The Curran C

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The three islands had grown into each other; partially due to Liam and Pierre's work with various silts, sands, and minerals. No one objected to the growth, as it meant that they no longer had to swim, or row, from island to island. A semicircle was cultivated, so Edison's submarine had safe harbor from storms. Those "arms" were allowed to grow as wild as their alien blood encouraged it to.
   As for the original trio of islands, they only let the foliage go wild along the shores that faced the mainland. The rest was kept at bay, as best they could, to allow room for Alfred's alpacas between Isla Juda and Isla Ibra. They provided fiber for Judah's experiments.
   The cove, created by Liam and Pierre, also served as a safe place to swim, practice diving, and generally have fun. The foliage wove together so thickly, the only place that strong winds could strike was down the left third. By design, the middle of the C, where the winds blew, was between two of the houses: Juda and Li Am. There were more trees there, to further buffer the mainland from storms.
   The three houses still stood where they were, when Kitty first visited, though Isla Ibra had grown; almost as much as his trees had. Isla Li Am proudly displayed, once beyond the trees, a three bedroom, two bath, two story bungalow; cute and trendy. The windows were all slightly different, as its inhabitants played around with the local, and imported materials, they got access to. The exterior paint, siding, or stucco, was also a mix of found or crafted materials, that still somehow worked, for its structure.
   Isla Juda, such as the distinction mattered now, had a cozy two bedroom, two bathroom cottage, nestled behind its tree shield. Its exterior and windows were also changed out, as Liam and Pierre discovered new materials and blends, though less frequently. The seams weren't as smooth, but he let some few vines grow between the experimental patches, so it, too, visually worked. In truth, the vines isolated each new material, for better testing, but it was also aesthetically pleasing. If one looked through a window, one would see knitted work absolutely everywhere; in various plant, animal, and blended materials.
   As for Isla Ibra, well, it stood out against its tree camouflage in stark contrast, once you were through. Thick, dark wood encased it. Not a lick of siding, or coating of any kind, beyond sealant, marred its natural pattern. It was the home of a boatbuilder's son, and it showed. Figureheads, finials, and creatures adorned every niche, and corner, that could accommodate them, without becoming cluttered, or tacky.
   It was also home to scientists, artists, and astronomers, so the four bedroom, three bathroom house had projections, turrets, and balconies in odd places. Since it was all done in the same, rampantly abundant wood, it was strangely cohesive. If an observatory stuck out here, or a greenhouse jutted there, well, that was part of its eclectic charm.
   What you wouldn't find, in any of the houses, was anything that looked like a laboratory.
   The closest thing to such was Edison's submarine bay. He truly had swapped space for sea, and equipped his new baby with every newfangled gadget he could lay his hands on. He christened it Edi Sub--partially so Liam would stop calling it that, as a joke. Bad enough he called Jonah his Edi son!
   The small craft, with its passengers, headed for the far right of the island, as it faced the mainland. They couldn't be certain that they were going to the correct house, but it was the best lead they had. One could barely see the houses from shore, but as they got closer, the imposing structure peeked through, just enough to make landfall.
   The foliage fought them every step of the way, but they were on a mission. Nothing would stop them from reaching Ibrahim Curran's home.
   The wood seemed darker, up close, though they were out of the trees, now. The sun was behind it, casting much of it in shadow.
   "Are you sure about this?" one of the smaller two asked.
   The tallest stood taller. "Do you know another way?"
   "You know we don't," the third whispered. The house sort of made you want to whisper.
   They crept up the broad stairs, which didn't creak, as they thought they ought. The porch wrapped around the house, with many carvings staring out from the railings. "Like gargoyles," one of the smaller two whispered.
   "Do we knock and drop?" the smallest of the three asked.
   "No. Mom wouldn't want it that way. They need to know what happened." The tallest, though not broadest person said, wide shoulders squaring.
   "It's scary," the broadest shadow said, hugging the tallest shadow. The porch wasn't lit, at this time of morning.
   "So, we don't leave. Do we knock, or is there a bell somewhere?"
   As they reached for the sturdy wood, with its stained glass window, it opened for them.
   Jamie nearly ran away, but Shawn snagged the collar of his shirt, and spun him around. Mary nudged them both through the door, "before it decides to close again."
   They carried what their parents had entrusted them with, inside the big, scary house, and set them next to the kitchen island in front of them. If the wood inside was lighter, it was mitigated by the seven statues, of unknown materials, that guarded the walls of the living area. They looked both eerily familiar, and absolutely foreign. All stood, arms crossed, surveying the room from every angle.
   

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