The Veils Island: Part One (special preview)

My father kept a gun under the bed in a big, turquoise blue lock box. The key for it stayed in the space between the fridge and the cabinets where we could fit our hands but no one could see it. The lock box you could always see from under the bed. The glossy turquoise paint had a faint shimmer to it and would catch the light. I could walk by my parents’ bedroom and see that big red box under the bed. I was always afraid of it, although I never saw it open.

“Go to the store for me.” My mother gave my brother and me some money and a shopping list. “Stay there for a little bit. I’m sorry.” She stood in the kitchen doorway as we came home from school, a look of panic on her face. Behind her I saw the big turquoise box sitting open on the kitchen table. I could hear my father yelling from further inside the house.

My father changed after that day, nor have I seen him since I left for college. I try not to think about home, but as we approached the island, my mind wandered to that turquoise safe that had been the Pandora’s Box of my childhood. Jutting from the rocky shore and bleeding from the dark grey sky, was another turquoise box.

“How are you not terrified, John?” I turned to the voice of my producer, Tara, who was sitting behind me. She had kept quiet most of the trip here, which I took as sea sickness.

“Why are you asking me this now?” I asked.

Tara stood and looked out over the ocean rather than the island we were heading towards. Her eyes were focused and peering as far as they possibly could into the endless horizon. She stretched out her arm and pointed. “I grew up in Oklahoma. I’m used to looking out and seeing miles and miles into the distance. The ocean is like that on all sides, and even below.” She lowered her arm and a stricken look painted her face. “Seeing that island ahead of us and knowing what’s waiting for us there is like the tornado that tore down my home.”

I wasn’t sure what point she was trying to drive home, but I knew I had to placate her somehow. “I’m not as terrified as I am concerned.”

“This is a big deal, John.” Tara sounded close to heaving. “This is an island of revolutionaries and-”

“Don’t.” I gave her that look and she stopped. “Don’t say what you were going to say. Don’t call them that.” I was a bit disappointed in her. “After all the work we’ve done together on the topic, can’t you even understand them just a little?”

“They’re not human,” she breathed.

It wasn’t fear that made my chest tighten, it was morbid curiosity. I never, ever, wanted to open that box under the bed, but I always wondered what would make it open. This island was the same. The building upon it was like that lock box, the fact it was almost the same color was unnerving.

I shook my head. “Maybe not, but they deserve to be heard. And if they are a danger, then people will finally know.” I fidgeted with the pin on my lapel and looked back at the island.

I had been invited here to take an interview. I wasn’t sure of the intent, but I felt no reason to fear just yet. Be wary? Of course! But I wasn’t going to let fear get in the way of what could be the most momentous interview of my life.

Our ship approached the dock, and upon it was a man dressed in an impeccable suit. He stood and watched us, not moving from his spot as we lowered anchor and came to a stop.

“Which one of you is Mr. Eccles?” His voice was authoritative and deep. I could see the look on Tara’s face as she stared at me. I nodded at her and stepped forward.

“That’s me,” I replied. “Are you Mr. Lang?”

“Just Lang,” he replied. “I am glad to see you have arrived safely, Mr. Eccles. I hope the journey was not a hard one for you.”

“Not at all.” I was a bit surprised by the welcome. From the way I was invited, I had expected a much more hostile approach. My bags were lowered down upon the deck and Lang’s pale blue eyes stared at them, barely moving otherwise.

I climbed down onto the dock and everything became quiet. No one on the boat made a sound, only the ocean dared to make its presence known.

I had five days to interview this man standing before me. Hopefully, that would be my only time on this island. Tara feared I wouldn’t come back, at least, not as the me she knew.

“Take your things, Mr. Eccles. I’ll show you in.” He walked away as I stooped to pick up my bags. I looked back to Tara on the ship and I gave her a smile before I followed Lang.