by Tara Ellis
“Do you have it?” Methu is asking me. Nodding, I carefully remove a vial from under my desert robes. It is the antivirus. I have hundreds more like it hidden in various locations.
The pyramids have just been completed and are nearly ready for operation. In spite of this, RA continues to infect more indigenous people to advance his army of slaves. He’s intent on building even more pyramids, therefore completing the mining process in record time. As the brutality of my own people worsened, I decided to take action against it. And I’m not alone.
We have been meeting secretly for months now, and have amassed a large human resistance, led by a handful of Nephilim. The revolt will commence tonight, and it begins with the distribution of the antivirus. We are standing on the brink of a precipice from which we can never turn back.
Movement from a far corner of the room draws my attention, and I look towards the man standing there silently. There is something about his clothing that is out of place. As I turn to study his attire more closely, he seems to recognize me. He appears to be a Nephume, with their characteristic features and striking blue eyes.
“Alex?” the man says hesitantly, looking alarmed. His voice stops me. He shouldn’t be here. Wait, where am I?
“Seth?” I say, and my voice is that of someone else. A young girl who is somehow also me.
Confusion shadows his face before he spins away from me and runs. The rough walls of the room fall away as he passes them, revealing a dark night sky. “Seth!” I yell again, running after him now. My mind is a mix of conflicting memories, but I know that I have to find out why he is here.
A hand grabs my arm from behind but I shake it off, continuing forward. Suddenly, the ground falls out from under me and I plunge into darkness. I’m stopped abruptly by shockingly cold water slamming against me. It sucks me under and then starts to drag me down.
Stunned, I flail in the void, unsure of where to go. As I start to choke, strong arms wrap around me and then pull me up, breaking through the surface only a few feet away. Coughing, sucking in the fresh air, I cling to Chris’s warm body. My own memories slowly resurface to replace those of a man who I can’t help but respect.
TWENTY NINE
“Are you back?” Chris asks me, studying my face with a look of uncertainty and fear. Thankfully, he’s a strong enough swimmer to keep us both afloat, but I know he can’t do it for too much longer.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m back.” I mumble, resting my forehead briefly against his chest before pushing far enough away to tread water. I’ve always had a fear of swimming in the dark, so I’m eager to get out.
We’re not far from the end of the dock and, as I swim towards it, I hear a whimpering from the side closest to me. Reaching for the ladder mounted there, I see Baxter peering over, watching anxiously. Mom and Lisa aren’t far behind him. I’m not looking forward to explaining this one.
The wound in my chest begins to throb as I try to pull myself up and I’m thankful for the help Mom offers. She and Lisa’s expressions change from irritation to worry as they realize we weren’t in the water on purpose.
Once on dry land, the air doesn’t feel quite so warm and I really wish I had a towel. I had forgotten just how cold Flathead Lake can be. It’s fed by glacier runoff so never warms up much.
“I had another blackout,” I mumble to our mothers as we walk back to the rest of our group. Chris waves everyone off as they all start asking me questions.
“How about we let Alex get some dry clothes on and then interrogate her?” His tone makes it more of a statement rather than a suggestion, and I smile at him as he throws me my backpack.
While no one has a towel, I do fortunately have one more change of clothes. Apparently Chris did too, because he is already changed into them when I come back out of the bathroom a few minutes later. Mom insists on putting a fresh bandage on my cut and I comply with her need to take care of me. It’s already looking much better and is starting to scab over.
While she carefully applies the gauze and tape, I share everything I can remember about my vision or whatever you want to call it. I wasn’t asleep this time so I can’t get away with believing they’re dreams anymore.
“Well. That answers a lot of questions, I guess,” Kyle says. The sky to the east is beginning to glow with a faint pre-dawn light and it’s enough for me to distinguish that Kyle is being serious. I suppose he is right, but my first reaction was that it created even more.
“How could Seth be there?” Missy wants to know. “If you have these memories because of the DNA in the virus, then why would he be in it? He isn’t a Shiner.”
“I’m not sure Missy, I don’t really understand any of it. Nator recognized him as a Nephume, so maybe Seth is somehow related to them and that’s how we’re sharing a memory? But that would mean the viral DNA came from Nator? It doesn’t make any sense!” Frustrated, I stand and throw my backpack on, interrupting Mom’s meticulous taping.
The first rays of sunlight break over the crest of the Rockies, signaling the start of a new day. I’m eager to set out before any of the sleeping campers wake up and want to find out who we are. I also want to end this conversation, because it’s giving me another headache.
“Let’s go,” I whisper, already walking away.
Chris hurries to catch up to me and I instantly regret my attitude. “I’m sorry,” I apologize. “It’s just that anyone else’s guess is as good as mine and this all terrifies me. I’m afraid I’m losing my mind, Chris.”
“I’ve considered several different possibilities, but you losing your mind wasn’t one of them. Slowly turning into a nine-foot alien man, yes. But, not going crazy.”
Laughing, I elbow him in the side harder than I mean to and he grabs on to me to keep from falling. “Remind me to never tick you off,” he says, rubbing at his ribs.
I check behind us to make sure everyone is there and I’m relieved to see all eight shadows working their way around the gate. One becomes misshapen as Missy jumps onto Kyle’s back, finally getting her ride.
Baxter trots up to us and keeps pace next to me, occasionally glancing up as if to make sure I’m still okay. I pet his big head reassuringly and promise to find him a giant dog bone. He chuffs at this, making me snicker. “Okay, okay I totally meant to say a steak.”
Chris quietly watches the exchange, shaking his head. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, Alex, what exactly is going on with you and Baxter? What was in that file you found at the professor’s?”
I check with Baxter by making eye contact with him and raising my eyebrows. When he doesn’t protest in any obvious way, I remove my backpack and pull out the file. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to talk to you about it,” I tell him, handing over the folder.
In the growing morning light, he studies the information as he walks, squinting at the small print. I realize he’ll be able to decipher more of the scientific terms than I could so figure it’s best to just let him read it.
“Well,” he says finally, giving the folder back to me. “I guess I’m not that surprised. I knew that something was up. Just how smart is he?”
Shrugging, I direct the question to Baxter. “How intelligent are you, bud?” I don’t really expect him to answer, of course, but I think it only fair to ask. In response, he stops in front of us, causing us to sidestep in order to miss him. Sitting up on his haunches, he tilts his head, regarding us. He very slowly looks first at me and then at Chris before covering his mouth with his paws, then runs off back towards Jake.
“Humph,” Chris says, watching him gallop in circles around first Jacob and then Natalie. “What do you think that meant?”
“That it was a stupid question, because he obviously can’t talk.” I start walking again, wondering if there might be a way I could figure out how to communicate with him. He was organizing blocks with his nose in some of the pictures. Maybe if I got one of those alphabet sets I could teach him how to spell.
“Why haven’t you told anyone else about it yet?�
� Chris wants to know. It’s a fair question and I think about how to phrase my reply.
“I guess I was waiting until I could try and figure out what Baxter wants to do. He’s kept it from us for a long time, and continues to, even after I found out about it. Maybe he’s afraid it’ll change the way people treat him or something.” Shrugging, I look at Chris, hoping that he understands.
“I don’t think he needs to worry about any of us. We all love him and it won’t make a difference, but I can see your point. I won’t say anything for now unless I have to.”
Kyle runs up to us, Missy hanging on tightly to his back. “Let’s go, peeps!” he calls out, and hurries past. Nate flies by next with a giggling Natalie choking him, still not figuring out where to hold on. He struggles to catch up to Kyle but is slowing in spite of his lighter passenger.
“My shoulders, Nat, hold on to my shoulders!” he directs, trying to pry her fingers from his throat.
The daylight is obviously having the desired effect we so desperately needed. Everything always seems better in the light. I know that this boost of energy and enthusiasm will only last for so long, before the lack of sleep catches up.
“I need to get going,” I tell Chris, zipping my bag up and slipping my arms back through the straps. “I can be there in less than forty minutes.”
Grabbing my wrist, Chris stops me before I can take off. “What if the senator isn’t there, or he isn’t who the professor thought he was?” he asks me, suddenly concerned. “Maybe we should just go together and make sure it’s safe before announcing ourselves. I know you’re a lot quicker than me now, Alex, but I can still run a pretty fast mile.”
I hesitate, doing the math and realizing he’ll only slow me down by about half an hour. He makes a good argument. It won’t be helping anyone if I walk alone into an ambush.
After Chris and I briefly explain the change in plans to everyone, I get one of the pistols from Kyle before we set off at a brisk pace. I try not to look back as we go around the next bend but call for Baxter to join us. I need to keep him with me.
In less than an hour, the side road we’ve been watching for suddenly appears on our right. The entrance to the ranch should be right up here, if the map is correct. Chris puts a hand up to signal he needs another break. I try not to be too impatient, but this is the third time already and I’m not even winded. Baxter plops at my feet, panting hard and I realize I’m being selfish again.
Reaching for the side pocket on my backpack, I get the water bottle and pour some into my cupped hand for him. He eagerly laps it up and I drink the rest from the bottle, even though I’m not thirsty. The morning is warming up fast and it’s important to stay hydrated. Poor Chris is dripping with sweat and I wonder how hard he’s been pushing himself because of my relentless speed.
“Are you okay?” I ask, feeling really bad now. I should have been paying more attention.
Chugging more water, he then pours some on his head. “Oh, I’m fine!” he laughs, shaking it out of his hair. “Nothing like a good workout to get the blood flowing. This makes me miss football. You’d make a good coach, Alex.”
With the encouraging thought that I have a new career choice if the whole invasion thing doesn’t work out, I stand and inspect the road ahead of us. It’s lined with dense forest and gives way to gravel a few hundred feet away. There’s a ninety-degree turn to the left after that, so I can’t see beyond it. We don’t have any other choice but to simply follow it, although I would prefer to take a less direct approach, just in case.
The birds are singing and everything seems peaceful enough as we head down the street, but I can tell Chris is also on edge. When we reach the bend, I notice a small wooden sign partly covered by vegetation that says ‘Adel Ranch’ and an arrow to guide the way. I point it out to Chris and our steps get a little lighter. We’re almost there.
I always thought it would be cool to have a large property with a grand, rough-hewn log entrance. This is what the road ends at about fifty feet in front of us. The top is covered with ornate carvings of running horses, and a black wrought-iron fence spreads away on either side of it. There isn’t anything baring the way inside however, and so we move cautiously towards it.
As we come almost even with the gate, Baxter stops and begins to growl low in his throat. Chris and I both freeze, recognizing the warning immediately. As I reach for the gun at my waist, it becomes obvious that it’s the wrong move and I stop before pulling it out. Rising from the foliage around us are at least six men dressed in camouflage, armed with rifles. All of them are pointed at me.
THIRTY
“Stay, Baxter,” I say sharply, afraid he’s going to do something stupidly heroic. His body quivering, he slowly sits down next to me, the hackles on the back of his neck sticking straight up.
I figure Chris won’t react inappropriately. Sure enough, out of the corner of my eye, I see that he’s carefully moving next to me with his hands raised over his head. “Well, I guess that was a pretty stupid move,” he whispers.
“Shut up!” The man nearest us orders, racking his weapon for emphasis. Although they’re all wearing goggles, I’m certain their eyes are not glowing. They’re close enough to me that if they were Shiners, my head would be exploding with noise right now.
I’m hoping it’s bright enough out that my own eyes aren’t betraying me. Otherwise, they’re likely to shoot me first before asking any questions. Why didn’t I put my glasses on? I could kick myself. We got way too comfortable and this is the result. I can only pray that Nate realizes the potential danger and doesn’t make the same mistake. They’re still a good hour and a half behind us.
I hear the crackle of a radio as someone keys it up. Searching for the source, I find it’s coming from a handheld that one of the men is using off to the side. I can’t quite make out what he’s saying, other than my name, ‘dog’ and ‘I don’t know, sir’.
“I’m here to see the senator,” I try to say with authority, as if I had an appointment or something.
“What part of shut up do you not understand, sweetheart?” I’m really beginning to dislike this guy. He still has the rifle at the ready and I hope he doesn’t have an itchy trigger finger.
I’m concentrating so hard on the barrel I’m staring down, that at first I don’t hear the hoof beats. By the time I do, the horse is barreling down the driveway straight for us. An older man, also in fatigues, is on his back. He’s a large, imposing figure who’s fit for his age and has a commanding air about him. He handles the horse with expertise and reins him in just a few feet away.
“Stand down!” he barks, dismounting at the same time. “I said stand down, Peter’s!” he growls even louder, grabbing the AR from the hands of the guy in front of me. I wince, sure that the weapon is going to go off. When it doesn’t, and no one else shoots me, I start to breathe again.
“Who the hell do you think this is?” he demands, turning on the cowering gunman while pointing a leathery hand in my direction. “How many sixteen-year-old girls do you think there are wandering around out here right now? I said to be cautious, not to attack her!”
I watch the exchange with curiosity, no longer fearful. So he’s expecting me. This is a good thing. “I’m Alex,” I say, stepping forward, just in case they forgot I was here.
The effect is immediate. The five remaining guards bring their rifles back to the ready while the one nearest me reels backwards, almost falling in his attempt to put space between us. Sighing, the grey-haired man studies me for a moment, apparently the only one who doesn’t think I’m about to bite him.
“You’ll have to forgive them,” he finally says. “Nerves are a bit thin these days. Allow me to introduce myself.” Reaching out a hand, he takes mine in a firm grasp. “I’m Senator Zane Adel. You are Alex Mubarak, and I assume you must be Chris Edward,” he concludes, turning to Chris.
“Yes, sir,” Chris confirms, also shaking his hand. “We’ve come quite a ways to get here. I hope it wasn’t a mistake.”
His dark eyebrows stand out in contrast to his graying hair as he raises them at Chris. Crossing his arms, he studies the younger man in apparent approval. “I have heard some good things about you, young man,” he finally says. “I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot. My men here are a fine group of trained soldiers, but given what they know, it only makes sense that they’re a bit wary. A trait that the two of you would do well to pick up.”
He reminds me of my Grandpa Mubarak: very authoritative and proper. Adel. The name may actually be Egyptian. There could be something more to my impression than just the mannerisms.
“We’re tired,” Chris admits, flushing slightly at the criticism. “And we’d just really like to be done with this.”
Turning back to me, the senator squints as he scrutinizes my face. “I would like nothing more than to invite you inside, but, unfortunately, there are some things we need to discuss first.”
Here we go. “Such as?” I ask, feigning ignorance. I’m not sure how much he knows, and I’m not about to make another mistake.
“Alex,” he says calmly, uncrossing his arms and reaching down to pet Baxter. “I assure you, nothing you say to me is going to come as a shock. I likely have many of the answers to your questions. We will get to all of that in due time, but first I need to learn where you’ve been for the past week-and-a-half.”
I try not to look at Chris for guidance. Instead, I stare at my feet and kick a clump of dirt. “It’s complicated.”
Chuckling, Zane removes a carrot from one of his many pockets and feeds it to the horse. It’s a beautiful creature the color of midnight and I’d love to ride him, even though he keeps snorting at me.
