She watched the strange man for about an hour, curious as to who he was and what he was doing. She studied the object in his hand. If it was something that would do her people harm, she wanted to be able to describe it to her uncle.
She followed the man to his home, intrigued at the complexity of the structure. All around her, the world was wasted, yet here lived a man in a house that was as nice as any home in the Garden Quarter.
When she had seen all she cared to see, she turned and continued south, to where she hoped her home lay.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Babel looked over at his mother sleeping on the airline. They had spoken more on what his mother knew about his father’s childhood but didn’t want to draw too much attention to themselves from someone who might eavesdrop in the close confines of the plane, so they didn’t go into much detail.
It was a short flight from Nashville to JFK but long flight from JFK to Amsterdam and Babel was glad when they finally arrived. The flight had a choice of three mid-air movies and he was only mildly interested in one. He ended up watching the same movie twice, not that he paid much attention to the movie either time. His mind was filled with questions that would have to wait until Amsterdam to be asked.
They intentionally inserted a one-day layover in Amsterdam into their flight plans. The extra day in Amsterdam would give them time to sit and talk.
They checked into their hotel and then went downstairs, entering the streets along the canals. Down the street from the hotel was a corner pub that wasn’t too full. There was a secluded booth in the corner of the pub where they chose to continue their conversation. Drinks ordered and delivered, Babel began the first of his questions.
“So why do you think Dad would have gone over to his world?”
Alicia took a sip of her drink and looked at her son wearily. It had been a long flight. “As I mentioned before, the way between this world and that world is through the waters. I’m not sure what happens there to allow people to come here. But your father came here from there and it only makes sense if he can do it then someone else can as well.”
“If someone did come here, why would they want to bring Dad back? He’s been here for years.”
“Babel, your father didn’t tell me much about that world but he did tell me that his parents were important people over there. His parents, your grandparents, were killed but your father escaped. He was a teenager when he came over.”
“So they wanted him because of my grandparents? If they were killed and he escaped and was no longer a part of that world, why worry about him?”
“I don’t know Babel.”
Babel looked at his mother. “What did you do the first time Dad told you he was from another world?”
Alicia laughed. “He didn’t tell me right away of course. I think our first conversation was when I asked him about his parents. He told me they had been killed but didn’t go into too much detail. Over time, he gave me more insight into his life.
“The first time he told me he was from another world, he was drunk. I thought he was crazy. He showed me the picture of the Taj Mahal and explained to me how it worked. Over time, he convinced me.”
Babel thought on that for a while and Alicia was content to sit in silence as Babel gathered his thoughts. “When we get to India, how am I going to enter the other world?” Babel said distantly.
“I’m not sure. I asked your father that same question – how could someone pass through from this side? His answer was that it was complicated but if he ever needed to, he could. He also said that you and he were the only ones would be able to open the way to that world.”
“So when we get there, I’ll just know what to do?”
Alicia nodded. “According to your father, yes.”
Babel looked at his mother seriously. “Why didn’t either of you ever tell me?”
“When should we have told you Babel? In high school? College? If you knew, it would have made you different. Life is hard enough. Would knowing that you were half-alien have made anything easier?”
Babel shrugged. He was angry that he hadn’t known but it wasn’t a time to confront that anger. He needed to save his father. He knew that his parents were just trying to protect him and he would address the matter with them at a later time. Both of them together, after he had brought his father back.
“What are the people over there like?” Babel asked. The waitress approached the table and interrupted before his mother could answer. They both ordered one more drink. When the drinks were delivered, his mother answered his question.
“The people there look just like your father and you. Did you ever notice your father having an extra eye?”
Babel smiled and shook his head. “I guess not.”
“But there are things that happened there. Things that used to haunt your father’s dreams. He never described them to me, he would always say that they were too awful to talk about. I never pressed him.” She looked at Babel seriously. “Whatever is over there, they thought it was important to bring your father back. I can only lead you to the waters. After that, it is up to you.”
“Why are you letting me do this? My whole
