by E M G Wixley
“You’re telling me you have a disease which will burst the cells in your brain,” she said as tears streaked down her face. “You’re going to die.”
“I’m happy and scared at the same time, but I don’t feel like my demise is imminent. Before I woke the being rolled a Cristal globe in my direction and told me I will find it behind the rainbow waterfall, and through the object, I will be able to communicate.” Jonah wiped the smears from her cheeks with his thumbs. “Come on don’t be frightened. Strangely things are adding up.” His touch transferred a deep warmth into her body. The boulder of a man rose and swept her off the floor into his arms. “Now we will go back to bed,” he said smiling down. She quizzically examined his face and wondered about the changes in the man she was growing to love.
Hours later Felicity woke to the sound of a phone beeping. After an unforgettable night, she was bright and refreshed. Jonah rummaged under the duvet searching for the device which kept him linked to his job. The object retrieved he sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her and his head bowed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“An email from work,” he said. “Nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep.”
“It’s hard to guess what time it is in the cloying gloom of this place,” she mumbled.
They exchanged looks. She watched as he headed towards the bedroom door. In one motion she leapt from the mattress and followed him into the living room where she found him seated at the computer, tapping away consumed by a new emergency.
“What’s going on?”
“They’re going after hackers, big time,” he said sternly. “There is a list of names, people who’ve allegedly dug into the cracks of the supercomputer and are causing havoc. I’m supposed to collect evidence, track them down and arrange their arrests. They will be punished severely.”
“Why you?”
“Because I’m able to eavesdrop on every conversation.” He leaned back, rested his head on the back of the chair and shut his eyes. “I’m afraid to say, but Irvin and Holly are mentioned. They are on the arrest list.”
“What?” Felicity shouted.
“Don’t worry. I will find a way to erase them from the system.”
Say Goodbye
Chapter Twenty-four
“We can’t pretend it’s alright,” Elley whispered to Dante who was squeeze next to her on the works bus. “We must bring him down – he stole everything from you and me.” She combed her fingers through her long blonde hair and then coiled it up into a knot which she secured with a hair-grip.
“I understand – we both need to know the truth and to hear it from his mouth.”
“In the short time we had I was only able to fake documents which would give us access to the civilian areas,” she added. “We can work things out once we’re inside.”
“People will recognise me,” Dante said his nerves stretching beyond endurance.
“They probably won’t have noticed your absence,” she said smiling at him confidently. “Leave it all up to me.” Dante fell silent, listening to the murmuring conversations of the other passengers.
The remote road curled its way up between two ranges of lumpy hills and snow-tipped mountains. It turned onto a forestry commission track, and the bus shook its way amongst the firs. It ran smoothly again as it bumped up onto a concrete surface which sloped down to two huge metal doors. The vehicle slowed and shuddered to a halt. Heavily armed guards walked forwards.
The men dressed in black uniforms stepped into the bus. “Papers please,” they mumbled. A cold sweat burst on to Dante’s forehead, and his heart thumped as they moved towards the middle seats. Elley handed them their documents and smiled sweetly. The guard gave a cursory glance at the papers and beamed back at the pretty worker. “Have a good day madam,” he said handing them back.
“Well that was too easy,” Dante remarked as the engine started up and they travelled deeper underground.
At the basement level, they found themselves in a bus station. Once the doors opened, they chose to follow a smartly dressed young woman who’d been sitting in a seat adjacent to theirs. She led them through an area of shops and cafes much like you would find at an airport and then up an escalator. The mingling people and everyday sounds had a reassuring air of normality.
“Don’t be with me,” Elley said under her breath.
“What do you mean?”
“Stay back as if we don’t know each other.”
Dante obeyed stepping down two steps behind. The small gap made him feel vulnerable and alone. He followed keeping his eyes to the floor and only occasionally glancing up. Ahead Elley overcame many obstacles by flashing a smile in the direction of a curious observer. The girl from the bus turned off into a room full of computers.
“Hey, Dante!” a voice called from behind. Dante felt a tap on his shoulder and turned. He came face to face with the tall skinny medical assistant who was in charge of caring for the physical needs of the subjects in the previous facility. “I haven’t seen you for ages,” the man shouted grinning and gaining the attention of passersby. “I suppose you’re busy with the new project,” he added in a lowered voice.
“Yes, we’ve been busy lately,” Dante smiled feebly at the weasely man. “I seem to have got myself lost. I’m supposed to be meeting with Theodore in his office.”
“You seem to make a habit of getting lost,” the man sneered. “I decided to leave London after all. The pay here was too good to ignore. We have a new man in charge now, I think I should take you to him.”
Dante was speechless and in his dizzy confusion looked around the man’s body to see if Elley was still there. The assistant put out his arm barring his way. “Don’t be in such a rush. I can give the new boss a call – he’s a friend of mine – I’m sure he will be happy to come to you.”
Suddenly, Elley was at the intruder's side glaring at Dante’s tormented face. She pushed between the two men and twisted around to face the assistant. Her chin was thrust up, and her eyes glared with rage. “I have access to your home computer and all the vile material you can’t erase.” Her voice was calm and controlled, on a level but deeper. “Perhaps your wife and children would like to know what you do in your spare time. Not to mention how you treat your other family. Where’s Theodore?”
“In the bar. On the next floor,” the insect-like creature muttered and scuttled away.
“Father, you waste your talents,” Elley scolded. “You should have had detailed information on every employer,” Elley said glancing around for a lift or sign directing them to the bar.
“I don’t have instant access like you – I still need a physical machine,” he retorted and hurried after her as she marched directly towards opening metal doors.
They entered the pub separately. There were tables for food, alcoves for quiet conversations and a long shiny wooden bar. The endless chatter in the crowded room was sober as people were mostly drinking coffee or eating breakfast. Straight away he spotted Theodore sitting on a stool hunched over a steaming drink, plunged in thought. Dante waited by the entrance until eventually, his old boss glanced around. Theodore was visibly spooked by his presence, his jaw clenched, and his eyes darted in the opposite direction.
Dante seated himself in one of the recesses and observed Elley crossing the room. Theodore rose and weaved around people trying to make his way to the exit. Elley intercepted his movements, and soon they were walking in Dante’s direction.
“Dante, my good friend you’ve returned and not a moment too soon,” he said with a fake sociable smile. “Your friend here said you wished to talk.”
“Sit down Theodore, we have much to catch up on,” Dante gestured him to sit on the bench opposite as he didn’t want to be too close to the source of evil. Elley slid in at her father’s side.
“You haven’t been in touch since you and Birdie went to meet with the project's backers,” Dante said. “I received only the one brief phone call telling me to move here.”
“Between you and me that consultation didn’t go too well. I meant to keep you informed, but after the mass-breakout and the move everything happened quickly.”
“What was discussed?”
“Look my advice to you is to leave and make yourself invisible. This isn’t a safe zone anymore.” Theodore rose to leave, and in a fraction, Elley was at his side pulling his arm downward with such force that his face crumpled in agony and he had to suppress a scream. Preying eyes stared in their direction. Theodore was driven back onto the seat. Elley joined him blocking his exit while the concerned audience went back to murmuring, drinking and occasionally, sternly glancing their way.
“I envy you. You can still get away – stay under the radar. If I leave, Craig Westmount will have me eliminated as I know too much. He’s in control now I’m just a bystander.”
“Who’s this Craig?”
“He’s one of the backers – one of the seven. We did experiments you didn’t know about, uploading people’s minds and personalities into cyborgs. Our superiors were never going to be happy with just a quantum computer – they wanted to use it for weapons and to…” His voice trailed away. “I dare not speak any more. Do what you want, but there are worse things than death.”
“The good days have gone, haven’t they Theodore,” Elley interjected. “You’re a prisoner here. We’re all prisoners. My father was bullied and enslaved, left to mourn for a life he could never experience. You kept me captive for years.”
“Elley?” Theodore mumbled appearing genuinely startled. “I didn’t recognise you. You look different with your hair up.”
“And in decent clothes, not a hospital gown. There is no cure for garbage such as you,” she said hissing under her breath in an attempt to avoid attention.
“I have no regrets it was a good life and your father and family benefitted from my success. There’s always collateral damage.”
Elley ignored his remark and continued to peel away the layers of his evil persona. “The birth of a child is a tremendous occasion in anyone's life. It’s the love of the family which makes us human. My father was put under unfair pressure. He returned home each night to a broken family and a husk of a wife,”
“Your mother was always a depressive, with habitual self-destructive tendencies. I’m surprised she lasted as long as she did.”
“I should rip your heart out and let everyone in the room know what a cruel and corrupt man you are,” Elley shouted her voice rising as her anger and bitterness swelled drawing the attention of onlookers. A security guard moved in their direction.
“Dante shut her up, or she’ll get us all killed.”
“No, she will speak, and you will hear her out.”
“I was unable to develop as a normal child. I was robbed of my life – my soul. I’ve been thinking to myself that this world would be a much better place if people with such huge appetites were eliminated,” Elley said.
“I think you need to leave,” a stern voice interrupted. “You’re disturbing the customers. Take your disagreement elsewhere.”
“We apologise,” Elley said smiling and standing. “I just want to kiss our old friend goodbye.” As she spoke, she grabbed Theodore’s hair pulled his head back and pushed her mouth hard against his lips. Dante saw Theodore struggle against her forceful embrace.
The guard grabbed Elley’s coat and tried to pull her away. With her eyes burning with rage she swung around and with both hands placed a vice grip on the guard's arm. She gritted her teeth and, in her fury, pulled both halves back snapping the bone. At the sound of the audible crack, Dante leapt to his feet. The guards scream filled the room, and people rushed over to the crumpled figure. Elley threw customers back as she and Dante darted to the door. Under the frame, Dante hesitated and glance back to the booth and saw the blue face of Theodore lying on the table with blood frothing from his mouth. He rushed after his daughter.
“My Elley wouldn’t have hurt a soul,” he said despairingly. “She went out of her way to bring light into others’ lives.”
“Father, it is still me. Personalities are multi-faceted, and it’s the characteristics which are nurtured which remain.”
The Return of the Missing
Chapter Twenty-five
Felicity was standing barefoot enjoying the pleasant warmth from the sunny glow seeping up from the wooden floor. The bifocal doors led to a garden full of daffodils and wildflowers. Happily, she feasted her eyes on the vivid colours and watched birds carrying twigs to the fluttering trees which lined the small plot of land. Behind her, she heard the soft tapping of footsteps. She turned to face Jonah. “I never imagined it was this beautiful.”
“We have the gulf stream and in the spring the days are longer and the weather warmer.” He smiled uneasily, but there was a serious expression on his face.
“I have some difficult and bad news,” he said. His head drooped but not before she captured the look of sadness in his eyes. “I had a phone call from your father,” he said. “I’m so sorry Felicity. Your mother has passed.”
Felicity scarcely understood what Jonah was saying, she thought he’d said her mother was dead, but that couldn’t be true. He moved closer, his arms enfolded her, and she was locked in his embrace. “I’m so sorry, she died in a car accident.”
Everything blended together, his words and the room. The air was sucked from Felicity’s lungs, and she wanted to collapse. A primaeval scream burst from her mouth as Jonah prevented her from falling. He held her tight against his chest as she wept profusely. Images of her mother persisted in her mind and a child whose worst nightmares had come true attempting to comfort the woman who blamed herself for not taking better care of her children.
After many minutes he gently manoeuvred her towards the sofa and positioned her at his side with his arm around her shoulder. When the sobbing ceased, he wiped away her tears and regarded her anxiously. Felicity feeling for Jonah and seeing how concerned he was for her took a deep breath and pulled herself back.
“Remember the good times,” Jonah said. “However, few there will have been some.”
Felicity reached far back into her memory and thought of happier times. Her mother had loved teaching. Once Felicity had broken her leg, and she spent a few days with her mother in her school. The children loved their teacher, and she had felt proud to be her daughter.
“There’s more news,” he said. Felicity raised her eyes to meet his. Jonah warily proceeded. “Your sister has returned, not as a ghost child but at her proper age.” Astonished she held his gaze.
“Really, are you serious?” she said in disbelief. “How can that be?”
“I will let your father explain. They’re on their way here.” They sat in pensive silence.
“I must get myself together,” she said jumping from the chair and rushing to the bathroom. She glanced in the mirror and seeing her eyes hot and sore decided to take a shower. Once she had dressed, she entered the kitchen where Jonah had made breakfast. He was sitting up at the island counter drinking coffee.
“I’m excited to see Elley, but I don’t know how I feel about dad. I admire and love my father, but he was never present in our lives. He was always working, leaving mum to struggle with her loss and looking after two children. His projects were an obsession. Even on holiday, he wouldn’t join in with any activities. He wasn’t a disciplinarian or cruel, he was always kind and extremely generous with money, just not around much.”
“Just for once give him a break,” Jonah said softly. “None of us knows what is going on in another's life. It could have been worse; he could have been a bum – it seems like he meant well – perhaps socially awkward.”
“Your dad had a career he was passionate about, but you told me he still had time for all his family.”
“Yes, he was amazing. He did do all those fatherly things despite working hard and often being away. I was completely included in his life.” The doorbell rang, Jonah rose, pushed his shoulders back and strode to the front door. Felic
ity followed.
She stood back a few paces. Dante furtively entered the room. She glanced down at his shiny leather shoes, up at the worn tweed jacket, to the intensely sad expression on his face and the pink skin shining through his rapidly thinning hair. She felt pity and rushed into his arms. For the first time in years, they hugged. She smelt the remembered warmth and gazing up saw tears in his eyes. “I do love you, Felicity,” he said smiling. “I’ve always been a little peculiar – I don’t know why but I do love you and all my children.” That was all she needed to hear that she wasn’t at fault.
Felicity noticed a young woman lingering behind her father. The slim beauty had red cheeks and shiny eyes. Dante moved further into the room and Felicity came face to face with her sister.
Elley fanned her face, “phew, I’ve waited so long to see my baby sister. I’ve remembered you all these years.” Felicity flushed, and they air-kissed like old friends, hot cheeks against hot cheeks. “You’ll have to excuse my state. It’s not every day you witness a miracle.”
“It’s okay; we all feel the same way,” Felicity said.
“Come into the warmth,” Jonah said directing them to the sofa. “I’ll make coffee.”
They sat in silence, each trying to digest the unreality of the situation.
“After your mum’s death I escaped in a campervan, and to my utter surprise your sister knocked on my door,” Dante said breaking the ice.
Felicity was listening to her father explaining the strange and magnificent event while her attention fixed on her sister. A single thought repeatedly buzzed in her head, I’ve lost my mother, but I’ve gained a sister. They continually glanced at each other until Felicity’s eyes hurried from the girl and onto Jonah who was bringing drinks into the room.
“I’m afraid your brother’s not here,” Felicity said. “He and his girlfriend had this crazy idea that they’d found a little girl just as you were, in one of dad’s virtual reality games. They are back in London being YouTubers.” They all laughed except for Dante who’s face creased with silent concern.
