Swan Song

Chapter 35

Swan Song

“Come this way, hurry.”

“What the hell happened out there Lenny, who are these people? “

“Long story, where is Bruno.”

She could barely make out what they were saying, she could barely make out their facial features. Her body shifted slightly in the arms of the person carrying her, but she felt nothing. She tried to stay focused; she tried to keep her eyes open. A losing battle for Shima, as with every passing second her eyes grew heavier. Until she couldn’t keep them open any longer, passing out in Ki’s arms as the group rushed to Lorenzo’s doctor.

***

Three-days later

Slowly she opened her eyes, feeling the late afternoon sun brush against her skin. The breeze from outside her window picked up, rustling up the window curtains and wind chimes. She had a hard time moving her body, but she felt no pain, surprisingly she felt euphoric. She turned her head, shifting her eyes, taking a good look at her surroundings. Where was she, how did she get there? Some of the many questions swirling around in Shima’s head.

She stopped, recognizing Autumn sitting by her bedside, sleeping in her chair. Her hair was down; it was longer now that it was no longer braided. She wore a wrinkled, oversized white shirt and light blue jeans she had rolled up to her calf. Shima turned away, looking up at the ceiling. Slowly piecing together, the events prior to her waking up. She planted her hands on her bedsides, pushing her body up Shima sat up right. It was a struggle; she didn’t have much strength in her arms. But with assistance from the headrest Shima overcame the obstacle. Autumn stirred, a piece of her hair brushing her nose, tickling it. She sneezed awake, rubbing her nose, regaining her composure, and wrangled her hair back behind her ear.

Shima smiled as best she could, amused that Autumn was still oblivious, that she had woken up. Finally, Autumn turned and looked at Shima, and for a moment the two just stared at one another. Autumn’s eyes started to fill with tears, fearing the worse, she thought Shima would never wake up.

“Hi Autumn, how long have I been out for?”

“Almost three days, how are you feeling, let me go and tell someone you woke up.”

“Wait, Autumn.”

Shima managed to grab Autumn’s wrist, stopping Autumn in her tracks. Her whole body felt weak, and heavy with fatigue. She let go of her and watched Autumn sink back into her seat giving her undivided attention to Shima. She was still in bad shape, but the medicine that the doctor gave her seemed to still be easing her discomfort.

“Glad you were able to make it out of Busaya in one piece. Did everyone else make it?”

Autumn lowered her eyes; she almost got lost in her own thoughts but caught herself. She snapped to attention, nodding her head in acknowledgment.

“Yeah, Locke, Ki, everyone, we all made it out. We have been hiding out in an orphanage in Coastal Garden these past three days.

“And what about Kezonto, is he here as well?”

“Not yet, there wasn’t room in the truck for everyone, so Locke and Kezonto are making the journey here by foot.”

Shima lowered her eyes, grabbing hands full of fabric from her blanket. For a while there was silence between the two. The sound of the wind chimes dancing was all the two of them could hear.

“Autumn, can you do me a favor?”

“Of course, Shima just name it.”

***

“Here take theses to the back.”

The bartender placed down two beer bottles in front of the waitress and quickly returned to Shucking oysters for the mob of people swarming the bar. Grabbing the two beverages, she swiftly maneuvered toward the back of the establishment. Turning around, the young server used her rear end to open the double doors of the kitchen. Gracefully she moved around the kitchen staff, not once interrupting the flow of the others, not dropping a single drop of the beers she was carrying. Walking past a plastic divider, into a haze of smoke, she entered the backroom of the restaurant.

“It’s been hard on us craftsmen lately, with the taxes from organizations were barely scrapping by. That is why I want to thank you again Mr. Ortega, With the pinions from this commission I can finally get my father the operation he needs”

Lorenzo exhaled a cloud of smoke, while he listened to the young man.

“Please, call me Lorenzo.”

He was telling him nothing new, he knew his father was sickly, he knew the organizations were bleeding the colony dry. He could have had anyone make him a frame and for a lot less. But he respected the young man’s father and his craftsmanship. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a single bronze pinion. He watched the waitress from his peripheral, gently place the two beers on the table, casually he slipped the pinion in her hand.

“You boys need anything else, something to eat?”

She looked at Lorenzo, who shook his head, then to the young craftsmen.

“No, thank you miss.”

He shook his head politely, a slight shade of red crossing his face. Lorenzo smirked, taking a sip of his ice-cold beer he gently placed it on the table. Waiting for the waitress to leave before he started talking again.

“Cute ain’t she, why don’t you go and talk to her.”

The craftsmen’s face grew a bright red; he looked down in embarrassment. He stumbled over his words, making excuses. Lorenzo found it amusing messing with the introverted craftsmen. flicking his cigarette into the ashtray, he nudged the other beer toward the young man.

“Go ahead, drink up It’ll put some hair on your chest kid.”

Lorenzo looked over at the painting from Smokey Major resting to the side. He admired its new elegantly crafted oak frame. Its stain complimented the painting perfectly and its intricate carvings were art all its own.

“I, I can’t I’m sixteen, I’m still underage.”

Lorenzo looked at the craftsman and laughed.

“Relax kid, I ain’t the peacekeepers one beer isn’t going to kill you.”

He smiled, grabbing the beer and took a sip for the first time. He watched the boy’s face scrunch in displeasure, he laughed, knowing all too well how it was having his first beer. Lorenzo chugged down what remained of his beer, he had places to be and people to see. He placed the empty bottle on the table and stood up. He looked at his watch, examining the time.

“It’s late.”

Taking one last puff of his cigarette, he put it out in the ashtray. Reaching into his pants pockets he pulled out three gold pinions and placed them on the table.

“That should cover your father’s operation and a cut for Two-Faced Myles. Remember Vincent, this stays between the two of us. Don’t say anything about how much you made on the commission, otherwise Two-Faced will come looking for more.”

“Yes Mr. Ortega, of course.”

Vincent stood up, shaking Lorenzo’s hand eternally grateful for his generosity.

“Please take your time, enjoy the beer, I’ll see you around kid. Keep up the good work now.”

Lorenzo picked up his painting and went on his way, leaving out the backdoor of the establishment. With his painting in hand, he strolled through the peaceful streets of Coastal Garden. In the aftermath of the lockdown the colony slowed down a bit. It was a welcoming change, but he knew better than most. The beast that was Coastal Garden’s underworld was a sleeping giant waiting to wake up. Crossing the bridge from the south side, he quickly navigated the clustered roads of the colony center and entered the north side. The further he journeyed into the north side the more he noticed the gathering of organization members posted on the corners. He paid no mind to them, they were patrolling the neighborhood, making sure everything was running smoothly.

Because today wasn’t just any day, it was the birthday of chairman Ferrazzano, and the snake Organization was hosting a giant block party in his honor. There was a line waiting to get past the barricade of organization members to enter the party. Standing across the street, Lorenzo waited for the line to die down. Using the time to smoke another cigarette, calming his nerves and going over his plan. He couldn’t help it, his mind wondered thinking about what the doctor had told him days prior.

“I did the best I could, she is not going to make it, sorry Mr. Ortega. Had you got here sooner maybe I could have done more. I’m not sure if she will come out of her Coma and even if she does, I don’t give her longer than the week at best. I gave her some of the good stuff, so she won’t suffer in the slightest.”

He didn’t take his attention off the line for the slightest moment, taking large draws from his cigarette.

“Come on, Keyon you don’t have much time, hurry and get here already.”

Lorenzo spoke to himself, finally tossing the butt of his cigarette to the ground. He walked toward the barricade and was allowed to walk through once the guard recognized him. The music intensified and the laughter of children filled the streets. Tables full of food and spirits lined the streets, and men and women of all ages danced and sang. Lorenzo made his approach toward Restaurante Ferrazzano, the makeshift VIP section for the party and where he would find Chairman Ferrazzano and other members of upper management. The restaurant was closed off to the public, with very few members of the organization being allowed entrance.

“Well, if it isn’t the hot shot trainee, sorry but Associates only beyond this point.”

The man guarding the door pressed his hand firmly against Lorenzo’s chest, staring smugly over the frames of his sunglasses. He had a cigar in his hand, and he smelt of cheap cologne. Lorenzo watched him fumble around the inside of his jacket looking for a lighter.

“Allow me Lucca.”

Lucca smirked, leaning forward, he allowed his cigar to meet the flame. With a couple of soft puffs from the cigar Lucca had a nice cherry.

“Listen Lucca, I just want to pay my respects to the Chairman, do me the favor I’m in and out five minutes flats.”

Lorenzo couldn’t gauge Lucca’s expression from behind the man’s dark shades. He was quite, waiting for an answer as the man bellowed a cloud of smoke. When Lucca laughed, Lorenzo grinned and watch the man step aside allowing Lorenzo to enter the eatery.

“Make it quick, you have five minutes don’t make me have to come looking for you.”

Lorenzo winked and walked his way past Lucca into the warm atmosphere of the restaurant.

“You see that, that’s respect the kid is going places.”

Lorenzo smirked to himself, catching what Luccas said as the door closed behind him. The smells from the kitchen made his mouth water with every step he took down the aisle of booths. Lorenzo caught bits and pieces of conversations between the gathering of associates populating the booths closest to the door. He reciprocated slight glances from the ladies the hung on the arms of upper management. A man sitting in a far back booth turned his attention away from his lady, his blue eyes landing on Lorenzo as he approached. Lorenzo made eye contact with the man and arrogantly smirked, he watched the man rise from the booth and stand in his way from advancing forward.

“Where you think you’re going? How was your little trip to Busaya?”

“Entertaining to say the least sister Sidna sends her regards, here Serenade I brought this back for you.”

Lorenzo reached into the pocket on his polo shirt, pulling out a laminated trading card. He watched Serenade’s attitude change and his eyes widened at the generosity from Lorenzo. He took the card in his hand with care, treating it like a baby. He looked at the card, then back to Lorenzo unsure of what to say, let alone think.

“Do you know what this is Lorenzo?”

“Not a clue, I just seen your collectibles at the hangout and figured you’d like it.”

Lorenzo played stupid, hiding the fact that he did know what it was. It was a rare card from a game Serenade was obsessed with. He didn’t even know how to play the game, maybe it was the art that attracted Serenade to the cards. Lorenzo didn’t know and he honestly didn’t care; his sole concern was the time that piece of laminated cardboard bought him with the chairman.

“Serenade is the chairman in the backroom with Hancho? Can I see him I want to give him a gift and pay my respects.”

“No can-do Lorenzo, you’re going to have to wait in line like everybody else. But in the meantime, you can join us at my table.”

***

“Doesn’t that feel nice Autumn?”

Shima closed her eyes feeling the early evening breeze caress her facial features. She felt relieved to be out of bed, to be outside in the open. She listened to the laughter of the children around the orphanage. Watching them play stick ball, Shima saw visions of her past. Instances of her, Keyon, Locke, Ki and the others playing games.

“I don’t know Shima, you shouldn’t be out you’re still in recovery.”

“Don’t worry Autumn, everything will be alright. I just want to see the water, fifteen minutes max I promise. You can read me a bedtime story when we get back, sound like a plan?”

Autumn chuckled, looking down at Shima, she pushed her along in her wheelchair. It wasn’t a bad idea, seeing the water, she thought to herself. It provided a good opportunity to see the sights and clear her mind. It was all still so fresh in her mind, especially what happened in the park, that man. She tried to justify it anyway she could, Ki said it was alright and that Atif might have been worse off had she not intervened when she did. What bothered her the most was the fact she didn’t remember anything; she had blacked out. All she remembered was the overwhelming fury within her emerging in ways she had never experienced.

“Turn down this way there is a path we can take down to the water.”

Shima directed Autumn with a weak voice and she obeyed. Pushing the wheelchair from the worn cobble stone streets to the rickety wooden walking path, down to the water. She pushed the wheelchair as far as she could, the sand from the shore preventing her from going any further.

“Autumn, can you pick me up please, I want to feel the water on my feet.”

“Sure, Shima.”

Autumn knelt in the sand in front of Shima, throwing her arms around her neck. She scooped her legs in her arms and leaned her weight forward. Standing up straight, Autumn piggybacked Shima down to the water’s edge. The whole way down to the water Shima rested her head on Autumn’s shoulder. She smiled, using her sensory to feel the faint warmth from Autumn’s suppressed essence. Slowly she opened her eyes, they were getting heavier with every step Autumn took.

“What is bothering you Autumn, and don’t lie you know I can feel it.”

“Shima, you shouldn’t be using essence, you need to save your strength.”

Shima grinned

“Your so caring Autumn, but please tell me, what is bothering your?”

For a while she said nothing and listened to the sounds of the waves rolling in.

“I took a life back in Busaya, I blacked out during a fight and when I came too, I was standing over a pack of wolves tearing apart a man.”

“Essence corruption?”

“It got the better of me and now, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Autumn sat Shima down by the water just enough, so the water reached her feet. Sitting next to Shima, she crossed her arms over her legs, clutching her knees to her chest. She turned her head slightly, looking at Shima. She didn’t seem to be phased by any of it, her gentle smile said it all. She looked over the water at the setting sun, in the distance barely visible the moons of Aurora started to rise.

“If you want to master essence corruption, you must talk to Kezonto he will have the answers you need. Besides you, he is the only other person I’ve known to possess that ability.”

Shima turned and looked at Autumn, she was still grinning, something Autumn admired about her.

“Hey Autumn.”

There was a long pause between the two. Shima took one last good look at the beautiful setting sun, smelling the salt of the sea. She took it all in gathering the words she wanted to say to Autumn.

“Take care of him for me please. I don’t have much time left in this world, Im at the end of my rope. I’ve been using my essence to keep me going, hoping he would get here before then. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that will be happening.”

She lowered her eyes, her essence slowly draining from her body. Autumn’s attention was on Shima as she spoke. She didn’t understand what she meant or why she wanted her to look out for Kezonto.

“He is important to you huh?”

“Yes, very much so, I even fooled myself into believing I loved him. That I was the one that was going to make him whole again”

Her breathing was faint, and she was hard for her to keep her eyes open. It was hard to hold back the tears accumulating.

“No, the one that was meant to make him whole again is you, Viyah.”

Autumn, never once took her eyes off Shima. She hung on every word she said, confused about what Shima was talking about. Than something clicked once she heard the name Viyah out of Shima’s mouth. Shima smiled one last time at Autumn, using her dying moments as a last-ditch effort to save Keyon’s soul. Hoping to plant a seed in Autumn’s mind, hoping to reconstruct the shards of her past. She closed her eyes and took her last breath. Her essence drying up and her body going limp. Shima’s head slumped on Autumn’s shoulders as she passed away. Autumn was silent, crying to herself as she looked out to sea.