Cellular Activity- The Djinn
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Then we have John Carpenter's The Thing, a masterpiece of the early '80s that still has much to teach to the modern filmmakers and to those who believe that computer graphics can compete with real practical special effects. I love the movie, and I've always wanted to see a sequel that could convey the same feelings.
So, a bit for fun, and partly as a kind of personal challenge, I wanted to try to write a story in which all these stories could converge, even if it was not possible to keep it always homogeneous and consistent.
The ending leaves a degree of uncertainty, and my Italian readers know well the reason. Actually, I'm working to translate the two sequels of this first chapter.
Last but not least, thanks to those who have read and enjoyed this story.
Anyone who wants to contact me for advice, criticism, or suggestions for future chapters, may write at info@ermetica.net
There is a web site dedicated to the trilogy. Take a look at cellularactivity.it You'll find a section Curiosity with a few extra considerations on the characters and other things.
Obviously this is a work of fiction and any resemblance to facts or really existing characters is to be considered purely fictional.
And now... keep reading for the final chapter...
Ahmed's village
The djinn
«Why have you to bark so much?»
Mohamed-the-Elder approaches with the slowness of those who no longer have any hurry. His jaw muscles are contracted while he straightens his aching back. With his wooden stick he tries to ward off a dog barking in the direction of the desert.
«May I know what's wrong with you? You dumb beast, go away!»
The dog doesn't seem to pay any attention.
The man looks up, shading his eyes with one hand. At first he can't see anything unusual. His tired eyes scan the blurry expanse of dunes trembling under the scorching Sahara sun.
From those lands of ruthless nothing, something dark emerges slowly, swaying in the heat.
Slowly, as it approaches, the shape takes more distinct outlines.
It's a man.
He wears strange clothes, dirty and torn in several places. His step is uncertain and unsteady.
You know... djinns are strange...
The elder quickly takes a small wine-skin full of water, heading towards the man.
The dog stays behind, alternating between a furious barking and yelps of fear.
The Berber reaches the unfortunate traveler, holding him up and handing him the bottle of drink. The man's skin is blistered and cracked by sunburn. His thick black hair makes his head appear too big. They are burned here and there. He drinks eagerly the water brought by the old man.
«Easy, boy, easy. Otherwise it will do more harm than good», exclaims the elder.
The man lowers slowly the wine skin, lingering for a moment with his eyes closed, then he drinks again long sips.
Once his thirst is quenched, he turns to the old man that rescued him, showing a friendly and very wide, almost caricatural smile.
Though they may conceal their true shape, there is always a detail that betrays them...
The traveler moves his head, turning towards Mohamed with a nod of thanks.
«May God bless your home, father.»
«Where are you from?»
The other looks up at the sky, lingering for a moment before answering.
«Well... a lot of different places...»
The old man looks at him uncertainly.
It's said that some of them can give great gifts if greeted with kindness and with good hospitality...
«We'll talk later. Now come, follow me. It's not wise to sit here in the open during these hours. My village isn't far away. What's your name?»
The man takes a deep breath, stretching his arms. Then he looks around, before addressing a broad smile to the elder. He adjusts his crumpled, dusty and scorched dress.
Finally, satisfied, he lays his eyes on the old man's face.
«Amr. My name is Amr.»
T H E E N D
Indice dei contenuti
CELLULAR ACTIVITY
Prologue
Antarctica, 1983
Moscow - February 2014
Cape Town airport
Moscow
Washington
Washington
Moscow
Washington
Algerian Desert
Washington
Boeing 777
Algerian desert
Boeing 777
Algerian desert
Boeing 777
Washington
Algerian desert
Military jet XT 3015
Boeing crash site
USA Base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA Base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA base CNT222
Algerian Desert
USA base CNT222
Helicopter crash site
USA base CNT222
Algerian Desert
USA base CNT222
Algerian Desert
USA base CNT222
Helicopter crash site
Algerian Desert
USA base CNT222
Algerian Desert - On the trail of the raiders
USA base CNT222
Algerian Desert
USA base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA base CNT222
Boeing crash site
USA base CNT222
Algerian desert
USA base CNT222
Algerian desert
USA base CNT222
Algerian desert
USA base CNT222
Algerian desert
Base CNT222
Some thoughts and Credits
Ahmed's village