Subject: Chap XVI
Author: marta i (198.232.250.51)
Date: 01-11-2000 16:01
XVI
Pedro Noel and Cata are riding a coach to the convent. PN is
pesimist that by now that nut (Renato) has reached those unfortunate
ones and God knows... they look down to sea, but he cannot spot the
ship he is looking for (I guess the Galion).
The Luzbel is very close to shore, near Mt. Parnaso. Juan has spent
the night wondering about taking the boat closer to shore, anxious
to go look for Monica, against anyone and anything. There is a
strange serenity in land and sea. The city seems tired and the sky
is slowly clearing up. Juan is probably imagining a catastrophe that
will never be. But why are the fish dying and the sea birds leaving?
He turns around and sees all the men and lives that depend on him
for survival and it is like he woke to a cruel reality. He begins to
shout orders to his men and tells the fishermen to go to their
assigned posts. They will sail toward St. Lucia, it's only 100 miles
away. Colibri spots the Galion approaching. Juan immediately orders
the fishermen to go down on the lower deck. They will evade them,
weather seems to be
on their side. He'll take the timon (can't remember the right
translation, it's the steering wheel of the ship). Everyone runs
around obeying his orders. The Luzbel is squealing at the load and
quick evasive maneuvers.
Renato spots the Luzbel and orders to move towards it. He's glad
they did not get away. Orders one fire of the cannon as a warning to
stop. and if they don't stop, another fire to the main ship post
beam.
Juan is maneuvering the ship in an effort to escape from the Galion.
PN and Cata meet with Monica at the convent. PN came to get her
because Juan needs her to go with him (PN). It took him a whole day
to reach her even though he said to Renato it would be about an
hour. And meanwhile the ship sailed. /What ship?? / Renato didn't
believe that you were safe. I (PN) tried my best to stop him but
failed. The Governor gave him the authority and he left in search of
the Luzbel. I asked him to come and see you for himself but he
thought I was making it all up to benefit Juan.
M: We have to stop Renato. Make him return. Juan won't give himself
up! He will give his life in the battle! We must do something!!
They hear a cannon shot. It's the Galion! PN peaks out to sea and
says It's what I was affraid of!
They run to the porch outside to see the Luzbel and the Galion in
battle.
PN: Renato will not stop until he sinks them! If Juan doesn't give
up...
M: Juan won't give up ever!!
The ships are besides each other. One armed to the teeth like a
shark and the other one just trying to escape like a hunted dolphin.
Colibri is scared that they will sink. Juan says not yet,. Those who
have guns out on deck!! Juan gets a gun and jumps to the wounded
side of the deck, awaiting the enemy.
R: Give up! or I will blow you to pieces!
J: Fire!! Fire!!
Juan shoots first and the front gunman on the Galion falls. The
cannon shoots again and the last post on the Luzbel falls, hurting
her fatally. Luzbel has nowhere to go and no way to move. She is
totally submitted to the coast guard ship, whose soldiers are ready
to board her..
J: Everyone who has weapons out! Let's sell our lives hard! Let's
die fighting to death!!
R: Give up, Juan del Diablo!!
J: Come get me!!
Juan's last shout is choked by a great explosion followed by several
thunder noises. The volcano has errupted.. Cracked totally on the
side, Mt. Pelee releases its force, a stream of fire and smoke which
travels like lightning over the land, sweeping the city to the sea,
destroying everything at once, like leveling the entire area in one
pass.
Everyone at the convent had fallen to the floor at the force or the
eruption. Monica gets up with an unexplained energy, unstopped by
the burning sensation on her skin and eyes. She runs to take a
closer look, trying to spot the Luzbel, as if wanting to break
through the smoke and ashes cloud around her, to no avail. A layer
of smoking ashes covers the entire area, the city, the bay are
empty. The docks and boats have dissappeared swallowed by the
boiling waters.
M: Where are they?? WHere is the goleta? the coastguard? Where is
Juan's ship??
The air clears up slowly. The Luzbel's shell is swivelled around by
the waters. Around her, on the water are 'bultos' floating on the
water. Pieces of burned wood, bodies and other things come up as if
a macabre return from the sea. Monica steps back, feeling like her
heart skips beats. It is a ripping stream of anguish that is
released from her throat...
Juan! Juan! Why didn't you let me die beside you???