Desperation Point

Contents

FACT

Author’s Note

Acknowledgement

Part One

Better Days

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER

1

CHAPTER

2

CHAPTER

3

CHAPTER

4

CHAPTER

5

CHAPTER

6

CHAPTER

7

CHAPTER

8

CHAPTER

9

CHAPTER

10

CHAPTER

11

CHAPTER

12

CHAPTER

13

CHAPTER

14

CHAPTER

15

CHAPTER

16

CHAPTER

17

CHAPTER

18

CHAPTER

19

CHAPTER

20

CHAPTER

21

CHAPTER

22

CHAPTER

23

CHAPTER

24

CHAPTER

25

CHAPTER

26

CHAPTER

27

CHAPTER

28

CHAPTER

29

CHAPTER

30

CHAPTER

31

CHAPTER

32

CHAPTER

33

CHAPTER

34

CHAPTER

35

Part Two

Dark Days

CHAPTER

36

CHAPTER

37

CHAPTER

38

CHAPTER

39

CHAPTER

40

CHAPTER

41

CHAPTER

42

CHAPTER

43

CHAPTER

44

CHAPTER

45

CHAPTER

46

CHAPTER

47

CHAPTER

48

CHAPTER

49

CHAPTER

50

CHAPTER

51

CHAPTER

52

CHAPTER

53

CHAPTER

54

CHAPTER

55

CHAPTER

56

EPILOGUE

FACT

After the shocking earthquake of magnitude 6.1 rocked Dominica in November 2004, surrounding communities of Portsmouth, The Grange, Clifton, Penville and VeilleCase have ever since experienced a series of recurrent tremors that have kindled suspicions among the citizens as to whether the eruption of Morne Aux Diable is imminent. Morne Aux Diable is situated somewhere in the middle of the named districts in the north of the island.

Many radio talk shows have been held to discuss the frequent vibrations in the earth and their effects on society. In January 2010, a few days after a monstrous earthquake devastated Haiti, a team of expert from the Seismic Research Center (SRC) in Trinidad came to Dominica to set up monitoring devices around the Morne Aux Diable area. The question still remains as to whether an eruption of the seemingly dormant volcano is forthcoming.

Author’s Note

Prince Rupert Tavern, Blue Bay Restaurant and Bar, Poonkie’s Riverside Bar, Purple turtle Beach Restaurant and bar, De-Champs, Duverney’s supermarket, Bloaters Barbershop, Nations for Jesus Church, and Ross University are real organizations. The Grange, Glanvillia, Picard, Penville, Clifton, Veille Case, Colihaut and Roseau are existing communities in Dominica. Coconut Beach, Chaudiere Pool and Indian River are also existing sites. Thanks to Jamesa Fabien for recommending Author House.

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to my editors: Mr. Semour Lavine and Mrs. Velma ambo. An Extended thanks to Philbert Joseph for his comments. To all those who have expressed sincere interest in my work and supported me along the way, to you I owe a debt of gratitude.

My friends: Alice Ernest, Fitzroy Sam, Michael Savarin and my son, Clint Quamie – the comments that you all have made in reference to the book and the confidence you all have expressed, were enough to give me the never-ending drive to continue.

By all means I should thank my greedy cat (Pussy) for the company it offered during my sleepless nights of writing. Finally, to the readers out there who have purchased and read my novel, Desperation Point is nothing without you.

DESPERATION

PØINT

Part One

Better Days

PROLOGUE

...............

"I must be dreaming," I whispered to myself as the ghostly figure approached from a distance.

It had been fourteen excruciating years since I last placed my eyes on Kaila; Kay the sweet; Kay the innocent. As the apparition drew nearer, I actually sprung to reality. This wasn’t one of my involuntary day dreams. I had always played our re-union differently in my mind. Frequently, I day dreamt of meeting Kay at the state of the art, Melville Hall Airport, then on our drive back to The Grange, catch up on old times.

Kaila Bronson smiled as she gracefully advanced towards me. In her warm, light brown eyes I saw why, over the years she had been so inescapable in my thoughts – I thought of her so often that the number of times exceeded the rate at which my heart beats. Her legs strode in perfect alignment as she approached. Each step seemed a million years apart. Her dark, long, curly hair complemented her impeccable smooth skin – she was irresistibly gorgeous. She had grown into a woman.

CHAPTER

1

...............

Fourteen Years Earlier

"No, Kevin, stop!" I shouted.

I will be fine! he shot back, just take care of my sister!

The atmosphere was sinister. People frantically scrambled. They had no clue as to where they were heading. Midnight came at twelve pm – an unusually gloomy noon. As a blanket of black smoke bellowed from above, Kevin daringly rushed in the same direction above.

No… no… no…! I continued to scream.

In a distance I heard my mom’s faint voice disappearing,

Robbie, Robbie, wake up, you’re having a nightmare again.

Caught up in my routine torment I leapt out of sleep. I sweated heavily. I flooded the bed.

I was only at the tender age of five when these eerie nightmares began attacking me. When I turned fourteen, seemingly escaping my innocence, I still couldn’t bring myself to escape these portentous dreams. Were they signs or premonitions? Was a message being sent to me via a window of a dream?

. . . .

The town where I was brought up, The Grange, was situated in the north of a paradisaical Island in the Caribbean, often called The Nature Isle. Up to this day, if I were asked to describe Nature Isle, I would bluntly claim, ‘Paradise.’

I remember once, when faced with a probing tourist from the USA who insatiably decided that paradise was a simple fictitious caricature used by most people to eclipse the most tainted blemishes of their countries, I explicitly instructed him that Nature Isle was different; pure, in its natural state. In fact if Christopher Columbus were to re- explore the Caribbean Islands in modern times, this would be the only island he would still identify. I forcefully and persuasively reassured him that if paradise was too insufficient a word for him, then…

"We must be reminded that for generations upon generations, Paradise has been conceptualized as lush green pastures with gardens of fruits and vegetables, accompanied by ever fresh streams and rivers flowing down to the sea. It continues with a trail of coconut trees and palms over-looking the sea. In the cool mornings, the gentle breeze plays with their branches. When dusk comes, the crimson sun dances with the horizon and when night falls, the shimmering moonlight illuminates the sky, uncovering the stars. In the still of the night, the suave waves crash on the unmoved crystal beaches."

As the tourist listened in unmasked wonderment, I proceeded.

"And for years upon years, months upon months, days upon days, we have all dreamt of this paradise, totally oblivious that we were undeniably fantasizing of countries like Nature Isle. This is paradise on earth!" I managed to shout, as some innate mischief consumed me.

Mr. Cunt or Grunt, whatever his funny name was just stood beside me totally stupefied. One part of me felt sorry for him, another part said ‘fuck him,’ since, intuitively, his sole intention was to affront the very fabric on which countries like mine thrived. I stopped to think. I wondered if I hadn’t mistaken his ignorance for arrogance.

The Grange was nonetheless part and parcel of Nature Isle’s inherent beauty. It was rumoured that it stood at the foot of one of the island’s largest volcanoes. On the map, amongst the other villages in the vicinity, the town stood out like a Goliath amidst several miniature Davids. It was a relatively large town on a hill with a population of approximately thirty thousand people. Considered to be a closed community, it was a town where everybody knew each other’s business; the part of it I learned not to enjoy the most!

CHAPTER

2

...............

"What’s the plan this summer?" Kevin jokingly inquired as we wandered off the St. James’ High school promenade.

Maybe we should go on a little escapade, I giggled, what do you think? Kevin poked me in the ribs twice.

How about you wrestle me, right here, right now and if you win my entire summer is in your hands, huh?

I knew that accepting such a challenge would be a mistake since he had won every fight we’d ever had as friends. Though one year younger than I, Kevin seemed a light year stronger; he was a big boned, thirteen year old, pretty broad for his age.

Hey, partners, wait up! Stein strained, from afar.

Steiner Johnson, the eldest of our clan accompanied Kevin’s younger sister, Kaila. Ever since we were little kids, the four of us stuck together and developed a family-like bond. Even in the heights of our frequent feuds, we still remained glued together.

Steiner, my next door neighbour was a tall, lanky sixteen year old. He was a nerdy book worm who often rejected our routine explorations of the nearby villages or other exciting expeditions, in favour of his tranquil domain of books – the library. Stein was a strange boy; more like eccentric. He would be stoical at times and always appeared to have wandered to a faraway land he’d created somewhere in his mind. Other times he could be repulsive and cantankerous towards me. I always had the feeling that he didn’t like me much, but, we continued to be good friends, anyway.

Take it easy, I warned Kevin as I signalled him in the direction of his baby sister and Stein.

When they caught up with us, Kaila poked me in the rib again. Yes another poke though this time it felt more like a tickle, maybe because it came from her.

Don’t you know it’s your duty to wait for me after school? she chuckled.

I liked the way it sounded coming from Kay; it’s my duty, huh, I thought out loud, ignoring a treacherous glance from Stein.

Kevin and Kaila Bronson were amongst the more fortunate children of The Grange. They happened to be born to a more affluent family. They both happened to be products of miscegenation. Their mother, Miss Khalila Fenton was a beautiful local woman from The Grange who later changed her last name when she got married to Commander Calvin Bronson. Mr. Bronson was a barrel-chest Caucasian who was ordained to supervise operations at the US Army base in Nature Isle. Kevin had taken after his father’s side. Just one glance at him, one would wonder if he was really birthed from his mother. Kaila, on the other hand, through some miraculous genetic glitch developed her own peculiar features. She was distinguishably exceptional. She appeared neither white nor black. Her complexion was parallel to that of which could be found in the creamy product enclosed in a jar of peanut butter. Kaila’s long black hair spiralled in endless waves. Her eyes took on an extraordinarily light brown colour. She spoke tenderly. Her skin was spotless and even at the age of twelve, when she walked, she did it with grace. I called her Kay and I knew she was poised to become one of the world’s most beautiful women – at least in my views.

What are you guys up to? Stein inquired, inspecting my closeness to Kay.

Just trying to get a hang of what’s going down for the summer. Kevin beat me to it.

As Kevin was about to reiterate my little plan, Kay interjected,

Why don’t you lazy bastards find a part-time job at the army base in Picard? Kevin chased her away warning that by the time he got home she should already be there.

So, I was saying, he continued, Robbie was suggesting that we take a few hikes to the mountains this summer; are you up for it?

I could tell that Stein wasn’t so pleased when Kaila was sent away by her brother; he seemed to enjoy her