Chapter two: Sleep Sequences.

Chapter Two: Sleep Sequences.

A thick layer of darkness was interrupted by a cool place, in absolute silence. A forest opened by a path that was lost in the deep. The damp feeling and the mud on my feet was the only thing that kept me from feeling good. The stillness of the forest gave a feeling of emptiness. In the back of my thoughts, I saw a human silhouette. I could not see how tall the trees were, in my opinion they were infinite.

A phrase whispered to my ear. «In originem , erit in fine creation et hominibus ». I jumped as if nails were driving my feet.

The darkness absorbed the trees except for one. The mud dragged me in front of him. Without leaves but with fruits. The ground became a lake that did not exceed my ankles. One of the suckers fell. Now of impact, a soft and warm voice surprised me behind my back:

—It's you again.

I looked back again. A girl was talking to me.

Because of the shock, I jumped back.

—Hey, calm down, —he reacted to my surprise.

I tried to say something, but the effort was in vain.

She looked at me, puzzled to hear the sounds I made to be able to speak.

—I know what happens to you. Come join me.

She raised her gray hand delicately and a path opened through the bushes and trees which led to a light.

The girl took me by the hand and led me through the path that had her as its creator. Every time we got closer to the exit the trees seemed to move upwards, my steps became small.

—There was no way that I knew what was happening to you, but then I remembered the first time I came here and that in front of the tree it takes a lot to learn to speak. To me it took me three times to do so.

At the end of the trail, the light turned into an open field among the trees. A place with hills that were crossed by a stream. Of a tender green lawn. With yellow triangular flowers. In that atmosphere a solemn harmony was breathed.

When I put my foot on the grass, a dry cough came from deep within me. «Can you speak now, child?»

Yes, —I said as I cleared my throat— but why are you calling me a child?

She returned to show the face of incomprehension. When I saw it, I noticed that at that moment the girl was taller than me and that my voice was higher.

* * *

A piercing screech woke me up and brought me back to reality. I could see how a light flashed in the dark. When I opened my eyes, I realized the cause of that effect. It was a fan that hung from the ceiling of the room.

Sitting while playing with a pencil and staring at me, my kidnapper waited impatiently to begin the interrogation. I could barely move between so many handcuffs that were holding me together to the old office chair. I still remember that headache that made her voice lose like she was in a huge church. With a slap he brought me to my senses:

—Listen well, you cowardly vermin. Don't think that your silence is going to save someone. I've been collecting data for years, intercepting messengers from you, cracking codes. I know each of the men in your huge network, their true identities. I know that some want to see you dead and that others will shake your hand only to rip it off later. There are only details that I still can't fit. I don't know if you are some CIA infiltrator in the NURRS or if you really are loyal to our red friends or if you are a pawn of the Checheper. From what I saw outside, you distrust the Order or maybe you never worked for them.

My head wanted to explode with so much information. I recognized names like «Order», «Checheper or the «NURRS».

—But we both know that's not important. All this, the sides, the code names, the plots are a facade. It all comes down to you Clark and who everyone calls Lenet. Who is Lenet? Why do they both need the all-seeing eye?

—Listen to me well George, I remembered his name from my father's book, "what you think is happening is not happening." I swear to you for the love of the Origin that I am not my father.

—The old coin trick? I've seen you escape in many ways but posing as your son Kevin surprises me. We all know that he died in a car accident that your wife barely survived. Why every time I think you got lower, you come in with a shovel and dig a hole in the crater.

—We are both looking for the same thing. I need to find my father, I need to stop him before he harms more people.

Laughing, he told me that the role he was playing was very convincing. Like a lightning bolt he took a dagger and cut my little finger «You think you are God, Mr. Loria, you think that somehow his sick knowledge makes him immortal. Everything passes and everything yields to justice. The gods are a thing of the past». He said hoarsely as a discharge rushed up mercilessly from what was left of my little finger to the rest of my arm. I screamed until I had no more air in my lungs. My blood puddled on the metal counter. It was hard for me to breathe. My limbs were shaking. The mouth was shaking. The only thing keeping me from falling was the handcuffs.

—I'm not interested in your explanations of who your allies or enemies are. I will only assume that in the best of cases whoever comes to his aid is his own —. From a small black box, he took an injection with a green liquid inside. As I felt that cold substance drains into my jugular he added: —Otherwise, if his enemies arrive and take him to Lenet, well, in good time, I will have the chance to have a warm talk with him.

In vain I tried to explain to him repeatedly that he was not my father. Before I fainted, he said goodbye by saying: «See you at the museum».