Notes of a madman

Sometimes not everything is as you want ...

# 16. Duel.

— This is the entrance to the arena, isn't it? Why are we all going to the arena?—Tobias began to talk a lot, nervous.

I myself have not forgotten our first and only entrance to the arena... But I don't say anything when I'm scared. Toby's talkativeness comes from Grace.

— You have nothing to fear. Well ... almost nothing. After all, I will fight...—

I haven't seen the Mary I've been afraid of for so many years. All I saw now was a frightened girl.

She averted her eyes and continued quietly:

— I knew I would, and there's nothing to regret right now. Tom, get them out of here when I give the sign and give me the vest of the last way...—

* * *

When the light came on, I realized that even if we really wanted to, we could not break into the arena.

I feel sorry for both Mary and Peter... Very strange, but my soul, which I had forgotten existed, still retained the remnants of my feelings.

— Mary... Be careful...—Peter whispers softly, pressing his fingers to the fence.

 When the alarm went off, I closed my eyes.

Baal was fighting without a weapon, and Mary only had an IV stand. It broke after the first blow. The two of them didn't seem to have fight in a very long time...

Here now is a piece of Foundation that hits Mary hard in the side-it was sent by Baal with magic. And it's not like it was in the arena for others.

Mary has a fountain of blood spurting from her mouth. She's barely alive, but she's not giving up. And I don't give up when it comes to my loved ones...

I hear a growl somewhere nearby. It's hard to concentrate, there is no light here, only the arena is equipped with lighting.

— Toby...—I say softly, but my son waved me off:

— I know! But without weapons, we are powerless! You should look around when the lights start flashing again!—

These flashes were frequent. Baal must have made them that way on purpose to increase the superiority of the strongest.

I know now what it reminds me of. Maybe the demons were involved in this, too... It reminded me of Gladiator fights.

We could see Mary from behind now, and we screamed in horror when a piece of metal stuck in her leg.

I noticed in the dark that Tobias had blood on his hands-he had pulled at the fence where it was weak and had badly scraped his palms.

There is a loud growl, and Tobias manages to break off a rod.

Peter has a gun, but not the fact that it will help stop these stinky things.

One of them digs into my shoulder.

The "loonies" were like zombies now, dirty, rotten, and smelly.

Tobias stabs one of them through with a rod. I can see the iron sticking out of the back of head of loonie.

Mary pressed herself against the bars. The girl was very exhausted, she parries the blows and magic of Baal, nothing is already thinking.

"Charlie..."—she says to me in my head.—"I beg you... Help me..."

I was already sure that my sacrifice would end in death... We're both dead, me and this poor bloody girl who looks like a broken doll right now.

I kiss Tobias on the forehead. When I pass through the gap created by magic, I try to look down so that my tears are not visible.

The board I left behind was still there.

Life flashed before my eyes: how I went to school, met Grace there, we grew up, got married, and had Tobias...

Baal does not notice my blows, although he is thrown violently in different directions. He hits me in the stomach with a large rock and the crunch of bones is in my ears. My blood is pouring on the material.

A huge effort manages to grab the demon and the knee blow falls exactly on his face. There's no need to compare my powers with the demon's-I'm exhausted, and he's not even tired.

But I will put all my strength into this last fight...

I hear Tobias yell and the Board that Baal took from me pierces through my stomach.

—Run!!!!—Mary yells, and tugs at the two ribbons around the edges of her vest.

I doesn't feel hurt anymore.

Not terrible.

My body is consumed by fire...

I see something through it. Stretching my arms out for balance, I step onto the soft grass. My feet are bare, and my body is covered with soft and thin white clothing.

— I've been waiting for you, my love...— I hear that voice with a hint of sadness and I smile...

# 17. Tobias.

I sit on a rock and look at the ruins of Mindless, partially buried after the explosion.

I couldn't save my father, but I hope we never hear any words about this hospital again.

Peter puts his hand on my shoulder and I turn around, burying my face in his dirty shirt and crying.

I don't know how long I roared. Maybe a lot of hours...

I would have been glad if Mindless had stayed, but my father would still be alive... This is my selfishness... He's better off there now... I saved him, but sometimes things don't work out the way you want them to... I saved him...

— She's alive!—Tom's shout distracted us.

Not only were the three of us still alive, but there were at least ten others besides us.

Peter, forgetting about me, ran to help Tom clear the rubble.

I watch, unsurprised, as the metal spikes gradually fly away from Mindless's main nightmare.

Mary was lying under the rubble, and there was a pile of ash nearby... She was breathing, her heart was beating, but was the coma like life?

Peter lifts the bride in his arms.

From somewhere nearby, black lightning from the ground hits the sky and black smoke is flying in all directions.

—The nightmare isn't over yet!—a loud voice almost deafens everyone.

Mindless was gone, but was Baal gone? I don't think so...

Evil doesn't die...

***

 We walked along the hot, dusty road, trying to stop at least one car. Our Fortunes turn to us not a very pleasant place-everyone drove past us. I guess it's because we're so dirty and look like patients in a mental hospital.

It's the first time I've felt the sun so hot. Is this a dream? Or are we dead? It's like a nightmare...

Such as if no one sees us...

I stumbled and fell face down on the asphalt. Tears of weakness run down my cheeks. And I can't get up right now...

— Tom, can you carry her?Peter hands Mary to Tom and walks over to me.—Tobias, lean on me...—

— Why go anywhere? He'll find us anyway! Baal will find us...—I say through my sobs.

— You can't just give up. You have to keep living for the one you love. Who will remember Charles Bauer if you lose heart? Or...—he looked at Mary.

I put my hand on his shoulder. Peter gave me a glimmer of hope. Hopes for a normal life...

Some of our company are falling, they are supported by stronger ones.

— Let's talk about something so that you and I don't pass out...—I ask Peter in a weak voice.

— There are no words at such times...—the man sighed sadly.—And I'm going now with my glasses broken...— — Take my father's glasses from my backpack...—suddenly I said. I've kept them all my life so I can feel his presence somewhere near me. I felt like I was getting rid of this pain.

We slowed down for a few seconds as the man rummaged in my backpack and looked at the worn sticker on his glasses.

— No, I'm afraid no...— — Then throw them out! Please, Peter... I beg you... I want to remember joy, but not pain... I haven't seen my father all my life, and I don't want to see him die...—

I heard the glass clink against the rocks.

See you later, dad... I hope it will be a warm welcome, but it won't be so soon...

I heard a deafening screech and the roar of brakes. Apparently, the sun has baked my head after all ...

Gina! Well, that's right, I overheated ...

— I thought, you are mirage... Increbidly pretty mirage...—with a last effort, I reach her and pull her close.

—Where's Mr. Bauer? What is it?—she asks.—Oh, God, you're dirty... I don't think I brought your car for nothing, because it has a trailer! We'll put your company in it...—

—Dad's free... That hospital, it's gone...—I burst into tears as I downed a few sips of the water bottle that lay between the seats.

I know what I'm going to do now...