The distinct smell of burnt embers hit his nostrils telling him he was close. He made the last dozen feet and stood on top of the ridge. Below him a large clearly spread out and the obvious remains of a Generate camp lay before him. To his right huts and to his left lay huge heaps of charred blackened wood and ash. Between it all were bloated bodies. It was clear the Generates had been attacked and he could only assume it was Leviathan. He trudged to the huts and began to search, he turned over every female body he came upon until he reached the makeshift tables and grills used for their ceremonies. Flies and other insects swarmed over the burnt human remains that lay there. Unable to go further because of the putrid smell, he pulled out a handkerchief and tied it to his face.
From the remains there were at least seven or eight bodies that had been dismembered and cooked.
Was one of them Portia?
He thought. Putting aside his revulsion he went through the pile of limbs and torsos looking for something that would tell him she was among the dead. He started at the first table and moved left. As he headed to the last table his eye caught the glint of something in the tamped down grass. He picked it up and instantly recognized it as Portia’s locket. His legs began to feel weak and his stomach tightened. He fell to his knees and vomited. There was no doubt she was dead; and worse, murdered and consumed by savages. Deep sorrow overwhelmed him as he began to sob. He’d come so far only to find that the worst possible thing had happened to her. There would be no happy reunion, no, his life was forever changed. There was no amount of revenge that could temper the feeling of loss, but he’d try either way. He got to his feet, put the locket around his neck and headed back to his truck, an empty man but one with a new purpose; kill every Generate and slaver that crossed his path.
Upon seeing the expansive sea, Portia froze and stared in amazement. Having lived her entire life in the mountains the sight was beautiful and foreign, a feast for her eyes. The salty air filled her nostrils and washed over her face. Unable to resist, she removed her shoes and stepped out across the sand towards the water.
“You were serious when you said you’d never been anywhere other than The Collective,” Jacob said watching Portia walk towards the lapping water.
“It’s so beautiful. Is this the ocean?” she asked stepping into the warm water.
“Not technically, it’s the Sea of Cortez, or that’s what it used to be called.”
Her feet disappeared under the shifting sand and water. She wrapped her arms around herself and instantly thought of Kyle. Her heart ached knowing he was dead. If only he could be there with her to experience this.
“I know this seems nice, but where we’re going it’s a hundred times nicer,” Jacob said.
“Are you sure? How can such a place exist?” Portia asked her eyes still fixed on the horizon.
“That’s why they call it faith.”
She looked at Jacob over her shoulder and said, “I’m not sure I can thank you enough for saving me.”
“It’s what we do. Now come, the boat is ready,” Jacob said motioning towards forty foot sail boat tied to the side of the dock.
“I’ve never been on a boat before,” Portia said.
“It’s fun.”
Fun? That wasn’t a word she used often. How could she enjoy something knowing Kyle was gone?
“Portia, come, let’s go,” Jacob urged.
She looked down and wiggled her toes enough so she could see them. Looking up towards the open water once more she took a mental snap shot. This was a moment she never wanted to forget. Today marked the first day of a new life. If Jacob was right and a Paradise existed out beyond the horizon, she’d soon be there; free of the burdens from her old life and with a hope that one day she could find love again.
“Portia, come on, they’re waiting for us,” Jacob said pointing towards the waving crew of the boat.
“I’m coming, I just wanted a moment to collect my thoughts,” she replied stepping out of the water. She picked up her shoes, and headed towards him.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I just wish Kyle could be here with me.”
“He would want this for you, I know that.”
A man whistled from the boat and waved, “Time’s wasting!”
“Are you ready to go find Paradise?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
The two walked along the beach until they reached the dock.
An elderly man by the name of Winston stood on the aft of the boat smoking a pipe, he gave Jacob and Portia an annoyed looked before he snapped, “Anytime you two want to go would be nice. The cartel could show up anytime and change their bean eating minds.”
“We’re going old man, calm down,” Jacob laughed.
Portia leaned in and whispered, “Is he always that grumpy?”
“Pretty much,” Jacob admitted.
“Great.”
Jacob put his hand out and she took it. With a slight lift, he helped Portia climb onto the boat.
A young boy popped his head out from below. “Welcome aboard.”
“Oh, hello,” Portia said with a smile. “Who are you?”
“I’m Nathan,” the boy, who was about eleven answered.
“Shut your mouth boy and get back to work,” Winston barked. “Jacob, untie us, and be quick about it.”
Jacob did as he said and tossed the lines on board the boat and gave it a shove.
Winston turned a key. A small engine that powered a single prop near the keel of the boat came to life.
Portia turned and watched as the boat drifted away from the dock but Jacob wasn’t on board. “Jump, come on.”
Jacob shook his head and replied, “I’m staying. My fate is tied to these lands,” he said.
“But you said you were coming, all that talk!” Portia exclaimed, her face flush.
“I was when my team was going, but that all changed. I’m sorry, but I need to go start what I finished with the slavers and those marshals,” he hollered, the boat drifting further and further away.
“They’ll kill you, no please, come with us. Turn the boat around, now!” Portia ordered Winston who in return gave her a frown.
“If the man wishes to stay, he stays, simple,” Winston growled.
“Turn around, please,” Portia begged.
“Portia, you’ll be fine. I know Winston is gruff but he’s got a good heart and Nathan, don’t let his tenderness fool you, he’ll protect you, he’s tough and strong,” Jacob hollered.
“Why?” Portia asked flustered and sad.
“Goodbye, Portia Grant, live a good life,” Jacob said. He turned and walked towards the embankment.
Portia kept her eyes on him until he got in the SUV and drove over the hillside and out of sight. Her stomach was a ball of mixed emotions. In front of her lay open water, behind her a life that had given her moments of joy and love but mostly loneliness and stress. What will happen to me? She asked herself and drifted off into deep thought.
“Don’t worry, ma’am, I’ll keep an eye out for ya’,” Nathan said taking a seat next to her.
Nathan’s sudden appear jolted her back to the present. With a gently smile she asked, “You’ll look after me.”
“You bet, ma’am, it’s what we do,” he said. It was a common phrase Jacob would say.
“Then I feel better already,” she said tucking the fine loose hairs that came loose from her ponytail behind her ears.
“Jacob saved me too,” Nathan confessed.
Not shocked to hear even after knowing Jacob for a short while, she replied, “He’s a good man.”
“And so is Winston back there. Like Jacob said, he’s got a good heart,” Nathan said glancing back at Winston who returned his glance with a scrunched face.