The Lie (The Seekers Book 2) Page 5

  Mrs Stevens did not hesitate, “Yes, I am afraid so.”

  Chapter 10

  M illie glared at Quark and there was a stunned silence. Even Winston sensed the importance of the moment and decided not to be flippant. Millie wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer, but she knew she had to ask the question.

  “What do you mean – the spiritual realm? Do you mean when people ... er ... do you mean the afterlife?”

  Quark was clearly agitated as he bobbed up and down more than usual and strutted around the room on his little furry legs. “Your Highness, you remember the Council of the Domains and how Michael showed you just a small part of the Universes? This opened your understanding to the vastness of the Heavens, but you were still only visiting.”

  “And?”

  “Well, there are others who do remain. Their names are all written in the Book of Life. They then continue the journey which began here on your planet.”

  “You mean with Michael? Does this mean I will see him again too?” asked Millie, remembering her brief visit to the Domains.

  Winston couldn’t keep quiet any longer, “What about me?”

  Quark smiled, “Of course, but the permutations are endless.”

  Millie sighed, “Your answers are never clear Quark.”

  “I think you will find it is the questions, Your Highness, that lead you into confusion.”

  Millie tried to get to the point, “What has this got to do with Oliver?”

  Quark stopped pacing and sat down next to Winston. “Only faith in IAM is required to enter the Book of Life, but the Book of Destiny reveals the pathway you have chosen. Very interesting it is too, you wouldn’t believe how hard everybody works to get some people in there! So, for Oliver to disappear from both books it would require a most unusual anomaly.”

  “A what a lee?”

  “A glitch, an abnormality. It has never happened before and that is why I am sent to investigate.”

  “So what happens if you are not in the Book of Life?”

  “Why, you are in the Book of the Dead, of course,” stated Quark simply.

  Winston shook himself, “Don’t like the sound of that.”

  “Indeed, but do not fear for Oliver was not there either.”

  Millie put her phone away, “You said we have much to do, but what can we do if it’s never happened before? And what has it all got to do with that boy Harry?”

  Quark looked pleased to be asked this and clasped his tiny hands together, “Oh yes, I triangulated exponentially from Oliver’s last recorded position in your pathway and followed all the strings until they left me with the six doors. One of those holds the key.”

  Millie and Winston both said together, “Clear as mud.”

  “What I mean is I could account for all the other loops, but not those.”

  “What’s a loop?” asked Millie.

  Winston couldn’t help himself, “I’m guessing not the one on my lead?”

  Quark tapped his fingers together, “In this instance, Winston, they are the consequences of actions which affect others lives.”

  Millie nodded thoughtfully, “Why a loop?”

  “Because like ripples in a pond they eventually reach a stopping point, but they have gone out in all directions. It can take a long time – as you understand it.”

  Millie knew she wouldn’t get it.

  “Right – so the six doors in that room somehow link to Oliver –yes?”

  “Yes.”

  “But I’ve never met Harry before and I’m pretty sure Oliver hasn’t and we didn’t actually do anything, did we?”

  “But the loop relates to the past, present and future, as you understand it. And yes we did achieve something quite amazing.”

  “I see – I think.”

  Quark jumped off the bed and Winston followed, “Come - we must continue.”

  “Silly question, but we must continue what?”

  “Finding of course.”

  M ichael couldn’t help himself, he had returned many times to look at it. There it was – 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high, resting in the arid sand. It had three decks and a large door in the side; ventilation and lighting were minimal and mostly confined to the roof. The coating with pitch inside and out had caused much hilarity to their neighbours initially, but it had taken so long to build the Ark they mostly just ignored them now. Noah and his family had done well.

  And the animals! They had been restored to Garden meekness for the journey and many were already in a state of hibernation. They had come to Noah from all over the land and were safely stored on board with all provisions for man and beast now ready.

  Just eight people and they would have to start all over again. Michael understood why this had to be but was still shocked at the risk being taken. Of course He had started with only two originally and now he would have eight, but they were still outside the Garden.

  Michael watched them, totally unseen of course. He admired their courage and faithfulness, for all around them the most terrible things were happening, but this small family would not yield. Michael was amazed that they had continued to obey in such circumstances. Not just the ridicule and harassment, but the young women were often in danger and had required special protection.

  The time had come. Noah and his family took one last look at the dry, barren landscape, then they entered the Ark and the Lord shut the door behind them.

  Chapter 11

  “W hy does he have to come?” Millie pointed dismissively at Winston and then gazed around the circular room at its six little doors. It all looked depressingly familiar.

  Quark didn’t hesitate, “Because, Your Highness, I may have to leave you at some point and this way you are not alone.”

  Winston looked pleased to be considered so important and set off to examine the doors.

  Millie was not impressed, “Humph...”

  Winston would not be put off, “What do we have to do?”

  “Well it’s obvious isn’t it; we have to go through all these doors until we find out why Oliver disappears.” Millie shook her head, “I can’t believe I just said that!”

  “Indeed.”

  “So I just follow someone around and see what happens?”

  Quark smiled up at her, “Unless you are in the present.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, if you are in the present they can see you of course.”

  “Oh, great.”

  Winston waddled up to the shabby black door and sniffed at the grey, floating cobwebs that hung across it, “Well this door hasn’t been opened for a while.”

  Millie looked at it disapprovingly and sighed, “Well I suppose we’ll have to go through it if we want to help Oliver.”

  Quark shook his head, “Not necessarily, Your Highness, it all depends on the order you choose and how long we’ve got before Oliver, er ...”

  Millie sat down to think, “So what you’re saying is, if we get the right door, we won’t have to do them all.”

  Quark stood next to Winston and ran his hand through a cobweb, “Yes and no.”

  Seeing the look in Millie’s eyes he hurried on, “If we recognise that something significant has happened in the loop, then we will know our job is done, but we have no idea what is happening in the material plane while we are gone.”

  “You mean at the hospital?”

  “Indeed.”

  “So this finding is a matter of luck?”

  “Oh no, Your Highness, you have the Crown of Discernment, the Way will open for you.”

  Millie touched her forehead; she had forgotten the gift that Michael had given her. She wished she could see the Crown once more to remind herself of its beauty and its power.

  “Come on guys – something is telling me we need to start here.”

  Millie was a bit afraid of spiders, and the cobwebs were extraordinarily sticky, so it took a lot of determination to stick her hand in the middle of it all. At last she could see the handle
. It was twisted in a small circle, off-white in colour, it looked like ivory. Just like before, she didn’t actually open the door, as soon as her fingertips touched the handle, they were on the other side.

  T he Apprentice hated this gathering. How could he bring anything to this meeting? The others were all older and more experienced than him; they would just laugh at him as usual. He dared to chance a quick look around the meeting place before the Overseer called them to order. All those assembled were gathered in their usual cliques, telling new and old tales in the hope of impressing someone. No-one was actually listening.

  It was hard to establish seniority until you actually looked in their eyes. Then the darkness threatened to overwhelm you. Pools of malice stripped you of what little self-respect you had left. How did they read him so? How had he ended up here? He had to find a way to escape; surely he wasn’t evil like these? Yes he’d made mistakes, but hadn’t everybody?

  The huge bell tolled three times and the room became still. All eyes focussed on the Altar in the centre of the room as the Master began to materialise. The Apprentice didn’t want to look but he was compelled. Fear gripped him as the atmosphere in the room became even more charged. Slowly the full features emerged and he was shocked at what he saw. The huge frame towered over them all, the black wings at full stretch imposing dominance and menace, but the face was that of an angel, handsome and strong, until you looked at the eyes. Then you wanted to hide.

  The Apprentice tried to back away but there was nowhere to go, everyone else was trying to go forwards, whispering the Master’s name in monotonous enchantment. Soon he would be exposed! Frantically he tried to conceal himself behind one of the marble pillars but this had the opposite of the desired effect as they seemed to know by instinct what he was doing. The Master beckoned him. Spiteful faces sneered at him with eager expectation of some new sport as they pushed him along. Finally he stood alone and a deathly hush filled the room. He was too afraid to look now.

  The voice that spoke into the silence was surprisingly gentle, but it terrified him anyway. “So you think you are better than us?”

  The Apprentice fell on his knees, whimpering, “No, no it’s a mistake I shouldn’t be here, I didn’t do anything ...”

  The laughter was even crueller than the anger. “That’s precisely why you are here, you fool.”

  M illie looked at the small terraced yard. The dustbin was overflowing, the old wooden fence was broken and a rusty bike lay on the floor with one of its wheels spinning slowly at her feet. On the other side of the bike was a girl of about seven with short, straight dark-brown hair and a pink hair band falling off to one side. She was examining a grazed knee, not quite crying, but clearly upset.

  “Stupid thing!” She gave the bike a hefty kick and then looked up. “Aw – he’s a lovely dog, what’s his name?”

  Millie suddenly realised the girl could see them and looked around for Quark, but he had done one of his disappearing acts. “His name is Winston. Are you okay?”

  The little girl struggled to her feet and gave Winston a pat.

  “Yeah, I’m always falling off it; mam says I’m not really supposed to ride it. That’s a funny name for a dog.”

  Millie smiled, “My dad named him after someone, I think.”

  “I don’t have a dad. Mam says we’re better off without him.”

  Millie nodded to the tiny terraced house, “Do you live here?”

  “Course. It’s my Nan’s house really but we share it ‘cos we had to leave our last house.”

  Winston was clearly enjoying the affection and obviously showed no signs of joining in the conversation so Millie assumed she would have to work this one out herself. What could this little girl have to do with Oliver?

  “What’s your name?”

  “Millie. What’s yours?”

  “Cheryl”

  “That’s a nice name. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “Nah – mam says one’s enough trouble. Do you want to come in? I have to wash my knee.”

  Winston followed Cheryl to the old brown door and was clearly quite happy to proceed.

  “Won’t your family mind?”

  “Nah. Nan’s popped out and mam’s at work.” She strolled inside and left the door open so Millie followed.

  “Surely you’re not on your own?”

  The question went unanswered as Cheryl found a cloth in the kitchen and ran it under the tap. Winston went to examine the cupboards and Millie marvelled at the neat little kitchen with its cosy furnishings and wooden table and chairs.

  “Fancy a cup of tea? Nan always has the kettle on but she won’t be back for ages.”

  “I’ll do it. You finish seeing to your knee.”

  They took their drinks into the small lounge, Winston helping himself to the rocking chair with all the cushions piled high up the back. Cheryl laughed, “Don’t let Frankie catch you, he’s my Nan’s cat and he thinks he owns that chair!”

  Millie laughed, “Yeah, my dad always says dogs have owners but cats have staff. He runs the Noah’s Ark pet shop and knows a lot about animals.”

  “Oh yeah, I’ve been in there to look at the animals. I’d like a dog, but mam says she’s all on feeding me, so that’s that.”

  Millie sipped her tea and waited for inspiration. If Cheryl had been in the shop perhaps she had met Oliver there, or would meet Oliver there. Cheryl seemed quite grown up for her age but surely she was too young to be home alone. Just then a sharp banging came from the ceiling and Cheryl hopped up.

  “That’s grandad, he’ll be wanting something. Come up if you like.” And she scampered off happily, swinging her head from side to side.

  S hem held his wife tight as she buried her head in the folds of his cloak and sobbed quietly. The screaming had finally stopped but they still heard the occasional voice. Father had been very clear about when to get in the Ark and it had been hard on his wife to leave her family behind.

  It was really happening. The huge boat was bobbing helplessly on the gushing waters and it would go wherever it was taken by the great flood. Shem could feel his heart beating, he was not afraid, but he was angry. His mother –in –law was a good woman, why did she have to die? Surely there was enough room? There was plenty of space for the animals after all. He tried not to think of his nieces and nephews, all of them so young.

  He looked around the room, four couples wrapped up together like vines, each lost in their own thoughts. Only Father looked serene, all those years of being laughed at for building a boat in a desert, forgotten. He had never doubted, never faltered. He had told the people over and over again, but no-one had responded, they just shook their heads and called him an old fool. Now it was too late, for all of them.

  O liver was relieved to be home and flopped down on his un-made bed. He absorbed the silence like a sponge and, while he was grateful for the solitude, part of him wished Millie and Quark were there. He had no idea what they were up to this time and even though he was shattered, he felt left out. He had only closed his eyes for a second when he heard the familiar words,

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

  Oliver sat up just in time to see Quark finishing his little bow, his eyes full of their usual mischief and mystery.

  “Quark! I was just thinking of you. Where’s Millie? Is she okay?”

  “Yes, Your Highness, do not worry, Millie is fine. She is following certain leads which should help us solve this puzzle, but how are you now?”

  Oliver shrugged his shoulders, “They want to operate as soon as possible ... but ...”

  Quark could see his young friend was struggling but waited patiently for him to finish.

  “... but the tumour is in a very difficult position and they are not sure any of their surgeons can do it.”

  Quark sat on the bed and laid his hand on Oliver’s shoulder, “Do not fear Oliver, you are in good hands. Stay strong and fight.”

  Oliver was about
to respond but Quark reached up and touched him on the temple and instantly Oliver fell into a deep sleep. A sleep that would end in life or death.

  “Goodbye my dear friend, I will see you soon.”

  Chapter 12

  M illie didn’t see how it was possible to be so emaciated and still be alive. The arms and legs were stick thin and the old man’s face was grey and gaunt, but the smile was infectious and the eyes sparkled.

  “Hello love, who is this then you’ve brought to see me?”

  Cheryl sat carefully on the bed, “This is Millie and she has a cool dog.”

  “Is that right?”

  Millie nodded, unsure of what to say. The pale blue, water-coloured eyes never left her face.

  “Did you want something grandad?”

  “Yes love, it’s time for my next lot of medicine but your Gran has left them too far away for my silly old legs to reach.”

  Cheryl made her way to the wheelchair at the side of the bed and looked at all the bottles of pills scattered on the grey cushion.

  “Which ones grandad?”

  “I can’t see without my glasses lovie, perhaps your friend can help?”

  Millie took a step back, shaking her head, “Oh ... I don’t think I should administer drugs, my mum’s a nurse and she goes mental when people don’t know what they are doing.”

  He laughed, “Well Millie you may be right, but pain is pain and if I don’t take them soon I might not be able to. But perhaps that’s not such a bad thing after all.”

  Right then she saw the mask slip away from his face and it broke her heart. Hurrying to the wheelchair she picked up the first bottle. “What is it you need?”

  “It should be easy to see, it’s the liquid morphine, and I can have two spoonfuls.”

  Millie read the label carefully while Cheryl disappeared to get the spoon.

  “How do you know my granddaughter, Millie? You’re not like her usual friends.”