Only Human (Themis Files #3)(84)
—She … You know what? I won’t tell you. It’s between me and her. But it’s what convinced me to let you try Themis. The second envelope was for you.
—What’s in it?
—I don’t know.
—You haven’t read it?
—No, I thought it was … It’s between you and her. She told me to give it to you when the time came.
—What does that mean?
—She said I’d know.
—Did you?
—Come to think of it, I did. It was your fourteenth or fifteenth birthday. You were arguing with Rose. I looked at you, and it hit me. Right there and then. Boom! You weren’t my little girl anymore. You were this … amazing young woman I barely knew. It was scary, and touching. You were so … You looked like you could take on the world. That day, I thought about the letter, only it was inside my locker in New York, millions of miles away, so …
— …
—What is it, Eva?
—I don’t know. I’m afraid to open it.
—Why?
—I don’t know! I just am!
—Well, she’d never even met you when she wrote it, so I don’t think she’d have had anything bad to say to you.
—You’re an idiot, Dad. When Kara died, I’d only known her for two days. I didn’t know her, really. But I have this image of her, this person I’ve constructed in my head. I’ve added … details to that person over the years, whenever you talk about her, things like that, but deep down, that’s still who she is to me. That image I put together at ten years old over a couple days. That’s Kara to me. That’s my mother. I’m afraid whatever’s in that letter won’t match. I’m afraid I’ll realize I was wrong the whole time, that I didn’t know her at all. I’m afraid I’ll lose her all over again.
—Only one way to find out. I don’t think you’ll lose her, Eva. Your mother was many things, but mysterious isn’t one of them. She was the most honest, transparent person I’ve ever met, except for you. What you saw is what you got. I’d say that image of yours can’t be that far off. And you know I’m here, right? If you ever want to talk about Kara. You know her more than you think, trust me on that, but there are plenty of stories about your mom I’d love to share with you. If you want.
—Yeah. It looks like we’re going to have plenty of time to talk anyway.
—Why do you say that?
—We’ve been open for four hours, and we haven’t had a single customer.
—We haven’t … I like that.
—Yokits …
FILE NO. 1613
LETTER FROM CAPTAIN KARA RESNIK, EDC, TO EVA REYES
Recovered on her body at EDC Headquarters, New York, New York
Hi, Eva!
I told Vincent to give you this “when you were ready,” so I don’t know if you’re ten or thirty. I hope I’ve been gone at least a little while. I’d like for this to be a good moment, I don’t want it to be sad. Yes, I’m gone if you’re reading this letter, but I was very much alive when I wrote it. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more alive. I found you.
I’m in Cuba. The sun is about to set. It’s been insanely hot and muggy all day, but a nice breeze just picked up a minute ago. It feels … I don’t really know what I’m feeling. I’m scared, for you and for me. I’m also excited, full of hope. It’s an odd mix of good and bad, the calm before the storm. I’m looking at you right now. That’s a lie. I’m looking at the window where they’re keeping you. But I know you’re in there. I saw you today with them. You were so tiny next to those men. You must have been terrified, but there was such resilience, such defiance in your eyes. I know that look.
I miss your father right now. I want to share this with him. I want him to see what I see. I want him to see you. He’s plan B. If all goes well, you’ll never have to read this, and I’ll just bring you home. I’m hoping there’s a home to bring you back to, but one thing at a time. Earth is being attacked by alien forces, and there’s a strong possibility all of us will be dead soon. Rough week.
I should be aboard Themis right now, fighting back, but I came to find you instead. I’d be lying if I said I thought about it for a long time, and it seemed like the right choice. I didn’t choose. I just … left. You’re not alone, Eva. You just don’t know it yet. I’ll keep you safe, and if I can’t, Vincent will. I seriously hope it’s me. I’d rather not die, obviously, but I also have a plan. No one dies in my plan. If I fail, and your father is the one who comes to find you, I don’t think he’ll care who lives or dies. He’ll machete his way through an entire army if that’s what it takes.
I have to warn you, Eva. Your dad is one big pain in the ass. He’s stubborn, doesn’t listen. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone—he often is, but that’s not really the point—and you’re probably more mature now than he’ll ever be. Of course, there’s a flip side to that. He’ll play with you not because he wants to please you. He’ll play because he loves to play. His heart is even bigger than his ego if you can imagine. He’ll protect you when you don’t need to be protected. He’ll jump in front of a train for you. He won’t think twice. He’ll do it because it would kill him if anything happened to you. He’ll make stupid calls, that I can promise you. It won’t be long before you’re the grown-up in the family.