The LOMMETRUS Chronicles: Book One: The Abduction of William Baxter

by Matthew Novak

  Chapter 8

  CHANAH set me up on his couch for the night--- it of course was every bit as comfortable as the one I slept on only a few days ago. My body had quickly grown accustomed to the comforts of the alien chairs as well as the couches and I was all too glad that night at CHANAH’S; happy to not be stuck in some tree outside with ROTIANS looking up at me. I lay there as my thoughts surrounded Miles. I just couldn’t believe he was or could be on the wrong side of all this. Miles was too smart to be fooled but this ALVERON council sounded very clever too. How could they have known Sonya so well? Their plan had been executed to perfection at this point and I began to wonder if I or anybody for that matter had any chance at stopping the ALVERONS execute their plan to completion. I also wondered where Miles was tonight. Was he safe from the GARGIAN monster that chased us earlier today?

  I then thought about my new friend CHANAH and how far his power could be used to help me. Also; tomorrow---I will need to find Miles and figure out how much of the ALVERON council’s plans he knew. I wrestled with this idea for most of the night; trying to get some sleep but my worst fears about Miles would surface and bring me to think on every worst case scenario I could imagine.

  The darkness was at its fullest when a voice came to my still conscious state, “Miles is in danger; your friend needs your help.”

  I sat up; initially doubting that I had heard a voice but it came to me again, “Your true friend Miles needs you at this moment more than ever---now go!”

  I looked around to see if CHANAH was there but I was alone. I got up and readied myself for the long descent to the forest floor; as if I was in an almost routine state of mind. I grabbed my backpack and was nearly over the small hatch on the floor when I heard CHANAH’S voice and then turned around and saw him sitting in the chair as he had been when I first entered the dwelling.

  “You have much bravery and loyalty human but that is no match for the hoards of ROTIANS that stalk the ground during this time of night.”

  I knew he was right but I was convinced by the voice in the dark that I needed to do something soon or Miles would be gone forever.

  “My friend; Miles, needs me. I have to do something.”

  CHANAH nodded his head in agreement and said, “Travelling at night is only for the birds of the air. Please come with me and I’ll show you a better way.”

  CHANAH got up from his chair and walked toward a room that was suddenly illuminated with glimmering of fire on candle sticks fashioned from the GLYSTIN metal. There was a door on the ceiling that CHANAH pulled down with a rope and a staircase of steps unfolded to reveal a passage onto the roof. A burst of cold wind hit my face.

  Then CHANAH invited me to the roof, “Come; let’s see if we can find you suitable passage for your trip to the GARGIAN lair.”

  I looked up into the darkness as CHANAH said this and suddenly I didn’t feel as brave as CHANAH proclaimed me to be only a few moments before. I took the first step toward the roof and with each movement going forward, my resolve to save Miles gained momentum until I was standing next to CHANAH on his roof. Longs strands of his thin white hair blew wildly across his face as he approved of my presence with him on the roof after a long stare toward the vast expanse of the AVERWOOD forest.

  “We’ll need to get a PUNDGER bird which is large enough to transport us to the GARGIAN lair.”

  The sage pulled out a tiny whistle that I surmised; after seeing CHANAH’S name carved on the instrument, had been crafted by his own hands.

  He handed it to me and said, “Give the whistle a good wind to make it chirp, William.”

  I took the instrument from CHANAH and just like he instructed; I gave it a blow that could have put out fifty birthday candles but no sound was produced. I did it again but nothing seemed to come out that resembled a noise for this PUNDGER bird to hear. I handed it back to CHANAH---not sure what to do or say but then my eyes locked in on a large figure that approached us from above.

  “Hello old friend,” CHANAH said.

  The creature circled us a few times as I examined its features. The long and sharp talons had a menacing quality but then I took notice of the bird’s array of blue and grey feathers---which were on full display as the PUNDGER extended its wings. One of the feathers dropped from the sky toward me as the bird neared the roof. I measured the length of the feather---almost cradling it between my hand and the bend at my elbow. I looked up at the exposed underbelly; mesmerized by the profound golden colored hair which seamlessly illuminated the night sky directly below.

  “Such beauty in this creature,” I said while holding the feather to my face.

  The PUNDGER bird then landed on CHANAH’S roof and looked down at CHANAH and me. Its grayish-blue eyes then pierced through the darkness and at me.

  A noise came from it; “SQUAHHHKE,” which was then followed by a series of chirps and CHANAH responded, “It has been a long time.”

  This made me laugh to myself. I was puzzled at this communication between the creature and the alien. My astonishment was steadily eroding though and I shrugged my shoulders.

  “So does the PUNDGER know where this GARGIAN lair is located,” sounding more indifferent than I had intended?

  CHANAH looked at me with surprise but talked in a hushed tone; “She will take us to her nest which is near the lair. Once we’ve reached the nest, you will go to the lair and I will wait for your return in the nest.”

  I was hoping for a better plan like---this giant bird will just kill the GARGIAN, save Miles and then take us back to CHANAH’S place where we’ll all have a good laugh over this business and an even better night of sleep. I wasn’t feeling too sure about going into this lair by myself but CHANAH insisted that he and the giant PUNDGER bird couldn’t interfere any further and time was running out for Miles to be saved. The aged but spry CHANAH climbed effortlessly up the bird and extended his hand to grab mine. CHANAH pulled me up and away we went; through the night sky, swooping between the tops of AVERWOOD’S tallest trees and flying in and around wispy fog cover. Over a magnificent waterfall we flew that was lit by the full moon in the sky. Save for the chilly ice droplets that occasionally hit my face; the moment was magical. Looking down and in all directions; I could see miles upon miles of trees, something I hadn’t grasped until now and I nearly forgot what the end of this fantastic ride meant for me when suddenly; after soaring over a peak, an oversize nest came into view.

  That nervous feeling I get in my stomach began tugging at me and I started to wonder if going into this monsters lair was a good idea. I couldn’t get that voice out of my head that urged me to rescue Miles; ‘your true friend Miles needs you at this moment more than ever---now go!’ My true friend---and friends were something I was short on in this world so I had to protect one of the few I had, no matter how dangerous it was.

  The PUNDGER landed in its nest and I quickly slid down the side of it to begin this new adventure before I changed my mind.

  CHANAH spoke in a hushed tone; “the GARGIAN is just up ahead. You will see his fire when you reach the ground but be careful as there are ROTIAN traps near. You’ll notice a pile of black rocks that will make you aware of the GARGIAN’S lair entrance. Be careful when entering because the GARGIAN is a master at coming toward someone when they least expect it.”

  This added forewarning by CHANAH only decreased my confidence in staying alive but I thanked him and the PUNDGER bird for their help anyway and began to scale down the tree that held this oversize nest. I could hear CHANAH say something in a muffled tone to the PUNDGER bird as my head; now, disappeared from their view. As I got closer to the ground, I halfway expected a hoard of ROTIAN creatures to be licking their sharp teeth at the possibility of human blood on tap but nearing the forest floor---no ROTIAN could be seen. My feet hit the ground and I headed in the direction CHANAH pointed. Within one hundred yards; the black rocks that the old sage spoke of, were in sight. The firelight was dim just beyond these rocks and the whole area s
eemed out of place in this forest. I approached cautiously toward the pile of rocks. The midnight black rock formation I rubbed my hand over was smooth and shiny. They looked similar to molten rocks found near volcanoes. I stepped into the cavern that was just past the rock formation. The heat of the place was warmer than any moment spent on ALVERON so far.

  Beads of sweat began dripping from my forehead; not sure if they were from the heat or nerves warning me to just quit and go back. Maybe it was a little of both but I continued. I crept closely to the wall that I quickly noticed was too hot to touch with my bare hands. I was walking down the dimly lit corridor when a split in the path forced me to choose.

  Should I go right or left?

  A shadow movement caught my eye to the right but then a scream of agony echoed and alerted me toward the left passageway. It was Miles and I quickened my pace as I continued my descent toward his scream. The echo in the cavern was bone-chilling and I couldn’t reach Miles fast enough at this point. I finally reached a large cavity where Miles and three ROTIANS with collars came into view. Miles was bound; hands behind his back and feet tied while the ROTIANS were each on their own chain that attached to their collars. The blood-sucking creatures had enough slack to nibble on Miles bare toes. At this point, I grabbed a torch that was mounted to the wall and fought the creatures off. They were relentless as blood dripped from their mouths and each of them snarled at me with evil intent. I dropped the torch just in front of Miles feet to deter them while I untied him. Miles was still screaming but not nearly as intense as before. When Miles was finally untied, I grabbed at the torch but just as I reached for it; one of the ROTIANS lunged at me. Its claws managed to put a gash in my arm before the chain it was hooked up to yanked the savage monster back.

  I left the torch and immediately went to Miles, picking him up and putting his arm around my neck.

  “Come on; let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Miles was weak from loss of blood but managed to nod his head in agreement; keeping up with me while we headed up the corridor. The tubular hallway that led out of the cavern seemed longer coming out. I was afraid the GARGIAN would jump out in a split moment and capture both of us for his torture pleasure. The GARGIAN; however, never appeared and we had safe travel out of the lair. I was never so relieved to be outside when we reached the lair’s opening and I pulled Miles in the direction of the tree that I hoped my PUNDGER bird rescuer would be waiting. After one hundred yards of dragging Miles; I reached an area where that tree should have been. To my amazement; it was gone. This hadn’t been a miscalculation on my part had it? I looked up; hoping to see something familiar but nothing looked the same.

  I heard heavy footsteps behind us and I dragged Miles into the woods, hoping if the GARGIAN was following us, he’d rethink it---knowing the ROTIANS would soon surround the area and attack without preference. This must have been what was on the GARGIAN’S mind too because when I turned around; nothing was behind us and the heavy footsteps ceased.

  However, I heard the most unnerving voice call out behind me and with a taunting tone in his voice the GARGIAN said,” Your stench will lead me to you human and by morning---both of your skins will be mine. I’m going to peal every inch of flesh off your body and give the ROTIANS the rest. Do you hear me human? Your skin will be mine!”

  So, the GARGIAN speaks? This new unnerving revelation somehow made him more dangerous to me if we got captured. My attention quickly shifted and focused on getting Miles up in a tree. I slid my back pack off and put it on Miles. I had to hurry because the sniffing sounds of bloodthirsty ROTIANS were near us. I found a crooked tree that was a picture of sadness but suitable for a climb with Miles on my back. The climb up proved to be a brutal test of my capacity to deal with pain. I scaled the tree as my biceps and shoulders were feeling the burn but we did finally reached an area where resting was possible. It wasn’t terribly high and I worried about the morning when the GARGIAN would easily spot us but it delayed any harm to us for the time being.

  Then a gang of larger ROTIANS surrounded the tree; sounding off that horrid sniffing noise and staring at both of us with tiny red eyes. Their teeth showed evidence of blood stains; a fresh kill of some new ravaged animal perhaps? There was also dampness of splattered blood on the long prickly hairs of the largest ROTIANS. Then the stench of death fluttered in the air toward my nostrils. The night was cool enough to see the rapid sniffing of breath being taken in by the monsters and their hot air pushed out as they stared up at me.

  Miles was coming in and out; occasionally mumbling something about the crashed transporter but I couldn’t piece it together. I realized some of the trickling blood from Miles feet was dripping to the base of the tree which sent the ROTIAN creatures in a frenzy mode. They nearly climbed over each other to reach each drop before the other. I tore more of my coat which seem tattered and useless at this point anyway and wrapped Miles foot tightly. I then wrapped my arm with what was left and threw the remains of coat at the ROTIAN monsters. This distracted them for a moment but their attention quickly focused back toward Miles and me in the tree.

  How much blood would it take to get these nasty devils away from our tree, I thought? Then a wicked thought surfaced to consciousness about a few of my enemies from high school and a couple of the jerks from Sorenson and Lankford. I imagined a photograph taken of me up here in this tree with these ROTIAN monster below and making a postcard from that photo that I would send to each of them with the message; ‘I Wish You Were Here Instead Of Me!’

  They couldn’t be here though. Nobody could be here because I was stuck on this alien planet, light years away someone who’d give any thought about me. My wicked thoughts turned to sorrow and my eyes got soggy with tears thinking about my inevitable demise in the morning when the GARGIAN would find us and torture Miles--- then me, until finally, as Miles warned, we’d beg for death. I contemplated falling toward the legion of ROTIANS instead of delaying the misery any further. My mind was in a dark place; grasping for hope that wasn’t there. I put down my head on the tree limb and looked up, hoping to fall asleep and find myself in a better place.

  The stars were numerous in the night sky. I never counted more stars in a sky than at this moment of darkness---this was saying something when you consider the small farm I grew up on and the opportunities for star gazing were numerous. Was it appropriate my last night of living would reveal such a splendid starry night? I couldn’t remember appreciating anything more in my young life than that glimmer of palatable magnificence. Was this a final gift that God showed everyone before death? I was never religious nor did I give much thought to an afterlife. The BEING that CHANAH spoke of came to mind. I was being tugged in two directions, that is, the recognizable hell below me, and the beauty of this heavenly sky above.

  My concentration on this thought was then interrupted when CHANAH and the PUNDGER bird swooped down and landed on a huge limb that was hanging on the next tree. Relief came showering through me and out of my lungs as I now felt saved from the ROTIANS and the GARGIAN. CHANAH’S white eyes narrowed toward the cowering ROTIAN creatures. Now, it could have been from exhaustion or my mind playing tricks on me but those white eyes seemingly shot out beams of brilliant light toward the beasts. The unsteady red blobs of eyes briefly locked with CHANAH’S but then the ROTIANS retreated toward the dense forest and disappeared from sight.

  “Com’ on, let’s get out here;” CHANAH urging me as I grabbed Miles and threw him over my shoulder.

  This extra burst of strength surprised me. I was ready to get back to CHANAH’S and had no problem climbing the magnificent bird and setting Miles on it securely. The bird flapped its wings and within a few seconds, we were high in the heavens.

  My arms and hands were shaking and CHANAH took notice of this; put one of his hands on mine, and offered some heartening words; “William, you were very brave tonight. Miles is lucky to have a friend like you.”

  I looked over at Miles who was still knocked
out from the shock. I thought about thanking CHANAH and the PUNDGER bird for coming back and saving us but then I wondered why they left. I ended up not saying anything, just accepting that I was rescued from certain death by both of them. We reached CHANAH’S and for the second time that evening, I was standing on his now cloud-covered roof. I pulled Miles off who was beginning to come out of his unconscious state and waited for CHANAH to lead us down into the living quarters. CHANAH leaned forward and whispered something at the PUNDGER bird who immediately flew away and that was the last time I saw the magnificent creature that aided me in saving Miles as well as my life.

  At that moment; I wished I’d at least said thank you. My hand went into the air in a half hearted measure as if to wave but the bird quickly became a dot in the sky and CHANAH was now down into the room below me with Miles. I made my way down the staircase where the sight of CHANAH, Miles and CHANAH’S excited Labrador---with tail wagging enthusiastically and eyes locked on her master, came into view through the dimly lit room. I closed the fold out staircase and retreated to the living quarter where I first arrived. I sat down in one of the chairs; waiting for CHANAH to come out after tending to Miles mangled-up toes. My eyelids dropped for a brief moment. I sat up straight trying to fight it but exhaustion finally overtook any intention I’d had of speaking with CHANAH before I went to sleep.

  Then an exclamation, “Thank you CHANAH for saving me,” managed to escape my lips before things went dark and I fell into a deep and restful sleep.