Reflection Read online

  “No one is suggesting that,” my mother replies, smiling at me. But my father has a look of horror. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s a light shade of green. I’m so glad we don’t have a shotgun in the house. “Everyone just needs to calm down. All we have to do is make sure they stay together. That’s simple enough, isn’t it?”

  “How much together?” my father asks. His voice is very weak.

  “For heaven’s sake, George,” she states, with a smirk. “Sit down before you fall down. They do not need to live together, although that wouldn’t hurt. But just being in the same vicinity should be fine. How do you two feel at night when you’re apart?”

  “Well…” Takoda says.

  “We’re not exactly alone,” I add.

  “What?” my father shouts, standing again.

  “Wait,” I say, holding up my hands. “We are both in our own rooms, in our own homes, okay?”

  “That’s a relief.” Dad sits back down and wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.

  “What I meant is that…” I start but my mother finishes my sentence for me.

  “You two can communicate with each other mentally.” She sits next to my father looking as though she’s now in shock.

  “You can what?” Fretoda asks, staring at us as though we just grew an extra head.

  “It’s rare, but we’ve seen it happen,” Chawlya says, with enthusiasm in her voice. “I’ve never met anyone who could do it, but I’ve read about it. Can you actually communicate with each other?”

  I nod. “A little.”

  “We share dreams too,” Takoda adds.

  “Dreams?” she asks. “Now I’m impressed. Celestial merging, I thought it was a myth. Who discovered you could do this?”

  “I did,” I offer, glancing at their eyes for approval. “I wanted to see how far I could push our connection.”

  Dad sighs and rubs his eyes. He tries to speak, but nothing coherent comes out. Finally, with a lot of effort, he says, “I need a beer,” and aims for the refrigerator.

  “I could use one too,” Fretoda says, frowning. “This is more information than I needed to know.”

  My mother whispers into my ear. “This subject is as sensitive to a Swetaachata as sex is to us.”

  “Ah man!” I holler and run out to the lake to be alone again.

  Takoda is right behind me. But I had to get out of there. It was getting way too personal for my liking.

  • • •

  “That went well,” Takoda muses, walking to the lake with me.

  “Stop, please,” a soft voice echoes from behind us.

  We wait to let Freya catch up with us. For the next hour, we walk around the lake. Takoda holds my hand and my heart fills with love. Only when I’m with him do I feel safe. When we return, they’re discussing politics, which is a relief. I’m tired of being the center of attention.

  “Hey,” I say, entering as a trio.

  “Oh,” my father exclaims. “We’ve got it all planned. We’re staying here until your classes end. Then you’ll go off to college, together, of course. Once you’ve graduated, we will plan your union.”

  “But I thought a union was forbidden—illegal. I really have no desire to spend part of my life in prison.”

  “We’re going to change the laws,” my mother says, as if it’s nothing.

  “This is going to be interesting,” Takoda says.

  24

  THE ATTACK

  CLASSES END and it’s wonderful not worrying about tests or homework assignments. It’s also wonderful knowing Anneeta will not be in my life for several months. Although she doesn’t talk to us, her stares from the back of the room still burn. How she’s able to do that is beyond me. Summer’s approaching. But since this world is only slightly tilted on its axis, there’s no strong seasonal change. It does get a little warmer.

  My birthday’s just a few days away. I’ve passed my required physical and told I’m in perfect health. I receive gifts from everyone, including a new jeep from my father. It’s gray—not canary-yellow or neon green—and I’m delighted. Abeytu gives me a robe and a pair of sandals. He winks when he hands them to me; I have to laugh.

  “I know how much you love my attire,” he chuckles.

  My mother gives me a beautiful mirror and brush. Both are inlaid with colorful gems and the carvings are exquisite.

  “They were my mother’s,” she says, as she hands them to me.

  I really don’t know what to say. It feels good to have something of my family, but at the same time, I don’t feel right taking such a personal gift.

  Takoda made reservations at a very nice restaurant. Money and buying things are different and I don’t really understand how it works. It’s based on a point system, and they use something like a credit card. I get points for attending classes. Not a lot, but enough to pay for transportation. I can’t complain.

  We arrive at sunset, and we’re seated right away. Our table overlooks the huge valley. I’m excited to finally be in the valley and not above it. Trees as big around as—if not bigger than—a house extend out as far as a city block. Their leaves are average size, but their trunks and the limbs are huge. We can easily see out with the dim lighting. Thousands of little lightning bugs sparkle in the darkness.

  “Oh!” I exclaim, when I see them. “I love lightning bugs.”

  “Those are not bugs.”

  “What are they?” I ask, surprised.

  Takoda laughs, taking a sip of water. “Nasty little creatures that would rip your skin off, given the chance. Be thankful these windows don’t open.”

  “Really?” I ask.

  “Really,” he repeats. “They look a little like an Earth wasp, but their body is much larger. They breathe as we do, not through their skin as an Earth Insect. They are categorized as itophilus. They are nasty little critters and only found down in this valley. They look small, don’t they?”

  I nod.

  “They are larger than my hand. That’s why this area is not as populated. They live in the ground and spread quickly. Even if you build over them, they eventually make their way through foundation.”

  “Are we safe?” I glance around for any sign of the little things.

  “I’m sure we are. They inspect the building to ensure they have not drilled any holes.”

  “Drill?”

  We’re interrupted by the waiter. “My name is Lentel and I’ll be serving you tonight.” He reminds me of Abeytu with white long hair. He’s wearing a black robe with black sandals, just like all the other employees. “May I take your orders?”

  “Yes, we’ll have the greens and soft rock, well done, please.” Takoda orders for the both of us.

  “Excellent choice, sir,” the young man states nodding to the right. I’m getting so used to everyone nodding that I hardly pay any attention to it anymore.

  “Greens I understand, but what’s soft rock?” I ask.

  “It’s similar to chicken.”

  “Have you ever had chicken?”

  “I’ve had steak before and it was not a bad taste. We now have cattle. Many of Earth’s food has transitioned here, including chicken. Swetaachata never ate bird before council introduced it to our culture. Now people can’t seem to get enough of it. I have trouble with the heavy fat. The way they fix it here, it’s okay. It is called rock.”

  “Well, this will be fun.” I look out at the nasty little creatures. “I still like watching them.”

  “How is your relationship with your mother?” Takoda asks, taking my hand.

  With his touch, my heart leaps. His eyes cut right through me. I squeeze his hand and smile.

  “I really enjoy my time with you, Takoda.” I study his face and amazing features.

  “I enjoy you, Journey. Now quit changing the subject. How are you and your mother?”

  “Distant,” I reply, glancing at the creatures to avoid his eyes. “It’s hard. I miss Rachael so much. When I look at Chawlya there’s a sense of belonging�
��of some memories—but…”

  “But?”

  I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. How do you explain to someone if you can’t explain it to yourself? “Something is missing.”

  “Maybe time?”

  “Yes, like time. All the days that passed and she was not there, did something to our relationship. It’s the time I’m missing. She’s a stranger to me.”

  The food is very good, a thick soup loaded with chunks of vegetables and herbs. The few chicken chunks I push aside. The greens are a mixture of a leafy vegetable and fruit. After dinner, Takoda takes me to our ruins and a blanket is waiting for us by our old tent.

  “I’ve missed not having you at my side,” he says, when we stand in front of the small campsite. “I need to be with you alone, and it just doesn’t seem right unless we are in a tent or in the wild.”

  My heart melts and I hug him resting my cheek on his chest. He smells wonderful and his strong embrace makes me feel safe and secure.

  “Journey?”

  “Yes, Takoda.”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  We lay together under the stars enjoying each other’s company. We talk about everything and anything. Takoda, always the perfect gentleman, is a perfect gentleman. Just before we fall asleep, he hands me a small box.

  “What’s this?”

  “Your birthday present. I understand you celebrate birthdays with gifts. This is my gift to you.”

  I pull out a draping.

  “Oh my.” I am not sure what to say.

  Between my fingers dangles a long thin strap of leather entwined with beads and tiny colorful feathers.

  “This was my first draping. I want you to have it. Every year of our life, we receive a new strand. After many years, there are too many to wear. We pick and choose each day. On Journey, it is different. They add to their drapings. As they aged, there is more leather than hair.”

  I laugh. I can just envision an old man with nothing but a leather wig and feathers and beads falling down his back.

  “But if this is your first…I can’t…”

  Takoda places his fingers over my mouth to quiet me. He takes the draping from my hand and attaches it to my hair. It’s a little heavy, but not uncomfortable. My heart skips as I take in its meaning.

  “My mother made this for me while she carried me. She died giving birth to my sister. This is what I have left of her and I want, no, I need you to have it. I need you to understand how important you are to me. How much I love you.”

  He kisses me. I melt into his strong arms and gentle touch. His warm lips invigorate me. I fall asleep inside his strong arms. It’s wonderful.

  • • •

  The bright lights wake me before the noise. People in uniform are everywhere. Growling dog-like creatures on leashes bite into the tent. We’re yanked from the tent and they beat Takoda with a whip. I scream as they hold me back.

  “No, stop!” I scream, until my throat is raw. “Leave him alone!”

  Takoda’s dragged away, his blood leaving a trail. The pain on my back echoes through my body. He never makes a sound although it has to be excruciating. I yell for him, cry, kick. I bite anyone I can reach. They restrain and shove me into a vehicle. A screech escapes my lips as my head hits the frame. Stars clog my vision. My body aches and my back is on fire. Fear consumes me. I know this is what Takoda’s feeling. My heart’s breaking for him. I feel helpless; my anger is rising.

  I scream and kick inside the vehicle. I crack a window and the grid separating me from the driver is dented by the time we arrive. They drag me inside because I’m not going willingly. I’m throw into a cell and my elbow smacks the cement floor sending waves of pain up my arm. I bounce up and grab a guard before he slams the door.

  The scream escaping my lips reminds me of the first scream Takoda and I heard at the Ancient City—high-pitched and evil. When the second guard pulls me off the first, his eyes widen with terror. I yank the first guard and bite down with such force, he screams and his voice echoes through the room. Jerking my head, I spit the torn flesh on the other guard who’s stunned. I’m going in for another bite when several guards pull me off the severely injured man.

  Blood’s running down my chin and I’m screaming and growling. One guard pulls off his belt and beats me with the buckle end. The first blow hits me across the back of the head and stars fill my eyes as the room spins. Something hard hits me on my left hip, the same hip I cracked by the pool at the Ancient City, and I feel the bone split. My screams of pain ricochet down the hall. Other prisoners yell and scream in my defense. With my good leg, I kick and catch someone who flails across the room. They hit a wall, and I hear a crack as they fall to the floor. Two guards are holding me by my arms as the other guards beat me. I drop and the two guards holding me lose their balance. They crash together headfirst. I push them away and jump to my feet.

  My left hip is killing me, and it takes all my concentration to not fall. A new guard enters and points a gun at my head.

  “One more move and you’re dead, Princess.”

  It only takes a few seconds for me to respond. I jump and slam my feet toward the guard. He fires and the bullet enters my right hip. The bullet shatters my hip bone as it exits through my body. But my feet still find his chest. We make contact and he falls backwards against the hard steel door. His head hits the edge and he stops moving.

  I fall to the floor, my blood is everywhere. The pain should be unbearable, but I’m numb. I lay there panting and gasping. With fear gripping my soul, I reach out with my mind for Takoda. He’s there, telling me to calm down.

  “Someone will pay for this.” It’s a woman’s voice. She laughs. “It looks like one already did. Medics! Over here, now!”

  Hands pick me up and place me on a stretcher. Just before I pass out, the woman comes into focus. It’s my mother.

  25

  THE DREAM

  I WAKE in a dim room, covered with a light blanket. A beeping echoes through my aching head. Everything’s blurry and my mouth’s dry.

  “Water,” I mumble.

  “Honey.” It’s my father’s voice.

  “Water,” I beg.

  Cool water drips into my mouth. It isn’t enough, I need more. I reach out for the cool liquid to quench my thirst but only find my father’s arm.

  “Calm down, sweetheart,” my father coos. “I can’t give you too much, it will make you sick.”

  He continues to drop water into my mouth. An angry voice comes from somewhere. “I want those responsible for this to be brought to me immediately. Nothing—I repeat, nothing—will be done to them. You bring them to me, I will deal with them.”

  “They’re being detained, Madame Magistrate,” a man’s voice replies. “I will personally see your orders are carried out.”

  I hear a curtain being drawn. “How’s she doing?” It’s my mother’s voice.

  With tears running down his cheek, he replies, “I don’t know.”

  “For heaven’s sake, George, she will be fine. You always overreact.” My eyes are starting to clear and I can see more than just shadows. My mother’s face hovers a few feet above me. She leans over and kisses my forehead.

  “How are you feeling?” she asks.

  “I’ve been better,” I mumble. “Where’s Takoda?”

  “We don’t know. But we have people looking for him.”

  “Mom, what?”

  “There is a faction of rebels fighting the Council for control. They wanted you, not Takoda,” she explains, sitting softly on the bed. “But my men were able to rescue you. You would know if he was killed.”

  Takoda’s in pain because of me. “I thought they were taking us because we were together.”

  “No, sweetie,” she says. But there’s no feeling in her words and I’m bothered by that. “They are after you, and they are still after you. They want you so they can take us down. But you are here and we will not let anything happen to you.”

/>   “How badly am I hurt?” I ask, afraid of the answer.

  “They operated on your hips earlier and gave you medicine to help your bones heal. You’ll be here several weeks, at least. They will get you up tomorrow…get you walking again. You’ll be fine in about a month or so.”

  “I don’t have a month! I need to be up now, I need to find Takoda!”

  “If she wants up, we will get her up,” a doctor says from the foot of my bed startling everyone.

  My father protests. “She was almost killed, she needs to rest.”

  “George,” my mother scolds, “she will be fine. I am sure the doctor knows what he is doing.”

  The doctor was as good as his word. I’m up that afternoon. Whatever they gave me is definitely healing my bones faster than they would have on Earth. My left hip hurts more than my right, but they’re both at least working, and that’s all that matters. I’m going after Takoda, and I need my strength back.

  For the next several days, I walk up and down the halls. If I’m not walking, I’m in the exercise room. Every machine they have, I use. The therapist begs me to slow down. I have scars along both sides of my body where they repaired my hips. They give me stuff to rub into the scars to make them fade, but I kind of like my battle trophies. I want them to remind me never let to my guard down again.

  It’s night and my parents finally leave. Maybe I can think now. A young Swetaachata nurse enters and smiles.

  “How are you feeling? Do you need anything for pain?”

  I shake my head.

  “Something wrong?” Her eyes look sincere.

  My body is healing, but I’m exhausted. She pulls up a chair and sits beside me.

  “I overheard about your friend,” she says, lowering her eyes. “Did you Kupatanna with him?”

  My inner alarm sounds. Knowing to trust my inner-self, I remain quiet.

  “I may be able to help,” she says.

  The young nurse seems honest. My mind reels with questions; can I trust her and should I trust her.

  She leans in close and whispers, “You can communicate with him if you bonded. I can help.”