Deadly Passion, an Epiphany

by Gabriella Bradley

  “So this is an alien city,” she muttered. “Where are the aliens? When do I get to see one of the monsters that are playing with our lives?”

  She was just about to inspect the room when a soft voice echoed through it. She looked up to see where the voice came from, but saw no speakers.

  “Dinner is in ten minutes. Please follow the blue line to the dining room.”

  Looking around, she saw no door, but then a panel slid open to reveal a brightly lit corridor beyond. Hesitantly, she left the room. A stream of people filed past her. Cassie noticed the lines on the floor, lit up so they were easily visible. The people were dressed in dresses and robes like hers, but in an array of different colors.

  She stepped out and joined the line of people. Gazing at the floor, she followed the lines until there was only the blue line that led her into a large dining room that resembled a very fancy restaurant. She gasped at the chandeliers, the beautifully set tables and noticed that everything was in shades of white and blue. All the people filing into the dining room were dressed in blue except for attendants.

  A female attendant, or hostess, whatever she was, approached her and led her to a large round table.

  “This is your table and place while you’re here,” the girl spoke softly. “Please introduce yourself to your companions?”

  Cassie sat on the chair that seemed to float. She saw no legs underneath it and neither was it suspended from the ceiling. Glancing at the other people seated at the table she noticed one empty chair. Feeling rather overwhelmed and puzzled, she remained quiet, even though the others introduced themselves. So far, everything was far out, space age, but she’d seen no aliens lurking about. Someone walked up to the empty chair. Cassie looked up at the tall man whose light blue tunic stood out against his ebony skin. It couldn’t be. But it was. It was Jonas. “Jonas?” she said softly and gazed into his eyes. She read the same puzzlement in them as she felt.

  “Cassie? Is that really you? How and when did you get here? You were still on the beach when—“

  “Right after you, apparently. Harry told me you’d disappeared and I was totally upset so I went to the stream and poured my heart out. The little girl came to me and next the bright light. And here I am.”

  “I wish we could sit together,” Jonas said.

  “I’ll swap seats with him,” her neighbor told her and promptly stood.

  “Is that allowed?”

  “Oh, yes. Frequently people find each other here and ask to be seated next to each other. My name is Yvonne. I’ve been here for a while. Not sure how long. There is no time here.”

  “I’m Cassie. Thank you so much.”

  Jonas quickly walked around the table and sat next to her. He kissed her on the cheek and grabbing her hand, held it tight. “I was afraid I’d never see you again,” he said softly.

  “I wonder where we are now? I haven’t seen any aliens,” Cassie said.

  “Wherever we are, it beats that beach. I feel almost guilty. All the others are still there and here we are dining in luxury.”

  “Yes. I wonder what kind of food we’ll get.”

  “We won’t have to wonder for long. Here comes the first course.”

  The girls that ladled soup into their dishes hardly resembled waitresses. They were dressed in blue, but a shade darker. Cassie had no idea what kind of soup it was, but its aroma teased her. She tasted a bit. It tasted like creamed chicken soup. After they finished their soup, the main course was served. Again, she had no idea what she was eating, but it was heavenly, especially after being constrained to fish, nuts and fruit for so long.

  They didn’t talk while they ate. When Cassie finished her dinner, she gazed around the huge room at all the tables and suddenly spotted Georgia. “Jonas, there’s Georgia.”

  “My God, you’re right.”

  Dessert tasted like chocolate mousse. After she finished her tea, Cassie wondered what would come next. She didn’t have to wonder for long. People started to leave. “Where do we go now,” she asked Yvonne.

  “Just follow everyone. There’s a concert tonight.”

  “Really?” She whispered, “Jonas, hold my hand and don’t leave my sight.”

  “I want to talk to Georgia,” Jonas said. “Let’s wait until she gets closer.”

  When Georgia approached they stood and quickly fell in just in front of her.

  “Cassie? Jonas? You’re here? Oh, my stars. I’m so happy to see you!”

  Cassie saw the happy tears on Georgia’s face. “Georgia, and I’m happy to see you. Have you learned anything about this place? Where are we? What’s the name of this planet?” she asked.

  “This is the realm of transition. I don’t know the name of the place or planet, but only that we’re waiting here to return to our loved ones.”

  “You mean we get to go home?”

  “Seems that way. I’ve got no idea how or when. I’ve only picked up bits of gossip since I’ve been here.”

  “Georgia, Harry arrived on the beach not long after you disappeared.”

  “He did? He really did?”

  Again, tears streamed down Georgia’s face. Cassie hugged her briefly while they walked and followed the people in front of them. “Yes.”

  “How is he? Where has he been?”

  “He ended up in some hellish mine.”

  “A mine?”

  “Yes, and it was horrible from what he told us.”

  “I’m so thankful that my Harry is okay,” Georgia said, tears still soaking her face.

  “What’s with all the different colors? Look at the corridor on the other side. Those people are all dressed in yellow. And further along, green,” Cassie said.

  “I was told they’re different levels. White is the highest level. They don’t get to go back to Earth.”

  “How long do we have to stay here until we are allowed to go back? Do you know?” Jonas asked.

  “That I don’t know. No one seems to know. Some people have been here a long time. Apparently we have to wait until our loved ones are here, too.”

  “Lord. Well, it beats where we were, but I feel awful living in such futuristic luxury while the ones we left behind are still on that beach,” Cassie said.

  “This is the theatre,” Georgia said.

  They followed Georgia and sat waiting. People around them whispered softly. “What kind of concert is it?” she asked Georgia.

  “We never know. It’s a surprise each time. The impersonators are usually very good.”

  “What happens after the concert?”

  “They serve an evening snack and drinks and then we go back to our rooms.”

  A hush fell and the royal blue curtains slowly lifted. A white piano stood on the podium and band instruments. From nowhere a drum roll sounded. Jonas grasped her hand and squeezed it. Cassie sighed. Right now, all she wanted and needed were his arms around her. She had little interest in watching a concert.

  A woman in white walked onto the podium and took her place behind the piano followed by several men who took their places in the area where the band instruments stood. The theatre was very quiet. Another curtain opened and down a set of glittering steps a woman descended, long dark hair to her waist, a beautiful glittering white gown, she made quite an entrance.

  Slowly she walked to the piano and leaned on it while gazing at the audience. She was beautiful and looked vaguely familiar. The pianist began to play, the band joined in, and a very familiar song vibrated through the theatre, the woman’s voice rich and powerful.

  “Seriously? I’ll be damned. I’d swear that’s Judy Garland and she’s singing a song from Alice in Wonderland.

  “Boy, their impersonators are good,” Georgia said. “Judy Garland, of all people.”

  “The aliens seem to have extraordinary powers. Maybe they recreated these people, clones or even robots, to make us feel more comfortable,” Cassie whispered.

  “Sssh,” came from behind them, and the people in front of them looked around angri
ly, a finger to their lips.

  The performance was fantastic. Cassie forgot everything else and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. She was almost sorry when it was over and reality returned. They stood and joined the queue leaving the theatre.

  “Have you seen any of the others that disappeared, Georgia? Are they here?”

  “No, I haven’t. But I did meet a girl called Izzy. She was at the club. She sits at my table. This is my room. I hope I’ll see you at breakfast,” Georgia said, smiling whimsically.

  Cassie and Jonas followed the blue line, their arms around each other. Cassie noticed the numbers on the seemingly smooth walls. She had no idea where her room was, until suddenly the pin on her shoulder buzzed. She looked at the wall and the number on it matched the number on the pin. “Jonas, come with me,” she whispered.

  As they stepped onto the blue line leading to the wall, a panel slid open. As soon as Jonas stepped through the door behind her, a voice sounded.

  “Guest one zero five one four, proceed to your quarters.”

  “I wonder what’ll happen if I don’t,” Jonas muttered.

  He continued into the room. The voice repeated the command and the door stayed open. “I’ll be damned if I’ll be ordered around like that. Come here, babe, let me hold you,” he said and held his arms out to her.

  Cassie eagerly leaned into his embrace and urged him toward the bed. They fell onto it, their bodies completely entwined, their lips in a searing kiss.

  “Guest one zero five one four, proceed to your quarters. You are in violation of code five.”

  Cassie ignored the voice, the open door, and tore at Jonas’ tunic. His cock was pulsing. She ached to have him within her, to make love with him on this wonderful soft bed. There were no guards, no one to punish them, so why should Jonas leave her room?

  Taking his cock in her hand she moved the skin back and forth slowly, then ran her fingers up and down the silken skin, the protruding veins, played with the weeping hole at the tip of his cock. She cupped his balls and squeezed them softly, while her finger teased the area between sack and shaft.

  Jonas catapulted off her and landed on the floor. “What the fucking hell?” he shouted.

  “Jonas, honey, what is it? What happened?” Cassie sat up and looked bewildered at Jonas lying on the floor.

  “A shock. It felt like I was electrocuted.”

  Cassie fingered the pin attached to her gown near her shoulder. “Could it be the pin? Take your tunic off, hon.”

  Jonas took his tunic off and climbed back on the bed with her, disregarding the still opened panel door. Cassie could hardly wait to have him join her again, especially since he was now completely naked. “People can see us,” she whispered. “The door is open.”

  “I’d hardly call it a door and I don’t give a damn. I’ve longed to hold you in my arms like this for such a long time. I love you, ba—“

  He got cut off abruptly as he catapulted off the bed again. “Okay, this is crazy. It can’t be the pin.”

  The lights dimmed, indicating it was time to go to bed. Cassie could see Jonas’ body vaguely in the light that came through the window wall. Horrified, she watched as he stood and tried to approach her bed, and couldn’t.

  “Jonas, they’re controlling us somehow. Oh, look! There’s something glowing at the top of your arm, near your shoulder.” She jumped off the bed to approach him but a jolt sent her sprawling back onto the bed. She watched Jonas touch the glowing patch on his arm.

  “The same numbers as on the pin. They’ve implanted us with some kind of device.”

  “When? I landed here fully clothed in this gown. Was there a stop along the way where they bathed and dressed us and implanted us with a digital device? Maybe then wiped our memories?”

  “God, I’m sick of these aliens playing with us like we’re puppets,” Jonas grumbled. “I can’t even say goodnight to you now.”

  “I love you, hon. Maybe you should just go to your room for now. I hope we’ll see each other again at breakfast.”

  “I damn well hope so, although who knows. Maybe I’ll find myself back on the beach in the morning.”

  “I’m sorry.” Tears threatened, but she didn’t give in to them. “Let’s be optimistic. We have to think about the ones left behind, the ones that may not have survived or been picked up by these aliens, like Megan. We should at least be grateful that this place is a luxury hotel compared to what we’ve experienced so far.”

  Jonas sighed. “Yes, I know. I’m just so frustrated.”

  “We both are. Goodnight, babe.”

  Cassie watched Jonas put on his tunic, although he was nothing but a blur in the darkened room. “Night, honey. I love you.” He was silhouetted briefly against the bright corridor until the panel slid shut.

  She allowed a few tears to escape now, droplets of disappointment and loneliness. Then she steeled herself and thought about Megan and Mark, wondering what had happened to them, if they were even alive and on the alien planet somewhere, or if they’d been killed in the explosion.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Planning escape…

  Mark didn’t have a clue how much time had passed. There had been no new arrivals at all since he’d landed in the mine and since he didn’t know if it was day or night, he couldn’t keep track. It seemed like a century. But during all the time he’d been there, he’d listened, watched, and whenever he had a chance to slip away unnoticed, he investigated the tunnels.

  “Your turn, Mark,” Carol woke him from his thoughts. They were playing a game of scrabble.

  “I need to tell you something,” he said softly. “Can’t do it here. Too many ears.”

  “I’m tired. I think I’ll crash early tonight,” Carol said, but inclined her head slightly indicating for him to follow her.

  He waited a few minutes. Glancing around, he saw the others in the room were busy talking or playing games. He packed up the scrabble board and tiles, put the box back on the shelf, and left. When he got to the men and women’s toilets, the door opened and Carol joined him.

  “Talk softly,” she warned. “The walls have ears.”

  “I’ve found a way out of here.” He leaned sideways and spoke close to her ear. Suddenly, she swung to face him and pushed him against the rock wall. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed him squarely on the lips, then buried her face against his neck on his shoulder.

  Mark stood stiffly for a moment. She’d taken him in complete surprise, but he quickly figured out what she was doing. Quite a few of the inmates had affairs, so it wasn’t unusual. If anyone happened by, or if there were cameras, it would seem that he and Carol were involved. He seemed to be nuzzling her neck as he bent and whispered softly. “I’ve got a plan. Do you want to go with me?”

  Straightening up, her lips against his, she replied, “How?”

  “There’s a tunnel, more like a hole really that goes straight up, in one of the caves. I see a tiny pinpoint of light far above.”

  She leaned her head on his shoulder again, her lips near his ear. “Oh, I know. Can’t be done. Others have tried. It’s very narrow and nothing to hold onto.”

  He let go of her and took her head between his hands and kissed her on the lips, then whispered, “I know, but I think we can do it.”

  “And when are we supposed to attempt this? I told you so many times the walls have eyes and ears. The lower mine is much worse than this place, I’ve heard. I don’t relish being sent there.”

  “In the middle of the night when the guards change shift. There’s a gap of time. I estimate about fifteen minutes. We can put something under our blankets so they won’t discover us missing until morning.”

  “When?”

  “Now that I know how and where, tonight. It’ll take us about ten minutes to get to that cave.”

  “And you know this how? No clocks, no watches?”

  “I’ve still got a brain and I can count. We can—“ Footsteps sounded and he quickly pressed his lips against
Carol’s, his hands on her buttocks. Her lips opened and for a moment her tongue entered his mouth. He couldn’t help himself. He kissed her back and felt a twinge of desire. It had been so long since he’d held Megan in his arms, felt the body of a woman against his, it was no wonder his cock and body reacted to Carol pressed tightly against him and to the kiss.

  The footsteps passed and faded. He tore his lips away, feeling guilty now. He’d betrayed Megan. His erection immediately shrank. “I’ll meet you right here, near the toilets. Do you know when the guards change shifts?”

  Carol nodded. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “If others are awake in your dorm and notice you leaving, they might snitch. It’s very risky.”

  “After lights out, it’s pitch black in the dorm. I’ll carry my boots. It’s worth a try. If you’re not here, I’ll go alone.”

  She didn’t say anything and started walking. He fell in beside her. Wordlessly, they parted when they got to the door of his dorm. The door closed behind him and he lay on his bed, still wearing his clothes. When the door opened and others started to come in and get ready for bed, he quickly crawled under the blanket and pulled it up to his chin.

  The guards arrived, two of them, as usual. They walked through the dorm to make sure all were accounted for, then took their place near the door. The lights went out.

  Mark opened his eyes and waited for them to become accustomed to the dark. As he’d told Carol, it was inky black inside the dorm. He couldn’t even see the cot next to his. Lying on his side, every now and then he saw one of the guards shine a flashlight through the dorm, letting the beam play over the sleeping bodies. Each time, Mark closed his eyes, then opened them quickly again. He couldn’t risk falling asleep.

  Time crawled. While he waited, his thoughts dwelled on everything, on the explosion, on Megan, and like it had for a long time now, on Robin. He fully realized now that it had been his fault. The girl had no license and he should never have allowed her to get behind the wheel. Neither of them was in a condition to drive. And what made it worse—he’d gotten her all sexually riled up while she was driving. It was his fault. That made him a murderer. She hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt and his car had no airbags. That he came out of the accident alive was a miracle. And to top it all, he didn’t even go to her funeral. Guilt gnawed at him every night and he wished he could step back in time and do it all over. Man, he’d live his life differently.