Behind The Rainbow

By F. Carod

First I ended Ronnie’s company, then my past began to haunt me: my mother’s illness almost got me killed and a long-lost brother came back from the grave. Logan and I got married and, during our honeymoon, we put an end to whatever was left of Ronnie’s life.
When we came back, our new life began. I made peace with my past and a new me was born: a new me that thought that the darkness was behind me and that brightness lay ahead. But just like a rainbow, we need both darkness and light if we want to see our true colors.

“Well, if it isn’t the famous daughter,” the man says with a toothless smile, standing so close to me that I involuntarily step back, knowing that I misjudged him.
“You have me at a disadvantage here since I don’t know who you are,” I say confidently.
“Oh, I’m just an employee. You here to get your job back?”
“No,” I answer, amused.
“With Ronnie gone, you could own this place, and I know how you could make it even more successful”
“You mean this dump?”
“Oh, this isn’t a dump; you don’t go bankrupt in a business like this.” The man takes a step closer. “The Black Dragon lives – it just took on a different shape”

• Language: English
• Publisher: F. Carod
• Release date: Nov 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370808069

F. Carod

F. Carod is an enthusiast and a free soul. She’s passionate about learning, writing, and creating. She loves nature, animals, and people. She developed her leading and following skills in an extreme adventure park in Cancun, where she started as a receptionist at the age of 18 and years later became the park manager. She’s now a full-time writer with works written in Spanish and English, and a business and life coach. She graduated from the World Coach Institute as a Spiritual Coach, and she believes in the goodness of humanity.

Book preview

Behind The Rainbow

Book Three: Acts Without Consequences

F. Carod

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To Leo and Monse, two little shining stars that even though they didn’t make it to this world, they will live in my heart forever.

CONTENTS

A New Perspective

Born for This

Where Palermo Was

Important vs. Urgent

How it All Began

The End of a War

Hellsgate

Dreamless Night

Even the darkest nights,

Are proceeded by the brightest days,

And in the middle of the strongest storm,

A rainbow can make its way.

PREFACE

First I left Ronnie’s company, then my past began to haunt me: my mother’s illness almost got me killed and a long-lost brother came back from the grave. Logan and I got married, and during our honeymoon we put an end to whatever was left of Ronnie’s life.

When we came back, our new life began. I made peace with my past and a new me was born; a new me who thought that the darkness was behind me and that the light lay ahead. But just like a rainbow, we need both darkness and light if we want to see our true colors.

Well, if it isn’t the famous daughter, the man says with a toothless smile, standing so close to me that I involuntarily step back, knowing that I misjudged him.

You have me at a disadvantage here, seeing as I don’t know who you are, I say with confidence.

Oh, I’m just an employee. You here to get your job back?

No, I answer, amused. 

With Ronnie gone, you could own this place, and I know how you could make it even more successful.

You mean this dump?

Oh, this isn’t a dump; you don’t go bankrupt in a business like this. The man takes a step closer. The Black Dragon still lives – it just took on a different shape.

1 a new perspective

I feel the drops of sweat on my forehead, but they are not due to the heat or the two hours and fifty-six minutes we’ve been hiking in the woods. No, I’m sweating because behind this natural wonder, the enemy await, and they don’t take hostages. Behind me, X4 complains loudly: this mission, codenamed Volcano, is his first. Until now, his job consisted of research, all computer work, but now that we are low on people, X4 needs to be out here in the field.

Can we at least try to find a path? he protests.

I just ignore him and keep walking. Well, there are so many rocks and fallen trees that we are mostly jumping, rather than walking. We pass a huge tree. I can already see myself climbing it to get a better view, but Z3 is way ahead and we are already behind schedule. The canopy of trees keeps the sunlight out of our path, but the humidity is at its cusp.

Just keep walking, would you? You’re making us late! Turning around to rebuke him, I see X4 kneeling down to touch a watery pond. I have to admit, it’s a beautiful place. The green water looks still, barely moving and reflecting the trees all around it. Everywhere looks so green, from the water to the moss covering everything. X4 stands up, raising his hand before it reaches the water, before putting his head down and muttering something I can’t quite make out.

Can I ask you something?

I ignore him, but he continues anyway, oblivious to my dismissive gesture.

How old are you?

I snort involuntarily out of exasperation. This is not the first time someone has asked me that. I’m fifteen.

He whistles in disbelief. I’m twenty-one. Before he can start to grumble about something else, we catch up with Z3.

Is there a problem? I inquire, since Z3 has stopped.

We should be there already, he growls.

I think he’s irritated at our slow pace but he looks around as if he’s trying to find out where we are. 

Are we lost? I try to hide the alarm from my voice. You can’t get lost on a mission, it’s impossible. He has a map, he’s been in the area before, and he knows that getting lost means not being able to tell where the enemy are, or if the they are watching you and from where. There’s no fighting back when the enemy are invisible.

No, we are… Hold on. He stands on a higher rock and looks off to his left: to the direction where we have just come from. He calls Jason on the radio, and we stand around, awkwardly waiting for his answer. It takes a whole minute for him to answer but eventually he calls it safe, giving us fresh directions.

Z3 advances confidently ten steps and abruptly stops. A gunshot rings out, startling me at the same time as Z3 collapses, a gaping hole in his chest. Seeing this, X4 cries out and before I have time to shut him up so he doesn’t attract more attention, he too falls to the ground. I crouch by a big rock, using it as cover, knowing the shots are coming from ahead of us. I take one last look at X4. I should have let him touch the water. Another gunshot rings out, from a different direction, but before I can see where it’s coming from, I wake up.

I try to orient myself. The girls, I remember, I’m supposed to meet them.

What were you dreaming?

Morning babe, My cheeks dimple, drawing a smile to my face as I see Logan.

You said Ronnie’s name several times. He keeps his tone light as though he’s casually pointing it out, but his dry lips betray his concern.

I can’t remember, I lie. The dreams are often there and it’s usually the same scene with Ronnie dying in front of me, but I don’t tell him because the past needs to stay right where it belongs. You want to do something later?

Can’t babe, I’m going off with Jacob, remember?

Right.

I promise I’ll be back in two days. He kisses me and goes to get ready.

Be safe! I shout as he heads into the bathroom.

Jessie laughs hysterically at Tracy. We came to the Rednick area to buy a steaming pot for Tracy’s aunt’s birthday. It was the only one her aunt was missing from her collection and Tracy wanted to surprise her with it now she was finally flying back to visit. According to Tracy’s online research, the item in question was only sold in a few stores, the nearest one being Taboo, a small store in Rednick and about forty minutes away from where we lived.

Jessie and I had agreed to accompany her, since Rednick is not known for its safety. It’s actually a very bad neighborhood. There were plenty of normal steaming pots at the store, but the one that she was after was a very large one. She quibbled with the owner of the store until the name on the pot’s label finally convinced her. She walked out of the store, carrying a pot half her size. We couldn’t imagine her aunt carrying that thing through the airport.

I hope you and the pot can fit, I tease as I open the back door of the car for her.

Cadwell! Someone shouts from off to my right. I recognize the voice immediately: Hustler, Bones’ right-hand man, leader of the biggest gang in the North.

Shit, I mutter and see Jessie tense in response. I slowly turn around to face him. A little far from home, aren’t you Hustler?

You don’t know? His smile widens like a cat that got the cream. You, the one that’s supposed to know everything?

Know what? My words come out unfriendly, and yet intrigued. Please don’t tell me this is your zone now.

We’ve expanded… and this is our zone now. So…

I remain expressionless.

Dragons have encroached. His feet stop moving as he says that last part. I look to see a hint of red in his eyes; he’s ready to attack, and yet he’s amused by the whole situation. It reminds me of the vampires in the movies, always so confident of themselves in front of their victims.

I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t know everything. The Black Dragon is dead, I say, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. I’m not in the… business anymore.

Really? His eyebrows lower, but a ghost of a smile still hovers on his lips. That’s not what I heard…. You’re not lying to me, are you?

Wouldn’t dare, I reply as quickly as possible. Um… I step back and he doesn’t come closer. That’s good. I’ll keep out of your territory from now on, we were just… buying something. I take another step back. Please let it go, Hustler.

Maybe you can stay and chat.

Sorry but no, I really have to get back. I hurry back to the car without giving him time to answer back. 

The girls don’t ask me about my little encounter, except for Tracy who points out that he looked high. They know he’s from my past and that’s not something we generally talk about. Tracy doesn’t mind that much: she has even made comments of just how fun it was when they learned to fight. Wincing as I think of her, it occurs to me that if Katie were still alive, Tracy would still want to continue the training just for the adrenaline rush it brought on. I bet she could feel it back there with Hustler.

Jessie’s memories of the past are all depressing. All it takes is for Tracy to make a comment and I can see Jessie’s face go white. She doesn’t say anything because she’s tough and not a whiner, but it’s obvious to me that it’s something that keeps her awake at night sometimes. She was in a coma so it makes sense that she’s taking time to get over it. Tracy talks to her about it sometimes, and with Tracy being a psychologist, it makes her an even more useful friend. But other than that, the three of us are still as united as before, maybe even more so.

They chat about their trips on the way back. Tracy’s not the only one leaving as Jessie’s brother is taking her to his photo exhibition in Paris, and they’ll be traveling around Europe for a couple of weeks afterwards. Jessie always had a thing for Paris so the prospect of this trip has her in a better mood than usual. None of them know for sure when they’ll be back.

Jessie drops me off at my brother’s house. I chat with Ethan as we wait for George. Ethan sold his bar a few months ago because he was tired of the routine and now he’s deciding on his next move. I love how Ethan always seems to be at ease, and is never in a hurry. He makes rational decisions when it’s time for them to be made and otherwise doesn’t stress over anything. Alright, except over girls, I’ve seen him stressing over that. 

I sit down, looking out the window as I wait to hear from Logan and Jake. They left two days ago because Jacob had had an emergency. Logan said that he would explain everything when they were back but that should have been this morning and I still haven’t heard from them.

Alright guys, this is important! George shouts, clapping his hands as he walks into the living room in an attempt to get everyone’s attention. It works and we all turn to face him.

We need to make a decision. Ben isn’t going to wait any longer, George begins.

I had forgotten what this was about: Lorraine has had a very good offer of a job in Germany. A German couple attending a wedding she had coordinated were very impressed with her work, and apparently they had spoken to someone there. And so, this guy, Ben P., as was his signature in his emails, had contacted her with an offer that not only paid a great deal better compared to what she was making here, but also promising her the opportunity to meet very important people and plan their events: a challenging and exciting prospect for her. They, that is to say she and George, didn’t even think of it as an option at first, but when Ethan and Ryan heard about it, they got excited at the possibility of moving there and Lorraine started to seriously consider it.

And now, George wanted to know what we thought.

I don’t think Lorraine had intended to move everyone, but George was always trying to keep the family together, and where he goes, everyone else follows. However, that was the case when everyone was on the same continent together, and this was the first time such an opportunity had ever arisen, so it would really make more sense if it were only him and Lorraine discussing this. 

I know what Ethan and Ryan think, but what about the rest of you? George asks in a calm voice.

Brad whistles appreciatively. I don’t know, the restaurant is going so well. I don’t want to sell, but it’s a great opportunity for Lorraine, and I think she should take it…

I’m not so sure about leaving either, Matt seconds him. We all know he doesn’t want to leave his basketball team behind.

George thinks it over for a moment and then looks at me, expectantly.

Logan is up for anything, and if I go, then he’ll go. I think of the time that I asked him: I had thought it was weird at first, as to why a company from Germany would want to have Lorraine working for them. Not to say that her job is not amazing, but I just thought it was odd. Logan thought it a common enough occurrence and said he would go if that was what I wanted. It didn’t seem like a half-bad idea to him.

"Do you want to go? George asks, emphasizing the you". His question rings of genuine curiosity, not trying to sway me either way. I’m not a big fan of Germany, but that’s only because of the experiences I had there whilst working for Ronnie. The country itself is beautiful.

I would love to go on vacation, but I don’t think I’m quite ready to leave the house I just moved into, and the girls... Or Jacob, I say in my head. 

George nods his head in agreement, as if he already knew my answer. Okay, I’m going to go talk to her. See you all for dinner tonight.

Tonight? I ask in a low voice to Matt who’s sitting next to me. 

Guys, don’t you think it’s weird?

Ryan, you’re not suggesting that Lorraine—

No! She’s great! But… I just think it’s odd.

24’s anniversary, Matt mutters back, reminding me of the restaurant’s anniversary and ignoring the others’ incredulous conversation. 

I thought that was tomorrow… I quickly stand up. I’ll see you guys later! I shout, and walk to my house thinking about George and Lorraine. I think they should go to Germany, it’s really a great opportunity for them, but selfishly, I don’t want them to leave. 

I turn on the stereo, tuning in to a classical music station, and the music relaxes me as I walk outside to the garden and look down at the fountain. I kick off my shoes and sit on the edge, staring down at the letters ‘J’ and ‘L’ entwined at the bottom of the water: a special detail from Logan when he designed the house for us.

Our days together seem like a dream. I wake up to a cup of coffee he brings me every morning and I always go to bed glad to have him in my life. I think of his proposal at that restaurant, of the wedding Lorraine organized for us, and of our lives together. It’s been eerie as to just how normal things were. We’ve gone with Jake to visit my mom every other month: she’s still under medical treatment but our relationship is slowly getting better. On our last visit we ended up laughing so hard, we cried. Mariah, my stepsister, takes good care of her.

Logan and I don’t talk about Ronnie or anything that has to do with him but he still spends a lot with Jake, sometimes for fun and sometimes for other purposes. Logan and I left everything behind but not Jake, so when Jake needs him, Logan is there. Our time together is nice, although a little corny since we do all the normal stuff: movies, theater… no adrenaline and no risks involved. I felt that we are being safety conscious, and while sometimes it feels boring, I don’t get tired of being with him, no matter what we do together. At times, though, I can’t help but feeling like we are missing out on something, and I think he feels that too. Maybe that’s why he heads out with Jacob as often as he does.

Thinking about it now, I feel a sudden need to be with him. I try calling him but his phone sends me straight to voice mail, so I text him saying that I got the wrong date and the restaurant anniversary is tonight. Reluctantly, I stand up and go to my room to start getting ready.

I wonder if I should drive there or just walk; it’s not that far but I’ll probably be there for a while and I don’t want to have to walk back in the cold. I turn the key in the ignition but the car doesn’t start. Weird, it hasn’t caused me any trouble before. The thing usually runs great and I had it serviced two weeks ago. I try to start it again but it still doesn’t work. I look at the time and decide to walk to the restaurant. I’ll check the car first thing tomorrow. 

I’m going to Germany. I’m also going to take this offer a lot more seriously now and so I’m going to officially meet Ben, Lorraine says, smiling. George is also smiling.

What does that mean? I think anxiously.

"We are just going for a week and she’ll decide