From Nemesis Island

by Christine Mustchin

  18

  Juditta discovered them both in bed that morning. Joseph had woken repeatedly with his coughs and Kia had willingly stayed to give him comfort. He slept as his sister opened the curtains and Kia felt a soft sunlight rouse her from a strange dream-studded half-sleep. She sat up immediately and reached out for Joseph as if to confirm she was still in the grips of a reality where he played a part. Juditta didn’t need to speak for Kia to feel her disapproval.

  ‘Not even an attempt to leave his bed today, then,’ she said scathingly. ‘Be it on his own head.’

  ‘He was ill in the night. I couldn’t leave.’

  ‘I’m not allowed to argue,’ she added bitterly. ‘It seems you’ve cast a spell over him.’

  Kia looked at Joseph. He slept on. She would speak up. She was tired of silence.

  ‘Don’t be bitter, Juditta. We all of us are mortal. Our life on earth is a time borrowed from the infinity of the universe. It doesn’t come without pain, even for a chief. All I want is to relieve that pain for him as much as possible.’

  ‘Well!’ For a moment, astonishment defied articulation. ‘You are becoming bold. Just watch that you don’t go too far. As you say, he’s still the chief and that means something on this island.’

  Beside her, Kia felt Joseph move and she turned to him so that her face was the first image that his eyes fixed on when he woke.

  ‘Kia,’ he murmured softly and pulled her towards him.

  She responded without hesitation, warning him of his sister’s presence by a whisper in his ear. He raised himself up.

  ‘Good morning, Juditta. Kia and I will breakfast together today… in bed. Please arrange it yourself and ensure no one else knows.’

  He lay down again and Kia stroked his head gently. They ate together like an old married couple, morsels of small talk breaking up the stretches where they ate and drank in silence. Afterwards they lay down again side-by-side, the one breathing slowly and silently, the other struggling to find a rhythm.

  ‘Talk to me Kia,’ he said at last.

  ‘What about?’

  ‘Anything you wish. What were you thinking of just now for example?’

  ‘I was thinking of your brother. He’s a most unusual person.’

  ‘Just so.’

  ‘Not a kind person though. He seemed to me to be quite a cruel man. He doesn’t really care about people. He seems more concerned about his surgical skills than with the people he operates on. That might explain the contradiction that you talked about.’

  ‘Partly, but there’s more to his cruelty than that. But I don’t judge him; that would be hypocritical. All I have done is to turn the baser aspects of his nature into profit and perhaps control them a little as a result.’

  ‘The DVDs?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘What are they about?’

  ‘Do you really want to know? It would be better if you didn’t.’

  ‘Are they so very bad then?’ She looked at the row of DVDs displayed in the cabinet across the room.

  ‘Spare yourself Kia. Now I’m going to get ready. I feel much better.’

  When he had finished, he found Kia intent on the TV screen in the lounge. She was transfixed by the images. He went and stood behind her and watched the climax of the film until the screen went blank. Kia put her hand to her mouth and rushed from the room, managing to reach the bathroom before she began to vomit. Afterwards she stood for ten minutes under the shower trying to wash away the scenes that she had witnessed. She returned to Joseph with a pallor still visible on her face. She walked over to the window and opened it and breathed in the cool air. Without turning round she spoke.

  ‘You can’t leave the island to that man.’

  Joseph came and stood beside her. They both looked out at the garden.

  ‘Does it repulse you that much?’ he asked.

  ‘How couldn’t it? Why do men do such things?’

  ‘Women too, Kia. Cruelty is not just a male prerogative.’

  ‘But not like that.’

  ‘Perhaps.’

  ‘I know many women who have suffered all sorts of cruelty from men. It’s no different here on the island. Aren’t you frightened to die knowing you have been a part of that cruelty?’

  Joseph remained silent. He didn’t like to think of the sands of his mortality escaping so quickly through his fingers. Fear of dying meant fear of the unknown, fear that perhaps judgment would come. He wanted Kia to stop speaking now, to take her and forget himself in sexual abandon. It had always served in the past. Instead a fatigue passed through his body and he did nothing.

  ‘You could be forgiven,’ she said simply. ‘There’s always time and you’ve shown that you can love.’

  ‘Love?’ He sounded surprised. ‘What do you know about love? You’ve hardly begun your span of years on this earth.’

  ‘I love you,’ she said, without hesitation.

  He looked at her. For a moment he felt the cruel habits of his past well up and demand a response. It was the feeling of a moment and he was glad when it had passed. He started to smile.

  ‘Well, well, my little Kia. No one here would dare to say that to me.’

  ‘Perhaps that’s because no one has felt it,’ she replied.

  ‘And you would love someone who has enjoyed using and abusing the girls that I’ve known?’

  ‘You’re different with me. You love me.’

  ‘I love you?’ He started laughing, but she just stared patiently at him until he stopped.

  ‘Yes,’ he said finally, ‘I believe I do. I believe I love you.’

  They stood together looking out at the garden.

  ‘So why don’t you end this cruelty and die in peace?’ she said at last.

  He didn’t answer yes or no and she left the thought with him.

  19

  The season was changing. The last rays of summer were giving way to the more melancholy light of autumn. The days still reflected a gentle warmth, but the nights were longer and cooler and it suited Father Piontius well. He no longer woke gripped by a sweat that would ease only if the shutters permitted a breeze to blow in. His life had passed by in a more tranquil way these last few days. The girl was gone and he had been left alone to deal with the daily concerns of his parish. He had resumed the morning mass and the routine of coffee afterwards. It would not be long before the morning chill would force him inside the bar, but, for the moment, he resisted. From his solitary table he had watched a veritable maelstrom of activity in the port. Speedboats departed with unusual regularity to the island, each one carrying visitors who came and went with such frequency that every single person in the port had a comment to make. The priest watched but was not drawn to remark on what he saw. He recognised many of the people, local businessmen with dubious connections, the head of banking in the region, a local lawyer, the family doctor of the port and others who bore the stigmata of officialdom. He was even sure he had seen the bishop of the province. Unlike the local people, the priest was in no hurry for enlightenment. If it came, he would deal with it. If not, he was glad. He had yet to make his own peace with God concerning the island and he had not yet found a way forward. Any respite from its constant threat was welcome.

  When the summons came, he knew his respite was at an end. He had time to say the morning mass before he gathered his robes around him and stepped onto the boat. A mist was clearing across the water and the day promised to be clear. He acknowledged with a nod the men who had come to collect him and was glad to see he was the only visitor in the boat. He had no desire for small talk or scrutiny. He was still in ignorance of the reason that he had been called and, to cover all eventualities, had brought with him his eucharistic paraphernalia and headed church note paper and seals. The island had changed little despite the long time since he had last visited. He noticed a few more buildings and the overriding presence of the volcano in the distance.

  Joseph received him courteously and did not decline to kiss his hand. They we
re not alone. A young girl whom Father Piontius recognised was at Joseph’s side, and an older woman that he knew to be the chief’s sister. A tall, distinguished man stood behind them, occasionally passing a hand through his sleek grey hair. Father Piontius was introduced to him as a lawyer. The priest looked at the two women. Juditta was impassive under his gaze but Kia clearly registered surprise. He turned to the chief.

  ‘Good morning, chief. I have come as asked.’ He spoke in the language of the locals. The chief replied in English.

  ‘Good morning, Father. Thank you for coming. I should like to speak in English for the benefit of Kia.’ The priest nodded.

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I have asked you here today on two counts. The first, which will not take long, is to witness my will. I have spent many days taking advice but all is now settled and the document prepared. I thought it best to choose a legal firm as executors.’ He indicated the grey man who moved to take up a more prominent position. I have decided to leave the island to the church and, since you yourself do not stand to benefit personally from this, I have been assured that your signature will be valid.

  ‘Of course. I should be honoured to accept.’

  ‘Good. Let us proceed.’

  Joseph moved to a large table where the documents lay in readiness. The other two men followed and, in subdued voices, they conducted the necessary business and signed the papers. Juditta and Kia stood apart. They were both already conversant with the contents of the will and also with what the chief planned next. Juditta moved her eyes periodically from ceiling to floor with not one hint of emotion. Kia’s eyes roved around the room following the priest’s movements intently. When the little ceremony was concluded, Joseph offered his thanks and dismissed the lawyer. The two women followed him out of the room and the priest was left alone with the chief.

  Joseph invited Father Piontius to take a seat and opened the dialogue.

  ‘You are no doubt surprised at my bequest. I am dying, Father. I have lung cancer. The time left to me is short. It’s the right moment to set things in order. I want to entrust my will to your safekeeping. I have been advised that a legal custodian would be preferable but my wish is for you to take on the responsibility. Do you agree to this?’

  ‘You have my word.’

  ‘You will have noticed a sealed codicil to the will. It has been witnessed by Kia and Juditta and is to be kept separately and to remain unopened unless the will goes missing or its terms are not fulfilled. It concerns my brother, Jalbis, and will prevent him from taking over the island.’

  The next task I have for you will take much longer. I wish to make my confession. I want to declare everything that has happened here on the island and make my peace with God. But I also want you to write everything down so that I can make my peace with the world here on earth.’

  ‘You show great courage my son and will be an example of God’s mercy to us all. I shall prepare myself now.’

  They sat together for many hours, unconcerned about their abstinence from food and drink. At length it was completed and the priest sat for a moment in silent prayer. Joseph felt a life force had been dragged from his body and put into the words that now covered several pages. The priest recited the words of absolution, which Joseph received without comfort.

  ‘I shall pray that God spares you suffering as you depart this life and that his glory and majesty will open your soul to the life everlasting. Amen.’

  ‘Amen,’ Joseph repeated mechanically. All he wanted now was for Kia to return and bring him the comfort that the priest’s words had failed to do.

  ‘Thank you, Father.’ He wanted the audience to end quickly now.

  ‘I can be with you again at anytime. God be with you.’

  Dark clouds hovered on the horizon as he left the building. He could see, at a distance, grey streaks of rain falling into the sea. The air around him was dry and peculiarly still, as if the island held its breath. He walked towards the car and, as he walked, his body began to tremble. He stopped for a moment but still he seemed to shake. And then he knew. It was the earth beneath him that shuddered. He looked around. Nothing was falling, nothing was disturbed and it soon was over. Only the memory of the movement lingered on.

  Stepping from the speedboat, Father Piontius tightened his grip on the briefcase he had been given. He could afford to lose the eucharistic paraphernalia he carried in his right hand but not what he carried in his left. He hurried the short distance to his house and let out a deep moan of relief as he closed the door on the silence within. He felt as though a tight band was constricting his breath and he stood quietly for several minutes before being able to seek out the medicines that would relieve him. At last Father Piontius felt able to open the briefcase and inspect the document he had been given. All appeared to be in order. He first picked up the will and fingered the red wax seal that the chief had insisted on using. Then he turned to the bulky pages of the confession. It was strange to see the words in his own handwriting, but again it had been the chief’s wish. He sat down and read every word. He had heard many confessions and given absolution for all manner of sins. The extent of this confession and the volte-face of a man who could be defined by his sexual appetite, autocracy and lack of compassion were nothing short of incredible. Does the imminence of death change a man so much? How many of us know when death approaches? Tomorrow may be our final day. The priest thought how even he preferred to ignore these things. He thought too of confessions that he should make. How long before his angina would blossom into the heart attack that killed him? He spent a while in silence on his knees, all the while clutching Joseph’s confession in his hand as his lips moved in silent prayer. At the end he stood up and took the documents to a large wooden box that stood on a cabinet. He laid them, with the envelope containing the codicil, at the bottom of the box. On top of them he placed the chalice and communion plate that he had taken to the island. He had used them well after all. Joseph would die in a state of grace. He crossed himself and closed the lid. There was no lock or key to protect the documents but no one knew they were in his keeping save for those present at the signing of the will. Only the lawyer was an outsider and his silence would have been handsomely bought. Father Piontius could not think of a better place to secrete the documents.

  20

  Kia stroked his head gently. He had fallen asleep immediately after his orgasm. The effort had exhausted him and also taxed Kia’s skills. There was no greater proof of his failing health. It was a weakness that would become more difficult to disguise as the days passed. He would not take it well, that much she knew. Other weaknesses would follow until he lay struggling for breath, as death approached. Or perhaps he would concede to oxygen and a pain relief that dulled his senses into unconsciousness. Whatever the picture, it was one to which he would not want to succumb. She lay beside him and dozed intermittently as evening approached, watching him until he roused. As she drifted back to full consciousness she saw him leaning over her.

  ‘You are beautiful when you are asleep,’ he said and kissed her lightly. He coughed and turned away while the spasm lasted. They lay back again.

  ‘I won’t be able to hide my illness much longer.’

  ‘What do you want to do?’

  ‘I’ve decided to choose the moment I die. I want to go with dignity. It’s the only way.’

  Kia’s heartbeat filled every corner of her body.

  ‘You mean you’ll take your own life?’

  ‘I must. I’ve already made arrangements. It’s just a question of choosing the time.’

  ‘Will it be soon?’ A tear sprung up in the corner of her eye. She blinked and it escaped down her face.

  ‘Not yet, Kia. We have a few more days, I think. Now come closer to me and I’ll tell you how it will be.’

  When he had finished, he cautioned her.

  ‘You’re not to tell anyone. Promise me.’

  Kia did not answer immediately. Her body moved restlessly and she sat up, leanin
g her head in her hands.

  ‘What’s the matter Kia?’

  ‘Of course I won’t tell anyone,’ she answered, ‘but you want me to go to that priest?’

  ‘He’ll help you Kia.’

  ‘How can I trust him?’

  ‘He won’t betray you. You mustn’t judge him without all the facts. Trust me.’

  She looked at his face, become lined and pale so quickly.

  ‘Very well.’

  He laid a long kiss on her lips and let his hands run over her body. She welcomed his touch and gave back to him with her own hands what she received from him. She felt his fingers enter her and play around the walls of her vagina, seeking out the spot where her own pleasure lay. She let him bring her to her own climax and then turned to him.

  ‘Later, Kia,’ he said and fell again into a light sleep.

  21

  The bar was already beginning to become crowded and conversation was at full volume to overcome the music that pumped continuously through the room. The sound of a champagne cork could be heard exploding across the bar.

  ‘Fi, you should’ve let the barman do it,’ said David. ‘You nearly broke the mirror behind the bar.’

  It had been a near miss but Fi was unapologetic.

  ‘Can’t let a bonus celebration go unannounced.’

  ‘Meaning the destruction of the bar.’

  ‘Don’t exaggerate, David. Now have a glass. I’m glad you could make it.’