in his urine as he fell on his knees to the ground.

Truce's grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him; the now frail man froze and was erect as his feet left the ground. He had never seen power, so violent like this; he feared for his life.

"WHO SENT YOU?!" Truce roared like thunder, those three words permeated the man and he felt lifeless on the spot, his throat was closed tight in tremor.

Truce saw how useless if was trying to interrogate him. He dropped him, then a spark of fire appeared on the driver's head and engulfed him within seconds.

Anna's mind went foggy the minute Truce ripped open the metal frame of the container, but she saw what Truce did and she watched in horror. She concluded that she was hallucinating and her mind was playing tricks on her. It couldn't be real. Earlier, she had wished Truce would come save her from them, but now, she didn't know what to believe.

She remembered him saying, the "human Bible" one time, and wondered if he was truly human.

Truce's heart broke as he saw her state, flashes of Miriam on her deathbed dashed past his eyes. With a gentle touch, he cradled Anna in his arms and they disappeared into bright light. When the light faded, they appeared by a beach side, a grand estate on a hill behind them was quiet, and was illuminated like firecrackers in the sky.

 The large sea was dark in the midnight, with soft waves pushing at the shore. It mirrored the half moon in the cloudless night sky. The atmosphere was serene and offered both comfort and peace from the busy city.

Cold breeze enveloped them and their dark hairs fluttered wildly, the moonlight highlighted their frame. Truce's eyes never left Anna, his gaze was filled with concern and adoration.

She looked so beautiful even with a black eye and swollen lips. He held her to himself, careful not to disturb her already hurting body. But Anna didn't mind the pain at all. The way he was looking at her now, made her feel like the treasure a sailor would spend the rest of his life finding.

"Truce..." Her voice was barely audible and she smiled weakly. "Am I dreaming?"

"Shhh, you're safe now Ruby. Safe." He said it more like he was assuring himself. This was the first place that came to his mind. Her eyelids felt heavy and she closed her eyes, resting her head on his shoulder, he carried her and walked slowly to his estate.

Anna awakened in a start, on a fluffy four-poster bed with a tufted headboard and plush white linens. Bewildered at the strange atmosphere, she sat up on the bed. She was dressed in a white long sleeved dress that stopped at the ankles and her hair ran down her back. She pushed the thought of someone( maybe a male) undressing her away.

She titled her head, brows furrowed and eyes shut, desperate to remember how she got to the room. Then it came rushing to her in flashes. She remembered the shootings in a car. Where was she going to? There was a flash of Mister Truce stepping into a metal room. She remembered muffled screams and wind, like there was a sea nearby. How did she get to the sea side? 

She opened her eyes, moving the soft duvet aside. Sigh. She stood on her feet. The furry area rug tingled between her toes. It was designed skillfully in white and black. She moved barefooted to the floor-to-ceiling windows, adorned with white drapes.

 Looking out to a once lush garden, now a vibrant foilage, with trees, standing ablaze with colours in the late fall, she listened for the familiar horns of cars and buzz of people, but was greeted by the gentle 'whoosh and hiss' sounds of the ocean; the sweet singing of birds and occasional chirping of crickets. The soft breeze carried scents of earth and saltwater. 

She had a quirky feeling that this wasn't Boston, and she had been here for more than a day. Just how many properties does this man have– or needs? Her eyes darted round the room. All these were luxurious. It spoke high of Mister Truce; something she could never afford on her own...yet. She glided to the bedside table, tracing the sturdy woodwork with her fingers and picked her phone up.

The date on her phone read 28th October, 2024. When had so much time passed without her knowledge? She checked her call log. Her last call was from Cliff. She dropped her head in her hands and sat on the bed. How would she start explaining to him? She remembered his face when she stepped into the car with Truce. Would he think she eloped with him?

 A knock sounded at the door and she froze. 

She forced herself to relax before calling out to the person behind it in a hoarse voice. While she cleared her throat, a plump, silver haired woman, wearing an apron over a floral print dress walked in.

"Ah Miss Ruby, you wake! Thank goodness." She said, in a bold, hoarse voice (probably from years of barking orders... or laughing.) She proceeded towards Anna.

The old lady raised a veiny hand to feel Anna's forehead. Unconsciously, Anna took a defensive step backwards. The old lady smiled, her eyes twinkling in warmth and wisdom; she brought the hand down, flattening it on her chest. An old wedding band glinted in Anna's eyes.

"Master Truce brought you in grave state my dear. You've slept for many days and I feared for you. How're you feeling? The apple pies' fresh out of the oven, I'll send some to you now." Waving her right hand midair, she turned to leave and Anna called out after her.

"Mister Truce's here? Can I speak with him please?" Anna asked in a rush, excited about meeting him; he had a lot of explaining to do.

"Oh, he's gone back to the city, two nights ago. Said to find someone but promised to return tonight. Do you need anything else?" She smiled at Anna.

 The old lady was frightened when Truce walked the driveway to the estate he rarely visited, at midnight, with a bruised lady in his arms. She knew about his powers and left him to take care of him while she prepared his quarters.

She had a knowing smile, plastered on her face when she saw how he spent the first night by her side, caring for her.

And when he entrusted Anna to her, she knew he was swept completely. But who wouldn't be, at the sight of the lady? Beautiful was an underrated adjective to use. Her heart warmed toward her. 

Anna's heart sunk at her reply. She heaved a sigh and looked outside, where the garden stood and resolved to wait for him. She would wait patiently... With some apple pies.

"What can I call you ma'am?" Anna asked.

"Charlotte will do, my dear"

She smiled sweetly at her. "Well Charlotte, I'd love to have a bowl full of your apple pies." She said, causing the woman to roar in hearty laughter. Charlotte had found just the right chat mate.