by Alan Tucker
They traveled that way for perhaps a half hour, alternating between jogging and walking, and stopped only once to re-secure Deena in the litter and change carriers. In the distance behind them, the drumming ceased.
The group kept moving, even more conscious of the need to keep silent.
A few minutes later, a great howl of many voices erupted in the distance behind them. Jenni and Sara exchanged scared looks and they picked up their pace.
“Sounds like they discovered we snuck out,” Mr. Kain said from behind them. “Keep going everyone, as fast as you can.”
Jenni’s lungs were already on fire, but fear gave her a boost. Some of the others, including Mrs. Minch, were faltering. The group was getting strung out across the terrain.
Too short a time passed before Jenni heard the sounds of pursuit. Barks and howls and yips came closer through the night, each one serving to spur her on just a little faster.
Jenni heard Denny and a few others stop behind her. She did as well to see what they were doing and catch her breath. A quarter moon was rising in the east and provided more light to their surroundings. She didn’t think her heart could beat any harder, but it proved her wrong when she saw what was behind them.
The Gobinstratstorai came in many shapes and sizes. Some were almost as small as Crank, others were as tall as four feet and nearly as wide. They all had in common, however, large, irregular ears that stuck out from their heads, and dark, greenish skin. What little light there was glinted off small spear tips and the occasional axe head. They wore a mixed assortment of cloth rags and animal skins and covered ground fast — most upright, but some on all fours. Jenni stared in fear, estimating their number at more than thirty.
Denny opened his pack and produced a couple of softball-sized wads of notebook paper, tied up with yarn. He gave one to Mr. Kain, then pulled a lighter out of his jeans pocket. He lit the paper at the bottom of the one he still held. It caught, then he whirled it in a big circle over his head. After a few revolutions, he let it fly toward their attackers, now only forty or fifty yards away. The fireball soared through the air and landed in front of the pack, rolling to a stop and burning. The Gobinstratstorai halted in surprise and gathered around the flaming object.
A second later, the nuts Denny had wrapped inside the ball exploded. Hard pieces of shell flew out as shrapnel, and the corrosive fluid sprayed on their pursuers. Two of the ones closest to the blast went down while the rest yelled and ran around in confusion.
Denny lit the ball Mr. Kain held and picked another out of his pack. “Hold it a couple seconds longer,” he said, and Mr. Kain nodded, whirling his bomb.
Mr. Kain’s flew farther than Denny’s had, and exploded just above the heads of the rearmost Gobinstratstorai. Denny’s second attempt hit dead center in the mob and blew up just before it reached the ground. A few more of the Gobinstratstorai dropped, and many others clutched their ears or wounds in pain.
“How many more do you have?” Mr. Kain asked.
“Only two.”
“Save them. Let’s go guys! Move!”
They turned and ran. Jenni heard the leader of the Gobinstratstorai behind them, shouting commands above the din of their barking and screaming.
It wasn’t long before Jenni and the boys caught up to Mrs. Minch, who was struggling for breath and limping.
Mr. Kain grabbed Mike and Scott. “Help her. Everyone else go!”
The boys took Mrs. Minch by the elbows on either side and got her moving again. Jenni and the others continued running east. Jenni had never run so far, or so fast.
Shortly, they closed in on the others, and Jenni saw some lights ahead. Seven or eight large mounds, which she had originally taken for more of the rolling terrain, had small doorways filled with light. Several Crank-sized shapes moved among her classmates arriving ahead of her. Crank’s people were shouting at each other in their language, and Jenni saw Crank in the middle of them — presumably trying to explain the situation.
Jenni, Mr. Kain, and Denny came into the circle of light and collapsed, out of breath. Ms. Pap came to them, still winded herself. “Come … they want us behind here!”
Jenni and the others scooted and crawled to the back side of one of the largest humps and looked for their pursuers. The enraged Gobinstratstorai had reorganized and were closing the gap between them and the trio of Mrs. Minch, Mike, and Scott. Jenni silently urged them on.
She had never been so scared in her life.
Jenni glanced around, dismayed. Crank’s people were all small, like him, and she didn’t see anything resembling weapons, though they all moved with purpose. Several of them moved at the edges of the light, planting short, thin posts in the ground at regular intervals. Crank himself stood near a large wooden box that had a small lever or handle extending from one end.
Mrs. Minch and the boys were nearly to the village, with the Gobinstratstorai only yards behind. A couple threw small spears, landing just short of the fleeing humans.
Just as the three crossed the perimeter marked by the little posts, more spears flew from the Gobinstratstorai horde. Most landed harmlessly in the ground, but four found their mark. Mrs. Minch, Mike, and Scott cried out, and fell in a jumbled heap.
Crank began turning the lever furiously, and the box crackled. The newly planted posts responded in kind, glowing bright blue. Tendrils of energy jumped between them like lightning. The screaming mob of Gobinstratstorai hit the boundary and it repelled them in a flash of blinding light and electricity. More than a dozen were struck down before they could halt their charge. Those that were left howled in impotent rage at the edge of the barrier. Crank continued working the box as though their lives depended on it. Jenni was sure they did.
Slowly, the Gobinstratstorai leader gained control of his troops and moved them off, away from the village. Jenni and the others recovered somewhat from the shock, and Ms. Pap went to check on Mrs. Minch and the two boys.
The spears were small, maybe twice the size of an arrow. Carrie’s mother had one in her lower back and one in her right calf. One stuck from Mike’s left shoulder and another impaled Scott’s right hamstring. They were all bleeding, but conscious. Mrs. Minch sobbed uncontrollably, her breathing uneven. The two boys grimaced in pain, color drained from their faces. Ms. Pap stood unmoving, unsure what to do.
Three of Crank’s people — gnomes as Jenni thought of them now — tended to the injured humans. Jenni turned away as they worked to push the spear in Scott’s leg through, and out the other side. Scott screamed in pain and then, mercifully, passed out. She shuddered at his agony, then went to where Crank was still operating the box.
He looked up at her, and she saw that it was, in fact, a hand crank he turned. He blushed, ashamed, and Jenni became confused. He indicated the box as he continued to work. “I, Crank,” he said, and Jenni saw a tear in his eye.
7
“I don’t understand,” Jenni said.
Another scream split the air, this time from Mike as his attendants removed the spear.
Jenni flinched at the sound, but Crank continued his work without speaking. Finally, he said, “I not good Nomenstrastenai. Not know how to make …” He indicated the box with one hand while still turning the crank with the other.
Jenni sat in silence and waited for him to continue.
“This only job for me.” He let out a long breath but didn’t say any more.
Jenni felt a touch on her arm and turned to see one of the gnome women offering her a small cup. She wore a simple dress of earthy colors. Her light blonde hair curled in ringlets past her shoulders and her large green eyes shone with kindness. Jenni smiled and had a quick flashback to tea parties with her stuffed animals when she was little. The cup was filled with a clear liquid and she drank it down. It tingled on her tongue and filled her with warmth.
She handed the cup back to the woman and nodded her thanks. The woman gave a slight bow and went off to other duties.
Jenni thought about what Crank had
told her. He seemed embarrassed about his situation. Surely they had other things to do besides build strange devices to zap bad guys, Jenni thought. And Crank was obviously smart. Heck, he learned how to speak English in like a day!
Her eyes grew heavy and she swayed. She sank to the ground and fell into a deep sleep.
* * * *
Jenni woke and shielded her eyes from the sun. She sat up and looked around. The place was quiet, as if the terrors of the night before were just a dream. A few gnomes went about their daily business.
Eight earthen domes, each thirty feet or so in diameter, dominated the village. There were also five others about half that size she hadn’t noticed before. Each had a small doorway, almost like an igloo, maybe three feet high, with a few steps leading down inside. Prairie grass grew on them, acting as camouflage. One of the smaller domes had a short fenced area in front of the doorway which held a flock of birds. Jenni thought them to be chickens at first, but they were plumper and had an upright, spread tail — like a miniature turkey. They made a light cooing sound. A gnomish girl fed them grain. The function of the rest of the domes remained a mystery.
The small posts that had formed the energy barrier were still in place and, Jenni noticed for the first time, another gnome was standing by the wooden box. He looked older than Crank by his fuller, longer beard and his face was more weathered. He smiled and nodded to Jenni, then turned his attention outward.
She stretched and stood up as Sara came out from behind the nearest dome.
“Hey, Sleepyhead,” Sara said, and smiled.
“Hey.” Jenni smiled in reply. “What’s going on? Was I asleep long?”
Sara shook her head. “Not much longer than the rest of us. They gave us something last night to help us sleep.” Sara indicated one of the larger domes. “Most of them are meeting now to decide what to do with us I guess.”
Jenni looked around. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Back over here. Just resting mostly.” Sara sighed. “Mrs. Minch, Mike and Scott were hurt pretty bad, but they think they’ll pull through.”
Jenni nodded and looked back at the dome where the gnomes were meeting. “I hope Crank isn’t in trouble for bringing us here. He seemed upset last night.”
“Really?” Sara said in surprise. “All I know is we’d probably be dead right now if it wasn’t for him.” Then she added, “I don’t like feeling so helpless.”
Jenni hugged her. “Me either,” she said, then laughed. “Some field trip, huh?”
Sara returned the hug and laughed as well.
The gnomes filed out of the dome, finished with their meeting. They hurried off to other parts of the village. Crank was one of the last to exit, deep in a one-sided conversation with a gnome woman. He looked at his feet as he walked, and nodded frequently at her. The two of them made their way to the energy field box where Jenni and Sara stood.
Like the rest of her people, the woman wore simple clothing. Her blonde hair was graying and done up in a bun. Several strands had come loose and she seemed upset. Her eyes were the same blue as Crank’s, but hard, and she continued to chastise him.
She has to be his mother, Jenni thought.
Her lecture evidently finished, she left him and headed toward the bird pen.
Crank spoke a word to the gnome who had been standing guard at the box. They exchanged a quick bow and the older gnome left his job to Crank.
Jenni knelt next to him, followed by Sara. Jenni tentatively put a hand on his shoulder. “What’s happening?” she asked him.
Crank looked up at her, then cast his eyes back to the outskirts of the village. “Old Ones not happy,” he said after a moment. “They help, but not happy. Must leave.”
“Leave? Where else can we go?”
“Seren’naie,” he replied. “It is big, ah, town. Very far.”
Jenni and Sara exchanged surprised looks.
Crank continued, “Old Ones will talk Ms. Pap later. We leave morning. Hurt ones stay.”
“You’re coming with us?” Jenni said hopefully.
Crank nodded. “Yes, I only one speak your language and know way Seren’naie.” Then he added, “All others too important.”
“You don’t want to go with us, do you?” Jenni asked, thinking Crank didn’t want to leave his home.
“No, not that,” Crank said, shaking his head. He collected his thoughts, all the while maintaining his attention beyond the village, seeking possible danger. “I trouble,” he said finally. “Not good Nomenstrastenai.”
“You said that last night, what do you mean?”
Crank sighed. “All Nomenstrastenai can make, ah, machines, yes?” he indicated the box next to them. “But I not understand machines. I like plants and animals.”
Jenni was still confused. “Okay, so why can’t you just take care of the birds or something?” She pointed to the pen where his mother had gone.
“I can’t, that job for girl.”
Jenni and Sara stared at him, mouths open. Sara spoke first. “You won’t do that because it’s ‘girl’s’ work? You little pig!”
Crank saw the anger on their faces and waved his hands. “No, no!” he apologized. “I happy do that. Old Ones say no.”
Sara sat back and fumed while Jenni said, “So, because you’re a boy, you’re supposed to work with machines. But you don’t understand the machines and this was the only thing you could do?”
Crank nodded. “Yes, this and get water.” He sighed again. “I should be Elvorstrastenai. They can work plants and animals. But I Nomenstrastenai.”
Jenni had a hard time understanding such a rigid system. She had grown up always being told she could be anything. Which, of course, wasn’t entirely true — she wasn’t exactly cut out to be a linebacker in the NFL — but it was the principle of the thing.
“I hear about some Elvorstrastenai in mountains. Was looking for them and found you,” Crank said.
It dawned on Jenni what he was saying. “You ran away from home to find these Elvor-guys. You didn’t tell your mom or the Old Ones you were going, did you?”
Crank blushed and shook his head.
“And now they’re sending you with us as punishment. I’m so sorry, Crank.” She leaned in and hugged him.
He returned it and said, “It okay, I like go with you, Jenni.” He broke away and resumed his watch over the village.
“Well, maybe someone in the big town can help you too,” Jenni offered with a smile.
Crank smiled back. “Maybe. Hope so.”
Jenni glanced at Sara and saw her friend was still steaming mad. Sara always got angry when someone told her she couldn’t do something because she was a girl. Sara had seriously considered trying out for the football team the year before for that very reason. Jenni felt similar, but it didn’t light a fire in her like it did Sara.
Jenni helped her up and said, “Let’s go see what the others are doing. We’ll see you later, Crank.”
Crank nodded and waved as the two girls walked to where the rest of their class sat and waited.
Jenni and Sara passed along what they had learned from Crank — minus the part about him running away. Most were not looking forward to more walking. They spent the rest of the afternoon checking their belongings and nursing various small injuries.
At sundown, the gnomes provided them with bowls of hot stew and some tasty flatbread. Jenni couldn’t tell what was in the stew exactly, but whatever it was, it filled her up and tasted wonderful.
After the meal, Ms. Pap was led off to the meeting mound, along with Crank for translation, to talk to the Old Ones.
Deena had regained consciousness earlier in the day. She managed to sit up to eat some stew with the rest of the group, then after Ms. Pap had gone, they filled her in on the events of the past couple of days.
She was overwhelmed with all the stories, and lay back down to rest after thanking everyone. Mrs. Osorio covered her with a light blanket the gnomes had given them.
“Denny, how
did you come up with those bombs?” Sara asked as they sat and waited for Ms. Pap.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I just like to build stuff. When the nut blew up in the fire before it got me to thinking.”
Mr. Kain laughed. “Well, we’re all glad for your thinking.”
Everyone joined in the laughter and Denny blushed a bright shade of pink.
Mr. Kain continued after the laughter died down, “We’re all going to have to do some thinking — things are different here. Way different. So if anyone ever has an idea for something, don’t be afraid to speak up. We’re short on tools and supplies so this,” he said, pointing to his head, “is going to be our best weapon.”
They nodded in understanding.
Ms. Pap came around the corner and joined their circle. “Well, it’s pretty much as Crank explained to Jenni,” she said after she sat and got comfortable. “We leave in the morning to go to this big city of theirs.”
“Did they say how long it would take to get there?” Mrs. Osorio asked.
“They weren’t very clear on that. None of them have been there in a very long time it seems. But the indication I got was a matter of weeks, not days.”
Groans and cries of disbelief sounded from the class.
“Weeks?” Mrs. Osorio said over the noise. “Oh, my.”
“Why can’t we just stay here?” Marco asked.
Ms. Pap replied, “The Old Ones said they don’t have the supplies or resources to feed and care for a group this large.” She paused. “I also got the feeling even if they did, we really wouldn’t be welcome. They are kind enough, but I think they like to keep to themselves.”
“What about my mom?” Carrie asked her.
“Mrs. Minch and the others that can’t travel will stay and be cared for by the village.” Ms. Pap looked at Carrie. “I asked about you, Carrie, but they said you will need to go with us.”
Carrie’s eyes were wide with surprise. “I have to leave while my mom stays here?”
“I’m afraid so,” Ms. Pap said with sadness. “They were quite firm. All those able to travel must go.”
“Wow,” Carrie said quietly. “I see.” She looked down at her hands in her lap and was lost in thought.