The Rosey Thorn

Chapter 17

“Let’s make a promise to one another,” Wade started to say with a beer in hand. “That if anything happens to either one of us, that we’ll search for each other and don’t stop until we know that we are truly dead.”

We were all at a bonfire at Wade’s house. Mary, as usual, was inside the house because the outdoor air would ruin her face. Her words. Mary never liked going outside. No matter how many times Wade begs, she always says no. Tonight, he did not care. He’s been ignoring her all day, and she’s been sulking inside. This relationship is going to end soon.

“That’s one hell of a promise,” Jake said with a look on his face that he did not agree with this.

“I like it,” I said. Jake whipped his head at me. “What? Wade is right. What if you are injured on the field and no one knows you are hurt because of the gunshots and yelling and not paying attention to where you are, and they leave you behind? Wouldn’t you want us to go out and find you before you bleed to death?”

“I guess,” Jake mumbled.

“What if I was missing, Jake? Would you look for me?” I asked.

“Of course I would!” He explained, kneeling in front of me, holding my hand. “I will never stop looking for you, until my dying breath!”

“Promise?” I questioned.

“I swear on my dog’s grave, that I will come for you. I will kill for you. I will search to the end of the Earth to find you. This I promise.”

“Ok, no need to be dramatic," I giggled and kissed his hand. “What about you, Wade?”

“You guys are my family, of course I would. Until I see a dead body, I will not stop looking for any of you.”

As Wade said in the last part, he looked right at me. The look he gave me was more than a promise. It was more like an oath.

“Let’s make a pact," I began standing up and everyone in Jake’s unit, including Wade, all got up. I was friends with all of them. Well, we were more like family than friends. We had an unbreakable bond between us and that I loved them more than my own family. “Let’s agree that we will always be there for each other. That no matter how hard the times are, we’ll comfort one another. Let’s promise that if something happens to one of us, we will go looking and won’t stop until our dying breath. Let’s promise that no matter what, we will never turn our backs. We are a family and family does not give up on one another. So, what do you say?”

“I promise,” Wade started.

“I promise,” another began.

All at once, ‘I promised’ was being echoed across the room and everyone was smiling at one another. There was even some hugging. Wade and I made eye contact, and we smiled at one another. As the night winded down, I noticed that one person had not made a promise. Jake.

I watched as the roaring of fire soared high to where it looked like it was touching the sky. The smoke blends into the clouds, creating its own dark color in the sky. The brightness and the whistle of sirens from the police cars and firetrucks disturbed the night. There were dozens of them, each cop and firefighter checking each and every one of the girls.

Cielo wasn’t there either, so I did the same thing as before. Killed every man except for leaving the girls inside the warehouse. I dragged each one out one at a time — making sure they’re at a safe distance — and torched the building. I hated looking at the building. I hated the stench that came from it. And I hated the darkness that consumed every inch of that building. That building needed to be burned. I didn’t care that the men I killed were burned. They all deserved it.

I watched until the ambulance came, but I remained. I don’t know why.

Why do I stand here unable to move? I should be heading to Kentucky to get to Cielo. It’s the only place left, but why am I not moving?

This was Wade all over again. I didn’t believe he had died. He had just disappeared and for five months I tried to find him. Using military resources, I traced him to San Diego. When I went there his trail went cold. I couldn’t find him after I tried, but after months of cold leads I had to stop. My captain thought I was using military resources illegally. I never stopped believing he was dead though. No one believed me, not even Jake. Even their unit gave up after a couple of weeks. Some family I chose. I thought we would be there for each other. I should have known they were all liars after easily giving up for Wade. Then, when I went missing, they did not give a damn.

My fists clenched so hard that my nails dug into the skin, breaking it. I couldn’t unclench my fists. I was so angry. My body started to shake as the anger grew. I turned to a nearby tree and took my anger out on it. With every punch, I imagine the men that were abducted. I imagine El Toro. I imagine every man that took me, drugged me, used me. I even imagine my own so-called family. Not just my biological one, but also my chosen one.

I did not stop until my fists bled and my anger subdued. I finally stopped, my breath heavy, my heart beating a mile a minute that it won’t calm down sometime soon.

Now that I have worked out the negative feeling, I need to focus on Ceilo.

I believe Cielo’s alive, but what if she wasn’t there? I want to find her, but I also want to go after El Toro. No, I can’t give up yet. I cannot do it to her after giving up on Wade. Even though I did not give up, I was forced to. If she’s not in Kentucky, then I will continue to look for her, while I go after El Toro. I watched for one more minute, making sure the girls were safely put in the ambulances and left.