Arith : The Undiscovered Planet
CHAPTER 10

Eric couldn’t believe that he was in a planet like Earth. Itwas so airy and the temperature was moderate. Well … for now it was moderate,his uncle had told him that at certain periods, it would be so scorched, and cold that some people could get very sick, unlike Earth. He was so glad that thisplanet had saved him. He was also very glad to see Kelvin The man he hadbelieved dead. Kelvin said his mother didn’t make it, like him. He was very sadabout it.

Although, he had believed his mum had died years back, hishope returned when he saw his uncle. But now , that hope vanished when hisuncle had relayed the bad news to him. He just had to keep staying strong, forhis dad. The more he looked at uncle Kelvin, the more he missed his mum. Theyreally really looked alike.

John their saviour, made Eric and his uncle feel at home inArith . Also Kelvin made a best friendnamed Bryann, they lived together. John introduced his children to Eric. Theyall got along fine. Within three weeks of Eric’s stay in Arith , he was alreadyfamiliar with John’s children particularly his last daughter Jesse , who was ayear younger than him.

As the days went by , Eric couldn’t help but think aboutaunt Tessy , they’d both spun away and lost each other. He survived, did thatmean she survived too ? If he hadn’t dragged her into this, she wouldn’t havebeen in danger. He felt so bad and told his uncle about it.

“Oh Tessy was so close to your mum and I in high school. Weparted ways and came back to work together in the I. S. E. A “ Kelvin saidsadly .

They were in Kelvin’s courtyard enjoying the cool air. Johngave Kelvin the house, as a welcome present when he had arrived Arith. Bryann had left his home to live withKelvin. Their bond seemed so strong. The house they lived in , given to them (Kelvin, Bryann and now Eric) by John was a beautiful place. Everythingseemed free.

“But what mission did you have to carry out with onlyTessy”? His uncle asked.

“I looked into the element siredanium , that led mum to herdeath. I absolutely know that her death was intended. Dad said mum discoveredthat people had been stealing the element . So they killed her in order to hidethe truth. I told aunt Tessy about this and we went to replace out, only for this to happen”.

His uncle nodded and dropped the bombshell.

“Your mum and I were betrayed by Josh. He somehow broke outtethers, I don’t know how he did that and we floated away” .

Eric was so shocked that he dropped his cup of coffee. What?Why? The questions were so much in Eric’s head. Oh … it came as no surprisewhen he remembered that Josh his boss didn’t really like him. The whole scenejust formed in Eric’s mind.

He could imagine Josh smirking at his mum while she floatedaway. Now, he remembered the looks his boss gave him; sometimes, sneering athim when he thought Eric wasn’t looking. Oh it all made sense now ! Histhoughts were so far away that Kelvin had to bring him back.

“Eric”? His uncle shook him from his thoughts. Eric justblinked at his uncle.

“I know you’re furious about Josh. And he shall be dealt with. But here is what I want to tell you and it’svery important”.

“Your mum told your dad and I about the theft in space. Shemust have told someone else . Which I’m not sure about. Now Eric, the main enemywe have here, is the person who told Josh and Kennedy about your mum’s discovery.The person is still out there. That was how the vile men got to know about yourspace exploration and decided to stop you and Tessy. The only thing is that,Tessy got unlucky and you got lucky like me”.

Eric was furious.

“And that’s the more reason they would pay for this. Theyplotted against the two women that mean so much to me”.

He told his uncle about Zach ; his betrayal.

He tried calming down, of course he shouldn’t be furious athis uncle while the perpetrators were still at large.

“Uncle , I found a bracelet while exploring the siredanium .Kelvin was eager to see the first clue of the theft. He waited impatiently asEric brought out the bracelet.

Eric had kept it with him all these while. He rememberedwhen he first woke up in Arith, the bracelet was in his space suit. He had kept it safe. When Kelvinsaw the bracelet, his face went blank. Kelvin produced an identical bracelet.

“This is your mum’s bracelet”. He said showing the one he brought out to Eric.

The one Eric held, Kelvin said it belonged to Olivia ,Zach’s mum. Kelvin showed Eric where the initials ; ‘M’ and ‘O’ were painted.Indicating Miranda and Olivia. Olivia was already dead. So how come he foundit, Eric thought. Could Zach have worn it? Afterall, he drugged him. So heshould have worn it right ?

“This bracelet seems familiar to me” Eric said to Kelvin.

“Certainly, it should be, it belonged to your mum. But… shegave it to me on your fourth birthday and she hasn’t worn it since then. Youmust have very retentive memory dear” Kelvin looked at Eric in awe. Eric felt amused.

“Well … thanks uncle … but I have seen this bracelet lately.Maybe a flash . Someone was wearing it , I just wish I could remember”.

“You will definitely remember son, just give it a littletime. This bracelet holds the key to our investigation”.

Eric nodded and they discussed further. Jesse came over and joined them.