In The Silence, I Hear

Episode 9, Justice abroad.

*** Warning this fictional story contains scenes that talk about the horrific human trafficking of children and violence. ***

Fredrick woke to the flight attendant’s announcement that they were preparing to land at Airport Francisco Sa Carneiro in Porto, Portugal. His dream was troubling but satisfying. Child porn man was beaten and abused from the airport to the hospital, then arrested and beaten some more before being placed in the general population while awaiting a bond hearing. Someone had informed a segment of the general population that did not care for Child sex traffickers. The man was beaten severally and died.

Fredrick was not sure how he felt about the man’s abuse at the hands of law enforcement officials. Fredrick had actually killed police officers for less violent actions. He hoped that the FBI was the end recipient of the child porn guy’s cell phone so they could use the information on it to catch others.

Fredrick traveled to Lisbon from Porto, where he would rent a vehicle and drive to the small town where Eddie Bran decided to hang his hat. Fredrick decided that Azenhas do Mar was a beautiful backdrop for his first dispensing of international justice. After that, he intended to visit Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) in Evora, Portugal. A 15th Century Chapel with interior walls lined with the bones and skulls of monks. Then another couple of days on the beach in Porto at Hotel Boa-Vista, then home.

From the Airport in Porto, Fredrick took the Metro to the Train station. He was genuinely enjoying his first overseas travel. Portugal so far was beautiful and accommodating, even with his disability. The train took about three hours to reach the Oriente Station in Lisbon, and the views out the window were spellbinding for him.

It turned out that Ed made his new home in a beach town forty-five minutes from Lisbon named Azenhas do Mar. Fredrick rented a Vespa scooter in Lisbon and drove to Azenhas. He arrived at the small hotel where he had reserved a room and settled in, taking a shower and eating. Fredrick took a nap; lying in bed, he began saying Eddie Bran repeatedly. He breathed deep with each repetition of Eddie’s name, and most importantly, he wore an apron that belonged to Eddie and the t-shirt that Eddie wore when he worked. Eddie had left them behind. Soon Fredrick woke in the blackness of his dream space. He listened. It was quiet. Soon he could make out the sound of walking feet and breathing. Then cars drive by.

“So Eddie’s on a walk,” he said to himself. “Where are you, rapist pig?”

His dreamscape flashed bright as if lightning struck, faded to gray, then back to black, and slowly a picture materialized. A white building with a small window and bright blue trim. On the side near the door, a water wheel about five feet in diameter spun slowly. The town name was written in black lettering above the windows, and 10–8–2001 was painted above the door. Next door, painted white with a blue trim scheme, was a public restroom. Eddie continued to walk. The road was well-traveled, with cars passing him every few seconds. Another flash, blackness, and scene. A restaurant patio was next to what appeared to be a public park. The valley park stretched about a mile to the ocean. Another building in the white and blue with a sign that read Vivend Violante.

“I got you bitch,” Fredrick said to the darkness that closed in and ate the beautiful picture.

Fredrick’s dream of Eddie’s walk lasted for a while. Every so often, a new picture of a postcard-worthy space in the wonderfully picturesque town of Azenhas do Mar. Fredrick wondered if justice for a pig-ass American rapist would change the vibes of the fairy tale town on the sea.

Fredrick woke; in the hotel lobby, he obtained directions to the famous restaurant, Azenhas do Mar, which sat on the beach. He took his little scooter and sought out dinner and a view. He made his way with some difficulty. Sign language was different in Portugal. However, the waitress and locals were all very willing and accommodating. He ate Bacalhau a Bras. A codfish meal included eggs, garlic, onions, potatoes, and parsley. The next day, Fredrick took up a table at the restaurant near the water wheel and waited to see if Eddie’s walk was a daily routine. He was lucky. Eddie walked by. He did not notice Fredrick, who followed Eddie staying far enough behind him that he didn’t lose him, ensuring he remained unnoticed. It was easy. Azenhas do Mar was quiet, few people walked with the streets, and the winding roads and trails seemed to intersect, lead, and direct you to focal points in the town.

Fredrick stayed in Azenhas do Mar for another four days. He watched as Eddie walked by, then followed along, getting the feel of the route that Eddie walked when and where folks appeared and the most deserted section of the trail. Eddie liked a spot way up on the side of the cliffs that overlooked the Atlantic. Finally, Fredrick’s plan was complete. He slept well that evening.

In the morning, Fredrick had breakfast, then took his scooter up the road and parked. Next, he walked to the path that exited onto the street. From this point, the path was a long set of winding cement stairs between homes. Soon Eddie would be on these stairs leading up to where Fredrick stood. He opened the storage compartment on the scooter and changed shirts dawning Eddies Bar T, took a fist-sized rock off the ground, and walked down the stairs. Soon, Eddie rounded a bend in the path. At first, he paid Fredrick no mind; however, Eddie noticed the T-shirt as they got closer. When Eddie recognized Fredrick as the man in the hoodie at the airport, Fredrick threw the rock and rushed Eddie.

Eddie tried to block the rock. It hit his hand and then his face moments before Fredrick slammed into him. Eddie fell back. Fredrick landed on top of him with both feet and then began hitting him over and over again. Soon Fredrick stopped. Eddie lay motionless. Fredrick picked up the rock, stood over Eddie, and launched the rock into his already bloody face.

Fredrick then walked back up the stairs. As he got to the top, he took off the T-shirt, cleaned the blood off his hands, stowed it in the scooter, and put his shirt back on. Several cars passed on the road, and he waved. Then went back to his hotel. He rode the scooter back to Lisbon the following day and then boarded a bus to Evora and the Chapel of Bones. He shared his adventures in Portugal with his sister. Unfortunately, he had to leave out any mention of Azenhas do Mar.

Several days later, he found some news of a death in the small town that looked like murder. He had made it to Porto by that time and was waiting to board his plane home. He smiled. On the plane, he had a drink and fell asleep.

Next up, Episode 10 Brothers and Sisters.

You can find Episode 8, Cell phone pig. here

The journey begins here.

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© 2022, T. Mark Mangum

I am T.Mark Mangum. From an early age, I was hooked, addicted to the imagined, unfathomable worlds of Star Wars, Star Trek, Conan, the Lord of the Rings, and many others. I love writing fiction tales. I love writing in multiple genres. However, my favorites are Sci-fi and Fantasy fiction. I am a father of six; we have two cats and two dogs. Tabletop gaming is a passion.