Laughter
Sira Rowan pushed the curtain away from the window and peered outside. The big gates in front of the Zotac’s mansion hadn’t moved in nearly 2 hours and Sira was starting to get impatient.
She heard the door open behind her but she didn’t turn around. She could hear footsteps coming up behind her but she still didn’t turn. “You know,” Adan’s voice sounded near her ear and she felt his arm circle around her waist, “You’re staring at that gate so intensely the guards were starting to complain about the heat.”
She turned to him and smiled at his sarcasm. “I can’t help it. It’s not every day Leena has a fun day and I’m dying to know how it went. They’ve been gone for 2 hours you know.”
Adan shook his head. He’d changed so much in the year since ‘Su Kutcha’s War’. It had taken 3 years for him to recover afterwards and now walked with a slight limp. His two front arms had been amputated and his bottom right arm was permanently immobile but he had survived and that was all that had mattered to Sira. Adan had wasted no time in making things right with Sira and Sira had been shocked at how different he was. He cared for her more than he ever had before and he made every effort to show. Three months after his recovery they had been married and Sira couldn’t be happier with how things had turned out. Kohath really had been taking care of her.
Adan stroked her hair never taking his eyes off her as she looked back at the window. “Why don’t you take a break?” He said taking a step back, “Rowel just got back from his trip to Pookum and Alita made quall and flower-nut cookies, why don’t you come join us.” A teasing grin covered his face and he said, “besides I’m sure the guards would enjoy the break as well” Sira smiled and looked out the window one last time before taking his arm and following him out of the room.
“So what do you think so far?” Linda asked Matthew as they walked through the streets of Zora.
“I think that between the climb up this hill and all the Imaginese food, drink and candy you’ve had me eat in the last hour I’m going to explode.” He plopped down on the grass for emphasis
Linda laughed “Isn’t it amazing though?” She asked looking down on the city below them. “Can you believe that I’m responsible for every life that lives down there?”
Matthew just shook his head in unbelief. Linda plopped down beside him and looked at him. “Have you thought anymore about Christilone?”
“Yeah, but I still can’t come up with anything.”
Linda sighed and her shoulders dropped some as she turned her gaze back toward the city. “I don’t know where to go from here.”
There was silence between them and then without taking his eyes off the city he asked, “Linda have you considered that maybe you’re looking in the wrong place.”
She looked at him startled by this. “What do you mean?”
Matthew took a deep breath and then turned his whole body toward her. “Well think about it: You’re told to look for a man named Christilone and then you’re told that I can help you.” Linda looked like she was about to stop him, “Now just hear me out Linda. I’ve lived on Earth all my life but yet I recognize the name Christilone. How is that even possible unless I heard the name on Earth?” He paused for a moment before continuing, “I guess what I’m trying to say is that maybe you should start your search on Earth,” Now that the idea was out in the open he began to talk faster so that Linda wouldn’t interrupt him. “You could come and meet my parents ask them a little bit about my past, their pasts and see if we can find any mention of the name Christilone.” He finally stopped and gave Linda a chance to talk he crossed his fingers hoping his idea would be well accepted. Linda pulled her legs up under her chin and leaned forward considering what Matthew had just said.
“I don’t know Matthew I can’t keep going down to Earth all the time my responsibility is here now it has been here for the last year now. I want to meet my parents I really do but if I have to keep leaving my duties in the hands of others than it may be time to call it quits.”
“Then let me do it Leena.” Linda looked up at him and the sound of her Imaginese name. “Let me go to Earth and find him for you, I’ll go and talk to my parents see if they recognize the name, I’ll do a little research and when I find him I’ll let you know.” Matthew had pulled himself to his knees now and had grabbed a hold of her hands as he pleaded with her to let him leave the planet. “Please Leena just let me off this planet and I promise I will do everything in my power to help you find your parents.”
Linda looked up into his pleading eyes and an unwanted tear slipped down her cheek she let go of his hand long enough to wipe it away and looked back down at the city again. “If you do anything to endanger this planet I promise you I will hunt you down myself.”
Matthew couldn’t help but smile and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry I would never harm you.” Then before he could catch himself he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. She cleared her throat nervously and he felt the heat flood his face and he swallowed.
As if right on schedule a piercing laugh met their ears. Linda stood up and stared nervously into the woods where the sound had come from. “What on Imaginess was that?”
Sira and Adan had just joined Alita and Rowel out on one of the many decks of the mansion when they heard the laugh. “What was that?” Asked Rowel standing up.
“It sounded like it came from the nearby wood.” Alita stated standing as well and coming over to Rowel’s side.
“I have never heard anything that could laugh that loud and that shrilly like that.” Said Sira she turned to Adan looking for some comfort or a solution as to what it was but he looked just as lost as everyone else.
A commotion came from inside the mansion and a young woman who had been recently hired as a maid for the Zotac’s mansion burst in the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you but I need to find the Zotac immediately.
Alita was at the girl’s side immediately. “What is it?”
“It’s Seurmiera, she tearing up the east courtyard.” Rowel was by their side as well now and the three of them left raced toward the courtyard with Sira and Adan close behind.
Tidwit and Seurmiera were going crazy by the time they reached the east courtyard. Tidwit was jumping around crazily and pulling up grass and wiper flowers and jumping into the tree and tearing off the bark and flower-nuts. But the most damage came from Seurmiera her tail swung this way and that slamming into walls and making the whole building shake and dust began to rise from the ground as she stomped across to the other side of the courtyard.
The four friends stood there at a loss as to what to do afraid that if they went and intervened they would get thrown against a wall.
Sira turned towards her brother. “Rowel someone needs to find Leena Now.”
Rowel nodded and ran out of the room Sira glanced frantically around the room. A control room on the other side of the courtyard caught her attention she broke away from the group and raced across the courtyard ignoring Adan’s shouts as she worked to avoid the flying debris that rained down on her and the deadly tail that swung above her head narrowly missing her. She made it to the room on the other side and quickly glanced over the controls. One caught her eye “NET” she closed her eyes and pressed the button. There was a whirring and then a cry of anger from the dragon. Sira looked at the screen above to see that a strong metal net held Seurmiera firmly in place. She glanced around the room again and saw a cabinet with one word on it tranquilizers. She raced to the cabinet and flung it open. These doors should so have locks on them she thought as she grabbed one of the guns and slammed one of the vials into it. She slammed the cabinet closed and raced back outside.
Seurmiera was still going crazy as she did all she could to pull herself out of the metal net but to no avail. Tidwit had been caged now that the dragon was out of the way and everyone stood in horror as the fierce dragon pulled at her bindings. Sira got up next to the dragon and thrust the gun under her scales and pulled the trigger. The creature screamed in rage and glared at Sira fiercely. As Sira took a couple steps back she could see the drug starting to take effect even though Seurmiera fought against it tooth and nail. Finally all was quiet.
Linda made it home not long after and immediately went in to see her caged creatures but when Seurmiera snapped even at her Linda ordered that until they discovered what was wrong with her animals that both Tidwit and Seurmiera be kept on drugs.
“I have no idea what could cause them to act like this.” Linda confided in Matthew one day.
Matthew thought about it as he looked down on the dragon from a forth floor bedroom. “Have you talked to any of the others about it?”
“Of course I have but none of it makes sense. They heard the laugh and she started freaking out.”
“Maybe it triggered something. Something from her memory.”
“It couldn’t be I was there when she was born and I have never heard a laugh like that.”
Matthew just shrugged, “Even still it couldn’t hurt to find out where this laugh is coming from.” Linda nodded
Linda sat at her desk sorting through a group missing reports. She had taken Matthew’s advice and sent a group of 20 volunteers into the woods under Rowel leading to find the source of the laughter. They hadn’t returned a week later Linda had sent 50 more under Adan as a rescue party they hadn’t returned either. It had been almost a month now and over 30 others had been reported missing as well. Over a hundred missing how much more will it take to solve this mystery? She thought. She slammed her fist down on her desk.
There was a knock on the door and Sira entered the room. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, I’ve come to a decision: As of the end of the of the month I do not want another person going near those woods. I want a barbed wire fence around it that stretches the length of the city. I don’t want anyone with in 100 feet of those woods.”
“Yes ma’am will that be all?”
“I would also like you to set up a memorial service for those that disappeared. I want the people to know that we care about their loss and are going to do something about it.”
“Of course ma’am” Sira turned to leave.
“And one more thing, Sira” Sira stopped and turned back around. “I want you to set up someone to get Matthew home. He’ll be returning to Earth within the week.” Sira looked surprised at this bit of news but didn’t ague but instead just nodded and turned to leave.
As soon as she was gone Linda gathered the papers on her desk together and placed them in a large folder and stamped confidential across it in big green letters and then she sealed the folder and put it in a drawer never to be messed with again.
She had made her decision. Her place was here on Imaginess where it would always be. She had failed her quest and now she would never meet her parents. But it didn’t matter she had spent to much of her life dwelling on the past and ignoring the present and now 100 people were missing including two of her closest friends all because she was too focused on her silly quest. Matthew was going back to Earth where he belonged. She didn’t honestly expect him to find Christilone and she didn’t really care. She didn’t even care if she never saw him again.
That chapter in her life was over and a new chapter was beginning and in this chapter she wasn’t a scared little girl looking for her mommy and daddy. In this chapter she was a strong young woman who had finally found her place in the universe and was going to do everything in her power to be the best Zotac she could be. And this chapter in her life didn’t include a blonde boy with blue eyes that had become the world to her in just a few short months no his part in her life was over.
Or so she thought.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Captive (Chapter 5)
Hero Revealed
Matthew was still in the courtyard when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He turned around expecting to see one of the Zotac’s attendants passing through the courtyard but instead a hooded figure was walking in his direction. He instinctively took a step back but then a familiar voice came from the hood “I hope you are enjoying your stay.” It was the British woman.
“You? What are you doing here?”
“I live here.” He could barley make out her smile in the darkness of her hood but try as he might that was all he could see of the faceless woman.
“But you were on Earth.”
The hood bounced slightly in a nod and the woman said. “Yes, well how else was I to keep an eye on you unless I went to Earth.” Matthew could feel the confusion playing out on his face and the woman laughed gently. There was something about that laugh something familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. “Let me start over. My names Leena I am the Zotac of this planet but I believe you know me as Su Kutcha.”
“Su Kutcha? You’re Su Kutcha? But you’re a girl.”
“What? Just because I’m a girl I can’t be Su Kutcha as well?”
“No that’s not what I meant I’m just surprised. You sounded so much like a man.”
“Voice enhancers my invention what’s the point of letting the entire universe know that I’m a girl.”
“And your accent is that an enhancement as well?” He could barley make out her smile but she didn’t say anything
“Well Matthew, you spent a lot of time in a Martian prison what was it like.”
Matthew dropped his eyes from the hooded figure and let them drift toward the silver dragon and then the tree in the center of the courtyard. “I was in a cell with another prisoner a Saturian named Tucker.” He paused as he remembered his friend taking a minute to get a hold of himself before continuing on, “Tucker told me all sorts of things filling me with all the knowledge he’d ever learned.”
“What did he tell you about me?”
“He actually didn’t know much about you. He said you just appeared out of no where and are now the most wanted person in the universe.”
“So he doesn’t know where I came from?”
“No, but he wants to find out And that if he ever gets out of there he’s going to look for you starting on earth because he says that that’s probably the best place to hide because ‘earthlings’ wouldn’t recognize an alien if they saw one and because other aliens leave earth alone.”
“What are the chances of him ever escaping?”
“Not very big… if he’s even still alive.”
“Matthew?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure you understand the risk that I would be taking if I let you back to Earth.”
“Oh trust me I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”
“Unfortunately I can’t go off of your word...but I wouldn’t worry too much…no one even knows you’re gone.”
Matthew looked at her slightly dumbfounded before speaking. “How’s that possible.”
“DNA holograph, I made a copy of you using the spit on your glass.”
“Is there no way at all to prove to you that you can trust me.”
“Well we could always wipe it from your mind.”
Matthew smiled weakly but immediately decided that this was not an option.
Leena had walked over to the dragon now and placed her hand lightly on the dragon’s silver scales. Matthew came along side her and tried to get a clear look of her face but failed to see past the shadows. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, no that’s not it… I’ve just made a promise to protect this planet at all costs I broke it once to save this out of selfishness to save something that wasn’t worth saving.” She fingered a necklace that was shaped like the flower on her armor “my parents gave it to me when I was two…right before they died.” She sighed again and looked in his direction. “And now for your sake I want to break it again but I can’t not this time.”
Matthew reached up and brushed his finger along a silver scale the sun shining off of it made rainbows on the ground. “What are your pet’s names?” He asked in a feeble attempt to save the subject. Luckily Leena allowed it to be changed.
“The dragon’s name is Seurmiera.” She said half-heartily “It means sonic dragon and the monkey’s name is Tidwit which means trickster.”
She stroked the dragon one more time and then turned to Matthew “I believe we have a quest to discuss.”
Matthew nodded but a frown creased his forehead.
“What is it?”
“This whole conversation has been pretty hard to swallow I must admit but…”
“But what?”
“But I refuse to help you on any quest until you show me your face?”
Silence came from the hooded figure.
Linda felt like her heart had just skidded to a stop. Had Matthew commanded her, the Zotac to remove her hood? Ali was right he deserved to know the truth but did she have the strength to let him see her face did she have the strength to let him know the truth.
Linda’s mind raced as she thought through her options. There were only two and she didn’t like either of them. More than anything she wanted to let Matthew know who she was. Circumstances were different than they had been a month ago on Earth. Matthew knew aliens existed now how difficult would it be for him to believe that she was one. But what about her promise to protect Imaginess. No I can’t do this to Matthew. If I’m going to insist on making him stay here on Imaginess with me and help me with this quest maybe even for the rest of his life than he deserves to know who he’s working for. He’ll find out one way or another.
She took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut then with trembling hands she removed the hood
Matthew didn’t know what to say. Even though it had only been a moment he could tell that Linda had been struggling with herself as to how to respond to his command. But in the end she had reached up with shaking hands and removed the hood from her face.
The first thing he saw was the bright red hair and then his eyes had settled on the scar along her face and recognition had taken place in his heart as he realized who was standing before him. “Linda?” He finally managed to say.
All she could do was nod. There was a moment of silence as Matthew looked into her eyes slowly comprehending everything that this unveiling meant.
“You’re the leader of the entire planet and the most wanted person in the universe?”
“I am.” She said simply “Will you help me with my quest now?”
Matthew was silent still trying to grasp everything that had happened in the last 5 minutes. Finally he managed a response. “Yes.”
Linda led him over to a stone bench and sat down pushing her hair behind her ears and clasping her hands nervously in her lap. She looked more nervous than he had ever seen her before.
“Like I told you before I’m looking for a man named Christilone.”
Matthew nodded and thought about the name for a moment but still couldn’t come up with anything more than he had all week. “The name sounds familiar but I don’t know where I could have heard it from. Maybe it’s someone from my past.”
“Well that’s a start. I don’t know why Matthew but you are probably the most important part of my quest.”
“Why do you need to find this Christilone guy anyway?”
Linda hesitated “To find my parents.”
“Wait I thought your parents were dead.”
“That’s what everyone thinks but their not. By some miracle of Kohath their still alive.”
“Kohath.”
“God,”
Matthew cocked his head slightly “You believe in God?”
Linda smiled “As of two years ago I do…and it was the best decision I ever made.”
“So how are you going to find your parents?”
“There’s a prophesy ‘When the Imaginese and the Earthling stand together than and only than will we be released.’” Linda recited. “I’m not exactly sure what it means or how to make it come true but I know that somehow it will help me to find them.” Matthew smirked “What?”
“I’m a human and you’re an Imaginese.”
Linda looked at him confused and then realization dawned on her. “Maybe that’s it we’re supposed to work together to find Christilone so that my parents will be released.” She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Matthew’s neck. “My father was right. You’re the perfect one for the job.”
Matthew wasn’t sure what to say but with Linda’s arms wrapped around his neck he decided that the best thing to do was return the hug. What he would do after that he had no idea but he would take it one step at a time. If Linda was right his parents, teachers and even Pete had no idea he was even gone and if that was the case he didn’t need to be in any rush to get back. If he ever went back at all. As long as Linda was near him he was happy. So she was an alien so what? He’d figure something out and in the mean time he would help her find Christilone and maybe fulfill a couple prophecies in the mean time.
Matthew was still in the courtyard when he heard footsteps coming up behind him. He turned around expecting to see one of the Zotac’s attendants passing through the courtyard but instead a hooded figure was walking in his direction. He instinctively took a step back but then a familiar voice came from the hood “I hope you are enjoying your stay.” It was the British woman.
“You? What are you doing here?”
“I live here.” He could barley make out her smile in the darkness of her hood but try as he might that was all he could see of the faceless woman.
“But you were on Earth.”
The hood bounced slightly in a nod and the woman said. “Yes, well how else was I to keep an eye on you unless I went to Earth.” Matthew could feel the confusion playing out on his face and the woman laughed gently. There was something about that laugh something familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. “Let me start over. My names Leena I am the Zotac of this planet but I believe you know me as Su Kutcha.”
“Su Kutcha? You’re Su Kutcha? But you’re a girl.”
“What? Just because I’m a girl I can’t be Su Kutcha as well?”
“No that’s not what I meant I’m just surprised. You sounded so much like a man.”
“Voice enhancers my invention what’s the point of letting the entire universe know that I’m a girl.”
“And your accent is that an enhancement as well?” He could barley make out her smile but she didn’t say anything
“Well Matthew, you spent a lot of time in a Martian prison what was it like.”
Matthew dropped his eyes from the hooded figure and let them drift toward the silver dragon and then the tree in the center of the courtyard. “I was in a cell with another prisoner a Saturian named Tucker.” He paused as he remembered his friend taking a minute to get a hold of himself before continuing on, “Tucker told me all sorts of things filling me with all the knowledge he’d ever learned.”
“What did he tell you about me?”
“He actually didn’t know much about you. He said you just appeared out of no where and are now the most wanted person in the universe.”
“So he doesn’t know where I came from?”
“No, but he wants to find out And that if he ever gets out of there he’s going to look for you starting on earth because he says that that’s probably the best place to hide because ‘earthlings’ wouldn’t recognize an alien if they saw one and because other aliens leave earth alone.”
“What are the chances of him ever escaping?”
“Not very big… if he’s even still alive.”
“Matthew?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sure you understand the risk that I would be taking if I let you back to Earth.”
“Oh trust me I won’t tell anyone if you don’t want me to.”
“Unfortunately I can’t go off of your word...but I wouldn’t worry too much…no one even knows you’re gone.”
Matthew looked at her slightly dumbfounded before speaking. “How’s that possible.”
“DNA holograph, I made a copy of you using the spit on your glass.”
“Is there no way at all to prove to you that you can trust me.”
“Well we could always wipe it from your mind.”
Matthew smiled weakly but immediately decided that this was not an option.
Leena had walked over to the dragon now and placed her hand lightly on the dragon’s silver scales. Matthew came along side her and tried to get a clear look of her face but failed to see past the shadows. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, no that’s not it… I’ve just made a promise to protect this planet at all costs I broke it once to save this out of selfishness to save something that wasn’t worth saving.” She fingered a necklace that was shaped like the flower on her armor “my parents gave it to me when I was two…right before they died.” She sighed again and looked in his direction. “And now for your sake I want to break it again but I can’t not this time.”
Matthew reached up and brushed his finger along a silver scale the sun shining off of it made rainbows on the ground. “What are your pet’s names?” He asked in a feeble attempt to save the subject. Luckily Leena allowed it to be changed.
“The dragon’s name is Seurmiera.” She said half-heartily “It means sonic dragon and the monkey’s name is Tidwit which means trickster.”
She stroked the dragon one more time and then turned to Matthew “I believe we have a quest to discuss.”
Matthew nodded but a frown creased his forehead.
“What is it?”
“This whole conversation has been pretty hard to swallow I must admit but…”
“But what?”
“But I refuse to help you on any quest until you show me your face?”
Silence came from the hooded figure.
Linda felt like her heart had just skidded to a stop. Had Matthew commanded her, the Zotac to remove her hood? Ali was right he deserved to know the truth but did she have the strength to let him see her face did she have the strength to let him know the truth.
Linda’s mind raced as she thought through her options. There were only two and she didn’t like either of them. More than anything she wanted to let Matthew know who she was. Circumstances were different than they had been a month ago on Earth. Matthew knew aliens existed now how difficult would it be for him to believe that she was one. But what about her promise to protect Imaginess. No I can’t do this to Matthew. If I’m going to insist on making him stay here on Imaginess with me and help me with this quest maybe even for the rest of his life than he deserves to know who he’s working for. He’ll find out one way or another.
She took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut then with trembling hands she removed the hood
Matthew didn’t know what to say. Even though it had only been a moment he could tell that Linda had been struggling with herself as to how to respond to his command. But in the end she had reached up with shaking hands and removed the hood from her face.
The first thing he saw was the bright red hair and then his eyes had settled on the scar along her face and recognition had taken place in his heart as he realized who was standing before him. “Linda?” He finally managed to say.
All she could do was nod. There was a moment of silence as Matthew looked into her eyes slowly comprehending everything that this unveiling meant.
“You’re the leader of the entire planet and the most wanted person in the universe?”
“I am.” She said simply “Will you help me with my quest now?”
Matthew was silent still trying to grasp everything that had happened in the last 5 minutes. Finally he managed a response. “Yes.”
Linda led him over to a stone bench and sat down pushing her hair behind her ears and clasping her hands nervously in her lap. She looked more nervous than he had ever seen her before.
“Like I told you before I’m looking for a man named Christilone.”
Matthew nodded and thought about the name for a moment but still couldn’t come up with anything more than he had all week. “The name sounds familiar but I don’t know where I could have heard it from. Maybe it’s someone from my past.”
“Well that’s a start. I don’t know why Matthew but you are probably the most important part of my quest.”
“Why do you need to find this Christilone guy anyway?”
Linda hesitated “To find my parents.”
“Wait I thought your parents were dead.”
“That’s what everyone thinks but their not. By some miracle of Kohath their still alive.”
“Kohath.”
“God,”
Matthew cocked his head slightly “You believe in God?”
Linda smiled “As of two years ago I do…and it was the best decision I ever made.”
“So how are you going to find your parents?”
“There’s a prophesy ‘When the Imaginese and the Earthling stand together than and only than will we be released.’” Linda recited. “I’m not exactly sure what it means or how to make it come true but I know that somehow it will help me to find them.” Matthew smirked “What?”
“I’m a human and you’re an Imaginese.”
Linda looked at him confused and then realization dawned on her. “Maybe that’s it we’re supposed to work together to find Christilone so that my parents will be released.” She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Matthew’s neck. “My father was right. You’re the perfect one for the job.”
Matthew wasn’t sure what to say but with Linda’s arms wrapped around his neck he decided that the best thing to do was return the hug. What he would do after that he had no idea but he would take it one step at a time. If Linda was right his parents, teachers and even Pete had no idea he was even gone and if that was the case he didn’t need to be in any rush to get back. If he ever went back at all. As long as Linda was near him he was happy. So she was an alien so what? He’d figure something out and in the mean time he would help her find Christilone and maybe fulfill a couple prophecies in the mean time.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Captive (Chapter 4)
Su Kutcha
Matthew and Tucker sat all day listening to the sounds of the war. The talked very little that day. Taking turns sitting near the door while the other one slept listening for any bit of new that may tell them what was going on in the outside world.
It was quiet almost all day long the guards had long ago abandoned the cells to join in the fray but in the middle of the day while Matthew sat against the door his head slumping against his knees he heard the sound of footsteps. He heard cell doors opening and grunts of surprise as the people were pulled out.
As Matthew sat by the door the door opened from behind him and he tumbled out among the group of soldiers and other prisoners and before he even realized that he was free one of the Martians grabbed him and the other soldier that had opened the door went in and pulled out Tucker and pushed both of them were pushed in the direction of the other prisoners. When all the cells had been emptied and all the prisoners bundled together one of the soldiers stepped forward and spoke in English so all the aliens could understand. “By the order of the new Kong Hamol you are all to be sent into the fray to fight against the Imaginese. Do not even try to escape, desert, or turn on us or you will be immediately put to death. If you help in the capture of Su Kutcha you will be set free to return to your planets if you so desire.” Matthew gulped there seemed to be only two options and he didn’t like either one: Die or go back to his cell. If he tried to escape he would die and if one of the Imaginese didn’t kill him he would end up right back in the cell for who knows how long. Matthew glanced over at his friend, Tucker didn’t seem afraid he almost seemed relieved. He would be glad to die. Matthew thought He has had a hard life. They were led from the jail and led to an armory they were each given a rusty metal breastplate and a small bladed weapon. As Matthew was handed the blade he gulped he had never fought before. He had had his share of fist fights in junior high and high school but never had he carried an actual weapon and he had never thought he might die on another so far from home.
He thought of his parents they would never know how he died they would never find his body he would never be buried he would probably be burned in a pile among the rest of the millions of dead prisoners.
They were led out to the Martian camp where he looked out at the horrible sight. A great army stretched out before him they all wore suits that covered their entire bodies except their head. Standing at the front of the line stood one tall and powerful he was the only one wearing a helmet and there was a picture of a strange flower was on both his chest and the flag that the man behind him held. This was Su Kutcha the only one on this entire battle field that could grant his freedom if only he could lose enough to take him out. But that Matthew knew was only wishful thinking he would never get close enough to take out their leader he was best off just rushing into the thick of things and hoped he died quickly.
Tucker moved to Matthew’s side and placed his hand on his shoulder their colors had been removed and his hand phased right through the light metal on his shoulders and rested gently on his shoulder a gesture that had become familiar to Matthew in the days spent in the cell. Matthew turned to his friend and tried to smile but it failed miserably. Tucker leaned closer to Matthew and whispered “Don’t forget the things I’ve told you Matt.” Matthew nodded and looked toward the man at the front of the line. His feet were sinking into the wet ground and when he shifted there was a loud squelch as his foot pulled clear of the mud. He tightened his grip on the blade and gritted his teeth.
Su Kutcha lifted his hand and when he dropped it people from both sides raced across the field their feet making a million popping noises as they ran. And so it was that Matthew got his first taste of war.
Matthew and Tucker fought side-by-side cutting down Imaginese left and right. The creatures looked almost human besides their strange colored hair and skin and the many arms that each wielded some kind of weapon. Matthew and Tucker dived behind a rock and Matthew sat gasping for air. Tucker took in a deep breath and sighed his hand tightening on his blade which was coated in blood and mud. He rubbed his fingers across the blade as if taking in the feel of it in his hand and glanced around the rock to see if anyone was near. Tucker turned back to his friend to see that he had dropped onto the muddy ground and frantically trying to get in enough air.
“Don’t get too comfortable my friend.” Tucker whispered down to him peering around the rock again.
“I’m sorry Tuck I just can’t go any more I’m just too tired. I’ve never been in a war before I have no training at all.”
Tucker glanced around once more before slumping down beside Matthew the mud squelching as he sat. “You’ll make it my friend you’re doing exceptionally well for one who has never been in a war before.”
“Thanks Tuck but will it be enough to survive and better yet will it be enough to win our freedom?”
Tuck sighed glanced at the blade in his hands the blade faded and the blood and mud fell away from it and landed on the ground. “It may not be enough to win freedom now but as long as we’re alive there’s always a chance at freedom even if that chance seems far away.”
Matthew looked up at his friend’s downcast face as he fingered the clean blade and suddenly realized that his friend would probably have a good chance at winning his freedom if it wasn’t for Matthew holding him down. He glanced down at his own blade “Don’t hold back on my account Tuck if you can find freedom than do it don’t wait for me…just remember me when you get home.”
Tuck looked up at his friend and smiled. “A good friend doesn’t leave his friend to fend for himself. In my lifetime I have made many mistakes. I was a horrible son, a horrible husband and a horrible Loy. I refuse to end my life with one more horrible to add to that list. I will be the best friend you’ve ever had Matthew Baker. Until the end.”
The fighting had gone somewhere else they climbed a hill overlooking the enemy ships people were moving in and out bringing the wounded Tucker crept closer to one of the open ships that held the wounded. As they reached the ship Su Kutcha and the one that Matthew figured was his highest captain, came up to the ship carrying a figure the nurses came to the door “Sable come quickly its Vicom.” Said the captain the one called Sable came running “It doesn’t look too bad here bring him inside” the captain followed her inside but Su Kutcha paused and looked toward the brush that the two of them were hiding in.
“Is everything all right?” Said his captain coming up behind him,
“He’s very near.” Su Kutcha whispered and then walked away in the opposite direction. After a moment when they were sure that it was safe Tucker led them in the direction of the open ship. It had been Matthew’s plan to sneak into the Imaginese camp and stowing away on one of the ships. “If the Imaginese are as peaceful as you say a couple of escaping prisoners may be well taken care of. Besides they seem to be ignoring most of the prisoners.” They sprinted a couple of feet in the direction of the ship and stopped by another boulder. Tucker glancing around nervously to be sure they hadn’t been seen.
There was a noise from the other side of the rock and both men tightened their grips on their blades but a second later Matthew realized that it made no difference what kind of blade they held for in front of them stood Su Kutcha himself all arms extended and clutching 10 guns with 4 pointed in their directions. “Drop the knives.” Came the deep tinny voice from the suit. Tucker’s knife dropped beside him and Matthew followed suit.
“Don’t worry I won’t kill you in fact I came here to find someone much like you.” She motioned in Matthew’s direction “an astronomer by the name of Matthew Baker.”
“We know no one by that name.” Spoke up Tucker beside him, “We’re just prisoners forced to fight and trying to survive.”
A tinny laugh came from the suit and the four guns lowered slightly. “And tell me my transparent friend how many humans you know who can be found in a Martian prison.” He said raising on of his guns and aiming it directly at Matthew’s chest.
“There’s always a first time.”
“I agree and this first time happens to be the one man that I want.” The gun was raised higher. “So unless you can prove to me that you aren’t human than I’ve have reason to believe that you are the man I’m looking for. Now will you come with me willingly,” he moved the gun in the direction of Tucker or will I have to use force?”
“Alright, alright,” Matthew raised his hands in surrender, “What do you want with me.”
The gun lowered slightly and the tinny voice once again spoke.
“I was told, by whom it is none of your concern, that you were of importance to my quest.”
“And what quest is that.”
“I must find the whereabouts of a man named Christilone.”
“I know no one by that name.”
“No? Well perhaps under less tension you will.” Strong arms grabbed Matthew from behind and began dragging him in the direction of one of the ships. Matthew looked back to see Tucker staring at him with sad but serious eyes. A single nod from his friend was all the reassurance he needed. Tucker would be ok somehow and whether they ever saw each other again or not Matthew knew that he would always remember Tucker and the knowledge he had poured into him during their time together.
Matthew sat in the courtyard of the Zotac’s palace. There was one large tree in the center and the rest of the place was sprinkled with little white flowers that had sprouted up randomly here and there. A Chimp sat in the tree hanging from one of the branches and grabbing the nuts from below him and popping them into his mouth. A beautiful silver dragon lay beside Matthew’s bench watching the chimp with an annoyed look. Matthew stood and walked over to a stone with an inscription written out in another tongue which he couldn’t understand. But he had discovered a fascination for the stone that wouldn’t leave him until the words had been translated.
He had been here for nearly a week now and still Su Kutcha had not come to him to talk about the mysterious mission concerning Christilone but during that time Matthew racked his brain trying to figure out who the mysterious person could be. The name was familiar to him he knew that but he couldn’t think of where he had heard it. He must have been young but that was as far as he’d gotten. When he wasn’t thinking of Christilone or learning all he could from looking at the pictures in the books from the library he was thinking of Linda. Sometimes she was in the back of his mind so he thought she was nothing but a dream but other times, like today, she was his first thought but always she was in his mind. He wished he understood better who she really was and that was the thing that bothered him the most. Who was Linda? Some day’s he thought of her as the beautiful girl from school whom he studied with and took out to dinner and on those days his heart ached as he realized that he might never get to tell her how he felt. But other days he would think about the betrayal and the weeks he had spent in a musty old shukan-infested-cell and of the pain he had had to go through in losing one of his closest friends because of it a friend he would have never had to lose if it wasn’t for her because he never would have met him and on those days he hated the very air that she breathed.
But this was not one of those day for today the only thing he could think of was the way her green eyes shone when she smiled and the way the sun shone off her hair as her bangs fell across her face and brushed across the scar along her cheek. The scar that was as much a part of her as his eyes were a part of him a part that he loved just as much as the rest of her and would never in a million years have removed.
Three stories above the courtyard The Zotac watched Matthew. A cape rested gently on her shoulders a gold trim running along the hood her hair pulled back in an Imaginese style. One of her assistants, Alita, walked in and set some food on her desk and sighed. “Will you stop it Leena?”
“What?” She turned around and grabbed a flower-nut off the plate her face a mask of complete innocence.
Ali crossed three sets of arms in front of her and looked at Leena accusingly “You know what I’m talking about. Watching him from a distance it’s getting annoying.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I want to tell him the truth it’s just I don’t know if I should yet… or if I ever should.”
“But what about Christilone?”
Right, him” Leena sighed. “I don’t know Ali I should just send him home. Send him to have his mind wiped so he forgets all about the last 2 months and send him back home like nothing happened.”
“Leena you can’t do that! Do you have any idea what that what that would do to you.”
“I’d survive.”
“Barely.”
Leena turned to her friend angrily. “Are you accusing me of falling for this human Alita?”
Ali stepped back fearfully, “No my Zotac that wasn’t my intention I was only stating that in your attempt to act human your feelings may have become confused and Linda might have actually fallen for him.”
Linda relaxed slightly, “Then I suppose it’s about time I reel her back in isn’t it…especially as it seems that I’ve found what I was looking for.”
“Zotac…may I make a suggestion?”
“What?”
“May I suggest that you send Linda to do the job?”
“What?” Leena turned to her friend confused “What do you mean aren’t me and Linda the same person?”
“Yes but… you act differently on earth then you do here…He talks about her in his dreams Leena and I know that if anything could get him to cooperate she would.” Leena stared at her friend confused. “Don’t you see Linda he loves you?”
“He loves someone he doesn’t know if he knew who I really was, what I really was, he wouldn’t love me.”
“There’s only one way to know for sure.”
Matthew and Tucker sat all day listening to the sounds of the war. The talked very little that day. Taking turns sitting near the door while the other one slept listening for any bit of new that may tell them what was going on in the outside world.
It was quiet almost all day long the guards had long ago abandoned the cells to join in the fray but in the middle of the day while Matthew sat against the door his head slumping against his knees he heard the sound of footsteps. He heard cell doors opening and grunts of surprise as the people were pulled out.
As Matthew sat by the door the door opened from behind him and he tumbled out among the group of soldiers and other prisoners and before he even realized that he was free one of the Martians grabbed him and the other soldier that had opened the door went in and pulled out Tucker and pushed both of them were pushed in the direction of the other prisoners. When all the cells had been emptied and all the prisoners bundled together one of the soldiers stepped forward and spoke in English so all the aliens could understand. “By the order of the new Kong Hamol you are all to be sent into the fray to fight against the Imaginese. Do not even try to escape, desert, or turn on us or you will be immediately put to death. If you help in the capture of Su Kutcha you will be set free to return to your planets if you so desire.” Matthew gulped there seemed to be only two options and he didn’t like either one: Die or go back to his cell. If he tried to escape he would die and if one of the Imaginese didn’t kill him he would end up right back in the cell for who knows how long. Matthew glanced over at his friend, Tucker didn’t seem afraid he almost seemed relieved. He would be glad to die. Matthew thought He has had a hard life. They were led from the jail and led to an armory they were each given a rusty metal breastplate and a small bladed weapon. As Matthew was handed the blade he gulped he had never fought before. He had had his share of fist fights in junior high and high school but never had he carried an actual weapon and he had never thought he might die on another so far from home.
He thought of his parents they would never know how he died they would never find his body he would never be buried he would probably be burned in a pile among the rest of the millions of dead prisoners.
They were led out to the Martian camp where he looked out at the horrible sight. A great army stretched out before him they all wore suits that covered their entire bodies except their head. Standing at the front of the line stood one tall and powerful he was the only one wearing a helmet and there was a picture of a strange flower was on both his chest and the flag that the man behind him held. This was Su Kutcha the only one on this entire battle field that could grant his freedom if only he could lose enough to take him out. But that Matthew knew was only wishful thinking he would never get close enough to take out their leader he was best off just rushing into the thick of things and hoped he died quickly.
Tucker moved to Matthew’s side and placed his hand on his shoulder their colors had been removed and his hand phased right through the light metal on his shoulders and rested gently on his shoulder a gesture that had become familiar to Matthew in the days spent in the cell. Matthew turned to his friend and tried to smile but it failed miserably. Tucker leaned closer to Matthew and whispered “Don’t forget the things I’ve told you Matt.” Matthew nodded and looked toward the man at the front of the line. His feet were sinking into the wet ground and when he shifted there was a loud squelch as his foot pulled clear of the mud. He tightened his grip on the blade and gritted his teeth.
Su Kutcha lifted his hand and when he dropped it people from both sides raced across the field their feet making a million popping noises as they ran. And so it was that Matthew got his first taste of war.
Matthew and Tucker fought side-by-side cutting down Imaginese left and right. The creatures looked almost human besides their strange colored hair and skin and the many arms that each wielded some kind of weapon. Matthew and Tucker dived behind a rock and Matthew sat gasping for air. Tucker took in a deep breath and sighed his hand tightening on his blade which was coated in blood and mud. He rubbed his fingers across the blade as if taking in the feel of it in his hand and glanced around the rock to see if anyone was near. Tucker turned back to his friend to see that he had dropped onto the muddy ground and frantically trying to get in enough air.
“Don’t get too comfortable my friend.” Tucker whispered down to him peering around the rock again.
“I’m sorry Tuck I just can’t go any more I’m just too tired. I’ve never been in a war before I have no training at all.”
Tucker glanced around once more before slumping down beside Matthew the mud squelching as he sat. “You’ll make it my friend you’re doing exceptionally well for one who has never been in a war before.”
“Thanks Tuck but will it be enough to survive and better yet will it be enough to win our freedom?”
Tuck sighed glanced at the blade in his hands the blade faded and the blood and mud fell away from it and landed on the ground. “It may not be enough to win freedom now but as long as we’re alive there’s always a chance at freedom even if that chance seems far away.”
Matthew looked up at his friend’s downcast face as he fingered the clean blade and suddenly realized that his friend would probably have a good chance at winning his freedom if it wasn’t for Matthew holding him down. He glanced down at his own blade “Don’t hold back on my account Tuck if you can find freedom than do it don’t wait for me…just remember me when you get home.”
Tuck looked up at his friend and smiled. “A good friend doesn’t leave his friend to fend for himself. In my lifetime I have made many mistakes. I was a horrible son, a horrible husband and a horrible Loy. I refuse to end my life with one more horrible to add to that list. I will be the best friend you’ve ever had Matthew Baker. Until the end.”
The fighting had gone somewhere else they climbed a hill overlooking the enemy ships people were moving in and out bringing the wounded Tucker crept closer to one of the open ships that held the wounded. As they reached the ship Su Kutcha and the one that Matthew figured was his highest captain, came up to the ship carrying a figure the nurses came to the door “Sable come quickly its Vicom.” Said the captain the one called Sable came running “It doesn’t look too bad here bring him inside” the captain followed her inside but Su Kutcha paused and looked toward the brush that the two of them were hiding in.
“Is everything all right?” Said his captain coming up behind him,
“He’s very near.” Su Kutcha whispered and then walked away in the opposite direction. After a moment when they were sure that it was safe Tucker led them in the direction of the open ship. It had been Matthew’s plan to sneak into the Imaginese camp and stowing away on one of the ships. “If the Imaginese are as peaceful as you say a couple of escaping prisoners may be well taken care of. Besides they seem to be ignoring most of the prisoners.” They sprinted a couple of feet in the direction of the ship and stopped by another boulder. Tucker glancing around nervously to be sure they hadn’t been seen.
There was a noise from the other side of the rock and both men tightened their grips on their blades but a second later Matthew realized that it made no difference what kind of blade they held for in front of them stood Su Kutcha himself all arms extended and clutching 10 guns with 4 pointed in their directions. “Drop the knives.” Came the deep tinny voice from the suit. Tucker’s knife dropped beside him and Matthew followed suit.
“Don’t worry I won’t kill you in fact I came here to find someone much like you.” She motioned in Matthew’s direction “an astronomer by the name of Matthew Baker.”
“We know no one by that name.” Spoke up Tucker beside him, “We’re just prisoners forced to fight and trying to survive.”
A tinny laugh came from the suit and the four guns lowered slightly. “And tell me my transparent friend how many humans you know who can be found in a Martian prison.” He said raising on of his guns and aiming it directly at Matthew’s chest.
“There’s always a first time.”
“I agree and this first time happens to be the one man that I want.” The gun was raised higher. “So unless you can prove to me that you aren’t human than I’ve have reason to believe that you are the man I’m looking for. Now will you come with me willingly,” he moved the gun in the direction of Tucker or will I have to use force?”
“Alright, alright,” Matthew raised his hands in surrender, “What do you want with me.”
The gun lowered slightly and the tinny voice once again spoke.
“I was told, by whom it is none of your concern, that you were of importance to my quest.”
“And what quest is that.”
“I must find the whereabouts of a man named Christilone.”
“I know no one by that name.”
“No? Well perhaps under less tension you will.” Strong arms grabbed Matthew from behind and began dragging him in the direction of one of the ships. Matthew looked back to see Tucker staring at him with sad but serious eyes. A single nod from his friend was all the reassurance he needed. Tucker would be ok somehow and whether they ever saw each other again or not Matthew knew that he would always remember Tucker and the knowledge he had poured into him during their time together.
Matthew sat in the courtyard of the Zotac’s palace. There was one large tree in the center and the rest of the place was sprinkled with little white flowers that had sprouted up randomly here and there. A Chimp sat in the tree hanging from one of the branches and grabbing the nuts from below him and popping them into his mouth. A beautiful silver dragon lay beside Matthew’s bench watching the chimp with an annoyed look. Matthew stood and walked over to a stone with an inscription written out in another tongue which he couldn’t understand. But he had discovered a fascination for the stone that wouldn’t leave him until the words had been translated.
He had been here for nearly a week now and still Su Kutcha had not come to him to talk about the mysterious mission concerning Christilone but during that time Matthew racked his brain trying to figure out who the mysterious person could be. The name was familiar to him he knew that but he couldn’t think of where he had heard it. He must have been young but that was as far as he’d gotten. When he wasn’t thinking of Christilone or learning all he could from looking at the pictures in the books from the library he was thinking of Linda. Sometimes she was in the back of his mind so he thought she was nothing but a dream but other times, like today, she was his first thought but always she was in his mind. He wished he understood better who she really was and that was the thing that bothered him the most. Who was Linda? Some day’s he thought of her as the beautiful girl from school whom he studied with and took out to dinner and on those days his heart ached as he realized that he might never get to tell her how he felt. But other days he would think about the betrayal and the weeks he had spent in a musty old shukan-infested-cell and of the pain he had had to go through in losing one of his closest friends because of it a friend he would have never had to lose if it wasn’t for her because he never would have met him and on those days he hated the very air that she breathed.
But this was not one of those day for today the only thing he could think of was the way her green eyes shone when she smiled and the way the sun shone off her hair as her bangs fell across her face and brushed across the scar along her cheek. The scar that was as much a part of her as his eyes were a part of him a part that he loved just as much as the rest of her and would never in a million years have removed.
Three stories above the courtyard The Zotac watched Matthew. A cape rested gently on her shoulders a gold trim running along the hood her hair pulled back in an Imaginese style. One of her assistants, Alita, walked in and set some food on her desk and sighed. “Will you stop it Leena?”
“What?” She turned around and grabbed a flower-nut off the plate her face a mask of complete innocence.
Ali crossed three sets of arms in front of her and looked at Leena accusingly “You know what I’m talking about. Watching him from a distance it’s getting annoying.”
“I know and I’m sorry. I want to tell him the truth it’s just I don’t know if I should yet… or if I ever should.”
“But what about Christilone?”
Right, him” Leena sighed. “I don’t know Ali I should just send him home. Send him to have his mind wiped so he forgets all about the last 2 months and send him back home like nothing happened.”
“Leena you can’t do that! Do you have any idea what that what that would do to you.”
“I’d survive.”
“Barely.”
Leena turned to her friend angrily. “Are you accusing me of falling for this human Alita?”
Ali stepped back fearfully, “No my Zotac that wasn’t my intention I was only stating that in your attempt to act human your feelings may have become confused and Linda might have actually fallen for him.”
Linda relaxed slightly, “Then I suppose it’s about time I reel her back in isn’t it…especially as it seems that I’ve found what I was looking for.”
“Zotac…may I make a suggestion?”
“What?”
“May I suggest that you send Linda to do the job?”
“What?” Leena turned to her friend confused “What do you mean aren’t me and Linda the same person?”
“Yes but… you act differently on earth then you do here…He talks about her in his dreams Leena and I know that if anything could get him to cooperate she would.” Leena stared at her friend confused. “Don’t you see Linda he loves you?”
“He loves someone he doesn’t know if he knew who I really was, what I really was, he wouldn’t love me.”
“There’s only one way to know for sure.”
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Captive (Chapter 3)
Tucker
“Whose there?” asked Matthew timidly. The sound of something falling was the only answer. “Don’t scare me like that,” said a scratchy voice. “I wasn’t expecting company; I haven’t seen hide or hair of anyone for days. When did you get here?
“Uh a couple hours ago.”
“Well welcome to the Martian prison mister…?”
“Matthew, Matthew Baker”
“Matthew, it’s nice to make your acquaintance. I’m Tucker.” Matthew stretched out his hand hesitantly into the darkness even though he still couldn’t see the mysterious Tucker. A hand came out of the darkness to clasp Matthew’s “ahh” shrieked Matthew pulling his hand away and falling hard against the wall. For Tucker’s hand was nearly invisible it was so clear.
“I’m sorry,” said Tucker stepping from the shadows, “I didn’t mean to frighten you” Matthew looked up terrified and his eyes met the pupiless eyes of his cell mate. The man in front of him was so transparent that Matthew had to focus hard in order to keep the alien in his sight. He tried hard not to blink afraid that if he did the creature would move and he would lose him. The alien looked at the frightened human in front of him and apologized again. “I’m sorry I’m just waking up it will take a couple minutes for me to come back into focus.” Matthew got up from the place he had fallen after seeing the ghostly hand and tried to move farther away which was hard to do in the tight cell “What are you?” he asked.
“I am a Saturian. He said.
“What’s a Saturian?”
“It’s an alien from the planet Saturn.” He said annoyed.
“Saturn? So there are aliens on Saturn too”
“Of course there is but never mind that what are you in for?”
“I don’t really know I was at my astronomy club…”
“Now what is astronomy?”
“You don’t know what astronomy is? Don’t you ever study the stars?”
“Well of course I do.” He paused and a sad look crossed his face “Well I used too what planet do you come from anyway?”
“Earth of course.”
“Earth?” the alien crossed his arms which were becoming clearer and clearer every minute. “Well it’s no wonder you don’t know anything, so how did you get here?” Matthew sighed and started again. “Like I said before I was at my astronomy club when I saw a ship land on Mars. I wasn’t sure then but now I know. Any way I was just going to find my friend, Linda to tell her what I’d found when she walked up. We left and on the way to my car we were attacked by these creepy aliens. They brought us here and we were separated. Then this morning I found out that she was one of them and that’s how I ended up here.” He swept his hand for emphasis
“Ah, so you’re the Earthling they’ve been talking about.” Tucker leaned back against the wall his arms still crossed in front of him. He had come into complete focus now and during the conversation Mathew had slowly been studying the features of this alien “They’ve been watching you for a long time. I heard them say that they were giving Trine the assignment. Trine is the Kong’s most skilled spy. She’s so dedicated to her job that she’s decided to get her gills removed.”
“Her gills removed?” Matthew was disgusted at this bit of news but his curiosity overcame his disgust and he leaned forward as Tucker continued.
“As you probably know by now Martian’s are shape shifters but the only problem is that they can not shift their gills so some of the more dedicated Martian’s are having them removed. The only problem is then they can’t breathe under water any more so very few have gone through with the surgery.”
As the days went Tucker poured all his knowledge about the universe into Matthew. And Matthew soaked it up until he was bursting with information with no place to pour it into. So he continued to repeat the information in his head day after day and night after night until they were a part of his very being. He learned so much about alien cultures that at night he had a hard time separating what he’d learned from what he’d actually experienced. But no matter what adventures he went through in his head day after day after day there was always one thing that was always the same, Linda. He would spend hours thinking about her. Sometimes in stories he would make up sometimes thinking about the past sometimes wondering what could have happened or what might happen if he ever got out of this jail cell but always wondering about her. Who was she really? And what was truth and what wasn’t?
One day Matthew was sitting in the corner nearest to the door a place he had come to enjoy sitting he was chewing on a piece of stale bread and thinking about Linda tucker had fallen asleep in his bunk and no matter how much Matthew tried he could never make out his friend while he slept. Matthew heard Tucker roll over and glanced in his direction out of mere habit even though he knew there would be nothing to see. He looked down at the stale bread in his hands he had grown used to the foreign bread in the days he had been there but oh what he would give for a nice juicy burger with everything on it and some nice steamy fries and you know he didn’t even care if the fries were super salty or the burger a little pink and lathered in too much ketchup and mustard he didn’t care if soda was a little bit flat it would taste like heaven all the same.
He felt something brush against his hand and jumped. He looked to see the pesky rat-like shukan run into the shadows. Matthew shuddered. The shukan was constantly stealing their food and getting in their beds and sometimes crept Matthew out so bad he couldn’t sleep at night.
Matthew looked at the chunk of bread left in his hand and tossed it in the direction of the shukan. After a couple seconds the little pot-bellied creature hobbled out of the shadows in which he had been hiding and grabbed the chunk of bread and downed it in a single gulp. Matthew watched the creature fascinated. The creature looked at him with an almost human like intensity that startled Matthew and he couldn’t help but think that the creature somehow understood the utter loneliness of Matthew’s currant life. The shukan seemed to nod his thanks and then disappeared into the blackness.
Matthew sat and pondered this for sometime until he heard a stirring coming from the bunk and a little while later Tucker joined him on the floor. “I had the most amazing dream about Saturn.” His voice sounded far away as he spoke but he didn’t continue and Matthew decided not to push. He glanced at the PRD around his friend’s neck and reached up to finger the brace around his own neck. His friend had explained to him that the PRD’s or Power Restraining Device’s kept the captive aliens from using certain skills to escape. “I usually can phase through walls.” Tucker had explained but as long as this thing is around my neck I can’t”
“What about me? Why did they put one around my neck?”
“Earthlings are skilled with plants and on other planets can cause plants to grow up nearly anywhere.”
The memory faded and Matthew turned toward his friend “so what did you dream about?”
“I dreamt about my wedding.”
“You’re married?”
“No, I was engaged.”
“What happened?’
“Well as I’ve told you before Saturnian’s are considered the universes scientists and are one of the only aliens who risk going to learn about other planets firsthand including earth in which we have been labeled ghosts. We are a peaceful folk for the most part we only attack when attacked. Other aliens don’t mind us visiting because they know we come just to get things to write in documents we gather all sorts of information from legends to normal life you see Saturians love to learn and we have the biggest library in the universe people come from far and wide from Mercury to Pluto and beyond all come to see it and they can learn anything they want from our library. Of course Martians are all about war yes they come to read but never in their true forms we never know when we have a Martian in our midst mostly if they need information they attack and take what they want.” He paused and sighed obviously remembering a specific time when this happened. “Anyway I grew up in a small town where the Loy or king and his wonderful palace were as far away as the next galaxy at least to me as a young boy. I loved school and when I got older I wanted to work in the king’s court as a philosopher as you call them. I soon got my wish when I met the king’s daughter Chaka she helped me get a place in her father’s court and helped me make my way to the top.” Tucker stopped for a moment remembering and then continued. “I was gone a lot getting information about other planets and things. I have to say I liked earth the best I always found your kind interesting and I spent a lot of time there especially at night. Whenever I came back Chaka had always prepared a feast for me and over time we found we loved each other and so we decided marry but it didn’t last long.
“Mars isn’t that smart and as I said before they are thieves but great fighters and they attack their betters to get new technologies and medicines. It just so happened that the very eve of our wedding Mars wanted more books and information that only we could get so they attacked. We would have given it to them had they asked we are reasonable with our knowledge. But no, asking for anything is against Mars policy they never ask for anything they just take it.” He sighed and Matthew had a feeling that this story didn’t have a good ending. He looked over and noticed the pesky shukan watching them from the shadows but the strange thing was the creature sat staring at Tucker with that intensely human stare as if listening.
Tucker began up again slowly telling of the fight and then he got to the part that he dreaded. “I was told to fight in the war we may not be fighters but out here in the universe everyone can fight even if you aren’t known for your fighting skills all can fight if they have too. So I fought eventually the cursed Martians got what they wanted and left. I went back to the castle to find it destroyed and the entire royal family, including my love, gone the cursed Martians had captured them.” He spat on the ground near the shukan it scampered over to another corner and sat and stared once again at Tucker as he started up again. “I was devastated. The people told me that I was to be their Loy for I had after all been engaged to the Lera. I did become Loy but I was a revengeful Loy I had no desire to rebuild and no more desire to learn all I wanted to do was avenge my Chaka and destroy the Martians forever. About a year later I decided it was time to take action and so I attacked. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done for now I’m here completely forgotten by everyone. I was blinded by my revenge all I saw was the captain of the fleet that had stolen Chaka.” He stopped once to wipe the tears from his eyes “I don’t even know what hit me all I know is I woke up here with a bump on my head and this collar around my neck.” As Tucker finished his story Matthew wiped his eyes it was a very touching story. Matthew glanced over toward the shukan it still sat there and Matthew was surprised to discover that it almost looked like it had been crying as well. Then it turned and scurried off
A couple days later as Matthew sat thinking about Tucker’s sad tale and the rat’s strange behavior, two soldiers walked by. It wasn’t all that strange for a soldier to walk past the cells it was how he got most of his information it was how he had discovered that the crown Konce, Hamol had returned and was apparently back to his old self but refused to tell anyone where he had been. But all though he was better he went out every morning by himself and no one knew where he went.
But that day as the soldiers walked by they weren’t talking about the Konce as usual but instead about something much more interesting.
“There’s a war on the horizon.” Said the first “I just heard that Su Kutcha himself is on the way.”
“Yes and the king is offering double the reward that Venus wants.” Said the second
“I sure hope we catch him.” the first responded “I sure hate him being all out there and in the way.”
“If anyone would catch him it would be us. When will he be here?”
“Probably tomorrow I hear he has a monster and can get out of any prison he’s a great fighter which is amazing for a Voy they aren’t fighters.”
“Maybe he’s albino, Albino’s are always the ones that are soldiers and stuff.”
“I don’t think he’s albino. I wonder why he’s even coming Voy don’t usually initiate an attack.” That was all Matthew heard as they continued on their way out of earshot.
When Matthew asked Tucker about it Tucker looked startled “to tell you the truth I don’t know much about Su Kutcha I know it means The Impossible one in your language. And that he lives on Imaginess and is a hero there but that’s about it.”
“Haven’t you ever been to Imaginess?” “Oh yes but Su Kutcha wasn’t around when I went there he just appeared out of no where no one knows where he came from.”
“He just appeared one day?”
“Yes as weird as it sounds yes.”
That was the end of the conversation as Matthew sat back and thought of the strange mysterious person known as Su Kutcha.
The next morning Matthew woke to the sounds of fighting and shouting coming from above. Apparently Su Kutcha had arrived and the war had begun
“Whose there?” asked Matthew timidly. The sound of something falling was the only answer. “Don’t scare me like that,” said a scratchy voice. “I wasn’t expecting company; I haven’t seen hide or hair of anyone for days. When did you get here?
“Uh a couple hours ago.”
“Well welcome to the Martian prison mister…?”
“Matthew, Matthew Baker”
“Matthew, it’s nice to make your acquaintance. I’m Tucker.” Matthew stretched out his hand hesitantly into the darkness even though he still couldn’t see the mysterious Tucker. A hand came out of the darkness to clasp Matthew’s “ahh” shrieked Matthew pulling his hand away and falling hard against the wall. For Tucker’s hand was nearly invisible it was so clear.
“I’m sorry,” said Tucker stepping from the shadows, “I didn’t mean to frighten you” Matthew looked up terrified and his eyes met the pupiless eyes of his cell mate. The man in front of him was so transparent that Matthew had to focus hard in order to keep the alien in his sight. He tried hard not to blink afraid that if he did the creature would move and he would lose him. The alien looked at the frightened human in front of him and apologized again. “I’m sorry I’m just waking up it will take a couple minutes for me to come back into focus.” Matthew got up from the place he had fallen after seeing the ghostly hand and tried to move farther away which was hard to do in the tight cell “What are you?” he asked.
“I am a Saturian. He said.
“What’s a Saturian?”
“It’s an alien from the planet Saturn.” He said annoyed.
“Saturn? So there are aliens on Saturn too”
“Of course there is but never mind that what are you in for?”
“I don’t really know I was at my astronomy club…”
“Now what is astronomy?”
“You don’t know what astronomy is? Don’t you ever study the stars?”
“Well of course I do.” He paused and a sad look crossed his face “Well I used too what planet do you come from anyway?”
“Earth of course.”
“Earth?” the alien crossed his arms which were becoming clearer and clearer every minute. “Well it’s no wonder you don’t know anything, so how did you get here?” Matthew sighed and started again. “Like I said before I was at my astronomy club when I saw a ship land on Mars. I wasn’t sure then but now I know. Any way I was just going to find my friend, Linda to tell her what I’d found when she walked up. We left and on the way to my car we were attacked by these creepy aliens. They brought us here and we were separated. Then this morning I found out that she was one of them and that’s how I ended up here.” He swept his hand for emphasis
“Ah, so you’re the Earthling they’ve been talking about.” Tucker leaned back against the wall his arms still crossed in front of him. He had come into complete focus now and during the conversation Mathew had slowly been studying the features of this alien “They’ve been watching you for a long time. I heard them say that they were giving Trine the assignment. Trine is the Kong’s most skilled spy. She’s so dedicated to her job that she’s decided to get her gills removed.”
“Her gills removed?” Matthew was disgusted at this bit of news but his curiosity overcame his disgust and he leaned forward as Tucker continued.
“As you probably know by now Martian’s are shape shifters but the only problem is that they can not shift their gills so some of the more dedicated Martian’s are having them removed. The only problem is then they can’t breathe under water any more so very few have gone through with the surgery.”
As the days went Tucker poured all his knowledge about the universe into Matthew. And Matthew soaked it up until he was bursting with information with no place to pour it into. So he continued to repeat the information in his head day after day and night after night until they were a part of his very being. He learned so much about alien cultures that at night he had a hard time separating what he’d learned from what he’d actually experienced. But no matter what adventures he went through in his head day after day after day there was always one thing that was always the same, Linda. He would spend hours thinking about her. Sometimes in stories he would make up sometimes thinking about the past sometimes wondering what could have happened or what might happen if he ever got out of this jail cell but always wondering about her. Who was she really? And what was truth and what wasn’t?
One day Matthew was sitting in the corner nearest to the door a place he had come to enjoy sitting he was chewing on a piece of stale bread and thinking about Linda tucker had fallen asleep in his bunk and no matter how much Matthew tried he could never make out his friend while he slept. Matthew heard Tucker roll over and glanced in his direction out of mere habit even though he knew there would be nothing to see. He looked down at the stale bread in his hands he had grown used to the foreign bread in the days he had been there but oh what he would give for a nice juicy burger with everything on it and some nice steamy fries and you know he didn’t even care if the fries were super salty or the burger a little pink and lathered in too much ketchup and mustard he didn’t care if soda was a little bit flat it would taste like heaven all the same.
He felt something brush against his hand and jumped. He looked to see the pesky rat-like shukan run into the shadows. Matthew shuddered. The shukan was constantly stealing their food and getting in their beds and sometimes crept Matthew out so bad he couldn’t sleep at night.
Matthew looked at the chunk of bread left in his hand and tossed it in the direction of the shukan. After a couple seconds the little pot-bellied creature hobbled out of the shadows in which he had been hiding and grabbed the chunk of bread and downed it in a single gulp. Matthew watched the creature fascinated. The creature looked at him with an almost human like intensity that startled Matthew and he couldn’t help but think that the creature somehow understood the utter loneliness of Matthew’s currant life. The shukan seemed to nod his thanks and then disappeared into the blackness.
Matthew sat and pondered this for sometime until he heard a stirring coming from the bunk and a little while later Tucker joined him on the floor. “I had the most amazing dream about Saturn.” His voice sounded far away as he spoke but he didn’t continue and Matthew decided not to push. He glanced at the PRD around his friend’s neck and reached up to finger the brace around his own neck. His friend had explained to him that the PRD’s or Power Restraining Device’s kept the captive aliens from using certain skills to escape. “I usually can phase through walls.” Tucker had explained but as long as this thing is around my neck I can’t”
“What about me? Why did they put one around my neck?”
“Earthlings are skilled with plants and on other planets can cause plants to grow up nearly anywhere.”
The memory faded and Matthew turned toward his friend “so what did you dream about?”
“I dreamt about my wedding.”
“You’re married?”
“No, I was engaged.”
“What happened?’
“Well as I’ve told you before Saturnian’s are considered the universes scientists and are one of the only aliens who risk going to learn about other planets firsthand including earth in which we have been labeled ghosts. We are a peaceful folk for the most part we only attack when attacked. Other aliens don’t mind us visiting because they know we come just to get things to write in documents we gather all sorts of information from legends to normal life you see Saturians love to learn and we have the biggest library in the universe people come from far and wide from Mercury to Pluto and beyond all come to see it and they can learn anything they want from our library. Of course Martians are all about war yes they come to read but never in their true forms we never know when we have a Martian in our midst mostly if they need information they attack and take what they want.” He paused and sighed obviously remembering a specific time when this happened. “Anyway I grew up in a small town where the Loy or king and his wonderful palace were as far away as the next galaxy at least to me as a young boy. I loved school and when I got older I wanted to work in the king’s court as a philosopher as you call them. I soon got my wish when I met the king’s daughter Chaka she helped me get a place in her father’s court and helped me make my way to the top.” Tucker stopped for a moment remembering and then continued. “I was gone a lot getting information about other planets and things. I have to say I liked earth the best I always found your kind interesting and I spent a lot of time there especially at night. Whenever I came back Chaka had always prepared a feast for me and over time we found we loved each other and so we decided marry but it didn’t last long.
“Mars isn’t that smart and as I said before they are thieves but great fighters and they attack their betters to get new technologies and medicines. It just so happened that the very eve of our wedding Mars wanted more books and information that only we could get so they attacked. We would have given it to them had they asked we are reasonable with our knowledge. But no, asking for anything is against Mars policy they never ask for anything they just take it.” He sighed and Matthew had a feeling that this story didn’t have a good ending. He looked over and noticed the pesky shukan watching them from the shadows but the strange thing was the creature sat staring at Tucker with that intensely human stare as if listening.
Tucker began up again slowly telling of the fight and then he got to the part that he dreaded. “I was told to fight in the war we may not be fighters but out here in the universe everyone can fight even if you aren’t known for your fighting skills all can fight if they have too. So I fought eventually the cursed Martians got what they wanted and left. I went back to the castle to find it destroyed and the entire royal family, including my love, gone the cursed Martians had captured them.” He spat on the ground near the shukan it scampered over to another corner and sat and stared once again at Tucker as he started up again. “I was devastated. The people told me that I was to be their Loy for I had after all been engaged to the Lera. I did become Loy but I was a revengeful Loy I had no desire to rebuild and no more desire to learn all I wanted to do was avenge my Chaka and destroy the Martians forever. About a year later I decided it was time to take action and so I attacked. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done for now I’m here completely forgotten by everyone. I was blinded by my revenge all I saw was the captain of the fleet that had stolen Chaka.” He stopped once to wipe the tears from his eyes “I don’t even know what hit me all I know is I woke up here with a bump on my head and this collar around my neck.” As Tucker finished his story Matthew wiped his eyes it was a very touching story. Matthew glanced over toward the shukan it still sat there and Matthew was surprised to discover that it almost looked like it had been crying as well. Then it turned and scurried off
A couple days later as Matthew sat thinking about Tucker’s sad tale and the rat’s strange behavior, two soldiers walked by. It wasn’t all that strange for a soldier to walk past the cells it was how he got most of his information it was how he had discovered that the crown Konce, Hamol had returned and was apparently back to his old self but refused to tell anyone where he had been. But all though he was better he went out every morning by himself and no one knew where he went.
But that day as the soldiers walked by they weren’t talking about the Konce as usual but instead about something much more interesting.
“There’s a war on the horizon.” Said the first “I just heard that Su Kutcha himself is on the way.”
“Yes and the king is offering double the reward that Venus wants.” Said the second
“I sure hope we catch him.” the first responded “I sure hate him being all out there and in the way.”
“If anyone would catch him it would be us. When will he be here?”
“Probably tomorrow I hear he has a monster and can get out of any prison he’s a great fighter which is amazing for a Voy they aren’t fighters.”
“Maybe he’s albino, Albino’s are always the ones that are soldiers and stuff.”
“I don’t think he’s albino. I wonder why he’s even coming Voy don’t usually initiate an attack.” That was all Matthew heard as they continued on their way out of earshot.
When Matthew asked Tucker about it Tucker looked startled “to tell you the truth I don’t know much about Su Kutcha I know it means The Impossible one in your language. And that he lives on Imaginess and is a hero there but that’s about it.”
“Haven’t you ever been to Imaginess?” “Oh yes but Su Kutcha wasn’t around when I went there he just appeared out of no where no one knows where he came from.”
“He just appeared one day?”
“Yes as weird as it sounds yes.”
That was the end of the conversation as Matthew sat back and thought of the strange mysterious person known as Su Kutcha.
The next morning Matthew woke to the sounds of fighting and shouting coming from above. Apparently Su Kutcha had arrived and the war had begun
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Captive (Chapter 2)
Matthew gets to close
Linda and Cindy entered the party and Linda immediately searched the room for Matthew. She saw Pete over in a corner talking to a group of girls. She looked to see that Cindy was already in a conversation with a boy who she had met while studying in the library. Linda made her way over to Peter still keeping an eye out for Matthew. Peter noticed her and excused himself from the group of girls he was talking to. “Where’s Matthew?” She asked when he was close enough to hear.
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Something came up at the club some type of sighting or something he went to go check it out.” Linda felt the blood drain from her face at the news. “Are you alright Linda?”
“Yeah I’m fine. If Cindy asks tell her I went to meet Matthew at the astronomy club.”
Pete looked slightly surprised but quickly recovered and nodded as she headed toward the door.
That night at the astronomy club Matthew was looking in the big telescope against Linda’s warnings. He saw something fly quickly by the telescope. He followed it and sure enough it landed on Mars. Another thing flew off the planet and came toward Earth. As it got closer he could see that it looked somewhat like a spaceship and it was going to land on earth. “I can’t believe it” he almost shouted. He looked around no one had heard him except a strange lady wearing a hood over her face who had come in about 15 minutes ago and had been watching him ever since. A shiver went up his spine but it was soon gone he was so excited that nothing could get him down for long.
He suddenly heard a voice from behind him and turned to see Linda. She was wearing torn up jeans and a hooded sweatshirt and her bangs were covering the entire right side of her face. He jumped up and ran to her side, grabbed her hand and pulled her hurriedly over to the telescope.
“What is it Matthew.”
“I’ve found it Linda,” He gasped excitedly, “I found real live aliens.” She looked at him doubtfully and he pushed her toward the telescope. Reluctantly she looked inside and after a minute she stepped back and shook her head.
“I didn’t see anything Matthew. Look I didn’t come here for this I came here to get you.”
He slapped his hand against forehead and groaned “The Christmas Eve party I completely forgot. I’m sorry Linda.” He gathered his stuff, picked up the cup of water to take a final drink and then hurried out the door holding firmly to Linda’s hand as he went. He was going so fast that he bumped right into the cloaked lady as he went. “Excuse me” he said
“It’s quite all right.” She said he still couldn’t see her face but she sounded slightly British. “What did you find in that telescope that was so interesting?” he could hear the smile in her voice but also a hint of skepticism.
“Well,” he was about to tell her but Linda was tugging impatiently on his arm. “Um, nothing much I’ve got to go.”
Matthew followed Linda, only once did he look back to see that the cloaked woman was still watching him something about her seemed very scary and yet familiar at the same time and he had to wonder who she was. But Linda’s voice cut through his thoughts “Matthew look out.” Suddenly the most terrifying creature jumped out of the bushes teeth bared. It was green and scaly and had long sharp claws. It grabbed Linda and held its claw to her neck and hissed something in another language that he couldn’t understand.
“Don’t hurt her.” He said holding both his hands above his head “you can have whatever you want.” The alien nodded to something behind him and two more aliens came and grabbed him
The aliens pulled him and Linda into the bushes and tossed them into the space pod and climbed into the ship. He turned and looked out the window as they whizzed through space. Watching as earth disappeared behind him and trying to work through what had just happened and how in just a matter of minutes he had ended up a prisoner of an alien species. And most of all would he ever escape?
Soon they arrived on Mars. The aliens led him and Linda to the palace where an alien whom he figured out was named Jenaa entered and went inside to talk to the High Kong. Matthew and Linda stood outside in the hall waiting for her return. “Are you all right?” Matthew asked but the alien named Giglo gave him a swift rap on the head that quickly silenced him.
He didn’t say anymore but instead set to looking about his surroundings trying to learn everything he could about these aliens he couldn’t believe that he really had found aliens. A couple minutes later Jenaa left the throne room and walked over to Giglo a frown creased her face Matthew was on the other side of the large hall looking at a statue of a sharligergater a striped fish with legs and a mane he could still hear the conversation but as was expected he couldn’t understand the language.
They spoke for a moment longer and then Jenaa came over to them she seemed very upset and looked worried but it all faded away when she said “The Kong can’t see you tonight.” It was the first time one of the aliens had talked directly to him and he was surprised that it was in English. “You’ll have an audience with him tomorrow. Until then I guess you’ll have to stay in one of our swamp cells.” Swamp cells? He didn’t like the sound of that but what he liked even less was that it looked like him and Linda would be separated as Giglo grabbed him roughly and dragged him in the direction of a rundown hover-car.
The engine rattled and looked and sounded like it was going to break down any minute. The alien mumbled something about wishing 69he was born Imaginese instead of Martian and then took off down the marshy street.
They sat in silence while Matthew looked at the unimpressive scenery it was very dull and wet as well as swampy with trees hanging over them and slapping across the roof of the car. He also noticed that there were no roads to follow they were gliding right above the water darting between trees and rocks. Here and there, there were patches of land, they were all different sizes and each one had a house or two on it he even noticed a couple houses that were half submerged in the water and he couldn’t believe that people actually lived on this planet. Even the palace itself had been mostly underwater with only a single tower poking out above the surface.
They rounded a corner and he saw a house on a small island it was surrounded by weeping willows and looked quite dreary and like the car in need of some repair. Matthew had just barley stepped out of the car and onto the soft ground when the door slammed automatically and the car dived under the water.
As soon as he was gone Matthew felt quite lonely he was in a strange land and the one and only person he knew on this planet had been brought to another cell. He was just glad that everything would be explained tomorrow and with that he decided it was time to get some sleep.
Trine was the king’s most trusted servant she was the one he sent on his most important assignments she never failed him and the earth boy was no exception her people had always been worried of him but once he began college and started in with that little club of his it had been too much and Trine had been sent to watch him more closely the king had told her to get close to him. And it was her job to keep their planet protected at all costs even kidnapping. Now Trine sat passing back and forth through her under water house. She laughed to herself as she thought of Matthew attempting to get off the island. This of course was impossible. Even if he had wanted to she had a swarm of her finest gators surrounding the island, he was trapped. Sphyco was her favorite of the gators and her best as the creature lay curled up at her feet. Gator was not short for alligator as you may be thinking, no gator was short for sharligergater with rows of sharp teeth and beady black eyes that searched for their next prey they were deadly and with their stubby little legs they were as much a threat out of the water as in for they were fast and the gray and green markings helped them stay hidden in the murky water that made up Mars.
Trine sat down on a chair made of gator hair. But as much as Trine loved the feel of the chair the animal itself felt much better she reached down and stroked Sphyco’s mane, contemplating another mission the king had placed her on the mission that was most important much more important than some earth boy saying he found aliens of course as Matthew had well seen earth was much more civilized than Mars but it didn’t matter because Mars had some of the best soldiers, they had never lost a fight. In fact the few bits of technology they had on this planet had been stolen from other planets. Now that the boy was out of the way she had to get back to her original assignment the search of Su Kutcha it was the hardest assignment she had ever been on. There was a buzz signaling that someone was in the airlock. She stood to see who it was. Sphyco stood and yawned and then seeing that his master was only going to the door he curled back up and went to sleep. She opened the door to let in the pale green figure it was Jenaa, Trine herself was a sea green
“What is it?” Asked Trine hopefully. Jenaa being the king’s own daughter and one of Trine’s good friends Jenaa always had some news about the king. A new assignment or something equally pleasing.
“It’s Hamol.” Trine’s face darkened she knew as well as the next that the king’s son Jenaa’s brother had gone crazy after returning from a battle with Saturn.
“What’s the matter with him?”
“He’s gone.”
The next morning Matthew awoke early his stomach was growling and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since the fries he had gotten at the club he usually grabbed a burger or something on the way home but he hadn’t gotten a chance yesterday now he was starving. He made a quick search of the house there were a couple things but barley anything that was edible most everything was spoiled. He recalled seeing fish in the water when he was in the hover-car. He started out of the house but stopped suddenly on the rickety old porch. There on the shore sat an ugly creature staring at him hungrily. Mangy hair hung around its face its teeth sent shivers racing up his spine and its beady black eyes felt like they had pierced through to his very soul. He retreated back into the house. He found a back door and started for the water he bent down he started to wrestle with a makeshift pole he had made. He and his dad had gone fishing once or twice when he was younger and his dad had taught him how to fish he gazed into the water to look for a fish that he could hook. But instead of finding a unexpecting victim he found himself staring into beady black eyes they held his stare he looked to see that the water was filled with the creatures he turned and ran back toward the house slamming the door behind him he was surrounded and trapped he sure hoped Jenaa or Giglo would hurry up before those creatures got real hungry and came out of the water after him.
He didn’t have to wait long for soon a hover-car pulled up chasing off the creatures he went out to greet his rescuer, Giglo sat in the front seat and Matthew climbed in hurriedly so he wouldn’t make the creature upset.
They soon arrived at the castle there were people everywhere many more than the night before. Something was going on he just didn’t know what. People were talking in groups in frightened whispers but they were naturally talking in their own language so he couldn’t understand them.
They soon entered the throne room the king sat on his throne he was wearing rich clothing that looked expensive enough to rebuild the entire kingdom. Beside him sat a beast of large proportions the creature stirred and turned to gaze at him his heart froze as he stared into the beady black eyes of the sharligergater a shiver ran up his spine but the thing Matthew found most interesting was the king he was thin and beady eyed himself and beyond that he was a greenish blue, his hair was more like seaweed, his hands were webbed and in place of ears he had holes on the side of his head. As Matthew thought about it he realized that all the people in the halls had looked slightly like this in fact none of the people looked like they were the same species. As he was thinking these things Linda who had already been in the room when he came in spoke. “You’re majesty my task is done and if you don’t mind I would like to go back to my old task.”
“Thank you very much Trine permission granted you have done your task well.”
“Thank you you’re majesty.”
Matthew sat there totally lost “You may go now Trine.”
“Wait Linda.” Matthew spun around.
“Fool!” said Linda with a cruel smile. “Only a human would fall for such an obvious trap.”
That’s when Matthew noticed the six ugly slits three on each side of her neck. Linda smiled and slowly the human façade began to melt away and in her place was an ugly sea green alien with webbed hands and slimy scales just like the rest in the room.
“You tricked me Linda.”
“A boy in love is always easy to trick.” She smiled wickedly again and laughed a horrid laugh. “Sorry to break you heart, boy”
Matthew could feel his heart tearing right down the middle. He felt the soldiers grab him and snap something around his neck and then lead him down a hall and throw him into a cell but his mind and heart were somewhere else as the feeling of betrayal began to settle over him. Matthew cuddled up in a corner and did something he hadn’t done for a long time, he cried
For how long he sat there he had no idea but when he stopped crying he started to think, he was more confused than ever he wasn’t even sure who Linda was anymore was she really the girl he had known her as trustworthy, confident, friendly, worried, secretive. Or was she really an alien someone who had been assigned to get close to him to keep him away from her people and who warned him to stay away and when he failed took him away.
Either way he should have listened to her. He thought of all the things that had happened from the time he had first started watching Mars. It had only been a couple of months. And he hadn’t even gone to his club since he had first met Linda some how she had always kept him away from it wither by alien powers or something else.
Then he began to think of the British woman he had met at the club. There was something strange about her but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Why had she been watching him and why was she so curios about what he had seen in the telescope? what did she want? Just then a scuffling from the back of the cell broke into his thoughts someone or something cleared its throat Matthew could hear is sit up and yawn as it stretched but when he looked there was no one there.
Linda and Cindy entered the party and Linda immediately searched the room for Matthew. She saw Pete over in a corner talking to a group of girls. She looked to see that Cindy was already in a conversation with a boy who she had met while studying in the library. Linda made her way over to Peter still keeping an eye out for Matthew. Peter noticed her and excused himself from the group of girls he was talking to. “Where’s Matthew?” She asked when he was close enough to hear.
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Something came up at the club some type of sighting or something he went to go check it out.” Linda felt the blood drain from her face at the news. “Are you alright Linda?”
“Yeah I’m fine. If Cindy asks tell her I went to meet Matthew at the astronomy club.”
Pete looked slightly surprised but quickly recovered and nodded as she headed toward the door.
That night at the astronomy club Matthew was looking in the big telescope against Linda’s warnings. He saw something fly quickly by the telescope. He followed it and sure enough it landed on Mars. Another thing flew off the planet and came toward Earth. As it got closer he could see that it looked somewhat like a spaceship and it was going to land on earth. “I can’t believe it” he almost shouted. He looked around no one had heard him except a strange lady wearing a hood over her face who had come in about 15 minutes ago and had been watching him ever since. A shiver went up his spine but it was soon gone he was so excited that nothing could get him down for long.
He suddenly heard a voice from behind him and turned to see Linda. She was wearing torn up jeans and a hooded sweatshirt and her bangs were covering the entire right side of her face. He jumped up and ran to her side, grabbed her hand and pulled her hurriedly over to the telescope.
“What is it Matthew.”
“I’ve found it Linda,” He gasped excitedly, “I found real live aliens.” She looked at him doubtfully and he pushed her toward the telescope. Reluctantly she looked inside and after a minute she stepped back and shook her head.
“I didn’t see anything Matthew. Look I didn’t come here for this I came here to get you.”
He slapped his hand against forehead and groaned “The Christmas Eve party I completely forgot. I’m sorry Linda.” He gathered his stuff, picked up the cup of water to take a final drink and then hurried out the door holding firmly to Linda’s hand as he went. He was going so fast that he bumped right into the cloaked lady as he went. “Excuse me” he said
“It’s quite all right.” She said he still couldn’t see her face but she sounded slightly British. “What did you find in that telescope that was so interesting?” he could hear the smile in her voice but also a hint of skepticism.
“Well,” he was about to tell her but Linda was tugging impatiently on his arm. “Um, nothing much I’ve got to go.”
Matthew followed Linda, only once did he look back to see that the cloaked woman was still watching him something about her seemed very scary and yet familiar at the same time and he had to wonder who she was. But Linda’s voice cut through his thoughts “Matthew look out.” Suddenly the most terrifying creature jumped out of the bushes teeth bared. It was green and scaly and had long sharp claws. It grabbed Linda and held its claw to her neck and hissed something in another language that he couldn’t understand.
“Don’t hurt her.” He said holding both his hands above his head “you can have whatever you want.” The alien nodded to something behind him and two more aliens came and grabbed him
The aliens pulled him and Linda into the bushes and tossed them into the space pod and climbed into the ship. He turned and looked out the window as they whizzed through space. Watching as earth disappeared behind him and trying to work through what had just happened and how in just a matter of minutes he had ended up a prisoner of an alien species. And most of all would he ever escape?
Soon they arrived on Mars. The aliens led him and Linda to the palace where an alien whom he figured out was named Jenaa entered and went inside to talk to the High Kong. Matthew and Linda stood outside in the hall waiting for her return. “Are you all right?” Matthew asked but the alien named Giglo gave him a swift rap on the head that quickly silenced him.
He didn’t say anymore but instead set to looking about his surroundings trying to learn everything he could about these aliens he couldn’t believe that he really had found aliens. A couple minutes later Jenaa left the throne room and walked over to Giglo a frown creased her face Matthew was on the other side of the large hall looking at a statue of a sharligergater a striped fish with legs and a mane he could still hear the conversation but as was expected he couldn’t understand the language.
They spoke for a moment longer and then Jenaa came over to them she seemed very upset and looked worried but it all faded away when she said “The Kong can’t see you tonight.” It was the first time one of the aliens had talked directly to him and he was surprised that it was in English. “You’ll have an audience with him tomorrow. Until then I guess you’ll have to stay in one of our swamp cells.” Swamp cells? He didn’t like the sound of that but what he liked even less was that it looked like him and Linda would be separated as Giglo grabbed him roughly and dragged him in the direction of a rundown hover-car.
The engine rattled and looked and sounded like it was going to break down any minute. The alien mumbled something about wishing 69he was born Imaginese instead of Martian and then took off down the marshy street.
They sat in silence while Matthew looked at the unimpressive scenery it was very dull and wet as well as swampy with trees hanging over them and slapping across the roof of the car. He also noticed that there were no roads to follow they were gliding right above the water darting between trees and rocks. Here and there, there were patches of land, they were all different sizes and each one had a house or two on it he even noticed a couple houses that were half submerged in the water and he couldn’t believe that people actually lived on this planet. Even the palace itself had been mostly underwater with only a single tower poking out above the surface.
They rounded a corner and he saw a house on a small island it was surrounded by weeping willows and looked quite dreary and like the car in need of some repair. Matthew had just barley stepped out of the car and onto the soft ground when the door slammed automatically and the car dived under the water.
As soon as he was gone Matthew felt quite lonely he was in a strange land and the one and only person he knew on this planet had been brought to another cell. He was just glad that everything would be explained tomorrow and with that he decided it was time to get some sleep.
Trine was the king’s most trusted servant she was the one he sent on his most important assignments she never failed him and the earth boy was no exception her people had always been worried of him but once he began college and started in with that little club of his it had been too much and Trine had been sent to watch him more closely the king had told her to get close to him. And it was her job to keep their planet protected at all costs even kidnapping. Now Trine sat passing back and forth through her under water house. She laughed to herself as she thought of Matthew attempting to get off the island. This of course was impossible. Even if he had wanted to she had a swarm of her finest gators surrounding the island, he was trapped. Sphyco was her favorite of the gators and her best as the creature lay curled up at her feet. Gator was not short for alligator as you may be thinking, no gator was short for sharligergater with rows of sharp teeth and beady black eyes that searched for their next prey they were deadly and with their stubby little legs they were as much a threat out of the water as in for they were fast and the gray and green markings helped them stay hidden in the murky water that made up Mars.
Trine sat down on a chair made of gator hair. But as much as Trine loved the feel of the chair the animal itself felt much better she reached down and stroked Sphyco’s mane, contemplating another mission the king had placed her on the mission that was most important much more important than some earth boy saying he found aliens of course as Matthew had well seen earth was much more civilized than Mars but it didn’t matter because Mars had some of the best soldiers, they had never lost a fight. In fact the few bits of technology they had on this planet had been stolen from other planets. Now that the boy was out of the way she had to get back to her original assignment the search of Su Kutcha it was the hardest assignment she had ever been on. There was a buzz signaling that someone was in the airlock. She stood to see who it was. Sphyco stood and yawned and then seeing that his master was only going to the door he curled back up and went to sleep. She opened the door to let in the pale green figure it was Jenaa, Trine herself was a sea green
“What is it?” Asked Trine hopefully. Jenaa being the king’s own daughter and one of Trine’s good friends Jenaa always had some news about the king. A new assignment or something equally pleasing.
“It’s Hamol.” Trine’s face darkened she knew as well as the next that the king’s son Jenaa’s brother had gone crazy after returning from a battle with Saturn.
“What’s the matter with him?”
“He’s gone.”
The next morning Matthew awoke early his stomach was growling and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything since the fries he had gotten at the club he usually grabbed a burger or something on the way home but he hadn’t gotten a chance yesterday now he was starving. He made a quick search of the house there were a couple things but barley anything that was edible most everything was spoiled. He recalled seeing fish in the water when he was in the hover-car. He started out of the house but stopped suddenly on the rickety old porch. There on the shore sat an ugly creature staring at him hungrily. Mangy hair hung around its face its teeth sent shivers racing up his spine and its beady black eyes felt like they had pierced through to his very soul. He retreated back into the house. He found a back door and started for the water he bent down he started to wrestle with a makeshift pole he had made. He and his dad had gone fishing once or twice when he was younger and his dad had taught him how to fish he gazed into the water to look for a fish that he could hook. But instead of finding a unexpecting victim he found himself staring into beady black eyes they held his stare he looked to see that the water was filled with the creatures he turned and ran back toward the house slamming the door behind him he was surrounded and trapped he sure hoped Jenaa or Giglo would hurry up before those creatures got real hungry and came out of the water after him.
He didn’t have to wait long for soon a hover-car pulled up chasing off the creatures he went out to greet his rescuer, Giglo sat in the front seat and Matthew climbed in hurriedly so he wouldn’t make the creature upset.
They soon arrived at the castle there were people everywhere many more than the night before. Something was going on he just didn’t know what. People were talking in groups in frightened whispers but they were naturally talking in their own language so he couldn’t understand them.
They soon entered the throne room the king sat on his throne he was wearing rich clothing that looked expensive enough to rebuild the entire kingdom. Beside him sat a beast of large proportions the creature stirred and turned to gaze at him his heart froze as he stared into the beady black eyes of the sharligergater a shiver ran up his spine but the thing Matthew found most interesting was the king he was thin and beady eyed himself and beyond that he was a greenish blue, his hair was more like seaweed, his hands were webbed and in place of ears he had holes on the side of his head. As Matthew thought about it he realized that all the people in the halls had looked slightly like this in fact none of the people looked like they were the same species. As he was thinking these things Linda who had already been in the room when he came in spoke. “You’re majesty my task is done and if you don’t mind I would like to go back to my old task.”
“Thank you very much Trine permission granted you have done your task well.”
“Thank you you’re majesty.”
Matthew sat there totally lost “You may go now Trine.”
“Wait Linda.” Matthew spun around.
“Fool!” said Linda with a cruel smile. “Only a human would fall for such an obvious trap.”
That’s when Matthew noticed the six ugly slits three on each side of her neck. Linda smiled and slowly the human façade began to melt away and in her place was an ugly sea green alien with webbed hands and slimy scales just like the rest in the room.
“You tricked me Linda.”
“A boy in love is always easy to trick.” She smiled wickedly again and laughed a horrid laugh. “Sorry to break you heart, boy”
Matthew could feel his heart tearing right down the middle. He felt the soldiers grab him and snap something around his neck and then lead him down a hall and throw him into a cell but his mind and heart were somewhere else as the feeling of betrayal began to settle over him. Matthew cuddled up in a corner and did something he hadn’t done for a long time, he cried
For how long he sat there he had no idea but when he stopped crying he started to think, he was more confused than ever he wasn’t even sure who Linda was anymore was she really the girl he had known her as trustworthy, confident, friendly, worried, secretive. Or was she really an alien someone who had been assigned to get close to him to keep him away from her people and who warned him to stay away and when he failed took him away.
Either way he should have listened to her. He thought of all the things that had happened from the time he had first started watching Mars. It had only been a couple of months. And he hadn’t even gone to his club since he had first met Linda some how she had always kept him away from it wither by alien powers or something else.
Then he began to think of the British woman he had met at the club. There was something strange about her but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Why had she been watching him and why was she so curios about what he had seen in the telescope? what did she want? Just then a scuffling from the back of the cell broke into his thoughts someone or something cleared its throat Matthew could hear is sit up and yawn as it stretched but when he looked there was no one there.
The Captive (Chapter 1)
The Freshman
1 year later
Matthew Baker pulled his Honda Accord into the student parking lot and climbed out of his car. He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat and tossed it over his shoulder. As he walked toward the science building his good friend Peter Nixon ran up and greeted him. “Hey man, how’s it going? You ready for another year?”
“You better believe it Pete,” Matthew responded sarcastically, “another year of teachers, classes and hours of studying.”
“Awww man! you make it sound so horrible. Why do you always have to dwell on the bad stuff? There’s plenty of good stuff that comes with college that has nothing to do with school.”
“Yeah! That astronomy club opens up this year.”
Peter looked defeated. “You' re hopeless man. Hopeless.”
Matthew put his arm around his friend as they continued on their way toward the science building. “Naw, I’m not hopeless I just don’t believe the same things that you do. I’d rather spend my time working on my grades then my social life.”
Peter shook his head and pulled away from his friends embrace. “And this is why you still don’t have a girl.”
“The right girl will come when it’s time. One day I’ll be all done with college and looking to settle down and just like magic the perfect girl will pop into my life.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Peter shook his head again. “I do not understand you Matt.”
“Nope and you never will…not until you understand God.”
Peter rolled his eyes. They were to the science building now. A pretty red-head and a beautiful brunette were just entering the building. “See, how many great picks are out there Matt and almost any of them would go out with you if you just asked.”
Now it was Matthew’s turn to shake his head. “You talk about girls like their objects” Pete didn’t say anything but Matt knew that didn’t mean that his friend agreed with him it just meant that he was tired of the sermon and was hoping Matt would get off his soap box which he tended to climb up on quite frequently.
They were inside the building now and were on their way to astronomy. There was still about 15 minutes until any of the classes started since it was the first day and all the orientations and registration were still in process the day was having a bit of a later start than usual.
Linda Cuthbert entered the lecture hall about 15 minutes before the lecture was supposed to start. Her best friend Cindy Armon was close behind her. There were two other guys in the room but they were so were engrossed in their own conversation that they hadn’t even noticed them come in.
Cindy passed by Linda and started up the steps and stopped a couple rows behind the guys. Linda followed close behind her. Her pencil was beginning to slide off the edge of her stacks of books but she wasn’t able to grab it in time before it slid onto3. the floor. Something slammed into her and caused her to drop her books. She quickly bent down to gather her things the blonde boy who had bumped into her bent down to help her. “I’m sorry.” He said as he handed her books.
“Thank you” she said as she took them looking up into his face for the first time. The first thing she noticed was his eyes. They were a beautiful deep blue and the light reflecting off his eyes seemed to dance as he looked straight into her heart. She quickly looked away afraid that somehow if she allowed him to look too long he would learn everything about her and that she would not allow to happen. She scooped up the last of her books, brushed back her bangs and stood up. He stood up also and handed her the rest of the books. She shifted to her other foot uncomfortably and cleared her throat. “Thanks,”
“Your welcome” He cleared his throat as well and then stuck out his hand. “Matthew Baker.”
She took his hand and shook it. “Linda Cuthbert.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
She shifted back to her other foot and readjusted her books so her pencil wouldn’t fall again. She smiled and worked her way past him and headed toward Cindy.
“He was cute.” Cindy whispered to her as she came nearer “What’s his name?”
“Matthew.” Linda said as she put her stuff down and made herself comfortable. “But don’t get any ideas the whole boyfriend thing is stupid.”
Cindy rolled her eyes and started doodling on her paper. “Well fine then.” Cindy had learned a long time ago not to try pushing her friend into a relationship, after a couple setups and many lectures it just wasn’t worth it. “But maybe you could introduce us unlike you I actually care.” Linda didn’t answer as she looked back down at Matthew and his friend. It wasn’t that she didn’t care she just knew it could never work.
She was beautiful he couldn’t deny that. Even the scar that stretched across her right cheek couldn’t mess up her beauty. As he had handed her back her books and looked into her eyes he could feel himself falling faster and faster. God no! I don’t even know her help me to control my emotions.
Her eyes had held an incredible mystery but she had looked away before he could solve it. She had seemed nervous talking to him but as he watched her throughout the rest of the day he realized that she was one of the most secure people he had ever met.
After class Matthew was waiting outside the building for Peter when Linda came out she walked right past him he stepped in front of her. “Hi”
“Hi.” She smiled shyly and looked down at the ground. Just then her phone rang. She pulled out her cell phone and sighed as she answered. “What is it this time?... Again?...I swear she is going to drive me nuts if she doesn’t stop with this…listen give her 1000K and tell her to come back next week I should be there this weekend…We’ve discussed this Ali I can’t be there all the time. I would love to but I can’t not yet. You guys are doing great without me…I’ll see you this weekend…yep bye.” She hung up the phone with a sigh and looked back to were Matthew was still waiting. She smiled at him and started walking in the direction of the student parking lot.
“So…you like astronomy?” He asked following close behind her.
“Yes, it’s what I decided to major in.”
“So am I, I hope to one day discover a new planet or alien life. You know how famous I could be?”
“Yes, I’m sure you would be very famous.” She said halfheartedly looking down at the ground.
He looked toward her and frowned “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just that…” She looked up at him, “you could get in a lot of trouble if you aren’t careful; aliens aren’t something to mess with.”
“You sound as if you believe that they really exist.” He said a joking grin on his face.
“That’s not at all what I meant.” Declared Linda almost too defensively in his opinion. She took a deep breath as if to calm herself then continued softly “But there was this one girl at my school last year who said she saw an alien everyone thought she was crazy and she ended up having to be transferred because she was causing a stir.” Matthew got quite then asked.
“Why didn’t they believe her?”
Linda laughed a laugh that Matthew immediately fell in love with. “She had always been kind of loopy anyway and no one liked her very much. Besides that she said that one of the perfectly normal students was the alien and someone she loved to tease and it just happened that that girl had actually gotten her in trouble the day before.”
“That’s too bad.”
He got real quiet then and a frown creased his forehead and she sped up. He had to jog to keep up with her. She turned to the right and stopped at her car “Well I should probably get going.”
“Yeah.” He started to leave and then turned back “Hey Linda if you want I go to an astronomy club on Tuesday’s If you want to join me. They have a big telescope and a food stand along with a library of astronomy books. Me and my friend Peter usually go and hang and study but uh… he can’t make it this week so if you want we can go together and I can introduce you to some of my friends.” She smiled weakly and said
“That sounds great Matthew but…that kind of atmosphere doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe we can get lunch some time instead.”
“Ok.” He shrugged and walked away.
She watched for a minute a frown creasing her forehead “Matthew Baker.” She whispered the name to herself. “What’s so special about you anyway? Here you’re supposed to be the one to help me and as far as I can tell you’re just going to get in the way.” She sighed and climbed into her car and headed in the direction of the dorm that she and Cindy were staying in.
As she grabbed her things and headed toward the building her phone began to ring again. She groaned and decided to ignore it. It was probably just Ali again with another problem that needed solving and more complaints about how Linda wasn’t there helping them out. It wasn’t like Linda didn’t want to be there. More than anything she just wanted to dump this school and this entire planet and go to Imaginess to live for the rest of her life. But not until she found Christilone and her father had made it very clear that this Matthew Baker would be able to help her find him.
She was at the door to her room now she fished out her key and opened the door she dropped her books on her desk and fell unto the bed. Now she just had to figure out what the next step was now that she’d found Matthew.
“She’s amazing Pete.” Matthew was laying on his bed a math book laid out in front of him but he hadn’t been able to concentrate on what he was reading. It had been nearly a month since he had first talked to Linda and in that last month they had studied together more often than Matthew studied with Pete. They had hung out together at a couple other social functions and the two of them had become great friends. But that was all. Linda had refused dinner dates and still wouldn’t go to the astronomy club with him even though she insisted that she loved astronomy.
Pete leaned back in his chair and looked at his friend for a moment. “I really do not understand you Matt. You could have any girl at this school and you choose the one who wants nothing to do with you.”
Matthew sighed and rolled unto his back and tucked his hands behind his head. “I don’t care Pete. She’s the one I just know it and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to convince her of that if that’s what I have to do.”
“You’re crazy.” Pete turned back to the books on his desk leaving Matthew staring at the ceiling and praying that somehow his relationship with Linda would become more than a friendship.
“You guys seem to be getting close.” Cindy said as she held a teal shirt in front of her and looked into the mirror
“Yeah so?” Linda pulled a pair of Khaki pants out of her closet and frowned.
“Those are cute.” Cindy said looking at the pants. She pulled a green belt with beaded fringe out of her closet. “Here try this.” Linda took the belt and thanked her and slipped into the bathroom to change. “So how serious are you guys anyway?”
Linda laughed as she came out of the bathroom. “We’re just friends Cindy.”
“Yeah sure you are.”
“Seriously Cindy we are,” She pulled a green shirt out of her closet and held it in front of her. Cindy nodded and Linda laid it out on the bed and pulled out two more different shirts that also matched the belt “besides,” She looked up at Cindy who was in front of the mirror trying to figure out the best way to pull her hair back. “There’s no way I could even consider dating a-“she stopped
“A what?” Cindy stopped messing with her hair and stared at Linda though the mirror.
“Nothing.”
“Do you like someone else?” She let her hair fall around her shoulders and came over to sit by Linda who was now sitting on the bed a sequency, green shirt in her hands.
Linda looked up at Cindy and smiled “No absolutely not. I just don’t think a relationship with him would work.”
“Why?”
“He’s too obsessed with aliens, ok.”
“Oh, like Brenda.”
“Yes like Brenda.”
“I’m sorry Linda but if it’s any consolation, I think you guys would be great together.”
“Thanks Cindy I think so too. But there is more to it than that.”
“Ok I understand ‘Little Miss Secretive’” Cindy gave her friend a playful nudge and stood up. “If you don’t want to tell me fine.” Then her smile faded and she got serious again. “but if you ever want a chance with Matthew you might want to tell him otherwise forget it…By the way I’d go with that shirt” She said motioning to the one in Linda’s hands “It brings out your eyes.”
Linda smiled and looked down at the shirt in her hands but inside she was thinking. I wish I could Cindy I wish I could.
1 year later
Matthew Baker pulled his Honda Accord into the student parking lot and climbed out of his car. He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat and tossed it over his shoulder. As he walked toward the science building his good friend Peter Nixon ran up and greeted him. “Hey man, how’s it going? You ready for another year?”
“You better believe it Pete,” Matthew responded sarcastically, “another year of teachers, classes and hours of studying.”
“Awww man! you make it sound so horrible. Why do you always have to dwell on the bad stuff? There’s plenty of good stuff that comes with college that has nothing to do with school.”
“Yeah! That astronomy club opens up this year.”
Peter looked defeated. “You' re hopeless man. Hopeless.”
Matthew put his arm around his friend as they continued on their way toward the science building. “Naw, I’m not hopeless I just don’t believe the same things that you do. I’d rather spend my time working on my grades then my social life.”
Peter shook his head and pulled away from his friends embrace. “And this is why you still don’t have a girl.”
“The right girl will come when it’s time. One day I’ll be all done with college and looking to settle down and just like magic the perfect girl will pop into my life.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Peter shook his head again. “I do not understand you Matt.”
“Nope and you never will…not until you understand God.”
Peter rolled his eyes. They were to the science building now. A pretty red-head and a beautiful brunette were just entering the building. “See, how many great picks are out there Matt and almost any of them would go out with you if you just asked.”
Now it was Matthew’s turn to shake his head. “You talk about girls like their objects” Pete didn’t say anything but Matt knew that didn’t mean that his friend agreed with him it just meant that he was tired of the sermon and was hoping Matt would get off his soap box which he tended to climb up on quite frequently.
They were inside the building now and were on their way to astronomy. There was still about 15 minutes until any of the classes started since it was the first day and all the orientations and registration were still in process the day was having a bit of a later start than usual.
Linda Cuthbert entered the lecture hall about 15 minutes before the lecture was supposed to start. Her best friend Cindy Armon was close behind her. There were two other guys in the room but they were so were engrossed in their own conversation that they hadn’t even noticed them come in.
Cindy passed by Linda and started up the steps and stopped a couple rows behind the guys. Linda followed close behind her. Her pencil was beginning to slide off the edge of her stacks of books but she wasn’t able to grab it in time before it slid onto3. the floor. Something slammed into her and caused her to drop her books. She quickly bent down to gather her things the blonde boy who had bumped into her bent down to help her. “I’m sorry.” He said as he handed her books.
“Thank you” she said as she took them looking up into his face for the first time. The first thing she noticed was his eyes. They were a beautiful deep blue and the light reflecting off his eyes seemed to dance as he looked straight into her heart. She quickly looked away afraid that somehow if she allowed him to look too long he would learn everything about her and that she would not allow to happen. She scooped up the last of her books, brushed back her bangs and stood up. He stood up also and handed her the rest of the books. She shifted to her other foot uncomfortably and cleared her throat. “Thanks,”
“Your welcome” He cleared his throat as well and then stuck out his hand. “Matthew Baker.”
She took his hand and shook it. “Linda Cuthbert.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
She shifted back to her other foot and readjusted her books so her pencil wouldn’t fall again. She smiled and worked her way past him and headed toward Cindy.
“He was cute.” Cindy whispered to her as she came nearer “What’s his name?”
“Matthew.” Linda said as she put her stuff down and made herself comfortable. “But don’t get any ideas the whole boyfriend thing is stupid.”
Cindy rolled her eyes and started doodling on her paper. “Well fine then.” Cindy had learned a long time ago not to try pushing her friend into a relationship, after a couple setups and many lectures it just wasn’t worth it. “But maybe you could introduce us unlike you I actually care.” Linda didn’t answer as she looked back down at Matthew and his friend. It wasn’t that she didn’t care she just knew it could never work.
She was beautiful he couldn’t deny that. Even the scar that stretched across her right cheek couldn’t mess up her beauty. As he had handed her back her books and looked into her eyes he could feel himself falling faster and faster. God no! I don’t even know her help me to control my emotions.
Her eyes had held an incredible mystery but she had looked away before he could solve it. She had seemed nervous talking to him but as he watched her throughout the rest of the day he realized that she was one of the most secure people he had ever met.
After class Matthew was waiting outside the building for Peter when Linda came out she walked right past him he stepped in front of her. “Hi”
“Hi.” She smiled shyly and looked down at the ground. Just then her phone rang. She pulled out her cell phone and sighed as she answered. “What is it this time?... Again?...I swear she is going to drive me nuts if she doesn’t stop with this…listen give her 1000K and tell her to come back next week I should be there this weekend…We’ve discussed this Ali I can’t be there all the time. I would love to but I can’t not yet. You guys are doing great without me…I’ll see you this weekend…yep bye.” She hung up the phone with a sigh and looked back to were Matthew was still waiting. She smiled at him and started walking in the direction of the student parking lot.
“So…you like astronomy?” He asked following close behind her.
“Yes, it’s what I decided to major in.”
“So am I, I hope to one day discover a new planet or alien life. You know how famous I could be?”
“Yes, I’m sure you would be very famous.” She said halfheartedly looking down at the ground.
He looked toward her and frowned “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, it’s just that…” She looked up at him, “you could get in a lot of trouble if you aren’t careful; aliens aren’t something to mess with.”
“You sound as if you believe that they really exist.” He said a joking grin on his face.
“That’s not at all what I meant.” Declared Linda almost too defensively in his opinion. She took a deep breath as if to calm herself then continued softly “But there was this one girl at my school last year who said she saw an alien everyone thought she was crazy and she ended up having to be transferred because she was causing a stir.” Matthew got quite then asked.
“Why didn’t they believe her?”
Linda laughed a laugh that Matthew immediately fell in love with. “She had always been kind of loopy anyway and no one liked her very much. Besides that she said that one of the perfectly normal students was the alien and someone she loved to tease and it just happened that that girl had actually gotten her in trouble the day before.”
“That’s too bad.”
He got real quiet then and a frown creased his forehead and she sped up. He had to jog to keep up with her. She turned to the right and stopped at her car “Well I should probably get going.”
“Yeah.” He started to leave and then turned back “Hey Linda if you want I go to an astronomy club on Tuesday’s If you want to join me. They have a big telescope and a food stand along with a library of astronomy books. Me and my friend Peter usually go and hang and study but uh… he can’t make it this week so if you want we can go together and I can introduce you to some of my friends.” She smiled weakly and said
“That sounds great Matthew but…that kind of atmosphere doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe we can get lunch some time instead.”
“Ok.” He shrugged and walked away.
She watched for a minute a frown creasing her forehead “Matthew Baker.” She whispered the name to herself. “What’s so special about you anyway? Here you’re supposed to be the one to help me and as far as I can tell you’re just going to get in the way.” She sighed and climbed into her car and headed in the direction of the dorm that she and Cindy were staying in.
As she grabbed her things and headed toward the building her phone began to ring again. She groaned and decided to ignore it. It was probably just Ali again with another problem that needed solving and more complaints about how Linda wasn’t there helping them out. It wasn’t like Linda didn’t want to be there. More than anything she just wanted to dump this school and this entire planet and go to Imaginess to live for the rest of her life. But not until she found Christilone and her father had made it very clear that this Matthew Baker would be able to help her find him.
She was at the door to her room now she fished out her key and opened the door she dropped her books on her desk and fell unto the bed. Now she just had to figure out what the next step was now that she’d found Matthew.
“She’s amazing Pete.” Matthew was laying on his bed a math book laid out in front of him but he hadn’t been able to concentrate on what he was reading. It had been nearly a month since he had first talked to Linda and in that last month they had studied together more often than Matthew studied with Pete. They had hung out together at a couple other social functions and the two of them had become great friends. But that was all. Linda had refused dinner dates and still wouldn’t go to the astronomy club with him even though she insisted that she loved astronomy.
Pete leaned back in his chair and looked at his friend for a moment. “I really do not understand you Matt. You could have any girl at this school and you choose the one who wants nothing to do with you.”
Matthew sighed and rolled unto his back and tucked his hands behind his head. “I don’t care Pete. She’s the one I just know it and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to convince her of that if that’s what I have to do.”
“You’re crazy.” Pete turned back to the books on his desk leaving Matthew staring at the ceiling and praying that somehow his relationship with Linda would become more than a friendship.
“You guys seem to be getting close.” Cindy said as she held a teal shirt in front of her and looked into the mirror
“Yeah so?” Linda pulled a pair of Khaki pants out of her closet and frowned.
“Those are cute.” Cindy said looking at the pants. She pulled a green belt with beaded fringe out of her closet. “Here try this.” Linda took the belt and thanked her and slipped into the bathroom to change. “So how serious are you guys anyway?”
Linda laughed as she came out of the bathroom. “We’re just friends Cindy.”
“Yeah sure you are.”
“Seriously Cindy we are,” She pulled a green shirt out of her closet and held it in front of her. Cindy nodded and Linda laid it out on the bed and pulled out two more different shirts that also matched the belt “besides,” She looked up at Cindy who was in front of the mirror trying to figure out the best way to pull her hair back. “There’s no way I could even consider dating a-“she stopped
“A what?” Cindy stopped messing with her hair and stared at Linda though the mirror.
“Nothing.”
“Do you like someone else?” She let her hair fall around her shoulders and came over to sit by Linda who was now sitting on the bed a sequency, green shirt in her hands.
Linda looked up at Cindy and smiled “No absolutely not. I just don’t think a relationship with him would work.”
“Why?”
“He’s too obsessed with aliens, ok.”
“Oh, like Brenda.”
“Yes like Brenda.”
“I’m sorry Linda but if it’s any consolation, I think you guys would be great together.”
“Thanks Cindy I think so too. But there is more to it than that.”
“Ok I understand ‘Little Miss Secretive’” Cindy gave her friend a playful nudge and stood up. “If you don’t want to tell me fine.” Then her smile faded and she got serious again. “but if you ever want a chance with Matthew you might want to tell him otherwise forget it…By the way I’d go with that shirt” She said motioning to the one in Linda’s hands “It brings out your eyes.”
Linda smiled and looked down at the shirt in her hands but inside she was thinking. I wish I could Cindy I wish I could.
The Captive (Preview and Synopsis)
Synopsis:
Matthew is a sophomore in college going to school to be an astronomer. When he meets freshman Linda Cuthbert its love at first sight. It’s just too bad she doesn’t seem to see it that way. Every time he thinks she might be interested she pushes him away. When things start to get weird he starts to wonder if there might be more to this girl than meets the eye. What is she hiding? Why does she always seem to be watching him? And why does she refuse to come to his astronomy club when she insists that she loves astronomy?
Matthew’s questions are soon answered when Linda and her alien friends take him captive. Matthew must spend time in a musty prison talking to a disheartened Saturian who feeds the fires of his curiosity. Matthew’s only hope lies in one person, one whose name is met only with fear. Su Kutcha.
Preview:
There on the shore sat an ugly creature staring at him hungrily. Mangy hair hung around its face its teeth sent shivers racing up his spine and its beady black eyes felt like they had pierced through to his very soul. He retreated back into the house. He found a back door and started for the water he bent down he started to wrestle with a makeshift pole he had made. He and his dad had gone fishing once or twice when he was younger and his dad had taught him how to fish he gazed into the water to look for a fish that he could hook. But instead of finding an unsuspecting victim he found himself staring into beady black eyes they held his stare he looked to see that the water was filled with the creatures he turned and ran back toward the house slamming the door behind him he was surrounded and trapped.
Matthew is a sophomore in college going to school to be an astronomer. When he meets freshman Linda Cuthbert its love at first sight. It’s just too bad she doesn’t seem to see it that way. Every time he thinks she might be interested she pushes him away. When things start to get weird he starts to wonder if there might be more to this girl than meets the eye. What is she hiding? Why does she always seem to be watching him? And why does she refuse to come to his astronomy club when she insists that she loves astronomy?
Matthew’s questions are soon answered when Linda and her alien friends take him captive. Matthew must spend time in a musty prison talking to a disheartened Saturian who feeds the fires of his curiosity. Matthew’s only hope lies in one person, one whose name is met only with fear. Su Kutcha.
Preview:
There on the shore sat an ugly creature staring at him hungrily. Mangy hair hung around its face its teeth sent shivers racing up his spine and its beady black eyes felt like they had pierced through to his very soul. He retreated back into the house. He found a back door and started for the water he bent down he started to wrestle with a makeshift pole he had made. He and his dad had gone fishing once or twice when he was younger and his dad had taught him how to fish he gazed into the water to look for a fish that he could hook. But instead of finding an unsuspecting victim he found himself staring into beady black eyes they held his stare he looked to see that the water was filled with the creatures he turned and ran back toward the house slamming the door behind him he was surrounded and trapped.
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