Chapter 42 Chapter 42: Niels Hanson
Two people sat around a sturdy wooden table in the immaculately kept room. I recognized the nurse instantly; she’d treated me during my stint in Sector 3’s hospital.
“Hey, Doc,” I said, grinning.
She looked up and grimaced. “Oh God, not you again.” Her nose wrinkled. “And you reek of chemicals.”
A charming, bearded man with glasses placed a hand on her arm. “Now, now, dear, they look like they’ve been through the wars.” Despite his easy-going demeanour, his eyes held the same sharp intelligence as Ida’s. “Nina, if you’d be so kind as to help… um…” He hesitated, glancing at me.
“Tilly,” I supplied.
“Ah, yes. If you could help Tilly clean up and perhaps find her some fresh clothes, while I have a word with Nathaniel here.”
Nina cut in, “Dad, you’re supposed to introduce yourself first.”
His face flushed, and he stood abruptly. “I do beg your pardon, not used to social calls and all that. I’m Niels, Niels Hanson.” He extended a hand to shake. “And you’ve already met my wonderful wife, Joanna. We’re pleased to have you here.”
I shook his hand, but my gaze flicked back to Nina, who said, “I think something’s happened to Ida. I heard them talking.”
Niels forced a smile. “Everything in its time, my dear. Go and get Tilly cleaned up, and then we can talk.”
Nina stormed off, and I followed the elegant sway of her back through the sprawling house, more like a palace, with immaculate white walls lined with framed photographs and grand paintings. We entered a bedroom so distinctly feminine it felt like stepping into a dream: lush green plants, a bed buried under a mountain of pillows, more pillows than I knew existed, and nestled among them, a giant teddy bear. A cluttered desk sat in one corner, strewn with papers, charts, and sketchbooks filled with doodles. At the far end of the room, Nina pushed open another door.
“This is my bathroom, make yourself at home. There are clean towels in the cupboard.”
I couldn’t fathom how all of this belonged to one person. The bathroom gleamed with shiny white tiles edged in pink, a pristine sink, a toilet, and a large, well-lit mirror. A glass enclosure, human-sized, housed a luxurious shower.
The door had a lock on the inside, so I locked it and peeled off the oil-drenched, tattered robe, the last barrier hiding my bruised and bloodied body. Avoiding my reflection, fearing what I would see, I stepped into the shower and twisted the taps.
Heaven burst forth, a scalding waterfall. The water turned pink and brown as it ran through my hair, down my body, to hit the floor. Grime spiralled away down the chrome drain.
For five blissful minutes, I let the heat soothe me before reaching for the array of coloured bottles, soaps, shampoos, a soft sponge. I scrubbed until my skin burned, as if shedding not just dirt but the filth of the past week itself. I felt like a phoenix being reborn through the warmth of the fiery shower. The steam thickened, cocooning me in a hazy fantasy of warmth and clouds.
Then, a sharp knock at the door.
“Yes?” I called, hastily wrapping one towel around my head, another around my body.
“I found some clothes that might fit. Should I come back later?” Nina’s voice was softer now, none of the earlier edge.
“No, please, come in.”
The door opened, mist curling into the bedroom as Nina stood there, arms piled with fresh, folded fabric. “I hope you like these. They should fit.” She handed them over. “I’ll see if Dad has boots you can borrow until we can buy you some, your feet are bigger than mine.”
I glanced down at my now-clean feet. “Thank you… so much.”
She smiled, warm and genuine, before slipping out.
The clothes were pristine, a deep-blue sports bra with matching underwear, black nylon tights, a knee-length floral dress. Everything looked new, untouched by wear or repair, perfect. I wiped the last traces of steam from the mirror and finally faced my reflection and admired the woman standing there. A woman reborn.
Nina reappeared, holding a pair of men’s shoes. “These should do,” she said, her cheeks flushing slightly at their worn state. “And please, use my makeup, it’ll help cover the bruises.”
Once my hair was done and my face carefully painted, we went to join the others.
As we entered, all eyes lifted toward me. I could feel Nate’s quiet satisfaction at seeing me whole again. Joanna stood as we took our seats. “I need to get to the clinic now,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Nina, bring Tilly to me as soon as you’re done with business, straight after.” Her sharp gaze flicked to me. “I want to examine you after your ordeal. And I won’t take no for an answer.”
I smirked, feeling a flicker of my old self return. “Okay, Doc.” She huffed out of the room, but I could’ve sworn there was the ghost of a smile on her lips.
The table was laden with a steaming breakfast, fresh bread, eggs, cured meats, the rich scent making my stomach twist with hunger.
“Niels has filled me in on most of the details,” Niels began, his piercing stare locking onto me. “But I’d like to hear some of it from you before we discuss our next move.”
“Dad,” Nina cut in, “let her eat first. She’s probably starving.”
Niels grunted but conceded. “We can talk while we eat. Time isn’t a luxury we have.”
I didn’t need convincing. I piled food onto my plate and tore into it, manners forgotten.
“Tilly… Tilly, I asked how Ida died.”
I froze, my mouth full. I hadn’t even realized the conversation had shifted.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, swallowing a hasty gulp of juice to clear my throat. “We were on a light mission, should’ve been easy. Nate sent Ida with me for protection. Didn’t trust the others.” My voice thickened. “And I’ll always be grateful for that. She was good. A master of her trade. She had my back… and I wish I could’ve had hers.”
Nina’s breath hitched, a silent sob escaping her.
I pushed on. “We were betrayed. She fought hard, but our attackers were too heavily armed, too armoured. We never stood a chance. I only got out by luck.”
“You left her there,” Nina whispered.
“Yes.” The word tasted like ash. “She was already gone. And the ferals were closing in.”
Niels’s expression was grave but free of accusation. “Nina, this isn’t Tilly’s fault. She grieves for Ida just as we do. The blame lies with the ones who paid for this.” He turned to Nate. “Nathaniel, you believe this was all part of Charles and the Church’s scheme to seize power?”
With a mouthful of food, I slammed my fist on the table. “Yes, it was fucking him! What are we gonna do about it?”
“Dad?” Nina interjected, her voice small.
Nate took over. “Tilly, Niels is one of the Four Thinkers of The Hundred.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean?” My voice rose, sharp with defiance.
Niels straightened, his presence shifting, cool, calculated, commanding. “The Thinkers are the architects of New Eden. For generations, our families have designed the systems that keep this city running, power, food, water, politics, religion, security. The workforce.” His gaze hardened, pinning me in place. “If you and the others in Sectors One to Three are the worker bees, then we are the unseen hand guiding it all. Without us, New Eden would collapse.”
I shoved my plate away, disgust twisting my words. “Well, some great gods you turned out to be. There are riots tearing through the city now.”
Niels didn’t flinch at my venom. “Yes. You’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest.” His voice was ice. “If it weren’t for the love I bear Nathaniel here, you’d already be eliminated. As it stands, I need to meet with the other Thinkers to find a way forward and I’ll be taking Nathaniel with me.” A pause, then a glance at Nina. “If she can keep you from burning Sector Four to the ground while we’re gone, it would be… appreciated.” Niels rose from the table with practiced grace. “Ladies, we beg your leave,” he said, all charm, then added in an undertone, “Nina, no trouble.”