The Price of Water

Chapter 9 - Run

Ilse sat in the Geneva International Airport, awaiting her flight to Accra. She watched the travelers passing by the window of the small work cubicle she had reserved the day before. Some walked, some rode the automated walkways, and others floated by on personal air scooters. Fingers poised above her open tablet, she began, "I depart in ninety minutes. I've taken a three-week leave from work, the first in two years. I wonder if three weeks will be enough time to see this through."

She paused and looked up again, trying to draw inspiration from the people passing by.

"I find myself in a constant state of fury. It's been a full twenty-nine hours since I sent the Message."

Capitalizing "message" made sense to her. It marked the end of a long, painful time and the beginning of a new one, perhaps a short one.

"I cannot shake the anger. But I am determined. Fate has given me purpose. I must succeed. Ekow must be free, his work available to everyone."

A young family of five, unusually large these days, swarmed by her window on their way to some unknown destination, frantic but smiling parents corralling the young ones playfully leaping at the floating scooters.

"I'm mad. I'm mad at the prosecutors for allowing that monster to go free. I'm furious at this Water Cabal for allowing so many people to suffer. But most of all, I'm mad at myself. How could I help these assholes? How did I get to such a dark place?"

A large crowd surged past from an arriving flight.

Journaling was cathartic. She'd forgotten how intimate and cleansing it was. Her last entry was from before she was assaulted.

"I cannot excuse what I've done. But Ekow Aboah is a second chance for me. His work was my work. He's reminded me of who I was, not what I became. I was a good person. I am back on that path. Whatever it takes."

Somehow, seeing it on her screen made it more real. Commitment frightened her. Her anger carried her through the fear. She had to protect the Waterfall Reagent. Somehow, she would bring the Water Cabal to justice.

"I'm going to Accra to help Ekow Aboah. It will be challenging to convince him or his mother that I can help. They will have every reason to doubt me. But I need this. Even if they refuse to allow me to accompany Ekow, I still will find a way."

Ilse saved and closed her journal, left the privacy cube, and took the automated walkway to her gate. All that was left was to get on the plane.

A few minutes later, an announcement said, "Hyper-Sonic Flight 1542 to Accra will be ready for boarding in ten minutes." Her flight was on schedule.

* * *

Although Minnie was expecting Ilse Langstrom, busy with arrangements for Ekow's departure, she was startled when the house operating system announced her arrival. Depositing the tablet on her desk, she warily approached the front door. Ekow had warned her. When she opened the front door, she gasped.

How will he ever stay unnoticed traveling with her?

Recovering quickly, she said, "Welcome, Dr. Langstrom. We have been expecting you. Please come in."

"Thank you, Councilwoman Aboah," Ilse responded, unsurprised by Minnie's reaction. She forced a smile as she crossed the elegant foyer and entered the living room. "It's nice to meet you."

"Please, sit down," Minnie gestured to a comfortable-looking couch, trying to keep the conversation light. "It is not a terribly long flight from Geneva to Accra, but traveling is always tiring. You can put your bag on the floor for now. Would you like a refreshment? Coffee, tea, perhaps water?"