The One

by J. K. Accinni

  *

  Abby luxuriated in the sensation of the warm water on her toes as she flipped her leg out over the pool where she sat on her favorite rock in the bathing cave. The beauty of the sultry shadows, effervescent minerals, and colorful jewels made her wonder if Oolaha offered anything comparable. She imagined it would. The Kreyven originated there and had undoubtedly learned its craft there as well.

  She felt she was almost ready to say good bye to Earth with the knowledge that Chloe would be fine as soon as the baby was born.

  She knew her own life would take a positive turn once she removed herself from the temptation of Cobby. After the night Kenya’s baby had been born, her ache for him refused to abate. Only Scotty’s death had been able to push her constant dreams of him to the back burner. Poor, loyal Jose. He deserved better. But her deep feelings for him had worn off sometime after their first year in the Hive.

  She knew her duty came first. Their destiny together was on Oolaha, and anywhere Netty and the Womb chose to send them. As she stroked her wing, she admitted nothing could ever change that. They were an Elder couple forever.

  Sniffing herself in the steamy air, she grimaced. Hurriedly peeling off her clothes, she stood up on her rock, stretching her lush and strong body, shook out her magnificent wings, then pulled her long, straight hair back from her crystal horns and prepared to dive in.

  “Mind if I join you?”

  Abby jerked as if stung, her solitude shattered. “Sure, come on in, Karen. I was just going in myself.” With that, she dove off the rock, sending ripples across the placid water ending at Karen’s feet.

  The tall and lean Karen stood staring as Abby surfaced, making no move to join her. The silence stretched.

  “You coming in?” asked Abby.

  “You’re pretty good at flaunting that body of yours, aren’t you?”

  Abby blinked, caught off guard by the statement. “I was alone, Karen. It’s no big deal. If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll get dressed.” She swam to the water’s shore, rising like a goddess, and made her way back to the rocks where she’d left her clothes.

  Pulling on her pants, she arranged her hair to cover her breasts.

  “Don’t bother for me, your charms are wasted here.”

  In no mood for whatever bug Karen had up her butt, Abby ignored her and twisted her hair to wring out the water.

  Karen laughed, throwing back her head.

  “You look just like a whore standing up there.”

  Abby compressed her lips into a white line, her heart tripping faster. She sat to tie on her shoes.

  “I bet you wouldn’t run this fast if my husband were here, would you? You tramps are all the same. Has he fucked you yet?”

  Abby froze, all thoughts of her last evening in the bathing cave gone. She searched her mind, desperate for something to say, something safe. “You’re out of your mind. Cobby doesn’t deserve that.”

  Karen turned purple. “Now you’re going to tell me what my husband deserves? A tramp like you? You don’t fool anyone with those looks you throw at him. I knew you were trouble the day I set eyes on the two of you. But he picked me.” Spittle flew from her mouth as she shouted loud enough to wake the Kreyven wherever it rested.

  Abby watched a cunning gleam appear in Karen’s eyes.

  “You had no idea what you were up against. I’ve been through the ringer with whores like you and I decided never to give you a chance to get near him. Where did you do it? I said, where did he fuck you?”

  Abby knew this was a dangerous situation. Trying to slip past Karen, she felt her head jerk back.

  “Where do you think you’re going, bitch? I’m not finished with you.”

  “Let go of my hair, Karen.” She kept her voice low and relaxed.

  Karen dropped her hair and reached into her pants, pulling out an ugly black handgun. “Get on your knees, bitch.”

  “You have to be kidding me. Where did you get that?”

  Karen signaled with her gun. “I won’t ask again. On your knees.”

  Just to humor her, Abby sank to the ground.

  Karen laughed gaily. “I flew planes, remember, stupid? We’re always armed. Never can tell when a gun might come in handy. Hijackers, terrorists . . . whores that fuck your husband.” A satisfied smile stretched across Karen’s handsome face.

  “You didn’t think I’d notice his change in behavior? It must have been the night Kenya had her baby, right? That’s the only time he got out of my sight long enough to do it. He walked around like he was mad at the world after that. Is that what you do to them, Abby, drive them mad for you?” Karen’s voice shivered. “I’m going to make sure you stay away from my husband, you got it?”

  “What are you talking about, Karen? I’m leaving in the morning.”

  “Oh really? It never crossed your mind to stay here now that Chloe’s pregnant with your loving brother’s baby?”

  “No. I—no. Definitely not.”

  “Your answer fails to reassure me. So this is what I’m going to do. I’m going to stick like glue to Chloe tomorrow. I know I can’t do much to physically hurt you, but Chloe’s baby is another matter.”

  Abby blanched. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, yes I would. You threaten my family, my baby, my life.” Karen began to rage again.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Abby caught a glimpse of movement behind Karen’s back. It was Tobi, silent and strong, swaying with agitation as Karen’s rage got out of control.

  Closer she crept, her trunk held high until she was close enough to swat the distressed woman to the ground, knocking her out cold.

  Abby ran to Tobi, plastering herself around her front leg.

  “Oh, you big beauty. Tobi to the rescue.”

  The matriarch wrapped her trunk around Abby, soft rumbles coming from deep in her stomach. They turned to look at Karen, the gun still in her hand and waves lapping at her feet.

  “I’ll get that, girl.” Abby picked up the gun and held it over her head, throwing it as far into the water as she could reach. She looked down at Karen, her breathing normal.

  “She’ll come to in a while. Let’s get out of here, girl.” They turned and walked out of the bathing cave leaving Karen alone to recover on her own as the water began to lap further up her legs.

  *

  Abby and Tobi hurried down the corridors together, Abby’s hard-soled shoes echoing their clump in the forlorn halls, revealing the absence of happy laughter and raucous wildlife.

  When they came to the fork to Netty’s old kitchen, Abby stopped. Tobi slowed and turned, her trunk searching the air.

  “You go on, girl. I know you have places to go. Your herd is waiting somewhere.” She kissed Tobi and motioned her on. “I hope I see you again, Tobi, wherever life will bring us. I love you, girl.”

  Tobi snorted, her head waggling and ears flapping as she swiftly moved off down the corridor.

  Her emotions on edge, Abby walked slowly toward Netty’s kitchen, reluctant to view the location of so many fond memories, now picked over like a carcass that had been worked over by African vultures.

  She stood slumped at the entrance to the kitchen, sweeping her eyes from wall to wall. All furniture, fixtures, and decorations had been removed. Even the fireplace mocked her with its disfigured maw, now unrecognizable having been stripped of every brick and piece of mortar they could salvage to reassemble in Dezi’s new kitchen.

  She ran her hands lightly over the membrane that still clung to the walls, forever doing its job until the Womb gave last call.

  Standing in the center of the room, she shut her eyes, letting the flood of happy memories with her brother overtake her. She felt a lingering tear dampen her cheek.

  Scotty had lived more than a full life. And she would always have her memories of the sad, beaten-down, sickly child who had grown into a handsome, mature, loving man with the woman of his dreams at his side. Who are we to ask for more than that?

  “Abby?”

 
; Whirling around, she came face to face with the man who haunted her dreams. “Cobby.”

  His happy grin lit up his face. “What are you doing here?”

  She swept her hand around the room. “I thought I’d say goodbye. It’s just not the same anymore.”

  “Nothing’s the same any more. You . . .” Cobby stopped and bowed his head. “You’re leaving.”

  Abby felt her body tingle and her blood rush as she stepped close to lift his face.

  “I needed to see you, Cobby.” She had a flash of Karen, wild and crazy with a gun in her hand. No, I can’t tell him now. She deserved to have this goodbye. She needed to have it. Just once in her life, she was going to choose a precious moment for herself.

  She smiled softly, soaking up every detail of his familiar, dear face as her heart raced and her breath came in short gasps. She watched a shift in his eyes. Hope?

  “I need to say goodbye to your dear, handsome, wonderful face that I have loved for so, so long.”

  Cobby looked stunned. “Sweetheart . . . I.” His voice broke as he stepped forward to crush her in his arms, her lips devouring his with her passion as she threw caution over the cliff.

  He lifted her up and she wrapped her long legs around his waist, the strength of his urgency pressed against her pelvis.

  “Oh God, Abby, I don’t believe this.” His lips crashed down on her with a deep groan.

  Grinding into him, she shifted her weight to free her wings, pulling back to peer into his eyes. “Are you sure, Cobby?”

  His eyes full of joy, he nodded his head. “I have never had any doubts. Are you sure, Abby?”

  Before he could change his mind, she opened her wings to their full span. “This will protect us. I’ll take us to one of the sleeping caves.” Her wings enclosed them completely. But not before a tiny descendant of Gloria’s original mice heard the soft tremulous words of the beautiful Elder tell the handsome sea captain how much she had always loved him.

  Then they vanished.

  *

  Cobby nursed his doctored tea in Dezi’s kitchen, trying to pull himself out of his unexpected let-down after the Elders’ departure.

  Kane and Kenya had left their baby with him while they ran off to the Hive for a dip in the bathing cave. No one knew for sure if they would still have access to the Hive when the portal closed.

  It had been a difficult parting for everyone except Abby and Cobby. They alone had made their peace with the departure in the passion they had found in one other’s arms during the long night. They both felt safe pledging their love through bitter tears over the realities of their responsibilities toward others.

  It had been daylight when he returned to his dwelling; an early daylight, stark without the simple pleasure of songbirds. Returning from the Hive, he had encountered more animals, but hardly the profusion of the day before.

  Cobby scratched his itchy stubble. He had been unable to find the time to shave in the morning, startled to find Karen already up and out.

  Wondering how he would answer Karen’s questions, he changed and hurried to Dezi’s, where everyone was gathered to say goodbye.

  Hugs, handshakes and tears . . . No obligatory promises to visit. This was to be a one-way trip. The departing Elders expressed their surprise that Baby and Echo had still failed to return, but felt confident they would join them in the portal eventually.

  Abby and Cobby tried to keep it relaxed when they said goodbye in front of the crowd. She wore her infernal sunglasses, but her trembling shoulders when he hugged her told him her eyes were probably red and swollen. He sure as hell felt like crap himself.

  But he had what he needed as he watched her turn away and walk up the hill with Wil, Netty and Jose. He knew she loved him. The pressure of the constant ache inside was gone.

  They accepted that they could never be together; it had never been in the cards. Their night of passionate exploration of one another’s bodies, and whispered entreaties for more, left them complete and ready to accept the future.

  Parting from their temporary love nest had been as bittersweet as they had expected; his hunger for her even more powerful now that he knew she loved him.

  But it was now a healthy hunger. Gone were the bitter recriminations he had used to torture himself with over the decades. Maybe now, in time, her memory would fade and he could try to concentrate on Karen and the baby.

  Everyone had been surprised when Karen failed to show. Asking around quietly, it became clear that no one had seen her that morning. Missing the send-off was just not like her. She was a very controlled and responsible individual.

  Kicking back in his seat, he watched Dezi turn a page in the book he was reading. His grandbaby lay next to him in her crib he and Kane had built from odds and ends they had found in the Hive. It might look like a butcher job, but to him it looked like pure love.

  Chloe rested in a chair, smiling at him over her tea, Teddy trying hard to find a spot on her lap to curl up in.

  “I hope it pleases you to know we took good care of Teddy while you were gone.”

  “Thanks, Cobby. I knew Kane and Kenya wouldn’t forget about him.”

  “So what are you up to today, young lady?”

  She sobered as she explained. “Father Garcia and Maddy are moving my things into Abby and Jose’s dwelling. I think it would be better for me and the baby for now. I’ll spend the day with the babies until they’re done. I might as well get used to what babies do, right?”

  “You sure are taking this pregnancy a might better than Kenya did.”

  “It’s much easier to do when you know the baby’s coming out on schedule, Cobby. She sure was funny though, wasn’t she?” They were sharing a laugh when Kane burst through the door, Kenya right behind him.

  They stood before Cobby, white faced and breathless, their eyes odd and unreadable.

  “What, you don’t trust the old man with his grandbaby?”

  Kane swallowed and reached for his father hand. “Dad, we found Karen. She’s dead.” The room did a spin, Kane’s words not sinking in.

  “What did you say?”

  Kenya knelt on the floor, her head in his lap as she tearfully relayed how they had found Karen’s body floating at the water’s edge in the bathing cave. She had been face down and clearly dead.

  Cobby removed Kenya from his lap in a trance. He stood up and walked in an aimless circle.

  “What the heck was she doing there?” He looked up quickly. “Did she have any clothes on?” he asked in a whisper, his eyes pleaded for the right answer. “No wait, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”

  “It’s okay, Dad. She was fully dressed,” he said gently.

  Kane held out his arms to his father. Cobby let himself be comforted as his shock turned to anger.

  At that moment, the kitchen door opened. All eyes turned to discover Baby and Echo standing in the doorway, their arms held in front of them as their fingers worked spasmodically in agitation.

  Auras bombarded them at the same time. “We must go. We must go now. There is no time to waste, Brothers. It is almost too late, my Sisters.”

  “Sister Chloe, where is my Brother Scotty? I have tried for days to find our connection. Has he left for Oolaha without us?”

  “What is wrong with your abdomen, Sister?”

  “No time for questions, Brother Baby. We must all go now. The danger comes.”

  Chloe struggled to get up from her chair. Dezi snapped his book closed, sliding it into his apron.

  “Where we gunna go, dudes? It’s pretty safe in here.”

  Auras slammed them again. “No, there is no safety. We must return to the Hive now. We have saved our family for last. The animals have been implanted and are safe.”

  Kenya’s eyes bugged out. “You guys are responsible for this migration? What the heck is going on, Echo?” She stood with her hands wrapped protectively around her infant.

  “There is no heck going on, Sister Kenya. There is only danger.”

&
nbsp; Kenya turned to the others in the room. “What do you think’s goin on, chickeys?”

  Chloe snapped her fingers and Teddy jumped into her arms.

  “I don’t know what you guys think, but when Echo says to boogie, I boogie. I’m not messing with my baby’s life. Kane . . . Cobby . . . grab the other babies. We can’t leave them here. Dezi . . . you too. Grab a baby. We’re getting the heck outta here.”

  The scramble up the hill took longer than it should, although the pathway was now clear with not an animal in sight. The rest of the survivors were all off doing chores, necessitating the men to shout for help all the way up, setting the infants to screaming and the wayward Barney, happy to be by Echo’s side again, joining in with his sharp barking. Not to be outdone, Teddy threw his head back to sing, fraying everyone’s nerves with his remarkably awful song.

  No one heard. No one came.

  At the top of the hill, they turned to look down at the settlement. They could see Johno and his men in the new growing field bent over at their tasks in the distance. No amount of screaming and waving got their attention. Baby and Echo took to the air.

  “The time has come. We must run now.” And they disappeared into the woods.

  “Chloe,” shouted Cobby. “Put Teddy down. He can run faster than you can. Kane can you grab Chloe? Help her . . . drag her if you have to.”

  White faced, Cobby took the infant Kane was carrying to free up his arms. Now he carried two squalling infants.

  “Dad, where’s the rest of the dogs? We can’t leave them behind.”

  “There’s no time, Son. Move it.” There was no doubt in Cobby’s mind that something catastrophic was coming. Fleetingly, he wondered what the scene was like for the tribe at the Franklin Mines. He cringed as he thought of all those unwary people who didn’t have the benefit of a warning. Poor Lorna and Seth.

  His heart shuddered with guilt and fear for his comrades in the settlement, blissfully unaware. Could the minions be wrong? How bad could it be? He prayed some would survive the danger as they made it to the granite rock. He turned to face the trail, strewn with organic evidence of the migration.