Helix Genesis by Chris Lofts

Author:Chris Lofts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-12-01T05:00:00+00:00

North, east, west, it didn’t matter which way she looked. It was like being trapped in a maze of doubts. Countless routes delineated by the turbines. Each alley pointed to a different solution that waited just over the featureless horizon. And then, just as you’d convinced yourself which one to take, doubt climbed into your head and rearranged the signposts.

Gabrielle wandered barefoot to the opposite window. South was different. South shimmered green through the haze. She leaned at the side of the window, her arms folded, head resting against the chipped paint. South was verdant, wide open gardens and neatly trimmed lawns. A little girl around six, maybe seven years old, with long straw-blonde hair getting in her eyes as she ran and danced along. A bright pink helium-filled balloon, with a yellow unicorn figure bobbed behind on a ribbon. Her pretty red dress with white polka dot pattern, white cardigan over it, buttoned at the top, and her shiny red shoes and short, white ankle socks. ‘Evie.’

‘Did you say something, Gabrielle?’

‘Oh, Helix. You scared me.’ Her eyes flicked back to the flat calm sea, the distant shimmering coastline and the three letters etched in the dust on the window: EVE. She pressed the tips of her fingers to the glass and swallowed the dream. ‘What time is it?’

‘Just before two. I wanted to make sure you were OK.’

She laughed. Of course she wasn’t OK. She’d just agreed to surrender to a madman. ‘I’m fine. Thanks.’

The sofa creaked under Helix’s weight. ‘Why did you do that?’

‘I just need a bit of time on my own.’ She made herself small in the corner opposite him. ‘The call confirmed everything. It felt more personal, but I know it’s not just about him and me.’

Helix cleared his throat. ‘No. I meant why did you agree to exchange yourself for Rachel and Lauren?’

She hooked her elbow over the back of the sofa and twisted around to face him. ‘Is Ethan always listening and watching?’

Helix sniffed a small laugh. ‘Why’s that? Are you worried about what happened last night?’

She raised her fingers to her lips. ‘What happened last night?’ She hated not knowing. Did she make a fool of herself? ‘Was it the embarrassing dancing? He wasn’t watching, was he?’

‘No. It’s OK. He wasn’t. I can turn him off whenever I feel like it. He hardly sleeps, so I need some peace from time to time.’ He smiled. ‘And you were fine.’

‘Was I in bed when you came in?’

‘Not quite, but you were getting ready.’

She leaned forward, her hands pressed over her face. So, how did all my clothes end up on the floor? ‘What happened, Helix? Did I throw myself—’

‘Listen. It’s fine, no harm done. Ethan’s herbs, the pills, and bit too much loopy juice on top of a hairy twenty-four hours. We all need to de-pressurize sometimes.’

‘So, I did…’

‘It was a goodnight kiss. That’s all.’

‘I’m so embarrassed. Sorry, Helix. And my clothes? I wasn’t wearing them when I woke up.’

‘That was before the kiss.

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