THE RETURN OF GENERAL KAI

Chapter 5

“What? Did I tell any lies?” Stephanie turned to Kai, “what use are you to us? You don’t work, you don’t contribute to the bills, you get free food. The least you could do is drive me around. Right, dad?” She turned to Orion.

Orion ignored the ruckus, eating silently. “Calm down, my love. Remember what the doctor said about your blood pressure.” Her father said.

“Sarah, baby. Your mother said she would pay. What is the issue?”

“Leave that dumb child. Rather than marry a man that would take her on trips away from the capital, she brings home a man with no recollection of who he is. For all we know he could be a spy!” Stephanie touched the sensitive area. She and her husband were always suspicious of Kai and did not buy his story that he lost his memories.

“I’ll be glad to drive you, Stephanie. Let me grab my jacket quickly.” Kai said, breaking the awkward silence, as he got up and headed to his room. “You know what, never mind! Gerald will take me.” Stephanie said as Kai emerged out of the room, storming off. She was upset that no matter how much she taunted him, she never got a reaction out of him.Orion got up as well as Sarah's father. 

In their room, “why would you just sit there and let her speak to you like that?” Sarah asked Kai who put on his jacket, “what good would it do to talk back to your mother? You know how she is.”

“Still! Are you going to let her walk all over you?” Sarah asked Kai, “yes.” He said in a flat tone.

“Why?!”

“Why not, Sarah? Did she say anything that was a lie? I’m a leech. I don’t pay bills, I get free food, and worse, I make your life a living hell!” Kai raised his voice at the end, startling Sarah.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He apologized, closing the distance between him and her. He kissed her forehead, “I’m sorry for yelling.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want us to be here, Kai. I don’t like how my family treats you. Let’s leave, I’ve saved up some money.”  She urged Kai and he smiled, kissing her forehead again.

“Don’t worry your pretty head, Sarah. Everything will-argh!” Kai fell to the ground, screaming.

“Argh!” He screamed in pain, clutching the sides of his head. White lights flashed through his eyes. In front of him were able bodied men on horses wielding spears and swords. They were more than his eyes could grasp. 

“All hail general Kai! All hail general Kai!” The men chanted. 

His harsh vision was brought to an abrupt halt when a bucket of cold water was poured on him. 

“Kai!” It was Sarah. She knelt down in front of him, tears streaming down her face, “are you okay? Your eyes went white, I thought you were having a seizure.” She hiccuped.

Kai staggered to his feet, “easy.” Sarah assisted him to their bed. 

“What was that?” She asked Kai, who was still in a haze, “I… I don’t know. I’m sorry if I worried you… Ouch!” He winced his pain. His migraines were near ripping his head open.

“Does your head hurt? Do you need another advil?” 

“No. It does nothing for the pain.” Kai finally admitted, “I’m sorry, Sarah. Maybe it’s best if we separate like your parents recommended. You shouldn't have to live like this because of me.”

“Don’t say that, Kai. Don’t say that, please. I want to help you. Can you let me help you?” Sarah held his eyes and he nodded.

“I’ll rush to the pharmacy.” And she was out the door. Kai struggled to rest his head on the pillow and drifted off to sleep and in his dreams, he was at war again.

~

Three weeks had gone by since the incident in their room and Kai had been working job to job saving a dinner at Sarah’s favorite restaurant. He had told Sarah to get dressed while he rode his bicycle to the flower shop. On arriving back at the Pierce mansion, Kai parked his bike and headed inside.

“What is the meaning of this, Sarah pierce?!” Kai heard the voice of Stephanie echoing as he walked in. 

“You dumb, foolish child! How more useless could you be?” Orion barked at Sarah. Kai dashed in to see Sarah on the floor weeping.

The bouquet he was holding fell from his hands as he dashed to her side, “what is the meaning of this?!” Kai demanded as he hugged his wife closely. She sobbed uncontrollably into his shoulders, muttering, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Kai.”

“If it isn’t the man of the hour!” Orion announced in a mocking tone.

“What could warrant this treatment from all of you? What did Sarah do?” He demanded.

“Sign these papers this instant.” Orion threw a bunch of papers at their feet and Kai picked them up. They were divorce papers.

“What is the meaning of this?” Kai asked again. They were clear of their opposition to their marriage but printing out their divorce papers was something that was out of the ordinary no matter how insufferable they were.

“I will not divorce him! I love him!”

“What’s going on? Can someone tell me what the fuck is going on?” Kai asked again, sending shivers down Sarah’s spine and all present. He was angry now.

“Why are you forcing Sarah to sign divorce papers? Is that even legal? Have I done something so terrible to you all that you try to force my wife to divorce me in my absence?” Kai asked out loud but all he got was the look of disgust.

“You disgust me.” Stephanie spat before waking out.

“You pig, how dare you get my granddaughter pregnant?!” Orion finally broke the silence, giving Kai the answer he wanted.