Adam

By Jim Murdoch

Shortly after a UFO crashes into the sea, a ten year old boy, Adam, and his grandfather appear in town. The children are curious and befriend the mysterious boy and end up going in search for his crashed ship. Who is Adam and where does he come from, and more important, why is he here?
An adventure of strangeness, holographic projections, telepathy, remote viewing. Join Adam and his friends as they discover their inner strengths and abilities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim Murdoch
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781916038653

Jim Murdoch

From Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jim Murdoch faced a paradigm shift which gave him a new world view. He views everything and everyone being connected. A path of self development studies followed where he delved into many subjects including metaphysics and, yes, dragons. With his wife, Katharina, he co-authored their self-help story Wings of Change. This got him thinking about writing fiction instead of boring self-help books. Taking inspiration from The Alchemist and The Celestine Prophecies he waited for the inspiration. 'Pursuit' is the result. Jim lives with his wife in Switzerland.

Book preview

Chapter 1 From the Sky

2011. Off the western coast of Ireland.

Paddy O’Reilly, a farmer, out early to milk his cows, spotted a shooting star in the early dawn. It wasn’t unusual. He often saw meteorites and such lights shooting through the sky. This one was brighter and moving quite fast. From his perspective in the hills overlooking the Atlantic Ocean he watched as the bright light soared towards the sea. What he found peculiar was that it looked much closer than the usual shooting star.

This made him stop halfway to the barn. Usually the streak of light would fade out as the meteorite burned up in the atmosphere. Or he would recognise the steady movement of the International Space Station as it continued its orbit around the world. As he watched it got brighter, and he could see a trail of smoke behind it as it seemed to head into the ocean itself.

There was a flash of light and a smaller light streaked off with great speed over his head and disappeared into the distance towards the East. O’Reilly had just turned back to look at the meteorite when it splashed into the sea. It must have been only a few hundred yards from the shore. Never had he seen such a sight and so close.

He turned towards the farmhouse. He had to tell his wife and daughter what he had just seen. A cow mooed from the barn. Oh, right-ee-oo. I’ll milk ye first. Paddy turned back and hurried towards the barn. His yarn would have to wait.

The eight o’clock news said nothing about a falling star. Do ye tink I should tell the Garda? he asked his wife.

Not at all. Why would the police be bothered with the likes o’ that. Sure they have enough on their plates without ye botherin’ the police with that nonsense.

Paddy nodded and drank his tea.

Later that day he spotted some boats out near where he saw the thing hit the water. They circled about and he could see divers. It was no good him going way down there. It took too long either by foot or car. And besides he had no boat to go out to them. So he just watched. After a while he went to the house and fetched his binoculars.

They gave him a clearer view. The two boats looked like they were from the Navy. There were four divers. They seemed to be working with some ropes and diving and coming back to the surface.

Just then a distant drumming distracted his attention. Moving his binoculars towards the noise he focused on a heavy army helicopter. It had a rope hanging beneath. As he watched it hovered above the two boats and lowered its rope. It was actually two straps and two of the divers grabbed hold and pulled them down into the waves.

It took quite a while. Paddy’s legs and arms were beginning to ache. Just as he was about to give up he heard the helicopter roar and slowly lift up. The four divers surfaced first then as the waters parted in what looked like a giant bubble, he saw a metallic object rise from the sea. It was shaped like a rugby ball and about the same size as the helicopter.

Raised from the water it was lifted higher until it safely cleared the waves. The helicopter then turned to the north and transported the strange craft, for that is what it looked like to Paddy O’Reilly, over the hills until it was out of sight. The two boats had quickly recovered their divers and were hurrying off in the same direction.

That evening at dinner, Paddy told the whole story to his wife and daughter. Do ye tink I should tell ‘bout the wee bit that flew off towards the East?

Ach no. What good is a wee bit that flew off somewhere when they have the whole piece. How are they going to find a wee bit like that anyway. Leave them well alone. They have enough on their hands, sure, with that big lump of metal.

Paddy nodded and drank his milk.

Chapter 2 Adam

2012 AD. Dunmalin, eastern coast of Northern Ireland.

There was a new boy in town. The local children spotted him sitting in front of the old bookshop. He was sitting on the doorstep teasing a caterpillar with a stick.

Hello, said one of the girls. You must be new here. What’s your name?

The boy looked up. He looked at the three children standing watching him. A boy and two girls. The blonde girl was smiling, showing her teeth, with hands on her hips. The boy, a little taller than the girls, frowned. The brown-haired girl had a gentle smile. It was she who had spoken.

I’m Eva, this is Thomas and Ella. Who are you?

Eh, the boy looked again at the three then stood up. Um, Adam. I am Adam. He touched his chest as he spoke. His hair was short, straight and black. Hello, he said with a smile.

Where are you from? You don’t sound like you’re from here. Eva noticed with his few words and unusual accent. He formed his words more precise than most children she knew.

Eh, I’m from here, said Adam, pointing to the shop behind him. He stooped to pick up the caterpillar and placed it in a concrete flower trough nearby.

Yes, but where were you before?

Adam paused and looked over their heads for a second. London. I was in London and now I live here with my grandfather.

That’s why you talk funny, said a cheeky Ella.

He’s English, said Thomas, still frowning.

There’s nothing wrong with being English, said Eva. Will you be going to our school?

The boy glanced again above their heads. No. I’m being home-schooled.

Home-schooled, said Ella, Isn’t that for special kids, like special needs children?

Maybe. I don’t know. My grandfather teaches me everything. He’s very good.

Do you want to play with us. We’re going to the Beech Woods. It’s just up there. She pointed further up the road where the small town ended and met the wooded area just beyond.

Adam’s face lit up with a wide smile. Let me ask my grandfather, he said and went into the shop, closing the old wooden door behind him.

Let me ask my grandfather, repeated Ella forcing a politeness foreign to her.

Don’t make fun of him, said Eva, He’s new here and needs some friends.

He talks so proper.

At least he is easy to understand, said Thomas, not like some kids I know. They talk so fast and join so many words together you can hardly make out what they’re saying. He looked up at the shop front. Aside from the old wooden door, which had no window, there was a small shop window filled with a variety of books some of which looked very old. I don’t remember seeing this old bookshop before.

Neither do I, said Eva. But it looks like it’s been here for ages. There was a closed sign in the window. We’ll have to go in and check it out when its open.

The door opened and Adam came out. He smiled. I can go with you for a little way, but not too far.

That’s ok, said Eva as she skipped away, We won’t be going far anyway. The others hurried after her and Adam joined them.

The street rose with a slight incline. It was one of those hills you didn’t notice till you started puffing halfway up. The children found it easier to run up the incline. Adam soon found his clothes were not as appropriate as the jeans and sneakers of his friends. He wore a white shirt buttoned to the neck, black trousers and black leather shoes which sometimes skidded on the tarmac. But he kept up as the four of them ran in amongst a group of trees. It wasn’t a forest. Adam could see fields of grass beyond. But the small wooded area gave them enough seclusion to feel alone in the world, at least for a little while.

In the middle was a bigger tree with a thick trunk and big branches. Part of the trunk had been eaten away or rotted on one side. This left a hole, not big enough to hide in but just the right size to hide some sweets and potato crisps.

Here you are, Adam, said Eva as she threw a packet of potatoe crisps into Adam’s arms. We each bring things to fill the stash. You can bring something next time. Come up and join us. She waved a hand and moved towards the far side of the tree. Thomas, who hadn’t said much at all, was already climbing, using old branch stumps and a branch as foot and hand holds.

Adam held the bag of crisps in his teeth as he followed the girls up the tree. It must have been about three meters up when he was met by a roughly made platform. He climbed onto to it and sat with the others. Around the other three sides some branches and planks had been wedged or nailed to form a kind of wall. Adam loved the tree house.

This is really nice, he said. Did you build this yourselves?

It was mostly Thomas, Eva explained. We helped carry the wood.

They each sat eating their crisps. Adam had never eaten them before. Opening the packet carefully he took a thin crisp out and popped into his mouth. At first he grimaced then he smiled.

Oh, these are good.

Have you not had crisps before? laughed Ella. Everybody knows crisps.

Adam did that looking up thing again. I have been rather sheltered. I have never had this food before. He finished his packet and rubbed his fingers together.

Eva was watching Adam, then she licked her fingers loudly and crumpled the empty bag. You lick them, she giggled.

Adam looked at her and watched the others do the same. Then, looking at his fingers, stuck them in his mouth and sucked the saltiness off them. Ha ha, that’s really good. After crumpling his bag he looked around.

We put them here, said Eva pointing to a plastic bag hung on a small branch. Then we take turns to take it home to throw in the bin.

That’s good, smiled Adam. I like your care for nature. He squeezed his empty packet together and took aim and threw it perfectly into the open rubbish bag.

Hey, that was a good shot, called Ella, and they all laughed.

Chapter 3 The Pendent

They ask a lot of questions. They are getting suspicious.

A gruff voice answered the boy. Do you trust them?

Eva I trust. Thomas too. But I’m not so sure about Ella.

You know you can’t tell too much.

I know. But I get lonely. I want to be their friend.

Then you must do what you think is best.

Adam touched the pendent around his neck. It was given to him before he left home. It would be his constant guide and comfort.

I would like new clothes, he said. The other children have more practical clothes and easier shoes.

I will have some new clothes delivered, reassured the gruff voice.

Tomorrow I will see them again. They said they must have a look at the bookshop. What shall I do?

Let them.

Adam was surprised at the answer.

They will enjoy the books. I promise you.

Adam exhaled. These were new challenges which he wasn’t prepared for. He so much wanted to fit in and be one of the children. But he knew he would have to be careful not to let out any of his secrets.

This new situation was scary for Adam. Meeting new people and exposing himself to the outside world was no easy task. He was glad to have Grandfather to help him. Grandfather’s knowledge was extensive and his gentle way was comforting.

Adam touched the pendent. It was on a chain and had the colour of gold and silver. It showed the emblem of his father’s house, a tree with roots running deep and spread wide. He didn’t know what the image stood for. He would learn it when the time was right.

Chapter 4 The Experiment

As arranged, Adam was waiting for his friends at the bookshop. The door was open.

Come in, he said as he welcomed them.

The children followed Adam into the shop. It was full of shelves filled with books. Many were new but there were shelves filled with old books. Eva stared at the selection. There were so many in such a small space. The main floor had a counter on the left with books behind. An old metal till sat on one side. It was the kind with the little window along the top where the numbers popped up when the keys were pressed. Books lined the other walls. And there was room for a double-sided shelf down the middle of the floor. At the back beside a closed door a square table and four chairs occupied a recess. There was one old book lying open on the table.

Eva wandered over to look at the book. She was surprised to see it was written in foreign letters.

It’s the language of my parents. Eva jumped as Adam spoke over her shoulder. I’m learning to read it.

Oh, you frightened me, Adam, Eva said holding her hand to her chest. She pointed to the book. What language is that?

It’s... Adam paused and glanced up the ceiling. It’s Tapoendo.

Tapoendo? I’ve never heard of that. Where do they speak that?

It’s a far away place. You wouldn’t know it.

Eva wanted to ask where it was, but Adam moved away towards the back door. Would you like to see my experiment? he asked.

Experiment? Yes please. Eva grinned. Adam was proving to be more and more mysterious by the day.

Thomas had his nose in a war photographic album. Ella was leafing through a thick glossy fashion magazine. They looked up as Adam opened the door and went into the back of the shop. Eva turned and waved them to follow.

The back room was larger than the shop area. A long table in the centre was covered with various books, jars, tubes and unusual equipment. Cabinet worktops lined both walls at each side. These had more devices and jars and peculiarly looking objects on them.

Adam stopped at the far end of the table. Four upright metal stands held four coils of wire. The coils were as big as Adam’s fist and coiled in such a way that left a hole in the middle, like a doughnut. Adam looked at his three friends excitedly.

Watch! he said. He flicked a few switches on small boxes off to the side and a low, barely audible, humming emitted from the coils.

What’s that? asked Ella. It’s making a noise.

Adam set a few things in the middle between the four coils. There was a small rubber ball, a pound coin, a piece of wood and a plastic bottle cap. Immediately all four objects lifted from the table and hovered in mid-air.

Wow, look at that? gasped Ella.

How does that work? asked Eva.

Thomas started pulling at his t-shirt and blinking furiously while he turned to and fro as if he didn’t know where