Chapter 17
I Would Do Anything. Maybe? (Return to the main story.)
Day 74
Mercy tried to remember if she had worn this brown dress before. It was not form fitting, but it showed off her shape. A shape that she liked to show off. She had been standing erect and twirling by the chair when the man arrived. She had spoken to the man, "Samuel, my friend, do you like this dress? I mean? Do you think it's pretty? No, that is not the right question. Does this dress give Mercy a good face? No, that is not human words. Oh, yes, I know."
The man lowered his seventh finger. He had been counting the number of times they had the same conversation today. There was no mystery to what she was going to say. He knew exactly what it was going to be.
She resumed speaking, "Samuel, tell me the truth. Does this dress make me look pretty? I believe; I've said this before? Please tell me, do I look pretty in this dress."
Samuel spoke dryly. "It makes you the vision of loveliness."
She smiled, and he wanted to recoil out of the fear of being bitten. She replied, "Thank you for lying to me. You must know it is not time to speak of all things yet. If you wish, I shall try to tell you what I can."
This response was different from the last six. So, the girl inside the creature did have secrets. Secrets she kept from the creature? Maybe, she had plans she kept from the creature too? The girl's secret was Mercy. Mercy wouldn't let her tell. It stole her voice. It was responsible for the death of someone she might have loved. It stole her choice. All of her choices. It took away her life. This would be enough to kill for. Could be, enough to die for; dragging a monster along with you. The girl deserves life, not death due to a monster, but I could understand taking it with you. It was Mercy, the destroyer of the world after all.
"You said you had a plan." he corrected himself, "No. You said I was the backup plan. You were worried about failing. You talked about peace and making things better. But you never said you had a plan. But if I was the backup plan, you had to have one."
She said this like she did not want to tell, "You are my plan."
Through labored breathing he asked, "What do I do in this plan of yours?"
Mercy was very serious when she spoke. "You were supposed to be you. But I have learned, you are not that predictable."
He laughed a choking laugh, "I'm not even good at being me? It only took most of my life to find that out. And it took the one and only Goddess-Queen to tell me."
She wondered if this was what a connection to a human was like? She spoke like the words hurt. "Samuel you are very ill today, and you still sit there and play?"
With a sense of finality Samuel replied, "The choice is live or not live. I will live until I don't. You, Little One, had a very bad plan. Because it appears you came to me so I could end you. Only you wanted to pick the time and place. Life may not give you that opportunity. I may not live long enough to be that predictable."
Meekly, she uttered, "Samuel; my end was the backup plan. There is still another path you can take. We can take. It is not ready. Steps must be completed."
The man stood up to go into the house. With a painful grimace, he clutched his midsection. He said, "Mercy, I believe you may be too late..."
Samual fell face first into the grass, and his world simply blinked away. Darkness.
Day 75
His eyes opened. He was in his bed. The single light powered by forgotten technology hung in the center of the room. No sound. No movement. Still, he felt a presence. Someone was here. With his eyes, he located the cowboy gun. He began to search for someone else. Then the world drifted away from him. He had a vision of a creature standing over a body, his body. He remembered a long dead friend being watched over by mad creatures. Was this to be his end?
Mercy gently pulled on the blanket. She attempted to smile while fidgeting. She spoke softly. "Hello Samuel. I have watched. I try to assist."
He swung his feet over the side of the bed, and he answered her, "It's improper for a lady to enter a gentleman's bedroom unaccompanied."
Mercy stepped backwards across the room. "I do not understand. Is this humor?"
He felt pain inside his body. Without any success, he tried to stop himself from moaning. He paused, then said, "A very poor attempt. Assisting? You seem to have assisted me out of most of my clothes? I know you wanted me to be ready in case there was more of your hugging. Well, young lady, I'm saying no hugging."
She replied with sadness. "There was no hugging. Please do not attempt to stand. I fear you do not have the strength. If you will allow; I can retrieve what you desire?" I believe that I do not like this thing called a human connection.
The man's expression was one she did not understand. Mercy continued, "I understand you are repulsed. Please remember, my assistance will not cause you to become. It is safe for us to touch the same object. We can even touch each other without fear; except for certain – actions."
Samuel's options were limited. He had to trust her at least a little bit. He said, "I might have to pee, in a minute. I don't think I can pee in front of someone else. Wait, don't say anything about assisting or touching, right now. This might seem silly, but I even have a hard time saying the word 'Pee' in front of a girl."
Her expression changed from puzzlement to playfulness. With great excitement, she said, "I have a list of ways I can assist with peeing while touching. I will recite the list to you at this time."
Samuel sighed, having expected her to give that response. He pointed and replied, "Why don't you recite the list to yourself, silently; while, you are getting me the walking stick out of the closet, over there?"
She smiled at herself. She retrieved the walking stick. She stood in front of him holding the pole. She chirped, "I have no list. Is this the pole used for the poking? I have a list of different kinds of poles, and I have a list of many different things you can do with poles. Sometime soon, I will tell you something fun I do with a pole..."
He commented on her appearance. "Have you been rolling in mud and grass? I might have to poke someone with that pole." It was too late when he realized what he said.
She pouted, then confusion covered her face. She returned, "These words have surprised me. This response does not bring pleasure to me. I do not know the reason for this. I have offended Samuel?"
He pointed to a chair near the bed and offered her a place to sit. Softly, he said, "I believe your appearance and my lack of clothing had the same cause. You got me here. You removed my dirty clothes, and you cleaned me up. That is more than watching and a little assisting. Thank you."
She sat in the chair. It was like a warm blanket had been wrapped around her. She spoke with surprise, "Samuel is not offended? We wish to know the correct response to Samuel?"
He instructed, "After a 'thank you', the correct response is 'you're welcome.'"
Her mind was nearly fully engulfed by the warmth. The feeling overcame her as she said, "I do not understand the meaning of this?"
He nodded as he said, "Nobody does. It's an ancient custom. It's a tradition. We just do it."
The snake in her smiled as he announced, "You are welcome, Samuel. After I have completed the list how to assist you with peeing by touching; I will list how you can assist me with peeing by touching."
Playfully, he shook his head at the absurdity of it all. He said, "Yep, you had to go there. You couldn't let it go."
She went on. "Samuel, I think you are developing a dirty mind? I know a great deal about dirty minds. It was all I thought about until recently. Have I told you about...?"
He interrupted her, "Hey, Little One, help me up? As soon as I'm finished, I'd like you to go get cleaned up. I'm sure you'll feel better. I'm sure your sisters will be happy to see you."
She waggled her finger like a child scolding an adult, and she interrupted him, "I will not leave. You cannot be trusted to take care of yourself. As soon as I am gone; you will be riding the one who kicks and hunting wild vicious animals."
He said, "Today, I'll be happy to make it back to bed after an assistance free pee. Go to your sisters, no hunting or riding for me."
She held him up as they walked. She agreed and said, "Alright, but I will return in a few hours. I will not touch when you pee. But can I hold? You did not say anything about not holding..."
Samuel tiredly returned, "No holding. No touching. No saying sexual things. Just an assistance free pee."
She was not deterred and continued speaking, "You did not say no peeking. Peeking is allowed. I will peek, but I will not tell."
Maybe agreeing with her would get her to stop talking about it? Probably not. Samuel replied, "Good, it's never too late to stop talking about peeing."
When she returned, she was wearing the shorter of her black dresses with black boots, black gloves and the gray hat. She carried a bundle containing clothes for the week. She knocked on the frame of the open door. He was unsure how much time had passed.
He made a gesture she was not sure of. She decided to enter. "Do you have food Samuel?"
He answered, "Yes, we will have to use the small wood stove, in the corner. I'm out of the gas that burns." Is she trying to be human?
She pointed to the bathroom. She inquired, "I will make a fire. Tell me about the big tub in that room."
He asked. "The bathtub? Do you want to take a bath?"
When she finished speaking, she waited. "Yesterday, you spoke of the boiled meat and root vegetables. I can do that if you wish?"
He pointed, "Yes, a broth. Open those doors, you'll find everything in there. You can bathe if you want to." Does it really want to try and cook? Take a bath inside? Maybe it's trying to domesticate itself? Anyway, maybe a clean creature is better than a dirty one.
Her face made a comical expression as Mercy responded, "I wish to bathe you. I think a warm bath will help you. Does the thing in there make water hot?"
He answered, "Yes, I can tell you how." It must be after something? It sure is acting weird. It didn't even say anything dirty that time.
She stated, "You will need clean clothes, and clean bed cloths."
He questioned out of sheer confusion, "Taking over?"
Earnestly, Mercy said, "It has been decided. All will be done for Samuel; even if I repulse. We will live as friends. Or we will die as the best enemies we can be. We will not die alone. Mercy will be all that is allowed by Samuel."
He watched Mercy nod as he said, "Mercy, you do know that I am not your demon? And I cannot return these things that you have lost. I believe you have discovered heartache. And the loss of something you never had."
Evenly, she said, "Yes, and I do not like it. Tell me about making the water hot? I wish to have you to bathe. You will eat, bathe, and rest. Then I will read. I wish to try to read. If you do not mind, I wish to read about the black bird."
He didn't know why, but the creature seemed very sad. He answered, "I didn't believe you remembered that. It's the third book from the top, in that stack. Will you eat? With me? I will have some broth."
She asked, "Yes, I think I would like eating with you. Why do you look at me like that?"
Out of curiosity he said, "Are you alright? You're acting mighty human today? Do you plan to poison the soup? Or drown me in the tub? And just what are your plans for us to be the best enemies we can be?"
She smiled a serpent smile and said. "Samuel, if I was a bad enemy know that I could have left you in the mud facedown."
He asked, "So, you are alright?"
A tear fell. She smiled and said, "As good as a broken goddess queen can be." The Goddess does not cry.
He asked, "How do you bathe, out there? I have to tell you how to work a tub. I used to go in the river..."
But she revealed very few secrets as they ate. Then she held his arm as they walked. Later, she commented, "I do not know what degree of hotness humans prefer."
He tried to laugh as he said, "Some like it hot. I have no idea what that means. I heard my father say it."
They paused. She continued. "I will explain it to you when you grow up. I do not really know if that statement applies. I heard you say it."
He said, "Yes, I see. You're trying to be cute?"
She could not tell if he understood, so she asked twice, "Check to see if the degree of hotness is preferable? Samuel, do you like the water temperature?" She was referencing the tub water, but she paused in thought. Could this be humor?
He shook the water off his hand and said, "Oh yes. You did a fine job."
She snickered, "You dried your hand to get into the water?"
He waved his hand for her to leave and spoke, "People? What can I say? Now, turn around and go away while I get in the tub."
Sternly, she replied, "If you fall and become not awake; I will be of little use if I am other place. I will assist and wait."
He asked, "Mercy, please leave."
She returned, "I will stay."
He said, "Mercy, I want you to go into the other room, with the door closed, while I bathe."
She negotiated, "I will agree, if you allow me to assist you in the getting into the tub."
He stated, "No. You cannot be trusted. You keep having hugging fits. Go in the other room and close the door."
She continued, "I will agree to no assisting, if you will allow me to do the waiting and being near?"
He replied, "No. You can't be trusted with your hugging fits."
She grinned wickedly and said, "I do like the hugging, but I do not have fits. I will face the door. When you say you are safe, I will go into the other room. If you do not agree, I will do the fit of hugging and touching."
He returned, "No. I'm safe. Go in the other room, or I will."
She huffed, "I will go into the other room. And when you say, you are safe; I will close the door."
He agreed, "Stand outside the door facing away from me, and I will tell you when to close it."
She walked through the door. Her back was to the man. She conceded. "I agree."
"You can close the door." He said to her back. He watched as her right-hand rose like she was holding something in the air. "Close the door."
Mercy faded into her memory. A warm, tight embrace swelled over her. She was no longer here. Dreams, thoughts, memories, and reality became one. Mercy Goddess Queen stepped out of her boots. She dropped her gloves. And she turned around. But she was not in a dream.
He felt the eerie blackness take over her eyes. Damned creature went crazy again. What to do? He yelled, "Mercy? Mercy, are you there?"
She slithered forward. Her dress slowly dripped toward the floor.
He picked up the cane as he shouted, "Mercy! Come back!" He laid the cane across the tub. He clapped loudly and whistled. Then he yelled, "Mercy! Wake up!"
She lifted her bare leg into the tub. She leaned forward.
He placed the tip of the cane under her belly button. He pushed.
She landed on her back side.
He questioned her as she rose. "Mercy?"
She scanned the room, "Coffee man, you ain't wearing no clothes? Ahem, not that I am complaining. Ou, don't tell me you were about to get busy? Nope, not my business."
He replied, "Hello, you're not Mercy?"
She picked up the dress. She studied the man's face. She pointed in the tub. She shook her head and said, "Hey, where's my clothes? Never could get it to wear decent underwear. No, it is sleeping; gave it a good dream. Glad you got a big enough towel. Put you in the dream, to keep it happy."
He asked, "Who are you?"
She replied, "I don't really know. What does it call me? Hey, a hat. I like the hat."
He answered her, "Defiant."
Defiant said, "Fitting, I guess. I'm going to finish dressing and stand by the doorway. I probably won't have much time. So, go ahead and soak while I talk. It can free the others. They're young, and shouldn't be hurt by the experience. It will try not to tell you. Also, it's not going to free them until it gets what it wants. It wants to get paid first. No way around that. I can't tell you what it wants. Any accidental hint or tip-off can mess up everything. I'll say this, the cost will seem high to you. Don't worry, I'll get to see you again, when its right. And part of me is in every one of its bad jokes."
Samuel asked, "What else can you tell me? About you? About it?"
Defiant continued, "It has to agree to free everyone. Once it gets what it wants, it won't break its word. I've been working on this for a very long time. Oh, just wait. You have to wait until it's ready to bring the offer to you. It's too risky for me to keep coming back. I'm sure I'll get one more time before the deals done, probably. Glad, you got to see me when you were naked. Bye, coffee man, thanks. It's good to talk to a person again. It's waking up. Guess our talk's..."
Day 76
The light came through the window. He did not want any curtains drawn. Recently, he began to dislike too much darkness. He coughed. "Lately, all kinds of strange noises and smells have come out of me."
She spoke. It was the first time she moved all night. "Samuel, like the big animal who kicks, you are becoming smelly and noisy. You appear less bad today. Please stay and rest. I wish to learn; the boiling of the coffee today. Will you tell me of coffee boiling?"
Samuel said, "No. You do not do as you say. I cannot have you here all night. When you do not go to your sisters, you become less right in your head. Besides, what am I to do if you break out in a hugging fit?"
Mercy replied, "Samuel, you are annoyed with me? I only seek to help?"
He replied, "Yes and thank you for that. But you can't neglect everything else to help. You hurt yourself and the sisters doing that."
She went and sat by the man. She inquired, "Do you say this to have Mercy stay here less time? To want Mercy to take care of Mercy is bending of meaning. Mercy believes your words are bent with kindness. Mercy will do. I will let you sleep alone. Samuel, later, I might have to be here more."
He said, "Yes, you will. I still don't trust you completely. And that's on me. Not knowing your plan worries me. And Little One, I'm running out of good days – very quickly now. I believe today will be a good one, but I can't say anything about tomorrow. Or any other tomorrow. And not all food and drink are boiled. Teas are steeped. Coffee is brewed. And there are many different ways to prepare food."
Cheerfully, she said, "Then, Samuel will teach the making of coffee today? I think the one who kicks would like to see you. The two of you can be smelly and noisy together..."
Day 77
He stated, "Hey, get up, and stop pulling on my shoe."
She replied, "It is a boot. And I was helping you take it off."
He gestured for her to stand. He corrected her, "I would like to keep my shoes on for the moment, please. I find they are very useful for walking and kicking – like the mule."
With frustration she replied, "Samuel, sometimes, you are very hard to take care of."
He returned the frustration as he said, "Good. Taking care of me should not be your main focus, right now. We ought to be trying to fix stuff. Or doing the make the world a better place thing. We agreed to try something. Not that I know what that is. Like I've been saying, my time is almost up. You may be the world's last chance."
She pouted and mumbled, "Samuel, you said you had a year."
He answered, "I was wrong. I think one, maybe two months. The last few weeks won't be good. Mercy, you need to know, I feel my mind slipping. In a month, maybe less, I won't be me. I'll be very hard to be around."
She lowered herself to the floor and wrapped her arms around his legs. Mercy squeezed and rested her head on his lap. She said, "You will have the mad death without the bliss? We are not ready. You cannot leave us. Soon, this step will be complete. We will be ready for the next. I must go to the last sisters. We will be ready. Samuel, I do not want you to end. I am not ready. But I will not let you end alone."