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EMPTY EYE SOCKETS CHAPTER 17
Domino was tired.
It wasn't only because he had stayed up the whole night, but he was also stressed because of the situation. He had had much time to think at night and a couple of times he had even considered returning to Puerto Zapato. At least that town would have been slightly safer.
But no, as long as the situation remained the same he would not be safe anywhere. The thought sickened him, crawled inside him and whispered him what things were like.
Desperate.
Lonely.
Painful.
As much as admitting it disturbed him, Domino knew that he had only one option. It was dangerous and it could be that he'd meet his end while trying. But there was nothing else he could have done.
But if he succeeded he would also get his revenge on Manny end enjoy it.
He felt as Meche stirred, but let her be. She had slept the whole night resting against his shoulder and he had got used to it during the hours. In fact, it almost felt too nice and a part of him wanted her to wake up and sit straight.
Oh well, he would have to wake her up soon. They were going to arrive in Rubacava soon; Domino could already see the city in the horizon. He knew what to do there too; he would trade the boat for something that would help him continue.
Manny had a good lead and that horrible hot rod, but Domino thought he would also get in Nuevo Marrow in a good time. He would arrive a day or two later than Manny, he wasn't really sure.
He was startled when Meche yawned. Domino glanced at the woman and wondered if she was awake. It was so hard to tell from a dead person...
"Morning," he said in the same way that he had used to during the whole time he had known her.
Meche seemed to realise where she was and backed away as much as she had room in the small boat. She looked confused, yawned again and shook her head to herself.
"Morning," she said carefully. "I expected you to throw me overboard," she admitted.
---
Meche said nothing more, but continued to eye the sea view. It took a while for her to realise that the black line in the horizon was actually Rubacava. She was surprised that they had got there so soon.
Domino must have been up the whole night. He must be in a great hurry, she thought to herself.
"Where are we going to go after Rubacava?" she asked though she thought she knew the answer already.
"Nuevo Marrow of course. You don't necessarily have to come," Domino said.
"Not that 'you-are-not-coming-with-me' rubbish again," the woman pleaded sounding tired. Why did men always repeat things all the time?
"This isn't a game Meche. If you come to Nuevo Marrow you will most likely get sprouted before even realising what hit you. Manny or anyone else won't have the time to look out for you," Domino replied.
"It sounds as if you cared," Meche stated.
"I don’t, just warning."
"I think you should finally learn to accept that I am going to stick with you," she said and crossed her arms on her chest. She didn't do that too often and it showed that she really was determined.
"Why?"
And that question again.
"Do you really need to ask?"
Domino snorted sounding amused.
"I hope you manage to let me hear it before someone shoots you," he said. Meche didn't reply, just sat where she was.
---
It took a little longer than they had expected to arrive to Rubacava. The docks were very different than in Puerto Zapato; the cheerful atmosphere and sweet sun were gone. Sailors looked more unfriendly and everything felt gloomy.
Good old Rubacava.
"It hasn't turned any better," Meche stated as she looked around. She hadn't really had time to learn to know the place when she had last time been in it. She didn't feel sorry for that though, the town didn't seem very nice to her.
Domino jumped on the pier and started to head for the nearest pub. It was the best place to find someone who might have a car and the desire to trade it for a boat. At least someone there would know where to find such a person. If he had had money he could have got a drink and tried to relax too.
Meche hurried after him without saying anything. She didn't want to sound like a childish girl who didn't know how to keep her mouth shut. But she didn't want to seem like a weak woman either.
There weren't many souls in the pub that early -- it was actually a miracle that it was even open -- and Domino could choose where to sit. He sat near the bar table to be able to speak with the only waiter in the place.
"Hey, you there," Domino said.
"What do you want?" the waiter asked. In a pub it was pretty obvious what people wanted, but he didn't want to sound ridiculous or humble by admitting it. Damn, he could do anything he wanted in his own pub!
"To make deals. I need to get a car as fast as possible."
The waiter chuckled.
"That is expensive. How much can you afford?" he asked. Domino didn't manage to answer before Meche stepped in. The woman knew not to sit near Domino, but took her place some tables away.
"Actually I was thinking about a trade. I have an excellent boat that I don't need at the docks," Domino said. The waiter looked thoughtful.
"A small boat... Many could want one around here. All ships in Rubacava are big and clumsy," he said. Domino knew quite well what people would do with his boat, but he didn't really have anything against smuggling. It was pretty sensible now that he thought about it.
"All I need is a fast car," he reminded. He was sure of that he would have success this time and then he would be able to continue. Not that he really wanted, it just was what he had to do.
"That won't be difficult. In fact, the word is already being spread," the waiter said nodding at the door. When he glanced there Domino saw a sailor leaving, probably on his way to tell someone about what he had heard.
"Rubacava is pretty busy," he said.
"Only the docks. Now that gamblers and most of the gangster are gone sailors can concentrate on other business again," the waiter replied.
Domino was about to say something else, but then someone sat on the chair close to him. It was a small strange looking man. His skull and arms were completely covered in horrible tattoos and he wore odd round glasses.
"Hi, Toto," the waiter greeted.
"Hmh," Toto replied and glanced at Domino. Then he concentrated on tapping the table in impatience. Domino had a nasty feeling that this man knew more about him than was healthy.
"Have you seen Lola?" Toto asked the waiter. His tone was angry and it seemed like he didn't like talking to people at all.
"Haven't heard of her in a while. She used to be here quite often, but now she is gone. Do you know what happened to her?" the waiter asked.
"If I did I wouldn't have asked, idiot!" Toto snapped. Actually he had a pretty good idea of what might have happened, but he didn't like thinking about it. He had trusted Lola and believed that she would be able to control her feelings.
Damn that girl!
Damn Maximino!
And damn him who couldn't do anything right...
---
Meche looked expressionless, but she was actually very curious inside.
Lola.
Manny and Carla had told her about that woman who had fallen in love with Maximino. Because of that story she had had the courage to stay with Domino when everyone else had asked her to be sensible. She really would have wanted to meet that woman and talk with her, but that didn't seem possible.
Firstly, it looked like Lola was gone. And if the docks in Rubacava really were as busy as the waiter had said, it wouldn't take long before they could continue their journey.
It was a pity and Meche hoped that nothing bad had happened to Lola. She didn't know the woman, but thought they were very similar anyway.
She had watched Domino from her own table. It wasn't difficult to hear the man's words; the pub was very quiet in the morning. Very few sailors were there and Meche had no difficulties staying alone. No one wanted to be in her company and she found that good.
The door banged and everyone in the pub turned to look in the direction of the sound. Meche saw that a new man had stepped in and he was dressed in slightly better clothes than the other sailors. The man who had left a moment ago was on his side. He nodded at Domino and the duo walked to him.
"You have a boat?" the newcomer asked sitting next to Domino. He spoke with a harsh voice and it felt like he had to force the words out of his mouth.
"I sure do and it is anxious to get a new owner. For a car," Domino replied. The other man nodded.
"I see," he said.
Domino knew quite well who the guy was. He was called simply Jack and he controlled most of the smuggling business in Rubacava.
"How fast can you give me the car?" Domino asked.
"What makes you think I am interested in your boat?"
"Why else would you be here?"
"Checking what this is all about?"
"Well, why don't we go and see it then?"
The two stood up and left. Meche wanted to join them, but suppressed that desire. She wouldn't be very useful in that situation and she had her own plans too.
The only ones in the pub were she, the waiter, the man with tattoos and a few sailors. Meche glanced around herself before daring to stand up and walk where Domino had sat just a moment ago. Toto looked at her shortly as she came, but didn't say anything.
Meche coughed.
"Hmh," That was all that Toto said.
"Could I have some of your time?" Meche asked.
"You already gave."
"It's about Lola."
This made Toto lift his eye sockets and turn to face her. The man looked at Meche carefully.
"Who are you? I have never seen you before," he said in suspicion.
"My name is Mercedes Colomar." Meche replied. She noticed how Toto flinched slightly as she said her name. Did the man know her? How?
"What can you tell me about Lola?" Toto asked.
"Nothing, I'm sorry to say."
"Then why are you wasting my time? I have better things to do than gossip!" Toto snapped angrily. He stood up and turned his back on Meche being about to leave.
"Wait!" Meche said. "I hoped you could tell me something about her."
Toto glanced behind himself.
"I couldn't be less interested. I have my own problems," he said and left Meche alone.
"Don't mind him, he is always like that. And if Lola is missing his mood is even worse than usual. He pretty much thinks the poor girl is his daughter," the waiter said dryly and Meche snorted as an answer. She had no reason to stay now so she left to see what Domino had accomplished.
---
When Meche arrived at the docks where they had left the boat she could sense that everything had gone well. Domino stood on the pier and for the first time since they had left the island he looked as proud and pleased as he usually did.
Jack stood next to him and looked happy too.
"This is a good boat," Meche heard him say. Domino nodded.
"So we have a deal?" he asked.
Everything was taken care of nicely. Jack was fast -- he needed the boat soon -- so Domino and Meche got their car almost immediately. They didn't waste their time in Rubacava, but continued their journey to Nuevo Marrow where the whole mess would finally end.
---
"Come my love, let me show you something."
Lola followed Maximino her hand in the man's gentle hold and felt really excited. She didn't know what was going on, but it had to be something important and magnificent if Maximino was so enthusiastic to show it.
"What is it? Where are you taking me?" she asked playfully and followed the man. They had left High Roller's Lounge just a moment ago and to Lola's surprise Maximino led her up where the zeppelin was.
Maximino stopped.
"Manuela," he said, "the moment has come. It is time for me to take a step forward and take what is mine." After saying that he pulled a shining gun from his pocket and let go of Lola's hand.
"What?" Lola asked in shock. Why did Maximino have a gun? She had never seen the man handle one and she hadn't even thought of that he could do it too. She took a few steps back.
Maximino chuckled softly and put the gun away.
"Don't look so scared Manuela," he said pointing at the zeppelin. "Let us travel together to Nuevo Marrow."
Now Lola understood. Maximino was finally about to fulfill his dream and destroy Hector LeMans. She felt pride and happiness grow inside her and she stepped onboard with him.
"As you wish," she agreed.
---
"I feel that something is going on."
Hector's voice was soft and made Nick flinch despite himself. He stood in front of the crime lord and tried to look as calm as possible.
He felt panic within though, he wanted to rush out of the doors and leave the cursed city forever. Now that he thought of it he realised that Nuevo Marrow hadn't given him anything good. He had got involved with this mess and that was all.
"What do you mean, sir?" he dared to ask. Hector chuckled.
"I know, Nick, I know. This city is me, I feel it as a part of myself," he said. Then he tilted his head. "In a way it is my new skin. It protects me, keeps dangers away and tells me if something is wrong."
Hector was mad, Nick knew that now. How come he hadn't realised that sooner? He felt like kicking himself. He had always promised himself that he would never let money and power blind him so bad that he'd walk straight into his own grave.
He had done that once already and it looked like the second time wouldn't be that far away in the future.
---
Salvador rubbed his chin in thought. They were all in the LSA HQ in the tunnels and Manny had just finished his story of what had happened to him. All of it had been more incredible than Salvador had ever imagined and he almost felt sorry for having experienced it all with Manny.
"Interesting and confusing," he said. Eva sat on the table next to him and watched everything with no sound.
Manny shrugged.
"I agree. When I last woke up I had to check what I had drunk to make sure it all really happened," he commented.
"Your story makes this more complicated. Until now we have thought that everything is black and white, but now we have grey sides in this too. I don't know if I should thank or scold you, agent Calavera," Salvador replied.
"I would take the thanks, please."
"I didn't think you would settle with anything less."
Manny was silent for a while and thought about the situation. He had told Salvador everything that he had done in Rubacava, how he had became a captain and got his own ship and about their adventure on the Edge of the World. He had told about finally finding Meche and how the woman had decided to stay with an enemy. He trusted Salvador completely and was relieved now that he wasn't responsible of anyone anymore. Salvador certainly knew what to do, when and why.
"So Sal, what are we going to do?" he asked. Carla and Glottis stood behind him and only now started to pay more attention to the conversation.
"Nothing at the moment. Tell them, Eva," Salvador said and gestured at the woman.
"LSA is now stronger than ever and if we attack Hector now we might win, but we might lose too. It is wiser to wait for the right moment," she said with her usual sharp voice. It was years since she had last seen Manny and she looked happy for that the man seemed to have got rid of at least part of his dark nature.
"And when is that perfect moment?" Manny asked. He expected Eva to reply, but it was Salvador who gave the answer.
"At the exact moment that Maximino chooses," the rebel leader said.
---
Lola didn't know how long it had been since the zeppelin had left Rubacava. She had just sat on her place and stared out of the window.
Was she doing the right thing?
She felt bad for leaving Toto alone, but a part of her was happy. Happy for that she could stand side by side with the man she loved when he fought for justice. Maximino would destroy Hector, Lola didn't doubt that and it made her really proud.
But she was also worried. This story had many holes that she didn't know anything about and she was afraid of someone bringing some light into those places. What would happen to her and them all after that? Could anyone stand to know all details of the story?
Lola shook her head. She had to concentrate in the nearing battle and then she could think about the secret that would reveal the real ending.
To be continued...
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