Blind Hero

by Nix Whittaker

  Toa paused and turned to her. He touched her cheek. It hurt to be this close to her and have to walk away. But he had obligations that couldn’t wait. Her hand raised to cover his hand. He sighed and pulled away.

  Toa picked up his bag and headed for the door and out of this dream place.

  ___

  Megan was desperate. She didn’t want him to leave, but she knew if she didn’t fix this he would. She was a fool to want to keep him around even if he really didn’t care for her as she did for him.

  She caught his arm and pulled him back towards her. “Don’t go yet. Let me come up with a plan.”

  “Time will only make this worse.” His voice showed his agony.

  “A day,” Megan begged.

  Toa touched her cheek with his fingers and smiled softly.

  “A day then.”

  She had the impression he was talking more to himself though.

  He put his bag down. She sighed with relief. Now she had to find out what to do to make sure he didn’t leave. This was a problem; she couldn’t figure out on her own.

  Megan took his hand. “We need to ask the others. They might know what to do.”

  It was late, but they found Natasha and Warren sitting downstairs by an electric fireplace. They appeared cosy but they didn’t appear annoyed that they were interrupting.

  Without any preamble Megan said, “The Edgers don’t like Toa being here and they want him to leave. One of them threatened Toa.”

  Natasha growled, “Who? Was it that damn prank at the warehouse today?”

  Megan asked, confused, “What prank?”

  Toa waved it off with a flick of his hand. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Natasha got to her feet. “This town exists because of my family. I take offense that anyone would believe that they think they have the right to tell someone who lives in my house he is not welcome.”

  Warren caught her hand and made her sit down. “Hush, love. We all agree. But he is right, he needs to do something to stay. People are usually wary of strangers with no ties to the community.”

  Natasha nodded. “Yes, he can marry Megan. That will give him ties to the town.”

  Toa coughed and managed to say in a strangled voice, “Marry?”

  Megan laughed. “Of course. That is how your dad was accepted here.”

  Natasha nodded. “Yip. He was Russian through and through and even though he provided life-saving water, it was because he had married my mother that he was accepted in this town. Even his brother had to marry before people stopped giving him sideways glances. So Toa you marry Megan and you won’t have any problem staying.”

  Megan turned to him and held both of his hands. “This is perfect. You can send to your family and they can come here. They will be family so they will be accepted. Oh, we will have a lovely wedding. A big lunch and we can have dancing.”

  His face appeared pained and she said, “Toa?”

  Toa said in a bland voice that hid his emotion. “Only if we get married tomorrow.”

  Confused by his stipulation Megan said, “I suppose quicker the better. We can have another ceremony in the city with the whole family. They are a bit scattered so it’s going to take a while to get them all in the same place anyway.”

  Megan wondered if he was really worried about what the others would do and that was why he wanted to rush the wedding. She was disappointed for a moment. She stared at him for a long while. Then realised it would be worth it if she could have him. Even if it was a marriage of convenience.

  She glanced at her sister-in-law and her brother and tugged on Toa’s hand so they left the room.

  Megan said in a soft voice so the others wouldn’t hear, “I know this is all very sudden, but I know you are a good man and I am attracted to you. You don’t really need much more for a good marriage.”

  Toa reached up and touched her cheek. “You are a lovely woman.”

  Megan smiled at the simple but sincere compliment. His fingers ran through her hair.

  Megan asked, “So do you want to give this an honest go?”

  Toa hesitated, then bowed his head slowly and brushed his lips over hers. Her heart tripped and stumbled. He pulled back and said softly. “I would do anything for you, Megan. Anything.”

  ___

  They held the wedding in one of the large reception rooms Warren recently had renovated. The reception room was decorated with flowers from the small glass house Warren had put up as tribute to his parents. Megan thought he had only built it to put all the plants their father insisted on giving them.

  Megan’s nephew carried the rings and her niece threw confetti. Megan had flowers in her hair. Though neither her or her brother were into plants like their father they had been given enough plants by their father to have a few flowers around but not enough for the flower girl to throw real petals.

  There were a few people there, but clearly the Edgers didn’t like the idea of Toa being one of them because the only people there were directly connected to the family.

  Josh asked, “Are you sure of this?”

  Megan smiled at him. “It’s a little late for regrets, Josh.”

  She studied at the plain gold ring on her finger. She was sure. Strangely enough, she didn’t have any doubts.

  Megan patted his arm. “Don’t worry so much, Josh. It will be fine.”

  Natasha came behind them. “Trust us, Josh, we know what we are doing.”

  Josh glared at her and Natasha laughed. “I can tell he is a good guy.” Natasha tapped the side of her head to indicate she meant her sight.

  Josh said, “I heard he got into a fight with several men and took them all down without a sweat.”

  Natasha got angry very quickly and growled, “Are those the idiots who tried to set fire to my warehouse? They could have caused a lot of trouble. They could have damaged the shield. Only a moron uses fire inside a weather shield.”

  Josh flushed and muttered something before he wandered off. It must be hard to sit on the fence between them and the people in the town.

  Megan shook her head a little at the way Natasha defended her. “You don’t have to be so gung ho. I’m sure when he thinks about it, he will see this is the right thing to do.”

  Natasha asked, “You alright with all this? I mean he really is a stranger. You have known him, what four days? I’m not sure that will be long enough to, well…”

  Natasha blushed and cleared her throat. “I hope you aren’t going to rush is all.”

  Megan chuckled and reassured her. “I’m not going to rush anything. Besides, we have all the time in the world. And wasn’t this whole thing your idea?”

  Natasha sighed, still blushing. “Yeah, I know, but it’s still good that you are being cautious.”

  Natasha left then. Toa came to stand next to Megan.

  Megan smiled up at him and asked, “Ready to dance?”

  Toa hesitated, then he took her into his arms and guided them onto the dance floor. It was getting late. It had taken the most of the day to organise the wedding.

  She rested her head on his shoulder as they danced slowly. He smoothed a hand over her hair. “I’m… I’m not sure if I’m ready for… well more,” he said.

  Megan glanced up at him. There was concern written all over his face.

  She smiled at him. “That is alright. I’m not ready for more either. We can take our time to get to know each other. The official stuff is done so you should be accepted. Now the question to ask is do you want to live in the palace or should I build us something else? I was thinking a nice little cottage, but I’m not sure if I’m just swinging the other way for spite so I’ll let you decide.”

  Megan thought he would laugh it off, but he was very serious as he said, “I will need to think about it.”

  She reached up and touched his cheek and asked, “We didn’t rush you, did we? I mean I know you are a good person and I like you. I’m…” she blushed as she continued, “I know we have kissed. I wouldn’t want you to re
gret this union.”

  Toa caught her hand on his cheek and brought it to his lips. He said softly, “There are many things I regret. This won’t be one of them.”

  Megan smiled, pleased with that. She went up on her toes to kiss him. He tightened his arms around her. It warmed her to be able to kiss her husband. Even if it took a little faith to believe they would one day be more than husband and wife in name only.

  ___

  Megan took Toa’s hand as they headed upstairs.

  She said softly, “I know we don’t plan… to um… but can you just stay with me?”

  Toa nodded. His face a little more sombre than she could wish for this moment. He followed her into her bedroom. She was nervous. Megan knew it was a silly thing to feel, but she couldn’t help it.

  Toa drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead. “Get ready for bed, my love.”

  Megan smiled at his tenderness and his understanding. She finished preparing for bed and slipped in under the blankets where he was already waiting. She lay down with her arms around his waist.

  She asked into the quiet darkness, “I suppose it’s silly to ask these kinds of questions now. I mean we are already married. But do you want kids? Are you alright with me working?”

  Toa was quiet for a very long time and Megan wondered if he had already fallen asleep when he said, “I think it’s amazing what you can build. It would be a complete crime to stop you from doing that. For kids. I… well when I was younger, I didn’t want any as I already had enough to look out for let alone to add rug rats to the equation. I know any children you have, will be amazing just like you are.”

  Toa went silent after that. It was the first time their conversation had ever been this awkward. She felt like he was pushing her away like he did the day before.

  It worried her so she asked, “We are alright, aren’t we?”

  Toa shifted and brought his lips to hers. The kiss was light and special. She sighed. Yeah, they were alright. She smiled to herself as she closed her eyes. Megan could get used to this.

  ___

  Something woke Megan in the morning. She reached out for Toa, but the bed was empty. Her eyes shot open. The room was empty as well. She scrambled out of the bed.

  She didn’t bother searching for a note. Even with the sense atramento Toa still hadn’t managed to read or write yet. His clothes were gone. Her heart dropped, but she pushed her feelings away. She wouldn’t jump to any conclusions.

  Megan went across the hall to his room and all his things were gone. She dressed. Fear and worry quickly transforming into anger. How dare he?

  She checked first with the station guard at the train station, but they hadn’t seen him.

  Megan met with Josh where he was looking over some things in his office. She asked without any preamble, “Has the automated gate opened recently?”

  Only Natasha went out that gate and with the wedding, she hadn’t gone out yesterday and she wasn’t up yet for the day.

  Josh frowned and took a sip of his coffee before he said, “Let me check the logs. Is something the matter?”

  Megan shook her head. “Just check for me. If I am right then, yeah, there is a problem, but I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Josh turned to the computer on his desk and pulled up the log.

  His brow wrinkled as he peered over the data. “Yeah, it was opened in the early hours. How the hell did that happen? It should have set off an alarm when it opened during the night hours. We only have one guard on at night and he has to patrol the whole perimeter.”

  Josh turned to her and said, “I take it Toa is gone.”

  She nodded. Her face grim. “But I’m going after him.”

  Josh stood up and caught her arm before she could turn. He said, “Perhaps it’s better this way.”

  Megan pulled her arm away. Josh had never accepted Toa. She couldn’t understand how people could see the refugees as a burden after all this time. Everyone in this world was desperately trying to survive. Surely they should see Toa and his people as kindred spirits instead they made him Other.

  She shook her head. “I want to know why first. I’ll let him go after that. I promise you.”

  Josh sighed. “If you are sure.”

  Megan nodded firmly. She struggled to keep her emotions under the surface. Josh said, “Use one of the work trucks.”

  Megan had intended to, but she was glad that Josh had offered.

  Chapter Seven

  Edge June 2097

  The sun was rising when Megan saw his form in the distance. Toa was further out than she had expected but seeing him now she wasn’t astonished as he was running. Dust kicked up in a small cloud behind him.

  He stopped running when he realised she was there. She pulled the truck up next to him. “What the hell, Toa?”

  Toa turned to her and the truck but didn’t say anything. She didn’t want to argue with him while she was still in the truck so she hopped out. She came around the hood in a storm.

  Throwing up her arms Megan said, “What were you thinking, to just run off like that?”

  Toa still didn’t say anything.

  She continued, her voice choked with emotion, “I thought everything was alright. Why did you leave like that?”

  Megan wiped a hand over her eyes when she realised she was crying angry tears. She huffed, she hated that she couldn’t hide her emotions. She sniffed, taking a modicum of control. “I don’t even know why I bothered to come after you? It’s clear you don’t want to be with me. I am a loser to chase after you in the first bloody place. Go, just go.”

  Megan went to turn away and jump back in the truck when he caught her arm and turned her around. He wrapped his arms around her and she pressed her face against his chest. She sobbed and he let her.

  Toa smoothed a hand over her hair and said softly, “I had to go. I have something I need to see to. I’ll be back. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I need to tie up some loose ends before I can be with you.”

  Megan sniffed and glanced up. “Why couldn’t you have just told me that before you left?”

  Toa shook his head, unable to put his feelings into words. He cupped her cheeks. Whatever he was going to say stalled on his lips.

  He suddenly looked up. A dust column approached them. He could probably smell it in the air and feel the vibrations in the ground as the heavy vehicles travelled over it. She could feel it too, but she hadn’t been paying attention to all of her senses.

  Toa moved her back. “Hurry, we must leave.”

  “Leave?”

  He shoved her towards the driver’s side. “Yes, and we must hurry.”

  Megan jogged around the truck and got in. She was suspicious of the dust cloud as well. But she already knew it was too close. She had just started the truck when the dust cloud formed into a convoy of trucks.

  They circled them. They appeared military so it was unlikely they were raiders. This seemed a bit more organised than what raiders could muster.

  Megan glanced at Toa and asked, “Someone you know?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.” Maybe these were the loose ends he had spoken about.

  A man in a uniform and with a gun ordered them out of the truck. She was cautious to appear harmless as she got out of the truck. They were lined up at gunpoint and a man with brass on his chest approached them. Not that the guns meant much, but there were a lot of soldiers and there was no way they could fight them all off.

  He tilted his head as he took in Toa. “I thought you would be dead by now, boy.”

  “Murphy,” Toa growled.

  Murphy returned the growl as he snapped, “That is General Murphy to you, boy.”

  “I was discharged. At least that is what you said while you were torturing me,” Toa bit back.

  “A.W.O.L according to the records.”

  Toa spat on the ground at that bit of news.

  Toa pointed to his eyes. “Then a medical discharge and no one can argue I am fit to fight anymore.”


  The General sounded smug, “You seem to be doing fine without your sight. We can always put a gun in your hand. But if you think you are unfit to serve then we don’t need to look after your family no more, do we? Well, that isn’t really your choice. None of this is really your choice. We will let our doctor judge whether you are fit to fight. Possibly jog your memory a bit.”

  Toa snarled, “You tried that before.”

  The General shrugged and turned to her. He came close into her personal space. She supposed he was trying to intimidate her, but she just glared at him.

  He tilted her head up with a finger to her chin. “So who is the girl?”

  Toa tried to get between him and her, but a soldier stepped forward and pulled him back. That started a fight. Toa moved with skill as he threw one man and tried to take down others.

  The General pulled a gun and shot into the air. Everyone went still. He pulled her close against him and put the gun to her head. Megan swore in her head.

  They should have told Toa the bullet wouldn’t be able to get past the strength atramento. Well maybe. He hadn’t had the atramento for long and she didn’t know how charged the atramento.

  Toa allowed the soldiers to put cuffs on him.

  The General said offhandedly to his men, “Take the girl as well. She will be good leverage as it seems his family isn’t enough anymore.”

  She blinked and looked at Toa. They had his family? Of course he had to go. She didn’t say anything though. She let them think she was just a silly girl.

  The soldiers threw her into a truck. Toa was forced on as well.

  Toa sat opposite. “Sorry.”

  Megan shook her head. She had to tell him about the full abilities of the atramento in case they were separated later. “You know that tattoo you got from Natasha. Well, it has a few more secrets that we didn’t tell you.”

  Toa looked up and turned towards the soldiers. She had to be careful how she said this without giving away too much to the soldiers listening. “Teflar.”

  It was the old brand for the bulletproof vests. She hoped he knew a little of his military history.