The Lie (The Seekers Book 2) Page 4

  At last he spoke, “Come. Let us go.”

  “Where?”

  “Home of course.”

  But it wasn’t Millie’s home. They arrived at the mansion just as father and son were making hot chocolate. A truce seemed to have been called as Harry found some small marshmallows, poured them into a glass bowl and plonked them onto the beautiful granite worktop. The microwave pinged and Harry’s dad placed one of the steaming mugs in front of him. Harry grabbed a spoon and began to play with his drink, stirring it rhythmically to watch the colours swirl.

  Quark went and sat next to the father but Millie didn’t feel comfortable doing that so she stood to one side and watched.

  His dad gave in. “So when’s the competition?”

  Harry looked up, with an almost smile in his eyes, he spoke softly, “October 15th.”

  Grabbing a handful of marshmallows the dad grinned in return, “Plenty of time for you to take those exams then and we can always talk about university next year.”

  Now it was Harry’s turn to grin, “Are you sure? I will have to practice five hours a day, my coach says, no days off.”

  “It’s what you want to do. You are still young Harry, plenty of time to study later, let’s see what happens, hey?”

  Harry didn’t know what to say, his father had been so against it, up until today he wouldn’t even talk about it. What had happened?

  Harry brushed his wayward red mop away from his eyes, “Thanks dad.”

  Millie could feel tears forming, so she blinked them away. She may not have understood what it was all about, but when she looked at Harry she could see a faint glow returning to his chest.

  A dam looked over his community with pride. As far as the eye could see the land was ploughed and farmed, bringing in crops in abundance. Dwellings covered the landscape and the children roamed freely from home to home. They had come a long way and learnt so much. The domesticated animals were all strong and healthy and different families now specialised in their upkeep. He had dedicated a Temple Stone every anniversary and his eyes scanned the vast array of them, now there were over nine hundred. Soon it would be time to choose the design for the new stone. How quickly the seasons passed and the generations grew.

  The sound of the harp and the flute drifted over the late evening skyline and it was at this time he missed Eve the most. She had never really recovered from the death of one son and the banishment of another, but she was truly the mother of all he surveyed.

  Adam looked up as the first stars began to appear in the ever darkening sky. “But what is it all for my darling Eve? We did as He asked but what is it all for?” He turned away, the ache in his heart remaining; tomorrow would be just another day.

  ###

  “I t is a brilliant plan Master.” The overseer tried to bow respectfully but his Liege was sweeping down the dimly lit passageway and he could barely keep up.

  “We will begin immediately; we only need to corrupt a few of them and the rest will follow – like sheep to the slaughter. Hah! They are still calling on His name with their ridiculous Temples and their pathetic rituals; we have played the waiting game long enough.”

  “But we have had some success Master, after their banishment from the Garden and if we show our hand too soon surely He will just put an end to it? You know how He watches over them, even though they are unaware of it.”

  “Yes, yes, but He lets them choose! Can you believe it? We simply have to infiltrate their community and they will come to us. The daughters of men are indeed beautiful. Send for Samael at once, he can begin the selection process.”

  “But if the offspring have human form Master, they will be mortal.”

  “Yes, yes, but that is not our concern, I am sure there will be no shortage of volunteers to spend a human life time with one of the daughters of Eve. I saw her myself once. Beautiful, truly beautiful.

  Chapter 8

  O liver found himself walking along a narrow ledge in almost total darkness. Each time he took the smallest step a tiny patch of light appeared at his feet to show him the way, but the ledge seemed to stretch out in front of him for miles! The Valley floor below was also shrouded in shadows. The darkness clawed at him, trying to destabilise him by its very presence, but it did not actually touch him. He heard taunting whispers but a stronger voice called his name, “Oliver, just because the Way is narrow you do not need to fear.”

  Strangely, Oliver believed it.

  He woke up with a strange memory clinging to his mind, but it was too murky to recall clearly, perhaps he shouldn’t have had the painkillers after all. The headaches weren’t too bad, but mum had said they would help him sleep. It was late morning already but Oliver didn’t feel rested just weary all over. Oh dear, today was hospital day. Great.

  Stumbling across the hall to Millie’s room, Oliver carefully negotiated the laundry basket and a couple of old tennis rackets waiting to go back in the loft. He knocked and waited, Millie would kill him if he barged straight in, but then he remembered she wasn’t there, so he trundled down the stairs, one at a time this time. There was a note on the fridge: “Back at 12, try and eat something – Mum.” Oliver helped himself to milk and cereal and Winston appeared as soon as he heard the rattle of the box.

  “Hi, Winston, not sure you should be having these anymore; your little legs are disappearing under that fat belly of yours.”

  Winston gave an encouraging bark and Oliver relented, “Okay, but only a few.” He dipped them in his milk and then bent down to drop them, one by one, on the kitchen floor.

  “Nice mess.”

  Oliver spun round just in time to see his sister appearing in mid-air with a small, silvery-grey companion. He stood up sharply and dropped his spoon with a clatter. For once Winston ignored the freebie, rushing over to say hello instead.

  “Greetings, Oliver, I am that which is not ...”

  Winston finished it off, “... so that that which is, can be.”

  Winston hurled himself at Quark and Millie watched her brother closely as she guessed his memory was returning. At last Quark disentangled himself from Winston, “How are you feeling now, Oliver?”

  Oliver ran his fingers through his silky hair, “It’s really you isn’t it. But you look different.”

  “Yes – think of it as a kind of promotion.”

  Winston put his head on one side and sniffed, “Some of us are stuck with the same boring white and it’s hard to keep clean.”

  Oliver laughed, “I’d forgotten he can talk when you are around.”

  Winston continued to complain, “And I hardly think a few measly cornflakes are going to make me fat.”

  Millie laughed but stopped quickly when she heard her Mum’s car pulling into the drive, “We’ll go upstairs. Come on Winston, can’t have you reciting War and Peace in front of everyone.” And with that they disappeared.

  Awesome, thought Oliver, maybe I won’t have to worry about the stairs ever again.

  Winston wasted no time with pleasantries, “So Quark, what can I help you with this time?”

  Quark smiled at his four legged friend’s enthusiasm, “It’s not that simple I’m afraid.”

  Winston bristled with indignation, “There was nothing simple about last time.”

  “True, true, but at least we had a path to follow and our objective was more, straightforward, shall we say.”

  Millie picked up her mobile to check for any messages and was only half listening to their conversation, “So what can you tell us?”

  Quark bobbed apologetically and paced the room, “Well, I am not sure really, the situation is most confusing...”

  Millie would not be put off, “Well, what are you here for? You said it had something to do with Oliver but so far all we’ve done is follow Harry around.”

  Winston interrupted his own meandering and jumped onto the bed, “Harry? I don’t remember a Harry.”

  Quark touched his chest and a small image of Harry and his father appeared. “You haven’t
met him Winston, but Harry is important.”

  Millie peered at the small screen, “Why is he important?”

  Quark cleared the screen, “Because without him Oliver will die.”

  Millie didn’t have time to ask anymore as her dad’s head suddenly appeared around the door and Quark vanished.

  “Ah, here you are sweetheart, we are just off to the - er hospital. Would you like to come, or not?”

  Millie didn’t know what to say, she couldn’t quite grasp what she had just heard and her mind was in turmoil. She was playing nervously with her phone when a message came through, “Say no – we have much to do. Quark.”

  “No, don’t worry dad, I’ll look after Winston. Tell Oliver everything will be fine.”

  Jamie Freeman knew his daughter was the eternal optimist, but even he was somewhat surprised at her tone. He quietly closed the door and hoped with all his heart she was right.

  “B ut we must do something! I know we are not supposed to interfere directly but even He must see His plan won’t work now.” Michael spoke softly but the anger in his eyes was not so easily concealed.

  “He is greatly saddened by this latest deception,” Gabriel moved to join Michael on the balcony, “but the order remains.”

  Michael shook his head and gestured to the stunning valleys below, “Why is this not enough? Why are WE not enough?”

  Gabriel patted his friend on the shoulder, “Come, this is not like you to question things so.”

  “But we have stood by and watched for nearly a thousand of their earth years now and where has it got us? Adam has done well but he can’t watch over everything by himself and look what has happened. Forgive me Gabriel, but I am the Captain of the Host and I am impatient to do battle with the enemy, not just oversee things.”

  “Perhaps it is well then that His patience is more bountiful than yours.”

  Michael laughed at the gentle rebuke, “I know, but really the audacity of it, to mate with the daughters of Eve. The offspring are giants! They perform many amazing feats compared to normal men, and the women are actually envious of those who produce such strong youngsters. They are desperate to be part of it all - but do they not realise the seed is now corrupted? As they continue to breed with these demons the original pure line will be lost.”

  Gabriel watched the evening sky settle into a glorious medley of colours at the horizon. This was one of his favourite views and he let the contentment settle for a little while.

  “What is worse they seem to have forgotten everything Adam taught them and the weak suffer terribly at the hands of the strong.”

  Michael clenched his huge fists, “So what do we do?”

  “I’m afraid we do nothing, The Council has been informed that there is still one who is perfect in his generation.”

  Michael sneered, “One! What can he do?”

  “Well, he and his family remain untainted by the demons and are to be trusted with the Covenant.”

  “And how will that work?”

  Gabriel smiled, “Well, to put it simply, he has to secure his family and all the animals, wild and domestic, build a vessel and wait for the Judgement. His name is Noah by the way; I think you will like him.”

  O liver couldn’t believe the size of the place. He had never been to the hospital as a patient before and was understandably nervous. The route march wasn’t helping at all, his head was spinning and his legs felt wobbly. They were following the yellow line on the floor, which was supposed to take them to the right department, but it seemed to go on forever. All around him were signs of sickness and disease, people being pushed along in wheelchairs or on beds. They passed others waiting patiently to have blood tests or X-rays, all with that vacant stare of people in pain and distress.

  Sarah knew exactly where she was going of course, this was her territory, but it had never felt more alien, this time it was her child and her family’s appointment. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

  Jamie hated it too. At least they had modernised this part and he knew it had a good record for cleanliness but he still didn’t want to be here. He was still fuming about paying for the car park – how dare they tax the sick; it wasn’t right in his book.

  At last they reached the reception for the Ophthalmologists. Sarah knew they were seeing the top specialist and was glad to be in her hands, her reputation was excellent. She had spent hours looking up information on the internet, but eventually realised it was such a specialised area she was probably wasting her time. Strangely enough it made her feel a little better though, as if she were actually doing something useful instead of just waiting, waiting and more waiting.

  Chapter 9

  Q uark reappeared and Winston plodded over to be by his side again. Millie moved to the window and made sure they were alone. She turned on Quark. “Right. We are not going anywhere until you explain what’s happening. What do you mean Oliver will die? Please, Quark, no more games, I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to Oliver.”

  Quark looked crestfallen, “I am sorry, Your Highness, but it is rather complicated.”

  “Just tell me what you know, how hard can it be?”

  Quark shrugged his little shoulders, “Very well. I was logging some reports in the Book of Life when I realised Oliver’s name kept deleting so I cross–referenced it with the Book of Destiny, that you recovered, only to find his name also missing. Well, as Oliver clearly exists, after all I had met him, something had to be wrong. So I followed you through the Book of Destiny and it is at this time that your brother disappears.”

  “Clear as mud.” complained Winston flopping down on Millie’s best coat which had fallen on the floor.

  Millie frowned in concentration, “Do you mean it is at this time as in this year or do you mean this time as in now, today?”

  Quark sympathised with her confusion and said “Yes.”

  “What do you mean, “Yes” – that’s no answer at all.” Millie dragged her coat away from Winston and threw it in the wardrobe, banging the door shut.

  “I beg to differ Your Highness; it is clearly in the affirmative!”

  “You know what I mean ...”

  “Yes, but I did warn you that you would not understand what I mean. Time is relative remember. To those of you who dwell in this material plane you think of it as a straight line, yesterday, today, tomorrow, past, present, future. This is your experience and therefore your understanding, but in actuality there is a reality where time does not exist.”

  Winston climbed on the bed again, “Like I said, clear as mud.”

  Quark smiled, “Look, imagine you are in a big crowd watching a carnival process by. In front of you now are Mickey Mouse and behind him a marching band, but you cannot see any more, you have to wait for them to pass you by. Now comes Cinderella and after her some dancers, but you must wait to see what comes after. If you stay there for an hour you will see all the carnival pass by, correct?”

  Millie nodded, not sure where this was going.

  Quark continued, “But what if I get you a special seat so high up you can see everything? The beginning of the carnival, the end, and all parts in between and your eyes are so good you can still see every detail.”

  “You mean you are outside of time? I think I get it ... but what did you mean by disappear? You said my brother disappears.”

  Quark looked uncomfortable, “Well ... er, if your name is not in the Book of Life you do not exist.”

  “But that’s ridiculous I just spoke to him, of course he exists.”

  “He exists here, Your Highness, I was referring to the spiritual realm.”

  O liver had never felt so invaded in all his life. All the people were very nice, but if he never saw another piece of hospital equipment again it would still be too soon. How many images did they need for two eyes and one brain? He looked across at his mum and dad; they looked even more stressed than yesterday. They had been told to wait until the consultant called them in.

  “Oliver Freeman?”
A nurse was waiting to take him somewhere, her lovely, green eyes shining out at him.

  His mum intervened, “Where is he going? We were told to wait here.”

  The nurse smiled patiently, “Mrs Stevens is ready for you now.”

  “Oh ... okay.” Sarah picked up her handbag and threw her last three coffee cups in the bin, “Come on Jay, time to see the boss.”

  The office was surprisingly spacious and modern with lots of art work. Comfy arm chairs surrounded a low coffee table. The consultant stood as they came in, “Please, take a seat, you must be exhausted.”

  Oliver tried to guess her age, she was a small, cuddly woman with intelligent eyes and a kind smile, and she reminded him of one of his old primary school teachers. She was expensively dressed, however, and Oliver just knew she had read all those books on the shelf behind her. She exuded confidence. She looked straight at Oliver.

  “I like to be direct with my patients, Oliver, so I won’t waste your time. Your optician found evidence of papilledema when she examined you and that is why you were referred.” She spread some pictures on the table and used a pen to point. “Papilledema is swelling on the optic disc, you see here, and this is caused by increased intracranial pressure. We have been trying to find out what is causing that pressure, do you understand so far?”

  Oliver nodded; Jamie held his breath and Sarah ripped up the tissue she was holding into tiny little bits.

  “Good. Basically we have discovered you have an intracranial mass which is exerting this pressure and needless to say we must examine it and, if possible, arrange for it to be removed.”

  Everyone sat there quietly for a few seconds and then all started talking at once, but Sarah was the loudest.

  “Do you mean a tumour?”