LTROI-Novel

Love's Epitaph
By N.R. Gasan

[Author's preface: I've said many times it is my hope that Eli and Oskar stay together always. However, the writer in me asks the question, "What if?" To that end, I've written a short piece regarding a scenario different from what I would like. I guess we'll all find out definitively when JAL publishes " Let The Old Dreams Die." Until then, it's anyone's game. :)]

In an alley, under a street lamp that Eli had taken out with a rock, Esteban was keeping guard and he heard footsteps; a man rapidly walked straight towards them. Esteban tugged at Eli's sleeve, motioning him to leave. Eli seemed momentarily dazed, but dashed into the shadows above them. There's nowhere to hide, and I can't climb away. Esteban turned towards the girl.

'Look at you! You're always getting drunk and embarassing me, and now I'm going to have to carry you home!'

My life is the penance for the sins of another.

What are weeks, months and years? I have forgotten.

Time has no sympathy for me.

Tomorrow holds no hopeful expectations, yesterday no reminder of better times.

What is the day but my adversary and a rainbow but a myth?

In the darkness of night I dwell as a shadow of emptiness and yearning.

My feelings are sealed away by survival's demand, will anyone ever find them?

I am forced to flee because of what I am, no one cares who I am.

My laments are heard only by the walls that surround me, their comfort is stale.

Eli and Oskar sat quietly at the desk as Professor Dawson went through some papers. “Is everything all right? Do you need anything?” he asked.

“No, nothing, thanks.” Oskar said.

“Are you going to get into trouble by getting blood for me,” Eli asked.

Dawson looked up at her and smiled, “I think you have enough to worry about, without worrying about me too. I’ll be just fine.”

Eli crouched low on the branch in the darkness, her claws digging into the bark. She watched, detached, as the last few people got off the bus and it pulled away from the curb. Two of them were talking and waving their arms at each other, clearly arguing about something. Their breath rose in a small cloud above them and dissipated slowly. The other one, a bit smaller, watched for a minute, then turned and walked down the darker path towards Eli. Her muscles tensed. She calculated how long it would take him to reach her, as the other two, still talking loudly, went off on the main path.

For me there is no religious solace,
there is only religious thought.
Augusto Roa Bastos, Yo, El Supremo

'Checkmate!'

Esteban and Oskar high-fived. Eli stuck out his tongue.

'We did say the loser does the dishes, you know,' said Oskar.

Eli punched him lightly on the arm.

'You cheat, it was two against one.'

'You agreed to it.'

Oskar punched back. Esteban winced a little. What, am I going to tell him one doesn't hit girls? And in any case Eli is a lot stronger, even if Oskar looks older already.

He dropped into his chair, his mind spinning, trying to process what he was seeing. “Impossible! Impossible! How can this possibly be?” He saw the sudden look of concern on the child’s face as she saw his reaction.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! But I had to do something! I had to make you believe me…” She quickly brought her arms back down to her sides.

Eli and Oskar walked slowly across the courtyard, leaving footprints in the still-falling snow. They had made their final choice this afternoon, and waited until well after dark to set out from their little apartment. The Biology Building at Karlstad University was barely visible through the snow as they turned onto the well-lit walkway towards the main entrance. Oskar could see the lights in the window on the second floor, where Professor Dawson’s office was located.