by Linda Harley
Works by Linda Harley
Saldiora
Destiny’s Flower, Book 1
Nuelda
Awaken, Book 1
www.lindaroseharley.com
Nuelda, Book 1
By
Linda Harley
Awaken
Nuelda, Book 1
Text copyright © 2019 by Linda Rosemary Harley
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Published in Atlanta, Georgia, United States by Purple Pixie Studios.
First edition, 2019
ISBN 978-0-9988215-3-5
Visit the author website: www.lindaroseharley.com
In loving memory of my dad, Ronald Harley, who was a wise and patient mentor and loved me unconditionally.
Chapter 1
White penetrating light blasted into Anna’s eyes. Her entire body felt numb from the cold, and she could barely flutter her eyelids to keep the worst of the bright light at bay. She lay in a glass casket, her body suspended in the air. The pressure in the casket started to change as she drifted to its luxurious soft bottom, the cushions enveloping her. The smell of rust and oil swept into the casket as the lid popped open to release her back into civilization.
The smooth face of a man came into her field of vision. “Don’t try to move yet, Anna,” the man’s soft voice purred in her ears. She tried to nod, but none of her muscles responded. The man proceeded to pull the IVs, pipes, and monitors from her body. She felt nothing, as her body wasn’t fully alive yet. Everything was numb as her body proceeded to warm up.
Anna closed her eyes and tried to remember why she was here. It felt like just moments ago that she had been hugging her mom and dad and telling them goodnight. Her baby brother had stood in the corner of the room, tears welling in his eyes, refusing to look at her. As if saying goodbye to her would make everything real in his little world. Her parents had promised her that they would wake her once a cure was found for her cancer, but that they would wait no more than 3 years before bringing her out of cryostasis. How much time had passed? Days, weeks, months, or years? She longed for the day when all of this would finally be behind them, and they could live a normal life.
“Alright, we’re ready. Try to wiggle your toes, Anna,” the man instructed, and she obeyed. “Very good. Now move your feet.”
Slowly and painfully, feeling returned to her body, as the man made her move every muscle in her body. Pins and needles ran all over her skin, like when her body would wake up after falling asleep from reduced circulation. Her bones ached as she reluctantly tried to sit up in the casket. The world around her spun and toppled crazily, and she blinked her eyes hard a few times before everything settled.
“Blood pressure is stabilizing, she can get out,” a metallic voice said from somewhere above her.
Nick reached in and removed a cuff that was still around her forearm. She rubbed the spot gently after the cuff came off, relieved that there was nothing left attached to her body. She was free again.
Anna looked up and saw rusty cables dangling down from the ceiling and connecting like a spider’s web to her casket that stood in the center of the rehab room. One wall of the triangular room consisted of dirty glass, and behind the glass on a raised platform stood a bank of computers, monitors, desks, and chairs. A red-haired smooth-faced woman was operating the controls, and Anna supposed that the metallic voice she had heard earlier belonged to the woman.
The man that had woken her stood next to the casket holding out a tattered wool robe. Getting out of the casket was laborious work. Every part of her body screamed at her for moving. She ground her teeth together, holding back the tears that were threatening to spill over. Her bony fingers gripped the edge of the casket as she pushed up, and got one leg over the ledge and onto the top step of the ladder. She stopped a moment, took a deep breath, and then swung the other leg over. Her legs wobbled underneath her, and she fell backward into the man’s arms.
“I’ve got you,” the man said as he deftly caught her and helped her down the few steps onto solid ground. He hung the tattered robe on her scrawny frame. The robe smelled like mothballs, but she did not mind. The robe enveloped her into its warmth, but she nearly collapsed under its weight. She would have fallen again, but the man placed his arm around her shoulder and held her upright. “Come, you must try to walk. Your legs and body will remember what they’re supposed to do better once you move around.”
Anna hesitantly took one step and then another. Soon she was able to stand on her own, albeit with shaky legs. She walked around the casket a few times unaided, gaining confidence with each step. Finally, she mustered up the courage to try and speak, but it came out as a hoarse croak. She gripped her throat and tried to clear it, but still, nothing but a throaty, raspy sound escaped her lips.
The man walked over to a workbench and poured her a glass of water. She gladly accepted the water and drank thirstily. Then she tried speaking again. “Where are my parents?” Anna asked, her voice only marginally better, but at least one could hear the words.
“They’re not here,” the man replied.
Anna gulped a breath of air fighting back the tears that were pushing their way to the surface again. Why was she so weepy? Maybe it was a side effect of waking up. She ignored her panic and clung to the last memory of her parents. “You’re lying. They promised that they’d be here.”
“I’m sorry, but they’re not here,” the man repeated more gently.
“Then, where are they?”
“I don’t know.”
Anna took a deep quivering breath. It felt good to breathe on her own again, even though the air smelled stale and old with dust and mold. Her bones complained at the abuse she was doling out on them. A stool stood at the decrepit workbench. She walked over to the chair and slowly sagged onto it, not knowing what to make of it all. Her mind was also starting to become more focused by the minute; she realized she did not even know who she was talking to, “What’s your name?”
“My name is Nick. Would you like something to eat?”
Anna nodded, and Nick handed her a banana and a tomato and then poured her another glass of water. Slowly Anna placed the tomato on the table and peeled the banana. The first bite of the banana electrified all the senses in her mouth, bringing them back online, and making her savor every bite that she took. Breaking off small pieces at a time she ate the banana, stopping now and then for a sip of water to help wash it down. Her throat muscles were still weak, and the water helped to lubricate the food so that it could go down easier.
“I will be right back,” Nick said as he disappeared through the door to the right of the glass wall, and reappeared moments later in the control room, talking with the red-haired woman behind the controls.
When she finished the snack, Anna left the banana peel on the table feeling guilty. Her mom would have a fit if she just left her rubbish lying around, but she could not see a trashcan anywhere, and she wasn’t ready to get back up again to look for one.
She nodded off to sleep, as the warmth of the smelly robe and a full stomach lulled her into contentment. Nick gently placed a hand on her shoulder, and instantly, she was awake.
“Where’s the trash can?” Anna asked, picking up the banana peel and holding it out.
Nick took the banana peel and stuck it in his pocket. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it for you.”
“Thanks,” Anna said, her mouth trying to smile, but only one corner would lift. “My mouth, it’s not working, I can’t smile,” Anna said, the sense of panic back.
“Not to worry, the muscles in the face are much smaller an
d require a lot more intricate control to move. You should exercise them; then they will return to normal just like your legs. Keep trying to smile.”
Nick came to her side and helped her to get moving once more. “How do you feel otherwise?”
“Sore,” Anna murmured, as she took a few tentative steps. “My bones ache, and my body feels numb.”
Nick led her out of the cryo rehab room into the core hall. The elevator and stairwell stood in the middle of this hall, with doors leading off in four directions. Stepping onto the elevator, Nick pressed a button labeled Medical. “Some of that is due to being in cryostasis for so long. The rest is due to your lymphoma cancer. But then you should be used to that.”
The doors to the elevator closed, and they slowly started to ascend.
“How long have I been in cryo?” Anna asked leaning against Nick for support.
“Some time.”
“How long, Nick?”
Nick stared at the elevator door. “Look, there is a lot that I must tell you, but I’m not going to yet.”
Anna stared at him incredulously, about to protest, but then he continued.
“I still have to treat your cancer. For the treatment to work swiftly and be effective, you need to be in a calm state of mind, like you are now, or we won’t have enough time with you. Your health is of the utmost importance now. When you are better, I will tell you everything. Do you understand?”
Anna shook her head. “I gather that whatever you have to tell me is not going to make me feel better, so why not just tell me and get it over with? Instead, I’m going to worry about things that might not even be that bad.”
Nick sighed as the doors to the elevator opened. Nick led her through a set of doors into a room filled with beds. Each bed was made, but the bedding was just as tattered and dingy as the robe she wore. Nick led her over to the nearest bed where he helped her to remove the tatty robe and slip into a soft night dress. He lifted the covers for her, and Anna slipped in under the welcoming blankets. Her body relaxed instantly as her head hit the pillow.
As Nick made to leave, Anna gripped his wrist. “Just tell me, please.”
Nick bent over and kissed her forehead. “Later, pumpkin.”
Anna yawned. That was nice that he knew her nickname. Nick must have read that in her intake records and was trying to make her feel at home.
“Now, I need to get your medicines ready, child.” Nick removed her hand from his wrist and headed to the adjoining room.
Instantly, Anna bristled at being called a child by an adult. She was nearly 14 and knew more than they thought she did. They always spoke in whispers around her about her cancer, thinking she was not smart enough to understand them. But she understood every word, which was why she also knew that her only choice to live had been to go into cryo until they found a cure. Now there was a cure, but where were her parents? Were they watching her from an observation room while they administered her treatment? She hoped that they were and that all of this was normal. But then, why would Nick not tell her anything? Why did he not know where her parents were? So many questions floated through her mind, and she had a hard time sorting them all out.
Nick returned and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Take a deep breath, Anna. Everything is going to be all right. I promise.” Nick raised a needle and injected some medicine into her arm. “The cure.”
No matter how many times the doctors poked her with needles, she always flinched whether it hurt or not. She kept her eyes closed until it was over, wishing more than ever that her mom was there to hold her hand.
Anna felt herself drifting to sleep. She reached out her hand grasping at the air, and Nick took her hand. “Nick, please, tell me how long was I in cryo? I won’t ask for anything more.”
Nick cocked his head to the side, “158 years.”
Chapter 2
The smell of fresh cucumbers filled Anna’s nose. Her mommy’s warm arms held her tight for the last time. “It’ll be alright, Anna,” Mommy said, “we’ll be right here when you wake up. Promise.” Big fat tears rolled across Anna’s cheeks that she stubbornly refused to wipe.
Dave stood by the door of the room, furiously wiping at his tears. Mom picked Dave up and patted his back while he cried. He was old enough to realize that Anna was going away. Anna hated herself for not being able to be there for him anymore. She wanted to go to him, but Dad put a reaffirming hand on her head and turned her face towards him.
“Come here, pumpkin,” Daddy said, enveloping Anna into a big hug. “It’s time.” He lifted her naked body into the casket. “Sleep, Anna, and dream pleasant dreams. We love you. See you soon, pumpkin.”
The doctors approached and started to attach tubes and wires to her entire body. She squirmed a little bit as one put a monitor around her foot; it was ticklish. Then they were all done, and Daddy peeked in again.
“Remember to be strong and courageous, and always show kindness.” Daddy said as the casket lid started to close. Daddy stepped away, and Anna lay peering up at the bright light overhead.
Anna’s breath quickened as the casket lid shut and her world grew dark. She screamed for her mommy and daddy, as they drifted further and further away into the darkness.
With a start, Anna sat up in bed. Sweat dripped from her rail thin body. Her hands were shaking, but she was not cold. It took her a moment to remember that she was not in cryo anymore. She was in the medical ward. 158 years had passed, but if there were even the slightest possibility that her family was still around, she would find them. No matter what. She had to believe that, or else she would not be able to take another breath.
The lights in the room came on as Nick entered carrying a fresh set of clothes. “Good morning, Anna.”
“Hi,” Anna said, rubbing the pain out of her legs. “Nick, where are my parents? Are they dead, or are they in cryo?”
Nick placed the clothes on the bed. “Why don’t you get dressed and then we’ll go to the kitchen? I promise I’ll answer all your questions once you’ve eaten something. Alright?”
Anna nodded and got dressed. The jeans were the right size, but the black shirt hung like a tent. The shoes were well worn and smelled; she opted to go without shoes for now. Nick led her out of the medical ward back to the central core, where the elevator doors and stairway was.
Anna reached out to push the button of the elevator, something that Dave always thrilled to do. But Nick stopped her when he said, “It doesn’t work.”
“Oh. But we used it yesterday.”
“That was a special occasion. Come along,” Nick said as he pushed open the door to the stairway.
Anna followed him down one flight of stairs and back into the core. They turned right and walked through the door on the east side of the core with the sign Waiting Room over it. They emerged into a large open area, with lots and lots of seating, tables, and what looked to be a snack bar on the far end. Anna remembered that this was where she and her family had waited before they took her away. Anna stared at how rundown everything looked. After 158 years it seemed that the furniture had not been maintained or used much. A layer of dust covered everything.
“This way,” Nick said, pushing open a glass door that was in the center of the glass wall on the far side of the waiting room.
Anna hurried to catch up, her legs not even able to break into a jog, but at least they were a bit stronger than they had been yesterday. Tomorrow will be better; Anna kept telling herself. Perhaps it was a lie, but one she had practiced for years with her cancer, it helped her to push past the pain and focus on living for a better tomorrow.
Nick held the door open for Anna, and she slipped through into the greenhouse.
Fruit trees stood a few paces away, and off to her left was an elaborate outdoors kitchen. Nick led the way to one of the picnic tables, and Anna sat down across from him.
“I thought that you might enjoy some sunlight,” Nick said.
Anna looked up and could see slivers of sunlight through
the canopy of trees overhead. These trees had not been this big when she had arrived.
“Good morning, pretty. What do you want for breakfast?” A man said as he rolled around the kitchen on a big silver ball. Anna’s jaw dropped as she stared. His legs were fused down to his knees where they ended in a socket with a ball that could turn every which way he leaned.
Anna blinked, “What the… What… are you?”
“Nick, why haven’t you told her?” the man said as he pulled some pots and pans from a drawer, followed by a cutting board, a chopping knife, and a whisk.
Nick shrugged, “I figured the truth would go better with some food.”
The man sighed as he rolled out of the kitchen and headed to their table. “I’m James, and I’m one of the bots that work here,” James said, reaching her and holding out a hand.
Anna gawked at him, then swallowed and shook the cold metal hand. “Oh.”
Jame’s entire body seemed to be covered by flexible metal that looked like silver skin. This was way beyond anything she had ever seen before.
“Do I have something on me?” James said, spinning in a circle like a dog chasing its tail as he tried to see if there was anything stuck to his body.
“No, sir.” Anna said, “It’s just, I’ve never seen a, well a talking robot before.”
James laughed, “We can all talk, dear, but not all of us have much of anything to say these days. Now, what would you like for breakfast?”
“I usually have eggs, toast, and some fruit juice.”
“Scrambled, boiled, omelet, frittata, sunny side up, over easy, over medium, over hard, poached, baked, basted or fried?” James said as he pretended to remove a pencil behind his ear, and a notepad from a nonexisting pocket.
Anna smiled at his attempt to make her feel at home. “Scrambled, please.”
James mock wrote as he said, “Scrambled eggs.”
“One or two.”
“Two.”
