by E M G Wixley
The Discovery
Chapter Twenty-one
Felicity fixed her eyes on the squashed fly mark on the living room wall where Jonah had smashed a drone. A reminder that they were being stalked by an unknown enemy.
“How many is that today?” she said to Jonah who was sitting in the middle of three arcing desks under bright spotlights while the rest of the room was low lit. His fingers danced with lively dexterity over an array of keyboards his head nodding up and down as he glanced at four screens. “You’re not a professional gamer, why all the screens?”
“Part of my new role as a fraud investigator,” he mumbled without looking up. “And yes, it would seem we’re being watched – that would be five. Their hunt will be expensive as I’ve destroyed everyone.”
“Irvin and Holly have gone back to London,” Felicity said as her face dropped from the lack of attention. Her feelings were confused, and she wanted to cry. “They’re being hounded by the press who want to examine their ghost footage.”
“They need to steer away from the media,” Jonah muttered sternly.
“They know. I think it’s that stupid game that’s drawing them back. They want to find out if Elley is free to be reborn.”
“If that’s what they want to do. As long as they know, they’re welcome here any time.”
“I might join them. Try and return to normality,” Felicity added miserably. “Everything’s unsettled here – you have a purpose, but I’m in limbo.”
Jonah swivelled his chair around and gazed in her direction. He smiled awkwardly and reached out with palms up gesturing for her to come closer. She drifted towards him, and he grasped her hands.
“Please stay,” he said gazing up with the same depth and sadness lingering in his eyes which was there when they first met. “We were brought together for a reason. You’re not alone. I’m also still following the ribbon out of the dark wood. We must search together for the way out.”
A distant thud followed by a tinkling sound shivered the silence. Jonah's eyes hardened; he was alert as though his senses had picked up a tiny movement in the air. Something passed close by, and in an instant, Felicity released her grip and covered her face with her hands. Jonah’s mind and body had jumped ahead of time and was already crushing the miniature drone in his iron fist. He dropped it on the floor, clasped her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap.
“They’re a good reason for us to return,” she said annoyed at his seeming complacency.
“I’ve checked all our devices – I will find the tracker,” he said looking puzzled. “I always planned to return to England but then I was given this new position, and I’m good at it. My computer skills are astonishing me – somehow, I can read any code and can find my way into the deepest darkest corners of the web. I won’t prevent you from going, but I do think you’re safer here with me.”
“Doing what? I’ve had enough of all this weird dark stuff – Irvin, my dad and now you. I have a brain and need to use it.”
He rested a finger on her lips. “Go with me for a while – I’m close to something big. You wanted answers.” With her sitting comfortably on his knees he turned the chair back to face the screens. “I’ve been investigating ‘the seven’. They really exist. They call themselves the ‘Monolithic Helix Foundation’, a group of industrialists, entrepreneurs and leaders of large corporations. They claim to be researching ways to make the planet clean and peaceful. When you dig deeper, it is apparent that their real intent is to exploit other planets, asteroids, comets and anything with an abundance of minerals – a giant interstellar mining company. The worse thing is they talk about the limited vision of the common man and the inevitable collateral damage which will occur in the development of their plans.”
“There are seven leaders under which are numerous members all highly qualified, with outstanding credentials and much wealth.” He turned to face her his eyes gleaming. “And guess what, Theodore's name is there and your fathers.”
Without hesitation, Jonah planted a kiss on Felicity’s cheeks and gave her an excited squeeze. “I love you,” he said not considering his words. “Actually, I really do.” He leaned her back in his arm and softly kissed her lips when she didn’t resist, they embraced warmly. Many precious seconds passed with them both locked into a swirling passion and poignant tenderness. Felicity realised she wanted to hold onto the moment’s bliss forever. They slowly separated and gazed into each other's eyes. Jonah stroked her cheek with the back of his hand and tucked a lock of stray hair behind her ears.
“We might only be a small blot on a scrap of our history, but together we could make a difference.”
“You really are trying to tempt me to stay,” she laughed and wrapping her hands around his neck gave him a hug. “Do you know you have a lump in your skin?” She dropped her hands allowing him to reach around and feel for himself.
“It feels odd – not a typical cist.”
“I’ll take a look,” Felicity said rising as he swivelled the chair in her direction and under the sharpest light. “It appears to only be under the first layer of skin – a tiny dark rectangle. I could almost get it out with my nail.”
Jonah leaned forward and opened a drawer. “I have a scalpel my dad used for cutting paper accurately – cutting and pasting charts the old-fashioned way,” he said chuckling and handing her the tool. “See if you can get it out without too much prodding.”
Felicity made a tiny incision and with pincer fingers squeezed out the offending object. “Here,” she said dropping it into his palm. “It doesn’t look natural.”
“No, it’s a chip – the tracker,” he said his face creasing with concern. “I’ll flush it down the toilet, and they can search for us at the sewage plant or out at sea.”
“What’s going on?” she uttered equally concerned. “You won't be able to report any of this back to your superiors.”
“We need to talk to your father.”
“Communication between us is poor. We’re talking now, but there’s been so much animosity and resentment.”
“All of which was a waste of time. Your father was not to blame for your sister's disappearance.”
“He could have done more to find her, to keep looking.”
“I don’t understand, the bond between family members has always been tangible for me, an eternal aching, love and joy that wants the best for each person. A burning desire to protect and make sure they can thrive – to hang onto them even when they’re drowning.”
“Perhaps we could be your new family,” Felicity said sweetly and flung her arms around Jonah’s waist.
Hunting Humans
Chapter Twenty-two
Elley had insisted they head north on the country roads towards Scotland to confront Theodore. Wrapped in a thick wool coat, Dante dozed while Elley drove on through the moonless, rain-drenched night. He woke but kept his lids firmly shut and considered the many concerns which crowded into his mind. His huge secret occupied most of the space. It was a terrible burden for one person to tolerate, to know that the world could be extinguished with the flick of a switch. He prayed silently to himself hoping he was being deceived by smart hackers.
He resigned himself to wakefulness and opened his eyes. They were travelling beneath arching weeping trees. In the beams of the headlamps, he saw the shiny wet road was empty.
“You’re a good driver considering you’ve never been taught.”
“Due to my condition I have instant knowledge of anything technical,” Elley replied coolly. “Thanks to your quantum supercomputer I can access the skills of the best from anywhere on the Earth.”
“So, you’re enjoying your freedom?”
“We will do once we’ve taken revenge, Elley muttered.”
“What about you – what do you want?”
“To see my brother and sister again,” she said turning to face Dante and staring hard. “They are the ones who’ve most suffered through the mystery of my disappearance.”
&nbs
p; Dante fell silent and pondered new concerns, doubting whether he should be on a journey with a virtual stranger, even if it were his lost daughter. Elley dizzyingly raced around the winding, undulating lane causing unsecured objects in the back of the camper to roll across the floor. Abruptly she pushed on the breaks jerking them both forward.
Peering through the windscreen and the streamers of rain Dante saw a gold coloured sports car parked horizontally barring their way. It was the same model of car which Birdie owned and was always enthusing about.
“I’ll sort this,” Dante said pushing open the door, raised the collar of his coat and stepped out into the downpour. A figure strode out of the shadows and positioned themselves in the middle of the road. In the ghostly light, Dante recognised his old friend Birdie. He was standing rigid with his hands behind his back and his legs slightly apart oblivious to the water dripping down his face.
Dante moved forwards ready to greet the younger man and then hesitated as he remembered they were now possible enemies.
“So, you’re deserting Theodore because he tried to kill me and because of Josie’s murder?” Dante said bravely and hopefully.
“I saw the news on my phone,” he said. He was soaked wearing clothes inadequate for the weather. “They only found the one body in the wreckage. When Elley’s tracker led me here what had occurred became apparent. She’s not real you know – she’s a cyborg.”
“With my daughter's personality and soul.”
“We forgive you for releasing Jonah – you must come back with me and continue your work.”
Dante’s heart went into palpitations, he wasn’t good at deciphering the games of the corrupt. “I think I’ll find my own way thanks.”
A peculiar expression crossed Birdie’s face. He took something from behind his back. Dante froze with astonishment and disbelief as the barrel of the gun was raised and pointed in his direction. The atmosphere was electric, and he could see Birdie’s emotions changing and escalating to a point where he could easily pull the trigger.
“Birdie I don’t understand, why?” he said in a soft placating tone. “We’ve been friends for years. I told you I would return.” The unpredictable nature of the Game caused Dante to further wonder if the simulation theory held any validity. Is this for real, he thought? Will, I just disappear from the Programme Operators screens in a puff – will they gain points?
“It’s all out of my control,” he whined his watery eyes glinting. “Either you die, or I do. You always took the glory, now it’s my turn.” He raised the weapon to his eye.
“The same old thing, you’ve always been afflicted with jealousy,” Dante muttered under his breath. He knew he shouldn’t escalate the situation, but it angered him when others were envious as his perception of his life was utterly different. “I’ve suffered some terrible things in my life. You need to be locked away. You’re completely unhinged.”
Dante was momently distracted by the engine behind him revving and roaring. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the driver's door fly open and slam shut. “Elley get back in the car,” he screamed, fearing he would lose his daughter for a second time.
The air cracked at the same time as Elley dashed between Dante and the bullet. There was another blast, but it didn’t prevent his daughter from rushing ahead and pushing the wiry man against his car. With an urge to protect his daughter Dante raced to the struggling pair who were following the same impulse to kill.
Elley’s hands were around the man's throat, and her eyes were boring into his terror-struck face. She clenched her teeth growled and spat like a rabid dog.
“Stop! Stop!” Dante hollered, desperate to avoid a tragedy. Elley turned her head in mechanical motion and hissed. She pounded her victims head against the car until he cried out in pain, dropped the gun and sank onto the ground. Elley retrieved the weapon and pointed it at the assailant.
“If you want to live you will tell us what Theodore and the rest of those warped scientists are doing in the new facility and why they had to move?”
“I can’t I’d rather die.”
Elley responded by stomping on his leg using all of her extraordinary strength. The cracking of Birdie’s bones was audible, and he roared in agonised pain.
“They discovered a bacteria,” Birdie said between whimpers. “It has alien DNA, nothing we’ve ever seen before. It provides our subjects with cognitive powers beyond anything you could gain by being attached to the supercomputer.
Dante could see the colour draining from the stricken man’s face and felt a pang of pity. “Can you help me get him to the car. He could be bleeding internally,” he said as his eyes filled with tears at the loss of someone, he’d once considered a friend. “He’s frothing at the mouth and going blue.”
Elley picked up the weapon, and at first, Dante thought she was going to help. There was a loud blast, and he instantly turned away. His daughter caught him up as in a fury he marched back to the van.
“Why did you do that?” he uttered in a choked voice.
In response, Elley turned her head and grinned. “It’s all part of the Game, dad.” Then she cooly changed the subject. “That chip was useful, but I think it’s time to remove it now,” she said reaching up and scratching the back of her neck with her long nails.
Lucid Dreams
Chapter Twenty-three
Tiredness twisted Felicity’s thoughts into annoyance. The anchor of sleep was still dragging at her body as she went in search of Jonah. Every night for the last week they’d slept together she’d discovered the bed empty in the solitary hours halfway between midnight and dawn. She found him crouching over a vast sheet of paper which covered a board he’d placed on the wooden floor by his desks.
“What are you doing?” she said stooping over him and peering through her half-opened eyes at a technical drawing.
“It’s a space ship – we must prepare.”
She kneeled beside him, he rested on his haunches and took hold of her hands. “At night I’ve been visiting a richly magical place. You know, lucid dreams – absolutely real and I have the freedom to explore.” He gazed at Felicity with placid childlike eyes.
“Tell me about them,” she said not genuinely wanting to know.
“The land is emerald but not grass more like moss. Silver ribbons fall from an amber sky, and the sea is flat with a golden sheen. Petals from exotic flowers woven into a long wall blow in the hot wind. The ground is made of gems or brightly coloured stones of various sizes. It’s the same place each night.”
Felicity fixed her eyes on Jonah to help her concentrate, but she wondered whether the man she’d met in a suicide wood was sane. How often had she dated seemingly reasonable men only to discover further down the line that they were utterly hostile and unreasonable? Are all the men in my life destined to be crazy? Felicity be understanding at least until you have the full story, she instructed herself. As Jonah continued with his tale, her inner voice debated whether to stay and listen or to return to her cosy bed.
“Last night I watched a figure ride out from beneath an arch held up by pillars in a city of tall buildings made of neither stone nor wood, a material I didn't recognise. The being approached galloping bareback on an unknown strain of beast – I don’t think it was a horse the head was different. The human-like organism was also unknown to me, its skin resembled alabaster marble, similar to the statues in the British Museum. Its neck and limbs were long, it had jet eyes, a main of black hair but no eyebrows or lashes. What appeared to be a transparent glinting metallic cloak hung from its shoulders, it went down to the ground, and the creature wore an unusual type of headdress.”
“Come back to bed,” she said wearily. “You can tell me in the morning.”
“Felicity, this is real. I need to tell you now,” he said squeezing her hands. His brow knitted and he scowled.
“Okay, I’m listening,” she said as the pressure of tears built behind her eyes. “Go on – I’m just tired.”
“It is a b
lissful place and makes me feel as though I belong. The ripples of the dreams remain when I’m awake. During the day I’m healed, whole again – regenerated.”
Felicity had noticed his melancholy had melted away, but she’d assumed it was for the same reasons she felt renewed. The love they possessed was close, warm and considerate. While at the same time being robust, humorous and fun. She’d never experienced such empathy from another human, he instinctively knew how to respond to her every mood. I must reciprocate and take his thoughts and feelings seriously, she reminded herself.
“Words bloomed in my mind, but at first it was hard to catch them all. They were recognisable, but it was as if the speed was wrong. What I deciphered was that these creatures had visited Earth when humans were primitive. They said that man was a creature greedy for knowledge. We taught them much, but unfortunately, we inadvertently passed on a bacterium, a parasite which resides in us, in a symbiotic relationship. Your people were wiped out by this catastrophe. Hyperintelligence was too much for their minds. We aborted our plans for your world, vowing one day to return and for a while, we guarded your planet with concern while hoping you may recover and evolve without our aid.”
“He went on to explain more, but this next bit is complicated. He told me the universe has an enemy, Gamers who capture planets and use them for their simulations. The microtubules in your brain are where your soul resides and when you die you return to the universe. They steal this energy and use it for their creations. The whole structure of their culture is built on winning the Game.
“The bacteria disappeared without any hosts, but during your ice age some remained frozen under the ice.”
“Felicity, don’t you see? My father found bacteria under the ice in Siberia, and when he injected it into monkeys, their mental capabilities expanded rapidly. Then, of course, they expired.”
