Gray Ghost - License to Kill

Chapter 10 - Preparing for War

One thing about life, time won't stop for anybody. You are either going to use your time well, or time will use you. I looked out the window and saw the sun rise over the horizon, as it glistened over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean creating a picture-perfect view. That view reminded me that it was time for me to start using my time and stop letting time use me.

"Let's go Gerald" I said as I gingerly made my way to the door. I walked out past the kitchen where Rayna was sitting. She stood up when she saw me walking. She was probably more shocked and excited than anyone, as that was her first time seeing me walk on my own since that day.

Gerald and I walked out the door. Rayna ran to her room, grabbed her shoes, and ran out the door behind us. As I walked to the beach, I saw Rob was already there working out. You could tell by the amount of sweat; he had been at it for a while.

"So are you ready to get off your ass." Rob said. "Let's go," as he started a slow jog toward the ocean. I looked around and saw Gerald pointing in that direction, as if he was telling me to hurry and follow. I started to run and felt an unbearable pain shoot through my body. But, I pressed on and took another step, I was not going to delay this another day.

I closed my eyes and could see the picture. The blood dripping, her dimple, his hand holding her decapitated head. It reminded me why today I could no longer wait. It reminded me why today I must hit this road to recovery, because they have taken so much from me, and I need to prepare to go and take it back.

Each day it became easier to run. The pain lessened each day. The motivation became stronger. Each day, Gerald and Rob had me in the ocean for hours at a time exercising and building back my strength. And each day we were in the ocean I could see Rayna on the beach watching us, and emulating the things we were doing.

After a few weeks, I felt no effects from the shootings, I felt as if I was back at full strength. I felt like I was ready to head back to the states and wage war on everything and everybody involved.

"Rob, I think I am going to go back to the states this weekend", I stated. He did not respond; he simply took another drink from his cup. Gerald walked into the room and Rob turned to him, "He thinks he is ready to go now," he said to Gerald.

"Good, we can finish the workout today since he is ready", Gerald stated.

We headed down to the beach as usual. We were in the water, high energy non-stop movement like every other day. My mind started to drift, thinking about returning home for revenge. I felt I was ready and in as good of shape as I have ever been.

"You think you are ready?", Gerald said to me as we paused.

"Yeah, never been more prepared in my life", I responded.

As soon as I finished that sentence, my legs were pulled from under me falling face first in the water. I felt an arm wrapped around my throat as I was underwater trying to regain my bearings. I reached up to try and pull the arm away from my throat, and they tightened their grip.

I was being held under water and choked. I tried to loosen the grip around my neck and push to get my head above water at the same time. It was fruitless, as I had no leverage to rise out of the water and no strength to overcome the chokehold.

I was choking and drowning at the same time. And then I lost consciousness.

"Wake up", I heard as I felt a thump to my back. The punch to my back, knocked the fluids out of me and back to consciousness. There was ocean water flowing from my mouth and nose while I was gagging and choking. After a few more seconds of trying to catch my breath, I focused my eyes and saw Rob standing in front of me.