The Owls Who Watch

Chapter 10 - Olga Canning

Far below the hill, streets of red, green, blue, and various other colours sprawled for as far as Kevin could see. Cars, trains, and airplanes animated the busy city of Nuuk, whose population bustled through the many streets and centres as the people went about their day. No doubt many of them were tourists, escaping from the hot and harsh conditions of the Grand Market. Behind him, many more streets sprawled up and through the mountain range, where the Greenlandic Astronomical Centre loomed beside the mountain peak. Kevin ran through those streets towards it, desperate to find his missing sister. Nighttime suddenly arrived, heralding the cosmic exhibition of stars and swirls across the summer sky. Large flying objects descended from the ether, shining green lights upon the streets, hauling screaming civilians into their crafts. Time was running out. Kevin would never make it to the Astronomical Centre. The saucers prevented that. He was forced to seek refuge in a nearby, dilapidated building.

Inside was a familiar, cramped, and dimly-lit corridor. When Kevin realised he was in his new flat, he also realised he was dreaming. His legs felt rigid as he stepped into his bedroom, unsure what he should do now. Moonlight illuminated the room from the tall windows. Kevin approached and apprehensively gazed outside, locking eyes with a multitude of owls perched throughout the trees, watching and waiting for something. Perhaps they were waiting for him. An eerie calm filled the room, accompanied by faint drumming, and a green glow shining through the tinted glass of the wardrobes on the opposite side of the room. A woman's whisper beckoned him to come closer, away from the terrors outside. With every beat of the drum and call of his name, the light shone brighter, eventually spreading beyond the window, repelling the owls who hastily dissipated into their forest; their kingdom. The woman's voice grew louder and the drums deeper until she was practically screaming his name.

"KEVIN JOHNSON", echoed the man's deep voice as he pounded upon the front door.
Kevin catapulted from the bed, realising that the woman's voice had been a manifestation of Daniels', and the drumming was the door being pounded by his fists. He ran to the front door, opened the curtains and locked eyes with Daniels through the tall, blurry window.

The man sighed and turned to his right, then back to Kevin, "Enjoy your sleep?"
Kevin nodded and yawned.

Daniels sighed once more, "Well get a move on. I'll give you five minutes to—"

"I'm already dressed", Kevin sleepily interrupted, wanting to get the task over and done with. The apprehension towards the entire situation seemed to have faded away overnight. Perhaps it was being in Greenland once more, being so close to his sister. Or perhaps it was the mysterious, relaxing green light and the woman's soothing voice which had comforted him. He was so relaxed after that sleep. I need away from this stench anyway, he thought, covering his nose as Daniels unlocked and opened the door.

The fresh, natural air was a welcome change to the stench of egg and dust. He would have to address this, but not today. He felt oddly relaxed and passive, moreso than he had in the last home. He was so serene that Daniels had to hold his arm as he escorted him to the car and fastened his seatbelt for him.

As the car drove, Kevin saw others either exit or enter similar vehicles. Some people walked freely down the streets without an escort. "Behave yourself for a time and you'll be trusted enough to have certain privileges", called Daniels, who must have caught Kevin's observance of the people outside.

He didn't reply however, he was far too tired and wanted this appointment gone so he could go back to sleep. Strangely, he did not dread the appointment. Throughout all of his life, appointments had terrified him, and waiting rooms remained somewhat traumatic. Waiting was the worst thing Kevin had to endure throughout his life. Even worse was when it fused with hope, to create a multitude of potential catastrophic predictions, which in turn killed said hope, and decayed into despair. Right now, he didn't feel like he was waiting at all. The relaxation made time feel as though it were flowing faster. Perhaps this was why Daniels didn't bother to handcuff him.