Eden, Dawn

by Archer Swift

  ***

  I woke up with a shocking fright. Even if I wanted to scream I couldn’t. An enormous presence was on top of me, engulfing me. My mouth, sealed shut by a monstrous hand. The bluish-purple eyes, dulled by a face visor, were all I could see in the pitch darkness of a starless night. I thought certain death was to follow.

  “I am Miltredic,” breathed the deepest voice I had ever heard; a resonance that seemed to reverberate straight through me. In a whisper, he announced: “Father of Shumbalic.”

  Even the mention of Shumbalic brought scant consolation. Why isn’t she here? I knew my life was in my enemy’s grip, literally. One twist of his huge, powerful hands and my neck would snap right off.

  “We go now,” his voice was commanding and firm. Like I have a choice. He undid my straps, how he managed with one gigantic hand; I wasn’t sure. Then he carried me off like a doll, his hand still covering my mouth. I couldn’t contain the tremble that racked my body.

  Without a sound, we flew through the tree tops. Not once did I strike a branch or even brush a bough; I was in both the safest and most dangerous place at the same time.

  Only when we were well away from camp did he stop and perch me in a high tree, his right hand holding me secure. Without warning, he turned on a lambent purple light attached to his chest-wear; it was then that I caught a glimpse of his imposing physique for the first time. I sucked in air through my teeth as I felt my toes curl up.

  The male Zikalic was a little over five feet tall, a fair bit shorter than I was, and his lithe body was slim, tightened perhaps by his full-body rubber suit that looked like a wetsuit in the low light. However, his form was so, so intimidating; I didn’t have time to marvel at the glowing, burnished crystal, the first powered light I’d seen since the Ark.

  His arms and legs looked like they belonged to a creature twice his size; his hands were huge, like a baseball mitt I once owned. And of course, he didn’t have just two hands, but four … instead of feet; he had a massive second pair of hands, very much like the apes on planet Earth. To describe him as an ape, however, would be to paint a very misleading picture. There was even a pleasant, aromatic scent that accompanied him.

  Yet even more daunting than his limbs was his head—twice the size of mine; his ears, enormous. Giving a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘wing nut.’ In contrast to the adolescent Shumbalic, a full-grown Zikalic seemed shaped out of all proportions. While Shumbalic would certainly grow a little taller, it appeared that her development into full adulthood would primarily serve to enlarge her head and limbs—at least, if her father was anything to go on. I shivered at the thought of a berserk, red-eyed adult in full battle cry.

  It only then occurred to me that he might be looking me up-and-down too, although the face visor covering his eyes, nose and mouth, made it difficult for me to know for sure. How puny must I seem to you? I could hear my heart pound and fought hard to keep my trembling in check.

  Have I ever been this scared and intrigued at the same time?

  In dreadful slow-motion, maybe to ease me into it gradually, he raised his left hand to his head and lifted the visor from his face. I hardly noticed his gigantic nose and impossibly-wide mouth because of his eyes; otherwise, I might have recoiled from him.

  His eyes were beautiful. They were a dazzling electric blue with a hint of purple. The male’s eyes turn blue not green. And it only dawned on me then that he was glad to see me or, at the very least, a little fascinated. I tried to stir up some feeling of hatred for him. Surely, I hate him? For some reason, however, I could not find a trace of spite or malice despite stockpiling the stuff for a decade.

  As I wrestled to keep my composure, his right hand still holding me steady while I secured myself properly on the high branch that he graced with ease, the words that came out of his mouth were not the words I was expecting.

  “Brave Rist, it is a pleasure to meet you.” As grotesque as he looked, his kind words, astonishing eyes and gentle expression somehow made his face charming.

  Just about.

  I guess I was staring, confounded by my own feelings as much as by his extraordinary appearance, since I was caught out again by his next words.

  “You are only the second human to see an adult Zikalic,” he said warmly as a smile split his face from ear to ear. “We are most impressive, yes?”

  I could only nod. His teeth were white, straight, and very human-like; they weren’t the teeth of a vicious carnivore.

  So, he’s probably not going to bite my head off.

  “You humans have such undeveloped features,” he continued making small talk, “so like our children.”

  He is checking me out.

  “Sorry,” I forced myself to find my nerve. “I’m so rude—”

  “Take your time.” His voice resounded in my ears.

  “I’m Rist … Ristan Abel,” I said foolishly, my voice coming out in rasps.

  “Greetings, Ristan Abel,” his grin seemed to deepen. “I am Miltredic, father of Shumbalic, one of the Chiefs of the Zikalic people … and I am in your debt.”

  “Pardon?” I could feel my eyes widen trying to digest his words. “My debt?”

  His eyes sparkled, and he steepled his incredibly large hands under his chin. “You saved the life of my daughter. I will be forever in your debt.”

  “It-it was nothing.”

  “You are mistaken,” his voice was sonorous and authoritative. “We have slaughtered your people. No one would have blamed you if you had killed Shumbalic … or even left her to bleed to death. Yet you chose not to. What is more, you protected her from certain death at the hands of your people.”

  “I … I…” Even now, it sounded like betrayal not courage. “I…”

  “You are a better … how would you say it? … a better man than me.” His mouth twisted into a surprised smile, seemingly amused at his own use of the word ‘man.’

  My shoulders slumped. “How do you know I’m not a coward or … or…?” My words trailed into the darkness.

  “Are you?”

  “Um…”—I swear; he can see into me—“…no; I don’t think so, but how—?”

  “Rist,” his deep, guttural voice was overwhelming. “You are both brave and humble. I salute you.”

  Still shaking, I grabbed the corner of my pants to stop the tremor in my hands. A creature that literally held my life in its giant hands was paying me a vast compliment I didn’t deserve, or even understand. I was lost for words.

  “Come, we must head north and speak to your leader, Scott.”

  “S-s-sorry,” I stuttered, “but … where’s Shumbalic?”

  For a split second, a drop of grey splashed into the vast blue of his eyes, and then; it was gone again. “She was too weak to travel so soon after her return.”

  “Is she okay?” My concern gushed out.

  “She lost a lot of blood … if you did not know what you were doing in applying her bandages, she would have died. I believe you used your own shirt?”

  I gulped hard and nodded. “But she’s okay?”

  “Yes, Rist. My daughter…”—his voice was tender and affectionate— “…made it back to our territory in the valleys, but only just. We thought she might lose her leg, but most thankfully, she is recovering. Her vision was also damaged, but we think she should regain full sight soon.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief, surprised at how pleased I was. “Sorry for all the questions … but you mentioned I’m only the second human to see an adult Zikalic?”

  “Yes, we have only used our young warriors against your people, and because we move under the cover of darkness, the humans are unaware of what we look like. But recently, our Head Chief revealed himself to one of your kind. Or at least, he sent an emissary to meet him. To a spineless human who has betrayed your people. To the one, you call Dylain Rogers.”

  My stomach sank; I felt light-headed. Even though Shumbalic had already told me this, now that her father confirmed it, the gravity of the threat h
it home. Until now, my encounter with Shumbalic had felt dreamy, otherworldly. Face to face with the cold truth, I came crashing down to a harsh, grim reality. Our predicament was frighteningly real. Alarming. My whole body twitched as the trembles took hold again.

  “Any more questions?” he asked.

  I shook my head, my brain blank.

  “Then, let us go. Time is not our friend.”