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Infinite Loop - Chapter 1
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Chapter 44
They looked at each other, each trying to digest what it meant. For Warren H. Phillips, he momentarily relived all the past. He remembered an unfulfilled life, along with his reoccurring deaths, before finding someone in the same predicament as him. The woman who gave him a reason to protect her with his own body.
Amber Filipek, on the other hand, looked toward the future. She found an inner strength she never knew she had. The refugee from a foul world of abuse and drugs found herself able to survive a crazy place that somehow gave her a sense of belonging. And she is happy she had someone as a partner. Not a user and a drifter, but someone willing to step into the unknown with her.
“Well, it appears we have a friend we’ve never met,” Warren observed as he gave the card to Amber.
They heard footsteps along the path and the murmur of youthful voices. Two boys, excitedly chatting, walked along the nearby footpath. They were going toward the sound of the bells. The boys wore a straw hat and wore denim overalls. One, his face covered with freckles, was carrying bamboo rods. The other boy was dark-skinned, with a small wicker basket slung over his shoulder. He kept pushing up the too-large straw hat he wore while he carried a small tin can in another hand. They waved at the couple underneath the tree before returning to their conversation after Amber waved back. From the way the boys spoke, they would find the best fishing hole in the world where the fish would almost jump in their basket. An idea struck Warren, and he got to his feet. Reaching down, he took her by the arm, helping her to her feet.
“Come on, I want to see what’s down that path,” he told her as he headed to the trail. “Those boys must be going somewhere that we need to see.”
“What about the drink you wanted?”
Warren stopped and came back.
“It can wait. Like you said earlier, let’s find out about this place.” Amber stared at him for a moment, but his sudden excitement inspired her. Warren scooped up the basket by the handle while she scrambled to her feet, gathering the blanket.
“Slow down!”
She yelled at him as he tried to keep up with his quick pace. He stopped when he reached the trail. Amber put on her shoes, then hand in hand, they headed to the village.
The footpath followed the contours of the land, giving the travelers an idyllic view of the countryside. While they saw no other people as they walked, the land around them teamed with life. The air was silent but for the sounds of nature around them. Wild grapes and blueberries covered sections of the fences, causing them to stop twice for a quick snack. Their purple stained fingers sent out a wave of amused chuckles.
“This reminds me of summer camp,” Amber stuck out her purple tinged tongue.
As they got closer to the tall steeple, their pace slowed as the narrow, dusty path opened up to the wider street made of brick. Wide enough for cars, the couple saw no vehicles. It appeared to be the only large road which snaked along the curve of the nearby river. Walking down the middle of the road, they looked for the expected buildings of a village. Yet only gigantic oaks and sycamore trees lined the road, their large limbs arching over the road. The effect of the arched path reminded Amber of the huge gothic cathedrals she remembered seeing pictures of when she was young.
Warren noticed a young girl sporting purple hair walk from between the trees into the street in front of them. She wore a pink dress and a sweater. Instantly, there was a welcoming yell from across the street, where two dark-haired girls came out of a footpath by the river. Twins, with Asian features, spoke excitedly with the purple hair teen when they met in the middle of the wide brick path. The squeals of conversations were loud enough to be heard by the couple. Following the trio of girls, Amber and Warren closed on the steeple where the bells rang.
While Warren’s attention focused on the young girls, Amber felt someone watching them. Then, she noticed a large man, wearing a denim shirt and a black leather vest, suddenly step away from large trees lining the road. Immediately, he closed the distance as he came toward them. His broad brown face with a goatee instantly reminded her of the night she died. Staring at him, she saw the symbol on the chest of the man’s jacket. She grabbed Phillip’s arm. Her legs nearly buckled as she instantly relived her nightmare. Suddenly, Amber pulled him away, her nails digging into his arm as she led him from the street.
“What are you doing?”
Warren protested as they stopped at the edge of the road. He nodded at another couple who walked by them while rubbing on his injured arm. He noticed Amber’s stare.
“That man! Walking toward us. He’s wearing the same vest as that gang who got me. I told you about those people who killed me.” She whispered while visibly shaking.
Just as Phillips turned, the large man stood in front of them. A head taller than Warren, the man eyed him momentarily with his hands on his hips. Then he turned to Amber, his face showing a mixture of concern and sadness.
“Senorita, I’m sorry to frighten you. I forget I can scare people by my presence,” he said in a deep voice. “Please forgive me, Miss Amber, but I’m here for you.”
The man stepped past Warren and held out his large hand. Amber stared at the paw for a moment before gathering enough nerve to shake it.
“How do you know me?” Her shaky voice whispered.
“El Obispo,” he replied. “There, we’re friends.”
The large man’s bright smile threw the couple. He turned to the stunned man next to her.
Find all my stories at gordonbrewer.com.
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