‘I get the feeling that you like everything in its proper place.’ It was Steven’s turn to be sarcastic.
‘That’s the best way, it’s a shame your mother didn’t see it that way.’
‘Most people I know don’t stick to rules,’ he added.
‘We are not most people,’ she concluded. There was a definite finality to her tone.
***
Jeff draped his arm over Catherine’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. He could see Judith’s smile on her face. As much as he tried to ignore it he could not ignore the heartache. Ever since Judith passed away a part of him had died.
‘What’s up with Ian now?’
‘For once, he’s right to be worried,’ Jeff replied. ‘Let’s get inside. Can I make you a drink?’
‘Sure, I’ll have a cup of tea.’
Steven seemed to linger in the hallway for a moment. ‘No, thank you. I’m going up to my room.’
Catherine nodded. ‘Did you go shopping, Dad? I’ve only been away a few days and you look gaunt.’
‘We have. They stock everything. It’s lucky for us incompetent males.’ He winked at her. Catherine was so motherly, just like Judith.
Catherine smiled, ‘Yes, it’s lucky.’
‘How is Steven holding up?’ Jeff added, as he looked behind her.
‘Okay, I think.’ Tentatively, she added, ‘I lost my patience with him earlier.’
‘Nothing serious I hope,’ he added.
‘I just miss home, I don’t like the fact that he thinks we’re freaks,’ she stressed.
‘He doesn’t know any better, give him time.’
‘I don’t think I want to,’ she paused. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. I like Steven and all but I’ve made up my mind. I’d like to go home now. You said you didn’t need us so I don’t want to delay any longer.’
‘I never expected you to stay any longer. Don’t apologise. Thank you for coming in the first place. I’m sure you’ve helped him,’ he paused, distracted. ‘What’s that noise?’
‘Two male bulls in full charge,’ Catherine said, as she rolled her eyes.
They followed the noise to the lounge.
‘Who do you think you are? Do you really think you know more than us? I was right to take you to the Amazon and if I have to force you to come back with us again – I will. You are a liability, you’re dangerous, you’re the reason we chose the life we did. I can’t allow such an unpredictable force to stay out in the open. Frankly, I don’t care about Caitlin. We should have killed her when we had the chance,’ Ian added, his voice filled with malice.
‘If you had killed her, I swear I would kill you,’ Steven spat, as the distance between them became an arm’s length.
‘Just try it,’ Ian laughed. ‘You’re a child, I would rip you apart.’
Steven lunged at Ian and knocked him to the ground. Ian threw him off easily and sprang back up on his feet.
‘Stop it,’ Jeff shouted, as he stood between them. ‘Ian, let me talk to Steven.’
‘I am NOT leaving here,’ Ian shouted.
‘Yes, you ARE,’ he ordered. ‘Ian, you are not responsible for Steven – I am. I made a promise to your mother. I intend to keep it. If you don’t want to help Steven I suggest you return with Catherine to the community. I appreciate everything you’ve done but you don’t have all the answers. You’re needed back home.’
Ian huffed and shouted, ‘I don’t have any answers at the moment.’ He threw his arms in the air and pounded out of the room at a brisk pace.
Catherine raised her eyebrows, shrugged her shoulders and then gave a smile of encouragement to her father before she followed.
A few minutes of silence ensued as neither Steven nor Jeff spoke. Steven sat on the sofa, head in hands.
Finally, Jeff broke the silence. ‘You have to make a choice,’ he paused. He hoped Steven would look up. When he didn’t, he carried on. ‘Two girls have died after you fed. The first under the hand of your mother, the second under mind control. You made it clear that the only reason you would come to live here was if you did not kill anyone. You now know when you do feed it has an effect. So, we have to come up with a solution or you return with Ian and Catherine tomorrow and forget about this life.’
‘What if I don’t want to return regardless?’
Jeff feared that answer. He tried to sound nonplussed as he replied. ‘Then I will have to help you, but you might have to face up to the fact you have some hard choices to make. Hospital blood is not a long term solution. Your needs will develop. You have not fully matured yet. The need for blood gets stronger in the first year. After that it grows like a virus. You might be different but if you’re not, you have to be prepared to do the right thing.’
‘Fine, I will make the choice if it comes to it. I just can’t return now.’
Jeff bowed his head, ‘If that’s your final answer, I will help you.’
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Chapter 22
University
The studio apartment Catherine found Steven was basic but convenient since it was only a ten minute walk from campus. In two rooms, one of which was the bathroom, he had everything he needed. The best part was that she had paid the rent and council tax for six months in advance. He had a student bank account and his card was due to arrive in the following days. Financially, his situation had never been healthier. There was no way he would ever resort to travelling by bus again. Jeff had offered to lend him a car, but he had decided against it. Those cars would definitely draw unwanted attention.
Catherine and Ian made the journey back to the Amazon before Christmas. Steven had spent Christmas at the house with his grandfather. It worked to an extent. He had watched a lot of television and accrued an impressive collection of fiction novels. Time vanished.
It was time for a new term to begin.
Steven sat on the double bed alone. He hoped to rectify that problem soon.
It was lucky Jeff trusted him. The last thing he wanted was to let him down. With his ankle healed he had no need for human blood. He would only feed from animals. That was the plan anyway. It was a shame Jeff could not follow the same rules.
Steven got off the bed and walked to the small window. He was right in the centre of Portswood, with a view of the main road. It was busy outside. People just went about their business. Work, school run, shopping. Life seemed normal again.
It was as good a time as any to take stock of what he was about to do. He was going back to be a student, a student of mathematics no less. Catherine had reassured him that his knowledge was more than adequate. He still found it hard to imagine he was actually good at maths. Anyone that knew him from school would have laughed – he had always loathed the subject.
The past had no bearing anymore.
Since he had changed it made sense. It was beautiful in a way. It was unbelievable that he should call a subject like maths beautiful, but that’s how he saw it now. The way numbers entwined to give answers to a lot of life’s challenges was mind boggling. It did make him think of Caitlin. She always talked about the beauty of maths. Either way, he still considered himself to be a fraud. He braced himself for the performance of a lifetime.
***
Caitlin collected her bits and pieces and made her way down to the kitchen.
When Gemma saw her she pulled back in horror. ‘Are my eyes deceiving me? Who are you and where is Caitlin?’
Caitlin half smiled, half scowled. ‘No need for that.’
‘Seriously, you’re never on time. You must have had a nice Christmas break.’
‘I did, and I’m going to make an effort. Today is the first day of the new me; positive, alert, and punctual.’
‘Seriously, who are you?’ Gemma joked, as she held her hand to her forehead.
Caitlin laughed as she helped herself to some cereal. She smothered it in milk. ‘Make yourself useful and make me a cup of tea, will you.’
‘Now, that’s back to your usual self. Coming right up,
’ she replied. As the kettle boiled, Gemma took her first shot. ‘So, did you hook up with anyone over Christmas?’
With a mouthful of cereal, Caitlin replied, ‘Did you?’
‘Obviously, but don’t make me change the subject. Did you have any luck?’ she stressed, as she passed her the mug.
‘With what?’ Caitlin raised her eyebrows, played innocent and swallowed her cereal.
Gemma’s eyes enlarged. In a split second she was in the seat next to Caitlin. ‘So, there is someone. Who, when, how? Tell me everything.’
‘Hmmm, maybe,’ she teased. It was fun to keep Gemma in suspense. ‘I’ll tell you on the way in.’
‘You’re going to make me wait until we go. Come on. Spill the beans!’
Caitlin shook her head and placed a massive helping in her mouth.
‘Caitlin!’ Gemma leapt off the seat and made for the corridor. ‘It’s time to go,’ she said. A minute later she was back in the kitchen. She held both of their coats.
‘You’re such a curious thing you know,’ Caitlin laughed. ‘It might not be that exciting.’
‘Humph, let’s go,’ Gemma protested, as she plonked Caitlin’s coat on the table.
‘Alright, alright, I’ll burn my mouth with the tea.’
‘Forget the tea, we’ll get one when we get there.’
‘No thanks, the vending machine one tastes foul.’
Gemma sat down again, opposite this time. She twiddled her fingers as she watched Caitlin scrape the bowl and drink the tea. She blew out several impatient breaths and raised her eyes to the ceiling. This was fun. Caitlin wondered whether to string it along by drinking the tea really slowly.
‘Isn’t that cup empty yet?’ Gemma asked, as though reading her mind.
‘Not yet.’
A few minutes later Caitlin got up and picked up the coat. It was nice to have a new one for a change. The only downside being it was a bright red colour. It was warm and comfy, she couldn’t complain. Christmas was always a good time to pick up useful and useless gifts.
Gemma eased up next to her and locked her arm in Caitlin’s. ‘Now start from the beginning, I want to hear it all.’
Caitlin filled her in on the mundane gossip first.
When they arrived at the forked junction leading to university road, Gemma’s lips twitched at an angle, her eyes narrowed. ‘I didn’t want to know what your granny got you. The real gossip, please.’
Caitlin shook her head dismissively and raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, I did hook up with my brother’s best friend, if that’s what you mean.’
‘Really? What’s he like then?’
‘Tall, dark, handsome, great sense of humour. He pays for everything.’ Caitlin was enjoying herself.
Gemma scowled. ‘Are you having me on?’
‘No, for real, he’s a great guy.’ Caitlin suspected she would not believe her.
‘Really?’ Gemma beamed, ‘Amazing! You’ll have to tell me the rest later, I really have to go.’ Gemma gave her a huge hug. ‘You’re so lucky, about bloody time!’
Caitlin watched Gemma jog off as she heard the familiar beep in her pocket. She got out her phone and smiled.
It was a text.
It read ‘Good luck today, missing you already, Daniel.’ A warm feeling ran through her and she smiled involuntarily as she reminisced on their last date. She had never expected to fall in love over Christmas, especially not with one of her older brother’s friends, his best friend in fact. It was awkward, but not awkward enough to make her have second thoughts. Her brother, Mark, was not happy. She didn’t care what he thought. She couldn’t believe Daniel had been there all along and she’d never noticed him. Fate was stupid.
She put the phone back in her pocket and made her way to the lecture hall. Once inside, she sat down in her usual space and noticed that the lecture amphitheatre was only was half full. It was unusual for her to be there so early. With time to spare she glanced around discretely until she stopped and stared in utter amazement.
It was him. That guy, Steven or did he say Simon? She could not remember. What was he doing in her lecture? As she gawped his eyes met hers and he smiled. Annoyed, she focused on her folder. The last time she’d seen him she had vowed Gemma to kiss him when she saw him again. She was not going to keep her promise, she had a boyfriend. It was very lucky Gemma was in a different lecture today. There was no way Gemma would have let her get away with it.
***
When Steven saw Caitlin walk in he felt a wave of relief wash over him. She was here at last. Now he could put all of his efforts into winning her back. To his astonishment she walked past him, lost in her thoughts. It was infuriating. He was tempted to get up and sit next to her, just to see whether she would follow through with her bet. He resisted. He had heard Gemma dare her to kiss him and he could not wait for Caitlin to deliver.
As she went to take a seat she looked around and her eyes locked on his. He was unprepared for her reaction. It was not a look of admiration, it was one of shock. Something had happened since he last saw her, something had changed.
The lecture seemed to go on forever. Everything the lecturer said made perfect sense, he learnt nothing new. His aunt had already gone through the topic with him. He glanced back to make sure Caitlin had not left. As the lesson came to a close, he got his things together and casually made his way in her direction. Luckily, a few students had cluttered at the entrance as they chattered and blocked her exit.
He eased up alongside. ‘Fancy seeing you again, I never asked what course you followed. What a coincidence.’ He was sure his attempt at being friendly was not working.
Caitlin pursed her lips. ‘What a coincidence.’
Her manner made him feel unwelcome. Neither spoke as they finally found the path clear to leave. He opened his mouth to say something but then his nerves got the better of him. He didn’t know what he had expected, but a cold shoulder was not something he had considered. Without turning around she briskly walked away. She did not look back.
His muscles tensed. It was like being rejected all over again.
‘Are you new?’
He turned to face the female voice and had to look down at the petite brunette, with a set of small angular glasses, smiling in his direction. ‘Yes, I just started today.’ He could not help glancing in the direction Caitlin had gone.
‘Well, I hope you settle in alright. I’m the student representative for the faculty. I’m Louise. I was told you’d be starting. If you need any help let me know. It is Simon Thorn, isn’t it?’ She cocked her head to the side.
He knew he was being rude by looking in another direction. He did not mean to be. ‘Sorry, yes, my name is Simon Thorn. Thanks a lot, Louise. If I need anything I’ll let you know.’
‘Great, see you.’ She ambled off quickly as he just stood on the spot, transfixed. At least someone welcomed him.
***
Caitlin resisted the urge to look back. Something about him unnerved her. It was strange. She could not explain why she thought she knew him. He reminded her of the guy in her dream, the student called Steven. Yet, it had been so long ago. She did not even know if he really did look like that. Frustrated, she made her way into the room for her tutorial and sat down.
She dumped her rucksack on the floor and removed the things she needed. She had tried really hard to do the work they had been set over the holidays, but she had been unable to complete it all. She didn’t have anyone that could help her with the complex calculations at home.
She did not notice Louise take the seat next to her, but her shrill voice could not be mistaken for anyone else’s. ‘Did you manage it all?’
First dagger plunge.
Caitlin had made a fundamental error. She had left a space next to her. Louise was always so smug, perfect and responsible. People like her always made Caitlin feel intellectually inadequate.
As if to dig it in, Louise continued twisting the knife. ‘I found some areas challenging, but my daddy helped me w
ith the things I could not do.’
‘Lucky for some, I managed fine.’ Caitlin squirmed. Louise was like a walking computer.
Louise stuck her nose in the air.
Caitlin looked away and doodled on her notepad. More students walked in and sat down before the tutor made his entrance. She could not help checking the tutor out. He was only a few years older than her, was incredibly cute, and was Spanish so had the most amazing accent. As he was about to speak, the guy she now preferred to refer to as the stalker guy, walked into the room and took the last seat, which happened to be opposite her.
‘You must be Simon, welcome. I’ve heard great things about you. Please join our soiree.’ The tutor adopted an easy-going and welcoming manner.
‘Thank you,’ Steven replied.
Caitlin scowled. He could not be the person in her dreams. It was ridiculous. There was nothing she liked. He sounded and acted like a know it all snob.
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Chapter 23
Angst
The tutor nodded. ‘Excellent work Simon. I’m sure they must have been sad to see you go at your last university.’
Steven knew his last answer was short of spectacular. If he was honest, he had no idea where it came from.
His name bugged him, Simon. It sounded all wrong. It would take some time to get used to. What made him swallow involuntarily was the look of disdain Caitlin gave. If looks could kill, she had just pulled off a corker. He could not understand what he had done wrong. As a means of self-preservation he decided to avert his eyes for the rest of the session. It was obvious he had more work to do than he thought – it just wasn’t of the academic sort.
Twenty minutes later, he had managed to solve every problem with ease. Louise was in awe of him, he could tell. She was practically drooling.
The tutor tried to act as though it was normal. ‘Very impressive, Simon, have you covered this work already?’
‘Yes,’ he answered. It was as good an answer as he was prepared to give.
The Evolution Trilogy: Hybrid, Complications & Return Page 46