“Tarzan Triumphs”

A short story based on the WB Series, “Tarzan”

By Greatblueheron

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Prolog:

The two men squared off in the ring, each looking for the advantage that would over come the strengths of the other. They circled each other like to gladiators of ancient Rome waiting for the signal to attack. One man had the height and weight advantage for sure, he was a mountain of bone and flesh, the second was the picture of speed and agility from years honing his physical prowess for survival in the jungle where one miss step was not mere defeat but your life that hung in the balance. No trace of fear marked his handsome bronze face, but instead a smile denoted the pleasure that he was enjoying with the pending battle. His muscles were knotted in anticipation of the call from their master to strike.

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Chapter 11

The streets in the neighborhood were strangely inactive for that hour of the day, no drug dealers or prostitutes on the corners and the window coverings were drawn. Only the bravest of souls or the most desperate ventured out into the streets that the new evil had come to claim. The battle was far from over, but the home team was definitely in a temporary retreat. Jane tried to look casual as she walked the two blocks to the safehouse, but he feeling that she was being watched sent shivers up her spine and she struggled to keep her legs from taking her to a dead run. Two more days and John would be home and that was two days too long. How she craved him like the addict customers craved the merchandise that was at the center of this war. The safehouse was in sight and she tried to get her mind back to the business at hand, scanning the street, but still trying to blend in.

In the door and up the elevator to the second floor flat, why can’t a safe house smell a little less like a public urinal? A knock on the door and she flashed her ID to the man at the door. Jane stepped into the room and the man checked behind her for on lookers. “Were you watched?” “If I was I would not have come up?” “Sorry, but this details got us on edge, the witness in the bedroom, I’ll get her.” The faces of the two Federal Officers were taught and drawn from worry and lack of sleep. They had good reason to be concerned. This was the only witness to come forward and the enemy had shown that they had the means to take what they wanted.

There was no answer at the door so the officer called out to her, “Maria?” But still no answer. The door was locked from the inside and a look of panic came to all of their faces as he kicked down the door. “She’s gone!” She couldn’t have gone far, stupid woman, what could he have been thinking, she’s going to get herself killed.” Jane picked up her cell phone, “Jed, the witness is gone, left by the window, pull up to the door and pick me up.” “You two have any idea where she might go?” “We have a list of associates and we know the area that she worked.” “Worked?” “Yeah, she’s a hooker by trade, but I doubt that she will show her face on the streets. We have to find her soon or she’s as good as dead. She was our only lead; she saw her dealer offed and got a good look at the guys that did it. She was hiding behind some trash cans.”

“I have an idea of how we can find her, but it may take a day and the more time that goes by the less likely that we will find her in one piece.” “We need a list of all the possible contacts and locations that she might go.” “Ok, but as I said, I doubt that she is going to go there, it would not be safe.” “Well it’s all we have, call this number when you have the locations.” Jane left the flat and took the stairs down to the car. “Jane, what happened?” “Jed, the only witness that we have is on the run, in the streets and a sitting duck. We have little hope that we can find her, I need to get John back here before the trail gets cold to see is he can track her.”

“Jane, I know that John could find her, but we can’t wait that long, every minute that she is out there is a minute too long. We can check the cab companies for pick ups and the bus routes.” You’re right, Jed, I’ll get on it. Jane punched in information and began the search for the main number for the bus and cab companies. “Yellow cab, can I help you?” “This is Detective Porter I need information on any pickups you made the following area…” “Jane! Isn’t that our witness up ahead leaning against that building?” Jane looking up and saw her as she turned and hobbled down a back alley. “Looks like she got hurt diving out the window, pull up and let me out.”

Jane jumped out of the car and called to her, but she tried to run to no avail with her injury. “I won’t hurt you, I’m with the police”. “Leave me alone, I don’t want to die, please”, she pled. As Jane came up along side is the frightened woman, two men came out of the shadows across the street from the parked unmarked police car, they were spotted by Jed just in time and he threw a spot light on them. They pulled their guns and shot toward the light and Jed returned fire as they ducked around the corner. Jane covered the witness and turned to return fire but could not get a clear shot as the assailants were across the street and the car was between them.

After getting off several more rounds, Jed jumped back in the drivers seat and spun the car down the alley toward Jane and the witness. “Jane, get in!” Jane grabbed the woman and they both leaped into the back seat of the car and Jed hit the gas leaving a portion of the rubber from the cars wheels in that alley. “How in the hell did they find her so soon?” Jane looked at Jed who even in the dim light cast by the nearby streetlights looked ashen. The sleeve of his shirt showed a growing dark stain as blood poured from a bullet wound in his upper arm. “Jed you’re shot!” “Its just a scratched and we don’t have time to worry about my boo boos. We have to get to somewhere safe. As soon as I’m sure that we are not being followed, I will pull up and you can play nurse, but not now.

Chapter 12

As the nurse slid the needle into John’s vein there was no sign that he felt the momentary pain. His face smiled at her to provide reassurance that he was past the rage and violence that had overcome him a short while ago. “I don’t like hospitals much, when can I go.” “We need to get an x-ray of your head to be sure that you don’t have a concussion and that gash in your head will need to be looked at. We will need to remove your shirt.” “Ok.” John began to sit up to remove the shirt. “No, John, please don’t move, we’ll take care of it.” The nurse took the scissors from the table and cut away the shirt and slipped the remnants from under John’s body.

“We need to get in there for the x-ray, you people will need to clear the room.” “John, I’ll be right out here ok, just do what they ask, they need a picture of the inside of your head.” Mark walked up the hall and stood next to Johnny outside of the exam room door. “What’s up, Johnny?” Just getting an x-ray, we have to stay close; he was freaking out, something about his Uncle. You should see the scars on him, man I counted two bullet holes and I don’t even want to guess what those marks on his arm is from.” I thought he was joking about being shot out of that tree, but now I think that I believe him.” “What was it about an Uncle”. “John thought that his Uncle was coming for him and was freaking out about the restraints. We have to stay close and get him out of here as soon as possible.”

“Mark, what about the cops?” “No problem, that girl called the station and backed up our story, said her boyfriend started it all and that John did not throw a punch so they have to release him. They called New York for background so the police up there know about this; his fiancé is a detective there too. We have no choice but to call Lt. D’Arnot and let him know what happened, it’s unavoidable. “You can tell me right now what happen!” said Lt D’Arnot as he came down the hall. Mark and Johnny stood with their mouths agape in disbelief.

“How did you know about….”? “I have my sources. Now is someone going to tell me what happened!”? The door to the exam room opened and the technician rolled out the cart with the portable x-ray equipment and left and the doctor followed. “It will be about twenty minutes before we have the results of the x-ray, either way we need to keep John overnight for observation. We gave him some medications for the inflammation and nausea. “Thank you doctor, can we see him now?” “Yes, I think it would be best if he has people he knows around him to keep him calm.”

The walls of the small exam room seemed to close in as John lay on the bed, his head was pounding and his vision was blurred. Soon familiar scents and voices came into the room. “John, its Paul, that’s some bump you got, how are you doing?” “I need to get out of here, my Uncle will come.” “The doctor wants to keep you overnight, John, to make sure that your ok, you could have a concussion and that’s dangerous.” “I’m fine, but I can’t stay here.” John tried to get up, but Paul put his hand on his shoulder to stay his movement.

“What’s wrong, John, why are you concerned about your Uncle, what did he do that has you so worried that you believe that he is going to come?” “He is a bad man, he hurts Jane and kept me in a cage or strapped to a bed and wouldn’t let me go.” Paul turned to look at Johnny who had stepped up from behind him. “John, we won’t let that happen, we won’t leave your side until the doctor releases you, that’s a promise, but you have to take it easy. Can’t have you going home in two pieces, now can we?” That seemed to break the tension in the air. Johnny, Mark, you stay here with John, I have to talk to the doctor and make a call.”

A lady from the admissions office came to the exam room. “Excuse me, but we need some information for billing purposes, full name please?” “Tarzan.” “What?” “Sorry, John Clayton Jr.” “Age?” “Twenty four”. “Address?” “100 Park Plaza, New York.” “Known allergies?” John looked at her with a question on his face again. “I don’t understand, what are allergies?” “Do you have a family physician?” “Yes, Dr. Ben Jaffe.” “I need your insurance card.” “I don’t have one.” “How will you be paying.” “Johnny, do you have my things, my wallet?” “Hold on John, they put them in a bag under your bed.”

Johnny pulled out the bag and searched for the wallet, “Here it is John.” “Hand her my credit card, I’m not feeling so good.” John sat up and held his stomach. “Mark, hand John that basin over there.” Mark grabbed the plastic basin and placed it in front of John and supported his back. “I think I have enough, I’ll just go and make a copy of this card and come back later.” “It’s the booze and the bump on the head, it makes your gut turn, you’ll feel better in the morning.”

John smiled at his friends, “must be the drinks, this scratch is nothing, Kathleen says I am bull headed.” “That means your stubborn, John, not that you have a head like a bull. I can’t see how she could think at your stubborn.” “Oh, I think that stubborn is a fair statement, it also means determined and I would say that describes me pretty well. So when I tell you that I am not staying here tonight, you can believe me.”

Chapter 13

“Jed where are we going?” “My apartment should be safe, I don’t see anyone behind us, call the Captain, tell him what happened and that we have the witness.” Maria was white as a sheet and her ankle was throbbing from the injury. Jane laid a comforting hand on her shoulder and forced a smile. “It will be ok, Jed and I will protect you until we can get you to another safe house. “Please let me go, it was a mistake to think that I could help stop all of this, Nickolas is going to kill me. “Nickolas?” “Yes Nickolas Rokoff.” “Your in no condition to run and he already knows that you talked to the police, you heard those shots, you will never be safe until this is all stopped, do you understand?”

“I should have never gone with him, but he was so nice when I first met him in the bar, Nickolas pretended to be kind and gentle, but it was a lie, he is as evil a man as I have ever met.” “So you were his girlfriend?” “He promised me a place to stay and food, I came here to get away from my parents, but I couldn’t find enough work to I started working the streets to eat. He seemed sincere at first, but he made me do things that….” “Its ok, your away from him now and we have to stop him, he has hurt a lot of people.”

“Jane, we’re here, I’m sure that we weren’t followed.” They got out of the car and walked up to the door of Jed’s apartment. Jed’s are was now soaked in blood and he was looking a bit pale for the experience. “I have some first aid training, can I help.” “Jane, there are some things in the bathroom, I need to sit down for a minute, I’m feeling a bit light headed. Maria, you better put your foot up to stop any more swelling.” Jane went to the bathroom and reached for the supplies, the room was as clean as the day it was built and the apartment spoke of a man that was organized and neat. The décor was tasteful and had several art pieces that were modernistic and depicted the African culture. The apartment was definitely a man’s, but one with good taste and education. She stopped by the bedroom and found a clean shirt to replace the one now covered in Jed’s blood.

“Got the supplies, gee Jed, your apartment is so neat and who did your interior, love the art.” “Thanks, I will be sure to pass that on to Sam.” “Sam?” “Yeah, he did the art and helped me pick out the furnishings.” “I didn’t know that Sam could paint.” “Well he is a man of many talents. He gave them to me some time ago when we worked together before you two teamed up. But that was a long time ago.” “I should call him and the Captain, but first let’s get the wounded tended to.”

Take off your shirt. “Bet you use that line on all of the guys”. Jed grimaced as he removed the torn and blood soaked shirt. “Looks like the bleeding has about stopped, I’ll clean it up, hold pressure on the wound while I clean around it, ok.” “Can I do anything to help?” Maria asked. “Just keep that foot elevated to keep the swelling down.” Jane’s cell phone rang, “Detective Porter.” “Jane, its Sam, where are you?” “Sam, I’m at Jed’s apartment, we had a little trouble, but we have the witness, Maria, Jed was shot, it’s only a flesh wound, but he is going to need more than my first aid.” “I’m on my way, stay put.”

“That’s the best I can do for now.” Jane got up and poured two glasses of water and gave both of her patients a couple of aspirin. “That’s the best I could find, but it should help keep the swelling down. Here, Maria, keep this ice pack on that ankle. I think it’s just a sprang, but it could be worse.” “It feels better already, thanks.” “Jed, Sam is on his way, we’re going to need to get you to a doctor and get Maria somewhere safe.”

“When you were with this Rokoff, where did he take you?” “He was renting a hotel room over on 5th, but I’m sure that he has moved by now.” “Is there anything about him that you can remember that might help us located him?” “I don’t know, maybe….” “Anything, Maria, the least little detail could be important.” “He liked these funny looking cigarettes, they were imported I think, he used to get them at this little shop on 7th Avenue, he had me pick them up for him a couple of times.” “Do you remember the brand?” “Sobraine, Black Russian”.

Chapter 14

Kathleen Clayton was sound asleep in the comfort of this room. The house seemed too quiet lately, as she had grown accustomed to the sound of John running up and down the stairs and the music of Jane and Nikki's laughter. The ringing of the phone interrupted her slumber, "Hello?" "This is American Express, I apologize for the late hour of this call, but we are required to verify all charges on this account over $1,000." "What account, I was sleeping?"

"Again, I apologize, the credit card is in the name of John Clayton and the bill was estimated at $2,000 in the preauthorization for medical expenses at Quantico General in Virginia." "The hospital! That card belongs to my nephew; he is down in Virginia, something must have happened, of course its ok. I'm sorry, but is that all you needed, I have to call and see what happened."

Ok, calm down, he's a big boy, take a deep breath, she thought. "Information, please connect me with Quantico General Hospital, Quantico, Virginia." "Admissions, may I help you?" "Yes, I am checking to see if you have a patient, John Clayton, I am his Aunt." "One moment please". "Yes, he was brought into the emergency department a couple of hours ago." I will check to see if there is a family member here that can speak to you."

The wait seemed like forever as her mind raced as she imagined the worse, but after a few minutes the clerk came back on the phone. "A young man in with your nephew asked that you call him on his cell phone as there is no phone in the exam number, his number is 571-555-8965. "Thank you.."

Johnny's cell phone rang, "Hello, this is Johnny, I am a friend of John's." "This is Kathleen Clayton, I am John's Aunt, may I speak with my nephew?" "John, it's your Aunt." "You shouldn't have called her." "I didn't call anyone John, I don't know how she knew about this, honest." John took the phone and hesitated. "Aunt Kathleen?" "John, are you ok? I got a call from the credit card company for authorization for the bill, why didn't you call me?"

"Its nothing, I'm fine, just a little bump on the head, I didn't want you to worry, please don’t tell Jane." "Why not, John, she would want to know if you got injured." "I don't want her to worry every time that we are apart, I have to have a life, a reason for living besides my family. I want to be part of something. Honestly, its nothing, I have been hurt a lot worse and never saw a doctor."

'How did you get injured?" "It's not important, Kathleen and I will be home soon." "Where is Jane." She must be working late, I did not hear her come home. She has been at the station around the clock since this new case started. I know that she misses you, as we all do. When will you be coming home?" "Tomorrow, I just have to arrange transportation, I can't finish the tests now, I will have to come back latter."

"Your cousin William is coming to town for a visit next week." William?" "Yes, from London." "Kathleen, the doctor is back, I will call you as soon as I know when I am going to be home." "Love you John." "I love you too Kate."

Chapter 15

Paul came back to the room. “Mark, can I see you for a minute.” Mark rose to leave the room and the men face each other outside the door. “Listen, I just got off the phone with Detective Sam Sullivan and Captain Morgan of the New York Police Department. They are the ones that sent John here to train with us. Something big is going down in New York, Russian Mob activity. John’s fiancée Jane Porter and her partner have a witness in protection that has valuable information about the case. They need John’s help back in New York as soon as he is able to travel. I need you to go with John and see that he gets back home. I called your supervisor and he is aware of your assignment.

“You should know Lt. That John is not going to stay overnight, he is a very determined man and the confined space and strange surroundings are freaking him out.” “I know, Sam told me that his Uncle kidnapped John, shot him and held him captive for some time. He reacts badly to not having open space and freedom. But he seems to trust you and Johnny, that’s why I need you to look out for him. John is a unique man with special gifts; he survived in the jungle alone for nearly twenty years. He can be a real help in tracking down leads that it would take the police and FBI a long time if ever to find. We don’t have a lot of time, people are dying all over the city both drug dealers and innocents.” The doctor came up to the men as they spoke. “We have the test results.” They walked back into the room and caught a knowing look from John.

“We have the results of the x-ray and you have a mild concussion, Mr. Clayton, we would like to keep you overnight for…” “No.” “We can’t make you stay of course, but if you leave you are taking a risk, due you understand that?” “I understand you want me to stay, but I want to leave.” “Alright, but at the least one of your friends should stay close in case there is a problem. You could experience headache, dizziness, irritability, memory changes and vision changes. Some people experience unexplained depression, difficulty with concentration or problems with thinking and planning ahead. Symptoms may begin weeks or even months after the initial injury. Although the symptoms generally resolve over time, some people need a rehabilitation specialist to oversee a program for recovery. This injury should not be taken likely especially since from the x-ray this is not your first. There were other fractures in your life, one quit severe.

“Thank you doctor, I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine and I need to get home.” John moved to stand, but the doctor motioned for him to wait. “Give me a few minutes before you rush off, we need to remove the catheter from your arm and I’ll have some medications for you to take with you. A nurse will be in a few minutes.” The doctor left the room and John looked at Paul. “What is happening with Jane?” “You heard us, how?” “I’m a good listener, a skill I picked up, where is she?” “She and Jed are ok, he was injured, but it was not serious.”

John stood nearly ripping the needle out of his arm. “Wait John, the nurse is coming.” Paul moved to stop John’s movement just in time as the quick rise caused his legs to give as the blood rushed from his head. John placed a hand to his head that was now pounding and one hand on Paul’s shoulder to steady him. “You wont’ be any good to anybody if you don’t slow down, you heard the doctor. Mark and Johnny are going to get you home, but you have to take it easy. I know you want leave and you will, but please listen you have to be patient. Every thing is under control and we need you 100% so that you can help. Look at yourself, you can hardly stand. You need some rest and time.

“Alright Paul, your right, but I have a bad feeling and I need to be home.” The nurse entered the room and hesitated. “Are you trying to get me fired?” “Sorry.” “Well you’re my responsibility until you get out of the front door so please sit down and let me take that catheter out the right way so you don’t get an infection. John gave her a sheepish smile and a flash of his blue green eyes. “Yes miss.” She removed the needle and applied the dressing. “Here are your instructions for wound care and some medications that the doctor wants you to take for pain and swelling. You need to sign this form after you have read it; it states that you are leaving against doctor’s orders. I have a wheel chair outside of the room to get you to the door and don’t give me any trouble about that either, it’s hospital policy.”

John signed the form and the nurse handed the paperwork and medications to Johnny. Paul handed John his wallet and he and Mark helped John to the wheel chair. “We’ll go back to the dorm to get your things and some rest and leave for New York in the morning, if that’s ok John. It’s last and you need to get some rest before the trip back.” “I need to call my Aunt, she will be worried.” “Ok, we’ll give her a call once we get to the car.

Chapter 16

Nikolas Rokoff slammed his fist in the to wall of this apartment and Paulvitch winced at the sound of the impact. “That whore is going to get what she deserves and that goes for those cops that helped her too.” “We don’t have time for that now, the shipment will be arriving next week and all must be in place before then. I have no taste for displeasing our superiors, Nikolas.” “All will be ready, but I am not going to stand by and let some woman make a fool of me after all that I did for her.” Paulivitch winced as he recalled her and others like her pleading from the bedroom over the years as they enjoyed his partner’s sick amusements.

“Yes I don’t know how she could resist you charms, but we still have work to due arranging for the warehouse and trucks so you need to drop this obsession before you get us both killed. We already had to move our location twice because of your social life and it is getting to close to the next phase of this operation …” Nickolas stormed across the room and grabbed Paulvitch by the shirt twisting it so that the garment tightened around his throat. Nobody tells me what to do, you hear me, and I have taken out the competition for our employers. Everything that we have accomplished has been through my plan, but I will not sit by while that whore is still breathing.” Paulvitch pushed him back, “Then you will be our undoing, I’m going to bed, I’m tired and I suggest you do the same. He rose keeping a firm glare in the direction of his partner as he made is way to the bedroom and shut the door.

It was late when Jane arrived home. The FBI arrived to take Maria to another safe house, much to Jane’s dismay. She would have liked to stay with her, but they insisted that she is a federal witness and belonged in their custody. Maria looked scared as they ushered her away, but she promised Jane that she would stay put this time for her own safety. Sam took Jed to the emergency room to finish the medical treatment to the gunshot wound. Of course she couldn’t resist giving him crap about the paintings. He smiled at her ribbing, but he seemed to be somewhere else like he was holding some important information from her. Partners like married couples get a sixth sense about these things. Sam brushed it off as fatigue, it was late after all and everyone was wiped.

No one was up, not that she expected to see anyone at this hour, no one except D’Artagnan who was never to tired to greet a member of his beloved family. She went to his crate and opened the door. He did his little dance and grunted as his body wagged expressing his joy. “I’m glad to see you too boy, come on, you can keep me company tonight.” The pair went up the stairs and went into the master bedroom that she and John shared. D’Artagnan made a beeline for the bathroom for a drink out of the toilet bowl. A habit that she wished John had not encouraged, but she was too tired to get him a bowl from the kitchen so she gave him no objection.

She removed her garments and went to the bathroom to start her shower. Some of Jed’s blood had gotten on her clothes and the pup was busy checking out that new scent. “It’s ok boy, it’s not mine or John’s.” She gave his big soft head a caress. “I know you miss him, but he will be home in a couple of days, I promise.” He cocked his head to one side as if he was trying to understand and sat patiently, guarding her privacy was she took her shower. The shower relaxed her, but also brought to her mind memories of showers that she and her beloved had taken together.

As she washed her body she closed her eyes and imagined that he was there too, caressing her body, the feel of his muscular torso pressing up against her, the look of love and passion on that handsome face and the twinkle of those blue-green eyes that looked right through her. He never seems to get enough of exploring her skin, learning how it responded to his touch and his to hers. He was the strongest man that she had every know, but the gentlest of lovers and his look from across the room alone could set a wanting in her body as if they had a connection that went beyond the physical. She had a nagging feeling that something was going on with John tonight, but she shook it off as loneliness.

She stepped out of the shower and began to dry off and held off the pup’s impulse to help with that chore. “I got it, no need to help lick off the water,” Jane giggled. When she finished she crossed the bedroom and crawled into the bed and gave it a pat. “Ok, but just for tonight.” The pup leaped on the bed and curled against her providing a warmth that gave her some comfort and she fell asleep with her arm draped over her protector.

Chapter 17

John ended his brief call with his Aunt and settled back for the drive back to the academy. His head hurt and he was tired, although he did his best to hide that from Johnny and Mark. He needed to get back home; he could feel it in every part of him. Bad things were coming and he needed to be sure that his loved ones were safe. Kathleen had insisted on sending the private jet to pick him up in the morning even though it was only a 4-½ hour drive back to the City.

She loved to fuss over him, it made her happy, and even though he would prefer that she did not, he let her fuss as it made her happy. His Aunt had complied with his wish that Jane not be told of his little altercation and short hospital stay. It would be impossible not to tell Jane something when they saw each other, but it would be better for her to see that he was all right when he told her.

He smiled a little as he remembered hunting for game and fighting for his life in the jungle with injuries that these civilized people would use as an excuse to take to bed for weeks. Pain, illness, these were facts of life, something to be dealt with and he did not listen to the call of his body to withdraw from pain the way that civilized man would. John had learned to embrace and ignore pain to live, to survive.

When they arrived at the dorm room Johnny stayed close to John was he unlocked the door incase John got dizzy again. He seemed better, steadier, but still he wasn’t taking any chances with his friend, no mater how stubborn he was. Mark gave him a nod as he left them to go to his room for the evening. “Give me a call if you need anything.” “Thanks Mark, I’ll stay with John, just in case he needs anything.”

John walked over to bed and sat down. “The plane will be at the airport at 9:00, Johnny, can you get me a ride in the morning?” “Sure John, but I thought we were going to drive to the City?” “My Aunt insisted on the plane.” “Which airline?” “Private plane at the airport, they will call in the morning to let me know exactly where.” “A private plane, John, your Aunt owns a private plane?” “I think that it belongs to the company.” “Oh, her employer lets her use the private plane?” “No, it’s the family business, Greystoke.” “Listen, I guess I’m more tired than I thought, I need to get some sleep.”

John stripped out of his clothing and lay down on the bed to rest. Johnny removed his own outer ware and shoes and stretched out on the sofa. She’s sending a private plane, Greystoke Enterprises, the family business Johnny thought. John is just full of surprises. He looked across the room and saw his friend on the bed, his eyes already closed and his breathing indicated that he was falling to sleep. “Sleep well, John, I’m here if you need me.” “I know, he replied softly.”

Through the night he heard John toss and struggle with some imaginary foe, his Uncle perhaps or some creature from that jungle so far away like the some that left him marked for life on his shoulder as a reminder to be quicker or more careful in that dangerous place. There were times that he seemed to be holding a lover, Jane he guessed, but always the fight returned. Perhaps without her he felt alone, vulnerable to the dangers of his past, unable to be at peace without her close to him. She was more than his love, perhaps she kept him grounded, safe in this world that had been so cruel to him. He was a powerful man, but there was deep inside of him a tortured soul that needed to belong and wanted to connect with friends and family.

It was hard for him to trust people, there had been so much betrayal from people that should have been there for him. That Uncle must have done a real number on him for his dreams to keep that hate so alive, but the hurt went deeper than his Uncle. John was abandoned by his parents by their death and that was something that Johnny could relate to. His own parents had died in an auto accident when he was young and he too had struggled with missing then and blaming them for not being there for him. Maybe that was why he felt a connection with John, understood him a little and wanted to be closer to him.