“How were you born eternal?” The same officer pressed. He was the toughest critic in the assemblage.
“Why does it matter?” Tina replied in Vincent’s place. “He has just come clean about a secret he has kept for generations aboard this ship and most likely before that. He is due respect, not twenty questions.” She said in defense.
Vincent patted her on the shoulder. “It’s okay little one. These people are frightened of me. I expected this the moment my existence became public knowledge.” Then he eyed the cop. “I have more powers than you could imagine, so drop your line of questions now.” He ordered and the officer gulped and went silent.
The crowd was still gathering. This was a big day for the news services. Cameras were casting their bright lights upon Vincent and he cared little for it. His patience was waning quickly as the throngs gathered around him. He had spent a mostly solitary existence for centuries. This was way out of his comfort zone.
“Look, it has been a tiring day. There was an attempt on my life and these young people, along with an old-time friend managed to thwart the attempt. I owe them a great deal, but at this time I need time to process this. I will be happy to answer any questions that I can at a later date which you can set up with my secretary. For now, I request that you leave me and my friends alone.” He said in a gentle and charismatic tone.
The camera lights went off. The crowd began to disperse quickly with help of local law enforcement. Vincent was relieved of that much at least. He turned to Tina.
“You really opened Pandora’s box here.” He said.
“I was part of it, yes.” Tina admitted. “But the truth being out in the open is no cause for alarm. Everything will turn out fine in the end.” She said in an uplifting tone.
Vincent shook his head. “Where did you come from?” He asked.
Mrs. Hull chuckled, and Vincent looked back at her. “She’s always been optimistic and headstrong. If she thinks something should be done, it will get done.” She said. Tina blushed.
“I’m not that bad.” She replied in defense.
“Oh no? Would you like me to name off some of the times you didn’t take no for an answer?” Her mother offered. Tina looked aghast.
“No!” She replied quickly. “I mean, why spoil a perfectly good afternoon?” She said, putting on a flowery tone that would calm the most savage beast.
“Okay, this is going to be interesting, listening to you two.” Vincent said.
Lock shook his head. “You won’t understand most of it, I never do.” He admitted. “I guess it’s a girl thing.” He said conceding defeat.
“Maybe we can compare notes afterwards.” Vincent offered.
Lock smiled. “Yeah maybe, if we crack the code, we will become famous.” He said jokingly.
“Hah, I’m already famous now, thanks to you.” He said. There was a twinge of resentment in it. “But that can’t be changed now.” He added with finality and acceptance.
Lock stopped walking. “Look, I was trying to save our lives. You had everyone looking for us. You even had hitmen out there looking. We were a target simply for knowing you exist. The only way to lower our value as a target was to make the information that we had meaningless.” Lock explained.
Vincent stopped too. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He admitted. “That’s actually quite brilliant.” He continued. Then the two continue walking along behind Tina and Mrs. Hull. “I think our working relationship will be stronger for the information shared. But you realize that this does make you a security risk?”
Lock nodded. “It does. I let out one of your biggest secrets to save my own hide.” He admitted.
Vincent stopped once more. “No, you didn’t.” He countered. Lock looked confused. Vincent continued. “You released one of the biggest secrets of my life to save the life of the girl you love.” He corrected. Lock was in denial, but Vincent could see right through him. Then he said something shocking…
“Does she know?” He asked. Lock lowered his eyes to the floor. Vincent sighed. “Ah, I see. Well you’d better get around to telling her sometime or you will be miserable about it for the rest of your life.” Vincent offered. “I will mention this no more.” He said, putting the final nail in this case and closing it for good.
Changing the subject completely, Lock ventured a question. “Can you really help Marshall?” He asked.
Vincent scratched his chin as he thought about that. “There are a few things I could try, but because his body rejected my blood, there are not many options if they fail.” He admitted. “But I will most certainly make the attempt.” He added for reassurance.
“Marshall’s blood doesn’t read on the scanners at all. We could tell nothing about his condition. Does your blood act the same in the scanner?” Lock asked next.
“What are you? A biochemist?” Vincent asked, but the question had no sting in it. It was more of a surprise that Lock knew anything about this process at all.
“No, we were trying to help him. It is standard practice to take a base-line blood reading. His blood wouldn’t do anything but error the machine.” Lock replied.
“I’m not surprised, my blood does the same thing.” Vincent revealed.
Lock looked up at Vincent, “If I am allowed to ask, how many people have you helped stop aging?” The question was direct, possibly arrogantly so. But the tone suggested only a child-like curiosity.
“That is classified. Just know that there are people among you who are living normal lives, causing no trouble at all, but do not get sick or die.” Vincent said. His tone suggested that this conversation was over. But Lock missed that nuance.
“You don’t get sick either?” Lock blurted out. “That’s cool.” He said and he sounded even more like that curious child. “Do you still perform the procedure?” He asked. This was possibly an incriminating question and Vincent knew that he should avoid answering it. So instead he redirected Lock’s attention.
“Why? Are you considering applying for an illegal procedure?” He asked, the trap had been sprung back the other way.
Lock shook his head. “Nah, I’m too young to stay this way forever. People would never take me seriously.” He replied. It was a sounder answer than Vincent had been expecting.
“But you have obviously thought about it.” Vincent countered.
“I’ve never been rich; I couldn’t afford it even if it were legal to perform.” Lock riposted. “Besides, life on board a spaceship forever doesn’t sound nearly as exciting as life on a new planet forever.” He offered.
Vincent felt something stir within him. He had kindred feelings with this boy. “I also yearn for the adventure of a new home. The brave new world without the burden of getting sick or dying as you say. I’ve just been waiting for the right one.”
“So, you want to join a colony somewhere?” Lock asked for verification.
“You know I do. Why else would I have been on the crew in the first place?” Vincent asked. “The promise of a brighter future where overpopulation and greed didn’t kill everything.”
“Greed? But you are rich. Doesn’t that make you greedy?” Lock asked.
“I am rich because I have been investing for centuries. I have wealth that is considered old wealth. Most families have not lived as long as I have. I have to change my currency from time to time to prevent it losing all value, but that is a minor price to pay for having wealth. You could be rich too.” Vincent added.
Lock looked up at him at a sort of angle. “By doing what?”
“Working for me for a start.” Vincent answered quickly. “I find your take on things to be fresh. I have gotten stale in my old age. Your friend Tina is also a gifted thinker. Surrounding myself with people like that can only stimulate my mind. To make me think beyond the picture before me. You give me a new perspective on things that I have taken for granted since before you were born.” Vincent pointed out.
“So, no funny stuff?” Lock asked. “I didn’t mind being a spy, it was kind of cool a
t first, but Tina could see right through me. Eventually I would have cracked, I know it.” He admitted.
“Yes, she is a remarkable young lady.” Vincent replied. He let the matter drop again as he had promised not to bring up their relationship again. “We should get into the offices and away from the prying eyes of the public for now.” Vincent said.
“I think they’ve seen enough for one day.” Lock agreed. He looked back at Tina who was talking with someone and motioned for her to follow. Mrs. Hull nudged her away from that conversation with a few short words and a warm smile. Then the group was heading away from the scene.
Marshall made his way to the front. He was scanning the area for threats like the point-man on an advanced infantry squad. If there had been any threats, his aggressive movements would have dissuaded them alone. The others were a bit uncomfortable with that but didn’t have the heart to stop him. He was feeling his power for perhaps the first time.
Tina was walking along with her mother. They were a few steps behind Lock and Vincent who were a few steps behind Marshall. Mrs. Hull had been making sure that the dark figure departed without any surprises. Much to her surprise, that is exactly what happened. He had fled as soon as his body was able. She didn’t know if it was fear that drove him away. Maybe he was angry and went to plot his revenge. In any case, he was gone for now. Marshall had done enough. That man was full of surprises. Her main thought was how had he managed to get selected when he was incompatible and she not? It was a question that still bothered her. She made a mental note to ask about this later.
“Do you think he’ll come back?” Tina asked.
Mrs. Hull looked over, her thought train broken. “Who will be back?” She asked.
Tina rolled her eyes. “The dark one. He looked really angry before. I don’t think he was broken that badly. I think he’ll come back.” She explained.
“I suppose he will.” Her mother responded thoughtfully. You and Lock had better be ready when he comes. Nobody else will be around to handle him.”
“How could we possibly stop an eternal?” Tina asked. “I mean, we’re only human you know.” She said, making the same point again.
“I know. But I am not talking about fighting him. There are other ways to be prepared. We can discuss them later. Right now, I am concerned over Marshall. If he can’t get his memories back, then where does that leave him?”
Tina waved off the concern. “There’s little to nothing we can do to help him. Either the process will work, or it won’t. All we can do is be there and be supportive when he needs us to be.” Tina replied. There was a sadness in her voice.
“You really feel for him, don’t you?” Mrs. Hull asked.
Tina nodded. “Not like a boy girl thing, but how sad it must be to have lived for so long and to remember none of it. The good and bad stuff is just gone. No way to learn from your mistakes and no way to benefit from your knowledge. You are a clean slate. You must spend your days finding out who you are and what you stand for. That is no way to live.” She said.
Mrs. Hull stopped and grabbed Tina’s shoulders. “You have a good heart but deciding who gets to live and how to live is something for someone far greater than you or me.” She said in a very serious tone.
“I didn’t mean… I just wouldn’t want to live like that.” Tina corrected.
Mrs. Hull relented. “That is an opinion and you are entitle to that. But remember, how Marshall chooses to live given the cards he was dealt is his decision alone.” She reminded the young lady. “The best we can do is support him when he needs us.” She added.
Tina felt a twinge of regret. “But if we stop helping him, he’ll most likely forget us.” She said.
“That is a risk, yes. But he hasn’t forgotten his wife and that was supposed to be eighty plus years ago.” Mrs. Hull replied. “Who knows what his mind will lock onto? Maybe we are special enough to him to be retained, maybe not. But remember also that he is not in control of those memories. His body just loses things. It is not his fault. He is not choosing to forget us if he does.” She instructed.
Tina lowered her eyes to hide the tears that were welling up in them. “I hope he doesn’t forget me.” She said at last.
“Me too, we’ll just have to wait and see.” Mrs. Hull responded tenderly. “Come on, let’s catch up with the rest.” She pushed and the two of them began jogging towards the rest of their party who were quite a ways down the corridor because of them stopping.
When they caught up it was just in time for Vincent to open a door to let them all in. He stepped aside and waved them in. Marshall was sent to a chair that looked like it was more than a chair. It had restraints on it and places to put things next to it like medical instruments. The chair looked ominous.
“Just have a seat if you will.” Vincent offered. “There’s no time like now to get started.” He said pleasantly.
Marshall eyed the chair carefully and then shrugged and sat down.
Vincent stepped over to a refrigerator and pulled out a bag of red liquid. It was a plastic pouch like the ones used for blood transfusions. He moved towards Marshall and smiled.
“Now this will not hurt you, but you may find a period of disorientation when it hits your blood stream.” He warned. “Don’t worry about it, we will all be right here with you. The sensation will pass.” He said to settle Marshall’s nerves.
Tina moved to Marshall’s side. “He’s right you know; I’ll be right here.” She said and she put her hand on his forehead. Marshall’s tension began to dissolve. Vincent put on the restraints and Tina spoke softly to him in a calming voice. She maintained eye contact with him even as his emotions went through a series of panics and then relief.
“Everything will be okay, I’m right here with you.” She said. Their eyes were locked on each other’s.
Vincent went about his preparations and when it was time, he brought forth the needle. As predicted, Marshall got tense again. Vincent struck Marshall’s arm with a slap that stung, in the aftermath he inserted the needle to begin the transfusion.
Marshall felt himself slipping. His eyes began to show sparkles. He looked around and Tina pulled his attention back to her. The world was closing in on him and his heart rate and respiration showed the signs of panic.
Tina moved her hand from his forehead to his cheek and his eyes locked on her once more though she could tell he couldn’t see her anymore. She wondered what he did see.
In Marshall’s mind, the world became totally illogical. Tina became a white pony with a silver mane. Her crystal blue eyes sparkled with an intensity that made him cry. The rest of the world was spinning as the chaos of the void called to him. The powerful vortex seemed to be pulling bits of him off and sucking them away. He was being dismantled on the molecular level. Then he heard a voice, one he trusted.
“Come back to me Marshall.” The Image of the white pony now filled his vision like a safety net. He tried to keep her close, locked into the security of that caring face. It was almost more than he could bare. Then the edges of the world slowed. The vortex could not maintain itself without that spin. Bits and pieces of reality began to put themselves together in the periphery of his vision. Then the spinning stopped completely, and the world looked normal except for the radiant pony before him. Then that pony morphed back into Tina’s concerned face.
“Is he going to be all right?” She asked. Her eyes did not waver or break from his, yet she had spoken to somebody else in the room. From his eyes, there was no one else in the room. “Come back to me Marshall she said once more, and reality seemed to snap back into place fully. His mind was full of rooms. He had doors that would allow access to them. They had been walls before, a long maze of nothing that he had lost himself in for the better part of a century. He looked up into those expectant eyes.
“I can see things.” He said. My mind is… open.” He said. It sounded choppy because he was just beginning to process all of the rooms he had just rediscovered.
“Take it eas
y Marshall, you’ve got plenty of time to explore your own mind.” Vincent said. Marshall noticed him as if for the first time.
“Doctor?” He asked in confusion. Vincent’s eyes went wide.
“I gave up my practice a long time ago.” He explained. “Do you remember that?” He asked, now fully curious.
“I… I watched Tina as my mind unfolded. Doors, I have doors now.” He said.
Vincent leaned in close. “And can you open those doors?” He asked.
“Yes! I can open the doors!” Marshall replied excitedly. “I almost lost myself there, but Tina, lovely Tina held me here.” He said. A single tear ran down his cheek. “I remember me now.” He reported.
Vincent scoffed. “Do you?” He asked.
Marshall nodded, Vincent removed the restraints and Tina backed up. “I am not Marshall.” He said. “Well, that’s not my name.” He added.
Tina held up her hands in an asking gesture. “Then what is your name?” She asked.
Vincent answered first. “Marshall is not his name; it is his title. He is the law.” He said.
“My last name is Faulkner, but my first name is David.” Marshall replied.
Tina held out her hand. “It is nice to meet you Marshal David Faulkner.” She said formally.
David shook her hand and smiled. “You were so brave to stand by me like that. I could have been anybody. I could have been bad.” He warned.
Tina shook her head. “I did not sense any bad within you. Even when you didn’t understand yourself. I needed to meet the real you, that is all.” She declared.
David looked over at Vincent. “I suppose I owe you an apology.” He said. Vincent’s eyes went wide.
“I thought you were going to arrest me.” He replied.
“I now understand that your experiments were necessary, despite the law governing them. I didn’t realize just how much we don’t know about it until now.” He admitted. “I was just doing my job.” He said. “But that is not an excuse.” He added to show that he truly understood.
Mrs. Hull threw her hands up in the air. “Will somebody tell me what is going on here?” She cried.
Eternals Among Us: Book one Page 21
