Was he real?
How did skin reflect such light?
Coal examined the articles of clothing, intrigued by the contrasting colors and textures. The man wore a dark, tight cloak that reached his calves, fitted with sleeves, similar to a robe but decorated with buttons and straps. A tight-fitting tunic was underneath, tucked into breeches made from a course blue material, and held in place with a belt featuring a stunning buckle. Coal studied the buckle, impressed with the craftsmanship and curious about the metal.
The man extended his hand, his fingernails clean and perfectly groomed—unlike Coal’s or those of most men in New Eden, their life’s labor staining their hands. Coal stared at the extension, wondering what to do.
Did the man do something offensive and need forgiveness?
Not wishing to appear rude, Coal reached out and took the man’s hand. The man moved Coal’s arm with his own, up and down, in waves. Coal reasoned this must be a custom of greeting—he did not perceive an offense, and they were not presently striking a bargain.
“I am Hanley Nichols.”
Coal’s eyes widened and his stomach turned somersaults, and then the fire that had traveled through his veins settled in his belly as he stood before the man responsible for the experiment and for Coal’s treatment since he arrived Outside. He swallowed back his rising temper and reminded himself to remain in control.
Hanley chuckled kindly. “I take it you know who I am.”
“Yes, My Lord, sir. Everyone in New Eden knows of your name. It is ... nice ... to meet you, sir.” Coal bowed his head in respect.
How was he to properly address the owner and creator of New Eden?
“My apologies for causing you to wait so long.” Hanley touched his cheek with a thoughtful look. “I just received a treatment to heal an injury received prior to the exchange.”
“As you well know, I was otherwise engaged myself,” Coal said. Hanley did not flinch at his words; rather, another satisfied smile lit his already glowing features.
“You sound just like your father,” Hanley said. “Safety is very important at the lab, and I take it seriously. Your comfort is important to me as well. Although, I know it feels quite the opposite at this moment. Believe me, being sick is not an enjoyable way to spend your days outside of New Eden.”
Not trusting himself to remain calm, Coal simply nodded his head. Casually, he studied the older man once more, and his mind recalled Corlan, the Outsider exchange. The young man had sported a rather impressive welt above an eye, and his nose looked bloodied as well.
Did he attack Hanley?
Was this why Corlan’s ankles and wrists were bound?
Was he safe to place inside of New Eden?
What sort of treatment heals evidence of any and all afflictions and with such unnatural expedition?
And why was Corlan not given the same courtesy?
“You met John outside when you emerged.” Hanley waved a hand toward the man who stood between him and Michael. “John is my friend and legal adviser. You know his cousin, Jeff.”
Coal turned his attention to the man with dark hair and eyes. He could see the family resemblance. “Nice to meet you, again,” Coal said, figuring this was a common greeting in the Outside world. In New Eden, everyone greeted each other based on the time of day as they were already well acquainted with one another. John replied with a nod of acknowledgment and a small friendly smile.
“And you know Michael, Mr. Hansen. Michael is my lead scientist at New Eden Biospherics & Research.” This introduction caused Coal to crease his brows slightly.
Why had Hanley switched to his formal name after speaking with him so casually earlier?
“Please, call me Coal if you would be so kind. It would allow me to feel more comfortable.”
Looking behind him, Hanley eased into a chair with a humored smirk and gestured for everyone else to follow suit. “Great, no need for formalities here. After all, I have known your father for a very long time. We are family, Coal. Did you know this?”
Coal felt his legs shake as he sat, watching the blue fish gasp for air.
He was related to Hanley Nichols?
Hanley observed him closely for a few seconds, and then asked, “How is the peppermint oil? Is it helping to reduce the pungent smells?”
Coal’s face scrunched up, perplexed. Thoughts of possible relation circled in his hazy mind until Hanley’s latest questions took their place. Until mentioned, he had not realized the scent, too overwhelmed by other sensations.
“Yes,” he replied, still distracted. “Thank you.”
Was Hanley waiting for him to ask how they were related?
Something inside of Coal yearned to know, yet he could not shake the feeling that he was being baited. As if somehow the notion of kinship removed any offenses. So instead of responding, Coal sat perfectly still and waited for Hanley to continue.
“Excellent. Let us know when you need more. We estimate it will take two to four days to acclimate to the chemical smells of our society.” Hanley paused briefly, long enough to give quick looks to John and Michael. “We will stay at the biospherics lab for one week to help you transition. Then, depending on some things, we’ll take a plane and go to Washington state, where I live and where New Eden Enterprises is headquartered. Any questions?”
There were far too many questions, Coal internally quipped. Instead, he voiced the loudest of them all in French, too ashamed to ask in English before John and Michael. “Est-ce que mon père a donné son autorisation finale?”
He looked down at the floor covered in a wall-to-wall rug, feeling his face flush. It was a scenario he did not anticipate nor think through clearly. Since a lad, he had often made decisions with haste, acting on instinct rather than lengthy thought or persuasion. This trait earned him Oaklee’s humored ire, who oft declared he was impetuous. Hanley shifted in his seat and Coal tensed in anticipation of the man’s answer.
“Yes, we do have legal permission for you now.” Hanley looked to John who gave a single nod of agreement. Coal relaxed a bit with this news. “It seems Connor did not expect your exit today. What made you trade places with the nominated exchange?”
“Personal reasons.”
“We are in a sound-proof copper Faraday cage. The only people who will hear our discussion are the four of us in this room. I have some questions, and your answers will determine whether you stay or whether you return to New Eden.”
Hanley waited for a reply with a kind smile, eyes crinkling in the corners. Coal had never heard of a Faraday cage. Nor could he see a cage-like apparatus in the room. But he did understand the message of privacy. And the cushioned warning. He was cornered. Still, he did not wish to return to New Eden, yet.
“I shall do my best.”
“I have no doubt,” Hanley said. He readjusted his position in the chair and then began. “I know that Leaf Watson was the exchange.” Michael blanched with this news and John’s eyes flinched, but only subtly. “Michael and John, I could not share until this moment as I did not know what would happen.”
“Nevertheless,” John muttered, crossing his arms over his chest, “withholding critical information placed me in a precarious position at The Door, especially with media drones behind the privacy gate and the scare with the one that flew in close.” The lawyer appeared as though he wished to say more, but he closed his mouth and looked away.
“Why is he so pale?” Coal asked while watching Michael, not understanding John’s comments about media drones and their ability to fly.
Was it an insect, like New Eden’s male drone bees?
What did this have to do with Leaf?
What information was Hanley withholding?
Coal released a slow breath, trying to calm his mind to one central question, focusing on Michael once again.
“How well do you know the Watson family?” Hanley asked.
Shifting in his chair, Coal weighed the question, trying to understand the angle. However, he felt int
imidated by the lack of respect the owner showed his trusted council. And him. So much so, it was distracting. Hanley’s behavior differed from that of men within New Eden. It was a strange paradox. Hanley came across as if he cared and expressed himself in earnest, but he just smiled away concerns as if they did not exist, flitting from one question or comment to another.
Knots continued to form in Coal’s gut. But he finally dismissed his anxiety. The Legacy and The Code both originated from Hanley, after all. And fear of banishment from New Eden was now ineffectual, his life already tied to the Outside world for a duration.
Licking his lips nervously, Coal began. “Willow Oak is my dearest friend. Laurel and my sister Corona are inseparable as well.” Coal chuckled as he thought of his family and friends. “Poor Blaze is left out of this camaraderie.”
“And Leaf?”
Coal darted a quick look Michael’s direction, who remained pale. “Leaf and my twin sister Ember eloped early this morn.” Coal felt himself tense.
John let out a slow breath upon hearing the news of marriage. Their eyes met, and Coal knew the lawyer was calculating information and making decisions. He had seen a similar look on Jeff’s face on occasion. Something was amiss.
“Did you see Joel die?” Hanley continued without a blink or a fuss.
“Yes, My Lord. I was with Leaf and Willow when Joel passed away in the outer garden of The Rows.” The memories came racing back to Coal’s mind and he allowed his eyes to wander over to the aquarium, recalling every word and every movement of that day. The men were quiet, he realized, granting him a moment to gather himself.
“I am not part of the nobility. You may address me as Hanley, or as ‘sir’ if my first name is too informal for your comfort.” Hanley offered him another kind smile. Coal nodded his head, feeling his face warm despite the gentle correction. “Did Joel share anything with Leaf or Willow before passing away?” Hanley asked softly, appearing sensitive to Coal’s position and memories. “I know my question may appear to go against the codes of honor you are accustomed to,” he said. “But your answer is instrumental to our investigation. I am relying on you to help us, to help New Eden.”
“Yes, sir.” Coal looked at each face, sucking in his bottom lip and releasing it once more. “Joel shared with Leaf that Claire was The Aether, and upon his last breath, Leaf would continue the Legacy and become King as the rightful heir.” He opened his mouth to share more and then closed it while rubbing his jaw to appear natural, deciding to withhold the odd request for Leaf to gather his sisters and leave to seek out a woman named Della. Or was it Jane?
“Did anyone besides you and Willow Oak hear this news?”
“No, I do not believe so as it was the hour of rest prior to evening meal. Workers were no longer in the fields. Is something amiss?” Coal stood up. Adrenaline surged through his limbs and his muscles tensed and relaxed with the internal struggle to remain in control. His temper was unwieldy at times and it was coming dangerously close to sparking a scene.
“Do you believe Joel’s death was natural or planned?”
“Pardon?” Coal blinked in disbelief, every muscle going still.
Even they believed Joel was murdered?
Why did they suspect that Joel had not died of a heart attack as declared?
A visceral warning prickled the hairs on the back of his neck. “How could you suggest something as outrageous as someone murdering Joel Watson? Not only is it against The Code, it is dishonorable and the cruelest act anyone could resort to in our community.” Thinking back on his father’s words to Brianna to keep a closer watch on the Watsons, he felt another sense of dread.
Would his father resort to such measures to gain political power and control?
“Because,” Hanley said, “nearly six years ago death certificates were issued from New Eden for Laurel, Willow Oak, and Leaf Watson, declaring that they had died from salmonella contamination. As you know, they are not dead.”
Coal sank into his chair, placing his head into his hands. His fears were confirmed. Oaklee was truly in danger and he began to worry that he had made a grave mistake in switching places with Leaf. The Son of Earth may have been safer on the Outside. And now he was beyond reach when Oaklee may need him the most.
“It is important for you to know that their deaths created a massive lawsuit on the medical rights of children within New Eden. John and I were in court for many months and I faced possible charges of neglect and manslaughter. New Eden Township was nearly shut down. Therefore, it is crucially important that the last time we speak of the Watson children living is in this room. If word got out that they were alive, the media would destroy them, and New Eden too.”
“I understand, sir. I would never wish to cause harm to them.” He did not know what “media” was or “manslaughter.” Both sounded horrifying.
“I believe you, and that is why I need your help.”
“I will do anything. I secretly traded places with Leaf, for Willow was not managing well, and I could not bear to see her suffer further with her brother’s absence.” He lowered his head, hoping the men did not see the feelings burning behind his eyes. “I have done this much, and I am willing to do more. I would protect the Watsons with my own life.”
Hanley simply raised an eyebrow and an unreadable expression flashed across his face before it shifted into the familiar image of friendliness. “I knew you were a man of honor; very valiant, too. You remind me of my son, who would also be willing to lay down his life for another. In fact, he did a few months ago, taking a large hit for his friend, almost paying a rather high price. He is laying down his life again as we speak. It is his nature, his fate, just as much as yours.” John turned his head and studied Hanley with a frown.
It was Coal’s fate to lay down his life?
Was Hanley speaking literally or figuratively?
As Joel was most likely murdered, Coal could not rule out any possibility. “Is your son in danger?”
Hanley regarded him with a studious gaze. “Depends. Is New Eden safe?”
Coal started as he realized the implications of Hanley’s question. “Corlan is your son?”
“His real name is Fillion, and yes. We changed his name to disconnect association from me. The village will not know that name.”
“How is he laying down his life to enter New Eden for a temporary exchange?”
“By giving up the one he has on the Outside.”
Coal grit this teeth, frustrated that Hanley had not fully answered his question. Entering New Eden was not an act of honor nor a move that could be described as valiant. No more than his own presence existing beyond the walls. It was the motive for Fillion’s relocation that justified whether his act was honorable.
What was Fillion’s motive?
Or, perhaps his father’s?
Coal’s head seemed to swim for a heartbeat, and his thoughts grew sluggish as though they traveled through mud. “How may I be of assistance?”
“Your presence is the perfect distraction. We’ll ensure the media stays focused on you instead of any other news that is discovered about New Eden Township. Already the tales of a Martian visitor are exciting the inhabitants of Earth,” Hanley said. “Perception.” The word hung in the air a few seconds before he continued. “It’s a powerful tool. You are a product of research, and it is time to show the world that the key to the future resides in the past.”
There were far too many things to ponder, and Coal felt himself fading away as he attempted to grasp Hanley’s request. His eyes darted around the room in search of something to which he could anchor his mind. Voices grew distant. Looking at his hands, he saw a slight tremor. He felt dizzy.
A light touch upon his arm startled Coal, and he looked up. Michael stood nearby, trying to relay a message. Coal scrunched up his face in confusion, feeling more panic as he struggled to make out the words. A heavy pressure registered in his back as Michael pushed his torso forward until his head rested between his knees. Through haz
y thoughts and another dizzy spell, Coal realized that he was hyperventilating.
Eventually, his mind slowed down and his ability to hear returned. He was able to make out the words of “breathe long and slow,” so he obeyed. After several measured breaths, the pressure in his chest began to lighten as the adrenaline waned.
“I think he answered enough questions,” John said quietly, offering Coal a sad, concerned smile.
“Sorry, sir. I have recovered.” Coal wiped sweat from his forehead with the hem of his tunic.
“John is right. You were pushed too hard,” Hanley said. “I needed to know if I could trust you. You have had a lot of big changes and been given a lot of distressing information. The atmosphere is far different from yours, too. The oxygen is thinner than what you are used to. Your body is self-regulating against a lot of foreign things at this moment.” Hanley paused and gave Coal a sympathetic look, and Coal clamped down the offense that wished to reignite. Conveniently, Hanley left the sedative and inoculations from the list of hardships. With a sigh tinged with worry, Hanley said, “Why don’t we break for a late lunch, and then we’ll show you to your room.”
“So I am allowed to stay...”
“You are the perfect young man to help us through this time in the media spotlight. And as the son of the Fire Element, you’ll pick up, understand, and accept technology far quicker than most from New Eden. Has Connor shown you modern technology?”
“No, sir. How could he?”
Hanley considered him for a moment and then walked out the door without a reply or backward glance, with John trailing close behind him. Michael paused in the door frame and politely waited for Coal to follow, maintaining a distressed posture.
Coal regarded the aquarium once more. Fish swam around oblivious to their curious spectator as he studied his reflection in the glass. The fish whose tail was nipped separated itself from the group and began to appear sickly, most likely from stress, Coal reasoned. He refused to be this fish, or the belly up fish, or the blue fish gasping for air. Rather, he resolved to be the other fish, the one who found purpose and meaning despite the unnatural environment, despite depending upon keepers for survival.
Elements (The Biodome Chronicles series Book 2) Page 4
