Читать книгу The Number 8 - Joel Arcanjo - Страница 20

Chapter 11

“Rubbish!” Asmir shuddered. Dante was showing him the photographs he had taken at the reserve.

“I’m sorry I’m not up to your standards, Az!”

Each photo Dante showed him he would critique carefully. On some the lighting was wrong. On others Dante had framed the scenery incorrectly. None of the photos were just right. But today he wouldn’t argue with Asmir. He needed the win. Dante let Asmir snatch the camera and continue to cycle through the pictures. Every now and again Asmir would tilt the camera towards Dante and say something like, “Really? You shot this kind of scenery vertically? Come on D, you’re better than that.” Dante just smiled and shrugged like he didn’t know any better. Probably because he didn’t.

They pulled out of the car park just as the elderly group came waddling back down to their stolen YMCA bus. They were huffing and puffing but there were smiles all round. A smile even broke out over Dante’s face. Partially because of the cheery old thieves below but mainly because they were off to their next stop, Waitomo and black water rafting. It was just under 180km which translated into about a two-hour drive. He knew Asmir wanted to sleep so after Asmir told him about the bizarre meeting with Dick Smith, he let him.

The two hours went by very quickly. He had a lot on his mind, most of which he was trying to actively expel. But it was easier thought than done. His subconscious was throwing up all kinds of memories that he was trying to bury, but couldn’t. So he was even more excited when they arrived at Waitomo that afternoon. His first impressions of the town were that it was small and idyllic. But their hostel was just outside the town. It was north-facing and resembled a giant chalet. Cool in the summer but probably chilly in the winter.

The passengers quickly unpacked their bags, some leaving unnecessary bags behind. They were only staying one night here after all. Asmir was refreshed now, but still shot Dick Smith a wary glance on his way out. Dante was not too keen on meeting him after how Asmir had described him. But Dante didn’t like to take other people’s opinions as his own so he reserved his judgement for now.

Asmir had once again booked a two-bed room for them in this hostel. They dragged their luggage into their room and both headed for the bathroom. Dante quickly saw that their room was almost exactly the same as his room in Hot Water Beach. So, while Asmir continued to evaluate it, he headed out onto their very small balcony. It had barely enough space for one person, but he made a point of checking the view. It didn’t disappoint. They had got lucky and been given the top floor. Their room was on the far right-hand side of the building facing north. There were better views in the cente rooms, two or three to their left but Dante was not complaining. Across from them was a forest with several hiking trails leading in. He had done his research and knew there was a small river that cut through this forest and the tour guides had planned to take a walk there in the morning. Balcony doors began sliding open as people checked out their views. One room to their left Becki and Annie popped their heads out first at the view, then turned and saw Dante.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Becki called out.

“Yeah. What are you two doing this afternoon?” Dante fired back.

“We’re both going to do black water rafting. What about you two?”

“Same!” Asmir shouted from inside.

Both looked at each other and laughed.

“See you soon then.” Dante smiled and headed inside.

“Swwweeeettttt,” Asmir said.

“What?” Dante asked.

“Don’t play dumb. You’re glad their coming. They’re right up your street. Intelligent, beautiful and ambitious.”

“I am glad, but it’s not exactly a romantic location is it? Squashed into wetsuits, submerged in ice-cold water and all that in complete darkness.” Dante flapped at Asmir like his comment was foolish.

“Are you kidding me? What could be more romantic than staring up at a million bright stars?”

“I think you mean a million bright worms.”

“Whatever, it’s still romantic. What’s going on with you? You are the most romance-crazed person I know. You used to believe that everything could be turned into a romantic situation. So what is it?”

“Nothing. I just don’t feel like a freezing cold cave is the place for romance, OK?”

“But like I just said…”

“Az, leave it, OK?” Dante pleaded. It wasn’t aggressive but it was the final word.

They continued to unpack in silence. Dante caught Asmir glancing over every now and then, looking worried. Dante paid no attention. He didn’t have any intention of unloading what he had on his mind. Most of it Asmir knew but Dante didn’t want to rehash it. He was committed to this trip. To the mission of this trip. He didn’t need to give attention to these negative emotions and risk spiraling again.

“What about you?” Dante finally said.

“Better after that sleep. Still a little pissed off at our friend Dick.”

“OK, good.” Dante paused, there was something on his mind. Asmir saw this pretty quickly.

“Spill it.”

“Have you noticed a couple of the passengers actively avoiding each other?”

“Meaning what?”

“OK, so people glance at each other from time to time, even those that don’t know each other. But there are a couple of passengers who never look at each other. You know me, I love to observe people and the dynamic is weird.”

“Explain…”

“They never sit closer than six rows apart, they’re never caught in the same group of people and like I said, the weirdest thing is that they never look at each other.”

Asmir dipped his hand inside his pocket and pulled out the crinkled piece of paper.

“Take a look at this,” Asmir said, handing it over to Dante.

Dante read the four words and began to say something but Asmir pre-empted him.

“On the bus, by the middle rows. No idea who it’s from or who it’s meant for.”

“Think it could be the two passengers?”

“Could be, long-lost brothers maybe.”

They continued to discuss all kinds of outlandish theories as to why they weren’t talking. Spies. Alien drones that had been planted on earth to monitor mankind. It all came out. Dante didn’t know what he had noticed but there was definitely something off about their dynamic. It wasn’t even that they actively disliked each other. It was like they didn’t want to be seen together. It didn’t sit right with him. Something was definitely wrong.