The Lie (The Seekers Book 2) Read online

  “That’s impossible. You are not on any transfer list; in fact you are recorded as redeemed. How did you get here young lady?”

  Millie didn’t know what to say. What did redeemed mean? She took a step back while trying to think and knocked some books off a table. She was about to apologise and bent over to pick them up, but as she grabbed the first one and turned it over to stack with the others, she saw the face of a young girl on the front cover. To her surprise the image moved and the face contorted. Millie could hear no sound but the girl was plainly screaming.

  Millie dropped the book and ran, knocking over more small tables in her haste. The Doorkeeper was not alarmed, though, he simply called after her calmly, “You can run but you can’t hide here for long. There is no exit from here unless I transport you.”

  Millie didn’t care and she didn’t believe him anyway, this guy was a creep and Quark would come for her. She hoped.

  D ominik Novak was delivering his last lecture of the day and while he wanted to get an early start through the city’s infamous one–way traffic system, the sea of faces in front of him indicated it would be otherwise. These first year undergraduates were a keen bunch and he knew they would have a lot of questions. He turned to the last image on the screen, the complexity of the human cell never failing to amaze him, and began his conclusion:

  “And so we know the mitochondrial DNA is passed only through the female from one generation to the next. Mitochondria enable the body to aerobically respirate and without it human tissue would be unable to sustain its metabolic pathway. Living cells constantly multiply and divide through a series of complex conversions and each cellular change generates considerable heat in the body. Without adequate mitochondria these living cells would rapidly overheat during the millions of metabolic changes taking place at any given moment in time, generating enough heat to literally boil the blood.”

  All eyes were on him now, “Mitochondrial DNA can only be traced through the female because the male mitochondria are stored in the tail of the sperm and they die off at the moment of conception. A baby will, therefore, only possess the mitochondria inherited from the woman’s egg. This explains why the genetic pathway of mitochondrial DNA can only be traced through the woman and not the man. This is a well-known fact in forensic science. It also well known that the mitochondria supply the fuel for every working machine in the cell – the organelle. It supplies this fuel in three grades –one, two and three star. This power station is far more complicated than any made by man. Please note, it also needs the fuel it produces to start its own fuel-making machinery, to make fuel! This “first fuel” therefore, must have been provided. It is impossible, ladies and gentlemen, for any human being to be conceived, or live, without the female mitochondria and it has been proven that all modern humans can be traced back to one woman– the “life-giver” - Mitochondrial Eve.”

  A dozen hands shot in the air and Dominik grinned at their enthusiasm, he would escape the dreaming spires eventually and Chrissie wouldn’t mind too much if he was a little late. They had been friends for eight years now and there had never been anyone else, at least on his side. He was determined to let her know this weekend how he really felt about her. It was going to be a special visit.

  S arah’s smile never reached her eyes. All evening friends and colleagues had popped in to whisper support. She appreciated their love and concern but she wanted to do something. It was simpler being a nurse. The clinical detachment while not always easy was necessary, and it kept you going. But being a parent, now that was something else. Sarah ran her hands over the clean sheets and listened to the monitors. Oliver was “comfortable” and not in any pain but the reason for the coma was unclear. No- one seemed to know what to do for the best.

  Jamie had popped out to use his mobile again, where was Millie? Honestly, their mobiles are a constant attachment at home, so how come they always go to voice mail whenever we want to get in touch? But Millie was a sensible girl, wherever she was, it was perhaps better she didn’t know all the details just yet. Jamie had sent a text, so Millie would get in touch as soon as she could. They were so close though, she half expected Millie to already know. As young twins they even had their own special language and always seemed to know what the other was going through. Come on Millie, Oliver needs you.

  Chapter 14

  “S ay that again.”

  “Millie needs you because she is trapped behind that door and we can’t get through. It’s all quite simple.” Winston shook his head from side to side as he wondered why he couldn’t get a scent from Oliver.

  “Perhaps if I may?” asked Quark with his usual never ending degree of patience.

  Winston flopped down, “Be my guest.”

  Quark sat on the floor too but Oliver didn’t want to sit down. He had so much energy he wanted to fly again, that had been amazing, but here they were in this funny little room with its six doors. Reluctantly he sat down too.

  “Go ahead Quark.”

  “Well, Your Highness, I am not sure I understand myself yet. It has always been possible for me to accompany you but for some reason, the Way here is barred. Millie is looking for evidence for your ... er... situation and this was our third door, but we cannot get in as Winston was trying to tell you.”

  “Well, where does it go?”

  Winston interrupted anyway, “How do we know, we are on this side remember.”

  “I don’t think your sarcasm will help.” sighed Quark.

  Winston looked a little sheepish, “Sorry, but I’m hungry and I always get tetchy when I’m hungry.”

  “Why didn’t you say so, old friend?” Quark immediately conjured up his dishes with his evening meal in it and Winston was so pleased he forgot to say thank you.

  Quark continued, “One door, this one, led to the past and the second one, over there, was in the present. My guess is that this one has gone into the future or another dimension entirely. But it will only allow Children of the Garden, so only you can help.”

  “Right.”

  Quark smiled at Oliver’s brevity.

  “I am assuming she will not have travelled far but you had better take this.”

  Quark handed Oliver a very small stone, similar to Millie’s in shape, but this one was deep red.

  Oliver studied it, “Does this link me to you, like Millie’s?”

  “Not exactly, but it will open the Way for your return. Your job is to find Millie and get back here as quickly as possible.”

  Oliver was about to put it in his pocket when Quark placed his hand on Oliver’s. “You have to swallow it, Your Highness.”

  “But ...” Oliver knew he wouldn’t understand the answer so he swallowed the stone and the question, best get on with it.

  Winston looked up from his bowl, “Good luck.”

  “Thanks. See you later.” I hope. Oliver to the rescue – now that was something new!

  Winston stopped eating long enough to watch Oliver disappear through the door; he turned to Quark, “So let me get this right, we came here to help Oliver and now Oliver has gone to help Millie, somewhere we can’t help.”

  Quark sighed but didn’t reply.

  Winston suddenly realised his little friend was actually quite worried. “Don’t worry so much, what can possibly go wrong?”

  Quark sighed again. It would be like explaining quantum theory to a four year old. “Let’s hope you’re right.” There it was again, that word hope. Humans used it a lot, but if they only knew the power of real hope, ah - what they could do then!

  M illie had made her way to the wall and had followed it for what seemed like miles. Using the book-cases for cover she was amazed that so far she couldn’t see a way out. Surely there had to be a fire door or something? That was the law, right? She tried to control her breathing and paused to listen. The creep was making no effort to follow her it seemed, which should have been good news, but it didn’t really make any sense. Millie almost laughed, as if anything with Quark made sense.
r />   This place was horrible for sure. There had to be millions of books and Millie was too afraid to look at another one. What if they all had people inside? Millie shivered at the thought. She ran her fingers over the expensive bindings, strange letterings and numbers ran along the spines. Well this wasn’t the Dewey decimal system! And how did this place link to Oliver? He could never have been to such a place. It must be a mistake.

  C hristina Elliot was trying to finish her marking so she could have at least one Bank Holiday weekend without school work ruining everything, but things were not going according to plan. First she had cleaned the flat, then there was the supermarket run and now her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Other people may have Friday nights to chat, but she didn’t. Oh heck – glass of red wine or not? That was the question. It would take Dominik several hours to get here from Oxford. She could open it and leave it to “breathe” ... and a small one for herself, of course.

  Christina put down her pen and took the bottle from the kitchen worktop. She looked at the fancy French label, not cheap, but not horrendously expensive either, they didn’t pay teachers that much. She was just rummaging for a corkscrew when her mobile went again. She thought about ignoring it, but never could. It might be Dominik.

  The text was from the Head of Year 11 concerning one of her favourite pupils. She put the wine back, grabbed her bag and walked out of the door.

  I f the Apprentice had expected immediate results he would have been disappointed, but he knew these things took time, at least he had learnt that much. Jack was still hunched over his machine, forever reading about life instead of living it. At least he’d forgotten to turn his music on so the room was at least quiet for a change. All that shrieking got on your nerves; well it would have if you had any.

  The Apprentice had been exploring again. He had been chased away from a few no go areas, but that was to be expected. He wanted to see inside of course, what it was that made them so different, but it simply wasn’t allowed. He could not pass no matter how hard he tried. Funny thing was you could always tell just by looking at them, they were an odd bunch alright, the untouchables. The Royal Robes were amazing! He had seen some incredible designs, but he couldn’t look for too long because it hurt his eyes and The Mark was dangerous to him. Still, it made his job easier; as soon as he couldn’t enter he knew there was a warrior inside, somewhere... He was supposed to report it and then they would be followed to their ritual meeting places, where more senior ranks would cause mayhem ... simple!

  The sharp sound of the mobile phone broke into his thoughts. The Apprentice listened with amazement. His target was actually going to meet somebody; this had to be a good sign for Jack. Well, let’s take a look at the outside world mate and see if we can open your eyes a bit.

  Unfortunately, Deceiver had other ideas. He had chosen today to surprise the young demon with a supervisory visit and he was busy watching. His superior craft allowed him to be present without disturbing the energy of the room. He had just been on the verge of leaving when he intercepted the Apprentice’s strange ponderings. His demonic eyes flashed with pleasure, so, an adversary in his own ranks, how amusing. He would not report it. He hadn’t had the opportunity for sport in aeons. This could be great fun! Either way the Apprentice was finished.

  Chapter 15

  O liver hid behind the nearest piece of furniture as soon as he materialised on the other side. He wanted to get a good look around before meeting anyone, but the place looked deserted. It was so quiet too, there was a constant soft hum like some sort of air conditioning, but that was it.

  He didn’t have a plan; he thought he could just “wing it” and that he would know what to do when he got here. But it looked just like a library, after all how dangerous could that be? Oliver felt lost without his phone; he had so taken for granted the ease with which he could stay in touch with Millie and his friends. What did people do before technology?

  He also wished he wasn’t quite so bright. He could see himself reflecting off some of the surfaces, which made hiding rather difficult. Come on Oliver, think. There has to be a way of getting Millie’s attention in this cavernous space.

  Oliver chanced a long look between the shelves; he had a good view of the central work station. Surely if someone was here they would be working there? All the other tables were too small and too cluttered with stacks and stacks of books. But if there was no-one else here why was Millie hiding? Surely she would have returned if she could?

  Oliver was just about to do something very rash when he heard the most extraordinary sound. A strange singing, if you could call it that, filled the air. It was a haunting melody that teased at his consciousness, where had he heard it before? Oliver looked up at the large glass dome over his head; it was like a transparent St. Pauls Cathedral. The evening sky was a deep crimson and most uninviting. Oliver did not want to go out there, but he would for Millie. He would do anything for Millie.

  He scanned the walls, - rows and rows of bookshelves, creating a patchwork quilt of colours, - but how did you reach them? It was then he spotted the metal ladders. They were quite narrow and looked to be made of aluminium, a bit like the loft ladder. Fixed to the walls they reached about half way, and then there was a narrow walkway. More ladders then reached to the top, close to the ceiling. Upon closer examination he could see rails, running horizontally around the room. Of course, the ladders would scroll sideways to allow access to all the shelves. If he could get up there he could look down at the library and search for Millie. If she definitely wasn’t here he could then find a way out. Okay, onwards and upwards.

  Unfortunately for Oliver while he crept to the nearest ladder his luminosity was lighting him up like a 747 to air traffic control! The Doorkeeper watched, fascinated. There was one by the Millennium Quadrant and one ascending the 1500’s. What are they up to? He would watch a little longer before deciding on a course of action. This was his area of responsibility; he would not let the others tell him what to do all the time. He was the Doorkeeper after all.

  C hristina managed to find a small parking space. She wasn’t happy with it though; she usually tried to find a double one because her precious Archie had been dinted in the past. She squeezed out of her beautiful red Mini and went to find the ticket machine. The place was packed ... so many sick people.

  She hated hospitals but she had to do this, Oliver was a great kid and his parents were nice too. She had met them so many times, - at parent evenings and school events, - the whole family usually turned out, including the dog, which was always a good sign. She searched her bag for change for the parking meter; what an unbelievable rip off! How did families cope if they had to keep coming back?

  She sent Dominik a quick text, all being well she would be back before he even picked it up. She joined the throng of visitors entering the wide hospital doors and turned her phone off like she knew she was supposed to. It was surprisingly easy to find Intensive Care. Christina had expected to wander the corridors for ages, but she had come straight to it after all. The nurse said she could go on through, but after taking another shot of cleansing gel from the machine on the wall, she hesitated. What would she say? Oliver’s mum was a nurse after all and would know the seriousness of the situation better than she did. But I’m here as a friend, not a professional. Friends don’t always have the answers, but they can be there when they are needed. She took a deep breath and walked through the swing doors.

  M illie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. There was Oliver climbing the walls like some fluorescent Spiderman. What on earth was he wearing? How did he expect to stay hidden in that thing? Millie was trying to work it out when she realised the implication. Quark must have sent him, which means Quark isn’t coming!

  Millie felt sick just watching him. Poor Oliver, he had two left feet anyway, was quite ill and didn’t like heights; yet here he was scurrying up to the ceiling. He had made good progress, but where was the Doorkeeper? Millie spun around, frantically searching; there were so man
y places to hide, and he could be anywhere. What could she do?

  Oliver continued to climb. He was making good progress when a thought struck him, what if one of the sections had a false front, like you saw in the movies? Yeah, but it wouldn’t be up here, it would be back on the ground, normally. Not that there was anything normal about this ridiculous situation. Oliver had no fear as he reached out to grab the nearest book. He was simply going to check out the wall, but as he made contact with the unusual leather binding, he knew it was a mistake.

  Millie watched with horror as Oliver vanished! He seemed to be slowly absorbed into the bookcase. Oh no – the books! Millie knew in her heart that Oliver had been consumed. But why was he taken and not me? Millie was angry. Not only was she trapped in this stupid place but now she had to rescue Oliver as well, without any help from Quark, apparently. What was he doing anyway? He had come back into her life without any real explanation, except for the fact that Oliver needed her. Well he certainly did now.

  J ack ambled off the bus and checked his mobile for directions, but as soon as he turned the corner he could see the gathering outside Oliver’s house. There was a small patch of green with a large weeping willow in the middle and the students were colonising it like ants. He hadn’t expected to see so many people and was quite nervous. He didn’t really know these teenagers well but he recognised most of them. He kept walking towards the group and was about to shuffle off to one side when a pretty girl with large blue eyes and long blonde hair offered him a candle.

  “Terrible isn’t it. We are going to light these when it gets really dark so at least his family will know we are thinking of them.”