Cloak & Laser: Episode IX

Episode IX:  Pinpoint Flashback Part 2

     When Zella entered her flashback, there was a sharp contrast in lighting, forcing her to blink her eyes several times. Even though it was night time, this part of the city was well lit and was brighter than the dimmed lighting of the bunker.

     As her vision acclimated, her mind gasped as she soon realized the memory that she is reliving. She wanted to cry, but was forced to experience these emotions once more. Her anxiety tingled as she watched with anticipatory horror as her soon-to-be husband knelt before her.

     A hand went to her gaping mouth. Even though she had some idea that this was coming, the nerves and excitement had her frozen in place. As Gregg looked up at her, though, the cowboy hat he had just won in the poker game was casting shadows on his face, and for a brief moment, she saw Gallagher's face.

     She really couldn't understand why. Their faces are significantly different enough that she was confused as to why her mind kept playing this trick. Gregg's cheeks are higher and softer with a shallower jawline. For some reason that eluded even her, she was unsettled by this. She had hardly had any time to grieve for her husband, let alone to consider taking on a new mate. Then came the question.

     "Please, Zella. Please marry me," Gregg said with a smile and a drunken glaze in his eyes while holding up his great grandmother's two karat diamond ring. This shocked her even more. After the Gohannesburg Accord, it became illegal to sell diamonds for jewelry. They soon became unfashionable, except in the case of heirlooms such as this one; and this one is an exceptional specimen.

     It wasn't the question she had been expecting. In fact, it wasn't a question at all, but she didn't care. The setting was perfect; the twelfth floor terrace of her uncle's apartment overlooking Twin Pines Park. This view of the downtown skyline is one of the best in the city.

     She had been waiting for this moment for months; ever since her uncle told her that he had asked him for his blessing. She knew with him that it could come at any moment. She had almost forgotten about it until he told her about this particular outing.

     She suddenly took in a breath as she had been holding it after an exhale since he began to kneel. The mixture of the combination of emotions and alcohol made her feel as though she would pass out. Tears suddenly welled in her eyes as she silently nodded her head and stuck her left hand out.

     Gregg shot up, almost hopping a bit as he stood. His hand began to shake as he put the ring on her. Zella was even more speechless seeing the giant diamond on her hand. She's worn some heavy rings, but this one had the largest gemstone on any ring she had ever had. The masterful cut refracted the light into her eyes, causing her to zone out for a moment until Gregg grabbed her and swung her around a few times.

     "I love you so much, Zella. I'm a stronger man because of you."

     Zella managed to let out a giggle as she blushed. They stumbled a bit as he brought her down and this forced them to take a seat on a lounge chair. They both laughed it off until their eyes met, and they immediately flew into each other for a deep, passionate kiss. They were soon interrupted by a loud pop and a, 'Hooray!' from her uncle.

     They were both slightly startled, but their drunkenness made them laugh at it. There was always an air of abruptness about her uncle, but his jovial attitude made it bearable. He sat at the head of the lounge chair next to Zella, forcing them to scoot down a bit. He's a large man, having played rugby professionally before sustaining a career-ending knee injury.

     He gave a hearty laugh before continuing. "Just look at you two. Such a handsome couple," he said while pouring the shampagne he had just opened. "I am so proud of the both of you. In this world going mad, you managed to find love. So many of us could learn a lesson or two in perseverance." He finished pouring the drinks and handed them theirs.

     Zella watched Gregg take his with a smile and they all held them up. "To a long and happy marriage," Gregg stated.

     Her uncle toasted next. "To achieving your dreams."

     Zella held her breath for a moment before giving her toast. She wanted hers to be poignant. "To experiencing life to its fullest."

     "Yes, I will definitely toast to that," her uncle said before they all tapped glasses and took a drink.

     "You really think this world is going mad, Emerson? I mean, sure there's tensions over the rights to extra-terrestrial mining operations, but I doubt it would ever lead to a war. The Treaty of Coalitions has so many safeguards against war. I just don't see it coming to that."

     "Oh, Gregg, don't get him started. He doesn't stop when he's drunk." She lightly elbowed him in the ribs as she said this.

     Emerson giggled heartily. "Don't worry, sweetie. I won't get into it tonight. Tonight is for celebrating, despite the fact that your fiance here kicked my ass in poker. Since when did you learn a poker face like that?"

     Gregg gave a snort and a smug smirk. "Yeah, well, I paid for some training. And... I may have counted cards on that last hand."

     Zella was shocked by this. She's never known him to cheat at anything, but she kept quiet to see her uncle's reaction.

     Emerson raised his eyebrows, but gave a hearty laugh. "If you were a rival, I'd be wanting revenge, but a calculated cheat is just a part of the corporate dance. Well played, Gregg." Emerson held his glass up again and Gregg tapped it with his.

     "I know what we should do," Emerson began, putting an arm around Zella and shaking her a bit. "We should go get some sashimi. I know this great little place that's open all night. They have this new hybrid fish called hallowtail, which is a mix of halibut and yellowtail. It is delectable."

     "What do you say, fiancée?" Gregg asked in a slightly musical way.

     Just as Zella turned to look at him, she felt a large finger tapping her on the shoulder, which made her jump slightly, jolting her back into reality.

     As her surroundings came back to normal, Zella was surprised at being in Gresh's arms. He gave her a shy smile as he helped to her feet. Zella put a hand to her head as the comeback was disorienting.

     Gallagher had had enough time to take a seat and rub his eyes. He was busy with trying to understand what he had remembered and stared blankly as he watched Gresh catch Zella's fall. This new information felt really important. Not only does he know for sure if there is someone out there waiting for him, but he's sure he knows who is responsible for exiling him:  his own father. If that's even true.

     Gallagher watched as Jaiko assessed Zella and he and Gresh both escorted her to the seat next to him. He shook off the thoughts in his head to pay attention to her and leaned forward in his seat. "How are you feeling? Jaiko, you should get her some water."

     "Right away," Jaiko responded, quickly scampering to get her some.

     "I'm okay. I'm really hungry, though."

     "Yeah, how's that food coming along, Jaiko?"

     "Just a few more minutes," he replied, handing Zella a glass of water. "I've never seen anyone have a flashback, let alone two people at the same time."

     "Wait, you had a flashback, too?" Zella asked, pausing while taking a drink.

     "I guess we both did. What did you re-experience?"

     "I'm more interested in what the person who has amnesia was able to remember."

     Gallagher scoffed as he sat back and allowed his gaze to wander. "I'm not so sure I want to repeat it."

     "I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours," she stated with a wry smile.

     Gallagher scoffed again and paused for an uncomfortable amount of time. "I think my father exiled me to District 4 and may have kidnapped my wife."

     He said it so matter-of-factly that everyone was stunned by his answer. They all looked at each other with awe and uncertainty.

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