Devrie Spaulding's Blog, page 6

KADE Part 1 Revisited

Kade was in trouble again. She rolled angular emerald eyes as her mother yelled.

“Why did you do that, Kade? Now I’ll have to do even more work.”  Kade flinched as her mother swung the wooden spoon at her head.  “I just don’t understand how you can keep getting into so much trouble.”

“Can I go now, Mom?”  Her tiny legs swung impatiently from the chair Kade was sitting on.

Her mother’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Elementals save us! You just don’t get it. If you keep acting up, the Shydoseiradyrn will come for you. Do you really want that?”

Kade’s eyes rolled again as she let out a sigh. “Come on Mom, those are just stories.  The cave demons don’t really exist.”

“How can you say that? Your best friend, Lilly, disappeared a month ago and she got into just as much trouble as you. You’ll be lucky to see your tenth birthday if you don’t learn your place. Now go feed the animals before noon meal.”  Her mother swung the spoon again for good measure and turned to stoke the stove’s fire.

Kade quickly jumped down, not wanting to give her mother a chance for more scolding. A puff of dust flew up as she hit the dirt floor.  She turned and left out the front door not making a sound.  She hated feeding all the animals. The chickens chased her and horses tried to bite her. And not to mention, it was just too hot.  She would rather be swimming in the river nearby to cool off.

She turned the corner and stopped in front of her family’s wooden fences. Kade could hear the horses neighing in the far back lot. It sounded almost as if they were making fun of her. Weighing the odds, she stood there for a moment. She was already in trouble so what could it hurt? If her older brothers weren’t busy in town, she wouldn’t have to feed them at all.

With a skip in her step, Kade walked away from her chores and towards the river, completely oblivious to any danger that might lie ahead.

THEY CAME PART 12

I convinced everyone to leave but Doug. He wasn’t budging. For some reason he didn’t believe that it hadn’t talked. I refused to lie but I also refused to admit it had. When I had asked everyone to step outside so I could try to get more information, Doug refused to leave.

I stared at the now fully alert alien. His black holes for eyes squinted at me as if trying to convey a message. I had no idea what that message was, but I didn’t care. I needed to find out how to save my family. So, I dove into the mind of my enemy.

Swirls of silver and black ran through my mind before finally settling on a metallic walkway interlaced with black tile. The walkway hung suspended hundreds of feet above some kind of engine. Cables ran the length of the bridge holding it in place. The gentle sway could barely be felt. On the far side was a single metal door. Some kind of language was written above the doorway. It took mere moments for it to translate in my thoughts, “Intelligence”.

The name above the door was humorous for some reason to the alien. Clearly what was behind that door didn’t seem ‘intelligent’ to it. As soon as the impression came through, the alien shut it down. I was instantly kicked out of its mind.

“I got something. I think I know where the humans are being kept.” I swerved around to face Doug. A feral growl came from the alien. Apparently, I wasn’t supposed to understand that.  There is a door across a high walkway. I believe they are all behind that door.”

“That is wonderful news. Can you go back in and find out how to get to that walkway?” Doug placed a hand on my shoulder.

I didn’t answer since I planned to do that anyway. I needed this information just as much as they did. Preparing to do just that, she spoke up in my head again, “we need to do more than just get information. We need a way in. I want to try something, but I don’t want them to know, so let’s keep it subtle.” What could I say, I was intrigued.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I took several deep breaths. I wasn’t sure how this was supposed to work, but it seemed the logical thing to do. Pressure built in my head and a sharp pain started in the front. It built to be almost unbearable. When it released, it seemed nothing had changed. I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to obey my command.

When they did open, it wasn’t my doing. My head swiveled of its own accord. I was watching but I wasn’t driving my own body… again. Visions flew into my mind. Corridors, hallways, rooms, and other aliens blurred past my internal vision. Communication came and went that I couldn’t grasp but their meaning imprinted in my consciousness. I could see, now, how to get to that walkway and exactly how to get into that room.

The alien and I released moans of pain at the same time before my other self severed the bond. Doug’s hand, still on my shoulder, tightened slightly. “Are you ok?”

I took a deep breath as if I hadn’t in a long time. I was in control again. “Yeah. I have the way into the room and how to get there.” I stood and stretched my neck from side to side. “Now all you need to do is figure out how to get us up onto that ship.”

Doug smiled broadly. “Oh, we have a way. You are either gonna love it or hate it.”

THE FERALS PART 3

BREAKING NEWS:  The war continues to take its toll. Many of our human fighters supporting the Ferals died this week. Enemy Medved broke through our lines. They made their way into one of our intelligence camps and wreaked havoc. Ten of our soldiers died before taking down the beasts. This is a reminder to be ever vigilant when in the presence of Ferals. They can and will kill you if given the chance.

Silvy was walking back from the kits’ bedroom when the news ended for the moment. It always repeated until something new needed to be said. “Makes me so mad to hear the news all the time. They mention human lives being lost but not Ferals.”

The mother Feral placed a large paw on Silvy’s shoulder. “You have the passion of a Feral, my dear, but this is the way the world works for now.”

“I may have your passion, but I have no way of changing things. I wish I could. It’s not right how you get treated. You’re not the killing machines they make you out to be.” A tear ran down Silvy’s cheek.

As delicately as a bee landing on a flower, the mother Feral whipped the tear away with a single finger. “If the wind wishes to change our fate, it will tell us. Nothing can be done until that moment.”

“I know, but I want to help. I would live here with you if I was allowed to.” Silvy wrapped her arms tight around her slender chest. She looked around the kitchen they both stood in. “When is your son and husband coming back from the front line?”

The sound of purring emanated from the mother. It wasn’t the purr of content or happiness. It was distress. “My son will be home soon. My husband was one of the Ferals who died in the latest attack.”

Now the tears streamed down Silvy’s face. “What? No! Have you told the kits yet?”

“I have not. I will tell them tonight when my son comes home. We will mourn. The camp is allowed a midnight mass to say farewell to those we have lost this time. Under guard, of course.”

Silvy ran up to the mother Feral and hugged her tightly. Her head only came to just under the mother’s chest so when those long powerful arms embraced her back, they mostly encompassed her head. When she pulled away, Silvy looked up into the sad yellow eyes of her friend. “I am so sorry. Can I do anything, help in any way?”

“Your love is all that is needed. Now run along. You have several more trips to make and I would hate to be the reason you were disciplined.”

“It feels wrong leaving you like this. I should stay.”  Silvy wiped her face trying to dry it.

“Nonsense. We will see you next week, love. Now go. Our hearts go with you.” There were tears matting up the mother’s fur just under each eye now.

“As mine goes with you.” A hand placed on her chest where her heart beat, was the universal sign for that parting. They both did it until Silvy was out the door. She grabbed the handles of her scooter and walked back to the compound’s entrance.

Already the picketers were out with their vulgar signs and yelling profanities towards the Ferals living within the fence.  They demanded all Ferals be put to death and that they were dangerous to all humans. Silvy wanted to punch them all and tell them humans were worse but that wouldn’t help.

She looked down the length of the front fence to see families huddled together, pushing the buttons that would make each outer wall of the Feral home closest to the fence turn invisible. They pointed and laughed while the children held tightly to their parent’s legs.

Rage burned inside of Silvy. Was there nothing she could do to help? How could this be deemed appropriate? She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying something that would get her beat up or arrested and took off on her bike.

As she rode back into town for another run, she passed countless news bulletins scrolling through the latest news. Tears blurred her vision even though she wore goggles.  The news of her friend’s husband being killed and the sight of all those people outside their compound just made them flow even more. When she tried to blink through them at the same time as looking at one of the billboards, something caught her eye. It was almost like she saw some other writing under the news. It was in a different color and larger. She tried to see it on the next one she drove past but couldn’t seem to duplicate the effect. Was her mind playing tricks on her?

Silvy was finally back at the grocery store for her next purchase. She had finally stopped crying, thankfully. Not that anyone would care. Everything was automated so unless you knew someone, you never had to worry about talking to anyone.

Coming out of the store with her bundle, she started to secure it to her scooter. Movement caught her eye. Something small hovered in the ally about six feet off the ground and close to the cement wall of the store.

She finished tying down her purchase and went into the ally. Just before she could get close enough, a tiny flying robot in the shape of a ball zipped past her head and up into the sky.  Where it had hovered by the wall, a symbol was now etched. It was a paw print with triangles in a neat row beneath it. Each triangle was paired with a simple line on a different side than the last.

“That’s a strange thing to etch in a wall.” Even though Silvy was curious to find out what it meant, she had deliveries to make and Ferals depended on her. She wasn’t looking forward to seeing the picketers again so many times in one day but there was nothing to be done about it. Later that night she could try to look up what that symbol meant. 

THEY CAME PART 11

That night, I tossed and turned in my cot. I wasn’t going to be able to sleep. Losing the mental battle with their mind maimer was all I could think of. We had lost so much already to these monsters. I refused to lose this fight as well.

Since sleep was alluding me, I swung my feet out of the covers and put my boots back on. We all slept in our regular clothes. You never knew when you would get attacked. Back at my family compound, we would get surprise inspections at all hours. We had to be ready to jump out of bed and do what we were told. Here, the reasons for getting woke up were a lot worse. 

I tried to make as little noise as possible while I slinked out of the sleeping area. A few snorts and mumbles had me stopping briefly to make sure I didn’t wake anyone up. When I was finally outside, the crisp air was refreshing. The two guards standing on either side of the door simply nodded to me. Not one question was asked.

I knew where I was going but didn’t actively think about it. My anxiety would skyrocket if I did. A loud huff sounded behind me. I stopped dead. Looking back, I saw the giant brown bear from my first encounter looking at me, face to face. His head was level with mine. I never really thought about the intelligence of wild animals but looking into his eyes, I saw a deep and distinct intelligence. He was very away of what he did on a daily basis.

I stood still while I was inspected by the bear’s nose. He stared at my face and traveled down to my feet. When he was done, his enormous head deliberately lifted under my right hand. I scrunched my fingers through his thick fur. Never in my life did I think I would be petting a bear. Aliens taking over? Yes. Petting a bear? No.

After he was satisfied with the head scratches, he turned a sashayed away. His lumbering footsteps were silent as the night. I let out a soft giggle. If where I was going wasn’t so horrifying, I would have continued to relish the happiness of the moment.

Turning, I continued to my destination. The stone fish hanging above an arched entrance, only had half its head. There was no way to tell what kind of fish it was supposed to be now. The inside smelled of saltwater and mildew. All the empty aquariums glared back at me in the darkness.

Two more large guards stood at attention by the one I was aiming for. The guard on the right greeted me. “Hello, miss. It’s a bit late for a session, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Couldn’t sleep.” My eyes were locked on the glass wall in front of me. I couldn’t see through it entirely but I did see the color of the alien where he sat.

“Happens a lot here, ma’am. Were you wanting to go inside?”  The one on the left spoke this time.

“I was thinking about it, yeah. Can you send for Chris?” My eyes were still glued to the lone figure.

“Sure thing. Stay right here.” The right-hand guard stepped aside and talked into his radio. A moment later, he stepped back into his space.  “He will be here shortly. Head on up.”

“Thanks, guys.” He took hold of the ladder and began to climb. As soon as I was on top of the tank, I was met with two more guards. One of them opened the hatch and then stood back.

Neither of them talked. They simply nodded to me and then the open hatch. I entered and descended the next ladder. When I was on solid ground again, I turned to face the maimer. He was already staring daggers at me. It was hard to read what went on in those dark, fathomless eyes. Emotions didn’t register like it would with humans.

I took my seat in the metal chair I had been in before. We both stared at each other in silence. To my surprise, it spoke.  “You are a fool for coming here alone and so tired.” The voice sounded muffled through its breathing shield covering its mouth and nose. Almost like it was a voice being spoken underwater.

My face must have given away my surprise because a choking sound came next. I finally realized it was laughing. “We learn as you learn, human. I have listened and gained the knowledge of your language. It is an easy language.”

This time I laughed. “Easy? Did you learn to lie as well? English doesn’t make sense to most of us who speak it.”

The alien shook its head. “It is easy compared to others in the universe.”

Voices came from the still open hatch. One of them sounded very angry. I risked a look back to make my point. “If you plan to hurt me, your chance is almost over.”

“Where would be the honor in that? We will battle on even ground, not when you are least expecting it. You are a worthy opponent and I do so look forward to our encounters.”

It fell silent as soon as Chris and Doug started down the ladder. It lowered its head as if it was asleep, but I knew better. It was finding ways to silently learn.  I shouldn’t have been surprised but I was.

Doug got to me first. “What are you doing down here at this time of night?” He didn’t sound mad so maybe the angry one was Chris.

“I couldn’t sleep. I needed to come see it again.”

Chris finally made it to me. “Was it talking?  I swear I heard another voice in here with you.” He wasn’t angry, he was agitated but not at me.

The smaller man walked over to the alien. He circled it and, using a pencil, touched its shoulder. “It appears to be asleep.”

I’m not sure why I didn’t correct him. I should have told them both that it spoke to me and that it wasn’t asleep. For some reason, not telling them seemed like my battle with it was more personal. This was between us and I was going to keep it that way.

SIREN’S MISTAKE PART 11

“I do not know what the feces of bovines has to do with anything.”

My mind stuttered to a stop. “That’s not what I meant.”

A small smile formed on his lips. “I know this, Sha. I jest.”

“You’re a jerk. You know that?” I couldn’t help but smile as well.

His dark eyes twinkled. Clearly making me smile brightened his mood. “I have watched your kind for a very long time. The slang words are difficult to understand sometimes but I can usually figure them out.”

“You see, when you say things like that, I get confused. Are you human?” There was the question I needed to ask. I couldn’t believe I even asked it. I still couldn’t wrap my head around him thinking I was a siren. That’s just impossible. Now here I am asking him if he is human? What the hell is wrong with me? What happened at his apartment still swam in my head, but my mind was already trying to find ways to rationalize it.  I instinctively touched the wound on my arm.

His now serious eyes followed my hand. “I am not, Sha.”

Ok, this is nuts. Did he just say what I thought he did? Maybe I should play along and see where this goes. “Fine. You aren’t human. What are you then.”

“That is complicated. I have been around since the beginning of humankind.” He looked down at his lap as if he was ashamed.

For some reason, I wanted to go to him, comfort him. Instead of focusing on what he told me, I could only see his sadness. “What is wrong with what you just said? You seem upset by it.”

“Are you not? I am surprised with the ease you are accepting all of this.”

A brief laugh escaped my mouth before I could stop it.  “Accepting? No way in hell. You need serious psychiatric help. But for some reason, I want to hear you out and help where I can.”

“Your heart is what attracted me to you. All the men who tried to win that heart of yours but always fell short do not know what they have lost.”

“I don’t know about that. So, tell me where you come from and why you think you have seen all human history. And what the hell is up with your apartment?” I tried to sit up straighter, but my arm protested. So, I slumped down into the couch and prepared for a wild story.”

He looked into my eyes. Knowing what he apparently did about me, he did not hesitate or flinch when he did this. He held my gaze. The world didn’t silence or fall away for me. Meeting his gaze felt like a warm hug. It felt right.

Finally, he continued. “There are many species and races of eternal beings humans do not know about. My kind is one of them. Just as what you call angels have watchers of time, so do we. We witness your wars, your acts of kindness, all of it. I have been delegated as one of the watchers since the beginning.” Again, sadness reflected on his face. “My apartment lets me travel to my realm and back. When you went in, you went to where my kind lives along with other, less sophisticated beings. The ones who hurt you were like wild animals you have here.”

“Sounds boring. Why are you sad, though.” The need to touch him almost overcame me but I held back.

“It is a very lonely existence. To be a watcher is to be alone. I am not allowed to find a mate within my species. I only interact with the one I report my findings to. That is all. Instead, I watch your race fall in love and live out your lives. I even envy your heartbreaks.”

A tear did not fall from his face but mine. “That’s terrible. How could you live that long seeing others being happy, but you don’t get to be?”

“Because at the end of my service, I am allowed to find my soul mate.”

Something in his eyes was trying to tell me more than his words were. “When is this supposed to happen? I’d think you have worked long enough already. Especially if what you said was true about watching since the beginning.”

He smiled again at me. “My service ended when I met you.”

An audible click sounded in my mind. “Oh….OH! Wait. You don’t mean…”

“Yes, Andy. I feel you are the one I have been waiting for all of my existence.”

That was the first time he said my name. It sent chills all over my skin in the most pleasant way. It only lasted a minute before my intrusive mind ruined the moment. The curse. “You might want to shop around some more. I’m not what you think. That supposed siren crap you laid on me? That is what’s doing this. You aren’t really interested in me. The curse makes you think you are.”

He slowly shook his head. “No, Sha. Your siren abilities do not work on my kind. I have watched you for a long time. I have seen your good deeds and how you treat others. Even the ones who fall prey to your ‘curse’ as you call it. You still try to be kind to them.”

“Stalker much?” I laughed when I said this. It was actually endearing that he saw that in me. My mind continued to find flaws so he would walk away from me.  “You said you lived all this time. That means you can’t die. That also means you won’t age and yet I will. I would be eighty and you would still look like this.” I waved my hand towards him.

This time, he nodded but not in agreement. It was more like he understood my train of thought. “When my race chooses a partner for life, we blend our life span with who we choose. Humans are relatively short lived while we are not. However, you are not entirely human. You are also siren. So, you would normally live roughly ten times the length of a normal human. I would adjust to your life span. I will age as you do and die when you do. That is, if you accept me.”

“That’s cruel! How could I condemn you to die when I do? You would live forever if you just walk away now. Don’t do this. You should choose to live!” I couldn’t sit there anymore. I threw the covers off and stood.

Zagan stood as well. He took the step needed to grasp both of my hands. His eyes searched mind for a moment. “Would you rather condemn me to an eternal life of loneliness? My choice would be to live a shorter, happier life with you here on earth. Will you accept me?”

I searched for the negative thoughts in my mind that would convince me to reject Zagan but they were silent. I tried my own rational thoughts. I barely knew this ‘man’ and he wanted me to make a commitment for all time. I wanted so badly to shake my head and tell him to leave but my soul cried out to be one with his.

“I accept.”

THE FERALS

BREAKING NEWS: Nepritel continues to press our borders. Their use of the larger Medved species challenges our Ferals. Don’t despair good citizens.  The Ferals are not easy to take down. They can move faster than the bulky Medveds. We will prevail. And as a reminder, do not approach any Feral at any time. They are still very dangerous and can hurt or kill you.

“Turn that thing off, Mom. It only spreads negativity towards the Ferals. They aren’t like what the news says.” Silvy busied herself getting all she needed for her day. After graduating high school, she took a job tending the Ferals. She took them anything they needed, food, clothes, personal items. It wasn’t the most glorious job but she loved it.

“You know we aren’t allowed to turn it off, girl. The law says so. I can turn it down, though. And do get caught speaking that trash out and about. Could get you arrested. The Ferals are dangerous. Why can’t you get a better job? I don’t like you putting your life in danger.” Silvy’s mother stood in the kitchen with her arms crossed. The animatronic maid prepared breakfast for them both. It put Silvy’s in her backpack for her.

Silvy hugged the robot as best she could. “Thanks, Mally. See you later.” Silvy went over to her mother and gave her a peck on the cheek. “I love you, ma. And it’s not a dangerous job. They really aren’t that bad.”

“Shush your lies, child. You don’t have to tell me that just to keep me from worrying.” She kissed her daughter’s cheek as well. “Now get out of here. Mally has a lot to do today and doesn’t need you under her feet.”

“Yes, ma. Bye” Silvy secured her backpack onto her back and left.

They lived in a modest apartment on the eight hundredth floor. All the buildings went up for almost a thousand levels. There wasn’t much space in this oasis. What there was held green grass and tall trees. They had all they would ever need inside the safety of the oasis.

Beyond that was pure dessert. Only the Ferals could live out there, or rather, they were made to live out there in their small box-type homes. Each family was locked inside for the safety of all supposedly. Only the fighters were allowed to leave but they were quickly escorted back after their week of battle to rest.

These thoughts battled each other in Silvy’s head as she did her shopping for the next Feral’s home. She punched in the items’ codes at the grocery store’s console and waited for her package. Of course, when she placed the order, Silvy had to put that it was for the Ferals. That way the selection wouldn’t be as good as it would be for a human.

The shoot opened and her bundle of items shot out. As always, it was vacuum packed and bundled to make it lighter and easier to carry. Silvy grabbed the package after scanning the tattooed bar code on her inner wrist and went outside.

Dry, hot air stung her blue eyes and blew back her black hair. She had forgotten to tie it up in a ponytail before leaving so she did that now. With all the vehicles zooming past, mere feet above the ground, there was no need to try and look fancy. Most of the rich woman tried. Silvy wasn’t sure how they found a way to keep their hair solid as stone.

With her package tied to the back of her scooter, she put in the coordinates for the Feral’s compound a few miles outside of the city. Her vehicle began to hover and then slowly accelerated to get into the flow of the traffic. Her little scooter might not talk like all those higher end cars did but it still drove itself. It was a good little scooter.

After half an hour drive, she finally saw the gates for the Ferals in the distance. To the left and right, for as far as she could see, stood twenty-foot fence with razor wire along the top. When she reached the gate, there were about a dozen military style guards standing at attention. Two broke off to search her vehicle. She showed them her receipt for the items and was told to walk her scooter the rest of the way.

Silvy was already on her fifth trip today and felt it in her bones. The next house made it worth it like most but this one was her favorite. She knocked on the door. After a few minutes, an eight-foot tall grey and white feral wearing a tattered dress opened the door. “Oh, Silvy. I am so glad you are here. The kits have been asking for you.”

THEY CAME PART 10

The other me swirled around in my mind, whispering what I needed to do. I started to close my eyes, but the voice told me not to. I had to always keep my eyes on the enemy no matter what. Even though we were about to battle with our minds, the aliens were better at this and could fight physically at the same time. The mind maimers usually didn’t have to fight. That didn’t mean they couldn’t.

I looked it in the eyes and went past that. In my thoughts, I traveled beyond his eyes, his windows. Inside, I could see the ship again but from a different perspective. This maimer clearly wasn’t as high on the food chain as the other one was. Silver hallways and floors blurred past.

Pain flared in my head as white lights flashed behind my eyes. It took me to my knees. Doug was there instantly to make sure I was ok. When I looked back at the alien, the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement.

“Oh, hell no, you didn’t.” I stood and shrugged Doug’s worry off. This alien was not going to stand between me and my family. I went back in, faster this time. The alien jerked back in its seat. I really hoped I was causing it some pain.

I kept thoughts of my family out of my head just in case it could see what I thought. I didn’t want to give up my sole reason for doing this. Being inside its slimy mind left a stink I could actually smell. There weren’t enough baths in the world to get it out.

Trudging through its memories felt like walking in mud. Electricity shot through me this time. A different attack but just as painful. I cried out but refused to let go of my link.

“Someone get her a chair!” Whoever said it sounded like they were talking through a tin can. I barely registered hands on my shoulders gently lowering me to a metal surface.

Another attack came and another. I couldn’t breathe. It alternated between the sharp pains to my head and the electric shock running down my spine. There was no time to even retreat. I was stuck and it knew it. Soon, I couldn’t tell when one form changed to the other. It all blended together.

Now, I saw myself through the alien’s eyes. It wanted me to. It wanted me to see how I flailed and screamed. Anyone who dared touch me, received their own shock as well now. My heart thumped in my chest. Oxygen… I needed oxygen.

The thumping grew louder. Wait. That wasn’t my heart. Someone was thumping on the glass to get Chris’ attention.

I grit my teeth and tried to push back. The intensity lessened but did not stop the pain. I gained a little ground, though. My hands gripped the sides of the metal chair so hard, feeling began to leave my fingers. I needed to win this before Chris got in here. I refused to lose.

The hatch screeched open. I was running out of time. Pushing my mind as far as I knew how, I tried to break this alien’s will. I may as well have been trying to tear down a brick wall with a pool noodle.

Feet pounded the cement coming towards me. As soon as a pare of cold hands touched my shoulders, I was released from the torment and my body went limp. I was still conscious, but my body wouldn’t respond at first. When it did respond, they couldn’t hold me back.

I threw Chris and Doug off and ran for the alien. My fists were clenched for a fight. I was able to get one good swing to the side of its head before Doug tackled me to the ground.

“That isn’t going to help! Hey! Look at me!” Doug fought hard to hold my head so I would look at him. When I finally did, he continued, “If you kill it, you won’t be able to learn what you need to learn or find a way for us to get inside. Think, damn it, think.”

His words finally registered. As soon as I stopped fighting his grip, Doug let go. I sat there on the ground glaring at the alien. This wasn’t over. I was going to find the key to winning this battle.

SIREN’S MISTAKE PART 10

Zagan stared at me for what seemed a lifetime. “Well, aren’t you gonna say something?”

“I am trying to think of where to start, Mon Cheri.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why not start with who the hell are you? What the hell are you? What’s up with your apartment? I could list many more questions if you want.” I was beside myself with rage. Something in the back of my mind told me I should be a bit nicer to Zagan since there was definitely something off about him.

“That would not be… wise. I believe we should start with you.”

“With me?” I tried to stand up but got tangled in the blanket and fell back down onto the couch. “I know who I am. What I need to know is who you are.”

He had started to stand when I was about to fall, but when it looked like I would be ok, he sat down onto the love seat. “Sha, I do not believe you do.”

Now, he had my attention. I swiveled around to face him, placing the pillow behind my back. “If you know me so well, then why don’t you go right on ahead and tell me who you think I am.”

That smile played at his lips again. A mischievous yet knowing smile. “For starters, you believe you are cursed.”

My breath caught in my throat. How could he know that? Ok, Andy, play it cool. Curses aren’t real anyway. “Nice try. Everyone believes they are cursed.”

His smile grew. “You refuse to make eye contact. You feel that is where your curse resides. Tell me, when you do look into the eyes of a human man, does it seem as if the rest of the world falls away? Is there a sense of weightlessness?”

“What are you playing at? How do you know that?” Instead of the world falling away, now, it felt as if someone had yanked it out from beneath me. I wanted to yell and tell him he was a liar, tell him to leave my apartment. The truth was, he was right. Maybe he did know me better than I knew myself.

“I do believe we need something stronger than soup at this moment. Do you mind?” Zagan gestured towards my kitchen. All I could do was nod. My voice seemed to have left me with the rest of the world as I knew it.

When he came back with a full cup of whiskey, I dared to look into his eyes. Nothing happened. There was no clock stopping or silence. His black eyes took up almost all of his socket. Only a barely noticeable edge of white could be seen. Even though they were black, they were deep, swirling. I shook myself. “Tell me how you know all this.”

“I know of your kind. Well, the full blood of your kind. They dwell where I come from.” Zagan took a slow sip of his whiskey.

“Why are you dragging this out and making me ask questions you already know I am going to ask?” The world was back under me again, and I was pissed.

He sipped again and then swirled the ice in his half empty glass. That damn smile never left. One eyebrow raised slightly.

I ran a hand down my face and sighed. “Fine! The full blood of what? What is my kind? Just spit it out.” If he didn’t say human, I was going to flip my coffee table.

“Why, Sha, all you had to do was ask.”

I wanted to shake that perfect smile off his perfect damn face. Ask? I have been asking! Through gritted teeth, I ground out, “Then tell me.”

“You are half siren, of course.”

“Bullshit.”

THE FERALS PAGE 1

“What are they doing, Mommy?” A little girl with brown pigtails in her hair and a super clean dress tugged at her mother’s perfectly pressed business pants. She pointed towards the now invisible wall before them.

“Oh, that is what Feral’s do when they are frightened, honey. Guess we picked the wrong time of day to come see them. We can try again another weekend.” The mother walked back to their vehicle hovering just above the ground about thirty feet away.

She didn’t have to wait to see if her daughter followed. The obedient child was right on her footsteps. As soon as she was close enough to the vehicle, a male voice spoke, “Welcome back Mrs. Nobilis and little Ms. Nobilis. Are we heading home now?” The doors opened on their own to allow entry.

There wasn’t a steering wheel since the car drove itself. “Yes, Currus, home it is.”

“Very well.” As soon as they were both securely inside and buckled up, the car rose in the air and swiveled back in the direction it came. With a silent “woosh” they went home.

Back at the invisible wall, the huddled balls of fur shook until the wall solidified again. Finally, several tall figures and two small ones separated from each other. They began smoothing out their white and light gray soft fur with hands just like those humans who came to gawk at them. If it wasn’t for the fur and yellow eyes, sharp teeth, and claws; they may have looked just like them. 

One in a tattered dress went over to the two shorter ones and knelt down to them. Her face rubbed against them while she purred loudly. “It is alright now, my kits. Those nasty humans are gone.” The kits wrapped their long grey and white tails around their mother but didn’t speak.

THEY CAME PART 9

 

“I never really thought about what happened after that. I would need to get the rest of my family to some kind of safety, but how do I even do that?

 

Doug placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, but I was not ready to be comforted. Instead, I jerked away. “All I want is to get to my sister and brother-in-law and bring them down from that ship I saw. That is my first and main objective.”

 

“And we can help you with that. Do you think there aren’t people we have been wanting to save, too? Until you came along, we didn’t think we stood a chance.” The look in his eyes told me he was speaking from the heart.

 

“Why in the hell would you stand a chance with me? I’m nobody. I’m nothing.” He started to speak, but I cut him off. “Don’t you dare start spouting off about some kind of bullshit prophecy because I don’t buy into that crap.”

 

He began to laugh so hard I didn’t think he would ever stop. When he finally did, tears ran down his face. “No prophecy. I promise. You just have some of the best fighting skills I have ever seen, and then to be able to see into a mind maimers’ mind is unheard of. Gives us our best chance ever. We can finally take the fight to them.”

 

“Great. So, what is your plan? How do I get my family back?” I wasn’t sure grouping up with this bunch was a great idea, but if my sister and her husband could come back to me through them, then so be it. If it looked like I needed to leave them at any point in their plans, then I would leave and head out on my own. One person sneaking in to save two people had a better chance than a large group anyway.

 

“I would say you need to train up a bit with your min maimer skills.” Doug crossed his arms, and a wide smirk crossed his lips.

 

“And how the hell am I supposed to do that, exactly? It’s not like you would have one laying around or anything.” I waved my arms around to make a point.

 

“As a matter of fact, we do. Come with me.”  Doug grabbed a small man who carried a large number of keys hung around his neck. Two very large men with alien tech type guns flanked him on both sides. “Chris, this woman here needs access to the maimer, so make sure she gets it but always be with her when she is there. Have Steve and Anthony in there as well during her sessions. We don’t want that thing getting the upper hand at any time.”

 

Doug made the hand motion for them all to follow along with him. I went to, of course. We passed the lions and safari animals and then made it back to the aquariums. All of the tanks stood empty and dry. The glass was still sturdy, being twelve inches thick. One tank had been altered. Instead of an open top, it had a steel plate, also about twelve inches thick, with a flip hatch to get in and out of. A huge pad lock secured it shut.

 

I walked up to the glass and tried to see what lay inside. Age and crusted salt kept me from seeing clearly. A lone dark blob sat in the middle barely moving. Even the color was distorted. “Is that the alien?” I pointed to the figure.

 

“Yes. Climb up this ladder with us, and we will go inside.” Doug looked pointedly at Chris. “This one here can block some of the maimer’s abilities to a certain range. So, you see, you aren’t the only one with a unique gift. Just a gift we can use in battle.”

 

I wasn’t sure how seeing what they knew could be used in battle, but it didn’t matter at this point. Something about how he said that ruffled my nerves. There were things being left unsaid, I was sure of it. Not my business, though. Instead, I climbed the ladder and followed them down inside the dry tank. Once I was on flat ground again, I stood face to face with another mind maimer who looked just as confident in his ability as the last one did. That was, until he saw Chris. Then there was anger behind those dark eyes.

 

I wanted to ask what they fed it to keep it alive. I wanted to ask so many pointless questions but didn’t. That wasn’t why I was here. Instead, I looked to Chris. “You can leave but let the others stay.”

 

“But Doug…” Chris looked back and forth between me and Doug.

 

“It’s ok, Chris. I’ll tap on the glass if I need you to come back in.”

 

As soon as Chris began to climb up the stairs, I watched the alien’s eyes follow the tiny man. He really hated him. Well, he would learn to hate me more. When Chris was out of sight, the alien looked to me as if he knew who his real threat was now. Its eyes narrowed as it tried to figure out the angle we were trying to play.

 

I didn’t give it much time to ponder. I was actually surprised it didn’t try to enter my mind already, but I had learned a thing or two from the last one, and now I didn’t need to wait for it to start this battle. I could start it myself. So I did.