Dance of Life: The Belief Chronicles: Book One (Chronicles of a Planet's End)

by Tatiana Beller

  He got some clothes on and went back out to talk to Geoffrey. He couldn't believe that they had stolen the spiral. Was it the plan, or did they find it a beautiful trinket? When he stepped out of the bathroom, he saw Geoffrey sitting in one of the chairs in his statue mode. Tristan wondered if he trained with some distant Zen master or something.

  “Did you get a hold of your friend?” Tristan asked.

  "Yes, he knows and is on this way over here," Geoffrey said quietly. "You know that your lifestyle comes at a price, don't you?"

  Tristan sat down on the bed. Standing was pretty unbearable.

  “I think you don’t know much about me,” Tristan said defiantly.

  Geoffrey shook his head sadly. “If I could go back and apologize to all the damage I caused, I would do it in a heartbeat. Sometimes life doesn’t give us those chances. You have to live with the lives you’ve destroyed. Violence gives you a type of power that is only temporary. It is empty, and it destroys you. It is a hard price to pay.”

  Tristan watched Geoffrey curiously. He realized that he knew nothing about Geoffrey except that he was an eccentric that beat up walls and kidnapped women. In his eyes, Geoffrey was as sick of a bastard as he was.

  “Why do you destroy the walls of your cottage?” Tristan asked.

  Geoffrey smiled, “Because when enough time has passed, and there is very little left in you, the only thing that remains is the screams of those who you have hurt. It is the nightmares of the pain you have caused that stays with you to the end.”

  “I can’t picture you being the image of violence. I wouldn’t even believe it if I hadn’t seen you in the cottage.” Tristan said.

  “You are an amateur in comparison. It has been a long time since I decided that I could not stomach violence of any kind. I could not harm. I knew I could never make amends, but I could try.” Geoffrey looked out the window. He looked in physical pain.

  “Are you sick?”

  Geoffrey shrugged, "Emily is different. She never got the rush of violence, and never felt the power in destruction. She never craved it. When faced with actions beyond her control that caused violence, it destroyed her. I don't know how to help her back together."

  Tristan was aware he didn’t answer the question. “What about Tom?”

  "He was a good man who fell in love with an amazing woman. What happened to him was a terrible necessity and something that Emily had no control over. It was as much a necessity as it was for you to look like you do now and the spiral stolen. I am sure that it was planned. Probably The Order. We know they are here searching for someone else. No Mexican woman would have followed you here to the hotel just like that."

  “How do you know about the-“ Tristan began.

  "Emily would give you her life as an exchange for the pain you felt at the loss of Tom. She would do it in a heartbeat. I need her alive. Be aware of that. You hurt her, and I will rip you limb from limb." Geoffrey stood up and walked over to the door. "Please don't tell Emily about the spiral. It is best if she doesn't know."

  EB26392

  Journal 1

  As Emily approached the hotel room, the door opened. Geoffrey looked out, smiling. She had taken a bit of a roundabout to the ice machine. She stopped by the gift shop to get some aspirin. The saleswoman had mentioned that it was a popular item. She said two women had come in earlier, asking for some. One of them had a black eye. She asked for the description, and the woman mentioned their earlier visit with a man that fit Tristan’s description. She made a comment about terrible foreigners and their violent ways. Emily agreed completely. What he did to women made her feel sick. She was justifying her actions because of the vision. She knew he would be right in the middle of the destruction coming. Emily wanted to make sure she was close enough to take action when necessary. It didn’t feel right. Emily knew that inaction was the same as action. One day at a time, she said to herself and bought the aspirin.

  When she walked into the room, Tristan was showered and dressed. His appearance hadn’t improved much. She felt rage just seeing him because she knew he had brought it upon himself. Emily never wanted to justify that kind of man. Did she want to follow Tristan in hopes she would kill him? Wouldn’t that make her exactly the same as him? She never wanted to be that person. She handed him a towel full of ice and a glass of water with the aspirin. He took it from her and placed the ice gratefully on his head.

  Emily turned towards Geoffrey, “I am feeling tired. Can we get back to our room?”

  Geoffrey nodded, “Will you be okay now?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Tristan said.

  “Don’t leave your room. Order room service if you are hungry. We’ll come to find you in the morning.” Geoffrey added and closed the door.

  Once inside the hotel room, Emily looked out the window. She felt Geoffrey’s arms come around her.

  “Are you okay?” He asked.

  “No,” she answered, telling him what the woman at the store shared.

  “Why are you willing to follow him? You would be safer anywhere else, but here.”

  “I saw him standing in the middle of destruction. There is a chance he will try and do whatever he does to me. When he does, he will die. I don’t want to hurt anyone, but he will hurt so many if left unchecked.” She said.

  “You could wait until he can’t hurt you at all,” Geoffrey said.

  “It could be years if I have my way. By then, it might be too late.”

  Geoffrey let go and went to sit on the bed, leaned back, and closed his eyes. Emily turned towards him, watching him recede into himself. His breathing slowed, and his face went blank. He stretched his fingers, trying to get some blood flow in them. She went to curl up against him. He automatically put his arms around her.

  “Please don’t be angry with me,” she said.

  He kissed her lips and pushed her gently down towards the bed. She responded immediately. It was pure fire. Without even thinking, she pulled at his clothing. His hand moved under her shirt, down the length of her. He undid her pants and ran his hand down further. She fought against his clothes with more force. It was the moment her skin touched his skin that everything came into focus for her. She pushed him off with all of her strength. She got up from under him and walked away.

  “How dare you?” She said with venom.

  “I want you to be safe,” he said quietly, lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

  “Fuck you!” She said, grabbed her shirt, put it on, and stormed out of the room.

  As she exited the elevator in the lobby, she saw the teenager Sam step into the elevator. She stopped him.

  “Are you staying here too?” She asked.

  “No, Geoffrey texted me that he had some business for me,” Sam answered in what Emily realized was an Australian accent.

  She let him go, and the elevator door closed, sending him away. Geoffrey had his own mission here. He was not here to protect her or to follow Tristan. He arrived with an agenda. She was sure it involved Tristan but wasn’t sure how. The elevator opened again, and she stepped inside. She was able to reach their hallway as Sam went into Tristan’s bedroom. Emily walked towards the room and stopped because she needed something to help her listen. She returned towards the ice machine and found a glass. With the glass on the door, the conversation was pretty clear.

  “What’s the problem?” Sam said.

  “You brought a child to help with this situation, Geoffrey? My life is in danger, and you think a child will sort it out?” Tristan demanded.

  Geoffrey’s voice cut off Tristan, “Tristan, this is Samuel Mueller, and Sam, you know this bastard.”

  Sam laughed.

  Tristan responded, “The Samuel Mueller? The one that pulled of the Smithsonian heist a couple of years ago? Damn. I did not expect –“

  “A kid?” Sam replied bitterly.

  “I was going to say that I didn’t expect Geoffrey to keep such an amazing company. It is great to meet you. My life is saved.” Tristan replied
.

  “So, what’s the deal? What am I going after, and what are you paying me to get it?” Sam said.

  “It is a piece of glass in a spiral shape probably taken by the Order. It is about two inches long and an inch wide, as to the money –“

  Geoffrey interrupted Tristan, “You will get two million US now, and two million when you deliver.”

  “Really?” Tristan said. “I don’t have –“

  “I am glad you remember my fees, Geoffrey. Should I deliver back here?” Sam asked.

  “Yes-“ Tristan began.

  Geoffrey interrupted again, “No. The delivery will be in Merida. I will text the address of the hotel once we are there.”

  “Wait a second. How am I supposed to deliver when I don’t have the item? I don’t feel comfortable with the situation.” Tristan complained.

  “You lost the right to give an opinion when you lost the piece in a profoundly stupid way,” Geoffrey answered. “The money is in your account. We shall be in touch.”

  “Anything I should know about the thieves?” Sam asked.

  “Two women. One had a black eye. Both were dressed like prostitutes, but it was just a fake. What else can you tell me?” Geoffrey said.

  “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?” Tristan said. “One was tall with waving brown hair and spectacular legs. The other had the most perfectly oval dark brown eyes and black curls that came down her back, and perfectly beautiful bre-“

  “You get the point,” Geoffrey added.

  Sam laughed, “Yes. I will find it.”

  Emily realized that Sam would be coming out of the door. She stepped away and went around the corner to wait for Sam to disappear down the elevator. Her mind was reeling. Tristan brought something back from AA001. The Sentinels gave him something. She wondered what it was and why it was so important. He lost it. That was also important. Geoffrey didn’t trust Tristan to get it where it needed to be. There was something else happening here, and she needed to find out what it was.

  There was only one thing to do. She returned to Geoffrey. Emily needed to continue Tristan’s journey and see it to the end. As she thought this, she got goosebumps down her spine. Would it be the end for her, for Geoffrey, or for Tristan? She doubted the three would survive.

  Chapter 13

  EB26392

  Journal 1

  The next day, Geoffrey, Emily, and Tristan were negotiating the bus station. They would be traveling as far as Villahermosa and renting a car. They would drive the rest of the way. Geoffrey managed everything rather efficiently since his Spanish was actually near fluent, and he was charismatic. It was a side that he mostly kept to himself. Again, Emily was struck at how easily he moved through the world. It made her realize how much his isolation was a choice. He was exhausted from people and the world. He retired as far as he could from everything to wait. Geoffrey had been waiting for her. He was waiting to die.

  The got on the bus and found their seats. Emily chose a window seat, and Geoffrey was beside her. Tristan was elsewhere on the bus. They had not heard from Sam. Geoffrey had not said anything about their meeting, and Tristan didn’t mention it either. She watched the world go by out the window as they traveled. The city went on forever. She saw the magnificent volcanos as they came around them. Then there was an even more impressive volcano as they distanced themselves from the city. From there on, they followed the highway near the ocean.

  There were a few bathroom stops at gas stations, and by the late afternoon, they found themselves in a small city. They made it to their hotel relatively unscathed. The weather was much more tropical in Villahermosa. Even a short walk left her sweaty and miserable. The city didn’t have the intensity of Mexico City. In the evening, she sat by a swimming pool in the hotel.

  Tristan was quiet most of the journey. He had found a pair of dark glasses. He even managed to get some rather fashionable clothes. Geoffrey's choice of a bus left him very unhappy. His attitude was now more like a moody teenager. Truthfully, between the attitude, the sunglasses, and the clothes, he resembled, even more, the Hollywood movie star. People stopped to stare as he walked down the street. The previous Tristan would have basked in the glory of notoriety. This new version kept his head down and ignored the stares.

  Emily figured he was in pain as well, but he didn't complain, and beyond her first instinct to assist him, she wasn't particularly inclined to help. She had known he was a violent man. She knew he was sick in his search for women. It was different to picture it abstractly than to hear the first-person account from the lady at the store. Tristan hit a woman, and in this case, they fought back and won.

  "Tomorrow, I'll head out early to get the car. We can head out soon after." Geoffrey said.

  Tristan nodded, acting like it was no business of his what Geoffrey did.

  “Why are we doing this whole journey?” Emily asked testing to see if they would answer.

  "Tristan has to deliver a package to a woman who lives about an hour outside Merida," Geoffrey answered.

  Tristan didn’t say anything.

  The next morning, while Geoffrey was out, Emily went out for a walk. She felt free without the secretive Geoffrey and the moody Tristan, and she had forgotten the freedom of being alone. Emily looked at the street vendors and bought herself some food. She wandered until she found a park. Emily was thrilled to discover crocodiles and sat on a bench, watching them. Then, she found a small zoo and archeological park. She wandered happily, looking at the giant Olmec heads and the multicolored parrots.

  As she came around a turn, she saw Geoffrey. He was deep in conversation with Sam. Goliath was with them. Emily approached them, carefully hiding behind one of the stone sculptures so she could listen to the discussion.

  “You have it?” Geoffrey asked Sam.

  “Of course, I do. I am the best.” Sam answered. Emily had to stifle a laugh at the kid’s arrogance.

  “Let me see it,” Geoffrey said.

  Sam extended out his hand. Emily couldn’t see the object well, but she could see the light shining through it. It must be something small and crystal. Sam tried to hand it to Geoffrey.

  “You don’t want to do that, my boy,” Geoffrey replied rather condescendingly.

  “What is it?” Goliath asked.

  “It is best you don’t know,” Geoffrey answered.

  “Dangerous? I have the lives of two children in my hands. I can’t risk them.” Goliath replied. “Maybe it is best you take it.”

  “I can’t take it. It wouldn’t be safe for me to have it. Keep it away from Scout.” Geoffrey said.

  “Why did they give it to that bastard, Tristan?” Goliath asked.

  "I trust their reasons, even if I only got a glimpse of the explanation. Tristan has a role to play in our big game. I don't know what it is yet. I was told to keep him close and to make sure the item was delivered. You know what's coming, Goliath. If they feel this item is needed here now, then it is needed. I will make sure it is delivered." Geoffrey answered.

  “Have you seen one like it before?” Sam asked.

  "Once, a very long time ago, and on a different planet. I won't go into it further since it might jeopardize an important future if I say more." Geoffrey said.

  "Why not take it now? You could call Tristan, and we could deliver." Goliath insisted.

  "I was told it was given to Tristan. I was told he would lose it and that it must be returned to Merida. I am just following orders. All I know is that it is best if you keep it away from Scout. I am not sure if I should have even said that much." Geoffrey added. "We'll be in touch, Sam."

  Geoffrey walked away. Emily stayed watching the teenager and the giant talking.

  “He’s an odd one,” Sam said.

  “He is that. I would have thought your father might have introduced you. There is only one Geoffrey Eddington Smyth.” Goliath said. “I have known him since I was a child. He hasn’t improved much in forty years.”

  “You grew up together here in Mexico?�
� Sam asked.

  Goliath burst out laughing. “Definitely not. Geoffrey is a family friend. He is different, and quite a bit older than he appears to be.”

  “How much older?” Sam asked.

  “Try three thousand years,” Goliath answered.

  “Seriously?” Sam said.

  Goliath nodded. “Let’s get back to the others before we are missed. Don’t lose that, and don’t show it to the others. If Geoffrey says it as dangerous, it must be absolutely terrible.”

  As they walked away, Emily withdrew and returned to the hotel. When she arrived, Geoffrey was waiting in the lobby with Tristan. The rental car was parked outside the hotel. They got into the car and drove off.