With
the last packet completed, my tired back screams, ‘Break time’.
“You’re
sweating as much as I am. Our lunch and drinks are over there,” I point a few
yards off. I figure Ardel’s hungry, too.
We
walk toward the blanket that I neatly spread across the grass this morning,
along with the picnic basket holding our lunch.
“Oh,
No, the blankets rumpled, Ardel, our basket of food is gone.” I’m dumbfounded.
“Well,
if it had been a critter, it was a smart one, or really liked the basket you
brought,” he says.
I
pick up the blanket. “Very funny, we have to head on home to eat, Ardel.
“That’s
fine with me, I’m worn out. Stop, listen.” He grabs my arm. “Do you hear that sound,
like the one we heard when we first got here? It sounds like a horn or a huge
animal’s ferocious call. Maybe it’s a
warning about us? Look over there, Journee, there’s movement in the bushes
across the meadow, but there isn’t any wind. I can’t see anything,”
Ardel
turns and looks further to his right, “I don’t like this.”
“There’s
rustling in the weeds, near our pods, too,” I say, pointing toward a large
clump of brush.
“We
need to get back to the house. Make a beeline. I hope we are not expected to be dinner for some meat eaters,” Ardel
is frowning.
We
need to hurry. “Ardel, look over there,” I point to our right, between the
green house and home,” I think that’s a path. Have you ever noticed it? It’s
new to me.”
“No.
This is the first time I’ve seen it.”
“Something
could easily attack us by springing out of the brush,” I said.
“It’s
a small pathway and the undergrowth is moving around it. I’ve no idea where it
goes. We need to get home, now,” Ardel says, hurrying along.
I
run up the stairs with Ardel right behind me, “It’s safe to watch from inside.
We might catch a glimpse of whatever is out here from the kitchen window while
we eat lunch. We can check it out later, together, when we are prepared.”
“What?
You don’t think I’m prepared for trouble?” He continues, “Why, I’m heavily
armed with a trowel and hand hoe, which makes me mighty dangerous to anything
the size of a spider.”
“You’re
right, my handsome hero,” I said as I go into the kitchen.
The wall shows pictures from a screen. “I want
lunch, please. Do you have suggestions?”
“Yes,”
the House answers me. “ Would you like to begin with a cup of chowder?” a picture
on the screen pops into view, “followed
by baked almond chicken breast, mashed potatoes to complete a nutritious lunch
made for two? I can include a spinach salad topped with a sprinkling of honey pecans
and dried tomatoes, with a raspberry dressing drizzled over it!”
“Yes,
that sounds delicious. I’m glad there are pictures with the names of foods you
are describing, because I don’t have a clue what I’d do without your help. I would
probably order a cup of sand topped with a stick if I was on my own. Thank you.”
I stand in front of a door that opens, revealing our ready to eat meal. I
remove it from what I’ve named the ‘little magic box’ and set our dinner on the
table. “Ardel, come get it,” I yell out.
We
talk while we eat and keep our attention on the path, now with purpose, not
just to enjoy the view. “I haven’t seen any movement since we sat down.” I
said.
“Me
either. All I’ve seen are a flock of birds flying far off and that’s it.” Ardel
keeps his main focus outside while eating.
We
go back to the living area after we finish our meal and give up on seeing the
path makers or ‘horn tooting monsters’ for now.
We sit awhile and relax our tired bones. Light plays across the room
through the stained glass windows, giving it an ethereal look, picking up the colors
of rich greens, bright reds, pinks and pale blues that blend together in
mesmerizing slow moving patterns as the late afternoon sun descends. It almost
puts me to sleep but I shake myself awake.
“Ardel,
I’ve been reading books on the history here. I’ve noticed there isn’t any mention of specific
dates or a definitive era in what I’ve read so far. I haven’t a clue when anything
happened. It seems odd. The stories are about people who show strength and
kindness. All have overcome odds and threats from various sources. The writings go from primitive hand-to-hand
combat to invasions with sophisticated weapons.“
“I’ve
noticed the same thing, honey. It’s odd that dates are omitted,” he said.
“Yeah, I think we probably should keep a
journal. Everything is written of in no particular
order.” I add, “House, did you keep these journals or did the people write
them?”
“It
was a joint work.”
“Everyone
who comes after us will learn of our experiences,” Ardel smiles at me.
“That’s
the intent.”
I pick up another book from the vast library. “House,
why is time ambiguous in the journals?”
“Time is of your making. It loops and layers unnoticed
by you. It is subtle.”
“Wow,”
I see Ardel looking befuddled, “did you expect that, honey?”
“No,
that’s new to me,” he says.
Our
silence is interrupted as we hear a gentle tapping.
I
go to the front door, look through the glass and see the top of a small human females
head. Her height might reach my kneecap. She appears to be an adult.
I
say, “May I help you?”
“Yes,
I’ve come to talk with you,” her brown eyes look directly into mine.
“Please
come in,” I invite her, surprised at her language skills.
“Thank
you,” she says clearly.
“Follow
me. You are speaking our language! How do you know it?
She
says as she walks behind me into the living area. “There have been others like
you here and we adapted to the language for broad communication,”
“This is my mate, Ardel, and I’m Journee.”
My
mind is already wondering what she means by others here that talked our
language.
“Call
me C-woo-ba,” she smiles.
“It’s
a pleasure to meet you. Please be seated.”
Ardel
and I watch as a chair, suitable for the small size of our guest, lifts up
through the floor. She walks over to it and sits down. The chair rises further,
bringing her to eye level with us. She seems unfazed. I am shocked.
She begins, “Our history keepers teach us that
many from far away have visited here. We
benefited from their visits until the Outstar People landed. These invaders
caused chaos. Communities changed. Members
of our tribe vanished. We realized that other beings were taken from areas far
and wide. Everyone had lived in peace
and unity. Now great evil reigned.”
“How
long ago did all this begin?”
“Over
two generations ago,” she replied, “and we still suffer losses.”
“We
have seen the bushes move when we have been outside. Do you know who might be
disturbing them?”
“Yes,
members of my tribe watch. We maintain safeguards and have seen you from a
distance since you landed. We’ve learned to protect ourselves from being taken,
fortunately it seldom happens now.”
“We
have heard a strange loud noise as well. Is that a signal your tribe uses?” I
ask.
“Yes, it tells of anyone unknown nearby, also
if there is a threat,” she continues, “We moved into caverns where we are safe
and can escape detection. The Outstar People altered beings that had been
gentle, transforming them into Demons. They enter through an opening that appears
out of thin air and target the most venerable, often taking those who are sleeping.
Before we found safety in the caverns, we were preyed upon. Grandmothers,
babies, women and men were randomly abducted. We don’t go near their strange
opening since we saw them appear.
Ardel
and I look at each other and nod, understanding their predicament.
“We have no idea how to help you right
now, but we’ll look into it,” I say.
“Thank
you. Tomorrow I’ll bring a friend who’ll tell you more about our situation.” C-woo-ba
bows her head as if saying good-bye and walks to the door.
I
open the door for her, “It’s been good to meet you, C-woo-ba. Will you be safe
leaving for your cavern now, as it is nearly dark out?” I ask.
“I
have others nearby to walk with me. I’m protected. It is good to have met you
both. Thank you,” she turns and walks away.
I
call out as she leaves, “We’re glad you came,” I just stand at the door,
dumbfounded.
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