Hatchlings

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1She stood at the intersection and stared at the pedestrians. It was busy with possibly hundreds of people walking across the road in a barn dance fashion.

Barn dance! What was a barn dance? Of course it was a word that was derived from an old dance where the dancers crossed diagonally to a new partner. This was the same but the people crossing ignored those coming the opposite way.

On the other side of the crossing was a high building with the sign of a bank on the veranda that stuck out over the footpath. Footpath. Wasn't that a sidewalk? No, here people called it a footpath.

She shrugged at the useless information for there were far more important things on her mind. Where was she?

More importantly, who was she?

She frowned for she didn't know. She sucked on her bottom lip and felt nervous. She swallowed and chastised herself. There was a logical reason for everything. Now if she started at the beginning.

She stepped back and saw her reflection in a shop window. A blonde woman stared back at her. That must be herself. She frowned and saw her image repeat her expression. A quick smile followed as she reached up and ran a finger through her hair. She felt normal as she touched her lips, skin and the collar of a white blouse around her neck.

She glanced down to see that she was dressed in this white blouse, quite short black skirt and wore black and white sneakers. It was a hot day and those around were dressed in light clothes though many males wore ties and many had long trousers that seemed totally silly in such hot weather. She felt and looked fit with what she guessed was a slim female body of somebody who cared for her appearance.

She gulped when doubt entered her mind. So here she was in a crowded city intersection but could recall nothing. There was a shoulder bag suspended beneath her left shoulder. Perhaps that held information that could help!

She stepped back to avoid people walking around her and watched as cars and buses accelerated by beneath a green traffic light. It changed to amber then red, the traffic stopped and vehicles on the side road charged forward. Everyone appeared to be in a hurry.

There was a buzzing sound and another crowd of pedestrians surged forward. She felt she needed to do something so walked with them across to the other side. Once there she took off her shoulder bag and unzipped a sidepiece. Inside was a mobile phone. She pressed a key hoping to find information about herself. However, there was nothing but just a message that asked for her details to register the phone.

“That's what I'm trying to find out,” she muttered aloud. “Why can't you help me?”

As if to reply the mobile chirped.

"Hello," she gasped after she held the contraption to her ear.

"Don't be frightened," a male voice said. "Everything will be fine."

She felt annoyed. "Are you mocking me?" she retorted.

"Not at all. I apologise if it appeared to be that way but you have still to answer my question."

"Of course I am frightened and you are not helping. Who are you, anyway?"

"Your friend, I guess. Perhaps your helper might be a better way to describe myself."

She stared around but nobody appeared to be taking any notice of her.

"If you're some pervert trying to pick me up, I advise that you're out of luck."

The man laughed but it was a comforting rather than sinister sound. "Okay, just hang up."

Hang up! Wasn't that what someone did on an old-fashioned landline telephone?

She bit on her bottom lip. "No wait," she said. "I'm just confused about everything."

"That's understandable."

Her emotion changed. "And how would you know?'' she retorted.

"You're all alone in the middle of a strange city with hundreds of people and vehicles around you. I guess you have not even given yourself a name."

"Why should I?"

"Everyone needs a name."

Oh this was ridiculous! "I would have one, you silly man."

"Mine is Deon but why would this be so?"

Her emotion changed again. She felt tears forming in her eyes. "I don't know err Deon." At least there was a name to the voice. "I remember nothing"

"That's understandable."

Oh hell, here he goes again'!

"Please!” she said. "Can you help me?'"

"Of course. That is why I called you."

"Go on."

"We need to take it one step at a time. Firstly, search deep in your memory and find a name.”

She did. A memory of a young woman cuddling her appeared in her mind. Her name jumped into her mind. She was called Alison and was her mother. She told the guy on the mobile this.

"Interesting," Deon replied. "Now go sideways in your memory and listen to her."

Sideways! How did one go sideways in one's thoughts? She could understand listen so did that. Out from nowhere it seemed, she heard her mother talk.

'Oh Cora, you've been such a good girl...' Her other words disappeared.

"I think my name is Cora.'"

"Cora who?”

"Hell, I don't know. Smith, Jones, Wilson... it could be anything."

"Pick one."

"What?"

"You heard. Just do it."

"Smith will do," she muttered.

Deon’s voice became serious. "No, you need an English name but one that is not too common."

"Like what?"

"Watt. Now that's a good name. Perhaps add a 's' to make it Watts."

Cora shrugged but said nothing.

'"Right Cora Watts, now we go to phase two. Wait for ten minutes then go to the inquiries desk in the bank you're standing in front of. Tell them your name and say you have an appointment. Got that?'"

"But..."

"Do it! Afterwards do some shopping for clothes and so forth that ladies like. Have a meal for you must be hungry and I'll get back to you in a couple of hours."

The mobile went silent.

Cora gulped. Mind you she did feel hungry and what could she loose if she went in the bank? They could only say she was mistaken.

For no real reason she recrossed the intersection, snapped a photograph of the bank, returned and walked inside.

*

The woman behind the enquiries sign smiled at her and glanced at her computer screen. "You're right on time, Ms Watts," she said. "Go through to Interview Room 3 and Gail Simmons will speak to you."

Cora stared at her. How could this be happening? She decided not to query the receptionist so thanked her, walked along a small corridor and into the interview room. It had a small waiting area so she sat down and took the opportunity to open the main section of her shoulder bag.

Damn, it was empty!

She heard a small cough, glanced up and saw a woman about her own age standing there.

"Cora Watts?" she asked. "I'm Gail. Welcome to the ANZ bank. Come on through." She held out her hand.

Cora shook it and walked into a somewhat old fashion looking office. It was bright and welcoming though and the woman invited her to sit and sat across from her rather than behind a large desk. The computer screen was turned so they could both see it.

"No doubt your lawyer told you that we approved the loan for your new apartment in Jervois Road and as well we thank you for the quite substantial deposit you made with our bank." She glanced across. "Please accept my condolences. It must be hard for you."

Cora stared at her, had absolutely no idea what she was talking about so just nodded politely, thanked her and sat there looking serious for she guessed that was how she should appear.

"And when do you start your new job?" Gail asked.

"Soon," Cora attempted not to mutter.

The bank lady smiled and reached for a document on the desk. "Now we just need your signature in a few places and some details."

"Details?" Cora spluttered out.

"Just an identification such as your driver's licence or passport and your address. "She smiled. "I guess that will be your new apartment, won't it?"

Cora felt her face warm up in embarrassment. She had no identification at all. How could she have? Even her name was a fake.

She gripped her shoulder bag that she had moments before placed beside herself and almost jumped in fright. The strap was vibrating in her hand!

"Sorry," she muttered and noticed that the zip on the main part was half undone. She reached forward to pull it shut but instead managed to open it instead. Inside were several documents!

But how could this be so? Mere minutes before the bag was empty. Inside was a small purse and an official looking document. She took it out. On the cover it stated New Zealand Passport and some other words in a language she didn't understand. Trying to remain calm, she opened it. Inside was a head and shoulders photograph of herself plus her name as Cora Alison Watts.

"Oh you have your passport," Gail said. She reached across and flicked through a couple of pages. There were stamps in it from various customs officials in countries she had never even heard of.

*

A few moments later Cora stepped out of the bank with a dossier of documents in her hand. As well as the passport in her bag she found eftpos and Visa cards as well as a driver's licence that included a photograph of her with the name Cora Alison Watts and a date of birth that would make her twenty-five years old. She used her eftpos card to get a hundred dollars cash out of her account and was not really surprised when the four digit access number came to her mind as if she had been using it for years. What did surprise her was that there was a bank balance of close to twenty thousand dollars in her account.

She found a small coffee bar and with food and a coffee, sat down and studied everything she now had. Apparently she was in a city called Auckland, New Zealand and had recently purchased an apartment in a modest sized block only a few kilometres from the city centre. The interior appeared to be huge in size from what she was used to with three bedrooms and large living area.

She frowned. Now why did the photos of her apartment seem huge to her? She thought back but could think of no reason for that impression. Oh well, no doubt everything would work out.

But would it? Were these random thoughts the real her? She momentarily shuddered but forced herself to relax and drink her coffee.

Her mobile chirped.

"Hello," she said in almost a whisper.

"Dion here. So we navigated the next step?" He continued talking to; more or less cover everything that had happened to her at the bank. However he gave only a vague explanation of her queries. "Your passport and so forth were there all the time. Didn't you search both sides of the interior partition?"

"No," she muttered. "Anyway, it still doesn't explain how my name was known and used on everything."

"Because it was yours, Cora. It just slipped your memory, that's all."

Cora was about to give an angry retort but held back. If this was some elaborate plot she doubted if this Deon would help her. It was more likely that he was part of it.

"So what next?" she said instead.

"There is a car parking building two blocks from where you are now. You have a parking card and a set of keys in your bag. Go to Level 5 and in Row H you will see a white Honda CR-V car with the licence number MUZ517. That's your car. It is keyless so as long as your set is in your bag you can get in and drive it."

"And I guess I will be able to drive perfectly?" she muttered in an almost sarcastic tone.

"Of course. Why not?"

"Then what?"

"Drive to your new home at 103 Jervois Road in Ponsonby. There is a basement carpark and 2D is the park allocated to you."

"The same number as my apartment?"

"You're learning fast," Dion replied. "Remember the apartment is furnished but you will need to buy yourself clothes and other personal stuff as well as food and so forth."

"Somewhat vague," Cora muttered.

"We could have placed them there for you but thought it was better to let you choose what you'd like. My advice is to drive to one of the shopping malls a few kilometres away to shop in." He continued on with instructions about where the closest one was.

"And you can meet me there in person?"

For the first time the man appeared to hesitate. "No, I'm afraid not. Don't worry, you'll soon find friends and I'll be in constant contact. There are more details in your apartment about just about everything you need to know."

"Just about?" Cora had another flash of doubt in her mind.

"Don't be frightened," Dion said. "Everything will be fine."

The mobile went silent. She shuddered for those works were the exact ones he said that first time he called her.

*

Her car smelt brand new and again was easy to drive but why did it have a steering wheel? Again another seemingly stupid question came into her mind. She moved the gear lever to 'R' reversed back and had no trouble what-so-ever in driving through the busy streets. There was even a screen map and a somewhat metallic voice directed her out to the shopping mall that she had programmed in.

The mall was modern and had several delightful boutique dress shops as well as larger department stores with cheaper clothes that she ended up buying from. She thought of the other items she'd need and found she could use her eftpos card to pay for everything. There was a supermarket for food and again for no apparent reason she was overwhelmed at the choice offered from fresh vegetables to freshly baked cakes and bread. There was also fresh meat and fish available, all in pristine condition and reasonably priced. As well there were frozen foods and an amazing number of packages and cans of food. One row even had food for pet dogs and cats.

Dogs and cats? Of course she knew what they were.

She blinked and walked up and down the rows to examine various items. She returned most to the shelves but a few she added to her trolley before walking to the checkout counter. The young girl serving her chatted away about nothing in particular but gave her another feeling, that of belonging. She glanced around and noticed mainly young women shoppers, many with small children around. Children? Now why did these little humans seem strange to her? The adult women looked mainly like herself though some had darker skin and black hair. Some older people had grey or white hair. Why did they look so old?

She shrugged at yet another farcical memory and walked up to a woman trying to hold a baby as well as a box of groceries while she opened a car door in the car park.

"Can I help?" Cora asked.

The woman looked up and smiled. "If you can hold Jasmin while I stick the groceries in the boot I'd appreciate it."

Cora lifted the tiny baby into her arms and cuddled her close. "Lovely little girl," she said. "How old is she?"

"Coming into two months." The woman finished loading her groceries and took her baby back. "Thanks. My name's Helen. It was so nice of you to help?"

"No problem. I'm Cora."

"Thanks again Cora."

Helen climbed into her car, gave a wave and drove away. Again Cora felt a buzz of friendliness at the brief encounter.

*

An old guy ambled up to Cora after she parked her car in the allocated space for her vehicle in the apartment block basement.

"Hi," he said. "You must be Cora who bought the last apartment here." He held out a hand. "We don't have a janitor here but I tend to keep an eye on things. Name's Syd and I live on the floor right beneath your apartment." He glanced at all her groceries and other bags of items she had bought. "Can I give you a hand?"

Syd chatted away and carried some of her grocery bags, led her to a lift and escorted her across the landing to Apartment 21, her apartment. Cora knew the remote on her key ring would open the door so she just walked in. She almost gasped at the surroundings but remembered her companion. Syd placed her groceries on a kitchen sink, welcomed her again, offered to help if she ever needed anything and left.

Excitement enveloped her as she walked through the apartment. It was huge with crisp carpet on the floor and mainly white walls interspaced with several paintings of rural scenes or mountains. A sliding door led out to a small balcony that overlooked a small park of freshly mowed grass and flowerbeds. Further back she could see a row of other buildings both modern and old while just up the road was a high-rise apartment block. Further away in the distance were taller buildings of the inner city and harbour beyond.

Her apartment block had a row of small shops next to the footpath, with access to the carpark and basement from through the door she had originally driven in. She estimated that there were twelve apartments about the same size as her own in the three floors above the shops. She was on the second floor in a corner apartment so there were windows on the side as well as the front and back.

The living area had a television and computer screen. She doubted if she had ever used them before but knew she would know how they worked. In the kitchen and the adjacent laundry was a washing machine, drier, refrigerator, microwave and stove. Everything was brand new but they were all were connected up. Both bedrooms had a double bed and modern furniture, as did everything else in the apartment.

It was so elegant and grand that Cora felt apprehensive as if she was intruding- She almost expected someone to walk in, ask what she was doing there and demand that she immediately leave.

Nobody did and all the documents appeared to prove that the apartment as well as the car did actually belong to her or at least to Cora Watts. Her passport and driver's licence showed that this was her name, too.

She frowned and sat down. It appeared that she was safe, had been well looked after but in reality something was wrong. Everything was wrong! Who was she? Okay, she had learnt where she was but why was she here? Who was this mysterious Deon and why was he just a voice on her mobile? He had not even shown himself as a hologram so could be anywhere in any time.

Any time! Why did she just think that? Was it one of those random thoughts that flashed through her mind?

Cora felt utterly alone. This frightened her for again one of those thoughts came to her mind. She had never been alone before!

*

Cora jerked up and realised she must have fallen asleep. Several hours must have gone by for it was dark with only a small night-light glowing that was plugged into a wall socket. After a moment to orientate herself she knew she was in her new apartment. Other memories of the day flooded through her mind but nothing else.

She jumped in fright for somebody was knocking at the door. She stood up, glanced at a wall clock that said one twenty, and frowned. Who would be knocking at her door in the middle the night?

"Okay! Okay!" she muttered as the knocking became louder.

Just beside the door she noticed a small screen with a red pilot light beneath. She pressed it, the light changed to green and the screen lit up to show the landing outside. Facing her door was the person outside the door. It was a woman younger than herself and really just a girl that looked about high school age. She wore a summer dress, her hair looked dishevelled and her pale face was bruised on the right side with one eye swollen and blackened.

As Cora watched the girl bit on her bottom lip, knocked again and turned with tears in her eyes. She appeared to be going to step away.

Cora opened the door. "No don't go," she said. "Come inside and tell me how I can help you."

The girl turned and gasped. "Cora," she almost sobbed. "Cora Watts?"

"Yes."

"I thought I'd be too late but by the mercy of the cosmos, I arrived in time."

She staggered and would have fallen if Cora hadn't reached out, grabbed her and guided her inside.

*