Shadows of Death

Chapter 3(Christopher section 1)

 

"Christopher section"

Sixth time zone: Another Brother

Local time 05:00 p.m.

Wednesday – New York – USA

Christopher sat on the blue seat of the airplane. The plane was about to land at John F. Kennedy Airport in a few minutes. Yesterday morning, when he left the home of the "gate maker," he made his decision. It was his only solution, although his grandfather strongly disagreed with him. On the way back to Tehran Christopher shared this issue with his grandfather, but Edward Artimani was so angry and upset he did not allow him to talk any more. But half an hour after they arrived at their villa, his grandfather called him into his room and asked him: "Your decision is quite serious?"

Edward's face was calm, or at least had the appearance of such. Christopher nodded his head and answered: "Yes, Grandpa. Quite serious."

His grandfather tried to change Christopher's mind, saying: "It's not necessary for you go to New York. I know how important it is for you to be healthy again, but I can't let you go alone to another country."

Christopher coolly cut him off: "But it's necessary. I should go."

His grandfather shouted angrily: "Why? Why should you go alone to the USA? Why won't you allow me to send Robert and his men to the USA to find that bracelet? They are my trusted men. They even risk their lives for us!"

Christopher paused, then with a wise tone answered: "When the gate maker talked about the power of the red carnelian bracelet, Robert listened carefully to his words. I could see the desire for owning the bracelet in his eyes. This bracelet has some strange power. Eternal life and living healthy and free from disease forever is not something that everyone could ignore easily."

Mr. Edward Artimani with anger said: "I have faith in Robert. I'm sure he'll do it for us."

Christopher said: "But the gate maker said whoever would own the red carnelian bracelet must seek it until death. If Robert went to the USA and even found the bracelet it's not effective for me because I didn't try to get or find the bracelet."

Edward was silent after hearing the reasoning of his grandson. But this silence was not longer than few moments. He shouted: "God damn that fucking old man! How do you know the gate maker was speaking the truth? What if he told us a lie? Huh?"

Christopher said: "The gate maker was not going to speak any word with us even when he heard your death threats. But when the queen of the Peris came into the room and told him to tell us, he did it. This is my only choice."

He paused and then added: "I'll never know if he was speaking lies or truth by just sitting here. I should go to the USA. Today!"

Edward rubbed his face with anger. He knew well that he couldn't change Christopher's decision. One year and a half ago when Christopher told him his intention to steal a car and go to prison to meet Charlie, Edward couldn't dissuade him. He knew about the character of his grandson. Insistence and persistence was Christopher's inheritance from his grandpa. So Edward just said: "I don't want you to go alone to that country."

After saying this Christopher realized his grandfather was going to accept his request. So he said: "Whoever comes with me will be my enemy because of greed for the red carnelian bracelet. Even maybe when we find that bracelet, he will think of killing me because of this bracelet."

Edward's blood was boiling. He shouted: "But the risk of going alone to that country is not less than the probability of being killed...if you were in my place, would you give such permission to your grandson?!" He was shaking with anger and he just hoped this anger would change his grandson's decision a little.

But Christopher with a calm voice tone replied: "If I knew my grandson would die by next year and this trip was the only way for him to being alive I would hug and kiss him and tell to him go. Go and until you find the red carnelian bracelet don't come back."

Tears like waves fell on Edward's cheek. He left his chair and stood up, then came toward Christopher in front of him. Edward hugged him and with a grudging tone of voice said: "At least let me send a group to protect and help you in the USA."

Christopher with a whisper said: "No, Grandpa. I need to do this job alone. If you want to help me, do it but indirectly. Certainly I'll need money and some equipment in the USA. I'll tell you everything I need via email. You prepare them for me without sending someone to help me directly. Please just provide my need and equipment!"

Edward completely understood the meaning of his grandson's sentences. Christopher wanted his support instead of his direct action. Wiping his tears away with the back of his hand, he said: "Just promise something to your grandfather. Promise that when you go to the USA, you will behave ethically! This is the only thing that can bring you out of that country safely!"

Christopher didn't understand his grandfather's purpose exactly but to make him satisfied he said: "I promise!"

Grandfather kissed on his head and pressed him harder into his hug. But when Christopher was going to move and leave the room he said: "You must give me a promise, too."

Edward with surprise asked: "Promise? Promise what?!"

Christopher said: "I want you to take care of Charlie. He's my only and best friend in all of the world."

When Edward heard Charlie's name, the anger came back to his tearful face. However, Edward with a tight and strong voice said: "I promise, my dear. I'll care for him until you come back."

His face was covered with tears again. Christopher knew his old grandfather couldn't tolerate his separation. But Christopher didn't have any other choice.

Now he was sitting in an airplane thousands of miles away from his grandfather, he felt a little guilty. He knew very well how much his grandfather was missing him too!

------------------->

Continue: Chapter 3 (Christopher section 2)

Please Don't forget to share your comments with me.