Chapter 08 - Closed Door Conversations
The butterflies swirling around inside of me jolted my body awake multiple times throughout the night. Newly born from dusty cocoons, they stretched each antenna from years of absence. Each time I came to be within my nightly surroundings, I carefully checked my cupped hand for another. Still it lay, crouched within a field of grass, like a fawn hiding from danger. The softness of the image and horizon to come lulling me back to sleep.
Morning rose and with it came new scenery. The slight, empty indent made from Lee’s fragile body greeted me on the twin size bed. A timid cup of confusion brought with her absence. My immediate response was to get out of bed and go searching for answers, including an affirmation of the night’s greatness. I made sure to neatly arrange the bed linens to their prior undisturbed state, at the least Lee could consider me a polite guest. I had slept in my clothes last night, making my escape outside swift and effortless.
The sun hid behind thick grey clouds, projecting an overcast hue onto the peninsula. My nerves loosened their grip as I noticed Lee’s boat still sleeping at the dock. I had to imagine that she referred to her means of travel as plural, but without knowing any further details I felt at ease. Surely one night together did not usher in love notes, carefully tucked under a pillow for the other to wake to.
I decided to let be the desire to form a search party and walked further onto the dock. Early mornings were typically not included in my routine and on the rare occasions when I was up at such hours, they were masked with groggy, unimpressed eyes.
This morning proved different. Beauty cast in gold glimmered from each and every unnoticed crevice. I knew not how much time had passed as I stood fixated by each ripple in the water, pushing curls of mist in its freefall.
My eyes rose and fell with the current until I halted at the sight of a faint amber light. The pin point beam flashed to a code I had clearly forgotten, or never learned. I turned my head side to side, ensuring that I was the one meant for such a call to action. A barren scene, placing a slight chill as all stage lights turned night except for one.
It seemed foolish to explore alone, given the debacle that had brought me here in the first place. The light pattern continued, with each repetition seeming slightly closer. Mist caressed the gap of air between the beacon and the water, varying in intensity with each exhale of wind.
By looking in the direction of an upcoming gust, a break in the elusive barrier was about to come. I steadied both eyes and watched as the silky sash lost density, revealing a small vessel. The same small vessel I was approached by yesterday. What is the deal with this man? Have I broken some sort of style code of conduct that required his attention?
I felt just in my decision to prepare Caroline for a quick venture out to remind this uninvited guest of his title. I grabbed my ore steady and pressed against the dock to proceed in the direction of confrontation. As the light grew closer, the mist grew in kind, inflating my decision with drama. I could fully make out the prestige craft and began to see movement.
The well dressed man locked eyes with me and provided a smirk.
WELL DRESSED MAN: I am quite pleased that you listened to my request to come alone. To have chosen otherwise would have only complicated matters.
ATMOS: You mean your light show? Was I supposed to know what at all it meant? You might have the wrong impression of me.
WELL DRESSED MAN: Atmos. Look. I can see perfectly clear the drunken heretic that you are, I need not another dose of you to confirm. I am being told to drop such glaring qualities for the greater good, regardless of how right I might be.
ATMOS: Drop them, by who? Someone dressed even more excessively than you? And you still haven’t said why you’re out here.
WELL DRESSED MAN: I’m afraid this is your queue.
The well dressed man turned to face the dark walnut door that lead to the interior of his boat. The handle began to turn, making apparent that the shadow behind the door’s upper glass panel had been an eavesdropper.
UNKNOWN: Hey chief…
Cameron walked out to greet the two of us.
ATMOS: Cameron? Why are you here? How do you know, well whatever this well dressed man’s name is?
WELL DRESSED MAN: My name is Admiral Merveille, Admiral Alastor Merveille. I will let Cameron explain why on earth I tolerate you.
CAMERON: Atmos, I need you to start by giving me the benefit of the doubt. No spiraling into how our friendship is all lies, I promise you. My intentions have always been good.
ATMOS: Cameron, I’ll try. I owe you that. But please get to the part where we hug and make up.
CAMERON: I’ve never told you about my job, or why I moved to Forest City years ago. Some of it is important for you to know, some is not. I work for NightLight. But only because I am trying to build a case against them. They’re bastards Atmos, I’ll fill you in on why one night over more drinks. I didn’t really have a plan on how I was going to get back at them at all until I met Alastor. We met through work and he described his utter distaste for upper management rather foolishly over scotch and candle light one evening.
He chuckled and looked over at Alastor right as his eyes rolled.
CAMERON: We decided to brainstorm together when the fates at be involved you. Carmine is alive Atmos, I am so very sorry that I had to keep that information from you. But she’s changed I’d imagine from the girl you once knew. To NightLight, she is currently public enemy number one. She blew up the research building a few Fridays ago and has been clear that she plans on putting Forest City Shoreline back to the times before the corporation came to town.
CAMERON: You might think to yourself, just let Carmine destroy NightLight herself. Sit back and enjoy the show for what Alastor and I both want to happen. But she is going to be hunted, with every possible means necessary by the company. We, we would like to ask for your help Atmos. Our paths crossing like this seems to real to ignore, we have to find Carmine and if possible help her before it is too late.
I found myself unable to ingest the vast inflow of new knowledge, how could Carmine be what they said she was? It felt misplaced but I still felt disappointment with Cam’s involvement.
ATMOS: Cameron, I appreciate you telling your all. I don’t know if I can help. I’m unsure of the actual last time I saw her. It could have been last Friday night when I presumed she carried me home, but it also could have been years ago. I’m unable to be sure.
ALASTOR: Tigerman. You buffoon, I was right. He hasn’t seen her in ages, and now our covers will surely be blown.
Alastor looked at me from across the boat.
ALASTOR: Atmos, I saved you that night, Tigerman is unaware of such actions. Investigating you after Cameron told me you might be our way in with Carmine. I debated leaving you there but every now and then my heart does flutter a beat or two.
He smirked.
ATMOS: Damnit. Damnit Cameron, this is a mess. What do we do?
CAMERON: Look Atmos, you have the best chance of finding her out of anyone, help us. If she succeeds in putting an end to the corporation. You too will be free from their grip.
ALASTOR: Tigerman, may I speak with you inside. Atmos promptly stay put.
They shuffled inside, Cameron looked my way with a hand gesturing one minute.
I sat down in my canoe, Carmine was alive? I clutched my newly received necklace, it lay on my chest affirming reality. Suddenly I heard a shout come from inside their boat. Alastor ran out to face me.
ALASTOR: That was an internal channel that we are monitoring, they’ve found Carmine. We must leave immediately!
He reached his hand out at me, indicating that I should come aboard.
ATMOS: No. I am not going back to her world, I think I’ve finally found a way out.
The image of Lee’s innocent face peaked into my thoughts.
ATMOS: I wish you both the best and good luck, I really do. I’m not ready to see her just yet.
ALASTOR: Tigerman, we must go now!
It felt out of character to hear Alastor shout. Cameron kept his gaze on me filled with disappointment. Their boat sped off into the airy blew horizon. I felt regret in my decision as the dam demolished to the surge of Carmine.
ATMOS: Wait!
I howled, placing the ore in the water and pounding towards their direction. It was hopeless, I halted my attempt to reconcile my decision. Like a dog down on luck, I back tracked to Lee’s to gain some comfort. My solitude was short lived as an eager Lee stood at the toe of the dock.
LEE: Did I hear shouting, out there in the water? What have you been up to Atmos?
ATMOS: I think it’s time I tell you why I am in trouble Lee.
LEE: A story before breakfast, how lucky am I!
I told Lee everything. About how I spent my Fridays, Sails and I’s Journey to Conifer Cove, the well dressed man, and what had just transpired with Cameron. She chomped at the air occasionally, holding herself back from asking for clarification. At the end of my narrative, she looked down for a moment.
LEE: So you really must’ve loved her, it sounds so sad how she left.
ATMOS: She’s gone Lee!
I didn’t mean to shout, the reaction of wanting Carmine shed from our duo, yet in she came.
ATMOS: I’m sorry Lee, it’s just you’re my favorite person that I’ve met in a long time. My past doesn’t need to tag along.
Her eyes softened.
LEE: Thanks Atmos, apology accepted!
I felt my body gravitate over to hers and gave her a hug that matched the stillness of her expression. Her arms tightened and constricted around my torso.
LEE: Maybe, you and I make something pretty neat.
A warmth found me.
ATMOS: I would like that very much Lee.
She grabbed my hand and begun to lead us away from the vastness of the water. Without warning an explosion echoed in the distance.
ATMOS: Carmine. It has to be her!
My eyes jolted at Lee, she nodded with the same determination. We began running in the direction of her ship, the same one we met on. I kept up with her pace and unrolled the set of anchors familiar to my last encounter with them. The engine roared as we took off into the distance, a slight plume of smoke could be seen dead ahead.