by Kate O'Hearn
‘I don’t want to call you Subject,’ the man said, becoming irritated. ‘I just want to know how we address you before we start with our other questions.’
Paelen noticed this man was easily flustered. He was worse than Mercury. And Mercury was always the easiest of the Olympians to upset. Lines of frustration and anger already showed on his face. He lips were pressed tightly together and his brows were knitted in a deep frown.
Paelen decided to push the man a little further to test him. ‘You seem confused,’ he said. ‘If this happens so easily over the simple issue of my name, I am certain you would be far too challenged to understand the answers to any questions you might pose.’
The man shook his head in growing frustration. ‘I am not confused,’ he said angrily. ‘And I know your name isn’t Subject. Subject isn’t a name. It is what you are.’
‘And yet you still insist on calling me it.’ Paelen lay back against the pillows, enjoying the game. ‘I do not understand you. You are obviously a man of questionable intelligence. Please leave.’
The man’s face turned bright red. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. ‘Perhaps we’d better start again,’ he said. ‘Very simply, what is your name?’
‘You may call me Jupiter.’
‘What? Did you say Jupiter?’
‘Are you hard of hearing as well as ignorant?’ Paelen asked. He turned his attention to the younger man. ‘I believe it is time you took him away. He is obviously unwell and should be restrained.’
The older man stood up in a fury. ‘Why, you arrogant little—’
‘Calm down, Agent J.’ The younger man grasped the older man’s arm. ‘Sit down, and let me try.’
Paelen carefully studied the relationship between the two. The older man was obviously in command. However, he seemed to accept advice from the younger one, as he calmed somewhat.
The younger man directed his attention to Paelen. ‘In the hospital, you told the doctor your name was Paelen the Magnificent. Which is it? Jupiter or Paelen?’
‘If you insist,’ Paelen said, ‘I am Paelen the Magnificent. Now, release me.’
‘Or what?’ the older man challenged.
‘Or I shall bring the wrath of Olympus down upon you.’
‘The wrath of Olympus?’ he cried
‘Must you always repeat everything I say?’ Paelen asked. ‘It is really quite distracting.’
The older man’s hand shot out and gripped Paelen’s wrist. ‘I have had enough of your games, young man. They stop right now. We’re not letting you go. Not now, not ever. Now, you will tell us who you are, where you came from, and why you are here.’
The grip on Paelen’s wrist was tight, but certainly not enough to hurt him. Yet he could see that this was the man’s intention. ‘I will answer your questions only after you have answered some of mine,’ he said. ‘I demand to know where I am. Who are you? And why you are holding me?’
‘We ask the questions here, not you,’ the older man said as he tightened his grip further.
‘Then we have nothing further to discuss,’ Paelen answered, turning away from their prying eyes. ‘You may tell the others to bring ambrosia to me now.’
‘We will do no such thing,’ the younger man said. ‘Look kid, this isn’t funny. If you make my colleague much angrier, he’ll break your wrist.’
Paelen grew serious and sat up, ignoring the pain from his broken ribs. He looked at both men, then concentrated on the older one. ‘If you think you can hurt me with this baby grip of yours, you are sadly mistaken. I have faced down the wrath of the Minotaur and a Hydra. I have fought the Nirads and won. I am certainly not frightened of a human like you, or the empty threats you make.’
‘I assure you, my threats are not empty,’ the older man warned. ‘So don’t make me do something you’ll regret. Just tell us who you are and where you came from.’
Paelen didn’t like these men one bit. ‘If you insist, I am Mercury,’ he finally answered. ‘I came to your world for a visit but was wounded during a storm. When I recover, I shall return to Olympus.’
‘Still with the Greek myths?’ Agent J said darkly.
‘Mercury is from the Roman myths,’ the younger man corrected. ‘Hermes is the Greek.’
Paelen watched the older man flash the younger one a withering look. ‘Whatever!’
He turned back to Paelen. ‘That isn’t an answer. Tell me what I want to know.’
‘But I told you,’ Paelen insisted. ‘I am Mercury. You have my sandals. Surely you have seen their wings. Who else but the Messenger of Olympus would use such things?’
Agent J took in a deep breath and held it. When he let it out again, he squared his shoulders and sat back. ‘If you continue to refuse to answer, I promise you, we can make things very uncomfortable for you.’
‘Things already are uncomfortable for me,’ Paelen said. ‘But I am still telling you the truth. That you refuse to believe me is not my fault.’
Agent J looked at the younger man. ‘We’re not getting anywhere with him.’ He checked his watch, then spoke into the black device. ‘Time: nineteen hundred, twenty. End of interview.’
Angrily, he shut off his device and looked at Paelen. ‘Whether we call you Mercury, Jupiter, Paelen or Subject, it couldn’t matter less. What does matter is that you belong to me. Soon you will answer all my questions. Even if I have to rip the truth from your lips one word at a time.’
Paelen saw the threat rise in his eyes. This man meant every word he said.
The men walked over to the small grey device beside the door. Paelen paid particular attention as the older man pressed several buttons. It made the same strange beeps he’d heard right before they entered the room.
‘A sound lock,’ Paelen muttered softly to himself as he watched them pull open the door and leave the room. ‘If Jupiter could not build a prison to hold me, what makes you think you can?’
10
An hour before midnight, Emily’s father was preparing for work.
‘You sure you’re going to be all right on your own?’ he asked.
Emily nodded and handed over his packed meal. ‘I’m really tired from working in the garden today. I bet I’ll be asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.’
‘All right,’ he said as he kissed the top of her head. ‘Just don’t be too nervous with the power out. You’ve got the flashlight and plenty of extra batteries. I’d prefer you not to use candles if you don’t mind.’
‘I understand,’ Emily said. ‘What time are you going to be home tomorrow?’
Her father sighed. ‘Late, I’m afraid. It’s another double shift. I won’t be home until supper tomorrow night. But you’ve still got plenty of food and there’s lots of water left. You shouldn’t have to go out anywhere. Now remember, if you need me—’
‘I know, I’ll call.’ Emily smiled and gently started to shove her father towards the front door. ‘Go to work, Dad. The city needs you.’
‘I hope you need me too,’ he said as he put on his cap.
‘I’ll always need you,’ Emily assured him as she rose on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. ‘Please be careful and come home safe.’
‘I will,’ he promised as he turned on his police flashlight and entered the dark hall. Turning back to her a final time, he said, ‘Lock the door after me and keep the bat handy.’
‘Will you please go?’ Emily said, laughing.
After he had gone, Emily waited awhile before heading for the stairs. Stepping out on the open roof, she was once again struck by the beautiful star-studded night sky. ‘Wow!’ she said. ‘I’ve never seen so many stars!’
‘It’s amazing, isn’t it?’ Joel agreed, moving away from Pegasus. ‘You don’t even need your flashlight.’
After sunset, Pegasus could leave the garden shed to freely wander the roof without the fear of being seen by curious neighbours. Emily saw the stallion standing before her father’s strawberry plants. He was busily eating all the ripe berries he could find.
‘He hasn’t stopped eating since the sun went down,’ Joel said. ‘If it’s growing and sweet, he’s eating it. I’m afraid he’s ruined what was left of the tomato patch.’
‘Tomatoes?’ Emily repeated. ‘We didn’t plant tomatoes this year. With my mother so sick, we didn’t come up here at all.’
‘They must have grown back from last year,’ Joel suggested. ‘There’s lots of stuff growing. But all Pegasus wanted from them were the tomatoes.’
Emily approached Pegasus as he stood before the strawberries. ‘Hi boy,’ she said as she stroked his folded wing.
Pegasus reached out and dropped a single ripe strawberry in Emily’s hand.
‘Thanks Pegs!’ Emily said in shock. She ate the berry and savoured the sweet flavour.
‘I can’t believe you just ate that,’ Joel said in horror. ‘It’s been in his mouth.’
‘So?’
‘So, it’s disgusting. It’s got to be full of germs.’
‘Don’t be silly,’ Emily said. ‘I bet we’ve got loads more germs than him.’ She turned her attention to Pegasus. ‘So, how are you feeling tonight?’
‘He’s getting better,’ Joel answered. ‘He’s even been stretching out his wing to test it. I don’t think it’ll be too long before he’s ready to go.’
Emily suddenly felt a deep pang of sorrow. Pegasus couldn’t be with her for ever, she knew that. But after the recent loss of her mother, losing him as well seemed too much to bear.
As if the stallion knew what she was thinking, he offered her a second strawberry. The simple gesture brought tears to her eyes.
‘Thank you, Pegasus,’ she said softly.
‘Hey, are you crying?’ Joel asked. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing,’ Emily said, furiously wiping tears away. ‘I’m overtired. I didn’t sleep last night and we’ve been on the go ever since. I just need a bit of rest.’
‘Didn’t you say we were going to camp out up here tonight?’ When Emily nodded, Joel beamed. ‘Well, let’s go back down to your apartment and get the blankets. Then we can get some sleep.’
Emily nodded and sniffed back the last of her silent tears. ‘I promised Pegasus marshmallows. So I’ll grab them too.’
Soon, Emily and Joel were back on the roof with two sleeping bags, several blankets and two pillows.
One of the blankets was draped over Pegasus to keep the stallion warm. But as Emily and Joel settled down on two long lounge chairs, they were surprised when the stallion lowered himself to the ground and rested between them.
‘Why do you think he’s here?’ Joel asked as he lay back in the lounge chair, staring at the stars.
‘I don’t know,’ Emily said as she lay on her side and stroked Pegasus’s neck. ‘I know it’s really important, but I can’t see why.’
‘Maybe it has to do with that other Olympian, Paelen.’
‘From what I saw, Pegasus was already on his way here when Paelen stole his bridle. I think he was more of a nuisance than anything else.’
They settled into a comfortable silence. The evening was cool but not cold, and the stars above and silence of the city made them feel like they really were out camping.
‘Joel,’ Emily said tentatively, ‘what’s it like living in a foster home?’
She heard him take a deep breath and instantly regretted asking him.
‘Why do you want to know?’ he challenged, his voice growing hard.
‘Please don’t get angry again,’ she said. ‘It was just a question.’
‘I’m not angry,’ Joel fired back. ‘I just don’t like talking about it.’
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,’ Emily said quickly. She turned over and pulled the covers up. ‘Let’s just forget it and go to sleep.’
Joel remained silent for a long time. She could hear his heavy breathing, but had no idea what he was thinking.
‘Emily, I’m sorry,’ he said at last. ‘I shouldn’t take it out on you. But you don’t understand. After my parents died, I lost everything I’ve ever known. Everyone I ever cared about. I’ve been alone ever since.’
Emily turned back over to face him, but did not speak.
He inhaled deeply again. ‘Things didn’t work out too good with my first foster family. We were always fighting. So they sent me to this new one. But I really hate it. There are loads of other kids and my foster parents are always yelling. I have to share a bedroom with four other boys. They are always stealing my stuff.’
‘Can’t you ask to go somewhere else?’ Emily asked.
‘I’ve tried talking to my social workers, but they always say no. They say I should be grateful to have a place to live. They don’t care what it’s like there.’
‘No wonder you want to run away,’ Emily said thoughtfully, ‘I would too.’
‘And I will. Right after we get Pegasus healed.’ Joel reached out to stroke the stallion. ‘Maybe he’ll take me away with him when he goes.’ He paused and his voice became dreamy. ‘Pegasus and me. Now that would be a dream come true.’
11
Long before dawn, the skies opened up and awoke Emily and Joel with shockingly cold rain. In the time it took them to find the flashlight and guide Pegasus back into the garden shed, they were both soaked to the skin and shivering.
Huddled together in the shed, they looked out at the heavy rain beating down on the roof.
‘At least there’s no lightning,’ Emily said through chattering teeth.
‘That would be all we need,’ Joel agreed. When he saw how cold Emily was, he moved closer. ‘I don’t think we should stay up here much longer. We’re both soaking wet and freezing.’
‘But I don’t want to leave Pegasus alone.’
‘Me either,’ Joel said. ‘But we won’t do him much good if we both get pneumonia.’
Emily reached out and stroked the stallion’s neck. His skin was warm to the touch. He wasn’t shivering at all.
‘You’re right. I’m really freezing.’ Emily stepped closer to Pegasus, ‘We’ll be back soon, Pegs,’ she promised.
Then she and Joel dashed across the roof and towards the stairwell door.
Back in the apartment, Emily borrowed some of her father’s clothes for Joel, while she went into her own room to change. When she returned to the living room, she found Joel sound asleep on the sofa.
Pulling down a throw blanket, she covered her new friend. After a moment’s hesitation, she went into her bedroom and sank into bed. Within a minute she had drifted off.
The rain continued all the next day. Despite it being early summer, with the rain, the temperature dropped, keeping Emily and Joel from spending the entire day on the roof with Pegasus. Instead, they split their time between the roof and gathering food for the stallion in the kitchen.
‘We’re now all out of sugar,’ Emily said. ‘And corn syrup, cereal and honey.’
‘I’ve never seen such a big appetite,’ Joel agreed. ‘That horse doesn’t stop eating!’
‘Don’t let him hear you calling him a horse,’ Emily laughed. ‘He hates that.’
‘He does, doesn’t he,’ Joel chuckled.
Joel crossed to one of the apartment’s many windows. ‘The rain is letting up a bit,’ he said. ‘And I can see down on the street a couple of the wholesalers are opening.’
‘With no power?’ Emily asked as she joined him.
‘Looks like it,’ Joel said. ‘Where is your nearest grocery store?’
‘There’s a big one a few blocks away,’ said Emily. ‘Dad and I usually go there on Saturday.’
‘I’ll go there,’ Joel said. ‘We’ve drained your kitchen and Pegasus needs more food. Besides, your dad is bound to notice everything missing.’
‘How are you going to manage?’ Emily said. ‘Joel, there’s no power. No elevator. If the store is open, you’ll be carrying heavy bags up twenty flights of stairs. Remember how we felt the first time we did it?’
‘I know, but I have to try.’
‘T
hen I’ll come with you,’ Emily said. ‘That way we can carry more.’
Joel shook his head. ‘Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think you should. You know how upset Pegasus gets when you leave him. You need to be on the roof with him. I promise I won’t be long.’
Emily really wanted to help, but she knew Joel was right. As Pegasus healed, he was becoming more and more agitated. It was becoming difficult to keep him in the shed.
‘You’re right,’ she finally agreed. She went into her father’s room to open the secret drawer where they kept hidden cash. ‘Dad keeps this here in case of emergencies,’ she said. ‘It should be enough to get everything we need.’
Joel accepted the money and the offer of her father’s raincoat. Taking the flashlight and some heavy-duty shopping bags Emily gave him, he guided her up to the roof. Then, as he headed back down the stairs, he smiled over his shoulder at her.
‘Don’t take any test flights without me!’
Emily smiled back and promised not to. She shut the stairwell door and headed over to the shed.
‘He’s gone to get you lots of sweet things,’ she explained as she adjusted the blanket over the stallion’s wings. ‘I just hope the store is open.’
As Emily stroked the stallion’s neck, she felt Pegasus starting to quiver. But not from the cold rain. His blanket was clean and dry and his skin was warm to touch. Yet, he seemed to be growing even more anxious as his hooves pounded the floorboards.
‘What is it, Pegs?’ she asked. ‘What’s wrong? Are you in pain?’
Worried for the stallion, Emily checked on his broken wing. She could actually feel the broken bones had somehow knitted back together. ‘Well, it’s not your wing. What about the spear wound?’ Crossing to the other side, Emily lifted Pegasus’s good wing and pulled the duct tape away from his flank. She was shocked to see that the wound was completely healed.
‘Wow!’ she cried. ‘It’s gone. How are you doing that? Is it all the sugar?’
Pegasus pawed the ground. His eyes were bright and alert. But there was something in them that worried her.