Don't Look Back (Warders of Earth)

by S. E. GILCHRIST

  Silence reigned.

  Head throbbing, my body pulsing in one slow throb of pain, I peered around Alex as Galloway strode across the small clearing, gun in hand. Shay shoved past a thickly leaved bush, squinting down the length of his sniper rifle as he held it steadily in the direction of the enemy.

  Galloway halted a few feet from me. His gaze fixed on the remaining soldiers, he barked, “Put your weapons down. Slowly.”

  One by one the men tossed their guns onto the ground.

  “Hands in the air.”

  They raised their hands.

  “Alex.”

  “Sir.” Gripping my elbow, Alex helped me up, making sure I wouldn't crumple to the ground, before he looked over at his father.

  “You need to go.” Beneath the dirt and sweat Galloway's face gleamed pale.

  “We’ve got this covered,” inserted Shay in his quiet voice. He kept his rifle trained on the soldiers.

  “Nic needs help...” I cried, knowing as soon as the words left my mouth I wouldn't be the one giving the help.

  Galloway glanced at me and shook his head. “We’ll look after him.”

  “Okay.” My gaze zipped to where Marnie sat on the ground beside her fallen father. Lifting her head, Marnie met my eyes then smiled.

  “Best friends forever,” she quipped.

  Even from where I stood, I could see how Marnie’s mouth trembled as she spoke. Her eyes glistened with tears and the stark knowledge; this was our last goodbye.

  I repeated, “Best friends forever.”

  Feeling as if my heart was being ripped apart, piece by tiny piece, I turned away, gripping Alex’s hand so hard my nails dug into his skin. But he didn’t complain. Instead he holstered his pistol, slung an arm around my shoulders and encouraged me to run.

  “I’m proud of you son,” shouted Galloway.

  Alex hissed in a sharp breath. I knew without looking, he was dealing with his own grief as with every step we took we increased the distance between ourselves and the ones we loved.

  And now had to leave behind.

  What about Mum? Dan? The others in the bunker?

  Dad and Shay will help them.

  We continued our mad dash. Gradually, the forest gave way to widely-spaced trees then we emerged onto the edge of a massive field.

  The light from the approaching meteorites was glaringly bright, defying the glow of the sun. How much time did we have left?

  Minutes?

  Seconds?

  “Come on. A little bit further.” Alex urged me onwards.

  Muscles burning, legs as weak as a new-born calf, I struggled to keep up. First in English and then in the alien language I'd read in my brother’s drawings and dreamt about, I started to chant: Follow the path of Elvirathon and you will be saved.

  “They’re coming!” said Alex.

  A shot rang out.

  He crumpled.

  His pain ripped through my body. Screaming Alex’s name, I fell to my knees. This mind meld shit sure had its downside.

  Clenching my jaw, I attempted to block the connection while I tugged at his shoulders. We couldn't stay here, we had to keep moving. I glanced wildly around, seeking help. But instead, my eyes followed the glint of metal.

  Standing beside her remaining loyal soldiers was Emma. One of the men had a sniper rifle aimed directly at us.

  “Emma! Please stop this, it doesn’t have to be this way!” I yelled, my heart jack-hammering like crazy.

  “Go.” Alex raised pain-glazed eyes. Blood soaked his shirt from where the bullet had entered his back, near his right shoulder-blade. “Leave me, Tara. Please.”

  Gently, I stroked a strand of damp, blonde hair from his face. “I’m never leaving you. Now, get on your feet, lover.”

  Placing my hands under his armpits, I pulled.

  Alex grunted but staggered upright, his weight leaning heavily on me. I widened my stance and took it.

  Took his agony from his wound deep inside, lessening his burden, opening our connection until nothing on this Earth could shatter it. I shared my hope, my faith in him, giving him my strength to carry on. “Keep walking.”

  Entwined together, we staggered drunkenly forward.

  One step.

  Then two.

  Three.

  A bullet whistled past my cheek.

  I flinched.

  I feel their link, flashed Alex. They’re here.

  About time.

  Something icy and alien slithered into my mind and I shuddered.

  I could feel it, rummaging about like a possum in a garbage bin, stealing my thoughts, my emotions, pondering over my memories.

  Right. You want to know about us, then know this. I poured all my anger, resentment, my disgust at their dirty tactics and horrific competition into the link. I let them experience my love and anguish over my family’s fate, the faces of friends and the people of my town and my horror over the destruction of the beautiful land I loved so much.

  Would it be enough?

  “Tara! Don't move! Don’t make me shoot you!” screeched Emma, her voice now a faint cry that echoed over the empty landscape.

  You know what, Alex?

  What? His response was weak. My heart did a nose dive as the paleness of his features registered, the life dulling in his eyes.

  I flashed, Now would be a good time for these aliens to finish their stupid, senseless game.

  The ground rumbled beneath my feet.

  A thunderous roar filled my ears making it hard to think.

  Wrenching my gaze from Alex, I looked up just as a massive metallic-grey, space ship like nothing I could ever imagine, cut through the thin clouds.

  Terror eroded my shaky courage. My eyes tracked to Alex.

  He smiled.

  His image wavered, like a bad transmission.

  A zillion electrical sparks pricked my body.

  The earth fell away from under my feet.

  Blue sky flashed past.

  A bright white light blinded me and I felt myself splinter into millions of particles. Deep inside, I screamed from the pain crashing through my body.

  Was this death?

  Three seconds later, the agony receded and I fell into darkness. When I opened my eyes I found myself staring out from inside a transparent tube. Standing beside me, was Alex, whole and hot, if still covered in dried blood. With a wide grin on his face, he said, “We made it.”

  “Alex! Are you okay? You’ve stopped bleeding? What happened? Where are we?”

  “They fixed me, pulled out the bullet and repaired my body. We’re on board their ship.”

  I burst into tears. Alex pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight.

  After snivelling into his shirt for a few minutes, I leaned back and studied him. “How long have we been here?”

  He shrugged. “No idea, but I think several hours. There’s no way of checking the time, my phone has been shut down. Part of their security precautions, I should imagine.”

  “OMG! Mum! Dan! Shit, we have to stop them bombarding Earth.” Wrenching out of his hold, I pounded on the tube with my fists. “Let us out of here!”

  “That is not going to work.”

  When I looked at him, he spread his hands wide and said, “I tried.”

  “Damnit. Where do you think they are? What’s taking them so long? I would have thought they’d be in here wanting to question us.”

  “They’re watching us.” Alex jerked his chin toward the corner of the room where an orb rather like a massive eyeball protruded from the end of a flexible-looking cable.

  I crooked my forefinger hoping the aliens would understand and finally front us. Slowly, I examined the rest of the room. Oyster-coloured, on three walls of the room, multi-coloured equations and data scrolled down in a continuous stream of information.

  Data that I could read.

  I caught my brief, fascinated and leaned closer to Alex. “It’s a history of their world.”

  The lights dimmed.
/>   Alex squeezed my hand. I’ll never leave you.

  Across the room, a door slid open.

  And my smile faded.

  Five aliens glided in as eerily as ghosts. With their soft grey complexions and billowing cream robes that fell to their bare feet, they could have passed as spirits from some horror movie. They all stood a good thirty centimetres above Alex and were so thin, they looked like stretched rubber bands. I was relieved to see they were humanoid and not some hideous creatures with tentacles. Their eyes were big, dark ovals and unblinking as they examined me.

  Welcome, Tara Ferguson, intoned a disembodied voice inside my head. You have been judged worthy to be an ally of the Elvirathon race. We are impressed by the strength of your concern for others.

  I tried a mind connection thing with the aliens and shuddered when I felt their cold presence, Good, than does that mean you’ve decided we’re worthy to live?

  Not all are worthy.

  True but when people are scared they sometimes do stupid things. That doesn’t make them bad. Please stop the destruction on my planet.

  We have ceased our attack while we discuss the next tactic.

  One of them stepped forward and clasped his hands in front of him. Inclining his head, he said, We have watched you for some time.

  I tried not to feel creeped out and nodded.

  When the lead guy glanced back at his buddies, Alex tightened his grip on my hand. Something’s wrong.

  Had they lied to us? Did they even now, continue to destroy my home? “You promised.” The words shot from me like bullets.

  They stared back impassively.

  “They’re not capable of communicating like us, Tara. Only telepathically,” Alex advised.

  “Right.” I drew a breath and concentrated. Will you leave Earth alone?

  We, the elder council of the Elvirathon race have discussed this matter in depth. It is our opinion your race shows several traits which are interesting and are worthy of further study. It is possible, your people may reach a level of worthiness we judge similar to ours.

  So, it’s a ceasefire?

  Alas, the attack has not stopped. The Skeetishas have decided the competition is far from over.

  You said we’d be saved. My body shook with a combination of fury at this betrayal and fear for those I’d left behind.

  This is true. However, the choice is not ours.

  That’s bullshit! What you’re doing is bullshit! What gives you the right to kill people and animals for some stupid game?

  The leader held up his hand and I shut my mouth.

  Ranting and raving was not going to get me anywhere. I needed to think, negotiate, search for a weakness in their so-called logic. Tell me about this competition?

  The leader lifted his hand.

  Light streamed from the ceiling to a single point about midway toward the floor. The particles formed into a 3D image of a solar system.

  Both the Elvirathons and the Skeetishas are ancient races. Many cycles ago, we ascended to such a logical lifeform that physical pleasure and emotions devolved until they were mere whispers in our past. All that was left, was supremacy. The war began. When we realised we could not destroy each other, we decided there was only one way to prove which of us held supremacy over the other. The challenge of conquering other planets. Since that time, the competition has changed.

  You send out scout ships, make contact and sit back to watch what happens. Is that it? I raised my eyebrows.

  Only the worthy can live.

  I bit down on the hot denial springing to my lips. Turning to Alex, I whispered, “We’re their entertainment.”

  The way he clenched his jaw, told me he agreed.

  I flashed, This isn’t about resources or a new planet to live on, is it?

  Negative. It is about winning.

  You must really hate each other. I shook my head. What can we do to change the other aliens’ minds?

  We do not believe this to be possible. The leader made a slashing motion with his hand and the image disappeared.

  I looked at Alex. In his gaze I read a steadfast determination and trust; trust in me. I had no idea whether what I intended to propose would work or how to go about it, but I had to try. If I didn’t, the outcome was too horrible to contemplate. Can they be stopped? What if you form an alliance with us, with Earth?

  The leader stepped back and the five formed a tight huddle. They conferred with each other for several minutes before breaking apart. The group as a whole walked forward to stand before the tank which contained Alex and I.

  Realising my nails were digging into Alex’s palm, I relaxed my grip. Heart thudding, my gut shuddering in sickening spasms I waited for the verdict.

  The leader flashed, This sounds like a worthy challenge. We agree. But be warned, Tara Ferguson. It will not be easy. The Skeetishas have proposed a different set of rules. The winner will take all.

  ~The End~

  Thankyou for reading Don’t Look Back – the first book in my apocalyptic, science fiction New Adult series, Warders of Earth. I hope you enjoyed it.

  Look out for Book 2 – Marnie’s War coming in late 2015.

  COMING2015

  The Mars Academy Series

  Bargain with the Enemy

  Touring the Stars

  Bindarra Creek Makeover

  Books written by S. E. Gilchrist:

  Legends of the Seven Galaxies series: Legend Beyond the Stars

  The Portal

  Awakening the Warriors

  Star Pirate’s Justice

  When Stars Collide

  The Mars Academy series: Stranded

  Apocalyptic: Paying the Forfeit

  Storm of Fire

  Bound Series: Bound by Love

  Bound by Lies

  Contemporary: Dance in the Outback

  Cowboy under the Mistletoe

  Coming: March 2015

  Cosmic Fire

  Episode 2 in The Mars Academy series.

  The Mission: Find and claim a new earth.

  Morgan is too unreliable. Thirty five weeks Dana has known him, not that she’s counting. Already he’s gotten her into more hot water than she’s ever been in her life. She doesn’t need his kind of trouble.

  She knows what she wants; captain bars on her shoulders; her own command and no hot-shot firey is going to get in her way.

  But everything changes, when a saboteur attempts to murder them both.

  Now she wants justice.

  BIO

  S.E. Gilchrist can't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hand. Now she dreams up stories where her favourite words are…'what if' and 'where'? SE lives in the Hunter Valley, Australia with her family and is the author of over eleven books. Her stories are set in the exciting worlds of science fiction, ancient worlds, apocalyptic settings and contemporary small towns. SE takes a keen interest in the environment and animal welfare and loves bushwalking and Zumba.

  SE is published by Escape Publishing and Momentum Books and is an indie author.

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  Reviews can help readers find books and increase a writer’s visibility. I am grateful for all honest reviews. Thank you to any who have the time to let others know what you’ve read and what you thought of the book.

  If you’d like to know more about me, my books or to connect online, please visit the following links:

  Website | Amazon Author Page | Facebook

  My twitter handle is: @segilchrist1

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  DON’T LOOK BACK

  Copyright © 2015 S. E. Gilchrist

  All Rights Reserved

  Suzanne Hamilton

  ISBN: 978-0-9925266-2-7

  Cover Design by: Damonza

  Editor: Cathleen Ross

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading thi
s book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Without limiting the rights under copyright above no part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organisations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

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  Acknowledgements

  I would never have realised my dreams of being a writer without the motivation and support of my family, friends and the wonderful writing community, Romance Writers of Australia. Special thanks to my face-to-face writing group, Hunter Romance Writers.

  You ladies rock.

  Prelude to Marnie’s War © S. E. GILCHRIST 2015

  MARNIE

  Pulling a man-sized, cotton handkerchief from her jeans pocket, Marnie mopped her wet cheeks then balled the sodden mass in her hand.

  “I miss her already.” She sniffed.

  “Times are tough and so are you, piccolina di papà.” Nic sent her a sideways wink.

  Marnie sighed. “I don't feel tough.”

  “You’ll see.”

  At the moment, I feel about as strong as this soggy hankie. Only the gut-wrenching dread eating away at her, forced her to keep going. Glumly, she slumped in her seat and stared out the windscreen. The cultivated fields both sides of the road gave way to lightly treed undulating pastures.

  They slowed as Nic negotiated a series of sharp corners and the road dipped into a slight valley. When the ute cleared the next crest, they entered a thickly forested area and the road lay in a straight line before them.