‘Ingrid, I’m so glad to see you.’
‘Caitlin?’ Ingrid said, ‘sorry to tell you this, but you look terrible.’
‘I know, look I need your help. I need blood, I need blood now. I think I’m in shock, or something. Can you help me?’
Ingrid narrowed her eyes, ‘Is this about Steven?’
‘Maybe, well, yes it is, but I feel so weak. Please help me.’
Ingrid nodded. ‘Of course I will.’
Caitlin watched her unlock the door and followed her. The moment they entered the lab she could make out the smell. She licked her lips.
Ingrid took a bottle out of a sealed unit and handed it over.
Caitlin unscrewed the lid and drank the contents in one. Immediately she got a rush of adrenaline. ‘Thank you.’
‘It’s our latest formula. I’ll be interested to see how you feel. We are currently testing it.’
‘You like to investigate, don’t you?’
Ingrid smiled, ‘It’s in my nature. I’m a scientist. I need to find answers, or try to anyway.’
‘I want answers of my own. Can I have another one?’
Ingrid fetched another bottle from a different unit. ‘Try this one. It’s from the old batch, but it should satiate your thirst.’
Caitlin drank it quickly. ‘It doesn’t have the same kick.’
‘That’s what we’ve found. Monkey blood had added an extra something. I think we’ll have found the formula very soon.’
‘And what will you do then?’ Caitlin asked.
Ingrid shrugged her shoulders, and laughed, ‘I have no idea.’
‘Ingrid, are you still in love with Steven?’
Ingrid’s eyes widened. She faltered for a moment. ‘I can’t lie to you. Probably. Saying that, since Tobias has been paying me some attention it’s helped. Do you mind?’
Caitlin smiled. ‘No, not at all. We’ve decided to take a break. I know you would love to be with Steven, and it’s not that I don’t, it’s just that we need some space. I need to figure out what I want.’
‘Not easy,’ Ingrid sighed, ‘good luck with that one.’
Caitlin sat down in a chair and blurted out, ‘Ingrid, don’t you ever want more than this life? Don’t you want to use your special qualities for good?’
‘Of course,’ Ingrid leaned against the unit, ‘but, we are killers. Out there we do more harm than good.’
‘Really? You really believe that.’
Ingrid relented, ‘Okay, no I don’t. I think we can do a lot of good. But, I’m not in charge and neither are you. So, we’re kind of stuck here. You just have to make the most of the life you have.’
‘Difficult when you’re confined to one place.’
‘Life here is good, we live at ease, and everyone works hard. It’s not a bad place, we survive.’
Caitlin sighed, ‘Yes, you survive. I am alive. So what? I want more from life than just to survive. I want to wake up every morning thinking I love my life not just survive. You know what I mean?’
Ingrid fidgeted. ‘When you put it like that. I agree. There’s more to life than just surviving. We should all want more than that. I never really looked at it that way before.’
Caitlin stared straight ahead. ‘My mum always told me to make the most of my life, to stop complaining about what I didn’t have.’
‘Wise mum.’
Caitlin looked at Ingrid. ‘Yeah, I should’ve listened to her more.’
Back to Table of Contents
Chapter 42
Space
‘Steven, you have to understand that I didn’t tell you for your own good,’ Catherine said.
Steven had his arms folded over his chest. ‘I know, but you still should’ve told me. I mean, seriously, I have three children?’
‘I know, I know, but the plan is to take them all to Borneo when the time comes. Lucy is keen to start again there. She wants a new start with them. You don’t have to go with her. She told me to make sure you understood that she doesn’t need you to be involved. She’s a very determined lady’
‘Maybe,’ Steven said. ‘But, I can’t just walk away from this. I’ve never been the kind to shirk off my responsibility. I got her pregnant. I am responsible.’
Catherine was surprised by his little speech. ‘Admirable words. But still, Lucy is happy to go it alone and I have promised to help her.’
‘What if I don’t want her to? What if I actually want to see my children grow up? Is it that strange for a man to actually want to be involved in the upbringing of his kids? Let’s face it my mum had nothing to do with me when I was growing up, my dad did it all until he remarried. And he did a great job,’ he started to raise his voice, ‘I’ll be there for my children. I’m nothing like my mother.’
Catherine could not help but smile. ‘No, you’re wrong. You’re just as strong as your mother was. She just lost her way. Not everyone can live this life. We didn’t realise what had happened to her until it was too late.’
‘If you’re trying to make me feel sorry for her it’s not going to work. I will always hate her. Nothing you say will ever change that.’
Catherine nodded. ‘How is Caitlin?’
‘I’ve not seen her for a few days,’ Steven snapped. He seemed to collect himself, and replied in a calmer tone, ‘I’m giving her some space.’
‘Space? Yes, that’s probably a good idea.’
‘I’ll go and see Lucy and my children. Look, I don’t want to take it out on you. Thanks for coming to check on me, and for helping Lucy as you have, I appreciate it. I am serious though, I will be there for them. As for Caitlin, time will tell what will happen. Sometimes love just isn’t enough.’
It broke Catherine’s heart just a little to hear him say that. She was prouder of him now than she had ever been. She took a step closer and placed her hand on his shoulder. ‘Steven, you have to do what you think is right.’
‘I will,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to go.’
Catherine watched him leave. He looked so much older now, not in his physical appearance, but there was something about his eyes that haunted her. They had deepened, matured even. He was not a boy any more, he was a man.
Catherine knew she had to talk to Caitlin, to find out what she planned to do. She knew Caitlin was teaching now, so she decided to go to her classroom and wait for her.
It was only a short walk to the area where the younger children were taught. Some of her own would be there now, she could use the excuse of seeing them before they went to lunch. She chatted to a few other mums for about ten minutes as the class ended. Some of the newer mums always collected their kids.
She managed to see her youngest child, Alicia, as she walked out. After a quick chat she waved her goodbye and made her way into the classroom, ‘Did Alicia behave today?’
Caitlin lifted her head and gave a half-smile, ‘She’s always good and very clever. Just like her mum it seems, especially with her shock of red hair. She could be related to me.’
‘I know, us redheads have to stick together.’
Caitlin laughed, ‘I guess.’
Catherine got within reaching distance. ‘How are you?’
‘You know, don’t you?’
Catherine shrugged her shoulders. ‘In truth, everyone knows. You didn’t say yes in the wedding after all, and we haven’t seen you with Steven since then. But, I also spoke to Steven and I know about Lucy.’
Caitlin nodded.
‘Difficult situation.’
Caitlin raised her hands. ‘It is what it is.’
‘Sure, but can I ask you something?’
‘You might as well,’ Caitlin said, as she slumped against the wooden table.
‘What do you want?’
Caitlin’s eyes widened. She got off the table and paced the class. She spoke softly, almost to herself, ‘What do I want? Hmmm… I want my old life back.’
Catherine shook her head.
Caitlin stood still and stared at Catherine. ‘But, I can’t h
ave my life back, can I? Look, I love to teach. I’ve found my calling. I just want more than this. I want to make a difference. I think I could help people out there. People like us can do great things. I don’t think we need to hide away like criminals. We’re capable of so much more than this existence.’ She held up her hands.
Catherine smiled, ‘So what do you suggest?’
‘I think you should let me leave so I can find my way. I’ve got no place here.’
‘Alone?’ Catherine queried. ‘Steven has vowed to stay with the children.’
‘Yes, alone.’
Catherine shook her head vigorously. ‘It’s never going to happen.’
‘You asked, I told you,’ Caitlin scowled, then continued, ‘I’ve got to admit that even though I can imagine a life here, I believe in time it would stifle me. I mean, look what happened to Steven’s mum. I don’t think this small, community life suits me. And if Steven ends up going to Borneo with Lucy then it’s not a good idea for me to go there too. At least, not right now.’
Catherine nodded. In deep concentration, she asked, ‘What if you did not go alone? Would you go with someone else?’
‘Who did you have in mind?’ Caitlin’s eyes alighted.
‘I have to think about it, but you might need to manufacture synthetic blood. And for that you need a scientist…’
Caitlin’s lips curled up as she said, ‘We might think of the same person.’
Catherine leaned against the wooden table. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Ingrid?’ She could not believe she was suggesting her, she doubted Steven would approve. Then again, what did it matter?
‘Ingrid,’ Catherine smiled, and gave a light nod. ‘We should go and talk to her, but first let me talk to my brother, Ian. He needs to know what’s going on. He might know what to do.’
‘Okay, let me know what he thinks. Oh, and thanks.’
Catherine gave Caitlin a hug. She could tell it surprised Caitlin since she felt stiff at first, but then she returned the embrace.
Catherine had not spoken to Ian in a few days. The last time she had seen him, his shoulders had sagged like an old man. The stress of taking over from his father at short notice was taking its toll. She made her way up to his office, the secluded soundproof headquarters where he now hid away from everyone.
She typed in the key code and gained access.
She could hear him talking as she approached. ‘It’s not going to work, Eilif. Look, just… oh wait a minute, I’m sure that’s Catherine.’
Catherine walked in, and held back her shock as she took in Ian’s appearance. His hair was dishevelled, his face unshaved, and his eyes had a reddish glaze. ‘Brother, you don’t look too good.’
‘Thanks for that, sis. You, on the other hand, look great.’
‘It’s called having a wash,’ she grinned.
‘I do keep telling him to take a break,’ Eilif added.
‘A break?’ Ian guffawed. ‘I don’t have time for a break. You might think everything is as it was, you might think the community has accepted Steven and Caitlin with open arms – hey, they’re doing a good job at appearing to be the perfect host – but the truth is far from it. I hear things, I know things, and I’m sure secret plotting is going on behind our backs. I don’t know what they are saying exactly – I only hear rumours.’
‘But, rumours are just that,’ Catherine started, ‘people like to talk. They did this before anything happened, and they’ll do it again for many years to come.’
‘No,’ Ian shook his head sadly, ‘this is different.’
Catherine took a seat, and glanced at Eilif who raised his hands in defeat. ‘What have you heard?’
Ian gave a low chuckle. ‘It’s more the case of what haven’t I heard.’
Eilif looked at Catherine. ‘The numbers for Borneo are much larger than we expected. And then, the ones that want to stay have expressed an interest in changing the way things are run. Franco, and his son Enrique, want to take over. They do not believe Ian should be in control, in fact they never saw why he assumed the position in the first place.’
‘I don’t blame them,’ Ian said. ‘I’ve tried my best, but the truth is I’m not Dad. I do not have his authority, his desire to lead. I was happy as I was. The truth is I’m happy for them to do what they want. I don’t know what will become of us though. It’s like everything is falling to pieces.’
‘No, it’s not falling to pieces,’ Catherine said, firmly. ‘Ian, Dad had the right idea all along. Don’t forget Franco, Morten and Isaac were involved from the beginning too. They had to segregate us – then. But now, with the discovery of synthetic blood, the ability to breed amongst the normal population, the fact we might be able to control our needs, and eventually die a normal death, everything has changed. We’re not vampires, we never were. Just because we drink blood, and are stronger than normal humans does not make us monsters. You know this!’
Ian gave a slow nod.
Eilif shrugged his shoulders. ‘And yet you hit the nail on the head, we might be able to control our needs.’
‘Is it up to us to decide?’ Catherine asked, ‘shouldn’t people have a right to vote. Should we not live in a democracy, not a dictatorship?’
‘We are not dictators?’ Ian snapped.
‘Really?’ Catherine laughed. ‘We control where people live, what they do, what they learn, what they are allowed to know.’
Ian stood and paced up and down the room. ‘It’s for the best.’
‘No, no it’s not,’ Catherine stood up. ‘Ian, there’s other stuff you don’t know. Something you must keep a secret, and you Eilif, can you do that?’
‘More?’ Ian growled.
‘Okay, fine,’ Catherine turned to leave.
‘Catherine,’ Ian pleaded. ‘Tell me about it. Eilif, you okay to keep quiet about this?’
Eilif nodded.
Catherine sat back down. Her stomach churned. ‘Lucy has become a mother.’
‘Lucy?’ Ian raised his eyebrows.
‘Wasn’t she supposed to be in Borneo now?’ Eilif asked.
‘Yes, it was a scam. If Franco finds out his daughter is an unmarried mother of triplets he’s not going to be happy.’
‘Triplets?’ Ian’s eyes bulged out of his sockets.
‘There’s more,’ Catherine added.
‘The father?’ Eilif asked, wary.
Catherine hesitated for a moment, as both sets of eyes focused on her. ‘Don’t over-react now.’
Ian spoke in a calm tone, ‘Tell us.’
It was now or never. ‘Steven is the father,’ she paused, ‘and Caitlin knows.’ She might as well throw it all in.
‘Oh, that’s just bloody fantastic!’ Ian raised his hands to the sky, before he took a seat.
‘Are you sure?’ Eilif said.
Catherine nodded. ‘Just hear me out. Steven wants to do the right thing. He wants to help Lucy raise the children. Caitlin and Steven have decided to take a break until the air has cleared. Which brings me on to the next thing.’
‘More?’ Ian lifted his head, his voice more of a grunt now.
‘Afraid so,’ Catherine smiled. She would keep a level head. ‘Caitlin wants to leave the community. And,’ she turned to face Eilif, ‘she would like Ingrid to go with her.’
Eilif laughed aloud, and looked away for a minute as he collected himself. ‘Sure she does.’
Ian stood up again, exasperated he rambled on, ‘Fine! So, let Caitlin go with Ingrid! Let them loose. In fact let’s all go, shall we? Let Steven play happy families with another new breed, let Franco do whatever he wants, maybe Morten can stay here, you can go to Borneo with anyone who still wants to go, and I’ll just move back to England with my family and pretend nothing ever happened. How does that sound?’ He flumped back on his seat.
Silence ensued for a few minutes.
‘It’s not a bad idea, actually,’ Eilif said, his voice quiet.
Catherine fought the urge to laugh.
‘Really?’ Ian shook his head, a smile now creeping into the corners of his mouth. He looked from Eilif to Catherine and burst out laughing. It was of the hysterical kind to say the least.
Catherine had to laugh with him. ‘You really need to loosen up you know. Laughing is good. And yes, actually, everything you said. Let’s do it.’
‘Years of protection are going to be thrown down the drain just like that? It’s that easy?’ Ian said.
‘Yes, we need to give people the choice to leave. Anyone who wants to stay can. I’m happy to start the new community in Borneo, as planned. I believe Steven and Lucy will come with me and I don’t think we should tell Franco about her.’
‘No,’ Eilif said, ‘I agree with you there. He would kill Steven.’
Back to Table of Contents
Chapter 43
The Future
Steven rolled out of bed, and stood up. He gave a massive yawn and stretched. It did nothing to wake him up, he was completely drained. Over the last week, he had only had a few hours’ sleep every night. He worked all day, then helped Lucy with the babies at night, until sleep deprivation forced him to shuffle back to his room. Then he woke up and repeated the cycle. He was ashamed to admit he had not even had the energy to think of Caitlin at all. Being a dad of three was hard work. Babies were the most demanding, yet adorable, things he had ever been in contact with. He knew he should not really think of them as things, but at the moment he didn’t know what else he should call them.
He had to admit he had a newfound respect for his father, in raising him without Emily. He was glad his dad had met Clara. His throat constricted as he remembered Clara was dead. He still found it hard to come to terms with.
Ever since he had met Caitlin so much had happened. His life had spun out of control. It was hard to believe that two years earlier he had been a student like any other. And now, he was a hybrid, single father of three, living in the Amazon jungle. It beggared belief.
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