The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

Chapter Eleven: The Other Woman

Fanta refused to come out of her room until the next morning. When she did, she saw Dusk sitting on the sofa smoking one of his cigars. His hair was uncombed and two-day stubble on his face. He wore an old plaid shirt and a pair of old faded jeans with the knees worn out.

She coughed as the smoke hit her nostrils. "Must you smoke that thing?"

"What's it to ya? Ya say yer Sadian. Why should a little smoke bother ya?"

"Did you say Sadian?" Dusk made no response. "You did, didn't you? Where did you learn that term?"

"Same as you, Fanta. That's what we are. That's why we die."

"Die? Wouldn't that be grand? But it won't happen."

"And why not?" he asked, pressing the now tiny cigar into the ashtray. He approached Fanta, who looked quite small compared to him. "Ya think you're immortal? Let's find out."

"Don't you get it, Dusk. People like us don't die. We just go on and on. We watch the world crumble down around us while innocent people pay for our crimes. That's what happened to Brenda. That's why I have to kill Marcus."

"So why did he kill her?"

"Because of me. Brenda was the only one at the university who knew about me, but until he threw me off that cliff, I didn't know he knew. He's a Sadian, too. He tricked me. He used kind of mind control. I broke free, but by then it was too late."

"Then why ain't you dead?"

"Have you ever heard of instantaneous rejuvenation?"

"Yeah, but ain't never come across anyone else who had it. Sadian or otherwise."

"You too?"

"Yeah, but it don't always work," he said, reaching for another cigar.

"Lucky for me it did, so will you help me?" He stayed silent and concentrated more on lighting his cigar. "Don't deny it, Dusk. We're the same. If we don't protect each other then, we will die. Do what you want, Dusk. With or without you, I'm going after him.

Fanta walked towards the door when Dusk's voice echoed through the cabin. "He's at some motel near Plankton Boulevard."

She looked back suddenly feeling very vulnerable. "How long ago?"

"Few days, maybe"

"He's made this why too easy. He's trying to trap me."

"Then we'll trap him."

"There's no way. I want you to promise me that you'll stay away from him."

"Stop playin' the martyr, Fanta. I don't take kindly to scum who push women off cliffs."

"So you believe me?"

"It ain't you. That rat didn't smell right the moment he hit town."

"What about Vanessa? What are you going to tell her?"

"Nothin', and neither are you."

"I agree, but I want to know something. Why are you doing this?"

"You ask too many questions," Dusk said. Suddenly Fanta heard the sound of a car engine. That's Van," Dusk said. He pointed a finger at Fanta. "Not a word."

Fanta walked over to the couch to sit down while Dusk leaned against the wall near the front door. He flicked his lighter and lit another cigar when Vanessa entered the cabin.

She took a whiff of the smoke and coughed. She dropped the pile of books she was carrying on the coffee table and with her hands free she whisked the air clean of smoke.