I turned left and slowed drastically, but continued walking. About 6’5, broad shouldered, hefty giant of a man stood in my path: short black cropped hair, a small amount of stubble, high cheekbones; eyes set deep into his face so all I could see were black swirling pools of darkness. This frightened me for some reason. I then noticed his hand drag across his chest and he pulled something from inside his overcoat. I realised what it was. Bollocks. I tried to draw my gun. I had my hand on the grip. Too late. I saw the silenced gun recoil slightly as he shot. Less then half a second later it buried itself into my shoulder. My body fell backwards, my right shoulder leading. As I was falling, there was another shot; I felt the bullet pierce a little lower going straight into my lung. I saw the man holster his gun and briskly walk away. I collided with the cobbled ground lurching slightly. It hurt to breath, each inhale and exhale a struggle. My vision was going hazy as the rain filled my eyes. I could feel the contrast of the cold wet floor to the warm blanket of blood spreading over my clothes. I lay there for what felt like years, in pain and dying but still just alive. This gave me hope. Then I saw from the very edge of my vision a woman running towards me. It was her; I felt a smile twitch at the corner of my mouth. Then the pain lurched, spreading through my body like a forest fire, I coughed, blood spurting from my mouth. My vision went black it was over.
My eyes flew open, sweat flooding my forehead, my heart feeling as if it was about to burst through my ribs. I stared at the bright white ceiling, my breathing slowed and my heart rate went back to normal. It had just been another dream. Just a dream. My head fell to the left, and my eyes caught sight of the scotch glass with the few drops from last night in it. My eyes then flicked towards the half empty bottle of glowing amber liquid. I swung my legs out of bed sitting up at the same time. I winced; the wound was still saw and my arm still in a sling. I felt the wound delicately, careful to press too hard. I traced the scar where they had had to cut me open to retrieve the bullets and patch my ribs back together. My hand withdrew sharply as I thought about that.
Reaching for the bottle of scotch, I filled my glass. Downing it in one, I felt the pleasant burning in the back of my throat. This made me feel better almost instantly. I filled my glass again, grasping it as I stood up. I winced again. I then walked through the open veranda doors on to my part of paradise. Pleasantly warm sand filing the gaps between my toes as I walked down the warm, white sand towards the sea. I stared across the water. I stop just where the water brushed against the tips of my toes as it rolled up the beach. The surface of the water rippled along like sand as it caught the orangey glow from the dawn sun. I watched the waves crumble like cliff faces as they tumbled onto the beach. I closed my eyes. The smell of salty water crawled up my nose. The breeze blowing my hair caused it to gently whip my face. I had never let my hair grow this long before; it was pleasantly relaxing. The wind dried the sweat on my forehead cooling me down until a single shiver ran down my body. I could hear the water now slopping in different directions. I could hear the occasional lullaby of the morning birds. I could hear the wind blowing the trees. I could hear the silence; the silence of no human activity, something I had been surrounded by for so long. This was my paradise.
I turned and looked back towards the beach house. A large white building, with a kind of Roman style tiled roof, palm trees dotted around obscuring the house. My eyes followed the edge of the house till I got to the large double doors. I took in what I could about the room, the tiled patterned floors, the white walls with painting hanging from them, the four-poster bed with translucent curtains draping over it. Then to the figure in the bed, my love. The one who I knew had saved me that night, the one who had found me in possibly the weakest state I had been in for decades.
My eyes traced her smooth glowing body, the sheets were only just covering her, exposing her figure. I then caught sight of that smile she always wore when she was sleeping, the smile that had been absent for so long. I knew why it had been and it was my fault, this idea clawed at my insides, I hated the idea of upsetting her. I blamed myself. I should have been more prepared, more aware, shouldn’t have let that happen. My eyes refocused on the smile and I couldn’t help smiling. I turned back towards the water taking a sip of the whiskey; this really is fine whiskey I thought to myself. I stared out to sea again, trying to put everything into context. I don’t know how much time passed, it did not matter to me now; I had all the time in the world.
Then I felt her small delicate hands slide over my body embracing me from behind, her body was so warm, I closed my eyes appreciating the closeness. I felt her body rise and she went on tiptoes to kiss my cheek; her lips were so soft. I unhooked her arms and turned giving her a closer one armed embrace, her head leaning against my chest. I placed my face in her hair and inhaled; the smell was divine a smell which always made my head pulse. We stood embracing for what must have been ages but wasn’t nearly long enough. She let go and delicately held my wrist pulling me back towards the house. I let her lead me following slowly. She climbed into the bed. I placed the glass down on the side and sat on the bed. I felt her hands slide over my shoulders and her hold her body against mine.
That night doesn’t matter now, I thought, it happened and now all that matters is that I can spend the rest of my life her. I turned, kissing her passionately as we once again showed our love for each other.