Annexation

by Marisa Chenery

  Annexation

  Marisa Chenery

  Published: 2016

  ISBN: 978-1-62210-398-0

  Published by Blue Swan Publishing. Copyright © 2016, Marisa Chenery.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Manufactured in the USA

  Email support@blueswanpublishing.com with questions, or inquiries about Blue Swan Publishing or Ten West Publishing.

  Blurb

  Kiri has had the same dream for four years since she was twelve. She travels to another planet, where she meets a boy who teaches her to fight. Always bruised come morning, she knows it’s no ordinary dream.

  After two years of no longer dreaming of Cax, she questions if she hadn’t made him up. Then spaceships appear all over the world, and the boy she once knew is among the alien invaders.

  Orphaned and alone, Kiri uses the skills Cax had given her against his own people, wishing to hurt them as they’d hurt her. The flames of rebellion are fanned ever higher, and Kiri has a role to play that could cost her everything.

  Chapter 1

  The dream always started the same. Kiri found herself floating in the vastness of space, just above Earth. Only seconds went by before she sped past the stars on a destination that no human had ever reached.

  In what felt like a blink of an eye, she arrived in a different galaxy, and an Earth-like planet loomed before her. Kiri was no stranger to it. She’d been visiting it in her dreams for the last four years. Her first encounter was when she was twelve, and since then, had dreamed this dream at least three times a week. Without fail.

  The planet’s surface rushed up to meet her. The first couple of times she’d held her hands up in front of her face as if to stop it from hitting her. Now, she knew what to expect. She didn’t even flinch.

  Her fast travel came to an abrupt stop once her feet touched the smooth surface of the floor in a large open-ceilinged room. The four thick, white-marbled walls that surrounded her had no entrance except for the way she’d come in. Ornately carved pillars stood at even intervals, seeming to keep the walls upright.

  She turned her gaze to the center of the room, and it landed on him. Kiri slowly walked toward the only other person there. As usual, she couldn’t stop herself from admiring him. He was two years older than her, and already stood at six feet. His body was thickly padded with muscle. He turned his head in her direction and shook his shoulder-length blond hair to his back. He looked human in every way. Only his eyes gave him away as being of an alien species. They were copper, and had the same glow to them that the bottom of a copper-lined pot had.

  Kiri came to a stop once she was a foot away from him. They silently looked at each other. His face held no expression, and his eyes conveyed no emotion. She’d found him impossible to read. For a teenager, he came across as someone much older, one who’d seen things no boy his age should have. She never asked, and he never volunteered any information. He was like a closed book. The only thing she knew about him was his name and age. Cax.

  In a sudden burst of movement, Cax launched himself at Kiri. His fist shot toward her, but she easily dodged it. She’d expected it. Meeting with him in this dream world was all about training in hand-to-hand combat. It never deviated from it. He wouldn’t allow it.

  The very first dream she’d had of him, he’d told her his name and that he’d summoned her for a purpose. She needed to learn to fight, to be a warrior, a protector. Then he’d proceeded to beat the crap out of her.

  Now with four years of karate classes in the real world and a black belt, Kiri no longer was a punching bag. She gave as good as she got. She blocked another of Cax’s punches before she kicked him away. He let out an animalistic growl and came at her again.

  They exchanged a flurry of punches and kicks. Cax didn’t hold anything back. Kiri felt the pain each time his fist connected with any part of her body as if it’d happened in the real world. She’d even have the bruises to show what she’d gone through once she was awake.

  After what seemed like an hour, Cax brought their training session to a stop. Kiri panted as she tried to catch her breath. Usually, he’d nod, tell her what she needed to work on, and send her home. This time, he stared at her intently.

  Once she couldn’t take the silence anymore, she asked, “What?”

  Cax stepped closer until he almost stood toe-to-toe to her. He ran his gaze over her face, as if he were memorizing it. He reached up and gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Kiri sucked in a breath. He’d never touched her like that before. The only contact they had was when they trained. The soft brush of his fingertips was something she’d longed for this past year. He’d come to mean more to her than a fighting partner. Not that she’d ever tell him that.

  He looked her in the eyes. “This is the last time we’ll meet like this.”

  She furrowed her eyebrows. “What? Why? You told me just last week that you didn’t think I was ready—for what, you’ve never told me.”

  “We’re leaving in the morning, Kiri. I’ll be in stasis for two of your planet’s years. I won’t be able to summon you then.” Cax gazed at her closely. “You have to continue your training on your own. Plus, you need to learn how to handle a weapon. Something that’s silent when used and is easily carried. Something that will take out your enemy without them seeing you.”

  Kiri frowned. “You mean, like a bow and arrow?”

  “Show me this weapon.”

  She pictured them, and how they were used. She didn’t know if it was because they were in her dream world or not, but Cax was able to see the things in her mind if she purposely tried to mentally send it to him.

  He nodded. “Yes. A bow and arrow. You must learn how to use this weapon. Start as soon as you can. The countdown has begun.”

  “What countdown? Why won’t you ever tell me why I need to become a warrior?” Cax shook his head, and Kiri bit back the urge to groan in frustration. “Fine. Whatever. Be that way.”

  “Just know that out of all the people on your planet, I’m only capable of making a connection with you and able to summon you. You’re special to me.”

  Before Kiri could ask what that meant, Cax bent his head and kissed her. Not a simple peck, but a full claiming of her lips. It lasted only seconds. She had to force herself to keep breathing as he pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.

  “Promise you won’t forget me,” he said in a near whisper.

  “I won’t.”

  “And keep training.”

  “I will.”

  Cax stepped back. He gave her a look that made Kiri’s heart beat faster. “I’ll miss you, Kiri.”

  She reached for him, but it was already too late. Kiri shot up out of the room and into deep space. She once more sped past the stars until she arrived at Earth. She came awake as she settled into her body.

  Kiri turned her head when she realized her alarm clock was beeping. She groaned as she reached over to shut it off. Her muscles ached as they always did after a training session with Cax. She did her best to ignore it and flipped back the covers before she climbed out of bed. She had to get ready for school.

  She took out some clothes from her dresser along with a pair of jeans from her closet. After Kiri pulled everything on, she stood in front of the mirror. She cursed under her breath. There was a bruise o
n her cheek where Cax’s fist had skimmed it. There were also a couple on the outside of each of her forearms from blocking more of his punches. If she really wanted to hide them, she’d have to wear a long-sleeved shirt instead of a short one, which would be ridiculous since it was mid-May in sunny El Centro, California. At this time of year, the temperature averaged around ninety-five degrees.

  Kiri dragged a brush through her hair before she went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. With that task completed, she headed downstairs to eat breakfast before the school bus arrived.

  Her mom was already in the kitchen. She took one look at Kiri and sighed. “Do we have to make an appointment for you to see Dr. Marshall?”

  She avoided looking at her mother. “No.”

  Kiri sat at the table before she filled the bowl set out for her with cereal. She poured some milk onto it before she started eating. Dr. Marshall was her shrink. Shortly after her dream meetings with Cax had begun, and she kept waking up with worse bruising than she had now, her parents had taken her to their family physician, thinking she had some strange illness. Once she’d been through a ton of tests and nothing had come up positive, it was deemed she was hurting herself in her sleep. That had led to weekly appointments with a psychiatrist. The only good thing to come out of them was having Dr. Marshall convince Kiri’s parents to let her pursue karate. She’d said the discipline in the sport would help Kiri.

  “Are you sure?” her mom asked. “You haven’t been to see her in a while.”

  “I’m positive. I’m getting better. She even said so herself.” Her shrink only thought that because Kiri was now able to defend herself better against Cax, and didn’t wake up looking as if someone had beat her with a baseball bat.

  “Okay. I won’t push. You know, if you ever need to talk about something, you can come to me.”

  “I know. There is one thing. I’d like to take archery lessons as well as my karate.”

  Her mom smiled and sat at the table across from Kiri. “I’ll talk it over with your father, but I can’t see him having any problem with it. Dr. Marshall said to let you join any sports you’re interested in. We can start pricing bows and arrows and find a place that has lessons.”

  “Can we do that today?”

  Her mother chuckled. “You’re in that much of a hurry to start?”

  “Yeah.” Kiri figured she had two years to become an expert at archery. Cax had thought it was important for her to learn, so she would.

  “Fine. When you’re at school, I’ll call your dad at work and do some research into it.” Her mom looked at the clock on the stove. “You’d better finish your cereal. The bus will be here soon.”

  Kiri quickly shoveled the last spoonful into her mouth before she stood and went to kiss her mom on the cheek. “You’re the best.”

  She hurried out of the kitchen. Kiri grabbed her backpack by the front door, then went outside to race to the bus stop down the street before the bus arrived.

  Chapter 2

  Two years later

  Kiri walked down one of the halls of Southwest High School, the home of the Eagles. She was finally in grade twelve, and couldn’t be happier that this would be her last year there, and graduation would be next month. She didn’t hate school, but she wouldn’t miss the social aspect of it. She’d never fit in, especially since she’d been going to classes with most of the same kids since kindergarten. The majority of the school body knew her as the girl who had mental problems. She’d been the butt of innumerable jokes and been whispered about so many times, she’d lost count.

  She’d spent her high school years basically as a loner, which suited her fine. Up until two years ago, that is. Kiri had had Cax before that. He’d come to mean something to her, then he’d suddenly been gone. She hadn’t forgotten him, as she’d promised him during their last training session, but she’d come to doubt if she hadn’t made him up. Almost like an invisible friend.

  Kiri reached her English class and went to step inside. She bumped into a girl who was coming out at the same time.

  “Watch where you’re going, headcase,” the girl said with a scowl.

  Kiri groaned to herself. Of course it had to be Meg O’Brien she walked into. Meg was one of the popular girls, with long, light blonde hair, blue eyes, and a pretty face. Compared to her, Kiri was plain in looks with her long brown hair and hazel eyes.

  Meg was the bane of Kiri’s high-school existence. Meg had been the one to tell everyone she knew about Kiri having to see a shrink and why. She and Meg had been friends once, before the dreams had started. Once her then-best-friend had found out about it all, Meg had turned on her.

  She ignored Meg and stepped back for the other girl to walk past her. Meg sauntered by as if she owned the place. As Kiri stepped into the classroom, she made it a point not to look at the other students. She never went for eye contact unless she had to.

  Kiri heard some snickers as she took the first seat in one of the rows. She didn’t pay much attention to them. The others could think whatever they wanted about her. She just didn’t care. All that mattered was that she knew she wasn’t a headcase.

  Mrs. Blazer, the English teacher, walked into the classroom. “Okay, everyone. Take a seat and settle down.”

  Once all the students were paying attention, Mrs. Blazer had them take out the homework they’d been assigned for the night before. They’d discuss the questions they were to have answered. Meg hurried into the room. She took a seat at one of the empty desks. The teacher gave her a reprimanding look before she spoke again.

  It was halfway through the class when the principal’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “Can I have your attention. Teachers, please have your students come to the gym in an orderly fashion. Immediately. This applies to all grades.”

  Mrs. Blazer clapped for silence as the students talked all at once. “That’s enough. You heard the principal. Since this wasn’t a scheduled assembly, and I have no idea what it’s about or how long it’ll take, I suggest you pack up your things to bring with you. Once you’re ready, you can line up in front of the door.”

  Kiri closed her English notebook and before she shoved it into her backpack that was on the floor next to her chair. She picked it up before she walked to the door where a couple of students already stood. This was the first time the entire school had been called to an assembly without it being planned. It had to be something important.

  Her class joined the groups of others outside in the hall as they filed toward the gym. There were quite a few conversations going on. A lot of the students guessed at what this could be all about. Some jokingly said the principal was going to cancel the rest of the school year and called an assembly to tell everyone the good news. Kiri rolled her eyes at that. There was no way that would happen.

  Once they arrived at the gym, Mrs. Blazer led them inside to one of the empty rows of bleachers that had been opened. It’d be tight, but the entire school body would fit on them. Kiri sat on the long wooden bench and looked to the middle of the gym floor where the principal, Mr. Walker, stood. There were three large LED TVs on wheeled carts with him, placed facing the three sections of the bleachers. Right now, they were turned off.

  It took some minutes for the rest of the classes to arrive and then get seated. There was a lot of raised voices and laughing, which made it hard to hear anything else. It took the principal calling for everyone to settle down over the gym’s speakers to have the silence he wanted.

  “Quiet down,” Mr. Walker said loudly. “I haven’t called you here for a school spirit rally.”

  Someone farther up on the bleachers yelled, “Go Eagles!” That earned a few laughs.

  Mr. Walker glared in the direction the shout had come from. “I have a serious matter to discuss and I need you all to act appropriately.” He looked from one end of the bleachers to the other. “I want you to direct your attention to the televisions. Once you’ve watched what I feel is necessary that you see
, I’ll speak to you further.”

  The principal turned on the TVs one by one. He plugged in a memory stick into each. He had two teachers start whatever was on the flash drives at the same time on two of the televisions as he hit play on the one in front of him. They stepped back.

  Kiri turned her gaze to the TV closest to her. The beginning of a news broadcast started. A female reporter’s voice filled the gym.

  “Approximately a half hour ago, what appears to be an alien spaceship was first spotted over San Diego.”

  The screens filled with the image of the ship. Considering how high it was, the thing was far from small. Kiri had to guess it was about the size of two football stadiums put together. It seemed to just hang in place, doing nothing.

  The reporter spoke again as the footage of the spaceship continued to play. “We’ve been notified that ships just like this one are seen above every major city all the over the world. As of yet, the president hasn’t made a statement, but we expect one soon. Anyone living in these cities are urged to stay in their homes and remain calm. It has not been determined if the ships are a threat. We’ll keep you posted on the situation.”

  The televisions went black as the recording ended. The principal and the teachers turned them off before Mr. Walker stepped closer to the bleachers. Of course the student body erupted into loud noise as everyone spoke at the same time. Kiri heard excitement in some of the voices and fear in others. She swayed more toward the latter, but didn’t feel out-and-out fear. She did have concern. San Diego was only a two-hour drive from El Centro. By air it was much less.

  Mr. Walker called for quiet over the speakers. “Silence please.” It took him two tries before the students stopped talking. “The news footage I showed was aired about an hour ago. Since this is a major world occurrence, and we have no idea what to expect, I’ve decided to cancel classes for the rest of the day. You will leave the school in an orderly fashion and then go to your homes. Those who take school buses, they’ll arrive shortly. Your parents have been notified.”