River, Sun, Freedom

Chapter 16: The Truce

Chapter 16:  The truce

“Why would you say a thing like that?” Steven turned to look at Jodi, his face full of confusion.

 Jodi shook her head. “Don’t you see, that’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Sheila raised her eyebrow. “You’ll have to do better than that, Jodi”

She hesitated, worried about bringing up her past, but sheila’s stern gaze compelled her to speak. “My father’s lab was based in Melbourne. All his work and research is there. The satellite was activated from there, I’m sure. It can’t be a coincidence.” She pointed out. “Besides, it’s in the direction the Vampyres are heading.

“Yes, it makes sense...but why? After twelve years, why would the Vampyres move now?” Patricia looked at Jodi who could only shake her head in bewilderment.

Samuel spoke out. “Well, that seems to be another question to add to the many that we need answers for and Melbourne is a good a place to begin searching for them as any.” He glanced at Jodi. “Do you remember where the lab is?”

Jodi frowned and searched her memory. “I don’t really, it was a good twelve years ago. But I know the direction from my house; we could start there.”

“It’ll have to do.” He responded. “Everyone, go to your rooms and rest. Tomorrow’s a big day.” He turned to Sheila, jerked his head in the direction of the dining room and walked ahead for her to follow.  Jodi watched them leave.

Laurie put a hand on her shoulder. “Come on, Jo. We have our orders. Let’s get some rest.” Jodi turned her head to look at the older woman as she spoke, but her eyes caught sight of a silver shine. Nate stood behind Laurie, his gaze fixed on her, the monopoly playing piece around his neck glinting in the shine of the lanterns. Jodi felt her heart beat faster and instead of following Laurie out of the meadow, she stayed behind and turned to him. Damien stood a few metres away, watching her, with a stern look on his face, but she ignored him and approached Nate.

“We need to talk.” She said.

Nate nodded and glanced at Damien. Jodi looked too and sent Damien a pleading look. He stared back and sighed. “You can talk.” He called to Nate, “but I stay in the room.”

Nate nodded and turned back to Jodi, who was smiling in gratitude at Damien. Without looking at Nate she shouldered past him and walked further into the meadow, within in sight of Damien, but out of hearing range.

Nate looked over his shoulder at Damien who stood still as a statue with his arms crossed over his chest and his face expressionless.  He stared straight back at Nate with such ferocity that Nate looked immediately away before he could stop himself.

Jodi stopped walking when she came to the middle of the meadow. She looked around the room with a small smile on her face. “You know this place hasn’t really changed much in two years.” She chuckled. “Same pond, same farm, same everything.”

A small figure looked up at their approach and bounded towards them on all fours, tail wagging.

“Jack!” cried Jodi as she held out her hands to him. “I remember you boy.” She cooed. “Look how much you’ve grown!”

“Looks like he remembers you.” Nate said to her, smiling softly.

“Yeah.” She grinned. “Y’know the first time I met him, he grabbed my jacket and refused to give it back. Made me play chasey with him.”

Nate remembered, although wisely stayed silent. At the time he’d been watching her from a distance and she hadn’t known he’d been there.

She folded Jack’s ears against his head and turned her body slightly so that she could look at Nate, although most of her body was facing the dog. Nate wasn’t the best reader of body language, but even he could see that this wasn’t in his favour.