Chapter 06 - Slithering Sailor
March 26th, 1989 - Tuesday Night
Daylight lay hidden as my eyes emerge to the solace of night. I neglected to set an alarm for the sleepy detour down memory lane, instead placing faith in my body’s ability to shake itself awake at the right moment. Turning on my side a quick glance at the clock revealed a flaw in my belief. Time told the tale that I overslept by forty minutes, providing Cameron with a surplus of rest.
Peeling myself out of bed, I freshened up before opening the front door and embarking on the quick journey between properties. I noticed the still air all around me as twilight had devoured the horizon. A few knocks on Cam’s door proved useful as a responsive bark could be heard from within.
CAMERON: Come on in!
My hand shook the slight grogginess still present from traveling down memory lane and opened Cameron’s front door, incorporating permission this time.
ATMOS: Hey buddy, sorry I’m a bit late. I suppose I needed the shut eye more than you.
CAMERON: Careless.
ATMOS: Well I’m sure you can't wait to hear the tale of why I was in your house this afternoon. The telling of such atrocities will require two of your finest glasses, each with a splash of ice please.
I held out the bottle of gin in my left hand, unopened, it would prove as a familiar middle man during our conversations. Cameron gave a nod, leaving the room temporarily while alert hands opened the top to the elixir. Contemplating which couch would help facilitate the most sympathy during my narrative, I sat closest to the end table. Cameron returned with two tall, skinny and thin glasses with some meaningful words stretched along the entire radius of each. Two perfectly placed ice cubes were soon bathed in the libations of the evening as I began my monologue.
ATMOS: The last time we talked I was somewhere along the lines of a person of interest. Now, I’m damn near in the sights of something fierce. Through run-ins with a few new characters, along with the unsettling reality that I might actually be crazy, I’ve clearly shot off some obscure life ramp and am airborne for a collision.
CAMERON: As full bodied as that sounds Atmos, how does this involve my house.
ATMOS: You can’t just skip over the appetizer and jump straight into the meal, who taught you such manners?
CAMERON: You’re right. You’re right, please proceed.
ATMOS: I needed to know where the boundary of the Deep Pines was, you know I don’t own a map. I had to know Cameron. Sev, he died some time ago. But because I thought I knew as an absolute truth, that his bar was outside of the Deep Pines, I’ve somehow been hallucinating him. I knocked, you weren’t home, so I found the answer inside.
CAMERON: Christ Atmos, I know you talked about how you would go out there, to Sev’s. I had always assumed that you were just going out to pay your respects to those you lost, him and Carmine.
ATMOS: The more I learn, the more pathetic these past few years seem. Do you happen to know when he died? I feel like I need to know.
Instinctually I shot back the rest of my cocktail, delaying any thoughts meant to understand my reality. In a true blue fashion, I topped off both glasses that sat thirsty atop the table. He hadn't asked for a refill, but I knew that Cameron and I were well paced at drinking. My tolerance felt gained through repetition whereas his clearly stemmed from some ancient German ancestry that swapped out breast feeding for a cold stein.
CAMERON: Yeah, yeah I do Atmos. He died about the time that the new train stops started running in Forest City. You know the ones that went to areas off limits to the public. I’d have to look through the archives but I’m pretty sure he died working on the line.
I looked down for a moment, noticing my inability to hold back a small show of water works.
ATMOS: Dammit. I don’t remember that.
CAMERON: Atmos. I’m really sorry. I’ll tell you everything I remember. Sev died on a Friday, I remember sitting here drinking my coffee Saturday morning when I found out. You were out in the Deep Pines when it happened. When you came back you seemed as if you knew. We spoke briefly that weekend, I had mentioned that I was sorry, I should have added detail. When we spoke you nodded to the sympathy and went inside. That was about two years ago as I can recall.
None of the nights passed out in the Deep Pines ever truly felt as if my feet had scraped the bottom, this moment with Cameron appeared to finally shed light on its location.
ATMOS: I think I’m going to call it a night if that’s okay with you. I’m sorry again about the breaking and entering earlier.
CAMERON: Hey, don’t worry about it. Did you find everything you were looking for?
ATMOS: I did. Oh and, I didn’t mean to snoop but I saw some book in your office that alluded to a codename of yours, Tigerman. It’s none of my business, and was an accident, scout’s honor, but hey there’s a transparency here that I’m trying to uphold.
He grinned with the slight confession.
CAMERON: It’s a story for another time. But Atmos, you’re not falling victim all by chance. Some of what is happening might just be meant for you. Maybe one of these days I’ll introduce myself as Tigerman.
His words felt as if spoken in a dialect misunderstood by the context of the conversation. The confusion brought about a silence that filled the furniture around us, hinting that our reserve of worthy words had both been drained. A faint knocking could be heard outside, not on Cameron’s door but on one close. I found myself in motion towards the front window, noticing an intruder caught in my porch light. Bound in darkness, Sails stood in a funnel of amber light pounding on my front door.
ATMOS: Sails is knocking something fierce at my door, thoughts?
CAMERON: You should probably go see what he wants. Hell, invite him over here for a drink if he’s in the mood.
I offered a nod and pointed at our beverages, alluding that we might need a third conditional on Sails’ willpower. The entry door to Cameron’s creaked open, prompting Sails to turn around without delay.
SAILS: Atmos, where have you been? I need to speak with you right away. By the way, thanks for bailing on me with Conifer Cove, you’ve dug yourself quite the hole.
Deception floated atop his words, our most recent outing removed him from my circle of trust.
ATMOS: Well we’re talking over here, I can pour you a drink if you’d rather speak at Cameron’s house.
SAILS: They’re your secrets, doesn’t matter to me who else hears them.
Upon reentry to Cameron’s living room, three glasses lay full on the mid century modern table, placed long ago picturesquely between two emerald couches. I sat alongside Cameron as Sails lowered to a seating position across us.
ATMOS: Sails has a few secrets of mine to tell. Cameron, do you mind giving a blood oath for this conversation?
CAMERON: I just sat down, you want me to go grab a knife now too?
Instinctively I burst out laughing to the response, a reaction of disapproval faced me.
SAILS: Great. Are you guys drunk already? How am I not surprised?
CAMERON: Sails, right now you are a welcome guest. I’d recommend you start telling a tale or you can excuse yourself from my house.
Cameron’s sternness was greatly appreciated against the siege growing in the conversation.
SAILS: Alright, let’s get this over with. Atmos, all eyes are on Owl Architecture right now. This incident has several sleepy mover and shakers in this town now paying attention and asking questions. As the prestigious firm that we are, we are undoubtedly responsible for some of those answers. This is going to come just as much of a shock to you as it did to me, but somehow, your very real, very much alive Carmine appears to be at the center of this web. I know I have mostly doubted you when it comes to your interactions with her and honestly I still don’t know what to believe when you talk about your Friday outings, but recently I was made aware of a Jane Doe. A Jane Doe that was believed to be responsible for the incident in the Deep Pines last Friday. This Jane Doe received a name this morning, identified through means that weren’t shared with me. Her name, Carmine Curie. Now I’m sure in some alternate universe there are two women with the same full name, but I do not think that we are living in it. To make matters worse it would appear that she isn’t working alone and has an accomplice. Now your name has not yet been added to the suspect list but I would suggest that you make sure that doesn't happen.
Sails was right, shock struck my face with unnerving hands. The recent discovery of Sev’s death had me skeptical of what I had experienced over the last few years. Logic screamed that with the Sev’s passing, Carmine was also among the list of the buried.
ATMOS: Sails, you need to tell us exactly what you know about last week's incident. Maybe some detail will stick out and I can make more sense of this.
Sails dashed a subtle glance at Cameron, curling his eyes in suspicion during the seconds caught.
SAILS: I suppose it would be fair to share such information with you. As you know, the news of last Friday night has been widespread. From what I have heard, the main casualty of the incident was the Lake Mist Research Facility being taken offline. I’m not sure even I know what the purpose of the research facility is, but it is beside the point. The facility sits at the base of a dam, the one that was installed with the railroad. This dam has four emergency flood gates, for which their use was purely theoretical. The access required to operate each flood gate can be counted on one hand, all of which are not suspects at this time. Someone broke into the wing of the research facility that houses the controls for the dam and somehow activated all emergency flood gates. The flooding that followed ruined the facility and broke the mechanisms that regulate the gates themselves. The current state of the research facility is that it is now completely submerged underwater. A solution has been started, but with the lead time on how long it could take, others have taken the stance that the building will just become an underwater ruin. One to be abandoned and given back to the forest. Atmos, I don’t ever remember Carmine being savvy with computers or adept in any way to have pulled off what I have just described, am I wrong?
ATMOS: When we were younger we explored the forest forwards and backwards, I have continued that pilgrimage into more parts unknown. It is incredible to think that NightLight could still hide so much from the public.
The ricochet of my response caught Sails illprepared.
SAILS: Excuse me?
ATMOS: You are not in awe of how little we actually know about forest that surrounds us?
SAILS: Can we get back to the point? Now I’m quite sure that you are not going to like this next part, but I’ve informed our superiors that you have had frequent contact with this individual. You can be angry at me later, but after your recent disappearing act, perhaps we are yet again even. I stood up for your Atmos, I did my best to make sure that you stayed off of the suspect list. It was believable that your skill set doesn't necessarily transfer over to whoever they believe she is working with.
He paused. I felt the footsteps of a rebellion of injustice scurrying inside of me, yet I gave thought in wondering if the worst had yet come.
ATMOS: Terrific Sails, what a great friend you are. What am I supposed to do now, pretend like none of this matters?
SAILS: Atmos. The company wants you back in office immediately. I was sent here to come and get you and to inform you that you should plan to be there for a while. Pack some overnight pleasantries, anything that might make your extended stay more comfortable. Now I am not your favorite person tonight, I know this, but I can at least allow you to come in on your own accord. I’ll tell them that you weren’t home but that I left word with your neighbor, conveying importance in the matter. Just make sure you are literally at your desk by early morning and perhaps we can finally get ahead of this mess.
Sails stood up, his decision made that the curtains should fall on this play of betrayal.
SAILS: I’m sorry Atmos. I’m sorry I’ve changed on you.
Silence accompanied his encore, it felt out of my control to give him a slight forgiving glance.
Sails proceeded to exit Cameron’s, closing the door behind him. Outside of frame his motorcycle shimmered in the twilight, instilled but ounces that he was still as cool as he once had been. The ignition of the bike’s engine howled in the quiet emptiness, broadcasting his departure. As the tail light to his steed bled out of view, Cameron rose and closed the front door.
CAMERON: Hey Atmos, I want you to be careful with Sails. Stay alert with everything that he told you and everything he is asking from you. We keep a handful of conversations off of the table, out of necessity nothing more. One of those conversations would shed light on what I am about to say. It is not important how exactly I know this, but Sails lied to you about the research facility. That facility has been underwater for years now, abandoned by NightLight long ago. I don’t know why he chose to fabricate that part, but be careful. Clearly you are being used in some way that he is not telling you.
ATMOS: I trust you Cameron, thank you. I’ll be cautious around Sails. If I hadn't just returned from the Deep Pines in a delusion, I’d be heading there now to see if any truth exists in what he said. My mind feels exhausted tracking the ping pong on whether or not Carmine is still alive. Somehow I feel like the last few days have stolen all emotion left in the matter. To be honest, what I want the most right now is to find a place to escape, if not only for a little while. Any ideas inside of that map savvy brain of yours?
CAMERON: Sorry buddy, I got nothing. I'd have to imagine that anywhere off of the shoreline would be your best bet.
ATMOS: You know what Cam, I think I know a place.
The evening dealt its fair share of night sky secrets, adding Lee’s identity to the constellation felt appropriate.
CAMERON: Well I’ve always said, mystery is the key to any good friendship.
ATMOS: And to think that tonight I was going to tell you how I’m actually a spy. You know you just blew that surprise.
His smile acted as an atlas back to our evening affair prior to Sails’ involvement.
ATMOS: I don’t exactly know how this mystery woman will react to my request to stay with her for a few days. Isn’t there a certain charm to showing up unannounced?
CAMERON: How did I know it would be another woman? Arriving in the middle of the night, sounds like the perfect ice breaker.
ATMOS: I cannot just knock on her door in the middle of the night. That would be coming on a bit strong my friend.
CAMERON: My mistake, your plea for an extended stay keeps you silky smooth. She’ll think twice of your intentions.
Cameron raised his glass, requesting a cheers to the little moments that would soon be found in the limelight. I would awake in the morning, venturing out to Lee’s with the thought that my rational was just. Showing up with danger on my tail, it sounded like a preference of hers.