Absorption Distortion

Chapter 23

20 Years Ago continued;

Reckus walked back to the apartment. He didn't really want to leave Celestia at the main chambers, but he needed to get the key. He quickly scoured the apartment and retrieved the key. He packed a small bag of things and walked out of the building. It was only a 15 minute walk to the main chambers, but Reckus couldn't help but rush back to his wife. He was hoping that in the late hours of the night, they could make it back to Earth unnoticed. With each step, he felt eyes on the back of his head and stopped, turning around quickly to catch the person watching him. He looked but there was no one there. He turned back around and Elder Warren was standing in front of him. "Oh Jeez," he gasped, startled by his sudden appearance. "Hello Reckus," Warren greeted with a slight smile. Reckus furrowed his eyebrows, "Hi, Elder... Warren... right?" he queried, seeing the white robe. Warren nodded back to him, "Indeed," Reckus was confused and started walking around Warren, "I need to get back," he pointed towards the Main Chambers and Warren suggested, "Let me walk you back," Not wanting to arouse suspicion, he reluctantly agreed and they slowly walked back. Reckus walked quietly beside him, hoping to ditch him once they were both inside. "So.. how is your wife?" Warren asked to make conversation, seeing as Reckus wasn't going to speak unless provoked. He smiled politely, "She's fine," They continued to walk along the path under the street lights. "Last I heard she was suffering from her powerful twins," Reckus laughed nervously, "They are fighters, like their Dad," He could see Warren was mulling it over in his mind. Reckus wasn't sure about Warren. He had been told he came from Professor Eville's side but after two years in Distortion, he still came across secluded from the other Elders. They were approaching the main chambers steps before Warren spoke again, "I guess times like these make you wish you were back at home," Reckus froze but kept his composure, 'Did Warren see me?' he couldn't help but think. He snapped out of it as Warren turned to face him, "As long as my children are safe. Doesn't matter where we are," They stopped outside the steps. Reckus turned to Warren who stopped beside him, "I better get inside," he went to walk off but Warren grabbed his for arm, which turned Reckus around. Reckus looked at him as if Warren was going to say or do something, but he let go and smiled, "Just wanted to say, good luck," Reckus didn't respond, not sure what he was referring to, "... with the birth?" Warren added, "In the event I won't see either of you before then, good luck," Warren dropped his hand off Reckus and held it out for a handshake. Reckus begrudgingly obliged and they had a hard handshake. Warren smiled at him and Reckus let go, turning back and walking into the main chambers. By the time he reached the elevator, he could see Elder Warren did not follow him in and he breathed a sigh of relief as the doors closed. 

--

The black BMW driven by Ryder stops outside of a house. The street is lit up dimly by the few street lamps and Dr. Greene steps out of the car first, "This is it,". Professor Eville remains in the car and Ryder turns his head to speak to him, "I'll clear the house," Eville didn't respond as he was buried in reading the files of Celestia and Reckus Osmosis. Ryder stepped out of the car and met Dr. Greene on the footpath in front of it. The house was a one story quaint looking family home. The lights were not on and the grey Bentley last found on the cliff was parked in the open carport. Dr. Greene handed Ryder some latex gloves, "Put these on," he took them from him and obliged. They both walked up the small pathway leading to the front door. Greene looks through the window, "No one's home," Ryder opens the fly screen door and grabs the main door's handle, he jiggles it a few times and its obvious it's locked. He grips onto it and twists it, catching on the lock that withheld the door from opening. Using his strength, he breaks the handle and section around the door completely off. He pushes the now open door and walks inside, throwing the broken handle on the floor. Greene steps in after him, "They had a spare key," he puts it on the table beside the front door.  Ryder shrugs and walks into the house. He moves into each of the rooms, seeing them empty and tidy, implying no one had been there in a while. Dr. Greene walked through the lounge room, he turns on the main light and observes the photographs along the fireplace mantel, he can see only pictures of Celestia and Reckus together. "Clear," Ryder states as he walks into the lounge room just as Eville enters the house. "Anything?" He questions, Greene turns around and shakes his head. He walks over to a small bookcase and pulls out a family photo album. He sits down on the couch and flicks through it.  Eville sits on another chair opposite Greene and Ryder remains alert. "Our efforts are fruitless. We can't seem to find a way to get into Distortion," Eville says, leaning forward with his feet apart and his head hanging. "Sir, surely you can't understand-," Dr. Greene began speaking, but his throat closed up and he was choking, trying to catch his breath. Eville stood up, his hand in a clasp as his ability chokes him, "I understand that you are not doing your job Doctor," Eville spits at him, he can see Dr. Greene's eyes watering as he holds onto his throat, Eville releases his grip and Dr. Greene collapses back into the chair, coughing to catch his breath.