SPECTRE

CHAPTER VII

Sev looked out the window. The rain had turned into a drizzle. “He went out to riding and won’t be back for awhile.”

Shilah’s eyes widened and a smile stretched across her face. “That’s what I want to do.”

“What?”

“I want to ride with you on your spear,” she said. “I’ve never ridden one and I’d like to ride with you to anywhere that isn’t here.”

“Sure, we can go right now if you don’t mind a bike with bullet holes.”

Outside the base at the entrance gate, Sev leaned against his spear. He looked down at his silver watch. It’s been two hours since Shilah said she’d meet him here. He yawned and looked up at the grey clouds above. Just the way it is, he thought. Thought it took a bit of begging, he managed to get East to approve of him taking Shilah out for a ride. A few lip quivers and some crocodile tears later and East gave up.

“Sorry I took so long.”

He looked up and saw her standing there. Her grey plaid skirt fluttered in the cool moist air. She wore an olive sweat and a white hat.

“You look really nice,” Sev said. “If I knew we were dressing casual I wouldn’t have worn my military gear.”

“You look really nice Sev.” She walked over to him and stood right beside his bike. She saw her reflection clearly in the spear’s frame. She thought how silly she looked with the hat on but Sev assured her he didn’t care and that she looked beautiful with it on or off.

He grabbed by the hips and lifted her off the ground. His strong arms held her firmly as he placed her on the back of the spear. He then swung his leg over the side and sat down. He fidgeted a bit when he felt arms wrapped around his waist and her cheek pressed against his back.

“Are you ready?” he asked in a soft voice.

“Mmmhmm.”

Sev kicked up the stand and pulled down on the throttle. He walked the spear forward and when he did, Shilah grew nervous and her body shook. It was not until Sev reached back and placed his hand on leg that she felt better. It was something about him, when he touched her she always felt as ease even in the worst situations.

After walking the spear out for a bit, he lifted up his legs and began to pick up speed. The road felt smoother than normal, maybe he didn’t notice or maybe the roads just wanted to be nice for a change. He went at a constant speed, never exceeding past forty miles per hour. He wanted her to experience everything.

“Hey Shilah, you can open your eyes if you want,” he whispered.

She clenched tighter on his shirt and opened her eyes. The wet air brushed against her face as they rode along. She gazed at the vast distant desert. The sun had begun to set off in the distance. But for some reason it felt static, standing between the grey clouds above and the moist dark sand that glimmered like thousands of gems in the distance. It was like she was in a tunnel and the sun’s light was shining in through an opening.

“This is amazing,” she said, pressing her cheek against his back. Just a half mile away she saw AJ driving along the desert on his spear. Sand went out from underneath his wheels like a wave people used to surf in the old days. He noticed them riding along and smiled before changing slowing down and changing course.

“Guess AJ is a true gentleman huh?” Sev said.

“He’s just a good friend,” Shilah said. “Just like your a great person for doing this.”

“I did this because I love you.”

Shilah felt her heart pounding and her face blush red. It had been the first time, in the single year the’ve been together, that he finally said those two words. It felt as amazing as she thought it would.

“You know these roads go on forever, right?” Sev asked.

“That means we can ride along like this forever.”

Sev smiled. “We could if gas wasn’t the problem.”

After riding around in bliss for a good hour, Shilah had finally figured out what she wanted. It wasn’t a bike ride but something else. It wasn’t something one could buy at the store. Sev couldn’t use his powers for this wish nor could he use his sword. It was something which required only him and him alone to do.

“Sev, I know what I want for my one wish.”

“Huh, I thought this bike ride was your wish,” he said.

She snuggled her face into his soft sweater. “No, this was just a simple want. What I wish for is for you to be there on my final day. I want the last person that I see to be you.”

“That’s a wish I can easily grant,” he said. “I promised the last things your eyes will see are my eyes looking into them.”

…

“Thank you.”