Fear and Aggression

by Dane Bagley

  ***

  Word of mouth communication spread like wildfire throughout the city. As Caryell traveled to his Uncle Priori’s home, he could feel the excitement around him in the people that he saw on the streets. He heard people speaking of the craft that would be seen, of the lights, the signal, and that visitors, from another world, were here. He heard it discussed that they had one of their own with them, and it made him shudder to hear his mother referred to so distantly; but he knew that it was not intended to offend. He did not disclose to strangers that this was his mother.

  In his young mind, he did not comprehend what exactly the significance would be of the night. He had been excited that he could see where his mother was tonight, and watch her move across the sky; but now he wondered if they would land and return her tonight? This had not been spoken, and so he kept this wish to himself. Still, he thought that something like this must be happening, for everyone was so excited. He did not see evidence of much concern, but his sample size of experience was rather limited. Still, what concerns were there were generally eclipsed by the excitement and wonderment that the people were feeling.

  Aunt Kaytil was the only one home when he arrived. She greeted him with a big smile, and proceeded to tell him the news that he was now already filled in with. Still, the news was worth a rehearing and he listened with excitement. She offered him a glass of citrusy fruit juice and ice. He took it to the swing outside and slowly swung back and forth, occasionally sipping the juice. He had received an emotional overload over the past twelve hours, or so. His mind raced incoherently from thoughts of his mother, to the excitement around town, to the memory of the young lady—he replayed her smile over and over again in his mind. He thought of the play, and the themes of love, and to Miigal and Jeriyal. He thought of fishing with his father, and exploring in the mountains. He remembered the deer that he had found the night that his mother disappeared, and he thought of the searches. He imagined what the craft would have been like, sitting on the rocky clearing. Is that where it would land again? He tried to image what it would be like to live inside something like that, away from the world; but it was too incomprehensible. Mother would tell him all about it.

  He found himself looking up at the blue sky, and watching formations in the cloud. It was an exceptionally comfortable day, with radiant heat from his sun warming him, and the crisp breeze cooling him. Aunt Kaytil’s garden was filled with brilliant colors, and he occasionally looked at some brilliant purple flowers in the distance; they were large, and attached to sturdy green stems coming up from the long, broad, and strong leaves that seemed to start from the roots and then curved upwards ending in dull points. Mother loved Kaytil’s garden, and she would have also stared at those flowers. He could image sitting next to his mother, here on the swing. He would have loved to tell her all about the theater. She would have listened, and smiled, and enjoyed his telling of the experience. Maybe he could do that, and perhaps not long from now. He wouldn’t have told her about the beautiful girl and the feelings in his heart; but he would have thought of the girl while sitting next to his mother, and her presence would have brought peace; at least he imagined so.

  He thought of his father, and how proud he was of him. He had figured out something that was now turning this city upside down, and he discovered something that even all of these smart scientists had not. His father was the most amazing man in the world and he could do anything. He was doing the impossible. He was getting his mother back. Caryell had lost her, but his father was not mad at him; instead, he was going to rectify this mistake, and return everything back to normal.

  Hours passed in this manner, and he was happy. He saw his father come out the door, and look in his direction.

  “Father,” he said getting off the swing and walking towards him. “It will not be long now, will it?”

  “My son, it will not be long at all. Everyone is meeting here. Aunt Kaytil has prepared a nice meal, and then we are meeting near the town center with Mayor Tinron, and many of the other dignitaries. We should have a great view.”

  “Will Mother return…tonight?”

  “I don’t know what will happen. I hope that she will return soon. We may just see the craft, and then try and signal it. It may not be any more than that tonight. But, no one really knows. I hope we see her soon.”