by John Sharp
Chapter 15 – Brave New World
“Well good job, stupid,” my shadow says for the umpteenth time. “All you had to do was listen to my advice and leave the bitch, but noooooo. You had to go play the hero and now we all die.”
I want to tell him to shut the hell up. To shift away and leave me alone but that is impossible now. Besides, he is right. I screwed everything up. Strangely Whisper is taking all of this as a kind of grand adventure, exploring new lands, battling new foes, and seeing new wonders. Of course, being virtually fearless by nature and on the same scale as a semi-truck really boosts one’s confidence. I have no such assurances. The only thing I had was my ability to shift and now that’s gone. Sarah, still unconscious in front of me atop Whisper, is spared the horror of the situation for now.
After I found out we couldn’t shift I mounted Whisper, hauling Sarah on top and we took off at a run. The last thing I wanted was Solarkar to shift us to the hive where it would be thousands against two. Fortunately, the same sigil stones that protected his hive gave us time to escape. Solarkar wasn’t perturbed, laughing and mocking me about my forthcoming death here in the first world, Inti as he called it. Inti… the name is vaguely familiar in an uncomfortable way, like childhood abuse long since forgotten. I will have to look it up if I ever get home again.
My stomach gives a painful lurch as the bug I had inadvertently swallowed moves around. I am holding onto the hope that he bug will either meet its demise at the hands of my stomach acids or pass through me. While I hope it will happen I avoid imagining what that bowel movement would be like. Not a fun image. In truth, I really doubt it will happen. Solarkar is too smart for such an obvious flaw. I will have to think of something else, preferably something other than Stone Age surgery. My stomach gives another lurch but for a more natural reason. I am hungry and utterly exhausted.
“Whisper we need to rest and eat,” I say, looking down at Sarah. “I also need a safe place to tend Sarah.” Why hasn’t she woken yet? Perhaps she’s in a drugged sleep so she couldn’t warn me about the bug.
“I shall find us a den to rest,” Whisper says, his white fur alarmingly bright amongst the endless blue sands.
We’re still in the desert although now bits of sporadic vegetation are present on small outcrops of rock. The predawn light is just visible on the horizon. If the blue sand and helper crabs are not evidence enough of our situation the sun itself is offsetting with an odd mixture of colors never seen on my world. It looks utterly alien and, despite the presence of Whisper and Sarah, I feel incredibly alone. I don’t belong here.
Scanning the brightening horizon I look for somewhere safe to rest but all I see is more blue sand. Does a safe place even exist on this world? Surely even the creatures here had to rest in safety for a while. Suddenly Whisper swerves to the right, jostling me from my self-pity. Ahead of us I see a substantial outcrop of rock, almost a small hill, in the distance. For me it would be an hour walk there at least but riding Whisper it takes a mere five minutes. It’s a rather tall pillar of black volcanic rock with small, yellow shrubs growing in cracks along its surface. If I wasn’t in an unfamiliar world with unknown perils lurking everywhere I would have loved to explore its features. Now, I am only interested in any possible shelter it can provide.
Circling the stone mound Whisper halts in front of a large opening wide enough for even him to fit through. Stretching his head forward like a cat cautiously inspecting a handout, Whisper sniffs the air, panting heavily between deep breathes.
“It smells cool and damp,” Whisper says, a note of desire in his voice. “Maybe there is water inside.”
At Whisper’s words I too feel thirst take hold. I lick my parched lips. Vaulting from Whisper’s back I haul Sarah down after me, resting her on the blue sands as best I can. Once free from his burden, Whisper starts forward until I hold my hand out for him to stop.
“Wait, Whisper. We don’t know what is in there,” I say then add. “Shadow can you look inside and see if it’s safe.”
“Why should I? This is all your fault, stupid,” my shadow says bitterly.
“Stop insulting, Shifter,” Whisper says in a growl.
“It’s the truth, rat.”
“Yes, this is all my fault,” I say angrily. “Happy now? I fucked up royally. I doomed us all and only by listening to you could we possible have avoided this. So, unless you want us all to die, help us out. I’m sure you can see more evil things here and have lots more fun if we survive.”
I seem to have told him all he wanted to hear. With a simultaneously superior and devilish laugh, my shadow actually stops being bitchy and takes on his standard evil attitude. “I shall help you. Next time listen to me, stupid.” Condensing into a black pool my shadow speeds past us, becoming invisible the moment he enters the darkness of the cave.
“This was not your fault, Shifter,” Whisper says defiantly.
“Maybe, but if it wasn’t for me we wouldn’t be here,” I say depressed.
“If it wasn’t for you Sarah would be dead several times over and many more would fall to Solarkar and his evil designs.” Whisper says with absolute confidence. “My mother was right. Clan Shifter is proud and strong. I would choose to be nowhere else other than at your side.”
“Your mother died because I wanted to stop Solarkar,” I say my voice small.
Whisper’s voice isn’t small it’s nearly a boom. “She died rescuing the younglings from a horrible fate. That was a choice any member of the Bartendor clan would make and pay for a hundred times over. You did everything right.” Walking over to me Whisper rubs his face against my body nearly knocking me over. Reaching past his ears I give them a hearty scratch.
“Thanks, Whisper. You’re the best,” I say.
“I leave you two alone for just a minute and you start making out. If your tastes swing that way why bother rescuing the girl?” My shadow mocks.
Whisper cocks his head, looking confused at my shadow who is now a dark silhouette leaning against the black stone, his arms crossed. Not wanting Whisper to inquire his meaning, I press forward. “Is the cave safe?”
“Mostly. There is about thirty of those annoying helper crabs inside, sleeping next to a stream.”
“I shall deal with them and have dinner as well. I shall save you some, Shifter. Wait here,” Whisper says before darting inside.
My stomach gives a lurch as Whisper’s bright white outline disappears in the dark and my limited future dietary choices are now apparent. On tonight’s dinner menu we have raw helper crab or raw helper crab. I hope they taste like lobster but I rather doubt it.
I sit down next to Sarah’s unmoving form, watching the brightening sky and thinking of home. I absently stroke her soft hair as a violent clash of conflicting colors fills the sky. It’s a beautiful but odd mixture of red and blue. The reason for the phenomenon becomes apparent a moment later as not one but two suns crest the horizon. One is a fiery red, filling a rather alarming portion of the sky and the other, partially overlapping the first is a smaller, iridescent blue. The mismatched light isn’t the only thing to hit me. Once the suns break the horizon a heat wave washes over me, causing me to sweat on the spot. The weather had been comfortable and rather pleasant, now a record hot summer day in Florida assaults me.
“Well, this just keeps getting better and better,” my shadow says, shrinking to a small blotch on the blue sands before retreating into the cave mouth. Carrying Sarah like a sleeping princess, I join him in the shade which feels blessedly cool in comparison.
“Two suns, that’s just perfect,” I say bitterly.
“No wonder the crabs hide before dawn,” Whisper says from right behind me. He snickers as I jump. How such a large and bright white ferret managed to sneak around so well I shall never understand.
“Finished already?” I ask.
“Yes, Shifter. They are very tasty. There are plenty to shar
e,” Whisper says licking his lips. I doubt I could stomach even a few mouthfuls let alone eating an entire crab.
“Before I dig in can you show me the stream?” I say, picking up Sarah once more.
“Of course, follow me, Shifter,” Whisper says, bounding off into the dark cave. I follow at a much more reserved pace, the light from the rising suns makes it easy for me to see.
The cave isn’t as deep as I first thought. After a minute of careful walking the gurgling sounds of water welcome me along with the corpses of thirty-something helper crabs. Whisper, seeing I need no help, curls up on the cool cave floor and starts on his forth helper crab. The crunching of bone and shell effectively dampen the sound of running water.
Setting Sarah down next to the stream, I take off my trench coat and, using my hivetung sword, slice a small piece of fabric from the end. Dipping the cut cloth in the stream I squeeze a small amount of water into Sarah’s mouth. At first she doesn’t respond, the water simply pooling in her mouth as she breathes through her nose shallowly. Then a swallow, followed by another and a fluttering of eyelids. Without opening her eyes she speaks in a dry, pained voice.
“More…”
I comply, dipping the cloth into the stream a second time then a third and fourth. “Stop…” Sarah says, still not opening her eyes but her voice is more at ease. Resting her head in my lap I dip the cloth back into the stream and wash her face. Solarkar’s men had really worked her over. Dark, ugly bruises cover most of her face. It’s like she went ten rounds with a professional boxer. I can only hope that she made them pay for each blow. I’m certainly in no position to take revenge. Her breath comes easier now and I gently lower her head to the earth, seeing to my own needs.
Scooping handfuls of water into my mouth I eagerly drink the cool liquid. After a dozen handfuls of water a new need makes its presence known. Finding an out of the way place, I relieve myself, returning to the stream to wash up. This only leaves my stomach. Looking at disgust at the helper crabs I see that only twenty are uneaten, Whisper having finished off ten already. Perhaps they aren’t as bad as I fear. Whisper, still lying on the floor, licks the inside of an inverted shell, getting the last tasty bits out. They smell horrible, like a day old raw shrimp left in the hot sun. Grimacing I pick up my hivetung sword, striding to the nearest. It’s upside down, the front of its shell smashed in from Whisper’s killing blow, its legs curled in on itself like a dead spider. Swinging my sword, I cut off the legs at the base.
“The legs are the best part,” Whisper says as he drags another helper crab toward him and begins crunching on its exposed legs.
“I hope you’re right,” I say, picking up a severed leg that is thicker than my arm, examining the interior. A thick, almost clear goo is trapped inside. Inserting my index finger into the opening I fetched out a small piece, hesitantly putting it into my mouth. It is beyond gross. It’s like eating a rather large wad of thick phlegm. Fighting my desire to gag I swallow. It tastes even worse going down. I set the rest of the leg down, sighing.
“What’s the matter?” Whisper asks, finished with his legs and starting on the main shell itself.
“He’s too sensitive,” my shadow mocks. “Shall we order out for pizza? Make sure you tip well for trans-world delivery.”
Ignoring my shadow I say, “I can’t stomach this. I wonder if I can cook it somehow.”
“That sun is very hot, maybe not enough to cook it but you could leave the legs outside while we rest,” Whisper suggests. Having no better idea I do as he suggested, taking a full thirty legs and arranging them in the sun. Walking under those blistering suns I have to wonder if it will be enough to cook them after all.
Quickly retreating to the cave I see Whisper with his face in the stream, drinking heavily before settling down next to Sarah. Joining him, I prop Sarah against his warm flank, lying down next to her as we use Whisper as a pillow. It’s strange but all of a sudden I feel at peace. I am in a dangerous situation and could die at any moment but I have Whisper and Sarah with me. At the moment I could believe that everything will be fine, somehow. Yawning I turn over, snuggling deeper into Whisper’s fur while simultaneously curling next to Sarah. Sleep quickly takes me.
The dream comes suddenly like the last one I had so long ago. I am ethereal, not really there but present like a distant ghost. Again the young girl is there, the now familiar leafy green hair that Solarkar has along with the blue skin, but hers is several shades darker, approaching black. Another difference that I can see between the two is her eyes, a deep, rich purple instead of the bright green ones that Solarkar and I have. Sitting cross legged in the same courtyard as before she mediates in the dawning light. Looking up I see a thick, semi-transparent haze covering the entire horizon like some god had coated this part of the world in a thick layer of sunscreen. Through the haze I see the distinctive two suns that are plaguing me, but with none of the intense heat. Too bad wherever I was we didn’t have the same benefit. Drifting closer I feel unreal as I did last time, a mere thought of a person. Perhaps I am an especially strong thought for the girl’s head snaps in my direction.
“You have returned to Inti once more. Why?” The girl says, her voice soft and low as if she’s afraid she might be overheard. Indeed she glances all around nervously. Following her gaze I see sentinels patrolling once more on the high, black stone walls, spears in hand. This time I am certain they are watching her, not the outside.
“I’m trapped here,” I say, unable to raise my voice more than a whisper. “Is this a dream?”
She frowns, at me her brow furrowing in concentration. “The sending is weak from the distance separating us. Did you ask if this was a dream? If so, then my answer is no. The corruption in my blood is powerful, yet subtle. It is drawn to you when your mind is open and receptive.”
Not understanding her meaning I press onward, not knowing how much time I have. “I’m stuck here in Inti. Can you help me?”
Again she frowns, then a look of alarm crosses her features. “How can this be? You are trapped in the first world? Have I mistaken your meaning?” I nod, confirming her suspicion. Reaching forward, her arms enter my insubstantial body and a flashback plays in my mind for the last twenty-four hours. I relive the message from Brick, the descent into Inti, Sarah’s rescue and Solarkar’s trap. It ends with us in the cave and blue sands just outside.
She must have seen the same highlight reel for she recoils, a pained look on her face. “You are here and trapped. You have but one choice if you wish to live. Listen carefully for I feel the connection weakening and it might be some time before we can converse again. Travel toward the rising suns in the day and away from them in the evening. Do the same for the moon. Always seek shelter well before the suns’ zenith. Do most of your traveling by night. Keep traveling in this away until the blue sand sea ends and you reach the graveyard of the first creation. You will know it once you see it. Remain there for the Kiraten shall come. They will not be your enemies but approach with caution, for they will be wary.” This last part she adds with emphasis. “Do not let them see the corruption inside you. Do not let them see your shadow.” With that the dream ends and I sit bolt upright.
This time there is no question about it. That was not a dream. Thoughts of Solarkar and all he had wrought fill my mind along with the mysterious girl and her promises. Should I trust her? Who are the Kiraten? Do I even have a choice? Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I look around. The light outside is bright, brighter than I thought possible. Avoid the suns’ zenith. The heat and the shear intensity outside do suggest that this at least is a good course of action. Turning away from the light I see Whisper sleeping soundly with Sarah against him. I debate waking them up and confiding what I saw with them, but it could wait. I am tired. Let them sleep, we will all need the rest for what is coming. Lying against Whisper once more I close my eyes, drifting back to slumber.<
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This time when I awaken things are noticeably different. The sunlight is considerably weaker and the intense heat from earlier has mostly dissipated. The other major difference is that Sarah is absent. My sleep-clouded mind instantly puts images of Solarkar kidnapping her into the forefront of my brain. This absurd notion is dispelled as Sarah gingerly walks from around a rock, reaching the stream. Unaware that I am awake she bends down, drinking heavily from the stream.
“You’re finally up, Shifter. I didn’t agree to function as your pillow,” Whisper says with warmth in his voice. Before I can rise off him he puts his face right next to mine and licks.
“Ah, Whisper!” I cry, getting to my feet.
“Yeah, he woke me up the same way,” Sarah says also getting to her feet.
“You were pulling on my fur,” Whisper counters. I join Sarah at the stream, washing the ferret saliva off my face, a natural thing to do first thing in the morning.
“Where are we? What happened?” Sarah asks.
I sigh. Sitting down I tell her. I speak for a long time, recapping everything, leaving out only the bug in her mouth part. Some things are better left unsaid.
“Do we have anything to eat?” Sarah asks, not looking at the dead helper crabs.
“Sure do!” Whisper says excitedly, starting on another helper crab. Sarah blanches as Whisper eats.
“Wait here, I’ll be back,” I say going to the front of the cave. The light, while intense, is bearable. The suns outside rapidly descend toward the horizon. I look in their opposite direction, the one the girl from my dreams told me to go. I see nothing but more blue sand. Gazing down to the crab legs I had set out earlier I pick one up, examining the fleshy inside. It’s fully cooked. The interior is now full of delicious smelling meat. Just how hot did it get during the day? Scooping up all the legs, I head back inside with my prize.
“Dinner is served,” I say, handing Sarah three large legs and setting down the rest before starting on mine. Whisper tentatively sniffs the cooked legs his nose twitching. He shakes his head at us in disgust before returning to his raw food. It’sdelicious, tasting just like shrimp. Now I just need some melted butter.
“You know what this needs?” Sarah says digging in to hers with gusto. I am guessing that she is also going to mention butter but alas I am wrong. “Coffee. Once we get back I’ll get a IV of the stuff directly into my bloodstream.”
“There is no getting back, you stupid cow,” my shadow says, making Sarah jump. “We are stuck here all because Jerry had to play the hero and rescue you… again. How incompetent are you? Do you enjoy playing the damsel in distress?”
“Stop that!” I say, my temper flaring. Sarah however looks down at her bare feet.
“He’s right,” Sarah says, her voice cracking. “I’m sorry, Jerry. I’m so so so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say. “Solarkar wanted us to pay. He was coming for us one way or another. I was really hoping he was dead.”
“Don’t worry, Sarah,” Whisper adds, purring as he licks another empty crab shell. “At least the food is good. It shall be a grand adventure. Shifter will think of a way to get us home.” Whisper’s constant, unending confidence in me always leaves me feeling unworthy of his trust. At least this time I do have a plan of a sort.
“Shifter will think of a way to get us home,” my shadow mocks. “No he won’t, you flee infested musk smelling pillow. We will die here.”
“You dare repeat that,” Whisper says his voice a snarl.
“I do have a plan,” I say drawing everyone’s attention. Even my shadow seems surprised.
“You do?” My shadow says, disbelieving. “Does it involve eating the rat and the woman?”
Ignoring his sarcasm I tell them about my dream. “So, we need to head toward the suns in the morning and away from them in the evening, same thing with the moon when traveling by night. We should rest during the hottest part of the day. If these crab legs are any indication it gets hot, very hot at noon. We will keep going like this until we get out of this desert. Once we get out of here we will reach some kind of graveyard and some people called the Kiraten.”
A look of extreme skepticism crosses Sarah’s face, so I quickly continue. “What choice do we have? This is our only chance.” The girl mentioned not showing my corruption, specifically my shadow. Looking at my shadow I wonder. ‘Corruption’ the girl called it. The word seems appropriate.
“She also said not to let them see my shadow. I need you to act like a normal shadow when that happens.”
“What, you want me to follow your around and behave like all those lifeless imitations I see?” My shadow says.
“Basically,” I say.
“Why should I?” My shadow asks.
I sigh. Why must he make everything so hard? “Do you want to live and get out of here? Then act like a normal shadow when the time comes.”
“So, do you dream of this girl often?” Sarah interrupts, her voice odd and a bit cool.
Startled, I look at her, confused. Why would she want to know that? “Just one other time,” I say.
“What’s her name?” Sarah asks.
Uh, what is going on? “I have no idea,” I say.
“She’s just your dream girl is all, right?” Sarah says this rather bitterly and my male self-preservation instinct begins flashing all sorts of alarms.
“It’s not like that,” I say. Did the sun temperature suddenly increase? I distinctly feel a rise in temperature.
“Never mind,” Sarah says haughtily. “We better follow your dream girl’s instructions and go.” Standing up she gathers up the crab legs and stomps to the cave mouth.
“You’re so smooth,” my shadow snickers at me.
“What was that all about?” Whisper asks.
“I have no idea,” I say. “Let’s go. It’s going to be a long dry day.” Picking up my hivetung sword I start toward the cave mouth, lamenting the water we are leaving behind. This is going to be a long, thirsty trip.