by Phil Price
“You think of everything.” They walked a steady pace up the gradual incline, the trees thinning out. Small animals crossed their path, darting into the undergrowth when they saw the advancing couple. “What kind of creatures do you have out here?” Torben asked.
“Nothing to worry about. The little furry ones that we’ve just seen are called bootles. We also have dak daks and wild swarts. Father could tell you more. He walks these forests all the time; mother does too. The further north you go, the more the animals become a little more challenging. There are large carnivores, similar to what you encountered with Father. However, we’re far enough away. The most dangerous predators around us are in the ocean. And I don’t plan on taking a plunge today.”
“Okay. Well, I’m staying close to you. If anything attacks us, you can swat them away with a branch. You’re pretty handy at that.”
“Still smarting about that are we?”
“I was kidding. You’re very competitive, just like me.” They fell silent for a while, enjoying the landscape unfold around them. Torben took it all in, enjoying the sound of the waves as they crashed onto the peninsular below him. He spotted several birds of prey above, floating on the thermals, looking for food. Kyra walked next to him, her carefree stride matching his own. After a while they began a steady descent, the path becoming rocky and uneven. Torben weaved around trees as the path fell away into the forest on either side, with Kyra following suit until they came out on a flat path next to the sea.
“Bolorex Ocean.”
“It’s beautiful. Where I’m from in Walvak, the coastline is far more industrial. This is unspoilt. It’s breathtaking.”
“It sure is,” she replied, taking his hand in her own. “If we walk along the path for about a mile, there is the small-holding I told you about. They do excellent graff, and spiced muffins that bring travellers from far and wide.”
“Sounds great.” They headed off, the rocky shore a grey barrier between them and the sea. Birds of all sizes could be seen over land and sea, bringing life to the horizon. To the right, the forest rose gradually, the sun filtering through the swaying branches.
“Such a peaceful place,” Kyra said quietly. “I came here a lot after the war. The sea air seemed to help.”
Torben wrapped an arm around her shoulder, kissing the top of her head. “I’m sure it did,” as a stone build building came into view, perched over the sea on a rocky ledge. Small craft were moored on a wooden jetty nearby, and Torben noticed a sea-breaker a few hundred yards across the water. “Does that keep the big stuff out?”
“You can relax. Nothing longer than my arm swims in this cove.”
“Good to know,” he replied, noticing more craft parked across from the building in a small clearing. Some were grounded, and a few were hovering a few feet from the floor, awaiting their owners.
“So, shall we grab a bite to eat?”
“Sounds good to me,” he responded, following her inside the building. Above the door was an intricately carved sign. Bethelba’s Cabin. “Nice name.”
“Lovely isn’t it. Wait till you meet her. She is a sweetheart.”
They took a table next to the sea as spray gently fell against the windows. Torben could see movement underneath the surface, roiling tails swarming together just a few feet from their table. Gentle music drifted across the interior, string and wind instruments adding to the ambience. The décor was to his liking too, with skulls of sea creatures adorning the walls. The centrepiece of the room made him gape in amazement - a huge skull set into the stone walls and ceiling with a fire grate inside the gaping maw, still filled with razor-sharp teeth. “Wow. That’s pretty impressive,” he said.
“It’s a breekin skull. Huge isn’t it. We should come here at night. When the fire is crackling away, it’s quite a sight to see.”
“Hello, Kyra,” a deep female voice said across the room. Torben looked over at the advancing woman, his eyes widening for a split-second.
“Hello, Bethelba, lovely to see you.”
The woman bent down, enveloping Kyra in a hug. “Not seen you here for a while?”
“No, I’ve been away on an assignment. This is Torben.”
He rose from his chair, dwarfed by the woman in front of him. Craning his neck, Torben looked up at her, smiling. “Pleased to meet you,” he said warmly, liking the friendly face of the proprietor. Her blonde hair that almost touched the ceiling was set in twin side tails that ran almost down to her waist, leather thongs woven into the braids.
She extended her hand which Torben took readily, his own hand almost lost from sight in her embrace. “Nice to meet you too. I hope you’re hungry. We’ve just started to roast some razor shells on the griddle.”
“Sounds just what we need, thank you,” he said sitting down at the table.
“What can I get you to drink?”
Kyra looked at Torben. “Graff?”
“Graff sounds good to me.”
“Okay. I’ll bring them over, along with two menus. Relax and enjoy the view.” She walked off, her footsteps thumping on the stone floor.
“She seems nice,” he said.
“Bethelba is lovely, although she is not one to cross. She can be pretty formidable.”
“I bet she can. She must be three metres tall.”
“Easily. She’s lived here all her life. The place used to belong to her parents. They died a few years ago in a fishing accident out at sea.”
“Oh dear, such sad news,” he replied, not knowing what else to say.
“Yes, it was. But Bethelba is a force of nature. She threw herself into the place, putting her own stamp on it. Mother and Father come here quite a lot.”
“I can see why. It’s very impressive.”
“Just wait until you sample the cooking. You’ll be setting up camp outside.”
“Or in your cabin.”
She smiled, reaching across the table to take his hand. “I could quite happily stay in the cabin with you for the rest of my days.”
Goosebumps appeared across his arms, his face flushing. “Thank you, Kyra. You really are a wonderful Cantisian.”
“And you’re a wonderful Walvaker. One of the nicest I’ve ever met.”
“Only one of them?” he said, mock indignation framing his features.
“The day is young. I may move you to the top of the list after sundown,” she said with a playful wink.
Eighteen
Valkash
Gemma woke up with a start. Artificial light streamed in through the windows. She had lost track of how many days she had been living this nightmare. It seemed like a month had passed when in reality it had been a little over a week. She rolled off the bed, wondering what the time was, which was ridiculous. Who cares what time it is? It’s not like I have to be anywhere. Which technically was not true. She needed to be at a meeting. An escape meeting. Gemma padded downstairs in clean clothing, not quite the right fit nor colour. But it would do. Call it prison clothing, she had thought to herself a few days before when she had opened the wardrobe in her bedroom, the doors not quite closing properly.
Twenty minutes later, she was striding towards the village hall, her boots slapping the moist pavement. How does it rain here? Do they have a sprinkler system? Her thoughts were interrupted by a waving woman from across the street. “Hiya,” Caroline called.
“Hello,” Gemma replied in a friendly manner. “You ready to chop off alien hands and make a dash for it?”
“If only it was that simple eh? I’m sure we’d be tasered or blasted by ray guns within minutes,” Caroline responded readily. “Like something out of Star Trek?”
“Probably,” Gemma replied with a half-smirk. “I’m more of a Star Wars fan. Han Solo and all that.”
“I see where you’re coming from. Knowing my luck, I’d end up with Chewbacca.”
Gemma chuckled. “That bad huh?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I like them hairy.” Both women laughed as they made their way to the entranc
e of the hall. A group of villagers had gathered in the main room, sitting on chairs in a haphazard way. Martin and Pete were slouched against the stage, exchanging words. They quickly ended the conversation as Caroline, Katie and a few other women headed towards them.
Pete straightened up, trying to appear taller. He’d attended a management course a few years previously, his tutor telling him that it gave an air of authority. The problem was Pete was under six feet tall, only a few inches taller than some of the females heading his way. His dander was up though, ready for a fight. “What’s the order of the meeting? Space-age cookery?”
“Fuck off, Pete,” Caroline answered. “You’re clearly pissed that you lost the vote to a woman. Has your male pride taken a blow? Is that why you’re standing tall, trying to intimidate us?”
“I don’t have to answer to the likes of you. You’re not even a villager!”
“No. I’m not. Yet your villagers voted for an outsider over yourself. So, what does that say about you? I’d go and ponder that whilst we have our meeting.”
Pete strode by them, nudging Caroline’s shoulder enough to raise a few collective gasps from the hall. Martin followed, hands pushed deep into his pockets. “Ignore him,” Gemma said quietly. Clearly, he’s got an inferiority complex.”
“Or a tiny cock,” Katie added drily, making the women howl with laughter. Seconds went by until they regained their composure, turning towards the rest of the attendees, slightly red-faced.
Caroline addressed them. “We’re working on a few things, nothing really to report as of yet. Hopefully, by the end of the week, we’ll have something more to update you on. As you have all seen, food has been delivered around the village.” People nodded as they’d all been coming across the pallets of goods that were sporadically placed around the replica village. “The reason for the meeting is to ask if anyone has any burning issues, apart from the obvious?”
A man at the rear of the hall raised his hand. Caroline nodded towards him. “Many of the kids are playing too close to the perimeter. Have you seen the things that surround us? I would hate to think what could happen if one of those creatures somehow got out?”
“Yes, we have. Why are they not using the playground?”
“Playgrounds are boring,” the man replied. “Kids are kids. If there is a giant reptile a few hundred yards away, they will go and look at that. Some of the kids have been throwing stones at the glass walls, which is not a good idea.”
“I agree,” Caroline replied. “I’m no expert on this kind of thing, but I am pretty sure that these glass walls could cope with stones and bricks hitting them. But our kids should not be doing it. Many of us have had a good explore of the surrounding village. The place is a giant fishbowl. Nothing is getting out, nothing is coming in. But we need a rule. All children must not stray away from the playground and village centre. We’ve not got anywhere that we need to be. No work or holidays to think about, so is it unreasonable to ask that parents accompany their children to the playground and other parts of the main village? Does anyone have any objections to that?” The villagers shook their collective heads in unison. “Okay. That’s one thing sorted. Anything else?”
A young woman with a child on her lap raised her hand. Caroline had not spoken to her before, nor really noticed her until now. She nodded at the woman. “I have a nut allergy and I only eat gluten-free products. Do you think we can request this?”
A few people snorted and laughed, an older man turning to the woman. “Is that all you’re bloody worried about? Gluten-free? In my day you ate what was given. There was none of this new-age crap. Nut allergy? Lactose intolerance? It’s all a bloody con.”
The woman looked embarrassed, turning a deep pink. However, she held her ground. “And maybe that’s why the older generation didn’t live as long?”
“Why?” the old man countered. “I don’t bloody remember reading about masses of people dying because their biscuits contained bloody peanuts and gluten.”
“I think this is getting out of hand,” Gemma called out. “We will speak to their people when they are next here. After all, they’ve built a planetary zoo. They may be able to come up with something suitable. I’m sure we may have vegetarians and vegans amongst us. They should also be catered for?” The old man stood up, clearly bristling. Before he could direct his tirade towards Gemma, she nipped the argument in the bud. “I’m also sure they could supply us with various types of beer. I’m guessing you’re a real ale man?”
“I like my mild,” he replied, his face gradually softening.
Gemma smiled. She had tasted mild, a slightly weaker version of ale. She could almost smell the aroma, sparked from distant memories. “That was my grandfather’s favourite. I will make sure we ask for something that fits the bill for you. What’s your name by the way? I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Bill,” he responded, the bristle ebbing out of his body.
“Okay, Bill. Leave it with us.”
They stood outside after the rest of the villagers had filed away back to their homes. Katie sat down on a bench, rubbing her ankle. “Bloody thing is playing up again.”
“Are you okay?” Caroline asked, mildly concerned.
“I’ll be fine. Just old age creeping up on me.”
“Something else we may need to ask for,” Gemma added. “Medicine. That can be the top of the agenda at the next meeting. We may have diabetics, people with high blood pressure or asthmatics. I’m surprised no one has raised it yet?”
“Me neither come to think about it,” Caroline said. I’m on statins back home. I never gave it a thought until now. My cholesterol is probably through the roof.”
Kimberley headed towards the path, turning towards the other three women. “I’d better go. Martin does not approve of our little union. So I’d better get back and see that the kids are okay.”
“That’s fine, hun,” Caroline replied. “If this is a problem, just let us know. We have enough to worry about without rifts behind closed doors.”
“I’m sure it will be fine. He’s just a bit of an old dinosaur sometimes. Women should be cooking whilst the men make the decisions.”
“Believe me, he’s not the only man who shares that viewpoint,” Caroline said. “We’ll see you tomorrow, lovely.” They all bid her farewell as another woman approached the threesome. Gemma had spoken to her a few times in the school playground. She was roughly her own age, with a young son. However, that’s where the similarities ended. The woman approaching had closely cropped blonde hair, longer and messier on top. She had more tattoos than Gemma could count, and her ears and nose pierced numerous times. She reminded Gemma of a pop singer, who’d died a few years before. However, now on the other side of the universe, the name escaped her. She wore a black leather jacket, with a micro mini-skirt and ankle boots. Gemma was slightly intimidated by her brash look.
“Hello,” she said politely, her voice soft. “I’m Sarah. I was wondering if you could request something for me?”
“We can but try, hun,” Caroline said warmly. “What do you need?”
“Tights. This is my only pair and I laddered them this morning.”
The women looked down at the woman’s shapely legs, appraising them in their own way. Running up the left calf, a ladder could be seen against the flesh coloured material. Caroline smiled. “Not a problem, hun. I could do with a few new pairs of knickers too.” They all stood there chatting, conversing like women do in every village on Earth. And beyond.
“Oh my,” Lawrence said, as he peered through the impenetrable glass. The boys had taken a walk to the far side of the village, away from the houses and village hall. They both stood, hands planted against the solid glass structure, eyes wide open.
“Is it a ghost? Tristan asked as a wraith-like figure floated in front of them. Its mouth was a blackened maw, eyes burning back at them, tinged with red.
“I really don’t know,” the elder brother replied quietly. “Look at the trees!”
“It is a bit,” Lawrence replied as more wraiths appeared through the eerie forest. Winged creatures floated passed, almost in slow motion, as they began climbing towards the thick canopy above. The air in the forest seemed to shift and move, tendrils of mist wrapping themselves around tree trunks and branches. “I wonder what planet this is supposed to be?”
“Maybe it’s like Avatar?”
“Don’t be silly. There is no such planet.”
“I’m not silly,” the younger brother admonished. “It looks like something from a movie.”
“If it does, it’s not the kind of movie you should be watching. You’re only eight.”
“I’m nearly nine.”
“Well I’m nearly thirteen, and even I would not watch movies with those in,” he said, pointing as the wraiths peered at them through the glass walls. “Come on,” Lawrence said. “Let’s see if we can see any other worlds next to ours.”
They walked off, Tristan taking his older brother’s hand. They skipped down the tarmac roadway, heading off on another adventure.
A while after leaving the village hall, Pete and Martin stood on the fringes of the village, looking through the glass wall that held them captive. “Fucking bitch!” Pete spat, clearly riled from his earlier encounter.
“Relax, mate. They are women. Do you think they will be able to run this ship? No chance. Give them a couple of weeks and they will come begging for our help. What do you do, back on Earth?” Martin thought his question sounded surreal.
“I’m a site manager for a drinks company. Davies Wilmott. We transport our products across Europe. And you?”
“I’m a health and safety manager for a logistics company.”