“Please, father. It sure would be cool to show everyone at school”

Cool? Kids these days. Before you know it, playing in traffic’s gonna be cool. Back when I was younger-Wait. He needs to hear this.

“Son. You need real heroes. Like your grandfather. You know the city where I’m from, where we went on the weekend? He helped build it. In his worn out overalls hammering all day. A real, hard-working hero”

“But you work with T’Wyndum En Kare, you can get the autograph.”

“What an ugly name even. Why would you even want a hero named that?

“But as you look at me with those eyes… I guess I'll try. I’m not even sure he has a signature. I don’t think he can read or write. The kid talks like HeLLoee I’eeMm T’errWyndum… I’m upsetting you. I’ll just shut up and get your autograph.”

I guess the hugs make it all worth it. I’ve gone soft.

“Thyla, tell me. Am I the only one that doesn’t get it?”

“No, darling. There’s plenty of miserable men like you in the whole of Aayles.”

“Sure, funny. But seriously. A kid from the Swamplands-”

“Maevink.”

“Course. Maevink. I’m learning. A kid from Maevink goes out looking for trouble and ends up a hero. He’s not even nice. I give little waves and he ignores them. I just don’t tell lil Wylt jr. so I won’t crush his dreams.”

“He’s had a rough time growing up. He most likely had the other children bullying him. Not to mention finding out your parents aren’t really your parents.”

She really believes that

“You really believe that? That he’s an alien? I just think his mother spent too much socialising in the swamp if I’m being frank. And still, an alien should know how to say hello. I think he thinks he’s better than us.”

“Don’t you think all Wyxxitiez think they’re better than us?”

“First off, I take offense to you implying he is one of the Wyxxitiez. The Wyxxitiez are the classiest. Highest of high society. The fine china your mother never lets me use. They deserve to have a bit of peacock about them. That fourteen-year-old Maeman, see I remembered, is not that. The old man probably just takes pity on him or needs extra security. He is more like a Wyxxitiez dog. On the other hand, there’s me. I’m on my way. My father would be proud. My grandfather even prouder. If he knew when he arrived from Pespe, that one of his descendants would be scheduled for a meeting with the head Wyx himself, wow. 

“Tell me Thyla, do you want the swimming pool there, or there. What am I thinking? We’ll just have two.”

“That’s what I was saying just this morning. Never an alien. I don’t know how the Wyxxitiez have fallen for it. But let’s get to work. No time to waste. The big bosses are expecting the first stage to be complete by the end of next month.”

The work looks good. Should be able to break up this ground by the deadline. Yeah, I like it. I do. Should that- No, it’s fine. It’s all going to be fine. What’s he…

“Hey! That’s no way to use a pickaxe. You’ve got me running here to protect you. Let me show you. Come on, let me.

“Extend your arm. Swing into it. It’s just a minor thing. Like this. You get it? Let me try one more time. To really show you. There. See, even got water on my shoe just to help you learn. Water?

“Dariys! What kind of cowboy job were those other boys doing on the last project? I thought they filled in the river, and we would just be breaking up rocks and concrete for the new railway. But I just got some water coming out of these rocks over here. We don’t need any issues. Especially any safety issues. I’d  prefer my men get home in one piece.”

“Admittedly, the whole project has been done in quite a rush. The previous workers only knew that the river needed to be filled. I don’t think there were even plans for the railway. But Pa.Wyxxitiez liked the idea so of course everyone wanted to show up and show off to please him. Meaning, ‘how long will the project take? Do it in half that’.”

“Half the time, double the problems. For who?”

“Us.”

“Exactly!”

We can’t work on this. I should probably stop the project for now. Yep. I’ll have to stop the project. Tomorrow. I know someone’s said it’s safe but who? The same guys trying to impress the top guy? What a headache. Sure it’ll be fine. Just speak to one of the bosses, and get it stopped for a bit. Might have to wait for that promotion now but who cares? The money would have been good-This car’s old and seems to be making sounds now. Let me turn off the radio. Weird, stupid, mumbling noises. Anyway, home now. I’ll call Dariys.

“Here now. Rushed to be here.”

“I can tell. Your hair’s still wet.”

Oh. That’s no good. Hope no one important saw. Presentation in a place like this is everything.

“Looks mean nothing when the safety of my men are concerned. Who cares if my hair is a little wet.”

That was convincing, right?

Daviys is walking fast. Well, he always walks fast(especially for his age) but this is different. We’re going to be meeting the heads. The guys that talk to Silzas. That advise him. I can’t really listen to Daviys. Men his age tend to love sharing their stories. He goes on these long ramblings where I already know the gist before he’s started. In this case, we need to explain why their big project is not going to happen as soon as they like. And we’ll be explaining it to Chief Aixayas. Top, top guy. Wants his son to marry the Wyxxitiez’s only daughter if the papers are to be believed.

“Yes, it was there me and my wife went for our, I think, 10th anniversary. Quite some time ago. We had just finished the trail so we were a bit tired. Interesting history. It was called ‘Whispering River’ translated, or something to that effect. You’re meant to hear voices, apparently. Can’t say we did. Perhaps, we were just too tired to be bothered. Had work the next day. It was back when I was starting to make my way up.”

“Sure, Daviys.”

“You want to delay this project? It’s a shame. Pa.Wyxxitiez was very enthusiastic about this. He was willing to invest in anything for it. Invest in anyone for it.”

This jerk. In this big conference room with the finest embroidered seats, he sits on the table. And on this giant table, he sits right in front of us. But he’s a successful jerk. Look at him. With the bows in his hair and fine red jacket. Any Wyxxitiez employee can have a red jacket. He’s one is different. Better material. He knows what he’s worth. That’s why he knows he can sit on the table. Daviys, the most refined man I know, is common muck like me compared to the Chief. While Daviys stutters and mumbles, Aixayas hits every note in his sentences. It’s like music. And so convincing. I’m not even listening but I’m being convinced by him. 

But we can’t continue the project.

“Come on, Wylt. Wylt Bym, isn’t it? From Pespe?”

“My grandparents.”

“I’ve had to travel there a few times. Lovely culture. The people are fascinating. Very easy to get along with. Unlike some other tribes and ‘folks’. Let’s just say we had some hard to deal with groups in this project. That river just keeps on giving us stress. Man to man- just want to go down there,sort it out, just get it all done. Innit?”

“‘Innit’? Oh. Yes. Of course. Lots of stress.”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“But, I’m sorry to say, there are a lot of issues with this. I can’t have people working on something dangerous.”

“Wylt, you’re breaking my heart. But no, I understand. I don’t want you to compromise anyone’s health or safety. I know there’s always risk in your job but I guess this is too much. That’s fine. I was just wondering though... If I got some new safety officers, investigators, whatever brought in then you could find a way to finish on time still. Few more extra shifts here and there for your staff, you know? You’d be compensated well. And a lot of us boys at the head office would remember your name”

I guess. I’m sure the guys will be fine with that.

“Sir, I think we could do that.”

“Let’s shake hands.”

Wish the drive home was shorter. Too warm. Keep on wiping sweat off my forehead. But what a day. The project is back on track. I think Daviys is upset with me. Haven’t talked to him properly about it but he seems apprehensive about the whole thing. Once it’s finished, we can all relax. Just have to get through it. 

The next thing I need to focus on is the meeting with the very top. Chief Aixayas was practice. 

“Thanks for joining me, Daviys. I just wanted to check the site thoroughly before our meeting tomorrow. Get all the facts and progress, y’know?”

“Sure.”

“Isn't it great how quick the safety officer guys are? In just a few days-”

“Is your car radio on?”

“No. Why?”

“There’s like a voice or something.”

“Is there? I think it’s just the motor or something. There was like a whispery sort of sound before.”

“This sounds like a voice. I can nearly pick up the words”

“I don’t know what to say. On the project, we should be able to start again very soon. We can say around-”

“Why are you wet?”

“What?”

“You’re all wet, Wylt.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re wet.”

“Erm… It’s warm. Probably sweat. Can you concentrate? Seriously. And that's not even a request. It’s a genuine question. Can you concentrate?”

“Sorry, boss.”

“When did you start calling me- Nevermind, let’s just get to the site.”

All the tape’s removed. The site’s ready to be worked on. Can’t wait. Working on the land. Well, I won’t be doing too much with the land. I think I’ll have to be signing all the documentation involved with this. More meetings, too. Well, a manager has to manage.

Ground feels a little soft. But if the safety know-it-alls are ok with it, I’m okay with it. Whoever they are.

“Wow. Can you believe it, Daviys? We’re on our way to the top.”

“Maybe for you

I didn’t want to say it but I kind of figured at his age.

“But for me, I’ve had my fun. I’m retiring.”

“What!? You can’t. We’ve been a team for years. You taught me everything I know.”

 “Heh. Not everything I hope. I’ve enjoyed my time but I need to relax. Things move too fast nowadays.”

“When are you leaving?”

“I’m trying to time it with when the project gets properly started. Get up the hill and leave you and everyone to ride smoothly down if that makes sense.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“It’s been quite a journey, hasn’t it?”

“Wow. It has been.”

“When I was a boy, Beynn was hardly the city it is now. Sure, it was the capital of all of Aayles so it was busy. The thing is, it was… I don’t know how to describe it. A simpler place, perhaps. Before we had an alien from Earth. Do you think we’ll ever reach Earth, Wylt?”

What is he on about?

“I see I’m being too hypothetical for you. I’ll stick to talking cold, hard cash. Are you ready for the meeting tomorrow?”

I don’t know if I am ready. There’s still some questions abou- Wait. What did the old man mean by ‘not everything I hope’?

Today’s the day. I’ll take all the time in the world to brush my teeth. Want them to be as white as the teeth those actors have on the screen. Is that because they’re in black and white? I guess their teeth could be black instead so my comparison makes sense. 

Nearly forgot. I’ve been running the shower for a while. It’s getting hot. I should cool it down since I’ve been sweating a lot recently. Does hair sweat? My hair’s been wet for a while. Sweat goes into the hair. That’s probably it.

Time to hop in. Cold, cold, cold. Take a few deep breaths. Oh no. Too deep a breath. Water in throat. Just need to cough. Really need to cough. Ow.

A bit better. But the water. It’s all over me. Can’t get it off. How? It’s clinging to me. On my face. I can’t wipe it off. 

“My. Name. Is…”

Who said that?  And the water keeps-

“Wlt. Waylt. Wylt. My name is Wylt.”

Who are you? I need help. 

Can’t yell. 

This is bad. Feel heavy. So heavy. I’ve turned off the tap. 

I’ve turned off the tap! 

I’ve turned off the tap so why is the water not dripping down? It’s stopped on my body. I’m drowning. Standing up. I’m