The Justice of a Body Snatcher
– a love story by renan goksin –
Episode Eighteen: Justice
Herman listened to the murmurs of the household; even the furniture seemed to be humming to a sweet melody, he let his eyes wander over Alphonsina and drifted away in reverie. This was the culmination of his life. He was born to save Alphonsina and repair the injustice inflicted on her. An unknown force, step by step, had led him to Alphonsina’s grave; the raven, the dragon, the friendly cloud, but ultimately it was she who had resurrected Herman from the emptiness of his life. Sitting on a chair next to beautiful Alphonsina, he felt for the first time complete and peaceful in the wholeness of his being. They were destined. Yes, there was destiny; he didn’t know it, but it had always been there. Accompanied by such comforting thoughts, he was lulled into a light sleep. He could sense Dr. Augustus coming and going, reassuringly checking on Alphonsina. He would open his eyes, blissfully smile and close them again. Herman’s exhaustion didn’t escape Doctor Augustus. “There is a room for you, go and lie down for a while, rest until dinner. Alphonsina is doing well. The cook is preparing rabbit stew with polenta for dinner. We’ll have a few bottles of wine, what do you say?”
Herman would have none of it. He was determined to savour every moment of his conversion and remain next to Alphonsina until she was well enough to shine with the good health of her youth. How could he ever separate from her again? Every single cell of her body was unique; every single cell of her body was an amber in a boundless dark ocean.
He thought of moving with her to a new country; of making her happy. Resurrect the child in her, hold snowflakes together in their joined palms; breathe, breathe together forever. They were reborn in an instant. And the entire world needed to know. First of all, Augustus, he needed to see that the universe was not a cold, indifferent place. There was meaning. It was his meaning. Herman wished for everyone to witness and partake in it. Even the Vanhausens, he wanted the family to see how happy their daughter was now. He wanted to hold a big feast at Lord’s Tavern. ‘Look at us, see nothing was in vain!’
to be continued…
next episode: 19- “He did not die in vain”