Enigma of the Soul - Book 1 - Pieces

by Cassidy LionHeart

  Over the next couple of days, David and Zaria take walks through the city parks and enjoy the scenery. Occasionally stopping, watching the children play or the ducks swim in the pond. Zaria listens to David talk about his family as he makes each family member stand out. At the end of each person's story, David sheds a couple of tears for them.

  Zaria would end each day with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She would also whisper in David’s ear, forgive yourself because it was not his fault his family is dead.

  Everyday David would nod his head and wipe the tears away. In the evening, he would walk to the hotel that he was staying at and lie in his bed with his eyes closed to see his loved ones once more.

  Alfonzo has watched over David this whole time. Her job was simple. Keep an eye on David to keep him out of trouble and protect him from anything that could come his way, including young women posing as a friend. Trusting Zaria scarcely, Alfonzo scrutinizes Zaria’s every move.

  Within a week, David feels better about himself, and knows that talking to Zaria is making the difference. Everything has become colorful once more accept himself. David stills sees himself as gray, and this puzzles him.

  'Why has my world changed back to color, but left me gray? What do I have to do in order for this change?'

  David splashes water on his face to help himself wake up. Little droplets form on the tip of his chin as David stares into the mirror obvious to Alfonzo's presence.

  Sitting on a small shelf in the bathroom, Alfonzo notices that there is a happier step in David's walk.

  “I've watched you and that woman. I don't trust her in the least. Stop talking to her and leave behind this little speck of a town.”

  “I trust Zaria. She has transformed so much of my life that I can not and will not leave her just to satisfy you. This is my final choice and word about this subject,” David replies as he wipes off the water on his face.

  An angry tone comes across Alfonzo's voice. “So you make all the decisions now? You don't want to come to me about your life anymore? You think that you have it all worked out now? Little human Zaria is going to change your life for the better. Everything has changed in your world now. I don't need a phoenix in my life helping me out. I can do this all on my own, without the help from a Halfling.”

  Alfonzo goes back to her angry tone, “You just go right ahead and try to figure out the last of your problems on your own.”

  Alfonzo wings stretch, “Oh, you didn't think that I didn't know. Well I know, and I have the answer to your gray vision problem. When the time is right, you will let me know that you wish to talk to me. Ta-ta for now.”

  David just stares into the mirror looking back Alfonzo. Alfonzo leaves and David's heart drops to the floor. All this time, Alfonzo knew and said nothing. The only question is now, what else does Alfonzo know but is not telling.

  A knock on David's front door startles him as he thinks about what Alfonzo had said. In a split second, David remembers who would be at the front door. He had agreed to take Zaria on a boat ride through the city. Fixing his shirt and making sure, that he looks his best, David rushes around like a mad rabbit. The sound of knocking echoes throughout the tiny room he is staying.

  David yells he’s coming then rushes to the front door.

  Swinging the door open in a hurry, he almost takes it off its hinges. David greets Zaria, surprising her with such enthusiasm.

  He bows to her, “My lady, the ship will leave sharply at ten o'clock and not a moment too soon.”

  “Don't you mean too late?” Zaria appears puzzled.

  “No, my lady, to soon is too late because that is when we have to leave,” David smiles at Zaria as he puts out his arm to guide her to the boat. She smiles back at him as they walk arm in arm.

  Arriving at the private boat dock, David and Zaria greet the captain before boarding. The boat is of average size, sixteen feet in length with seating for up to four people and two seats per side. The captain of the boat stands on the back and pushes the boat along with one long oar. The boat did not move very fast, so the passengers could enjoy the ride and scenery. David and Zaria sat close together as they chatted the afternoon away.

  “Since I have met you, my whole world has changed, and now I am a changed person because of you. I would love to take what little time we have left together and spend every moment looking deeply into your eyes.” David moves the hair away from Zaria’s face, “Dear God, your eyes are breathtaking.”

  Zaria feels a tingling sensation shoot throughout her body. Her breathing becomes heavier with every word that David speaks, “Is there something on your mind? Is there something that you would like to share with me?”

  Flying overhead, Alfonzo monitors David and Zaria as they touch and laugh, flirting at each other. This only fuels the fire within Alfonzo.

  “I love spending time with you. There are hundreds of places, each has it's own look and feel, that I would love to show you.” Zaria looks up at the gondolier and tells him, “Can you take us to the Rialto Bridge?”

  “Madam that bridge is in disrepair.”

  “I know that, young sir, but my companion has never seen it. What would happen if he died today and never sees such a wonderful sight. Do you think that his life would be fulfilled if he never seen such an incredible sight? I think not. Besides, if you go, I will double your fee for the extra time for taking us,” Zaria bats her eyes and gives him a sad puppy dog look.

  “Deal.”

  The gondolier steers the gondola towards the Rialto Bridge, hoping to cash in on his newly acquired fare. He takes a shortcut, around most of the construction for the bridge by rounding the corner of a smaller building to cut down its access way.

  Boats fill boat docks as workers unload supplies for the local markets and restaurants. People dine at riverside cafes as they watch crews on boats and land-mounted cranes work to clean up the mess of the fallen bridge. A joyous day turned into tragedy within a matter of minutes for hundreds of people watching one of the largest boat parades in history. The Rialto Bridge, collapsed with too much weight and fell into the river, killing many people on the bridge and on the boats. A holiday Zaria will remember forever.

  Zaria was one of the lucky ones standing on the land's edge of the bridge when it happened. She did not get hurt, but her parents watched the sight of the falling bridge in horror. Coming back to the Rialto Bridge, Zaria pays her respects to all that died that day.

  The gondolier rows the gondola as close as he can. David and Zaria observe the workers as they hoist large, broken timbers into the air and on to ships waiting to remove them.

  Alfonzo lands on top of a building's ledge overlooking the river way and uses demonic powers to cloak. Alfonzo watches everyone. Making a sweep of the area across from David and Zaria, Alfonzo sees a figure that does not belong on the streets. No one seems to notice this figure starring at David and Zaria’s gondola. Not making any movements, Alfonzo decides to wait and let the figure make the first move.

  Death stands on the edge of the pier, staring at her target. She thinks of how boring her life has become over the last couple thousand years. Her soul yearns for excitement and not the tedious job she has to repeat. Then idea fills her soul with delight.

  One of the rules that God gave her, ‘As long as no one else dies that is on your list. You can do whatever is necessary to collect the souls that are on your list.’

  A huge grin comes across Death's headless face.

  'Time to have some fun,' Death thinks as she reaches into her robe.

  A short white stick emerges in her hand and she taps on an imagery podium as she conducts an invisible orchestra.

  “Let the mayhem begin.”

  David and Zaria are chatting with their gondolier paying no attention to the mayhem that is starting around them. Workers scramble to tie down ropes that have broken. Large pieces of wood swing like dancing ballerinas in their last act. A couple of workers fall into the water while trying to maintain control over the cr
ane cables carrying large pieces of wreckage. People walking close to the bridge and surrounding areas start to panic. Only after a couple of boats and gondolas try to escape do David, Zaria, and the gondolier become alarmed.

  A huge broken board flies through the air close enough to touch. The wind strokes their cheeks and frightens them. The gondolier scrambles to turn his boat around. As the gondola rotates, it bumps into a couple of other boats. The men on each boat frantically try to release the hold on their boats as piece after piece of broken wood flies over their heads.

  David and Zaria are frozen with fear as they both watch the chaos happening all around them.

  Alfonzo watches David and Zaria to make sure that no harm comes to them.

  Death, relishing in all the fun that she is having, flicks her wrist, and giant wooden beam soars through the air. It crashes on three boats. David, Zaria, and the gondolier drop into the water like giant stones. Seeing what she has accomplished, Death disappears from the scene.

  David and Zaria fight to make it to the surface. Debris rains down around them as if Death was taking aim to collect a large amount of souls at one time. David and Zaria dodge boat paddles, broken wood from the bridge, shrapnel from boats, and even people sinking in the water. David, being a great swimmer, has no trouble making it to the surface. Zaria almost makes it, but a large chunk of a boat pushes her back down. Trapped under the heavy piece, Zaria’s air supply is quickly running out as she tries to free herself. David looks around and realizes that Zaria is missing. He dives back down into the water, determined to save Zaria. He searches the spot where their boat sank and finds nothing. Circling farther out from the site, David finds more broken wood and broken pieces of boats. He closes his eyes and focuses in on Zaria. David tries to feel for Zaria but has no luck. Unexpectedly David feels a tugging on his pant leg. He opens his eyes to see Zaria stuck directly below him and drowning quickly.

  Diving down to Zaria’s location, David sees the predicament they are facing. Low on air, Zaria stares deep into David's eyes, and mouths the word, sorry. David never gives up for a second. He moves around to Zaria’s side of the boat and positions himself to push with his legs. Pushing with all of his might, David moves the chunk of wreckage an inch.

  'I wished that I had some help right now.'

  David puts his mouth to Zaria’s mouth to blow his last bit of air into her lungs. If he is going to die now, he will not be alone. Zaria opens her eyes as oxygen fills her lungs. She smiles back at David, knowing what he is preparing to do. David and Zaria tears help to fill the river that they may call their future home.

  Looking over his side, David feels someone staring straight at him and Zaria. Death's faceless hood is inches away from David's face. David gazes into the dark emptiness of Death's hollow hood. Death gazes from David, to Zaria, and back to David again. She floats to the front of the wreckage and pulls out her scythe. With one clean swipe, Death chops through the wreckage like it was butter and her scythe was a hot knife. Nodding her head, Death disappears to collect the soul that she was after.

  David and Zaria swim to the surface and feel relieved to breathe fresh air once again. They swim to the edge of a nearby boat dock and are helped out of the water. They ask about their gondolier, but no one has seen him. No one knew who he was or if he had made it out of the river.

  David and Zaria confirm what they both know now. Death was after their gondolier, and just maybe, Death has a heart.

  One week later, David and Zaria are walking down the aisle in their wedding. Both have no one else to stand up for them. No family, friends, or even close acquaintances to witness this joyous occasion.

  Growing up, Zaria was one of the many orphans raised by nuns. She kept to herself for a long time until she met a girl named Sandra. Sandra and Zaria were best friends for many years at the orphanage. But one day, Sandra grew sick and passed away a couple of days later. Zaria watched Sandra's casket lower into the ground. She knew then that she must live each day to the fullest.

  David, on the other hand, had only himself to care for because all of his family was gone. He traveled the world with his new powers only to be lonely in the end. His soul aches for someone. He wants to follow in his parents footsteps and have a similar relationship. The darkness that fills David's world quickly lifted the day he met Zaria. He would not think about all the sadness that quickly filled up his life. He is now looking into the future with hope and love.

  With the preacher reading from the holy book as the wedding nears the end, David and Zaria gaze deeply into each other’s eyes, feeling only love fill their hearts. With the reading of the vows that they created, the preacher declares them husband and wife. They kiss passionately. A couple of minutes later, the preacher clears his throat to get their attention. David and Zaria walk out of the church giggling because they made the preacher blush with their kiss. They head towards their apartment, beginning their new life together as Mr. and Mrs. Turner.

  Months go by as the two lovebirds pass the time with smiling faces. David and Zaria live in Zaria’s small, but quaint, one bedroom apartment outside of Venice. They both tend to Zaria’s fruit stand and take turns waiting on the customers, laughing without a care in the world. David and Zaria have the best life that they have ever had in a long time.

  Zaria wakes up in the middle of the night with something troubling her. Trying not to disturb David, she tiptoes into the main room and sits in her favorite chair. Staring out the window, Zaria thinks about all the great times that they shared so far. But that is not what is troubling her.

  Zaria questions herself, 'Am I to blame? Am I some how broken and just don't know it? Is there something wrong with me? Why can't I conceive a child?'

  David walks into the room after realizing Zaria is not in bed next to him. He puts his hand on her shoulder.

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “Please tell me that I am not broken,” Zaria says as she just stares out the window.

  “You're not. Now, why are you thinking that?”

  “Because I am not pregnant yet.” Zaria begins to cry.

  David puts his arms around Zaria then kisses and hugs her.

  “If you come back to bed, I promise to find the answer in the morning,” David stands up, takes Zaria’s hand in his, and leads her back to bed.

  Dawn shines upon David's eyes lids to wake him. Going out into the main room, David opens the large windows to let in fresh air. With a bowl of water in hand, David waters the flowers that he and Zaria planted the day after they married. David looks forward as he feels a familiar presence.

  “How long have you been watching us?”

  “Long enough, to know that something is terrible wrong with your marriage that you wish not to tell,” Alfonzo replies.

  “What do you know about my marriage?” David keeps looking forward just in case Zaria wakes up.

  “I know that you have not told her about me. I know that you have not told her about the deal that we made. I know that she thinks that you are human and nothing more than that. I also know the answer that you seek for your new bride.”

  “What is the answer?” David replies.

  “Who are you talking to my love?” Zaria speaks up.

  “No one, my love. I was just talking to myself,” David turns to face Zaria. He gives her a hug and a kiss.

  David hears Alfonzo in his head. 'If you wish to know the answer to Zaria’s question, you must come with me to find out the answer. You must lie to her, now, and leave her. Make your choice.'

  David does not want to lie to his warmhearted companion. He is truly wedged with a hard decision. Nevertheless, he must lie to Zaria to find out the truth.

  “Zaria, I must leave for a couple of days, but I will be back with more answers to our problem,” David cannot believe what he is doing.

  ‘Honorable David, meet me around the back of the building,' Alfonzo says in David's head.

  Once around the back of the building, Alfonzo teases David a
bout taking to long even though it was just a couple of minutes. Preparing himself for a long journey, David does some stretches and jumps around a bit. Alfonzo stares at him

  Stopping in mid-step, David looks at Alfonzo, “What?”

  “Are you ready?” Alfonzo asks.

  “No, but if we must go now. I guess I'm ready,” David returns the sass Alfonzo gave him.

  “Good! Let’s get going.” Alfonzo hovers above David's head, glows red, and absorbs him.

  Shocked at what just happened he questions Alfonzo. “What did you just do? And how did you do that?”

  “Remember when you were depressed and you told me to take you some place so you could morn over your family.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well I tried this on a whim and it worked. After that, I discovered that we could merge our two bodies together at anytime. I think that this is one of the side effects of us merging our souls together. I have also been able to see through your eyes at anytime since then. I can see everything that you see and vice versa,” Alfonzo lifts off the ground and hovers over David's building.

  “So I can see through your eyes at anytime? How do I do this? Do I recite something or move my hands a certain way?”

  “No, just think about it, and you will automatically do it.”

  David looks away into the distance to see only blurred outlines. He waits for a couple of seconds and then the buildings that are miles away become clear with fine detail.

  “Unbelievable! It's like I'm standing right next to those buildings. I can see the dust on the grout line between the stones on the walls. This is amazing! When did you find out about this?”

  “The same day that you saw Death for the first time.”

  “I think that this is just the beginning. Take me to your home and tell me more about what you know.” David says still looking at everything.

  Alfonzo and David leave with an eruption of speed that leaves hot air swirling in a horizontal funnel. They head in the direction of Alfonzo's home. David returns to a place that he cannot remember due to the depressed state that he was in when Alfonzo last took him there. This time David sees Alfonzo's home in all of its glory. They travel over cities, lakes, one ocean, and vast green lands that lead straight into mountainous landscape. Snow covered mountains spread out as far as the eye can see. Diving into a valley, they follow a blue river with red streaks in it.