Polaris

by Beth Bowland

  Aaron sprang to his feet and grabbed Nakal by his arm. “Turn around and talk to me. Why have you been watching my family, you creep?”

  Nakal pushed him away. “Aren’t you curious what I will gain if I win?” An evil grin spread across his face.

  Aaron swallowed as he tried to control his trembling mouth. “What will you win?”

  “Your family.”

  “And what will happen to me?” Aaron asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “The nothingness.” Amber sparks once again swirled around Nakal’s pupils as he turned and walked away.

  Chapter 7

  Aaron watched Nakal until he seemingly disappeared into thin air. A flicker of light caught his attention. Directly in front of him a board appeared. On it, were his name and Nakal’s. A checkmark appeared under Nakal’s name. Nakal—1 Aaron—0. The board disappeared.

  As Aaron slowly left the arena and headed back to the library, he tried to wrap his head around Nakal’s words. How could he just make me disappear, and how does he think he can just take my place? My parents would never go for that.

  He made his way around to the side of the library, retracing his steps to the opening in the wall. When he got there, the wall was sealed shut. Aaron headed to the front of the library, but he noticed the truck and walked over to it. The truck was once again beat-up and rusted. He glanced around, and just as a scroll unfolds, the landscape and the people returned to the modern time. He headed back into the library, hoping to find the librarian who had helped him with the first clue.

  “Hello there,” a voice yelled from off in the distance.

  Aaron turned and saw the shop owner he and Parker had spoken to earlier that day. He jogged over to him.

  “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream,” the shop owner sang. “Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream … ”

  “Say, uh … ” The shopkeeper leaned in and whispered, “Did you ever find that old man you were looking for?”

  Aaron’s face crumpled, and eeriness surrounded him. “You mean the old man you swore was never there?”

  The shopkeeper wiped his face with his hand and looked puzzled. “What do you mean? I told you which direction he went in.”

  “No, you didn’t,” replied Aaron, slowly backing away from the man.

  The shopkeeper moved toward him, smiled, and continued singing. “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream,” he sang. “Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream … ” He continued as he turned away. “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream … ”

  Aaron started to run, but changed his mind and continued to listen to the shopkeeper. “Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream … ”

  “Is this a clue?” Aaron thought out loud as he watched the shopkeeper go back inside his store. “What sorta clue could it be?”

  Aaron headed back to the library and decided to go around to the side of the building just to make sure the opening was gone. Once he saw that it was, he turned and headed back to the front of the building when someone near the building next door, caught his attention.

  He watched an elderly woman, who walked with a distinct limp, try to balance several shopping bags, a box, and a rug as she approached a busy intersection. She stopped before she reached the crosswalk and dropped the box and shopping bags. The woman then draped the rolled-up carpet across her left shoulder, around the back of her neck, and down her right shoulder. The thick carpet rose up high around her until Aaron could only see the top of her hat sticking out the top. She readjusted the bags on her arm, picked up the box, and walked toward the street, squeezing between two parked cars before stepping directly into oncoming traffic from the right.

  “Hey!” Aaron screamed. He ran as fast as he could toward her as he noticed an approaching semi-truck.

  The truck driver blew his horn several times as he approached the woman. She did not stop. The truck driver slammed on his brakes and laid on his horn, causing the woman to jump and drop the items in her arms. The driver stopped the truck mere inches from the woman.

  By the time Aaron had reached the woman, the truck driver had gotten out of the cab and was kneeling down beside her.

  “Lady, are you okay?” the trucker driver asked.

  “Oh, yes. I’m quite all right,” she said. “Run along now, and finish what you were doing. I’m a little tougher than the average grandma.”

  Aaron assisted the truck driver in getting the woman back on her feet. They helped her gather the scattered items. Afterward, the driver returned to his truck.

  The woman straightened her clothing and brushed off the debris. Her gray hair was gathered sloppily into a ponytail and covered with a brown fedora hat. A shabby crocheted poncho covered her black wool dress. On her feet, she wore combat boots over bright yellow leggings, and a large man’s watch on her wrist finished off the ensemble.

  “That was a pretty close call, aye?” she said as she grabbed the carpet, shook it out, and re-rolled it before placing it back around her shoulders like a shawl.

  “Why don’t you let me help you with that?” Aaron said as he reached for the rug. “Where are you headed?”

  The woman smiled at Aaron. “Well, now. Tell me your name and maybe I’ll tell you where I’m headed.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” He blushed. “My name is Aaron.” He quickly scanned her eyes for anything unusual. He noticed they were the palest shade of gray and so clear they were almost translucent.

  “All righty then.” She handed Aaron the rolled carpet. “My name is Zion. I’m not going far. I live just over at that building across the street.”

  Aaron took the carpet, slung it over his shoulder, and helped Zion gather her worn and tattered Christmas gift bags and a box marked “do not open”.

  Zion headed back to the center of the street.

  “Miss Zion,” Aaron began, “why don’t we go up a little farther and use the crosswalk this time?”

  Zion chuckled. “Do you doubt my street-crossing ability?”

  “No, ma’am,” replied Aaron. “I just think we’ve had enough excitement for the day.”

  “Very well,” said Zion. “We will do it your way.”

  They made their way up to the corner and waited for the light to change. Aaron gently held Zion by her elbow as they stepped down from the curb and crossed the street.”

  “What a polite young man you are,” Zion said. “How’s your mother feeling?”

  Aaron stopped in his tracks. The carpet he held on his shoulder suddenly felt as though it weighed hundreds of pounds.

  “How’d you know my mother was sick?”

  The light changed as they stood in the center of the street. One of the drivers tapped his horn.

  “C’mon, son,” Zion said. “You’re the one who wanted to use the crosswalk. Now we’re both about to get run over.”

  Aaron didn’t budge. “Let me see your eyes,” he pleaded.

  Zion turned to face him. “My eyes? What in heaven’s name for?”

  Several drivers blared their horns.

  Aaron looked into Zion’s eyes and saw they were normal. They hurried across the street. After safely making it to the other side, he was unsure if he wanted to continue.

  “How did you know about my mother?” Aaron asked again, this time more urgently. “Have you seen her?”

  “Oh, I know lots of things, but not anything in particular.” Zion motioned for him to follow her. “I live just up this ramp.”

  “But if you haven’t seen her, how did you know?”

  They approached the municipal building, and Zion held onto the brass bannister that followed the ramp up to the main entrance.

  “I’ll answer what I know. Or maybe I’ll answer what I don’t know,” Zion said. “But either way, this stuff is beginning to get awfully heavy, and I must hurry on home with Dear One’s carpet and change my clothes.”

  A
aron looked up at the building. “But no one lives in this building. It only has offices,” he said as they made their way up the ramp.

  “Are you sure about that?” Zion said as she reached into her pocket and retrieved a small crystal. “Things are not always as they seem.”

  “Sure, I’m sure,” Aaron replied. “I’ve been in here lots of times to pay our utility bills.”

  “Well, then, since you are absolutely certain about it.” Zion stopped halfway up the ramp and placed the crystal in a small opening beneath the bannister. The wall along with a portion of the banister bowed inward.

  Zion winked at Aaron. “C’mon in and meet my Dear One.”

  “I really don’t have time,” Aaron said. “I just wanted to make sure you got home okay and … ”

  Before Aaron could finish his sentence, he watched as Zion seemed to melt into a liquid wall of paint. He reached out and attempted to grasp it, but his fingers sank into the wall. It had the texture of melted marshmallows. He pushed his arm through and then his body and found himself standing in a very nicely decorated living room. However, the person he saw standing before him was no longer Zion, or was it?

  Aaron looked into the woman’s eyes, and they were the same translucent gray as Zion’s. But this woman was perhaps forty years younger. Her hair was a shimmery brown, and her skin was taut with a golden-honey complexion. She wore large diamond earrings, a fitted navy pantsuit encrusted with diamonds, a wool collar, and stylish boots.

  “Zion?” mumbled Aaron.

  “Yes, dear. It’s me,” Zion replied. “Just a little transformation.”

  “A little?”

  Zion chuckled. “Welcome to our home.” She waved her arms around the room.

  Aaron’s gaze stopped on a man sitting crossed legged on a carpet. He resembled the old Zion, in his dress, attire, and age. He slowly raised his head and acknowledged Aaron.

  Zion retrieved the carpet from Aaron and spread it out on the floor beside the one on which the man currently sat.

  “Dear One, we have company.” She gently rubbed his head. “This is Aaron. He’s the Player for this go-round.”

  The man mumbled something as Zion helped him up and moved him to the other carpet. He sat motionless for a few minutes when a silvery aura rose and surrounded him.

  Aaron watched as Dear One’s hair gradually turned a shimmery brown, his facial features became toned and tightened, and his flabby weak arms turned muscular. He stood as his attire changed into a tailored suit with an open-collar dress shirt. His shoes were polished to a high shine.

  Dear One stretched his arms and body from left to right before finally letting out a yawn as a shimmer of light reflected from his large diamond bracelet. Aaron thought he could easily star on the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.

  “Ah,” he sighed. “This feels much better. How are you enjoying yourself thus far, Aaron?” Dear One smiled.

  Aaron opened his mouth, but the words would not come out.

  “Oh, my,” Zion proclaimed. “Dear One, I do believe we’ve stunned the poor boy.”

  Dear One laughed and gently shook Aaron. “Would you like some water?”

  Aaron nodded.

  Zion retrieved a glass of water and gently placed it in Aaron’s hand. Her hands were warm and soft like his mother’s.

  Aaron sipped the water slowly, his mind frantically searching for some sort of answer to all that he was experiencing.

  “Better?” Dear One asked.

  “Yes,” Aaron replied. “How do you know about the game?”

  Zion ushered Aaron to the couch. “Have a seat, and we’ll try to explain.”

  Aaron sat on the plush leather couch and inhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to hear.

  Zion sat next to Aaron on the couch as Dear One pulled up a chair, placing it directly in front of Aaron.

  Zion took Aaron’s hand in hers and smiled.

  “I’m sure that you know by now that you’re part of a large competitive game ensemble of sorts.” Zion waited for Aaron to acknowledge what she’d said.

  Aaron nodded slowly. “A scavenger hunt.”

  Zion continued. “Yes, and it’s a rather simple game, but at times the rules can be a bit challenging. And depending on whose go it is, they could simply change midway through.”

  “I don’t feel like I’m being told everything,” Aaron said. “It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. Nakal told me if he wins, I would just end up in the nothingness and he’d get my family.” He took a sip of the water. “Just like that poof; I’m gone and he can be part of my family.”

  Dear One nodded. “Ah, yes. Our dear, mean, spiteful, bitter Nakal. You’ve got your hands full with that one.”

  Zion patted Aaron’s hand. “Nakal is a sneaky one for sure.”

  “How am I supposed to keep up with all of this?” Aaron asked.

  “That’s where we come in,” Dear One said. “Our home is now your safe house. Meaning, it’s your resting place or just a place to come when you need to get your bearings. But from what we’ve been hearing, you’re doing quite well thus far.”

  “Yes,” Zion began. “And I’d say this is a good time for you to eat something.” She got up and headed toward the kitchen. I’ll let Dear One answer the rest of your questions.”

  Aaron watched as Zion went into the kitchen and gathered cooking utensils from the cabinets and drawers.

  Dear One rose to his feet. “Let me show you around.”

  “Thanks.” Aaron placed his glass on the coaster on the highly polished end table before joining Dear One.

  “We can start down this hallway.” Dear One motioned. “Feel free to fire off any questions you may have.” After a pause, he chuckled. “Now, can’t say that three times fast, can ya?”

  “Is Dear One your real name?”

  “No, it’s not. Zion just prefers that to my given name.”

  “What is your real name?” Aaron asked.

  Dear One smiled. “D-model-1-version-1”

  Aaron stopped walking. “Are you a robot or something?” Then he immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that you’re not real.”

  Dear One winked at Aaron. “Oh, I’m real all right. It’s just where we’re from our naming system is different than yours here on Earth. Feel free to call me D1, if that makes you more comfortable. Dear One does sound like a term of endearment.”

  “Yeah, I think I like that much better. And … ” Aaron began slowly. “Where are you from?”

  “Polaris,” D1 answered. “Some of you refer to it as the North Star.”

  “Really? How’d you get here? Were you on that meteorite that crashed?”

  “Actually, we’ve never left. Our worlds are more connected than you realize.” D1 placed his arm around Aaron’s shoulders. “Let’s take a look outside.”

  D1 led him down a hallway, through a large game room with billiard tables, large leather chairs, and a majestic fireplace. The room smelled of jasmine and cinnamon. He walked to a set of draperies and gently pulled on the golden tassel. The curtains parted and gave way to a large glass door that led out to a balcony.

  “Whoa! I’ve never noticed this balcony when we’ve walked past this building,” he said as D1 opened the door and they stepped out.

  However, what Aaron saw before him was not Bixie or any of the surrounding communities. Aaron stared out over a suburban city, mansions scattered about as far as the eye could see. He looked up and saw a crisp, cloudless black sky with millions of bright twinkling stars illuminated by two moons that slowly rotated around each other. The moons were huge, as if you could reach out and touch them. Craters were distinctly visible on the surface of each.

  “Where are we?” Aaron whispered.

  “Polaris.”

  Aaron chewed his lower lip. “But how did we get here so quickly.”

  D1 pointed to the left of the moons. “You arrived when you cam
e through the door with Zion. There is your Earth, right past the moons.”

  “It looks like one of the stars. Do all stars have people living on them?” Aaron asked.

  “Hmm, I’d say most of them and all of the planets are inhabited,” D1 answered. “But it seems as though your scientists are a bit slow finding them.”

  “They have a rover that’s landed on Mars,” Aaron stated. “It’s sending back some really cool pictures.”

  “Yes,” responded D1. “My cousin lives there, and he says they’re exploring the desolate area of the planet. Tsk. Tsk. He said it’s equivalent to trying to find a mustard seed in your Sahara Desert.”

  “Why is that?”

  D1 looked out into the sky again. “Everyone knows that inhabitants of Mars lives hundreds of miles beneath the surface.” He turned to face Aaron. “Let me put it another way. It would be like trying to find the people of Earth beneath the ground. Actually, Mars and Earth are very similar—just polar opposites of each other. Earthlings live on the surface whereas the occupants of Mars live beneath it. And Earthlings would have no problems habituating in that area—same oxygen levels as Earth—but I must say the water on Mars is far superior to anywhere else. We order special shipments from there monthly.”

  Aaron’s jaw dropped.

  Zion’s voice was heard coming from the speakers in the ceiling. “Dinner’s ready.”

  “Let’s go get some grub,” D1 said. “I’m starving.”

  “They live beneath the surface,” Aaron thought out loud.

  “Yup. ‘Cause it’s just too darn cold above ground; nothing would survive.”

  Aaron and D1 joined Zion in the dining room. The room was nicely decorated in rich mahogany wood. The walls were a silvery-white color mixed with accents of pastel blues and greens. The simply decorated dining room table held platters of the same kinds of dishes that Aaron’s mother would prepare. After dinner, Zion disappeared into another room and returned holding the ratty old box she’d had earlier with “do not open” written on it. She handed the box to Aaron.

  “For you,” she said.

  Aaron took the package and placed it on the table. He glanced up at D1 before opening it. Inside, he found a small crystal and a piece of wool, which he placed on the table. After taking a sip from his glass, Aaron asked, “What are these for?”