SEA OF FRINGE: "Farrago's Legacy".


Chapter Seven: "NEITHER HERE NOR THERE BUT NEVER-WHERE".


"BUT WHAT IS EVENTUALLY DENIED ACTUALLY DOES EXIST AND EVENTUALLY COMES TO THE SURFACE, JUST AS ANY TRUTH WILL EVENTUALLY SURFACE DESPITE ACTS TO HIDE IT."

Joy Harjo.

From the book "We The People: Of Earth And Elders Volume 2"

By Serle L. Chapman.


Joseph Fanthorpe stared at the body, his eyes roaming over what should have been the answer to all of their problems. Instead it seemed, it was not to be and a whole set of new possibilities and probabilities were now thrown up by this "glitch". The thing that lay before him seemed alien, unearthly even to him. A faint aroma of decay permeated his nostrils and he found it distasteful that he should have to look at this creation any longer than was necessary. Even an autopsy could not prevent the inevitable process which was now set in motion.

"So what went wrong MacInnes?!", his eyes blazed in fury at the scientist who appeared relatively calm despite the seriousness of the situation, "From the marks on the body, you've been trying to determine the cause of death. I demand answers and not some pitiful excuses!. Perhaps I should find another scientist capable of giving me what I desire and dispose of your services altogether!".

MacInnes knew he and Erik were hanging by a life saving thread and it was up to him to give Fanthorpe some answer to buy them both the time they so desperately needed. He had a theory but unfortunately it would not be an answer that Fanthorpe and his organisation would like but an answer was the only thing that would keep them alive to fight another day.

"Incompatibility of the species Fanthorpe. That is all I can tell you. You want answers and more in depth study on this theory…well it's going to take time AND further tissue samples AND mixing to get the balance right. I warned you that there would be set backs and that I could not just create a solution to your problem. Damn it!. I NEED TIME!", he replied passionately, "Give me the time and I will find the answer that both the "selkie" and "roane" species need. Deny me this and both of your races will surely be condemned to die out."

Fanthorpe covered the body back up and took out his phone, dialling a number and glaring at the scientist, "Then it's just as well that I took the liberty of taking several tissue samples from my community when I visited them isn't it?."

He spoke down the phone to his men and told them to bring in the stored samples and turned his back on the scientist to call his Uncle Mackay. There was another job that required his services and he wanted that body disposed of as quickly and quietly as possible.

MacInnes stared at the men who brought in the samples and realised that Fanthorpe too was feeling the pressure ratchet up several notches, after all he did recall the man saying that someone from the "ZFT" organisation was coming to check on the progress of this operation. Perhaps he had bought them some breathing space but not that much to manoeuvre with.

"Mackay, it's me. The job I said I might have for you, well it seems I was right after all. Same arrangements as before. Meet me on the mainland and I'll have the body waiting for you. Say around threeish?. I'll see you then Uncle.", Fanthorpe spoke quickly to arrange the drop off and disposal of the failed experiment.

"And how is that old sea dog of an Uncle of yours Fanthorpe?. Still bullying the younger ones in your clan?!. Age and experience do not always make the wisest leader or council member." Erik spoke up for the first time as he heard Fanthorpe talk to his Uncle.

Fanthorpe glared at the imprisoned selkie and spoke further down the phone, "Yes Uncle, our little cousin sends his regards to you. What shall I tell him in reply?".

A smile played about the man, an arrogant expression on his face as he glared at Erik and ended the call with a "I'll pass on the message and see you later Uncle" and he put his phone back in his coat pocket.

Coming closer to the bars of the especially built cell, he leaned closer to Erik and whispered coldly, "If it were not for our mutual problem, my Uncle would have taken his boat to more northern waters and thrown you to the Orca."

Erik shook his head sadly, "At least I would've died fighting for my life and with dignity Fanthorpe. You and your kind have sold us all out and for what?!. You yourself only have a fraction of the understanding of our races, after all, your Uncle talks too much about you. The pride of his family and one which it seemed had a father which looked outside for a wife and when he did find one it turned out that she…"

"Enough selkie!. Or I will honour my Uncle's vow personally or worse I will hand you over to the "ZFT" and let them do with you as they will!", Fanthorpe's eyes blazed and he turned his attention back to MacInnes who had taken to seeing what samples Fanthorpe had given him by reading the inventory sheet.

"Three days MacInnes at most. My guest arrives by the end of the week and that is how much time you have to produce an answer as to why the first two attempts failed. AND I want a working, stable, living and breathing example of your work ready for when my guest arrives for a tour of this facility." Fanthorpe's voice was icy and demanding, "Do it MacInnes or that selkie goes to "ZFT" and you know what that means all too well don't you?!", he drew in closer to make his point, "I may even throw you into the bargain if you fail me again!".

MacInnes tried to calm his racing heart and answered as best as he could in an unwavering voice, "I can only do my best and if that isn't good enough then there is nothing else I can do".

Fanthorpe paused at the door before leaving sweeping his eyes over the lab and its prisoners, "You know the penalty for failure and I expect my demands to be met!", he signalled two of his men to wheel the body out on the trolley and they brushed past the scientist roughly as if he weren't there and of no importance.

Erik and MacInnes watched the body leave with Fanthorpe's men and heard the door lock and firmly seal itself behind them, leaving them to their fate and possibly their deaths.

"I did what I could Erik. I'm sorry my friend, it may not have been enough." MacInnes sighed and turned to look at Erik letting out a breath of relief which he had been holding in and feeling the tension disappear out of his system, he leaned against a work bench for support as he could feel his legs buckle.

"You did your best Martin. As you said yourself, your best is all that you can give. It seems we both know where we stand now don't we?." Erik's tone was thoughtful.

"If Fanthorpe wants an answer then I suppose standing around here isn't going to help us. Back to work Erik. We have no choice in this matter." MacInnes knew that he had to try and give the man what he wanted or there were no winners in this game.

"He's given you enough to continue your work?. Do you think you can crack this mystery Martin?." Erik asked him earnestly trying to see what Fanthorpe had given his friend to work with.

MacInnes looked at the inventory and nodded, "A wide ranging block of genetic samples from his community is perhaps just what we need to begin with Erik. Perhaps starting from scratch and looking at this from a different angle may give us the breakthrough we need. Instead of mixing your D.N.A and that of a human we need to look at how the centuries of mixing your two species has had on this and other communities like yours.

There's work to be done Erik!", MacInnes sounded hopeful. Two attempts had already failed and the old way of doing things it seemed wasn't working well.

In the back of his mind, he could recall a song from his younger days growing up and it was funny how it had just cropped up as he was working this new hypothesis and he recalled how the lyric went…

"RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN..

I SAID RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN.."


Douglas Monaghan decided that Walter and he should spend a little more time outside the lab and get out for a breath of fresh air and see the city sights as for once the weather was being kind to them and the rain had stayed off. Besides, there was something which he wanted to do but felt that only Walter should come along with him as he understood what it was to lose someone close.

"This is a nice quiet place Douglas", Walter commented as he took in the view of the city from his vantage point, "A fine resting place indeed.", he added as he stood by the grave of Alice Monaghan and nearby the smaller grave of their baby called "Simon."

Monaghan laid a larger bunch of flowers by his wife's grave and proceeded to divide a smaller bunch out and put them in the holder beside the grave of his son. Solemnly and privately he mentally said a prayer for the both of them and returned to stand beside Walter who himself had a sombre expression etched on his features.

"My Beloved Wife", Monaghan sighed, repeating the words that were etched into the stone grave and looking at the smaller grave of his son, he felt a pang of regret as to what could have been but was sadly denied him.

"Alice was only 27 when she passed, too young to die with her life ahead of her and it's something that even after time, I can't help but feel anger at!", Monaghan found his voice and gazed over to his friend, "Do you feel anger at how Elizabeth died?".

Walter nodded and he could feel a lump in his throat, "I can't imagine how it must've been for her, I dare not put myself in her shoes but I do know that at least she is free from pain and suffering. Your Alice and my Elizabeth would have been good friends Douglas, to have them ripped from our lives is just too unbearable for words and time my friend, time can never fully erase the pain. It's always there and always rears its head at the most unexpected of times!", he managed to somehow get the words out as he looked up to the sky, and noticing that there was not a cloud there and the autumnal sun shone down on the dewy cemetery grass causing little flashes of light to reflect off the drops, he smiled sadly.

"To lose the women that made us what we are Walter is like losing a part of our own souls and even harder when we lose our future which we invest in our children. You should be thankful for having your son in your life and that you were given a second chance to repair your relationship with him. What I wouldn't give to have seen my Simon grow to be a man!", Monaghan stared at the grave of his son, "I can't imagine what he would've chosen to do with his life but had I the chance, I would have loved him and supported him in whatever he felt was the path he wanted to take."

The words resonated with Walter deeply and he struggled with his inner feelings. The secret that he had kept to himself all those years from his son and the reason why his wife had committed suicide had created a ravaged wasteland in his soul. The secret some days was harder to bear but he had managed to keep it under lock and key.

Ever since leaving "St Claire's" it was getting more and more difficult to give into temptation and release this burden and share it with someone. However he knew that by spilling this dark and deep secret of Peter's past and his part in the whole tale had the potential to cause an even greater rift with his wayward son, one which he felt was a price that he dared not contemplate paying.

"Young Peter's illness must have been a terrible time for you and Elizabeth, looking at him now you would never think he had a day's illness in his life!. You must be proud of him Walter…" Monaghan commentated which seemed to snap the elder Bishop back to the here and now.

"Peter?!. Ah yes, he's grown up perfectly fine!", Walter cracked a smile which hid his true feelings from his friend, "Apart from that torrid time, he's never had another day's illness in his life since!. I put my faith in the fact that it was God that saved him for a greater purpose and my praying must've indeed worked a miracle of some kind or another!".

Walter tried in vain to make light of the subject matter with a joke and hoped that Douglas and he could talk of something else as this was hitting too close for comfort.

"That's where we have to part company with our differing belief systems," Monaghan and Walter started to walk back down the hill to where Douglas had parked the car, it was a good, crisp day for a walk and besides, both of them hadn't had much of a chance to talk since the "Fringe" team had arrived in Scotland. Events seemed to have overshadowed the opportunity to re-ignite their friendship after such a long absence.

"ALWAYS THE PARAPSYCHOLOGIST DOUGLAS!", Walter cracked a joke, "Still trying to disprove that the "Almighty" doesn't exist and we're at the mercy of our brain and decoding that what makes us believe in the "Supernatural" and associated phenomena!. With your background and upbringing I would have thought that our roles would have been reversed. Ironic isn't it?".

Walter of course knew that his friend had grown up as the son of a minister and that faith should have shaped his outlook on life but it seemed that Monaghan and his father had differing views on the Almighty and this particular family relationship had branched out into something diametrically opposed for both men.

"True Walter. However, I have mellowed out over the years. I'm not as rigid or as stubborn as I used to be!. Doing the job I do at the unit at the University has shall we say broadened my horizons and shaken my belief in the text book science that I read in my youth!", replied Monaghan as both of them stopped and noticed a feature which caught their attention.

The parapsychologist turned to look at his friend who was gazing in wonder at the sight before him and he let the scientist take it in before offering up an explanation. Monaghan hadn't seen one for several years, in fact the last time he had come across one was whilst he was investigating a rather disturbing case of soul transference when he had been researching his book on "The Golden Dawn" movement.

To this day the case had sent a shiver down his spine when he recalled the undeniable truth of the situation confirming his worst suspicions. Another nail had been struck in the coffin of his faith knowing that such things were possible but while one faith lay dead or dying, new patterns of belief and the discarding of the old faith had proved disturbing but also invigorating.

Douglas Monaghan had come to terms not just with his past but accepted that there were beliefs in this world which others could not or were unwilling to comprehend and just possessing that knowledge was the key to opening other doors or avenues of study.

Regarding his friend Walter Bishop, he believed that the scientist had gone through his own personal journey and even though both of them had gone through differing experiences, he was in no doubt that they were reading off the same page of the same novel.

"What a wonderful way to adorn a tree Douglas!", Walter gazed at the many coloured and textured strips of cloth that fluttered in the cool breeze that was making its presence felt on their journey back down the hill, he turned to his friend, "You do know what it means?".

Monaghan nodded, "It's an old Celtic custom Walter. Do you see that this tree here…" he leant over to touch it, "The one with the strips of cloth on it?. The cloth rags are called "clooties" in Scots, it's to do with a healing ritual, some say it's to remember those that have passed over but this tree is an ash and very important in old Druidic culture along with its neighbour here…" Monaghan touched the next tree nearby. "Which is a YEW most commonly found here in graveyards where the dead reside and again a powerful tree to the Druids. They say a Yew can grow to be over a thousand years old and if I'm not mistaken…see here Walter…we have a small water fountain...indicating that here we do have a religious mix of beliefs.." Monaghan looked back to his friend pointing at a small carved fountain which indeed was working and a trickle of water collected into a stone cup at the foot of the fountain.

"Do you think I could say a prayer Douglas and add my own "clootie" to the ones already on that tree?!", Walter felt it was only right to ask permission to do this it was something that he felt he should do to honour the people that had passed in his own life.

"I think it would be good to do that Walter." Douglas smiled back and watched the scientist produce his handkerchief out of his pocket and proceed to rip a suitable length of cloth off.

"I think it would be a very good idea indeed…" he repeated. A serene expression painted on his face as he took in the view around him as the sun lit up the sky and the surrounding skyline of the city of Glasgow.


"Okay, so where did this guy say to go?!", Peter Bishop looked over to Justine wondering where the next part of their journey would take them next as they were driving away from Anstruther and back down the coastal road.

They had spent just under an hour in the small village making inquiries as to anything to do with the legends of the "selkie" folk and had come up with what might be a lead. In fact, it seemed a pretty solid lead and it came from one of the skippers of the small fishing boats tied up in the harbour. Today it had seemed was their lucky day.

"I'm no sayin' like there's anything wrong wi' these people. They happen tae be some o' the best I've worked wi' over the years. In fact, if any o' ma lads and me canny get oot tae sea then these people usually have some kind o' work lined up and take us on," the skipper of a boat named the "Minstrel" had commented. He had a weather beaten face and spoke in a broad Scots tongue native to the area, "In fact no' a week or so ago, Big Malkie came lookin' for one o' ma lads tae help on this wee job. Wee Rory isnae here the noo tae tell you himself but "Big Malkie" skippers the boat " Stanchion" and he's a good man".

"So where do we find this "Big Malkie?!", Justine decided to do most of the questioning as probably the accent was a bit too broad for the overseas team to grasp. "Is he local?".

"They call him by his second name "Mackay" in his ain community. Just doon the road there. You'll no find it on any map, it's like a commune or sumthin' like that. The people keep themselves tae themselves if ye ken ma meanin'!." came the reply and a terse look.

"Right," Justine grinned, "So, they're down the road.."

"Aye, about twenty minutes drive or so I'd say. There's a place called "Jethart Point" where they stay. They have their ain boats and customs and dinny like visitors tae much but once they get tae know ye like they're no a bad lot. Ask for him by his second name or failin' that ask for "Auld Morag", she's the one wi' all the stories about the community and can help ye. One thing about they lot is that they're all in the best o' health and ken the currents and the sea like the back o' their haunds. That's all I can really tell you about them".

"Excuse me but this guy, "Wee Rory", I take it that you have an address or contact number for him. We're making enquiries into an incident that happened in and around the past seven days and we might want to talk to him depending on how this investigation pans out.." Olivia piped in smiling and hoping that the fisherman would give them the required information. She was actually finding the accent much easier to follow and put it down to the fact that she knew herself that there was Scottish ancestry in her family tree. However, she hadn't mentioned it to the rest of the team just yet, especially Peter as he would probably find that fact something to constantly take the mickey out of her and no way was she letting it slip to Walter or she'd NEVER hear the end of it!.

"Yer no from around here?. Americans I take it?", the man narrowed his eyes, "Tourists?".

"Something like that. We're here researching some Scottish myths and legends while we're over. You know, something to tell the folks back home!", Peter grinned trying to diffuse any tensions or suspicions that might arise from this situation.

"The name's MacPherson, big man and if you want tae find some truth in the legends o' the selkie folk then I'd advise you tae start at "Jethart Point!", he laughed, "Wee Rory's address then?. Wait a wee minute and I'll write it doon for ye and the directions doon to the Point an' all.", he left to return to his boat to get the relevant details which had now set the team on their way back down the coast to continue their enquiries.

"He said to take the road to the right which led down to the sea as far as I can read these directions!", Justine squinted at the old fisherman's scrawl and hoped that she had taken the right road. Looking around she had stopped by the side of the road and was checking the directions.

"There's an old sign just over there that I can see.." Astrid pointed in the direction of a faded road sign that had seen better days and Justine drove a little closer to take a look. "The right road just as he said!", she added as the words "Jethart Point" were just legible even from inside the vehicle despite the grime and weathering covering the symbol of the arrow that was etched on the sign.

"That seems to be a good indicator of wanting to be left at peace from prying eyes," Peter pointed out, "Have a road sign that's barely legible in the first place!."

Justine turned the car to the right and followed the small, winding road that led down to the coast and to hopefully where they could begin their enquiries. The road wasn't exactly the smoothest surface either and it too had been worn down with age and cracks and potholes littered the tarmac all the way down to the small community by the edge of the sea.

Deciding not to risk the car's suspension any further than was necessary, Justine killed the engine and said to the others that it was better to walk the rest of the way and so they embarked on the remaining distance by foot.

"It's certainly off the beaten track but it looks pretty quiet and not the place where you'd expect to find confirmation of tales from a bygone era and sea monsters!", Olivia took the chance to walk with Justine leaving Peter and Astrid a little way behind them. Besides, she wanted to compliment Justine on how she managed to get Peter to open up about his past life before "Fringe Division".

"Well, looks can be a wee bit deceiving, Agent Dunham. I've found that it's always the quietest people and communities that hide the biggest secrets and I'd think looking at what we have around us here…" she swept her hand before her to take in the view, thinking about a case she had worked on involving suspected re-incarnation but the answer to the case had led her to a community much like this one which hid a terrible crime and injustice, "We're gonna get someone to talk!". She smiled at Olivia, putting her hands in her pockets to warm them and trying to lay the memory of ghosts of cases past to rest , "So, what do you think of Scotland so far from what you've seen?. I suppose our climate's a bit of a shocker having come over from the States and plunging into our changeable weather!", Justine joked.

"I think you're lucky to live in such a beautiful country Justine weather included!. Don't let onto anyone else but my father had Scots ancestry and I always wanted to come over here and you know, maybe connect with the past in someway, maybe get a few answers to questions…" Olivia returned the smile letting her little secret slip.

"Really now?!," Justine nodded, "I actually kind of wondered as you seem a wee bit more at home with the language and the accent when we were talking to that man back in "Anstruther", I suppose it's just me…I kind of can tell things about people and I had a feeling about you…" she explained…"I mean don't take that the wrong way…it's just some people get…", she tried to apologise.

"Oh don't apologise…I know what you mean!. It's as if.." Olivia snapped her mouth shut over the sentence, not realising that she was about to completely spill the beans until something registered in her mind, a little warning light as such, a reflexive reaction although she was in good company she could trust.

"Looks like we may share a wee bit more in common than we think Olivia!", Justine found a more diplomatic way to answer, " It's not easy trying to come to terms with something that's so personal and can be misunderstood or interpreted as such by others. You'd think a pair of horns or cloven hooves had appeared and you feel marked out in some way or another, it's no easy trying to find someone to confide in is it?!", she sympathised with her American counterpart, "So what is it that you do Olivia?. Is it precognitive like my ability?".

Olivia shifted uncomfortably and glanced over her shoulder, making sure that there was distance between herself and Peter who by all accounts was in deep conversation with Astrid over something and his attention wasn't focused on her nor Justine. This was something that she still found uncomfortable to discuss with herself let alone her fellow team members.

"It's uh…a little more complicated than that Justine!", she turned back to catch the other woman's concerned expression, "I was experimented on as a child with an untested drug by Dr Bishop and his colleague, a Dr Bell. To cut a long story short, things have been happening to me recently, things which I'm afraid to tell anyone…I can't tell the people I work with or my superiors at work…it frankly scares the hell out of me but I have to try and keep going despite all the questions I have.." Olivia felt a little vulnerable letting this all out but felt that Justine was the best person to tell.

"You mean DR BISHOP as in Peter's father?. Seriously?!." Justine looked shocked, " And I take it you asked him about what happened?!.".

"Walter's incarceration and the passage of time haven't been kind to him Justine. The man can barely remember what he had for breakfast let alone answer specific questions on what happened to me all those years ago. It's complicated and the fact that "ZFT" and the connection David Robert Jones has to this case is frankly worrying and unnerving at the same time. Jones told me about the "Cortexiphan" trial I was involved with and ever since we crossed paths, things are getting weirder!", Olivia admitted.

"Weird in what way?. Psychic weird or just unexplainable weird?!", Justine queried and added, "Sorry, that probably sounds very unscientific of me!".

Olivia laughed, "Weird is just probably the best way to describe it. Lights have a bad habit of flickering nearby if my emotions are all over the place, sometimes I get "flashes" of things or gut reactions to people and places. I never told you how with just concentrating on a light box bomb, I made all the lights go out and saved a city?. Now that's just plain "weird" huh?!".

"It sounds like you'd make a good case for our department Olivia, and don't take that the wrong way…but maybe we should do a couple of experiments and see how latent your abilities are. There should be some answers that we might be able to give you, that is if you're willing to submit to some tests. Would you be interested in that option?. And I think we could keep it confidential just between the pair of us and not involve your team if that's the way you want it…" Justine decided to make Olivia an offer of help if she needed it.

"Thanks!", Olivia smiled, "I might take you up on that, maybe when things are a bit quieter and this case is over. It's a relief to be able to talk to someone outside of work who can understand this. Besides, I wanted to congratulate you on getting Peter to open up about his past. That was a miracle you performed as he's usually just as stubborn as his father, that was a job well done!", she felt a little more relaxed and unburdened having managed to get a few minutes alone with Justine as they walked towards a small harbour and jetty.

"So you and Peter don't talk much about the past then?. Both of you seem to have this…you know…tension…it's like there's something between the pair of you…" Justine looked to her counterpart and saw Olivia's expression betray her.

"Oh…I see…" she added and quietly added in her own opinion, "Olivia, if you ever want to have a wee chat and no just about "scientific" matters, you can always come and find me!. I can't blame you though for having a few wee "moments" though!. I mean…" Justine raised her eyebrows and grinned, "Strictly off the record of course but who wouldn't want to be working with Peter?!…he's intelligent, good with people, someone that puts you at ease with yourself, well mannered and handsome!. Something which you'll note that Craig lacks!. Don't get me wrong Craig is Craig but he has a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way, he's no exactly a people person!".

Olivia tried to keep a knowing smirk off her face, "I had noticed that!. I think he's smitten with Astrid when she's around, I think it's endearing!".

"Men eh?!", Justine commented, nudging Olivia with her elbow ever so slightly, "Where would we be without them?. Probably havin' much easier lives!".

Olivia laughed feeling at ease with having a conversation with Justine and freeing a little bit of emotional baggage. She turned to look back at Peter as she could feel that his attention was wandering back to her and caught his eye in the process.

"Hey Dunham!. Is that yours truly here the subject of an in depth discussion?!. I hope you ladies are discussing my finer points of etiquette!" he called over, there was a hint of mischievousness that Olivia could easily detect from a mile away.

"Gift o' the gab as well Agent Dunham!", piped in Justine as they began to walk towards the harbour of the small settlement.

Olivia smiled, as Justine explained the meaning of the phrase she used to describe Peter and she decided to bag and tag that small saying for use in the future. However, it was time to get back to work, there was a case to solve and by the looks of it, the harbour seemed the best place to begin their enquiries. From what she could see there seemed to be at least one person around that they could ask regarding the information that had been imparted to them.


Owen Reid was working on fixing a fishing net when he realised that there were strangers in the area. Normally, he would've called out to the others that there were people there, visitors perhaps tourists, but the fact was that this little community of theirs was pretty much off the beaten track and that was the way they all preferred it.

The young man however, couldn't call out. He still bore the marks on his throat of Mackay's assault and his voice was still hoarse. Instead, it seemed this group of people had caught sight of him and there was nowhere to run or hide.

All the boats were out at sea bar Mackay's boat, he'd been called away on business and his was still tied up and as penance for his outburst had been sent to fix the nets and pick them clean of sea debris, ready for the next trip out. This was a job that was literally the worst punishment that anyone in the community had to bear on dry land at least.

Young Owen had never ventured far out of the community itself, it just wasn't really the "done thing" as he knew that people would comment on his appearance in hushed tones and stare and point at the physical abnormalities and that was the last thing he wanted to bring upon himself or the community. Safety lay in numbers and unfortunately for him, his world was quite limited to "Jethart Point" and the sea and coastline several miles in each direction. Some of the others were lucky in that they weren't born or developed the more "telling" traits of his species and could mix freely with the general populace. For him though, with severely webbed feet and hands, life was quite different and hard.

His father had died at sea, trapped in a sinking fishing boat, unable to save himself by even taking his natural form, the boat had become his prison they said, and all living creatures need air to breathe, even his people. Without room to move or oxygen to breathe, Owen could not imagine the suffering that his father went through in the last moments of his life, desperately trying to negotiate the myriad of nets, smashed wood, twisted metal and broken glass, a maze which in the end turned into his crypt, taking him down to the sea bed as a final resting place. There was no body to mourn over. The finality of it was overwhelming but life had to continue for him even at that young age along with his mother and older sister.

The sea was in his blood, and despite what happened to his father, he was sworn to continue the traditions of his people and when he was old enough followed the boats to sea, helping out and mastering the craft which had been handed down over hundreds of generations. However, with the influx of technology and changing views within the community, Owen could see that there were possibilities out there, which for him meant that his small and narrow view of the way things were and had been for countless years was now being questioned not just by himself but others like him.

The elders of the council preferred the old ways, himself and the others were more willing to try the new, but there was one issue which he felt strongly about and that was the one concerning Mackay and his nephew.

That issue alone was one which was setting family against family and one that he felt could not continue for much longer. Mackay and his kin were determined to override the council and go to extreme lengths to find answers that their community had been plagued by for countless years. Despite differences of opinion, Owen and some of his friends were trying to keep Mackay's influence from becoming too powerful and Mackay in turn was throwing his weight around and bullying and intimidating those who dared voice other opinions.

The young man rubbed his throat as he recalled the man's rage and it made him feel angry at how he and the others were treated.

Owen looked up from his net fixing and saw four people approaching. One man and three women and from the looks of them, they had business on their minds and didn't look like tourists to him. The wisest course of action was to be bold and take the situation in hand and control the flow of information and Owen stood up as two women first reached him, one blond haired and one dark haired.

"I'm afraid, I can't help you if you're lost and besides, as you can hear, I'm a little hoarse!", he tried to make a joke and looked to the two women trying to discern what they were after.

"We were talking to someone in "Anstruther" and he sent us to here, I wonder if you could help us, we're looking for information, " the dark haired woman spoke first, "A man called "Mackay" and he skippers a boat called the "Stanchion". You know where to find him?".

Owen narrowed his eyes, "You lookin' for Mackay are you?. He's no here, got called away somewhere, don't ask me where cause I don't know nothing other than that".

"And you are?", the blond woman chimed in, watching him closely.

"Ma name's Owen. Owen Reid. Are you tourists or just lost?", Owen queried coughing nervously, these people had an air of authority about them and Owen could feel his resolve weaken.

"We're just following a line of information Owen. I take it that Mackay will be gone for the rest of the day?. Does he have a contact number where we could reach him?", the blond woman seemed intent on getting some form of information out of him by any means possible.

"Mackay doesn't like his phone number given out to strangers. Can't help you out there." Owen noted that the man with the group and the woman with him were looking at the boat that was tied up.

"That is his boat, the "Stanchion", so it means that if he's not at sea he should be back sometime soon?", the man came over to join the conversation looking serious and sticking his hands in his coat pockets.

"He's no at sea, that much I do ken. Told you as much as I can. Unless you tell me why you're lookin' for him, I'm no at liberty to say anything else. Is he in trouble?", Owen wondered why these people were looking for Mackay, outsiders usually meant trouble was never too far behind.

"Owen. My name's Justine and this is Olivia.", Justine decided that it was time to try and put the guy a little at ease, "We were interested in learning more about the legends of the selkie, that's why we were told to come here. Do you know anyone that can help us with our inquiries. If Mackay isn't here, we were told to look for an "Auld Morag", is she around to talk to?!", she smiled and tried to make her body language appear less threatening than the others.

"Selkies?!", Owen coughed, he seemed affronted by the mere mention of the word, "Who on earth told you to come here lookin' for "selkies!", a laugh ensued, "What a joke!", more coughing and he tried to control his emotions from hearing what he knew was a swear word in his community.

"You seem to find that amusing, I take it you're not a believer in the old legends?", Olivia noted that the young man had bruising on his neck and that's why he was having trouble talking to them, also she'd noted that there was distinct webbing on his hands and that seemed more than just co-incidence and she recalled the stories that she had been reading up concerning this so called "legend".

"Selkies?. No around here, whoever told you that wis mistaken!. As for "Auld Morag", she's no well, keeps indoors most o' the time, you'll no be welcome if she's in a bad way…take it from me…you won't get any information about selkie legends from around here!. We don't talk about 'em…", Owen regained his composure.

"Even still Owen. You'd be doing us a great favour if you could tell us where we could find Mackay. If you give us a name of someone who knows him…a friend or acquaintance maybe?", Justine pushed that little bit further with a smile, "Just to hear it from him…"

Owen by now felt hemmed in by these visitors, there was no escape route open to him and he felt claustrophobic, the blonde haired woman seemed to have eyes that bored into his very soul and the situation seemed to be slipping from his grasp, he licked his lips nervously, unsure of what to do.

"How did you get that bruising on your neck Owen?. It looks quite severe bruising, was it Mackay who did that to you?!", Olivia had noted that Owen looked uncomfortable every time Mackay's name was mentioned in conversation. She had her fair share of interrogations in her career in the "F.B.I" and could tell that this young man was definitely hiding a secret and followed her gut instinct and exchanged a knowing look at Justine.

Owen looked away, "I need to get on wi' these nets. If you'll excuse me, you're free to look around our village and I hope you find what you're lookin' for elsewhere…" Owen decided it was safer to cut the conversation there and then, things were getting too close for comfort in this matter.

"Owen, if this man is bullying or harassing you in any way, you can help yourself by helping us. Don't suffer in silence.", Justine went and sat beside Owen as the young man picked up the net he had been working on and continued his thankless task.

There was an uncomfortable silence as the group began to disband and walk away, it seemed that the interrogation had hit a brick wall and Olivia rejoined her team and hoped that Justine might have a bit more luck with the young man. Perhaps a quick scouting and a few pictures of the area might yield some more clues or vital information that the younger man was holding back on.

Owen continued his work, trying to ignore Justine's presence beside him but it was practically impossible to do so.

"Why can't you just leave me alone to get on with what I'm doin'?", Owen tried to keep the anger out of his voice and concentrate on the task at hand. "I'm no harmin' anyone. Just take your friends and go…forget that you ever saw me!."

"Owen, just tell me where to find Mackay and my friends and I will leave. It seems a fair enough deal. All we want is to ask his opinion on something, nothing more. Just a name Owen and we'll be out of your life for good…" Justine tried to make him see reason.

The young man whispered, "Everyone's afraid of him, he bullies the younger ones. Him and his nephew, the one that left us to go and work in Edinburgh, they think they're better than us, but they're not!."

"So Mackay has a nephew then?. I take it you know his name Owen?", Justine felt she was close. "Maybe I can help you and the younger ones Owen. I can see that you're afraid of him.."

"There's a company his nephew is in charge of, I don't know the name but his nephew's called Joseph Fanthorpe, I can't tell you anything else, I've already said too much!", Owen let the information slip. "Just go!. Please!", his tone was getting more distressed and he had another coughing fit and Justine put her hand on the young man's shoulder, giving him a squeeze of support.

"Thanks for the information, Owen. My friends and I are grateful for your help. If you need anyone to talk to you or your friends, my name's Justine and I work at "Clyde University" in Glasgow, "Parapsychology Department", okay?", Justine thought it best to leave her contact details with Owen and took out a pen and a small pad of paper, writing her name down and her number. She tried to play down what she had seen as her "gift" had suddenly been triggered and had left her a little confused by what she saw.

"What's "Parapsychology" Justine?", Owen looked at her with a puzzled expression frowning and trying to control his coughing, she looked a little spooked and her skin had paled slightly.

"It's….complicated…" Justine smiled, trying to regain her composure and seamlessly explain exactly what it was she did for a living. "Let's just say that we study what we don't understand about the human mind and try to prove some urban myths such as telepathy, clairvoyance, the unexplained in general. The case I'm working on with my friends at the minute is a little different however, something a wee bit closer to home…it was good to meet you Owen!", Justine smiled and got up to rejoin the others, trying to make sense of the images that had just flashed through her mind's eye.

Owen watched her leave and frowned, her words left an impression on him as he looked at the piece of paper that she had left him and he stared at the writing and turned to look up at her ever growing distant figure.

Something about this woman and what she did along with her friends asking questions about "selkies". Maybe it was just that and nothing more. No reason to worry anyone else of what had just happened.

Owen returned to his net and tried to dismiss any thoughts of Mackay and what would happen to him if he said he'd be talking to a group of strangers.

Hopefully the man wouldn't be back from wherever it was he was going for a good long while. This was the last person young Owen was keen on seeing as far as he was concerned.


"Mackay. Thanks for coming." Fanthorpe and his men met the older man by the jetty that led to the island and the cargo that they carried lay on the ground in a body bag beside them. The wind was picking up and a distinct chill was growing in the air as daylight was beginning to ebb away to twilight.

"I tak it that scientist didnae get the mix right for a second time?!", Mackay stood with his hands on his hips and stared at the body bag shaking his head and looking decidedly unimpressed.

"Aye Uncle. I left him in no doubt that should a third attempt fail then as our guest, himself and Erik were to be handed over to "ZFT" to be dealt with. Mackay, he has enough genetic material available to do what must be done. He knows that we're playing life and death stakes now. Here…", Fanthorpe handed over an envelope, "I'll give you the money just now and that'll save you a trip to the capital. I like to keep our dealings under the radar and out of "company concerns" and prying eyes".

Mackay took the envelope and counted the cash, "Any place in particular, ye want this thing dumped?!", he inquired, satisfied that the money was all there.

"It's only right that the sea should claim it Uncle. Regardless of what it is, we're not animals Mackay, despite its questionable origins, it is one of "ours" after all…" Fanthorpe signalled his men to carry it into Mackay's waiting van.

Mackay nodded, "So be it laddie. Was nice tae see ye again. Tak care noo!", he shook hands with his nephew and shut the van doors as Fanthorpe's men returned to their boss, watching impassively.

Fanthorpe watched the van leave with the body and breathed a sigh of relief. At least the disposal part of the operation was out of his hands now for the time being.

"Back to the office guys", Fanthorpe signalled his men, "We've preparations to make for an overseas visitor!". The drive back to Edinburgh wouldn't be too long from here and while there was daylight, there was time to get the arrangements in place for their guest.

Indeed, time was of the essence and Fanthorpe knew that there were things to be done before his guest arrived. "ZFT" personnel were not to be taken lightly and underestimated in any way. Especially this high ranking member who was visiting them for an update.

Underestimating him was something akin to signing your own death warrant. Something which Fanthorpe was not willing to do by ANY means.

Fanthorpe valued his life too much and ever since involving himself with "ZFT" had seen the results of disobedience for himself. A chill travelled down the man's spine as he recalled a particularly nasty video that his "ZFT" contact had sent him. The poor scientist had been injected with his own creation and the results had been terrifying.

Unless he wanted to end up like that poor man in the video, he knew he had to have at least some good news waiting for his contact when he arrived.

"Justine, are you okay?!", Olivia noted that the parapsychologist looked a little pale and shaken as she arrived back to report to the rest of the group on what she had found out from the young man.

"I could do with a stiff drink!", she admitted and took Olivia aside, only willing to talk to her and not Peter or Astrid. "Olivia, that young man down there, you sensed something about him too didn't you?".

"I've spent too many times in too many interrogations of suspects, Justine NOT to recognise that Owen there had something to hide. Apart from that, yeah, I take it you saw the webbing of the hands that he had?. I know of a condition called "syndactyly" where the skin of the hands can be web like but that there was something quite different wasn't it?. There was something about him wasn't there?", Olivia agreed with Justine on that point.

"Olivia, I touched him. I saw things…images…images of the sea…" Justine began to explain, "Being underwater, it was as if I could see through his eyes, his hands weren't human, it was almost like a dream…a dream of swimming underwater in a body of a seal!", she continued, "I got the flash of something from his mind…not a seal…not a selkie but a word like "roane"…", Justine gave Olivia a look, "You saw how he reacted to that word "selkie" as if it were a swear word…what if Olivia…what if we've inadvertently stumbled on something here…didn't the selkie legend mention…", she frowned trying to remember the word…

"Roane?. Didn't the legend mention that there were the "selkie" and the "roane" involved?. Justine….are you trying to say that this community are hiding the fact that…" Olivia returned the look back, shaking her head and smiling as if to convey the meaning that it couldn't possibly be true.

"I think Owen there is a "roane" and I'd be willing to bet you that this whole community are "roane" as well." Justine shoved her hands in her pockets and her expression said it all, "I told you that communities like these tend to hide secrets and in this case, we have got ourselves a community that could possibly be straight from the folk tales of Scottish legend".

"So, if these are "roane", then there has to be a basis for a "selkie" connection somewhere…" Olivia surmised and let out a breath that she didn't know she had been holding in…"My god!. Walter will have a field day with this!".

"Did I hear my father's name being mentioned?!", Peter cut in the conversation sidling up to the two ladies and quizzically looked at them both, "What are you two discussing that it's a "Ladies only" club membership?!", he joked as he searched their faces for an answer.

"I think we need to talk to Walter, Peter. We may just have found an answer to the age old Scottish legend of the origins of the seal people." Olivia replied as a seriousness clouded her expression.

"What?!. You're kiddin' me right?!. Look at this place, it's pretty much out in the middle of nowhere!", Peter looked at Astrid who had also wandered up to see what was happening, "Astrid , according to Olivia here we're in seal central!".

"Seriously?!", Astrid looked at the two women but only seeing that both of them were deadly serious about this. "So these selkies exist right here in this community?!".

"Roane, Agent Farnsworth, we're dealing with two species here and I think we've found the roane which are related to the selkies. I'd better phone Douglas, he'll be wanting to know all about this!", Justine corrected Astrid and took out her phone and started to make the call to her superior.

Standing on the only main path that cut through the community of "Jethart Point", the team did not realise that they were being watched. Through peep holes and curtains nooks and crannies, the people of the small community were keeping an eye on these visitors and their movements very closely.

On the quay a little further away, Owen Reid took his chance for escape and climbed on board Mackay's tethered boat, away from the view of the visitors. He shed the remainder of his clothes on the deck and quickly looked around to see if he was truly alone.

Diving into the cold waters of the sea, he swam underwater for a minute and then broke the surface for air.

If the team had been looking in that very direction at that minute in time, they would have witnessed a young seal calmly look around and then diving back under the safety and security of the water, leaving only a ripple behind it and confirmation that indeed they were on the right track.

"Jethart Point" was indeed a community of the "Roane".


Okay folks, and that's a good place to end Chapter Seven I reckon. I admit that the title was inspired partly by the "Fringe" episode, "Neither Here Nor There" but funnily enough I just finished watching the old BBC adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Neverwhere".

A hybrid mash of titles that seemed to go together strangely enough and considering that it was the first thing I thought of as a title for the chapter, I just went with it!.

Anyway, I took a couple of lines from the old "Orange Juice" classic, "Rip It Up" which you should listen to as it's a good song, one of the first songs that actually I thought of adding into this story. Sorry if the lyrics have been a bit "thin on the ground" in this story, but I do write too much and never get room to fit them in!.

Scottish cultural history time folks!. The "Prayer Tree" was something that I picked up from the last two "Sea Of Souls" episodes that were shot in 2007 (actually I just watched them back for the first time recently, yup, I have a long list of stuff to catch up with viewing wise!). There's other flash backs to other episodes I'm referring to all throughout this story, "Youtube" the episodes from season two onwards if you're interested or haven't a clue what I'm going on about!.

I looked into the lore surrounding the "Prayer Tree" and came up with adding it into this story and at that specific moment and location. Scots and Irish culture crosses over quite frequently and I'll be adding a wee theory in about that next chapter, but needless to say in Druidic and Celtic culture, various trees were important in past times to certain religious practices. Have a look up in "Wikipedia" for more info, but I thought this was the best way to introduce this idea, and this won't be the last you'll hear of it.

"Jethart Point" is just a fictional place that I thought I'd stick on the map and "Jethart" is actually the Scots word for the place called "Jedburgh" but it sounded cool so I just re-located it a wee bit further north and made it a small fishing community!.

The term "Gift o' the Gab" refers to someone who has the art of talking down to an art form, eloquent and loquacious and damn well knows how to use it to the best of their abilities!. Step forward Mr Jackson…

"Nooks and crannies" is just another way of saying small gaps and cracks in between places to look out from.

"Syndactyly" is something else which I discovered recently on my web travels and I often wondered exactly what my two fused toes on my left foot meant and this is what I have. There's certain forms of "Syndactyly" and one which I have is that the joint between toes isn't fully formed and the gap between the toes is not as the surrounding toes. Other forms include HAND syndactyly which means there can be excess webbing of the skin between the fingers (simple syndactyly) or it can be like the feet and there can be a malformed gap or bone fusion of the joints. Genetics huh?!. There's no end to the tricks they like to inflict on us all!.

Us "Rh-negative" blooded people it is said have this is one of our more "unusual" tell tale traits and it's funny but the "selkie" legends also pertain to this trait as well…SPOOKY!.

Anyhow…get ready for another big information-fest for the next chapter as "The Roslin Institute" comes a- calling and the investigation moves to Edinburgh. Thanks for staying with this story and I'll post again in a fortnight's time(ish)!.