Iris (The Color of Water and Sky Book 1)

by Andrew Gates

  For the first time in a long time, Grey believed in his city. It was almost as if, for a brief moment, his sense of security came back to him. Unity, he thought again, progress through obedience. The words that had been spoken so many times in the past few days finally clicked. This was the true face of life after the attack, not chaos in the halls.

  The teacher smiled and waited in silence for a few more moments as the students took their seats. These are some really great kids, he thought. He smiled and opened his bag. I hope their optimism is not misplaced.

  Class proceeded as usual from that point. As always, some students were attentive, while others just stared at the wall. While he would have liked to see more of his students engaged, Grey was used to this kind of attentiveness. In a way, it felt nice to go back to the routine. The lesson had just been review anyway.

  After class, Grey needed to fill his bottle of water. He waited until all of his students exited the room and followed them out, making his way down the hall. As he approached the fountain, he saw her standing there.

  Ophelia Saljov.

  Her blonde hair was shorter than when he last saw her. It must have recently been cut. She had a pink bow in her hair and a clean red dress. Her face showed no signs of worry or fatigue. Wherever she had been staying, it seemed like she was well taken care of.

  Grey waited for her, wondering how to proceed as she pressed her mouth down to the fountain. Should I say something to her?

  As she turned and walked away from the fountain, Grey simply stood there and watched as she absorbed into the crowd of students. He hesitated too long and quickly realized that his moment had passed. Then he saw Iris round the corner. The history teacher was dressed in drab brown pants and a large black sweater. She must have seen Ophelia immediately. She picked up her pace and darted right towards her. Ophelia looked up at Iris and waited as the hasty teacher approached. When they finally reached one another, Iris leaned down and whispered into the girl’s ear. The other students seemed to pay no mind to any of this.

  Thank the Lord Beyond Both Seas, Grey thought. She found her.

  TRACE’S FACE MORPHED FROM OVERJOYED to upset in the time it took to power on a personal pod. Finally reunited with his daughter, the man shook a scolding finger at her. Her beaming wet eyes looked back up at him, half flowing with tears of joy, half flowing with tears of sadness.

  “But I didn’t do anything!” she hollered back to him, swallowing her words.

  Trace closed his eyes and slid his hand across his bald head as if forgetting he no longer had hair.

  “I just… I don’t want you to see your mother,” he replied. “She’s not good for you.”

  Ophelia hugged him. Caught off guard, Trace hugged her back and stayed silent for a moment.

  Today had been the first day of classes since the mantis attack and Ophelia was one of the rare students that had come to school. Iris tracked down the girl and explained everything earlier that day.

  At first, Ophelia was horrified to learn the news about her father. She could not understand why he was locked away or why he did what followed. Iris tried to explain as best as she could, reassuring her that Trace was, at his heart, a good man. After nearly an hour of tears in Iris’s empty classroom, Ophelia eventually embraced her.

  “Everything he did was for you,” Iris explained.

  “I know,” the girl replied. “I know.”

  It must have been hard for her, going through the school day with this news in the back of her mind. Iris could only imagine how distracted she must have been. She hoped that letting her know this early would help her gradually come to terms with the information. Yet when the father and daughter were finally reunited, the encounter was hardly smooth.

  Ophelia was understandably upset with her father for what he had done. Trace was also upset to learn that Ophelia had been staying with her mother for the past few months. Though they were each unhappy with the events that had occurred during their time apart, they were glad to be back together. Iris could tell that Trace and Ophelia truly did love each other and that no matter the news, nothing could destroy their love.

  The thought made her feel good. Even here, in her dilapidated residence at the heart of the mantis’s destructive path, there was joy to be found.

  “I didn’t mean to do it,” Ophelia said as her father hugged her silently.

  Trace slowly broke the embrace and stepped back from her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and crouched down to meet her eye level.

  “How did you find her?” he asked, referring to Ophelia’s mother.

  “Some Navy men came and told me to go to her. I didn’t know why.”

  “What did your mom say about this?”

  Ophelia shrugged.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think she liked it. But that’s because I don’t think she likes me,” she answered.

  Trace sighed and moved his hand to Ophelia’s head. He ran his fingers through her newly cut hair and stared into her eyes. His frown turned back into a smile again. Even Iris smiled at the sight.

  Iris did not know much about Ophelia’s mother. Trace never talked about her. Whoever she was, she must have been a legal partner. Ophelia’s genetic traits seemed to be the same as her father’s and the Navy seemed fine putting her in the woman’s custody. From what Iris pieced together, she guessed the mother never wanted to be a mother. She certainly did not like Ophelia. That much was clear. Seeing how Trace thrived in his paternal role, Iris could understand why this would be a point of conflict for the two of them.

  Ophelia turned and looked towards Iris. This was the first time she had been acknowledged in the last 10 minutes.

  “Are we going to stay with you?” she asked, sniffling.

  Trace lowered his hands and turned towards Iris too, as if expecting an answer.

  “Uh… stay here?” Iris responded, unprepared for this decision.

  It suddenly occurred to her that they had never formally discussed this. She expected Trace would leave once Ophelia was returned to him. She did not know where exactly he would go, but she did not expect him to stay.

  “It would be very kind of you,” Trace said. There was a degree of sincerity to his voice that Iris had not heard in a long time.

  Though things were getting better in the station, the halls were still a dangerous place. In the past few days, Trace had protected her in ways she could not have done on her own. Despite her reservations, having him around as a bodyguard was a logical thing to do.

  “Yes,” she finally said, reluctantly.

  Trace stood up again. He smiled and nodded as he walked towards her.

  “Thank you so much,” he responded. He looked back towards his daughter. “We are in your debt. Seriously Iris, you are saving us.”

  It was odd hearing him speak with such sincerity. Iris felt good knowing she could help them both, though she wondered how long it would last.

  “I’m glad to help,” she replied. She wondered how Dan was going to take the news.

  “But I don’t have my clothes and mom will be expecting me,” Ophelia said, jumping in.

  Trace’s face suddenly showed signs of worry.

  “That’s a good point,” he said, changing his tone. “She’ll become suspicious when she learns you’re living somewhere else.”

  “The first thing they’ll think is that she’s living with her father,” Iris added.

  “Fuck!” Trace said. He kicked the air. His tone changed in an instant. “Why didn’t I think this part through?”

  “You put all your focus on getting to her. You didn’t think about the next step afterwards,” Iris said, although she could say the same thing about herself.

  “But they don’t know where you’re living!” Ophelia added.

  “Yes, but they know where you go to school. The whitecoats will find you and follow you back here,” Trace explained. “So that won’t work.”

  “Not unless I don’t go to school.”

  Trace crin
ged at the thought.

  “No, you still have to go to school,” he replied.

  Or maybe she doesn’t, Iris thought.

  “Well…”

  The Saljovs turned towards their new host.

  “Well uh… maybe,” she repeated, “maybe you don’t have to.”

  “What do you mean?” Trace asked.

  “I don’t want to split you up. I see how happy you are together,” Iris started. “I’m a history teacher. My… my…” Iris struggled for the word. “Dan teaches science and his brother teaches math. He’s here enough. What if we taught you from here?”

  “That could work!” Ophelia exclaimed in excitement.

  Trace nodded his head.

  “Alright Iris, that could work.”

  It was hard to believe that only a few days ago, Iris was terrified of Trace. Now she was welcoming him into her home indefinitely. Maybe I really am turning into him, she thought, defying the government, harboring criminals.

  Iris had gotten herself in too deep to back out now. If she was caught, there was no way out. The three of them were a team now. Their survival depended on one another.

  The three of them discussed the plan for the next few minutes. Adding two outside teachers into the scheme was no easy task. Fortunately Trace knew a lot about how to stay hidden. After a while of planning, Trace told her daughter to go back to her mother’s for clothes.

  “Spend the night there,” he said. “Act like you just stayed late today with friends. Tomorrow go to school like you normally do. Only this time, stuff your bag full of clothes, your toothbrush and whatever you need. After school, instead of going back to your mother’s-”

  “I come back here,” she said, finishing his sentence.

  “Exactly,” he responded with a smile.

  Things were coming along well. After a few more minutes, Ophelia was off, leaving Trace and Iris behind. Wow, she thought, feeling exhilarated, breaking the rules is exciting.

  Relieved, Trace fell down onto the couch. He let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes. Normally at this time of night, Trace would have already started drinking. But after a few minutes of sitting still, he simply remained where he was, as happy as a student on graduation day.

  “No drinks today?” Iris eventually asked.

  Trace simply shook his head.

  Iris smiled and walked over to the cabinet to get a probar when she felt her pod vibrating. She quickly reached into the pockets of her brown pants, worried that it might be Dr. Parnel. When she glanced at her pod, she froze in place. Her mother was calling.

  The next time you get a call, you should answer.

  Trace’s words from Saturday clung to her like a magnet. Yet they had not been put to the test until now. Staring at the illuminated words on her tiny screen, Iris felt nervous. She had not spoken to her parents since… Iris struggled to remember.

  “Who is it?” Trace asked.

  Iris ignored him and looked down at the pod, wondering what to do next. Come on, she told herself, you can do it. It’s the new you.

  “Iris?” Trace said, sitting up.

  Iris tapped the screen and accepted the call. She held the pod to her ear.

  “Mom?” she said.

  Trace’s eyes widened as he realized who was calling.

  “Iris?” her mom responded on the other end. Her voice was chilling.

  “Y… yes,” Iris answered nervously.

  Trace stood up from the couch, gave Iris a thumbs up and walked into the bathroom to give her some privacy. He may have been an obnoxious man, but he knew when to be respectful.

  Iris was now all alone. The pod felt heavy in her hands. She could feel herself starting to sweat. I’m really doing this, she thought, not knowing what to say next.

  “Iris,” her mom repeated. She gasped as she said the name. “I can’t believe you’ve finally answered. How… how are you?”

  Her mother must have been just as nervous as she was.

  “I’m fine, mom. Glad to finally talk to you,” she answered, wondering whether or not that was the truth.

  “Well… well I didn’t expect this. I’ve been calling you a lot. Have you been busy?”

  “Very busy,” Iris answered. “I’m a teacher now.” Iris paused. “Well… you already knew that.” Iris remembered telling her mother that detail of her life.

  “Yes I know,” her mother answered, “but you haven’t told me much about it.”

  “It’s keeping me busy.”

  “Oh yes, I believe it,” she replied. For a few moments they were both silent. “And… and it’s very good to know that you’re safe. I was worried about you on Invasion Day.”

  Iris was glad her mother did not know her address. If she knew that Iris lived in the exact hall torn apart by a mantis, she probably would have been calling until the pod broke from over vibration.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’m safe. The halls are much safer now than they were a few days ago. The government has done a good job picking up the pieces.”

  She almost hoped Trace was listening to that sentence.

  “I don’t go out as much as I used to but I’ve heard things are better. Your father and I were so scared when it first happened. We were lucky to have Nigel next door come and watch over us. But our area was not affected so much. We only had a bit of flooding nearby. Not much else.”

  “That’s good,” Iris said. If only it were like that here.

  Iris’s pod vibrated as the call went on. She pulled the pod away from her head and looked at the screen. It was a written message from Ophelia. She had made it safely to her mother’s.

  “Hold on one second,” Iris said to her mom. She walked over to the bathroom, knocked on the door and said, “Your daughter made it back. She’s safe.” Then she walked back to the counter and brought the pod to her ear again. “I’m back.”

  “Where did you go?”

  “I just had to tell my friend something, that’s all.”

  Her mother paused for a moment.

  “Are you… you know? Is there a man in your life?” she asked.

  Iris did not know how to answer that question. Technically there were two men in her life. One was an illegal partner and the other was a fugitive. Perhaps it was best to gloss over the details.

  “Uh… yes mom. It’s a new relationship.” Before her mother had time to ask anything else, Iris quickly added another question: “How’s dad?”

  There was a long pause and a deep exhale.

  “Well Iris… that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. That’s why I’ve been calling.”

  Her tone was serious. Iris felt a shiver run down her spine. The last few times she actually listened to her mother’s messages, they were always very vague about her father. What was it she said to me before? Iris tried to remember. Do it for your father.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked as thoughts raced through her mind.

  “There’s no easy way for me to put this, so here it is.” Iris just wished her mom would tell her already. “Your father is dying. He’s been holding on longer than I expected, but he doesn’t have a lot of time left. I think he’s been… well… waiting for you.”

  Iris did not expect to feel so saddened by this news. She felt her throat tighten up. Her muscles felt weak. Tears began to form in her eyes. She may not have spoken to him in a long time, but he was her father. She loved him.

  “He’s…?” Iris did not know what to say.

  “He’s dying,” her mom said. Iris had never heard her speak in such a serious tone.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Cancer. Lymphoma. He’s been asleep most of the last few weeks. He’s always tired now.”

  “How long does he have?”

  Her mother paused and took a deep breath.

  “He’s surprising the doctors,” she replied slowly. “Almost six months ago they gave him seven weeks to live.”

  “Six months?” she asked. “You knew about this for six months!” That was before she st
arted teaching. Her father could have been dead in that time and Iris was never even informed.

  “Yes, six months. Iris, come over and we’ll explain everything.”

  “Come over?” Iris was appalled. “Mom, you’ve known for six months that dad is dying and you haven’t told me! Why should I see you?”

  “Iris, this isn’t the best time to explain,” she said. “Don’t do it for me. Come over for your father’s sake. Do it for him. He wants to see you.”

  Do it for your father, so that’s what she meant all this time. Iris put the pod down on the countertop and covered her face with her hands. She realized right away how wet her eyes were. For a few seconds she just stood there, still like a statue of old Rome. But then she picked up the pod again and took a deep breath.

  “I’ll come,” she said. “I’ll do it for him.”

  “Thank you, Iris.”

  “Do you still live in the same place?”

  “Yes,” her mother answered.

  Iris checked the clock.

  “I can be there in 30 minutes if I leave now,” she explained.

  “Good. I’ll see you soon.” Iris was about to end the call but then her mother stopped her. “And Iris,” she continued, “I love you.”

  Iris held the phone in her hand. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

  “I love you too.”

  She ended the call and placed the pod down on the counter. Fuck, she thought.

  A week ago, Iris would have demanded that Trace accompany her in the halls at night. But policing had gotten tougher in volatile areas and things had improved in a short time. If a 12-year-old girl could get to her mother’s home safely on her own, then Iris could surely do the same thing.

  When she finally arrived at her old home, she stopped and stared at the door for a moment. It was an eerie feeling being in these halls. Though it was white like everything else, there was a certain smell, a certain air, a certain feel to it all. It felt familiar, yet somehow different.