“Belonging to a Harold Jenkins,” the voice crackled over their communication device. “Reported stolen at six o'clock this morning from Sapphire Bay, California.”
Good thing I'd kept walking. But there was one little problem. How was I going to get back?
Steal another car? As I weighed my ever-so limited options, I realized that I had no other choice.
“How did Paige get to her parent's house?” Anjol asked me.
“Most likely she drove…Ah ha! That’s it, Anjol.”
“I know, that is why I asked you the question to begin with.”
I doubled back around and waved at the mailman as I walked past him again, keeping my conversation to myself this time. Paige's car was parked out in front of her parent's home. Considering the fact that Paige wasn't even on this planet anymore, it was a safe bet that I could probably borrow her transport.
Anjol worked his magic once more, unlocking the automatic locks. Hers wasn't a keyless start, but Anjol helped me there, too. Walking me through the simple steps of hotwiring the car, Anjol helped me get her car started right up without a hitch.
Now for the fun part, I thought to myself with a smile, clasping my hands together as I fastened my seat belt.
“Baz. Be careful, please.”
“Of course, I'll be careful, Anjol. I have to make it to my ship alive if I want to save Paige. But we have to hurry, anyway.”
Anjol sighed. Yes, the computer chip in my headache sighed. I ignored it, however.
Paige's car was much easier to drive than the Tesla, mainly because there were fewer gadgets and buttons for me to press and play with. It also didn't go as fast, which was a problem only because I was in a hurry.
“Probably better that way,” Anjol reminded me. “At least this way you won't get stopped by the local authorities for speeding and draw attention to yourself.”
“Good point, Anjol. Good point.”
Chapter Two
I made it to Sapphire Bay in just over an hour, and I quickly rushed to check on my ship. Parking Paige's car behind her club, I got out and headed for the forest. I ran amongst the tress as quickly as I could, hoping that my ship would be space ready. Tarkonil never heard me coming – he sometimes gets so lost in his work that he is oblivious to anything going on around him. I burst through the door, startling my friend who was busy at work. He jumped and acted like he was getting beaten.
“What the hell?” he asked.
“They have Paige,” I said. “I need to get back to Optorio. Now.”
Tarkonil's eyes grew wide as he stared down at the part in his hand. “I need to rebuild part of the ship. It's going to take me at least another day or two, and that's working around the clock.”
“Shit,” I muttered, pacing the workshop and staring at my broken-down hunk of metal. Somehow, we needed to get this up and running, and fast. “Shit, shit, shit.”
“You certainly are enjoying the English language,” Anjol said.
I ignored him. He couldn't possibly understand how it felt. How helpless, useless, and frustrated I was. I paced the workshop, not knowing if I wanted to scream in frustration or cry. My fists were clenched up, and I was ready to punch anything that got in my way.
“I'll work day and night, Baz. We will get it up and going as quickly as possible. I promise,” he said. “He's only using her as bait, so you know she'll be safe until you get there.”
“I know,” I said, “but I hate her being there, so scared and alone, feeling like I failed her.”
“I understand,” Tarkonil said softly. “But listen, Baz. You know what your brother is going to do, right? You know this is a trick to get you back home so he can–”
“So he can execute me in front of a large audience and take the throne? Yes, I already know that,” I snapped.
“And you're still going back?”
I was silent for a moment, staring down at my useless, pathetic hands. “I have to. I love her.”
Tarkonil didn't say another word, he merely patted me on the back and returned to work. “I'll let you know when the ship's ready, hopefully by tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Tarkonil,” I said. “You've been a real friend.”
There was nothing else I could do now, except wait.
****
The Mahogany Tavern felt like a lonely place without Paige, even lonelier than last night. I was sure it was all in my head, but it literally felt like she was galaxies away from me – because she was – and there wasn't anything I could do about it. All I could do was sit there and wonder if she was okay, if Kapoc was treating her well, and if she was scared and alone.
“Baz,” Josie said, rushing up to me as soon as I walked into the bar, “have you spoken with Paige? I can't get in touch with her, and I'm worried.”
“She's okay,” I lied. “She's just wanting to be alone, that's all.”
I sidled up to the bar, hoping Josie wouldn't ask any more questions. The fewer people who knew about what was going on with Paige, the better. That way, there were less people at risk of getting hurt.
Josie followed me to the bar. “You know, I still owe you a drink,” she said. “What can I get for ya?”
“Lady's choice.”
I had no idea what I might like, and was starting to think perhaps alcohol wasn't for me. But I had to do something with my time, and sitting at the Mahogany Tavern without a drink would make me stand out.
Josie went behind the bar and mixed a few things together. I didn't pay attention to what they were, but she popped a drink in front of me. It was bright yellow and reminded me of urine.
“What is this?” I asked, almost afraid to try anything that was that brightly colored.
“Lemonade. With a twist, of course,” she beamed. “Go ahead and try it.”
Lemonade. A drink made with lemons, something I had yet to try while on Earth. So I did as I was told, taking a sip of the drink and found a sweet, yet sour flavor that actually had a very appealing taste to it. It was certainly much better than the drink I'd had last night.
“I like this,” I said, swirling the drink around in the glass with the straw. “Thank you, Josie.”
“You're welcome, Baz,” she said, her voice growing softer. She leaned on the bar, staring at me with wide, inquiring eyes. “So? How'd things go with Paige? Are you and her okay?”
She flinched a bit at the last word, as if she was almost afraid to ask. I guess me coming in here alone, looking depressed and mopey – combined with what she believed was Paige's continued radio silence – didn't give off the best impression. I needed to pretend to be happier, or else risk her asking more questions.
“Oh, things with Paige couldn't be better,” I said. “We had a long talk last night, and we are actually doing very well right now. Thank you for asking. And if I can confide something in you, I believe that I may even be in love with her. Is such a thing even possible?”
Josie looked surprised by my outpouring. Had I said too much? Did I sound suspicious? I took a long swig of the drink, followed by another.
But Josie just laughed. “Of course it's possible, Baz. Anything is possible when it comes to love.”
My head was swimming, and my heart was thundering. It felt wonderful to have someone validate what I was feeling and to tell me that I wasn't crazy. I did love Paige. I don't know if she loved me back, but I loved her.
Then, as quickly as my good mood came on, it all came crashing down as I was reminded that we couldn't be together, and that in order for her to live, I'd likely have to die by my brother's hand. Josie must have seen the change in my mood because she reached for my hand.
“Listen, I know Paige can be difficult. And maybe she doesn't know if she loves you yet, but give it time, Baz. You're good for her. I know it, and it won't be long before she sees it, too.”
Someone called her name from the other side of the bar, so she excused herself, leaving me alone. If only she knew the real reason for me being upset. It had little to do with Paig
e's feelings for me and more about the fact that we would never be able to be together.
But the more I drank, the better I felt. Josie refilled my drink before I even finished it completely, saying, “It's on the house.”
As I went to stand up, I felt my head spinning and I almost fell from my chair. Josie was there in a flash thought, thankfully, to help me to my feet.
“Whoa buddy, I think you've had a little too much to drink,” she said.
But even through all the dizziness, and yes, the vomiting that came afterward, I felt good. Suddenly, I realized why these humans were so obsessed with this concoction.
It was magic.
Chapter Three
It didn't seem so magical the next day though. After Josie called a cab for me, and I got back to the lodging establishment where I'd taken a room, I collapsed in bed, not even bothering to remove my biosuit. Oh, I'd cried a bit for Paige, for myself, and for this awful situation I was in. But then I'd fallen asleep, and had slept soundly until Anjol woke me up, making my head feel as if it might explode.
“Message from Tarkonil. The ship is ready.”
As soon as I heard those words, I jumped from the bed, feeling energized. I was still nauseous, but now I had a renewed sense of determination. My ears were ringing from the pain in my head, and I still felt dizzy, but I had to get ready. Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was well after noon. I'd slept until the afternoon. That was unprecedented for me.
I had to hurry as I needed to prepare for my trip – one that I knew I wasn't coming back from. I stumbled around the room, packing up my things, and making sure I was ready to leave with no intent of ever coming back. As I closed the hotel room door behind me, I felt a small twinge of sadness. I would be leaving Earth, likely never to return.
I didn't spend too much time being sentimental, though. I couldn't afford to. Paige was waiting for me, and I had to get back to her. I rushed back to where Anjol had the ship hidden and found Tarkonil putting the finishing touches on it.
“Looks like you should be good to go, Baz,” Tarkonil said, his voice sounding a little sadder than usual.
“Thank you,” I said. I ran a hand over the metal, feeling the slickness beneath my touch. Very soon, we'd be back in space, heading for my home planet.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tarkonil asked me.
“I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life,” I said.
Tarkonil didn't argue with me further, but I could tell he wanted to. Anjol had ceased trying to talk me out of it as well. My mind was made up. I was going back home, and I was going to face my brother, even if that meant I'd end up dead. At least Paige would be safe. Never before had I cared for someone else's well-being above my own, but Paige inspired that sort of feeling in me.
“Well, I'll see you off then,” Tarkonil said. “Let's get you prepared for takeoff.”
I nodded and put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Sounds like a plan.”
****
Our technology never ceased to amaze me, and it amazed me even more after spending time on Earth. Seeing how limited Earthlings were when it came to space travel made me feel privileged to be able to fly such a complex ship. I was off the planet and in the air within the hour, looking down upon the world I'd grown to love.
It was hard saying goodbye, but it was easier knowing that I would be returning Paige back to her home and back to where she belonged. It was the only planet she'd ever known in her life. I couldn't imagine how scared she had to be – being so far away, locked away on another planet, and held captive by my enemies.
Thankfully, the trip wouldn't take too long, not at the speeds I could reach with my ship.
It would only be a matter of time before I was back on Optorio, facing my brother for the first time since I'd left.
Chapter Four: Paige
“Is the human awake yet?”
“I don't believe so.”
“Tell me as soon as she wakes up.”
I heard their voices. They were talking about me, of course. But who were they? I knew they had to be the enemies Baz spoke to me about – the assassins sent to kill me to get to him. But why wasn't I dead yet? Everything that happened that evening was a blur. I'd blacked out and then woken up here, with no sign of Baz anywhere.
I pretended to sleep, afraid of what might happen to me once they knew I was awake. Were they going to kill me then? If so, why wait until I was awake? Not that I knew the enemy. They were unlike me – they weren't even human.
“Hey, girl,” a gruff voice called to me.
I ignored it, feigning to be passed out still. My bladder felt like it would burst, but there was no way I could let them know I was awake. Even as my stomach growled, I stayed still.
“You want somethin' to eat?”
Food. Yes. I wanted food alright, but that would mean I'd appear to be awake. I couldn't let them know–
A loud, crashing sound caused me to jump. It was right next to my head, and I couldn't help it. I screeched, sitting up and looking all around for the source of the noise.
I saw a tray sitting next to me on the floor. A tray with pellets on it. Yes, pellets – the kind one might feed a rabbit or guinea pig.
“Oh, so you are awake then,” the voice said.
I stared in disbelief at what was before me. While Baz appeared to be mostly human, this thing wasn't human-like at all. With a sickly, yellowish tint to his skin and grime coating on his body that seemed to ooze from his skin like sweat – I really didn't want to eat anything his hands had touched.
“Eat up. I'll let Kapoc know you're awake.”
The creature was short and robust, and he didn't appear to walk so much as slither. He turned and slithered out of the cell, closing the door behind him with a tentacle coming from the center of his back.
“Eat? What is it?” I asked, staring at the pellets.
“It's meat. Or rather, imitation meat. What, you think prisoners deserve the real stuff?” He sneered at me.
“Thank god it's not real meat then. I'd almost be afraid to see what kind of meat you'd serve up,” My mind went back to old Twilight Zone episodes, and I shuddered.
The creature didn't say another word, he just continued down the hall, leaving me alone in my cell. I picked up one of the round morsels and squished it between my fingers. It was gooey and felt like meat – only in a pill-shaped form. I popped one in my mouth and was surprised to find that it tasted like chicken.
What a cliché, I thought to myself. Of course it tastes like chicken. Everything tastes like chicken.
I ate another one before it occurred to me that maybe they'd try to poison me. But if they had, it was too late now. And besides, why would they kill me with poison when they'd had plenty of time to kill me while I was passed out? My mind was spinning out all kinds of crazy ideas and theories – a byproduct of being scared out of my mind, I was sure.
There were footsteps from down the hallway, and I had to wonder if this was Kapoc that the creature had mentioned. Is this the enemy that Baz had told me about? His brother?
As soon as Kapoc stepped in front of my cell, I knew it had to be.
Unlike the creature from before, Kapoc looked almost human. He had the same pale skin and dark hair as Baz. They looked so similar that they could almost pass for twins. Almost. Kapoc was shorter, less built than his brother, and his face was squinty - almost rat-like with a long, pointed nose and tiny eyes.
Baz had apparently gotten all the best genes.
“So you're Paige, the human my brother has fallen for,” Kapoc said. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm his brother, Ka–”
“I know who you are.” I said coldly.
I placed the tray and the pellets down, not wanting him to see me eating the food he'd provided for me. Call me stubborn, but I wasn't a willing participant in any of this.
“Where's Baz?” I asked.
“You don't remember? He was still on Earth last I che
cked, but we estimate he'll be arriving sometime within the next few hours. You know, to save the day and all that.” He waved his hand in the air, as if to mock his brother's deeds.
“And you intend to kill him?” I asked, pushing myself against the wall until I could stand.
“Why yes, I do, actually,” he said, looking surprised. “I guess Baz has filled you in on our little family feud.”
“He doesn't want the throne,” I said. “Just leave him alone.”
“Oh, I wish I could. But I can't. You see, as long as he's out there, alive and well and doing whatever it is he's doing, my throne will not be considered legitimate,” he said. “He will have a claim to it as long as he's alive, and that's just the way it works.”
“I don't need a history lesson,” I said. “Or a course on royal succession.”
“Well tell me then, what do you need?” he said, looking me up and down. “My, you're a fine morsel, aren't you? Now I see why Baz was so crazy about you.”
I spat in his face.
“Feisty, too. I like it. I just might have to keep you,” he said, wiping the spit from his face. “After I kill my brother, that is. Would you like to be the king's pet?”
“Rot in hell.”
“Hell? I do not know what that is, but judging by your tone, it's not a place I believe I'd enjoy,” he said with a shrug before walking away, leaving me alone in my cell once more.
Please, Baz. Don't do it. Don't come, I thought long and hard to myself.
I knew that if he didn't come, I'd be stuck there in that cell. At least until they decided to kill me. But the idea of him being murdered in order to save me literally killed me. I fell to the floor once more, my chest hurting. It felt like I couldn't breathe. The walls were closing in on me, and I was in the middle of a full-blown panic attack.
I didn't want to stay there. I wanted to go home. Tears welled in my eyes as I thought of my parents and how I would never see them again. But in order to be free, Baz would be walking into a trap. To imagine him being killed hurt just as much.
Either way, it was a lose-lose situation. I would end up losing someone – or many people – I cared about.
Chapter Five: Baz
Fawks (Dragons of Kratak Book 4) Page 25
