Chapter 28 - Truth.
We tried something after the dinner. Ib and Mia sleeping in my room together, and me on the sofa. After we fetch Ib's mattress to put it next to my bed, the girls made me, and Ashley, a last kiss on the cheek before saying good night. I then left my room with Ashley.
"Will you be okay tomorrow, Garry ? I could awake early to take your place."
"No, no, I want you to be on form tomorrow morning, and the girls too." Ashley smiled at me and came for a hug.
"I hope you hid the book you have since we were back from the beach."
"It's on the cupboard, they can't reach it. Good night, Mrs Jordon."
"Good night, Garry.", Ashley answered, before going upstairs. I walked in front of the TV and took the remote, to lower the sound, and looked at the cupboard. Now that I was alone, it was about time to check for the informations I wanted. I walked silently to reach the book, and took it. I've placed Aion's note as a bookmark, so I knew where I had to search.
Sitting on the sofa, I turned the pages, until I finally found the BTL section. Apparently the letters meant Beyond The Limits. An appropriate name for the experiences of the scientist... here were described all the informations about the people who gave their lives for science... I turned the pages until the number 66... there...
When I was about to put the book on the cupboard, I heard something in my room. I hurried, always silently, and opened the door. Mia was shaking and moving in the bed, making noises as she had a nightmare. I sat next to her and took her hands, then whispered in her ear :
"The Guardian is here." As if she heard me, Mia turned her head at my side and looked peaceful again, with a little smile. The problem is that she was holding my hand. Being careful, I removed her hands and patted her head before standing up. Ib, her, was... the mattress was empty. Where was Ib... I turned quickly to check the living room... she was already waiting for me on the sofa. This girl was incredible... I waited some minutes with Mia and joined Ib.
"Did you see something, Ib ?", I asked, sitting next to her.
"I couldn't fell asleep, I'm scared in the dark now... I thought something was moving in your cupboard..." I believed her for the beginning but with the cute face she made to me at the end, I saw that Ib only wanted to sleep with me. Actually, if that could help her, of course I wouldn't refuse.
"Okay for tonight, because it's late. But don't lie to me again for the cupboard."
"Yes, sorry... but I'm really scared in the dark." I switched off the TV and carried Ib, went to take my coat and returned at the sofa, to install Ib on my leg, like usual.
"Good night, sweetheart."
"You too, Garry..." She kissed my cheek and covered her body with my coat. I gave her the same kiss, on her forehead, pushed my back against the sofa and hugged Ib...
The next day, I awoke before everybody. Ib was always against my chest, but when I wanted to move my right arm to check my watch, I saw Mia too. Did she move during the night, due to another nightmare ? One sure thing was that she had take my right arm to hold her body and I was stuck here... I still reached my watch, and read 8:11 AM.
"Must we call that a test failure ?" That was Ashley, coming downstairs silently. I looked at the girls and then at her, smiling.
"I guess so. To be honest, we didn't fell asleep with Mia yesterday. She's a... surprise guest." Mrs Jordon giggled and came to see Mia's face, bent on the sofa behind me.
"Do you think you have a power, Garry ? Everybody around you seems alright and healthy.", she asked. It was strange, yeah, but not a power.
"My character made me become trustworthy and kind over the years. Lonelyness really helped me to become somebody good. But now that I have you and Ib, I'm sure to stay !"
"I guess that come from your... hard past. I won't bother you anymore with that, I'm happy that you want to stay.", she said, kissing my forehead. At the same moment, the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be ?", I asked while looking at the door, which Ashley had just open.
"Hello here. We were just back to say good bye.", Zodiak said.
"No way you'll leave, come inside already !", Ashley said, pulling Zodiak's arm. He saw the girls sleeping and came to give me a handshake silently.
"I see you're busy, Gar'." He chuckled.
"Good joke, Zo'. Could you carry Mia for me ?" He made some steps backward.
"You're kidding, why ? ...haa, okay, I'll do it." He came back and took Mia to sit at her place, the girl on his leg. I stood up, carrying Ib, and took the book before returning on the sofa.
"Did you hear about a scientist called Aion Drako ?" He took a surprised gaze and stared at the book, pointing at it.
"Yeah, but this book, could it be..." I opened it and turned some pages. "Empty ?", Zodiak asked.
"I'll tell you what happened to us yesterday." I did my best to describe the place, ready to stop if Ib or Mia wakes up.
Azeroth came at the door some minutes later, but Mrs Jordon pulled him in too, and closed behind him.
"I just wanted to know what Zodiak was doing, ma'am...", he said, smiling to Mrs Jordon.
"Stay a little while, we're glad to see you.", she answered. "Do you want some coffee ?"
"Thanks but, no. I was not supposed to stay..."
"And you will.", Zodiak interrupted him, walking toward the door with me. "We're going to a little trip, keep an eye on the girls, okay ?"
"Are you serious ?", he asked while I opened the door. Zodiak crossed it without talking, so I said :
"I thought you were a good babysitter."
"Very funny.", he answered, making me chuckle before closing the door. Actually, when I told Zodiak some informations about the scientist, he reminded of the laboratory entrance. We were on the road to discover it, and for me, put the book back on its table.
Ib's PoV
I awoke this morning because of a strange feeling... where was Garry ? Why was Mia sleeping, her head against my shoulder ? I raised my head and saw Azeroth, watching TV.
"Azeroth ?", I called him. "Where is Garry ?"
"He left without saying where he was going with Zodiak.", he answered, always looking at the screen. I pushed Mia against his shoulder and stood up, to go in front of him. He looked at me.
"Are you sure ?", I asked him with an angry look, arms crossed.
"Yeah, and they asked me to keep an eye on you two."
"Will you play with us ?"
"No.", he answered abruptly, and turned his head. He almost awoke Mia while moving, and she took his arm to put her head against his chest. His face was so funny after that !
"Looks like you're stuck here, Azeroth.", Mom said, coming from the kitchen. I ran to give her a hug, and whispered in her ear :
"Can we play makeup with him ?"
"You little devil.", she answered, and patted my head. She looked at me with a big grin and went upstairs to fetch what we needed. Azeroth was already looking at me, asking himself what we could do to him. I giggled and looked at the stairs again, waiting for Mom, and telling myself : "Azeroth will look beautiful after that !"
To be continued... ~
