The Unseen

Chapter 15

Shae sat in a small dorm room Charlie had given him, furnished with a bed, desk, and closet. He wrote in a moleskin notebook that Mr. Nolman had given to him. It was well after midnight, but his kind had no need for sleep. He stared intently at the notepad, it and the pen moving by use of black bands Shae had places on them.

I am beginning to come to peace with my new home. Cody seems to be acclimating well, despite the romantic confusion from earlier. I fear the Oakmans are not faring as well. The family has been in shambles since the reveal of the children's origin, and I fear it will tear them apart. My own bias appears to have failed me, and I worry that I have made a grave mistake. Even now, Mr. Oakman draws near, seeking to argue with me.

He stopped writing, and Mr. Oakman flung the door open.

"How kind of you to stop by," Shae started, not looking up, "If you seek my apology, you won't get it." Shae could feel the anger seething off his aura.

"Why? Why did you do it?"

"Because they needed to know the truth," he responded indifferently, "Because when people lie, they begin to believe what they fabricate. They begin to see their twisted stories as truth. That is how your daughter Miranda was unable to detect it."

"They didn't need to know."

"The laboratory would have come after them sooner or later, Roger, no matter my presence. The knowledge I have given them has empowered them. Your lie would have destroyed them."

"The only reason they are in danger is because of you!"

"The only reason they are in danger is because of you, Roger. You planned to bring them to adulthood, and then what? They would be taken by the laboratory, treated like animals and bearing a suffering they couldn't endure." Shae finally looked at Mr. Oakman.

"I'll let you in on a secret, Robert. I can see versions of the future, and I know all that has passed. In only one future did they survive. And it was the one where I intervened. Where I revealed your lie." He stood up, face-to-face with Mr. Oakman.

"Now, please, Robert, I have things to do. You'll find the exit behind you." Mr. Oakman, still burning with hatred, slammed the door behind him. Shae sighed, returning to his bed and again lifting the pad and pen.

"Where was I," he thought aloud, reading what he had written. However, he was again interrupted by Mr. Nolman. Shae stood up in respect.

"Mr Nolman. What can I do for you?" Mr. Nolman was clearly frightened.

"What can you tell me about this laboratory?" Shae nodded, and motioned Mr. Nolman toward his desk chair.

"An awful lot, actually. You'll want to sit down."