Zherosha Chronicles- Unknown Origin

by Nancie Neal

  He beamed with pride. "Yes, I am."

  At that moment, Amnika felt a tug on her arm. It was her turn to have her hair braided. The Natisien woman put her between her knees and got right to work.

  "Are you telling stories tonight?" Amnika said. She couldn't look right at him with her head tipped back.

  "Yes," Ishda said, "A special story for those who are going to formal education tomorrow. You will be there, right?"

  "Of course, I would most definitely be there," She promised.

  "You won't hear another for a long time," Ishda said, "Perhaps, I will be sure to tell one during half-cycle."

  "I would love that," Amnika said. She heard a Natisien youth call out to Ishda, and she saw him briefly in her peripheral vision before disappearing.

  When the Natisien woman straightened Amnika's head, she was able to see the Natisiens walk by. Many walked by, some tapping their chest with two fingers, some with three. After several chest taps, she asked the one braiding her hair, "Why are there so many telling me they're loyal?"

  "Daughter of Zeth, the most respected Inersien here to us. We are loyal to Zeth, we are loyal to Amnika."

  Amnika had to tip her head to her left. Then after a few moments, she had to tilt her head to the right. There was Trinka in front of a young Natisien. The mother was behind her, supervising the braid.

  "Sister," she said without looking up from Trinka's hair. She paused to help her daughter redo a segment. "You should tell her all the reason."

  "She'll learn it soon enough."

  "Are you sure?"

  "There!" The Natisien braiding her hair ignored the question. Instead, she picked up a reflecting glass and gave to Amnika.

  Amnika looked and saw that her hair wasn't in the usual two-part braids. Instead, it was an intricate braid that only high-level Inersiens wear.

  Amnika looked surprised at the Natisien who smiled.

  "You like?" She asked but didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she tapped her chest and moved on to the next one. Amnika looked into the shiny surface again. She looked so much older.

  She looked above the looking glass to see another Natisien catch her eye and tap his chest. Right behind him, she saw Oshtron lose his balance. His wife tried to hold him steady, but he fell to his knees, and he couldn't get up. Amnika walked over and grabbed Zonstan's hand. Oshtron flashed her his pain. He felt as though his head would explode.

  After glancing at Tanishia, She looked over to the last Natisien who tapped his chest.

  "Take him to medical," She told him. The Natisien grunted an affirmation and picked up Oshtron. Right before Tanishia turned to follow, she glanced at Amnika. Feeling her fear, Amnika flashed that she was taking Zonstan to her home and not to worry about him.

  Her Aunt nodded in understanding and followed the Natisien.

  Trinka walked up to Amnika. "Oh wow," She said, "I'm so sorry."

  Oshtron was the fourth Inersien to collapse in the same fashion in the last few days. The other three didn't survive. Amnika had a feeling that her uncle would be no different.

  "I need to get home," Amnika said. "Now." She wanted to see her father for reassurance, but she was sure that he would also be at Medical by his brother's side. At least she could be home where she felt safe.

  Trinka nodded and followed Amnika. Amnika wanted to get there as fast as possible, but after what happened earlier, she didn't run.

  When they got home, Amnika opened the door and found their home empty.

  "Mother probably went with father to comfort him," Amnika murmured. She wished that even Natia was there, but she wasn't.

  They all sat in the family gathering room. Amnika gave Zonstan the lighted blocks. He played with it on the table in front of them without much sound. Amnika and Trinka watched. Neither one of them could think of anything to say.

  After what seemed like a long time, Amnika felt a connection break. Zonstan started to cry, and he turned towards her with his arms outstretched.

  "He's gone," Amnika said to Trinka. Her chest tightened, her heart ached. The thump in her chest nearly knocked the wind out of her. "Oshtron passed," She gasped as she pulled Zonstan close and tried to comfort him.

  They waited for Amnika's parents to come home. Trinka helped by bringing food and drink to Zonstan. Amnika refused food. She wasn't hungry. She wanted to bury herself somewhere and not come out for a long time.

  It was some time after the midday meal when her parents and her aunt came home.

  Amnika was sitting on the plush chair with Zonstan cuddled up against her, asleep.

  Her father and her aunt both had their hoods on. Her mother was a low-level Inersien and didn't project her emotions. She didn't need a cape.

  All three looked at Amnika for a moment. Finally, Tanishia walked over and picked up Zonstan. Amnika could feel her overwhelming sadness in spite of her cape.

  "Thank you for watching him for me," she whispered.

  Amnika watched as she left. Her father stood by the door for a moment, then walked towards their bedroom. Her mother gave a sad look at Trinka.

  "Perhaps, you should go home, now," she said.

  Amnika stayed under her cape for a long time. She wasn't in there to protect anyone from her emotions. Her parents were in their insulated bedroom. There was some comfort in hiding in her cape, blocking all energy from the outside. Without the energy noise, it allowed her to think.

  After a while, she ran out of fresh air, and she got up and walked over to the wall. She traced an angled line, a rectangle area became transparent. It was getting dark already, but she could see the stoops of the building across the path.

  She put her fingers to the window. Another connection broke. She didn't recognize who it was, but it didn't make her feel any less empty. She understood what happened with Tanishia a few days prior. It seemed the closer the connection, the harder the thump in her chest.

  "Amnika?" Her father walked out of his room. He glanced at her hand on the window and then looked back at her.

  Amnika turned back towards the window as felt two more connections break. She looked at her Father, tears rolled down her cheeks.

  "Oh, Amnika," her father comforted. He walked over to her and held her. He shared that he understood what happened.

  "Father," She said and started to cry, "Trinka's parents. Both of them."

  They both cried for a few moments. Amnika shared when she first felt the connections break.

  Then he shared the moment when Oshtron apologized for being so harsh with her. He wanted her to be the best she could be. He was proud of her for taking charge with the Natisien and with Zonstan.

  They held each other for a few more moments. Then Father whispered, "Perhaps, we should get Trinka and let her stay here for the night."

  Amnika nodded, and they both left the building to find Trinka. Trinka didn't leave her building. Instead, she sat on the stoop, crying. When she saw Amnika, she jumped up and ran towards her.

  "Amnika!" Trinka cried and grabbed her friend. Father held them both.

  "You can come home with us," he consoled Trinka. "We'll make arrangements tomorrow."

  Amnika looked back at Trinka's building. Two Natisien citizens were already removing her parents from their home. Their health-monitor suits alerted Medical of their passing.

  One of the Natisiens noticed Father. He looked at Trinka who stood beside him. The Natisien nodded. "I'll let medical know she's with you and will send someone with Trinka's possessions."

  Amnika found it odd to see Trinka's parents bodies, but not sense their consciousness. She held her hand on her chest, her feet seemed stuck to the ground.

  She felt a tug at her arm. "Amnika," her father said, "Let's go." Another tug and Amnika looked at her father. She forced her breath to even, but she still couldn't move.

  Father reached down and took her hand. She felt him share some calming energy. It was enough to allow her to move again and she followed him.

  When they got back into th
eir building, Amnika stood there by the door. She wanted to ball up on the plush chair again.

  "Amnika, go to your room and close the door," Father said, "Your cape isn't enough."

  Amnika looked at her father with an expressionless face and nodded. She couldn’t stop thinking about what she saw.

  She walked over to the lift and went into her room. She hesitated at the top of the lift. The doors were still open so she could hear the conversation below.

  "She sh-shut us out?" her friend stammered and sniffed.

  "She's overwhelmed," Amnika heard her father say. "Sometimes that best way to cope with emotional overload is to shut everyone out for a while. As long as she doesn't do it too long, it will help her deal with it."

  Sighing, Amnika knew shutting everyone out wasn't the answer. She went back down the lift. When she stepped out into the gathering area, she saw her mother unfolding the guest bed from the wall.

  "Amnika?" Her father sounded surprised.

  "C-can," Amnika took a deep breath to keep her voice from wavering. "Can Trinka stay in the guest bed in my room instead?"

  "Are you sure? Sometimes you can contemplate your pain better when you are alone."

  "Not tonight. I don't want to be alone, and I don't think Trinka intends to be either."

  Father looked at Trinka who nodded.

  "All right," He said, "If that is what you want."

  Mother put the bed back. The door buzzed and she walked over to open it.

  Natia walked in with a case. Her cheeks were wet, and her eyes were puffy. Father walked over to her and took the case.

  "Thanks, Natia."

  She tapped her chest without a word and walks away.

  "Well, Trinka," He said as he handed the case to her, "Your stuff is here. You can take that up with you."

  The girls took the lift to Amnika's room. Amnika brushed her hand under her cubbies, and a bed folded out of the wall.

  "I don't use the cubbies because Father pretty much gave me the lower room for my projects. So you can use what you want," she said.

  "I don't think I'll be here more than one night," Trinka said. "Your parents are moving once you go into formal Education. You'll be staying in the towers."

  "Well, you'll be going to formal education, too." Amnika pulled the blankets down and looked at Trinka. "I suspect we will actually share a room."

  "Another exception," Trinka mumbled. "After what happened, I'm glad."

  Amnika sat next to her and put her arm around her. "We will get through this." She took Trinka's hand. Then Amnika put her head on to Trinka's, and they shared their experiences. They both began to cry.

  After a few moments, Amnika got up, and Trinka laid down. Amnika took Trinka's blankets and pulled them over her friend.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Amnika woke up to the sound of rustling. She sat up to see a large mound of covers in the center of the guest bed. Trinka couldn't project emotions, but Amnika could hear her crying.

  Amnika got up and walked over to the guest bed. She put her hand on the mound and Trinka put her covers back. Amnika picked up a corner and crawled into bed with her. Trinka pulled the covers back over them.

  "Amnika," Trinka cried, "What is to become of me?"

  "I'm sure father will be able to make arrangements," Amnika said.

  "Amnika," Trinka whispered, "I don't want to be separated from you right now."

  "Maybe I can ask my parents if you can stay for a few days at least," Amnika said. She held Trinka's hand as she heard the lift activate. There was a moment of silence then "Amnika?"

  Amnika and Trinka threw the covers off. Mother was looking at Amnika's empty bed. When she saw them, she smiled. It was a tired, sad smile.

  "You almost had me fooled," she said. "I thought you left without saying good morning."

  "Trinka was sad," Amnika said, "So I got into bed with her to make her feel better."

  Mother sat on the edge of the bed. Amnika and Trinka sat on either side of her. She then put her arms around the two girls.

  "Zeth and I talked about it," Mother said, "Trinka will stay with us for a few days."

  Trinka let out an audible sigh of relief. "We were just talking about that."

  "And, he mentioned talking with Rodgistan and Afkistan to see if one of them will take you."

  "I like Rodgistan and his wife," Trinka said. "They are so patient."

  "It was one of the reasons why he was asked to be Head Instructor," Amnika said. She remembered how her father took Rodgistan's place as Advisor when the old head instructor passed on.

  The girls got up and got dressed in their community clothes.

  When they came down the lift, Father was waiting for them. He still had his hood on.

  Amnika hugged him.

  Glancing at Trinka, Amnika saw her watching them, looking down with her arms crossed. Father put his hand out and motioned for Trinka to join them. They shared their sadness, the loss of parents, an uncle, and a brother.

  When they finished, Trinka turned towards the cooking area to grab a bar for her morning meal. Amnika went to follow, but Father stopped her.

  "Do you remember a promise you made yesterday?" He had a bar in his hand and handed it to Amnika.

  Amnika took a moment to think.

  "Oh, I missed the story!"

  Father nodded.

  "Ishda was here asking for you this morning. He knew what happened, and He was understanding, but it's important to apologize anyway. You shouldn't make promises Amnika. You never know what might happen later."

  Amnika nodded. Natisiens were strict in keeping promises. They sometimes understand if there was a death, but they appreciate an apology anyway.

  "I'll go with you," Trinka said.

  "Don't be too long," Father said, "The ceremony starts soon."

  Amnika nodded, and the two girls went out of the door.

  Ishda wasn't hard to find. He was cleaning the entertainment platform after the previous night's stories.

  "Hello, Ishda," Amnika said.

  Ishda stopped and stood to face her.

  "I apologize for breaking my promise," Amnika said, and she looked down. "I shouldn't have made a promise. I didn't know I wouldn't be able to keep it."

  Ishda grunted his approval. He walked over to Amnika and kneeled in front of her. Amnika felt his large hand under her chin. Ishda lifted her head up so she would look him in the eye.

  "Many Inersiens died last night," he lamented. "It's a sad day for everyone."

  Ishda put his arm behind Amnika, indicating that he wanted to pick her up. He saw Trinka nearby, and he gestured to invite her to his other arm. They both climbed on.

  "I'll take you home," He said, "Then I take you to the ceremony."

  Trinka buried her face in Ishda's shoulder and started sobbing. Amnika rested her head on his other shoulder. She could hear his breathing. He choked back some sobs.

  When they reached Amnika's home, Father stood outside waiting. His hood obscured his face.

  "Formal education has been postponed. Many of our researchers and new teachers passed on." He lamented. "It will be at least a moon-cycle before we can have everything arranged properly."

  Ishda sighed.

  Soon, Natia walked up and leaned on her husband. Amnika studied her red eyes and tear-streaked face. "Why so many deaths?" She asked.

  Amnika could feel Ishda purr. It was a different pitch than what was used for sleeping. Amnika felt comforted. She looked over at Trinka who was no longer crying but leaning on Ishda's shoulder.

  Mother walked out of the home. "Well, that's it," she sighed. "It seems it will be a long day, so I made sure to have extra bars." She looked at the Natisiens and the girls. "I doubt anyone will be hungry, though."

  Amnika's father put his arm around her mother, and they headed towards the gathering area.

  Soon they reached the gathering area. The cremators were already out on the other side. There were only three of them in the
city. It was unusual for Inersiens to have more than a couple of deaths at once. Ishda set the girls down.

  "We are first," Father sighed. "I have to oversee the rest of them. There's quite a few so we'll probably be here all day."

  They walked over to one of the open tubes. The Natisien handling the body unwrapped it and set it gently inside. Oshtron looked like he was sleeping, but Amnika couldn't sense his consciousness. Amnika put her hood on pulled it over her face.

  She felt an arm on her shoulders. "He did love you, Amnika." A familiar voice whispered to her. It was Petrez.

  She lifted her hood to look at him. "We had plans." She buried her head in his chest. "He was supposed to help with Roniathan. I needed him."

  She felt Petrez take a deep breath.

  "She needs this, too," Petrez cast a thought to Father.

  "Bring her here," Their father cast back.

  "Come on," Petrez said, and he brought Amnika over to the tube.

  Tanishia stood on Oshtron's left with Zonstan in her arms. Zonstan laid his head on her shoulder sucking on his hand.

  Father stood on his right, and Petrez guided Amnika next to him. Father put his arm around Amnika. Petrez stood behind them.

  "You and Oshtron made many connections in the last six months. You shared your love for your project and for the city. This will help make it final. This will help you grieve." Father gave Amnika a squeeze.

  The transparent cover slid over the opening of the tube. Tanishia put her hand on the cover. Father and Amnika did the same. Amnika stared at her uncle's peaceful face. It looked as though he would open his eyes at any moment.

  Amnika could feel the tube heat up. In a flash of light and heat, her uncle was gone. Only a fine powder of ashes was in his place.

  Amnika looked around her. There were a lot of Inersiens there. Despite the grieving had their hoods on, Amnika could still feel the sadness in the air. She saw Trinka waiting for her. Amnika walked over and hugged her. They shared their grief until it was Trinka's turn.

  Father guided Trinka to the tubes. Amnika pulled her hood over her face. The grief of everyone else was starting to get to her, and the cape wasn't enough.