I think back on what I just saw and shudder. What’s happening to me? Is this another symptom of my strange illness? Will I have these delusions until I die? Or was there really a strange blue man reaching for me in the grass? I don’t know the answer to these questions, but if there was someone, why have they not caught up to me?
I sit down on the damp, earthy ground, and the wetness seeps into my clothing. The trees here are very old and stand taller than I can crane my neck. The tops are nearly impossible to see. It’s amazing the light even reaches the bottom of the floor. However, it’s still not enough to dry the earth after a long and heavy rain. I guess that’s why my bottom is now damp.
My foot throbs. I look down at my injury and notice that I’m still bleeding. I sigh. I have nothing to clean the wound with. The most I can do without tearing my clothing is take the ribbon from my waist and carefully wrap it around the wound to prevent it from further injury. So, I do.
The pain is only bearable because of the medication I took earlier, but it will wear off soon, and then my body will ache, so again I’ll be unable to make my way home. Dammit. So much for going to the beach, instead I get myself lost in the damn forest.
My breath finally evens out and my heart no longer pounds in my chest. I relax as the reality of my situation fully sets in. Maybe it was a hallucination? Doesn’t really matter, I need to focus getting before dark. I won’t survive long out here with a wound on my foot, no shoes or supplies. I could get an infection or get attacked by a wild animal.
Standing up, I search for a large branch stable enough to keep the weight off my foot. I spot the perfect one lying flat against a tree not too far from me. Hobbling over, I pick it up, testing its strength and durability. A few bugs fling off.
I love nature, but I can do without the bugs. I shiver, remembering a time when my father told me he captured a spider and let it loose in my bedroom. I couldn’t sleep for days, and by the time he told me it was a prank, I’d become a zombie. My father and I loved playing pranks on each other. We should’ve made a rule about no spiders though.
Growls sound in the distance, and I look up to see a large bear with several cubs at her feet. My eyes widen in horror. This is the worst-case scenario. A protective mother bear is dangerous and will do anything to protect her babies.
I don’t think she has noticed me yet, so I quietly back up gradually, trying not to alert her of my presence. CRUNCH. I look down and realize I’ve stepped on an old, decaying branch.
Glancing back up, mamma bear assessing me. I freeze, and she gets off her front paws to stand up tall. She roars furiously, because even at this distance, I’m far too close to her babies. I turn to run, unsure of the direction, hoping it will take me home. I drop the walking stick; I can’t carry it while trying to run for my life.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump!. THUMP!
The bear has gains on me causing me to trip and fall over.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” I scream. Then turn my head to face my death bravely, but then the loudest, most inhuman roar fills the trees around us, causing every bird around to scatter.
This time the bear freezes, unsure of the sound and what to do. It looks at me with fury in its eyes as if to say I’m safe, for now, before running back to care for its babies.
My heart is beating so hard in my chest that I lose my breath, and I can feel strong arms pick me up as I’m about to pass out
Chapter Four
Aykeetan
I was cleaning myself in the ocean when I felt my mate approach and touch the gift I’ve left for her. It’s my tavayk, a plant cultivated on my home world specifically for our bonding rituals. This bonds us to our tavayk, causing it to also go through the kavesta, a physical change that happens to my people, allowing our body chemistry to align with our destined mates.
After our tavayk goes through the kavesta, it can detect the presence of our mate. Our scientists use DNA analysis and matches it against a database to find the species of our mate and where they are in the universe. Though it is our tavayks that allows us to get much closer to mates, it causes a pulsing in our hearts that’s dull and painful when we are far from our mates, or strong and painless when we are close. The pulsing stops if you are within the range but stays this way until we complete our Kea’Vah bonding ceremony, where we will both consume the tavayk, so we can become one with each other.
The moment I’ve been anticipating all night is here. In my excitement, I rushed, failing to cloth myself with my vratike, and left all my belongings on the beach, which I’ll need to retrieve later.
As per the ritual, I’m not permitted to interact with my mate at all until she approaches the gift. I was merely following our sacred laws, and because I’m impatient, I’ll be greeting my mate for the first time wet and nude. I can only hope she overlooks my excitement and doesn’t get offended by my lack of patience.
Racing up the inclining beach, I follow the cliff side until grasslands come into view. My hearts pump faster and faster. Nervous sweat forms on my brow, but I’m almost there.
When I see her sitting in the grass, my hearts nearly stop. By the gods! She is a goddess. Beautiful with long curly red hair and green eyes that match mine perfectly. I can tell, even from her position, her graceful form is tall and slender with light and creamy skin that reminds me of porcelain. Smooth and untouched, without imperfection. She is the most magnificent creature I’ve ever lain eyes on. I’m instantly possessed by her. I can’t wait to get to know her, take her into my arms and profess to the gods how thankful I am.
She hasn’t spotted me yet, and it gives me extra time to take in her wondrous form. I stroll up behind her, and even though I know I shouldn’t, I place my hand on her small shoulder. It’s no excuse, but I couldn’t help myself. I should have waited for her to become aware of my presence instead.
Her body freezes for a moment and I pull my hand away. Turning her, she stares at me, wide-eyed and silent. I'm unable to focus and I lose my footing, accidentally tripping towards her.
Her scream assaults my ears, and the sweet scent coming from her turns sour as she scrambles away from me, straight into the woods. Vrakk. What have I done? She’s terrified of me.
Laying on the ground where I fell for several minimas, I replay everything in my mind over and over. I sift through my mistakes so I can learn from them. A hunter unable to learn is no hunter at all, he would have been ensnared by a beast.
Frightening my mate was never my intention. The prospect of touching her for the very first time, and my patience got the best of me. Everything about her called to me, especially her scent. Light and fresh, reminding me of a freshly picked tree fruit, tave. I have no excuse for my actions and should have known better. Having patience is a skill required by all hunters. You can’t track and hunt a beast without it. My mate is no beast, but she has ensnared me none-the-less. It doesn’t help that my kavesta is over ten solar cycles to appear either. Vrakk. I need to stop making excuses and act like a full grown Kea’Terran, not a youngling.
Traveling from my home world, Ay’Kea’Terra, was the only way to reach my mate. My people, our people travel the stars to find their mates after they go through their kavesta and their tavayk is prepared properly. For some reason our biology has evolved to do so. If it wasn’t for our tavayks, we would never find our mates and we would die out as a species. Thank the gods for providing it.
I’m here now and my mate, who is all that matters to me, has run off. The desire to find her and soothe away her fears, pumps through my body. The need to find her soon is electrifying; I can feel she’s gaining further distance as I lay here. The painful pulse in my hearts become slower and weaker.
When I find her, we will complete each other in ways that other species can’t begin to understand. The Kea’Vah goes beyond the body and desire to mate. And when my mate is ready, we will complete ours and seal the bond between us permanently.
I resist the urge to chase after my escaping mate. She is frightened by my presen
ce and needs time to understand that I’ll not harm her. I must be tactful. My sire explained this to me before I left. He claimed my mate will not know of the existence of other species, and it will take time for her to accept the call that pulls us together. Gaining my mate’s trust and respect is my priority, so I pull my thoughts together and respond to my situation with clarity instead of desire.
I leave the clearing as I follow my mate at a safe distance. As I enter the forest, my nose is slowly battered by the offending smell of beasts, death, decay and mildew. Unfortunately, because these surrounding are new to me, I’m unable to filter through them and I lose the scent of my mate. Vrakk. I concentrate on the bond with my tavayk, and I’m immediately rewarded with the knowledge of her location. She’s further than I anticipated, but I’m impressed.
I continue following her now that I know where to go, when suddenly, the thick metallic scent of blood enters my nose. Tracking its location, I follow the bloody trail like a predator stalking its prey as it leads me in the same direction as my mate. Fear and uncertainty brew in my mind as I pick up speed, rushing towards her. If she is hurt, it will be all my doing.
A beast roars in the distance. It’s a predator. I recognize the danger and menacing tone in its voice. I hope my mate hasn’t come across this beast. Suddenly, a loud feminine scream assaults my ears. It’s her, my mate. I don’t have a visual of her yet, but I can feel how close she is.
I’m enraged that some beast would dare attack her. She’s mine. Roaring louder than I ever have before, I pour every ounce of aggression into my voice, matching the rage of the beast. It will know I’m coming now, and I’ll stop at nothing to ensure my mate is safe.
Racing forward, my eyes zoom in on a clearing in the distance. A large furry beast, wider and taller than I, with large claws on its hands and feet is standing over a female. My female.
I growl to gain its attention and give it a stare that would even frighten the beasts on my home world. Eventually the beast backs off and I sigh in relief. Normally I would go after such a beast who would dare to threaten my mate, but she needs attended. We also need to get out of here before we are attacked by something else. I know I can protect her, but I’d rather see her safe in the comfort of her home.
My ears pick up the sound of her heart hammering in her chest, and just before I reach her, she passes out. I make it just in time, picking her up into my arms before her head could smash against the earth. Thank the gods she is safe now.
Now that I am so close to her, the painful pulse in my hearts calm. My body relaxes while staying alert enough to watch my surroundings. I can never be too careful with her now.
Cradling her body close to my chest, I follow my way back towards her home, careful not to injure her or wake her. I fear what would happen should she wake up in my arms after she ran off from me.
I notice the bloodied wound she wrapped with delicate care on her foot, and the small scratches against her arms and legs. Her body is fragile, unlike my mine. I may look similar to my mate now that I’ve gone through my kavesta, but my body is hardy and strong compared to hers.
Finally reaching the end of the woods, her home comes into view. Frustration and blame fill me. If I showed some restraint, I wouldn’t have frightened her, and she wouldn’t have run off into the woods. Her ankle wouldn’t be bleeding, nor would there be scratches on her body, and her life wouldn’t have been at risk from the wood beast. I must be more careful from now on. I can’t make any more mistakes with her.
I’m annoyed she left her home unlocked. While my people are peaceful, I’ve heard of the dangers of humanity. I will discuss this threat with her when she is healthier.
I carry my mate into her home and nestle her into one of the beds I find on the first level. Once I’m satisfied that she looks comfortable, I search around for water so I can properly clean her wounds. I find a small bucket in the cookery and fill it with warm water, then grab a cloth to wipe her down.
“Ugh, what the hell? Why does my body hurt so much? How did I get in here?” her voice echoes.
I freeze while inwardly groaning. I was hoping she wouldn’t wake so soon. I need to clean her wounds and I can’t do that if I can’t get close to her. She’s terrified of me and doesn’t know that I rescued her from the wood beast, or that I’m currently standing in her home. But before I could do anything, she enters the cookery.
I know the very minima she notices me because the air turns acrid. A disgusting scent assaults my nose and I recognize the scent of fear. Looking up, I greet her beautiful eyes with shame.
“Oh, hell no! Come on, this is getting ridiculous,” she mutters.
My parents taught me this language while I was growing up, but her use of it now is confusing.
“Shh, shh, shh. It’s OK. Shh. Please don’t leave me, I beg you.”
I’m ignored, as she quickly retreats into the sleeping quarters, as if I’ll disappear if she doesn’t fully acknowledge me. I frown.
I quietly place the bucket of water and drag it by her door and go outside. She needs more time. I sigh. Because she is my mate, I’ll grant her the time she needs. And then we will complete our Kea’Vah.
Chapter Five
Jane
I honestly have no idea how I got back to the cottage, but I wake up in my grandparent’s bedroom. This worries me. I would never come in here to sleep.
For a moment, I think maybe this is just another symptom of my strange, unknown illness. However, as soon as I walk out of the room, I see him there standing naked in all his glory, with a bucket in his hands.
Impossible memories come crashing into my head. This is the hallucination I ran from earlier, leading me into the forest, straight into a mother bear and her cubs. I was about to be attacked, but then everything went black. How did I end up here?
I mutter to myself as I retreat to my grandparent’s room, landing against their bed. My legs buckle beneath my body and I slide down onto the floor. Curling in on myself, I cry. My mind is whirling in circles trying to make sense of things.
What’s happening to me? Are the memories in the forest real or did I have a nightmare? I feel so lost and utterly numb. Should I have stayed at the hospital, maybe they would have caught these symptoms?
I’m unsure how long I sit there, but when I eventually get up, my body is stiff like the bristles of a paint brush torn out of a new wrapper.
Wiping my face, I slump into the kitchen. I’m relieved to find myself alone, but I’m still not feeling quite like myself. Grabbing the rotary phone off the hook, I dial Dr. Shaw, the doctor who oversaw my care when I was hospitalized. There’s no answer, so I leave a message.
“Hi, this is Jane,” I sigh. “I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I need to see you as soon as you have an opening. Please.” I hang up.
Snatching a glass out of the cabinets, I fill it halfway and take a seat at the kitchen table. I down more pain medication knowing I probably shouldn’t take anymore since I had some this morning. My hands tremble as I swallow, but at least tears aren't escaping my eyes anymore.
I try to finish my drink, but I can’t. My nerves are a mess and my stomach churns, making a loud gurgling sound. I want to vomit. No, I need to vomit. I race into the bathroom and wretch violently into the toilet.
So much for the pain medication I just swallowed. Great.
I rinse my mouth and look in the mirror. I’m a damn mess. My hair is scraggly, I have scrapes up and down my arms and my dress has dirt on it. Get yourself together! Freaking out and running from problems doesn’t help.
Face them head on, Jane. Face them head on.
Feeling like anxiety on steroids, I decide this isn’t healthy. I grab anything essential and shove it into a bag and lug it downstairs. The desire to leave and get my health checked out outweighs my desire to say here.
I left the hospital because they couldn’t do anything for me, but that was before these hallucinations. It’s as if I’m totally losing my mind and I'm spirali
ng out of control. Coming back home so soon may have been a mistake, so I’m going to rectify that right now. I’m just going to go and stay in the city until I can see Dr. Shaw who can help me make sense of this nonsense.
I grab the phone and dial a friend, Stacey, and ask her to pick me up. We’ve known each other since our college years, and she can tell something's wrong by my voice, but thankfully she doesn’t ask. She tells me she can be here in a few hours. I can handle a few more hours...right?
With my luggage in tow, I step onto the porch. A wheel gets jammed in the door frame, so I yank on the handle. It doesn’t budge.
“Here, let me help you,” a deep voice offers.
I whip around towards the sound and I’m stunned, cemented in place. Yet again, this blue male appears before me.
“Not again.” I close my eyes, hoping this hallucination will disappear quickly.
Stacey can’t come soon enough. Why is this happening? Maybe it’s a side effect of the medication I took some this morning. I didn’t have any for a few days. That kind of makes sense. I’m just going to go with this explanation because anything else is just too much to handle right now.
“You’re not real, just go away,” I say to my vivid hallucination. “You're just part of my imagination.”
I’ve read somewhere that if you acknowledge your demons they disappear. I'm not sure if that applies in this scenario, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.
“I’ve nowhere else to go. I belong here with you.”
Ok, let’s try something else. I’ve seen parents tell kids in scary movies to count and the dark monsters go away. I count out loud, enunciating each hard consonant hoping reality will set itself straight, but it doesn’t.
Shoot. I’m all out of tricks here.
“I’m Aykeetan, and I came here for you so I’m not going anywhere. I’m not your imagination, I’m real. I know you don’t understand everything yet, but you will. I can help you with that.”
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