Havana Nights-Chapter Two-Part Four

The soft murmur of waves lapping against the dock was the only sound that filled the tense silence. The fishing boat bobbed gently in the water, its chipped paint and worn nets a stark contrast to the significance of the journey ahead. Under the dim light of a single lantern, Tom and Leo stood at the edge of the pier, one bags slung over Tom's shoulder, their faces illuminated just enough to show their unease. Zeta stood silent. Their appearance once more camouflage by clothes and a hat pull down low.

Adriana and Elena stood across from them, each lost in their thoughts as the reality of the moment settled between them. They had risked their lives together, but now, it was time to part ways.

"This is it," Elena said quietly, her gaze shifting between the two young men. Her voice, usually sharp and filled with determination, was softer now, weighed down by the impending separation. "You'll meet my contact in Havana. He'll take you the rest of the way."

Adriana stepped forward, placing a hand on Leo’s shoulder. "We've done what we can," she said, her tone steady but her eyes betraying a flicker of sadness. "But Switzerland is your journey. Our place is here in our own country trying to make things better."

Zeta, standing between Tom and Leo, gave a small, solemn nod. His alien eyes, wide and gleaming in the lantern light, reflected the gravity of their departure. Humans were indeed sentimental creatures.

Tom shifted uncomfortably, his fingers clutching the strap of his bag. "What about you two?" he asked, glancing between Adriana and Elena. "Calderón won't have forgotten your part in all this."

"Querido!" Elena gave a reassuring smile, "We'll be fine. There is a safe house not far from here."

"Mi querido amigos! Take care of yourselves," Adriana said.

Tom opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, Adriana pulled him into a tight embrace. She stepped back, her eyes misty, but she quickly turned her attention to Leo, offering him the same brief but fierce hug.

Elena kept her distance. She just nodded, her wistful smile saying everything that Adriana's hug had done.

As the final moments ticked by, the captain of the fishing boat called out, his voice gruff and impatient. "We need to leave now if we're going to make it across by dawn!"

With no more words left to say, Tom, Leo, and Zeta climbed aboard the boat. The engine sputtered to life, the smell of oil mixing with the salty air.

Adriana and Elena stood side by side at the edge of the pier, their figures growing smaller as the boat pulled away from the dock.

Adriana frowned, turning to her love, "Mi amor! Why did you not give them that alien weapon?"

"We need to think of ourselves now. We're hardly out of the fire yet."

The water widened between them, the horizon swallowing up the familiar shapes of the women who had fought so fiercely by their side. As the lights of the town faded into the distance, Tom looked back one last time, his heart heavy. Leo clapped him on the back, "Cheer up! You still have me!"

The boat rocked gently beneath their feet, carrying them toward the unknown, while behind them, Adriana and Elena disappeared into the shadows of the night—ready to face whatever danger awaited them on their own.

The fishing boat cut through the waters, the horizon slowly revealing the hazy silhouette of Havana. The city shimmered in the morning twilight, a mixture of vibrant colors and decaying grandeur. Tom and Leo leaned against the worn railing, the salty air brushing their faces as they drew closer to shore. Zeta, wrapped in a dark cloak to avoid attention, remained silent but alert.

As they approached the dock, a figure waved to them from the pier. He stood tall and lean, dressed in a loose white shirt that fluttered in the breeze, his bronzed skin glowing under a streetlamp. His smile was wide and confident, with a hint of mischief that instantly put them at ease. Elena’s contact.

"Welcome to Havana, amigos!" the man called out, his voice warm and rich, carrying over the sound of the boat’s engine.

As they disembarked, he sauntered over, extending his hand in greeting. "I’m Matteo," he introduced himself, his eyes dancing with lighthearted energy. "Elena told me you might need a little help—and a lot of rum courage right about now."

Tom raised an eyebrow, exchanging a look with Leo, who couldn’t help but chuckle at Matteo’s carefree demeanor. Despite the dangers that lurked, Matteo seemed unfazed, as if daring the world to knock him down.

"Thanks for meeting us," Tom said, shaking Matteo’s hand firmly. "We weren't sure who to expect."

"Ah, don’t worry," Matteo replied, slinging an arm over Tom's shoulder with a grin. "We take care of our friends here." He turned to Leo, giving him a playful wink. "And it looks like you brought trouble, no?"

Leo smirked, shrugging nonchalantly. "We do our best."

Matteo let out a hearty laugh. "I like that. Come, follow me. You’re safe for now."

They followed Matteo through the narrow streets of Havana, the colorful buildings towering above them, laundry lines hanging across balconies, and the scent of fried plantains wafting through the warm evening air. The city was alive with music, the distant sounds of a trumpet blending with the rhythm of footsteps and laughter.

"You're not worried about Calderón’s men finding us here?" Tom asked, glancing around cautiously.

Matteo shrugged; his grin unwavering. "Calderón may have his reach, but Havana has a way of hiding those who need it. Plus," he added with a wink, "I’m much faster than his unsavory thugs."

They reached a small, unassuming building tucked away at the end of an alley. Matteo pushed open the door, revealing a cozy interior filled with mismatched furniture and a warm glow from old lamps. "It’s not much," Matteo said, "but it's home. And the rum is on the top shelf."

He gestured for them to sit, and soon enough, a bottle of dark rum and a few glasses appeared. The tension from their journey began to ease as the night settled in around them.

As they drank, conversation flowed easily. Matteo’s stories were lighthearted, full of humor and flirtation, his charm disarming any sense of danger. Tom found himself laughing more than he had in days, the weight of their mission temporarily forgotten.

At some point, Leo’s gaze lingered on Tom, his smile softening as the alcohol warmed his veins. Tom caught the look, and something unspoken passed between them, a simmering tension that neither had dared acknowledge before.

"Mi cuate!" Matteo, ever the perceptive host, raised his glass in a teasing toast. "To unexpected connections," he said, his eyes twinkling with knowing amusement. "And daring to go where no other has been before."

As the night wore on and the rum flowed freely, the space between Tom and Leo seemed to shrink. Playful touches became lingering glances, and soon, heavy flirtation filled the room.

Zeta remained in the corner, watching silently, their alien features unreadable as they observed the strange human behavior. They had sensed something shifting between their two friends. The creature disappeared into the other areas of the house seeking rest and recuperation leaving the two young men to their own increasing nocturnal urges.

The rum was working its magic, casting a warm, hazy glow over everything. Tom and Leo sat close together on the worn couch, the edges of their conversation blurring into soft laughter. Matteo had long since retired, leaving them alone in the dim light. Outside, the night hummed with the distant sounds of Havana. Inside, the air between them felt charged, heavy with things unsaid.

Leo’s gaze lingered on Tom, a knowing look in his eyes as he leaned in just a little closer. "You’ve got that look," he murmured, his voice low, teasing.

Tom’s heart pounded in his chest, the warmth of the rum doing little to quell the nerves rising within him. "What look?" he asked, his voice softer than he intended.

"The kind of look that makes me think you’re trying to figure something out," Leo said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as his hand casually brushed Tom’s knee.

Tom swallowed, his thoughts racing. He had never done this before—not with a guy. Not with anyone. He could feel the tension between them. Leo’s presence was like a magnetic pull, and suddenly, the idea of crossing that line didn't seem so foreign. His pulse quickened as Leo leaned in closer, his breath warm against Tom's ear.

There was a beat of hesitation, a moment where Tom could have pulled away, but instead, he let himself lean into it. Their lips met in a hesitant, almost clumsy kiss. It was awkward, tentative, both of them fumbling at first—Tom, because he didn’t know what he was doing, and Leo, because he was being careful. A kiss was one thing but where they were going was another thing entirely.

They broke apart, Tom’s breath shaky as he looked into Leo’s eyes. "I've never... I mean..." he began, his voice barely audible, nerves tightening his throat.

Leo smiled softly, his thumb brushing along Tom’s jawline in a comforting gesture. "It's okay," he whispered. "We can go slow."

Tom nodded, grateful for Leo’s patience, though his heart still raced with uncertainty. Their lips met again, this time deeper, more confident. Tom could feel the heat building between them, a mixture of excitement and nerves. His hands fumbled, unsure of where to go, what to do. But Leo's touch guided him, gentle yet firm, and soon they found a rhythm—awkward but sweet, nervous but undeniably real.

They moved to a bed in a spare room, and Tom's hands, trembling slightly, traced over Leo’s bare skin. He could feel every breath, every movement, and with it came an unfamiliar intensity. It was messy, far from perfect, but in that moment, none of that mattered. The world outside their tiny sanctuary was forgotten, and all that existed was the heat between them, the tentative exploration of something new.

As they lay together afterward, the room still dimly lit by the soft glow of the lights outside, Tom rested his head on Leo’s chest, his mind still racing. He felt exposed in a way he hadn’t expected, vulnerable in a way that went beyond the physical. His fingers traced idle patterns on Leo’s skin, unsure of what to say.

"Was it like this... your first time?" Tom asked, his voice quiet, breaking the silence.

Leo was quiet for a moment, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath Tom’s head. He let out a soft sigh before speaking. "No," he said, his voice carrying a touch of wistfulness. "Not really."

Tom shifted, lifting his head slightly to look at Leo. "What was it like?" he asked, a curious, almost nervous edge to his voice.

Leo’s eyes flickered with a mix of memories, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It was... different," he said after a pause. "It happened when I was traveling with the Carnival." He chuckled softly, a little ruefully. "You know how it is—everyone’s moving from town to town, always looking for the next thrill." Leo eyes grew distant as he recalled the past. "The guy was Rico. He was older, worked on the rides. Always had this air of mystery about him, like he’d seen everything. He was my first." Leo's voice softened, his smile a little sad now. "I thought I was in love back then. We had a few nights together, but it didn’t mean anything to him. Not like it did to me."

Tom felt a pang of something he couldn’t quite name—jealousy? Sadness? Sympathy? He wasn't sure. "How did it end?" he asked quietly.

Leo shrugged. "Rico met someone else, and I was toast. Just like that." He glanced down at Tom, his expression softening again. "But this... this is different."

Tom frowned slightly, unsure. "How is it different?"

Leo met his gaze, his eyes full of something Tom hadn’t expected to see—vulnerability. "Because it feels like it matters," Leo said quietly. "Like it’s not just some fling."

The words hit Tom harder than he expected. He wasn’t sure what to say, wasn’t sure how to process everything he was feeling. But in that moment, all he could do was lean up and kiss Leo again, letting the kiss say what words couldn’t.

As they lay together in silence, their bodies tangled under the thin sheets, their breaths evening out. Tom wasn’t sure what the morning would bring—what the future held for them or where this new connection would lead. But for now, in the stillness of the Havana early morning, he let himself be content with this fleeting moment of peace.

The sun streamed through the cracked window of the small apartment, casting golden rays across the worn wooden table where Tom and Leo sat, still grappling with the aftermath of their shared experience. The sound of sizzling drifted in from the kitchen, accompanied by the rich, intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

Matteo emerged from the kitchen, a cheeky grin plastered across his face as he placed a colorful plate in front of each of them.

"You both look like you survived the night. Just barely, I’d say," he teased, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

The breakfast spread was a vibrant display of Cuban cuisine: fluffy scrambled eggs mixed with diced tomatoes and bell peppers, crispy fried plantains, and a side of warm, crusty bread smeared with a hint of guava paste.

Tom chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You could say that. Not exactly how I pictured my first time, but—" He stopped himself, realizing he was sharing too much with their host.

"Fear not amigos. You are among a liked-minded friend." Matteo interjected, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I know a first time too well. They’re always a little awkward. But don’t worry, amigos, it only gets better from here." He winked, taking a sip and savoring the rich flavor. "Now, we need to discuss how to get you out of Havana before Calderón's men catch up with you."

Leo, still slightly blushing, focused on his plate as he bit into a plantain. "What’s the plan?"

Matteo leaned against the table, his demeanor shifting to serious, "In a little while, we'll head to the docks. I’ve arranged for you to board the Santa Estrella as passengers, not stowaways. You’ll have a cabin and everything." He waved his hand dramatically. "Think of it as a mini-vacation on the high seas. You can breathe a little and enjoy the ride to Lisbon."

Tom's eyes lit up, excitement coursing through him. "A cabin! That sounds amazing!” Then, his expression turned thoughtful. "Oh okay!" As if speaking to himself, "Do you think we could get a portable radio?" Zeta wanted to keep checking for signals from their own kind. They might have an updated message for them.

Matteo raised an eyebrow, "I’ll see what I can do. It may take a little time, but I’ll find a way to get you a radio."

“And what about the documents we'll need to cross international waters,” Tom asked, his brow furrowed.

"Sleep was not all I did last night," Mateo said, gesturing to the envelope he'd placed on the table. "Your new identities are solid. You're now, Dominic Rogers and Lucan Blake, art dealers returning to Europe. Keep the stories simple and consistent, and no one should raise an eyebrow."

Leo leaned in, curiosity piqued. "And how did you manage to secure passage so easily? It seems too good to be true."

Matteo smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Ah, well, that’s a story in itself. Let’s just say I had a lover once who broke my heart. To repay the debt of my shattered trust, he's offered me his assistance whenever I need it. A rather generous gift, wouldn’t you say?"

Leo raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "Sounds like a complicated situation."

Matteo shrugged, a playful grin spreading across his face, "Love is rarely simple, my amigos. But I was lucky this time. This ex-lover has his fingers in many pies, so I called in a favor. Now, you boys can enjoy the luxury of being passengers instead of fleeing like rats."

"And what happens once we reach Lisbon?" Leo asked, glancing at Tom.

Matteo waved his hand dismissively. "That’s where it gets exciting. I have connections in Portugal who can help you navigate your next steps."

Tom looked between Leo and Matteo, the weight of the plan settling in, "And what about you? What if Calderón comes looking for us and finds you instead?"

Matteo waved his hand dismissively. "I can handle myself. I’ve been playing this game for a long time."

While they finished breakfast, Mateo slipped out of the house to track down a portable radio. They were anxious to be away from here not wanting to stay too long but they would need that radio at some point.

The jungle road stretched ahead, twisting and narrow, as the sun began to sink beneath the horizon. Adriana gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white, while Elena sat beside her, scanning the rearview mirror nervously.

"We’re almost there," Adriana muttered, though her voice was tight with tension. The sanctuary wasn’t far now, just a few more miles, and they’d be safe. Or so they hoped.

Elena's eyes widened in alarm. "Adriana—behind us! We've got company...but probably not the ones we were expecting."

Adriana glanced up, and her heart sank. Barreling down the road behind them, a sleek, black car appeared as if from nowhere, moving faster than any human vehicle should. Their smooth, glistening surfaces reflected the last light of the day, and the high-pitched hum of their engines cut through the air like a blade.

"They're gaining on us!" Elena shouted, her voice strained, glancing down at the alien weapon in her lap.

Adriana’s knuckles whitened as she pressed down on the gas pedal. The car lurched forward; the engine roaring as they careened around a bend. The dense canopy overhead offered little light, casting eerie shadows across the road. Just when it seemed like they might put some distance between them and the men in black, two black cars appeared ahead, cutting them off.

"We're cut off!" Adriana cursed under her breath.

The black vehicles in front of them stopped, engines idling menacingly. The ones behind slowed down, forming an impenetrable wall of machinery.

One of the men in black stepped out of a cars, coming to stand in the middle of the road, its weapon arm glowing. Before either woman could react, a blast of energy shot out from the weapon, hitting the front of their car. The hood erupted in flames, and the engine sputtered before dying completely. The car skidded to a halt with a loud screech, the smell of burning metal filling the air.

Elena lent out the window, aimed the alien weapon, and returned fire blasting the Men in Black into shattered remnants of a machine. Smoke belching out. The stench of burnt electronics in the air. The other dark figures took shelter behind their vehicles reassessing the situation.

"We have to run!" Elena yelled, already unbuckling her seatbelt.

Adriana followed suit, scrambling out of the driver's seat as smoke billowed from the engine. The men in black, their movements precise and mechanical, watched them escape. They were planning their next strategy.

Adriana and Elena bolted from the car, their feet pounding against the earth as they dashed into the jungle. Low-hanging branches whipped at their faces, and thick vines tangled around their feet, but they pushed forward, desperate to outrun the machines.

The jungle closed in around them, offering little cover from the relentless pursuit. Elena glanced over her shoulder, spotting the men in black cutting through the undergrowth with mechanical precision, their weapons humming ominously. They seemed to be trying to box them in once more on either side.

"They’re not stopping!" Elena shouted, her heart hammering in her chest. "They are relentless."

One of the men in black raised its weapon, a burst of energy shooting past them, hitting a nearby tree, which exploded in a shower of bark and debris. The shockwave knocked Elena off her feet, sending her sprawling into the dirt, and the alien weapon rolled free from her grasp.

"Elena!" Adriana cried out, doubling back to help her up. She tried to reach for the alien weapon, but the device was destroyed by one of the Men in Black.

Before they could start running again, another blast from behind sent a wave of paralyzing energy through their bodies. Both women collapsed to the ground, unable to move, muscles locked from the impact.

Elena tried to speak, tried to fight the paralysis that held her down, but the machines were too fast. Their gleaming metal forms surrounded the two women, moving in with swift, unfeeling precision.

"Targets neutralized," one of the men in black said, its voice cold and robotic. The others closed in, lifting Adriana and Elena effortlessly off the ground. Their movements were mechanical and devoid of emotion as they hauled the women back toward the road.

Elena struggled to turn her head, her voice weak as she gasped, "We’re not going to make it…"

Adriana’s heart sank. She could hear the hum of the vehicles’ engines getting louder as the men in black dragged them back toward the waiting cars. Their sleek, black forms stood out against the backdrop of the jungle, cold and menacing.

The machines tossed them into the back of one of the cars, the doors slamming shut with a final, deafening thud. Trapped and powerless, Adriana and Elena were driven away, helpless prisoners bound for whatever fate awaited them.

The narrow backstreets of Havana were dimly lit by flickering streetlamps, casting long shadows that danced ominously along the walls. Tom, Leo, and Zeta followed closely behind Matteo, who moved with a sense of urgency, his every step betraying the danger that loomed over them. The harbor was close now—the Santa Estrella, their lifeline out of Havana, waiting to take them far away from Santiago and La Reina’s reach.

The oppressive heat clung to them, thick in the night air, as their footsteps echoed through the deserted alleyways. Zeta clutched the newly acquired portable radio tightly, his eyes darting nervously from side to side.

Matteo turned to the group as they reached a narrow junction. "Almost there. Just one more turn and we'll be—"

Before he could finish, a slow, deliberate clap echoed through the alley. The group froze. From the shadows ahead, Santiago Calderón stepped into the dim light, his face twisted in a smug grin. His henchmen flanked him on either side, their guns at the ready.

And behind them, looming in the darkness, stood the alien beast, its eyes glowing a menacing red, saliva dripping from its fanged maw. The snow-white mohawk slowly ruffling in the breeze.

Matteo’s jaw clenched. "Santiago!"

"Tonto! Did you really think you could sneak anything out of Havana without me knowing?" Santiago’s voice was smooth, mocking, as he sauntered forward. "And with such precious cargo," he added, glancing at Tom, Leo, and Zeta. His gaze lingered on Zeta, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

The alien beast growled low, its massive form shifting restlessly. It was barely restrained by the control collar around its neck, the red lights pulsing ominously. Santiago's fingers hovered over a small device in his hand—a remote to control the creature.

Matteo's fists clenched. "But I was so careful! How did you find us?"

Santiago's smile widened. "Oh, Matteo... It wasn’t difficult. You should choose your friends more carefully." He snapped his fingers, and from the shadows stepped Raúl, his face pale but resolute.

Matteo's eyes darkened with rage. "Raúl..."

"I had no choice, Matteo," Raúl said quietly, avoiding his gaze. "It was either this... or my family."

"I thought I was your family too," Matteo hissed, his voice filled with venom. "Or was that only when we shared a bed."

"Maricón!" Santiago chuckled darkly. "Enough of this disgust." He raised the remote, his thumb hovering over the button. "It's time to end such perversion."

With a swift motion, Santiago pressed the button, and the alien beast roared to life. The collar around its neck sparked, and the creature lunged forward with terrifying speed, its massive claws scraping the ground as it charged at the group.

Raúl, caught off guard, stumbled backward in terror. Before he could react, the beast’s jaws snapped open, and with a horrifying crunch, it clamped down on Raúl’s torso. His scream tore through the night, gurgled and desperate, as the creature shook him violently, blood splattering across the cobblestones.

Tom watched in horror, his stomach twisting at the gruesome sight. The others stood frozen, paralyzed by the suddenness of the attack. Raúl’s body went limp in the alien’s jaws, his lifeless form tossed aside like a ragdoll.

"Run!" Matteo yelled, snapping everyone out of their shock.

Matteo swung a piece of wood, he had grabbed from the ground, aiming for the creature’s head. But the alien swatted it away like it was nothing, barely fazed by the impact. It roared, jaws snapping open as it lunged forward again, it mighty claws ploughing up the ground.

Zeta fumbled with the radio in their hands, their fingers perfectly calm. Tom tried to drag the alien away until he heard, "Less haste! I was not slumbering all night! The signal...I changed it...the radio waves might disrupt control!"

"Do it, Zeta!" Leo urged, pushing him forward as the alien beast took another step, saliva dripping from its fangs. It crouched, ready to pounce.

Zeta's fingers found the right frequency, the radio crackling to life with a piercing sound. A high-pitched signal cut through the air, an ultrasonic wave that made the creature falter mid-lunge. Its snarl turned into a pained whimper, its massive body trembling violently as the collar around its neck began to malfunction, sparking and sizzling under the interference.

The beast shook its head, stumbling back in confusion. The red glow in its eyes flickered, dimming as it thrashed against the control collar, trying to rid itself of the painful signal. It let out a pained, guttural howl, slamming into the alley walls in its frenzy, bricks crumbling under its weight.

Santiago’s calm demeanor cracked, his face contorting with anger as he watched his creature falter. "What have you done?!" he screamed, turning to his men. "Kill them! Now!"

But in the chaos, Matteo saw the opportunity they needed. "Go! Now!" he shouted, pressing documents and papers into Tom's hand, "Now is your only chance. The ship will be leaving any minute." He pushed them toward the harbor.

They ran, their hearts pounding in their chests, Santiago’s furious shouts echoing behind them. The creature’s agonized howls grew fainter as Zeta kept the radio signal strong.

The harbor was just ahead, the lights of the Santa Estrella shining like a beacon through the darkness. The crew was already at the gangplank, beckoning them to hurry. Tom could hear the shouts of Santiago’s men behind them, gunshots ringing out, but they were almost there.

When they finally reached the safety of the boat, Tom collapsed against the railing, his chest heaving as he looked out at the darkened harbor.

Tom, still reeling from the ordeal, glanced at Leo, who stood beside him, his face pale but filled with relief. "We made it," Leo whispered, his voice shaking.

The Santa Estrella was soon escaping the hold of the dock and cutting a path through the waves, carrying them far from the dangers that had haunted them in Havana. For now, they were safe.

#QueerSciFi #LGBTIQAStoryTelling. #GlobalAdventure #QuickReads #LGBTAuthors.