by Sara Page
“Who is it from?” I ask.
“Captain Drek Ros Karmada of the Siren.”
“Negative.”
Dammit Beast. Just let me go. Don’t try to come after me.
“Recorded message received from the Siren. Would you like to play the recording?”
I shouldn’t, it will only make things harder…
My heart overrides my brain. “Play the recording.”
The computer screen flickers and then Beast appears. He looks furious.
“Ameia, what are you doing?”
His eyes flash and I have to remind myself that it’s just a recording. That he’s not right now glaring murderously at me.
I can hear arguing in the background. Ravagers snapping at each other angrily.
“Open up communication. We’re coming for you at once,” he barks.
The computer screen goes dark.
“End of recording,” the computer announces. “Would you like to record a response?”
“Yes,” I answer. That’s actually a good idea.
If I can keep it together.
“Recording in three… two… one…” the computer announces.
Staring straight ahead, I will my face to show no emotion as I say, “I’m sorry, Beast. I love you. Please don’t try to stop me. Computer, end recording.”
“Recording complete.”
“Computer send recording.”
“Recording sent.”
A moment later the computer announces, “Recording received.”
I stare out the window, eyes straining. Off in the distance, I swear I can see that little gray dot growing.
Of course he’s pursuing. How could he not come for me?
Shit. What do I do? How do I keep Beast from intercepting me? I have no clue when the Devourer is going to open up a wormhole.
“Computer, engage boosters.”
“Engaging boosters is not advised. Do you wish to proceed?”
Dammit, I know it’s not advised but I don’t need to conserve fuel. I don’t plan on being trapped inside this escape pod for 23 days.
“Yes.”
The ship jerks and begins to accelerate before the computer finishes announcing, “Boosters engaged.”
I’m pushed forward in my seat as the speed increases. Once more I have to grab onto the safety harness and clench my teeth through the g-forces that hit me.
Eyes locked on the window, I watch the dot begin to shrink.
“Incoming transmission,” the computer announces. “Would you like to accept?”
“Negative,” I grit out.
Give up. Just give up, Beast, please.
A moment later the computer announces again, “Incoming transmission. Would you like to accept?”
“Negative!” I snap out. “Block all incoming transmissions from the Siren.”
“Incoming transmissions from the Siren are blocked,” the computer confirms.
The dot shrinks until it’s just a speck. I let the boosters keep burning long after I can no longer see it with my naked eye.
“Warning,” the computer announces. “Fuel reserves are low.”
I need to put as much distance between us as possible. If the Siren somehow intercepts me this will all be in vain…
“Warning,” the computer announces a few minutes later. “Fuel reserves are critical.”
“Disable boosters,” I grunt out. I feel like I’ve been pushed forward against my restraints for an eternity.
The ship begins to slow and the g-forces give way.
I slump in my seat. My body feels strange, like all of my bones have been readjusted. My chest is sore and I rub at it. I’ll probably have a huge bruise by tomorrow morning.
“System status,” I request.
“All systems are functional. Warning, fuel reserves are critical.”
“Destination.”
“Destination, Terrea. Estimated arrival, 22 cycles.”
Great, all that fuel I just burned through saved me one stinking day.
I stare out the window. Now that I’ve blocked communication with the Siren, everything is quiet. Too quiet.
The silence weighs heavily on me.
Chapter Twenty
Drifting in space, waiting for the wormhole to open that’s going to swallow me, there’s not much to do but wait and think.
Think about my family. Think about my life.
Staring out the window at the stars, I think of how things could have gone differently for me. If I knew then what I know now, would I have done things differently?
What would my life be like if I had never gone up in the ship with Vrillum on my birthday? How would things be different? Would I have had Esha and Ellany in another way? Or would they not exist at all?
Honestly, if I hadn’t made that mistake, if I would have remained at my party on my birthday, Vrillum probably would have ended up killing me…
There would be no Ameia. No Esha and Ellany. Warrick would still be in the pit, and Vis would still be damned.
I guess, in a way, Vrillum did me a big favor. If I’d never gone up, if I had not crashed, I wouldn’t have met Beast. I wouldn’t have met Striker.
And I wouldn’t be here, right now, alone, with a plan to save them. I wouldn’t be on my way to change things. To give them a better future.
To give them a choice.
I suppose if I could change things, I would have changed my fear of Beast. I wouldn’t have been afraid of the naked purple space demon watching me. I’d know he didn’t want to eat me, well… at least not in that way.
I wouldn’t have wasted all those days huddled inside my escape pod.
I almost want to cry remembering all the time that I’ve wasted. But no, no crying. No more crying for this princess.
I would have run to Beast with open arms. I would have thrown myself at him happily, knowing it was only the beginning of great and amazing things.
But then I would have never taken those first steps outside, conquering my fear. I would have never faced the things that frighten me.
I wouldn’t have had to change.
Change the way I think. Change what I believe. Change how I view the world around me.
I would have never pushed myself to love more than one man. And I would have never known that love can be infinite. That the only restraints on love are the ones we place on it.
I wouldn’t have the courage to be in this pod right now. I wouldn’t have the strength or resolve to save them…
I would be the same old scared and crying Ameia.
Knowing that… I guess I wouldn’t change a thing.
I just wish I had longer to say goodbye to them…
* * *
“Computer, begin recording.”
“Recording in three… two… one…”
I stare into the screen, my eyes as wide as my smile.
“Esha, Ellany…” I say and completely blank out.
I had so much to say, so much to tell them but now I can’t remember any of it. I’m just so overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by all of this.
How can I put into words what I feel about them? How do I tell them all the things I hoped to tell them during their lifetime?
How do I apologize for leaving?
I take a deep breath and try not to croak as I say, “I love you so much. And I know you may not understand why I left, why I’m doing what I’m about to do, but I want you to know if I had any other choice, I’d stay with you. That I’m doing this for you. Because I want… a better future for you.”
I pause, closing my eyes and taking in a deep breath.
I promised myself no more tears, but it’s so hard not to cry when your heart is breaking.
Slowly, I exhale and open my eyes. Smiling through the pain.
“You see, right now, our universe is a dark place. There are so many things going on that are hard to explain, but that darkness is growing stronger. And unless someone does something, the darkness will destroy everything.”
A tear slips from my eye and I angrily brush it away. “I think I know how to stop the darkness. I think I know… how to make things right. So I’m going to try.”
More and more tears escape my eyes, and I look up to gather my thoughts before looking back at the screen. “This is so hard… I just want you to know that I love you. I have always loved you. And your fathers, I love them too, they are amazing. Please tell them that. Every day.”
I can’t help but laugh as I’m crying. “You may find them difficult at times. Very difficult, but they mean well. And they love you so much. So much.”
I take another deep breath and close my eyes, struggling to keep my composure. “I just… I guess…”
I shake my head, frustrated that the words are so hard. That it’s so hard to explain what’s in my heart. This isn’t the message I wanted to send.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is goodbye…”
Huffing, I wipe at my eyes and lift my chin, gathering my composure. I don’t want the last image my daughters to have of me to be me breaking down.
I want them to take strength from this.
“Or more precisely, until we meet again. Because we will meet again, I know it. I feel it. Somewhere, out there, beyond the darkness is the light, and it’s calling to me.”
I kiss my fingers and then press it to the screen. “I’ll be waiting for you there… Until then...”
I pull my fingers back. “Computer, end recording.”
“Recording complete.”
“Computer, send a copy of the recording to Ambassador Halgary of the Transgalactic Alliance.”
“Recording sent.”
A moment later the computer announces, “Recording received.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Time is weird in space. Given that I’m not actually keeping track of it, I’m not sure how much time passes before the wormhole opens. It could have been minutes or it could have been hours.
Stuck inside my head, I’m not prepared for the sudden drop that happens or the intense feeling of falling.
If it’s one thing I hate, it’s the falling. I’ve had enough of this crap to last me a lifetime.
My own screams ring in my ears, echoing inside my head.
My chest expands and expands while my stomach feels like it’s trying to escape through my feet.
I fall
and fall,
it feels endless.
The darkness is swallowing me.
An intense wave of misery washes over my body. I squeeze my eyes shut and pray for the end.
So much black,
So much emptiness.
All I am is a scream of agony.
At this point I’m not worried about dying, I’m actually looking forward to it.
Anything to get this feeling to stop.
Anything to get some relief.
By the time the falling stops, I’m so sick I can’t move.
I slap against reality.
“Ameia.”
Something roars my name, bringing me back from the brink of madness.
I open my eyes and darkness surrounds me.
“Computer,” I croak out, straightening in my seat. “System status.”
Nothing answers me.
Sucking in another breath, I hold it, letting my lungs inflate a bit as I gather my wits.
I exhale and repeat. “Computer, system status.”
Once again the computer doesn’t answer me. It must be dead. Most likely the system is fried.
“Great,” I mutter as I work on unfastening my safety harness.
Unhooking the lap belt then the shoulder straps, I push myself up to my feet. Peering through the window, all I can make out is more darkness.
I’m either on Terrea or floating somewhere out in space. Most likely, though, I’m on Terrea.
Turning to the computer, I punch in some commands then give it a good hard kick when it doesn’t respond to me.
“Dammit,” I grunt.
I just want to know if it’s safe to open the door—if I’ll be able to breathe.
I guess there’s only one way to find out…
Taking a deep breath, I hold it, then hit the big red button to open the door. There’s a click and the door hisses but doesn’t move. It’s stuck. I have to muscle it open.
Cool air hits my face as the door swings up and out. Good, I’m not in space, obviously.
I take my first step outside, onto solid ground, then exhale the breath I’m holding.
I take another breath, relieved that I can breathe. Wherever I am, there’s oxygen.
The air is a bit stale and smells like sulfur with a hint of ozone for an after taste.
I’m definitely on the Other Side. I’ll never forget the smell of this place…
Squinting my eyes, I peer off into the distance, able to make out blurry shapes of the things surrounding me.
Is this Terrea? Where are all the lights?
I begin to walk towards the shapes with cold dread wrapping around my heart.
This can’t be Terrea, can it?
My eyes search through the darkness, trying to make sense of it. Off in the distance I can make out tall structures, but they’re completely dark. Are those the towers of my home or the towers of the black palace?
It’s too hard to tell.
My feet carry me forward. The blurry shapes ahead of me grow bigger and bigger. The ground begins to slant upwards.
Stopping for a moment, I rub at my eyes, frustrated that I’m not seeing things clearly. Perhaps I should have brought a light with me…
I turn back towards the escape pod but it’s been swallowed up by the dark. I guess it’s too late now.
With a sigh, I continue forward, climbing up the hill. When I reach the top I’m greeted by a drone overhead, flying in circles and beeping endlessly.
That’s odd.
Continuing on, the shapes off in the distance begin to sharpen, coming into focus. Up ahead, I can make out a dim light and a gate.
The gate to the palace?
My steps quicken. I can’t get there fast enough.
By the time I reach the gate, I’m nearly running. The palace is up ahead, jutting out of the darkness.
My heart swells with hope.
Now that I know where I am, I can get my bearings.
Everything sharpens, coming into crystal clear focus.
I rush forward, elated to be home, but where is everybody? As I reach the front of the palace, shadowy figures appear, standing guard. Two sets of red eyes beam angrily at me.
I dig in my heels, nearly falling over in my haste.
“Halt!” One of the Ravagers orders me. “Who goes there?”
Seriously? Am I not expected?
“Princess Ameia,” I pant out and hold up my hands, resisting the urge to take a step back.
I lift my chin defiantly instead.
These Ravagers are not my friends, I know that. If they’re on the Other Side then it means that they’re damned, and they’re full of hate.
But I’m not afraid.
I’m done being afraid.
“Ameia…” One of the Ravagers growls and then their red glow disappears, going out like a wink.
“Welcome home,” the Devourer’s voice grates against my ear. The doors to the palace swing open. “I hope you like what I’ve done with the place.”
Is he serious?
“Your decorating skills suck,” I mutter as I walk forward.
The two Ravagers grin lecherously at me as I walk past and I can’t get away from them fast enough. The way they’re looking at me is seriously giving me the creeps.
Inside the front hall, the way is illuminated by torches and their flickering blue-orange flames. I didn’t think it was possible to make it more medieval in this place. The technology in the palace has always been outdated, preserved by the historical society and their desire to remember the Old Earth ways… but using torches for light seems a little extreme.
Immediately, I turn and head down the private hallways. Is my father here? Or Sarcia?
Where are our guards? The servants? Where is everyone?
I pass several Ravagers along the way and they each stop to stare at me. Their red eyes darkening to black.
It’s so creepy.
At the end of the hall, standing in front of the doors that lead to my father’s private chamber, two Ravagers wait for me.
Their red eyes turn black as soon as they look upon me.
“Ameia,” one of them grins. “Looking for something?”
“Where is my father?” I demand.
“He’s not here…”
Not willing to take his word for it, I shoulder past them and push open the doors. The doors crash and bounce off the walls with a bang.
Stepping inside my father’s private chambers, the room is cold, dark and empty. From the looks of it, I don’t think anyone has been in here in days.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, losing my patience.
If they’re gone…
I shake that thought from my head as I turn to face the one still grinning.
“Come to me and see.”
All the torches in the hallways go out at once, throwing us into darkness.
I can’t help the little gasp of surprise that slips past my lips.
One lone torch ignites to my right and the Devourer’s voice echoes from somewhere down the dark hallway.
“Come to me…”
“Could you get anymore creepy?” I grouch as I head down the hallway to alleviate some of the panic that’s growing inside me.
The torches light up as I approach, illuminating the way, then extinguish as I pass. I glance behind me but all I can see is a thick impenetrable wall of black.
Without my own source of light, there’s no going back. I walk up to the lit torch, reaching for it and it goes out.
Shit.
Taking two steps back, the torch reignites. My only light.
Well, there goes that idea.
Feeling more and more of my control slipping away, with each step I take, with each torch that extinguishes, I’m filled with more and more dread.
Then I feel the pull, the tug of something trying to reel me in.
“Ameia, my sweet Ameia,” the Devourer croons. “I’ve waited so long for you…”
Without thought my footsteps quicken. I feel the need to hurry. I must get to the end.
