by Beth Bowland
“The crystal is your key to return here,” said Zion.
D1 picked up the piece of wool. “This,” he held up the fabric, “is to give you supernatural strength when you need it. Wool has a way of revitalizing you.” He handed the fabric to Aaron.
“So,” Aaron began, “if you’re away from wool, will you age again?”
Zion nodded. “Yes. Earth’s atmosphere has that odd effect on us for some reason. But, we’ve learned that if we have to interface with your environment on a regular basis, we need to keep a fresh supply available,” she said as she ran her fingers across her wool collar.
“The carpet that Zion brought home will keep me vitalized for several months.”
Aaron’s thoughts shifted when he heard a tapping against glass. He looked around, trying to see where the sound was coming from when Zion rose and went to the window. She pulled back the curtains and opened the window. In flew a falcon. It wore a small gold chain around its neck with a tiny diamond medallion hanging from it.
“Run,” Aaron screamed as he scrambled to hide beneath the table. “He’s after me!”
Chapter 8
Zion’s smile turned into a broad grin. “Hello, Zimmare. We just finished dinner. Would you care for a bite to eat?” she asked as she closed the window.
D1 stooped and poked his head under the table. “Why are you hiding down there?”
“I dunno. I’m not so sure that falcon is not somehow related to Nakal and those Annihilators.”
“Oh, pish-posh,” Zion said and reached under the table to help Aaron out. “The only person he is related to is me.”
Aaron crawled from beneath the table and reluctantly sat back on his chair.
“Aaron,” Zion began. “I’d like you to meet my brother, Zimmare.”
The falcon nodded at Aaron, and his diamond medallion sparkled. A silvery aura rose up around the falcon until he was barely visible. Slowly, a metamorphosis took place. When the aura vanished, standing before Aaron was a man, sharply dressed, clean-cut, and with the same translucent gray eyes as Zion.
“You two sorta look alike.”
Zion looped her arm through her brother’s. “We’re twins.” She did a little dance on her toes.
“At ease, soldier,” Zimmare said. His monotone voice didn’t give a hint of his current mood.
Aaron gulped. Zimmare’s personality was much different from his lively sister’s.
Zimmare crossed his arms and stared directly at Aaron for a moment before speaking. “I’ll only be with you for a moment. I’ve come to deliver a clue.”
“Oh, I love clues!” Zion clapped her hands and did another twirl on her toes. “Let us hear it. I hope it’s a good one.” She stopped twirling, winked at Aaron, and gave Zimmare her full attention.
“Zimmare,” Aaron began, “may I ask you a question?”
Zimmare nodded. “Certainly.”
Aaron pulled the necklace that held the falcons from beneath his shirt. “I’m trying to understand the game, and I was told in order to get your help I had to hold this and think about the falcons. But earlier, you and your crew came barreling out of the sky to my rescue without me doing that. How?”
“Yes, I can understand your confusion,” Zimmare answered. “Anytime a member of the opposing team is found to have broken any of the rules—in your case Sirius did a false start in a poor attempt to get ahead—the other team will get an extra clue or free card to use at their discretion.”
“Oh, okay,” Aaron replied. “Mr. Kessler mentioned something about that, but he didn’t seem to be so sure of himself. So, it was a free card that was used. Thanks for the help.”
“Your team members will have us watching out for you even during times you think you’re alone,” Zimmare said. “Also, be careful of Mr. Kessler. He appears to want to help you, but trust me, he does nothing unless it benefits him as well.”
Zion sighed. “He’s been a stinker ever since he played and lost.”
Aaron sat up. “I thought if you lost you were sent to the nothingness?”
“Yes, he was at one point,” Zimmare answered. “But you can also be removed and used as an initiator in future games.”
D1 cleared his throat. “He was a great initiator, and he actually won that match and received his new life, but he became greedy and wasn’t happy being the mayor of your town. He wanted to become one of the council members and made demands on them, saying he would tell everything he knew about them and reveal game secrets.”
“Really?” said Aaron asked. “What happened?”
“They let him tell whatever he wanted to some degree, and no one believed him. The townspeople thought him to be crazy. Now he is just a wanderer and will remain that way until he finds someone to take his place. Not sure why he causes so much trouble. He lives quite well. His home is not far from ours.”
“What is the role of the wanderer?” Aaron asked.
Zion giggled. “It’s not actually a true role. He wanders and wanders about, neither here nor there. The members of the council are fully aware of his whereabouts at all times, although he doesn’t seem to realize this. At times they may use him to get the game going.”
“Earlier he took me inside the meteorite, and I was in some sort of spaceship,” Aaron said.
Zion gasped.
“He took you inside?” D1 asked.
Aaron nodded. “Yes, we went down a hallway that had faces on the walls and went inside a closet, but that was all that I could see, until the sirens went off and he rushed me back out.”
“Interesting,” D1 answered. “I wonder what Kessler is up to. He is what you’d refer to as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Although he is tracked, you are not.”
“Take heed of my words, soldier,” Zimmare said. “Even if you remember how to return to that place—don’t. It’s quite dangerous, and the members of the council are not to be played with. They can be quite ruthless from what I’ve heard.”
“Why do you help them if they’re so dangerous?” Aaron asked.
“Well, there are certain perks that come to us and our communities when we assist,” D1 answered. “On Earth it is probably comparable to what you would call seasonal help.”
Aaron gave him a side-eye stare. “You mean like to get extra money for Christmas presents?”
Zion nodded. “Yes, you could call it that, or we get other little oddlings that we enjoy.”
D1 and Zimmare chuckled.
“What sort of oddlings?” Aaron asked.
“Oh, nothing to worry yourself about now, lad,” D1 answered. “What about that clue, Zimmare?”
“Yes, of course.” Zimmare answered. “Although the Piscean fish face both ways, your answer lies within the tie that binds.”
“Huh?” Aaron said. “What does that mean?”
“Oh my,” Zion squealed. “That is a good one.”
Aaron looked at Zion. “Do you know what it means?”
Zion shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But we’re not permitted to tell.”
“Afraid so, old chap,” D1 replied. “We’re to oversee, not participate. We, too, must follow the rules.”
Aaron huffed. “Yeah, the rules … ” He paused. “Just how often do you play these games?”
D1 shrugged. “Oh, it depends on the council members. There have been times when multiple games have been played simultaneously.”
“So,” Aaron began. “There could be another game going on right now.”
“Possibly,” Zion answered. “But we’re not at liberty to say.”
“I mean there could be someone else I could talk to about the game,” Aaron said. “They could even help me.”
“No.” D1 said. “There is no way for you to find out either who is playing or where the match is being played.
“You’re on your own.” Zimmare walked over and opened the window. “But you know how to reach me. I’m always but a thought away.” As he spoke the silver aura re
turned and surrounded him. When it went away, he was once again the falcon wearing the tiny diamond medallion.
“Goodbye, brother!” Zion shouted as Zimmare flew out the window and she closed it behind him.
Aaron slumped back against the chair. “So, I have some falcons, carpet, some liquid to make me invisible, and you guys.”
D1 chuckled. “Don’t sound so defeated.”
Zion nodded. “Doubt not who you have on your side, my little cutie.”
Aaron forced a smile. “Well, I’d better go find the next artifact.”
“Yes.” Zion handed him the crystal and carpet piece. “Don’t forget these.”
Aaron retrieved the items from her hand. He unhooked his necklace and placed the crystal on it next to the falcons. He stuffed the carpet piece in his pants pocket. He closed his eyes and walked back through the wall.
He stood on the ramp for a few minutes and looked around. He’d gone to Polaris and back, and Bixie was still the same. The snow had melted a little more, causing everything to glisten and shine. He thought about what Mr. Kessler said and wondered if he’d see him again, and if so, was he really a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Even though Zimmare said not to return to the meteorite, Aaron knew he’d return. He’d have to find a way to get his mother and Parker out of that place, just in case he did not win.
Aaron slowly walked down the ramp to the library where he’d parked the truck. Being very attentive to his surroundings, he carefully checked traffic in both directions before crossing the street. He looked up at the building rooftop to see if there were any signs of Zimmare and his army. As Aaron neared his truck, he noticed the shopkeeper standing outside, talking to a woman. It was then that he remembered the words that the shopkeeper had sung earlier.
“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream … ”
“Down the stream,” Aaron whispered out loud. There was a stream that flowed near the old paper mill. He hurried to the truck, climbed in, fastened his seat belt, and started the engine. He eased the truck out of park and headed down to the mill.
As he drove he passed several people he knew, but they seemed to not notice him. Even when people looked over at him, they waved and didn’t seem to care that a kid was driving a truck down the main road.
The old paper mill stood at the edge of town far away from any of the residential neighborhoods. It was one of the first structures built when Bixie was established in the late 1800’s. It had signs of wear and tear, but it managed to continue producing quality paper products, allowing the residents of Bixie to live comfortable lives.
Aaron got out of his truck and walked to the back of the mill, which was closed on the weekend. He surveyed the area carefully, closely examining anything and everything he came near. He even studied the trees just in case they decided to come to life.
As he made his way near the stream, he stopped and noticed an old shack just visible through a thicket of trees. It was small, dilapidated, and appeared to be an original structure dating back to the start of the mill. He’d never noticed it before on the days he and Parker tagged along with his uncle, the groundskeeper at the mill. He walked slowly to it as each twig he stepped on made a sound that seemed to echo for miles.
The little shack was covered in cobwebs and fallen branches. He brushed them away and gently pushed down on the old latch to open the door. It opened with a squeak. Pushing the heavy wooden door open, he walked inside. It was windowless and just about empty except for a desk, a couple of bookcases, and what looked like a small closet. There was something written above the closet door. He pulled out the desk chair, climbed up on it, and brushed away the dust and cobwebs that covered the writing. He coughed and choked on the dust.
Aaron read the word aloud. “Alrescha.” He stared at it for a few moments. “I know that word,” he continued to speak to the empty room. Sitting in the chair, he thought back to his astronomy lessons with his father. “Pisces!” he yelled out loud. “The Piscean constellation consisted of two fish that were bound together at their tails by a cord. Alrescha.”
Aaron was now pacing the small room, thinking about the clues he’d been given and trying to piece them together. “Row the boat up the stream. Merrily, life is but a dream. My answer lies within the tie that binds.” He looked up at the word again and slowly opened the closet. The way it was angled plus the way the light was coming in from the front door didn’t help his vision.
He strained to see inside the closet. From the outside it only looked to be a couple of feet deep, but for some strange reason, it felt as if it went on forever. He placed his foot inside the narrow doorway and hesitated before going any farther. He took another step and reached out to feel for the back and sides of the closet. He felt nothing. He moved in a little farther, and he heard the closet door slam shut behind him.
Aaron’s heart raced as he quickly turned around and only felt a solid wall behind him. He shuffled his feet to the right and then back to the left, attempting to find another door. Standing motionless, he forced his mind to focus.
“How do I get out of here?” he whispered. He fully expected to see Mr. Kessler appear. “Mr. Kessler?” he called out. “Are you there?” He received no response.
Aaron kept his arms out, reaching for anything solid. He continued to walk until he spotted two green specks of light bobbing around in front of him. As he headed toward the specks of light, they grew larger. Brisk air blew across his face.
“A doorway?” he said, quickening his pace until he ran directly into something spongy. He ran his hands around the softness, trying to figure out what the object was.
“Hey, cut that out,” came a voice. “That tickles.”
Aaron gasped and stumbled backward. The green lights blinked at him. “Who are you?” he asked.
“Who are you?” the voiced replied. “You broke into my home and tickled me while I was trying to sleep in my bed.”
Suddenly, the room lit up. Aaron blinked several times to adjust his vision. Before him lay a massive seaweed-covered manatee. Its green eyes twinkled with joy, and beside his wide flat snout hung two jowls.
“So,” said the creature, “now that the lights have been turned on and I can clearly see, who are you?”
“Um … ” Aaron stuttered. “I’m Aaron.”
“Nice to make your acquaintance, Aaron. My friends call me Max.”
Aaron’s eyes widened. “Max?”
“Yes, well, my actual name is Maximilian, but that’s entirely too long to say, don’t you think?” His jowls turned upward into a toothless grin.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure how I arrived in your home,” Aaron said. “I was looking for an object and came in through the closet marked Alrescha.”
“Interesting,” Max said.
“Yes. It was part of the clue for the object I have to find in an odd game that I’m playing that you wouldn’t believe if I told you.”
Max smiled. “Oh, really?” He chuckled.
Aaron looked at his oversized jolly new friend and thought it did sound silly since he was having a conversation with a manatee. “Well, there is this evil alien kid named Nakal, and somehow I was chosen for a game. I didn’t want to play, but they kidnapped my mother and best friend so I’m forced to find three out of five objects while Nakal tries to stop me or I will lose my life or something weird like that but I’m still unsure how I can be zapped into some place call nothingness and they will get away with it,” Aaron said, without pausing to take a breath.
Max’s jowls hung downward, and his eyes softened. “You are in a pickle indeed, my little friend.”
Aaron’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah,” he answered weakly.
Max straightened up as much as his massive gelatinous mass would allow. “Well, if you think the object is hidden within my home, feel free to look around.”
Aaron’s eyes perked up. “Oh, thank you,” he said and offere
d Max a smile. “That kid Nakal that I mentioned will probably show up. He does when I get close to the object. Could you yell if you see him?”
“Certainly.” Max winked.
“I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for. The clue said my answer lies within the ties that bind,” Aaron thought aloud as he looked around the small bedroom of the home. There was not much more besides a huge bed, a small dresser, and a nightstand. His eyes scanned the area before he left the room and found himself in a short hallway. Aaron wondered how Max could maneuver down such a narrow space.
Next, he entered a large living room, neatly decorated with only two large recliner chairs, a flat screen TV, a few paintings on the wall, and a bear rug. Nestled in the corner was a small kitchen.
A sudden ruckus coming from Max’s bedroom startled Aaron.
“Back out of here, you,” Max’s voice roared through the house. “I’ve been warned about you.”
Aaron ran back to the bedroom and found Max squirming around and holding Nakal tightly within his massive arms. Nakal’s eyes flickered with amber sparks when he saw Aaron.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Max continued to yell. “Aaron, did you find what you were looking for?”
“Not yet,” Aaron answered.
“Well, keep looking.” Max looked down at Nakal. “He’s not going anywhere.”
Aaron nodded and rushed back into the living room where he continued to search for anything strange. He searched around the recliners and felt around in the storage compartments on the sides of the chairs. He looked inside the kitchen cabinets and checked behind the TV.
“Stop squirming around,” Max yelled from the other room. “I’m not letting you go.”
Aaron continued to search, when his eyes stopped on one of the paintings that hung on the wall. It was of a stream with a man rowing a boat. He moved closer to the painting to get a better look. Hanging from the side of the boat were two fish, whose tails were bound together with a small cord—Alrescha. The smell of water grew strong as Aaron leaned in. He reached up and touched the boat, and it surprisingly rocked back and forth.