“Listen, Frank, you’ve done enough already. Go back to Hilly and we’ll take it from here,” said Laja.
Reluctantly Frank agreed, but before he went he explained the route into town. It was pretty straight forward and once there, they could collect their thoughts and piece together the puzzle Miar had left for them.
“What you do or where you go from here is up to you, but please leave this place peacefully.”
Joeum thanked Frank and promised him that they would. Satisfied, Frank wished them luck and just before he left them, he spoke to Laja, then vanished into the night.
They weren’t all going to fit in the cab, so Laja jumped in the back. Joeum was the only person here that had ever driven before, so he was quickly nominated and a little nervously he got in the driver’s side. It had been a while since he’d driven, but it would come back to him. The keys were in the ignition and after a few stalls, they bunny-hopped forward and were soon bouncing along a track that wound its way through farmland, towards the coast.
They followed Frank’s directions and after leaving the track they turned onto a surfaced road. It was a quiet road and they only passed a couple of cars and on both occasions, they were worried it might have been people out looking for them.
They drove through a near-deserted village and followed a road that ran parallel with the coast. After travelling this road for a bit over two miles, Laja shouted in through the open window for them to take the next right. It was dark and they nearly missed the turning, but Joeum had been keeping their speed down and pulled onto a single track. The track was a bit rough, with plenty of potholes and they bumped along for a few minutes.
A number of rabbits darted across the track ahead of them and seeing that they were coming to a dead end, Joeum eased the pickup to a stop.
Clom was convinced they’d taken the wrong turn, but Laja leapt out of the back and signalled for Joeum to kill the engine.
“This can’t be right,” said Clom.
“This is as far as we go. We walk the rest of the way.”
Clom was still questioning Laja’s decision to stop.
“Frank asked that we leave the vehicle where he could find it.”
“Tucked away down here?”
“Yes,” said Laja.
They couldn’t actually see the sea, but they could hear it and once the vehicle’s headlights had been switched off, it was really dark and they were definitely going to need their torches. Clom was fiddling with the torch he was holding and they all jumped together when its beam lit up the interior.
Laja tapped the windshield for them to get a move on and they all jumped for a second time.
“That’s my second heart attack in as many seconds,” said Clom and they all bundled out of the pickup.
“The town’s not far from here,” said Laja.
After collecting everything from the pickup, they walked across an open area and were soon on a rough path that wound its way down to the beach. The sound of crashing waves reminded them how close they were to the shore and where a misjudged step might lead them. Their touch beams bounced over the uneven ground, catching the occasional fleeing animal.
“What was that?!” exclaimed Clom for the fourth or fifth time. Another rabbit, came the reply.
“Damn rabbits.”
Below them, the waves continued their rhythmic cycle, where their pushing and pulling motion worked tirelessly, turning stones into pebbles and pebbles into sand. This beach was mostly pebbles and with their torches guiding them, they stepped onto its uneven surface.
They had only taken a few steps and were conscious of just how much of a racket the pebbles made underfoot. The waves were helping to mask some of this, but they needn’t have worried, because there was no one around to hear them.
They stopped and Lim angled his torch at the breaking waves as if searching for something and they noticed a number of random lights off in the distance, which Joeum informed them, were probably fishing boats.
“What’s that?” asked Clom.
They waited a few seconds and then they saw it, a strong white light that swept through the night, clearly tethered to something.
“That’s a lighthouse,” said Joeum.
They were none the wiser, so Joeum explained its purpose.
The wind buffeted them as they walked along the beach and it felt rather bleak. Miar had walked this stretch of coast many times and she must have felt very alone.
Lim was eager to begin reading the diary and held onto it tightly and hoped it wouldn’t be long before they reached the town. After twenty minutes or so, they noticed an orange glow in the sky, which told them that they were approaching a built-up area.
Ahead of them, some large rocks blocked their path and once negotiated, they dropped down onto a sandy beach.
Beyond the beach, they could see street lights and a road leading into the town. Still wearing Frank’s clothes, they needn’t have worried about looking out of place and yet no matter what they wore, they were still going to look conspicuous, walking along a deserted road at night.
The sound of an approaching car had them heading for the shadows and they followed this pattern all the way into town.
The place was deserted at this time of the morning, which was hardly surprising, as an illuminated clock confirmed the local time to be twenty past four.
Laja led them along the main street, towards the town centre and he had drifted into one of his quiet modes. Then without warning, he crossed the road and made a beeline for a square of light, which was recessed into the wall of one of the buildings.
“What’s he doing?” whispered Clom.
“Beats me,” Lim whispered back.
Joeum had a pretty good idea.
The square of light turned out to be a touchscreen and Laja began interacting with it. A few taps changed the screen, a few more taps produced a deep whirring sound and as if by magic a flap opened and a stack of notes appeared. Laja took the notes and pushed them into a trouser pocket.
What had just happened? They’d just robbed a bank that’s what and Joeum felt a little uncomfortable about it. Laja walked casually away and returned to where the others had been waiting.
The four of them re-crossed the road and continued along it until they came to a memorial with a few benches around its perimeter. They sat down and Laja confirmed that he had indeed just robbed a bank. He wasn’t all that comfortable about it either, but they wouldn’t get far in this place if they didn’t have cash.
“Was that stealing or was it borrowing?” asked Clom.
“Stealing,” said Laja. “Because I doubt we’ll be giving it back.”
“So how much did we get?” asked Clom, excitedly.
“Enough, I hope. There was a limit, so I maxed it and it shouldn’t be too difficult to get more if we need it.”
“Can I rob the next one?” Clom asked eagerly.
“We’re not going to make a habit out of robbing banks,” said Joeum.
“I think you have to do it more than twice before it becomes a habit,” said Clom.
“Whatever. It’s not open for debate.”
Lim was itching to open the diary and now seemed as good a time as any. They were all sitting comfortably and had the street lights for illumination. It was quiet and no one was around, so Laja gave Lim the thumbs up and he didn’t need telling twice, the diary was out and he began to read.
Day one.
Miar had apparently arrived in broad daylight, right in the middle of a field. The result of having done so had produced a crop circle.
I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing here and the memory of my hand being ripped from yours had left me feeling very emotional. I remained close to the crop circle because I hoped you would be following soon, but the longer I waited the more I began to think that I may have been the only survivor. I stubbornly believed you would appear eventually and stayed put, sleeping out the first night. It was one of the worst nights of my life.
Day two.
I knew I couldn’t spend another night out in the open and I’d followed this track and there in the middle of nowhere was a house. It was like I’d imagined, plucked straight from my mind. I’d seen some photos from our archive of Earth, so I was pretty sure that was where I had ended up. I guess I never thought I’d actually see it for myself. There in front of the house was a motorised vehicle, a pickup, and two elderly people, Frank and Hilly and they had just returned with their weekly shopping. I had lots of thoughts running through my mind and still couldn't get my head around the fact that I was here, let alone why. This place felt safe to me and the next thing I know, I’m banging on the front door and there was the old couple looking at me. I must have looked a wreck. Dust was still caked to my face and in my hair from that storm and the clothes I was wearing were no more than rags. Frank thought I’d been sleeping rough and I did my best to explain. A lie of course, which felt wrong, but the truth was too unbelievable.
I know that I wouldn’t have been as understanding and when I finally saw myself in a mirror, I was shocked. It was like I’d aged ten years.
Lim smiled, remembering the shock he got from seeing his own reflection.
Over the next few days, Miar was fed and cared for and she did all she could to help out around the house as payment for Frank and Hilly’s hospitality. The house received very few visitors, the only regular was the security groundsman and Frank had explained her presence as one of his nieces from the mainland. Miar visited the field every day for a week in the hope of seeing another crop circle, a sign that the others had arrived. Frank could see that Miar was sad and that weekend the three of them had gone into town. Frank had even given her some spending money and it was on that day that she’d bought this diary, so she could record her visit here. At the time she hadn’t imagined burying it in a graveyard.
Day seven.
My best day yet. Went into town with Frank and Hilly, so many people, families, children and they seem so happy. Oblivious of course to what is going on. Saw the sea today and Frank had a job to drag me away. I want to come back and explore, so I’m getting up really early tomorrow for a day on the beach.
Day eight.
Frank hears of my intentions and tells me about the buses; otherwise, it would have taken me hours to walk to the beach. It’s still a bit of a trek. It was worth it though and I stand there and take in the view. The coast is so different from what we’re used to back on Shalasing. The wind is really blowing and I’m thankful for the extra layer. Went into town around midday and warmed up with a mug of hot chocolate, you must try it, Lim, it’s like nothing else. Before I continue my exploration of the beach, I want to look in some of the shops. There’s an information place here, you can’t miss it, it has a big I on the front of it. I pick up a local map and a load of information about this place. There is mention of some sea caves nearby, so this will be my adventure for this afternoon.
I leave the town behind and it’s just me and the beach. I’m excited by the sea caves, only my mind is full of thoughts of you and I want to close my eyes and pretend this isn’t happening. My vision is blurred from my tears and I keep walking, hoping perhaps I will see you walking up the beach and that the same hand of fate that separated us, is kind enough to bring us back together. It feels like a big wish, just over a week now and still no sign of you. I find myself talking to you as if you’re beside me and hope that wherever you are, you can hear me.
The sea caves.
It was worth the walk, definitely. To even get a glimpse of them I had to negotiate a number of obstacles. Boulders and rocks block my way and I have to time my steps to perfection, so as not to get caught by the waves. I feel my heart pumping from the exertion and excitement as I near the first of the caves and I get my first taste of the sea. It’s cold and salty, but I love it. I rest up for a moment to catch my breath and take in the towering cliff above me. It’s so rugged, so wild and I close my eyes and listen to the sounds around me, the waves, the seagulls and the wind and then I hear it. At first, I think it’s my imagination, but no, there is a sound like someone singing. The singing has a bell-like quality to it, so clear and it somehow cuts through all the other sounds around me. I’m intrigued and I push myself off the rock and continue. I’m right at the entrance of a sea cave and getting inside is going to be tricky. The waves have got stronger and I start to worry about how I’m going to get back. I don’t have to rush this, there’s always tomorrow and with that thought in mind, I retrace my steps. By the time I get back to town, it’s getting late and I still have a bus to catch. I can’t believe it. I jump off the bus and Frank is there waiting for me. He’s a sweetheart. He’d started to worry. The pickup is warm and we head back to the house where Hilly is preparing dinner, I can’t wait, the sea air has left me with quite an appetite.
Day nine.
It’s raining! And when it rains here it doesn’t know when to stop. This gives me time to reflect on my dream last night. It was a bit strange and started with me back on the beach where I heard the singing. I’d almost forgotten about it and put it down to the wind, but something wanted me to remember and now in my dream, I’m hearing it again. The sound fills me with such joy and I’m drawn back to the sea caves. I can walk straight in without the worry of being taken by the waves and I hear the singing so much clearer. I’m listening really hard, trying to make out the words, only there aren’t any and yet there are, if that makes any sense at all. I notice that I’m walking on a kind of ledge just above the water. The singing continues, getting stronger and there ahead of me is a light. It’s difficult the get a perspective in here and I realise the light is under the water and stranger still is the fact that this is the source of the singing. Just as it was getting interesting the dream ends, typical and it has fuelled my interest in the sea caves.
Day ten.
At last, it’s stopped raining. Hilly’s made me a packed lunch for my day at the beach and I can’t wait to get started. Frank has warned me about the beach, some parts are not always accessible and I need to pay attention to the tides. Armed with that information I intend to use it to my advantage. Frank’s going to drop me down in town and he’s given me a phone! Can you believe it, they call them mobiles and it fits in my pocket. All I have to do is push one of its buttons and I can talk to Frank and if I call him, he’s going to pick me up. He did say something about the signal and that the reception wasn’t all that great on the island.
Taking Frank’s advice about the tides, I find that my walk along the beach is a lot easier this time. Even so, the closer I get to the caves the more difficult it becomes and I find myself resting on my favourite rock as I take in the beauty of this place. There is a lightness here that lifts my rather heavy heart and seeing the water receding is my cue to make a move and when I arrive at the mouth of the cave, I’m not disappointed. I’m so excited I can barely contain myself and I have to rein myself in a bit, as I need to watch my step. Be warned it’s really slippery and I nearly take a plunge. I hadn’t given a thought to how dark it might be inside the cave, so now it comes as a bit of a surprise. I guess that in my dream I saw it a lot brighter than it actually is. The cave smells of the sea, really strong and I stand there looking into the darkness and shiver. Just when I think this might not be the place for me, I start hearing the singing again. It’s quite faint, but it is definitely coming from deep within. I try and go further into the cave and my eyes do adapt to the dark, but not enough for me to really explore its depths and I feel disappointed for not remembering to bring a torch. I’m finally forced to retreat and head back outside and stop at my rock and have my lunch.
It is here that I get my first clue. Having finished off my sandwiches, I’m sitting there soaking up the atmosphere and my fingers are absently tracing the contours of the rock I’m sitting upon. I then realise my fingers are tracing a pattern and I look down and notice something unusual. My rock as I’ve come to call it, has been carved and I climb down off it to take a c
loser look. To begin with, I saw only random patterns and shapes and where the carving had been done so long ago, the wind, rain, and sea had done their best to camouflage its true identity. I think it was the shape of a hand that I saw first and then the rock started to come alive and I followed the contours of an arm up to a shoulder, which was partly hidden by flowing hair and it was the curls in the hair that my fingers had been tracing. Wow, I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I walked around to the front of the rock and it was looking straight back at me. I found myself apologising for having been sat on her for so long and not realising. In one of her hands was a shell and in the other was a fish and then I got a real shock. Instead of legs, her bottom half was a fish. I later found out that this was a mermaid. I’d been disappointed not being able to explore the cave fully and yet I left the beach with a smile on my face.
Day eleven - twelve
It rains for two days solid and I’m going stir-crazy. I want to go back to the beach even if it’s only to see the mermaid again. I think Frank has started to think I’m a bit crazy because I haven’t stopped talking about it. Apparently there are quite a few sea caves around the island and in his youth, Frank used to visit them too; however, he wasn’t aware of the carving I found. I’m now dreaming of the cave every night.
Day thirteen.
Now armed with a torch, I’m determined to investigate this mysterious cave and again, Frank warns me of the tides. I’m beginning to think he sees me as a niece he never had and I don’t have a problem with that. Hilly’s not quite so easy to get to know and her forgetfulness is getting worse. Frank and I have had long chats about this and I can see the sadness in his eyes. He knows that the person he’s shared a lifetime with is gradually drifting away.
The weather looks changeable, but I can’t spend another day confined to the house, it gives me too much time to think. Frank drops me in the car park and I almost run down the coastal path. I’ve missed the beach, but my mood changes when I realise I’m not alone. This is the first time I’ve actually seen anyone else using the beach and here I was thinking it was exclusively mine. There’s no way I’m heading to the cave with someone watching me and I’m paranoid to think this person is here because of me. That might sound crazy, but I’ve been here long enough to tell those heavily influenced by the Formless Ones and those like Frank and Hilly who seem to be immune. Immune might be the wrong word, but it would be nice if that was the case. While this person is on the beach I head into town for a hot chocolate. I think I’m addicted.
Alliance Page 25