Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Blood Red Storm ❯ Death of a Man, Birth of Something Worse ( Chapter 1 )

Blood Red Storm

 

© Coco Reed

 

Death of a Man, Birth of Something Worse

 

It was a comfort to know that getting a ferry ticket was not as expensive as everyone had told him it would be. Fifty, a hundred, two thousand dollars they all had gasped at him, arms flailing and eyes wide at the outrageous prices they had heard from friends of friends who were watching the travel channel late at night and had seen a special on. Aquaria was out of his reach.

 

Gale O'Kirk had graduated early from high school for a reason, his dad had said, that mind of his was too important and made for Master's programs and Pulitzer prizes. Quitting college after only a year was not a smart move. Writing was flimsy and not a smart thing to depend on.

 

Quit and become a neurosurgeon or lawyer, his mother had added, a top lawyer in the Dallas megaplex herself.

 

Yeah, well, fuck everyone who wanted to rain on his damned parade. He was eighteen, had money to spare, and the biggest city on the great Pacific Ocean was calling to him!

 

Fifteen bucks. $15.79 was the price for his freedom - car and bags included on the trip. He wasn't so naïve to believe that living on Aquaria would be this cheap; he had seen the beautiful waterside homes on the news and in magazines. His soul wouldn't even pay for a front gate! However, less than twenty was all it took for him to transport everything worth packing from his parent's home in Texas. The plutonium pellet in his beater Chevy Blazer would last at least another year or so. He was ready to start his life.

 

The large ferry cut through the choppy waters, warm and inviting this time of year. Decades-worth of running the waters through gigantic filters and placing strict bans on boats paid off, and now the waters were much cleaner and safe to swim. The world was much cleaner. He supposed, as he watched the waves, that it really was miraculous the way the earth's future had turned out. Of course, his grandparents were not even alive when his country had started getting involved in and then surpassing technologies to repair the damage caused by humans to the planet, but he could still reflect on history in appreciation.

 

A century ago marijuana became legal and people finally did away with the practically caveman dependency they had on materials such as gasoline. Joining with Japan, America patented and produced in mass small plutonium pellets that went where gas tanks used to be on cars. A fresher world was being born. With the death of older, more conservative generations, progressive leaders began to run the country one after another. Bills in the pursuit for science and better living were being passed, and soon medicine was making bigger miracles happen and hatred began to wane. Sure people were still thriving in their small, hateful groups, but one could be with whomever they loved, and know they were safe and had as many rights as everyone else. No matter who you were, you had a fair chance at life.

 

And then came the cures. Deaths from riots occurred, suicide cults popped out of every dark corner of the world, two major wars were prevented, and one was began but stopped through exhaustive months of peace treaties. In the end it was for the good. How could anyone think a child with a genetic disease, which prevented them from ever walking, take their first of many steps after breakthrough medical treatment be the work of evil? HIV and the common cold were a thing of the archaic past, but for a time, that is exactly what many thought doctors were - evil, meddlesome devils. Luckily the rest of the world ignored this lunacy.

 

Gale was born years after all of the chaos, in dazzling 4023. The year Aquaria was finished. He loved his hometown, like everyone usually does, but he wanted out of Texas. Old America. Aquaria was New America. One hundred miles from the western coast of Old America, three floating islands were kept drifting. Aquaria was the first and largest of the memory metal constructions built. Her sister islands were Junistus and Anasora to each side.

 

Sparkling and massive, he had seen pictures of the mixed cultures and spectacular mansions of the island when he was twelve. He had known then his life would start there. All else was just a drawn-out prelude. Once he set foot onto Aquaria, the rest of his days would be that of a writer, living in comfort near the ocean. His parents wanted medical or law school for him, he would have none of it. A bright smile flashed across his face and he had to shield his dark blue eyes from the glinting horizon. Through the mist Anasora loomed.

 

Feeling he had enough of the view, a trip to the bathroom sounded like a capital idea. Weaving in and out of the cars and people, the door to the sterile facilities finally was spotted. It swung in easily and he was mid-hum when his eyes came upon the strangest sight they had in weeks. Tongue sticking out in concentration, a young man was propped against the sinks, one leg on the counter, one black combat boot off, with a blow dryer held in his hand. Later Gale would learn that minutes prior a family had dumped out their cooler and splashed their ice water over the unsuspecting kid's leg.

 

His jeans were rolled up on the propped up leg to his knee, revealing a skinny, pale appendage. Wriggling his sock-clad toes while the hot air pointed at them, the teen did not seem to notice him. He was blocking the way to the only unoccupied stall. Accomplished with whatever he seemed to have been doing, the young man had turned off, unplugged, and rolled his dryer up to shove in his small duffle bag before he noticed him staring.

 

Blue-green eyes snapped over to him and widened a second before a smile spread over chapstick-slicked lips and a cheerful voice broke the silence. “Sorry there, Red. You could've pushed me outta the way, you know.”

 

That was it. Two sentences and Gale belonged to him.

 

Of course, he didn't let this young man in on that detail. Instead, he used the toilet and then searched the ferry until he found the teenager again. It wasn't that long of a quest. The short blonde was leaning against the railing and their eyes found each other as soon as Gale stepped out of the bathroom corridor. He later confessed he had waited for him. They sat down on a bench after grabbing a cup of coffee.

 

His name was Sean Revillot, and it was his birthday. Centuries ago, doctors would have said he only had a few years left. When he was a baby, he was diagnosed with Duchenne - a disease that would have sent him into a wheelchair in his early teens and most likely killed him before his twenty-second birthday. Gale couldn't believe that just over a year ago Sean still was in the chair he had been in since he was twelve. Though he had been taking treatment and soon the doctors were positive he was cured, through with the illness that tried to control his life. Blushing softly and letting his shiny, chin-length hair fall in front of his eyes, Sean divulged that technically he was not well enough to be out of his parent's care.

 

However he was eighteen and couldn't possibly stand another minute under his doting mother's watchful eye or another meal accompanied with his customary pills and cranberry juice! Sean had packed his bags, gathered all of his wadded bills from various stash places, and blindly waved his finger around the map to see where he should begin anew. Aquaria peeked out from beneath his fingertip at him, and soon a taxi was outside his home ready to take him away from Oregon and to any dock that wasn't closed for the evening.

 

And here he was with a new ferry friend; he had beamed as he bit into the warm cinnamon bun Gale had bought him.

 

Sitting beside the sunny youth with crimson hair tied back in a tight pony tail, sunglasses, and black jeans with charcoal dress shirt, Gale looked older then Sean by a few years. He couldn't help but worry himself into a frown as the guy happily told him he did not have a job waiting for him, a place to stay, or any idea where in Aquaria he would like to stay. There was no room for argument, Sean was getting off the ferry with him and remain with him until he had some sort of life planned out, and he would call his parents once they were settled in.

 

Sean smiled even more and slid closer to him as the chilled splash of waves misted them. Gale should have been worried, but looking at the kid made his doubts melt. Sean was genuine, in all ways. Nothing devious lurked in his ocean eyes. Gale could not help letting him lean closer, smiling down at him, and finally letting Sean's unsure fingers flit across his palm before lacing their fingers together. What an interesting beginning to his new life.

 

The remaining seventy-six miles were the most defining moments in Gale's life. Sean liked every color, even brown. His hair was naturally lemon-drop yellow with golden streaks. He wasn't aimless, more just opened for every opportunity. He had a taste for garlic in every dish, his favorite movies were horror or musicals, and his favorite vegetable was the radish. Not a fan of sweets, he rarely ate chocolate, although he enjoyed immensely French fries with his strawberry ice cream.

 

Sean liked boys. Sean liked him, a lot. He blushed easily. There were a hundred different smiles in his arsenal, all of which made Gale feel emotions from warm and toasty to ravenous and horny. The young man had read thousands of books and watched double that in movies. He was charming, silly, pretty, and thought Gale was a nice person for being so kind to him. He couldn't wait to get to Aquaria and help out in any way he could to pay him back.

 

They rolled slowly off of the ferry late afternoon on that fateful Tuesday in May, 4041. As he drove off the loading ramp, Gale smiled as a smaller, cold hand found the one he wasn't driving with and he gave it a squeeze. He let his very welcomed guest fiddle with the hundreds of radio stations as he glanced now and again at the paper on his dash. One year of packed in journalism courses were not much, but it was enough for a beginner's job. He had been hired rather quickly and even helped to find an apartment around the area. As he drove past the coastal homes and businesses, he and Sean gaped at the inner cities. Finding the truth about the real Aquaria was the first of many shocks to the boys they would have.

 

* * * * *

 

Two weeks later and Gale was ready to fucking snap. Typing away on his computer for yet another article about the suspicious dealings the governor of Pearl was having with the highest class of “businessmen” in his city, he grit his teeth as the light shower caused yet another leak in their ceiling. The pay was shit at the moment, but he was keeping him and Sean afloat as the other man looked for a job. Gale smiled and took a sip of his chai. If it hadn't been for Sean, he'd be even more miserable, but he always cheered him up and tried his best to make their lousy quarters livable.

 

Said quarters, if one could call a two room shack that, was drafty and leaky. Gale admitted that he was a tad disappointed to find the island of his dreams in such a state. Those mansions and beaches they showed in magazines were for suckers. Every city not in the area of posh beachfront was run-down, shady, and down-right dangerous. New America was not the place for dreamers. A person's rights were like a clown's face, it appeared familiar and real, but actually it was a flimsy lie that was all too easy to wipe away. Money ruled even more than in Old America.

 

Luckily Gale easily adapted to his surroundings. He would go with the motions, not cause too big of waves, and live his life as he planned. Sean sensed the strangeness of Aquaria quickly and took his cue from him. They'd be all right. None of the big people messed with nobodies like them. Gale was thrilled to know that.

 

The rickety door burst open to reveal a flushed and beaming Sean. Gale moved the pitiful pot of ivy Sean had rescued from the dumpster under the drip on his desk before turning his undivided attention to his roommate. The hyper blonde had gotten a job. Down the street, an old woman ran a day-care out of her home and was looking for an extra pair of hands. Sean was now aide for Mrs. Honey's Playpen of Angels. Pay was good and he would start immediately. Sean was so happy and pretty, in his jeans, t-shirt, and jewelry he had made after finding shells on the beach, that Gale couldn't help standing to pull him into a hug. The kiss had not been planned, but as his heart raced, Gale could not bring himself to pull away. Sean remained in his hold, content with the warm lips against his. It was his first kiss after all, he was going to get everything he could out of it.

 

* * * * *

 

One thing Gale could say about sex was that his first time was the most horrible yet greatest moment of his life, regardless of his performance. For two months they had been more than friends, more than roommates. Gale had been getting more office time, more stories, and more pats on the back from his editors. Sean would leave the house for Mrs. Honey's at eight and be back at three. By the time Gale got back to their home, Sean was already cuddled up in bed with his pillow held tightly in his arms. There was hardly any time for them, so Gale made an extra effort to make his boyfriend happy. Some days, before he rushed out the door at six, he would leave Sean a shiny rock or bit of shell he found and knew he would love on his pillow for when he woke up. He was sure the man would have a smile on his face the whole day.

 

On the night Gale had been promoted, he was let off early. He had called Sean to tell him he'd be home early, but wouldn't divulge the good news over the phone. When he stepped through their door, all thoughts fled his brain. The room was lit only with candles, on their small table lay a dinner spread that must have taken a few hours to make, and Sean was standing by it with a sheepish smile. After dinner, they snuggled on their tattered couch, watching Rent and making plans for the first things they would buy with Gale's next, bigger, paycheck.

 

He was going to put another movie in when a soft hand on his arm stopped him.

 

Sean had planned everything for the night. As Gale lowered him down onto the mattress, he found daisy petals scattered across the blankets. He loomed over Sean's waiting figure and couldn't stop from leaning down to kiss and lick. He tasted of sunlight. Gale's thoughts became jumbled as his shirt was unbuttoned and pulled from his body. Sean's hands shook, but his eyes were determined, his mouth set in an adorable look of lusty concentration.

 

Having sex was easy in the abstract. Since he was sixteen Gale knew he wanted to be with another man and knew he would have to read up on the techniques one could use. Preparing and finally pushing himself inside of Sean was beautiful. Awful but incredibly beautiful. He had made Sean cry. They had both enjoyed their awkward first union as much as they could, but Gale would always remember those tears as the man beneath him bucked and moaned. He would always remember the light trickle of his precious blood down his pale thigh as he stood to go to the bathroom.

 

Sean didn't care and only smiled, whispered that he loved him, and then fell asleep burrowed inside the blankets and against his chest. Gale felt guilty, but when he woke up the next morning with Sean deeply asleep in his arms, he felt feather-light and willing to perfect his skills. If only to give his lover a small amount of the pleasure he deserved.

 

* * * * *

 

The little jackass would not marry him! A year to the day since they had met, Gale made animalistic love to Sean on their black suede couch and then presented him with a thin silver band with an amethyst chip in the middle. He wanted Sean to be his, in spirit and in name.

 

A lot had happened in a year. Gale had been promoted twice more, one more time and he would be editor, Sean had received a substantial amount of money and possessions when Widow Honey passed away a few months before, and Gale and Sean began remodeling their growing “shack.”

 

Gale was in love. So deeply did he feel for the blonde that he was afraid his affection bordered on the obsessive. At nineteen he had everything Aquaria could offer him, that he wanted, and was ready to start a family with the man he lived for.

 

However, Sean had said no. He must have looked like he was dying, because soon Gale was being kissed and pulled back on top of Sean's sweaty, wonderful body. Sean did not believe in marriage. His plan was to stay with him forever and raise a family, but he didn't need or want a certificate from a dodgy government to carry it out. He was Gale's and would be for the rest of his life. He would make him happy. Although they wouldn't be theirs by blood, their children would be beautiful.

 

That was good enough for Gale.

 

* * * * *

 

Bastian was an adorable child. Abandoned the moment he came into the world, his home was shared by other unwanted children at the Bleeding Saint of the Rose Orphanage. Gale would remember forever the way his shaggy ginger hair smelled like sweet peas when he had carried the sleeping child up their front steps of their cozy home to the moon and star patterned bed they had bought the week before. As he tucked him in, the one-year-old had cracked his creamy green eyes open to make sure he hadn't been dreaming, that Gale and Sean were real.

 

They hadn't planned it, but if they were able to have a child, it would have looked a lot like little Bastian.

 

* * * * *

 

That day, that infamous, black day, Gale was woken by the sun suddenly streaming across his face. The large bed he had been burrowed in shook as his known assailant jumped to land beside him. Warm hands slipped inside his pajamas, gliding over his stomach and dipping into his pants before cruelly disappearing. A teasing mouth latched onto his neck, sucking and nipping the spot right below his ear lobe. The twenty-year-old's stormy blue eyes snapped open and Gale did not feel as tired as he pinned his fully-clothed and giggling lover to the mattress.

 

This was an injustice. He was head editor of the city's paper; he shouldn't have to drag himself out of bed until at least noon! It was eight. If Sean did not want to be ravished to exhaustion, he better had a good excuse for tempting him. His lover easily slid away from him, fixing his hair and straightening his clothes. He had his coat and scarf on. Before Gale could inquire, another person ran into the room, also jumping on the bed and flinging themselves into his already opened arms.

 

Bastian squealed and laughed as he was mercilessly tickled. He was two, and what a terrible two he was! His favorite pastimes were stealing his father's pens to color with and flushing his daddy's rock collection down the toilet. Gale absolutely loved him and spoiled him savage every chance he got. Their parents helped too.

 

Both Sean and Bastian reminded him about the zoo.

 

For four years the richest, most powerful men in Pearl had fought with government officials over a large plot of land that had remained untouched since the city was erected. Eight hundred square miles of vacant land was too tempting for these businessmen. Plans were immediately put into motion. Casinos, hotels, clubs, private estates - they could practically feel their wallets get fatter. However, the people in high places that actually cared about the common people had different plans.

 

Years of court, threats, and negotiations finally won Pearl eight hundred square miles of fun for the whole family - regardless of money and stature. Restaurants and parks sprang up, clubs and libraries, and finally a theme park with a zoo included. Gale and Sean had taken Bastian out to Greenwich Hills many times to the playgrounds or to get him a kiddy meal. Of course the little guy was nearly bursting with joy to finally get to go to the newly opened zoo.

 

Gale had completely forgotten. He also had major deadlines to oversee at the office. They were a little crestfallen, but Sean and Bastian gave him a kiss goodbye and then wished him fun looking at articles all day. There would be other times for family togetherness.

 

It was after two in the afternoon when Gale's office door was thrown open. His secretary had a look of worry on her face as she rushed to his television set and flicked it on. After scrolling through the channels, she found her desired station. It was after the scheduled time-slot yet the news was on. Marquees flowed at the bottom of the screen, but Gale did not take his eyes off of the main focus of the helicopter cameras.

 

In bird's eye view he was looking at the flashing lights of police cars and ambulances on standby. He was looking at Greenwich Hills. Crowds of evacuated people stayed outside the designated barriers around the main entrance, grave expressions on their once happy faces. A crisis was underway.

 

The businessmen were not good at losing.

 

Ortonse Fisher was the most elite man in all of Aquaria and happened to reside in Pearl. The budding city had been the perfect place to set up headquarters after having to leave Old America. He was disgustingly rich, controlled the city behind the scenes, and he had the biggest plans for that bit of land. He had warned the lawyers and governor of what would happen if they defied him. He always got what he wanted in the end.

 

This day Ortonse would show Pearl who was in control. Today everyone would see just what he could do against their laws and impertinence. Gale watched in horror as reporters made their way through the empty grounds until the still sparkling new zoo came into view. Screams for help could be heard from inside the gates. Ortonse had ordered his men to lock them in. Hundreds of people were trapped inside with no idea as to why. Gale's heart hammered in his ears.

 

Sean and Bastian were in there. It took a total of ten seconds for him to grab his keys and be out of his office.

 

The radio said they were not letting anyone in. He wasn't just anyone. Under the excuse of being another reporter, his chances of entry were good. If not, he'd run the damn gates down. Gale felt like throwing up. Bastian must have been terrified. Sean was good under pressure, so he wasn't too worried. Sean would make their boy feel better.

 

It was impossible to get close. The streets were jammed. Hundreds of people had the same idea he did. They wanted their family members back. Gale grabbed his camera, his work id, and ran the remaining blocks to the Greenwich entrance. Blue eyes took in the bulletproof van that had arrived and the men and women dressed in heavy-fire attire and he knew things were more serious than he had imagined. What was Fisher playing at?

 

Gale was trying to play his job card when it happened. The noise flooded his ear drums and the force made him fall to the ground. His whole body vibrated even minutes after it happened. Gale would never forget the tremors that shook his body. His throat bled as the inhaled dust and plaster choked him. Then the smoke drifted down on the outside crowd. Black and deadly, ugly clouds of smoke stung his eyes and made him gag. The smell was horrible, like burnt hair and flesh. Suddenly screams drowned out all the other noise and the crowds realized with numbing terror that it was an explosion. Ortonse had set bombs all around the zoo and when his demands for Greenwich and control of Pearl were denied the final time, he had them detonated.

 

Gale knew they were dead. Sure there were those that were screaming and crying for help, but not Sean or Bastian. He felt it in his gut, in his heart. His blackening soul knew his precious lover and child were dead. He could feel it with every pulse of pain in the back of his head. Tears of furious anguish ran down his sooty face. He couldn't breathe. His stomach emptied itself forcefully onto the dusty pavement. Sean. His gorgeous two-year-old Bastian.

 

Gale's red-rimmed sapphire eyes fluttered and he fell back into drowning darkness.

 

As the chaos around the area took control, Gale O'Kirk lay unconscious on the hard ground. Tears leaked from his eyes. Sean was never coming home again, Bastian giggling and cuddled in his arms. In his sleep Gale died. What woke lived for blood, for vengeance.

 

He would join them, after every last person involved died horribly by his hands.