An older black man approached them. He smiled when he saw Geoffrey and hugged him.
"I wasn't expecting you," the man said. "I knew there was one group coming back. I sent them on towards Arusha, where they could get an airplane home. Where do you need to go?"
Geoffrey said, “Emily, this is Majuto. I have known him since he was a boy. His family has always lived near this gate.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Emily.
“Let me get you some clothes. We can stop at my home in Arusha and go from there.” Majuto said.
They followed the man into a large jeep. Emily still couldn't believe she was in Tanzania. She rode in silence, taking in the scenery around her. It was everything Emily could imagine. She even saw a few animals as she traveled through the dirt roads, then to paved roads, and finally a two-lane highway. Small towns littered the side of the road. She took it all in, completely oblivious of her companions or even the future.
TJ56823
Journal 1
The spiral crystal felt smooth against Tristan's fingers. It was no more than an inch and a half in size. It fit perfectly into his palm, and even his fingers curved into the groves of the spiral. It bothered him that he didn't know its purpose. Geoffrey was already looking at Tristan with some trepidation. Tristan let go of the spiral in his pocket. He imagined Geoffrey suspected he had some mission from the Sentinels. Tristan was not going to allow Geoffrey to participate in his plan. He had a mission. It was a job that paid well. He planned to succeed at the delivery of this item.
There was only one small problem with the scenario. The other two didn't seem too bothered by the apparent difficulties. During the last travels, it was becoming increasingly clear that something really complicated was happening between Emily and Geoffrey. They were obviously in love, but it was also glaringly obvious that nothing happened. It was dreadful to watch. Tristan didn't want to be the third wheel, but he still had intentions to finish Emily off. To do that, he had to stick around until Emily did not have Geoffrey around. It was irrelevant if they didn't solve the practical problems ahead.
“Geoffrey, how will we get anywhere?” Tristan asked.
“What do you mean?” Geoffrey asked.
“We have no wallet, no phone, no passport,” Tristan replied. “We are stuck in this country until that gets sorted.”
Majuto got very serious, “Geoffrey, this boy does not understand how this works?”
“He is not one of us,” Geoffrey answered.
Majuto nodded, “I can get you to contact the embassy in Dar es Salaam. They will sort you out.”
"I can't go…" Tristan stopped himself. He distrusted all government agencies. There were obvious reasons why he distrusted them. One wrong move and his whole history would be an open book for anyone to see. He couldn't trust anyone that had so much power over his life. He valued absolute independence, and that meant no government interference in his life. He needed to find some way to sort this. It didn't include the embassy. He needed to make sure he had a credit card at a hotel in Arusha before Tristan got there, and then he could have someone in Los Angeles send his passport to Tristan.
"Thank you, Majuto," Tristan said. "If I could find a computer, I can send an email to some friends, and they can book a hotel for me. Then I can get replacement cards, and my passport sent to me."
Majuto nodded seriously. Tristan despised the condescension. He was not some idiot Geoffrey picked up. He was a man ready to do whatever it took to make sure he could live the life he wanted. Tristan would show them that he was a man to be respected. He looked back at Emily and saw her staring out at the scenery like a little girl. She was actually enjoying the journey. He couldn't help thinking that she might as well enjoy the travels. She would never be traveling again if he was successful.
Geoffrey and Emily needed to separate. Emily had wanted Geoffrey far away when he found her with the Sentinels. Tristan wasn't blind. He had seen them together and observed them in the bubbles in that utterly weird planet. Emily told him that she didn't want to be with Geoffrey. They had enough unresolved tension to fill a stadium. If given then a chance, Emily would follow Tristan over Geoffrey. He was sure of this. How would he do this, though? Maybe it was best to wait.
They arrived in the city, and it wasn't what Tristan was expecting at all. It was a major tourist hub and an international town. It wasn't even that small of a city, so it shouldn't be so complicated to get what he wanted. They arrived at a beautiful house surrounded by a lush garden. Majuto stepped out of the jeep and led them inside. A beautiful woman comfortably twenty years younger than Majuto waited at the door. She wore a fashionable pair of jeans and a brightly colored blouse. Her hair was made up of many different braids tied back from her face, and her eyes were a perfect oval in a dark brown.
“My wife, Ghanima,” Majuto said proudly.
Ghamina smiled, “Welcome to our home.”
Geoffrey looked around the house as if searching for someone. “Is Andres Montenegro still here?”
Ghamina laughed, “He has a new lady. The romance writer, Cassandra Alexander.”
“Really? He didn’t say anything.” Geoffrey was smiling.
Tristan thought of Darcy Darwin Alexander and figured this must be the boy's mother. That would explain the terrible name, and was useful information. It was always good to have wealthy friends. As they walked into the house, Ghamina showed them towards the living room. Majuto brought out a laptop. He placed it in front of Tristan.
“You can find what you need here. Let me know when you have something set up, and I can give you a ride to the hotel.” Majuto said as he inputted the password for the laptop.
“The children wanted to see a safari. You know how children are about animals. Our three went with them. Our oldest is now almost eighteen. He will watch over them. They are staying closer to the parks.” Ghamina said.
Tristan listened as he sent emails from the laptop. He had seen Emily's face and remembered that she probably had never traveled beyond the United States. This was all a completely new experience for her. Tristan logged into his texts and send one to his friend, Chris, at the bar. For the right price, Chris would do anything for Tristan. It didn't take long for him to respond. He heard the chatter of his companions as he continued to search. He had a credit card number. He found the most expensive hotel around and booked a room for himself. He planned it for a week. Then he contacted his credit card companies as a lost traveler. They would send credit cards to the hotel. Chris would make sure his passport arrived in a day or two. The credit card company also agreed to speak to the hotel, so check-in wouldn't be a problem. Tristan made sure he kept the best cards for these situations. The customer service was unbeatable.
He handed the computer back to Majuto. “Thank you! I could head over there right now. They are expecting me.”
Majuto nodded, "We will take you after dinner. You should get out of those clothes and into something more appropriate. I think I have something that might fit you."
“Thank you!” Tristan said. “I really appreciate it.”
Majuto stood up and led him towards a beautiful bathroom and handed him a towel. Tristan was studying the set up looking forward to a nice long shower when he heard the door knock. Majuto gave him a pile of clothes. Tristan thanked him and closed the door.
EB26392
Journal 1
Emily finished showering and dressing, and went in search for Geoffrey. There were too many unsaid words, and Emily hated the tension. She meant to keep away from him, but it felt wrong to do it without an explanation. The rage was still there, but it was dampened by the experience in the bubble. Geoffrey had to understand that she just couldn’t go through with what was being asked of her. She looked in the bedroom next to hers and saw he was sitting looking out into the garden shirtless. It was hard to remember at times that the man was thousands of years old. He was pensive. He looked in pain, but as if he was doing his best not to let it show. As she stepped into
the room, he turned to face her.
“We should talk,” Emily said.
“You were going to leave me in AA001,” he said.
“Yes,” she replied.
He extended his hand out to her. She took it and went to sit next to him. She put her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Emily smelled him and felt at home. She didn't want to lose him. Not now, not ever. If this meant not being near him, then it was perfectly okay with her. She felt his arm come around her shoulder.
“I don’t understand why you wanted to leave me,” Geoffrey said.
She turned to face him, “I know why I exist. I can’t lose you.”
He touched her face gently and kissed her. “Emily, your life will be a thousand times better when I am gone. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but it will be better.”
"For a moment, I thought that you might like me. I thought that maybe you could be someone I could be with. I thought that the reason why you searched for women like me was that you knew they couldn't hurt you. It is exactly the opposite. I am the only person who can hurt you. I don't want to hurt you. It was a promise I made a promise when Tom died. I would never again hurt anyone. I meant it. Not even you." Emily answered.
"I want this. My life is so over. I have lived for so long. I have lost so much. Can't you see? It is time."
"What about me? You die, and then what? So far, you have been a profoundly bad salesman of eternal life. You lose everyone you love. You can't ever have a family. You bounce from place to place, from relationship to relationship. Everything becomes fleeting because that is the reality. Everything ends up being a blink of an eye. Someone might think that they love you, that they are everything for you, but they aren't. In the end, you will leave them, and they will die. You are as alone as I am right now. I could just stay with you, and we could stay together for years. You wouldn't have to die. I mean, I know it would be platonic, but we could be company. I am so tired of being alone." Emily said, fighting the tears.
He traced her jaw with his finger gently. His hand moved over her mouth, down her neck, and further over her breast. She found his lips automatically, and before she knew it, she was sitting on his lap facing him. He pulled away from her.
"You and I are genetically engineered for one purpose and one purpose only. It would never work." Geoffrey said, out of breath. "It is my time to die. This is why you came into my life."
“Didn’t you feel hurt and regret when this happened to you?” Emily asked.
"No. I understood she needed me, and I knew she offered me everything. It was everything. It sounds terrible right now because it has been a long time." He said, returning her to the chair.
“I am not ready for that, Geoffrey. If being around you means that at any moment you die, then I don’t want to be there.” Emily said as she stood up.
"When I found out about what I was, I was fascinated by the gates, space travel, and everything else. Aren't you?" He asked.
“I have lived alone, running from the law, always terrified for the next day for years. I just want to live. I don’t care about anything else.”
“Where are you going?” Geoffrey asked.
“Away,” she answered.
“With Tristan?” He asked.
She nodded, and he stood up and blocked the door. “I can’t let you. You know who he is, and I am sure he still means you harm.”
"You can't let me? When the hell did you become my guardian? I never asked for this." Emily pushed him out of the way.
"You could get hurt. Then I would have to wait for years." Geoffrey said, and the moment he said it, he realized the terrible mistake he made.
She turned to face him with rage burning through her. “I would rather die by Tristan’s hands than kill you. Don’t you get it?”
She stormed out of the room and found Tristan standing by the gardens. He turned to look at her and stepped away.
“What’s wrong? You look ready to kill someone.” Tristan said.
"Can I come with you?" She asked. "I know I don't have any money, and honestly, I have no idea how I will get out of Tanzania because I don't have a passport either. I don't want to be here."
“Geoffrey?” He asked. She nodded. “I thought you were in love with him?”
“I am. That’s the problem.”
Geoffrey interrupted them, “I will have your passport delivered to you at the hotel. I will be happy to pay for anything you need. I will send a credit card with you.”
“I don’t need your money,” Emily said.
"Yes, you do," Geoffrey replied. "Please take it. I won't force you to do anything you don't want, but you are still a part of me, and my responsibility to care for you. If you have money, you can at least build a life you want elsewhere."
"Thank you," Emily said quietly, walking away from both men.
TJ56823
Journal 1
After dinner, Tristan walked towards the jeep. He felt a hand grab him and turn him forcefully.
“What do you want, Geoffrey?” Tristan said.
"You know what I want," Geoffrey replied. "I know you want revenge over Tom's death. I know that you are really ambitious and dangerous. Anything happens to her, and you will have me chasing you down and murdering you."
Tristan smiled, “You love her too? Damn. You are ridiculous. Come on, man. She is just one more little tart in a long line of women.”
"They were not what I needed," Geoffrey answered.
“You need Emily?” Tristan asked.
Geoffrey smacked him hard. “Don’t hurt her.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Emily walked out of the house and got into the jeep. She didn't look back at Geoffrey. Tristan couldn't believe how easy this was going to be. He followed her into the vehicle and sat in the front seat. Emily was quietly sitting in the back. Majuto came out, exchanged a few words with Geoffrey, and joined them. As they traveled to the city, the car was silent. Tristan felt he should make small talk, but was aware he was sitting next to a man who knew Geoffrey well, and therefore he knew about Tristan as well.
Thankfully, within fifteen minutes, they were walking into a beautiful hotel. Emily hugged Majuto goodbye, and it felt like a Goodbye, not a goodbye. It made Tristan nervous. It was as if Emily was preparing for her own end. It took the fun out of the whole process. She followed him up to their room and said nothing. When they got inside, she sat on the bed, curled up her legs, and put her head in her arms. Tristan was afraid she would cry. He couldn't deal with hysterical females.
“What happened between you and Geoffrey?” Tristan asked.
She looked up at him. “It is too complicated to explain.”
“Look, I know you are not happy right now, but this will get miserable very, very quickly if we stay like this the whole time. Let’s find something fun to do.”
“Like?” She replied.
"I don't know. We are in Tanzania. I am sure that there are safaris and restaurants and everything else. I mean, neither of us has a passport, more than this change of clothes, or even a credit card, but we can at least go wander. Hell, maybe the hotel has a swimming pool." Tristan said.
"We don't have a swimming suit," Emily said, feeling a little humor climb into her.
“We could at least wander or go and find the restaurant and get totally plastered.”
Emily looked at him for a long while, “Let’s go.”
They were two or three drinks sitting in the corner of the bar. Against his expectations, they were laughing. He didn't really want to have fun with her, but then again, what else was he expected to do. He didn't have a plan yet, and he wasn't allowed to hurt her until the spiral got delivered. He knew it would come. The Sentinels had said he would get his chance for revenge. When it did, he would revenge Tom, but for now, he could have fun. Geoffrey was so damn serious. Emily could be so damn serious. Watching her laugh uncontrollably at totally idiotic stuff was refreshing.
“The bubbles looked like flying f
arts,” Emily said.
Tristan spat out his drink because he was laughing so hard. "They did, didn't they? Do you think the floating lady and Geoffrey, you know?"
“I’m sure they did, though I have no clue how.”
“I had sex with the fish lady,” Tristan said.
Emily had tears pouring out her eyes from the laughter as he said this. “Really? I don’t believe you.”
"I did. We were just, I don't know. We were in the tunnel gate thing, and suddenly there I was, and there she was and damn. It happened." Tristan replied.
Emily looked at him. “Was it good?”
Tristan burst out laughing, “It was magnificent. Best I’ve ever…”
Emily laughed again, “That’s absurd.”
"Yeah, it was," Tristan said. "And brilliant."
Dance of Life: The Belief Chronicles: Book One (Chronicles of a Planet's End) Page 15
