Whispers of Eternity

Chapter3

Christian parked in front of Laurent Chapel Cemetery's front gate. They went to Florence's parents' and grandparents' graves. They watched and listened as she bid farewell to them, feeling a little powerless. Florence had not yet made up her mind to remain in the UK, but she had not anticipated returning to Louisiana for an extended period of time.

She went away from them and stood under a huge magnolia tree at the entrance, which Stewart and Christian observed. Christian said, "She reminds me of Howard the night he left."

With his arms crossed across his chest, Stewart observed her as she absentmindedly tapped a spent flower with her toe. Yes, he sighed. "She seems completely lost, but she is strong on the outside and soft in the middle."

Do you believe she will alter?"

"Who knows?Stewart answered. "Perhaps she will recover when we return to the United Kingdom."

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Florence moved away from the tree and meandered toward the fence, among the other cemetery sites. It occurred to her, unavoidably, how much less painful it would be for her to lay among the dead. An alluring answer was the chilly ground's last comfort. She considered Howard's daughter Julie.

Florence gave herself a hug and shut her eyes. The warmth of the small child in her arms was almost palpable. She considered Howard's parents, Tom and

Rose, as well as his sister, Myra. And lastly, she considered Howard. She was breathing heavily due to the intense pain. Arizona was a place Florence might have easily called home, but not today. After hearing what Crest had told her, she was unable to face Howard. And Howard no longer wanted her, even if it had all been lies. He had abandoned her. That was a reality she had to face.

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The phone rang on Christian's mobile. After opening it, he looked at the name and

subsequently at Stewart. It's your father. Greetings, Sir.

"Christian, how are you doing?"

At Hornbeck's Laurent Chapel.

"Why are you there, for heaven's sake?"

"Florence. She refused to go without first coming here to say goodbye and requesting a few items from the former home.

"How is she doing? Has she mentioned Howard at all?"

Though not specifically, she is considering him. It's evident in her eyes.

Damn the bastard, I'll make sure Crest pays for

this!"

"I'll take pleasure in completing that order. Do you want me to finish it right now?"

"No! It wouldn't shock me if Howard looked after him.

Christian pulled out his revolver and put in his Bluetooth earbud, saying, "Hang on, a second, Sir." Pick up Florence and go to the side gate, Nicky. Stay low and hide behind the huge monuments. I'm going to make an effort to reach the vehicle. I realized this was a bad idea! You and Florence go to the closest home and alert the police if anything happens to me. Move right now!"

Sir Stewart sounded desperate. Christian, what is it?"

"Buck behind the church, with a rifle."

As Florence looked up, she saw Christian's rifle. Stewart took hold of her hand. "Go ahead! Maintain a downward gaze!"

As Christian dashed by, a bullet bounced off the magnolia tree only inches from his right shoulder. He hunkered down behind a concrete gate post. "f**k!"

"Leave there, Christian!"

"Sir, I will when I can. They stand between the automobile and me!"

Stewart was crouching behind the statue when another shot boomed out and ricocheted off the edge, just missing his shoulder. "Bastard!Florence lunged at him, gasping. He extended his hand. "No, remain there! I'm OK. Christian fell to one knee, leaned out, and shot a couple bullets in the direction he thought the rifle barrel was. He missed. Florence was crouched behind a statue when a bullet struck the ground in front of it. How is Christian doing?"

"I'm not sure. Though he's on his mobile with Dad, it would be helpful if I could speak with him. Simply remain there. "I'll try to take action," he said, inserting his earbud and pressing a button on his phone. It's Stewart, Gary. Dad, where are you?"

"He's at his desk. You seem breathless. How are you doing? Florence is where?"

"Hiding behind the monument on my opposite side."

"Hiding behind: what's the issue?"

Enter there so you may give Christian a message. His father is on the phone with him. Inform Christian that I'll attempt to deflect fire away from him when I give you the all clear so he may reach the vehicle.

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Gary bolted into the hallway. Stewart, what the heck is going on?"

"Just carry out my advice!"

Gary pounded on the door and said, "Sir Stewart."

"Not right now, Gary!"

Please, sir. Let the door open. Stewart is on my mobile phone. He needs you to deliver a message to Christian.

It flew open, the door. "Nicky, I'm here. Are Florence and you both doing well?"

"We're surrounded by monuments, a short distance from the cemetery's side entrance. We're getting potshots from them, but we haven't been struck yet. I'm not familiar with Christian.

Sir Stewart depressed the speaker without using his hands.

Gary's mobile phones. "Now, can you both hear me?"

Indeed, Dad.

"You're heard, sir. Do Florence and Nicky seem okay?"Yes," was Stewart's reply.

"Sir, I apologize. They push me back behind the gate post each time I reach for the automobile.

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"Christian, get ready!Stewart remarked.

"Nicky, refrain from acting carelessly."

One of us is going to die, therefore I have to take action! Prepare yourselves!"

"Nicky, I'm ready, but use caution. Simply dash to the next monument.

Stewart looked over a few potential barriers. "No, it's not enough far. Christian, now!Stewart scurried behind the first memorial. A bullet passed through the stone vase at his grave. He dodged the gunfire by ducking behind a few more monuments.

Christian sprinted to the vehicle and turned on the ignition. "Yes, I am present! Return to Florence. He pushed it into drive and said, "I'll be there in a second." Because the tires gripped the road, loose pebbles sprayed behind him.

Stewart bolted, hiding behind the statue next to Florence. "Are you alright?She let out a gasp.

"I'm OK. He's either a jerk or he's not really attempting to harm us.

Pressing the vehicle into park, Christian threw open the door, shook the gate, and darted behind the statue opposite Stewart and Florence. "I'm going to discharge my weapon! You and Florence reach the automobile, Nicky. Leave now if I'm not directly behind you!"

Florence's jaw dropped open. "No! We won't abandon you.

in the rear!"

Christian grated his teeth and let out an exasperated groan. "Follow instructions!He gritted his teeth and said every syllable clearly. "Now!He yelled and shot repeatedly in the direction of the church's rear corner.

Florence and Stewart took off. A g*n went off. With a yell, Florence clutched her upper right arm and fell to her knees. "She's very popular!Stewart grabbed her by the arms and bolted toward the vehicle. After placing her on the ground, he forcefully opened the door and pushed her into the rear seat.

Enter now!Christian shouted as he sprang into the driver's seat.

Stewart leaped into the passenger seat and buckled up. "Pet! To what extent is it bad? Have you secured your seat?"

Indeed, she moaned. It aches so terrible, I'm not sure how awful it is!She flinched, avoiding her arm's sight.

As soon as Christian planted his foot on the blacktop, he fishtailed.

"Florence, we must find another exit."

Upon reaching Plainview Road, go right instead of left to return to Hornbeck. Take the next blacktop to the left after you pass the red brick church! Be careful, since there are several potholes.

"Christian, please stop where you are so I can examine her arm."

Christian abruptly turned right onto Plainview Road and applied pressure. Stewart took his seat belt off. With a sideways gaze, Christian looked at him. "Nicky, what are you doing?"

"I'm returning there with her!"Stewart leaped into the area beside Florence and buckled up. He covered hers with his own. "Let me see this here."

Florence's tummy turned over as she closed her eyes. She shifted her fingers, feeling something unpleasant at the back of her throat. "Aww!As Stewart examined the wound, she let out a moan.

I apologize, pet. It passed through without any problems. He smiled, "I don't think it hit a bone, but I'm not the doctor." Stewart grabbed Christian's folded handkerchief and placed it over the entrance wound, saying, "Toss me your handkerchief, Christian." "Retain this!After saying that, he tore off a piece of his shirt and wrapped it over her arm. That's where. Until we can get you to an emergency room, that will do.

Florence was trembling a little. Stewart drew her against his body and encircled her in his arms. Are you still with me, Pet? Will you be alright?"

"Stewart, I'm cold," she said. "I think shock is about to hit me."

Stewart began massaging her arms and said, "Christian, turn off the air conditioner and turn on the heat." Come stay with me, Florence. Do you feel awake?"

"Stewart, I'm trying, but I'm so tired, and it hurts," she said, blinked quickly. "You wouldn't have this time either if you'd listened to me," he hissed. "I've never been shot before." "Nicky, check your back to see if anyone is pursuing us."

I'm about to reach 171."

Stewart cast a sidelong look. "No, nothing is behind us. Florence? Pet? With me, are you?Stewart's mobile phone went off. The video call was accepted by him. The picture of Steve appeared on the screen. "Stewart, what on earth is happening? Dad told you that Florence was shot!"

"Yes, Steve."

"Where?"

"In her right upper arm."

Is her arm still pierced by the bullet?"

Not at all. It seemed to have passed over without incident.

Did it strike a major artery or a bone? To what extent is it bleeding?"

"There's blood on my homemade tourniquet, but it's not streaming down her arm."

How much time ago was that?"

“Roughly thirty minutes.”

Is she aware of anything?"

Stewart exhaled. "No, Steve. Not in my opinion.

"Is she breathing okay? How was her pulse doing?"

She is breathing normally. Her skin feels clammy and chilly, yet her pulse is strong and steady.

"She most likely went into shock. Are you providing her with warmth?"

"Yes, the heat is on now."

"Hold the camera so her face is visible to me." Whoa!"Hey Steve!Stewart let out a moan.

I apologize. She has some pallor. I want you to gently and carefully untie the tourniquet. Reapply the tourniquet and take her to the closest hospital if the wound begins to leak. Hold the camera so I can view the wound if you don't notice any new blood.

Hold on. There is no bleeding. Is the angle correct there? Is it visible to you?"

Indeed. Surprisingly, the wound doesn't seem to be that terrible. Still a little seeping, however. Reapply the padding, but loosen the tourniquet knot this time. Just enough to maintain the cushioning's position.

"I'm heading into Many," Christian said. "The hospital is on the right and up ahead.

Steve, what's the conclusion?She should be able to survive if the bleeding is under control. How far is the drive required?"

"It will be roughly eighty to eighty-five miles when we arrive at the airport."

Christian said, "It won't be easy to explain a gunshot wound."

"It won't," Sir Stewart said as he entered the frame of the camera.

“Steve ? Is she going to make it?"

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Howard became red in the eyes. He pressed with his thumb, causing the silver fork's head to gently bend forward. "They allowed her to be shot!He gave a deep growl in his throat.

Rose patted Howard's hand gently and murmured, "Easy, Howard."

"Son, she'll be fine," Tom said. She may be reached telepathically by you. Nobody would ever be aware of it.

Howard cleared his throat of the lump. "Florence would. With tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, he gasped, "She's reaching for me now."

His eyes blinked them out. "I'd want to get in touch with her, but I can't!"No, but you can ease her suffering," Tom said. Howard snapped his head back. "How?"

He let out a gasp. Tell me! I'm curious about everything. Tom nodded, glancing at Rose and said, "Don't hold anything back."