Breaking Enigma || The Imitation Game

◈ TWENTY-SIX- Reconciliation ◈

"Where have you two been?"

Allany stared at us, slightly irritated, as soon as Hugh and I entered the Hut. John, Carlton and Anthony had all gone home for a day or two to take a break from the stress of code-breaking.

I refused to even make eye contact with her- the result of this morning's incidents. So, Hugh answered instead.

"To the beer hut. Besides, you don't have to know the exact placement of every person. Mind your own business."

"I was just curious, she insisted. "And you were gone for a while, so I was wondering when you both would return."

"Well, we're here now. There's no need to fret."

I happily sat down at my desk, placing my book inside one of the drawers and stretching out my arms and legs. I was tired, but had to at least get some messages decoded. Oddly enough, I felt motivated to do so.

I got out the sheets of encrypted messages and a pencil, then beginning to delve into the deep realm of concentration. Although, I was pretty sure that Allany was watching me briefly for a few moments before continuing her own work. She would repeat this every five minutes or so.

It's a possibility that she felt guilt after her actions, words and what I had done also. Or maybe she was just glaring at me with long-lasting hatred.

"Kester?" Hugh's voice called from the other side of the room.

"Yes?" I answered in a mumble, my brain half in reality and half in concentration mode.

"Have you decrypted the six a.m message from this morning?"

"I didn't, but Carlton did," was my reply. "It's on his desk; I saw it earlier."

"Ah, thank you," Hugh got out of his chair and went to rummage through the sheets of paper in Carlton's work space.

"Are you interested in the ten a.m message?" I asked, brandishing it in the air. "I've just managed to decrypt it."

"That's even better," Hugh smiled as he walked over to my desk and then taking the piece of paper for my grasp.

"What's going on?" He whispered inconspicuously, just loud enough for me to hear, but not Allany.

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"You haven't once spoken to Turing since this morning and even then you were enthusiastic about standing up for her. And now it seems as though you couldn't give one."

I gazed over to Allany. She was engrossed in her work; fixing together some red wiring. So I doubt she could hear us anyway.

"She's just stubborn," I answered, looking back to Hugh. "And we were arguing earlier. But, truth be told, it was going to happen at some point anyway."

"Well, I must agree with you there... But you of all people? It doesn't appear to be something you'd do, Kester."

"It isn't," I answered shortly, but wanting to say more. I didn't want to make things worse than they already were and neither did I want to exaggerate the truth.

He sighed. "Try to reconcile. Sides can't be taken at this point in time and we need to collaborate as a team would do."

I nodded in agreement. "I can't promise anything, Hugh," I said, managing to crack a smile.

His expression matched my own. "Well, I'll be off. Got some errands to do."

"What? At this time?"

"Sadly, yes."

"You mean... You're leaving me alone with Allany," I whispered, almost in disbelief.