Freedom: A Futuristic Fantasy

by Jim Proctor

  Angus laughed. “I was on my way home, as a matter of fact. Care to join me?”

  Jazeen smiled. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  When she spun the wheel to the right, the ship began to turn. Watching the compass, she straightened out on a heading of one hundred ninety degrees.

  Angus walked over next to her and looked at the instruments.

  “What made you decide on a heading of one ninety?” he asked.

  “The wind is out of the west tonight,” she replied with a smile.

  Angus nodded. “Like I said, you’re a natural pilot, Jaz.”

  “I have some bad news,” she said.

  “Oh, what’s that?” he asked.

  “I bought a dozen cream puffs before I left my parents’ house. I ate a couple of them, but the rest went stale. I threw them out.”

  Angus patted her on her lower back. “That’s okay, Jaz. I’ve been shopping since your last visit. I restocked.”

  “I was just thinking, if we’re going to have adventures on a regular basis, I’m either going to have to wear a backpack everywhere with my necessities in it, our I’m going to have to leave some stuff on your airship,” she said.

  “Do you need anything to spend the night tonight?” he asked.

  She thought for a moment. “No, I’m okay for tonight.”

  “Good,” he said. “Next time, pack some stuff. You can leave some things on the airship, and you can leave more in your bedroom.”

  Jazeen smiled. “My bedroom?”

  “Your bedroom,” he confirmed.

  After a moment of silence, she said, “You haven’t asked me why I’m not at my parents’ house anymore.”

  Angus shook his head. “I’m your friend, so I won’t ask because, if you’re my friend, you’ll tell me everything you want me to know.”

  She looked at him with a puzzled expression. “You aren’t even curious?”

  “Of course I am. I care about you, and I can see that something serious has happened. It’s written all over your nimbus,” he said.

  “My nimbus?”

  “Yes. Everyone has a nimbus. That’s what I call it, anyway. It’s… well, have you ever seen a friend walk into a room and known something was wrong before she said anything?” he asked.

  “Sure. When you know someone well enough, you can see when something is wrong,” she said.

  Angus nodded. “Well, you can see it even if you don’t know them well, if you can see their nimbus. Some folks call it aura. Call it what you like, if you can see it, you can tell a lot about someone.”

  “So what is my nimbus telling you?” she asked.

  Angus went to his chart table and climbed up onto a stool. Turning to face her, he studied her for a moment. “Since I last saw you, you’ve had your heart broken… you’ve been scared… you remembered some old memories that brought you closer to someone you loved… well, there’s a lot more, but you’re feeling positive about the future, and that’s a good sign.”

  Jazeen was too shocked to reply. She hadn’t expected anything like that. She thought he might say she looked happy, or something equally trivial.

  “No, I can’t read your mind,” he said.

  She looked at him wide-eyed. “How did you know I was wondering that?”

  Angus laughed. “It was a guess that didn’t take a lot of imagination.”

  Jazeen smiled and shook her head.

  “There’s something else I can see in your nimbus. You haven’t had dinner yet,” he said.

  She eyed him suspiciously. “You can’t see that in my nimbus.”

  “It was another guess,” he confessed.

  “It was a good guess. I was planning to leave Terrin’s platform to have dinner in my hotel room, and then I saw you approaching,” she said.

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing you’re an expert pilot. You keep us on course while I go down to the galley and prepare dinner. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said. He climbed off the stool and trotted toward the steps leading belowdecks.

  “Hey, is heading one ninety okay?” she asked.

  “I’d have aimed for one ninety-one, myself,” he said before leaving.

  Jazeen checked her altitude, adjusted the elevators, and looked ahead into the dark sky. She wondered if Angus had any tricks for finding his island in the dark and, equally importantly, guiding the ship into the tunnel leading to the hangar.

  Several minutes later, she heard Angus clime the steps. He came in carrying a tray covered with food and drinks. Setting it on the chart table, he came to the helm.

  “I’ll take the wheel for a while. You have a seat over there and eat,” he said.

  Jazeen stepped aside, and Angus climbed onto the dais. Going to the table, she sat on a stool and began eating.

  “Since you are curious, and since we’re friends, I’d like to tell you everything that has happened since my last visit,” she said.

  Angus nodded. “I’m all ears.”

  Jazeen launched into the story while she ate. Angus listened, his expression giving little away. If he had a nimbus, she certainly couldn’t see it.

  Chapter 9

  “Turn a bit to starboard, Jaz, and begin descending,” Angus said as he climbed down from his stool at the chart table. He walked to the helm and stood beside her.

  She had lost track of time while telling her story, but she had a feeling they were near his island. As she leveled off at thirty meters, she could see the dark mass of his island ahead and a bit to port. Turning farther to starboard, she continued until the island was visible through the port-side window of the wheelhouse, and then she cut hard to port and increased pitch on the starboard propeller.

  “That’s good. Do you see the entrance?” he asked as they circled around the island.

  “Of course not,” she said. “It looks just like the surrounding tree-covered slopes.”

  “Okay, then I’ll take us in,” he said.

  Jazeen stepped aside as Angus climbed onto the dais. He pointed. “There’s the entrance. You can’t see it, but it’s between those two boulders. See them?”

  Jazeen looked, struggling to see anything in the dark. “Yes, I see them now.”

  “We slip right between them,” he said.

  Jazeen watched as the airship headed straight for the forest, trusting Angus knew where the holographic projection was. In a moment of panic, she grabbed the console to brace herself just as the bow of the airship slipped through the projected trees.

  Angus expertly guided the ship through the tunnel, bringing it to a stop over the landing platform.

  “You go and toss the mooring lines over the side while I transfer helium to the storage tanks,” he said.

  Jazeen saluted and stepped out onto the deck. Running around, she threw the ropes over the side. A gentle bump told her the ship had settled onto the platform. Extending the gangplank, she ran down and began tying off the lines.

  Several minutes later, Angus strode down to the platform. Walking around, he examined her knots.

  “Nice work. Let’s go,” he said as he set off toward the steps.

  With her long strides, she quickly caught up with him.

  “I’m glad you found me,” she said. “I was afraid I might not see you again.”

  “I must admit, I felt the same when you weren’t on your balcony the other night,” he said.

  At the top of the steps, they stepped through the holographic rock and turned right.

  “I should warn you, Fluffy has been pacing the house looking for you,” Angus said when they reached the door. “Be prepared for an enthusiastic greeting. Hopefully, you won’t get too badly bruised.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  Angus opened the door and entered with Jazeen close behind. The house was quiet. Angus looked at her and shrugged.

  “Fluffy!” Jazeen called. “I’m back!”

  There was a thud upstairs followed by a frantic scrabbling of paws on the hardwood floor. Fluffy bounded
down the steps, ran across the room, and bore Jazeen to the ground. Lying next to her, she began licking Jazeen’s face. Jazeen laughed and began scratching behind Fluffy’s ears.

  After a moment, she said, “Okay, that’s enough! I missed you too, girl, but you need to let me up.”

  Fluffy continued licking her face. Jazeen gave in. Wrapping her arms around the big cat, she hugged her. When the purring started, Jazeen rubbed her face against Fluffy’s cheek.

  “I guess I’d better see to the boy,” Angus said. Clearly Fluffy had claimed Jazeen as her own and wasn’t planning to share her with her brother. “Occisor! Come here, boy.”

  The dragon dropped from his bed in the rafters and flew across the room. Perching on Angus’ outstretched hand, he looked at Fluffy and Jazeen on the floor. He let out a shrill screech to show his disapproval.

  “You be nice,” Angus said. “She’ll have time for you, too. Let’s get the fire going.”

  After putting Occisor on his perch, he piled logs in the grate. Going back to the perch, he held out his hand. Occisor turned his back on Angus.

  “Well, now. It seems someone is jealous,” he said with a chuckle. “I think he wants you to hold him, Jaz.”

  “Do you hear that, girl?” she whispered in Fluffy’s ear. “I need to get up.”

  When the mountain of black fur did not move, she gently pushed her aside and struggled to her feet. As she crossed the room, the cat dashed over and rubbed against her legs, nearly knocking her over.

  “Occisor, come to me,” she said as she reached toward his perch. The dragon turned to face her and jumped onto her hand. Pulling him close to her face, she kissed the top of his head and then cuddled him against her chest. Occisor pressed his head against her neck as she began to stroke his scales. “Angus is waiting,” she said.

  Turning to face the fireplace, she held her arm out. “Light the fire, Occisor.”

  Knowing what to expect this time, she turned her face away and closed her eyes before the dragon breathed in. The flame shot across the room. Within seconds, she heard the crackling of burning logs. His flame went out, and he cooed at her. As she pulled him to her chest and snuggled him again, Fluffy rubbed rather forcefully against her legs.

  “I’ll get their dinner ready,” Angus said.

  Jazeen sat on the floor, still cuddling the dragon. The cat collapsed onto her lap, her body draped across Jazeen’s thighs. As she began petting Fluffy, Occisor squawked and started bobbing up and down. As she stroked the dragon’s scales, the cat raised a paw and tried to pull her arm down. Jazeen giggled. “You two act like I’ve been gone for years! It’s only been a few days.”

  Angus, having poured lamp oil over several chunks of coal in Occisor’s bowl, came over and offered the dragon his hand. “Dinner is ready,” he said. After a moment of apparent indecision, the dragon climbed onto Angus’ hand and was carried to his perch. While Occisor happily munched his coal and lapped up the oil, Fluffy purred loudly, thrilled to have Jazeen to herself again.

  Angus slipped into the kitchen. He opened the cabinet next to the refrigerator and stared for a moment. Closing the door, he pulled open a drawer and rummaged through its contents with trembling hands. He looked around the room as he patted his pockets. With a sigh, he reached into his right pocket and pulled out a small brown bottle. Pouring two pills into his hand, he quickly swallowed them. He then tossed the bottle into the drawer and closed it.

  Several minutes later, he returned to the living room with a bowl of meat that he set next to the wood box. The cat, needing no invitation to dinner, jumped up and ran to the bowl.

  Angus went to the kitchen and returned a moment later with two cold bottles of beer. Passing one to Jazeen, he sat in an overstuffed chair facing the fire. Jazeen sat in a matching chair nearby, staring into the flames as she took a sip.

  “This is good,” she said.

  “I’m glad you like it. If you tell me your favorite brand, I’ll pick some up next time I go shopping,” he said.

  “Oh, I don’t really have a favorite brand,” she said. “Actually, this is my first beer, ever.”

  “Really? And you like it? I thought beer was an acquired taste,” Angus said.

  Jazeen chuckled. “Honestly, I don’t like the taste much, but I’m going to enjoy my first beer whether I like it or not.”

  Angus smiled and raised his bottle. “Here’s to hating your first beer.”

  Jazeen raised hers and then took a gulp.

  Having finished his dinner, Occisor flew over and settled on the arm of Angus’ chair.

  “Well, will you look who loves me again?” Angus said.

  Fluffy, not to be left out, came over and curled up on the floor between their chairs, her chin resting on Angus’ feet, her hind legs draped across Jazeen’s feet.

  Jazeen took another sip of beer. “Thank you,” she said.

  “For the beer? It’s nothing.”

  “For everything,” she said. “Over the past few days, virtually every element of my life has changed. I’ve moved out of my parents’ house, dropped out of school, and broken up with my boyfriend. I also got my first job, and I… I learned some things about my sister.”

  “Ah, yes, the evil bitch,” Angus said. Jazeen noted no hint of a smile.

  “Yes, her. I think I know how she died. I mean, I don’t know the actual circumstances, but I think I know what she went through. It was horrible. I shouldn’t have hated her for dying.”

  Angus nodded. “Often, we need a place to put the blame for our own pain. Sometimes we’re just, sometimes not. Which is it with Milla?”

  “Unjust, for sure. For years, I pretended my parents loved me and treated me normally before Milla died. The truth is, they pretty much ignored me when Milla was alive. They worked long hours, and each brought more work home with them. Milla was more like a mother to me than a sister. Or, she was both, really. She loved me enough for both. And I loved her more than anything. I had a dream about playing with her in our yard. When I woke up, I realized it was a memory, not just a dream. It really happened. I’ve been remembering other things about her since then. She was a prisoner, too. She had to raise me because our parents couldn’t be bothered. She rarely spent time with her friends, not because our parents wouldn’t let her go out, but because she couldn’t leave me alone.” Jazeen wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and took another sip of beer. “She only went out with her friends on nights when our parents took a break from their work.”

  “So, what did you learn from these revelations?” Angus asked.

  Jazeen sipped her beer. “She gave up her life to care for me, and I’ve hated her for something that was my parents’ fault. I feel horrible for that.”

  Angus looked truly shocked. “Why in the world would you feel horrible over that?”

  Now it was Jazeen’s turn to look shocked. “Because she was so good to me and gave up so much for me, and I’ve hated her for years.”

  “Oh Jaz, can you recall a single instance while Milla was alive where you treated her badly?” he asked.

  She thought for a moment. “No. I adored her. I smothered her with hugs and kisses, and she did the same to me.”

  Angus smiled broadly. “Well, then, I’d say you were the best thing that ever happened to her, and I’ll bet she wouldn’t have given you up for anything.”

  Jazeen smiled.

  “All of your feelings toward her since she died are perfectly normal. She’s gone, Jaz. You haven’t hurt her. Right up until the day she died, you were the sunshine in her life.”

  Jazeen wiped her eyes again. “I miss her.”

  “That’s a good thing,” Angus said. “It means you’re healing.”

  “It’s getting late, and this beer is making me sleepy. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll turn in,” she said as she drained the final mouthful from her bottle.

  Angus nodded. “Off to bed, then. An adventure awaits.”

  “An adventure?” she asked.

  �
�In your dreams, you can go anywhere. Every time you sleep, it should be an adventure,” he said.

  “If not, I’m not doing it right,” she said.

  Angus nodded. “Exactly.”

  “I can’t control my dreams,” she said. “Sometimes, I have nightmares.”

  Angus nodded. “I never said adventures were always pleasant.”

  Jazeen shook her head. “I’m going to bed.”

  As she climbed the stairs, Fluffy raised her head, ears perking. Getting to her feet, she trotted after Jazeen and followed her into her bedroom. Jazeen stepped into her bathroom to rinse her teeth and stopped short, staring at the vanity. Next to the sink was a new toothbrush, three kinds of toothpaste, four kinds of shampoo and conditioner, two kinds of facial cleanser, and three kinds of bath soap. Hearing Angus coming up the steps, she crossed her room and stood in her doorway.

  “You’re very kind,” she said.

  “I just grabbed a little of this, a little of that. You know, in case you stopped by,” he said. “Um, I didn’t get you any underwear. I didn’t know what size, and even if I did… well, I thought that might be a bit creepy. You can wash your clothes tomorrow, if you’d like.”

  “Thank you. You know how to make a girl feel at home,” she said.

  Angus looked up at her with his sky-blue eyes. “Well, now that you mention it, given your current situation and all, if you ever find yourself in need of a place to call home… well… you’ve got a place here. It’s a standing offer; you don’t need to ask. Just come for a visit and don’t leave.”

  Jazeen stepped forward, got down on her knees, and hugged Angus.

  “Thank you,” she said, struggling to get the words out past the lump in her throat.

  “You’re always welcome, no questions asked,” he said as he patted her back. “Good night, Jaz.”