Post by timelord on Jan 1, 2015 21:30:20 GMT -6
As I lie back on the sand dune with the waves of the Indian ocean lapping at my feet I take a swig of my now warm beer and remember the year that was. Its 36 degrees Celsius in the shade and the humidity is tangible. like breathing in thick moist smoke, the subtropics and rainforests all add to the overall climate. The sun is starting to set on the horizon and the golden glow of that celestial entity is starting to shift to a ruby red hue with the clouds lighting up the sky as if they were on fire. The beach is calm, barely a wave just the occasional splash. The mosquito's will be out soon, they always come out at dusk. Like mini vampires with hypodermic needles they swarm the beach at night and feast on the unsuspecting victims.
I take in a deep breath, my lungs fill with fresh air unlike any I can remember in the city which I had left 12 months ago. It was December again, it always seems to be December at this time of the year funnily enough. December 31st, again, another year gone. They say time flies when you're having fun. I must be having the time of my life then because the time has been moving at warp speed. I try to trace my steps back to last year at the same time, what was I doing then and what will I be doing a year from now if I get there. Another swig of my beer sees the bottle empty. The sun has now dipped below the horizon and the last vestiges of light cling to the sky like a drowning man clings to floating log, pulling with it the last of the year. Like a black hole sucking in time the passing of the sun ends a cycle of days we like to call a year. And what a year it has been.
I pick myself up off the beach and stand up to get a better view of my current surroundings. Tropical white sandy beach in front of me mangrove rain Forrest behind me and miles of empty beach as far as the eye could see. I start walking back, its getting dark and without a torch or my phone to light the way it might get dangerous, especially after 10 beers in the heat which tends to heighten the state of inebriation. I start walking north along the beach being the western part of the coast it shouldn't take me too long to get to the cabin, maybe 15 minutes. Should be plenty of time to get home before the light is completely lost. Its full moon so the glow of that heavenly orb should provide some light.
As I hasten my pace back to my 2 room cabin I notice a movement in the trees. Someone or thing was following me, keeping pace and moving as silently as a shadow. Could it be a local? But why would a local be stalking me? Been living out here for 2 months now and in that time I had only seen the occasional fishing boat and tour boats that pass by. Closest village was at least an hours drive away. I try to stay calm. Maybe its just my imagination after all I had been drinking, I put it out of my mind and keep heading home. Home.....home was now a cabin in the jungle forests of island in the Indian ocean. Selling up all my material possessions and moving here had been my final act of self determination. I had seen the fall coming years ago even tried to warn people but as usual nobody would listen, the writing was on the wall and I wasn't going to wait for the fat lady to sing I had gotten out just before the global economies started to implode. First Russia then China then the US and then the rest of the world. Almost overnight the world was plunged back into a feudal state of people struggling to maintain control and power. The first 6 months must have been like hell for people living in big cities, thank god I was already on my way here. The locals were friendly enough to help me set up the cabin. Solar panels imported from china and a bank of batteries keeps the lights on for the most part. I had planned for this months ago and shipped all the necessary mod cons I would need. All that was required was a bit of DIY and installation was done. Say what you want about simple living but the feeling of freedom and unrestriction is priceless. The shadow was still keeping pace I would see it just at the edge of my vision.
Ok this was starting to get a little disconcerting. I increase my pace. I had a gun in the cabin a basic 6 shooter nothing special it was locked in a cabinet if I could get to it I could use it to scare off any wild animals or other unwanted visitors. I take off instantly and without warning making a bee line straight to my cabin. Blood coursing with adrenalin and fueled by alcohol I run head first past the trees surrounding my cabin and crash through my door. I stumble and fall to the ground twisting mid air to kick the door closed.
The main room of the cabin is furnished by a simple desk on which sits a laptop and behind that a 35 inch flat screen tv and a couch next to the couch is the cabinet with the gun. I frantically look around for my keys to the locked gun cabinet only then realizing Its hanging around my neck. I yank the chain tearing the key from my neck and belly crawl to the gun cabinet. I could hear footsteps around the cabin. they had found me after all. Not surprising just wasn't expecting it this soon no matter focus on the now and deal with the rest when time allowed. Jamming the key into the lock and a swift turn released the locking mechanism and a quick turn of the handle open the cabinet. Sitting on top of files cd's and Blurays is the gun. I reach in and grab it with my right hand just as I hear someone kick the door open.
Green laser pointers attached to mp4's scan the room as the lights go out in the cabin. Two men breach the entrance and point the guns at me while I point my 30 yr old pea shooter at them. "Took you guys long enough" I lie. "We have orders to bring you in dead or alive. We would rather not have to carry your dead body through the jungle but if we shoot you in the shoulder you can still walk there until you bleed to death but hopefully by then we will be clear of the jungle." Their faces were covered in black ski masks and there was no way of seeing their eyes. But it didnt take a poker player to tell these guys were not playing games and meant what they said.
"I dont work for them anymore, you can go back and tell your bosses Im no longer in the business." I knew this wouldn't change a thing I just needed to stall for time I needed to figure out which faction had sent them. Had to keep them talking. "Do I look like a f#8king errand boy to you?" the one that had spoken first said. "Drop the gun NOW! or you lose that right shoulder, you have 30 seconds to comply." I was stuck, nothing to do nowhere to go. Even if my some miracle I happened to get away from these guys there would be more operatives on the island posted at all the exit points. if they knew I was here there was no way off without being caught. Defeated I drop the gun. Instantly the silent one kicks it away and puts his knee on my neck forcing me down and tying my hands behind my back before rolling me over to face them. The guns drop to their side hanging off the strap that's attached to the handle. The chatty one walks up to me and kicks my hard in the stomach. The steel toed boot makes contact with my left ribs and I feel an explosion of pain in my side. There goes my weekly yoga sessions for the foreseeable future. I grunt and writhe on the floor curling into a ball to deal with the pain and to prevent another hit in the same spot. "The Master has been looking for you for quite some time now, we will be most pleased to know that we have found you." "Well his happiness brings me happiness" should have kept my mouth shut. A kick to the face and 2 broken teeth later im spitting blood and teeth on the floor. "you guys are a great double act, do you do kids parties too?" I was beyond caring at this point, if they were going to kill me I wanted to at least go out on my terms. Just before the second kick to the face the silent on grabs the other and whispers something in his ear. He walks away and makes a call on a satellite phone. I can just barely hear what is being said. "Yes, affirmative. We have the package. No he is alive for now. He hasnt been activated yet or we wouldnt have been able capture him............are you sure? I dont think this is a good idea............yes sir............understood. over and out." He walks back to the silent one and they exchange a few words I hear "want him activated now" and then the silent one walk over to me and pulls a syringe out of his top jacket pocket and jams it into my neck. Squeezing the cool liquid into my neck I wonder if this is the end. What a way to go on new years eve on a tropical beach.
Then come the pain my whole body begins to heat up and an internal fire consumes me. The pain from the broken ribs and the lacerations in my mouth from the broken teeth are a pleasant stroll through the meadows compared to this. Feels like every nerve is being electrocuted. I thrash around hands still tied behind me on the floor. I Can hear screaming and realize that its in fact my own voice. The two gunmen look on detached and amused. My muscles strain under the pressure blood vessels expanding to 3 time normal heart rate speeding up rushing blood around the cardiovascular system spreading whatever was injected into me. Then everything starts to slow down the lights start to get brighter and I lose the sense of touch as I strain with the handcuffs and they snap in slow motion. The two gunmen start to react but too slowly it seems as before they could reach for their guns I sweep their feet from under them as they both fall to their left. One hand on both their throats I hold down on both their jugular arteries restricting the blood flow while slowly cutting off oxygen to the brain. They are out in seconds. I disarm them and grab my passport and wallet from the cabinet. I use some rope i had lying around the cabin to tie the 2 gunmen to a central beam spanning from the roof to the floor. As I head out into the jungle the words "activated now" ring out in my memory. As I look at the time I think back and think if this is how 2015 ends I wonder what 2016 will bring.
I take in a deep breath, my lungs fill with fresh air unlike any I can remember in the city which I had left 12 months ago. It was December again, it always seems to be December at this time of the year funnily enough. December 31st, again, another year gone. They say time flies when you're having fun. I must be having the time of my life then because the time has been moving at warp speed. I try to trace my steps back to last year at the same time, what was I doing then and what will I be doing a year from now if I get there. Another swig of my beer sees the bottle empty. The sun has now dipped below the horizon and the last vestiges of light cling to the sky like a drowning man clings to floating log, pulling with it the last of the year. Like a black hole sucking in time the passing of the sun ends a cycle of days we like to call a year. And what a year it has been.
I pick myself up off the beach and stand up to get a better view of my current surroundings. Tropical white sandy beach in front of me mangrove rain Forrest behind me and miles of empty beach as far as the eye could see. I start walking back, its getting dark and without a torch or my phone to light the way it might get dangerous, especially after 10 beers in the heat which tends to heighten the state of inebriation. I start walking north along the beach being the western part of the coast it shouldn't take me too long to get to the cabin, maybe 15 minutes. Should be plenty of time to get home before the light is completely lost. Its full moon so the glow of that heavenly orb should provide some light.
As I hasten my pace back to my 2 room cabin I notice a movement in the trees. Someone or thing was following me, keeping pace and moving as silently as a shadow. Could it be a local? But why would a local be stalking me? Been living out here for 2 months now and in that time I had only seen the occasional fishing boat and tour boats that pass by. Closest village was at least an hours drive away. I try to stay calm. Maybe its just my imagination after all I had been drinking, I put it out of my mind and keep heading home. Home.....home was now a cabin in the jungle forests of island in the Indian ocean. Selling up all my material possessions and moving here had been my final act of self determination. I had seen the fall coming years ago even tried to warn people but as usual nobody would listen, the writing was on the wall and I wasn't going to wait for the fat lady to sing I had gotten out just before the global economies started to implode. First Russia then China then the US and then the rest of the world. Almost overnight the world was plunged back into a feudal state of people struggling to maintain control and power. The first 6 months must have been like hell for people living in big cities, thank god I was already on my way here. The locals were friendly enough to help me set up the cabin. Solar panels imported from china and a bank of batteries keeps the lights on for the most part. I had planned for this months ago and shipped all the necessary mod cons I would need. All that was required was a bit of DIY and installation was done. Say what you want about simple living but the feeling of freedom and unrestriction is priceless. The shadow was still keeping pace I would see it just at the edge of my vision.
Ok this was starting to get a little disconcerting. I increase my pace. I had a gun in the cabin a basic 6 shooter nothing special it was locked in a cabinet if I could get to it I could use it to scare off any wild animals or other unwanted visitors. I take off instantly and without warning making a bee line straight to my cabin. Blood coursing with adrenalin and fueled by alcohol I run head first past the trees surrounding my cabin and crash through my door. I stumble and fall to the ground twisting mid air to kick the door closed.
The main room of the cabin is furnished by a simple desk on which sits a laptop and behind that a 35 inch flat screen tv and a couch next to the couch is the cabinet with the gun. I frantically look around for my keys to the locked gun cabinet only then realizing Its hanging around my neck. I yank the chain tearing the key from my neck and belly crawl to the gun cabinet. I could hear footsteps around the cabin. they had found me after all. Not surprising just wasn't expecting it this soon no matter focus on the now and deal with the rest when time allowed. Jamming the key into the lock and a swift turn released the locking mechanism and a quick turn of the handle open the cabinet. Sitting on top of files cd's and Blurays is the gun. I reach in and grab it with my right hand just as I hear someone kick the door open.
Green laser pointers attached to mp4's scan the room as the lights go out in the cabin. Two men breach the entrance and point the guns at me while I point my 30 yr old pea shooter at them. "Took you guys long enough" I lie. "We have orders to bring you in dead or alive. We would rather not have to carry your dead body through the jungle but if we shoot you in the shoulder you can still walk there until you bleed to death but hopefully by then we will be clear of the jungle." Their faces were covered in black ski masks and there was no way of seeing their eyes. But it didnt take a poker player to tell these guys were not playing games and meant what they said.
"I dont work for them anymore, you can go back and tell your bosses Im no longer in the business." I knew this wouldn't change a thing I just needed to stall for time I needed to figure out which faction had sent them. Had to keep them talking. "Do I look like a f#8king errand boy to you?" the one that had spoken first said. "Drop the gun NOW! or you lose that right shoulder, you have 30 seconds to comply." I was stuck, nothing to do nowhere to go. Even if my some miracle I happened to get away from these guys there would be more operatives on the island posted at all the exit points. if they knew I was here there was no way off without being caught. Defeated I drop the gun. Instantly the silent one kicks it away and puts his knee on my neck forcing me down and tying my hands behind my back before rolling me over to face them. The guns drop to their side hanging off the strap that's attached to the handle. The chatty one walks up to me and kicks my hard in the stomach. The steel toed boot makes contact with my left ribs and I feel an explosion of pain in my side. There goes my weekly yoga sessions for the foreseeable future. I grunt and writhe on the floor curling into a ball to deal with the pain and to prevent another hit in the same spot. "The Master has been looking for you for quite some time now, we will be most pleased to know that we have found you." "Well his happiness brings me happiness" should have kept my mouth shut. A kick to the face and 2 broken teeth later im spitting blood and teeth on the floor. "you guys are a great double act, do you do kids parties too?" I was beyond caring at this point, if they were going to kill me I wanted to at least go out on my terms. Just before the second kick to the face the silent on grabs the other and whispers something in his ear. He walks away and makes a call on a satellite phone. I can just barely hear what is being said. "Yes, affirmative. We have the package. No he is alive for now. He hasnt been activated yet or we wouldnt have been able capture him............are you sure? I dont think this is a good idea............yes sir............understood. over and out." He walks back to the silent one and they exchange a few words I hear "want him activated now" and then the silent one walk over to me and pulls a syringe out of his top jacket pocket and jams it into my neck. Squeezing the cool liquid into my neck I wonder if this is the end. What a way to go on new years eve on a tropical beach.
Then come the pain my whole body begins to heat up and an internal fire consumes me. The pain from the broken ribs and the lacerations in my mouth from the broken teeth are a pleasant stroll through the meadows compared to this. Feels like every nerve is being electrocuted. I thrash around hands still tied behind me on the floor. I Can hear screaming and realize that its in fact my own voice. The two gunmen look on detached and amused. My muscles strain under the pressure blood vessels expanding to 3 time normal heart rate speeding up rushing blood around the cardiovascular system spreading whatever was injected into me. Then everything starts to slow down the lights start to get brighter and I lose the sense of touch as I strain with the handcuffs and they snap in slow motion. The two gunmen start to react but too slowly it seems as before they could reach for their guns I sweep their feet from under them as they both fall to their left. One hand on both their throats I hold down on both their jugular arteries restricting the blood flow while slowly cutting off oxygen to the brain. They are out in seconds. I disarm them and grab my passport and wallet from the cabinet. I use some rope i had lying around the cabin to tie the 2 gunmen to a central beam spanning from the roof to the floor. As I head out into the jungle the words "activated now" ring out in my memory. As I look at the time I think back and think if this is how 2015 ends I wonder what 2016 will bring.
