Trinity

Trinity :- Chapter 2 :- The Countdown

Chapter 2 :- The Countdown

RECAP :- I have just left a fuel station in the small outback town of Karratha. Using just three small scraps of torn paper I have manipulated the aged attendant in it enough to fulfill a dramatic death that is less than three minutes away from occuring. And as Travis and I drive away from the scene, I count down the seconds. Will man overcome their Destiny? Or is Free Will just an illusion? Unfortunately, I know The Truth.

2minutes 42 seconds.

As we drive out into the quiet streets of this outback town, the Rossteau brothers explode into the fuel shop.

Travis is driving, trying to hide the fact he is tense. He wants to know what is happening. He knows the future, and is revelling in the rough justice that is about to occur, but the final moments up to its occurence eat away at his patience.

The two brothers' voices echo in my mind.

They yell expletives at Richard but he is occupied with thoughts of me, and what I have done.

Thierry approaches with his shotgun, wondering why Richard does not notice two armed and masked bandits before him.

Tuomas has checked the aisles now and kicks a magazine stand down to block the door from closing.

Noticing Richard is still not responding he yells a list of profanities that finally jolts the aged attendant from his stupor.

Richard is crying now, and cowering behind the counter.

He knows what is about to happen.

2minutes 10seconds.

Travis is absentmindedly tapping out a tune on the steering wheel, not wanting to ask what I know he will.

Theirry is suspicious. His acute sense of impending doom is activated.

"Calm down Anton," he says after reading the name badge.

Richard cries and says sorry, over and over again.

Tuomas yells clear as his brother jumps over the counter. Thierry has unwittingly knocked over the gum stand in the process, and my note I left there lies open for him to soon view.

1minute 45seconds.

Travis has hesitated to ask me the question for the second of four times, peering into the rear view mirror at the dimming lights of the fuel station, hoping to see something resembling a flash of gunfire to satisfy his thirst to know.

Thierry is opening the cash register, and starting to load up his black bag with the notes in it, trying desperately to ignore the spine tingling sensation running down his spine, and the words "Something is wrong" drenching his immediate thoughts.

Tuomas is livid, screaming clear and pacing with agitation while at the front door. He yells clear again, and for Thierry to hurry up.

1minute 5seconds.

Richard is openly shaking in fear, still saying sorry, cowering on the ground with his hands over his head.

Thierry has the money in the bag now and looks down at the poor creature before him.

"See Anton," he says. "We are just here for the money." As he grabs his shotgun off the counter he notices my scrap of paper still in Richard's hand. Crisp, bold writing that I knew would catch his attention.

Travis has hesitated asking me the question for the third time.

35seconds.

Thierry has snatched the scrap of paper from Richards hands.

*Thank You Richard.*

"Richard? Your name is Richard? I thought it was Anton?"

"Hurry up! Someone is pulling in!" Tuomas screams from the door.

But Thierry ignores his brother, for he realises his fears of something strange happening are founded in some sense of truth.

He has to know what The Truth is.

And so does Travis, though for him it is more a question of When.

18seconds.

And thats when Thierry sees it. The scrap of paper I left on the counter for him to read.

He picks up the scrap and read its bold letters.

*Richard Gamblin killed Mark Rossteau twenty years ago over a matter of $260. This man killed your father.*

Tuomas yells but Thierry can no longer hear. Richards crying has stopped, in acceptance of his fate. "Richard Gamblin?"

Richard is gazing up, tears still fresh on his cheeks. "I'm sorry.... I 'm so sorry..."

The two brothers had grown up never having a father figure to guide them. To Thierry, the guilt etched on the old man's face is genuine.

7seconds.

And before Travis can hesitate for a fourth time, I raise my hand to the dashboard, and he realises I am about to bring destiny to bear.

"You killed my father twenty years ago?" Thierry towers over the old man now, and Richards heart sinks.

"Over a matter of $260?"

His expression is all Thierry needs to confirm his feelings.

There is a moment of silence and as I wait I am surprised to find myself wondering if free will shall prevent the occurence of fate.

But for Thierry time has frozen.

He raises his shotgun, and for Travis's benefit, I tap twice on the dashboard.

And so another flame has been extinguished. Another life quashed. Travis is overcome by the power of knowledge, and simultaneously consumed by the guilt of knowing. His dark heart makes a mental note of the surroundings. 'I was here when the murderer Richard was killed. Here was I when I damned my accursed soul.'

I am content that he is aware of my curse.

And ashamed that, if only briefly, I had to share it with him.