Read Eden for Free Online Page B

sees in his dreams — his father, Jackson. He has his back to Noah as he takes in the breathtaking view of endless mountains and a marbled vanilla sky. Jackson wears a red nylon windbreaker and a pair of dark khakis, and his feet are bare. He turns to greet his son with a smile. Jackson has a head of thick white hair and a matching cropped beard. His violet eyes are piercing and stoic. Noah bears a striking resemblance to the man, though he stands three inches shorter than his legendary father.
    “What took you so long?” Jackson teases.
    Noah laughs. “Had I known I was dreaming, I would have just flapped my arms and flown to the top.”
    Jackson still smiling, agrees. “Yes, I’m sure that you would have.”
    Noah breaks eye contact with his father and looks beyond him to the row of mountains that stretch on as far as his eyes will allow. Dream or no dream, it is a sight to behold. “Absolutely stunning.” He looks back at his father. “Why are you not wearing shoes?”
    Jackson looks down at his feet and shrugs. “This is your dream, son, not mine.”
    Noah nods. “Fair enough.”
    “So what now?” his father asks, changing the subject.
    Noah cracks a smile. “That’s a good question. What would you suggest?”
    His father shrugs. “I have a thought, although you may not like it.”
    Any trace of a smile has vanished from Noah’s face as he replies, “You always said if someone has enough courage to ask you a serious question, then you should be brave enough to answer it truthfully.”
    Jackson beams at his son, nodding in approval. “I was always fond of that phrase. You do realize I was quoting Milton?”
    “I’m aware,” Noah says. “Although I prefer to give you the credit.” He gives his father the signature family wink.
    “Before we get into that, I need to give you something.” He retrieves a long rectangular box from the inner recesses of his jacket and hands it to Noah.
    “What is it?”
    “ It is the single biggest regret of my life,” Jackson says matter-of-factly.
    “You? Regret?” Noah looks down at the box, made from wood and painted royal blue. It is trimmed with gold inlay around the edges and feels heavier than its size would suggest. His inspection is interrupted by an audio transmission that comes seemingly from out of nowhere. He looks to the heavens and tries to decipher what is being said, but the words are indiscernible and he soon diverts his attention back to the box. As he is about to lift the lid, the sound ends as abruptly as it began. Again he is interrupted, this time by his father.
    “Noah, what time is it?”
    Noah opens his eyes and turns to his sleeping wife. “Eve, wake up. Did you hear that?” He looks around the cabin; no one else has noticed it either.
    “Huh?” Evelyn stretches her arms high above her head, her eyes at half-mast. “What did you hear?” she asks, dazed.
    “The captain. He was making an announcement and then suddenly was cutoff in mid-sentence.” He releases his harness to stand. “I’m going to take a look about. Stay awake.”
    Evelyn is quick to come to, as she recognizes from the tone of his voice that Noah is on full alert. “Oh dear,” she sighs.
    Before Noah can slink past her, the shuttle drops like a lead balloon, leaning hard to the left, throwing him off his feet and across Evelyn. Passengers scream in horror while Evelyn struggles to help him back to his flight station. He gets in his seat and pushes for the harness. Just as it buckles around him, the airship rights itself.
    Evelyn turns to her husband. “Was that an air pocket?”
    Noah again releases his harness. “I don’t think so.” His tone is grave as he faces her. “I’m going to the cockpit. I need you to do something while I’m away.”
    “Of course, what is it?”
    He pulls Evelyn’s face into his and kisses her gently but passionately, leaving her slightly lightheaded. He looks deep into her eyes. “Prepare for impact.”
    Evelyn’s face