The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Two months have passed since Alexand decided to live away from Jarad in the military base, after their house was found to be bugged. He visits her each week, stays the night occasionally, but always retreats back to his shack in the woods. The military base is no place for a family, and he has come to talk with Alexand and try to convince her to come back home.
Inajda watches helplessly and with quiet fascination as Professor Sumian conducts a procedure to determine whether Alexand’s baby is also immune to the ageing process.
After Sister Ancille confirmed that Alexand’s grandparents were the suspects in her father’s murder, Alexand retreated from the city, frightened that her father’s legacy did indeed suggest that she and Heyem were in danger from the Amanojuko, because of what could potentially be in their blood. (Special thanks to David Gittlin. You can read David’s blog here.)
Alexand, as the orchestrator of the Katherine’s Bullet Care Centres, has security clearance to enter the medical dome, which Georges De Somme’s money has privately funded. She goes in search of Sister Ancille, with the intention of questioning her about her father’s death.
Alexand has travelled to Kolkata and materialised outside the convent of the Handmaids of Mary, to visit her friend, sister Ancille. It is eight o’clock at night and there are few people around to witness her arrival.
Alexand, on her way to see her uncle Antun, dropped by Heyem’s apartment in Hong Kong, as she wanted her sister to be present when she shares intelligence with her uncle. She has been given the profiles of all known Amanojuko agents, has memorised the faces and the names of the Chinese and Indian agents, and mapped them inside her head, like musical notes attached to songs. She realises that this may not be possible for Heyem or Antun to do, but she needs them both to tell her if they recognise any of the agents. She and Heyem materialise outside their uncle’s village.
Alexand has been receiving letters from her family, concerned about her exposing the Amanojuko, and the latest letter arrives from her Uncle Antun. She opens it, feeling responsible and accountable, but she is now three months pregnant, and suffering severe morning sickness, her career is demanding, and she is bickering with Jarad again. She feels very alone as she opens up her uncle’s letter, and wishes that Katherine was here.
Abouna Panak transports a very disorientated Juba Apfvarzian away from the Nevada Desert, (See issue 105: Post Asylum Blues Part 2) to a more comfortable place. (Alexand’s army apartment.) Hopefully, Juba will now find the help he’s been searching for. CLICK HERE for next chronological story.
