Redemption (Night Marchers #2) Written by: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels

by Nuckels, Courtney

  "Yeah, she's a piece of work Emma. It took three of us to hold her back from running after you when you took off on that boat with Kao. She was not having that." Paul says. But instead of annoyance, he gives Kaylee a look of utter admiration. Hmm, I guess Paul has a new crush. I giggle at the thought.

  "Yeah, well I didn't like not being close enough to back my girl up." She smirks at me. "Paul's pretty strong you know." She gives his biceps a playful squeeze and Paul blushes from head to toe.

  "I'm sure." I say laughing.

  Kaylee looks over my shoulder behind me, "So you must be Kai. You look much hotter than your scumbag brother."

  "Kaylee!" I say punching her lightly on the shoulder.

  "What? It's true." Kaylee says. I turn so that I'm not blocking the two of them.

  "You must be Kaylee." Kai says jokingly. He extends his hand and they both shake.

  I look behind Kaylee to where Tristan is standing not too far off. "Why don't you two get to know each other for a few minutes. I need to speak to someone." They nod then go straight into talking.

  I walk over to Tristan who is staring at me intently. "Hey there." I say.

  "Hey," he says a little quietly like he's not sure what to say.

  "Tristan, I'm sorry I hurt you today. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I mean for you to have to overhear..." I don't know what I should say. My heart races knowing how much is riding on this conversation. I can't bear to lose Tristan altogether. I know that we can't be together the way he may want, but I want him in my life as my friend.

  "Emma..." It sounds like on one hand he wants to say it's okay, don't explain and then on the other he needs an explanation.

  I try again. "I didn't know how I felt, not until I saw him yesterday Tristan. I would never have led you on if I truly knew. I care for you so much and I never meant to hurt you." I start tearing up so I take a moment to take some deep breaths to clear some of the emotion. The last thing I want right now is for Tristan to have to comfort me. Once I'm sure the tears are put away where they belong I continue. "I love him, but I love you too Tristan."

  His eyes grow big and confused. I realize I need to clarify before I spark false hope inside him. "My love for you is different Tristan. I mean, you are amazing and I can't imagine not having you in my life..." I don't know how to explain it. I see in his eyes that I need to try though. I end up speaking way too fast saying: "I don't want to say that I love you like a brother, cause that would be a lie. You are insanely attractive and our kisses were amazing so that would be pretty sick... I just... I didn't expect to fall in love with Kai. When we met though it was like I didn't have a choice, not that I would have wanted a choice, but it was like we were meant to be together. Like we were missing puzzle pieces in life…we just fit. I know that's not what you want to hear, but know I still love you. Now it has to be a friend type of love. I want you in my life. I can't stand the thought of having you hate me but if you want me to never speak to you again I understand." I finish out of breath and flustered. As much as I didn’t want to hurt Tristan, I still have to say it feels really good being truly honest with him.

  Tristan stays silent for a moment taking it all in. I get so nervous that I start to sweat. Maybe he's not even going to respond. I ready myself; this could be the last time I will ever talk to Tristan. If that's what he wants, that is.

  Thankfully he speaks up, "I'm not going to lie and say that I don't love you, or that I'm not hurt. I am going to say though that because I love you, I want the best for you. I was there when Kai came to save you. I saw the way he looked at you and how he took care of you. If I had seen anything other than absolute irrevocable love on his face, I would not step aside." He lifts his hand up to my face. "If he is what makes you happy, I will not stand in the way." He leans down and kisses me quickly on the lips. It's a gentle last kiss. "I will always love you though Emma. If I am forced to a fate of loving you as a friend forever, then that is a fate I can live with." He smiles just enough to show me that this can work.

  My heart leaps with joy and I exhale a breath of relief. "Tristan, I don't deserve you."

  "Hey, don't sell yourself short babe." He winces a small bit at the word babe. It's going to take a while to get used to this. All that matters is that we try though. He breaks the semi uncomfortable silence by saying, "Um, I have someone I want you to meet."

  A man Tristan's age steps up beside him.

  "Noa!" I yell in excitement.

  "Um, hi. Have we met before?" His eyebrows furrow over my impromptu notification that I already know who he is.

  "Not really, I mean, I'm a friend of the family. I've seen your picture and Tristan told me about you." I pull him into a hug because that's what Texans do and because he looks like he can use it. Reluctantly he returns the hug so I don’t linger.

  I notice a few torches descending down the side of the cliff where we just came from and involuntarily I shutter. I could go a lifetime without seeing another torch. When they get closer I can tell they aren’t Night Marchers though because they are scattered, sporadic and well, short.

  Eve comes to stand beside me and takes my hand in hers. “Since this is all over, and everyone is here, I figured we could give a final goodbye to Adam. I know he would love to have been part of this wonderful redemption of so many lost souls." She gives my hand a small squeeze and walks over to meet the other Menehunes who just descended down the hill. They were the ones I saw carrying the torches down to the surf. Four Menehunes, two on each side, carry a small wooden casket measuring no more than four feet in length. There is an array of different brightly colored Hawaiian flowers lining the outside of the box. Each of the Menehune's carrying it wears a matching leafy necklace and hairpiece made of flowers. I recognize the leaves that adorn the box and the Menehune's necklaces. They belong to the Ti plant, which is said to ward off evil spirits. I think I need to make one of those a permanent part of my wardrobe from this point forward.

  I watch as they solemnly place the casket on the beach carefully and gather around behind it. Eve places her hand on it then looks over to the crowd and smiles. Even through her smile I can sense her pain.

  “If I could have your attention please?” Eve announces. She may be small but her voice envelops a powerful tone that demands authority. Everyone grows silent and turns towards her. “As you all know my husband has passed on..." She pauses to collect herself. I'm sure announcing this fact in front of her gathered loved ones makes it seem all the more final. "I can’t tell you that I’m okay, because I am not. We were married for a very long time. If you asked him how long, he would have said: forever." She chuckles sadly at the memory. "Adam was my best friend, my confidant, my partner in crime, my uhane hoa, soul mate.” Through the firelight I can see a small tear run down her brave face. She wipes the tear away quickly and continues. “But, this is not a time for sadness, this is a time for celebration. Tonight we have many things to celebrate: Adam’s life, the redemption of the innocents, and the return of our adopted son Kai.” She gives Kai a sincere smile then finishes addressing the crowd. “If you don’t mind I would like to share a few words with you in honor of my late husband Adam.” She reaches into her pants pocket, pulls out a small piece of paper and unfolds it. “As I stand before you now, I want you to remember my husband Adam. As you all know, life is a very precious gift that we sometimes take for granted. Many of you here tonight remember Adam. Most of you knew him as the strong and grounded man he appeared to be, but I knew he was more than that. He was a man of emotions who I know loved me for who I was and that love never waivered. This is a letter I wrote to my husband so everyone will be able to hear how much he will be missed.” Eve holds the piece of paper closer to her face and begins to read. “To my dearest Adam: A small squeeze of the hand or a hug from you always let me know I was loved and that you were there for me. You always knew what to say to make me laugh, and for that I am ever grateful. I was proud of you everyday you were with me; I was proud to call you my
husband. You left your mark on the world, and I know I am not the only one who misses you. You are and always will be my soul mate and my inspiration. No one will ever be able to fill your shoes much less take your space. You were my steadfast rock that helped me through thick and thin. Adam, you may now be with the angels, but I know you are able to look down on us with a bigger than life smile on your face. Now I have to say my final goodbye to you, my lover, my husband, and my best friend. You are and always will be forever in my heart. Love always, Your Eve." She folds the papers up, her face glistening with tears. The crowd of people remains stoically silent as she places the letter among the flowers atop the box.

  Nearby Menehunes gather closer around the box; some of them skim their hand across the top. Eve kisses her hand and places it affectionately on the lid near where Adam's heart would be. She takes a deep breath then looks up, “Now, lets get this party started!”

  My eyes grow larger than my face as some Menehune's break out their instruments and strike up a happy beat and others begin to dance joyfully. Across the beach I hear the corks pop simultaneously on several bottles of Champaign. The humans that are standing around me are not sure what’s going on; I can see it from their faces...They have the same look as I do.

  Paul wanders over to where we’re standing and holds his hand out to Kaylee, “My lady, may I have this dance?” He bows at the middle like a proper gentleman and straightens back up looking at Kaylee intently.

  I stifle a giggle and wait for her response. “Oh, why not.” Kaylee replies and takes Paul’s hand in hers. But instead of Paul leading her to the dancing area, Kaylee is in the lead almost dragging Paul along.

  I feel Kai’s arms wrap slowly around my middle as he turns me towards him. “Emma,” Kai breathes in my ear.

  “Yes Kai,” I barely manage to say. My heart is hammering in my chest at Kai’s proximity.

  “May I have this dance?”

  I simply nod my head in response. He picks me up and holds me close as he twirls me around once then sets me back down on my own two feet.

  I smile up at him still encased in his arms. “I love you Kai.” I say knowing that in this moment, everything is right in the world. He leads me to the dancing area, a not so makeshift wood dance floor. At first I'm surprised to see it here in the middle of the beach, like it materialized out of thin air. Then I remind myself that the Menehune's did what they do best: build speedily without anyone noticing.

  Kai expertly twirls me around the other dancers on the floor. Holding me tight he begins whispering in my ear things meant for me and me alone to hear. I melt in his arms as the energy I have grown to love encircles us. While this is unlike any other ‘funeral’ I have ever been to, it is most certainty the most memorable. I nestle my head on Kai’s chest and let all my cares and worries melt.

  We spend the night dancing under the stars and I bend Kai's ear telling him all about how my dad sent me to Dallas and Kaylee and I sneaking back the following day. I find myself kind of enchanted watching Kai's face run through a gambit of emotions as I tell the story of my mission to save him. I see love, admiration, pride and anger, sadness and a bit of shame. He lets me know that the latter feelings were due to him not being able to save me.

  Later that evening, as the party dies down the musician’s take their place by Adam’s casket again. Eve joins them at the head of the group. Kai excuses himself so he can stand at Eve's side. He drapes his oversized arm across her tiny delicate shoulder as everyone lines up to take their turn saying their final peace. Instead of heart wrenching goodbyes each person recalls a joyful memory of Adam. No one cries or seems distressed; they are accepting what is and allowing life to move on. I listen as they regale times of engineering adventures and talk about arguments regarding who has the best glass smashing skills. With each story, Eve's face lights up a little more. When it's my turn I share about how Adam had to throw a mini life preserver to me when Kai and I showed up in the middle of their town canal. Boy was I surprised at the size of that 'arm floatie.' Eve enjoyed the story and when I was done she grabbed my hand and pulled me to her side so that now Kai and I were surrounding her. I can't help but feel honored that she wants me to be at her side during this time.

  When everyone is through sharing, Eve says as if talking directly to Adam himself: "Do you remember how you always called me ‘Woman’? It used to get under my skin and drive me crazy. It's funny how the things that annoyed you the most are the things that you will miss when they are gone." She smiles halfway then bends over the casket and rests her arms over both sides hugging it like a small child. She holds onto it for a few seconds and then she places a small kiss on the top.

  As she stands up the four Menehune's who carried the casket pick it up and begin heading for the water. They wade into the water until it is up to their chests, then lay the casket in the ocean and gave it a small push. We all watch as the coffin is set afloat, being carried out to sea by the waves of the vast ocean.

  “Bye Adam. You will be missed.” I whisper into the wind.

  From behind me a hauntingly beautiful song in a language I've never heard before is sung melodically by all of the Menehune's. A flame catches my eye and I turn just in time to see an archer pull a flaming arrow onto his bow. He releases it and the crowd follows it's path until it hits the casket. We watch as the light of the fire overtakes it until it sinks to become one with the ocean.

  When the flames in the Pacific are no more, an older gentleman Menehune with silver hair calls the crowd to attention. He holds his hand out to Eve who accepts it. He says to her, "The Elders and I have been turning the pages for days now trying to find a name suitable enough for you."

  I look to Kai who has a sad yet understanding look on his face. He quietly whispers to me, "Without an Adam, there would have been no Eve."

  Still not understanding I look at him then back to the Menehune gentleman and Eve. The man continues, "If you wish to accept it, we have chosen your new name," He pauses then says, "Tabitha."

  The crowd oohs and ahs as if it is one of the most prized names of all. I try to figure out who Tabitha was in literature. The Menehune's have a standing tradition to choose a name that coincides with a figure in literature.

  "An Emblem of beauty." Eve says a tear running down her cheek. "I am honored, thank you."

  The crowd breaks out in a loud ongoing round of applause.

  I continue trying to place the name in my head. Then a light bulb goes off as I remember the Bible story of the widow Dorcas whom everyone loved. She died but her friends believed that God could bring her back. They sent for Peter and told him all about the ways that Dorcas had helped all of the widows and believers. Peter heard them and got down on his knees to pray. Then he said, "Tabitha get up." She opened her eyes and sat up. God had restored her to life. Peter took her by the hand, helped her to her feet and presented her to her friends. Dorcas was considered beautiful in God's sight. Her love and good deeds that she did for others did not go unnoticed. With that she was bestowed a new name, Tabitha.

  I smile realizing what a befitting and lovely new name that is for Eve. All of the Menehunes begin gathering around Tabitha to congratulate her. Tabitha glows from all the attention; she looks at peace now.

  Kai and I stand back and watch the celebration from a distance. Kaylee, Tristan and Noa come up to stand next to us. We hadn't seen much of them during the party and the ceremony. I think Paul must have been occupying Kaylee, or the other way around. I had noticed Tristan and Noa sitting at the edge of the beach off in the distance for most of the evening. I'm sure they had a lot to catch up on. Tristan is the first to speak. “Well, I think it’s safe to say that we need to get you girls home. I guess the question is, which home?”

  Kaylee and I share a quick glance both hoping the other has an idea. None come to mind and we end up standing there looking dumbfounded. We hadn't even thought about what we would do once we completed our mission. My heart soars knowing that we did, we completed what we
came here for. I can't deny that there was a huge seed of doubt in the back of my mind; I had not pumped myself up for success. Now is the hard part. Telling my dad, because if I don’t tell him, someone else will.

  Kai ends up breaking the awkward silence. “In life, nothing is better than the truth. Emma, I think first things first. You need to find your father and come clean about what happened.” He takes my hand in his for reassurance. “I will accompany you if you’d like.”

  I conveniently ignore Tristan's rolling eyes. I appreciate how well he took me telling him that I love Kai, but I certainly can't expect that he would be okay with our PDA. I smile at Kai and give his hand a small squeeze. “I think you’re right Kai." Tristan makes a gagging sound so I punch him semi-playfully and semi-seriously on his shoulder.

  I turn to my silent partner in crime. "Kaylee, what about you?”

  Kaylee bites her fingernails, “Who, me? Oh, I’m good. I’m just gonna try and get home before my mom notices I’ve been gone.”

  Tristan speaks up, “I can give you a ride to the airport if you’d like.” Kaylee smiles in return.

  “Well,” I begin, “I guess we can all fit in Tristan’s jeep. You did bring the Jeep, right?”

  Tristan laughs playfully. “Yes, of course I did. We just might have to walk a little to get to it.” With Kai leading the way because of his newfound night vision we slowly make our way to the Jeep.

  It seems like hours, if not days of hiking in almost complete darkness before we reach the clearing where Tristan’s jeep is parked. I don’t care though, I’m still elated at having Kai’s hand in mine.

  I watch as Kai stands there staring at the Jeep with a look of bewilderment on his face. Then it dawns on me. I don’t think Kai has ever been in a vehicle before.

  "Is this your first time to...you know?" I ask Kai.

  He looks at me at first seriously and then breaks out laughing. He leans in so closely that only I can hear him. He whispers into my ear, "I was here when the first car was brought onto the island." He gives me a gentle kiss on the ear, which sends goose bumps spiraling across my skin. He leans back and smiles unabashedly at me.