Chapter 43

“I’m just the pieces of the man I used to be

Too many bitter tears are raining down on me

I’m far away from home

And I’ve been facing this alone

For much too long

I feel like no-one ever told the truth to me

About growing up and what a struggle it would be

In my tangled state of mind

I’ve been looking back to find

Where I went wrong”*

Leon’s point of view

He’d come back. I wasn’t sure why or how long he wanted to stay, but I wasn’t about to argue with a seven-foot tall reptilian guy.

Zakkar seemed extremely troubled and distraught, and didn’t want to talk much at all. What he did tell me was that he just wanted a place to sleep, water and secrecy. I couldn’t understand how he never had to eat – just sleep and drink water. It all had me a bit bewildered since I’d run into him by the base. Luckily, there wasn’t much to explain to people – I lived alone in the small northern town, while my family lived further away to the south of Illinois. Nobody knew about him being in my small apartment.

He’d been here a week, mostly silent. He “couldn’t go back”, in his words. I pitied his pained emotional state. Now he lay sprawled carelessly across the spare bed, sleeping fitfully. What nightmares plagued his mind? And what place had been turned away from, like an outcast?

Cautiously, I stepped into the spare room, keeping a watchful eye on those nasty-looking claws that twitched in sleep. The glass on the nightstand was empty of water, as I’d expected. I picked it up, and started out of the room. I had barely walked a few meters when a stifled yawn and rustling of sheets caused me to glance around again.

Zakkar blinked heavily, and stretched his wings. He looked strangely resigned, yet full of sadness. He looked at me calmly.

“Can I use your phone?”

I frowned, “Pardon?”

He swung himself upright, running his eyes: “Your phone? I need to tell him. He’s confused; I know it. I have to call him.”

“Well, sure… I guess…”

I directed him to it, in the sitting room. He sat heavily, picking up the receiver with trepidation. His claws hovered over the numbers motionlessly, and his face contorted into confusion. His hand dipped to press a button then sharply drew back short of it.

“Have you forgotten the number?” I quizzed carefully.

“Yes,” he replied simply, seeming surprised.

“Look, I’ve got a phone book around here somewhere…”

“No, he lives in Atlanta,” Zakkar stated, replacing the receiver. “Won’t be in it.”

I shrugged helplessly, “So who is this guy you’re calling? A brother?”

“Could say that,” Zakkar sighed, as if reminiscing. “He’s my cousin, really … but I’d call him brother any day.”

I let him sink back into the sofa, pensive and quiet. He needed his own time to figure things out. I returned with a glass of water for him, and he took a long, grateful gulp from it. I had realised by now that he thought more clearly when he was rested and had re-hydrated himself. Sure enough, an enlightened look crossed his face soon afterwards.

“I remember,” he breathed, more to himself than me.

Grabbing the receiver again, he deftly punched the numbers in as if he’d never forgotten.

Brian’s point of view

“It just seems to get more and more vivid,” I exclaimed. “Either this is real, or I’m going crazy.”

AJ and Howie exchanged glances. They’d come up for the weekend, and I felt they should know about my “sighting”. AJ scratched his dyed-blue hair – getting married hadn’t eliminated his creative, wild side – and hesitantly answered.

“Bri…. You’re not a headcase…” he stated nervously.

I turned from the window, locking eyes with him: “So it’s real then?”

“Didn’t say that,” AJ added wryly. “Maybe you’re just stressed out about it again?”

“AJ’s right, Brian,” Howie agreed carefully. “It was that the first time.”

“What if it wasn’t that the first time?” I cried out. “What is it was real, and is this time too?!”

I hung my head, surprised at my outburst, but I could see them glancing at each other anxiously again. I heard Howie approaching, and felt him rest a gentle hand on my back.

“Why would he ask you to follow, then disappear? He wasn’t a joker,” Howie claimed softly. “You have to let him go, Bri.”

“I thought I had, but then again I-”

A shrill ring cut me off and I reached for the phone, wiping my moist eyes.

“Hello?”

“That’s you, isn’t it, Bri?”

My jaw dropped – it couldn’t be!! He was using the telephone, practically confirming my suspicions and giving me proof of my claims.

“Brian?”

“Kevin?”

AJ and Howie’s heads shot up, eyes wide in shock and confusion. The line was silent for a moment.

“Kevin… is that you?”

“No…”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not him,” the voice corrected. “Not anymore.”

“Anymore?”

A sigh issued form the other end. I dumbly motioned my two friends over, urging them to listen. They obediently leaned towards the receiver.

“Where are you?”

“Hidden… but that doesn’t matter, Brian. Forget all the mental messages, forget that figure on the rooftops. All you have to know is…… the Kevin you remember is gone. Don’t live in false hope because of me.”

“What? What’s going on?”

“You’re going to hang up this phone, and forget about all of this. You’ll get on with the rest of your life, and you’ll look after Kristin. He… he would have wanted that…… just like I do.”

“Who are you?”

There was a click, and I let tears escape my eyes.

“No……”

Painfully, I looked up at Howie; all colour had drained from his face, and he seemed to have trouble finding the power to speak. AJ backed off, shaking his head in fear.

“Th… that’s… not possible.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling myself for 16 years!” I wept, enveloping Howie in a hug. “And now this!”

AJ sunk into a seat, stunned, “It was him, but it wasn’t…”

Howie and I joined him, sharing our tears and grief. Nothing made sense anymore, but this just brought it all back.

Solin’s point of view

I glided down towards New Nosteran, gazing over the sea of nightlights of the city of Kalluran. It was a breathtaking change from the untouched forests of Karnak; tall spires towered towards the heavens and glittered with countless yellow dots of warm light from the cosy rooms within, while smaller buildings crouched at their bases like obedient pets sitting by their masters. At first glance, to any outsider, this place was a maze of metal and concrete, but I had made this short journey many times before and knew exactly where I was heading. However, this visit for an entirely new reason.

“Halt!” the Giant Gecko guard called to me as I approached the Starport, squinting through his green visor. “Ah’ll visitors require identification and - ”

The guard stopped abruptly, straightening up sharply. Recognition flickered in his reptilian eyes as he answered.

“Ah, Solin, m’dear!” he greeted very casually. “Yer nay due back ‘ere until next month!”

I grinned – this Scottish character was always here at the Starport entrance. He had a good memory for faces and knew most of the Soul Creature representatives who came this way. Yet, curiously, he was very sociable and seemed to like everyone.

“This is not on behalf of the Soul Creature council,” I explained, grinning. “I’m looking for Flyer and his team.”

The guard stepped aside, letting me pass. “In yer go, Solin. Alpha team’s jus’ back from patrol – yer got good timing’, lass!”

I nodded gratefully and strolled inside. As usual, worried looking guards quickly stepped aside with no questions; though at peace, the Soul Creatures and the mortals still were tense around each other.

Flyer’s point of view

“OK, team. Check the Interceptors’ systems, then head for debriefing!” I instructed to Monsoon, Dommur, Tailflit and Junarn.

Luckily for the pilots of Alpha Wing, we had earned ourselves a month of shore leave. I hadn’t decided what to do with mine yet, but a nice holiday was the best idea so far. I grinned, trying to decide which beach was the sunniest on New Nosteran.

“Finished taking pot shots at the Valedron’s have you?”

I jerked my head around, and found myself looking at the imposing shadow form of Solin. Her feline eyes glinted with amusement.

“Solin!” I groaned. “Well, yes, for the next month or so.”

“Good, good,” she replied, nodding casually, yet too automatically for my liking.

“Solin, what’s the matter?” I quizzed, pulling off my helmet.

I looked at the Soul Creature curiously – she was worrying over something. At my question, she pulled her attention way from the rest of the team checking out their ships.

“Erm… nothing’s the matter,” she replied distractedly. “Look, can we talk?”

“Pardon?”

“I need to talk to you.”

I frowned, “Fine, talk!”

Solin glanced around nervously: “In private.”

“Huh?”

She locked gazes with me, and her eyes were anxious and serious.

“I need to talk to you, in private,” she repeated.

I frowned at her, confused. She didn’t back down – fine, if she wanted to talk to me that badly, she was welcome to. A friend of Kevin was a friend of mine.

“OK, come to my quarters.”

“Thank you.”

She began walking towards the launch bay exit, and I turned to ask Monsoon to see to my ship, but Dommur was watching me with raised eyebrows, and Tailflit shrugged defensively.

“What?” I snapped in indignation. “What are you giving me that look for!? This is strictly a platonic relationship – it certainly isn’t a breach of any military protocols! Understand?”

The four of them muttered quick apologies and turned away, suddenly feeling very embarrassed.

“You were very strict with them, Commander,” Solin commented as she stepped into my quarters.

“They jump to conclusions!” I stated in reply. “So, what was so urgent?”

Solin looked out of the window at the navy sky, encrusted with jewelled stars. “Have you ever wanted to go to Earth?”

I paused a moment, considering the question. Of course I had – Kevin had promised to take me with him, but it was a promise he couldn’t keep.

“As a matter of fact, I did once, yes,” I answered, suddenly interested in what she was thinking. “But that was a while ago.”

Solin nodded, “I thought he mentioned that once –he said he’d take you with him.”

“If you mean Zakkar, then yes.” I raised my brow in wonder, for it was like she’d known exactly what I was thinking.

Solin sighed, and stepped away from the window. “I miss him, Flyer. He left Karnak about a year ago, and haven’t heard anything from him. I’m wondering if he’s OK.”

“Last time I saw you two together, you were trying to kill each other,” I stated curiously.

“Everyone argues,” she claimed, sighing again, “even the best of friends.”

I flew to her shoulder and perched there gently.

“You care for him, don’t you,” I asked sympathetically.

“He meant a lot to us both – we both do,” she side-stepped the question.

“But for you, is it more than just friendship?”

Solin crossed her arms slowly, thinking. I kept silent and didn’t persist, giving her time – but were those tears I saw glistening in her yellow eyes?

“I don’t know what I feel, Flyer.” She finally breathed. “But I do know this – I’ll only be satisfied he’s OK if I see him for myself.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“If I went to Earth….” She began cautiously, “would you want to come with me?”

“Go to Earth?” My jaw dropped. “But that would take years for a mortal!”

Solin shook her head: “Not if I speed up your ship! It would only take a week at most.”

I tapped my snout with my wingtip thoughtfully, “I don’t know, Solin…… I mean, no-one has ever been to Earth before!”

“That’s what’ll make it interesting!” she persisted. “It’ll be something new, something none of our races have done before.”

Solin held her wrist out, and I hopped over to it, sitting on her arm like a bird.

“Kevin made a promise he couldn’t keep – but maybe I can keep it for him.”

I remained pensive, mulling over the idea carefully. It wasn’t something I could decide instantly, and there were many things to consider, including whether mankind was ready to encounter tangible, alien creatures.

“Give me a day or two to think, Solin,” I replied thoughtfully. “I can’t choose yet.”

*“Too Much Love Will Kill You”, Queen.

***

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