by Dan Farris
“It’s really not that unique in the galaxy. Once a species reaches a certain point in their evolution, it’s only a matter of time before they find a way to stop the aging process. It’s simple biology. Look at Earth: even with all your endless wars and conflicts, some of this planet’s scientists have already figured this out.”
“I read about that somewhere. Cellular deterioration. Scientists are looking into it, but they’re decades away, at best.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you read on Google News. The rich and powerful keep more from the masses than you know.”
“Fair enough. Next question. Where exactly is your planet?” Persephone shook her head.
“You can’t tell me that? Okay, well, what did you do on your planet? Were you a scientist?”
“I was many things before I came to Earth.”
“Nice non-answer.”
“Let me ask you a question. What does the ghost have that I don’t?”
“You’re beautiful, but Mary Ann, it’s more than just looks with her.… She’s...funny.”
“And that’s it?”
“She makes me laugh. I’m at ease with her.”
“You love her then?”
“I haven’t known her that long but... I… guess I do love her. I thought after Mrs. Jones broke my heart, I’d never love again, but now I love a ghost. Go figure. Your species, did you all love?”
“I did once, a long time ago.”
“What happened? Is he back on your planet?”
“I don’t want to talk about her. Let’s get some rest before we land.”
Persephone closed her eyes. “Okay.”
Their plane finally arrived at their destination: Tabatinga, Brazil.
“First time out of the country?” Asked Persephone as she and Sean exited the plane. Aadon was right behind them.
“I got a passport years ago, but never used it. I kept putting it off.”
“Did you two enjoy the flight?” Aadon asked. “I sat next to an old married couple from Wisconsin. Do you have any idea what it’s like sitting next to an old married couple from Wisconsin? And they wouldn’t shut up, kept asking all these questions. Felt like I was in an episode of Murder She Wrote. And why do I care about the redshirt quarterback on Wisconsin’s football team? The two of them should suffer for all time for the misery they put me through.”
“You survived. Let’s make sure we get all the luggage so we can head to the boat,” said Sean.
“You anxious, kid?”
“The sooner we find this lady, the sooner I can be with Mary Ann.”
From a port in Tabatinga, Sean, Persephone, and Aadon rented a boat that was intended to take them up river. Persephone who Sean discovered was fluent in Spanish, did all the talking. They were headed deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Sean was last to get on the boat. It was a small, obviously run-down boat. The boat’s color had long since faded and the boat was layered with countless dents. Sean sat down nervously. Aadon captained the boat while Persephone and Sean watched.
“If I go overboard, one of you have to save me. I can’t swim,” said Sean.
Aadon laughed. “The kid has unknown power but can’t swim.”
The boat took them deeper in the rainforest, and Sean saw more trees then he had ever seen in his life.
“We should be there in a couple of days,” said Aadon.
“Do you feel like you’re getting a better hold on your powers?” Asked Persephone as they continued up the river.
“Not really. I’m hoping whoever this woman is will have some answers for me. I have to learn how to protect Mary Ann.”
“The things that you’ve done so far, and you’re only interested in protecting her? Do you realize all the things you can do with such power?” Asked Aadon.
“I don’t care about any of that. I only want to protect Mary Ann.”
“I’m not buying it, kid. I saw the painting you had in your room. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, eh? Is that it, kid? You want to be an Emperor?”
“I told you I don’t care about any of that, only Mary Ann. That’s it.”
“Yeah, sure, and I just like chicks with flat asses.”
“Do you think the Brazilian Government will let us through? It will be better if the angel could just use his powers,” said Persephone.
“We bought motors, clothes, cooking utensils; all things to help the native tribes. I think we’re fine,” said Sean.
“You certainly have done your research,” said Persephone.
“I don’t like the unknown. I’m so confused about all of this that’s been happening to me, but at least I can get some sense of where we’re going. What tribe will we meet first?”
“The Mathis. They’re more open to outsiders,” said Aadon. “How do you even know they can help us? This woman… say they’ve never even heard of her. Then what?” Asked Sean.
“Guess we’ll have to do deeper in the rainforest.”
“That’s dangerous; some of these tribes have never even seen outsiders,” said Persephone.
“You two worry too much. Leave everything to me.”
After being on the river for a couple of days, they finally passed the Brazilian arm of the government that protects the indigenous tribes of the rainforest.
“How far from here?” Asked Sean.
“Not far,” replied Aadon.
Sometime later, as they were still on the boat, people emerged from the forest. They wore only small garbs that covered their genitalia. Some of the men were painted red. They waved at the boat as if they were welcoming them.
Sean looked on with wide eyes. “Are they the Mathis? Are we here?”
Aadon laughed. “No, they’re the Korubu. They’re waving us over so they can club our heads in,” said Aadon. Aadon then yelled at the Korubu in their native language. Persephone shook her head.
“What did you say?” Asked Sean.
“I told them to go screw themselves.” Aadon laughed.
“They were going to kill us? Why?” Asked Sean.
“Because, these tribes avoided contact with the outside world for centuries,” said Persephone. “Since the 1970’s, when contact was made, their population has been decimated by disease. They’re smart to have a fear of outsiders.”
“Gonna have to agree with the alien. On this planet, it usually doesn’t turn out well for the less advanced civilization when they meet a more advanced one. Look at your country, kid. Don’t you just love humanity?”
A little while later, they finally reached the Mathis. Sean was shocked that the people welcoming them wore modern clothing. More and more of them came as the boat reached the little port. They had strings through their noses and large ear rings pierced in their ears.
“Now, I do all the talking,” said Aadon, who jumped off the boat first. Persephone got off next, then Sean. The Matis were all laughing, and they appeared to be curious at the outsiders. Sean walked over and gave the kids high-fives. “English? Do any of you speak English?”
Aadon walked over to Sean. “Let’s get the gifts, we’re going to see the chief,” said Aadon.
Sean walked through the village, there were small houses that appeared to be made of thick bands of straw. In the middle of the village, was a house that was larger than the others. It also appeared to be made of thick bands of straw, standing near six feet, and was in the shape of a triangle. Feel like I’m in the past.
“Persephone, can you interpret for me? I want to know what’s going on in there.” Persephone gave Sean a nod as they followed Aadon inside the large house in the middle of the village. Inside was a large open space, with several members of the tribe already sitting down. The Chief sat in the middle of the house. Aadon, Sean, and Persephone sat close to The Chief, who appeared to be middle-aged.
“Have you come to film us? Do you have gifts?” Asked The Chief in the tribe’s native language. Persephone translated what was being said to Sean.
“Motors for your boats, clot
hes, and cooking tools,” replied Aadon.
“You bring gifts. What do you want?”
“We’re looking for someone. A woman that used to live here, a long time ago. I need to find her.”
“A woman of this tribe? How did you come to know of this woman?”
“That’s not important. What’s important is that I find her. I’m not being clear enough. This woman is not an ordinary woman. Your people would consider her a shaman.”
“The shaman are all dead. The diseases your people bought.”
“Not my people, pal, and this woman would not have died. She may have left this place, but she’s definitely not dead.”
“Does anyone know of what this outsider speaks?” All of the members of the tribe that had crowded into the house replied with no.
“We cannot help you. We do not know of this woman.”
“Disappointing,” said Aadon in English.
“Wait, ask to speak to the oldest living member of the tribe. Maybe they will know about this woman,” said Sean.
“May we speak to one of the elders? The oldest?”
“You have bought gifts that will help us, so you may.”
I don’t think the bug spray is working, the bugs are feasting on me. How can these people stand it? And it’s burning up in here.
A short time later, an old woman, escorted by members of the tribe, entered the house.
“She cannot see you, but she can hear. Ask her your questions,” said The Chief.
“We’re looking for a woman. A magical woman. Have you heard of her? I’m sure she used to live here,” said Aadon.
“How did an outsider come to know of her?” Said the old woman in a weakened voiced.
“Can you tell me where to find her?”
“Grandmother, you know what this outsider is talking about?” Asked the chief.
“When I was a girl, the shaman used to tell us about a woman. She had the power of the wind, the trees, and the jaguar. She guided us when we were first created, but as our hearts grew wicked, she left us. But we used to pray to her. The shaman would ask for her protection and bounty.”
“That’s her! I knew she was here. Do you know where she went, after she left? How do we find her?”
“It cannot be done. Sometimes the Shaman would go look for her, deep, deep in the forest. They never returned.”
They weren’t being guided by an angel and alien.
“How did you come to hear of the legend?” Asked The Chief.
“We’re seekers of knowledge.” Aadon turned to Sean and Persephone. “We go deeper in the forest,” said Aadon in English.
“How do you know she’s there?” Asked Persephone.
“One of the last places untouched by mankind. This human just confirmed what I suspected. She’s out there.”
“This woman? Who is she? Really?”
“You humans have given her so many names. I think my favorite is Gaia.”
“You mean Earth? How is that even possible?”
“Kid, after everything that’s happened to you, you still doubt the impossible?”
“Yeah, but, but, that’s from Greek mythology. Gaia was mother to the Titans. Are they real too?”
“Did you learn that from Xena the Warrior Princess or Hercules? I always liked Xena better. And there are no Titans, but despite what your preachers say, the pagans got some things right.”
Persephone was unmoved at Aadon’s revelation. “Did you know about this too?” Sean asked her.
“After everything I’ve seen, I wasn’t surprised by anything anymore, until I met you.”
Gaia, Mother Earth. Wow.
Aadon turned back toward The Chief and shared some more words with him. “It’s getting dark outside. He says we can spend the night here. Oh, and the chief says we can eat with them. Hummingbird is on the menu.”
Later that night, after they had all eaten, Sean, Persephone, and Aadon lay in the home of one of the tribespeople. It was a family--a man, woman, and three children. The home was just an open space like the longhouse, but much smaller. Sean, Persephone, and Aadon each lay on their own individual hammock. Their hammock was on one side of the house, away from the family.
It was dark and extremely hot. The house was full of insects. “Can anyone do something about the heat and the insects?” Sean asked.
“Sorry, kid. No powers, remember?”
“I don’t think I’m going to be able to go to sleep. How long is it going to take us to find Gaia from here?”
“We’ll find out.”
“What if we run out of supplies out there? What about the other tribes? Some of them are not going to be so welcoming.”
“You worry too much. Leave it to me.”
Time passed and Sean slowly fell to sleep. As Sean slept, he heard the words, “In you I give the power. The power of this space. The power to create, the power to destroy. Use it wisely, for he will find you. He will find you.” Sean awoke violently from his dream.
“You okay, kid?”
“Sean, what’s wrong? That dream again?”
“What dream?” Asked Aadon.
“I keep having this dream. Ever since all of this starting happened. Something about space and power. Does any of that make sense?”
“Not to me, but Gaia will have answers. Try to get some sleep, kid.”
The next morning, the three of them left the village and headed off into the forest. The Matis waved at them as they left.
“Kind people. Pity they’re all going to Hell,” said Persephone.
“What are you talking about?” Asked Sean.
“Only Christians get to go to Heaven, right, Aadon?”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. But for that sweet little tribe, Hell may be a step up.”
“Wait, but they were good people. I know what the Bible says, but God wouldn’t send them to Hell, would he?”
“Kid, you sound like a… what do they call it? A non-believer.”
“At least they go somewhere, Sean. What about the rest of the Universe? What about me?” Asked Persephone.
More lies. God doesn’t send good people to Hell, Christians or not. Does he?
They continued into the forest. Sean and Persephone both wore a hat, shorts and a light shirt, and each carried backpacks of supplies. Aadon was only wearing shorts and a light shirt.
“Oh shit, do you see that?”
“What is it, Sean?”
“A snake. I’ve only seen them that big in the movies.”
“Yeah, you best stay close to me. You’re no J-Lo, but I’ll protect you,” said Aadon with a grin.
It’s unbearably hot, insects are everywhere, and now this. The rainforest sucks. Sean looked over at Persephone and saw that she was equally uncomfortable. Aadon, on the other hand, looked perfectly fine.
“We’ve been out here all day. What are we going to do when night comes?”
“You humans, scared of the dark and always needing sleep. Fine, we make camp. Even though we should keep pressing forward.” Suddenly, Aadon stopped walking.
“I didn’t mean now. I think we have a few hours before the sun goes down,” said Sean.
“That’s not it. Someone is coming,” said Persephone.
“Get behind me, kid,” said Aadon.
“Another tribe?” Asked Sean.
Sean, Aadon and Persephone were looking in every direction when two people finally emerged from the trees.
“You two? What are you doing here?” Asked Aadon. It was the old couple that Aadon had sat next to on the plane. The old couple appeared to be scared and shocked.
“Harry, I told you we missed our turned back there,” said the old woman.
“I said, what are you two doing here?”
“How did you get out here by yourselves?” Asked Sean.
“We were with a group. Harry wanted to take a little detour, and here we are. Oh, Harry look! It’s the nice young man from… Where’d you say you were from again, dear?”
&nb
sp; “What group? You two couldn’t have gotten that far from them. I don’t see or hear anyone else,” said Aadon.
“Oh dear, I think we’ve lost them. Oh, Harry, what are we going to do?”
“Maybe this young man and his friends will let us travel with them,” said the old man.
“Our children and grandchildren are going to be so mad when they hear about this,” said the old woman. “So, can we travel with you three? What do you say, Sean?”
“Wait… How do you know my name?” Asked Sean.
“Kid, run.” Said Aadon.
“What are you talking about?”
“I never told them who I was traveling with.” Sean looked at the old couple, who were both smiling.
“Use your powers then! Screw it, find out who they are!”
“I would, but, Houston, we have a problem. I can’t move. Run, now,” said Aadon.
“I can’t move either!” Yelled Persephone.
“You are something. That spell is powerful enough to bind an angel, but not you,” said the old woman.
“Who the Hell are you people? What are you? What do you want?”
“We’ve come a long way; just missed you yesterday.”
“Don’t be sad for us, though, we got a chance to spend time with those lovely people. They proved to be quite helpful. They told us where you three went off to,” said the old man.
“And that’s not all, dear. They helped us with the binding spell.”
“Helped you how?” Asked Sean.
“Why don’t you come with us, and we’ll tell you all about it,” said the old woman.
“Yeah, your friends will be okay. Soon as we’re far away from them, they can go free.”
What am I going to do? Work, powers. Work, work, work. The old couple moved toward Sean, and a force hit him from behind, rendering him unconscious.
Chapter 27-Sean
When he finally awoke, it was night. He touched the back of his head but felt no blood or bruise. As he lay on the ground, there was heat next to him and a small patch of fire that appeared to be contained in a small circle. He looked closely into the circle and the fire was burning without any wood. Sean stood, he was surrounded by numerous animals, big and small: gigantic green anacondas, jaguars, howler monkeys, and countless other types of animals. Oh shit! “Persephone! Aadon!”