Page 3 of Broken Bonds

My stomach twists with a nauseating mix of excitement and nerves, and I still can’t believe I’m here. That I’m actually doing this.

“How long are you planning on staying?” Charlie, my guide, asks me with a raised voice so I can hear him over the noise of the helicopter.

I turn to look at him. He’s sitting across from me, watching me with a curious expression.

I offer him a smile. “The summer.”

He nods. “That’s fairly typical. What’s not so typical is the location. Why did you want to work out of this outpost in particular?”

I grin, excited by the opportunity to talk about my research to someone.

Leaning forward in my seat, I say, “Well, you see, a new species, a large version of the hoatzin, was recently discovered. It’s a fascinating animal, as it appears to have the regenerative properties of the axolotl, a reptile that is unique in its ability to regenerate even its brain and heart.”

Charlie blinks at me. “That’s indeed fascinating, but what does any of that have to do with this outpost? You were so insistent that this be the one you conducted your research at.”

I nod. “Well, as it turns out, there’s a rather large nesting area for these birds near this particular outpost. I want to be able to be as close to them as possible so I can study them in their natural habitat.”

“I see.” Except, it doesn’t seem like he does. He doesn’t look satisfied with my answer. In fact, he only looks more concerned.

“Is there something wrong?” I ask with a frown.

He blinks at me, clearly caught off guard by my addressing him so directly.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he quickly says. “I was just thinking…I really do hope you can make it through the whole summer…you would be the first not to be driven off.” The last words he says in a mumble and I almost miss them.

“What was that?” I ask. “Driven off? How would I be driven off?”

He blinks again. The man reminds me a bit of an owl with his large, surprised eyes.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. It really has nothing to do with you or your commitment to your work, so please don’t think that. There’s just another scientist currently living at the facility who’s a bit…let’s say, anti-social.”

I blink. I knew there was another scientist staying at the facility, but I hadn’t had any idea that he was such a pain, he ran people off.

“How long has he been stationed at the outpost?” I ask. Then, I add, “And why does he drive people off?”

Charlie shrugged. “I can’t really tell you why he drives people away. When he first took up residence at this place, he emphasized how much he wanted to be left alone, and we were able to do just that for some time, but eventually…well, our organization simply can’t keep turning away people who are willing to pay the commission to use our various facilities. It got to the point where we started offering up the space, and Dr. Pyrrhos was, shall we say, less than thrilled with that choice.”

I frown. “What does it matter? Can’t you rotate more people in once he’s gone, and let him have it to himself if he returns?”

“That’s the thing,” Charlie leans forward so he can drop his voice, no doubt for dramatic effect, “he doesn’t leave.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The man has been in that outpost since 2012.”

I can feel my eyes bugging out of my head in shock. No way. That’s simply not possible. Most people who study in Antarctica do so during the summer months, when it’s still crazy cold, but not White-Walker cold. A few might stay through the winter, but that’s twelve to fifteen months tops, typically.

I’ve never heard of someone staying in a site foryears. Especially when they’re alone most of the time. How has this Pyrrhos guy not gone completely insane?

Why am I assuming he’s sane?

It’s much more likely he’s not sane at all.

“How does he do it?” I ask, unable to keep the pure fascination from shining in my voice. “How is he able to stay here for that long? The isolation alone would eventually make me crack.”

Charlie shrugs, looking at a loss. “I honestly have no idea. I’ve only ever seen the guy when I’m dropping off new people to stay in the outposts or supplies. He seems…completely fine. Well, as fine as a man like him can be.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask. My curiosity is growing rapidly, and I’m not sure how or if I can control it.

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