Cole began to feel very self-conscious about his near nakedness when they stopped at what appeared to be a shop. The mummy-lady signaled to one of the guards and he went inside, emerging a few minutes later with a large roll of black cloth. He tossed it to Cole, who caught it, dumbfounded. The guard let out an impatient sigh before passing his pike off to his partner. Before Cole could stop him, the guard ripped off his loincloth, tossing it aside. He didn’t have much time to be embarrassed however, as the guard snatched the cloth and set to wrapping it around Cole. The fabric was chilly and loose but as it soaked up Cole’s body heat it snugged gently to him, like a second skin. There was thankfully enough to wrap several layers around his feet for shoes. When the guard was done Cole was completely covered from the neck down. He flexed and bent testing for gaps, but the fabric seemed to have adhered to itself. It was seamless, yet breathable.
“Thank you.” Cole did his best to make a gesture of gratitude.
The guard responded with a grunt and resumed his position behind Cole. Satisfied, the old woman snapped her fingers and they resumed walking. They came to a structure that looked more like an office building than a residence. Its stone walls were veined with a brilliant white material, and shone with a gloss that put the surrounding areas to shame. The steps leading up to the door were very tall. Cole could barely reach his legs high enough, and the others had to jump up each one like children clambering into their parents’ bed. The main door was of equal proportion. Without a backwards glance the old woman pushed her face into it and disappeared with a tiny pop. Grateful that this was not the first time he had seen such a door, Cole followed close behind.
Once inside, the first thing Cole noticed was the large furniture and very tall ceilings. The décor was dark and imposing, as though the curator had hand-picked each piece to make its viewer feel inferior. The building had no windows, or any discernible light source, yet the interior was lit by a harsh ambient light that produced no shadows. Pained faces adorned the trim on the wall and the arched thresholds. There were hundreds of them, each with its own unique expression that resonated within Cole. It was as if each face was intentionally carved to exemplify a specific horrible emotion. Cole wondered if the artist worked a second job as a torturer.
He was made to wait in the atrium with the guards as the old woman’s padded footsteps echoed off down a hallway. The guards gave Cole the feeling he had better not make any sudden movements. He was content to stand there silently, disturbed and intrigued by the architecture. In the center of the room was a statue of a giant grotesque figure. It was as if the sculptor kept switching his mind as to whether he wanted to make a human or an insect. At the foot of the statue were smaller carvings depicting a crowd of the childlike people. Adoration gleamed in their eyes and, to Cole’s disgust, all of them were mutilating themselves in one way or another. One was pulling the skin off of her bare chest while another was cradling his self-eviscerated bowels, smiling longingly all the while.
Cole was just starting to feel nauseated when the atrium echoed with the woman’s padded footsteps, this time accompanied by a loud clacking partner. From around the statue appeared the small old woman. Behind her in stark contrast followed a man so tall that Cole now felt like the child, based on the fact that the top of his head would barely meet the man’s belt.
The giant man wore a suit so white it seemed to darken everything around him, making the pristine marble appear dirty. The old woman spoke, but the man was drawn to Cole as though he was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen. The giant ignored the woman, crouching low and bringing his eyes level with Cole’s. His face was smooth alabaster and lacked any imperfections - not a single blemish, vein, or hair out of place. When he spoke Cole couldn’t understand a word, but the voice that came from his chiseled lips was so charismatic and reassuring, Cole felt a sudden urge to do something impressive.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand a word you’re saying,” Cole muttered, fixing his posture to stand a little taller.
The man’s eyes went wide with delight as he clapped his hands together rapidly. Cole had no idea what he’d done to please him, but he felt proud and hoped to please him again. With a dismissive wave of his huge arm the towering man clicked his tongue. The guards as well as the old woman obviously took this as their cue to leave, and did so without a word. The man was clearly annoyed at how long it took for them to find the exit, following them with a look of disgust. Cole found himself irritated with them as well, scowling at their little backs. When the final pop sounded, the man aimed his fascination back to Cole. Crouching lower, the man brought his thumb and forefinger to Cole’s Jaw, tilting his head up. Cole shut his eyes as the man kissed his forehead. An electric sensation trickled through Cole, leaving him confused and disoriented, as if he were experiencing profound déjà vu,
“That’s better, isn’t it?” The man laughed, his voice rich and clear like the polished marble that surrounded them.
“Y-you can sp-speak English?” Cole stuttered, tripping over his words. His mouth seemed to move too slowly for his thoughts.
The man laughed again, hearty and genuine. “Of course not. I’ve no idea what ‘English’ is. My friend, it is you who has picked up a new language.”
“B-but, how? I d-don’t know any other l-languages.” Cole knew he sounded foolish now. Why was he stuttering so badly?
“Well, you do now. I’ve implanted in you a cypher that will allow you to speak my language, which is Aenerian. Light-side dialect to be precise. It will take some time for your tongue and lips to grow accustomed to the movements.” His eyebrows twitched up as his grin widened. “I see a thousand questions blooming in your eyes. I have several of my own, but as you are my guest here, please, take your pick.” The man crossed his legs and sat on the floor, now eye level with Cole. “Just speak slowly if the stuttering bothers you, trust me, I have all the time in the world for you.”
Cole hesitated, wondering if his words would come out in their tongue or his own. He searched his mind for a switch or memory that would allow him to speak in this ‘Aenerian’.
“My friend, it’s best if you don’t think on it overmuch. Just look at me and speak freely.” His big hand pattered on Cole’s shoulder. “Come now, give it a go.”
Cole took a breath and spoke as slowly as he could: “Where am I? And who are you?”
“Your second question is easiest, so I will answer it first; my name is Kreed. I oversee this municipality and all of its inhabitants. As for your first question, that is a tricky one. I suppose we should start with the obvious. You are here, in my home, which is located on the edge of the city Costas, which is located light-side of Aeneria. You are lucky, we are currently in the house Terra, and so we have strong sunlight for a little while longer. Ah I see I’ve planted another question in you?” Kreed talked slowly so Cole could understand, but it only made his voice sound silky and enticing.
“W-what do you m-mean ‘house Terra’?” Cole had to force himself to speak at a snail’s pace, “And where is Aeneria? And what’s the light-side?”
“Your questions grow like weeds!” Kreed chuckled, growing more excited. “As soon as I tend to one, three more sprout up! So you don’t know what Aeneria is, or much of anything about it. From what I can tell you haven’t been here long or else I would know you. Forgive me, but I could require a bit of context before I answer your questions further. Where did you come from?”
Well, I grew up in Nashua. It’s a city in New Hampshire.” Seeing Kreed’s confusion, Cole rushed on, “New Hampshire is a state, in the U.S.? Have you heard of the United States? In North America?”
“My friend, I haven’t the slightest inkling as to where those places are. Hmm. On what planet would I find these places?” Kreed asked, tapping his chin.
Cole frowned, “Well, that would be Earth, right?”
Kreed’s eyes popped wide. “Ahh now there is a place I have heard of. We call it Terra, but that is most interesting. Most interesting indeed.” For
the first time, Kreed’s eyes left Cole’s and searched the polished stone floor, as if he’d lost something very important. “How is this possible? What is your name and how did you come to this planet?” Kreed’s voice was no longer polished and kind, but accusatory and steely.
Cole’s mouth fell open. A sickly worry bubbled in his gut. “What do you mean ‘this planet’?”
Kreed relaxed, a curious smile returning to his face. “Why, Aeneria of course. Terra is up there.” He pointed up towards the high arched ceiling. “Well, not there exactly. Come, follow me outside. And you said your name was?” Kreed rose to his feet in one fluid motion.
“I’m Colton Carter,” Cole said, joining him.
“Interesting. This is your only name? Are you sure of it?” Kreed looked sideways down at Cole.
“Um, I’m called ‘Cole’ for short, but that’s it,” Cole replied.
Kreed pursed his lips and squinted. “I’m not so sure that it is, but we will see, Colton Carter.”
Kreed led him deeper into the building, down hallways decorated with more disturbing scenes and incredibly lifelike paintings. Cole kept his head down after seeing one that displayed hooded figures placing infants inside an open cadaver. He hoped he was seriously misinterpreting their art. They wound their way through a series of dizzying turns, higher and higher into Kreed’s house. Eventually, Cole felt the light and heat from the sun on his face. Kreed gestured to an open balcony, bringing Cole’s gaze down to a garden. Flowered vines crawled over every statue, making the figures look as if they were being choked by nature. There were a few of the wrinkled child-people in white wrappings tending to the shrubs and wading through a brook that sprawled throughout.
Kreed lifted Cole by his middle and sat him on the edge of the bannister. “The courtyard is beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is,” Cole said in a dreamy voice, captivated by the living art. He couldn’t tell if they grew in such patterns on their own or if they were painstakingly manicured in such a way. As if to answer his question, one of the child-people pulled out a short white staff and waved it over a shrub, which flowed and undulated at its coaxing. To Cole the bush now had a more pleasing form that flowed better with the bend in the stream. The tiny groundskeeper tapped the shrub in several places and flowers crept out from its depths.
“Our caretakers are very skilled, but if I may direct your attention elsewhere, you will see your Earth, or Terra. It’s just there on the horizon, exactly opposite your star.”
Cole hardly needed Kreed’s arm to point it out. There, peeking over the horizon, was the blue marble itself; his home. It was the size of a grapefruit held at arms-length. “How the hell!” Cole wobbled and his heart dropped as he almost fell from the balcony. Kreed’s hand held his shoulders steady. “How is this possible? There’s no way! We would see another planet this close!”
“It’s true, you would see another planet at this distance, but not this one. Even with its small size, Aeneria should still be quite visible day and night from Terra. Aeneria however is not at all like other planets. While we are certainly here on this planet, which is without a doubt very close to your Earth, we are also at the same time not here.” The befuddled expression on Cole’s face seemed to make Kreed even more excited. “Ah, I can see the confusion. How do I put this? Aeneria is a transient thing. It is ethereal in nature. It Travels, like a wraith, unseen through different realities. Right now we are in your reality; the house of Terra. Shortly we will move to the next; the house of Pastori, which has its own sun that is unfortunately not visible from Costas.”
This was too much. Feeling lightheaded, Cole asked Kreed to place him back on the polished stone floor. Cole had hoped all along this was a weird dream he would eventually wake from. Now after hearing things explained by an apparently sane person, it became real.
“How is this possible?” Cole’s vision blurred as tears leaked from his eyes.
“I was hoping you could explain that part, Colton Carter. I can see you are distressed. Naturally this has come as quite a shock to you. I admit I am very disturbed myself. You need rest, but before I let you retire I need you to explain everything you remember. Your situation is unprecedented and my superiors will require a full report.” Kreed crossed his legs again and joined Cole on the ground, lifting his chin and wiping his tears away.
Cole looked into Kreed’s eyes and felt an unprovoked urge to please him. He had no idea why, but he trusted Kreed. Before he knew it, Cole was retelling his entire life’s story. Everything was in vivid detail, from his first memories of the police showing up when he was a toddler, all the way up to his arrival on Aeneria. He waxed for hours, saying things that surprised him because he hadn’t remembered them until now. When he finished, his throat was sore and his eyes heavy. He wanted to continue, but there was nothing else to say. He looked eagerly at Kreed, hoping he’d done well.
Kreed blinked for the first time in hours. “Thank you, Colton Carter. I know that was very difficult. And you have my most heartfelt condolences for the loss of young Joshy. You’ve done so well for me. Now, my friend, it’s time for you to rest. When you wake up we’ll see what we can do for you.”
Kreed rose, scooping Cole up in his arms like a child. His embrace was gentle and warm, and Cole felt safe for the first time in weeks. He fell in and out of sleep, vaguely aware of someone carrying him through the halls of Kreed’s place. They eventually arrived at a door, passing through with a deep pop. Barely awake, Cole felt himself land on something soft.
“Sleep well, Colton Carter. When you wake we will have much more to discuss,” Kreed said in a soft tone.
Cole stayed the sleep just a little longer: “Kreed?”
“Yes, my friend?” Kreed brushed Cole’s hair aside.
Cole felt like he was talking from the other end of a tunnel. “Is this place magic? Is that how they shaped the flowers in the garden? And how you made me speak your language?”
Kreed smiled. “Yes, but to us it is nothing more than a different set of rules we live by. Rules that perhaps you may come to learn one day.”
“Could you send me back home?” Cole pleaded.
“We shall see. Now sleep, Colton Carter.” Kreed placed his first two fingers over Cole’s eyes, closing them and pushing Cole into his dreams.
Cole woke, warm and whole, indulging in a nice stretch. He sat up and found himself in complete darkness. He was perched upon something soft and pleasantly cool to the touch. Fumbling in the dark, he found a wall and used his hands to search for a light switch. Did they even have light switches on this planet?
“How am I supposed to see anything with no light?” Cole said to the darkness.
As if in response, a sourceless white light illuminated a room filled with pillows from wall to wall.
“Um, a little brighter?” Cole guessed.
The gentle glow intensified so that Cole had to wait for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he found the room had a large bay window with bars over it. Stepping over the pillows, he pulled himself up to the window sill and peered outside. The sky was pitch black. Where had the sun gone? Were they no longer next to earth?
He reached his hands through the bars and felt a significant drop in temperature. It was as if there was an invisible barrier keeping the cold out. A few stories below, he could see a winding street with closely-packed buildings. Blue oval lanterns accompanied each solid door, making the street look like a river. There were a few people walking the streets, appearing from the solid doors like phantoms in the ghostly hue. Cole thought he saw a shadow moving across the rooftop directly below him, but after a few minutes he didn’t see it move again and lost interest.
A high-pitched growl broke the silence, startling him. He searched for the source of the noise, only to discover that it was his stomach. Thankful that no one saw him jump, he hopped down from the sill, landing bodily on a larger pillow. He clutched his stomach again, attempting to stifle another growl. He hoped Kreed had some food besides
flowers and seeds. He approached the door and pressed his face into it. The door was very much solid.
“Ow!” Cole swore, rubbing his nose. He pushed his hand into the door, but it may as well have been a wall. “What is this, a one-way door? Wait! Am I stuck in here?”
He frantically pushed on every part of the door he could reach, then ran his hands over every part of the wall, then yanked and tugged every pillow into a corner of the room, searching the floor beneath. There was no way out. He jumped back up to the window and was about to shout to the people below, but stopped himself mid breath. Kreed probably had a very good reason for locking him in here. Cole knew nothing about this place, and for all he knew the bars and solid door were for his own safety. Shaking his head, he laughed at his own foolishness. He was in no danger at the moment. There was nothing to fear, not even giant grubs.
To pass the time, Cole examined the mural that wrapped around the entire room. Taking it in from left to right, he realized the mural showed a story. There were people gazing longingly up at a planet on the horizon. A few of them blinked away into orbs of light, not unlike the ones from Cole’s dreams. The lights gathered to form a colorful swarm that flowed up into the sky towards the planet. The next scene showed the lights arriving on a new planet and greeting the people there, who lived in trees and had clothes made from animal skins. The light-people could be seen helping and sharing with the primitive ones, either healing the sick or creating tools. The light-people pointed back towards the sky, becoming orbs once more. The primitive ones seemed to adore the light-people, appearing to beg to be taken with them. The final scene showed a swirling river of lights, twisting and twinkling its way up into the night sky.
The story depicted a striking resemblance to Cole’s more recent dreams. He was convinced that this had something to do with his vanishings back home, and decided to bring it up to Kreed when he saw him next.
A scraping noise from outside the window drew Cole’s attention. It grew louder, as if something were coming up the wall.
Saving The Dark Side: Book 1: The Devotion Page 12
