The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

The rain outside the cave that afternoon could be heard penetrating the cave's walls so hard that it sounded as if it were going to collapse right on top of everyone inside. The heat inside was as usual stifling. The stench of body odor and human waste, combined with the humidity and the dampness only made breathing unbearable and downright impossible. By then, everyone gathered and working knew how and when to take breaths; in small doses.

Livingston, on his knees, meticulously worked with the various colored wires that were attached to a set of explosives. He tinkered feverishly, yet carefully, making sure not to insert certain wires into the wrong slots. There were multiple sounds thriving inside his head, namely the rain just twenty or so feet behind him outside the cave, the workers digging into the walls and gagging as if they couldn't breathe any longer, and his own heartbeat that wouldn't slow down for anything.

"Blimey!" He griped under his breath at the tiny sparks that flew into his face.

A roll of thunder caused the man to look up and back at the cave's entrance where Philippe was standing with his rifle in hand.

"Philippe, come over right quick!"

Lethargically, the man did as ordered and stood above Livingston. Livingston continued to work with the wires more and more before saying to Philippe, "Stand here."

Philippe sat his weapon down onto the ground before kneeling and asking, "What is it?"

Taking a blue and yellow wire, Livingston remarked, "Take these, and no matter what, don't drop them."

Philippe secured the wires as commanded while watching Livingston fiddle with the dynamite like they were toys.

"You and the others have been awfully quiet all day." Livingston mentioned without looking at the young man. "What's the issue?"

Philippe's eyes shifted from side to side in rapid succession. "It's...it's just him." He stuttered.

"Him, who," Livingston turned up his nose.

"You know...him."

Livingston glanced at Philippe for a second before re-directing his attention back at his work. "Just stay focused on what we're doing here." He muttered as if his words were too blasphemous to be said out loud.

"But, how can we stay focused when he's out dere doing what he's doing?"

Sighing, Livingston said, "Look, I can't control the bastard any more than you can. But—

"I can control him!" Philippe pointed at his rifle.

"Don't drop those

men want to leave." Philippe breathlessly urged. "De workers are scared to death. Some of dem would rather die dan to keep on and run into him. You've seen him like dat before. It's like something from out of a

and exhaling. He then gave Philippe a hard stare in the eyes before

can take a break for a moment!"

the remaining workers dropped their pitchforks

them. But those of us that are collected here are the fortunate ones. I know that I and my partners have been hard on you. I've been more like an enforcer than a foreman.

de cave searching for de rocks you asked for." One of

our current stride.

"My God," the woman named Tala shrieked as she came flying around the dark edge of the

after her, Philippe and his two partners immediately raised their rifles while Livingston stood directly in front of them. Arthur's fangs were exposed and his eyes were completely white. He looked as if he was either coming down from a transformation or in the beginning stages. No matter, the frenzied appearance he wore was enough to have everyone in the cave ready to either

your guns down!" Livingston

"But look at him!" Philippe shrieked

from his bottom

"Arthur, just calm down and let's talk!"

Arthur appeared to be too wired to be contained. The man paced back and forth,

"Listen to me, these men won't shoot you! Do you understand? They

Arthur only snarled while lurking within his space that he seemingly dared anyone to invade. Every so often he would swipe and snarl at those before him

are Arthur Bushard! You are the king of your kingdom! I need for you to hear me! I need

his name that was all the more Arthur seemed to focus upon the man. Their eyes locked. His pacing gradually began to

need Arthur to hear me." Livingston spoke more calmly. "Now...don't you recall

five seconds before he hissed

doing out there in the town, it can't continue. It's flat out cock-eyed. Just yesterday Philippe

Livingston endlessly. Livingston's own heart wouldn't stop thumping. He was accustomed to the

dollars' worth of diamonds inside this one region of the cave. It's because of you and your family that we were able to find it. In two days, I'm gonna dynamite this section and

It was dead silent inside the cave. Philippe and his partners had their guns pointed straight at Arthur, ready to make a pull of the trigger at any second. The workers all held their breaths; some even turned their heads in fear of Arthur's face. It was only Livingston that dared to move closer to the man until he was

"We...need...you." Livingston uttered so seriously into Arthur's face. "Just

he dropped his

his head and replied, "Yes...they're all

Arthur then looked past Livingston and at the workers and guards who were still pointing their guns at him before he began to march towards them on his way