I went into the kitchen and grabbed a giant meat cutting knife and ripped about ten slices into his beloved leather couch. Afterward I cut a long diagonal slit into his 70 inch flat screen. My emotions ran wild with rage. By the time I was done destroying Terry's belongings, I was a sweaty, crying, shaking mess. I had to get out there. Before walking out the door I took a red marker and wrote “Congrats on the new baby LIAR!!” on the dry erase board on his refrigerator.
I burst into the house and flung my purse on the couch and grabbed my journal. I had to get to the clearing, away from everything and everybody. At least I could hide out there for a few hours before Terry called the cops. Save for a few birds singing, the clearing was quiet. The crisp air was chilly and moist.
I gathered a pile of orange and yellow leaves into a pile under the shade of a pecan tree then sat and cried. For hours the rotation of writing and crying -was constant. All the hurt, pain and worry flood my emotions like a tsunami. I cried for Sammie. I cried for my mom. I cried for my unborn child and my broken heart. I cried until sleep crept in. When I awoke it was around seven in the evening. It was time to go home and face the music, the cops or both.
- NINE -
“Where the hell have you been?” Mom mother's face wore an expression of worry. “Are you crazy? Terry has been calling all day.” She said.
“He didn't call the cops?” I asked.
“The cops? For what? Anna, what happened?” She asked. “What did you do?”
“I made an ass of myself, mom. That's what I did!” I cried.
“Sit down.” She commanded. “Look, I don't know what you did. But, Anna, don't throw your life away. I know it may seem hard right now, but you have a bright future ahead of you.” She gently rubbed my hair. “I knew you were special the day you were born and you have a destiny set for your life. And that destiny is not here worried about Terry.” She smiled and hugged me to her. “Thanks mom.” I said. The house phone rung in the kitchen distracting our moment. “I'll tell him you're not here.” She said. “Go upstairs and get some rest. I'll bring you some tea in a little while.”
Teet, teet, teet!!
Teet, teet, teet, teet!!
“What the hell?” I arose out of my bed to find the source of the noise. Suddenly another rock bounced off my window. Teet! Outside my window stood a familiar face. His tall, slender frame posed to toss another rock into the glass. I peered out the window believing this had to be a dream. “Trundi?” He smiled, relieved that he finally got my attention. “Yes, it is me.” He responded. “How? Why are you here? And at this hour?” I stammered.
“I had to come back and when I found your letter about Sammie I had to come.” He found the letter? How is that possible. “I'll be right out.” I said grabbing my faded denim Forver21 jacket. When I stepped out onto the back porch he was already there sitting on the steps. He stood up and faced me to take me in. “Anna, you're just as beautiful as the last time I saw you.” He grinned. I was really taken aback by the compliment and was tempted to blush, but I rolled my eyes instead. “Enough with the flattery, Trundi. Why are you here?” I asked. “Like I said, I got your letter about Sammie and...”
“My letter? How did you get my letter? How do you even know about it?” I asked.
“You left it under the tree, in the clearing for me.” He looked as if he honestly didn't see anything strange about all of this. “How is that possible?” I said more to myself than Trundi. “Anna, there are a lot of things that are possible. You have no idea. But first, we must find Sammie.”He said. This last statement brought a little light of hope to my heart. I have a feeling if anyone could find Sammie it would be Trundi. “But how? The police said he was taken by some kidnappers who had been wondering around our neighborhood and it's been almost two months since anybody has seen him.”
Trundi looked at me thoughtfully. “Yes, Sammie was taken, but not by who you think.” He said.
“How could you possibly know that, Trundi?
“Because it was my fault that he was taken.”
“Your fault? Look, I don't understa...”
“We must go now! I have to close the portal before it happens again.” He took my arm and dragged me along. Confused and scared I didn't know whether to go along with him or scream for help and run away. If going meant we would find Sammie then it was worth the risk, but he would sure as hell have to explain himself on the way.
This time in the clearing there was something different. The light Sammie and I trailed so many night ago was now blinding and more vibrant. There was a low vibration in the light. At the end of the clearing was a shiny, black bullet shaped craft. Its side vibrated as it let out a low hum. Trundi pointed his arm toward the craft and keyed in a code into the band on his wrist. The doors to craft opened. I stood there dumbfounded. “Whaa, what is this and where are we going?” I asked. “Come Anna, we have to leave now before the gate closes.” He got into the bullet and activated its control panel. I stood there frozen with fear and confusion.
“Hurry!” He demanded.
“I'm not going anywhere until you tell me where we are going and what is has to do with Sammie?”
“We are going to your moon, that's where my ship is.” He said. The moon? “Your friend, Sammie, was taken by the Nukk. He wondered out here during the time they activated the gate. Anna, come. The gate won't stay open for much longer.” He warned. Finally, I boarded the bullet. Its inside was white and spacious. Neon green and red characters lit up not only on the control panel, but the walls as well. Trundi punched another code into the wall which opened into a small chamber. He motioned for me to step inside. “Hurry! This will keep you safe during the transport.” He said.
- TEN -
I woke up famished with a dizzying headache. I stumbled as I attempted to stand to my feet. My body was light, but my balance was off. “Careful.” Trundi said sitting me in front of a pearl colored platform. “Sit, you should eat before you try to walk.” He said sitting a canteen of water and a plate of fruit and vegetables in front of me. “Are we on the moon yet?” I attempted to look up at him, but my sight was still blurry.
“No. We are approaching the border of your solar system now. We will be approaching the cosmic gate in about twelve hours.” He said. “Okay, answers! Now! Who... What are you? And where are you taking me? Why is Sammie in some distant galaxy somewhere?” I swayed as my head continued to spin. Trundi let out a deep sigh. I folded my arms as my patience ran thin. “I am Trundi Omnikwo – The Traveler. I am of the Yawien race. My home is in what your human scientists call Sirius.” He answered.
“Wait! Wait. But you look human like me.” I said.
“It is a good design isn't it? I studied and designed this body myself. It is the job of my people. We've designed and place lifeforms since the beginning. Yours is one of our newest and most advanced forms. Our elders studied the less advanced humans on Earth and used their genetic makeup as a prototype to build a better more evolved race fit to thrive on your world.
Their hope was that one day your race would have the ability travel among the stars contributing your knowledge and talents to the expanding universe.” At this my head begin to spin again. It was too much and too outlandish for me to believe. Yet, here I was with a total stranger in the edge of the solar system in the blackness of space about to enter into some cosmic gate and be transported to God knows where. Despite everything being dropped on me, I could only think of one person.
“Trundi, where is Sammie? And what does all this have to do with him?”
“We share Sirius with another race, the Nukk. They have been competing with our technological advances for eons. A select few human bloodlines holds the key to humanity and the building blocks to animated lifeforms itself. If the Nukk decode Sammie's DNA they will have the power to create lifeforms of their own and build an army big enough to colonize us all. It would be a hostile takeover for us all and death for Sammie.”
“We can't let that happen!” I said
“I agree.” He said. “It's time to prepare for the jump.”
I awoke from the sleep chamber freezing cold. Trundi had a warm meal waiting for me at the platform once I had to chance to bathe and change into the sleek grey coverall he gave me to put on. “We're approaching the planet now.” He said. I looked outside the ship's window which was completely surrounded by the blackness of space. Soon our ship was flanked by two other ships which guided Trundi onto the planet.
The ship landed within a range of tangerine and lavender mountains. The planet was bordered by a white sun to the East and a neighboring planet in the South. Somehow, the air was breathable and there was an ocean bordering the mountain range. Eight guards approached as we exited the ship. They lead us down a long corridor which was dark and lined with solar columns.
The corridor lead us into a great hall where a council appeared to be in session. The council members all had reptilian-like features with tusks protruding from either side of their jaws. The one who sat in the middle was white while all the others were shades of green and grey. Trundi stepped up in front of the one seated in middle and bowed.
“Great Suuti, I have delivered your request as promised.” He said motioning his hand towards me. I took a step back. When did me being delivered to some alien race become a part of the plan?
“And so you have.” Suuti replied. “This will be another defeat for the Lundi and a great victory for our people. Make it so!”
“And so it shall be!” The rest of the council recited.
Suuti spoke to the guards. “Take the girl and start the extraction immediately.”
“Wait! What is this? I thought we were going to find Sammie?” I said struggling against the guards.
“And so you will. Once you are taken into the Nukk custody.” Trundi said.
“You bastard! You lied to me and dragged me across the universe only to deliver me to the Nukk?”
This time Suuti spoke. “Make no mind of him, girl. It is your father who is to blame. He has kept our race in the dark and suppressed for ages. And now it is time end the Yawien reign. The great Lundi should have been careful where he leaves his seed.” He said.
“Where is Sammie? What did you do with him?” I asked.
“He is safe. We only used him to draw you out. You are the one we need. The key to ending the Lundi's reign lies within your genetic code. Sammie, was merely a tool. Once he was taken it was easy for your half-brother to finish your extraction.” Suuti said. “My half brother?” I repeated. “Why yes, Trundi has done our, hunting, since the Lundi disappeared nearly twelve years ago.” Trundi stood with a proud smile as the elder spoke. “No other has been more effective at capturing and destroying your father's seed.” Suuti continued.
“For years I watched my mother suffer the pain and embarrassment, while my father skipped from one planet to another laying with one harlot after the next. This was the only way to defend her honor and end his. Take her away!” There was a cruel look in Trundi's eyes. How could I have missed this? How could I have been so stupid and blind to his intentions?
- ELEVEN -
The transporter moved swiftly through the alien city. There were vast smoke-toned buildings built into the mountains. The white light of the sun made starring at the stone material that lined the streets and walkways nearly blinding. A shield was placed over my eyes, which was useful once we left the mountain.
At street level, crowds of Nukk moved about their everyday life. Some in transport, but most on foot. Most of them wore cloaks of grey, black and dark purple flowing material. “We're approaching the research facility.” The driver announced. “Secure the specimen.” The guard to my left attached a small square device over the left side of my chest. “What is this?” I asked. “It's an anti-flight tracker. If you try to escape, it will stop your heart instantly.” He said.
The facility- prison- was cold and white. The walls were mark with an entire system of electrical light streams that traveled throughout the building. Two armed guards lead me to a small cell equipped with raised platform for a bed in the center of the room and a shower and hole for a toilet in the corner.
After a couple hours, a group of Nukk dressed in white came into my cell and forced me to change into a yellow top and pants. About an hour later, a hole in the wall opened and a small black bowl of steamy white mush slid through it in my direction. I picked it up and flung it across the room.
“You're going to regret that.” A foreign voice invaded my thoughts.
“Who, what are you? Get out of my head!”
“I am Nomi”. It said.
“Where are you? Show yourself!” I backed against the wall looking around the room frantically.
“I am next to you, on the other side, sibling.”
“Let me guess. This Lundi is your father too.” I said.
“Yes.” Nomi said.
“Why are we here? What do they want with us?” I asked.
“Cells, genetics, spirit. They are looking for the next Lundi. The Nukk want to extract the gene of the next Yawien ruler before they are able come into rule.”
“Will Lundi or the Yawiens come for us?” I asked
“No. Not unless the Trundi or the Nukk captures the next Lundi. Our father is getting old and his rule is coming to an end. It is known that the Creator Gene is passed down to the first born child of the first wife. But when Trundi was born, the gene was not present in him. That created an opportunity for the Nukk to search the cosmos for the new Lundi.” Nomi said.
This was all too confusing for me. “But why Trundi? Why he did betray me? Us?” I asked.
“Isn't it obvious? He wants to be the next Lundi. The Nukk promised that if he captures the new Lundi, they would extract the Creator Gene and fuse it with his. And in returned he, he...” Nomi trailed off. “What? He what?” I asked.
“I would share the my rule with them.” Startled by his voice, I didn't notice him standing at the entrance of my cell with his arms folded.
“Trundi! What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough? I never want to see your face again!” Knowing the extent of his betrayal and the fact that I may be here forever, my anger grew. He smirked then laughed. “Too bad my dear little sister, because you'll be seeing a lot more of me now and after I take our father's throne.” He stopped and took in the sight of my body. “Maybe, I'll make you one of my wives if you behave, you know, to keep the genes pure.” He grinned. “You dirty bastard!” I shouted and moved toward him meaning to attack. He held up one hand and stopped me in my tracks. I was frozen in suspended animation. He dropped his hand to his side causing me to drop to the floor.
“My dear brother.” Nomi's high pitched voiced called from the next cell. “I see you traveled all the way to the new systems to collect this one. It's amazing that our father traveled so far to plant his seed. Where will you go next? Hmmm!” She asked. “That is none of your concern.” Trundi said. “Oh, but it is. It won't be long before this entire prison be filled with our father's children. We will all be gasping for air.” Nomi laughed. “I'm not concerned if you breathe at all.” Trundi snapped.
“Oh I know.” Nomi cut in. “Our very existence is an offense to you. Is that why you trick us, trap us, collect us and throw us all in this little box? Does the reality that your father fucked our mothers while yours sat lonely in her palace anger you?” She teased. “Enough!” Trundi shouted, but Nomi only continued to laugh. “You would kill us all, if the Nukk allowed it.” Nomi said coldly. “Oh, I'm sure they would allow me to kill you.” Trundi smirked. “I may not be the one. And you may be able to take my life, but you can't take away the truth.” She slid what sounded like nails across the wall scratching it enough to be an annoyance. “What truth is that, Nomi?” He asked. “That we exist.”
- TWELVE -
It was four days before I heard from Nomi again. Trundi beat her well into the night for her “insolence”. I was beginning to think she was dead until she started speaking into my mind
again. “Were you soldier or of high birth on your, Earth?” She had asked. “Neither.” I responded. “I worked fast food and went to college and took care of my mother.” There was a long silence then, “College? What is college?” She asked. I couldn't believe she had no idea what college was. Did the Yawiens not have schools? “It is a place we humans go to learn a trade or profession.” I said.
“Like learning to be a healer or soldier?” She asked. “Yeah, sorta like that.” I grinned. “Your mother, is she very sick?” Nomi asked thoughtfully. “No, not in the way you would think. She has a... substance abuse problem. What about you? Are you a, Yawien?”I asked. “Yes. I am soldier. At least, I was a soldier.” This time she spoke with her voice. “What happen to you?” I asked. “I can tell you, but it would be easier for me to show you.”
The pictures of Nomi's memories came to me like a flood. Just when I thought I was about to lose order of them, they all fell perfectly into place. Then I saw her, a proud Yawien soldier of the first order. Her coal colored face framed by coily hair that is shaved on the sides and neatly pulled back into a bun. She held her head up proudly dunning her frame-fitting cobalt blue uniform, her silver laser gun and sword at her hip. But she was not only proud for herself. She was proud for her mother, her family, her ancestors, her people. Her shiny black eyes saw into a bright future. A future that was soon lost when the first son of her people learned the truth of her parentage.
Anna Rising: Creator Gene Trilogy - Book One Page 3