Ch.26 The Present day 2023: Results of the mud Part 2

A friend from the past, a brother once known, In the nomad's memory, a bond was sown. But life has changed, with needles and chains, The nomad's recollection, a puzzle that remains.

Alexander, the old friend of forgotten days, Seeking truth together, in mysterious ways. Will the nomad rediscover what's been lost? Or is it an illusion, a line that's been crossed?

Two timelines intertwine, as we delve deep, Witnessing the enigma, a man who time does keep. Some call him time itself, a name that rings, In the quest for truth, what answers will it bring?

The Present day 2023: Results of the mud Part 2

Alexander quickly scrolled through his contact list, pausing briefly at Jack Sterling's name before choosing Zoe's profile at the bottom. He started the call with an authoritative click.

The lovely melody of the phone ringing, "Trnn, trnn, trnn," filled the room.

"Hello, Alexander. Are you outside?" Zoe's voice came through the speaker.

"Yes, I am," replied Alexander.

Okay, hold on. I'll head outside," said Zoe.

"Tnnnr." The phone call concluded, and Alexander returned his phone to his pocket. He proceeded to make his way towards the corner of the lab, where metal chairs with perforated holes resembled a cheese grater. Settling down on one of these chairs, he surveyed the laboratory's surroundings. The comfortable coolness of the atmosphere enveloped him, while his gaze rested upon the receptionist diligently working on a computer. The receptionist, a man dressed in a blue shirt with white stripes, wore a green lanyard hanging from his neck.

Looking through the glass door, Alexander observed the sun's warmth creating a mirage-like effect, as if water were present outside, distorting the light. His attention also turned to a group of children standing outside, their clothing tattered and soiled. They appeared to be asking for money. However, Alexander was aware of the deception orchestrated by the beggar mafia, who exploited children to elicit sympathy and accumulate wealth. Having spent a considerable amount of time in Pakistan, he had become adept at distinguishing genuine beggars from those involved in such fraudulent activities.

Alexander looked up at Zoe as she calmly called out, "Hey."

Alexander responded, a touch of eagerness in his voice, "Oh, hi, Zoe."

Zoe was a tall, fair-skinned woman with soft, cascading hair, a pointy, small nose, and captivating blue eyes. She was born in Sweden and, like Jack and Alexander, found herself in Pakistan on a mission.

Alexander was invited inside by Zoe as she made a sweet gesture.

Alexander said "Oh, yes," following Zoe closely.

They walked up to the glass door, which was covered with a privacy film to keep the inside secure from prying eyes. Zoe opened it and let them in. They ultimately reached Room Number 6 after passing through a series of tiny rooms with privacy films adorning the glass walls in each of them.

Zoe started to talk "After examining the mud samples, our conclusion is that the majority of them originated from a nearby cave due to the high humidity content and the specific manner in which they were deposited. Additionally, the presence of sand in the samples suggests that it likely came from the vicinity of the collection area. The substantial deposit of sand implies that it is most probably sourced from a location close to Hyderabad. However, the distinctly yellow mud, which exhibits sand-like properties, does not match the characteristics of the local region or even Pakistan. Its exact origin remains unknown, and we are currently conducting further research to determine its source."

Alexander, as an archaeologist yourself, do you know anything regarding the origins of these samples of yellow mud? Zoe questioned.

"Well, Zoe, I already knew that the first mud samples were from Hyderabad. However, I wanted further evidence, and thanks to you, I obtained some. But the second mud sample is quite peculiar," Alexander responded in a pensive tone.

Alexander asked, "Pass the second sample, please," his interest growing.

Alexander received a little plastic bag from Zoe that contained some yellow sand.

"Look at it. Egypt is a common location for this kind of sand. I'm positive of it. I have long been an archaeologist, ever since I was a child. I did ask you to test it, though. However, it appears to be impossible for Jack Sterling to have travelled to Egypt and back given that a person from the organisation was closely monitoring him on that particular day. In an effort to explain the significance of the sand to Zoe, Alexander added, "Moreover, I was told that he stayed in Hyderabad throughout.

Zoe paused and said, "Hmm," her mind racing.

She then added, "Alright, for now, let's set aside the second sample. Our priority should be determining the origins of the first sample and investigating these locations."

A printed map of Hyderabad with six circles on it was developed by Zoe. She pointed to one of the circles, holding a pen in her hand, and stated, "These six places are caves in Hyderabad that may contain damp mud, which may be connected to the first sample. I advise you to visit each area individually and look for any evidence that exists.

"I think we should start with the Defense 4 Cave. There are usually people around that area as they have some sort of a home nearby. So, do ask the locals for information," Zoe suggested.

"Zoe," Alexander called her name.

"Yes?" she replied.

"If possible, can we go today after your work ends? It would be a great help to have you with me," Alexander proposed.

Zoe glanced at her watch, contemplating for a few seconds. "Okay, that sounds good. However, we'll only be able to search a few caves today. We can explore the rest tomorrow," she suggested.

"Great," Alexander responded with enthusiasm.

"So, come and pick me up at 6 PM. I'll be waiting outside. I'll also bring some equipment to test if the samples match," Zoe informed him.

"That's a good idea. Thank you, Zoe," Alexander expressed his gratitude in a kind tone as he rose from the comfortable, blue-cushioned chair, preparing to leave the lab.

"I'll drop you off outside," Zoe offered, opening the glass door leading to the corridor.

As they walked through the corridor, Zoe couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She turned to Alexander and asked, "I don't know everything, but are you personally related to Jack or something? And I don't understand why the organization is trying to catch him. He was a very nice guy," she said, her curiosity evident in her voice.

As they reached the reception area, Alexander turned to face Zoe, looking into her captivating eyes. Her eyes held a mesmerizing blend of blue with hints of lighter shades of grey. With a tinge of sadness in his voice, he said, "Even I don't know what happened to Jack. He was a good friend, but something occurred that caused him to forget even himself."

Continuing, Alexander added, "I'm unsure of what the boss wants from him, but I work for the boss, and I too want to know where he went."

"See you, Zoe," Alexander said, breaking the somber atmosphere. He swiftly left the building, bidding farewell to Zoe to avoid further questioning.

As Alexander stepped outside, the sun's rays immediately stung his skin. The warmth had returned, embracing him with its presence. Mounting his bike, he ignited the engine, fuel burning and the bike roaring to life.

Accelerating forward at a brisk speed, Alexander ventured onto the never-ending road ahead, riddled with potholes, seemingly disappearing into the distant horizon.