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 wires!" Livingston

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

paused before carefully placing the dynamite back down onto the ground and exhaling. He then gave Philippe a

"Everyone can take a

At once, all the remaining workers dropped their pitchforks and gave

ordeal to end more than I do. But we are all here for a specific purpose, and that is to become wealthy. But we all know that with great wealth, comes great sacrifice. These caves are rife with heaven on earth. Not everyone in this country knows about 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. But it was for your own good. We're closer now than we ever have been before. This rubbish about wanting to quit must

deep in de cave searching for de rocks you asked for." One

"Oh, I see. Anyways, we must maintain our current stride. Only two more days and

as she came flying around the dark

the run. When they could see Arthur, who was clothed only in a pair of torn pants, chasing 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

down!" Livingston screamed at

"But look at him!"

if he had been running nonstop for hours. Drops of blood could be seen dripping from his bottom lip. Livingston didn't know exactly what to make of the man or what he should even do

"Arthur, just calm down and let's

man paced back

"Listen to me, these men won't shoot you!

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

Livingston carefully and slowly advanced towards Arthur. "You are Arthur Bushard! You are the king of your kingdom! I need for you to hear me! I need Arthur Bushard to

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

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

full five seconds before he hissed

it can't continue. It's flat out cock-eyed. Just yesterday Philippe and the boys had to chase off some of

stop thumping. He was accustomed to the sight of Arthur's alter-ego,

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 we'll all be rich. I can go back home, these people can go about their lives, and you can rule this island for

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

uttered so seriously into Arthur's face. "Just two

dropped his

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

looked past Livingston and at the workers and guards who were still pointing their guns at him before he