Part 68: Mia Makes Her Rounds Part 2

Mia continued alone the edge of the beach, allowing the water to caress her bare feet. Up ahead was the man she was wanting to talk to. Cecil left a trail of cigarette smoke float up from his lips, as he sat in the sand in nothing but his shirt and underwear. The young girl couldn’t help but be disgusted. However, Cecil was in her dream for a reason, that much she knew. She had to tell him what she thought of his upcoming doom.

Cecil paused as he looked at the young Lakota girl walking up to him. He stopped smoking and smirked at her. “That is some fine tanned legs you got there, Pocahontas.” He chuckled.

Mia just rolled her eyes and looked at him. “How many cigarettes you got left, Cecil?” she asked.

The old man stared into the box he had at his feet. “Looks like three here and one more pack. Then I am out.” He coughed, “Why? You want one?”

“No, thanks. I don’t smoke. I was just asking to make sure you were comfortable.”

Cecil then grinned and leaned back, feeling over himself right in front of her. “Make sure I was comfortable?” he chuckled, “Darlin, I can think of a few more ways you can do that.”

Mia grunted, turning her head so she couldn’t look at his vulgarity. “Cecil, were you born a bastard or did you learn it from somebody?” she muttered.

“Let me think” he said, still feeling of himself, “No, I am pretty sure I was born this way.”

“Then obviously you are going to die that way.” She gritted her teeth.

Cecil paused, taking his hand out of his underwear, “What are you talking about?”

“You should ask for forgiveness for whatever you have done, Cecil. Your days are numbered. You won’t make it off this island alive.” Mia warned him.

Cecil then stood up. “Who the hell do you think you are, little girl?” he said angrily, “I already got the ask God for forgiveness speech from Bernard! I sure as damn hell don’t need it from you too!”

“There are consequences for you actions! You can’t take away things and not expect something to be taken from you.” She said, remembering what her grandmother told her in her dream.

“Like what? What will be taken from me?” he demanded.

“You life.” Mia said coldly.

Cecil stared at her in pure hatred. He didn’t think someone this young would know so much. He didn’t know her and unless she was gonna hop into the sack with him, he didn’t want to know her. The old man then walked over to his pile of clothes and placed on his pants. Mia just lowered head. She had said all she could say. As she began to walk away, Cecil turned to her. “How did you know?” he asked.

Mia paused. “How did I know what?”

“How did you know I was gonna die?” he asked sternly.

Mia looked at him. There was no sign of shock in his face. All she could see was acceptance, but it confused her immensely. “You . . .you sound as if . . .you knew that was gonna happen?” she stuttered.

Cecil then started coughing severely. He hovered his hand over his mouth as he sounded like he was both coughing and puking. After a few seconds, he jerked up. Mia was gasping as she saw a small amount of blood on his lower lip. He looked at his palm and then showed her what it had. The young Lakota girl quickly looked away from the small amount of red and black bile in his hang. “Lung Cancer.” He whispered, “Diagnosed eight months ago.”

“Oh, my God, “ Mia whispered, still feeling slightly sick.

“I was heading home. I wanted . . .I wanted to die in Alabama. But looks like I won’t get that opportunity.”

“All the more reason you should ask for forgiveness now.” Mia told him.

“No, there is no reason to do that. I would have to feel sorry for what I have done. Try as I might . . . .I honestly can’t.” Cecil began to put another cigarette in his mouth.

“You have my pity.” She told him.

“Don’t bother. Save it for someone who needs it.” He grunted.

Cecil began to walk away but then turned around to look at Mia once more. Her hair floated slightly in the ocean breeze. The old man smiled through his nicotine teeth. “Thanks for the chit-chat,” he said, “Stay pure, Mia.”

Mia blinked at what he said. It was probably the most she could get out of him as a thank you. His suggestion to stay pure, she understood, as in don’t become like him. Cecil knew what he had done in his life but he also knew why he did it. Mia felt a little dissatisfied but she also felt she did the best she could.

Some people just can’t be saved.

The young Lakota girl then looked around and spotted her friends. Shanna was sunbathing again, almost asleep. Her digital watch beeped and she flipped over, like a piece of chicken. Brendon and Seth had continued their sword practice but had stopped for the day. Seth was making fun of how winded Brendon was getting. The young man then laughed as he ran back toward his encampment, accidentally kicking sand on Shanna. She slapped his leg immediately, making him screamed OW. Mia laughed at the slapstick moment as she walked over to Brendon. “How are you, master samurai?” she asked, kneeling beside him.

“I am very tired.” He laughed, falling down in the sand.

“Seth is learning fast?” she said, sitting down.

“Too fast! I don’t know what it is with him but he’s an incredibly fast learner. He’s learned more in the past three days then I have learned in a few months.”

“That is interesting,” Mia whispered, noting yet another thing that seemed weird.

“So what was all that about, you and Cecil screaming at each other?” the Asian asked.

“Oh, that was nothing. He’s being stubborn and no one can change his ways, “ Mia then looked to her friend, “But I would like to discuss something with you, Brendon.”

“Sure, what’s up?” he leaned up to face her.

“I . . .uh . . had a dream about you last night.” She said with reluctance.

“Oh?” he asked curiously, remembering their discussion about dreams and Native American visions.

“You were on your knees, covering in blood. You are in screaming in agony but you were not wounded.”

Brendon’s eyebrows bent inward. Mia studied his face, almost to gaze his reaction. He looked more upset but he wasn’t shocked. The young girl rubbed her nose, and continued to speak, “A wise person once told me I needed to learn more about other cultures. What I am describing may seem strange but if you know about it, please educate me.”

“Go on.” He told her.

“In my dream, another samurai appeared before you. He was covered in . . body amour, I think. Then you took your sword . . .and stabbed yourself through your stomach.”

Brendon blinked, “Seppuku? You saw me commit . . .Seppuku?”

“Seppuku?” Mia pondered, “What is . .that?”

“Ritualistic suicide. It is an important part of the code of Bushido. When am samurai has done something horrible or dishonorable, he can commit Seppuku in order to regain his honor.”

“That’s crazy!” Mia exclaimed.

“Crazy to you but in my country, it was an integral part of our history. I am certain some of your Native American ancestors customs would be deemed strange or crazy to my country.” Brendon pointed out.

“Point taken.” She sighed.

“Mia, you mentioned another samurai in the dream,” the Asian looked at her, “Tell me . .did that samurai cut off my head?”

The Lakota girl looked at him sharply,” how did you know that??”

“When a samurai commits Seppuku, he may ask a fellow samurai or a brother to cut off his head. To be his Second. That way the samurai will not suffer as he bleeds to death through the stomach.”

Mia looked into the distance, hardly believing the stuff her friend was telling her. Brendon leaned forward, looking at her. “Mia?” he whispered, “Do you know who my Second was?”

She closed her eyes. “Seth.” She whispered.

She was expecting to hear a gasp from Brendon’s mouth but what she heard was chuckling. She looked at him again, as he was holding his mouth trying to contain his laughter. He looked up at her with a bright face, brighter than she had ever seen him. “Seth helps me regain my honor?” he laughed, “That is wonderful news!”

“How is that wonderful news, Brendon?” she asked.

The Asian quickly stood up, “Don’t you see, Mia? Your dream is speaking metaphorically! Some how, something Seth does will help me regain my honor. I knew training him in the way of the sword was a great idea.”

Mia then stood up, “Hold, Brendon. I don’t know if my dreams work metaphorically. The last thing I want is for him to cut off your head.”

The Lakota girl blinked as she realized Seth had walked up to them during this conversation. He sipped on his water bottle and asked, “Dude, what is she talking about? Who is going to cut off your head?”

“You are.” Brendon said proudly.

“I’m going to do what?” Seth gasped.

“NO!” Mia screamed, “NO ONE IS CUTTING OFF ANY HEADS HERE!”

“Mia had a dream about you and me,” Brendon told his friend,” And in this dream, you commit an act that helps me regain my honor.”

“Sweet,” Seth smiled, then frowned, “Is . .is this a good thing?”

“It is a very good thing,” Brendon bowed.

“Brendon,” Mia was puzzled, “Why would you have lost your honor to begin with?”

The Asian looked at her. It was a look of concern; possibly wonder how she would judge him. He gently put his hand on her shoulder, smiling. “I don’t fully understand your abilities, Mia. I can barely comprehend them,” he whispered, “Call it fortune telling, call it second sight, whatever you call it, you clearly have it. You see more than anybody should.”

“Sometimes I wonder,” Mia sighed.

“Nevertheless, you are a good friend; worthy of my trust. I will tell you why you had the dream.”

“Hey, dude, wait,” Seth tapped him on the arm, “does this involve that big secret you’ve been keeping? You promised to tell me first.”

“And tell you I shall,” he smiled, “You have exceeded my expectations, Seth. You are worthy of the sword. I shall tell you my crime tonight but first I must rest.”

Brendon wiped his sweat on his shirt as he walked away, leaving Seth and Mia standing there. Mia could tell her friend was in pain and was anxious to get off his chest whatever was bothering him. Seth looked at his Asian friend, wondering what he just said. He then looked to Mia and whispered, “Did he say . . crime?”