A Paradox of Fates by Rebecca Hefner

Author:Rebecca Hefner [Hefner, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Reading Goddess Press, LLC
Published: 2020-02-24T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Hunter ran his hand through his hair, silently cursing himself for the way he’d handled the entire situation. He’d thrown the stunning scientist off-balance yet again, and he knew that was something she detested. Sighing, he acknowledged he needed to return to the foyer to discuss next steps with Eli, Lainey, and Cyrus. But first, he just needed a damn moment.

Hand clutched over his chin, he remembered his first encounter with Lewis. The kind man had found Hunter at his cabin, fifty miles north of Terrum, where he was living off the land, solitary and broken. They’d sat on the weathered couch in the sparse living room, Lewis reveling in the taste of the strong coffee Hunter had served. His wife Mara didn’t let him drink coffee anymore—the caffeine wasn’t good for his heart—so it was a vice he often longed for.

Eventually, Lewis had explained he had a secret alliance with Eli Hernandez. Hunter’s reaction had been to lift his gun from his belt and aim it at the scientist’s forehead. After several minutes of calm pleading, Hunter gave the man a chance to explain.

Lewis recounted that Eli had approached him one day when he was fishing in the river that ran north of the hub. The man had irrefutable evidence he’d been contacted by Lewis’ adult daughter Elaine in the past, even though Elaine would’ve only been a child when they made the supposed contact. It all seemed impossible, and Hunter realized he was listening to the rantings of an old and unstable man.

Until Lewis pulled the pictures from his coat pocket. Pictures of a large machine with metal arms, looking like something from the science-fiction graphic novels Hunter’s grandfather had loved to read. Pictures of the hub, of pages and pages of scientific equations, and lastly, pictures of his daughter.

Lainey’s amber eyes had called to him from the photographs. They held a deep sense of purpose and in some, such unbearable loneliness. The same loneliness Hunter saw each time he stared at his reflection.

“I haven’t done well by her,” Lewis said, rubbing his finger over her face in the photograph. “I’ve trained her for one purpose and placed such a burden on her. She doesn’t understand love, except in the context of the few people at the hub. In preparing her for the doom of the world, I inadvertently made it her reality.” His irises lifted, the same stunning ochre as Elaine’s. “Eli has given me information that perhaps this reality will change for Lainey one day, but that is for him to tell you. I’ve done my piece here.”

Rising from the couch, Lewis pulled a letter from his pocket. “I’ll tell you not to read this, but you will anyway. You’ll wait a few days, but curiosity will get the best of you. That’s fine, my boy.” Eyes shined as he patted Hunter’s cheek. “There is continuity in chaos, and you’ll discover that eventually. Love is not linear, Hunter. Take it from an old man like me.

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