“Maybe, but Markus would never have run out on us. I wish I knew what happened to him. It breaks my heart to think about him here all alone.”
“I’m sure he was all right,” said Jonas.
“I hope so. He was the best friend I ever had.” A sad smile formed. “One time, right after we got to England, he saved my life in a South London pub. One of the locals tried to kill me.”
“Why?”
“He thought I was hitting on his girl. And let me tell you, this guy was huge – literally twice my size. Anyway, I was trying to explain to him that I had only asked her if she knew the bartender’s name, but he didn’t believe me. Actually, I think the guy just didn’t like Americans and wanted an excuse to fight.”
“What’s an American?” asked Jonas.
Ethan couldn’t help but laugh at the question. “I guess it doesn’t matter. It’s a dumb story anyway.”
“Finish it,” said Jonas. His voice was unusually kind. “I want to hear it.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
Ethan sighed before continuing. “First of all the guy pushed me up against the bar, so I hit him as hard as I could. But like I said, he was really big. It didn’t have any effect. He just smiled at me and pulled out a knife. Markus was using the bathroom at the time, so I was all alone and scared out of my wits. I tried to apologize, but this freak giant just spat at me and called me a Yank bastard. He had me by the throat and was just about to stick the knife in when Markus ran up behind and busted one of those big heavy beer mugs over his head. Must have hit just the right spot because it damn near knocked him out cold. Three of his mates jumped up from the bar, but we were already out the door and away down the street before anyone could stop us.”
He smiled broadly while picturing the moment.
“It sounds like he was a good friend,” said Jonas. “I am truly sorry you lost him.”
“I swore I would never let him down,” said Ethan. “But I did, didn’t I? I left him to die in this God awful world.”
“You know that’s not true,” said Jonas. “What happened to him was beyond your control.”
“I know. But I still feel like I should have done something.”
The sound of footfalls halted their conversation. Specter appeared and stood over them for a moment. He said nothing, but there was anger still burning in his eyes.
“Come to your senses yet?” Thaddeus called over.
Specter moved away and sat down alongside him by the fire. “Yes, I think I have.”
Thaddeus was still smirking over an imagined psychological victory when, in a motion too quick for the eye to follow, Specter thrust a long dagger up under his chin and deep into his brain. The man’s muscles seized instantly and he toppled stiffly over onto his back.
Ethan and Jonas stared in stunned horror.
After a few moments Specter got up and walked over to Ethan. Still gripping the bloodied dagger in his free hand, he grabbed Ethan’s shackles and jerked him forward.
“Don’t!” pleaded Jonas.
“Quiet, old man,” Specter growled.
He buried the blade in the ground and produced a key from his belt. “You must be losing your memory,” he told Ethan sharply. “I hit him with a wine bottle…not a bloody beer mug.”
Ethan blinked and stared, his mouth agape, scarcely noticing that his shackles were being removed.
“Markus?” was the only word he found himself able to utter.
His old friend stood up and turned his back. “My name is Specter.”
Chapter Eight
MARKUS STALKED OVER to the body of Thaddeus and rubbed his chin. “Now, what to do with you?” he mused casually.
Ethan began to rise, but Jonas caught his arm.
“Cut my bonds,” he said.
Ethan picked up the dagger and carefully severed the ropes. He then moved toward his friend. “I don’t understand,” he began. “How is it you are here?”
Markus’ hand shot out, halting his approach. “Twenty-five years,” he spat out. “That’s how long I’ve been in this shit hole of a world. Twenty-five years!”
“I’m…I’m sorry,” Ethan stammered. “I…”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Jonas cut in. “You have no cause to blame him.”
“Don’t I?” barked Markus. “Do you know how long twenty-five years is to wait? I kept telling myself that you’d come. But you never did.” His eyes bored into Ethan. “I’ve had a long time to learn to hate you. Now