What Memory Remains
Chapter 20

“Who’s there?!” Zenapharr called out as he whipped around. His keen eyes scanned the area as he readied his sword. Whoever made the noise must have taken cover. A painstaking minute went by, him standing completely still in the deathly silence of the forest. That’s when he realized it had stopped raining.

There was the sound of a single drop of water, so minute that anyone with normal hearing could not perceive; but Zenapharr could. It resounded at a pace, like water from a leaky faucet. It was to his right, and he strafed in that direction as he kept his eyes peeled in front of him. Soon, he found the source of the dripping noise.

A pool of blood stained the grass, the source from the throat of a dead goblin that was strung up on a tree branch.

“Who would do such a thing?” He murmured.

The slightest sound of a wet footstep started behind him, and he swung his blade around to face the largest man he’d ever seen standing behind him. His reflex startled the large man, and the stranger slowly put his gloved hands up. Although he could not see the man’s eyes due to an ominous-looking mask, he was sure that the man’s pupils were indeed dilated.

“My, your reputation precedes you,” the man spoke in a mused, muffled voice.

“Who are you? And why are you trying to sneak up on me like that?”

“My apologies. My name is Luke Everton, but people like to call me the Rainmaker. I caught sight of you from afar, and saw you had a weapon so I hid. Once I got closer I recognized you. You’re Zenapharr. I’ve heard you were dangerous.”

“Well you’re not wrong. I am dangerous. But I do not mean you harm, unless you give me good reason.”

“I don’t mean to engage in any combat with you. I’m not with any police. It’s just…I was very curious. Is it true what they’ve said about what you’ve done to those people?”

“Not entirely. Did you do this?” He motioned to the dead goblin.

“I did not. I found it right before I saw you.”

“What are you doing way out here? Is this where you live? Would make sense with that wardrobe…”

“This is not my home. I was trying to replace someone when I came across this. I think I know why this goblin is strung up this way. May I show you?”

Zenapharr narrowed his eyes in suspicion, put off by the mask. It was hard to read him.

“You may show me, but stay in front of me, and no sudden movements.”

“Understandably so. It’s right this way.”

In minutes, he led Zenapharr over to a section of train track. It didn’t take long to figure out what he had found. The dirt around the track had a faint outline as if something was over it for some period of time. The shape seemed to be in that of a small train.

“You see what happened?” The Rainmaker explained. “It was parked over this area for a long time while it rained. The ground is less saturated where the train was.”

“I’m going to take a guess and say it has something to do with you, or is that just an interesting nickname?”

“It is. I have this gift which enables me to make it rain depending on my mood. It’s almost a quite useless ability.”

“So why the mask and gloves?”

“I…I had an accident when I was a boy. My father was a scientist and foolishly I got into his chemicals. It ended up giving me this ability, but it also makes me disfigured and my skin constantly drips water.”

“What chemicals could do such a thing?”

“It was all experimental. While I was stupid to be so reckless, my father also dabbled into things that he shouldn’t have.” A tone of genuine contempt saturated his voice.

“And you’ve been this way since?”

“Yes. I’ve had to live alone, an outcast from society. But I’ve found a great use for my gift. Farmers pay big money to guarantee a good rain.”

“I can imagine. So what’s your theory with the goblin and the train?”

“I believe whoever was on this train stopped for a while and was attacked by a goblin. They strung the goblin up as a warning for other goblins to stay away.”

“That would make sense. Who is it that you’re looking for?”

“The famous Doctor Koenig. I’ve heard that he may be able to cure my condition. He has his own private train, and so I believe the train that was here must be his. It’s hard to replace him, as he travels from town and town and only takes the most prestigious clients. I’ve saved up my money to get treated by him, and so now I’m trying to track him down. Do you suppose you could help me?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I must catch up to this train. I believe there may be people aboard that I’m trying to replace.”

“Oh, really? So it seems this private train could have one of two different passengers. Could I be of some assistance?”

“Maybe. Do you know this area off the top of your head?”

“Oh, quite well. There’s actually a town called Covington close to ten miles from here. We may be able to catch them, especially if they get off at the station there.”

“Sounds like a plan. Do you think you can keep from any flash flood rains from drowning us in the meantime? Hah!”

“I’ll try my best.”

* * *

The chug of the locomotive served as a calming white noise to Alice as she gripped Sade tightly and twirled her bracelet in circles around her wrist. An eerie silence permeated the air, and finally Sade couldn’t resist asking.

“Alice, you’re sure that you saw us in danger?”

“Yes….it was just like all my other visions. They’re more vivid and real than any dreams I’ve had….I thought it was really happening….” Fresh tears peeked out from her eyelids.

“What happened?”

“There was this man….a large man with a raincoat and this scary mask. He….he could somehow control water. He picked up the train while we were asleep and then let it crash back down….”

“And that killed us?”

“No, it only killed you.”

“So you lived?”

“No.”

“What happened?”

“I woke up…..I woke up still gasping for air. It was like I could still feel his hand around my neck….I couldn’t breathe…I…”

“Shhh, shhh. It’s okay you don’t have to….”

“We can’t stop, Sade! We can’t!”

“Why?”

“Because HE never will. He never does.”

“Who is he?”

“I don’t know. All I know is….there was a determination to him. And also a great sadness. He held me in his arms after he….”

An uneasy silence settled over them.

Sade stroked her hair affectionely. “I’ll be right back, okay?” Alice nodded.

He walked to the small conductor’s compartment.

“How much farther are we, Horace?”

“About five miles or so.”

“Great. We’re going to stop there permanently.”

“Oh….so you will no longer be requiring my services once we’re there?”

“No. And by the way, you were never here with us, not officially.” Sade handed the conductor a bag of coins, to which Horace graciously accepted.

“You know, Sade. I don’t get involved too much with this stuff. I’m just a driver but…should I be…extra cautious from here on?”

“My suggestion…leave the train at the station and travel somewhere other than where Alice and I are going.”

“Someone is following you, then?”

“Yes. I’m afraid so. The girl had a premonition of this horrible man in a mask. Must be some sort of assassin. I take her abilities very seriously.”

“I understand. May I give a word of advice?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Get out of here. Move to Latheria. Get as far from NOSRAD as you can. You may have to change your lifestyle, but you can replace use for your talents there. Maybe get into the Royal Guard with your swordsmanship.”

“No. I can’t. After knowing what they’ve done to Zenapharr and what they’re planning to do to others….it would impossible. I don’t care if Minerva thinks I’ve gone rogue or not.”

“I understand. You know they’re going to come after you, right?”

“Of course. I don’t agree with their decision to apprehend Zenapharr at all costs and I’m now helping him. I’m glad I have loyal friends like you to trust.”

“Yeah, of course. Who else could you trust?”

Sade began to think over all they’re come through to this point as he gazed out the window at the billowing smoke pluming into the night sky. It was at that moment that he realized there was something strange about the tone that Horace had spoken the last line. Horace’s eyes were fixed straight ahead, almost too concentrated. Sade looked down in time to see Horace’s hand slowly moving to a firearm at his belt.

Sade turned and ran for his sword, but right before his hand touched the hilt, he heard the conductor’s voice from behind him.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Sade froze. “Very good. Now hold your hands up and slowly turn around.” Sade did as instructed.

“So you too then, Horace? And you have a gun, sounds like Minerva. When did they get to you?”

“Get to me? Haha. There was no getting to me. I was simply bought, my friend. A circumstance of convenience. Thanks for the tip by the way.” He shook the bag of coins. “So anyway, I’m gonna need to do this.”

Horace stepped back and pulled on a lever at the control panel, and the train lurched as the brakes began to catch and slow the train’s pace.

“I was originally going to have some men waiting for you at Covington Station, but considering the Rainmaker’s coming for you, I can negotiate a deal with him. I was paid up front with the others, so I can double my money by getting a cut from him as well! More money to soothe my burdened conscience haha!”

“Traitor.” Alice hissed the words with spite in her eyes.

“Oh, well isn’t little miss sunshine getting cranky? That’s the way of the world, kid. I played my hand to get on top, and so I won. So now we wait for him to get here.”

“I wouldn’t….”

“Shut up, Sade! I’m done taking orders from you. Now grab some rope and tie this freak up. Then I’ll tie you up next.”

The look of disdain in Alice’s eyes began to burn into hatred, and Sade could already feel what she was going to do.

“Alice….”

Horace’s arm suddenly jerked up and pointed the gun to his own head, and his eyes bulged in panic.

“What the hell? How…?”

“Alice! Stop it!”

“He’s a bad man. He deserves to die!”

“No, Alice!!”

“I can’t stand people doing this to each other! Lies! I don’t know what to believe anymore!”

“I know, sweetie. It’s messed up, okay? You already know this world…it’s a messed up place. But we don’t have to be like that.”

“The only way….is to get rid of the messed up people. Like my mother….like him! I need to stop him before he hurts someone else!”

“No, he won’t. We don’t have to kill him.”

“You did.”

“What?”

“Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’re the moral one here, Sade. I know what you did.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A look of nervousness washed over Sade’s face as he already suspected her meaning.

“You killed your own father. And y0u had good reason.”

“That’s….that’s.”

“You wanted to act sooner, to stop him from hurting your mother but you were afraid of him, too. Until he went too far, and she died. And the scumbag got away with it. That’s when you took matters into your own hands. I don’t blame you, you know. Anyone else would have done the same.”

“This isn’t the same….”

“It IS the same! You wished you acted sooner, and you didn’t! And now you live with the guilt of it every day.” Tears streamed from her face. “I can feel it on you, Sade! You try to pretend it doesn’t bother you but it does! I don’t want to feel the same way! Just like I stopped my mother…it’s the only way.”

“Alice…I don’t feel guilty now because of her dying. I feel guilty because of what I did to him.”

“Maybe….but it doesn’t make a difference. I still feel it. I feel everyone’s thoughts…their feelings. And people call it a gift…it’s not! It’s a curse! So I just act happy like everyone else. I pretend. To feel like less like a freak.”

At this, Horace pressed the barrel harder into his skull.

“You won’t have to pretend to be happy, Alice. Not anymore, when all this is over. You’ll have me, and Zenapharr. No one to hurt you like that, okay?”

The seething in Alice’s eye began to wane a little, and she relaxed her hold on Horace.

“Now, you gonna apologize to the lady?” Sade gave a warning glance to Horace.

“Hah! Apologize, to this psychopath?! I’m as good as dead when I don’t deliver you two, anyway! I’m not apologizing to this freak of nature! So you might as well--”

There was a flash of light, followed by a POP and a spray of blood as Horace slumped to the floor. Sade recoiled from the sound, his ears assaulted with a high-pitched whining as his shirt was soaked in the conductor’s blood. He looked wide-eyed over at Alice who only stared blankly ahead. The only other sound was the squeal of metal as the train finally came to a complete stop.