Eden's Lie (The Bloodstar Chronicles Book 1) by Aiden James

Author:Aiden James [James, Aiden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rain Press
Published: 2022-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

PART VI

Revelations and a Lesson in History

Jack grew quiet... staring at his distorted reflection in the steel table top.

He remained like this for the next few minutes, waiting for Agent McNamee to respond to his story. But the agent sat in silence as well. Finally, Jack grew irritated enough to broach the matter.

“So... what do you think?” he asked without looking up.

“About your story? I find it very compelling, Jack. You should already know that,” the agent replied, sitting up straight and pushing his glasses further up on his nose. “I’m definitely convinced your experience and my nephew’s disappearance are related, and it will take time to fully process that fact.... Now, don’t take offense, Jack... but you’re old enough to know that sometimes memory is a funny thing.

“You were a young adolescent when this happened. Given the trauma, and all the time that’s passed since then, it’s likely some of what you remember could be embellished just a bit.... While I’d like to believe it all, you’ve got to admit that faces inside trees, clouds with arms, hands, and ‘lucid’ fingers—not to mention statues which one minute are inanimate fountains and the next come to life, are not just strange. They sound like pure fantasy. I guarantee anyone else around here would find that sort of stuff impossible to believe at face value.”

“Is that what you believe?... Are you like them?” Jack motioned again to the small cameras in each corner of the room. He eyed McNamee sullenly, his frustration heating toward anger.

The agent followed Jack’s gaze toward the cameras, shaking his head. “No... I wouldn’t be here now if I did, since what I’ll reveal to you in a bit lends credence to much of what you’ve described,” he replied, much more gently. “But, we have to look at everything. Any agent worth his or her salt can’t take the whole picture at face value.”

“Meaning what?” Jack asked warily.

“Well, for one thing, there’s your personal history to consider.” McNamee shifted in his seat, as if suddenly uncomfortable. “I’ve shared what I dealt with in my own family back then—something I’m sure my colleagues will view skeptically. That gives me a leg up on them.... But even without the more fantastic details you’ve shared, the agency would view it all through the filter of your past. Like the fact you underwent extensive counseling for severe depression while attending St. Andrews Academy. Plus, your therapist, Dr. Ashton Rutherford, officially diagnosed you with a mild form of schizophrenia.”

“That shit was supposed to be expunged from my records when I turned eighteen—especially since I was given a clean bill of mental health right before graduation!” Jack seethed. “So, y’all think I’m crazy?”

“No. That’s not what I’m saying, Jack.” McNamee held out his hands for Jack to take it easy, likely in response to his agitation visibly on the rise. “But people are complex creatures, and our perceptions can definitely be affected by the events we go through in life.”

“Huh? Then why the fuck am I doing this for you?”

Furious, Jack hastily rose to his feet, knocking his chair over.

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