Episode 12: Finale

It was a lazy Sunday. There was a slight overcast and Hitomi had been up two days straight trying to stake out a drug bust. Luckily everything went smoothly and no one was killed. Although her partner has a broken arm and another officer has a hole in his abdomen from being shot.

I really should consider a different career option… At this rate I won’t make to 40!

Hitomi let out a long sigh. She picked up her phone and dialed Isabel’s number. The phone went right to voice mail.

Where are you kido? It’s been weeks since I last saw you… Slightly annoyed, Hitomi got up from her sofa and walked towards the front door. She just suddenly realized that she hadn’t picked up her mail in almost a week.

As expected her mail box was jammed packed with random flyers and credit card applications. Although among the heap of wasted paper, she noticed a large manila envelope. There was no return address however; she quickly recognized Isabel's hand writing.

Without thinking, she dropped the rest of her mail on her living room floor and frantically ripped open the envelope. There were lots of copies of bank transactions, memos and personal correspondence within. On top of the heap of documents was a letter hand written by Isabel. As she read the letter her eyes widened.

Holly shit! This can’t be!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As Hadrian walked across the meticulously trimmed hedges and topiary he couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. Walter Ritter’s mansion was very similar to Elena’s home. The edifice had a sense of false perfection; as though beneath the grandeur laid an unsightly scar.

He had noticed Ritter’s men following him around days ago. Although they tried, they never could really catch him.

I suppose I should thank the old bastard Vasco for training me well. Hadrian chuckled. Thinking about the geezer at a time like this…

It didn’t take long before a flood of men dressed in stereotypical black suits, black sunglasses and packed with AK-47s swarmed around him.

“You know I always respected you for your smarts but boy either you are arrogant beyond belief or you’ve lost your head these past few years. What are you thinking showing up at my place?” Walter Ritter’s acrid voice boomed across the lawn as he appeared among his men.

“Do you really need this many men with this many weapons? At this rate they are more likely to shoot themselves than me.” Hadrian replied calmly.

“It seems you don’t really know your place do you?” Walter growled as he motioned with his hand. The men parted revealing two men dragged Isabel out of the house. She was kicking and screaming with all of her might.

“Let her go!” Hadrian barked.

“Let her go?” Walter chuckled as he grabbed a hand gun from the holster of one of the men standing next to him and points it at Isabel’s head. “So here we are. You know this really was just a simple grudge between you and me. But somehow my family got involved.” He paused for a moment before he continued: “So here’s the deal. Now I love my Ibby very much. So much that the thought that she had betrayed me makes my blood boil. Now both of you know too much about me, however, Ibby’s family and you are nothing more than pitiful scum that should have died years ago. I’m willing to overlook Ibby’s actions if you turn over the documents.”

Documents? Hadrian kept his face clam however he could feel his heart racing. What documents? Shit! What the hell is he talking about?

Suddenly Isabel shouted out: “Hadrian! Tell him! Tell him where those documents are! Please!”

Hadrian looked into Isabel’s face. Her eyes were glowing with determination. What are you planning Isabel?

She gave him a smile and then suddenly, she lurched forward, ripping free, and grabbing Walter’s gun; causing a flutter of confusion.

Amidst the struggle, Hadrian rushed forward, leaping over several men and stealing an AK-47 from one of the men’s hand.

He began to fire. No matter how much Walter’s men tried, they could not seem to hit him. He was like a phantom; a blur could only be seem before the dark suited men felt the shocking blow of lead hitting their flesh. It was over within minutes; the once well manicured lawn turned into a bloody battle field.

“Hadrian!” Isabel screamed.

He turned around to find Walter aiming his gun at Isabel. Without a single thought he rushed towards her and with all of his might he pushed her aside.

The gun shot was deafening and as the bullet pierced through his back he could feel the air within his lungs rush out of his lips and his legs collapsing beneath him. The shock of the blow temporarily caused his vision to blur as darkness surrounds him.

Hadiran…

Who is that calling me? Father? Elena? Who?

Hadrian… I forgive you…

Who are you?!

“HADRIAN!”

Abruptly he opened his eyes. Nauseous pain filled his sense while the bright light stunned his eyes.

“Hadrian! Can you hear me?” It was Isabel. She was staring down at him. Her face was enveloped with light.

“You are an Angel…” Hadrian began to speak his voice was weak and labored.

“Don’t try to talk. The ambulance is coming!” Isabel’s voice sounded desperate. “Hitomi you called them right?”

Another unfamiliar female voice responded: “Yes… it takes them a few minutes Isabel… Shit! Why didn’t you send those documents to me earlier?! You could have been killed!”

Hitomi looked up to see a barricade of cop cars surrounding the front lawn and Walter Ritter's tailor- suited backside being shoved into one of them. Suddenly, Isabel's voice broke her concentration.

“Hadrian… Stay with me okay? Everything is going to be okay!” Tears filled Isabel's emerald eyes.

They are beautiful...

Hadrian stared into them intensely for a moment. With his last bit of strength he reached into his pocket and pulled out the watch and handed to her. In a soft voice he whispered:

“You see? It’s you… Isabel… You are my guardian Angel… Please bring me home…“

More tears fluttered down Isabel’s face as she replied: “Sure… Hadrian… Welcome home…”

A smile appeared cross his face as a sudden gust of wind swept across the two of them. Isabel huddle close against Hadrian to shelter him from the wind.

As the wind ceased, Isabel look back at Hadrian; the light disappeared from within his eyes.

“No…” Whispered Isabel as the blaring sirens from the ambulance filled the background. “NO!”

Hitomi knelt down and wrapped Isabel’s weeping form within her arms and spoke softly: “He’s smiling… He finally found peace. Let him go.”

Isabel turned and stared at him one last time.

I don’t know where you are from or where you are going…

But you will always be home with me…

You will always reside with in the sanctuary of my heart.

Fin