Chapter Nine: Strangelove:

The Sixth Year into the War…

Attraction is a funny thing. It doesn’t care who it binds and plays around with. The war maiden and the photographer are no different in this wicked game. After his recovery, Michael found himself returning back to Creila. The natives couldn’t understand his motives no more than he could.

“You’re back again, I see,” Mr. Gikas said at the pharmacy. The photographer pressed his lips together.

“Yep,” he said. The older man tilted his head at him.

“May I ask you why, if you don’t mind?” he asked. Michael’s eyes shifted away from him.

“Well…” he mumbled. The pharmacist raised an eyebrow at him.

“Michael…” he said.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Are you in love with someone on the island?” The way he asked it sounded so innocent. He had the nature of a sweet little kid. Michael froze at that question.

“Ah!” Mr. Gikas exclaimed. “Who’s the lucky girl?” The photographer lowered his eyes.

“Come on,” the pharmacist said. “Tell me!”

“I can’t…” Michael said in a small voice.

“Come on! Is she a beauty?”

“Sort of…”

Mr. Gikas gave him an odd look. “What do you mean sort of?”

“Well… she’s pretty cute, a little feisty.”

“Fiesty’s good.”

“She’s not like most girls.” Michael dug around in his brain for something else to say without giving away too much. “She doesn’t seem to have a care in the world.”

“Now that’s my kind of woman!” Mr. Gikas said. “Who is she?” Right then, the glass door swung open.

“Hello!” Cephalla said. The sun swallowed her up as she walked into the pharmacy.

“You’re late,” Mr. Gikas said.

“I’m so sorry about that,” she said. “Grandma had me deal with a patient at the clinic.” Standing next to her made him sweat. She herself tried not to make eye contact with him. It didn’t take much for Mr. Gikas figure out who Michael’s potential love interest was.

“Michael,” he said. “A word, please.” The photographer didn’t understand what he meant. Before he could say a word, Mr. Gikas nudged his head to the back. Cephalla looked between the two men.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Uh… I just need to talk with Michael here for a second,” the pharmacist said. Both men walked to the back room. Cephalla stood on her tip-toes, trying to see.

“Okay then…” she said in a small voice as the wooden door swung shut.

--------

In the storage room, Mr. Gikas frowned at the photographer.

“It’s her, isn’t it?” he asked. Michael looked down at his feet. The old man shook his head in disapproval.

“She’s only sixteen,” he said.

“I know,” Michael said.

“That’s not good.”

“I know.”

Mr. Gikas sighed as he shook his head. “I am friends with her grandmother. She would not allow such a relationship between you two.”

“I don’t really want a relationship either.”

“Then why?”

Michael lowered his shoulders and shook his head. “She just reminds me of someone I used to know.” He lifted his eyes towards the curious old man. “Can you take a moment to hear my story?”

“Alright,” Mr. Gikas said, folding his arms across his chest. Michael took a seat in front of the desk.

“Years ago, I was in love with a freelance artist,” he began. “She lived life to the fullest with her pencils and brushes.”

“Was she really beautiful?” Mr. Gikas asked.

“Yes,” the photographer answered. “She was the reason that I started taking pictures in the first place. Our art was just as passionate as our nights in bed together. I even thought that we would travel Europe together.”

“So what happened?”

“Her father fell ill and she ended up going back home to Canada. We lost contact and never saw each other again.”

Mr. Gikas pushed up his black-framed glasses. “If you see that girl as a replacement…”

Michael frantically waved his hand in the air. “No, no! It’s not like that!”

“Then, what do you want from Cephalla?”

The photographer sighed as he looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t know!” Mr. Gikas panted him on the shoulder.

“Listen to me, son,” he said. “You are better off not tainting that girl. Her grandmother is a dear friend of mine. She would have my head if I didn’t do anything to protect her.” Michael pressed his lips together. Mr. Gikas gave him a sharp look.

“I mean it!” he said in a stern tone. “You can be friends with that girl, but if you try to do anything that will ruin her, this whole island will hunt you down!” The photographer gave off a nervous chuckle.

“Alright,” he said in a low voice. “I understand.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yes. Now can you let go of my shoulder? You’re hurting me.”

Mr. Gikas glanced over at his hand gripping Michael’s shoulder as he spoke. “Right.” The pharmacist released the shoulder. Michael rubbed while wincing.

“Damn, man,” he said. “You’ve got such a strong grip for an old man.” Mr. Gikas gave him a small smile.

“I was a wrestler in my school days,” he said with pride.

“Thanks for the warning,” the photographer whispered. He followed the old man back into the store. Cephalla looked when she saw them again.

“Are you done talking?” she asked.

“Yes,” Mr. Gikas said in a chipper voice. “What can I get for you today?”

“Just everything on this list,” the girl said, sliding the piece of paper across the counter. Mr. Gikas didn’t have to look at it.

“No problem!” he said. The old man turned his attention back to Michael. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No thanks,” Michael said. “I’m heading out now, in fact.” He headed out the pharmacy.

“Have a good day,” the photographer said. Cephalla turned her head just in time to see him give her a little wave. The bell rang as she returned the wave when the door slid closed.