by Eliza Green
Loud sobs from Laura caught his attention. He hunkered down beside her, hating to see her in such pain.
‘Laura, what can I do?’
‘She just needs a minute,’ said Jenny.
‘We don’t have a minute.’ Bill looked to where the vehicle to new London waited. ‘The transport will be leaving soon.’
It pained him to see her like this. He had no clue what her condition must be like for her.
Whispering in her ear he said, ‘You’ve helped me so many times over the past few months. I never told you this, but having you around has helped me to forget a few things. Please tell me how I can help, and I will.’
Laura dropped her hands to reveal a smile. ‘I’m not crying because I’m sad, you idiot. These are tears of joy.’ Her pale face was already pinking up. ‘I’m overwhelmed by it. I never thought I’d feel the sun on my face again.’
He helped her to her feet. The heavy feeling in Bill’s heart lightened.
On their way to the automated transport, Laura turned to Bill and said, ‘Thank you.’
He frowned. ‘For what? I did nothing.’
‘For offering your help.’
One side of Bill’s mouth curled up. ‘Isn’t that what friends do?’
She nodded. ‘Friends. I like the sound of that.’
They joined the queue to board the automated transport to New London. While they waited, Bill slid the communication stone out of his pocket. It emitted a faint blue glow.
‘At last,’ he muttered.
31
A week had passed since Anton had returned to District Three. Stephen hadn’t seen much of him since their awkward chat in the Council Chambers. His friend was acting strange—too strange for Stephen to ignore.
The blinding pain behind his eyes had vanished. It was almost as if Anton’s return had been the key to unlocking that mystery. The bright auras of the Indigenes kept him company on his walk through the tunnel.
The tunnel split into two. He turned to enter a new one. A fast-moving Anton appeared before him. He stepped back and they grazed shoulders.
Anton stopped. ‘Watch it!’
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.’
Anton’s expression softened and he smiled. ‘Ah, it’s you. I thought it was one of the other Indigenes.’ He glanced behind him. ‘There are so many.’
No more than usual.
‘Walk with me?’ said Anton.
Stephen frowned at the suggestion. He’d been trying to speak to Anton all last week. His friend had brushed him off.
The low light along the base of the tunnel transformed their silhouettes into long ominous shadows. Stephen used the chance meeting to ask Anton again about what had happened.
Are you sure you don’t remember anything at all?
His friend glared at him. ‘I’ve already told you I don’t. Why do you keep asking me?’
It’s just that you look—
‘I’m the same person you left behind.’ His tone was cool.
Yes, he had left him behind. ‘And you don’t remember what they did to you—at all?’
‘Sorry, old friend. I remember nothing.’
That phrase again. Anton’s shadow on the wall took on a life of its own.
‘What’s the last thing you remember?’
‘We were inside the docking station and some military humans were chasing after me. I made it to the control room.’ He shrugged. ‘My memory gets hazy after that.’
‘And who’s the female that sticks close by you?’
‘That’s Serena.’ Anton drew his brows forward. ‘I told you about her, I’m sure of it.’
‘I’ve never seen her before, or heard you talk about her.’ What Stephen left out was how drawn he was to the newcomer. And he wasn’t the only one. It was hard not to notice the brightening auras of the males who were in her presence. It triggered his jealousy.
‘She’s from District Eight. She arrived here as soon as she heard about my return.’ Anton huffed. ‘This is not news, Stephen.’
He suddenly doubted his own recollection. ‘Maybe you did tell me.’ He’d been distracted by the blue-eyed newcomer with the potential to break many hearts. While he hadn’t spoken to her yet, he’d seen her speak to others. She had a quiet resolve that he found alluring, and she seemed to fit in, as if she’d always belonged here.
‘When will you return to work in the lab? No one can think as fast as you do. Your team is eager to start on some new designs.’
‘Soon, but I have something I must do first.’ Anton looked around.
‘What?’
‘I’m not entirely sure.’
Stephen’s skin tightened. ‘Anything I can help with?’
‘Take me to the core. I need to be near other Indigenes.’
‘Why?’
Anton locked his gaze on him. ‘Because I was left on Earth and I’ve been alone for too long.’
Stephen’s guilt flared. But despite the familiar feeling, something about Anton’s request bothered him. This friend had been claiming to not remember his time in captivity. So how could he remember being alone?
His guilt overrode his suspicions. He gestured for Anton to go on ahead. ‘This way.’ Wherever Anton wished to go, he would take him.
They arrived at the Central Core, a space teeming with Indigene activity. In the alcoves several classes were in progress. Evolvers sat cross-legged on the ground listening to their teacher talk about science. In another, the youngsters were learning telepathy. Two Evolvers giggled while playing the Indigene equivalent of Chinese Whispers.
Some Indigenes reacted to their arrival; Stephen observed their auras shift from happy green to hesitant yellow.
Except for the occasional giggle from the Evolvers, the room was too quiet. Stephen went on high alert.
Anton squinted at the room. ‘Something’s missing.’
‘What?’ Stephen casually noted the location of exits.
His friend looked at him. ‘I don’t know yet.’
32
Elise and Pierre sat together on the mattress in their private dwelling. It was the first alone time they’d had in three weeks, since Elise unlocked memories about her human life. She’d tried to tell Pierre everything—about her attempts to rewrite neural pathways in her brain using the Nexus, about Elizabeth, about Arianna’s mother once being her human assistant—but fear of rejection had silenced her. Then Anton had arrived home and the timing never felt right. Anton’s strange behaviour bothered her. But someone new bothered her more.
‘You must have your doubts about Anton,’ said Elise. She had her back against the wall.
Pierre shook his head. ‘You’re overwhelmed by his return, that’s all. His return and Stephen’s recovery are things to celebrate.’
Can’t you see it?
See what?
The changes in Anton. He’s not the same as he was before. And as for that female who hangs around—
‘Serena?’ Pierre smiled. ‘I’ve spoken to her. A lovely youngster and a gentle soul.’
‘I’m not disputing that. I just don’t believe she’s a natural-born Indigene. Please, I’m asking you to listen to me now.’
Pierre took her hand and kissed it. ‘Forgive me. I know my ignorance has driven a wedge between us. You have my full attention.’
Elise squeezed his hand, relieved. ‘She believes she’s an Indigene. She can communicate telepathically. Yet you don’t recognise her... You remember everyone. Don’t you think that’s odd?’
I’d have questioned it more had she not fit in so well. She has made herself at home and many are drawn to her.
‘You and all the other males,’ said Elise, surprised at her jealousy. ‘What I mean is why are only the males drawn to her and the females not as much?’
‘I don’t know why. It’s just the way it is.’
Elise pulled her hand free. ‘There’s something else you need to know.’ She swallowed her nerves. ‘I’ve been conducting experiments on myself
.’
Pierre’s eyes grew large. ‘What kind of experiments?’
‘In my attempts to rewire parts of my brain and create new neural pathways, I’ve unlocked memories of my past—my human memories.’
Pierre was silent for a moment. What have you seen?
‘Many things about myself, about others. The Nexus has helped me.’
With a grunt, he stood up and paced to the far wall. ‘That was reckless of you. What if you damaged your mind beyond repair? We’re not as evolved as we first believed.’ He turned and glared at her. ‘Why are you keeping these secrets from me?’
‘For the same reason you’re keeping them from me.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘I know you spoke to Stephen about his changes, but you didn’t tell me about it. I had to find out from him you two had spoken.’
Pierre waved away her concern. You had too much on your plate. I didn’t want to burden—
‘Please, Pierre, I’m not angry with you. I’m just concerned about what might happen.’
‘I don’t understand. We’re no longer in danger. Everything is back to normal—more or less.’
Is no one else wondering why Anton’s come back—been allowed to come back? Is it just me?
We don’t know what happened to him. He doesn’t even know himself. He doesn’t remember.
Elise stood. Her nerves flared. She twisted her hands together to control them. ‘There’s something else I need to tell you.’
Pierre’s expression darkened.
‘I’ve already told you I can predict Indigenes’ emotions,’ said Elise. ‘Before, I could only see their mood as it happened but’—She blew out a breath—‘the Nexus has opened my mind up to new possibilities.’
Pierre folded his arms, looking unconvinced.
‘I can now see where neural pathways have changed or where trauma exists,’ Elise went on. ‘For example, I can see that Serena’s mind is not wired the same as yours or mine, or the same as any Indigene. But she’s not the problem—Anton is.’
He uncrossed his arms. Anton? Why?
‘When I looked into his mind, something physically stopped me from probing deeper. During my attempt I heard a very faint voice trying to communicate with me.’
What are you saying?
‘That we shouldn’t take Anton’s return at face value. It’s possible the humans have altered him—that he’s no longer himself.’
Pierre sighed. I trust your judgement, Elise. I’ll keep an eye on him.
A fleeting change in her husband’s expression prompted her to ask, ‘What do you want to know?’
‘Who were you—as a human?’
Elise smiled. Let me show you.
She placed her hands on either side of his head and opened up her mind, so he could experience her memories for himself. After a few minutes Pierre pulled away and pressed a fist to his mouth.
‘Are you okay? I know it’s a lot to handle.’
‘Have you dealt with this all on your own?’ Elise nodded. Pierre turned away from her. ‘I should have been more supportive.’
The past was the past. All that mattered was now.
‘Go ahead, and ask me,’ said Elise.
Pierre turned back. ‘Will you help me to unlock my human memories?
33
‘What direction are we heading?’ said Jenny.
‘I don’t know.’ Bill glanced down at the communication stone. It shone brighter when he pointed it in a certain direction. It appeared to be leading them further inside New London. ‘Stephen must be somewhere beneath these streets. The stone’s glow is stronger here.’
‘I think my skin is beginning to blister.’ Under the hot sun, Laura’s earlier excitement had waned. Her skin was already a shade too pink.
Bill removed a spare shirt from his backpack. ‘Here, take this.’ He tossed it to her.
Laura caught it and draped it over her head. ‘Thanks. Now I really blend in.’
‘It’s better than the alternative.’
‘How much farther?’ said Jenny.
The stone gave Bill no approximation on distance. ‘I’m not sure.’
He led them through a less obvious route across town, cutting through side streets and alleyways. He couldn’t be sure they hadn’t been recognised or followed from the docking station. New buildings—taverns, restaurants, replicator terminals—had appeared in the three and a half months since he’d last been there. Soon, New London would be too small for the population’s needs. New building projects would need to extend beyond the animal biodomes into the stony landscape.
The communication stone became warm in his hand. ‘Access to their environment is definitely through here.’ He pointed at the entrance to the Maglev train station in the New Victoria district. ‘I tracked Stephen to here twice.’
Laura glanced around her. ‘It’s too exposed here. We should get off the streets, in case someone’s following.’
Bill headed for the train station. The stone heated up when they entered the building. From there, they took a flight of stairs down to one of the platforms. It became warmer still when Bill pointed it inside one tunnel. As soon as the next train passed and the platform had emptied, he jumped onto the tracks and followed them into the darkness. It was around here where he’d confronted Stephen alone.
Jenny and Laura followed.
The cool air of the tunnels seemed to revive Laura. ‘I never thought I’d say this, but the cold air feels good. Remind me never to complain about the cold again.’
‘And in a minute you’ll be after more of that sunlight,’ said Bill.
Laura touched the sunburn on her shoulder and winced.
‘I have skin repair cream in my bag,’ said Jenny. ‘You can put some on later. For now, we should probably keep moving.’
The communication stone, now a luminescent blue, glowed brighter when Bill pointed it west. They jogged along the tracks, climbing into a worker’s crevice each time a Maglev train approached. At a split junction, the stone indicated they should go left. It was about here where Bill had lost Stephen.
After twenty minutes of walking, the stone reached its brightest illumination at a length of wall.
Jenny felt along the rock. ‘There’s nothing here.’
‘This has to be the right place,’ said Bill. ‘The stone’s almost too hot to hold. Keep searching,’
Laura added to the efforts and searched for an opening of some kind.
Jenny found something. ‘Over here.’ She put her face up to the recess. ‘I can feel cool air, but I think we’ll need our masks.’
They put their gel masks on and connected them to a mobile oxygen supply unit they each carried. One by one, they squeezed through the recess, entering a narrow tunnel.
Using the stone’s blue light and a small flashlight, Bill guided the others along the narrow tunnel. In the unfamiliar territory, Laura latched on to a fistful of Bill’s clothing, Jenny on to hers. The farther into the tunnels they got, the faster the blue light pulsed—like a heartbeat.
The moisture-laden walls told him the tunnels were not airtight. A type of moss was growing on the rock face in areas where water had collected. Beyond that, Bill could see no obvious signs of life. They would need to keep their gel masks on.
The tunnel widened but they maintained their single file. Ahead of them new tunnels appeared, branching off in new directions. The communication stone vibrated in Bill’s hand when he pointed it in a particular direction.
The increasing vibrations led him to an opening. They passed through safely and the wall closed behind them to seal off their escape.
Bill shone the flashlight on the rock where the false wall had come from, checking for signs of mechanics. He saw nothing but solid rock. With so much for humans to learn, he finally appreciated the Indigenes’ need for secrecy.
‘Are we close?’ said Laura.
A dull pain spread through his hand. ‘The stone is getting hotter. I think so.’
Elise wished she had the time to show Pierre his human past. A cold chill had just hit her. She sensed someone on the move. Worse, she sensed their mood.
She stood up. ‘We need to go.’
Pierre was already on his feet. ‘Why?’
‘I need to speak to Stephen again. His anxiety is growing. Anton’s return hasn’t freed him of his guilt as we thought it might. He still feels like he owes Anton something. And if Anton is not himself...’
‘He’ll try to take advantage of him.’ Pierre headed for the door. ‘Then we should go. Do you know where he is right now?’
Elise nodded picking up his signature. ‘He’s headed towards the core and he’s not alone.’
They moved fast along the tunnels. For the first time since Stephen and Anton’s trip to Earth, she had reconnected with her husband.
‘Promise to never keep secrets from me again,’ she said. ‘We need to stick together.’
‘I should never have assumed your problems were less important than mine. I’m sorry.’
Elise squeezed his hand. If we’re to expect more trouble from the humans, we should prepare. If only we knew what they had planned.
Pierre shook his head. ‘It’s my fault. I expected a physical attack—gas, military, bombs, that sort of thing. It never occurred to me they might try a more subliminal approach.’ He sighed. ‘I should learn to keep an open mind, like you’ve done all along.’
‘For all my efforts, I still don’t know much. Maybe their tactic is to do nothing and to leave us wondering. That’s far worse.’
They arrived at the core. Elise searched the room for Anton and Stephen. She found them stood together in the middle of the space. The tension and uncertainty of the Indigenes around her brought her to a stop. She squeezed Pierre’s hand. He squeezed back.
A smiling Anton approached them. Stephen followed close behind. Sensing Stephen’s growing agitation put her on high alert. She tried to keep her mood light.
‘How are you two getting on?’ said Pierre. ‘I hope you’re finding answers, Anton.’