Deceit (The Stellar Series Book 1)

by Rebecca Clark

  I tiptoe to the end of the musty hall and peer left and right. Elena was right, no one in sight, the halls are empty. I glance down at the map in my hand. It indicates I should go right, so I do. I pick up my pace and jog to the next turn. I peer cautiously around the corner, but it’s too dark to see anything. Fear freezes me in place. I just wish I could see down the hall! As I think that, a dim light turns on above my head. Briefly grateful, I decide to run.

  The halls are lined with old portraits of men, possibly Council members, with their names and attributions to Pumalia. Part of me wants to stop and look for my father’s picture, but I know I have to keep moving. It might not even be up there, anyway. Plus, I only have a limited amount of time and I must maximize it.

  The stale smell grows stronger as I continue down the long hallway. The map indicates a door with stairs beyond it that descend to the basement. I know the door has to be here. Elena wouldn’t lead me astray, but I can’t see a door! I drag my hand along the cold cement wall, hoping I’ll discover an inset doorknob or a concealed button that releases a hidden door. I can’t find anything. Panic snakes along the back of my neck, but I make myself walk back a few steps and try again.

  The second time around, I locate a slight depression in the wall, which is warmer than the rest of the concrete. This has to be the door on the map! I search for a doorknob or handle, but there’s nothing.

  I lean up against the door and push with all my strength. Did it move? If it did, it was so infinitesimal that it wasn’t noticeable. I push again. Pause, and push again. After a few more attempts, the door begins to slowly creak open. A dark oblivion lies beyond the door. I pause and listen for movement, but I hear nothing, just my own blood whooshing through my ears. I shove the door open a tad more and squeeze myself through.

  It’s not only dark here, but the air is stagnant, as well. How long has it been since this passage was used? I ease the door back into place and start down the steps one at a time, moving slowly, inching my way with my feet on the steps and my hands groping for the wall.

  Again, I think about Elena and her sacrifice. She’s the only person I can truly trust, and I must do what she says, even though this—

  The sound of running footsteps on the other side of the door startles me. The noise resembles a herd of charging elephants. The guards must know I’m no longer in my room. I have to pick up my pace before someone opens the door and finds me.

  I know I’m approaching the bottom step because I can see a faint line of light under another door. That must be where I’m supposed to go. Relief washes over me—perhaps on the other side of this door is the way out of this prison.

  Gathering all my strength, I lean into the heavy door. I’m able to hold it ajar long enough to slip outside. What I see shocks me. It’s a courtyard populated with six uniformed men who seem to be guarding the very door that is supposed to symbolize my great escape!

  After a moment’s realization that I might actually be captured and taken back to my room, I duck behind a shrub and start to form a getaway plan. But when I peep through the bush and examine the courtyard, I also realize that my escape is probably not going to happen. The high walls are solid stone, smooth without any indentations or rock deformities that could provide foot or handholds, and though the uniformed men—men I’ve no hope of defeating—are spread out around the courtyard, they’re blocking all exits.

  I study the guard nearest me, determined to get by him. If only he would just disappear! I close my eyes to enjoy that fiction, imagining him dropping his weapon and simply disappearing. I wish, I think, opening my eyes again.

  I blink in confusion. The guard is gone. I blink a few more times, but nothing changes. The only evidence that he was there is his firearm, lying near my feet only a few feet away from me. I shake my head in disbelief. How did that happen? Where did he go?

  “Get her!” I hear one man yell to another.

  I back up, but realize my capture is inevitable. Nooo, I groan mentally, tipping my head back and squeezing my eyes shut. If only I could soar above the compound and escape!

  “Please don’t hurt me,” I call out, trying to reason with the guards. “I surrender.”

  Silence isn’t the answer I expect for my plea.

  I slowly open one eye. The guards are gone…and so am I. I feverishly blink my eyes. Where am I?

  I’m hovering above the compound’s stone wall.

  I gaze down and watch two of the guards gawk at each other in disbelief. They run from the courtyard. They’re probably going to get more guards to hunt me down. Quick, I need to think of something. I try not to shake but the trembles are unstoppable.

  ”No sudden moves, no sudden moves,” I whisper, trying to focus on my breathing and on not falling—whatever that entails. I close my eyes and imagine myself safely back on the ground. My chant shifts to, “Please be on the ground, please be on the ground.”

  I flex my toes and they meet a surface. I open my eyes to find myself in the courtyard where the guards once were. Glancing down at the map, I identify the path that will lead me to Kasper, the person I’m supposed to meet. I step onto the path, relieved that it’s bordered by tall hedges, concealing my passage. But when I reach the end, I realize this is where the map ends. I scan the perimeter and see no one.

  I sigh. But Elena told me someone would be waiting.

  My mind drifts back to the men disappearing and then me floating in midair. Really, this all feels more like a continuation of a dream than reality. If I’m not dreaming, and if it’s not real, maybe I’m hallucinating?

  Just as I begin to entertain the idea of dreaming and possibly being in my comfortable bed at home, I hear someone yell my name.

  “Alexa! Over here—jump on. Hurry!”

  I glance to my left and see some sort of two-wheeled, motorcycle-like contraption with a tall man driving it. If he thinks I’m riding that, he’s crazy!

  “Alexa, get on. The guards are coming.”

  I don’t take any time to dwell on my decision. Despite my trepidation, I say a quick prayer and jump on. He knows my name, so I’m hoping this lanky man is Kasper.

  Once we’re out of there, he turns and says, “Hello, I’m Kasper.”

  Relief encompasses me and I’m finally able to breathe.

  Until I think of Elena. Now I’m sick with worry for the only mother I’ve ever known.

  Chapter Nine

  The journey to wherever we are going is taking more time than I anticipated. Surprisingly, the colorful landscape with its mountainous scenery keeps me occupied. The rolling hills meet each other with varying shades of green. Some hills are sprinkled with dense forests and some lie barren, creating a patchwork of greens. The looming trees are perfectly lined up and spaced equally apart, as if they were handpicked and placed there with a purpose. It instantly reminds me of my dreams. Scattered across the land are bodies of shimmering, cobalt water.

  I keep looking behind me to make sure we aren’t being followed, but no one appears to be there. In fact, I haven’t seen any other being on this journey. The lengthy ride is peaceful, and I think if I weren’t running from something, this scenic tour would be enjoyable. Oddly, this landscape reminds me of home. It isn’t all that different than a ride up north, back on Earth. Instead of feeling millions of miles away from home, I’m reminded of driving to the University of Vermont last year, for a campus visit with my mom, Elena. I wonder if she ever thought that I would attend college, or was it wishful thinking on her part?

  I notice that daylight is fading. I don’t see a sun, but when I escaped, the sky was a bright pink. Now it’s a darkening shade of violet. I hope that soon, we will be at our destination so I can finally ask some questions.

  Part of me feels guilty for leaving that place without saying goodbye to Jax. I know he took me from my home, but he said he had no idea of Maddox’s intentions, and I do believe him. I’m not sure why I believe him, but I do. Another part of me is angry at the fact that I believe a total st
ranger. I shake my head and try to focus on the task ahead—getting answers to my questions.

  The motorcycle-like contraption starts to slow and we take a right down a narrow side road. It’s more of a trail because the bush is overgrown, and we must duck as we navigate. Since the winding path requires a slower speed, Kasper lets up on the power and moves the vehicle skillfully around the trees and plants that obscure the way.

  After weaving around plant life for a short time, we enter a clearing of glowing orange and red flowers that blossom from the mossy floor beneath us. We’re literally in the middle of nowhere and it’s growing darker by the minute. An uneasy queasiness travels through my stomach as we come to an abrupt halt. The dense forest surrounds us, and I worry we could be lost.

  “Where are we?” I ask warily.

  Kasper takes off his helmet and shakes out his black hair. It catches me by surprise, because his complexion is noticeably pale even with the dim light surrounding us. “So you are the Alexa Jenkinson?” His steel-gray eyes move over me from top to bottom.

  “Yes, and you’re Kasper?” I’m not sure why, but self-consciousness creeps along my body with the continued touch of his assessing gaze.

  He awkwardly extends his hand and I shake it. It’s warm and large wrapped around my small one. “Yes, that’s me. I hope you don’t normally jump on bikes with complete strangers.” He snatches his hand free and spins back around to his bike. He shuts it down before glancing over his shoulder at me. “Let’s go.”

  “Where are we going? How do you know Elena? Where are we?” My frustration level is growing.

  “Whoa.” He holds up a hand. “Let’s take one thing at a time. Why don’t we get to a safe place and then start discussing the answers?”

  “Fine.” I glance over at him just in time to see his smirk dissolve. I’m not sure why, but Kasper seems particularly odd to me. It’s not just his contrasting skin and hair color, or his abnormally thin, tall body. It’s his whole demeanor.

  In an uncomfortable silence, we trek through the dimly lit woods. Thankfully the bioluminescent flowers provide a trail beneath my feet. The trees are the tallest I’ve ever seen. Even the water is glowing. Clean and clear, it shimmers brightly without sunlight. We’re walking too fast for me to see if there are any creatures that live in the water, but I imagine they’re there. Every once in a while, out of the corner of my eye, I see something create a ripple on the water’s surface.

  Before too long, I realize that the sky is darkening to a coffee-brown color. Night is here. Kasper starts walking faster and to catch up I must jog. His legs are a lot longer than mine, so it’s easy for me to fall behind.

  Just as I catch up to him, he stops. “We’re here.” His voice startles me. I haven’t heard it in some time.

  “Where exactly is ‘here’?” I turn a complete circle, searching for a sign of a structure that we can take shelter in, but there’s nothing.

  “You’ll see.” His smirk returns, and I can tell he is having fun with me. He loves seeing me impatient and waiting for the next bit of information.

  He saunters over to a tall tree that has a purple-tinged trunk contrasting with its luscious, green leaves. With his index finger, he draws a design or some sort of symbol on the bark. I stand there thinking this guy is a tad crazy. However, before I can finish the thought, the ground below us vibrates. I close my eyes in trepidation; we’ll either be swallowed up by the forest floor, or squished by a falling tree, I’m sure of it.

  The trembling finally stops and I open my eyes. Right before my feet, a stairway descends into the ground beneath us.

  “Well, what’re you waiting for, Alexa?” He’s standing on the first step, waving for me to proceed in front of him.

  “It’s dark down there. Can’t you go first?” Embarrassed by my hesitation, I duck my head, hiding my face behind my now very frizzy hair.

  “I need to shut the door behind us. It’s necessary I’m last. Ms. Jenkinson, if you’re afraid…” He hurriedly waves me forward like he’s exasperated that I’m taking too much time to advance past him.

  “No, I’m not afraid. I just don’t know where I’m going,” I say, but honestly, I’m a little frightened. I don’t want him to think I’m a wimp, so I put one foot in front of the other and proceed down the pitch-black steps.

  After everything that’s happened to me, I have to say I didn’t expect to be surprised. But I step off the last step and gaze around, dumbstruck. A subterranean city sprawls in front of me. Its sheer grandness takes my breath away. I wouldn’t have imagined a place like this could exist underground. Buildings stretch into the distance, and people are walking around.

  “W-what’s this place?” I manage, trying not to stare.

  “This is where we displaced Aliens live. ‘We’ being the breeds that no longer can live freely on our own planets, due to the hostility and war brought about by your family.” He steps in front of me to lead the way.

  “I’m sorry this has happened.” I can’t help but feel guilty from his last statement. I had no idea that my “family” even existed before all of this craziness. Yet even though I’ve nothing to do with the turmoil he speaks of, I can’t help thinking I’m somewhat responsible.

  We walk down a cobblestone path toward the outskirts of this mysterious city. Floral scents tickle my nose and I struggle to hold back a sneeze. The buildings are as tall as the trees I saw while walking in the forest. I also see small structures with food in the windows—probably stores. Sectioned-off fields that appear before me resemble a large garden. Streams bisect the garden and beings are bustling along the cobblestone paths. Soft murmurs surround us. I’m unable to make out the faint voices and what’s being said, but I can tell there are many conversations happening at once.

  My mouth hangs open in amazement, not only that this place exists, but that it’s completely underground—even the garden! There are no moons or stars, just artificial light. “What is this place called?”

  “Aurora, after the Roman goddess of dawn, because this place is always in the light, even if it’s a lowlight,” Kasper answers. “You’ll see aliens here from all around the galaxy. They may appear different, especially with the varying glow, but please don’t stare at them. They could get angry and attack you if you do, so just keep walking. This is the main reason why we keep this place almost perpetually illuminated. The dark brings out the beings’ true planetary forms, and it can be intimidating, especially for new aliens.”

  “Are you calling me a new alien? Am I an alien?” I squeal.

  “Well, yes, you’re not from Aurora, so you are,” he says. He gestures toward the city. “Here, residents are referred to as either a being or an alien. Anything other than those two words could upset them, so please, no matter who you talk to, don’t insult them.” His voice turns hard, making that an order.

  “Beings, aliens, true planetary forms…attacks!” I grumble. “What else can you possibly surprise me with?”

  “Oh, Alexa, you have so much to learn,” he sighs. “Let’s get settled and start doing that—it may be a lengthy process.”

  “Okay, but why are you helping me?”

  Kasper grins, clearly entertained by my straightforward question. “I’m doing this for Elena. Before she became your guardian, she was instrumental in creating Aurora. She worked with us day in and day out to create a safe place where we would not be found.” He draws a deep breath and releases it slowly. “Her father also helped us create new lives for ourselves, and he helped transport us here unseen. I owe Elena and her family a lot. I would do anything she asked of me.”

  Kasper turns down a path to the right and approaches a wooden door. He presses his palm against the door, and a few moments later, it opens. “This is my home,” he says to me.

  We enter a living space equipped with a sink, a sitting area, and a bed in the corner. The place is small, but neat, so tidy that it appears as if no one actually lives here. The walls are plain white and devoid of any decoration or
personal belongings. The bed is much longer than the one I have at home—to accommodate Kasper’s tall frame, no doubt. There are no appliances in the area near the sink, just a basket holding oddly shaped fruit in unfamiliar colors.

  “There is a place to tidy up in the corner. Would you like to shower and freshen up? It’s nothing like you’re accustomed to, but it’s something.” He waves toward the washroom and starts to walk away, but he abruptly turns around. “I also have a change of clothes for you in there.”

  I perk up at the thought of washing the grime of that dungeon off of me. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

  “I will also prepare you something to eat.”

  Without hesitation, I move toward the washroom. “Thank you, Kasper,” I say as I enter and close the door. The room is tiny and dark, but I welcome the chance to shower and have a few minutes to myself to reflect on the craziness that’s transpired.

  A large part of me still fears what Elena’s fate was for freeing me. Did she get caught? Is she okay? I’m not even sure if I’ll ever know and that alone churns my stomach.

  Strangely, I still feel bad for leaving Jax. I know I shouldn’t, but there’s no denying that I feel oddly connected to him. I also believe that he truly had no idea what was going to happen to me. He seemed genuinely stunned at Maddox’s request.

  Opening the slender shower door, I find to my surprise a tall, narrow shower stall hewn right into the rock of the great underground cavern’s walls. The dark material makes the small stall seem murky, but it’s shiny, which helps. I squeeze myself inside and let the water cleanse my grimy body. Maybe if I close my eyes tight enough, I can imagine being back at home on Earth, going about my life.

  I picture myself getting ready for school—better yet, getting ready for my walk to school with Michael. It’s the Monday after the dance and we are reminiscing about how much fun we had and making plans for the following weekend. I slowly open my eyes and see the black, slate shower walls staring back at me. I quickly finish and step out onto the bathroom floor, which is also that strange dark slate. I grab the towel hanging on the wall and wrap myself tight.