by B R Flores
Shit. Irritated by the difficulty of crawling up the staircase and the loss of his flashlight, Cole’s temper flared. The area lit up bright purple, revealing every corner and crevice along the rocky hallway. Indeed, this new body had its perks. When he calmed himself, his stripes changed to orange then faded away into the dark. Cole concentrated, willing his stripes to intensify again, and he began to glow brighter and brighter, lighting up the winding hallway leading to the main entrance. Excited to be finally free of the winery, Cole pushed on the door just enough to peek out. Opening the door a tad more, he checked the gravel road where he’d parked the patrol car. His cruiser was gone, and no one was in sight. That same nagging voice in his head was warning him not to step outside. This was nuts. Going back into the winery was not an option, and somehow, he knew the sun would satisfy his hunger. Cole brushed off his fears and pushed the door wide open into the glorious sunshine. A blanket of warmth covered his weak body, rejuvenating his strength. He stretched out his arms and slowly turned in a circle, absorbing the sun’s life force. Outside the winery his stripes were a stunning green that boldly stood out against his luminous tan skin. Cole surrendered his fears and mistrust to the voice inside his head. An instant sense of wellbeing and self-awareness gave him the direction he was searching for. From now on, he would embrace the mutation as a gift, not a curse. No longer in control, he felt himself fly onto the clay roof of the old winery to explore Earth through reborn eyes. Tiny details were vivid, and his head was filled with amazing sounds. Songs from colorful birds perched high above in a majestic oak tree were soothing, although listening to them was creating a rift between the voice promising salvation and the need to preserve his Human soul. Before he could protest, the voice took control of his body and he stretched out on the rooftop. Distracted, he began to fantasize about all the possibilities as he soaked up the sun’s rays. He could have stayed there forever, but he owed his family an explanation. Cole stepped off the roof, landing softly on the ground to begin the trek towards his Human home. Once again, the voice warned him of dangers and to use caution as he neared populated areas. Wishing he could skip the whole confession, he questioned why and how he was going to explain any of it to a Human. Off to one side of the wooded trail, an inviting boulder with a flat ridge beckoned him. This felt like home. He’d stretch-out and soak up more sunlight until night fell.
THE SUN HAD SET, THE MOON was full, and it was time to fulfill his commitment. Navigating the streets in the moonlight was easy, avoiding Humans was tricky. Nothing had changed, yet he felt different about everything. Ginger had been the love of his life, but he did not feel that way now. Regardless, she deserved to know why he was not coming home.
Cole was confused. While part of him realized – and accepted – that his life was to be different now, he stood in his backyard feeling homesick. How could he so easily give this life away? He wished the voice in his head would let him think and stop telling him what to do. Faint odors of an outdoor grill with sizzling ribs brought back precious memories. He imagined kicking back on a lounge chair, sipping a cold beer, while Ginger prepared the fixings. Watching her set the table with plates and glasses always relaxed him after a long day.
Resisting the nagging voice in his head, Cole fought off a disturbing sadness as he spied on Ginger and his mother through the kitchen window. A couple of steps closer would suffice to eavesdrop. It worked. His keen ears picked up every word. Ginger and his mom were in a heated argument over whether he was dead or missing. Cole crouched beneath the window trying to guess how many days he had been in the winery. Two, maybe three days tops? Listening to them bicker with one another gave him the justification to leave without an explanation. Somewhere out there was home, not here and not Earth.
The yard grew brighter and brighter. His emotions were out of control. Ginger and his mom stopped arguing mid-sentence and shuffled closer to the window. They leaned forward to peer out into the mysterious glowing backyard and screamed, horrified by the creature crouched beneath the window. Cole sprung-up, stepped-back, and covered his ears to muffle their shrieks. This was his moment of clarity. All he could think of was fleeing this exasperating planet plagued by irrational Humans. Instinctively his body transformed into pure energy and streaked across the sky until he unconsciously willed himself to stop. Weightless and free, he floated far above the magnificent blue orb, Earth in all her glory. Finding peace in space, Cole was confident that he no longer required air, gravity, or his weak, Human-half. Somewhere hidden within this spectacular universe was home. He closed his eyes trying to remember where his planet was concealed amongst the infinite galaxies and their stars. Distracting him were useless cryptic images of Earth and ages forever gone. These memories were blocking his instincts to navigate home and were consuming energy he could no longer afford to waste. If he were to survive, the voice in his head was his only chance. Floating in space gave him time to reflect and ponder his limited options. Leaving Earth and traveling deep into the cosmos with no clear direction was unavoidable, even if it meant his demise. The next star on his journey was many light years away, but active planets could provide an alternative energy. Mars was an excellent place to begin. She was convenient and uninhabited. In less than a blink of an eye he found himself floating above the small red planet and looking back at Earth. Considering why he cared to look back was dangerous. Adding to his confusion was the knowledge that Mars had once been a fertile planet, one that tragically died many years ago. How he knew didn’t matter. What did matter was the knowledge that beneath his feet a cold iron-core guarded tragic stories of a distant holocaust. He felt profound sorrow. Taking a moment to appreciate her beauty, Cole marveled at the rocky terrain with sheer, red stained cliffs shadowed by the distant sun. Nonetheless, she was no longer capable of providing an energy source. Her atmosphere was thin and arid except for random patches of frozen water. Gazing up at the glittering stars made Cole feel even more lost. Where was his planet and where to begin? One tiny star cried out to him. Cole turned into energy and sped past Neptune, leaving Earth’s solar system into the Orion Belt.
On and on he traveled into the void. Time and space became irrelevant and impossible to decipher. Cole had underestimated the distance and was growing weak and afraid. Returning to Earth was no longer an option; he’d gone too far. Without an energy source he would eventually vanish into oblivion. To conserve strength, he became dormant, sailing on the waves of black matter for the long trek. What was once a brilliant light streaking across the Milky Way Galaxy dimmed to an insignificant glow in an endless prison of night.
two
FORLORN EARTH
FRANK grew impatient, angrier, and more discouraged the longer the case dragged on. His only salvation was to comfort Cole’s grieving family and protect them from the media invasion. The mysterious missing Police Officer story and Cole’s photograph had been broadcast on every news channel across the nation. Adding to the madness, an endless stream of reporters had bombarded the small city. After weeks of searching day and night with zero leads, the Police Department declared Cole officially missing. The media moved on to current breaking news, and the assisting agencies were sent home. Cole’s case was considered cold and officially closed pending further evidence. Frank was positive that his friend had succumbed to a heinous murder. Someday his bones would surface, ending the mystery and providing closure for his suffering family.
Soon after Cole’s disappearance, Frank and Judy learned of Ginger’s pregnancy. Together with Cole’s mother they supported her during the funeral and with the birth of Cole’s baby boy. People moved on, along with any hope of finding Cole. But Ginger never gave up. In her heart she believed the strange creature in the backyard was somehow connected to Cole’s disappearance. Cole’s mom, Beverly, feared the authorities would simply dismiss their preposterous monster encounter. No doubt, most of their friends would consider them temporarily insane from grief, or worse, they’d be accused of fabricating a crazy story for attention. Even
tually Beverly refused to discuss the incident even with Ginger.
As the months passed, Cole’s mother grew bitter and withdrew from everyone and everything. Day after day, she spent most of her time sitting at the kitchen table staring out the window at nothing. When the day was over, Ginger would tuck the old woman into bed and kiss her forehead goodnight. In the morning, Beverly would wait for Ginger to awaken before she’d get out of bed. Her old eyes were always sad and swollen from crying the night before. Each day she’d shuffle out of her bedroom and find herself sitting at the table to begin the vicious cycle all over again.
FOR GINGER, COLE’S DISAPPEARANCE SEEMED like yesterday. Everyone had a suggestion about how she should move on with her life, and they weren’t shy about expressing them. Friends were unanimous that Beverly should be moved to a care facility, adding that it was not only for her sake, but for Ginger’s too. Apparently, this would allow Ginger the freedom to date. As far as Ginger was concerned, everyone should mind their own business. Getting into a romantic relationship was not practical with a young child, and she wasn’t ready. Nonetheless, Frank’s wife, Judy, had other plans, and she was not taking no for an answer. She’d arranged a dinner for the three of them and a blind date for Ginger at a restaurant downtown. Frank begrudgingly agreed, believing the date was more for his wife than for Ginger.
The man Judy had chosen for Ginger was her new boss. Andrew was an accomplished bio-engineer and professor who had recently accepted a position at the local government research facility. Supposedly, he was in the final stages of closing escrow on one of the most prestigious homes in the area.
Full of trepidation, Ginger slowly prepared to meet Andrew. The commitment was not going away, no matter how much she dragged her feet. Feeling sick to her stomach as she traveled to the restaurant, she continued to drive. No more excuses. Although, with any luck all the parking spaces would be full. She knew she was being childish wanting any excuse to turn around and go home. There were plenty of empty spaces. Sitting in the parking lot wasn’t going to change anything either, except make her late. She might as well go in, if nothing else, give it a shot.
three
IN ABSENTIA
“One must evolve to endure”
A light blinked, then another and another. Was it possible in this cold relentless void he felt warmth? Cole rotated in space to absorb the magnificent Targus Sun. Against all odds, he’d found his minuscule solar system hidden amongst billions of stars…
What an incredible journey. All the same, he was grateful that it was almost over. Cole yearned to feel Palatu’s breeze and vibrant atmosphere against his body. For a hundred and thirty-five years she had been his life force and sanctuary. Through it all, visions of sparkling, silver oceans had kept him sane. Home. He could see Palatu in the distance. From this moment on, he swore to himself never to leave her again.
Cole forgave himself for taking the Human’s soul the moment he morphed into body form above Palatu. Silver oceans sparkled, and the warm, red, volcanic ground felt good between his toes. A deep absorption of carbon dioxide and vapor penetrated his brilliant skin, making him feel whole again. In all his grandeur, Cole’s regal silhouette appeared divine against the kaleidoscope sky. Wanting to revel in being home for as long as he could, Cole laid on the ground to look up at the Targus Sun through the forest’s canopy of yellow leaves. Earth and his Human life were nothing more than fading memories of a dream; however, though it drew him in, his life on Palatu was fragmented and confusing at best.
Falling asleep wasn’t what he’d planned, but apparently his body needed rest. Upon awakening, he felt stronger, mentally sharper, and fully energized. It was time to face his past, regardless of what that meant. Cole strolled towards his village enjoying the warm breeze and colorful tropical trees. The jagged volcanic cliffs beyond the forest were covered in aqua flowers with bright red leaves. In the distance, layers of volcanic mountains were erupting, sending showers of magma fireworks into the sky.
While part of him was at home and at peace, his Human-half buried deep within his soul was screaming to be heard. This part of him was of the Earth, and it wanted to go home.
four
QUIZAN AXIS
With their race in danger of extinction, several years before Cole’s journey to Earth, a small rebellious group of Quizans had secretly explored the possibility of a merge with an alien species. After thoughtful consideration, Humans were by far the best candidate. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined just how incredible the hybrid would be. Cole was stronger, faster, acute, and fearless. Be that as it may, for thousands of years a Quizan merging with an alien species was strictly forbidden. Besides, no one believed a Quizan could survive the long journey, or that a Human merge was truly feasible. But there he stood, living proof that they were wrong. Nonetheless, his blatant disregard for the King’s Rules meant severe punishment for him and his close friends and diminution of his wife’s status in the clan’s hierarchy. This he could not allow. Rodia’s family was of old Cavern descent, dating back millions of years. Though he was eager to see his wife, his fears heightened the closer he got to home.
Cole froze. His keen ears caught the faint sound of something approaching. He was right. A group of Quizan males came into to view around the bend. Clueless, they came closer and closer, making such a ruckus the Ayaks flew out the trees. At last, one of them looked up and screamed. The other four stopped so abruptly they fell over each other into a Quizan pile. Shrieking hysterically, they pushed and shoved each other, then flashed into red energy as they disappeared into the forest. Shocked by their reaction, Cole also flashed into red energy and shot up into space. He was now looking down at Palatu.
That did not go as planned.
Cole descended to search for the frightened Quizans. Calling out, he hoped they were still hiding amongst the trees, “I’m Azha from Cavern Village. Do not fear me.”
Thinking aloud Azha smiled, “Azha? Yes, my name is Azha.”
All five Quizans peeked out from behind trees, curious to see if Azha was the strange creature standing before them. One of his oldest friends shouted, “Alien, what’s your wife’s name?”
“Belton, it’s me Azha. I found Humans.”
He could not recall his wife’s name. The crazy thing was, he had known it just moments before.
“I heard you alien. Prove you’re Azha and tell me your wife’s name?” Belton demanded.
Dumbfounded, he tried to remember. Ro… Rod… Roddie. Yes, yes. Rodia, that’s her name.
“My wife’s name is Rodia,” he shouted back.
Belton jumped out from behind a tree, “Azha, is that really you?”
Azha’s stripes turned green as he spun in circles. “Yes, Belton. I merged with a Human called Cole.”
One after the other the little Quizans ran towards him, “Azha’s returned to save us all!” they shouted.
Shoving one another aside, they climbed up Azha’s legs and hung onto his large fingers. They were all talking at the same time, making it impossible to understand a single word they were saying.
“I promise to answer all your questions, but right now I want to see Rodia,” laughed Azha.
“Yes, yes, come, follow us,” they shouted in delight.
All agreed it was a joyous day to celebrate as they pulled and sometimes pushed Azha on the path towards Cavern Village.
AZHA WAS A GIANT COMPARED to his frail friends, and Cavern Village looked primitive compared to the Villages he’d seen on Earth. Given a choice, he would have spent more time in the forest adjusting to his new role, whatever that may be. But good or bad, it was too late to turn around. Belton had scurried ahead and was shouting for all to hear.
“Azha found Humans and returned powerful to save us all. Behold, Azha is here.”
Quizans ran cheering from their caves to join the booming celebration in the center of the courtyard. Rodia pushed and shoved her way through the crowd until she laid eyes on the stranger wh
o claimed to be her husband. This cruel imposter was not Azha. Heartbroken, Rodia fell to her knees in grief and began sobbing. Watching her restored his determination to save his clan. How arrogant of him to judge the village so harshly. Azha leaned over casting a shadow on his little Quizan wife.
“Rodia, don’t cry. It’s me.”
She heard a hint of Azha in the creature’s voice. Perhaps the imposter was telling the truth. Was it possible Azha had merged with a Human and found his way home? If so, he’d be the bravest Quizan that ever lived. Rodia stared at the ground and wiped the tears from her face. “You scare me.”
“I don’t want to scare you, I just want to go home.”
Rodia raised her head to look at the giant, “Me, too.”
Azha took Rodia’s hand, and together they pushed through the mob of cheering Quizans, relieved that his journey was finally over.
Several uneventful days later his homecoming was interrupted by King Myosis who had heard about the merge and was livid. He made a spectacle of himself as he stormed across the courtyard towards Azha’s cavern with four Leaders by his side. Streams of curious Quizans trailed behind to watch the show. Rodia and Azha heard the commotion, looked outside, and saw they were about to face the King’s wrath. Azha stood in the doorway and Rodia turned into energy. King Myosis and the four Leaders stomped past Azha without a word as they barged into his cavern.
“How dare you defile yourself with a Human. Breaking my rules is blasphemy and will not be tolerated,” the King blustered. Raging on, he waved his arms theatrically to enhance his verbal thrashing. Azha was not afraid of the King, but he refused to speak or defend himself until the old tyrant was spent. Red faced, King Myosis mocked, “Has your Human-half made you dim? Say something!”