Ethan looked relieved as he handed her the can of green beans and grabbed a few pieces of rabbit that had been cooked the previous night. He put the rabbit on her plate, then filled a small glass with water from a jug a few feet away.
“It’s not exactly a five-course meal, but we’re pretty bare bones around here,” he told her.
They turned to find a seat and saw Grant waving at them from across the room. He was sitting at a small overturned plastic tub. Ethan waved back, and they joined him.
“Hi, I’m Grant.” He stood and offered his hand to Aleena. “I heard Ethan had found someone in the woods, but I certainly didn’t expect anyone as ravishing as you.”
“Really, Grant?” Ethan said. “A pickup line?”
Grant shrugged. “A guy has to try. Besides, it’s not like there are a ton of spellbinding women around here.” He made a show of looking around the room. “Nope, just you,” he said, looking back at Aleena. She smiled. “Unless, of course, you’re fine with me pursuing Allison.” He winked at Aleena, his hand still outstretched toward her.
Ethan rolled his eyes.
“Pleased to meet you,” Aleena said, a hint of playfulness in her voice.
Aleena wasn’t sure why Grant was holding his hand out toward her, but she assumed it was some form of greeting. Not knowing the proper response, she opted just to sit and hoped it wouldn’t offend her new acquaintance. She wasn’t sure how long she would need to stay with these people, so she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot.
Grant seemed a little disappointed when Aleena sat down, but he shook his head and took his seat again. “So, why are you running from the Urlowens?” he asked.
That was an easy question, Aleena thought. She wouldn’t even have to lie. “They killed everyone I know, and I was next, so I ran through the forest looking for a place to hide.”
“Sounds about right,” Grant replied. “A lot of us here have a similar story. Most of us have lost at least one loved one. To lose everyone though, that’s rough.”
Aleena poured the green beans onto her plate next to the meat and slowly began eating them. She was ravenous and wanted to shove them in her mouth all at once, but since it’d been such a long time since her body digested anything, she figured she should take it slow.
Ethan and Grant chatted about random happenings in the cave as Aleena listened and ate. Living in such a tight-knit community meant everyone knew almost everything that happened. Aleena found it to be a bit alarming, considering she was the newcomer and had a few secrets to keep. She would’ve felt better telling everyone the truth, but the more they talked, the more she was convinced that Ethan was right. If they knew her true heritage, they’d have a hard time accepting her. They’d need time to get to know her before she could be open about her past—about Earth’s past.
After she’d finished two plates of food—she had gone back for seconds—she felt much better.
“You certainly were hungry,” Grant said, still making small talk.
“It was a lengthy journey,” Aleena replied, “and I hadn’t eaten in a while.”
“Ah.” He really didn’t care how much she ate. He just enjoyed watching her and listening to her voice. “So, what are you going to do this evening?”
“I need to go on a walk. I’ve been cooped up in this cave for far too long.”
“You only got here a few hours ago,” Grant said, a bit confused.
“Right. I’m claustrophobic,” Aleena explained. “It’s going to be hard for me to stay in the cave for long periods of time.”
“I think going on a walk is a great idea,” Ethan said.
Grant was still unconvinced. “I’m not sure Leon or John will approve of it,” he said a bit sheepishly.
“Leon and John don’t need to know,” Ethan whispered so others in the room couldn’t hear. “Who’s on lookout tonight?”
Grant was even more nervous now. Leon had spent months training him, and he hated doing anything behind Leon’s back. “Adrian and I start the night shift.”
“Well that’s just perfect,” Ethan whispered. He gave Aleena a huge smile. “You wouldn’t want to keep Aleena holed up in here against her will, would you?”
Grant looked into Aleena’s jade eyes, his hesitation turning to resolve. “Of course not. I’ll talk to Adrian and we’ll keep it between the four of us.”
“Great!” Ethan said, then looked down at his watch. “We’ll plan on heading out in about half an hour.” He looked back to Aleena with apprehension showing on his face. “First though, we need to find Allison.”
“I saw her running toward her room a little while ago. Before I came here, actually. She looked pretty upset. I’m pretty sure she was crying,” Grant said. “If I were you, I’d start there and bring some flowers. Whatever you did must’ve really gotten to her.” He looked back to Aleena. “I always apologize with gifts. I’m a keeper.”
Aleena giggled just a bit.
“I didn’t do anything,” Ethan said. “It was just a big misunderstanding.”
“It always is,” Grant said. He was still staring dreamily at Aleena.
Ethan and Aleena got up from the table and walked toward the exit.
“He’s incorrigible sometimes,” Ethan said, “sorry.”
“I thought he was sweet,” she said. “Where I’m from, it takes a very long time for people to reveal their intentions to each other. We have a lot of time to consider our options. It’s a result of living so long, I suppose.”
Ethan wanted to ask just how long Elves lived and how old she was, but decided it wasn’t the right time. If anyone overheard that conversation, it’d certainly ruin their cover story.
It only took a few minutes for them to get to Allison’s room. The curtain was drawn, but they could hear soft sniffling coming from inside. They stopped just short of the entrance.
“Maybe I should go in alone,” Ethan whispered. “Try to explain things.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I think it’s an even better idea that you tell her the truth about me.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, looking a bit apprehensive.
“You like this girl, right?”
“More than anyone else I’ve met.”
Aleena placed her hands gently on his biceps. “And you trust her, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then tell her the truth. It’s really your only way out of this.”
Just then the curtain drew open and Allison stepped out of the room a few feet behind Ethan. The look of shock on her face seeing Aleena standing with her hands resting on Ethan’s arms quickly transitioned to anger, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
“Are you kidding me?” Allison said in a dangerous whisper. “You brought her here?”
Ethan spun around, stunned. He wasn’t prepared for the conversation to start quite like this.
Allison stared at the two of them, and then another realization crossed her face. “Is she wearing my clothes?”
That time she wasn’t whispering. Ethan was pretty sure everyone in the cave heard her. “Well, um… yes.”
“Goodbye, Ethan,” Allison said. “Stay away from me.” She went back into her room and shut the curtain with such force that it would’ve shaken the walls had it been a solid door.
Ethan turned and looked at Aleena, horrified.
She smiled encouragingly. With eyebrows raised and extra-large eyes, she nodded toward the curtain. “Get in there,” she mouthed.
Ethan slowly drew back the curtain and poked his head into Allison’s room. “Please, it’s not what you think,” he pleaded. “Let me explain, Allison, please.”
Allison was sitting on her bedding with her back against the cold stone wall. “Fine, but this better be good.”
Ethan went inside and let the curtain fall closed behind him. “It is good. In fact, it’s almost unbelievable,” he started, but then panic jumped into his thoughts. It is unbelievable. The truth is unbelievable. How am I going to expl
ain this?
“I’m waiting,” Allison spat, staring at Ethan.
No, it’s okay. Aleena’s right outside. She can confirm it all. “This is going to be a little hard to take, but I can prove every word of it. I didn’t find Aleena in the forest running from Urlowens. I found her….” He paused a moment, realizing just how bad this was going to sound. “I found her in my bedroom.”
“Excuse me?” Allison responded. “You found her in your bedroom?” Her voice echoed off the walls. “That sounds exactly like what I expected.”
Aleena heard Allison’s response from the hallway. She’d moved farther down the corridor in an attempt to give them some privacy, but Allison nearly shouted the last statement. She leaned her head back against the wall and closed her eyes. “Not the best start,” she muttered to herself. This wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting to wake up to either.
In many ways, Aleena felt sorry for Allison. The poor girl walked in on her man in his room holding hands with another girl. Aleena was only testing him for magical talent, but of course, Allison didn’t know that. She must be feeling sad, abandoned, and lost. Aleena empathized with her. That’s about how I feel right now. The reasons are completely different, yet it’s somehow similar. Unfortunately, I have no one to blame but myself. I chose to go into that chamber. She shook off her feelings of guilt. No, if I’d stayed to fight, then I’d be dead too. Now I have a second chance.
Allison’s voice had quieted, and Aleena waited for another five minutes before Ethan poked his head out from the curtain. “Aleena, could you come in here please?” His head disappeared behind the curtain as suddenly as it had appeared.
Aleena pushed off from the wall and moved a strand of hair behind her ears. She paused a moment, feeling the rounded tips. She hoped she wouldn’t have to stay disguised long—it felt weird. Snapping back into the moment, she walked over to Allison’s room and pushed the curtain back.
Allison shifted on top of her bed and folded her arms just beneath her chest. The loathing etched onto her face made Aleena self-conscious. Allison was not the picture of an understanding girlfriend. Apparently, Ethan’s entire story had gone over about as well as his first statement.
“May I enter?” Aleena asked in the softest, meekest tone she could muster. She hoped by displaying a bit of submission that she could belay some of Allison’s fears.
“Fine,” Allison responded curtly.
Aleena entered the room but stopped just after crossing the threshold. Ethan was kneeling next to Allison with a pleading look for help on his face.
“Ethan here”—Allison nodded toward him without looking in his direction—“says you’re an Elf. He says he found you in a secret chamber hidden behind a wall in his room.”
Yup, he was doomed from the start. Maybe we should’ve tried a different tactic. No one would believe that story even if they had met an Elf before.
“That’s true,” Aleena told Allison.
“Are you really going to play along with his lies?” Allison shot back.
Ethan tried to respond, but Allison gave him a look so menacing that he immediately closed his mouth.
“I’m talking to Aleena now,” she said.
“He isn’t lying,” Aleena responded.
“Then prove it. That’s why you’re here, right?”
Aleena lifted her hands to her ears and released the magic maintaining the illusion of their curvature. Then, passing her hands over her hair, her natural golden-blonde color returned. It started at the roots and moved out to the tips just below her shoulders.
“The armor,” Ethan said desperately. “Show her the armor too.”
Aleena grabbed the bottom hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, revealing the dark green, silver-embroidered armor underneath. She also took off the khaki pants and shoes she was wearing.
Allison stared at her speechless. She’d not been expecting Aleena to actually prove Ethan’s farfetched story. After a few minutes, Allison spoke, but her tone was much less abrasive than before. “Do all Elves wear such formfitting armor?” she managed to ask, a little insecurity peeking into her voice.
Aleena gave her a warm smile. “You have nothing to worry about, Allison. Ethan is enamored with you, and I’m not interested in him.” Aleena noticed a hurt look cross Ethan’s face. “Well, not in that way,” she added.
Aleena looked back to Allison, who appeared as though she was beginning to believe them.
“And yes, most Elven armor is formfitting for functionality. It maximizes movement and minimizes the chances it will get caught on something during battle. It also minimizes the target area an enemy can shoot toward. Beyond that, it’s stylish and surprisingly comfortable.” Aleena gave a little spin, showing off the Elven workmanship. The armor sparkled, reflecting the light in the dimly lit alcove. “Everyone who passes magic proficiency and combat trials is given custom-designed armor. This was made specifically for me. I got it last year.” She paused. “Well, last year from my perspective. Oh, and it also lets us fit into larger heavy-duty combat enhancement gear without having to change.” Aleena beamed. She loved telling her new friends about her people. Well, Ethan was her friend, at least. She wasn’t sure about Allison yet. They had some things to work through.
Allison was still sporting the look of a girl struggling to believe what she was seeing. “Can I see the hibernation chamber?” she asked.
“It’s fine by me,” Aleena said, “but I suppose it’s really up to Ethan. It’s kind of in his room, after all.”
Chapter 17
Ethan stood up to take Allison to the chamber. Aleena turned to draw back the curtain but stopped at the sound of Ethan’s voice.
“Aleena, wait. Your disguise,” he said.
“Oh right, thank you. I got a bit carried away. I’m still not used to hiding who I am.” She turned back and began putting Allison’s clothes back on. After she pulled up the pants, she stopped and looked at Allison. “I’m sorry, I should’ve asked first. May I still borrow these?”
Allison nodded without saying anything, her eyes still looking a bit glazed.
“Thank you. May your generosity be rewarded.” It was an old Elven adage of gratitude, though it sounded much more poetic in her language.
“Uh-huh. You’re welcome,” Allison responded.
After putting on the rest of the clothes and disguising her ears and hair, Aleena led Ethan and Allison toward the chamber. Allison stared at Aleena the entire time, while Aleena noticed that Ethan held Allison’s hand all the way. When the three approached Ethan’s alcove, they crawled through the constricting tunnel and then stood before the back wall.
Aleena moved in front of the other two and placed both palms on the surface at shoulder height. She closed her eyes and focused on the flow of energy.
Allison let out a little squeak when the wall began to glow beneath Aleena’s hands and spread out to form the doorway. “I’m never going to get used to this,” she said, looking at Ethan.
“Me either,” he agreed.
The rock vanished and the three walked down the well-lit corridor to the shimmering energy barrier at the end.
“Wait here just a minute please,” Aleena said. “I know Ethan can move through the field, but I don’t think we should test it on Allison.”
Allison nodded, and Aleena walked through the barrier. Ethan and Allison could vaguely make out Aleena’s form as she walked to the control console in the middle of the room. A second or two later, the barrier vanished, the energy dissipating into the walls.
“You can enter now,” Aleena said, waving the other two forward.
Allison looked every direction, soaking up the sparse but impressive room. She walked over to one of the beds. “Which one was yours?”
Aleena pointed to the bed in the far corner. “That one. Although, I don’t have any particular attachment to it.”
Allison felt a little faint.
“Maybe you should sit down,” Ethan suggested.
&
nbsp; “Will it put me to sleep?” Allison asked, looking at Aleena.
Aleena chuckled. “No, it doesn’t work like that. Besides, this place couldn’t put anyone in stasis anymore. It was only designed to work once, and it didn’t work all that well if you ask me.”
Allison sat gingerly on the bed in front of her. It was gloriously comfortable compared to the one she’d been sleeping on in the cave—after all, her bed was just a pile of blankets on the hard rock floor. She looked at Aleena. “How old are you?”
“Including the stasis time or not?” Aleena asked.
“Both.”
“I’m seventeen.”
“Is that Elf years?”
“It’s Earth years,” Aleena answered. “I’m from Earth. I don’t know exactly how long I was in stasis, but I know it was at least ten thousand years. How old are you?”
“I’m eighteen, and so is Ethan. Are you going to live forever?”
Ethan seemed to be listening intently to the girls’ conversation.
Aleena furrowed her brow at Allison’s question. “No, I won’t live forever.”
“Oh, it’s just that all the stories about Elves say they—or rather you—are immortal,” Allison replied.
“I wouldn’t put much stock into those stories, then,” Aleena said, laughing. “Elves only live about two thousand years.”
“Wait, what? Are you serious?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah. Don’t you?”
“We only live 150 to 170 years if we’re lucky and in good health,” Allison responded.
“It used to be less,” Ethan added. “Medicine’s gotten better over the years.”
Aleena looked captivated. “Interesting.”
Allison squirmed a little. “Please don’t be offended, but I have to ask. Since you’re only seventeen but will live to be two thousand, are you considered a baby?”
“No, of course not,” Aleena scoffed. “I’m a teenager. Elves progress quickly to adulthood in the first eighteen years of life, and then the aging process slows down. We look about the same for most of our lives and only start to show signs of aging at about 1,500 years old.”
Aleena walked over and sat down next to Allison. “I wish you could’ve seen it, Earth before the Urlowens attacked it. Our cities were incredible, with towers that reached to the sky, passing all but the tallest clouds, and ships weaving silently between the buildings. Beautiful gardens on every terrace and lush forests to play and run within. In the evenings, my parents would take me to a park where we’d watch the birds fly and sing, and sometimes we’d go to the spaceport and watch ships come and go as they traveled the stars. But it’s all gone now. The Urlowens destroyed it all.”
Earthborn Awakening Page 12