The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3 (King James Version)
"You are not easy to find." Nature said to her.
Love shook her head and smiled. "I've always been here," she said, her tone firm yet kind, "You just didn't look."
Nature… didn't know what to say to that.
"I could feel when you arrived in the city," she said, collapsing gently back onto the couch. "I hoped, but I did not expect you to come."
The room fell silent. A moment later, Love suddenly sat straighter and clapped her hands, "Now, let's hear it," she said, "Why have you come here?"
Nature opened her mouth to speak.
"No, my sister, I didn't mean you," Love stopped her, "Ours, we can sort out later." Her gaze was on the boy sitting next to her.
Marcus looked like he was going to choke, staring dumbly at her. He fumbled for an answer while she went on.
"You were so happy we remembered you, right?" she urged, "Go ahead. Say what you want."
Nature had noticed it as well. Annoying to admit as it was, she didn't think the boy would come all the way here, go through all that trouble, just for her. There had to be something else, something more. But the boy just sat there, gaping like a fish out of water.
"Stop gaping and—" she snapped then stopped; Love had given her a look out of the corner of her eye.
"Go on," she said softly to the boy, "I give you permission to speak here."
Her tone and demeanour had a way of warming up the room, like a cosy fireplace had just been moved in, like a safe place. The boy clearly must have felt the effects— he swallowed once and his tongue finally loosened, "T-thank you, my lady," he added after a pause.
So, he did know how to address them. Nature was convinced: this boy was made just to annoy her.
Marcus tensed, looking straight at Love. "I'm here because of my father," his grip on his backpack tightened, "H- he's missing."
Father?
Nature's eyes narrowed and she folded her arms, "Things like you have only one father, and I don't think you're talking about a little, red-skinned man with a curly tail and horns."
Marcus gave her a look that was suspiciously close to a glare. She shrugged. What? It was true.
"He's my adoptive dad," he said, gritting his teeth, "And that man isn't my father."
Yeah, keep telling yourself that, kid, she thought.
"Anyway," Love interrupted and nodded at Marcus to continue, "What happened?"
"I don't know—no one does," the boy seemed to curl up in on himself, "One night, he was working late at the office and then he just… disappeared."
Both girls frowned.
"Why bother us with that? Go to the police or something." Nature said.
"Don't you think I've done that?" he clenched his fist, voice rising a bit, "I've gone everywhere, I've done everything I possibly could. It's all been the same—they can't help me, I'm just a kid who doesn't know anything, and my favourite—it's better I just go home and wait."
"How do you know we can help you then?" Love asked softly.
Marcus raised his head, "Because I think it might have something to do outside the sphere of humans—beyond them. Your world."
"It's your world too," Nature said. She might as well remind him.
No matter how many years he had spent living with the humans, living like them, it would never change what he was. Besides, something about him being here to ask for help, exactly what she was going to do, peeved her more than she would admit.
She looked at Love—she held herself at the arms, shoulders slack and eyes filled with kindness and sympathy. Nature knew what that dreamy look meant… and she didn't like it—she was a sucker for sob stories.
When she saw the girl was about to speak, Nature stood and grabbed her arm, pulling her into the hallway.
"I wouldn't go making him any promises now," she said to her.
Love crossed her arms, "Is that a command?"
Nature gave an involuntary tch, telling herself to watch her tone. "Just- I mean—" she struggled to come up with something, "You can't be sure if he's lying or not."
Love smiled, "Nature," she said gently, "do you think he'd come all this way, spend all this time looking for us—just to lie?" She shook her head. "Even if it's so, I'd really like to see what he's lying about."
Nature had no reply to that.
Love took a step forward and asked in the same gentle tone, "Is there maybe another reason you don't want me going along with him?"
Nature really wished she wouldn't do that.
She thought of telling it to her straight, but I was here first! didn't sound the most mature.
"Tell me something—why do you so badly want to follow him?" Nature had to ask.
Love didn't hide it, "Who else will? Every second his father remains missing; he could be in danger or worse. And the boy is well, only a boy. Just a baby in their years."
"He doesn't look like a baby," she grumbled quietly.
Love just smiled a little wider, "Besides, I can trust you to handle yourself."
If her skin was just a little bit thinner, Nature would've winced—the one time she tried to ask for help. Instead, her face went straight.
That boy was really going to get it.
She clenched her teeth and spoke, "Alright, I will not waste any more of my time trying to convince you." Then after thinking for a moment, added, "In fact, I'm willing to help."
Love's face lit up and her hands jumped to Nature's shoulders, "Really?"
Nature nodded stiffly, and tried to convince herself of it as well, "Yes. And it would be faster for the boy to have two of us on the case," she paused a bit, "But—"
Love's expression didn't fade, but her voice sounded a bit wary, "But…"
"Before you go off with the boy, there is a place I want you to come along with me to check, just one place. Make your decision then."
Love's hands slowly lowered in consideration. A moment later, she nodded, "Alright, it's a deal."
A train station probably wasn't the first place you'd think they'd visit.
OK, maybe not a train station—the name was the Nigerian Railway Corporation Headquarters, which, to Nature was simply a fancy way of saying they made sure all the trains could run— so, a mega train station. It had been sitting pretty on her list for a while now and she at least wanted to check it out before Love went on her little detour. As much as she liked working alone, it would be better to have another set of eyes— she had to be thorough this time.
She and Marcus had eaten and spent the night in a quiet hotel a few streets over from Love's place. She'd offered to clean up for them, but Nature had no interest in cramming into the tiny room, and there was all that equipment to think about, so she left her to her couch and flowers. She didn't concern herself with Marcus, he just seemed to follow wherever she went, his room was right next to hers, but he paid for it himself, so she let it pass. As long as he left her alone.
Generous, she knew.
They came over early, let Love finish her morning show, grabbed breakfast, and made their way to the compound.
The place was open to the public for sightseeing—apparently the history of all things rail related is important for all to see—but most only ever used it as a shortcut to other parts of the city, except maybe on special occasions: bad for history, but exactly the kind of place Nature liked— fairly secluded, yet no one would be asking any questions.
Now, they were kicking gravel as they walked through the train tracks, headed to the Jaekel House. At least for the first few hours, it was best to blend in with the other tourists. Marcus took it to another level, even bringing a camera out of his backpack (what exactly didn't he keep in there?) and taking a few shots of the site. She'd let him find out that no photos were allowed inside the House.
Love ambled along quietly, hands in the pockets of the khakis she was wearing along with a loose flower print top. Her silver bracelet still rested on her wrist. She'd been acting restrained ever since they'd gotten there, even Marcus had noticed. When he asked, she just muttered something about there being a lot of bad blood there and that it was nothing, with a look like she'd tasted a lemon. Nature didn't blame her, with the history they had here. She forgot to warn her.
As they followed the sandy trail, the more interesting things to look at the sides, other than the grass were the trains—husks of the ones that used to run over the lines but were run down, little pump carts used to inspect the tracks, others under maintenance and servicing, all great heaping bundles of metal, unnecessarily big and spreading polluted fumes as they went. A few of them were passing by, driven to other parts of the station.
They reached the low building and found a random group gathering at the entrance, they joined the procession and entered. In the middle of the tour, Nature pulled both of them outside while the others kept exploring.
"Let's split up," she told them, "Talk if you see anything strange." Then she walked away without waiting for an answer.
It was about an hour before they met up again. Each had taken a section of the compound, and they all had nothing to report.
"I trust you aren't messing around, Nature," Love said, "But what point is there to this?"
She didn't answer, only kept turning her head and looking around.
Marcus was getting used to being ignored, but even he had to ask, "What exactly are we even looking for?"
She still didn't reply.
He and Love looked at each other, he silently asked, "Is she always like this?"
She shrugged.
"What do you hear?" Nature suddenly asked Love.
She frowned and took a moment to listen before replying, "Nothing. It's quiet."
"And what do you see?" she asked again.
Love's eyebrows went up, "Nothing—Just people, grass, and trains."
Nature felt gratified, and at the same time, a bit alarmed. How could it just disappear—that shouldn't be possible. "There's supposed to be a Rift here," she said, certain Love would understand.
And just like all the others she'd checked, it was gone.
"A… Rift?" Love's expression turned downright confused, like she didn't expect to hear the word.
If she didn't know better, Nature would have wondered if she was talking to the right person, "Yes, a Rift, Love," she snapped, "That crack that opens between Heaven and earth. Can't miss it."
Love shook her head again, "I know, but… a Rift? Here? Why would there be one here?"
Nature shrugged, "I don't know." She wasn't the one who controlled where Heaven decided to meet Earth. But she definitely remembered one being here.
How could it just be gone?
"But—"
Nature caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked over—a train was gliding along the tracks a few metres from them. Completely out of reflex, she scanned the entirety of its length, back to front and turned back to hear what Love had to say.
Then her eyes snapped back just as fast.
What the—?
She almost didn't believe it, then she heard Marcus say, "Uh… you guys, see it too, right?"
She never thought she'd ever be glad to hear that annoying voice of his.
The train noisily rambled along. There were no passengers on board, which wasn't that extraordinary.
But…
There was no driver either.
Nature recalled the other strange incidents. Unfortunately, there weren't any humans close enough to see if they noticed or not. Still, something was responsible for this. She didn't know what, but she was going to find out.
Green vines and leaves began to extend to the railway, creeping behind and all around the train, growing between the tracks in front, forming a thick network that slowed it down. Finally, a thick woody root snaked along and wrapped itself around the back wheels, pulling the train to a slow, screeching halt.
Nature frowned a little; she'd intended to cover the whole thing in foliage, but it looked like that was all she could do. Her hand tightened into a fist. No point in crying over it… she just had to make sure it was rectified soon.
She didn't have to say anything; Love had already started forward, Marcus not too far behind. She followed. Ahead, Love circled the train once, then shook her head to show she hadn't found anything. Then signalling she was going in, she headed for the steps of the middle compartment.
Her foot went on the lowest one. And that's when everything disintegrated.
Literally.
Nature watched as the train broke apart into a million pieces, the air roared like it was trying to tear itself apart. The shockwave ripped through the field and swept them off their feet, setting the ground rumbling.
Nature opened her eyes, she was on the ground, face to the grass. The train had all but disappeared, only a bare, rusty frame, falling apart at the hinges and the flat bit of metal that attached the wheels remained.
Bits of train and shrapnel peppered the ground and the grass sizzled with the heat of the metal, sending up an acrid smell. With a grunt, she stood and dusted herself off, looking around for the others.
What the heck just happened? She was getting really tired of asking that question.
Marcus was sprawled a few paces away from her. Around him was the same shield that had protected her—a wall of fast wind that was already dying away. She'd been able to reach him in time. Good.
What about Love?
She trudged over and tapped him a few times with her foot. He stirred, groaning. She craned her head for any sign of her other companion.
Eyes still closed, Marcus turned over to his side. She still didn't see anything. She stood on her toes and made a full turn. She caught sight of someone sprawled on the grass over the adjacent railway—Had the explosion had thrown her all the way over there?
Nature kicked him harder, "Come on," and started walking over.
This was bad—the proximity, timing, and the mysterious force behind it, she might not have been able to protect herself. To get her that far, could it have been enough to do a Personification in?
They found Love on her back; arms spread to the side. A jolt passed through Nature—was she…?
She saw the girl take a breath.
Apparently not.
Nature crouched and shook her gently. Love's eyes shot open, and she sat up and asked, "Is everyone okay?"
Nature sat down beside her.
"We're fine, I guess. I think we should be asking you that question."
Love turned her head everywhere, taking sight of it all. To Nature, she looked dazed.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Love replied with another question, "Anyone have any ideas for what just happened?"
"No more than you do."
"Trains don't just explode," she pointed out, "And they certainly do not drive themselves."
People were walking over. Nature could finally test her theory, she held her breath, completely still and quiet enough to hear her heart—had they heard the explosion? Did they see?
They passed by; some in front, some beside. One guy came really close to where a fire had just died out, with hot metal and smouldering grass.
He fanned himself with his hand, "The sun's really hot today," and kept walking on, right past it.
Nature let out the breath.
"They don't see it," Love said, voice filled with amazement, "A train just blew up, the entire field is burning… and they don't see it."
An elderly lady smiled at them. They probably thought they were just taking a casual rest on the grass or something.
There could only be one explanation, even though it was the unlikeliest one of all.
Nature turned to Love; her lips were pursed, face full of concentration.
Then she laughed.
Not the type filled with spite, derision, or anything like that. She laughed till her hands covered her face and she didn't stop. Nature and Marcus watched her in alarm for a moment, but before they knew it, they were laughing right along with her.
She always was contagious.
"Remind me not to go anywhere along with you again," she said after finally stopping.
Nature was sure she was only joking. Maybe half.
She stood up slowly, "You were right, Nature—this is important." She stretched and offered her hand. "Anyone care to look around some more?" She'd regained her smile, and her pep—something here was more motivating than some decades old grudge.
But Nature had the feeling they wouldn't be finding any more there. They searched till evening, and only proved her right.
The trip hadn't turned out like she'd expected, but that was fine. She could use this.
She could definitely use this.
They circled back to the site of the explosion and took a look—they still were the only ones with any idea of what had happened at the place or to interact with any of the pieces.
"Feels like a video game," Marcus muttered.
He tried to lean on one of the bigger chunks of metal but hissed and quickly withdrew his hand—it had already been a couple of hours, yet they were still hot enough to give a few burns.
He wiped his palms on the grass as Love tapped Nature's shoulder and nodded at something to the far right—in the corner was parked an exact replica of their exploding train.
"We're going to check it out," Nature said over her shoulder as they began walking.
Marcus unzipped his backpack, brought out some cloth and wrapped up a few of the smaller pieces before tucking them into his backpack. "Hey, wait for me!" he called and jogged after them.
They gave it a few tries, but it didn't yield anything even remotely interesting.
And they left the park exactly as they had found it.
Well, maybe not exactly.
They walked back to Love's place in silence then, took turns with the shower, washing off dust, sweat and engine oil then finding space in the small room with the couch and window seat.
Marcus went in after Love. She sat on the peach cushions drying her hair. To Nature, it was as good a time as ever to ask her the question, "So, what are you going to do now?"
"Well," Love said after a moment's silence, "If we're going to investigate this any further, we could use some backup—I'm not sure how many killer trains I want to get through." She stretched her arms.
True to form, Nature got straight to the point, "I propose a gathering of the Seven."
Would she look at her askance, speaking with such confidence, as the others likely would—especially as she was a part of the major reason they separated in the first place?
Love tilted her head and started thinking out loud, "All of us together… certainly would have its advantages. We could even help Marcus out at the same time too."
"But Nature," she raised her head and looked her straight in the eyes, "We're going to need all the help we can get. All of it."
Nature's look soured a bit. She understood the girl's warning.
Yes, we can't have a repeat of that fiasco.
But with the way things looked to be going, they wouldn't have to.
Love went on, "Yet getting the others on board may not be too easy."
Especially with the way we separated earlier, Nature thought. But that wouldn't change her conviction.
"I'll convince them," she said, "Just like I convinced you."
Leave it to me. I just need your help with calling them.
Like clockwork, Love spoke, "With the two of us, we can send out a Call—it would reach them anywhere in the world, even if we don't know where they are," she suggested, then hesitated, "…But we're only meant to do that with our leader's permission."
Nature could hardly stop herself from scoffing, Love's warning still whispered in her mind, "And in case said leader has been extensively absent?" she asked, defiant, "And has been practically unreachable since then. What then? Just wait around?"
Love didn't reply.
"Or do you want to suggest we go looking for her?" Nature continued. Love's soft brown eyes were turned on her at that—it was clear that she'd read her mind: that was exactly what she wanted.
Nature was against it a hundred percent, "We'd waste valuable time."
"Have you tried?" the girl softly asked, though nothing about her words were soft at all, "Have you actually tried looking?"
All of Nature's passion fizzled out at that, she still felt the same way, but suddenly lacked the blazing words to support her cause. It was the second time—this girl was the only one to leave her blubbering for words like a fish.
Lie to her? Theoretically, it should have been easy. What? —It would just be a little, white one to get things moving along, but something about the thought, made just a high-pitched Hmm come out of her mouth.
As you may be aware, Nature didn't do high-pitched.
A weary sigh escaped Love, clear she very much didn't believe her, "Never mind, we'll just do it. You're right about one thing—this way is faster." She slowly traced a line on her lap with her finger, "Let's just hope it's also the correct one."
Nature would have liked her not to add that part.
Love looked up, "Now, exactly what message are we going to send?"
"I have an idea for that," Nature pitched. She had at least thought of this.
"What is it?" Love suddenly sounded wary.
She smirked, "You'll see."
Again, she and Marcus walked together back to the hotel that night. As they reached the entrance, he suddenly stopped.
"Uh Nature," he began.
"Hm hm," she hummed, turning around. He seemed a little taken aback at her eagerness to answer.
He hesitated a bit, but still continued, "You guys want to get the Seven together, don't you?"
"Yeah," she said plainly. He'd find out regardless.
"Well, about one in particular…" he paused, carefully choosing his words, "You know, you won't be able to find her unless she wants to be found, right?"
Nature said nothing at first. A shadow crossed her face. Marcus peeked over, and it disappeared.
"Yes," she replied curtly.
There must have been something back on her face because he gave a hurried goodbye and walked ahead, like he was afraid he'd rocked the boat.
Nature watched him go.
Strangely enough, the air actually felt fresh that night.
A smile crept onto her face, a wind swept by her, and she spoke into it something she was sure he would never know.
"That's exactly what I'm counting on."