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

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 nightmare,

down onto the ground and exhaling. He then gave Philippe a hard stare in the eyes

"Everyone can take a break for a moment!"

all the remaining workers dropped their pitchforks and

everyone is worn out. You're in no shape to continue. Believe me, no one wants this 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

"She's deep in de cave searching for de rocks you

I see. Anyways, we must maintain our current stride. Only

the woman named Tala shrieked as she came flying around the dark edge

woman on 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 stages. No matter, the frenzied appearance he wore was enough to have everyone in the cave ready to

guns down!"

"But look at him!"

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

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

contained. The man paced back and forth, frothing at the mouth

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

he seemingly dared anyone to invade. Every so often he would swipe and

advanced towards Arthur. "You are Arthur Bushard! You are the king of your kingdom! I

more Arthur seemed to focus upon the man. Their eyes locked. His pacing gradually began to cease with the passing

"Now...don't you recall Demarae once saying that too

Arthur stood for a full five seconds

there in the town, it can't continue. It's flat out cock-eyed. Just yesterday Philippe and the boys had to chase off some of the city dwellers because

thumping. He was accustomed to the sight of Arthur's alter-ego, but the man's behavior at that point was staggering even

it. In two days, I'm gonna dynamite this section and we'll all be rich. I

pointed straight at Arthur, ready to make a pull of the trigger at any second. The workers all held their breaths; some even

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

a halt as he dropped his hands to the side and mumbled so miserably, "Demarae

head and

who were still pointing their guns at