The Veils Island: Part Three (rough draft)

Lang gave me permission to interview the people on his island. Of course, Lola stayed by my side as a sort of watch dog.

“You’re a Veil too, I take it,” I asked her.

“I am.” She said with a small bob of her head.

I looked down the hallway, concrete walls that were painted a pale blue, while the doors were a stark black. She was touring me around the facility, showing me highlights of Lang's hard work.

“Lang called you his daughter. How come?”

Lola smirked at me. “Are you interviewing me first?”

I shrugged. “Well, I mean...might as well, shouldn't I?”

Lola looked ahead, her smile turned small and the bounce in her step bit by bit vanished. “I was from a very religious family. They got the test to see if anyone was a Veil, granted they called them demons. They’d had a boat accident a few years ago, and their church forced them to get the test.”

She stalled just before a doorway and clasped her hands behind her back. “My sister and I both came back positive and a church tried to have us exorcised.”

My stomach dropped and was replaced by a cold void. “That’s insane.”

Lola scoffed. “You’re telling me. They kept us locked in the basement of that church for years.”

I felt sick to my core.

“Luckily the police got involved.” A grimace appeared on her face. “Then we were sent to that hospital.” She turned and looked at me. “We’re close to the cafeteria if you’re hungry.”

I shook my head.

“It’s at least fun to walk through.” Lola opened the door for me, letting me inside.

“So what happened?” I asked her.

Lola sighed. “I’m here now.”

My throat tightened. “And your sister?”

Her eyes looked down at the floor. “She was on the operating table the last I saw her.” She closed her eyes and took a breath. “Over there we have a sundae bar.”

I could have gotten whiplash from this girl. “If you don’t want to talk about it, just say so!”

“I figure you could put things together, John.” Lola clapped her hand upon my back. “There’s a balcony over here where you dine outside, watch the ocean, whatever you like. I like going out there to have my coffee in the morning.”

“I thought caffeine was bad for Veils,” I murmured. I looked out across the room, it was wide and open, making it feel airy with the scent of fried chicken. Pale blue and yellows brightened the otherwise shadowy corners where there were no windows.

Lola shrugged. “Caffeine isn't good for humans either.”

She pushed me out onto the balcony where there were a few people under the umbrella covered picnic tables. Tall craggy rocks rose up in a giant swoop over us, while sea and sky were endless on the other side.

“I like to watch the sunrise and pray,” she said softly.

Her profile was lovely as she gazed into the sky. Her blue eyes faded into the ocean, looking like a missing part of the waves.

“You still pray?”

“Often,” Lola said brightly. “In my darkest hours, God was still there listening to my suffering, and he sent me an angel.”

“Lang,” I whispered.

Lola’s smile returned in full. “You are good at putting things together.” She then pointed. “Over here is a good friend of my father. I think he’ll be better to talk with than me.”

She tried pushing me forward but I stood still. “How did you not lose your faith after everything that happened to you? Are you not angry?”

Lola sighed. “Maybe you’re not so good at putting things together.” She crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side. “God didn’t hurt me, why should I be angry at things that are out of my control? Lang saved me from my anger, and even if he wasn’t what I prayed for, he was the answer to them.” She smiled sweetly at me. “I know this is a frustrating phrase but; God works in mysterious ways, John. It’s not for us to understand, not yet anyways.” She slapped my back again. “I’m hungry, so go talk to the Doc.”

“That hurt,” I grumbled under my breath.

Ahead of me there was an older man sitting by himself at one of the tables closest to the railing. He was writing in a notebook that looked dog eared and frayed, held together with duct tape and love. He had thick, dark hair peppered silver and white, and a handlebar mustache to be envied.

I approached him and he looked up with a smile. “Well now, you’re new.”

“Yes, I’m a guest of Lang’s. My name is John Eccles and I’m-”

He wagged a finger at me. “Writer of ‘The Unveiling’. Yes, yes. Sit with me, son.”

I sat across from him, setting my notebook near his. “You’ve read my book?”

“Bits and pieces, it’s a bit hard for me to read,” he chuckled. “Long story there. I take it you’d like to interview me. Lang told me you’d be running about.”

I nodded. “Lola suggested I talk to you...uhm.”

“Sidney,” he replied. “Sidney Kriesel. Most here just call me Doc.”

Something about him was warm and inviting; dare I say even loving. “You’re a good friend of Lang’s, Sidney?”

“I’d like to think so, and I have been here the longest out of most of the people. We’re both fugitives I guess you could say.” He had a charming smile on as he said this.

“You don’t seem the type,” I laughed.

He stroked his mustache and nodded. “Oh, I’m probably worse off than Lang is. My former employer does not like how I handled exiting my job.”

I furrowed my brow. “Is this a government sort of thing?”

Sidney chortled and looked quite pleased. “Smart young lad, you remind me of my little girl.” Sadness came to his big brown eyes.

I smiled reassuringly at him. “I take it you haven’t been able to be with your family since coming here?”

“Safety reasons,” he murmured. “She’s safer that way.” His shoulders slouched as he moved his hands to the table top. “Lang and I have worked together for a long time to aim for that safety.”

I wondered how that felt, to be kept away from your family to protect them. It made me wonder if my father ever thought about me anymore.

“How far off are you from that goal?” I asked.

Sidney sighed. “Can’t say, but we are doing what we can.”

“So this is a safe haven then? Is that what you would call the island?”

“Sanctuary is what I would call it. Most of those who we bring here don’t really want to be here, but they come here to be safe, to be protected, much like someone would run to a cathedral to protect themselves.” He looked down at his hands. “It’s a prison, it’s a home, it’s a prison, it’s a home.”

I watched the somber expression on his face. “Then why not leave?”

Sidney raised his head and smiled. “Why not die?”

“Is everyone here a Veil who the world would consider dangerous?”

Sidney’s smile remained, but faded around the edges. “Aren’t we all?” He sighed and looked me over. “Not to bring up old wounds, son, but people like your father don’t go away just because there’s some good press about us.”

“I understand that, Sidney. I’m just trying to understand what this place is about. People say that Lang is a terrorist and wishes to bring down humans so Veils can have a chance. Others say he’s trying to separate the two worlds. Which is it? Who is he?”

“Lang is a very angry man,” Sidney murmured. “But a very loving one. He is the bee who will sting his enemy and lose his life in the process.”

“It’s his nature is what you’re saying?” I murmured.

Sidney nodded. “I don’t agree with all of his methods. We argue quite often. But at least we’re safe.” His eyes crinkled with a smile. “Why are you here, son?”

“Lang invited me.”

Sidney shook his head and chuckled. “There’s another reason, there always is. Are you here to spy? To see into our lives? Do you feel guilt?”

I furrowed my brow. “Guilt?”

“Your father. Which must be traumatic, I know.”

“Lang thinks I am here for fame,” I murmured.

Sidney’s brows perked up. “Are you?”

I had already admitted it once, why was it so hard now. “Maybe a little. I just...I feel this is my responsibility now.”

“What is?”

“You, the Veils.”

Sidney sighed. “We can handle ourselves, son.”

My guts sank and my body tumbled and fell down an endless pit. Just as I was soaring through the air, Lola appeared.

She stepped towards me from the cafeteria and waved at me. “Come here, John. Lang is calling you.”

“Take care of yourself,” Sidney said to me. “Think about it at least.”

I held out my hand to him to shake. “Thank you for talking with me, Sidney.”

He gave my hand a hearty, warm shake. “Thank you too, son.”

Lola led me through the halls again, taking me into another sector of the building I hadn’t been before. The whole room opened up, going up several stories. The center was open while the walls were lined with rooms.

“Oh, I see,” I murmured.

“Office space,” Lola said in a correcting tone. She pulled me along, taking me up a flight of stairs until I saw Lang waiting at the top.

“How has your tour been going?” He asked, putting his arm around me.

The weight of his arm around me was strange, but I found I enjoyed the closeness of his body. “Lola’s been an interesting guide.”

Lang smirked, leading me further down. “I’m glad to hear that.” He smoothed his hand down my back, placing it between my shoulder blades.

Something about this touch felt comforting in preparation for something I wasn’t aware of yet. “Is there someone here you want me to talk to?”

Lang took my notebook from me. “Yes, but not for the work we agreed upon.” He stopped me before an office door. “This is more...personal.”

I stared at the door and refused to move. “Is he in there?” My voice became muted and strained.

“Knock.”

I shook my head and my body continued to refuse to move.

Lang pushed me and knocked on the door himself.

“Who is it?” The familiar voice inside pricked every hair on my body and I stopped breathing.

“I brought your guest I was telling you about,” Lang announced.

Inside it was silent and a few moments later the door opened. There he stood, and that was all I could process.

“Edmund,” Lang said softly, “do you recognize him?”

He took a step forward. “Of course,” he breathed out. “It’s been a long time.”

I hadn’t seen my brother in years. He vanished and I always feared I would never see him again, or at least hoped I would see some version of him. When I heard that Clara had passed away I tried to reach Edmund, but he always said he was fine.

I touched his face, seeing that every freckle was the same. His hair was longer, there were fine lines around his eyes and mouth. I was happy to see it looked as though he had been smiling a lot from those lines. But his eyes, his eyes were different.

As I wept from seeing him again, I could still feel Lang’s hand upon my back, and I was grateful for it.

“Come on in, John, I’ve been waiting for you.” Edmund put his hand on me and I pulled him into a tight embrace. I held him close, sobbing into his shoulder until his arms curled around me. He held me back and steadied his breath.

We talked for hours, about nothing in particular. It was just nice to be near him again and not worry about anything. So much happened in his office, I knew it would take me a long time to process it.

Lang took me back to my room, where I sat and cried for much longer than I cared to admit.

“Did you get what you wanted?” Lang asked.

I looked out my open window, sniffling as tears ran down my face. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I stood up and leaned out the window.

“Are you relieved at all?”

The ocean was quiet, slowly lapping at the shore below. The moon reflected brightly over the waters, creating a sort of spotlight upon the island. Lang’s hand rested upon my back again. That steady, cool touch echoed through my body and I ached for it.

“I’m not sure.” I looked back at him and those pale eyes pulled me in.

“Come here.” Lang’s open arms called to me and I fell into his embrace willingly. He held me close, and I pressed my ear to his chest to hear his heartbeat. I breathed in that soft scent on his sweater and my heart pounded with his.

“When was the last time you allowed yourself to grieve?” He asked.

I remained silent as his pulse grew stronger and louder.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” His strong hands rubbed up and down my back. “I understand that sorrow.”

“Can you be quiet for a second?” I huffed.

Lang smiled, running his fingers through my hair, which was more intimate than I estimated. “Fine.”

After a while I pulled back, though Lang kept his hands upon my arms. I looked up at him, feeling embarrassed about my behaviour. So when I reached for a kiss, I wasn’t thinking straight.

Lang returned the affection, but he placed his finger between us. “Careful now, Mr. Eccles. Do not act in such a way you’ll regret later. Don’t you want to publish an unbiased story.”

His long finger pressed against my lips felt even more amorous than the kiss. “How can I be unbiased after everything?”

His finger slipped away and he smiled at me. In the moonlight his eyes shimmered like opals, and I could no longer deny how beautiful he was. “I like you, I really do. But I didn’t invite you here for this.”

“I don’t even know why I am here anymore.” I pulled him back close, kissing him and moving my lips along his cheek.

Lang sighed, grasping my shoulders. “Mr. Eccles-”

“John,” I whispered into his ear before kissing it.

He moaned softly and his hands slipped down my arms. “You’re making this hard.” he turned his head, allowing me to kiss down his long neck.

I stopped as I reached his shoulder and I buried my face there. Lang put an arm around me and rested his cheek to the top of my head.

I started crying again. “Fuck, I’m confused.”

“I know.” Lang eased me over to the bed and laid me down. He placed himself beside me and curled against my back.

I’m not sure when I fell asleep, all I know is I woke to the heat of the sun against my face. I looked up towards the open window, more than light shone through, gulls screamed from just beyond it. I sighed and fell back into bed, hugging my pillow to my face as my eyes hurt horribly.

“Good morning,” Lang’s gentle voice greeted me. He closed the window and shut the blinds as he set coffee mugs down upon the table. “How are you feeling?”

I huffed and mumbled into the pillow. “I feel wrung out and humiliated.”

“Humiliated?” He chuckled as he took the carafe from the coffee pot. “Over what?”

“I behaved like a teen who got dumped last night,” I growled.

“Does it help that I think you’re a good kisser?”

I peeked out from the pillow, seeing Lang sitting there with his shirt open. There was a scar on his chest going down his sternum to his stomach. I sat up in bed, hair matted and greasy, eyes puffy from a night of crying.

“I am?”

Lang smiled at me as he walked over. He knelt down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. His hand felt cool against my cheek, it was so nice I moaned softly.

“I’ll take care of you just like everyone here,” he whispered.

I peeled my aching eyes back open and looked up into his eyes. “Why?”

The pale color of his eyes shimmered, and I remembered the opal color of them last night. I remember his hands upon me, and how much I wanted them again. I moved closer, but Lang moved back.

“Because that’s what I do.” He offered me his hand as I stood from bed and placed one of the warm mugs of coffee into my hand.

“I’m not a Veil though,” I murmured.

“Does it matter?”

I looked up from my coffee cup at him. “Doesn’t it?”

“The world is in trouble,” Lang murmured. “In a few short years, we will all need each other.”

The coffee was a bit too hot, but my mouth and throat were too dry to care. I winced, taking it down that deep gulp and feeling it burn all the way down my chest.

My lip quivered as I took the heft of what he had said. “You think it’ll be that short of a time?”

Lang nodded. “I know it will be.” He walked towards me and brushed my hair from my face. “You will help everyone understand that. You promised you would help me.”

“I know,” I huffed. “I will...I’m still trying to process all of this, Lang.”

“Then it starts here.” His hand cupped around my cheek. “It started with me, and I will trust it to continue with you. You want to understand, then stay.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.