by A. Griffin
CHAPTER 24
The next morning everyone in Linda’s house woke early. They tried to busy themselves as they prepared for Rolmar’s decision.
Adam, Zelia, and John were in the kitchen trying to find something to serve for breakfast. Zelia found a box of oatmeal in the closet. “John, can you find us some bowls?” she asked.
“Sure thing, Zel.”
Zelia made the oatmeal in the microwave and then brought it over to the table. She began scooping it into the three bowls. “Come sit down, guys,” she said. After finishing their meals they sat for an hour in silence. Each person was lost in his or her own thoughts.
Linda sat on the living room couch sipping a cup of tea. Itakir sat by her side. They spoke to each other in hushed tones.
After what seemed like hours, a knock came at the door. Adam bolted up from his seat and saw Linda rushing toward the door with Itakir right behind her. They seemed to move in slow motion. This was the final act, and Adam started to shake. Zelia placed a hand on his shoulder. Linda rested on the door for a minute and tried to gather her strength. Finally, she drew up some courage and pulled the door open. Before her stood Nat and Hailey; they were smiling. Hailey held a single white rose in her hand. She motioned for Linda to take the flower. Linda couldn’t help smiling, and after a moment she began to laugh. The others rushed to the door to see what was going on. They all heaved a sigh of relief when they saw the beaming faces of the children.
Nat began waving his arms. “The Earth is saved!” he cheered.
Linda’s eyes filled with tears. Thank you, she thought. She directed the thought to Rolmar.
Rolmar wasn’t present, but he said in mindspeech: You should thank these children and yourself, Linda. These children taught me many things about life, but you taught me one of the most valuable lessons of all: compassion.
Rolmar directed his thoughts at Zelia, Adam, and John. I apologize for disrupting your lives. You can live freely once again. They didn’t know what to say, but a great weight had been lifted from them.
Itakir began jumping up and down. After a moment he asked, Can I stay here on the Earth?
You may, Rolmar thought.
It’s time for us to go, children, Rolmar thought. Linda asked if she could come too. I would be honored, Rolmar thought. But what about Grant?
I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’ll find someone else.
What will you tell the council? Nat thought.
I’m not sure yet. What my people have been doing is wrong. I know that now, thanks to you and Hailey. I must put a stop to it.
Can we go now? Hailey thought. I mean, to another planet?
Yes. Rolmar made a portal appear outside. Linda and the children went through after waving good-bye to the others.
Adam had a last-minute thought. Rolmar, will you bring back to life the people who were killed at the amusement park?
Yes, I will. They will have no memory of the incident.
Adam was grateful. Thank you.
Itakir and the three humans were left sitting at Linda’s doorstep, perplexed and a little dazed.
“Was all of this real?” Zelia asked, looking at Adam and John. “How were we able to speak to Rolmar telepathically?”
“I think he has left you three with the gift of telepathy,” Itakir said.
“That’s amazing,” John said.
“Use your gift wisely,” Itakir said.
Adam was pensive. “Now that I think about it, I’m almost glad this whole thing happened. I don’t think there has ever been a time in my life when I have been so grateful for being alive on this planet. All that matters is that the Earth is safe now.”
EPILOGUE
Adam and his friends were in shock during the days after Rolmar made his decision. Eventually they were able to return to normal lives. They always remembered the “Rolmar incident,” which is how they later referred to it.
Rolmar, Linda, and the children had many adventures in space. The humans were granted immortality by Rolmar, who never wished to lead a solitary life again. Eventually, Rolmar and his companions returned to Pentar. After many years of diplomacy with the overlords, the practice of Breeksa was discontinued.
GLOSSARY
Breeksa. A conclave held every thousand human years at Bremsa.
Bremsa. The structure on Pentar where high demons meet.
Crimnock. Telepathic speech.
Emestra. A place that is meant to be a representation of reality.
Etomidrain. A mountainous region on Pentar.
Habnar. A forest north of the Etomidrain region.
high demon. An immortal demon.
Landria. An arid and windy region of Pentar.
Latemra. Several subterranean pools on Pentar that amplify the high demons’ powers.
lesser demon. A mortal demon.
Pentar. A planet with five moons in the Amenis dimension.
Suvir. A marble-sized sphere that controls magical spells.
Vestar. The demonic name for Earth.
Yapir. A colony of lesser demons under the dominion of Rolmar.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A. V. Griffin has been fascinated with science-fiction and fantasy stories since she was young. As a college student, she took to creative writing and began her story, The Demon Rolmar. Infusing the novella with her passion for science fiction, readers everywhere will be able to sense the enormous love and respect she has for the genre. Griffin holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Fordham University and currently resides in New York.