Lark's End

by Christina Leigh Pritchard

  “You and Tahmi are definitely sisters.” Andy brushed past her. “Only, she’s not dangerous.”

  “I’m not dangerous!” She grabbed him by the arm. Something slick and black leaked from her fingers making her lose grip.

  Andy looked down at the grime on his sleeve. “See what I mean?”

  “What’s with you?” Teri sat in the mud. “You keep doing something to me and I don’t like it.”

  “It’s called a conscience. Welcome to humanity.”

  Teri bit her lip, climbing to her feet. “I don’t like humanity one little bit. It’s dreadful.”

  “It’s what makes the world go ‘round.”

  “You haven’t a clue about worlds.”

  “I know how my world works. Those who care about others help but those who are cruel or selfish cause ruin and pain.”

  Teri’s lip trembled. “Suppose deep inside you do care but something else overshadows you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Suppose inside you there’s this war.”

  “You’re a little crazy.”

  “Forget it; I shouldn’t try to explain such things to paupers.”

  “I’m not a pauper, you mutant.”

  Teri stomped ahead, never looking back. “I’m not a mutant! Mutants aren’t allowed here!” Her heart pounded as she stepped into the darkened cave. “I hate that freckled creature.”

  JERRY

  Trusty stood near the entrance with his face to the world outside their cave. He’d volunteered to be the look out. His eyes tried to adjust to the total darkness. Back home, it never really grew this dark. Loonettes lit the sky at night and so did fireworks. Here, the sky was empty. The world around them was nearly desolate—no life.

  “What’d this place look like before Mary destroyed it?” Tahmi leaned against the cave wall inches from Jerry.

  He looked over at her. His eyes glowed in the firelight. “My uncle says this was the most beautiful land of all. This was where the Gadaenites lived.”

  “What’s a Gadaenite?”

  “Well, they’re a ‘special’ group of people who came after the loonies, and they lived in the large flowers or in caves. The ones who escaped Mary’s vengeance are rumored to live in some underground cave away from all the ugliness.”

  “What kind of creatures are they?”

  “Selfish.”

  “Oh.” Tahmi frowned. “That’s too bad.”

  “They’re also beautiful—more so than anything you could imagine.” His eyes locked with hers. “Maybe you could.”

  She grinned, covering her mouth with her knees. “Think I could?”

  “Tell me, what’s the most breathtaking thing you’ve ever seen in all your life?”

  “The ocean.”

  “What’s an ocean?”

  “Kind of like your heart shaped lake except the water is the color of my eyes, and there are these waves that crash into the shore forcing seashells up onto the banks. It’s powerful and yet the most awe-inspiring thing I ever saw.”

  “Sounds like your eyes.”

  “I don’t think so.” Tahmi blushed.

  “You’re powerful in a way that I’ve never seen anyone here possess.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Selfless I guess. Only good people here are the loonies. They’re humble and submissive to whatever the Queen and her Princess say. They don’t fight among themselves or take from one another. They’re gentle yet strong in a way that we humans could never understand.”

  “I’m not a loonie.”

  Jerry grinned, “Well, that’s up for discussion.”

  She smacked him. “Not funny.”

  “No, really, I mean it. You’re in pain right now. I see it in your eyes. There’s so much I can see inside them. How come if you’re so sick you don’t tell your best friend?”

  Tahmi gazed into Jerry’s light green eyes. They danced with excitement. “There’s nothing wrong with me. I just need to rest off that war pig saliva. Don’t you?”

  Jerry wouldn’t look away. “I forgot all about it.”

  “That’s impossible, it stings.”

  “Not when I look at you. I forget things.”

  “Maybe you’re going senile.”

  He nudged her, intertwining their arms, “I may know English, but some words you say are foreign to me.”

  Her heart beat furiously. “I was calling you old and forgetful.”

  “So, you were teasing me?”

  Tahmi laughed. “I was!”

  Jerry loosened his grip. “Must be a royalty thing. Good night, Princess.”

  “I didn’t mean it in a negative way,” Tahmi whispered, leaning over him. Her hair fell all around him. “Back where I’m from, sometimes we tease each other for fun.”

  Jerry kept his back to her. “Your world sounds stupid.”

  “At least I don’t live next door to loonies.”

  “Night, Princess.”

  “Good night.” She rolled over onto her side. “I hope the bed bugs do bite.”

  “Do you mean loon bugs?”

  “Whatever; leave me alone.”

  Jerry held in his smile. “Bed bugs, who ever heard of something so stupid.”

  Tahmi’s heart pounded. “We’ve got ‘em back home and when they get in your house it’s awful.”

  “I thought you were going to sleep?”

  “No, you’ve got things with acidic saliva and yet you don’t laugh at that, no, you find bed bugs funny?”

  “Tahmi!” Andy shouted, “Go to sleep!”

  “He’s annoying me,” she said. “Why is it you always yell at me; why not someone else?”

  “Why? He can’t shout at the new princess?”

  “Jerry, if you don’t stop calling me a princess I’m gonna—”

  “Do what exactly?”

  She rolled back over, hiding her eyes so that the firelight did not shine upon her. Jerry was the most annoying guy she’d ever met.

  MUD SAND

  Jerry woke before the light. He crawled over to the nearly extinguished fire and put in one more piece of wood. He rubbed his hands on his shoulders. It was cold. Jerry had never been cold—at least not like this.

  Tahmi lay curled up in the fetal position. She looked so helpless laying there on the ground. Her hair was messy and she twitched in her sleep.

  “Why are you gawking?” Teri stood over him. “She’s not even that pretty.”

  Jerry rolled his eyes. “I was just thinking, that’s all.”

  “About what?”

  “Why everyone is so excited about her coming home. What can she do that different from any of us? Why’d they send her to Earth for protection? If she isn’t special why would we need to protect her?”

  “Jerry, she’s my sister,” Teri said. “That’s why you should protect her. She’s your future queen. There’s no one else in this kingdom with more authority than her. She is going to rule over all five realms.”

  “Do the merloonies know that she’ll be their queen?”

  “Of course they do. So do the Gadaenites and Queen Emihe and my mother as well. Lark doesn’t want her to rule his kingdom—obviously. Why else would everyone here hate her? They want to be evil.”

  “So, they’re going to put a powerless girl in charge of all kingdoms?”

  “Yes, I know. It sounds ridiculous.”

  “She doesn’t have the slightest idea how to rule a kingdom.” Jerry shook his head, “Who’s great idea was it for her to be the ruler, anyway?”

  “The king of all kings.”

  His eyes widened. The “king of all kings” was only a fable—a story his uncle told him many times before bed. He was a great man with eyes like diamonds—the most powerful creature in all Gadaie—willingly gave up his kingdom to a silly little girl who’d already lost her crown and her cool within the first two hours of her mission.

  “She doesn’t know any of this yet,” Teri whispered. “Enough chit chat, make us breakfast and prepa
re the horses for the journey.”

  Jerry glanced over at Tahmi. She shifted, lying on her back. Her shirt scrunched up exposing her stomach. Her skin was smooth and golden like sunshine. Sure, she wasn’t exquisite or special like Teri, but Tahmi, as annoying as she was, took his breath away just like that ocean she’d told him about.

  “Are you hard of hearing?” Teri stamped her foot. “Breakfast and horses now.”

  “Yes, your majesty.” He bowed, giving her his most hateful glare. “Whatever the princess wants.”

  “And keep your eyes to yourself.” Teri folded her arms. “She’ll never go for a person of your caliber. She’s royalty and must marry someone in the royal line.”

  “She’ll never follow your little traditions or rules. Tahmi isn’t like any of you.”

  Teri turned her back to him. “I hope you’re right,” she whispered.

  Jerry and Sandy divided the water Teri had brought and also the strawberries and bananas. There wasn’t much to eat between four persons and two horses, but it would do for the day.

  Tahmi devoured her portion. How long had it been since she’d eaten? And even though the water tasted like lemonade it sure did quench her thirst.

  Andy kept his eyes on his food. Would this be the last meal he ever ate? And to think, there wasn’t any meat in this place; none. This was strictly a vegetarian world. Whoever heard of such a thing?

  After breakfast, they began their trek through the mountainous mud piles. The castle was barely visible in the distance which meant they had another day of traveling ahead of them.

  Teri led them up winding terrain. Tahmi’s legs burned and she grew breathless. “Why can’t we travel on flat ground? We’re sitting ducks up here.”

  “I can see what’s coming in all directions.”

  “Teri, you’re tiring everyone out and it’s taking longer for us. We’re not like you. Even the horses are exhausted.”

  “Stop whining. You need to start acting like a princess.”

  “I’m not a princess,” Tahmi snapped. “I’m just a girl.”

  Teri glanced up. Her sister’s eyes watered. Did the thought of ruling bring pain to her sister? This infuriated her. “Everyone thinks you’re so selfless.”

  “What?” Tahmi rolled her eyes. “I’m human, not a saint.”

  “They’ll regret you.”

  Tears escaped down her cheeks. “I regret me.”

  Teri stood tall like a champion who’d won an important battle, “And that is why they’ll turn on you. You’ll be a worse ruler than Mary ever was.”

  “Take it back,” Tahmi growled.

  “Girls,” Sandy neighed, standing between them. “This is a hard journey on all of us. We need the two of you to get along—to keep our spirits up.”

  “She has to take it back.” Tahmi brushed past the war horse. “I’m nothing like Mary.”

  Teri grinned now. “Mary was our heroine once. Everyone loved her until her true colors shined one day. The light of our worlds darkened and she created things we’d never seen or heard of. You’ll bring even worse things. I can already see it.”

  “Shut up.” Tahmi’s voice cracked. Was she going to cry? “I’ll never be like her.”

  “You already are.” Teri stepped forward. “You challenge me?”

  Andy skidded in the mud. He stood in front of Tahmi. “Look at me Tahmi,” his voice was soft, “calm down, please. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret. She’s just a stupid girl.”

  “Stupid?” Teri shouted, “Who are you calling stupid?”

  Her hair rose in the wind and she lifted her hands above her head. A powerful gust of wind burst from her palms, sending Andy and Tahmi tumbling down the muddy hillside. Their bodies rolled, knocking into jagged rocks. Their knees bled as they tumbled.

  Andy grabbed Tahmi’s arm and they skidded to a stop inches from what looked to have been a lake once. It was near a cave opening similar to the one they’d slept in the night before. Had they travelled in a complete circle?

  “She’s taken us nowhere!” Tahmi screamed, stamping her feet. “That stupid, ignorant, selfish, rotten—jerk.”

  Andy’s eyes widened. “Tahmi your eyes.”

  She shook her head, breathing quickly. Her heart pounded and she grew dizzy. Tahmi barely felt Teri smack her in the shoulders.

  Teri’s eyes were black as coal and her skin changed from pale white to grey. “I can’t believe I came with you just so you could lead us all to our deaths. You do realize this is a suicide mission?”

  “Our mother would not send us out here if she thought we couldn’t make it.” Tahmi pushed back. Teri slipped in the mud, landing on her bottom.

  “How dare you!” Teri opened her hands, but Tahmi was like a spider shoving them to her sides. “Get off, you lunatic!”

  “I hate you!” Tahmi screamed, smashing her hands into the mud more and more. “You make me sick!”

  Teri kicked her legs sending her sister sliding through the mud. Tahmi landed on her back, the wind knocked out of her.

  She gagged, trying to lift herself. Teri stood over her. “I’ve had enough of your foolishness. Either you start acting like a princess should or I will bind and gag you for the remainder of this mission.”

  Tahmi’s eyes were elsewhere. Two shadows crept up behind them. She shook her head, still unable to breathe.

  It was too late.

  Jerry and Andy leaped from above, landing on top of Teri. They scrambled around, rolling in the mud. They looked like brown blobs bobbing about.

  “Stop!” Tahmi mumbled, gagging. She watched as Jerry and Andy bound the princess with some sort of twine.

  “Do you think you can tie me up and not feel the consequences of my wrath?” Teri snapped, struggling in the twine.

  Andy and Jerry leaned over, huffing and red. Sweat dripped down their faces. “You okay?” Andy asked.

  Tahmi nodded.

  Jerry hoisted her up, holding her around the waist. “Did she hurt you?”

  “Just a little, nothing Andy hasn’t done.”

  Andy twirled around. “I never blew you off a cliff with my special wind powers.”

  Tahmi laughed.

  “No, you’d just shove me with your hands like a normal person.”

  Teri’s hands leaked a translucent liquid, making it easy for her to slip out of the twine. “You can’t bind me, you idiots.”

  Andy and Jerry took a stand in front of Tahmi.

  Sandy and Trusty reared up, neighing, begging Teri to stop.

  “I’m not going to kill her.”

  “And I guess I won’t punch you in the face—right now.”

  “Truce?” Jerry asked, offering to be the liaison.

  “Fine.” Teri sighed. “Can we get on with this?”

  Tahmi offered her hand and Teri grabbed a hold of it. Liquid still seeped from her fingers. “What’s all over you?”

  “My pores create oil when I’m stressed.”

  “That’s freaky.”

  “What can you do?”

  “Nothing, I guess. I can burp the alphabet.”

  “That’s nothing spectacular.”

  “Can I do anything at all?”

  “I haven’t seen you do anything, so probably not.”

  “How would I know if I had any powers?”

  “Let’s move on,” Teri said.

  “Fine.” Tahmi brushed past her sister. “Be that way.”

  Teri lost her balance.

  “Hey!” She shouted. Her footing slipped, sending her down the final slope. She fell ten feet below into a pool of black mud.

  Her body submerged, she struggled, sinking deeper and deeper.

  DAY 2 – DAVID

  David banged on the door with his massive fist. Donna answered, “We’ve been calling you all day.”

  “Where’s my son?” His voice boomed, “Where is he?”

  “David!” Peg cried, collapsing in his arms. “Someone or something took the kids. Look at the door, the
stair railing and Tahmi’s room. Something horrible has them I just know it.”

  “Peg.” David held her close. “Andy has my genes. He’ll make the best of his situation.” He turned to Charles, “Have you called the police?”

  “Of course,” Charles said. “They won’t do anything for seventy-two hours. They came by and filed a report but that’s it. Where have you been?”

  David didn’t respond.

  “Would you like some coffee?” Donna forced a smile.

  “I’d like the phone.” David stomped through the house avoiding the broken railing that still sat in the middle of the floor. A horrible feeling crept inside him. Was his son safe?

  “Who are you calling?”

  “The police, who else? They’re going to listen to me.”

  SOMETHING TO DIE FOR

  Teri’s lungs itched. What had her sister done? She struggled against the black mud. It tasted just like the oil that seeped from her fingers. It clogged her throat. How ironic for her to be drowning in the same substance that she herself could create. It showed how little power she had against real nature.

  The others had probably left her without a second thought. Teri wanted to scream but more oil infiltrated her mouth. She’d die all alone in the guck.

  She thought about Tahmi with her blue eyes that seemed to cut straight through her. How was it possible that someone so powerless could scare her and worry her so much? Now, she’d never have to think about her sister again.

  Was she jealous all this time? That the “king of all kings” chose Tahmi to be queen when Teri was the one who guarded and protected one of the most ungrateful worlds ever imagined? How was it no one seemed to notice her good acts?

  Were the wrongs she created so large that they overshadowed the good in her? She tried harder and harder each day to be a better person. It was a doomed mission. Teri knew this and yet still she tried. Didn’t that matter to her people—or Tahmi’s people?

  Maybe she was jealous.

  It didn’t matter now, anyway. She was dying.

  Teri’s mind grew fuzzy. She stopped struggling.

  Her last fading thought was just a glimmer in her mind. She’d die for something, at least. She’d die for something.