Atlas Lost

by Alaska Angelini

  Cara O’Neil. Although I didn’t have an address, I tried opening myself up as much as I could for some sort of pull to her identity. I thought it had been impossible, but I got lucky. The frequency might have been faint an hour ago, but the closer I got, the stronger it became. As did her thoughts. As I drove, they trickled in.

  “No.” Silence. “No.” Silence. “How horrible.” Silence. “People seriously don’t watch this stuff.” Silence. “Now, that looks good. Chocolate.”

  The last was enunciated, and I couldn’t help but smile. But it didn’t last as her worry began to influence my own. Who was this woman, and what about her interested Ri? Was that even the case? Or was she somehow connecting to me? The entire situation was confusing. The faster I got to her, the quicker I could figure it out. Of course, maybe that was what Ri wanted—to trap me. He could have easily found me again.

  No. That wasn’t it. If the two of us were connected, he knew where I was. It was how he tracked me to earth in the first place. He could have killed me at any point. Since he hadn’t, it meant he hadn’t even tried. Our feud died with my family, like I knew it would have. It was the way of our world.

  Buildings grew in size as I slowed and put everything I had into the hum in my stomach. It veered me off the freeway, a good few miles from downtown. The streets were residential, turning into older homes the farther I drove. Block after block, I searched inside myself. Just as I was about to turn, I braked hard, staring at a small white house catty-corner from the stop sign. The lights appeared off, but I couldn’t stop the tuning fork within. It was going crazy at the nearness. And it was making me sick. But not from the vibrations. From her. I could barely force myself across the street to park. Getting out was even harder. Emotions, something I’d tried my best to close off, sucked me under a tidal wave of “self”—of who I was.

  Atlas, King of the Paltenians, would have never settled for mere conversation with a dying soul. He would have healed her. He would have given her life, even if it meant sacrificing his own. Not that it would come to that. Healing came easily enough. But the choice was unquestionable. As was the answer.

  Slowly, I walked up the cement path, pausing just outside the front door. The television was playing, and a woman was listing ingredients. Heat began to ball in my stomach. Like a candle, it stayed lit, never easing, only increasing with each breath.

  “I should make this. I need to try this before… Don’t. Don’t think about it. One more night of peace. Tomorrow, you’ll face this head on. You beat cancer before, and you’ll do it again. It’s that simple. And this time, you won’t be alone. You have Dean and Laurie. They’ll help. They’ll…lose me. God, I’m going to die. I can feel it. This is it for me. No family. No children. No future. No. No. No. Stop it, Cara. You’re not. You can’t. It’s not your time.

  No. It was not. I couldn’t allow that.

  Knocking, I took a step back, continuing to listen.

  “Who the hell? If that’s Dean—whoa. Who…is…that? Who is that?”

  Fear. It was edging in so thick, I could feel her terror melt into me.

  Knock. Knock. Knock.

  “Cara?”

  “It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real!”

  My eyes narrowed as I knocked harder.

  “Cara, my name is Atlas. I need to speak to you. Can you please open the door?” Nothing. “I know you’re in there. I’m here to help you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” God, he’s huge. How tall is this guy? Fuck. Fuck! What do I do? Do I call the police?”

  “No,” I rushed out. “Don’t call the police. I’m not here to hurt you.”

  “How did you? Go away.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t. You’re sick, yes?”

  The door cracked open, secured by a gold chain at the top. A light-colored eye peeked through, long, dark hair swaying as she squinted defensively. “How did you know that? Who told you?”

  “No one did. I mean, you did.”

  “When did I do that?”

  “Earlier. When you left the hospital.”

  Hesitation.

  “You were at the hospital? I don’t remember you. And trust me, I’d remember. You’re not…” she hesitated, “forgettable.”

  It was my turn to pause.

  “I’m sorry to show up so unexpected like this. Can you open the door? I think it would be easier to explain if I could see who I was talking to.”

  A soft laugh. “I’m not opening the door. I don’t know you. I have got to be hallucinating again. I’m probably talking to no one.”

  “Again? Please,” I said, stepping closer. “We have much to discuss. I can help you. And…” My voice lowered as I tested the connection between us. There was something about it. Hot. Heat. I identified her as human, yes. But something else. Something different. “Cara, I think you may need my help. Not just with the cancer. There’s more, isn’t there? Something that scares you? Something that would make you want to run? Like…this morning?”

  For moments, her wide eyes didn’t blink. The woman didn’t even think.

  “Are you real?”

  “As real as you.”

  Clinking was followed by the barrier giving way. What I saw, I had not been prepared for. Bright, blue eyes glistened with tears. They sat above a thin nose, leading down to perfect, full lips. Her entire face was sprinkled with freckles. The dark waves of her hair were thick, reaching down to a small waist. She quickly reached out, poking my chest. For five years, I hadn’t so much as noticed another female. My first look at this one, I knew I was in trouble. I was on fire. From guilt? Partly. It floored me. She was beautiful. And not just attractive. My heart leapt, and a weird flutter in my solar plexus followed. A light silhouetting her perfect form flickered before disappearing. Had that not happened, I might have stared at her for hours. Days.

  “Who are you? How do you know these things?”

  “May I please come in?”

  She quickly shook her head.

  “All right. It’s a little hard to explain. This morning, you screamed ‘run.’ Why?”

  “You heard me? How? You were in the forest too?”

  My lips pressed together as I fought for what to say.

  “In a way, you could say I was. What happened?”

  “That doesn’t make sense. The forest and the hospital? I’m not stupid.”

  “Please. I need to know.”

  Lips twisted. “I don’t know. I…I thought I saw something.”

  “Something, or someone?”

  “Both? Oh my god, I sound crazy. Listen, I’m sick. That’s no secret. What I saw was nothing more than some hallucination brought on by my illness.”

  “Perhaps. Or maybe you saw exactly what you think you did. I’m going to give you a description.”

  “And then what?”

  The laugh was nervous and genuine at the same time. Cara eased her hair over one side of her shoulder, gripping harder to the door with her other hand. If she knew of Ri, she was afraid of him. Even if she didn’t believe he existed.

  “Then, we go from there.”

  “This is ridiculous. Where’s there? Listen, Atlas, or whoever you are, thank you for the help, but you should probably leave. I don’t have time for guessing games. This is all so strange.”

  “Yellow eyes. Dark skin. Sharp claws.”

  The color drained from her cheeks. One minute, her lips were parting and she was stepping back, and the next, she was collapsing. Had I not been expecting a reaction, I might not had caught her before she hit the floor.

  “Shhh. Okay. Let’s just get you inside.” I easily cradled her, shutting the door behind us. She was so petite, smaller than she appeared, standing just a few inches taller than the interior of the home. Even then, she barely made it to my chest. Holding her, I was sure she’d break. She was soft…and fragile.

  Easing her to the sofa, I stayed crouched, studying her features and the freckles I wanted to trace. Had it been anyone other than
Ri, I could see why they’d chosen her. But this woman was human. And tiny. There was no way Ri, a king and leader, would pick a representative of the crown who didn’t at least appear able to put up a fight. The Ri weren’t like the Paltenians. For love, we could overlook such things. Not this particular reptilian race. Their very existence revolved around conquering.

  “Cara?”

  At her lack of response, I headed into the hallway. The bathroom was the first door to the left. I flipped on the light, grabbed a hand towel, and wet it. When I returned, she was mumbling incoherently. Gently, I patted her face, then moved the rest the towel over her forehead. Broken words began filtering through my mind, and with them…the warmth. It burned within, staying stationary in my center. My hand pressed to the area. The flame increased intensity until it became almost overwhelming. I couldn’t help moving my line of sight to the same area above her waist. The skin was slightly exposed, giving a hint of her curves.

  Swallowing hard, I brought my other hand to hover over the location. The connection was immediate. Hot, tingling spread over the center of my palm, zapping with enough strength to surprise me.

  “What is that?” I whispered. “Who are you?”

  Closer, I moved, until I couldn’t help but make contact against her skin. My fingers inched under the pale blue top, sliding and fitting over the side of her ribs. The moment my lids closed, pain flared over my cheek, stealing my concentration.

  “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I—”

  Again, she slapped me, then slid out from under my touch to scramble to the far end of the sofa.

  “I can explain.”

  “You can get the hell out of my house!”

  I ducked as a picture frame flew where my head had been.

  “You passed out. You were going to tell me about the yellow eyes.”

  “And you thought copping a feel would get me to speak?”

  “No.” I stood, rubbing the stinging in my cheek.

  Had I thought she was weak? She had more power than I had given her credit for. And spark.

  “What then?”

  I braced myself as she grabbed a small glass candle and held it behind her head to throw. Meeting her eyes, I knew nothing I was going to say was going to make her understand.

  “We have a connection. Here,” I said, pressing into my core. “When you were unconscious, I could feel it. There was heat.”

  “Oh, I bet there was. Out. We’re done.”

  “I can’t leave. I need to know about Ri.”

  “Who?”

  “Ri. But it’s more complicated than that. Ri isn’t just one. It is all.”

  “All?”

  “A species. Beings.”

  Laughter exploded from her mouth as she put the candle down and snatched the washcloth from where it had fallen on the sofa. “Now I know I’m hallucinating. Beings. A species!” Harder, she giggled, sighing in relief. “Oh, this is good. I’m going to remember this when I’m better, and I’m going to use this as motivation to never, and I mean never, miss my check-ups again.”

  “This isn’t a joke, Cara. The Ri are a war-faring species. They’re evil. Their leader, he…” I groaned in aggravation. “I think you’re in trouble. I think he might have his sights set on you. Why, I have no idea. You’re not what I would call queen material.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Cara shot to her feet, closing the distance that separated us.

  “Not queen material?” She poked hard into my chest. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “I meant no disrespect. It just—”

  “Just what? I’m not attractive enough?” Poke. “I’m not sexy or pretty enough?”

  Grabbing her wrist as she came back at me, my eyes narrowed. “Of course you are.”

  “Then what?”

  “Forget it. Tell me about Ri. Have you seen him?”

  “You’re insane—and leaving.”

  She jerked against my grasp, but I refused to let go.

  “Not until you tell me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell. Let go of me.”

  “You touched me first.”

  “Wrong, Mr. Cop-a-feel. You touched me.”

  “Woman,” I growled. “It was not like that. Listen. Ri will kill you. Do you hear me? He will peel off your flesh and sacrifice you to his God. Is that what you want?”

  The paleness was back as she twisted her lips and gave another tug.

  “You’re wrong. None of this is real. Come tomorrow, I’m checking myself into the hospital, and I’m getting rid of both of you. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You could be dead by then. I need to know what you’re hiding.”

  “Nothing. And everything.”

  Chapter 5

  Cara

  What in the hell was happening? As I stared at the giant tattooed man giving me the death glare, I couldn’t wrap my mind around how I was having such an amazing argument with myself. It almost seemed real. I really couldn’t break free of his hold. Given how dreamy the man was, I could see why my subconscious wouldn’t want to.

  “Let’s start over. I’m Atlas. You’re Cara. You saw something this morning. Or someone. It had yellow eyes. You got scared and felt the need to run. Wait. Why did you have to go to the hospital after that?”

  “You were there. You tell me.”

  “Creator, help me. Woman—”

  “Cara.”

  “Cara. I heard you, I didn’t see you. What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. I thought I saw something, so I got scared. I almost passed out and Dean suggested I go home. As we were headed back down the trail...” Prickling danced across my skin, and I used my free hand to rub down the arm he had trapped. “I felt something.”

  “Felt? So, you were afraid?”

  “Yes. I don’t know why. Before, when I said I saw something—it…never mind. All I know is I freaked out. I started yelling at Dean to run because I felt it was coming after us. Then, I passed out.”

  “But you saw yellow eyes? You’re sure they were yellow?”

  “It wasn’t real. And neither are you. I don’t even know why I’m explaining this to myself.”

  When he didn’t argue, I rolled my eyes. “As I was falling, I saw him. Dark skin, like—”

  “Scales?”

  “Yes!” I paused. “Of course you’d know that. Because I do.”

  “I’m real. Tell me more. Did he say anything to you?”

  “Not that time.”

  “That time?” Atlas’s breath caught. “How many times have you seen him?”

  “Twice. Will you let go? You’re hurting me.”

  “Fine. Just keep talking. Tell me everything.”

  I rotated my wrist as I collapsed to the sofa. “I was lying in bed, thinking. Meditating, I guess you could say. And he just appeared. He.” My hand pressed against my stomach where Atlas’s had been only moments before. “He did something to me.”

  “There? Where you’re holding?”

  At my nod, he crouched before me. What I could only assume was fear tightened his face.

  “Something in him forced its way into me. His heartbeat, the darkness—”

  “No more.”

  Atlas grasped my wrist, jerking me to my feet as he dragged me into the hallway.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “We’re leaving. You have to leave here. Where do you keep your clothes?”

  The light was flipped on in my room, but I didn’t stop thrashing to break free.

  “Let go! I’m not going anywhere. God, wake up, Cara!”

  Atlas shook me so hard, my teeth rattled. Large hands held my biceps, and brown eyes lightened until they almost appeared gold.

  “You are awake. Here, and here.” His finger pushed into my forehead, right over the pulsing. My body stiffened as flashes of another time, another place, stole me from my room. I was terrified and running. I could see a chi
ld in my mind. She was screaming and trying to break free like I was. Dark skin. Claws. Yellow eyes. Blood poured from the little girl’s face, and the snap of her neck reverberated down every crevice in my body. As fast as I had been pulled into the memory, I was pushed out. Horror filled Atlas’s face, and for the first time, I knew I wasn’t making this up. The raw pain in my heart was not my own. It was overwhelming. More than I had ever, or was ever, capable of feeling as a human. Human, yes. But not him. Or this Ri he was so angry at. Now, I knew the story behind why.

  “Was that your daughter?” I barely got the words out as my mind battled to run.

  “You had no right invading my privacy.”

  “I…I’m sorry. I d-didn’t mean to.”

  “It’s my fault for not protecting myself better. It’s done. Get some clothes. We have to leave.”

  My head slowly shook at his words. “I understand you’re upset, but I’m not leaving.”

  “You are.”

  “I’m not.”

  Atlas lunged toward me, but I managed to move just enough to put me closer to the door. I raced through the threshold, feeling a large arm swoop around me before I could get free.

  “Are you crazy? Let me go!”

  “I didn’t want to have to do this.”

  A scream left my throat. He was walking at a fast pace, eating the length of my hall with each large step. My fingers raked against paint, but it was no use. He was pinning me on the sofa, holding me down with one gigantic hand as he tore his shirt free to tie my arms behind my back.

  “Fight all you want. I’d rather you fight than be dead.”

  “What do you care? I don’t even know you.”

  “You don’t have to. You just have to trust me.”

  One second, I was being flipped over to face him again, the next, his breaths deepened to an abnormal depth. Light flickered amongst brown eyes, capturing me, entrancing me with a knowledge I couldn’t quite accept. Those eyes. I knew those eyes.

  Sweat beaded his face, and a foreign language chanted hypnotically as he began to rub against my temples. I wanted to fight. I wanted to scream. Nothing came but words of old—words of new.

  “Sleep.”