Alienation: A Serial Story Rushing In Without Thought

Mon., Sept. 18, 2000

Jordan Caldwell, Ferris

Part seven

Kade clutched his weapon with an iron grip and pointed it straight at the light. As he crept closer, he ducked low and weaved his way through the field’s tall grass. The light became brighter and clearer with every step he took.

Gael lay on the grass, her flashlight on and her ship nearby. A strange pulsing sensation moved repeatedly from her feet to her head. Even though she was unconscious, Gael seemed to grit her teeth each time the pulsing reached her head.

The flashlight’s battery began to drain away, and the light began to fade. Kade watched closely as the light dimmed, and he hurried to get to it before it disappeared. He reached the spot and swung around in a circle, his gun out and his finger on the trigger. He saw nothing but his ship in the distance.

The flashlight went out but something else remained - a dark orb that emanated a rippling movement from its core. Kade walked to the orb’s other side and didn’t see a thing. It was as though the globe had no third dimension. He moved back cautiously.

Kade picked up a rock and threw it at the orb. The stone seemed to sink into the orb as though it were water. The small ripples continued. He clutched a stick in his hand and jabbed the orb, which sucked in the stick as if it was food. He tightened his grip on the stick and pulled back as hard as he could, but it didn’t come loose. The bark cut his hands.

The pulsing sensation Gael had felt stopped. Her thoughts were confused, her brain a puzzle that she was racing to put back together. She felt fatigued and dizzy again. Some memories came and others went. The sensation finally eased, and it felt as though the blood were rushing to her head.

Gael’s headache drained away but a wave of dizziness washed over her, fleeing again seconds later. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she wiped them away. Her past life filled her thoughts. She remembered rushing through space, surrounded by stars. Past adventures and travels overwhelmed her. She rubbed her eyes, pinched herself and smiled.

Meanwhile, Kade pulled his hand away from the orb and found it covered in deep cuts. He wrapped it in a rag. Goosebumps appeared on his arms as a shiver quaked his body.

He reached out to touch the orb, which pulled him inside. It wasn’t a smart move, but he wasn’t known for those. He felt icy cold. He closed his eyes and tried to scream but couldn’t make a sound.

Would he come out of this place alive?

To be continued …

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