by Dane Bagley
Roloff picked up Caryell much earlier than Caryell had expected. His father had not said anything, but he could tell that something was different. His father was often quiet since his mother had disappeared, but the quietness was different as they walked home. When they got far enough away, Roloff began to speak with his son.
“I wish to speak with you about something that I don’t want for you to share with anyone just yet. I think that I know where mother is.” Caryell looked up at his father with a look of shock and surprise mingled with hope and concern. “I walked to a hill last night. I looked over the great city. I wanted to think and to pray. I saw a light in the sky. I’ve seen it before. I believe that Mother is in that light. I believe that she is alive.” Caryell looked concerned, but didn’t say anything; he wanted to hear more. “I’ve told you before, that I think that men drugged her and took her. We’ve traced the footprints to that rocky clearing, and every time the footprints disappear. We lose their tracks. But all around the rocky clearing, there is no sign of where they came from or where they have gone—nothing. The clearing is not that large, and they must have come from, and gone, somewhere. But all of the footprints originate and disappear from the clearing. There are some strange markings on the ground, like some type of vehicle, or vessel, was there.”
Caryell was listening as intently as he could. Something was pricking his heart as he listened, but he could not understand where his father was going just yet.
“I know that this will sound unbelievable, my son. Please listen. I believe that men have traveled here from another world, in some sort of a craft; that they have been here, for a little while—I saw the light in the sky before your mother disappeared—and that they landed their craft on that rocky clearing. They then came into the forest and shot the deer with a drug—perhaps to carry it away. Then Mother came out and they shot her with the drug too, and they carried her back to their craft. Then they left and are flying around our world. I believe that she is alive and on that craft. When I saw the light again last night, I knew that it wasn’t a shooting star. I knew that it was a vessel. I felt in my heart that she was there, and alive. Caryell, I have told no one else. It is a rather unbelievable story. I have no proof, other than what I have told you. But I believe that it is true.”
“Why would they come here? Why would they take Mother with them?”
“I cannot say.”
“Will they bring her back?”
“I know no more than what I have said. I want to travel with you to the city today. I want to visit with your uncles—your mother’s brothers. I need to talk with more men. They will want to know. I don’t know if I will be believed, but I must tell them.”
“Have you told Mr. Olefften?”
“No. You are the first to know. I am concerned about telling others in our town just now. Seryen is a true friend. I do think that he would believe me. But, depending on how others take this story, he may be at risk of losing the election if he were to endorse such a story. I am also worried about a story such as this causing great fear. The people here are good, but they could become irrational. They will need to know, when we have more information—but not just now.”
Caryell could feel his heart beating in his chest. He wanted, more than anything, to see his mother. He wanted her to be alive and well. He had not given up hope of this, but he was feeling discouraged. Now, he had a brighter glimmer of hope, but it was mingled with an extreme distaste. When one knows nothing, all one wants is to know something—anything. But now he knew something, and he too felt it to be true, but it brought more questions, and more anxiety. He almost felt more discouraged now. As his thoughts and feelings began to settle, his mind focused on the thought of travelers from other worlds coming here. He knew that there were people on countless worlds; he had been taught this his whole life. But it had never occurred to him that they would come here. They have their own world, he thought. Why would they care to come to ours? Why would they take Mother?
“Father, would these men treat Mother well?”
“That is my hope and prayer.”
A little rage began to swell in Caryell’s breast. The idea of these men coming and taking his mother was bad enough. But if they mistreated her…his fists clenched. If he had known what would have happen, and he had gotten there sooner, perhaps he could have taught these visitors a lesson.
“I know that this is disturbing, my son. I wish that I knew more. But God has given us this much. We must trust in Him, and not lose faith. It is very hard to know where she is, and not know how to reach her. I’m sure that she is doing what she can. She is an amazing woman. She may be able talk with them, to convince them to let her return home. Still, we must try to contact them. There must be a way to communicate with them.”
Caryell could hear deep concern in his father’s voice. He felt his father’s faith, too. He felt a little bit of peace, and the anger subsided. “We will see her again,” he said with assurance. “Father, I know that we will see her again.”
“I hope that we will soon. We must change and get ready. I want to set off for Uncle Piori’s soon. He is very well-connected, and I think that he will listen. I believe that we will find more help in the city than in Arkasia.”
As the father and son walked, the crisp morning air began to warm. Caryell’s mind continued to wander. His emotions wandered, too. In some ways he felt better than he had when he had arisen this morning, but in other ways he felt worse. The unknown seemed to offer better chances, than the reality that he now knew. Still, he had some answers, and he did have faith. He also felt his father’s faith, and he knew that his father was wise. Uncle Piori was smart, too. He would have ideas.
Soon they were on their way to the city. It would be a long journey. They arrived in the early evening. Aunt Kaytil was watering flowers in the front yard. Caryell broke away and began to run, while shouting, “Aunt Kaytil.” She turned, and though surprised, greeted Caryell warmly. Kaytil had never been much for affection, but she had hugged Caryell more over the past few weeks, then since he was a baby. She felt the need that this young man was experiencing—now without his mother’s warmth.
Kaytil looked up at Roloff and asked, “Is there any news?”
“Perhaps; may we come in and talk with you and Piori?”
“Yes, yes, please. You do look warm, Roloff. Come in and sit down, I’ll get Piori and get you both something to eat and drink.”
Roloff was exhausted in every way; physically, mentally, and emotionally. He was starving and sleep-deprived, as well. For his part, Caryell was just starving. Kaytil told Piori of their arrival, and let him know that she was getting them some food.
“Piori will be in soon,” Kaytil announced to her guests when she came back. “He is finishing a letter. Eat and rest; he will be in shortly.” She brought in some sandwiches and drinks. The Paladors scarfed it down, and rested. Soon Piori joined them.
“Don’t rise; I know that you are exhausted. Do you bring any news about Aspiria?”
“I’m afraid that what I have to say is extraordinary, and incredible. I have very little proof. But, I know it in my heart to be true. I have shared this with no one but Caryell.”
Piori joined his wife on the couch, and they both sat with their bodies at full attention. Piori loved Roloff. Roloff had taken care of his family, when it was Piori’s duty. Roloff commanded his deepest respect and admiration. Roloff related all to Piori and Kaytil that he had told to Caryell. He felt uncomfortable doing so, as he had so little proof. The tracks to and from the clearing, and the unusual light in the sky he had seen with his own eyes, were his evidences. Everything else was a deduction and an impression. He had been under so much stress and anxiety. Minds do play tricks on those who have gone through so much. Caryell was the first he told; and Caryell believed. But Piori was a very wise man and an adult. This story, however much he believed it, would be
hard for anyone to believe. He needed more proof.
Piori and Kaytil listened and then sat back on the couch. Piori looked at the ceiling for a while as Kaytil looked at him, and then back at the Paladors. Piori looked at Roloff and leaned his chin on his hand while his elbow rested on his lap.
“I’ve seen the tracks as you speak of them. We’ve searched all over the area, and there was no evidence of the tracks going anywhere other than in and out of the woods near your home. I did see the unusual tracks on the ground in the rocky area. This could explain all of this. When did you see this light, again?”
“I first saw it just a few days before her disappearance. We were overlooking the city on a hill. We both thought it to be a shooting star, though it was unusual. It was memorable because Aspiria and I were engaged on that hill, and we had seen a shooting star on the night of our engagement. Last night is when I saw it again. I was on that hill alone, and it was exactly the same as several weeks before. It was no shooting star. I felt her, Piori. I know that I am under stress and anxiety. But I felt her there. I know that this story is unbelievable, but I hope that you believe me.”
Piori sat back again. Kaytil continued to look at him. “If you have seen it twice, then others may have seen it too. We need to get more eye-witnesses. Was there any lighting near the hill?”
“Just the distant lights of the city.”
“I fear that the city lights have made it harder to see stars, shooting or otherwise. Though there are many people here, we may be less likely to notice such a phenomenon. If it has been seen on other occasions, it will give us confirmation. We may also track when it is likely to occur again. We need more information.”
“Do you believe me then, Piori?”
“I’m not sure that I want to believe that this is true, Roloff. I would be happier with other news of her whereabouts. For one, even if we confirm that this light is orbiting our world, it will be hard to prove its origin or that Aspiria is there. For another, if this is true, I am worried about us getting her back. If these men came here and have tried to keep themselves hidden, what can their motives be? What are they doing with my sister? It is very troubling to me, Roloff. I think that I would prefer other news. Still, if she is alive and, hopefully, well, then that is a great relief to me. I trust your feelings—your instincts, my friend. I do not think that this is the fantasy of a frantic mind. It is logical, and it accounts for all that we do know, notwithstanding its incredible nature. I can’t say that I want it to be true. But, I believe it is worth pursuing. I fear that you may be right.”
“Why would men from another world come here?” asked Kaytil. “We do not have anything here that they wouldn’t have on their own world. All of the worlds have enough; what could they possibly want here?” She was exceedingly troubled by this report. She loved Aspiria deeply, and had not for one moment thought that she was gone for good. She believed, with every part of her, that Aspiria would be fine and home soon. This report caused a dark cloud to come over her for the first time. It bothered her that Aspiria could be off of the world—orbiting above it. The idea of being taken was bad enough—but taken off the planet, by those from another world—she shuddered. Sometimes men did things to women that were unthinkable. She had heard of these occasions. Could these men be honest in heart, if they took her and tried to conceal themselves? They must be wicked men. A sick feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. Wicked men, traveling from their world to ours, and then taking a woman—a wife and a mother—this was devastating to her.
“They may contact us,” began Piori. “In the meantime, we must find a way to contact them. I’m concerned about sharing this entire story with too many people, before we have more information, and more proof. But, I think it wise to find out what is known about this light. You are a reliable witness, Roloff. I can get my colleagues in science and research to help with the discovery, and in understanding the orbit. Some work has been done in considering orbiting objects, though I know little. Still, we may be able to calculate when and where it will be, if we get more sightings. Kaytil, would you fetch my brothers? I think that they should be informed tonight. We all want to know anything that can be known.”
Chapter 31
