Chapter 33: AN END TO PARADISE: Year Zero

Shanna woke up it was dark and sort of hazy.  A man was calling her.  She looked up seeing who he was.  The Thai spoke to her in his language.  She understood and responded.

Yes I am a doctor. She confessed.

She was scared for her life and wondered if they would let her go.

She spoke Thai telling them she was scared and she wanted to go home.

The main leader told her she would be able to go after she helped them.

They took her to the man that was injured.

She looked him over and it wasn’t good at all.

He had been stabbed several times and was in deep need of blood.

She explained to them that she needed some supplies from her med hut either that or take him there.

They didn’t want to move him so they took her back.

Richard was there. He looked up.

Richard?  Shanna said as they had a gun to her back.

He stood up worried about her.

Richard, a man has been injured so they want me to help him.  I am scared.  She gathered supplies and put them in a bag as she explained what was going on.

Shanna honey don’t be afraid remember what I said.  Richard tried to comfort her.

Yes I love you too.  She put her arms around him and kissed him.

The man yelled at her.

She wondered why Jed was gone. Where had he gone?  She took a list for a possible blood match and followed the man back to their camp.

She laid down her supplies getting a sample of his blood and testing it to see what type he was.

He was a close possible match to one of the girls at the community.  She asked them if she could go to the lake to get the blood she had stored some of every person at the community for a possible emergency.

She took her waterproof light and they took her there.

She dived in with a snorkel and looked at the tags she held her breath as long as she could and came up with the blood.

She stitched up what she could then inserted the needle into the man’s arm. She sat there and waited while everything she had done take affect.  His breathing was better and he ran a slight fever probably because of the shock.

She ended up falling asleep.

Someone told her to wake up. 

She woke up.

They asked how their friend was.  She went to him and felt his head it seemed the fever had passed.

I think he will be all right. She told them.

The leader appeared. He told her they would need her until he was out of the woods.

She explained her situation that she had a family and they needed her too.

The man understood and sent a letter to Richard saying that she would stay there until he was ok.

When Richard received the letter he was still worried about her.  He told James the situation that Shanna had been kidnapped.

He told James to try and get everyone into the underwater cave because people were coming and he didn’t want him hurt. 

James obeyed and went back to gather everyone.

Richard had a mission of his own to rescue his wife.

He went into the forest it was dark and when he found the hut.  He secretly wandered around trying not to be noticed.

When he found her she was guarded under heavy surveillance.

He saw her doing her doctoral duties.  He knew they wouldn’t harm her since she was the only doctor around for miles so he didn’t worry quite as much.

He spent the rest of the night watching her and ended up falling asleep.

In the morning Richard was awaken my helicopters it seemed Jed’s troops had arrived and they were ready to destroy every part of the field.

Richard had saw men fall from the sky.  He tried to get away from them but with no luck he was caught.

What is your name and why are you here? The trooper asked.

Sergeant Richard Fischer, United States Army.  The farmers have taken my wife.  He saluted.

The Private saluted him. 

I am sorry Sergeant where is Lt. Ashton?  He stood at ease.

He was injured and told me to take over. Richard told the trooper.

Do you know why they have taken her? Private Rodriguez asked.

She’s a doctor and they had an injured man they said they would let her go as soon as he was out of danger.  But I am still worried about her.  It’s my entire fault.  Richard explained.

Don’t worry Sergeant she will be ok.  The Captain will see to that.  Private Rodriguez called the Captain on his walkie-talkie explaining the situation.

Richard’s worries increased with the U.S. Army involved it had turned a whole lot worse.

He heard shooting and he went to search for Shanna.  The guard who was guarding her told her to stay there.  When he left, Richard went inside and took her hand and ran.

The shooting continued and Richard and Shanna escaped the crossfire. Men all around them were dying.

It appeared the farmers were ready for an attack.

Shanna ran as fast as she could while Richard pulled her along.

Richard I can’t anymore.  She had hurt her leg while running.

Yes you can Shanna Fischer. Fischer’s never quit.  He gave her confidence.

When they reached the waterfall.  Someone called them.

Richard and Shanna turned around.

They saw the leader call them with a gun pointed their way.

What do you want?  Richard asked.

This is the last time you mess with us.  The Thai man said.

But it wasn’t me.  I swear.  Please just let my wife go she has nothing to do with this.  Richard yelled at the man.

Shut up. The Thai was frustrated hearing his lame excuses.

They both stood still. 

Shanna held his hand, Richard do you know how to back flip?  She whispered.

You mean?  He knew what she wanted to do.

Yes. She held his hand and let go.  They both fell back off the cliff and into the water below.

Without warning the man just stood there like an idiot unable to believe they had jumped.

He saw a grenade land at his feet and with his last breath the grenade went off.

Shanna and Richard cheered down below.  They got out of the water as quit as possible and headed back to the community.

It was empty like no one lived there.  James had got everyone out in time.

When the army came through the longhouse and med hut they were surprised that they were living in the National Park.  It had been forbidden for anyone to stay there but yet someone had managed to build on the forbidden land.

The Captain met up with Richard in the long house.

Hello Captain.  Sergeant Fischer U.S. Army Corp, 23rd battalion.

Hello Mr. Fischer. What are you doing here?  He asked.

I came here a few years ago and I wanted to come back for a vacation.  He told him.

You do understand this land is forbidden.  The Captain wanted to make sure he understood.

Yes sir completely.  But I enjoy the quiet.  Richard tried to justify why he was staying there but he figured the Captain wouldn’t get it.

How have you coexisted with the farmers?  He asked him.

Easy they stayed to their side, we stay to ours.  Richard was curious why he wasn’t under arrest or something for staying there when it was illegal.

Well Mr. Fischer. I will give you 48 hours to leave the premises cause pretty soon this island is going to be covered with military personnel.  He stood up preparing to leave.

Aye Sir I understand do you think we can get a ship to take us back to the main land?  Richard knew he was asking for a lot but he had to try.

Yes we have one coming in. That’s why I said 48 hours.  The Captain explained.

Good cause your going to need one for at least 40 people or so.  Richard told him.

I don’t understand.  The Captain turned back to him.

This community has people who live here they have been living here for 17 years at least.  Richard sat down tired of standing.

Where are these people? He asked.

They are safe my son took them away from here as I instructed because of what happened here today. He looked up at the Captain.

All right everyone will be taken to the main land. We give you 48 hours to clear the premises.  The Captain had been very reasonable.

Yes sir.  Richard saluted.

Shanna relaxed and sat down on a cot.

I have been up all night I am going to get some sleep, Richard. She told him before she laid down.

All right Shanna you go to sleep. I will take care of everything.  He kissed her before he left.

Richard headed toward the underwater cave.  He looked down into the pit. 

“Guys. Time to come back.”  He yelled.

Ok Dad. Yelled James from below.

They all came back and when they got to the long house he told them the news.

Sal was angry.

Richard why have you done this?  Did Daffy give you some sort of mission to kick us out of our home? Sal looked at him she was pissed.

I thought you said Daffy was just fucking crazy.  Richard replied.

Well if he wanted to get us off this island he got the right person to do it.  Sal said.

Look Sal this is not my fault.  I just told one person at my army base about this place.  I didn’t even draw a map this time so you can’t blame me for this.  Richard said.

It’s the same shit Richard just like the map just like before.  Sal said.

Not like before. I didn’t draw a map this time I swear on my son’s life. He pleaded with her but there was no pleasing her.

Well someone must have told them.  Sal looked at him in a weird way.

Well it wasn’t me.  It’s like Daffy once told me its Year Zero Sal. Richard looked at her and smiled.

Sal had remembered Daffy he was her best friend until he went crazy. He always told her someday Year Zero was gonna reach them and she never believed it.

We got 48 hours to enjoy serenity for one last time; I hope we can make the best of it.  Tomorrow we throw the biggest bash of all time.  Sal announced and everyone cheered.

The next day before the bash began they all got in line for the ending ritual.  They all got a line drawn down the middle of their tattoo.  They celebrated with booze and they had caught plenty of food and made a big bomb fire.

Shanna sat near Richard enjoying their last hours on The Beach.  Everyone danced.

She smiled at everything she had gone on so many adventures but the greatest adventure she ever been on was the one she shared with Richard Fischer.

Richard starred at her.  He was so happy to have her by his side.  He had come to Thailand to get away from everything he never dreamed he would leave with a family.

The bash had lasted those two days and everyone was happy.  They weren’t too excited to go back home but what could they do.

When the ship finally arrived to take them back to the main land.  Richard and everyone kissed the island goodbye.  They took them to Ko Pao Ngan. 

Shanna got a room at Sumei’s Place and so did a few others.  They slept there that night.  Everyone traded information before they had left for good.

Paradise was not just a place or just a word.  Richard never realized what the word had meant until this day.  He always thought Paradise to be the land of beautiful and uncharted lands. But Paradise now meant a whole lot more.  Paradise to him was spending his life with his family. He had found his soul mate.  Daffy was right though.  It had been nice knowing him, for if he never met him or Shanna. He would have never had such an adventurous life like he did on the Beach.

He stood in a dim light drawing something.

“Richard we are ready to leave.” She called him.

Yeah I am just getting this last bag.  He took the piece of paper and a pushpin and pinned the paper to the wall.  It was a drawing of the map to the island.

He got his bag and closed the door.

The End

Author's Note: I know there is so many unanswered questions your probably wondering what ever happen to James and Amanda or Francoise and Etienne or Richard and Shanna. Well I am unable to tell you anything about that because I don’t know if I am gonna write a part two to this story.  I am still thinking about it. Meanwhile enjoy all the other stories available here on my site and enjoy! It's been a journey writing this story and I had lots of fun doing it.

Love your webmistress, Marcie Soliz