Swiping his key card through the hotel room's lock, he sensed the presence of another person.
Hasan. I should've known the old man would be waiting for me.
He closed the door behind him and took off his leather jacket.
You are spending too much time with her, Eqin. The Professor's words formed in Eqin's head without sound. He had turned away from the window where he was standing.
Eqin didn't immediately react. He could sense the old man's anger, and didn't want to provoke him any more than was necessary.
Hasan's face was expressionless.
She is human. Do not forget it. The words came slowly.
Eqin replied to the comment in the same silent form.
She is not human.
Hasan was adamant.
She has human DNA, and therefore she is human. Like all the others.
Eqin sighed, threw his jacket over the back of the wing-backed chair, and sat down defiantly.
She is not like all the others.
There was a long moment of silence before Hasan queried him.
What do you mean?
There's something about her ... She's different...
Eqin pondered quietly as he tried to answer, picturing the young woman—the way she moved and talked, and the way her smile reached her blue eyes. Yes, she was definitely different.
Hasan was watching him closely.
You are getting too involved.
What do you mean? I thought I had to get close to her?
Hasan suddenly seemed anxious. No. Leave her to me.
Eqin frowned.
Why? he queried, but the look in Hasan's dark eyes prevented him from asking more questions. Hasan didn't particularly like him, and he had no doubt that the old man would jump at the slightest excuse to have him recalled.
You are still my protégé. I do not need to explain myself to you.
Hasan's message was sharp, enmeshed in an icy hauteur. It was clear he wasn't prepared to discuss the matter any further, and Eqin got up to walk towards the window. He looked out over the city. The humans’ almost primitive architecture had always amazed him.
Suddenly, another voice in his head.
Eqin!
Recognition caused Eqin to freeze up—Cathy! How is that possible?
Hasan had to have noticed his change in demeanour, because the old man asked, What is wrong?
Without turning, he answered evenly, trying to keep the alarm out of his reply. Nothing.
Are you certain?
Still facing away from Hasan, he answered firmly.
Yes, I'm sure.
He could sense that Hasan didn't believe him, and he waited for the old man to ask more, but he didn't. After a moment of silence, Eqin heard the door click behind him. Hasan had left the room. The old man's lack of concern disturbed him.
He couldn't possibly suspect anything, could he?
He took out a necklace from his pocket and held it up against the light. He had to give it to her as soon as possible. There wasn't much time left.
* * * *
At that precise moment, Cathy woke up with a fright, soaked in a cold sweat. She had gone to bed early, and although it was not quite dark, she'd switched on the bedside lamp. Suddenly the darkened room was drenched in light, and she sighed with relief.
What a nightmare.
She'd been dreaming that she'd heard Eqin speak with Professor Al-Abud. They were discussing her.
How absurd.
She got up from the bed, and sat down at the dressing table, looking at her reflection. Her face was drawn and there were dark rings under her eyes.
She ran her finger down her mirror image and sighed. She couldn't afford to let the stress affect her. The final exams were too close.
Determined not to let the nightmare affect her rest, she got back into bed, but she struggled to get back to sleep. Her mind was racing over everything that had happened and after several hours of fruitlessly trying to fall asleep, she eventually dressed for breakfast.
* * * *
Munching absent-mindedly on her wholegrain toast, she casually paged through the daily paper. Outside the birds were cheerily welcoming the new day, and for once, she felt remarkably relaxed. She was in no hurry to go anywhere. Her classes were starting only later that morning.
Suddenly the shrill sound of her mobile phone pierced through the early morning quiet. The peaceful moment was instantly broken and she frowned irritably. Who would phone that early in the day? She leaned over to grab her mobile from the side-table and checked the caller identification.
Sue. Who would have guessed? What does she want?
For a split second, she hesitated, trying to decide whether to pick it up or to let the voicemail take a message. Then she decided it had to be important and pressed the call answer button.
“Hi, Sue."
Without greeting, Sue got straight to the point.
“You have to help. It's Darren. Something's terribly wrong with him. He left a few minutes ago. He said he'd decided; that he'd found a solution to his problem. I think he is going to kill himself."
Sue was raving, evidently panic-stricken. “Help me, please."
Cathy went cold. “Where did he go?"
“He said he was going to Uni, but he doesn't have any classes today."
“Okay, I'll meet you there."
Sue sounded relieved. “Thanks, Cathy.” Abruptly, she disconnected.
Cathy picked up her car keys. It wasn't how she'd envisaged her morning, but what type of friend would she be if she ignored Sue's plea for help?
* * * *
Her cell rang again as she arrived at the university.
Sue rattled out her words, anxious.
“I spoke to one of his friends. He said he saw him going to the Engineering Faculty. I'll meet you there."
“Good,” Cathy replied, and then added hopefully, “Maybe he just went to study in one of the tutorial rooms."
Sue didn't answer, and Cathy knew why. Sue was scared witless Darren could have done something stupid.
She met up with Sue a few minutes later and together, one by one they checked the tutorial rooms. After vetting most of the rooms without success, Cathy turned to Sue.
“It looks like your fears were unfounded."
“There are still the men's rooms,” Sue replied.
Cathy puckered her brow. “Don't be silly. If Darren had done something stupid, someone surely would have alerted campus security by now."
“There's still the one tutorial room on the top floor. It's hardly ever used,” Sue insisted.
Reluctantly Cathy followed the other woman. By the time they reached the tutorial room, she'd convinced herself they'd been overly concerned and that Darren was fine. Her hand was already on the doorknob when a voice in her head urged her to stop.
Wait!
Cathy whirled around. “What did you say?"
Sue faced her, annoyed. “Nothing. I didn't say anything. What are you waiting for? Let's go."
She impatiently stepped in front of Cathy, but Cathy put her arm out and prevented her from opening the door. “No, don't."
Sue frowned. “What is wrong with you? He could be in there."
She tried again to push her way past Cathy, but Cathy refused to let her pass. “You mustn't."
Somehow, she knew what would meet them if they opened the door, and she didn't want Sue to face it.
With a sudden burst of power, the other woman shoved Cathy aside. The door swung open and for a few moments, she stood frozen in the doorway. Her eyes grew wide and her face turned pallid. Then she let out an agonising scream. “No!"
Cathy couldn't bear to watch Sue's distress, and moved forward to put her arm around her, but Sue stepped away as if sickened by the act of compassion. Cathy fleetingly glanced at the body before quickly looking away again. It was a sight that she would have preferred not to see. She knew it would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Sue was weeping hope
lessly, shaking.
“We have to help him. We have to do something!” she cried.
Distressed by what she'd seen, Cathy shook her head. “He's dead, Sue. There's nothing we can do."
Suddenly Sue started wailing like a wounded animal. She ran to the body, and threw herself over it. “Oh, my God. No! No! Darren..."
Her screaming alerted other students and a crowd began to gather. In the ensuing turmoil, Cathy was pushed aside. She stood away from the crowd, watching from the sidelines as if in a trance. In the background, she could hear the high-pitched sound of an ambulance siren and realised distractedly that someone had to have contacted the emergency services.
How silly. They can't do anything for him. He's dead.
* * * *
Someone touched her arm. “Cathy."
Cathy looked up into a pair of piercing green eyes.
“Eqin,” was all she could manage to say. She couldn't find the words to express the turmoil inside her, but she didn't have to. Eqin put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.
Campus security had set up a perimeter to keep spectators away. One of the guards came over to where Cathy and Eqin were standing and looked questioningly at her. “Do you know what happened here?” she asked.
Cathy swallowed hard. “We just found him. He is ... was ... a final year student,” she stammered.
“His name was Darren,” Eqin answered evenly. Cathy skimmed his face.
How does he know?
The guard made a note in her pocket book.
“You'll have to wait here until the police come,” she said. “They'll want to speak to you."
It didn't take long for the police to arrive. Cathy tried to answer their questions as well as she could, but she struggled to keep focussed. She felt strangely detached from it all. Eqin answered most of the questions and she wondered fleetingly how he knew so much. When they were finally allowed to leave, Eqin guided her firmly through the curious bystanders.
Suddenly Cathy remembered Darren's girlfriend. “Sue..."
“A medic is taking care of her. She's in shock,” Eqin said. “So are you. We should get you to a doctor."
Cathy was shivering uncontrollably.
“No.” She didn't need a doctor. He wasn't going to take the pain away. She closed her eyes in an effort to get the picture out of her mind, but it didn't help
“How could he?” she murmured. “I didn't think..."
“He was very troubled,” Eqin said softly.
“Maybe if I'd talked to him..."
Eqin interrupted her. “Don't go there, Cathy. It will drive you mad if you do. There is nothing you could have done."
“If I hadn't been so absorbed in my own problems...” she continued. She felt somehow responsible for what had happened. Maybe if she'd spoken to him or done something...
It was as if Eqin read her mind. Facing her, he put his hands on her shoulders and said seriously, “Cathy, listen to me carefully. You were not responsible for what happened to him. It was his decision."
“I really cared for him,” Cathy said, fighting back the tears.
“He knew that,” Eqin said, pulling her closer.
His gently words opened a floodgate of tears and for a long time they stood at the arched entrance of the faculty building while Cathy cried against Eqin's shoulder for a friend whom she would never see again.
She felt strangely safe with him. Had she known who he really was, she would have probably thought twice about her father's warning.
* * * *
Eqin looked at his mentor. The old man was stern: You are disobeying my order, Eqin.
What order?
Eqin made the query somewhat insolently, although he knew very well to what the old man was referring. Hasan's eyes narrowed, and Eqin knew he had to tread very carefully.
I ordered you not to get involved any further with the human. Hasan was fuming.
Which human?
“You know very well which human, Son of Erique,” Hasan snapped sibilantly.
Eqin frowned. Hasan was vocalising. And, being called by his formal family title was not a good sign. His response was careful, considered.
I like her.
“She is human!” Hasan spat out the last word with so much venom that Eqin stepped back wearily. “You are breaking the law and you are placing our mission in peril!"
Something in the old man's voice prevented Eqin from arguing. He was in trouble. Serious trouble. Hassan resumed telepathic conversation.
I have requested that you be sent back. A brusque statement.
Back? I don't understand. Eqin was feigning surprise.
You have become a danger to this mission. I have requested that you be sent back and not be allowed to return to Earth—ever.
Eqin jumped up in anger. “You can't do this.” He, too, was vocalising.
Yes, I can and I have already done it. You will leave tonight.
Eqin glared at the old man. He knew there was no point in arguing. Hasan had made his decision and there was no turning back. He turned away and grabbed his jacket. He needed time to think.
Where are you going?
Eqin shrugged.
For a walk. I should at least be allowed to enjoy the planet while I still can, shouldn't I? After all, I won't be back. The remark was overflowing with sarcasm.
You are not going anywhere, Son of Erique.
Ignoring the man, Eqin slammed the hotel door behind him. A couple glanced at him briefly as they walked past. Further down the passage a cleaning lady pushed her trolley out of the lift. It all seemed pretty normal, and Eqin smirked. As long as there were people around, he was safe. Hasan couldn't stop him without giving away who he really was.
He hurried down the stairs. He had to get to Cathy.
* * * *
Cathy woke up with a fright. The room was dark, too dark to see. Half asleep, she rolled over to the other side of the bed, trying to see on her radio-alarm what the time was.
Half past one in the morning.
Rubbing the sleep out her eyes, she sat up. It was unusually bright outside. Had to be a full moon, she thought.
She slipped off the bed and wandered towards the window. Pulling the curtain aside, she looked out onto the garden.
Cathy! A voice in her head again.
Almost like the nightmare she had the other night. The only difference was that this time she was definitely wide-awake. It wasn't a dream.
Eqin? She barely moved her lips. She answered the same way he'd sent her name.
Yes, it's me. I need to see you.
Where are you?
Down here. In the garden.
She looked down. Her gaze skimmed the garden, but she could see only the camellia bushes and the bougainvillea creeping up the side of an oak tree, waving its branches back and forth in the wind.
Eqin sent again.
Over here.
She diverted her gaze and then she saw him. The area was brighter than the rest, as if he was radiating some sort of energy. She rubbed her eyes again. Am I dreaming?
What are you doing here? It's the middle of the night.
Please come down. Hurry. He urged her on, not answering her question.
Cathy felt compelled to respond. There was an imperative about him that was hard to ignore.
I'm coming.
She quickly slipped on her dressing gown, then crept down the stairs and out into the garden. Eqin was still waiting for her at the same spot. Even in the moonlight, she could see his face light up when he saw her.
“Eqin, what are you doing here?” she asked. The sound carried through the silent night.
There was an intense look in his eyes. “I wanted to say goodbye."
Cathy didn't understand. “I thought you were only leaving the end of next week."
“Not anymore. I'm leaving tonight,” he responded. “I can't really explain. I haven't much time. I had to see you."
Cathy frowned. “Eqin, this isn't right.
We shouldn't be meeting like this."
“I didn't have a choice. I needed to give you something.” He fumbled in the pocket of his jacket.
Eqin!
The unspoken, sharp voice pierced both of their minds, and Cathy whirled around—but not before Eqin surreptitiously shoved something into her hand.
She was taken aback when she recognised the man appearing from the shadows. “Professor Al-Abud, what are you doing here?"
The old man ignored her. His dark, blazing eyes were fixed on Eqin, who stared back seemingly unaffected by the older man's wrath. Hasan was furious.
You have transgressed every instruction.
Eqin's mouth tightened. He said nothing. Hasan continued.
She will not remember you or your visit—I will make certain of that.
With her heart beating loudly in her chest, Cathy backed away from the old man. She knew he was referring to her although she didn't understand any of it. The old man's rage alarmed her. She could feel the presence of a power, a fierce source of energy she had never experienced before. She cringed as the man came closer and she was within his reach.
Eqin had to have noticed her fear, because he held out his hand. She slipped hers into his and he squeezed it reassuringly.
Leave her, Hasan, he warned. She's done nothing to you.
“What is going on?” Cathy asked. Her voice was trembling with fear.
Hasan's dark eyes turned towards her and he started to move closer. He suddenly reminded Cathy of some kind of insect—like the scarabs she'd read about in her ancient history books.
She is human. That is enough.
Eqin held up his hand. Don't!
The old man's eyes flashed towards Eqin and then back to Cathy. A malevolent smile appeared on his face.
You are not powerful enough to battle with me. You are merely a youngster.
Leave us alone. Eqin's gaze didn't leave Hasan's face for a minute.
The old man stared back at him.
You are a fool risking everything for her.
He moved slightly and raised his arm.
Alien Genes 1: Daughter of Atuk Page 3
