by Joseph Calev
They made their way back home in silence. With her focus always down, Jason couldn’t tell whether she was deep in thought or simply not talking to him because he was about to disappear. Whichever, it made him uneasy.
At his driveway, Raynee was still frowning but faked a cheerful tone. “If it makes you feel any better, we can go on another date . . . before you disintegrate.”
When Jason unlocked his door and collapsed onto the couch, he saw his father awake and in the usual spot, while his mother sat next to him staring into space.
“You’re home late from school,” she said.
Jason wanted to scream. Hadn’t they noticed his absence?
“I didn’t go to school. I was on my date. We walked up the mountains, then saw New York City on the other side. Oh, and our planet’s going to blow up soon.”
“Well that’s very nice,” his father said without looking up.
“That’s so funny,” added his mother. “I just assumed you took her to your room.”
“Mom! What’s wrong with you?”
She shrugged.
“Do you even care about anything? Does your brain actually function?”
His father had found a kitten video, and his mother was now looking on. Jason groaned, marched to his bedroom, and promptly tossed every blanket but his original into the hallway. He retrieved his bag with homework from the living room, but given the pending end of everything, that no longer seemed a priority. He had a better idea.
Who was this Mordriss? He opened his computer and navigated to a search engine. There was only one way to find out.
He stared at a blank search engine screen.
“Mordriss,” he typed.
There were several pages of hits, but every single one was some form of gaming tag. He typed other versions, but there was nothing. He looked around. Could this be dangerous itself? Raynee could reprogram people’s heads. Any computer would be easy game if she was paying attention. What if Mordriss himself was listening?
He typed a few more sentences, but again there was nothing. This was hopeless. Whatever Mordriss was, it knew how to cover its tracks. He spent another half hour searching for random things, then called it a night. As he drifted to sleep, he thought about Raynee’s comments. That put a damper on his existence.
*
“What did I warn you not to do?” called out a male voice, which shook Jason awake.
To his surprise, he was no longer in bed but instead at the end of a wide bathtub. Staring at him from the opposite side of the tub was a cleanly shaven man perhaps in his mid-twenties. His body was muscular, but more like a basketball player than a body-builder. He was lying comfortably with a towel supporting his head and sported a broad all-knowing smile that made Jason more than a little nervous.
The man’s feet bumped into his and he grinned.
Jason huddled up on the other side of the tub. “Who are you?” he screamed.
The man laughed. “This is Raynee,” he said.
“Umm, I don’t think so.” Jason put one arm outside the tub.
He shook his head. “I’m in the form of my brother, Val. I bet you would’ve loved naked me in here, wouldn’t you?”
Jason paused, then considered this statement relatively tame compared to other recent events.
“So what did I order you not to do?” Val revealed a long paper. “Search queries. Mordriss. Who is Mordriss. Reptiles Mordriss. Mordred. Mordriss bad guy. Demon Mordriss. Mordriss New York City. Mordriss destruction. Mordriss evil guy. Mordriss can you hear me. Screw you Mordriss.”
Jason moved to respond, but Val shushed him.
“There’s also Raynee Mordriss, Raynee brunette, Raynee brunette nude, hot brunette nude.”
He glared at Jason, who sank lower into the bubbles.
“I feel a little violated by those last ones,” said Val, who moved to stand until Jason begged him to stay.
Jason looked around. Come to think of it, this wasn’t his bathroom. The floors were polished white marble. Three gold-plated sinks adorned one side, while a water-jet massage table occupied another. His bathtub was easily ten feet across, and beneath an equally-sized arched window that looked onto the Bezna’s small backyard.
Val smiled while Jason scanned the room. “That shower of yours was so narrow. No way the two of us were fitting in there. Funny thing is, you didn’t even notice it. You just slipped into the tub. Sometimes turnips amaze me. You expect one reaction and get a completely different one.”
The bathroom was not the only thing that had changed. A jungle now occupied his backyard, complete with impossibly tall trees and a dozen types of foliage. Two eyes peered in at him from what looked like a large, climbing mutant hamster.
“I rescued it from Australia. It’s a tree kangaroo. I named it Boongarry.”
Given the events of the last two days, having a jungle in his backyard wasn’t so bad. Jason thought back to Mordriss. The computer searches had obviously been a bad idea, but he had a much better source now.
“So, who is he? Mordriss?”
“Someone you don’t want to mess with.” Val threw a pile of bubbles at him. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I just learned that my entire planet is disappearing, including me. Aren’t I entitled to at least some information?”
“No.”
“So does Mordriss come from where you’re from?”
Val sighed. “Yes.”
“And where is that?”
Val stood for the soap to drizzle down his chiseled body, and Jason looked away. “Look, Turnip, I’m being nice to you. This is for your own good. Stop searching for things beyond you. If I catch you again, I’ll-I’ll . . . .”
It occurred to Jason just then that the last thing Raynee would ever do was hurt him, at least physically.
“I’ll take Boongarry!” he shouted, then was gone.
Jason returned to his room, which now shared the only door with his new master bathroom. He opened it twice more, just to make sure it was still there, then went outside to check out his jungle.
Several shapes looked at him as Jason attempted to make his way through the thick foliage, then decided against it. Each tree kangaroo was at least fifty feet up except Boongarry, who looked on with lazy eyes from near his level. Jason fumbled through the bushes to reach him.
As he approached, Boongarry slowly slid down the tree. His head leaned forward, and he didn’t flinch when Jason reached him. Above, two tree kangaroos were munching on green, golfball-sized fruits. Several had fallen on the ground, and Jason picked one up and placed it before Boongarry’s nose. The tree kangaroo slowly moved its head toward the fruit, opened its mouth, then fell from the tree.
Jason immediately rushed forward and caught the animal. Its paws barely held onto him, while its nose nudged his cheek. Boongarry was not doing well, and Jason had no idea what to do.
He considered just putting the animal down. After all, the world was ending. Both he and Boongarry were doomed, so why do anything?
Boongarry’s paw rested on his hip, while his nose snuggled against Jason’s neck and his breath moved in and out across his ear. Jason carried him back into his room. If his last actions were improving the short life of this creature, then so be it.
He half expected Raynee to be there to help, but when she failed to appear, he searched for veterinarians, then called the nearest one.
“A tree kangaroo?” was the receptionist’s reply. “I’m sorry, but dogs and cats only.”
Jason shook his head and looked for the next number. Before he could dial it, his phone rang.
“Raynee?” he replied.
“Umm, no,” a man said. “I do apologize, but I believe you just called my office about a tree kangaroo. Our receptionist accidentally told you the wrong thing. We only work with tree kangaroos.”
So, Raynee was still paying attention, Jason thought.
Boongarry looked up at Jason with dreamy eyes, then fell asleep. Jason carried him to the living
room. For once, his father wasn’t watching his tablet. His parents both stood with their eyes transfixed on nothing in particular.
“I’m going to take this tree kangaroo to the vet. The world’s supposed to end soon, but if not then I’ll be back for dinner.”
“That’s very nice,” his father said.
Before he stepped out the door, Jason couldn’t resist asking “By the way, what are you doing?”
We’re waiting,” replied his mother.
“For what.”
“We don’t know,” his father answered. “If we’re patient, we’ll find out.”
They did this every once in a while. From his experience, they would remain seated for most of the day. As a child he’d thrown toy cars at them, without a single word.
Jason carefully cradled the animal into his arms, then set out for the bus stop. He was not surprised when the bus driver paid no heed to the three-foot animal that was growing heavy in Jason’s arms, and let him aboard. Other than a young girl who asked to pet Boongarry, no one else paid attention through the thirty-minute ride.
“EMERGENCY TREE KANGAROO CLINIC” read the sign in bright red letters. Two clinicians waited outside, their eyes fixated on the poor animal barely clinging to Jason. A small gurney had already been rolled out.
Three clinicians and two veterinarians surrounded the helpless tree kangaroo while Jason looked on. They had an IV running in seconds and were quickly measuring every vital. Photos of tree kangaroos adorned the entire office, but there was a dog calendar in the corner Raynee must have missed.
“Hey, there,” a female voice called out while they rushed Boongarry into a room. It was Raynee. She wore jeans and a blue sweater and, with so much he wanted and needed to say, Jason just stood there.
“Hey.”
“I can’t do biologics,” Raynee said, her head toward the floor. “That’s why I couldn’t fix him. I can warp simple minds, but I can’t change bodies.”
Jason was both relieved and worried about her comment. On the one hand, that meant she wouldn’t be turning him into a lizard or newt anytime soon. On the other, even she had her limits.
“But I have good news,” she offered with a forced smile and half a tear.
He could really use some positive news. It wasn’t just Boongarry. Jason had grown fond of living and rather liked Planet Earth, even if it was a bit smaller than he’d thought.
Raynee took Jason’s hand and held it close. A strange buzzing sensation overcame him that spread throughout his body, until his eyes shut and the ringing hurt his ears.
“And I have some news myself,” added a white-clad woman who had just entered. She seemed to be one of the vets.
“That’s wonderful!” Raynee shrieked and dropped his hand.
He wrung his head, having heard nothing.
“He’s going to be okay,” the vet said. “It’s good you didn’t wait longer, though. I think the toxoplasmosis could partially be from the journey. It must have scared poor Boongarry to be transplanted so suddenly from his home.”
Raynee jumped up and down in glee. She turned to Jason and hugged him, then hugged the vet.
“We’ll need to keep him overnight. But don’t worry. I’ll have staff seeing to his needs every minute.”
“That’s amazing,” Raynee said, and she again grabbed Jason’s hand. The sensation returned, but this time didn’t block his ears, as if he were growing used to it.
“You need some of those money things, right?” Raynee said. She produced a suitcase out of nothing. “Here’s two million dollars. Will that be enough?”
The vet’s eyes opened wide, then she calmly took the suitcase. “Yes, that should do,” she answered with a quick breath. “Would you like to see Boongarry?”
A broad smile appeared on the animal’s face when they entered, and Raynee rushed to his side so he wouldn’t exert himself. Jason followed and petted his head while Raynee double checked the vast array of medical equipment that provided vitals. Jason doubted even the President would have as much equipment.
They bid Boongarry goodbye, then headed down a small alley to a main street. Although Jason wasn’t sure how much time he’d be in existence, at least for now he was with Raynee. She moved close and the plumeria scent overcame him.
“About that good news,” she said as his thoughts raced in every direction. “Your planet may not end so soon.”
Jason perked up. The day was getting better.
“Remember how I told you about time correlation?”
He did recall this, but still had no idea what she meant.
“Back then it was around one to a thousand, but now it’s like one to twenty. I have no idea why. Never seen it before.”
“So . . .?”
“So, I have no idea. On the positive side, you’ll find the news much happier now. The lightning storms and hurricanes seem to have stopped, and Beijing and Australia have returned to their normal temperatures.”
“And all of the people?” asked Jason incredulously.
They were only steps from the main street.
“They’re still dead or picking up the pieces. But hey, it’s getting better.”
The good feeling didn’t last long. Just as his mouth opened, a fist knocked him to the ground, then an impossibly strong arm held him against the pavement. A knife grazed his ear.
“Everything! I want it! Now!” the assailant yelled. “Hello, beautiful,” he added in a mocking voice, presumably at Raynee.
The man’s grip softened and the next instant he was helping Jason to his feet. He was rough-shaven, had a poorly healed cut by his cheek, and reeked of booze and garbage.
“I’m so sorry, sir.” The man dropped his knife in stunned disbelief he was holding it. “We’re putting on a theater production and I do so hope you’ll come see us.”
Jason shook his head, then saw that Raynee was smiling. Unfortunately she didn’t notice the other one, with hunting knife drawn, approaching from behind. Jason had no chance to warn her before he struck.
“Aaaaah!” the attacker screamed at the top of his lungs while Raynee turned toward him in confusion. She was perfectly fine. The knife was gone, as was the entire hand.
Blood spewed out of his limb and Jason could see his bone peeking out among the red flesh. The man looked at the wound and screamed so loud faces popped up from every window and corner.
“What the hell happened?” Jason asked.
Raynee was lost for words. “I warned you not to touch me . . . ” she said at last.
“Then fix him!” Jason demanded, but Raynee shook her head. “I can’t. I couldn’t even help Boongarry. How do you expect me to fix that?”
The attacker was running in circles while the blood poured out of him. His friend took a stunned look at Raynee, then took off.
“Do you mean if I touched you that would’ve happened to me?”
“Well, I warned you didn’t I? If I see it coming, I can prevent it.”
Aware now that neither was going to do anything at all, the man continued to scream, then ran into the street until the front wheels of the next bus plowed into him.
The driver and every passenger jumped off while he writhed in pain, then gave out one last gasp. Raynee pulled Jason away from the oncoming crowd.
“This is bad,” she said.
“Yeah, but you can fix it. Just mess with their heads like you did before.”
“I can’t do that with this many turnips. I’m just learning.” She sat down and began to cry. “I finally thought everything was going to be fine, and you’re an interesting vegetable.”
Jason sat and moved to embrace her, then considered otherwise. “Yeah, but the planet’s still fine,” he said in an unsteady voice. “Just he’s not.”
She shook her head. “No. This is very bad. I can’t hide this. They’re going to know.”
“Who’s going to know?”
She looked up and turned his face toward hers. “It doesn’t matter. I tell you to keep q
uiet and then I screw things up. There’s nothing I can do. They’re going to destroy everything.”
5
Jason peered at the man’s remains amid the nearly hundred people crowded around. Someone was attempting to wrap a tourniquet on the arm, while another was trying CPR, but Jason knew it was no use. The ground everywhere was coated in red, and more than a few onlookers were eyeing them suspiciously.
He winced when Raynee grabbed his arm. One mistake on her part and he would end up the same, but she only pulled him away. “I’m going to try to fix this,” she kept saying.
“So, first our world was going to be destroyed, then you said we’re getting better, and now because of this we’re doomed?” For some reason, he could spare no pity for the dead man who lay near them. The end of everything else, however, was a different matter.
“Because there’s an order to the turnip patch,” she said. “It’s beyond turnips, but to put it simply, there are things that can happen and things that can’t. This is most definitely something that can’t.”
“You mean peoples’ hands usually don’t just disappear.”
“Right. And that causes ripples. You turnips don’t see them, but others do. They’ll notice.”
“Who will notice?”
“It’s beyond turnips.”
Jason groaned.
“But bad people.”
“Unless you fix it.” Jason smiled. He moved to nudge her, then stayed back.
“Yeah,” she replied with her head down. “I just need to think for a bit.”
She shoved him on the bus along with the driver, and sent him home. None of this made any sense. Jason was sick of being a turnip.
“The grass is a bit high. Could you mow it?” his mother asked the instant he entered.
“That’s not grass, Mom,” he said. “It’s a jungle. You did also notice the huge new bathroom, right?”
“Yes,” his father said. “It’s very nice.”
Jason shook his head, then retired to his bedroom. He spent some time staring out the window at the ninety-foot-tall giants that now inhabited his yard, complete with tree kangaroos, then returned to the living room to watch television.
The news was already covering the man’s death. Sketches of Jason and Raynee were next to the words “Persons of Interest.” Jason gulped. They were close enough that someone would recognize him soon. Even though he truthfully had no idea what happened, he doubted the police would see it that way. Before his parents noticed, he turned off the television and spent the evening figuring out his water-jet massage bed in the new bathroom. If the world ended that night, it would at least be in comfort.
