Kodon

by Chris Mills

  “Uh, I don’t know if that is wise.”

  “Andy, come on.”

  “How are you going to go with him in that chair?”

  “That’s a good observation,” Herald said. It felt odd for Stephen to see Herald looking at him with such resistance now after seeming so relieved when he first saw him. Clearly, he wanted to meet him. “I have a motorcycle.”

  “I have the keys to my mom’s van,” Andy said. He was to keep them on him when they weren’t driving. Convincing Deb to take the van had been hard, let alone letting Gabe drive it. “No one is going anywhere without my voice.” His chuckle had a bit more to it.

  “I don’t need this chair,” Stephen said.

  What could it really be described as? Fire burned as Stephen managed to brace himself upon the table. Up he went. It was as if strings were pulled throughout his arms and leg. Finally, he could stand; elbow on the table and a single foot to keep a poor balance, far from what he was used to. He groaned.

  “You’d really do anything to come, wouldn’t you?” Herald questioned.

  “Yes.”

  “You really are like your father; stubborn. Okay, if you can manage to come with me and understand the risk, you can leave.”

  “Risk?” Andy questioned.

  “What would you give for this, Stephen?” Herald questioned. “Would you give up your friend here?”

  “I,” Stephen began.

  “What I offer, this course, is only done, by leaving everything behind. If you come with me, you can never come back. I have no power there.”

  “Never?”

  “Never,” Herald said sternly. The table started to shake. Stephen saw the ground. His mind flashed to the fall that did not slow. His heart started to race. It did not come. He found an arm around him. “You are in rough shape,” Stephen stare at as his friend. Andy stumbled a little, finally finding the table. “I’d love to be able to give you what you want, but -”

  “I understand.”

  **

  “Andy,” Gabe said. An empty wheelchair rested close to the table. Andy hung his head. “Where the hell did he go? Where is that guy?!”

  “I don’t know what’s going on,” Andy admitted softly. “Stephen had me sit in a chair and told me to stay. I should have fought and screamed once he was gone, but Stephen sounded certain in what he was doing.”

  Gabe fumed. He didn’t care what shit Stephen had said. The man wasn’t in his right mind. This guy who showed up was not someone Gabe had ever seen. He poked his head outside and gasped. A black motorcycle started to move from a space. “Hey!” he boomed. “Kim, let’s move!”

  “We aren’t his parents,” Andy said.

  “He’s not in his right mind,” Kim said. Gabe held open the door. He cursed and tossed Andy over his shoulder. Damn, if only they had parked the van over here. Never in Gabe’s days would he have envisioned Stephen leaving Andy like that.

  “Sorry,” Gabe said. He about tossed Andy into the van. Both his cane and the chair were left behind. Damn. Thank goodness, he actually handed over the keys. “What all did that man say?”

  Come on. The key turned five times. Deb’s van needed to be junked. A roar made a kid walking by jump. A horn blared. Gabe fought to flick off the truck. Off they went. His gaze barely caught the motorcycle turning far ahead. Shit, shit.

  “What did he say?!” Gabe boomed.

  “It didn’t even sound like he really wanted Stephen to come,” Andy said. “He kept telling him to think about things. I’m not sure what else there is. He seemed to be in a hurry.”

  “Wait, so that man doesn’t want Stephen with him?” Kim questioned.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Gabe said, following by a nasty grunt.

  “You are lucky I don’t smack you, Gabriel Heartfield.”

  Horns blared. Kim’s nails dug into Gabe’s legs. “Ease off,” he warned. “We need to catch him.” A cop seeing him running and turning on that red light would be a good thing right now. The van zoomed on, its engine working harder than it should at that age.

  “There,” Gabe said.

  “That’s an odd motorcycle,” Kim said.

  It went fast - for sure. This Herald didn’t care too much for the speed limit. They passed out of town in very little time. As bad of a time as it was, Gabe wondered where he could buy such a motorcycle. It was sleek black, with a blue underbelly. Its wheels where thin with blue rims. He couldn’t hear its engine. It might be from Japan for all he knew. Dang, it looked cool.

  “He noticed us,” Kim said. “Hey they are slowing. Never mind.”

  Instead the motorcycle sped quickly through the country. Gabe tried to press the van. They were pushing past 70. Kim kept her eyes forward. She hated it when he sped out here. The last thing Gabe would do was let his best friend of twenty years go away with this dude to God knows where.

  “There,” Kim said.

  The motorcycle had slowed. Off it went behind a wooded area. The van suddenly shook as it went onto the curb. Gabe held the wheel firm. Shit. The van came to a stop leaning a bit more to the right than it should.

  “Damn it!” Gabe said.

  “My mom is going to kill you!” Andy barked.

  “She can kill me after I kill Stephen!”

  Chapter Four

  Of course, they followed. Wouldn’t Stephen? Herald made some fine points about what may happen with his friends. Gabe happened to be pretty tough and would easily intervene if needed. It wouldn’t be long till they were over here. Hmm. Stephen looked about the area he had been brought to. The motorcycle obviously didn’t fly. A wooded area and field didn’t appear to conceal transport.

  “Are you okay?” Herald asked.

  “As good as I can be,” Stephen said. This reminded him of his first therapy session before the surgeon cancelled them. He wanted a CT scan on the ankle. “Let’s go.” Herald’s struggle hopefully would be short. “How far in the future exactly are we going?”

  “700 years.”

  “700?!”

  “Yes, now hold on.”

  Herald pulled out his interesting device. The handheld’s dark glass appearance was cool. Stephen could partially see through it. A tap brought it to life. An image came to the front. Part of the image popped out farther than the others. His finger moved quick. It retreated suddenly. The device slid down into his pocket. Something strange was happening around them, but only if Stephen stared upon it too long. A section of the trees looked a bit distorted.

  What? Something really was off. From the distortion, a section started to become more visible, revealing what appeared to be the inside of a craft. Someone stepped from it wearing a sleek black jacket and skinny jeans. The man had some youth. His auburn hair was full of curls and his blue eyes quickly fixed upon them. His mouth came open suddenly.

  “You got him to come?” the man gasped. “I thought you said -”

  “I didn’t expect it,” Herald said. “Stephen, this is Howard. He’s one of my colleagues.”

  “Hello,” Howard said. He hurried to the motorcycle. “Let’s get this on board. Time is running short. I thought you’d be back an hour ago.”

  “You try tracking the signal without being noticed.”

  “Figures as much,” Howard said. He ran his hand down the seat. His fingers came under. A slight groan came from it. The motorcycle folded on its own frame. How could something so sturdy bend in such a way? Howard rolled it quickly towards the craft.

  “I hope you have really thought this over,” Herald said. “You can’t come back, and there isn’t a lot of time to talk this over with them.”

  “Why the rush?” Stephen questioned.

  “We were only allotted a specific amount of time after we came. If we go over, we can’t come back.”

  “Oh,” Stephen said.

  “Hold up!” Gabe boomed. “What the hell do you think you are doing, Stephen?”

  “So, it begins,” Herald said faintly. Gabe came quickly, Kim behind with Andy�
��s hand on her shoulder.

  “Look, you don’t understand,” Stephen said. “There isn’t time to explain. I have to -”

  “What the hell is that?” Gabe questioned. He stopped not far from them; his finger pointed at the oddity in the area. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I’ll give you the simple version,” Herald began. “I am from the future.”

  “That’s a time machine?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Stephen made a choice to come with me back to the period he was born into.”

  “Uh, what?”

  “Gabe, I told you I was adopted,” Stephen said.

  “Yeah, but you can’t honestly expect me to believe this,” Gabe said.

  “You’re staring at a cloaked shuttle and think my origin is far-fetched?”

  “He has a point,” Kim said. She looked a little pale. “This doesn’t seem real at all.”

  “It’s exactly why I never expected this,” Herald said.

  “And you thought it would be simple?” Stephen questioned. “You came and told me all you did. How can you think I wouldn’t want this? Would I’d simply forget it in time?”

  Herald sighed.

  “Look, I have to go. I need to go,” Stephen said.

  “Why?” Gabe exclaimed. “You have a life here! Your future awaits. You’re going to work for NASA, I promise it. Don’t go because you hit a bump.”

  “There have been many bumps, Gabe. I’ve drawn the line. This is my chance to have a life of infinite possibilities. The galaxy is vast, and I can learn more of my origin. I wouldn’t stop you.”

  “But you can never see them again,” Herald reminded.

  “What?” Kim questioned.

  “If he comes, he can’t come back.”

  “How can you make a foolish choice?”

  “Indeed,” Howard said. “How can you be that stupid?”

  “Now Howard,” Herald began. The man slowly shook his head. “I’m trying to resolve this. Let’s not make it worse.”

  “You had to make it worse,” Howard said. “Such a fool.” Something came quickly from his jacket. He motioned with his other hand. “Give it to me now.”

  “Now -”

  “I’m not afraid to put a round in you.”

  A faint blue glow radiated from the tip of the barrel. The gun had a smooth, red body. Howard kept his finger locked on the trigger. Never before had a gun been pointed at Stephen. His father had taken him hunting a few times with a buddy. Neither Stephen nor his father really hunted but enjoyed getting out to the area.

  “Now, give it me,” Howard warned. “There doesn’t have to be unnecessary bloodshed.”

  “Please, give him what he wants,” Kim said quickly.

  “He looks serious,” Gabe added.

  “Of course, I’m serious, fool,” Howard said.

  “Why are you doing this?” Herald questioned. He kept his arms raised. “You know -”

  “Do you have any idea, the potential profit it can bring?”

  “This isn’t to -”

  “Do not speak again. Give it to me. Give me Kodon.”

  “The tube?” Stephen questioned.

  “Give it to me,” Howard said, motioning once more. “I know you aren’t capable, but you, Herald, or your friend can. I’ll make a deal. I get it and leave. None of you, including Herald will die. You’re lucky actually, Herald. I was going to leave you on the ground with a bullet sizzling in your head.”

  “All right,” Stephen said. “It’s in my short pocket.”

  Herald pulled up the Velcro. He reached into to barren space. Stephen shook his head. The day he had to wear khakis. “Hurry up,” Howard warned. “We are on a schedule here.”

  “Let me help him,” Gabe said. “No one needs to get shot.”

  “Stay where you are!” Howard warned. Gabe froze. “You’re trying my patience, Herald!”

  Herald groaned. Howard brought the gun around. The force took to Herald. He fell to the ground, clutching a fresh gash on his cheek. Stephen swayed. The gun fired, making Gabe freeze once more. Damn it. Stephen’s leg burned. He tried not scream from the force he found to his wrist. The ground had many rocks that pressed against it. He lay, taking deep breaths to stim the pain.

  Another pocket was searched. “I grow tired,” Howard warned. “Which one is it in?” The gun came to rest against Stephen’s forehead. “Tell me.”

  “Right bottom,” Stephen managed to say. The gun retreated. Gosh, it felt wrong to have a hand sifting there. Megan had several times stuck her hands into his pant pockets to get his attention.

  “There,” Howard said. He rose, a silver tube in hand. His smile grew great. “Ah. I can retire now.”

  “Go,” Stephen said.

  “Oh, I intend to.”

  “Hey, Howard,” Herald’s voice rose.

  “I thought I -”

  “You should have checked.”

  Howard’s eyes lit, only briefly. He fell back, and his body slammed into the ground. No bounce, no sign of movement; his eyes did not close. A crisp blackening hole had appeared in the side of his forehead. Herald took a deep breath. His weapon lowered and returned to his side.

  It was as if a glass barrier had shattered. Gabe and Kim raced forward, leaving Andy. They stood over Stephen, eyes in panic. “Look what you did!” Gabe blasted at Herald.

  “How was I to know if he would really let us go?” Herald exclaimed. He came close to the body. His eyes scanned only a little. Gabe snatched the tube away.

  “You need to hand that to me.”

  “You caused all this!”

  “I’d be dead if -,” Stephen tried.

  “You wouldn’t be here if he didn’t show up,” Gabe said sternly. “We have to get you to the hospital now.”

  “No, get me onboard.”

  “Are you insane?!” Gabe shouted.

  “Stephen, under the circumstance -” Herald began.

  “Stay out of this!” Gabe blasted. “You caused this!”

  “Knock it off!” Stephen blasted. “Get me to my damn feet. So help me. Damn, I hate this.” He groaned. Herald’s attempt fell short. “Let him help, damn it!” Gabe bounced suddenly. He clutched his knee.

  “Damn it, Stephen!”

  A single kick could still to damage. Stephen finally kept his weight on the right foot. “Get me onboard,” he said. “I’ve had enough of this.”

  “Stephen, this isn’t right,” Kim spoke.

  “Enough!” Andy blasted. “For heaven’s sake. Can’t you see you can’t stop him. He’ll hate you forever if you make him stay. Don’t you get it? You can’t change his mind!”

  Birds chirped in the trees close by. Herald’s arms came to support him better. Stephen glanced around. All eyes were on him, but no one said a word. He hopped to help. His foot finally came onto the hard floor of the shuttle. No hand came to stop him from the others.

  The shuttle had two rows of seats and a chair positioned in front of a curved dash. Several screens waited for Herald’s command. They, like his device, seemed to have the images pop off a little. Herald sat Stephen down in the closest seat. The cushion felt wonderful after all he had been through. His mind focused on possible destinations, not the stinging, the weakness, and pain he had of all that happened.

  “Hold on,” Herald said. “I need to grab it from your friend.”

  Gabe emerged, about butting heads with Herald. Stephen took an easy breath. Where had he really come from? What was important enough to kill for whatever amount of currency in the future? He tried to steer his mind from the glowing barrel, or the crisp hole it left. Why hadn’t there been blood?

  Beep, beep, beep. The same three tones started to become louder, repeating every few seconds from the front of the shuttle. Herald cursed. “I don’t have time,” he said. He snatched the tube and pressed it into Stephen’s hand. “Don’t let go of it.”

  “Stephen,” Kim’s voice rose. “I know this seems good, but you are leaving everything.” S
he brought Andy into the shuttle. He stumbled a little and about bumped into the motorcycle at the back. Herald raced by, cursing many times under his breath. “Stephen, talk to me.”

  “I have to do this,” Stephen said.

  “There’s so much this world has to offer.”

  “This is not up for discussion. This world has done enough. I don’t want to live like this. I need to be able to have more. I’m going where I never thought I would.”

  Herald’s groans became more apparent. Howard’s head bumped the side of the shuttle. It took three more large pulls to get the body in. He kicked the feet inside, shaking his head. “Hurry up,” he warned. “I have to go.” The beeps started to warn louder. “Shit.”

  “Stephen, please,” Gabe said. “If I were to say goodbye to you, it shouldn’t be like this or forever.”

  “You have one minute,” Herald called back. “Then this shuttle’s door is sealed and I’m taking off.”

  “Stephen -”

  “I know,” Stephen said. “I’m sorry. This has happened fast.”

  “Let’s go home,” Gabe said. “There’s a lot you can still do.”

  “I don’t have a home. It ended when he died. I’m lost, and I’m ready to know what I am meant to do.”

  “Not like this.”

  “Thirty seconds!” Herald warned.

  “Please.”

  “Go.”

  Silence took held. The beeps stopped. The door to the shuttle came back and rested into place. A slight hiss sealed it, preventing anything from getting in or out. Up the shuttle rose with little effort over the countryside. Stephen kept his eyes closed. He wondered what it would look like from Herald’s seat. Up the shuttle went further. Force took hold. No rocket could take such speed, nor such a speed should exist like this. Fire burned against a field outside. Like that, darkness.

  Stars, real stars, nothing to stop their sight, were in the distance. It was as if Stephen had fallen back to his childhood. His dreams had pressed him towards space. He always wanted to go, ever since he had stared as a five-year-old into the abyss. While in school, he knew the chance was getting slim - yet he pressed. Now here he was. Could this all be a dream? Had he passed out at the coffee shop and would soon be awoken by his friends? The ship’s engine truly lit. How could a ship move this fast? He’d made a choice that he never could take back.