Endless: Endless, #1

By Maria Siopis

Rachael O’Connor is a repeat offender in the mortal realm, and no matter how hard she tries she never accomplishes her goal of crossing the divine end.  She is sent to different eras to correct her sinister and cruel human behavior.  Nevertheless, she now finds herself in the same predicament as many other times before, in front of a divine judge who scrutinizes her human behavior.  Her proclamation of innocence is dismissed, resulting in yet another journey to another era.  Is she going to learn this time what constitutes a decent human being, or is she destined to commit the same sins with Elizabeth who seems to be part of all her previous lives?  This time may just be different in the open ocean on board a pirate ship. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadoe Publishing
• Release date: Mar 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386005865

Book preview

PROLOGUE

There were no restraints to hold her back and prevent her escape, yet she was pinned in a place that she neither wanted to be nor desired to explore.  She had been there five times before and had entered most conceivably every court building available.  The only difference was the presiding judge, and the picture of the judge right behind the bench.  She wondered why a picture of the judge was hanging on the wall when they were ruling in an infinitude and together in the same courtroom.  Perhaps, she theorized, it granted them some self-importance, but she sacked the idea.  This place was not about self-induced egos, it was the opposite.  Nevertheless, she never achieved what was required of herself, and she was sent back to try again from the very beginning to obtain excellence.

She sat down next to her attorney.  She was tired.  She was exhausted of trying unsuccessfully to accomplish the impossible.  Could they grant her a pass and let her be?  Already her mind raced for a way out, composing any imaginable excuse that she could use to get a favorable verdict.  She knew that she could not go back and start from the very beginning, it was excruciating and strenuous.  Her gaze fell upon the judge’s picture, who looked kind and compassionate, but then all of them looked like that, she thought.  The door behind the podium opened, yet the picture did not even move a little.  The court officer underneath the bench announced the arrival of Judge Maloney.

She had never met him before.  Since he was unknown to her she wasn't able to prepare herself, but this was to be expected since she could not be judged by the same legislature more than once.  She wondered if another human was sent back as many times as the judges were, and what the punishment was if the maximum tries were used. 

Please stand up Ms. O’Connor, the judge ordered, signaling with his hand.  I was informed that you crossed over five times with no results, and this time is no different.

Judge, with all due respect, I was not even sure why I was sent back the last time, she said, finding he wasn’t as kind as his picture indicated.  Somehow, she had to try to convince him that she was worth the pass.

Surely you know, Ms. O’Connor, the judge insisted.  You broke every rule, you killed, and stole repeatedly without any concern of the disarray that your actions brought upon your victims.

I understand, your honor, but I was sent back with no memories.  Maybe it is imbedded in my brain regardless of how hard I try to avoid any sinister behavior, she answered, feeling satisfied with her response.

Not so, I’ve heard this excuse before.  I’ve been here for thousands of years, I’ve heard it all.  You have free will, and no one can take that from you.  We break the rules a few times to guide you through life and teach you what is right and what is wrong, but we would never interfere with your free will.  There were numerous times, Ms. O’Connor, that you were told directly what was expected of you, but you chose to ignore the teaching.  That’s why you are here in front of me, and are unable to move to the last phase, which is the most rewarding I must confess.

Rachael O’Connor remained silent, gathering her thoughts for a reply to the judge who did not appear willing to let her move to the last phase of her life.  She only knew that she could not go back and meet Elizabeth again.  The mere recollection of Elizabeth made her soul hurt, and her heart beat harder.  She tried to think of an argument she could present that could make the man behind the bench understand.  What lie could save her from her return journey?  Nothing came to her mind, it remained empty, as if someone had erased it all.

Well, Ms. O’Connor, you are going back for your sixth time.  Good luck, he said, as he abruptly stood and disappeared behind the door.

AN UNORTHODOX MEETING

The captain’s orders were to approach the Spanish ship as quietly as possible.  With the light wind it was almost conceivable that they could creep in unnoticed, but if a watchman was in his post their detection was certain.  Captain Tentrie left the wheel to his second in command, Henry, a middle-aged man who traveled the world and back many times, and he descended to the open platform to meet his fighters, who were vicious as snakes and violent like hurricanes.  He knew that if he was not present because he was detained by some fine detail of his ship their true selves would emerge with ferocity.  He was familiar with each one and well versed of their origins, thus he refused to take a chance and let them seize the Spanish ship without his command.  They obeyed and perhaps feared him.  He was the best sword in the seven seas, but that alone could not guarantee his safety.  He was well aware of his shortcomings, so he paid more attention to them than his strengths.  He signaled them to lower their torsos and hide behind the siding of the ship.  If the Spanish vessel was alerted to their approach they could surprise them with a quick attack.  He had performed this type of operation all the time, it was a routine that everyone was familiar with. 

He took his sword out, but kept it by his side.  It was not time yet to invade the Spanish ship, which surprisingly displayed no signs of life.  It had bulky dimensions for