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.

drop those wires!" Livingston

to leave." Philippe breathlessly urged. "De workers are scared to death. Some of dem would rather die dan

carefully placing the dynamite back down onto the ground and exhaling. He then gave Philippe a hard stare in the eyes before standing, facing towards the weary workers and wiping the sweat

can take a break for

remaining workers dropped their pitchforks and gave Livingston

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

"She's deep in de cave searching for de rocks you asked for." One of the

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

Tala shrieked as she

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

"Put your guns down!" Livingston screamed at

look at

Arthur was heaving in and out as 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

"Arthur, just calm down and let's

The man paced back and forth, frothing at the mouth like

these men won't shoot you!

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

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

to focus upon the man. Their eyes locked. His pacing gradually began to cease with

me." Livingston spoke more calmly. "Now...don't you recall Demarae once saying that too much changing can affect

five seconds before he hissed in a

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 they're coming

Livingston's own heart wouldn't stop thumping. He was accustomed to the sight of Arthur's alter-ego, but the man's behavior

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

to make a pull of the trigger at any second. The workers all held their breaths; some even turned their heads in

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

came to a halt as he dropped his hands

Livingston shook 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