Advancing ((Advance Industries #2)) Read online

  “Are you sure because I’m meant to be meeting the team. I’ll cancel if you need me.”

  “No, go. I’m just going to rest. Honestly, Kye, I’m fine. I’ll Comm you if I feel worse.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise babe.” He bends to kiss me and I turn my head away. Ewww I’ve just been trying to throw up, I haven’t cleaned my teeth yet so morning breath is ripe. He forces my head his way and plants a hard kiss on me anyway.

  “Can’t start my day without that Sweetheart so never deny me.” He winks and wanders away to get ready. I watch him walk off staring at his bronzed perfection until he’s out of sight, then I pull the covers higher until I’m buried beneath them in a perfect cocoon.

  I vaguely remember him saying goodbye. Lizzie has been in and out trying to feed me, probably on Kye’s orders. I just feel so weak. I hate that I’m having those nightmares again but put it down to the fact that a major decision was reached last night. Any grand disturbances seem to play on my mind and manifest as nightmares about Advance Industries. The fact that I found out my sisters were left to fend for themselves must’ve heightened the fear.

  I can’t get back to sleep because every time I drift off I see Hope’s scared face, see her watery eyes pleading for help. I throw the covers back and place my feet on the cool tiled floor. Just as I try to stand up a vicious pain slices through my waist, almost like I’ve been punched. Bloody hell that was sharp. This is gonna be a heavy period I guess. Great! My lower back feels heavy, almost bruised and I know I’m spot on. Thanks, Mother nature.

  I have a quick shower, thankful that although my period is obviously due it hasn’t arrived just yet. I clean my teeth and even though I have awful cramps I feel more human. I leave the bedroom and go in search of Lizzie.

  I walk into the living room and see Jack. Why is he home? I take the seat opposite him. He’s staring intently at his Comm, tapping away. His glasses are perched on his nose, he looks studious. I feel kind of awkward waiting for him to acknowledge me, also, I never spend any time with Jack alone. I used to with the real Jack but this version of him doesn’t make me feel as at ease.

  After what feels like an eternity of uncomfortable silence, Jack lowers his arm and smiles at me. I smile back and attempt engaging him in conversation, “Are you busy? I can go if you need space.”

  “You’ll be going soon enough, though, won’t you?” He says peering at me.

  “What?”

  He sighs and sits back clearly thinking about how to say whatever it is he wants to get off his chest. I fidget nervously. I don’t hold up well under such scrutiny.

  “I’ve been watching him, very closely. My Lizzie has enjoyed having you two as guests, keeps her busy, stops her thinking into... well, stops her dwelling. She believes your tale but I wasn’t as convinced so I kept him close.” He pauses and I start twiddling my fingers. Could this be any more uncomfortable?

  “He’s a good lad, headstrong but reliable and whether I believe or not, he does wholeheartedly. I followed him today. I know what you’re planning and my advice would be against it. I’ve told you Advancing is dangerous. He won’t listen to reason but...”

  “You’re hoping I would and that I’d talk him around?” I finish for him.

  He nods. “Precisely.”

  “Look, Jack, I understand you mean well and I’m grateful for it but like you said you don’t believe. I do. I trust him and we believe we know what needs to be done to put things right. If we fail, then you’re welcome to say ‘I told you so’ but until then...”

  “Keep my nose out?” He offers.

  I smile and avoid answering. “You know Jack, you’re a lot like his real Grandad, spookily so. It’s a shame in this time you never got to have Grandchildren. You’re really very good at it.”

  His eyes mist over and I immediately regret saying that. Stupid Faith!

  He clears his throat and offers a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you, Lovey. That means a lot. Now if you’ll excuse me...” He pats my arm as he walks past and quickly disappears leaving me alone. Another sharp pain lances through my stomach and I curl up on the chair.

  Lizzie walks through the front door wearing a massive sunhat and carrying a basket of flowers. I’ve noticed she goes into her garden every day picking wildflowers and planting. I’ve watched her a few times just sat on the soil staring into the distance. Her garden is obviously her happy place, somewhere she goes to think and be alone. She takes one look at me and drops the basket to the floor before hurrying to my side. She places her hand on my forehead.

  “What’s wrong Dear? You look awful!”

  “Time of the month or soon to be. I’m okay,” I tell her worried face, she’s now frowning at me.

  “I best Comm that man of yours. He’ll no doubt look after you better than I can.”

  “Please don’t! Lizzie, I’m fine honestly. He’ll just panic and there’s really no need. I think I’ll just go and lie down again if that’s okay?”

  She stands there deliberating. He obviously told her to keep him informed. If he gets this worked up over me being sick and aching how would he cope if I was... Shit! I shake my head to remove the thought that just jumped in feet first. No way! Not possible! Is it? I feel all the blood rush from me and start to feel quite faint. Oh hell no! No. No. No! How would I even find out? I suddenly realise Lizzie is still staring at me, her face pales too as if she can read my thoughts so I stand and start backing out of the room. Must be alone! Need to think and more importantly, I need to calm down!

  Kye

  I’m here but letting them do all the talking. Here but really back at the bungalow with Faith. I keep playing how ill she looked this morning. How weak and frail. Not surprising as she was up most of the night shouting out in her sleep. At one point she started sleepwalking. I’ve never seen her do that before. I thought she was awake but when I called out to her she started talking about things that made no sense. Her eyes were crazy as if she’d taken something and to be honest, she scared the crap out of me. Her dreams have affected her deeply before but never to the extent where she physically wretches. I need to concentrate, she’s fine. Gran promised to Comm me at the slightest change. I need to quit this shit. I’ve never worried about another being the amount I do about her. It’s driving me crazy. I’m supposed to be planning. Figuring this shit out.

  “So, tonight?” Jonah asks snapping me back to the present.

  “Sorry?”

  “We go back tonight? Early hours to be precise?”

  I nod.

  “And you’re sure about the location?” He continues.

  “As sure as I can be,” I reply.

  “Okay then, let’s break, get some rest and reconvene then,” he tells the team.

  They start to leave and Jonah walks over to me, taking the seat at my side.

  “Are you really gonna be able to do this?”

  “I have too, don’t I?”

  “I guess, I just never thought you’d give up so easily, especially after all it took to get her back.”

  “You think I’m giving up? You think I want this? That I’m happy about it?” I yell, “This is the hardest choice I’ve ever made. I fucking hate it! I don’t know... I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how I’ll survive it. Happy?”

  “Look man...”

  “Don’t! You might know my inner most feelings now but that doesn’t mean I won’t do it; it just means... it’s not as easy as you all seem to think I’m finding it.”

  “Kye...”

  I cut him off, I don’t need a heart to heart. I just need to convince him I’m in, he’ll get May back and they can count on me. “Doesn’t matter. Go on, get your head down too, we’re gonna be up early and need to be prepared and alert.” I wave him away with my hand and after a few seconds of sizing me up and holding his tongue, he takes the hint. He walks towards the door but turns back when he reaches it, “I’m just gonna throw something out there. Something I don’t
think you’ve considered.”

  “All I’ve done is consider other possibilities, but be my guest.”

  “Maybe you were meant to save her, but you ever think the problem could be that she was meant to stay, fulfil something and that by bringing her here that caused this change? You’ve fixated on the fact that rescuing her did it, no one said you should have left her memory less and confused, just maybe you shouldn’t have taken her from her time.”

  Not once did I consider that. Is that it? She’s needed in her city for a purpose and by bringing her to the future she wasn’t able to carry it out? Did that cause this change? Fuck if I know, either way, that still means she has to go back.

  “See you tonight!” He calls over his shoulder.

  Tonight! I haven’t run this past Faith; I haven’t told my Grandparents. I’ve just agreed to this momentous decision without clueing in the people who most deserve to know. They need time to get their heads around this not just have it thrown in their laps and expect them to deal with it. Why the fuck am I still sat here? Time’s a wasting! I leap to my feet and fly out of the room we found to meet in. Is Faith even well enough to travel tonight? How will Gran cope when I break it to her? I shouldn’t care as much because she’s not real, I’m doing this to get my real Grandparents back. But still, I know this will upset her, she’s grown attached to us and I really don’t want to hurt her.

  I amble through the streets now reluctant to get back to them. Gramps reaction could go one way or the other, same for Faith. My Comm beeps and I read the message. It’s from Gran asking if I’ll be long. I frown. I message back saying I’m on my way and asking why is Faith worse? She answers with ‘no just wanted to get dinner on’. She’s lying. She’s never asked me that before and I’ve been here for weeks. My sixth sense kicks in and I pick up my pace. I’ve gone from lacklustre to Olympic legend in seconds.

  As I’m in a rush everyone else seems content to move at a snail’s pace. Typical. I could just Advance back there in a flash but I tend to agree that travelling should only be done as a necessity. Who knows how many turns it takes before you become addicted? I try to be patient and use an amiable approach – it doesn’t last long. I start shouldering people out of the way so much so that I catch the attention of the AIG who are patrolling. Shit! They start walking towards me, I’ve never backed down to those on a power trip before but I’m no use to Faith if I’m dead so I hold my hands up placating. I aim for impassive, exercising a huge amount of self-control. Yeah doesn’t work. They take an arm each while the third guard scans my Comm. Shit! Not good! His puzzled face conveys that much. My Comm may work to message and communicate but it isn’t updated, that’s why I can’t use it to make purchases or summon a hoverride. My saved details won’t make any sense to these people. He whispers into the other guard’s ear and they all look at me as though I’m a being they’ve never encountered before. They start carting me off.

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To our President. He’ll be very interested in you!” The one guard chuckles.

  “Why?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough!”

  Fan-fuckin-tastic! I’m being taken to meet Fraser’s spawn? Can’t wait!

  They put me in a sleek vehicle with the AIG emblem displayed on every side. One of the guards gets in and sits beside me, the other two jump up front. I hear the guard in front say, “President Laudnam’s estate,” and the vehicle starts moving forward of its own accord. Strangest over-rider/hoverride I’ve ever seen. I’m not concerned about meeting the son of the man I hate. I still have my comm so will just travel out of there if need be. If they don’t take it that is. What I’m furious over is the fact I can’t get to Faith. I’m sure she’s fine but seeing with my own eyes would be preferable. I glance at the guard to my side, he clearly works out. Built doesn’t describe how huge he is. He’s a freak of a giant but more than that he’s alert. He takes his job seriously, not like the AIG of the past.

  “Stop!” I hear and look out of the window to see we’ve arrived at an expensive mansion. Similar to Johnson Frank’s old home. A restored, updated and fitting for the new presidential building.

  I’m led out of the vehicle, pulled up a shit tonne of steps and pushed through the door that opens on command. I’m told to stay still as I cross over the doorway so I do but no one frisks me. A minute or so passes and I’m allowed to step forward. Right in front of me is a sweeping staircase and at the foot of it standing straight-backed and smiling warmly at me is Fraser’s double!

  “Release him, please! This is no way to treat a guest,” he tells the AIG. “Have refreshments brought through to the study,” he continues. The guards half bow and leave me to stand to face him.

  He inclines his head to a door at my right and walks towards it, his hands laced together behind his back. He’s wearing a grey suit, white shirt and a royal blue tie. He doesn’t bother to turn and check if I follow or not. I realise my feet are following him. My curiosity is piqued and I can’t help myself.

  On entering the room, I see he’s sat behind a large mahogany desk. This room is so out of character with what I’ve seen of the building so far. No clean lines, not sleek or updated. Not modernised in the slightest, he’s younger than me and this room just doesn’t suit him. It’s like a throwback to the past. Heavy red drapes hang at the four windows; the flooring is a dark wood. It’s overbearing.

  He watches me taking in the surroundings then points to the chair opposite him. I sit and look him over again. He really is Fraser’s double except for his eyes and youthful appearance. His body language is open, relaxed and he seems... happy to see me?

  “Do you know why you’ve been brought here?” He asks.

  I shake my head.

  He leans forward and rests his elbows on the desk. “Are you Kye Clark?”

  I nod still unable to get my vocals working. Looking at him is making me lose all my resolve. He looks friendly and I can see why Gramps vouches for him. His eyes really do make you want to trust him. I look away worried he’s putting me under some kind of weird spell. No eye contact = No mind games.

  “You see; we have no Kye Clarke in our records. You, Mr. Clarke, do not exist!”

  “Your files are obviously wrong,” I reply.

  “I think not.” He runs his index finger over his lip. “You may not exist but I’m very familiar with your name. Your name along with a handful of others was drummed into me from an early age. Preparation for when the time came and I would be President.”

  I raise my brows. What the hell is he on about?

  “I can see I’m not explaining myself very well. Forgive me. I never thought this day would actually happen and now I’m faced with a dilemma.”

  “Care to elaborate?” I ask looking disinterested but starting to piece it together.

  “Of course. Yes, of course. Where to begin?” He questions himself.

  “Let’s see. My father, who I believe you are familiar with used to tell me the same bedtime story every night. A fascinating tale about a woman he loved and a time traveller who stole her away, in doing so this time traveller injured my father leaving him with a permanent limp. The time traveller and the woman escaped to the future which we know as the current present. My father believed that the traveller would at some point in time cross paths with his son – me. He had a message he wanted me to give the traveller. A message that has played on my mind for years.”

  I try not to rise to the bait but hearing him say that Fraser loved Faith has unleashed my anger levels to a dangerous height.

  “Let’s get something straight. He never loved Faith, he used her, he hurt her and he very nearly broke her. Your father was deluded! And... he’s exceptionally lucky all he ended up with was a fucking limp!”

  “And therein lies my dilemma. I agree. I hated my father, he dazzled my mother with his charisma, convinced her trusting nature that the things he did were for a greater good. He used her for an heir and then discarded her. He left
her a shell and he left me a legacy I want no part of. Nevertheless, I am President and there are laws that have to be upheld.”

  He laughs at the shock I’m displaying. Did not expect that. If he’s honest then the fact, he hated his father too is a plus in his favour.

  “Now he was under the impression that Faith would someday go back to her time. He was positive on that matter. So I have a proposal. He said he would be ready and waiting for her return but I want you to convince her to travel to the right point.”

  “Why? Why do you care? Why are you still doing what he wants when you despised him?”

  “No, you are mistaken. It may be what he wanted but I have my own selfish reasons as well.”

  Of course, he does! “Which are?”

  “I need her or you even, to return and put right things you may not have considered. If you agree to do this I will give you all the assistance you require, the technology that the public has no idea exists will be yours to aid you. What I need is for you to return to the time of his election and assassinate him.”

  “Why the fuck would you want that? I’m all for it, no doubt about it. But it’s an odd request when that means you’ll never be born.”

  “Precisely. I don’t want to be born, I don’t want all of this.” He gestures his arm around the room. “I don’t want my mother to be fooled by him. I don’t want the responsibility of a city so affected by his inventions. I could try until my dying breath but the things he did will never be undone as quickly. Advancing is an evil even he never foresaw. Without intending to he created a drug so lethal that children are left without parents, parents are left without children and the public are dying slow deaths from not receiving their next fix. I disabled the data from the system on every Comm but by then it was too late. The black market got their hands on it and it’s still going strong.” He takes a sip of water.

  “I’m tired, Mr. Clarke. This is no life to live. I don’t wish to be President. I don’t wish to exist. I have spent many, many years contemplating. My greatest wish is that time can be changed and none of this ever happens. I’m not a begging man, but on this I beg you, please make this right?”