“By coming here and going through this with you, we’ve saved quite a few lives in the immediate future. And hopefully, everyone’s souls further down the line. So don’t start whining like a bitch because you had to go through a temporary death thing, and because you lost your main squeeze. Harden the fuck up. Try to grok the bigger picture for once.”
I tried. I really did. But I couldn’t step back far enough to get that kind of perspective. Not yet.
What I did manage to see, was a common thread of purpose running through the past few days, linking one event to the next.
I drained my beer, exchanged it for the new one that was already sliding across the bar, and turned to my drinking companion, trying to look for answers without having to ask the question. But I needed verbal confirmation.
“So did you know that all of this was going to happen?”
The smile came through in his voice when he replied. “Most of it. The broad strokes. That plate took me by surprise. And I have to admit, I didn’t see Morag being kidnapped at the end there. Although it couldn’t have worked out cleaner any other way.”
“Did I ever have any say over any of it? Just the tiniest bit of control over my own life?”
His arm slid around my shoulders. “Of course you did. It was you who volunteered for this, before you were born. If you hadn’t set things in motion back then, somebody else would have stepped up and made it happen. You can’t escape your destiny, once you’ve willed what that destiny is going to be.”
My head was starting to spin. I didn’t think it was the alcohol. In fact, since my resurrection, I hadn’t felt any effects of the drinks we’d been tossing back. I remembered reading somewhere that blue-eyed people had a higher tolerance for alcohol. Probably the northern blood. But this wasn’t normal. I hoped it wasn’t going to be permanent. Maybe we should have stayed in the Subway, where I could put this to a real test.
Scottish Jimmy slid onto the bar stool next to me. “You two again? Joined at the hip, are ye?”
Stevie smiled, not moving his arm. I was too numb to care.
Extract from Burning Roses, a decadent tale of sex, drugs, rock n roll & magick. Available on Amazon. Also available in paperback.
And on Amazon.co.uk.
Also now available in paperback in Pretoria, at the Railways Cafe, and from the East Rand Children’s Haven, Merchandise Charity Shop, 5 Muriel Brand Street, Weltevreden 118-IR, Brakpan (alongside my English mate’s The Puzzle Train).
Till next time.
Cheers.
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