Redemption (Night Marchers #2) Written by: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels (21 page)

Realization dawns on me, "Oh...That's why
they didn't want to release them so close to a cliff. They didn't
want any of them to..." The idea of the horror that many of these
people had to endure cuts right through me. Being taken from
everything they knew, to march stoically for who knows how many
years. "Was it that bad?" I ask Kai.

A dark look passes over his face. "I wasn't
there as long as some of the others. We didn't just march if that’s
what you’re asking. We had a purpose and the purpose in and of
itself was to protect the island. I held onto that; knowing that at
least protecting the island that the woman I love is on, it was
enough to keep me going. Like I said, many of the captives have
been marching for an unthinkably long time. They've lost everyone
that they ever cared for; they had nothing left to hold onto. They
are very bitter and hurt because their life was stolen away."

I feel horrible for them. I can't even
imagine what that would feel like. "Do you think the Menehunes will
be able to help them?" I ask.

"If anyone could help these people it would
be the Menehunes. They are filled with love and they care so deeply
for others..." Kai's head drops down and I watch his shoulders
shake.

"I'm so sorry, Kai." I wrap my arms around
him and hold him close to me while he takes a moment to mourn for
his lost friend.

He takes a deep breath and wipes his face
off. "We should go. Eve mentioned that your friends are there
waiting for you."

Friends, that means not just Kaylee but
Tristan too. A nervous feeling rises in my stomach knowing Tristan
will be there. I decide it's best to be up front with Kai now.
"Kai, I need to tell you something." Kai just gives me a loving
look almost like he knows what I'm going to say. He doesn't speak
up though; he lets me talk. "Do you remember that letter I received
when we were with the Menehunes? It was before you became a Night
Marcher." He nods. "It was from Tristan. Before we met, he and I
were sort of dating. He found me that night when you turned. He
took me home and took care of me. He also helped me try to find you
again."

"Yes, I remember seeing him with you before
we even met. You care for him, I can tell. I could tell when you
read that letter." Kai says. Thankfully he doesn't seem upset by
the news.

"Yes, I care for him a lot. He and I we have
or had feelings for each other. I hurt him Kai. He loves me and I
wasn't sure how I felt until a day ago when I saw you again. I made
a huge mistake and blurted out that I'm in love with you and he
overheard." I feel as if my whole body is shaking with nerves about
seeing him again.

"Why are you shaking Emma?" Kai asks then
puts his hands on my shoulders.

I try to blink back tears. "I just don't want
to hurt Tristan."

"You must really care about him." He looks in
my eyes. "Do you love him?"

Shocked I stand there unmoving for a second.
I don't even blink. I allow myself to think about all of the little
moments that Tristan and I had. "I think I do, but not like I love
you. He's meant to be in my life though, I can tell. He’s important
to me."

Kai rubs his hands up and down my arms
comfortingly. "Then I'm sure you will be able to make it right." He
kisses me on the forehead then says, "We better go."

I hold onto Kai's hand the entire decent to
the beach. Kai cracked a joke about having unbelievable night
vision left over from being a Night Marcher. When we reach the
beach we see a scene that looks much like an airport arrival gate.
There is so much activity and people gathered here and there.
Nearly fifty Menehune's and more than two dozen human's are
scattered around on the small beach. A large bonfire lights up the
area. Separated into small groups, some people look like they are
crying as the Menehunes are comforting them and some people are
excitedly talking to others. Seeing how the Menehunes care for
these complete strangers is truly heart warming.

My eyes dart around wildly looking for
familiar faces. I spot Kaylee's blonde hair from across the crowd
easily. Tristan is with her, along with another person and a few
Menehune's. I let go of Kai’s hand and start walking forward with
Kai on my heels. When I approach the first person to look up and
notice me is Tristan. My heart skips a beat when our eyes meet.
They aren't filled with pain and sorrow like the last time I saw
him, for that I'm grateful.

"Emma!" Kaylee attacks me with a giant bear
hug that nearly topples us both to the ground. "Oh my gosh Emma!
I'm so glad you are okay!" We hug for several minutes not noticing
anyone around us. Hugging Kaylee makes me feel normal again, like
everything that is going absolutely berserk in my life is going to
be okay.

"Hey, I'm glad you are safe too!" I pull back
and look at Paul who is looking up at us goofily.

"Yeah, she's a piece of work Emma. It took
three of us to hold her back from running after you when you took
off on that boat with Kao. She was not having that." Paul says. But
instead of annoyance, he gives Kaylee a look of utter admiration.
Hmm, I guess Paul has a new crush. I giggle at the thought.

"Yeah, well I didn't like not being close
enough to back my girl up." She smirks at me. "Paul's pretty strong
you know." She gives his biceps a playful squeeze and Paul blushes
from head to toe.

"I'm sure." I say laughing.

Kaylee looks over my shoulder behind me, "So
you must be Kai. You look much hotter than your scumbag
brother."

"Kaylee!" I say punching her lightly on the
shoulder.

"What? It's true." Kaylee says. I turn so
that I'm not blocking the two of them.

"You must be Kaylee." Kai says jokingly. He
extends his hand and they both shake.

I look behind Kaylee to where Tristan is
standing not too far off. "Why don't you two get to know each other
for a few minutes. I need to speak to someone." They nod then go
straight into talking.

I walk over to Tristan who is staring at me
intently. "Hey there." I say.

"Hey," he says a little quietly like he's not
sure what to say.

"Tristan, I'm sorry I hurt you today. I
didn't mean for it to come out like that. I mean for you to have to
overhear..." I don't know what I should say. My heart races knowing
how much is riding on this conversation. I can't bear to lose
Tristan altogether. I know that we can't be together the way he may
want, but I want him in my life as my friend.

"Emma..." It sounds like on one hand he wants
to say it's okay, don't explain and then on the other he needs an
explanation.

I try again. "I didn't know how I felt, not
until I saw him yesterday Tristan. I would never have led you on if
I truly knew. I care for you so much and I never meant to hurt
you." I start tearing up so I take a moment to take some deep
breaths to clear some of the emotion. The last thing I want right
now is for Tristan to have to comfort me. Once I'm sure the tears
are put away where they belong I continue. "I love him, but I love
you too Tristan."

His eyes grow big and confused. I realize I
need to clarify before I spark false hope inside him. "My love for
you is different Tristan. I mean, you are amazing and I can't
imagine not having you in my life..." I don't know how to explain
it. I see in his eyes that I need to try though. I end up speaking
way too fast saying: "I don't want to say that I love you like a
brother, cause that would be a lie. You are insanely attractive and
our kisses were amazing so that would be pretty sick... I just... I
didn't expect to fall in love with Kai. When we met though it was
like I didn't have a choice, not that I would have wanted a choice,
but it was like we were meant to be together. Like we were missing
puzzle pieces in life…we just fit. I know that's not what you want
to hear, but know I still love you. Now it has to be a friend type
of love. I want you in my life. I can't stand the thought of having
you hate me but if you want me to never speak to you again I
understand." I finish out of breath and flustered. As much as I
didn’t want to hurt Tristan, I still have to say it feels really
good being truly honest with him.

Tristan stays silent for a moment taking it
all in. I get so nervous that I start to sweat. Maybe he's not even
going to respond. I ready myself; this could be the last time I
will ever talk to Tristan. If that's what he wants, that is.

Thankfully he speaks up, "I'm not going to
lie and say that I don't love you, or that I'm not hurt. I am going
to say though that because I love you, I want the best for you. I
was there when Kai came to save you. I saw the way he looked at you
and how he took care of you. If I had seen anything other than
absolute irrevocable love on his face, I would not step aside." He
lifts his hand up to my face. "If he is what makes you happy, I
will not stand in the way." He leans down and kisses me quickly on
the lips. It's a gentle last kiss. "I will always love you though
Emma. If I am forced to a fate of loving you as a friend forever,
then that is a fate I can live with." He smiles just enough to show
me that this can work.

My heart leaps with joy and I exhale a breath
of relief. "Tristan, I don't deserve you."

"Hey, don't sell yourself short babe." He
winces a small bit at the word babe. It's going to take a while to
get used to this. All that matters is that we try though. He breaks
the semi uncomfortable silence by saying, "Um, I have someone I
want you to meet."

A man Tristan's age steps up beside him.

"Noa!" I yell in excitement.

"Um, hi. Have we met before?" His eyebrows
furrow over my impromptu notification that I already know who he
is.

"Not really, I mean, I'm a friend of the
family. I've seen your picture and Tristan told me about you." I
pull him into a hug because that's what Texans do and because he
looks like he can use it. Reluctantly he returns the hug so I don’t
linger.

I notice a few torches descending down the
side of the cliff where we just came from and involuntarily I
shutter. I could go a lifetime without seeing another torch. When
they get closer I can tell they aren’t Night Marchers though
because they are scattered, sporadic and well, short.

Eve comes to stand beside me and takes my
hand in hers. “Since this is all over, and everyone is here, I
figured we could give a final goodbye to Adam. I know he would love
to have been part of this wonderful redemption of so many lost
souls." She gives my hand a small squeeze and walks over to meet
the other Menehunes who just descended down the hill. They were the
ones I saw carrying the torches down to the surf. Four Menehunes,
two on each side, carry a small wooden casket measuring no more
than four feet in length. There is an array of different brightly
colored Hawaiian flowers lining the outside of the box. Each of the
Menehune's carrying it wears a matching leafy necklace and
hairpiece made of flowers. I recognize the leaves that adorn the
box and the Menehune's necklaces. They belong to the Ti plant,
which is said to ward off evil spirits. I think I need to make one
of those a permanent part of my wardrobe from this point
forward.

I watch as they solemnly place the casket on
the beach carefully and gather around behind it. Eve places her
hand on it then looks over to the crowd and smiles. Even through
her smile I can sense her pain.

“If I could have your attention please?” Eve
announces. She may be small but her voice envelops a powerful tone
that demands authority. Everyone grows silent and turns towards
her. “As you all know my husband has passed on..." She pauses to
collect herself. I'm sure announcing this fact in front of her
gathered loved ones makes it seem all the more final. "I can’t tell
you that I’m okay, because I am not. We were married for a very
long time. If you asked him how long, he would have said: forever."
She chuckles sadly at the memory. "Adam was my best friend, my
confidant, my partner in crime, my uhane hoa, soul mate.” Through
the firelight I can see a small tear run down her brave face. She
wipes the tear away quickly and continues. “But, this is not a time
for sadness, this is a time for celebration. Tonight we have many
things to celebrate: Adam’s life, the redemption of the innocents,
and the return of our adopted son Kai.” She gives Kai a sincere
smile then finishes addressing the crowd. “If you don’t mind I
would like to share a few words with you in honor of my late
husband Adam.” She reaches into her pants pocket, pulls out a small
piece of paper and unfolds it. “As I stand before you now, I want
you to remember my husband Adam. As you all know, life is a very
precious gift that we sometimes take for granted. Many of you here
tonight remember Adam. Most of you knew him as the strong and
grounded man he appeared to be, but I knew he was more than that.
He was a man of emotions who I know loved me for who I was and that
love never waivered. This is a letter I wrote to my husband so
everyone will be able to hear how much he will be missed.” Eve
holds the piece of paper closer to her face and begins to read. “To
my dearest Adam: A small squeeze of the hand or a hug from you
always let me know I was loved and that you were there for me. You
always knew what to say to make me laugh, and for that I am ever
grateful. I was proud of you everyday you were with me; I was proud
to call you my husband. You left your mark on the world, and I know
I am not the only one who misses you. You are and always will be my
soul mate and my inspiration. No one will ever be able to fill your
shoes much less take your space. You were my steadfast rock that
helped me through thick and thin. Adam, you may now be with the
angels, but I know you are able to look down on us with a bigger
than life smile on your face. Now I have to say my final goodbye to
you, my lover, my husband, and my best friend. You are and always
will be forever in my heart. Love always, Your Eve." She folds the
papers up, her face glistening with tears. The crowd of people
remains stoically silent as she places the letter among the flowers
atop the box.