Chapter 8. Old Friends
Shehrazad and the twins entered the house at number forty-two Ether Drive with a degree of reluctance, followed by Simoon Gale, who was carrying their luggage — which was neither too large nor too numerous.
The Gales and the Hazizes had known each other for a long time, for decades... practically since their university days, when the four of them had formed the most enthusiastic quartet of ancient history buffs ever seen. Back then, in their youth, if they had known about the mirrors of time, they would certainly have travelled without limits through all of history.
Time had passed. Aura had chosen to teach at the local school and stay close to the children: Anemo and Sephire, the eldest girl, who was now constantly immersed in her work as a marine biologist, far from home, all the way in Australia... Shehrazad, on the other hand, had been stronger; she had wanted to do it all: research, family, and teaching.
"We haven't seen each other in donkey's years, my dear!" Aura said, squeezing her hands. "Simoon told me about all the ordeal you went through, but today... today I am being selfish, dearest Shehrazad, and I am weeping for myself."
The two women remained locked in an embrace in the entrance hall for several long minutes. Meanwhile, Professor Simoon led the twins into the living room, where Fleur sat waiting in silence, curled up on the sofa with her knees tucked against her chest.
"You know each other from video calls," the professor said. "Now you have the chance to see each other in the flesh. What do you say, Fleur?"
"Yes, of course..." the little girl replied, without a trace of enthusiasm. "Because of them, Remi became a cat. So, because of them, they are lost in time right now."
"We're sorry!" Samir and Demir replied in unison.
But the professor, despite his own heavy heart, felt obliged to correct the top-knotted girl:
"That isn't nice, Fleur! If someone you loved had been in mortal danger, you would have done everything in your power to save them too. Together, we will find a way to bring them back! You have my word! If they don't return on their own, I shall go after them myself!"
"If it's that easy, why haven't you left already?" the little girl burst into tears again. "To-tomorrow is my birthday, I'm turning eight, and Anemo and Miss Remi promised me a proper party if I was good and looked after the fur-babies! Where are the fur-babies now? Tell me, sir, you who know everything... how did Anemo, Miss Remi, and the fur-babies all just vanish?"
As if on cue, moved by the little girl's tears, the two boys stepped closer to her, each placing a comforting hand on one of her shoulders.
***
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Aura and Shehrazad sat before two steaming mugs of tea, discussing the matter with all the calm and logic they could muster.
"Simoon told me that you have travelled physically, several times, through these mirrors of time," Aura said. "Did it never happen that you stayed somewhere too long, that you got stuck?"
"Well... I did stay for about two weeks in ancient Rome, but upon my return, I arrived back on the exact day I had left... I don't know what to say. Perhaps, since they are both writers, they decided to travel together now that Remi, I assume, has become a woman again. They have the collar with them, which is a universal translator, and boundless opportunities to research extraordinary books... fiction or historical. Remember how we were in our youth!"
"You're right, we would have travelled through all of history without giving a thought to parents or family. At least they left a message... that doesn't necessarily mean they are lost. They didn't say that in the message; they just said they are trying one more time. Simoon is ready to go after them if they take too long, you just have to teach him how it's done!"
Comentarii
Trimiteți un comentariu