The New World: Blue Moon Generatoin

by Andy Skrzynski

  Caru shook her head. "There you go again. Do you believe everything you hear? I'm sure your pa exaggerated his bedtime stories to scare you out of your wits."

  Fox forced a smile but continued scanning the area. "Sure worked. I don't feel that safe out here."

  "You big chicken. Come on. Once we start sparring, you'll forget those fairy tales."

  "Hope so."

  Squealing, the three horses reared up partway. Each of the mares danced nervously in place.

  Proto steadied his steed. "Did you feel that? I felt a tremor — a huge one!"

  Caru scanned the area. "Yeah, everything was shaking!"

  Fox cocked his head. "I hear something."

  Caru pointed. "Over there! Someone's screaming! Let's check it out!"

  She flicked her reins, and Cocoa jolted to the right. With thundering hooves, the others quickly followed.

  While her steed charged toward the screams, something zipped by, nicking Caru's ear.

  She shuddered. What was that?

  As she rode, increasing numbers of projectiles zoomed through the air toward the swelling yells.

  Her mare squealed again. "Keep going, Cocoa!" She leaned forward and rubbed the horse's neck to soothe its nerves.

  She glimpsed to her left as her pulse quickened. Leaves and small twigs flew through the air.

  Even medium-sized stones and branches skidded and tumbled across the ground in the same direction. What's happening?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Hell's Vortex

  Moments Later in Porcupine Forest

  Friday ~ July 10, 2093 ~ 1:50 pm

  Cocoa galloped in the direction of the flying debris as a shiver shot through Caru's body. Eerie sensations crawled across her skin while she clung to the mare's mane with one hand and wiped sweat from her brow with the other.

  Zipping through the air before her, leaves, twigs, and stones converged on the same area near the edge of the woods.

  She squinted. This is crazy! What's happening?

  Ahead, an immense crack in the earth extended across a large glade. Rumbles emanated from the central point of the crevice as a fierce whirlwind sucked the swirling debris into its depths.

  Screams pierced the horrendous noise near the commotion. Caru yelled to her buddies.

  "Hurry, someone needs help!" She dug her heels in Cocoa's side, and the steed raced faster.

  As the horse neared, Caru hopped off and sprinted toward the shrieks. The ferocious gusts whipped her hair. This thing's going to suck me in like everything else!

  She sprawled to the ground, and the tug calmed. "We're coming!"

  Caru's heart pounded as she quickened her crawl across the dirt. The closer she got, the greater she struggled to maintain her grip on the grass along the way.

  The vortex of a miniature tornado spun to the right of eight little fingers barely visible along the ledge. More of the forest's debris zipped by and disappeared into the hole.

  Trying not to be swept into the crevice, Caru slowly stretched one arm at a time to pull herself toward the victim. When she arrived, she peered over the newly-formed cliff.

  A young, bloodied girl with long, matted hair clung to a large root. It's Wandy! "Hold on!"

  The child's muddied hands slid down the slippery lifeline. "Help, I can't hang on!"

  Spotting a small ledge to the left and a foot below the frightened youngster, Caru yelled. "You've got to hold tight! Look me in the eyes! I'm going to get you out of there."

  Caru stared at the seven-year-old. Come on, Wandy, pay attention to me. Listen to my thoughts.

  A moment later, the horrified victim swung to one side and let go. When her feet touched the ground, her arms flapped wildly as she leaned back toward the abyss.

  Caru gasped. The child screeched as she reached out and clutched a tangled cluster of roots. Regaining her footing, she fell to her knees and sobbed.

  "Stay there while we find something to get you out." Still lying near the edge, Caru turned her head toward Fox and yelled. "Tie a rope to your saddle!"

  "I'll gitit!" He ran, and after Proto helped him secure the line to Xena, he tossed the free end toward Caru.

  Swirling winds caught it and carried it away from the target. Fox scrunched his face, concentrating on the rope. Seconds later, the flailing end slowly moved in Caru's direction.

  She snatched it out of the air and tied it in the form of a makeshift harness. Caru lowered it to Wandy. "Here, step into the lower section and put the top portion under your armpits. Stay close to the wall to avoid the falling objects."

  As the little girl placed the lifeline around her trembling body, a loud swoosh swelled behind Caru. She turned and saw her friend.

  Fox's eyes swelled. "Watchit! Branch headed yer way!" He stood rigid, focusing his attention on the impending threat.

  Twisting, Caru glanced behind her. An icy chill gripped her soul.

  Just as the limb was about to slam her, it shook and veered to the right, barely missing her. It tumbled over the ledge into the black hole hundreds of feet below.

  Caru looked at Fox. "Thanks!"

  Behind him, Proto sat ready on his buddy's mare.

  Caru peered at the tattered youngster. The harness was in place.

  "Pull her up! Slow and steady." With Proto's guidance, Xena, the largest of the three horses, gingerly stepped back.

  After reaching the top and climbing out of the crevice, the shaky victim struggled to stand. A small branch struck her arm. "Ow!"

  She teetered backward as one foot slipped off the ridge. Her eyes and mouth widened as a silent scream escaped.

  Caru grabbed the petrified child's arm and yanked her to safety. A sting shot across Caru's ear as a sharp twig brushed her face. "Stay low!"

  Shivering, Wandy held on tight as tears flooded over her smudged cheeks. "I thought I was going to die."

  "Let's get out of here!" With the scared girl clinging to her back, Caru crawled away from the fissure.

  Proto jumped off the steed and helped her escape the gale of strange but ruthless winds. Distancing herself from the whipping breezes, Caru set the youngster down.

  Fox rushed to the child and hugged her. "Wandy, you okay?"

  Half-surprised, he turned toward Caru. "She's one of Hoot's friends! She's always runnin' off, explorin'."

  Caru gently clutched his shoulder. "Don't worry about that now. Give me your shirt."

  Hesitating at first, he slowly lifted the purple garment over his head and handed it to her. Unsheathing a knife strapped to her hip, Caru lowered the sharp blade to one of the sleeves.

  "Whoa, what you doin'? That's my favorite shirt!"

  "Sorry, you're gonna have to find another. I need this one to clean up Wandy and stop the bleeding. Here, you can help. Cut strips to wrap her wounds."

  She handed the cutting tool and garment to Fox. Proto squatted next to him and grabbed the long pieces of cloth as his buddy sliced the sleeves of his treasured possession.

  While Caru tied the makeshift bandages around the little girl's larger wounds, something caught the corner of her eye. She glanced over her shoulder and pointed. "Look! Over there! Fox, isn't that the same guy you saw at the lake?"

  "Sure looks like him."

  Caru stood and cupped her hand above her brow and squinted. Not far, on the opposite side of the chasm, stood what looked to be a teenage boy with dark markings over his brow, across the forehead.

  She turned to her buddies. "Who is that? Why is he always watching us?"

  Later That Day ~ 4:30 pm

  After taking Wandy back to her family and recounting the events of the afternoon, Caru guided Cocoa back home to the family stable. She dismounted and removed the harness and saddle. I'm not sure I want to face Father. He's surely gonna be mad about that blazing cat.

  When she finished brushing her horse's coat, Caru grabbed a scoop and dug it deep into the barrel of oats. She fed and watered Cocoa, then swung the stable gate closed.

  I might a
s well get this over with. It ain't going to get better. She trudged toward the cabin and opened the back door.

  Thoruk sat on a black and white cowhide couch in the living room. Motionless, her father just kept staring at Queasy's monthly newsletter to Ukkiville. He's pretending not to know.

  She drew a long breath. Here we go.

  Walking around a small cedar end table, she stood in front of her father and gingerly muttered. "Hi, how was your day?"

  Not a word. Perturbed but undaunted, she persisted. "You're not going to believe what we found in Wolverine Forest. Everything was swirling and Wandy..."

  Thoruk shot a glare. "Stop!"

  The pupils of his deep forest-green eyes swelled till his glower turned black as coal. Though he had promised never to use his telepathic powers on family and friends, Caru was unsure at that moment. She sucked a quick breath.

  "Why didn't you tell me about the muclone kitten? I had to wait till Queasy explained what happened."

  Frozen in place, she forced a smile even though her soul felt exposed. "I forgot. Really I did. I must have gotten too busy!"

  Her father's shoulders slunk as he lowered his eyes. "You know better than that. You weren't going to say a thing."

  "Sure I was. It just slipped my mind."

  Silence fell over the room. He never lifted his eyes; just stared at his feet.

  A drop of sweat slowly dripped down the side Caru's cheek. Her heart ached as she stared at her father's thick, shoulder-length hair.

  Say something. Anything. I hate this silence! More than a minute passed without a word.

  Lifting his chin at a snail's pace, Thoruk settled his stare directly into her eyes. Caru didn't know what to make of her father's expression: a terrifying mix of extreme disappointment, anger, and maybe a touch of bewilderment.

  Never had she witnessed the disappointment etched into his weathered face. His darling, baby girl had saddened him like never before.

  Her entire chest hurt. She gulped and slowly closed her eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry. I won't ever do that again! I promise."

  "I hope not, Caru — for your sake — and of those around you."

  Father won't ever love me the same again. A tear rolled from her eye. "I'm sorry. Truly I am. How can I make it up to you?"

  Thoruk's jawbone stiffened. "Your mother and I have already discussed this."

  He paused for what seemed like an hour but was likely only seconds. "You need to think about your actions and how you should behave. You certainly haven't been acting like someone who should be considered as a future leader."

  Thoruk peered into her eyes. "You need to decide what you think your punishment should be. Mother and I will discuss it with you during breakfast tomorrow."

  Slumping, she felt no bigger than a small rat. What? Tomorrow? No, no, no! Shivers, I can't wait that long; I'll die!

  She raised her arms. "That's not fair!"

  Her father's face morphed into a well-worn expression. He didn't have to utter his thoughts. She knew the response well, 'who ever said life was fair'?

  Turning, Thoruk pointed to the hallway. "Go to your room until we call you to dinner. Think about it. We'll talk again in the morning."

  "But, Father! You need to hear what happened this afterno..."

  "Tomorrow! Not now!" His neck turned dark red. "Go!"

  CHAPTER NINE

  The Wiggler's Dance

  Saturday ~ July 11, 2093 ~ 8:15 am

  First to wake the next morning, Caru lit the kindling in the wood stove. After setting a black kettle of oatmeal over the fire, she mixed water in a pot with chicksoy, a combination of chicory and soy used in the new world as an alternative to the increasingly expensive coffee bean.

  She added a touch of vanilla to the brew and sniffed the bottle before placing it back on the shelf. Mmm, I love that smell. Beyond a doubt, that was likely to be the only pleasant thing she would experience that morning.

  Caru stirred the cereal until it thickened to a creamy consistency, then stood the wooden ladle on end. It remained erect in the middle of the goop. Perfect!

  Scooping a helping, she pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table. It wouldn't be long before her parents smelled her enticing peace offering. Maybe it would be enough to soften the blow about to fall her way — so she hoped.

  Annoyed by the monotonous tick of the old cuckoo clock in the living room, she pushed oatmeal around the rim of her bowl. I can't stand this waiting! Why don't they just sentence me and get it over with?

  Footsteps approached down the hall from the bedrooms. Her father appeared from the shadows. With his wavy, bronze-red hair sticking out in all directions, he looked as if he'd slept for months.

  Caru shot from her chair. "Good morning, Father. Can I pour you some chic?"

  He mumbled. "Sure. It's best if we start our talk after I've had my first cup and Mother's here."

  After handing Thoruk his wake-up juice, she sat and crossed her arms on the table.

  A moment later, Charilulka emerged from the dark. "Whatever you made sure smells good."

  Caru ran to the stove and lifted the pot of brew. "Good morning, Mother. Let me pour you some."

  "That's sweet. I see you made some oatmeal too." Charilulka grabbed a dish from the cupboard and scooped a couple of dips.

  She sat at the round cedar table beside Caru. "Thank you, dear."

  Thoruk joined them and glanced at his wife. She twisted her thick, auburn mane around her pinkie.

  Great! Mother's playing with her hair. That's never good.

  Her father cleared his throat and turned toward Caru. "Have you thought about what you did?"

  She forced a smile. "Yes, but I need to tell you what happened while we were in the woods yesterday."

  "That can wait."

  Intensely, Caru looked at Thoruk. "Father, you have to hear this first."

  He rolled his eyes. "Alright, what's so blazing important?"

  After recounting her experience with the wild vortex, she mentioned pulling the young girl from the crevice. "See, I can do good things too. If it wasn't for me and my cousins, who knows what would have happened to Wandy. By the way, the strange person we saw when we were fighting that monster fish at the lake was watching us again!"

  Eyes wide open, her father shook his head. "Why didn't you tell me this yesterday?"

  "I tried, but you wouldn't listen. You told me to go straight to my room."

  Teli peeked out from around the edge of the hallway. "What's all the racket our here? I need my beauty rest."

  Caru's parents turned and raised their voices in unison. "Go back to bed and shut the door!"

  Like a spooked rat, he whirled and disappeared. The door slammed shut.

  Thoruk stiffened in his chair and looked at Caru. "Next time, if you've got something really important, you need to be more direct and make me listen. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir, I will."

  "I'll deal with this matter later after we've discussed your behavior recently. You said you thought about what you did?"

  "Yes." She squirmed.

  "Good." He sat up straight. "What do you think your punishment should be?"

  Guessing her parents opted for an aggressive lesson for her second serious offense in less than a week, she heaved a long sigh. "I figure a month of grounding while helping Mother in the cabin would be a stiff reward for my bad behavior."

  Her father paused, then gazed at Charilulka, who offered a thin smile. Thoruk returned a grin. "Okay."

  He rubbed his chin. "That sounds reasonable. But you understand you won't be seeing your friends, except at church on Sundays, right?"

  Caru stared at her food. "Yes, sir, I understand." As if swabbed with cotton, the roof of her mouth dried and felt tacky against her tongue.

  She turned her head. I can't believe I just agreed to work indoors for a month. I hate this!

  Thoruk nodded. "Good. When we're done eating, why don't you help your mother clear the table so you
can wash the dishes?"

  Lowering her gaze, Caru stood. "Yes, sir."

  He twisted toward the hallway. "Teli. You can come out when you're ready for some oatmeal."

  Lacking the appetite to eat another bite, Caru took her bowl and spoon to the sink. She shook her head as she snatched a dishrag from under the counter.

  This month will last forever!

  The Next Week

  Wednesday ~ July 15, 2093 ~ 1:30 pm

  Suffering a painful few days without his cousin, the girl who most tugged his heartstrings, Fox knelt down and stroked his dog's neck. "What do ya think, Ghost? It's just not as much fun without Caru, is it?"

  The frosty-white Pyrenees tilted her head as Fox stared at her. "Ah, you wouldn't understand. You're just a mutt."

  He scratched underneath the dog's chin. "Let's get Proto." Ghost leaped to her feet and ran through the gate across the pasture.

  "Whoa, wait for me." Fox chased his loyal protector.

  Minutes later and tuckered out, Fox bent over to catch his breath on Proto's porch. "Brutish, dog, did you have to run so fast?" Panting with her tongue extended, the trusty canine plopped on the worn cedar planks.

  Fox knocked. "Hey, Proto, it's me, yer bud!"

  The knob turned, and the oak door swung wide. Proto smiled and ran out of the door, leaving it open. "Bye, Mom, I'm going with Fox!"

  He hopped over the steps, and when his feet barely touched the ground, his father's voice boomed. "Proto! Get back here and shut the door!"

  Spinning, he sprinted back and latched it. He yanked Fox's arm. "Come on, let's go!"

  They raced toward the woods as Ghost and Ice galloped in their wake.

  After running deeper into the forest, Fox stopped and turned toward his burly buddy. "I hate that Caru can't be with us! Life's purdy boring without her around."

  Barely able to talk, Proto drew deep breaths. "That's for sure, but we get in a lot less trouble."

  He sucked in more air. "I swear, that girl could get St. Peter in hot water with the Lord."

  Fox chuckled. "You ain't kiddin'! Whenever I talk at the dinner table about what we've done, the mention of Caru's name gits Pa's eyes rollin' up into his forehead."