The atmosphere inside the car was tense; Sabir could feel the weight of unspoken words pressing down on him. The hum of the engine and the rhythmic thud of the tires against the road were the only sounds breaking the silence.
He turned to Cassius, curiosity getting the better of him. "What did you find in my sister's apartment? And why didn't I get her letters?" The questions fizzed out of him uncontrollably.
Cassius's eyes flickered to the driver, then to Sabir. He gave Sabir a stern look and a sharp nod towards the driver, signaling to drop the subject. "Stop asking questions, Sabir. This isn't the time or place."
Frustrated but sensing the seriousness, Sabir turned his attention to the window. He watched the urban landscape of Sector 2 transform as they ventured deeper into Sector 3. The crumbling buildings and chaotic streets slowly gave way to towering forms. These massive, looming figures stretched high into the sky, their thick canopies casting dappled shadows across the road. The change was almost hypnotic, and Sabir found himself mesmerized by the natural beauty he'd never seen before.
His eyes widened in astonishment. "What are those?" he asked, his voice tinged with shock. "I thought they were monsters."
Cassius glanced at the forms, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Those are trees, Sabir. They're part of the old world, remnants of a time before everything changed. Sector 3 is known for its forests. It's a rare sight for many, but they're harmless."
Sabir stared, mesmerized. "Trees? I thought they were from the old world."
Cassius nodded. "Yes, they are. It's one of the few places in Havana where nature still thrives. You'll see more things like this if you stick around."
As they drove further, Sabir’s mind wandered. He thought of the stories Mrs Norris used to tell about the old world, a time when the world was peaceful and things like trees were everywhere. He remembered the worn-out picture book she’d kept hidden, family heirloom, with its faded images of forests and animals. Seeing the real thing was overwhelming.
Sabir lurched up from his seat, rummaging through his pocket for his pass. He looked at it and saw the bar that indicated his time in Havana was nearly up.
As if able to read his mind, Cassius spoke up. “Don't worry, you're with a government agent. Your safety in Havana is guaranteed. Besides, the government doesn't go hunting for aliens unless they fall at their doorstep.”
Sabir exhaled in relief. “What are aliens?”
“Just a term government officers use to describe anyone who has entered Havana illegally.”
Sabir nodded slowly, absorbing the new information. He turned back to the window, watching the towering forms grow closer and denser.
“They’re incredible,” he murmured.
Cassius glanced over, noticing the wonder in Sabir's eyes. “Trees have a way of making you feel small, don’t they? Reminds you there’s more to this world than just the chaos we live in.”
Sabir nodded, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "It's hard to believe places like this still exist."
Cassius smiled faintly. “Sector 3 is unique that way. Each sector has its own character, but the forests here... they’re something special. It's one of the few things the Gaian family got right”
Sabir looked puzzled. “The Gaian family? Who are they?”
Cassius chuckled, shaking his head. “You really didn’t learn much, did you? The Gaian family runs this sector. They’re one of the Seven Noble Families. Make sure you remember that.”
Sabir nodded slowly, as he barely processed Cassius's words, he turned back to the window, his mind wandering.
The car continued its journey, winding through narrow, tree-lined paths. The dense canopy overhead filtered the sunlight, casting a dappled pattern on the windshield. Sabir could see the shifting shadows and faint glimmers of light on the dashboard. Through the slightly open window, the air grew cooler and fresher, carrying the scent of pine and earth. Sabir closed his eyes for a moment, letting the tranquility of the place wash over him. It was a stark contrast to the oppressive, polluted air of The Limbo.
When the car finally stopped, Sabir was left dumbfounded. The driver, an old wrinkled man with an air of precision, undid his seatbelt and stepped out to open the door for Sabir and Cassius.
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“Mr. Ward, we have arrived at your destination,” the driver said, his voice formal and steady.
Sabir stepped out of the car, feeling a sense of disorientation as he took in his surroundings. The driver had already disappeared, and the car whizzed away, blending into the forest road until it was out of sight. Sabir spun around, trying to get his bearings. The trees seemed even more enormous now that he was standing among them, their towering forms stretching high into the sky. He took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, clean air. It felt almost otherworldly compared to the suffocating atmosphere of The Commons urban area.
He could see that they were on the edge of the sector, where the forest thickened and the houses were sparse. The few homes he could spot were perched high in the trees, accessible only by wooden bridges and ladders, giving the area a whimsical yet isolated feel.
Cassius sighed, breaking Sabir's reverie. “I used to be based in the regular HQ in Tetra City, but they shipped me out here to Sector 3. They said it was to 'better the working environment,' whatever that meant. In reality, they just didn't want me getting in the way or causing a ruckus.”
Sabir looked at Cassius, curiosity piqued. "Why would they want to get rid of you? What did you do?"
Cassius shrugged, a hint of bitterness in his smile. "Let's just say my methods and reputation didn't sit well with some of the higher-ups. They thought I'd be less troublesome out here, away from the political games of Tetra City."
As they walked further into the forest, Sabir noticed the subtle details of the sector. Wooden signs carved with intricate designs pointed the way to various locations, and small gardens filled with vibrant flowers and herbs lined the paths. The tranquility of the area was a stark contrast to the chaotic, crumbling environment of The Commons. Sabir wondered if people here were different, too, living simpler, less stressful lives.
Cassius led Sabir to a secluded area where a large, well-maintained treehouse stood. It was more elaborate than the others, with multiple levels and a wide balcony that overlooked the forest.
"This is where I conduct my work now," Cassius said, gesturing towards the treehouse. "It's not the Tetra City HQ, but it's got its own charm. The Gaians’ tried to curry some favor by giving me this place."
Sabir nodded, still taking in the unusual surroundings. "I can see why they sent you here. It's peaceful, almost like a retreat."
Cassius chuckled. "Peaceful, yes. But don't let the tranquility fool you. There's still plenty of work to be done, and it's not all as serene as it looks."
They ascended a wooden staircase that spiraled around the trunk of a massive tree, leading them to the entrance of the treehouse. Inside, the space was surprisingly modern, equipped with various gadgets and devices that seemed out of place in such a rustic setting. Sabir noticed the juxtaposition of advanced technology and natural beauty, making the place feel like a hidden sanctuary.
The room was messy with objects scattered around, suggesting it hadn't been cleaned in months. A giant board beside Cassius's desk caught Sabir's attention. It was filled with newspaper clippings, photos, and other documents pinned to it. Red marker sprawled across the board, with notes and circles highlighting key points. Sabir couldn’t help but feel a surge of curiosity and anxiety. What was Cassius looking for?
Cassius walked over to the desk cluttered with papers and maps. "Sit down. There are some things I haven't told you yet–some big things."
Sabir gulped, still absorbing the surreal transition from the urban chaos of The Commons to the serene, forested enclave of Sector 3. As he settled into a chair, he couldn't help but feel that the peaceful exterior of the treehouse hid a myriad of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
“Okay, how do I begin telling you this?" Cassius began, awkwardly fidgeting with his hands. "From the way you've explained it to me, Cynthia's life in Havana is something you don't know well. In fact, it's probably better to say you don't know anything about her life here.”
Sabir nodded reluctantly, unsure where this rambling was taking them. There was a sense of foreboding with each sentence Cassius uttered, as if he was beating around the bush.
“At the time, we didn't know much about her either. She was just another number. But it seemed there was more to her than we initially thought. How I figured that out... well…” Cassius opened a drawer and brought out an opened white envelope.
“This was the letter that was written to you. It was unopened. I thought it was unimportant, so I opened it. Please forgive me.” Cassius apologized with his head down.
Sabir took the envelope, his hand shaking. He turned the envelope to see the back. “To Sabir Quinn” was written in the neatest handwriting he'd ever seen.
His heart pounded when he turned it, the neat handwriting almost surreal. In The Limbo, no one knew how to read or write. The sight of his sister's writing brought a mix of anger and longing.
“Why the hell did you open it?” Sabir questioned, irritation creeping into his voice.
“I'm investigating a murder, kid. Grow up. This is bigger than you,” Cassius said, his once apologetic countenance morphing back to an emotionless slate. Sabir could only squirm in discomfort at the shift in tone.
“I have a job to do. Remember, I didn't bring you here for a trip down memory lane. If you want to wallow about a letter you didn't even know existed being opened, then don't bother reading it. It won't bring you any closure. Remember that.”
He was right. Cassius had been plenty accommodating and had even helped him realize he was being tracked. The reason he came here wasn't to reminisce but to find out who and why his sister was killed.
“You're right. I'm sorry,” Sabir apologized.
“I don't need your apologies. Hurry up and read the damn letter,” Cassius grunted with an impatience that cut through the air.
Sabir took a deep breath and extracted the letter from the envelope. His hands shook in anticipation of the secrets it might reveal. The paper felt delicate, almost fragile, as if the words written on it carried a great weight.