The Quotidian Timeline

The morning after, September 5th – Bellaton Estate, Dene, Surrey

Miles Kinslow headed downstairs to the kitchen. His mother was nursing a hangover. She dismissed the MI5 report about Nate on the kitchen table again.

It was odd that she never read the reports. She had been so different since the coma.

He joined his father and Wade Pearce in the lounge. She also ignored their daily meetings, but today she surprised him as she walked in holding a cup of tea.

“We believe his name is Finch,” said Wade, pointing at a document.

“Who are you talking about?” asked Aria.

“We didn’t want to worry you. After all, he’s just a teen,” said Emin.

“A teen called Finch?”

“He has been stalking the grounds. Won’t leave. He is delirious. Says he’s your son. But-” Emin raised his hands. “- It’s all under control.”

Aria dropped her cup of tea.

“Mum! What the -”

“Aria!” Emin stood up.

She rushed outside. Miles ran after her, followed by Alberta and Sani.

“Wait Aria, wait!” said Sani.

Stolen novel; please report.

She headed to the stables.

“Mum! Where are you going?” asked Miles.

In the stables, his mother took the first saddled horse she found.

“Er, Aria, that horse is for Jade!” called out the stable hand, waving his arms.

There was no time to saddle fresh horses. Miles and the security team headed towards Ajay and the helicopter. They rose into the skies. Aria galloped in one direction, then changed direction.

Her erratic behaviour continued for twenty minutes until she abruptly stopped and dismounted.

She ran towards someone. The person was unconscious, whoever he was.

The security cam showed tears streaming down her face as she signalled for the helicopter to land.

***

They airlifted the stranger to Bellaton. Alberta called an ambulance. They carried him through the hallways and into Nate’s bedroom, as per her instructions.

“Mum. The guest room?” said Miles, signalling down the corridor.

Everyone stared at Aria.

“This is why Nate disappeared,” she said, with tears welling in her eyes. “This is my son Finch.”

Miles stood motionless, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the situation.

“I am not from here,” she kept saying, cradling the unconscious stranger.

“It’s okay Aria, help will come soon,” said Sani, patting her back.

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“We know losing Nate has been traumatic,” said Sani.

“You don’t believe me,” she said, wailing. “He can’t die! Promise me he won’t die.”

“An ambulance is on the way, Ari. We promise he won’t die,” said Emin with his hand to his mouth.

Ten minutes later, the teen was being carried on a stretcher.

“I won’t leave him alone!” cried Aria.

“He’s with experts,” assured Emin.

Miles and his father followed her into the ambulance. He gawked at his transformed mother.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but this is my son,” said Aria.

Emin averted his gaze.

“Mum, you’re not making any sense,” said Miles, holding his hand out to her.

“I can explain. I promise. Please, let’s look after him,” she said with eyes full of tears.

“How old is he?” asked Emin, growing dark.

“Sixteen,” said Aria.

“That’s impossible!” said Emin, gazing at Miles.

“His oxygen is low,” said the paramedic as they lowered Finch’s stretcher from the back of the ambulance.

They rushed to the wide lift. The harsh fluorescent lights blinded Miles as they made their way to the second floor, and they placed the strange teen on life support.

His mother was crying and holding the boy’s hand. “Please save him! Save him!”