Escaped in Nexus City: Book 2 of the Detective Estle Series

Chapter 5

Barty Kite

2nd of Thraous, in the Waning within the 2nd year of the 3rd Cycle of the 1st Generation, 2:00 p.m. 

    Barty sat in the tilled dirt playing with little figurines of horses and lions. Men passed on either side carrying metal and wood. All around him there arose the frame of what would become a grand circus building. The underground sections had been built by his grandfather Felca for when he pitched his red and white tent. Among the working men strode a tower of a man, hands behind his back, bellowing instructions that everyone jumped to obey, that was his father, Sefca. Barty stopped playing and jumped up to hug his father, Sefca reached down and patted him on the head before gesturing around himself. "Do you like how it looks so far?"

    "It's bigger." Barty said staring up at the metal beams joined together far above his head.

    "Yes," the older man nodded, "far bigger than my father's tent and it will be yours one day."

    Barty nodded but he felt a knot inside, "It's so far from mom, and from home."

    "Just during the darkest months when people need levity the most, he waved his hand it will not seem like such a long time when you are older."

    "Why doesn't mom come with us?"

    Sefca sighed and rubbed his forehead, "travelling doesn't agree with your mom she always feels sick when going such a distance, the rocking of the boat and the increased power of Inchemy she did come when you were younger, but she was always miserable, the separation is hard but..." Sefca looked at Barty then cleared his throat. "I have business to attend to so I must go, food is already prepared and is in the fridge."

    Barty just nodded and watched his father leave to enter a vehicle that had just turned up. Sefca opened the door to get in and Barty noticed a woman in a business dress and red lipstick in the seat beside his father. Barty recognized her, the head of the contracting company his father was working with.

18th of Prios, in the Waning of the 2nd year, 4:00

    Barty walked with his father, Sefca, down the busy streets. Fishermen bustled all around carrying netting and baskets and the smell of brine, sweat, and alcohol reached his nostrils. His shirt was soaked through due to the stifling humidity and heat, he breathed deeply, and smiled, he was home. He was back on the island of Fac'con, a tiny island province within the nation of the Seffalon Islands.

    His father had expected construction to last five months, but due to fewer storms than expected construction had lasted four. They were going to surprise his mother though not because of any romantic notion on his father's part but due to the unreliable nature of the towers. They hadn't been able to call her from Nexus city and his father didn't want to spend to many G's at the pay phone trying. Even when they could have called from their ship his father had been unable to connect even with the unlimited tries. "...I still do not understand the construction of those communication towers, millions of tax dollars for something that barely works." His father grumbled as they came to their manor near the center of town. The house was a tasteful mix of the modern and the classic island hut look. With treated exposed lumber and a faux thatch roof, but with all the expected amenities you would have in a big city.

    They came to the door and swung them open, Barty dashed in calling, "Mom, Mom, We are hoooooome!"

    From his parent's room came a rustling and a man Barty did not recognize slunk out sheepishly. Barty knew what had happened, yet he was surprised when his father held the door for the man and let him leave. Barty's mother, a thin woman with raven black hair came out crying and making excuses, Sefca just hugged her and kissed her, her shoulders dropped, obviously relieved. "Do not worry, my wife, I will not hold you to a higher standard than that which I hold myself."