‘You live in each other’s pockets; I don’t think he’d mind.’
‘Marriage is not high up in my priorities at the moment. He’s my boyfriend. I’m not looking to elope.’
‘Either way, I’m so in awe. We have so got to go out together. Maybe, you can help me get one of those,’ Lisa pleaded.
‘If you actually showed John the right signs you would have one. I’m sure he’s still keen on you?’
‘John and I are just friends.’
‘Whatever you say,’ Caitlin said. It was her turn to roll her eyes.
Steven ended the conversation. ‘Lisa, it’s been a while. Did you have a good Christmas break?’
Caitlin loved the way he was always so polite.
‘Yes, it was great. Anyway, I’ve got to go and paint my nails or something. I guess I’ll see you around then.’ She gave Caitlin a cheeky grin and broke out into a chuckle.
***
Steven only had eyes for Caitlin. He was totally infatuated. Before Caitlin, he had never even come close to having feelings for another girl. If he did not know any better, he would have said he was in love – if infatuation was love. He wanted to tell her how he felt. The words were hard to say. Instead, he kissed her on the lips and wrapped his arms around her.
As the kiss came to a natural end, he eased back. ‘So, how was it?’
‘Terrible, as usual,’ she sighed, his favourite pout in full view.
‘But, you’re a genius. I bet you’ll have done just fine.’
‘You sound like my mum.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a compliment.’
She laughed aloud, and tightened her grip on his hand. ‘It is and it’s not. I guess. How about you? How did you get on?’
‘It was alright,’ he shrugged. He had never been the type to analyse an exam after the event.
‘At least it’s over now. It’s time to party. Shall we go to the students’ union bar tonight? They’re having a huge event.’
‘Party it is,’ she agreed.
He held her against him for a moment and relished the body contact. Maybe later there would be time for more. A weird sensation came over him as the thought vanished. He was overcome by a sense of unease as a shiver crept up his spine. In that moment, he was convinced something was going to happen – something bad.
‘You alright?’ Caitlin asked.
‘Sure, why do you ask?’ He was sure she could not read his mind.
‘I felt you tense up.’
‘I’m fine.’
He did not want to lie to Caitlin. It was stupid. What was he going to say? I have a feeling we are in danger. It was probably just the weather. The weather was a good thing to blame. In truth, he was surprised at how time had flown since he’d arrived at university. Life seemed to speed up. In a few months’ time, on the fourth of September, he would be twenty years old. His teenage years would come to an end. It was weird to acknowledge any notion of becoming a responsible adult. He smiled as he considered that if things with Caitlin went to plan, his future’s horizon looked rosy.
Back to Table of Contents
Chapter 18
Disturbance
Caitlin had been called up for a Silver service waitressing job at a nearby hotel. Since she had registered with a local temping agency she had obtained a steady stream of work. It paid well and she couldn’t complain. The event was for one hundred and fifty people which made the service nerve-wracking. It was hard to remember which side to serve the guests from, and ensure she held the spoons properly. The last time she had accidentally dropped a piece of broccoli on an elderly man’s lap and received a severe scolding. It was only funny in retrospect.
On the way back, her friend dropped her off at the kerb. ‘Do you mind getting out here? I’m late home as it is.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ Caitlin replied. She opened the door, got out and waved goodbye. Once around the corner she’d be back within the safety of halls. The sound of her footsteps echoed in the night air as she crossed the bridge. It was dark. She wished she had thought to ask Steven to meet her. There was no-one around. It really freaked her out. Just as she approached the entrance, she heard a car roaring down the road. Instinctively, she turned to see how fast it was travelling. She stared in shock as it screeched to a stop next to her. Before she had time to react a man leapt out of the car, grabbed her and threw her on the back seat. The man in the driver’s seat put his foot down and they accelerated away. She was too stunned to scream.
The man tied her up with a thick rope around her wrists and ankles, and covered her mouth with duct tape. Then he laid her on her side and made his way to the front passenger seat. She was defenceless. As the shock subsided, the tears began to flow. Between sobs she tried to pay attention. The two men talked a dialect she could not understand. It seemed inevitable – her life would shortly be coming to an end. She closed her eyes and tried to suppress her sniffles.
After what seemed like hours, but was probably only minutes, they stopped. She opened her eyes and saw a lot of trees. She had a feeling they were in the New Forest. It was a huge desolate place fit for purpose. The man in the passenger seat told her to sit up. He then removed the duct tape in a swift action. It made her lips sting.
Caitlin sat still, wide-eyed, silent.
‘We are sorry to have to put you through this,’ the man in the driver’s seat said. It sounded like he had a European accent. ‘We are interested in your boyfriend, Steven. I’m afraid you’re just bait. We don’t want to harm you.’ He glanced over at the man in the other seat.
Even though she was partially relieved by the information, she was nevertheless apprehensive about the reason for her abduction. ‘What do you want with Steven?’
They man in the passenger side laughed. In an innocent, yet unbelievable voice, he said, ‘We want to help him, that’s all.’ He sounded English. It was so strange.
What they were saying was totally confusing. Angry, she spat, ‘How can helping someone mean scaring his girlfriend to death?’
The man on the driver’s seat shook his head. ‘Unavoidable really, we need both of you to understand that everything we tell Steven has to be kept quiet. Otherwise, there will be consequences.’
The man on the passenger side grew impatient. ‘Enough! You need to call your boyfriend and convince him to meet you here. Don’t tell him anything about your situation. We don’t need anyone to get hurt now do we? Trust us when we tell you that we can easily cause anyone you love harm. Understood?’
Caitlin nodded.
He continued, ‘Do you know where we are?’
‘Not really.’
He started to sound impatient. ‘We are in the New Forest. Do you know it well?’
‘We come here all the time.’
‘By we I guess you mean Steven and you?’
‘Yes.’
‘So tell him to meet you. Name the place and we’ll make sure you’re there. Agreed?’
Caitlin nodded again. They had not left her with many options.
The man in driver’s seat held up her mobile phone and smiled. ‘Such a clever device. I like your phone.’
Was he trying to be nice?
‘What’s his number?’ he asked.
‘It’s in my Contacts,’ Caitlin said.
‘I am not familiar with this device. Just tell me the number.’
Caitlin’s mind had gone blank. ‘I don’t know it off by heart. If you loosen my hands I’ll do it.’
The man smirked. ‘Nice try. I catch on fast. Tell me what to do.’
Caitlin talked him through the instructions. The man dialled Steven’s number and put the handset to her ear. She did not want Steven to get into danger, but she had a feeling that if she did not help them, they would find another way to get to him. After a few rings, Steven picked up.
‘Steven, it’s me.’ She worked hard to control the tone of her voice.
Steven’s voice sounded sleepy, ‘What’s going on, Caitlin? It’s nearly midnig
ht.’
‘I know. I just got held up, that’s all. I need you to do something for me without asking any questions?’
‘Sounds ominous – I’m game.’ He was back to his usual jokey self, oblivious of the danger.
‘Can you meet me at our place in the New Forest?’
‘Now?’ His tone was abrupt. ‘You sound upset. Are you sure you’re okay?’
‘I will be if you help me. I need you to come on your own. Get a taxi to drop you off,’ she pleaded, her emotions on the brink of falling apart.
‘Caitlin, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.’
‘Steven, if I could tell you more I would. Come and wait for me. It’s our only hope,’ she sniffed, now fighting to hold back the tears, ‘I love you.’
With that, the phone was snatched from her hands and the call was ended.
‘That wasn’t so hard.’
Caitlin could have sworn he had licked his lips. She had never been so scared in her life.
***
Steven ran out of his room and dialled the number for the taxi firm he used after a night out. As luck had it, a taxi was in the area and would arrive in five minutes. As he waited outside, he wondered what Caitlin could be doing in the middle of the New Forest at this time of night. If her friend’s car had broken down she would have mentioned it. There was no reason for them to drive in that direction.
Her words rang in his ear – if I could tell you more I would.
With his options limited there was no choice but to trust her. It was not as if he could call the police – he had no crime to report. Even so, there was no point denying he was worried. Something was not right. It was that sixth sense all over again.
After a short drive, the taxi arrived at the deserted location. Wary, the taxi driver turned to face Steven and asked, ‘Is this where you need to be?’
‘Yes, this is fine. Thanks.’ Steven got out of the car, paid for the trip and started to walk.
This place was special. They came here every weekend to get away from the madness of university. It was nothing much to look at, just a mixed bunch of trees surrounding a small clearing, but it was theirs. Barely a few minutes had gone by when he heard the distinctive sound of crunching leaves. He turned around and was stunned to see Caitlin flanked by two men. A sense of déjà vu overcame him. He wondered whether he had met one of them before.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Caitlin cried in hysterics, as she ran towards him and cowered in his arms.
Confused, he looked up at the men. They were both in casual clothing and did not look threatening at all. One of them had bleach blonde hair and a lithe build. The other an ordinary man of average height, weight and build with brownish hair.
The ordinary man studied him. It was unnerving. ‘Finally, we get to meet you. With the right incentive a lot can happen, don’t you think?’
Steven was on alert. For someone so ordinary, looks could be deceiving. ‘Who are you? What do you want?’
The man ignored Steven, and carried on talking, ‘I have to admit that even if I did not suspect it, I would have immediately recognised you as my sister’s son.’
‘You know my mother?’
‘There is no question about it. You are Emily’s son.’
‘Who is…?’ Steven trailed off, lost in thought. His dad had never mentioned her name. It sounded normal enough.
‘Emily,’ the man finished his sentence. He smiled and nodded in the direction of the man standing next to him.
‘Let’s start from the beginning,’ the other man added. ‘My name is Eilif. I am Ingrid’s dad.’
A flashback run through his head. Ingrid again. This Eilif looked a lot like her. ‘Surely, you meant to say brother. You can’t be Ingrid’s dad. You’re the same age as me!’ Steven chuckled, uncomfortable. Things were getting weirder by the minute.
Eilif pursed his lips without giving a reply.
The ordinary guy spoke instead, ‘I’m Ian, your uncle. I’m disappointed to see you know nothing of your past. It’s time we put you in the loop.’
Steven tightened his grip on Caitlin. He was not sure he wanted to know.
*
Steven woke up with a thumping headache. Dazed and disorientated, he sat up and looked around. He was in bed, pyjama’s on, just like he always was. How was that possible? In theory, it was plausible it had all been a dream. Had he really gone to the New Forest to meet Caitlin and talked to those men, Ian and Eilif? It all sounded like a dream. In need of reassurance, he scrambled off the bed and retrieved his wallet. The twenty pound note he used to pay the taxi fare had gone. Logically, he must have gone out. It did not make sense. Unable to come up with an explanation, he got in the shower. Once under the hot water, he tried to relax. After ten minutes he remained tense – something was not right.
He pulled the towel off the rail, wrapped it around his waist and glanced in the mirror. His reflection revealed red puffy eyes. He swallowed two paracetamol down with water. His medical supplies were scanty. He stared at the empty paracetamol packet in his hand. It dawned on him that he had been having a lot of headaches recently. He had put being lightheaded and nauseated down to stress. Stress. That was a new concept for him. He was never stressed. He never buckled under pressure. The throb continued. If it was possible, it was more intense than the others. He hoped it would go away soon.
It was frustrating to know Caitlin would have left already. She always had an early start at the beginning of the week. He could have texted or called, but he felt stupid. It must have been a dream. There was no point in calling her. He’d see what she said later on.
***
Caitlin sat through her Spanish history lecture in a trance. She was trying hard to concentrate. No matter how much she tried, nothing went in. It was all incomprehensible. She rubbed her eyes and forced them to stay open. She was so tired. It had been hard work at the hotel the night before. She did not even remember putting on her pyjamas or getting to her room. It was weird. She felt as though she had forgotten something important. Whatever it was, she could not stop a tear running down her cheek as an unexpected sadness came over her.
It was ridiculous to be tearful. If she did not know any better, she would have sworn her heart ached. As though she’d gone through a major break up. It was like being ditched by Danny Young at fifteen all over again. It was laughable. She had nothing to be heartbroken about. A boyfriend was the last thing on her mind. It was her time of the month. She could confidently put it down to hormones.
Back to Table of Contents
Chapter 19
Non-Existent
Steven waited in the student union cafeteria for Caitlin and started to wonder why she had not turned up. In his confused state, he had left his phone in his room so he could not even text her. As he saw Adam walk past, he called out to him, ‘Adam, how’s it going?’
Adam walked up to him in his usual, relaxed manner and pulled a quizzical expression. ‘Sorry, do I know you?’
‘Of course you know me. Are you feeling alright?’
‘I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are man, but hey, I’ll see you around.’ With that, he turned and walked away.
Weird. It had been the same all morning. He kept getting strange looks from people he’d sat next to for months.
Aware Caitlin wasn’t going to show, he went to pay and showed his student ID card at the till to get a discount.
‘I’m sorry, this card is not valid. You have to pay the full price,’ the lady said, in a snooty voice.
‘Oh, that’s just perfect.’ Everything had turned topsy-turvy.
*
At the entrance to the halls of residence, he was thrown into further confusion. His key did not fit the lock. He cursed inwardly. Someone had it in for him today. He waited until a girl came along who he vaguely recalled having met. ‘I’ve left my keys behind, can you let me in?’
The girl nodded and showed no recollection of having met him before. Even so, she opened the door and let him in.
He thanked her and picked up the pace, making his way up to the second floor, where he buzzed outside Caitlin’s hall. One of the Malaysian students peeked out from behind the door, ‘Can I help?’
‘Can I come in? I’ve come to see Caitlin.’
‘Oh, okay.’ She opened the door and eyed him suspiciously.
She had seen him before. This was getting ridiculous. He made his way to Caitlin’s room and knocked.
When it opened, Caitlin stared at him with a blank expression. ‘Hello? Can I help you?’
‘Stop kidding around – it’s me,’ he paused, ‘I’ve had a hell of a day already so please have mercy on me.’
Caitlin pursed her lips, as she normally did when she stood her ground, and started to close the door. ‘I’m sorry; I’ve never met you before in my life.’
He held out his hand and stopped the door from closing. ‘Please let me in, I need to talk to you.’
‘I don’t know who you are and if you don’t let go of the door, I will scream.’
She sounded like she actually meant it.
‘Caitlin, it’s me, Steven. You must know me,’ he continued, his voice taking on a desperate edge.
She paused for a split second. Her eyes faltered, even though her face showed outrage. ‘I’m sorry for you, I really am. I don’t know you and I can’t let you into my room. Please leave.’
Overcome, he let go of the door. It slammed shut in his face. He had been banished. A sense of hopelessness came over him as he snapped out of his trance and wandered down the hall. He looked back and checked her door did not open again. She had a warped sense of humour sometimes.
The door did not open. It was not a joke. Even for Caitlin this kind of humour was a stretch too far. Something strange was going on and he needed to find out what it was – fast.
Aimlessly, he went towards his room convinced things could not get any worse.
Yet, they did. His room key did not fit the lock either. ‘What the hell?’
It was too much.
In a rage, he slammed his body against the door and it gave way. He could not believe he had forced the door open. It did not even hurt. Inside, he fell to his knees, his arms limp at his sides. The room was bare – nothing remained. It was an empty shell. A shiny metallic object remained on the desk, his mobile phone. He used all of his remaining energy to get up. His hand hovered above it, almost scared to touch it. Before he could change his mind, he snatched it up and looked at the screen. He scrolled through the relevant keys and looked for his address book entries. All of the entries he had entered had disappeared.
The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return Page 13
