Yesterday (Part Three - Chapters 47 & 48) (Patreon)

CHAPTER 47

As the hours ticked by, Jonah wondered how he had gotten there, gawking at the umpteenth bag of potato chips.

It felt great lying on the bed in the suite, no doubt, and the hotel's room service was impeccable, but when he woke up that morning and the TV wouldn't work, he sat up in bed wondering, staring first at the remote in his hand, then at the walls, then at the balcony doors. One tiny doubt slowly germinating in his head.

“What am I doing here?”

He was lazily curious, felt like an itch. The sensation was slowly increasing. He rolled over on his back and, looking at the ceiling, began to mentally enumerate what he remembered.

He had the feeling that he had to wait in that room for someone, but he couldn't remember who or why. Everything became painfully confusing as she tried to think about it and the room began to spin. The pain returned and soon he forgot what he was doing. He tried the TV remote control again.

The pain disappeared and a misty calm came over him. He sighed and put another chip in his mouth. The remote still didn't work.

Although...

Something wasn't right.

Why hadn't he left his room in all those days?

The TV.

Yes, it was amazing, it had him hooked, everything else didn't matter when it was in front of him. It was fascinating, he wanted more. He pressed the button on the remote but nothing happened. He tried again. It wouldn't work.

That morning when he tried to turn it on he discovered it didn't work. What a disappointment. No channels were showing. What a pity. Tried again. Nothing. The silence was boring.

He would just keep lying there, waiting.

What about now?

Nothing.

Off to the shower he went. He wondered under the water what was outside the hotel and, as he pictured it, he felt like going out. A walk wouldn't hurt, he said to himself, it would clear his mind. Besides, he could always go back to his room if he got bored on the street.

He would leave word at the front desk in case someone came by to pick him up.

He got dressed and sneaked out of his room. He felt mischievous and was amused by that little adventure, the adrenaline rush made him feel great with every step away down the carpeted hallway. He took the elevator down and when he reached the first floor he peered into the Rotunda, a spectacular glass dome under which a circular hall unfolded that was the heart of the hotel's stately lobby. He continued to snoop around, fascinated by the bustle of people in the brightly lit lobby, until he found the front desk, where he left word that he would be out for a stroll for a while.

He left the hotel and, after getting used to the bright sunshine, crossed the sidewalk, looking around in ecstasy. He didn't know where to go, so, trying not to lose sight of the hotel building, he skirted a tiny square and entered Prado Street. He wondered if the city's famous museum might not be there.

The street narrowed and became a bit steep. There were stores here and there, but nothing particularly appealing to him. He continued walking between pedestrians and cabs, taking care not to draw attention to himself or bump into anyone. The air was dry and thin. Shortly before reaching the next corner he stopped to look at the windows of a building.

They displayed some kind of cult. Through them he discovered brightly colored posters and murals with pictures hanging on the walls. There were also armchairs arranged in small groups, some tables with pamphlets and books, and everything looked shiny, like new. There was something intriguing about the whole thing, but it was also stimulating and inviting.

He continued looking around and realized that nobody was visible behind the glass. He reached the last of the large windows, surprised by the messages he read here and there. They spoke to him about mental clarity, options, problem solving. He wanted to go in.

He still felt somewhat fuzzy, although the escapade was clearing his head. Wondering if he could go in and wander around those halls. He retraced his steps and peeked through the door. There was a small sign leaning against a lectern inviting passersby to visit their exhibition free of charge.

He decided to accept the invitation.

A woman approached him from the back smiling and asked him to wait in front of the counter. She assured him that his tutor would see him immediately.

He knew instantly that he had been mistaken for someone else, but he played along with her amusedly.

A man in a suit came down the stairs ahead of them while hastily adjusting his tie. He approached them and extended his arm effusively offering his hand to Jonah.

—Good morning, sorry I’m late, —he saluted with a nervous smile, —I’m glad you’ve arrived, we’ve been waiting for you.

—Me? —asked Jonah in surprise.

—Isn’t it amazing? —replied the man enthusiastically. —Please come in.

They escorted him in smiles to a nearby room and the woman left them alone. The man took off his jacket, sat down behind the table and invited Jonah to do the same in front of him. He gave him another smile, this time more professional than friendly, and opened a folder. After studying it briefly, he pressed a few buttons on a small silver device in front of him and offered Jonah a Y-shaped piece of metal on the table to hold. This was connected by a long thin cable to the console.

Jonah was intrigued and silently played along. He weighed the rod and found it to be light, perhaps tin, or copper, he couldn't tell. Like a diviner, he confidently grasped the two tube-shaped metal ends and settled back in his chair.

—Well, we’re ready to begin.

The man pressed a button and the device began to emit an unexpected and strange electronic hum that resonated in the tubes he was holding, making them vibrate. Immediately a sound wave began to rumble inside Jonah. He let go of the ends of the rod startled by the sudden explosion of pain in his head. He clenched his teeth involuntarily and hurt his tongue.

The sound didn’t stop, every second it increased in frequency and Jonah covered his ears with his hands.

—Stop that! —he ordered the man, but the latter was paralyzed in front of him, staring at him stupefied.

—Stop it! —he shouted again with all his strength. The pain in his head became unbearable, and Jonah began to mentally defend himself against it. It was as if his brain was being pierced by gushes of pain. He covered his temples with his hands and clenched. He imagined himself expelling it from inside and looked in front of him. The man in the dark blue tailored suit was still motionless, but two thin red rivulets began to emanate from his nose.

Jonah closed his eyes and continued to push as hard as he could to stop the agony. Tears came to his eyes. He pressed his hands against his head fighting the deep pain he felt until he suddenly found an image in his mind that helped him. He visualized as best he could a ball of fire and made it expand and explode around him.

The vibration ceased.

Jonah gasped as he struggled to fill his lungs with air and realized he was sweating, kneeling on the floor.

He sat up and discovered horrified that the man had collapsed over the table. His head was on its side, his eyes fixed on infinity and there was blood, lots of blood, still oozing from his nose and mouth forming thin dark threads. Smoke and a deep smell of burnt circuits emanated from the device.

And then he discovered something else.

He remembered everything back.

“How cunning” he ironized as he walked out of the office, straightening his shirt.

He bumped into the woman who had accompanied them passed out in the hallway and jumped over her. He hurriedly escaped from the lonely building and stormed back to the hotel. He had to pack up his things and get out of there before the situation got even more dangerous for him.

Arriving at the suite, he could not help but be angry with himself for having fallen into such a crude trap as the one that had been set for him. He should have known better, but his overconfidence in himself and, needless to say, his benevolence towards Hebert, had blinded him.

But that was over, he was himself again.

If war was what they wanted, war they would have.

He walked resolutely out into the street wearing a cap and sunglasses he had bought in the hotel lobby. He was in the mood for action. In spite of everything he felt euphoric and like new, even rested.

Two blocks down the street he entered a small electronics store and bought a cell phone with a prepaid card.

Now he had what he needed, he got into a cab and at the same time mentally sent a signal, a clear image of a place he knew they would both recognize. All he had to do was get there and wait.

What Jonah didn't know was that his eventful visit to that building had set off several alarms far away. He had been located, at last.

CHAPTER 48

z.outp.server:\\hpr.net/begin

OT 20 = O.K.F.

Automatic system update.

Fact: RED483 located at 40,415365, -3,697637. Possible hostile environment.

Analysis: RED483 neutralization following RED483-G565B automated instruction.

Procedure:

- BN2-ES approved.

- Continue BLUE484 search following automated instruction BLUE484-G566B.

z.outp.server:\\hpr.net/end

Laura was going over her notes sitting in a cab on her way to downtown Madrid. Her father had called her shortly before and asked her to meet him at his offices.

Third round, she said to herself.

She was ready. This time she could provide him with something solid, and not make a fool of herself. It was liberating to be able to talk to someone and openly make use of her special “abilities”. Thinking about it, she realized she needed to find a more appropriate name to self-refer to them.

Extrasensory perception she didn't like, it didn't define what she felt, and “powers” was a word that made her feel somewhat embarrassed as she didn’t feel powerful at all, abilities? Perhaps “instinct” or “sense” were the closest thing, for it was no more different to her than moving a hand or walking.

Having spent her whole life in hiding, often even from herself, made her uncomfortable at the prospect of talking about it openly, for she didn't know what role to assume, especially with her father. But even so, she felt a certain euphoria, not having to hide anymore made her feel free like never before.

Oscar’s secretary escorted her to an empty meeting room. She poured herself a glass of water and sat down to wait, looking out the windows at the Madrid skyline.

Her father came into the room with a heavy heart and gave her two kisses. She noticed him stressed, but that was nothing new for him. She searched his eyes for a change, but found only exhaustion.

Oscar placed the blue folder on the conference table and sat down across from her. Laura looked at him and shuddered, then there was an awkward silence between the two of them.

—Laura, we must continue our conversation about Jonah.

—I know, —she nodded, conciliatory, —and I think I can be more useful to you this time.

Laura thought she saw a brief hint of impatience on her father’s face but ignored it. She jumped in.

—Let’s say I did a little mental... research... and stop me right now if what I say seems stupid to you, please— she begged him quietly, feeling more and more ridiculous.

—Laura, don’t worry, you can talk about it freely, I have already told you a lot of what I have seen during these years, I can believe anything by now.

Laura was still surprised by her father’s frankness, but she kept that appreciation to herself.

—I know, but it’s just that it’s hard for me to talk about it with you so openly and not feel like a fool.

—Don’t worry, go on.

—Do you know of a company with the initials HPR?

Oscar pondered for a few seconds.

—No, not really— he admitted.

—I think they have something to do with the priest who took care of my brother.

—Oh, wow.

—The word Olympus also came up, does it sound familiar?

—Neither, but it might be useful to me—, Oscar said thoughtfully as he jotted it down on a sheet of paper he pulled out of his folder. Do you have anything else?

—For what it’s worth, I think I know what my biological parents looked like.

—What do you mean? — asked Oscar in surprise.

—I had a kind of “vision”, nothing mystical—, she hastened to justify herself, gesturing with her hands trying to clarify it, —I used self-hypnosis... Or something like that. I’m sorry I can’t explain it better.

—And what did you see?

––Two young people, a pretty red-haired girl and a dark-haired boy, they were apparently flirting.

Oscar’s expression changed and his gaze slowed Laura down. Without saying anything, he opened the blue folder wide. He separated two sheets of paper and placed them in front of Laura.

—Are these them?

Laura gasped as she looked at the photos. It was them, but their faces were swollen and their eyes were open. They were mortuary files. She raised her hand and covered her face as she looked away, nodding.

—I’m sorry—, said Oscar, pushing the sheets aside, —but I had to check.

—How did you find them? —asked Laura, still shocked.

—An old friend who owed me a favor.

—Did you find out anything more about them?

—Little more. I haven’t been able to figure anything out, and as you can see, almost all their data is redacted.

Laura sighed again. She had nothing more to offer. She suddenly felt at a dead end again, stuck and with no arguments to put into words. And her father’s meditative expression didn't help.

—Laura, I called you about something else. I have to introduce you to someone.

—Who? —She asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

—Father Lorenzo Aminarti, the man who took care of your brother all these years. He is here in Madrid. He came to see me this morning and wants to meet you.

—And you think I should meet him?

—It doesn’t seem wrong to me, given the circumstances. You already know enough to be able to help me find out more about him, and I have every confidence that, if necessary, you could use your “skills” to our advantage.

Laura was speechless and nodded meekly seconds later.

—So what do I do?

—Nothing special, just be yourself, play along, answer what he asks you as you see fit and let me ask the questions when the time comes. I just need you to intervene if anything he says seems false or incomplete.

—I hope I get it right, I’ve never done anything like this.

—Well, we both know that’s not entirely true, —Oscar replied with a wink, —but I’m sure you’ll do just fine.

—Thank you, Dad.

Oscar pressed a button on the phone on the table and asked his secretary to invite the priest to join them. Laura stirred nervously in her chair, but her father’s renewed assurance reassured her.

Oscar’s secretary opened the door to the room and with a polite gesture invited Aminarti in. The door closed and he stood in the doorway. Oscar gathered up his papers, stood up and politely offered him a seat.

Laura was overwhelmed by the deep stare of the priest, who did not take his eyes off her except for the instant she accepted the chair her father offered her before her. Age had taken its toll on the man, but he retained much of the charisma she had seen in the recording her father had shown her days before. Oscar made the introductions.

—Laura! Nice to finally meet you despite the circumstances, —Aminarti said, gently clasping both of her hands in his, —I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences.

—Thank you, —she replied self-consciously, looking sidelong at her father, who took advantage of the moment to sit between the two of them at the head of the table.

—Your father has told me that he has already informed you about my work with Jonah.

—Yes—, Laura answered shyly.

—So tell me, how do you feel about all this that you have discovered?

—Strange, to be honest—, Laura answered, intrigued by the childish tone of his question, —it seems strange to me to recover a brother after spending my whole life believing he was dead.

—I hear you—, answered Aminarti nodding, —please know that the decision was made for your own good.

—Yes, I know, I understand—, she paused, —Did you get to know anything about my biological parents? —Laura ventured.

—Only what your father may have told you, —said Aminarti, crossing his hands on the table, —that they were young Frenchmen who died in strange circumstances near Barcelona.

—Nothing else?

—I am afraid not. As Oscar knows very well, we kept ourselves isolated from everything from the beginning so that Jonah could grow up at a distance and overcome the traumas of his childhood. Time went by and I could not do any research on the matter.

—Does the acronym HPR ring a bell?

Aminarti gave Oscar a tense look, but the latter gestured for him to respond.

—Well, no, does it have anything to do with what we’re dealing with here?

—I don’t know, you tell me.

—I couldn’t tell for sure without more details, —Aminarti answered prudently, —you must bear in mind that at my age one has seen so many things that....

—What about the word Olympus? —Laura interrupted him more confidently, taking advantage of her father’s silence.

—Aside from the obvious mythological reference, I don’t see what the point of this conversation is, —the priest replied soberly, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. As I told your father before, I think we should focus on Jonah.

—And I believe that in order to better understand him we must understand his past, Father, —Oscar interjected dryly. —I need you to confirm that you are not familiar with any of those words.

—I’m sorry, but as I have already told you, I am not.

—He’s lying, —Laura affirmed, staring at him.

—How dare you? —Aminarti replied, bewildered.

—Because I know you’re lying, —Laura challenged him, smiling triumphantly for the first time.

—Enough! —Oscar said, slapping the table with the palm of his hand, —We’re done here. That’s it. Father, as I told you before Laura arrived, the time has come to straighten out the truth, and since both you and Hebert have chosen to lie to me about this matter blatantly, I have no choice but to commence actions.

—What do you mean? —Aminarti asked him in astonishment.

—I am going to ask you a series of questions, and if my daughter here believes you are still lying to us, I will unhesitatingly ask her to enter your mind and get the answers from you, using whatever means she deems necessary. You are well aware that Jonah would be able to do it without being noticed, but you must keep in mind that for Laura this will surely be her first time, so we do not know how delicately she will do it, nor what side effects it could cause you in the process. Besides, I warn you —he pointed his finger at him, —if what you offer me turns out to be useless, I promise you this: I will find Jonah, but you will never see him again, because he will not come out of such an encounter alive.

Laura listened to Oscar, overwhelmed and with a lump in her throat, but she did not dare to intervene. She had never imagined her father would expect such a thing from her, and she certainly didn’t think she was capable of it. She crossed her fingers hoping it was some kind of bluff, but as she looked at Aminarti's face she knew that if so, her father had just won the match.

Aminarti was staring at Oscar. He did not look like the same person. A cold disappointment emanated from his eyes. He finally gave up and Laura felt a wave of despair flowing from his mind. That man was in a lot of pain, she realized. Behind that façade of poise and venerability was a man in agony.

—You don’t know what you are asking, —he muttered in a whisper.

—I do, and I sympathize with you, don’t think I don’t, but I also think I deserve the truth for once, —Oscar replied dryly. —We are the ones who have lost almost everything here, what have you sacrificed?

Aminarti answered him with a fleeting spark of anger in his eyes, but he bit his lips and did not reply. Then he nodded and asked for a glass of water before commencing, an opportunity that Oscar took advantage of to leave the room to breathe and calm down with the excuse of bringing it to him. Laura and Aminarti were left alone, avoiding each other with their eyes.

Laura looked crestfallen at her hands in her lap. Aminarti had his gaze fixed on some indeterminate point.

—I’m sorry, —Laura whispered.

Aminarti didn’t answer her, but when she met his gaze fleetingly, there was no need for him to speak

Oscar came back with two mineral water bottles and placed them on the table. Laura stood up and brought a glass to the priest, who filled it in disgust. He slowly drank a few sips and after a moment’s reflection carefully set it down on the table and gave them a somber look. Laura knew that she was about to meet the real Father Aminarti.

—You don’t need to ask me anything, I’ll tell you what I know.